@SierraRam gave me a like on a post I made several years ago. It was one I had written shortly after ROD was put up by Paulie way back when he was going by StLouisRamsX over at the PD. I followed him over here because I was tired of the bitching and moaning and verbal assaults going on over there. He and I shared and still share a vision for this site that would be a place where Rams fans could go to shoot the shit and have fun being fans - in good times and bad. A place that felt more like a few fans going to a bar or their house and shooting the shit about our team over a beer or three.

If you read it, maybe you will get an understanding of why we clamp down on all the negativity, rants, and vents. If you read it, maybe you will see that no matter how much you feel you have the right to vent about all that is happening with our team, it doesn't belong here. If you read it, maybe you will understand why we don't give a damn about being the biggest Rams site if it means sacrificing the principles this site was founded on.

If instead, you read it and still don't get it or want to argue for your rights, then please leave now. No hard feelings. But frankly, I'm done trying to remind and reason and plead.

When you want to discuss problems, be civil and constructive or just don't post. You can disagree with anyone here or anything the Rams are doing until it becomes just one endless string of vents. You can talk, shoot the shit with us, even say you want the coach, GM, etc replaced. But if it makes up almost all your posts, you are harshing our mellow and we will err on the side of having fun.

Anyway, give it a read and see what you think. See if some of you old time RODers don't harken back and grin a little.

Cheers,

Stu

RamFan503 said:

Don't think I've posted on this thread. Of course it is buried now - oh well.

Stu Miller here.

I have been routing for the Rams since '66 or '67. I'm a third generation Ram fan so my illness runs deep. My dad bought me a full Ram uniform when I was 5. Pants, jersey, useless pads in the legs and shoulders. I used to ram my helmet against our stucko wall so that it would look like it went to war like some of my favorite Ram players.

I have lots of memories growing up and cheering on the Rams with my Dad and even a couple with my Grand Dad. The Rams are not just a team and/or a bunch of stats to me. They are intertwined with a lot of great times in my life. I guess it is why I don't grip so much now when they finish with a losing season. I have seen the ups and downs. Winning a SB was great but it is not what I think of when I think of the Rams. I remember sunny days in the Coliseum. I remember watching them come back from 17 points down with about 5 minutes left against Seattle when my Dad came up for a game. I remember sitting in my Grampa's living room in San Diego and the three of us shouting at the TV. I remember a playoff game against Tampa and my Dad and I making my Mom shake her head as if we were a couple little kids on Christmas. I remember watching my Rams shut down OJ before a packed Coliseum crowd. I remember my Dad and I trading silly Ram presents at Christmas year after year.

I now live up in the great NW with my wife, two sons, and big fat black lab. We own a restaurant named Pig Feathers BBQ and my wife is an artist who is starting to get some acclaim as she finally is able to do the artist thing full time. My wife and boys and I love to get out and hunt and fish. We are a big time 2nd Amendment family. We also own a boat that works well for Salmon fishing and crabbing.

I prefer to be an optimist about my Rams because I find nothing fun about looking for the worst.

That pretty much sums it up.

Click to expand...

-X- said:

^^^

And that's what it's all about. When your team spans generations, and you've gone through everything with them, it gets a little offensive when people try to talk smack about them - constantly. That's what I believe most "realists" don't comprehend. To them, the Rams are an entity to be analyzed and scrutinized. Sure, they love them too, but they could care less if others chastise "their" team - in fact, they'd probably join in and agree. That's really the part I don't get because it's like there's no pride or passion.

I'll probably never get it, so I don't even bother to try anymore.

Anyway, welcome to the fray (again). It's good to see you (again). We should talk some more (again). Oh, and btw, I have a big fat black lab too - named Molly. Best dogs in the world, bar none. Mine tops the list too, of course. :razzed:

Click to expand...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000751097/article/patriots-blount-rams-bail-in-1on1-tackling

• 

• By Conor Orr

• Around The NFL Writer

• Published: Dec. 4, 2016 at 05:42 p.m.

• Updated: Dec. 4, 2016 at 05:58 p.m.

The Rams hit hard in groups, but Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount isn't all that impressed with their solo tackling skills.

Blount busted loose on a 43-yard touchdown Sunday to open up scoring amid a 26-10 blowout win. The Rams' edge defenders were all sucked inside, allowing the power back to chug all the way into the end zone.

"We know they bail when it's one-on-one tackling," Blount said, via The Boston Herald.

On his long touchdown run, it appeared like one Rams defender was actually running away from Blount.

"I can't recall a time when I've ever seen that," he said.

Blount's digs at L.A. didn't end there. He was asked about Rams head coach Jeff Fisher who, earlier this week, referenced "Brandon and Danny" when talking about the Patriots running backs (potentially Brandon Bolden and former Patriots running back Danny Woodhead, though the Rams clarified that Fisher was talking about former Rams receiver Danny Amendola). Fisher also talked about his appreciation for Blount.

"He already knew my name," Blount said. "I think he knows James (White) and Dion (Lewis) now for sure, though."

White had four catches for 18 yards and three rushes for 17 yards. Lewis rushed five times for 27 yards and caught four balls for 11 yards. Blount finished the game as the leading rusher, with 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

While this was a dismal performance across the board for Los Angeles, having their tough-guy defense called into question has to hurt the most. This was their calling card in 2016, absent any momentum on offense. If the defense starts to buckle as well, what is left for them to count on?

Does anyone know why/when he got hurt or went off? I thought Michael Jordan was just in there to spell him for a play or two but played the whole game and the announcers later said EJ was off due to injury.

There's this breaking news. I think he'd fit right in with Cleveland.

Report: Kaepernick to opt out of contract, become free agent

Colin Kaepernick is reportedly planning to opt out of his contract after the 2016 season and become a free agent.

Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a restructured contract earlier in the year, and the new deal includes a player option for 2017 and a guarantee that the Niners cannot use the franchise tag on him. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Kaepernick will void the deal, though he could end up returning to San Francisco.

Kaepernick, who is just 29, has played well over the last month. He has thrown eight touchdowns compared to two interceptions in the last four games and rushed for more than 100 yards against the Miami Dolphins last weekend. After getting off to a rough start back in October when Blaine Gabbert was benched, Kaepernick has looked more comfortable in Chip Kelly’s offense.

If Kelly sticks around in San Francisco (and that could be a big if considering the latest rumors), he may look to bring Kaepernick back on a new deal. Rapoport noted that the relationship between Kelly and Kaepernick, which got off to a rocky start, is in a “very good place” and that Kaepernick appreciates the team standing by him while he has taken strong political stances.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...-free-agent/ar-AAl88ld?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPCDHP

Oh my. This is starting to take a troubling turn.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/Rich_Hammond/status/805527044981456897

The Rams have only had 4 winning seasons in the last 27 years. All 4 of those can be attributed to the talent these two men added and developed. Sadly I took the GSOT for granted. I thought it would last a whole lot longer than it did. I would like to thank Vermiel and Armey for giving us winning and enjoyable football to watch. Miss the feeling of knowing the team was going to win on Sunday's.

We haven't had one for awhile, so I thought what the heck we can have little fun to lighten an otherwise tough day.

5-0 Pittsburgh over Giants.

And... we have a pitching change underway.

I say bring in a vet play caller that can develop Goff. Find some players that can play some football. Paging Norv Turner
OL is were I start and focus.
Add a WR w/ hands

What says you?

It isn't February. We have a meaningful game to watch. We wait for months hoping to wake up to December football.

Yeah, Lucy pulled the football away again, but the autumn leaves flew with my hopeless dreams.

Hey, at least for another hour I get to dream of 9-7 with a miracle run in the playoffs. Hell, it's all I got. Been loving this team for over 50 years. Learning to make the most of it

Ian Rappaport said he has signed two year deal.

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Too bad if it happens, love to hate the guy.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/c...s-believe-hell-weigh-retirement-after-season/

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has endured two health scares this season and, after contemplating retirement a few years ago, some in the coaching community expect him to do the same again this winter. Arians' health has been a concern in the past and he has talked of fearing for his life at times in past years due to health complications.

Arians has done a tremendous job with the Cardinals, and a team official compared any rumors of him possibly retiring after the season to an internet hoax, inferring they lacked any merit. But many coaches who know Arians, 64, well believe he will reconsider his career path after the season and assert that some in the coach's family will urge him to retire.

Arians, a cancer survivor, was hospitalized Nov. 21 and released shortly thereafter. He was also hospitalized in the preseason when the Cardinals were training in San Diego.

Arians is signed through the 2018 season and has been a bedrock through this difficult season, with the Cardinals in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs after reaching the NFC Championship Game last season. He and Bill Belichick are the second-oldest coaches in the NFL, to Pete Carroll (65). Arians has forged a strong alliance with Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, with the franchise attaining a rare stretch of sustained success.

As mentioned at this LINK:

Record: 0-7
Completion rate: 52.0
TD to INT ratio: 4:14
Passer Rating: 51.7

Really pumped to see how the kid responds, can't wait.

The Top 3 guys on my coaching wish list (God willing Fisher is fired) are David Shaw, Kyle Shanahan, and Josh McDaniels. Goff plays 2 out of 3 in the next three games and has a chance to impress them. These guys will be hot names and if the Rams can peak their interest with a potential franchise QB it could make their decision for a new landing spot a little easier. IF Shaw decides to leave Stanford he has extensive experience playing against Goff and spoke highly of him in the past. I'm rooting for the colts the rest of year, because if they keep Pagano Phillip Rivers would be only QB clearly more enticing than Goff because I wouldn't want my job to depend on the play of Andy Dalton, Blake Bortels, or top QB in a bad QB draft (Bears?). Who knows how happy Rivers will be moving to LA.

2016 Regular Season
Jared Cook
REC TGTS YDS AVG LNG TD FD
13 24 165 12.7 47 1 8



Lance Kendricks
REC TGTS YDS AVG LNG TD FD
41 69 420 10.2 44 2 20

UCLA is back fam! Big win today over #1 Kentucky on there home court! Loving this team with Lonzo Ball, Tj Leaf, Hamilton, etc. Deep team with a mix of seniors and talented freshman. 6 guys averaging double digits in scoring is nice. They look for real and showed it today.

Hi ROD.

I have recently accepted a job in Edinburgh and am now looking to buy my first ever House. I have seen a beautiful place that I am desperate to own but it's literally right at the very top of my price range.

My question is, do I stretch myself for the perfect property (with great rental/resale value) or do I buy somewhere that's like 75% as awesome but 75% of the price...?

Your experience/opinions would be really valuable because I am so torn right now.

Well, @jrry32 had an excellent mock, so that means that I have to make a response, right? Here we go.

Fire: Everyone except Fassel, Waufle, Groh, Singletary, and Dennard Wilson.

(Pretty obvious choices to keep. I like Groh on offense because he's improved our wide receivers tremendously. I'd keep him as an offensive coordinator, actually. Singletary has done a great job with Ogletree, Waufle is an awesome D-line coach, and Wilson has done great work with our secondary. Fassel remains the special teams coach. We keep Snead and the front office as intact as we can.)

Hire:

David Shaw (HC)
Jim Leavitt (DC)

(Yes, I'm stealing from Jrry's mock, but hell, he made some good choices.)

Cut:

Rodger Saffold
Tim Barnes
Eugene Sims
William Hayes
Tre Mason

(I know that releasing Hayes isn't a popular opinion, but he's been injured and ineffective this year. Sims, Barnes, and Saffold are obvious. Tre Mason is no longer on the team; we've pretty much already cut him. This just makes it official.)

Re-sign:

Trumaine Johnson
Greg Zuerlein
Benny Cunningham
Dominique Easley
Ethan Westbrooks
Matt Longacre

(I made a mistake by not re-signing Tru in my last mock, but here he is in this one. Zuerlein has improved tremendously, and deserve to be re-signed. Cunningham is our second best back. I didn't realize that Easley was a restricted free agent, so here he is, along with Westbrooks and Longacre, leading the backups in the D-line.)

Release:

T.J. McDonald
Brian Quick
Kenny Britt
Case Keenum
Cam Thomas
Chase Reynolds

(Pretty obvious. I think that it's time for new blood in the wide receiver position, so Quick and Britt are let go. McDonald is talented, but Mo is younger and plays the same position. Keenum is replaced by Mannion, Reynolds is purely special teams and replaceable, and Thomas is JAG.)

Convert:

Lamarcus Joyner (CB - FS)

(Also taken from Jrry's mock, but I've done it a million times before as well. Joyner is a good choice for free safety because it was his best position at Florida State.)

Free Agency:

Alshon Jeffery
Ronald Leary

(Again taken from Jrry's mock. Jeffery is a number one receiver, while Leary is an upgrade at left guard.)

Trade:

Lance Kendricks to New York Jets for their 2017 fourth round pick.

(This is mine. I had Kendricks going for a third, but apparently it isn't realistic. I believe that the Jets absolutely need a tight end. They are starting Kellen Davis, who is a blocking tight end on the decline and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is inconsistent and has off-the-field problems. Kendricks is easily an upgrade over both of them and opens the door for Higbee and Hemingway to shine. A fourth round pick should be sufficient.

Draft:

2 - Ethan Pocic, C, LSU.

(Pocic is arguably the best center in the class. He's a taller center (6'6", 310 lbs.), but is a tenacious run-blocker who opens up holes for Leonard Fournette to go through. His pass-protection is also good.)

3 - Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado.

(A shutdown corner at 5'11", 205 lbs., Awuzie is one of the main reasons why Colorado has been so successful this year. He's very sturdy against the run as well, and he'll start for us from day one.)

4 (Jets) - Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan.

(Darboh, a 6'1", 215 lbs. refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone, is an amazing receiver who has the potential of a great number two. He has an enormous catch radius and good athleticism for the position. He's not a deep threat, but he's not exactly slow either. Like Awuzie, I picture Darboh as a contributor from day one.)

4 - Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova.

(Kpassagnon is the guy I want manning left defensive end for the next ten years. At 6'7", 288 lbs., you might think that he's more of a 3-4 five technique, but he has freakish athleticism and production. He's accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, so his stock might go through the roof.)

4 (Comp.) Nico Siragusa, OG, San Diego State.

(Siragusa is not related to Tony Siragusa, but he's a mauler at 6'4", 330 lbs. He blocks for Donnel Pumphrey and has boosted his stock by being one of the better guards in the NCAA.)

5- Channing Stribling, CB/FS, Michigan.

(Michigan has an impressive backfield with Jourdan Lewis shutting down one side. Just don't count out the 6'1", 175 lbs. Stribling. He has a long wingspan that allows him to get to balls that other cornerbacks struggle with. He could move to free safety if he's not able to cover wide receivers as well as he did in college.)

6. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB/FS, Colorado.

(The other member of Colorado's impressive defensive backfield, Witherspoon is long and lean at 6'2", 195 lbs. He has a high Pro Football rating - if you're into that sort of stuff - and has been tried and tested by multiple quarterbacks. He'll compete with Stribling for the cornerback slot and possibly end up at free safety if he isn't quick enough to play cornerback in the league.)

6 (Comp.) - Josh Augusta, NT, Missouri.

(A 6'4", 345 lbs. mammoth of a man, Augusta is also extremely athletic for a man his size. He'd be a perfect backup nose tackle, spelling Brockers whenever needed.)

7 - Deatrich Wise Jr., DE, Arkansas.

(At 6'5", 271 lbs., Wise is a perfect fit for right defensive end. He's long and athletic, and should provide excellent depth.)

Thought are more than welcome.

Practice Report 12/2: Goff Ready for Next Challenge

Myles Simmons

From his first start to the next, there was a clear improvement in the performance and production of rookie quarterback Jared Goff.

Last Sunday against New Orleans, Goff finished 20-of-32 passing for 214 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. It was only the second time this season the Rams have passed for three touchdowns in a game.

Goff's first-half performance stood out, especially in the two-minute drill leading up to halftime. In that stretch, the young signal-caller showed his strong pocket presence, moving to evade the rush and find an open passing lane. It’s part of how he was able to find tight end Lance Kendricks for a 24-yard pass to extend the drive and the 15-yard touchdown to cap it.

“We’ve been saying it for so long with all the questions about how he’s growing in the classroom, and then we’ve seen the flashes of it, and it was good. You saw it leading up during the course of the week — just his comfort being in the huddle, the tempo that we had to practice with Friday, the way he handled everything,” offensive coordinator Rob Boras said of Goff. “You saw it coming, and you prayed that it was going to happen. You just didn’t know if it was going to come to fruition, and it did.

“It just proved it wasn’t too big for him,” Boras continued. “You saw the way he moved in the pocket. He made some big-time throws. It was a really good first half for him.”


“I don’t think it’s anything in particular,” Goff said of his progress. “I think it’s just everything’s improved and the game is starting to slow down. It’s starting to feel more comfortable every day out here and every week on Sundays.”

As there is with any young quarterback, Goff had his missteps against the Saints as well. There was the lost fumble deep in Los Angeles’ own territory that led to a New Orleans touchdown. And there was the third-quarter interception, where Goff looked like he tried to force a pass between a pair of defenders to Kendricks.

But as Boras put it, one of Goff’s best attributes is how he can put negative plays behind him quickly.

“Jared has a very short memory, and he’s a very confident young man,” Boras said. “The fumble — he forgets it. He comes back, and he’ll play — the next play. Same thing with the interception. He doesn’t carry that, and that’s hard.

“We always talk about play the next play, and a lot of times it can just be lip service, but I think he’s got a short memory,” Boras continued. “He’s confident in himself, and his ability. I think seeing something go bad and how he responded, I think that was a really positive sign, how he battled through those couple plays of adversity.”

Goff said he’s always tried to move on well from one play to the next — whether the result is positive or negative.

“Throw a touchdown, it’s over immediately. Have a bad play, it’s over immediately,” Goff said. “I think that’s kind of the best way to go about it as a quarterback — not get too high, not get too low. Obviously there are times that you’re going to be excited and there’s going to be times where you’re not very happy, but forget about as soon as you can because the next play is the most important one.”

Just as the next game is the most important one. And this one in particular will be a challenge for Goff going up against one of the best in Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his staff. Goff is trying to become the first rookie quarterback to beat New England at Gillette Stadium since it opened in 2002. And overall, Belichick is 16-5 against rookie quarterbacks since 2001.

So what is it about a Belichick defense that makes it so tough on young QBs?



“I think it’s just the variety that they have. They change stuff pretty consistently and do what they do really well for a long time — it’s proven results,” Goff said. “You don’t really know what to expect going in, you have an idea on film, but you know they’re going to bring something new every week. You have to be ready to adjust.”


“I think he’ll handle it,” Boras said. “He’s going to see different looks. We know they’re going to try to create confusion. It’s not just Jared that they’re confusing. Because of that, all the other guys need to step up and apply the rules, and trust what they’re seeing as well. It’s not just the quarterback, it’s, obviously, the other 10 guys on the field as well have to recognize and get on the same page with Jared, and all those different fronts and coverages that we’re going to see.”

Still, according to Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, Goff had a strong week of practice and is ready for the challenge.

“He was great — especially today,” Fisher said. “He had the wind behind him, but he knew exactly where to go with the football. So I thought he had a great week. And, hopefully, it carries over into his production and performance.”

INJURY REPORT

The Rams have five players listed on their Friday injury report, none of whom were declared out for the game against New England.

Wide receiver Tavon Austin (chest) did not practice all week and is listed as doubtful. Center Tim Barnes(foot), offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (hip), offensive lineman Rodger Saffold (hand), and defensive end Robert Quinn (concussion) are listed as questionable.

In the concussion protocol, Quinn has not been ruled out for Sunday.

[www.therams.com]

Rams Notes: Rob Gronkowski's injury leaves Rams wondering about Patriots offense

By JACK WANG / STAFF WRITER

THOUSAND OAKS – The Rams are heading to New England as nearly two-touchdown underdogs. A season-ending injury to the league’s best tight end, it would seem, can only help their chances at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

But the Patriots’ announcement Thursday that Rob Gronkowski will likely sit out the rest of the year after undergoing back surgery might also throw a wrench into the Rams’ week of preparation.

“Now, we don’t know what to expect out of their offense,” Coach Jeff Fisher said.

While there is no understating how valuable Gronkowski is to the Patriots (9-2), there is plenty of evidence that New England can function without its four-time Pro Bowler.

The 27-year-old has missed three games this season due to injuries, and the Patriots won all three. The only time quarterback Tom Brady took the field without Gronkowski this season, he ended up throwing for 280 yards and four touchdowns – though it certainly helped to be playing the 49ers, who are winless since beating the Rams (4-7) to open the season.

But a larger sample size could concern the Pats. Gronkowski has missed 19 games since he arrived in New England in 2010 as a second-round draft pick. Brady has started in all but two. In those 17 appearances, Brady – who has passer rating of 101.1 in the last seven seasons – saw that number plummet to 84.4.

Extrapolated over an entire season, a passer rating of 84.4 would rank 39th in the NFL, between a pair of rookie backups in Paxton Lynch (Broncos) and Jacoby Brissett (Patriots).

Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams doesn’t expect New England to significantly alter its offense just because of Gronkowski’s absence, pointing out the presence of former Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett (listed as questionable with ankle and shoulder injuries). The Pats acquired Bennett in an offseason trade with the Bears, and he has caught 42 passes for 540 yards and four touchdowns. His catch rate of 77.8 percent is a career high.

Without Gronkowski, New England coach Bill Belichick and his staff could also decide to lean more heavily on their trio of running backs: LeGarrette Blount leads the league with 12 touchdown runs, while James White and Dion Lewis have combined for 594 yards from scrimmage.

“They’ve been practicing all week without him anyway,” Williams said. “They’ve got a plan.”

Added Fisher: “Bill has always found a way to adjust.”

AUSTIN DOUBTFUL, QUINN QUESTIONABLE

Receiver Tavon Austin has been ruled doubtful to play against the Patriots after sitting out every practice this week due to a chest injury. If he sits out, the Rams will likely give more snaps to rookie Pharoh Cooper – who had been touted as one of the team’s top three receivers during training camp, but fell down the depth chart after a preseason shoulder injury.

Austin, whom the Rams signed to a four-year, $42 million extension in August, has not been especially productive in his fourth NFL season. The former No. 8 overall pick is averaging only 44.7 yards from scrimmage – down 12 yards from 2015 – and his catch rate of 55.7 percent is a career low.

The West Virginia product is second on the team with 79 targets, though his workload has decreased in recent weeks. In the two games Jared Goff has started at quarterback, Austin has seen just six targets, behind leading receiver Kenny Britt (17), tight end Lance Kendricks (14) and Brian Quick (eight).

Defensive end Robert Quinn also did not practice this week after the Rams placed him in the NFL’s concussion protocol Monday. Despite missing two games with a neck/shoulder injury, Quinn is second on the team with four sacks, two behind defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

“We’ll see how that goes in the next day or so,” Fisher said.

Starting center Tim Barnes was limited in Friday’s practice, but has already played through his foot injury in the last two games. Offensive linemen Rodger Saffold (hand) and Andrew Donnal (hip) are also listed as questionable.

[www.ocregister.com]

We all saw that Shaw came in for a visit. Ultimately, it doesn't mean much. Shaw probably still chooses to remain at Stanford. That all said, I'm going to throw this scenario out there anyways.
Hire
HC David Shaw
OC Greg Roman
DC Jim Leavitt

David Shaw stopped in for a visit this week. I'm hoping he'll consider coming here. Shaw has 6 seasons of head coaching experience under his belt at Stanford. In those 6 seasons, he's won 70% of his games. Shaw has 9 years of experience under his belt in the NFL. His father, Willie, coached for over a decade in the NFL (including as defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams). Shaw came up under Jon Gruden. It's who he credited for his offensive philosophy. He runs a variant of Gruden's WCO. Shaw has shown the ability to adopt his offense to the personnel he's given. My one complaint about Shaw is that he's a conservative game manager. He's too quick to go to the ground-and-pound when he has a lead in the second half.

Greg Roman worked under Shaw at Stanford before following Harbaugh to the NFL to become his OC in San Francisco. I thought Roman did a solid job in San Francisco and Buffalo. He got fired in Buffalo, and Anthony Lynn has done a good job in his absence, but his offenses were statistically productive there. Either ways, he'll be working with Shaw like he did with Harbaugh in San Francisco, so I'm not worried about his being fired by Buffalo.

Jim Leavitt is an interesting name. If he didn't have a dark cloud hanging over him from his days at USF (fired for striking a player), he'd be a head coach somewhere in college right now. Leavitt is both a bright defensive mind and a great player developer. His defense at Colorado was ranked in the top 15 in points per game allowed and yards per game allowed this year going into the conference championship game. Leavitt was also very successful at building USF's football program from scratch. And he was San Francisco's LB Coach under Harbaugh when they had by far the best group LBs in the NFL from 2011 to 2014 (Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, Navorro Bowman, Chris Borland, Ahmad Brooks, etc.). He has a strong track record of success.

John Fassel is kept on as special teams coordinator. No way we should let him walk. Shaw worked with his father in Baltimore. That may make it more likely he stays.

Some might ask why not keep Gregg Williams? I'm fine with keeping Williams. However, the last time Williams was passed over for a head coaching job (Washington), he quit. I don't know if he'll want to stay.

Cut
HB Tre Mason
OG Rodger Saffold
DE Eugene Sims

Re-sign
CB Trumaine Johnson - 5 years $60 million
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $6 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $6 million
WR Brian Quick - 1 year $2 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DE Ethan Westbrooks - RFA Tender
DE Matt Longacre - ERFA Tender

Let Walk
S T.J. McDonald (I like T.J., but Mo is a more natural fit at SS. Let's use the money we have elsewhere.)
WR Kenny Britt (I am worried about him working with a new HC. He doesn't have a strong track record of working with coaches who aren't Fisher.)
QB Case Keenum (Mannion is the backup of the future.)

Position Changes
LaMarcus Joyner - CB -> FS

With Alexander moving to SS, Joyner moves to FS. I think it's his natural position. Joyner doesn't play well with his back to the ball. He's at his best attacking downhill. He has surprising strength for a guy his size. In college, he showed good range and no fear at FS. He will deliver knockout shots. Offers the same type of skill-set that McLeod did.

Free Agency

WR Alshon Jeffery - 5 years $60 million

True #1 WRs in their prime don't often hit FA. Jeffery is the type of player we've pined for for years. I'm willing to accept the risks. WRs of his caliber don't often hit FA in the middle of their prime.


LG Ronald Leary - 5 years $35 million

We need OL help. There were rumors that Dallas was trying to trade Leary before the season. With the injury to La'El Collins, Leary stepped back into his starting spot. He was also a starter on the dominant 2014 Cowboys OL. Leary is a mauling run blocker who has the versatility to play in either a ZBS or a PBS. He's an above average but not elite pass protector. Either ways, he's a huge upgrade on what we have.


CB/S Micah Hyde - 3 years $9 million

Hyde is signed to improve our DB depth. He's a versatile player who can play anywhere in the defensive back-field.


S Matt Elam - 1 year $3 million

Elam provides depth at SS and gets a "prove it" deal. There's a strong argument that the Ravens used him in the wrong way. They tried to use him as a FS. Elam has always been more of a box safety.

NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #8 - Ethan Pocic C/OG/OT LSU
Round 3 Pick #7 - Tre'Davious White CB LSU
Round 4 Pick #8 - Cooper Kupp WR Eastern Washington
Round 4 Comp Pick - J.J. Dielman OT/OG/C Utah
Round 5 Pick #7 - Josh Augusta NT Missouri
Round 6 Pick #8 - Nick DeLuca LB North Dakota State
Round 6 Comp Pick - Deatrich Wise Jr. DE Arkansas
Round 7 Pick #7 - T.J. Logan HB North Carolina

Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Alshon Jeffery
ZWR: Tavon Austin vs. Brian Quick vs. Mike Thomas vs. Cooper Kupp
SLWR: Pharoh Cooper
TE: Tyler Higbee vs. Lance Kendricks
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: Ronald Leary
C: Ethan Pocic
RG: Jamon Brown vs. Cody Wichmann vs. J.J. Dielman
RT: Rob Havenstein

LDE: William Hayes
NT: Michael Brockers
UT: Aaron Donald
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Mark Barron
MLB: Alec Ogletree
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Tre'Davious White
SLCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander

K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham vs. T.J. Logan
PR: Tavon Austin

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BbGZni7cao

The guy on the right referred to Goff's 5 interceptions last season at UTAH as if to maybe expect him to throw several picks on Sunday.

Obviously this is only his 3rd game starting in the NFL and he very well might throw multiple interceptions against the mighty Patriots at Gillette stadium. We will will find out in a couple of days if his intuition is correct.

I've watched the Cal at Utah game from last year several times before the 2016 NFL Draft.

Even with Goff's 5 INT's at Utah, it was one of the games that showed he's a much better runner than given credit for.

This game was one of his worst 3 games for Cal in 2015 and yet was actually one of his games that made me believe he was worthy of the number 1 overall selection.

Every Goff snap at Utah in 2015
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