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From this week. Good read.

LA Rams GM Les Snead made football fun again for the Rams organization​

By Bret Stuter | Dec 22, 2023​

When the LA Rams finished the 2022 NFl season with a record of 5-12, the LA Rams had more questions surrounding the team than simply how to return to winning football games. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay was emotionally exhausted, his competitive drive had been floored for far too long, and he wondered how long he could sustain that pace.

But that was just the start of the uncertainty. Regardless of how they would react when asked by the media, Rams veteran players began to face their own limits. Veterans who had climbed to the top of the NFL with the Rams in 2021, had fallen far and long in 2022. Many players had to battle back from injuries. Others had to face the reality that the NFL is a young man's sport, and that they were getting older.

Finally, the Rams had to admit that the frantic pace of 2021 had carried over and forced shortcuts for the team's restocking a coaching staff and the 53-man roster. In short, the ability of the Rams to replace players and exiting coaches was overwhelmed after Super Bowl LVI.

Les make football fun again​

The Rams have enjoyed tremendous success since hiring head coach Sean McVay in 2017. But that success has arrived in a three-year cycle. The challenge is trying to remain positive despite the roller coaster ride that has fallen on the Rams over the past eight NFL seasons.

The answer was so simple that no NFL analyst was able to understand the new direction that Rams GM Les Snead would take to recharge the entire LA Rams organization. The Rams would no longer chase veteran free agents who were solely looking for Lombardi Trophies and big sacks of cash. Instead, the Rams had to immerse the entire team in a pool of rookies. After all, rookies play the game of football out of love for the game. There are no contract negotiations or leveraging over the course of the team. They simply love suiting up and competing in the NFL.

The Rams tried a brand new approach this season. The Rams not only drafted 14 rookies, but the Rams signed hungry NFL veterans who were desperate to compete once again. For the love of the game became more than a catch-phrase or a cliche. It became a mission for the Rams entire organization to play the game of football the way it was meant to be played.

The LA Rams had to make football fun again for everyone. And so, the Rams scouts and analysts vetted hundreds of rookie and veteran prospects with an added criteria. New players had to have a measurable enthusiasm for the game of football before the Rams would seriously consider adding them to the team.

That intangible factor, a love of the game, is evident across the Rams entire rookie class of 2023. But it's even more apparent in the veterans who were added as well. A team is constructed of individuals who are confident enough in themselves to praise the contributions of others. And a team is constructed of individuals who face adversity together.

But more than any other factor, a team is comprised of individuals who trust their teammates to have their backs. Rams GM Les Snead handpicked rookie and veteran additions to the Rams roster because he understood that those players would do whatever was needed to cover one another's backs.

And the resurging Rams are no longer a secret. Just check out the following 'observation' made public on social media:

The Rams are 8-7 with two games to go. But this is just the tip of the iceberg for this young team. Stay tuned.

[ramblinfan.com]

Let's hope it's not a Havrisik - Crosby shootout for our next game!

Saturday December 23, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC


Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 8:00 p.m. ET, Peacock

Hey guys. I haven't been active much on here the last couple years. Life has been too busy. I've always lurked though, and catch as many games as I can.

I saw a few uncharacteristic drops from Kupp last night. Stuff he always catches. While I certainly don't think he is "done" by any means, do any of of think it's an omen to come? I think he just had an off game. Hopefully I'm not wrong.

I’ m going to be offline for the most part in the next few days, so…

Hope everyone has a great Christmas with friends and family!

Our Rams did their part, giving us the early gift of a key win!

So with visions of playoff games dancing in our heads, I wish you all a Merry Christmas (and a happy, Giant-killing New Year)!

What if we finally put 4 qtrs together next week, what would the score be?

What if the Titans beat the Seahags this week?

What if Sean McVay held an open K tryouts in this semi-bye break?

What if..................

We need to really give credit where credit is due.

Our OL is balling out and driving our success

We need to resign Dotson and keep this OL intact as much as possible.

With all the talk about Puka and Kyren, Steve Avila seems to be missing from the conversation, but dang if he’s not a huge part of this OL’s resurgence.

Also; props to Aleric Jackson, our UDFA LT for really doing an outstanding job in nailing down that critical position

I'd like to see if we can have a conversation about our defense that does not involve the coaching. Try to keep this to personnel only. And the reason I think this is important is because we are on the cusp of making the playoffs but we're doing it with a lot of subpar parts and the question of how far we can go basically comes down to this unit. So this means here is the critical question right now:

"What adjustments can be made to make them better?"

For starters I think our biggest problem of late is our speed outside the hashes. Durant had to play in that game vs New Orleans due to matchups. But going forward what is the best combination of players out there for us IF we get in as that wildcard. Do we have answers on that depth chart.

I can't for the life of me figure out why Tomlinson is buried on the depth chart. My expectation was that he'd own a job by midseason. I was wrong, clearly. So maybe there's some ego at play here but if his problem is knowing the scheme can't we simplify the calls for him or something to improve the quality of the actual player in the role? Maybe his problem is not the scheme though. Idk.

Re: Durant it felt good to see him out there. On the outside he adds pick six threat on those quick throws that try to isolate corners. So while he's weak as shit physically the guy does have some advantage to him. He's not going to suddenly get stronger in the remaining window here. But maybe he's ready to take a lead role and help this defense improve a little bit on that boundary.

Lake I have to say has impressed the hell out of me in that slot role. It's impressive. But in a way it's not a good thing because it keeps him from that pairing. Or maybe more accurately he may be able to help us in that pairing.

Spoon all I can say is I don't think we have anyone who can handle his responsibility. So regretfully we're gonna need to ride him the rest of the way.

So here's what I'd do fwiw:

First I'd move Lake back into that pairing. I'd start him there over Fuller. And look I respect Fuller's game but he had one top season with us and since that time the guy is hit and miss as hell. Lake is young, he's smart, he's physical. He might fuck it up on calls where he's got deep responsibility, but we already suffer that with Fuller. So let's give the kid a look. Worst case is more of the same. But best case is he elevates that pairing with JJ, who is better than Fuller in that regard. Also and lastly the extent of looks Lake would face can be adjusted in calls. Rams are capable of these things and have been doing them all season.

Secondly I'd put Tomlinson in the slot and just man him up on whoever the draw is. No bullshit. Try to keep his responsibilities as simple as possible. If the staff feels it is necessary to alternate him with Kendrick that is fine by me. Letting those two alternate possessions would tap into their competitive instincts. But I'd put a corner in that job and try to keep it simple to ensure I get good coverage snap to snap.

Third I'd have Jones coming on the blitz more frequently. This guy has a knack for affecting the QB. He's smart, he's strong, and his timing on the blitz is superb. The fact he affects A gaps so consistently is a weapon we need to take better advantage of. Now that said every QB is different. There are some who you can beat by dropping more guys to pick errant passes. And there are some who you are better off adding rushers to try to move their feet. In the games ahead if we get Goff for example you're better off with the extra rusher because he's one of those QBs who will repeatedly hit that open receiver. But I think Jones is a weapon that can improve our odds.

Not saying I have all the answers here. But I think for us to play up that darkhorse role we're going to need internal improvements in the defense, and in particular the secondary.

Amazing entertaining podcast, Marshall goes after Rich right away about cheating

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Offense


Defense


ST

This is going to be a fun week.

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1. HUGE WIN!!!!!

2. So many great performances. I'll start with Puka Nacua, my Offensive MVP for the week. 9 receptions, 164 yards, 2 carries for 16 yards, 1 TD. He's a beast, and a joy to watch. His 1,327 yards as a rookie ranks 5th all time. He needs 147 yards to break the all-time rookie record!

3. Matthew Stafford continues to roll with 328 yards passing, 2 TDs and no INTs. This is the best stretch we've seen from him since the Super Bowl run...

4. ...thanks, in large part, to Kyren "the Catalyst" Williams. His vision and jump cut ability continues to amaze, and I loved the TD celebration with Mom!

5. Set your DVRs for Round 5 of the draft in 2024. You don't want to miss the Rams drafting their next Pro Bowl player (yeah, I'm seeing Kyren and Puka making the squad)!

6. The Offensive Line is really doing a great job. Great to have Hav back.

7. On defense, I'm again going with Ernest "Everywhere" Jones as the MVP of the week. 7 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL and 2 PD. His interior blitzes have really made a difference in recent week.

8. You have to love the defense's performance on 3 big 4th down stops.

9. The performance was not without its flaws. I'd still like to see a bit more consistency in the Red Zone (man, Stafford really rushed a throw that should have been a TD to Puka), and Lucas Havrisik is still not instilling confidence, as he badly missed a FG under 50 yards.

10. The defense also had some bad moments. The first TD was a bad read by Kyle Fuller (he made up for it later with a key INT), leaving Ahkello isolated on a real burner on the back end. And, come on... a blocked punt?

11. I assign less blame on Cobie Durant getting beat on a long TD. Even long-time Rams Nemesis Richard Sherman acknowledged that the receiver got away with a tug of the jersey on that play.

12 Speaking of Durant, he really leap-frogged the much-maligned, passionately defended, Derion Kendrick. I suspect Kendrick will get another chance, but his demotion is not a shock.

13. As of this moment, Kobie Turner leads all rookies with 6.5 sacks (Byron Young moves to No. 2 with 6). Amazing (and, yes, the latest example of "the Aaron Donald effect").

14. Make no mistake, though... the late comeback, this was a domination. The Rams again outgained their opponent by over 100 yards, and had nearly a 10 minute advantage in time of possession.

15. The Rams have not trailed at any point in the last two games.

16. The run defense is really doing good things lately.

17. Demarcus Robinson had a monster first half.

18. If you were one of the reporters who ran with the "Stafford is having trouble connecting with his young teammates" story... how stupid do you feel now?

19. Some key games to watch this weekend. With a little help, we can get even closer to a playoff birth. Meanwhile, an amazingly healthy Rams team gets a mini-bye before the final games.

20. This has become such an enjoyable group to watch. Young, enthusiastic, hungry and unselfish. I'm proud to be a fan of this Rams team.

9-19
OVER

Winning record over swamp scum and it feels so good bitches.

Top 5 pick season???

It's expected that Florida State is set to begin process of leaving ACC

Florida State to the Big Ten is still a long way off , if at all ..............

you would think that Florida State to the SEC would make more sense , and it does , but the ACC media rights is with ESPN , same as the SEC

and Florida State is about to go to war with ESPN to get out of that media rights deal

so , will Florida State burn to many bridges with ESPN , most likely , if they were to get out of the ACC , and thats still a big IF , odds are , they would jump to the Big Ten

and the bigger question , what happens next , it's no secret that the Big Ten has had their eyes on North Carolina for some time now , will Clemson and Miami be next

Florida State , Miami , Clemson and North Carolina , over the next few months


it will be interesting to see what comes out of Florida States board of regents meeting tomorrow



the next step in to just being two super conferences

I live in Tennessee and want to listen to Rams pregame radio. Any suggestions on a good site?

Maybe it doesn’t matter to designate one #3 and play them both? TuTu Atwell and Demarcus Robinson have each contributed, but differently.

Atwell has 5 catches over 30yds, to Robinson’s 1 catch of 30yds.

Despite that, Robinson is averaging more yards per catch at 14.1 vs Atwell 12.9.

Atwell is 3rd on the team in reception yards.

They are tied with 3 TD’s apiece.

Robinson has averaged 50yds/gm the last 3 games and can go up for the ball, which is not Atwell’s game.

But… Atwell’s game (speed) can break one at any time.

I think with Atwell coming back from injury, Robinson has earned some of the 3rd WR snaps... Yet, Atwell’s speed can be a mismatch situationally for defenses… so do they spit snaps?

Thursday Night Football - December 21, 2023

New Orleans Saints (7-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)

• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• Where: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
• Stream: Prime

———

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles; we always show respect for our team and each other.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and each other.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

A more loosely moderated atmosphere can be found in the chat room.

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

.

Great watch. Staffy going nuts these days.

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Ok what are you all making for the Saints game tomorrow night?

I was planning to make Gumbo but that has been requested for Christmas Eve.

Or is it just me?

Love to see that.

Advice from one of Stafford's daughters:

"Don't get tackled, Daddy."


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I will be at work. I can have my laptop in a safe place using a hotspot.
How can I record it and watch it in the morning ?
Thanks computer guys.