http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/30/nfl-offseason-player-programs-coaches-changes

Why NFL Coaches Want More Offseason Time With Players
A declining quality of play and inability to build roster depth are two of the reasons cited for wanting to change the limited practice rules that arrived in 2011. Here’s how the league is working to fix it
by Albert Breer


Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images

PHOENIX — Publicly, Tuesday’s getaway day at the owners meetings was about three things: 1) Voting on rules proposals; 2) Committee presentations; 3) Getting out of Dodge.

Quietly, the wheels were turning on something that’s just a little higher impact.

Early in the day, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Saints coach Asshole Face and Panthers coach Ron Rivera held preliminary discussions with league officials on the state of the NFL’s offseason, and its work rules. Later, in a larger session, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and Browns coach Hue Jackson stood up and made their cases for more time with their players.

And if you polled the 32 coaches here at the Arizona Biltmore en masse, there’s a pretty good chance you’d get unanimous approval on their message. In the name of talent development and quality of play, the time has come, all these coaches believe, to take a hard look at how the NFL is setting up its quiet months.

“There are just simple topics in Phase I, Phase II (of the offseason program),” Payton told me Wednesday morning. “It’s in its early stages of discussion. Hey, these are some things that, if we can have everyone in the room agree, make more sense. It may be just starting training camp on time. Everyone ought to start training camp on the same exact day, except for the Hall of Fame game. Every team.

“And I can’t figure out why this other way is better, but we’re doing it. That’s not a union thing, or a league thing, it’s just not a benefit to anyone that way. But the climate is such now when one person brings it up, the other person says, ‘Well, what am I getting?’ And you’re like, ‘No, this doesn’t benefit anyone.’”

We’re starting with an issue that you’ll hear more about in the coming months and years, as we draw closer to the 2020 expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. And while it’s one you might not think about, the coaches you watch every Sunday in the fall believe it’s beginning to affect the product you’re seeing between the white lines.

During the 2011 labor negotiation, one big give-back from the owners to players related to work rules. Each team’s offseason program was cut by five weeks, from 14 to nine, with only five of those weeks to include on-field work. The number of hours within that time was reduced. Summer two-a-days were eliminated. Allowable contact was reduced drastically.

The truth is, it really wasn’t much of a sacrifice for the owners—You mean, we get to shut off the lights for another five weeks?—but it flipped upside down the way coaches could run their programs.

And while coaches could get creative—ex-Niners coach Jim Harbaugh used to run separate sessions on adjacent fields during camp to maximize reps—that time can’t be made up, which they found was good for no one.

“Our players like when we coach them,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I had a kid come in the other day. Can I get my playbook? ‘No.’ Can you imagine that? I can’t give him his playbook. It doesn’t make any sense. I’m a firm believer that, and I’m stepping out of my lane a little bit, but I just think for this game to keep going the way it’s going, and it’s an awesome game, we need more time with the players.”

OK, so where is this felt?

The easiest place to start is in player development. Some coaches have groused that developing depth, especially at positions where backups don’t rotate into games (quarterback, offensive line) has gotten infinitely more difficult. Others have said that it’s kept them for finding more good players in the first place.

“I was fortunate, I had Brandon Moore with the New York Jets, and Brandon came in as a defensive lineman,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said. “He went out, played in the world league, was on our practice squad, we released him, came back on our practice squad, and we kept working with him, working with him. And all of a sudden, he’s a 10-year starter and a captain for the Jets.

“Brandon was an extremely hard worker, he was an outstanding player with the Jets. I don’t know if a Brandon Moore comes about today, because of a lot of different things at that development stage.”

“You go to training camp and you’ve got one practice and a walkthrough,” added Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, who played seven NFL seasons after going undrafted. “I never would’ve played in this league with one practice and a walkthrough, because I never would’ve been discovered. A lot of players today aren’t getting discovered. We don’t get to see them.

“You can’t evaluate someone in a walkthrough, and then you throw them in a preseason game with the half the reps they normally would’ve gotten. So not only is it affecting the players’ play, we’re missing out on talent. You think (Bronco legend) Terrell Davis would be here today? He was seventh on our depth chart.”

As O’Brien said, many players would rather be with their coaches. But failing that, they have to make up for it, which often costs them well into five figures in training costs (hiring skill-based coaches, renting fields, hiring strength and conditioning coaches, etc.)

“We’ve had guys ask, How come we can’t work out with you guys?” Rivera said. “Those are the rules. We have guys that have to hire people to work them out. We can’t. So they’re spending their money on people working with them, as opposed to working with us. That’s just the way it is.”

Lynn told me that, a few years ago, he went to former players Troy Vincent and Merton Hanks, both working for the league at the time, with notes on all the concerns he’d heard about the impact the work rules were having. Vincent and Hanks told him, in turn, to put a petition together to try and spark reform.

As Lynn recalls, “None of the veteran players wanted to sign it.” The reason? Relations between the players and league had deteriorated to where players were unwilling to put their trust in the clubs.

Conversely, the reason we’re here in the first place is in large part due to, you guessed it, the coaches. Some are even willing to admit it. “We screwed this up,” Marrone said. “Some people abused the time players were in the building.”

So fixing it will take trust. The players have to trust that coaches will stay within the spirit of the rules to back the coaches’ stance, which is necessary because the union will have to be on board with whichever changes do come. The players and league will have to trust one another—we’ve seen that doesn’t come easy—to try to create a mutual benefit here.

But the glimmer of good news here is that the effort is underway to be ready for changes in the next CBA, if not sooner as part of a CBA extension. And the belief is that those changes will mean opportunity for more players across the board, more prepared players on each team and, in the end, a better game.

“I understand all the politics behind it. There’s more than meets the eye, but it’s not American, it’s not common sense, it’s not right,” said Harbaugh. “The league has been great so far, the PA has been great, and I think in the next CBA it’ll get adjusted, I hope in a good way. If we can get past the bickering and the taking of sides—it’s not a poker game here, we’re not hoarding chips.

“Why don’t we just sit down and say, what’s good for everyone involved here? It’d probably take about an hour to figure the whole thing out, if everybody put agendas aside.”

That, of course, is easier said than done in these circles. But after this week, it’s clear they’re trying.

http://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/bre...-9-contract-offers-nfl-teams-veteran-combine/

In 2013, Nick Truesdell the 6’6, 252 pound wide receiver found out that his size and talents could only get him so far. He found an agent, attended Cincinnati Bengals camp, and earned a tryout with the Tennessee Titans. The amazing pass catcher knew he had the talents, and was forced to take his talents to Colorado where played for the Indoor Football Leagues’ Colorado Ice. Truesdell would spend the next few years trying to get into the NFL. He spent time on several teams, before he finally landed a spot with the Colts.

• Cincinnati Bengals Camp (2013)
• Tennessee Titans Tryout (2013)
• Colorado Ice (2014)
• Bemidji Axemen (2014)
• Spokane Shock (2014–2015)
• Portland Steel (2016)
• Indianapolis Colts (2016)*
• Arizona Rattlers (2017)*
• Cleveland Gladiators (2017)*

After playing solid ball for Bemidji his play earned him an invitation to Green Bay Packers camp. That only lasted a week. That was when he signed with the Spokane Shock. He was a dog for them scoring 19 touchdowns with five weeks to go. That is when NFL teams began to take notice.

On July 28, 2016, He was signed to the Indianapolis Colts roster. Two days later on July 31, 2016, Truesdell was waived. TWO DAYS, that never sat well with Truesdell.

It was not what he had hoped for, but it did open the door for the veteran combine a few days ago in Arizona. Truesdell knew he could impress scouts if he attended so he signed up and the rest is history.


I talked to several scouts who said Truesdell straight murdered the veteran combine. He ran a 4.47 at 6’6 and 252 pounds. The teams ran him through drills and that was more than enough. We are learning that by the time he went to the airport, over six teams had already called his agent and began offering contracts.

He received 9 contract offers from the Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.

We are learning that the big time target will make his decision very soon, and he is actually on a visit now with one of the teams. Expect him to make a decision very soon.

And finally bought myself my first brand new truck. I've been telling myself for years I was going to do it, and today, I did. All black emblems, black wheels...just a perfect truck for me.

I think he's still unsigned. Haven't even heard about a visit, tbh.

Kinda reinforces the opinion of some of us that we had a deficiency at our C position. That our C position was a big part of our problems in our running and passing game. BTW, didn't we hear Fisher and/or Snead commenting about the solid play of Barnes during the last two years? Or is my memory playing tricks on me?

It says a lot when a new staff releases a starter before making a single move to replace him, don't you think?

I mean, THAT speaks volumes.

Tells me that this new staff is paying attention and knows what the hell they're doing.

Alot of us have wanted to see this happen since we drafted him. Sounds like Phillips does too.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9635/lamarcus-joyner

Rams slot CB Lamarcus Joyner is a "real option" to move to free safety.
Strictly limited to nickel corner duties under the Jeff Fisher staff, new DC Wade Phillips wants to get Joyner on the field for every snap. He played safety his first three years at Florida State and was a do-it-all maven, racking up sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. The Rams are expected to move last year's FS Maurice Alexander to strong safety to replace free agent T.J. McDonald. Mar 29 - 12:21 PM
Source: ESPN.com

I just heard an press conference with Jeffrey Louray of the Phildelphia Eagles. It was interesting to hear an owner talk to the media to begin with, but what was interesting to me was the plan to move up for a QB.
He said that he was able to find out 1st through inside information who the Rams were going to take before making the big move, not just going in blind.
Ok now, obviously that makes sense but do you think they would have made the same move if it was Goff ?
Now I know that there has been a lot of conversation about this over multiple threads but it seems like Wentz is the better QB so far. Better players around him, better offensive coaching staff, better scheme to fit the QB, yes all the above.
McVay is addressing all that too with the Rams and I hope Goff comes out week one and plays as well as Wentz did or better.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/29/...ermott-anthony-lynn-vance-joseph-doug-marrone

Inside the Minds of the NFL’s Six New Coaches
Understanding their football philosophies gives insight into the draft
By Andy Benoit



The best thing about the NFL draft is that it forces honesty. In the decisions they make, coaches and GMs tell us what they really think about their players and how they really feel the game should be approached.

This year, six teams will make decisions with new head coaches. Aside from Doug Marrone in Jacksonville, they’re all first-time head coaches. Here’s an overview of each man’s core beliefs and how it will impact his team’s draft.

Sean McVay
Los Angeles Rams

As an offensive designer, McVay relies heavily on geometry, especially through the air. Many of his pass designs involve multiple routes working together to exploit a predicted defensive coverage. He tries to regulate those coverages with his receiver spacing and distribution.

He’ll figure out what a defensive coordinator calls versus specific formations in certain down and distances, and he’ll align his receivers in places that compromise those calls. This can be very nuanced. For example, there’s a big difference between a receiver lining up, say, 12 yards from the sideline versus 10 yards from the sideline. Where receivers align in relation to each other is also huge, as is presnap motion.

With this sort of approach, you need a variety of different styles of receivers. As the offensive coordinator in Washington, McVay had a true speedster in DeSean Jackson, an inside possession receiver in Pierre Garçon, a shifty slot weapon in Jamison Crowder and a mismatch-making tight end in Jordan Reed.

The skill sets of all four players complemented each other. The Rams’ receiving corps is decidedly less diverse. (And less talented.) Ex-Bill Robert Woods is essentially Garçon minus some strength and Crowder minus some quickness.

Tavon Austin looks like a slot receiver but isn’t patient enough to play there. The rest of the receiving corps is comprised of backups. To run McVay’s scheme, the Rams need several new wideouts.

(Click link above to read the rest)

Browns apparently hate their uniforms, reportedly considering wild helmet change

The Browns might be getting a new look in the near future

By John Breech (@johnbreech)
3/28/2017

Whoever was in charge of designing the Browns’ uniforms might not have a job for long, because apparently the team already hates the new look.

Less than two years after unveiling a completely new uniform, the Browns are already looking to start over.

At the NFL owners meeting this week, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam told ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi that there were multiple problems with the team’s latest look.

https://twitter.com/TonyGrossi/status/846459868223459328

For one, there was a general feeling that the team’s nine uniform combinations were too busy. Haslam also noted that there’s an issue with the fabric that makes the jerseys tight and uncomfortable for the players. That might explain their record last season.

The Browns and Nike spent roughly two years designing the new uniforms, which is why it’s such a shock that Cleveland might already want to replace them. The problem with getting new uniforms is that it’s a long process.

Under NFL rules, you can’t replace a uniform more than once every five years, meaning the Browns are stuck with their current duds until the end of the 2019 season. Also, it takes two years to design a new uniform, meaning the Browns likely won’t start planning for their new look until after the 2017 season.

“We’ve talked about it, but we haven’t conceptualized what that might be, and we have to work with the NFL on it,” Haslam said.

When the team does eventually go through the two-year design process, don’t look for them to make the same mistakes they made when they changed their uniform in 2015.


“We’ve learned a lot through that process,” Haslam said. “We will go through the process probably again.”

As for what the new uniforms might look like, Haslam didn’t want to give away any secrets.

“We’re the Cleveland Browns. We stand for a certain thing,” Haslam said. “I can’t imagine doing anything too crazy, can you? I can’t.”

Apparently, there is one crazy thing that might happen. A team source told Grossi that the Browns are “seriously looking” at the possibility of dumping their orange helmet and going with a white one. The team wore a white helmet between 1946 and 1949. The team also happened to win four straight world championships between 1946-49, so maybe going in that direction is the right move.

You can see what all three of the Browns’ current uniforms look like below (Ironically, none of the three players who modeled the uniform in 2015 are still on the team). The all-orange look clearly isn’t popular because the Browns haven’t worn it a single time during their two seasons with the new uniforms.


Apparently, the Browns don't like their uniforms ClevelandBrowns.com

----------
Didn't the players help design these uniforms in the first place? Maybe they should leave the uniform designing to the professionals and concentrate on winning a flipping game! I never liked their new uniforms anyways. Also, a white helmet for Cleveland?! That just wouldn't look right; especially after decades of crappy football in orange.

Bonsignore: Rams GM Les Snead on offseason moves, Sean McVay and Jared Goff
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sean-747818-guys-players.html
March 28, 2017 Updated 5:20 p.m.


‘Look, it was obvious we needed better play at left tackle,' said Rams general manager Les Snead on the signing of free agent Andrew Whitworth. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST

PHOENIX – Rams general manager Les Snead sat down for a one-on-one interview with Southern California News Group's Vincent Bonsignore at the NFL's spring meetings on Tuesday. Snead touched on a number of subjects ranging from free agency, the potential impact new coach Sean McVay will have on attracting players and monitoring young quarterback jared Goff.

Q: We're a few weeks into free agency and you made some key additions in left tackle Andrew Whitworth, outside linebacker Connor Barwin, receiver Robert Woods and some others. From where you sit today, how would you assess what the Rams have been able to do?

A: Very satisfied. A player like Andrew Whitworth does so much for us, and not necessarily all on the field at left tackle. We've been the youngest team in all of football for the last few years, and now we get a legit leader that gives us that short-term dividend of, if he continues to keep playing the way he has been, left tackle will be a strong point for us. But I also think he will help Rodger Saffold, who is in his prime and playing good football, continue to play good and maybe even help him play the best football of his life. Then moving Greg Robinson, all of a sudden a guy who's still 23, 24 years old, gets to learn from somebody that's 12 years older who has had a lot of battles.

Look, it was obvious we needed better play at left tackle, whether that was getting Greg better or bringing someone else in. But I can tell you this. Let's just say you were able to get an improved player but maybe he didn't bring all the leadership qualities that (Whitworth) brings. We might not have gone that direction. It was really important for us to get that. Just because, hey, we're the youngest team in football and while there's some good core pieces that are going to be a round a long time, let's bring some real men in and help them pave the way and help our guys who are on the cusp of expedite that process.

Q: In talking to some of your new players, it's obvious the chance to play for Sean McVay was a big factor. And that, after talking to friends around the league who played for Sean, the feedback was really positive. Is that the sense you guys are getting too?

A: It's interesting because that was the feedback we got about Sean when we reached out to guys who had played for him during our coaching search. And that seemed to carry over into what we've heard during free agency. And it's interesting because the way our league is structured, Sean's a young guy and players relate to him. But then when they do their research they figure out, hey by the way, he can help me become a better football player. And when you get to the core of these, guys, that's what they want.

Q: Can that be a factor that bodes well for you guys in terms of attracting players?

A: I definitely think so. You combine Sean, a young, dynamic coach with the dynamic Los Angeles market. You can throw in weather too. And don't underestimate the reaction of guys when they see the drawings of the new stadium and how special it will be. All of these ingredients, with a big part being Sean, when guys start thinking: “If I have a chance to (be a free agent) one time, L.A. seems like a cool, happening, on-the-cusp place to go play.

Q: You designated CB Trumaine Johnson with the franchise tag. That creates flexibility to either sign him long term, trade him or let him play put the season with the tag. Is there a general plan in place for how things will proceed moving forward?

A: With Trumaine, it's important to us to be honest with him. And we've laid out a plan of OK, we'll start with the franchise tag because we certainly didn't want him to walk. Now we're going to go through OTAs get to the end of that, and that will be the first time we'll sit down and say, 'Can we get something done long term?' Now, trades are always an element you'll navigate. You always have to take it case by case, but he's not someone you're just going to give away. To make a deal like that it's got to be a win-win for both sides. In other words, if we lost Trumaine, how does that help the Rams, not only 2017 but into the future?

Q: There are rules in place that prohibit contact right now with players. How does that affect the way you monitor Jared Goff's offseason work and progress?

A: That's a frustrating part of this whole process. Because, hey, you know you've got a new head coach and a new offense and they're eager to get started. And you have a young quarterback just as eager. By sheer rules and legalities, which seems totally counterproductive to me, I don't mind saying that, you have a staff and quarterback who want to be the best they can be but outside forces are coming together to hinder that.

Q: Are you in favor of changing those rules to allow more access to players in the offseason? Especially young quarterbacks?

A: Definitely in favor. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of going back to a time when we kept everyone around forever and everybody go do the Oklahoma Drill. But I do think there's a way both sides can think through this successfully. Because I think the players would tell you the same thing: They feel a void at times. So there has to be a solution better than what we have and I'd imagine it's something that will get discussed and some bright people will come up with a good one. It's common sense, and usually common sense prevails. Unfortunately it might not prevail as quickly as we'd like, especially from a football perspective. But it's something that's percolating.

Contact the writer: vbonsignore@scng.com

Jake Ellenbogen's 2017 L.A. Rams Mock Draft 4.0

Major shakeups? New things are happening around the NFL, the Rams didn't quite end up with a center like I thought when my mock draft 3.0 came out and a previous first round shutdown corner has since started to plummet down draft boards. Here is my new 4.0 edition of my Los Angeles Rams 2017 NFL Mock Draft.

2nd Round (TRADE w/ Redskins 49th overall) - Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State (6-foot-1, 209 lbs)

Sorry guys this pick isn't changing, but I will point out that we have our first trade in this series. I decided Godwin can be had for a little later in the round so I swung a deal with the Washington Redskins to pick up another fourth rounder which will be valuable for building a great draft class.

The reason for Godwin if it wasn't obvious before is the fact I believe he is the best natural hands catching receiver in the draft, he runs routes well, has ideal number one receiver size, has the 4.4 speed everyone begs for. Godwin to the Rams just makes the most sense. Obviously there are guys like CB Adoree' Jackson USC, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster USC, TE Evan Engram Ole Miss and G Dan Feeney from Indiana that could all be in play here. I would think each and everyone of them are being mulled over by the Rams brass right now.

3rd Round (69th overall) - Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida (6-foot-0, 199 lbs)

Here's another shakeup of my mock courtesy of Chidobe Awuzie rising up draft boards and Jalen (I'm not calling him Teez) Tabor. Awuzie has been dominating the pre-draft process and has left experts stunned and starting to believe he could sneak into the first round. Tabor on the other hand is experiencing a collapse of his stock. He ran slow at the combine in the 4.6 range but his 4.7 forty yard dash at his pro day alarmed scouts leaving everyone to say he will be falling far.

Tabor was falling out of the first round before this so I feel he is now going to fall into the third round for the Rams to be given a chance to get a real good player. Tabor is a definite lock-down corner and has the charisma and leadership qualities you like out of your corner. Tabor would be able to play the nickel spot or compete versus newly signed CB Kayvon Webster for the starting role alongside Trumaine Johnson. We won't even go into the idea of trading Johnson since it would be just brash speculation but Tabor and Webster would be your starting CB's if that was the case. He's in my top two at cornerback and the Rams would be getting a steal in the third.

4th round (112th overall) - George Kittle, TE, Iowa (6-foot-4, 247 lbs)

This is a statement pick for the Rams. This represents a staple of what Sean McVay wants to bring as far as culture. Kittle is a no-brainer for a team that values athleticism, hard working demeanor and toughness both physical and mental. Kittle embodies all of that and would make for a dominate duo combined with Tyler Higbee. Kittle may not be the sexy pick but jump on the bandwagon now because it's going to take off.

Kittle is a nasty blocker and by that I mean he literally tries to slam players through the ground. Iowa players always seem to have an extra edge to them as blockers. He ran a 4.52 forty yard dash at the combine which is crazy to go with his blocking ability. Kittle could very well end up in horns because of how hard of a worker he is you can already picture McVay raving about this type of player.

4th round (TRADE w/ Redskins 114th overall) - Alex Anzalone, ILB, Florida (6-foot-3, 241 lbs)

I was going back and forth with Anzalone and Kendall Beckwith here. I decided to go with the more athletic linebacker of the two. Anzalone has had some serious injuries in the past but I think his talent outweighs that. The Rams would have to consider trading Mark Barron if they drafted Anzalone because he would play right next to Alec Ogletree as an inside backer.

Anzalone has the speed to be a force as linebacker, he can be a monster run stopper and he shows off his exceptional burst and his ability to get skinny and break through the line on occasional blitzes. Anzalone is a day one starter as long as he stays healthy and will only turn into a better player having Wade Phillips as his defensive coordinator.

4th round (141st overall) - Kyle Fuller, C, Baylor (6-foot-5, 307 lbs)

I have become a huge fan of Kyle Fuller's game and the fact of the matter is this, he's going to be the best available at this point in the draft. Don't get tricked, Pat Elflein, Tyler Orlosky and Ethan Pocic will all be picked higher than mock drafts have them. Fuller is the last option as far as a center who in my opinion can start day one. Fuller has excellent size and his hand strength is impressive.


I still really like the idea of giving Demetrius Rhaney a chance to earn the starting job, drafting Fuller would push Rhaney and would make for a good training camp to see who the next Rams center would be.

5th round (149th overall) - Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU (6-foot-2. 196 lbs)

After a hiatus Malachi Dupre comes back into my mock draft only to fall a round than he was before. Dupre is being a little underrated as I previously mentioned because of the fact he had a lack of production. It's not really fair to hold that against him when he played in a run heavy offense and with not one NFL type of QB.

The Rams need to add a big bodied wide receiver and while Dupre doesn't have the weight, he has the size. As of right now Dupre would be the tallest WR on the Rams. He will come into the league a little raw due to the lack of use he received at LSU. He shows off excellent body control, ball tracking, jump ball effort and has a sneaky amount of speed. The Rams would definitely like to bring in a guy like this to develop in the new offense McVay is putting in place.


6th round (189th overall) - Joe Mathis, EDGE, Washington (6-foot-2, 255 lbs)

It's pretty obvious by now I have a draft crush on JoJo Mathis from Washington. He is going to be a good pro at the next level and I love how many continue to knock him and red flag him on this and that. The fact is this, when he was healthy last season he changed the entire defensive game plan as opposed to when he wasn't out there.

Mathis is going to be a very good pass rusher at the next level, he doesn't have elite speed sure but he has a unique amount of power as he benched more than any LB at the combine. The Rams could use Mathis in a situational rusher role and then perhaps try him at OLB when Connor Barwin's time with the Rams is up.


6th round (206th overall) - Fish Smithson, FS, Kansas (5-foot-11, 201 lbs)

This is one of the biggest diamonds in the rough of the entire draft. I refuse to take him off my mock draft. Fish Smithson possesses the instincts, intelligence and leadership to have a definite role in the NFL. This is another high character guy for McVay and another Kansas player for Wade Phillips who has not only coached two pro bowl KU players but he even coached at Kansas years ago.

Going into 2017 the competition for the starting FS spot would be between Fish Smithson, Brian Randolph, Cody Davis, Marqui Christian and Isaiah Johnson. My money would be on Brian Randolph but regardless both Randolph and Smithson would have roles for the Rams.

7th round (234th overall) - Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State (6-foot-8, 295 lbs)

The Rams, in my opinion, don't need a ton of offensive linemen like many are shouting for. All the Rams really need is a starting center and another tackle to develop. Enter Jylan Ware, who is a small-school athletic beast. He has great size, a great feel for the game of football, long arms and athleticism that puts him at the top of the class or near it in that regard. He has shown that he is quick enough on his feet that he will be able to handle edge rushers at the next level.

One issue with Ware is his weight. He will need to bulk up at least 10 pounds. The Rams can use him to stay behind Greg Robinson and Andrew Whitworth. New offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is a real teacher of the game and could get the most out of Ware. Some scouts believe he will some day end up starting in the NFL just off the ability he has to pick up things quicker than most of his peers. I flirted with the idea of drafting Julie'n Davenport in the fourth but I felt like Anzalone would be more valuable for the here and now as well as the future. Like Davenport, Ware is raw but Davenport is nowhere near the athlete Ware is and this would the Rams first project in the new regime.

Other Draft Notes:
- EDGE Tyus Bowser & TE Adam Shaheen are flying up draft boards and could be taken as high as the early portion of round two. Bowser of Houston has been the biggest name rising up boards and he could even go in the first round. Shaheen of Ashland has only seen an uptick of his stock since slaying the combine.
- WR Speedy Noil of Texas A&M is going to be a contributor at the next level. He had some trouble at A&M and wasn't given the playing time or much of an opportunity to show what he can do. He is the former No.1 overall high school athlete and is ready to show off that athleticism at A&M's pro day March 30th.
- CB Daquan Holmes of American International College is gaining steam to be almost guaranteed to be selected in the draft. He is an under the radar corner we wrote about previously. Holmes is a small school prospect that shows explosive ball skills and return ability. He really had a great pro day and it got teams like the Buccaneers, Patriots and Giants interested.

What are your thoughts Rams fans? Sound off below!

I guess this is Rams news? I don't know, popped up in my news feed. Nice digs.


http://www.latimes.com/business/rea...p-sean-mcvay-encino-house-20170328-story.html



Sean McVay, the new head coach of theLos Angeles Rams, has bought a home in Encino for $2.71 million.

Set on a corner lot, the contemporary-style home was designed for indoor-outdoor entertaining and features pocketing glass doors, a swimming pool and a covered patio. A row of built-in benches lines a pavilion above the swimming pool.

The house was listed at $2.749 million prior to the sale, records show.

Andrew Spitz and Harriet Cameron of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties were the listing agents. Josh and Matthew Altman, the Altman brothers of Douglas Elliman, represented McVay.

McVay in January became the youngest head coach in NFL history when he was hired by the Rams. The 31-year-old previously spent seven seasons with theWashington Redskinsas the tight ends coach and, more recently, the offensive coordinator.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ve-8-new-rules-4-new-bylaws-1-new-resolution/

Owners approve 8 new rules, 4 new bylaws, 1 new resolution
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 28, 2017

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The below playing rules, bylaws and resolution proposals were adopted by NFL clubs today at the annual meeting:

Approved 2017 Playing Rules Proposals

— Prohibits the “leaper” block attempt on field goal and extra point plays.

— Makes permanent the rule that disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

— Keeps in place the change of the spot of a touchback after a kickoff to the 25-yard line for the 2017 season.

— Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection.

— Makes crackback blocks prohibited by a backfield player who is in motion, even if he is not more than two yards outside the tackle when the ball is snapped.

— Replaces the sideline replay monitor with a hand-held device and authorizes designated members of the Officiating department to make the final decision on replay reviews.

— Makes it Unsportsmanlike Conduct to commit multiple fouls during the same down designed to manipulate the game clock.

— Makes actions to conserve time illegal after the two-minute warning of either half.

Approved 2017 Bylaw Proposals

— Liberalizes rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility for one year only.

— Changes the procedures for returning a player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness to the Active List to be similar to those for returning a player that was Designated for Return.

— The League office will transmit a Personnel Notice to clubs on Sundays during training camp and preseason.

Approved 2017 Resolution Proposal

— Permits a contract or non-contract non-football employee to interview with and be hired by another club during the playing season, provided the employer club has consented.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/28/chris-long-signs-with-eagles/

Chris Long signs with Eagles
Posted by Josh Alper on March 28, 2017

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After winning the Super Bowl with the Patriots, defensive end Chris Long said that he wouldn’t be returning to New England for a second season.

Long cited a desire to play a more prominent role on defense than he did down the stretch for the Patriots as the reason for moving on and we now know where he’ll be vying for that kind of playing time. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that Long has agreed to a contract with the Eagles.

Long will likely take on a fair number of the snaps that Connor Barwin played at defensive end last season. Barwin was released earlier this offseason and wound up signing with the Rams, who once employed Long although their defensive scheme has changed and will allow Barwin to move back to outside linebacker.

Long had 35 tackles and four sacks for the Patriots in the regular season last year.

http://www.worldlifestyle.com/world..._US_DT&utm_content=FBWLLLWL23NORTHKOREAUSDT02

Here are some incredible photographs that were smuggled out of the country:



You have to keep the streets clean
While traveling around Pyongyang, its cleanness is very noticeable. The government spends a lot of time making sure their capital city is one they would proudly show.



North Korea spends a fortune on its armed forces
It is unknown how much exactly the North Korean leader, Kim Jung-Un spends on funding the Korean People’s Army, though it is said to be quite a fortune. The North Korean army uses lasers and missiles banned in other countries and has an impressive cyber warfare unit. It is mandatory for every North Korean over 18 to enlist, even women.



Only less than 3% of their roads are paved
Without a lot of government funding, most of the roads are left unpaved. In fact, if you travel through North Korea, you will only see less than 3% of their roads finished. That is, out of the 120,538 square kilometers of roads, only about 2.83% are paved.



You need to work for your education in North Korea
Did you know that the students in North Korea are required to purchase their own chairs, desks, and heating during the winter? And if that wasn’t enough, they are also forced to work during school to produce things for the government.



The country was named the most corrupt in the world
This probably won’t shock you but last year, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index, North Korea is tied as the most corrupt country in the world! They were tied with Somalia with a score of 8. The rating is between 0 (highly corrupt) and 100 (very clean).



Western citizens can’t walk by themselves in North Korea
After your visit has been approved by the party, they will assign a guide to you. To be clear, you can’t say “no thank you.” For the rest of your stay, the guides will be with you at all times and your tour will rarely leave the minivan.



Soldiers are everywhere in North Korea
In this photo, the photographer managed to capture two soldiers having a conversation. It isn’t that uncommon to see soldiers everywhere if you live in North Korea.Huniewicz probably would have gotten into big trouble if he was caught taking their picture!



Smoking Marijuana is legal in North Korea
According to reporters who’ve visited the country, you can both consume and purchase pot pretty freely and not worry about being prosecuted anywhere in North Korea. It is unknown wether there aren’t any rules against pot altogether, or there are rules that aren’t being enforced. It is also unknown if the same rules apply for both tourists and North Korean citizens.



North Korean public service is tough
This photo was taken at the Mansu Hill Grand Monument. The uniformed girls are sweeping one of the walkways as a form of public service. Not something you would see in the U.S. that’s for sure. The state on the left-hand side is the Socialist Revolution monument.



All male citizens are forced to get a certain haircut
According to an anonymous source from Pyongyang, who contacted South Korea newspaper, The Chosun Ilbo men in North Korea were ordered to cut their hair so it wasn’t longer than 2 centimeters. They were also told to model their hairstyles after Kim Jong Un, whose hair has been described as “ambitious.”



It costs $8,000 to leave North Korea
It isn’t easy to leave North Korea and you will be punished if you are caught trying to escape. There is a way, though, to defect but it would cost you $8,000 to do so. That will only get you to China, though and very few North Koreans would actually be able to afford that.



You can’t travel around the country freely
Even if you are a citizen of North Korea, you aren’t allowed to roam around the country freely. You are required to get a permit if you want to travel outside of your city/town. This is so the government can keep tabs on where everyone is.



There’s a “three generation of punishment” rule in North Korea
If you break the law in North Korea, you’d probably be sent to a prison or work camp, which currently hold around 200,000 prisoners. The problem is, you won’t be the only one suffering for your wrongdoings.It’s common for entire families to be punished if a family member breaks the law.



State workers work very hard in North Korea
Here we see state workers carrying some unknown object across a bridge. Looks like they don’t have access to a truck or something that could carry the heavy object or at least transport the workers to their construction site.

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/...s-most-improved-in-nfc-west-after-free-agency

49ers most improved in NFC West after free agency
ESPN.com

Which team in the division improved itself the most through free agency?

Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals:
The San Francisco 49ers improved the most in the NFC West, but mostly by default. They’ve signed 12 players, all but instantly bolstering their roster in the process. The Niners signed quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley, although it remains to be seen whether either will be the starter.

San Francisco also added two of the quickest wide receivers in the NFL in Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. If the Niners can find someone to get them the ball, then the offense could develop rather quickly.

Alden Gonzalez, Los Angeles Rams:
This is a division that generally didn’t really wow in free agency, so in that case, you have to go with the 49ers. They were busy, at least. They had to be. The Niners began with a lot of vacancies on their roster and a lot of salary-cap space in their payroll, so they went about adding players who would fit the scheme and culture Kyle Shanahan wants to implement as a first-year head coach. And they did it without necessarily sacrificing financial flexibility.

The 49ers added a premier receiver (Garcon), signed a stopgap quarterback (Hoyer), splurged on a versatile fullback (Kyle Juszczyk), landed a speedy No. 2 receiver (Goodwin), then filled in a blocking tight end (Logan Paulsen), another linebacker (Malcolm Smith) and a replacement for Phil Dawson (Robbie Gould). Yes, the Niners still have a long, long way to go. But going from two wins to five qualifies as significant improvement, doesn’t it?

Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers:
I'm not sure any of the four teams did anything that will make a substantial difference in their record in 2017, but the 49ers made the most changes and upgraded at more spots than the other teams. If nothing else, the Niners almost can't be any worse than they were a year ago -- and with players that Shanahan knows and trusts to run his system, it's fair to expect at least some uptick in performance from last season.

Perhaps best of all, San Francisco's free-agent crop will help without breaking the bank, allowing it to keep some powder dry for next year when it could be in better position to land a franchise quarterback.

Sheil Kapadia, Seattle Seahawks:
The San Francisco 49ers. To be honest, it’s smart to go with the 2-14 option with questions like this. There’s nowhere to go but up. The 49ers handed out some big-money contracts, but the goal in Year 1 under Shanahan should be to start to get the personnel in place who can execute his system. Even though the signings were costly, San Francisco at least began to do that with the additions of guys such as Garcon and Juszczyk.

And the 49ers were wise to hold off on making a drastic move at quarterback. They are not built to win now, so why panic and pour valuable resources into the position? Instead, Hoyer can serve as a bridge option until Shanahan finds more of a long-term solution. The 49ers were outscored by 171 points a year ago, the widest margin in the conference. They have a long way to go to be competitive, but the roster looks far more professional than it did going into 2016.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/03/27/nfl-oakland-raiders-las-vegas-raiders-next-relocation-city-london

Beyond Vegas: London Is Calling the NFL
The ease with which the Raiders left Oakland for Las Vegas shows that NFL teams will chase the next dollar no matter where it can be made. That also means the next team to relocate will likely need passports
by Albert Breer

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PHOENIX — To some in the room, the speed at which everything moved on Monday morning at the NFL’s annual meeting was jarring.

Maybe it was that 18 of the 32 teams were represented on either the stadium or finance committee, so there was little need to belabor the particulars about the Raiders’ proposed move to Las Vegas. Maybe it was this particular relocation had been thoroughly vetted in the fall. Or maybe the owners were just sick of talking about it.

No matter the reason, this is how it went in the room: the Raiders made their presentation, the floor opened for discussion, that discussion was minimal, and owner Mark Davis was given the green light to move his team by a 31-1 vote. It was a relatively painless phase of what’s supposed to be a painful process, and to some it begged an obvious question: Is it becoming too easy for teams to chase the next dollar?

The next obvious question: Where does the next dollar come from?

The answer I got Monday afternoon after asking around at the Arizona Biltmore was just as simple as the morning’s business proceedings. The next frontier isn’t likely to be the vacated markets of Oakland, San Diego or St. Louis. It’s overseas.

“I’m not aware of anyone else who’s interested in leaving their home market at this time, so I’d be surprised if anything popped up in that regard,” Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said. “However, as chairman of the international committee, we are discussing what the best way is to continue to grow the business internationally and it’s no secret that a subject that’s been floated is one day having a team that’s playing at least their regular season schedule overseas.

“So that’d be the only thing I’d see in the near future. It’s certainly not imminent.”

Maybe not. But at the very least, London seems to have moved into the on-deck circle.

First, some history. Near the end of the old CBA, as the game’s popularity was exploding and reaching a saturation point, the NFL recognized that it was going to become harder to grow up, so it needed to grow out. That meant adding inventory, which was the talk about 18 regular-season games, expanded playoffs, Thursday night games, a return to Los Angeles, and, perhaps most notably, globalization.

The NFL had launched the International Series in 2007 with a singular focus on building in London, while quietly setting a 15-year goal of becoming the first North American sports league to base a franchise there. One London game for the first six years became two in 2013, and two in 2013 became three in 2014. This year, the NFL will play four games in London (half of a home schedule) for the first time.

Next year, a dual-purpose stadium the NFL invested in at Tottenham will open; it’s the first one being built overseas for both American football and the British kind. After that, the hope is to eventually get to an eight-game series in London, which could either be the precursor to a club landing there or simply the long-term solution.

“First time we went there, I said that in the next decade, I think there should be a team here,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. “I still think we should have a team there, and then probably on the continent.

I don’t know how it’ll work, we’ll have to work the logistics … How would it work? Who would it be? … But I wouldn’t be surprised if in the next five to seven years we have a team there. Maybe sooner.”

The logistics won’t be easy.

The league has looked at adding a second bye week to the schedule to help manage such a massive undertaking, and concepts such as having the London team play in blocks—three games in the U.K., then three stateside—have been discussed.

Air travel remains an issue, as does making tricky one-off situations (say, a Seattle vs. London wild-card game) doable. In addition to being based in the U.K., the team would likely have a U.S. training facility as well, maybe in Florida, for extended stays.

There’s also the question of who would go. As Hunt said, there aren’t very many immediate candidates.

“No fan or community is going to suddenly wake up and find out that their team is thinking about moving,” NFL EVP Eric Grubman said. “The precursor is an aging stadium that is not being maintained, a lack of competitiveness in that stadium as an economic engine, and nobody doing anything about it. If those things are present, the clouds are gathering, and usually people aren’t silent about it.

“So if you look around the league, I don’t think all those things are in place in any other market. Could they be in five or 10 years? Yes. But not now, and I see no reason to suggest that’s going to happen.”

Grubman also affirmed Hunt and Kraft in saying that working on the International Series now becomes “the most important thing that people are working on that involves the playing of games.” And again, in five years or so, maybe that means playing eight games with different teams in London. Or maybe it’ll mean a franchise like Buffalo or Jacksonville starting to explore the idea of going there permanently.

Which brings us back to the expedience of Monday morning’s process. Two or three years ago, Las Vegas wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a potential landing spot for whoever would lose out in the race to Los Angeles. But an incredible deal for the Raiders emerged from the ashes of their failed Carson project, one that was so good that only one owner could manage to tell Davis no on Monday.

The bottom line: the next dollar was in the desert, so now the Raiders are there too. And the cold business of that process tells us that whoever comes next may well be looking for a good exchange rate.

http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...line-greg-robinson-at-rt-rob-havenstein-at-rg

Though offseason workouts and training camp will be the ultimate decider, Greg Robinson is expected to move from left tackle to right tackle, and Rob Havenstein is expected to shift from right tackle to right guard, Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed from the owners meetings on Monday.

Click to expand...

I'm really shocked by this.

Although, it makes more sense when you hear this:

"He’s a very, very, very smart guy," Snead said of Havenstein. "Being inside, you have to be mentally agile in there, a lot more than you have to be at tackle. Things happen quicker, and there’s more options of who you block. Most of the time at tackle, it’s a very limited number of people based on what changes in a defense."

The Rams want to simplify things as much as possible for Robinson in hopes of getting the most out of him in what will likely be the final year of his rookie contract.

Click to expand...

It is true that the closer you move to the middle of the OL, the more important football IQ and processing ability becomes.

I was just wondering if anyone on here is making a RAMS highlight video from this past season. Even though there was only a few highlights.
@yrba1 has made some pretty legit ones a few seasons back.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-brady-plans-to-play-six-or-seven-more-years/

Robert Kraft: Tom Brady plans to play six or seven more years
Posted by Michael David Smith

Tom Brady wants to give George Blanda a run for his money.

Blanda, the Hall of Fame Raiders kicker and quarterback, was the oldest player in NFL history when he played at age 48. Brady, who will turn 40 in August, hopes to play almost that long.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters today that he talked to Brady a few days ago, and Brady told him he plans to play six or seven more years.

It’s almost impossible to imagine that actually happening. Blanda was only a kicker by the end of his career, and no quarterback has played past age 44. The oldest player to pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season was Warren Moon, who did it age 42. Athletes just don’t stay on top into their mid-40s.

Kraft also said he hopes his 64-year-old head coach, Bill Belichick, coaches into his 80s. So the Brady-Belichick combination will last for many more years.

Final vote is reported at 31-1 only Miami voting no.

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A week from today we will see the new season underway. I saw a statistic yesterday that puts the current state of the sport in perspective. The RedSox AAA team will have a higher payroll than the San Diego Padres. Pretty pathetic for both teams.

As for my boys in blue like other teams it all comes down to health. It's amazing, and speaks to Roberts leadership, that they won as many games as they did by setting two ominous records. First the had the most days on the DL in the modern game. Secondly they were the first team to ever start a rookie pitcher six games in a row. I really think with adding Forsythe and retaining Turner and Jansen they have a shot to unseat the Cubs.

What's the outlook for your teams?

I keep seeing mock drafts of him falling past the Rams in the second round, and I can't believe the Rams could pass on him if he is there. He can fit the new 3-4 scheme at DE and with so much talent around him he could seriously make an impact his first year! Is there a reason he is falling so much? I heard it might be a motor issue, but is there something else?

The only sense I can make of the unusual, out of the box move is that they want him to fail.

He pretty much sucked on the left side, how do they expect him to excel on the right?

It makes much more sense to me to have Robinson play Left Guard and play Saffold on the right.

Maybe this is some attempt to have the game-day active swing Tackle and swing Guard?

Any insight on this would be appreciated.