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Goffapalooza: What Dolphins fans are saying before the game
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 80 Replies
http://www.finheaven.com/showthread...To-Start!!&s=91ab9a9f2b0aacb5aecad1199846b752
Ah Crap, Goff To Start!!
Just saw it on twitter from Shefter.
@AdamSchefter
Jared Goff will make his first NFL start Sunday at home vs Miami Dolphins, per @mortreport. Goff tries to give Rams postseason push.
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Aw crap? This kid is an INT machine. Watched a game last year where he threw 5 picks. If you pressure him he's very careless with the ball.
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that could bring some juice to that Stadium but you guys should still win.
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The Rookie QB starting? I think that improves our chances to bait him into to some turnovers. Vance will have a plan to exploit him.
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The Fins defense should be licking their chops. Stop the run on first and second down and we may see another 4 interception game from the defense.
When I die I want to hire the Miami Dolphin's to be my pallbearers so they can let me down one last time.
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Well with our corners they must feel good about his chances. Our line though just needs to get to him often
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Will be up to Vance Joseph and his defense to rattle the rookie and force him into some mistakes.
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I'd rather face keenum
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Me too...the unknown QB's always kick our a$$...we have no tape on the rook so this now scares me....
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Eh, I'll take my chances against a rookie who has apparently looked terrible in practice.
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old Fins would make Goff break passing record for rookies
new Fins just might make him look like a rook starting his first NFL game
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Dolphins defense number one fantasy D of the week.
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This is good news. Move on to san Fran.
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Just blitz the crap out of rookies in their first game. See how they handle it. I'd say 80% of rookies can't handle the blitz
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I hope we can ruin his NFL debut.
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Prepare for easy throws and screens, especially early.....tackling is key!
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Oh great, we're screwed
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I'm sure Kroenke ordered Fisher to start him. On one hand, how bad must he be to not have replaced Case a few games ago, especially since a number of rookie QBs, including later round ones have been starting and impressing. So I'm encouraged there.
OTOH, no film on him, so our D is gonna have to fly blind.
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Lol at people scared of a rookie QB so ****ty he couldn't beat out Case Keenum.
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Ya I am not thrilled about this, I thought Keenum's film would've allowed us to prepare better.
Like a bunch of people know, we haven't faired that well against inexperienced QB's in the past so maybe that leaves a little bitter taste in my mouth. Normally you'd think a QB making his first career start is a good thing.
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I'm not to worried about it.
He was dominant in college so I doubt he's gonna be game one.
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Case Keenum is very bad, so the fact that Goff is an unknown is troubling.
Goff was poor in the preseason, but he was also working with the scrubs and he's had ten weeks to get more acclimated.
That said, from the Rams' point of view, this is NOT the front four you want to start the kid against.
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Damn that's all we need a is a rookie having his way with us.
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Regardless, he will bring a lot of energy to the team and to the fan base. Whether that is something that can be sustained for 60 minutes is another thing. I am sure there are a lot of players and personnel people in that building who want to get there future underway with and they can't really afford to wait any longer.
Considering the success that Wentz and Prescott are already displaying in their conference, they need to get some momentum going for themselves. They don't have a first round pick next year, (Titans are sitting pretty with Mariota, that OL, Derrick Henry and extra picks).
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I really see both sides in this situation. Yes, this should be great, a rookie who couldn't beat out
Case Keenum, going up against Wake, Suh and the gang. This is what rookie QB's nightmares are made of.
Yet, our track record with inexperienced or unknown QBs gives us all quite a scare. I mean we let freaking Thad Lewis beat us TWICE.
I think this game rides on the fact that we aren't the old Dolphins. If we have truly entered a new chapter of our history, then we should win 31-14 or somewhere around there, with quite a few mistakes/turnovers from the rookie.
If we revert back to the old Dolphins, I say we lose 20-17, with a key strip sack at the end.
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Boy I can see Wake and Suh, Branch and Mitchell salivating for this game.
I can hear Joseph scheming up some exotic defenses for Mr.Goff.
Can you say Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley up the middle,,,,, a bubble screen to Tavon Austin. That is probably the sequence we will be seeing Sunday.
Keep up w the ultra aggressive defense Sunday, press their WRs, make Goff beat us!!!!!
J-Train Rolls On ^^^^^^^^^^^
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I was actually hoping for Keenum. This team has a knack for struggling against rookie QB's.
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I was thinking the same thing, but I gotta hope Joseph can confuse a rookie making his first start. Surely they will try to run it down our throats with him in there....run d coming around at the right time.
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Lets hope we take the screen game away. I am sure they will run heavy and try some easy throws.
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People are getting a little scared over a guy who maybe had the worst preseason of any QB I've ever seen.
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True, but Case Keenum was atrocious. Hard to imagine Goff could be worse.
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Far more concerned with stopping Gurley than Goff.
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In Miami's four game winning streak, they had to win against teams that had one of the best passers in football (Rivers), one of the best athletic QBs in Football (Taylor), one of the best all around, and a top 5 QB (Big Ben), and a QB that though very inconsistent, when he is on, can be as dangerous as those three (Fitzpatrick).
Though I agree having tape would be beneficial to our defense, he is a Rookie that could not start until now, and will be getting his 1st taste of regular season of football in the NFL. Bring the heat, and this is a good game for defense to start showing discipline, stop giving offenses free plays.
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One thing is for sure, Miami brings it up front defensively, period! Miami will be bringing the LUMBER Sunday. Goff will have fancy feet, eyes in the back of his head...............Because if he doesn't, he may very well be the 5th QB knocked out of game by this defense.
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Goff will be frazzled from the beginning. He will undoubtedly throw up a few to avoid a sack, right into the hands of our secondary. I'm really pumped for this game. I can't even fathom 6-4.
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Recipe for disaster getting ahead of yourself like that.... bad mistake. Good Record, bad record, rookie quarterback, veteran quarterback, good or bad team you can lose any given Sunday.
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Lets hope with Gase and Joseph the days of crappy and/or inexperienced QBs destroying the Dolphins are gone.
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Gotta stop the run and the short passing game. Hard to imagine they'll open it up downfield for him, especially with the reputation our DL has of putting other QB's on... well the DL.
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Here's why I'm skeered:
1. They will likely have a very conservative game plan (they probably would have anyway) where they ride Gurley and use Goff for easy quick throws.
2. I have no faith in our secondary. If anyone can block our front 4 (easier said than done) I expect ANY QB could have a big day.
3. Instilling energy into the Rams. This has been a long trip for Miami I hope we're not flat.
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The Lambs are in for a massacre. Way stupid on their part. Miami is going to kill him every chance they get. The Dolphins are also getting better at stopping the run. Once the Dolphins take the lead in the 1st Quarter. Bring heat from every possible way and kill him as much as they can.
The Dolphins are not a team to start a NFL career Mr. Goff, they may even ended it before it even starts. Stupid Lambs. Pain is coming over and over. Go Dolphins play 60 minutes and get a win.
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Will need to pressure him early on. Make him lose his confidence by making mistakes, throwing incompletions.
If he starts connecting passes, making plays and converting third downs, could be dangerous for us.
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I'm still not taking any team lightly regardless of QB. Rams have a good D.
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That makes me much more nervous than Keenum.....No game film, hard to plan for, etc
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Their offense was horrible with Keenum. Even with a potential easy day against Goff, they could not possibly be any worse with Goff at the helm.
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Well, the one disadvantage is that we have no regular season film on Goff, so we're not really sure what we're getting. Carson Wentz looked REALLY good in his first couple starts because the opposing team couldn't prepare for him. They didn't know his habits or what rattles him. Hopefully things will be different in this case.
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I'm 100% sure that regardless of who starts at QB for them we were going to see Gurley all day long. We need to play every team as if everything is on the line for us because it is at this point.
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Let's not get too confident. Carson Wentz looked amazing in his first couple starts because opposing teams had no real film on him and didn't know how to exploit his weaknesses. He came back to Earth once teams figured him out. Goff is a complete unknown to us. Hopefully we'll be able to frustrate him. I'm sure we'll see LOTS of runs.
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goff or keenum doesn't change much for us....both are stinkers who are going to have to do their damage dinkin and dunkin..........as long as you stop gurley neither of those kids are going to beat us......
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Gurley hasn't been spectacular this year either. I think tavon got hurt last week? Britt will be the biggest matchup problem probably
Our defense hasn't done awful against rb's so I think we can do okay against what should be their biggest weapon
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He may have to change his name from Jared Goff to Jack Goff after this game.
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I have a feeling we will see both Goff and Keenum play regardless of who starts.
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If he was halfway decent he would have been out there sooner. Desperation by the Rams but who knows how it'll work out.
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I think it's fair to say goff will play better football than keenum...now its unlikely he plays well week 1...hell even peyton mannings first start he struggled as a rookie
but yeah I'd take the unknown in goff any day over the known quantity on tape that is case keenum
he could provide a spark in that lockerroom
and let's face it this secondary is no bueno right now
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Would be my preference too. But it doesn't move the needle much. Both these guys are terrible and we have no excuses if Goff or Keenum beats us.
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I'm not too worried about Goff; I think he'll be a bust anyway.
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So this means he'll look like a veteran Peyton Manning in his first game...he'll beat us like a Thad Lewis...Rams fans will claim they've found their QB savior only to sh!t the bag in his second game.
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I bought the LA Times yesterday at the airport flying home and there was an article saying that now is the time to start Goff. Fischer was sticking to his guns saying he wasn't going to move away from Keenum. Something must've changed his mind. I don't think it matters who they start.
Obviously, Goff must not have been grasping things real quick going into the start of the season, but what choice does LA have? Keenum can't get their offense to score. Let's rough the kid up a little and see how he deals.
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Screens, dump offs to Gurley. He will probably have north of 25 touches. Hopefully the run D holds up.
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With Bobby McCain and Maxwell in the secondary, any WR can torch us.
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Good. Jared, Meet Cam...and Andre....It'll be Mr. Wake & Mr. Branch by the end of the afternoon.
Stop the run. Stop the 3 step Quick slants, outs Screens and make Goff beat you deep.
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Going to go back and watch the Ram's preseason games.
Edit: just watched the first drive of their game against Vikings. Several great throws by Goff.
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Time to bury this f'er into the turf. Everyone's gonna want to see Goff play. Time for the Dolphins D to show out.
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Classic trap game. Gurley is a stud and I hope we can contain him
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tavon Austin doesn't help the qb either with his suspect hands and small catch radius...seen more than a few picks cause of tavon from the rams this year
but he'll probably murder our slot
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I'm going back and forth on this because I did initially see it as a trap game although staying on the west coast for two weeks would lead me to believe they saw it as more of an extended business trip and not just another road game.
Goff playing does create a buzz and should make our players a little more in tuned with what they're responsibilities.
I want a nice solid win in which all 3 phases play well but I'll take a W anyway it comes so long as we are 6-4 on the plane ride back to Miami.
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It's always rough when you don't have film on the guy. The hope is, he's just not that good. Which there is a chance of, otherwise it'd be moronic that he wasn't already in the game, it's not like Keenum's been lighting it up.
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Games gonna have a story unwinding for both teams.
First look at Goff in live action....I expect him designed runs and short passes. Also, picks by Rambo playing olb position....
All that, within his first 2 drives.. Dont ask me why, though.
Vance Joseph is gonna throw sum funny looks at hin early to see where he's at. I expect it to be a long day for Goff. Defense is already on playoff mode. Ask Earl Mitchell. Also, Parker looks like he's ready for some seconds.
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Don't forget Mr. Suh; who probably has something to say to all the reporters calling Aaron Donald the best DT in the game.
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in college goff had a really good feel in a muddy pocket and very good active feet
we'll see but my guess is Miami will bait him into most his issues sunday
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I was at the Cal/UW game last yr in Seattle. He was 24/40 for 342. 2 TDs, 1 INT. I remember saying, he's a good player but gets rattled with pressure on him. Hard Knocks kind of showed that.
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Interesting turn of events for sure. My eyes lit up when I read Goff will make the start(not sure if thats a good thing or bad thing lol) . But hopefully our boys give him a very rude awakening on Sunday.
I think we'll win
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So of all the games to start this kid, Fisher circles us on the schedule.
Sounds like bulletin board fodder to me. I hope our D is pissed off.
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How many QBs have the fins knocked out of the game for any time so far this season-4?
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Goff's face when he see Wake coming off the end and Suh up the middle:
Ah Crap, Goff To Start!!
Just saw it on twitter from Shefter.
@AdamSchefter
Jared Goff will make his first NFL start Sunday at home vs Miami Dolphins, per @mortreport. Goff tries to give Rams postseason push.
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Aw crap? This kid is an INT machine. Watched a game last year where he threw 5 picks. If you pressure him he's very careless with the ball.
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that could bring some juice to that Stadium but you guys should still win.
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The Rookie QB starting? I think that improves our chances to bait him into to some turnovers. Vance will have a plan to exploit him.
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The Fins defense should be licking their chops. Stop the run on first and second down and we may see another 4 interception game from the defense.
When I die I want to hire the Miami Dolphin's to be my pallbearers so they can let me down one last time.
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Well with our corners they must feel good about his chances. Our line though just needs to get to him often
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Will be up to Vance Joseph and his defense to rattle the rookie and force him into some mistakes.
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I'd rather face keenum
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Me too...the unknown QB's always kick our a$$...we have no tape on the rook so this now scares me....
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Eh, I'll take my chances against a rookie who has apparently looked terrible in practice.
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old Fins would make Goff break passing record for rookies
new Fins just might make him look like a rook starting his first NFL game
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Dolphins defense number one fantasy D of the week.
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This is good news. Move on to san Fran.
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Just blitz the crap out of rookies in their first game. See how they handle it. I'd say 80% of rookies can't handle the blitz
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I hope we can ruin his NFL debut.
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Prepare for easy throws and screens, especially early.....tackling is key!
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Oh great, we're screwed
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I'm sure Kroenke ordered Fisher to start him. On one hand, how bad must he be to not have replaced Case a few games ago, especially since a number of rookie QBs, including later round ones have been starting and impressing. So I'm encouraged there.
OTOH, no film on him, so our D is gonna have to fly blind.
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Lol at people scared of a rookie QB so ****ty he couldn't beat out Case Keenum.
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Ya I am not thrilled about this, I thought Keenum's film would've allowed us to prepare better.
Like a bunch of people know, we haven't faired that well against inexperienced QB's in the past so maybe that leaves a little bitter taste in my mouth. Normally you'd think a QB making his first career start is a good thing.
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I'm not to worried about it.
He was dominant in college so I doubt he's gonna be game one.
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Case Keenum is very bad, so the fact that Goff is an unknown is troubling.
Goff was poor in the preseason, but he was also working with the scrubs and he's had ten weeks to get more acclimated.
That said, from the Rams' point of view, this is NOT the front four you want to start the kid against.
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Damn that's all we need a is a rookie having his way with us.
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Regardless, he will bring a lot of energy to the team and to the fan base. Whether that is something that can be sustained for 60 minutes is another thing. I am sure there are a lot of players and personnel people in that building who want to get there future underway with and they can't really afford to wait any longer.
Considering the success that Wentz and Prescott are already displaying in their conference, they need to get some momentum going for themselves. They don't have a first round pick next year, (Titans are sitting pretty with Mariota, that OL, Derrick Henry and extra picks).
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I really see both sides in this situation. Yes, this should be great, a rookie who couldn't beat out
Case Keenum, going up against Wake, Suh and the gang. This is what rookie QB's nightmares are made of.
Yet, our track record with inexperienced or unknown QBs gives us all quite a scare. I mean we let freaking Thad Lewis beat us TWICE.
I think this game rides on the fact that we aren't the old Dolphins. If we have truly entered a new chapter of our history, then we should win 31-14 or somewhere around there, with quite a few mistakes/turnovers from the rookie.
If we revert back to the old Dolphins, I say we lose 20-17, with a key strip sack at the end.
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Boy I can see Wake and Suh, Branch and Mitchell salivating for this game.
I can hear Joseph scheming up some exotic defenses for Mr.Goff.
Can you say Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley up the middle,,,,, a bubble screen to Tavon Austin. That is probably the sequence we will be seeing Sunday.
Keep up w the ultra aggressive defense Sunday, press their WRs, make Goff beat us!!!!!
J-Train Rolls On ^^^^^^^^^^^
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I was actually hoping for Keenum. This team has a knack for struggling against rookie QB's.
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I was thinking the same thing, but I gotta hope Joseph can confuse a rookie making his first start. Surely they will try to run it down our throats with him in there....run d coming around at the right time.
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Lets hope we take the screen game away. I am sure they will run heavy and try some easy throws.
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People are getting a little scared over a guy who maybe had the worst preseason of any QB I've ever seen.
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True, but Case Keenum was atrocious. Hard to imagine Goff could be worse.
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Far more concerned with stopping Gurley than Goff.
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In Miami's four game winning streak, they had to win against teams that had one of the best passers in football (Rivers), one of the best athletic QBs in Football (Taylor), one of the best all around, and a top 5 QB (Big Ben), and a QB that though very inconsistent, when he is on, can be as dangerous as those three (Fitzpatrick).
Though I agree having tape would be beneficial to our defense, he is a Rookie that could not start until now, and will be getting his 1st taste of regular season of football in the NFL. Bring the heat, and this is a good game for defense to start showing discipline, stop giving offenses free plays.
---------
One thing is for sure, Miami brings it up front defensively, period! Miami will be bringing the LUMBER Sunday. Goff will have fancy feet, eyes in the back of his head...............Because if he doesn't, he may very well be the 5th QB knocked out of game by this defense.
--------
Goff will be frazzled from the beginning. He will undoubtedly throw up a few to avoid a sack, right into the hands of our secondary. I'm really pumped for this game. I can't even fathom 6-4.
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Recipe for disaster getting ahead of yourself like that.... bad mistake. Good Record, bad record, rookie quarterback, veteran quarterback, good or bad team you can lose any given Sunday.
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Lets hope with Gase and Joseph the days of crappy and/or inexperienced QBs destroying the Dolphins are gone.
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Gotta stop the run and the short passing game. Hard to imagine they'll open it up downfield for him, especially with the reputation our DL has of putting other QB's on... well the DL.
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Here's why I'm skeered:
1. They will likely have a very conservative game plan (they probably would have anyway) where they ride Gurley and use Goff for easy quick throws.
2. I have no faith in our secondary. If anyone can block our front 4 (easier said than done) I expect ANY QB could have a big day.
3. Instilling energy into the Rams. This has been a long trip for Miami I hope we're not flat.
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The Lambs are in for a massacre. Way stupid on their part. Miami is going to kill him every chance they get. The Dolphins are also getting better at stopping the run. Once the Dolphins take the lead in the 1st Quarter. Bring heat from every possible way and kill him as much as they can.
The Dolphins are not a team to start a NFL career Mr. Goff, they may even ended it before it even starts. Stupid Lambs. Pain is coming over and over. Go Dolphins play 60 minutes and get a win.
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Will need to pressure him early on. Make him lose his confidence by making mistakes, throwing incompletions.
If he starts connecting passes, making plays and converting third downs, could be dangerous for us.
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I'm still not taking any team lightly regardless of QB. Rams have a good D.
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That makes me much more nervous than Keenum.....No game film, hard to plan for, etc
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Their offense was horrible with Keenum. Even with a potential easy day against Goff, they could not possibly be any worse with Goff at the helm.
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Well, the one disadvantage is that we have no regular season film on Goff, so we're not really sure what we're getting. Carson Wentz looked REALLY good in his first couple starts because the opposing team couldn't prepare for him. They didn't know his habits or what rattles him. Hopefully things will be different in this case.
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I'm 100% sure that regardless of who starts at QB for them we were going to see Gurley all day long. We need to play every team as if everything is on the line for us because it is at this point.
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Let's not get too confident. Carson Wentz looked amazing in his first couple starts because opposing teams had no real film on him and didn't know how to exploit his weaknesses. He came back to Earth once teams figured him out. Goff is a complete unknown to us. Hopefully we'll be able to frustrate him. I'm sure we'll see LOTS of runs.
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goff or keenum doesn't change much for us....both are stinkers who are going to have to do their damage dinkin and dunkin..........as long as you stop gurley neither of those kids are going to beat us......
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Gurley hasn't been spectacular this year either. I think tavon got hurt last week? Britt will be the biggest matchup problem probably
Our defense hasn't done awful against rb's so I think we can do okay against what should be their biggest weapon
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He may have to change his name from Jared Goff to Jack Goff after this game.
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I have a feeling we will see both Goff and Keenum play regardless of who starts.
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If he was halfway decent he would have been out there sooner. Desperation by the Rams but who knows how it'll work out.
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I think it's fair to say goff will play better football than keenum...now its unlikely he plays well week 1...hell even peyton mannings first start he struggled as a rookie
but yeah I'd take the unknown in goff any day over the known quantity on tape that is case keenum
he could provide a spark in that lockerroom
and let's face it this secondary is no bueno right now
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Would be my preference too. But it doesn't move the needle much. Both these guys are terrible and we have no excuses if Goff or Keenum beats us.
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I'm not too worried about Goff; I think he'll be a bust anyway.
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So this means he'll look like a veteran Peyton Manning in his first game...he'll beat us like a Thad Lewis...Rams fans will claim they've found their QB savior only to sh!t the bag in his second game.
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I bought the LA Times yesterday at the airport flying home and there was an article saying that now is the time to start Goff. Fischer was sticking to his guns saying he wasn't going to move away from Keenum. Something must've changed his mind. I don't think it matters who they start.
Obviously, Goff must not have been grasping things real quick going into the start of the season, but what choice does LA have? Keenum can't get their offense to score. Let's rough the kid up a little and see how he deals.
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Screens, dump offs to Gurley. He will probably have north of 25 touches. Hopefully the run D holds up.
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With Bobby McCain and Maxwell in the secondary, any WR can torch us.
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Good. Jared, Meet Cam...and Andre....It'll be Mr. Wake & Mr. Branch by the end of the afternoon.
Stop the run. Stop the 3 step Quick slants, outs Screens and make Goff beat you deep.
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Going to go back and watch the Ram's preseason games.
Edit: just watched the first drive of their game against Vikings. Several great throws by Goff.
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Time to bury this f'er into the turf. Everyone's gonna want to see Goff play. Time for the Dolphins D to show out.
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Classic trap game. Gurley is a stud and I hope we can contain him
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tavon Austin doesn't help the qb either with his suspect hands and small catch radius...seen more than a few picks cause of tavon from the rams this year
but he'll probably murder our slot
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I'm going back and forth on this because I did initially see it as a trap game although staying on the west coast for two weeks would lead me to believe they saw it as more of an extended business trip and not just another road game.
Goff playing does create a buzz and should make our players a little more in tuned with what they're responsibilities.
I want a nice solid win in which all 3 phases play well but I'll take a W anyway it comes so long as we are 6-4 on the plane ride back to Miami.
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It's always rough when you don't have film on the guy. The hope is, he's just not that good. Which there is a chance of, otherwise it'd be moronic that he wasn't already in the game, it's not like Keenum's been lighting it up.
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Games gonna have a story unwinding for both teams.
First look at Goff in live action....I expect him designed runs and short passes. Also, picks by Rambo playing olb position....
All that, within his first 2 drives.. Dont ask me why, though.
Vance Joseph is gonna throw sum funny looks at hin early to see where he's at. I expect it to be a long day for Goff. Defense is already on playoff mode. Ask Earl Mitchell. Also, Parker looks like he's ready for some seconds.
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Don't forget Mr. Suh; who probably has something to say to all the reporters calling Aaron Donald the best DT in the game.
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in college goff had a really good feel in a muddy pocket and very good active feet
we'll see but my guess is Miami will bait him into most his issues sunday
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I was at the Cal/UW game last yr in Seattle. He was 24/40 for 342. 2 TDs, 1 INT. I remember saying, he's a good player but gets rattled with pressure on him. Hard Knocks kind of showed that.
---------
Interesting turn of events for sure. My eyes lit up when I read Goff will make the start(not sure if thats a good thing or bad thing lol) . But hopefully our boys give him a very rude awakening on Sunday.
I think we'll win
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So of all the games to start this kid, Fisher circles us on the schedule.
Sounds like bulletin board fodder to me. I hope our D is pissed off.
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How many QBs have the fins knocked out of the game for any time so far this season-4?
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Goff's face when he see Wake coming off the end and Suh up the middle:
Quarterback dilemmas around the NFL
- By CGI_Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 11 Replies
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/w...s-about-its-current-qb-and-getting-a-new-one/
How's your quarterback?
Is he thriving and developing? Injured? Just sort of hobbling around?
We've reached the part of the season where, by my estimation, a good third of the league has to begin making a determination about what they have and where they are going at quarterback. The market of buyers for 2017 -- through trades, free agency, the draft or any combination of those -- is taking shape. Once again, I can assure you the supply of quality starters will not meet the demand. It never does. And given extremely limited options this time around and continued skepticism about the crop of college QBs, the outlook could be particularly bleak.
Tony Romo's heartfelt, measured and sincere comments about the Cowboys' quarterback situation, and his role in it following the rise of Dak Prescott, crystallized the dichotomy between haves and have nots in NFL quarterback rooms. It also got minds racing around the league, with Romo jumping to the head of the class as a viable option. It's him, then everybody else. And someone will be plenty willing to trade tangible quality assets to land him.
After Romo, the most-coveted potential trade chip is Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who put enough on film during Tom Brady's ban to make scouts salivate. After that, there's Jay Cutler, who is virtually certain to be shopped at the combine (the Bears would get very little and some teams would be content to wait for Chicago to release him).
Among free agents, expect a feeding frenzy for Bucs backup Mike Glennon(who Tampa should deal for a second-round pick at some point). He's only 26, has starting experience and is well-thought of in the scouting community. I'd take him way before guys like Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford, who cashed in big-time last winter. Kirk Cousins, should the Redskins somehow let him walk, would be far and away the top free-agent option (I can't think Washington lets that happen). Maybe an organization believes Colin Kaepernick still has upside. After that you are down to journeymen (Brian Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, Shaun Hill, Geno Smith, yikes!). You could wait and see if guys like Josh McCown or Robert Griffin III get cut, but selling either as a long-term solution won't be easy.
It's slim pickings, and you can expect at least 20 percent of the league to be looking for immediate help and a few more teams turning an eye toward their quarterback of the future. Here's how I see it shaping up as we approach the final playoff push:
You Need Help ASAP ... like yesterday
New York Jets
They'll learn a little something about Bryce Petty the final six weeks, and he could surprise everyone. But he comes from a rudimentary college system and faces a learning curve on a team that in a deep slide. Christian Hackenberg is nowhere close and probably would have to be redshirted next season. They quite likely need at least some sort of a band-aid veteran, even if Petty looks the part, and Fitzpatrick and Smith are gone. It's over with them. Owner Woody Johnson is known to be rash, and we'll see if he makes any regime changes. Had Drew Brees been eligible to hit the market in 2017, this Jets braintrust would have been all over him. With a veteran team in place, I could see that group making a play for Romo.
Cleveland Browns
Cody Kessler is a functional backup with limited potential and athletic gifts. Coach Hue Jackson seems to have reached a conclusion most teams made back before the draft, benching him in the third quarter of a meaningless loss at Baltimore last Thursday. Passing on Carson Wentz and Prescott will haunt the Browns for years, and estimating the 2017 QB draft class would be robust could prove just as haunting. If Jackson is still there I could see them making a go of it with RG3 and Kessler, but owner Jimmy Haslam could blow up the building at any time. I can tell you this: Guys who will call their own shots like Romo or Garoppolo are staying the hell out of Cleveland, were quarterbacks go to get maimed. The Browns have to bottom feed, in all likelihood, or hope and pray in the draft.
Chicago Bears
Another franchise that could make sweeping changes, which breeds uncertainty. Whether the tandem of John Fox and Ryan Pace stays the same or not, Chicago will be looking for a young new QB because Cutler's time is up. It was a long, turnover-filed epoch, full of grimaces, sacks and frowns. While they don't figure to get much for Cutler, I suspect the Bears get something. Paying him $18M a year during an ugly rebuild makes no sense for the club, and if there is a new regime they'll want to make a clean break.
It appears the Jay Cutler Era is over in Chicago. Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers
Those who believe Chip Kelly actually will stay in the NFL -- opinions are split as San Fran could be headed for 15 straight losses to end the season -- anticipate he will end up with essentially full control. With that, he'll have the capacity to pick at least all the offensive players on the roster. And those who know Kelly are adamant he will identify a QB in this draft to mold. Hard to imagine GM Trent Baalke survives, given the dearth of talent and poor drafts, but this ain't your normal franchise. Regardless, Kaepernick negotiated the voids in his contract for a reason; he's gone, and even Kelly can't try to pretend Blaine Gabbert deserves another shot. I could see Glennon making sense here, considering what Kelly accomplished that one season with Nick Foles.
Jacksonville Jaguars
What do you know, here's another franchise facing likely massive changes in the coaching and front office ranks. Drafting Blake Bortles third overall could prove to be crippling, and whoever is running and coaching this team in 2017 is going to want a viable starting-caliber vet pushing Bortles. Picking up Bortles' fifth-year option will be a tricky decision. Regardles, but no matter how you slice up the film, Bortles does not look the part. He was never all that, and the regression even from his 2016 form has been damning.
Future may be here faster than you think
Arizona Cardinals
Bruce Arians isn't at a career stage where drafting a developmental QB and gradually bringing him along makes sense. And the state of the rest of the roster -- where talent abounds -- also speaks to landing a veteran QB. Denying Carson Palmer is in decline is folly. Expecting the aging starter to get better is foolish, which is why they structured hit extension with an escape clause in 2017. Palmer never again will reach his 2015 heights, and that season feels more like an outlier by the week. Palmer has thrown only 11 touchdown passes to eight interceptions with a weak rating of 86 this season and remains an injury concern. Had Brees hit the free-agent market, this was the team his agents most had their eyes on, and with an aggressive GM like Steve Keim at the helm, I can't rule out a bold move if Palmer continues on this track.
Houston Texans
Osweiler has been as bad as any starting quarterback. You could make the case, given Houston's defense and the array of weapons on his side of the ball, he has been the NFL's worst QB. I'll give you Bortles, maybe Keenum, maybe Fitzpatrick as worse, but that's it. Osweiler is averaging an unfathomable 5.6 yards per attempt (and still managing to complete only 58.6 percent of his dink-and-dunks), with a rating of 74 despite playing in the league's weakest division, with 11 TDs and 9 INTs. He is killing De'Andre Hopkins' walk year, unable to do anything with one of the game's elite receivers. And after 2017, the guaranteed money on Osweiler's deal is paid out. Some in the organization believe Tom Savage could be the guy, and if Osweiler stays on this course, ain't no way he's seeing that $18M in 2018. They are winning games despite him, but you wonder how long that can go on, even in the AFC South.
What kind of answer is Sam Bradford for the Vikes? Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings
Sadly, Teddy Bridgewater's future is murky because of what looks like, at best, a long recovery from a devastating knee injury. A best-case scenario puts him back around this time next year -- well into the season -- and that might be ambitious. Bradford is still Bradford, so not much to see there, except he cost you first- and fourth-round picks you could really use on a quarterback in 2017. They could try to trade Bradford (set to make $17M in 2017) to recoup some of what they lost, though they won't get anything close to what they dealt. They probably need him on a prove-it deal, anyway, as insurance for Bridgewater. Of course, keeping Bradford healthy is another challenge. With his offensive line in disarray and hits mounting on an oft-injured quarterback, they could ill-afford him trying to rehab an injury while Bridgewater does the same and with Hill a potential unrestricted free agent.
Buffalo Bills
I'm a Tyrod Taylor guy. I think he has a unique skill set and I'd be comfortable paying him $15M next season. But we'll see how the Bills finish and whether ownership makes changes. Buffalo has until the third day of the 2017 league year to decide whether Taylor comes back. Given his lack of target options, and the absence of injured Shady McCoy at times, Taylor has been limited. However, when he and McCoy are in the same backfield they can look pretty special.
New Orleans Saints
Asshole Face has done a ton of work on quarterbacks the past few drafts, thought hard about Paxton Lynch and Prescott in the 2016 draft and has been seeking Brees' successor for awhile. It's something he has to do. Brees is signed through 2017, and he is having a marvelous season. However, Father Time is undefeated and when he hits, he tends to hit hard and fast. Ask Peyton Manning. At some point Payton is going to see an early-round QB talent he believes he can mold -- and few do it better. And 2017 could well be that year, especially if some of the top projected QB talent slips because of middling 2016 performances.
Kansas City Chiefs
Alex Smith has so many qualities Andy Reid loves. He doesn't lose games and makes good decisions. But can he win multiple times in the postseason? Is he dynamic enough? His guaranteed money is paid out after this season, and while I expect him back in K.C. next season, I also expect Reid to continue his normal practice of always drafting and developing QBs on the side. And perhaps at some point Tyler Bray, or someone in the 2017 draft, takes over to try to get this team to the promise land. We'll see if Smith can take them on a long ride this January as the Chiefs continue to pile up wins.
How's your quarterback?
Is he thriving and developing? Injured? Just sort of hobbling around?
We've reached the part of the season where, by my estimation, a good third of the league has to begin making a determination about what they have and where they are going at quarterback. The market of buyers for 2017 -- through trades, free agency, the draft or any combination of those -- is taking shape. Once again, I can assure you the supply of quality starters will not meet the demand. It never does. And given extremely limited options this time around and continued skepticism about the crop of college QBs, the outlook could be particularly bleak.
Tony Romo's heartfelt, measured and sincere comments about the Cowboys' quarterback situation, and his role in it following the rise of Dak Prescott, crystallized the dichotomy between haves and have nots in NFL quarterback rooms. It also got minds racing around the league, with Romo jumping to the head of the class as a viable option. It's him, then everybody else. And someone will be plenty willing to trade tangible quality assets to land him.
After Romo, the most-coveted potential trade chip is Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who put enough on film during Tom Brady's ban to make scouts salivate. After that, there's Jay Cutler, who is virtually certain to be shopped at the combine (the Bears would get very little and some teams would be content to wait for Chicago to release him).
Among free agents, expect a feeding frenzy for Bucs backup Mike Glennon(who Tampa should deal for a second-round pick at some point). He's only 26, has starting experience and is well-thought of in the scouting community. I'd take him way before guys like Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford, who cashed in big-time last winter. Kirk Cousins, should the Redskins somehow let him walk, would be far and away the top free-agent option (I can't think Washington lets that happen). Maybe an organization believes Colin Kaepernick still has upside. After that you are down to journeymen (Brian Hoyer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, Shaun Hill, Geno Smith, yikes!). You could wait and see if guys like Josh McCown or Robert Griffin III get cut, but selling either as a long-term solution won't be easy.
It's slim pickings, and you can expect at least 20 percent of the league to be looking for immediate help and a few more teams turning an eye toward their quarterback of the future. Here's how I see it shaping up as we approach the final playoff push:
You Need Help ASAP ... like yesterday
They'll learn a little something about Bryce Petty the final six weeks, and he could surprise everyone. But he comes from a rudimentary college system and faces a learning curve on a team that in a deep slide. Christian Hackenberg is nowhere close and probably would have to be redshirted next season. They quite likely need at least some sort of a band-aid veteran, even if Petty looks the part, and Fitzpatrick and Smith are gone. It's over with them. Owner Woody Johnson is known to be rash, and we'll see if he makes any regime changes. Had Drew Brees been eligible to hit the market in 2017, this Jets braintrust would have been all over him. With a veteran team in place, I could see that group making a play for Romo.
Cody Kessler is a functional backup with limited potential and athletic gifts. Coach Hue Jackson seems to have reached a conclusion most teams made back before the draft, benching him in the third quarter of a meaningless loss at Baltimore last Thursday. Passing on Carson Wentz and Prescott will haunt the Browns for years, and estimating the 2017 QB draft class would be robust could prove just as haunting. If Jackson is still there I could see them making a go of it with RG3 and Kessler, but owner Jimmy Haslam could blow up the building at any time. I can tell you this: Guys who will call their own shots like Romo or Garoppolo are staying the hell out of Cleveland, were quarterbacks go to get maimed. The Browns have to bottom feed, in all likelihood, or hope and pray in the draft.
Another franchise that could make sweeping changes, which breeds uncertainty. Whether the tandem of John Fox and Ryan Pace stays the same or not, Chicago will be looking for a young new QB because Cutler's time is up. It was a long, turnover-filed epoch, full of grimaces, sacks and frowns. While they don't figure to get much for Cutler, I suspect the Bears get something. Paying him $18M a year during an ugly rebuild makes no sense for the club, and if there is a new regime they'll want to make a clean break.
It appears the Jay Cutler Era is over in Chicago. Getty Images
Those who believe Chip Kelly actually will stay in the NFL -- opinions are split as San Fran could be headed for 15 straight losses to end the season -- anticipate he will end up with essentially full control. With that, he'll have the capacity to pick at least all the offensive players on the roster. And those who know Kelly are adamant he will identify a QB in this draft to mold. Hard to imagine GM Trent Baalke survives, given the dearth of talent and poor drafts, but this ain't your normal franchise. Regardless, Kaepernick negotiated the voids in his contract for a reason; he's gone, and even Kelly can't try to pretend Blaine Gabbert deserves another shot. I could see Glennon making sense here, considering what Kelly accomplished that one season with Nick Foles.
What do you know, here's another franchise facing likely massive changes in the coaching and front office ranks. Drafting Blake Bortles third overall could prove to be crippling, and whoever is running and coaching this team in 2017 is going to want a viable starting-caliber vet pushing Bortles. Picking up Bortles' fifth-year option will be a tricky decision. Regardles, but no matter how you slice up the film, Bortles does not look the part. He was never all that, and the regression even from his 2016 form has been damning.
Future may be here faster than you think
Bruce Arians isn't at a career stage where drafting a developmental QB and gradually bringing him along makes sense. And the state of the rest of the roster -- where talent abounds -- also speaks to landing a veteran QB. Denying Carson Palmer is in decline is folly. Expecting the aging starter to get better is foolish, which is why they structured hit extension with an escape clause in 2017. Palmer never again will reach his 2015 heights, and that season feels more like an outlier by the week. Palmer has thrown only 11 touchdown passes to eight interceptions with a weak rating of 86 this season and remains an injury concern. Had Brees hit the free-agent market, this was the team his agents most had their eyes on, and with an aggressive GM like Steve Keim at the helm, I can't rule out a bold move if Palmer continues on this track.
Osweiler has been as bad as any starting quarterback. You could make the case, given Houston's defense and the array of weapons on his side of the ball, he has been the NFL's worst QB. I'll give you Bortles, maybe Keenum, maybe Fitzpatrick as worse, but that's it. Osweiler is averaging an unfathomable 5.6 yards per attempt (and still managing to complete only 58.6 percent of his dink-and-dunks), with a rating of 74 despite playing in the league's weakest division, with 11 TDs and 9 INTs. He is killing De'Andre Hopkins' walk year, unable to do anything with one of the game's elite receivers. And after 2017, the guaranteed money on Osweiler's deal is paid out. Some in the organization believe Tom Savage could be the guy, and if Osweiler stays on this course, ain't no way he's seeing that $18M in 2018. They are winning games despite him, but you wonder how long that can go on, even in the AFC South.
What kind of answer is Sam Bradford for the Vikes? Getty Images
Sadly, Teddy Bridgewater's future is murky because of what looks like, at best, a long recovery from a devastating knee injury. A best-case scenario puts him back around this time next year -- well into the season -- and that might be ambitious. Bradford is still Bradford, so not much to see there, except he cost you first- and fourth-round picks you could really use on a quarterback in 2017. They could try to trade Bradford (set to make $17M in 2017) to recoup some of what they lost, though they won't get anything close to what they dealt. They probably need him on a prove-it deal, anyway, as insurance for Bridgewater. Of course, keeping Bradford healthy is another challenge. With his offensive line in disarray and hits mounting on an oft-injured quarterback, they could ill-afford him trying to rehab an injury while Bridgewater does the same and with Hill a potential unrestricted free agent.
I'm a Tyrod Taylor guy. I think he has a unique skill set and I'd be comfortable paying him $15M next season. But we'll see how the Bills finish and whether ownership makes changes. Buffalo has until the third day of the 2017 league year to decide whether Taylor comes back. Given his lack of target options, and the absence of injured Shady McCoy at times, Taylor has been limited. However, when he and McCoy are in the same backfield they can look pretty special.
Asshole Face has done a ton of work on quarterbacks the past few drafts, thought hard about Paxton Lynch and Prescott in the 2016 draft and has been seeking Brees' successor for awhile. It's something he has to do. Brees is signed through 2017, and he is having a marvelous season. However, Father Time is undefeated and when he hits, he tends to hit hard and fast. Ask Peyton Manning. At some point Payton is going to see an early-round QB talent he believes he can mold -- and few do it better. And 2017 could well be that year, especially if some of the top projected QB talent slips because of middling 2016 performances.
Alex Smith has so many qualities Andy Reid loves. He doesn't lose games and makes good decisions. But can he win multiple times in the postseason? Is he dynamic enough? His guaranteed money is paid out after this season, and while I expect him back in K.C. next season, I also expect Reid to continue his normal practice of always drafting and developing QBs on the side. And perhaps at some point Tyler Bray, or someone in the 2017 draft, takes over to try to get this team to the promise land. We'll see if Smith can take them on a long ride this January as the Chiefs continue to pile up wins.
Johnny Hekker wins NFC Special Teams Player of the Week...again
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 9 Replies
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...kker-win-nfc-special-teams-player-of-the-wek/
78-yard punt helps Hekker win NFC Special Teams Player of the Wek
Posted by Zac Jackson on November 16, 2016
Getty Images
Rams punter Johnny Hekker has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his role in helping the Rams beat the Jets last Sunday.
It’s fitting that a punter would be honored for his performance in a 9-6 barnburner. Hekker helped his team’s defense with 78-yard punt in the fourth quarter when the game was tied. The punt was caught by Jalin Marshall of the Jets at his own 5-yard line, meaning it traveled 78 yards in the air.
He also had punts of 59 and 52 yards, respectively, in the game.
The weekly honor is the second of Hekker’s career. He joins Sean Landeta, who won five, as the only Rams’ punters to win multiple player of the week awards.
Hekker, who’s in his fifth season, is averaging 46.6 yards per punt. He averaged a career-best 47.9 per punt last season.
78-yard punt helps Hekker win NFC Special Teams Player of the Wek
Posted by Zac Jackson on November 16, 2016
Getty Images
Rams punter Johnny Hekker has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his role in helping the Rams beat the Jets last Sunday.
It’s fitting that a punter would be honored for his performance in a 9-6 barnburner. Hekker helped his team’s defense with 78-yard punt in the fourth quarter when the game was tied. The punt was caught by Jalin Marshall of the Jets at his own 5-yard line, meaning it traveled 78 yards in the air.
He also had punts of 59 and 52 yards, respectively, in the game.
The weekly honor is the second of Hekker’s career. He joins Sean Landeta, who won five, as the only Rams’ punters to win multiple player of the week awards.
Hekker, who’s in his fifth season, is averaging 46.6 yards per punt. He averaged a career-best 47.9 per punt last season.
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat - 11/15/16
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 5 Replies
These are selected questions and answers only. To read the whole chat click the link below.
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http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_36?Page=0
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat
How was it watching a high scoring game? Are the Titans that good?
For just a minute, I felt like I was watching the Greatest Show Rams, circa 2000 (when I think the Rams were at their most potent, but couldn't stop anybody on defense). I really like Mariota. Liked him coming out. I think he has the makings of a true franchise quarterback. The Titans are definitely a team on the rise.
They are missing some pieces. They need another threat at wide receiver. Need some help on their pass rush, and could use help in the secondary. They have some extra picks from the Rams via the Jared Goff trade _ including a 1st_ and 3rd-rounder in 2017 _ to help them fill those holes.
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JT - is there any truth to the rumor that the Rams have hired George Boone to handle their draft?
Very nice. Now that's a name from the past.
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Jim, will the Browns win a game this year? How can they be so bad??
It's hard to look at the remaining schedule and see a sure victory. They play the Steelers (twice), and also have the Giants, Bengals, Bills, and Chargers, none of whom figure to be pushovers. They do get 4 of those remaining 6 at home. Four of the Browns losses have come by six points or less, so maybe they can scratch out a win or two. Besides, LB Christian Kirksey, who's from St. Louis and is having a very good season, says they're not going 0-16.
Changing coaches and GMs constantly, as the Browns seem to do, isn't the best way to turn a franchise around. Personally, I wasn't a big fan of them continuing to trade down in the draft. It's almost as if they were giving up on now to get better in the future. But they've made a lot of bad personnel decisions there over the years. Including of course, Johnny Football.
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Fair to say the decision to start Goff now will ultimately decide Fisher's fate? In other words, do Fisher's detractors root for Goff to fail to effect change?
Tough to say. Unless this thing totally falls apart down the stretch, like 4-12 or 5-11, I think Fisher could be back. Yes, that would be after five straight losing seasons.
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Will Bradford ever catch a break with a good line?
"Sam, Sam...hey Sam!"
Apparently not. You know he has a 100-plus passer rating in each of the past two games. But he's continuing to take some shots. Given his injury history, you just wonder when it'll be one hit too many.
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Jim, no not from what I could see. If it wasn't for a major church conference going on there this weekend I would say the dome looks abandoned.
Hopefully, they said a prayer for the Rams. Or should they say a prayer against the Rams?
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With the bad play from the offensive line, at times, could it turn out bad for Goff. Or will he provide the spark they need?
Actually, the pass-blocking hasn't been bad for the Rams, although they have made it a point to get the ball out quick. By everything I've been told, Goff does have a quick release. He may need to put that to good use.
Fisher flips: Goff will start at QB for Rams
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_63ed3759-6978-51b1-9d6a-8a906f595a6a.html
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Is it true that back in 1998 ESK had Kurt Warner fired from his job as a stock boy so he could sign him to a contract to play QB because he was convinced that Kurt would be a hall of fame QB?
I think you're pretty close on that. But not quite.
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Is there any remote possibility, Kahn moves the Jags here?
I keep hearing he's not interested. But I think there are valid concerns about the long-term viability of the Jaguars in Jacksonville by some in the NFL. Maybe there's a chance if London no longer is in play. But even if that's the case, that could be many years down the road.
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I bet more than win-loss record, the boring play of Rams Offense turned off many fans so the change to Goff. My guess, this call came from upstairs. comments?
I'm not big on Oliver Stone theories, but. . . .home game coming up, need to get the fan base excited about something. Wonder if Malibu Stan had any, uh, input on this one. As we all know from the Kurt Warner days, he has a keen eye for QB talent.
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Looks like the Cowboys are all in for Prescott. Makes sense. But what does that mean for Romo in 2017? Where does he wind up? (Please say LA ... please say LA ...)
Yeah, it certainly looks like this is now Prescott's team. So why not trade Romo after the season if you're the Cowboys? As for Romo going to the Rams, I could see Kroenke liking such a move, but what does that say about Goff and all those picks you traded for him? And if you're Romo, at this stage of your career, wouldn't you want to go to a Super Bowl contender.
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Can/will the Rams make the playoffs? Need to know how hard I'll have to root for the opposition over the last seven games.
Even though the NFC West isn't that strong this year, and the NFC North is down, it's hard to see the Rams squeezing out a wild-card berth because of the strength of the NFC East where everyone currently has a winning record and where ultimately both wild-cards could come from.
The Rams defense has played very well so far this season, but they're about to be tested: Atlanta, New England, New Orleans, and Arizona all are ranked No. 8 or better in the league in total offense.
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6-10 Balloon party? Fisher losing-ist coach in history. Can Rams find 5 losses from here on out? better yet can they find two wins?
As you know the NFL is very unpredictable. I would say best chances for 2 wins: Miami and San Francisco. Best chances for 5 losses: New England, Atlanta, Arizona, Seattle, and New Orleans.
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Does it seem that the Rams players never get any better after being drafted ? You would think NFL coaches could enhance the players skill set.
I don't think what you're saying is entirely true. Players like Eugene Sims, Alec Ogletree, Lance Kendricks, Janoris Jenkins, and Rodney McLeod certainly improved. Unfortunately for the Rams, McLeod and Jenkins are now elsewhere. But haven't really seen much if any improvement in the likes of Tavon Austin, Brian Quick, and Greg Robinson.
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Jim, what can we do to help the Rams lose?
As for what you can do to help the Rams lose. . .usually it takes care of itself.
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Hi Jim, talking about Pead, when did you see that he was not going to be as advertised? Coming in he said all the right things, being willing to learn from Steven Jackson, but he never lived up to his second round draft status. Do you think it was lack of talent or was it more his mindset?
A little of both. I think Pead has some maturity and off-field issues. And as good as he was in college, I just don't think he was a physical runner by NFL standards.
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This year has been the a huge Win-Win for me. If the Rams win I'm happy. If they get there a**es handed to them I'm happy. Here's to Goff having a great first start. . . or not. I'm covered either way.
Very interesting. So when you watch the game, do you cheer when something good happens or something bad happens?
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Prediction on Dolphins @ Rams?
Based on how Dolphins head coach Adam Gase coached circles around the Rams last year (as Chicago's OC), I'm leaning towards Gase.
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Your colleague, Jeff Gordon, said it all right here. Covering the Rams all those years, didn't you just marvel at how horrid they were, and continue to be, at drafting players?
www.stltoday.com
They have indeed had some swings and misses.
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Sounds like it's time for Gurley to step-up. If Fisher wants to help Goff win his first start, they will need to commit to running the ball and Gurley will need to make something happen. Gurley's too talented to play this poorly, regardless of how bad his OL is playing. I think the Rams win 20-17.
No doubt. They stuck with Gurley and the running game more against the Jets than they had been recently, and Gurley had some good moments in the fourth quarter _ including on what proved to be the game-winning field goal drive.
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When the MVP of your team is the punter you are a joke of a team
Yeah, it doesn't speak very well to the offense, does it?
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Is Aaron Rodgers passé ?
I don't think so. He's not playing up to his past standards, but he's still pretty good. The Packers sure could use a running back, and a tight end. (I guess Jared Cook was supposed to be that receiving tight end.) And the defense sure looked awful in Nashville.
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What will the Rams do with Sean Mannion? He showed some promising signs of progress and now is doomed to be a practice tackling dummy.
Does make you wonder. He looked much-improved in thee preseason.
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Enter Goff to save the day! One thing you can say about the o-line in front of him, they are truly offensive. I'm guessing he comes out of this looking like a piñata after a kids birthday party.
Again, I don't think the pass-blocking has been that bad. It's the run-blocking that's the issue. Just get the ball out quick, and he should be OK.
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Knowing Fisher like we do, there is NO chance he makes this change after a W....this had to come from upstairs, and I'm sure the trade and picking of the local kid did as well. Of course, the LA writers all say this was Fisher's call. But, in the end, it doesn't matter if Goff plays well - and it will be hard to be worse than Case.....
I can't tell you one way or the other if this was Fisher's call. I will say that trading up for Goff just didn't seem like a Fisher move.
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Any chance Gurley catches a break and gets traded to a contender? What a waste of talent on a perennial loser.
Don't think he's going anywhere.
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Other than Gurly, which other offensive player do you think can start on most NFL teams from this Rams bunch?
Saffold. Britt maybe as a second WR. Kendricks could start for several.
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As a UK Ram fan, im interested in what comes first. The UK get a franchise or the Rams make the playoffs?
I'd say Rams make the playoffs, but I say this with a caveat: I hope you're a patient person.
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http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_36?Page=0
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat
How was it watching a high scoring game? Are the Titans that good?
For just a minute, I felt like I was watching the Greatest Show Rams, circa 2000 (when I think the Rams were at their most potent, but couldn't stop anybody on defense). I really like Mariota. Liked him coming out. I think he has the makings of a true franchise quarterback. The Titans are definitely a team on the rise.
They are missing some pieces. They need another threat at wide receiver. Need some help on their pass rush, and could use help in the secondary. They have some extra picks from the Rams via the Jared Goff trade _ including a 1st_ and 3rd-rounder in 2017 _ to help them fill those holes.
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JT - is there any truth to the rumor that the Rams have hired George Boone to handle their draft?
Very nice. Now that's a name from the past.
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Jim, will the Browns win a game this year? How can they be so bad??
It's hard to look at the remaining schedule and see a sure victory. They play the Steelers (twice), and also have the Giants, Bengals, Bills, and Chargers, none of whom figure to be pushovers. They do get 4 of those remaining 6 at home. Four of the Browns losses have come by six points or less, so maybe they can scratch out a win or two. Besides, LB Christian Kirksey, who's from St. Louis and is having a very good season, says they're not going 0-16.
Changing coaches and GMs constantly, as the Browns seem to do, isn't the best way to turn a franchise around. Personally, I wasn't a big fan of them continuing to trade down in the draft. It's almost as if they were giving up on now to get better in the future. But they've made a lot of bad personnel decisions there over the years. Including of course, Johnny Football.
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Fair to say the decision to start Goff now will ultimately decide Fisher's fate? In other words, do Fisher's detractors root for Goff to fail to effect change?
Tough to say. Unless this thing totally falls apart down the stretch, like 4-12 or 5-11, I think Fisher could be back. Yes, that would be after five straight losing seasons.
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Will Bradford ever catch a break with a good line?
"Sam, Sam...hey Sam!"
Apparently not. You know he has a 100-plus passer rating in each of the past two games. But he's continuing to take some shots. Given his injury history, you just wonder when it'll be one hit too many.
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Jim, no not from what I could see. If it wasn't for a major church conference going on there this weekend I would say the dome looks abandoned.
Hopefully, they said a prayer for the Rams. Or should they say a prayer against the Rams?
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With the bad play from the offensive line, at times, could it turn out bad for Goff. Or will he provide the spark they need?
Actually, the pass-blocking hasn't been bad for the Rams, although they have made it a point to get the ball out quick. By everything I've been told, Goff does have a quick release. He may need to put that to good use.
Fisher flips: Goff will start at QB for Rams
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_63ed3759-6978-51b1-9d6a-8a906f595a6a.html
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Is it true that back in 1998 ESK had Kurt Warner fired from his job as a stock boy so he could sign him to a contract to play QB because he was convinced that Kurt would be a hall of fame QB?
I think you're pretty close on that. But not quite.
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Is there any remote possibility, Kahn moves the Jags here?
I keep hearing he's not interested. But I think there are valid concerns about the long-term viability of the Jaguars in Jacksonville by some in the NFL. Maybe there's a chance if London no longer is in play. But even if that's the case, that could be many years down the road.
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I bet more than win-loss record, the boring play of Rams Offense turned off many fans so the change to Goff. My guess, this call came from upstairs. comments?
I'm not big on Oliver Stone theories, but. . . .home game coming up, need to get the fan base excited about something. Wonder if Malibu Stan had any, uh, input on this one. As we all know from the Kurt Warner days, he has a keen eye for QB talent.
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Looks like the Cowboys are all in for Prescott. Makes sense. But what does that mean for Romo in 2017? Where does he wind up? (Please say LA ... please say LA ...)
Yeah, it certainly looks like this is now Prescott's team. So why not trade Romo after the season if you're the Cowboys? As for Romo going to the Rams, I could see Kroenke liking such a move, but what does that say about Goff and all those picks you traded for him? And if you're Romo, at this stage of your career, wouldn't you want to go to a Super Bowl contender.
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Can/will the Rams make the playoffs? Need to know how hard I'll have to root for the opposition over the last seven games.
Even though the NFC West isn't that strong this year, and the NFC North is down, it's hard to see the Rams squeezing out a wild-card berth because of the strength of the NFC East where everyone currently has a winning record and where ultimately both wild-cards could come from.
The Rams defense has played very well so far this season, but they're about to be tested: Atlanta, New England, New Orleans, and Arizona all are ranked No. 8 or better in the league in total offense.
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6-10 Balloon party? Fisher losing-ist coach in history. Can Rams find 5 losses from here on out? better yet can they find two wins?
As you know the NFL is very unpredictable. I would say best chances for 2 wins: Miami and San Francisco. Best chances for 5 losses: New England, Atlanta, Arizona, Seattle, and New Orleans.
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Does it seem that the Rams players never get any better after being drafted ? You would think NFL coaches could enhance the players skill set.
I don't think what you're saying is entirely true. Players like Eugene Sims, Alec Ogletree, Lance Kendricks, Janoris Jenkins, and Rodney McLeod certainly improved. Unfortunately for the Rams, McLeod and Jenkins are now elsewhere. But haven't really seen much if any improvement in the likes of Tavon Austin, Brian Quick, and Greg Robinson.
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Jim, what can we do to help the Rams lose?
As for what you can do to help the Rams lose. . .usually it takes care of itself.
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Hi Jim, talking about Pead, when did you see that he was not going to be as advertised? Coming in he said all the right things, being willing to learn from Steven Jackson, but he never lived up to his second round draft status. Do you think it was lack of talent or was it more his mindset?
A little of both. I think Pead has some maturity and off-field issues. And as good as he was in college, I just don't think he was a physical runner by NFL standards.
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This year has been the a huge Win-Win for me. If the Rams win I'm happy. If they get there a**es handed to them I'm happy. Here's to Goff having a great first start. . . or not. I'm covered either way.
Very interesting. So when you watch the game, do you cheer when something good happens or something bad happens?
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Prediction on Dolphins @ Rams?
Based on how Dolphins head coach Adam Gase coached circles around the Rams last year (as Chicago's OC), I'm leaning towards Gase.
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Your colleague, Jeff Gordon, said it all right here. Covering the Rams all those years, didn't you just marvel at how horrid they were, and continue to be, at drafting players?
www.stltoday.com
They have indeed had some swings and misses.
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Sounds like it's time for Gurley to step-up. If Fisher wants to help Goff win his first start, they will need to commit to running the ball and Gurley will need to make something happen. Gurley's too talented to play this poorly, regardless of how bad his OL is playing. I think the Rams win 20-17.
No doubt. They stuck with Gurley and the running game more against the Jets than they had been recently, and Gurley had some good moments in the fourth quarter _ including on what proved to be the game-winning field goal drive.
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When the MVP of your team is the punter you are a joke of a team
Yeah, it doesn't speak very well to the offense, does it?
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Is Aaron Rodgers passé ?
I don't think so. He's not playing up to his past standards, but he's still pretty good. The Packers sure could use a running back, and a tight end. (I guess Jared Cook was supposed to be that receiving tight end.) And the defense sure looked awful in Nashville.
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What will the Rams do with Sean Mannion? He showed some promising signs of progress and now is doomed to be a practice tackling dummy.
Does make you wonder. He looked much-improved in thee preseason.
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Enter Goff to save the day! One thing you can say about the o-line in front of him, they are truly offensive. I'm guessing he comes out of this looking like a piñata after a kids birthday party.
Again, I don't think the pass-blocking has been that bad. It's the run-blocking that's the issue. Just get the ball out quick, and he should be OK.
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Knowing Fisher like we do, there is NO chance he makes this change after a W....this had to come from upstairs, and I'm sure the trade and picking of the local kid did as well. Of course, the LA writers all say this was Fisher's call. But, in the end, it doesn't matter if Goff plays well - and it will be hard to be worse than Case.....
I can't tell you one way or the other if this was Fisher's call. I will say that trading up for Goff just didn't seem like a Fisher move.
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Any chance Gurley catches a break and gets traded to a contender? What a waste of talent on a perennial loser.
Don't think he's going anywhere.
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Other than Gurly, which other offensive player do you think can start on most NFL teams from this Rams bunch?
Saffold. Britt maybe as a second WR. Kendricks could start for several.
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As a UK Ram fan, im interested in what comes first. The UK get a franchise or the Rams make the playoffs?
I'd say Rams make the playoffs, but I say this with a caveat: I hope you're a patient person.
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Dolphins at Rams Tickets
- By FaulkSF
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 10 Replies
My coworker Greg is selling two seats for $100 ea in Section 10H, Row 29, Seats 111 & 112 for this Sunday's game against the Phins. Tickets retail for $175ea.
Tickets will be PDF'd to you and he can accept Paypal since we're in Sacramento. You'll be sitting next to other Rams fans. I'll send you his info for you to work with him if PayPal is an issue.
Please pm me, if you want to be there for Goff's first game.
Tickets will be PDF'd to you and he can accept Paypal since we're in Sacramento. You'll be sitting next to other Rams fans. I'll send you his info for you to work with him if PayPal is an issue.
Please pm me, if you want to be there for Goff's first game.
Vikings release kicker Blair Walsh/Signed by the Seahawks
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 20 Replies
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/11/15/vikings-release-blair-walsh/
Vikings release Blair Walsh
Posted by Josh Alper on November 15, 2016
Getty Images
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said that the team would take a look at kickers again this week after opting to stick with Blair Walsh after visiting with members of the free agent kicking caravan last week.
We don’t know which kickers will be coming in this time around, but the Vikings will be hiring someone else to take over for Walsh. The Vikings announced Tuesday that they have released Walsh.
Walsh missed an extra point in last Sunday’s loss to the Redskins, which made it four missed extra points on the year for a kicker who has also missed four field goals this year. Walsh also missed a short field goal that would have won a playoff game for the Vikings last season and it’s hard not to see the line running from that miss through this year’s struggles all the way through Walsh’s reported departure.
Walsh had been the Vikings’ kicker since 2012 and was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in his rookie season. That past success will likely earn him future looks from teams assessing their kicking options, but Minnesota decided that they’d waited long enough for Walsh to find consistent success this season.
Vikings release Blair Walsh
Posted by Josh Alper on November 15, 2016
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said that the team would take a look at kickers again this week after opting to stick with Blair Walsh after visiting with members of the free agent kicking caravan last week.
We don’t know which kickers will be coming in this time around, but the Vikings will be hiring someone else to take over for Walsh. The Vikings announced Tuesday that they have released Walsh.
Walsh missed an extra point in last Sunday’s loss to the Redskins, which made it four missed extra points on the year for a kicker who has also missed four field goals this year. Walsh also missed a short field goal that would have won a playoff game for the Vikings last season and it’s hard not to see the line running from that miss through this year’s struggles all the way through Walsh’s reported departure.
Walsh had been the Vikings’ kicker since 2012 and was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in his rookie season. That past success will likely earn him future looks from teams assessing their kicking options, but Minnesota decided that they’d waited long enough for Walsh to find consistent success this season.
Tom Coughlin may want to coach again
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 9 Replies
Before anyone gets too excited about having Coughlin as Rams head coach, consider this: (1) he's 70 years old (2) His head coach record is 170 wins and 150 losses, while Jeff Fisher's record is 173-161–1. On the other hand he has two Super Bowl rings, so there's that.
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/11/15/tom-coughlin-on-working-again-my-doppler-is-back-up/
Tom Coughlin on working again: “My Doppler is back up”
Posted by Darin Gantt on November 15, 2016
Getty Images
The Giants brought former coach Tom Coughlin back last night to be inducted to the team’s ring of honor, and it’s clear he’s thinking more and more about returning to the sidelines.
During an appearance in the booth with ESPN’s Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden during last night’s broadcast, the 70-year-old Coughlin dropped his latest suggestion that he may want to work again.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I really don’t,” Coughlin said. “I mean, I say that I would be interested in listening, and then I say on the other hand, it better be a good opportunity, but I don’t know that there are any good opportunities when the change is made. So we’ll see. It’s the middle of the season.
“Certainly my Doppler is back up, and I’m excited again, and I’m watching football and enjoying the games. There were some good games yesterday.”
Coughlin’s working with the league at the moment in football operations, a job which he says he enjoys. But he’s steadfastly refused to close the door on speculation about returning to the sidelines after a rather unceremonious exit from the Giants.
And with a 170-150 career record in 20 seasons in New York and Jacksonville, and two Super Bowls on his resume, it’s easy to imagine some team with a possible-to-likely vacancy (cough, Jaguars, cough) being interested in him this offseason.
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/11/15/tom-coughlin-on-working-again-my-doppler-is-back-up/
Tom Coughlin on working again: “My Doppler is back up”
Posted by Darin Gantt on November 15, 2016
The Giants brought former coach Tom Coughlin back last night to be inducted to the team’s ring of honor, and it’s clear he’s thinking more and more about returning to the sidelines.
During an appearance in the booth with ESPN’s Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden during last night’s broadcast, the 70-year-old Coughlin dropped his latest suggestion that he may want to work again.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I really don’t,” Coughlin said. “I mean, I say that I would be interested in listening, and then I say on the other hand, it better be a good opportunity, but I don’t know that there are any good opportunities when the change is made. So we’ll see. It’s the middle of the season.
“Certainly my Doppler is back up, and I’m excited again, and I’m watching football and enjoying the games. There were some good games yesterday.”
Coughlin’s working with the league at the moment in football operations, a job which he says he enjoys. But he’s steadfastly refused to close the door on speculation about returning to the sidelines after a rather unceremonious exit from the Giants.
And with a 170-150 career record in 20 seasons in New York and Jacksonville, and two Super Bowls on his resume, it’s easy to imagine some team with a possible-to-likely vacancy (cough, Jaguars, cough) being interested in him this offseason.
