Sucks, yeah? Another game that comes down to the final minute and we find a way to beat ourselves yet again. I don't see any team soundly beating us outside of that first game where the plan was apparently to run even if you can't run.

Probably time to put the kid in, but Fisher's gonna do whatever Fisher's gonna do. It does absolutely nothing for your sanity to try and mind-meld Fisher into making that decision. Over all I thought Keenum played average. Fisher's right when he says Keenum is playing okay. He played okay. But maybe okay isn't good enough anymore, Jeff. I hope you change your mind soon. Bad interception and one over-throw, but he had a chance to put us in the endzone by drilling Kendricks in the chest. Maybe he throws too hard now, as opposed to throwing floaters? lol. Whatever it is, it was just disappointing. Add that plus the two missed FGs, and Keenum did enough to win with the aid of that dominant defense.

DOMINANT defense.

Aaron Donald is a straight up beast. Give that guy 7/8ths of the cap space if you have to and keep signing UDFAs to fill out the rest of the team. Cannot lose that guy for anything. Good to see Brockers holding his own again in the middle. Carolina couldn't get any run game going, and they kept Newton in check. He didn't beat us with his legs or his arm. He was chumped by our front 4.

What the hell, Mr. The Leg? Wrong time to be less than perfect, m'man.

I liked Austin's fire. He was getting chippy with his own team on the sidelines, and he played with a lot more intensity than the past couple of games. Hope that continues. Britt is still playing great, and I don't think there's any question as to whether or not Quick has arrived. He has.

75 yard punt? LOL.
That'll do wonders for your year-end average. Pretty cool to see.

But shit.

We lost.

Maybe the season is over, maybe it's not. But it was (again) disappointing.

After watching this game live, we left about 17 points on the field. Keenum is a scrappy tough mother Fer. But!! He had chances to score points. Quick should of had an easy 6, but was overthrown. GZ has been perfect this season but missed FGs.

Fish it's time to start you're Golden Boy QB. No more excuses. Let's see what he can do. Our LA fan base is wearing thin. Jared Goff chants are getting louder and louder. I want you to be our HC Jeff. Do the right thing.

You know what to do.
So you do the voodoo that you do ... so well.

I'm excited to see that Hayes brockers and tru should all play today . Only we know what a difference a healthy William Hayes makes on this defense. Can't wait to see these guys fly around today

I'm really torn who to watch...

I think I'm going Philadelphia at NY Giants, with Detroit at Minnesota on standby.

About his life after being a player and how the end came about. Haven't found the video the NFLN showed but here's a video of what he's doing now.

Login to view embedded media

Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff could find himself playing if the Rams fall out of the playoff race. (AP Photo/TUSP, Jay Biggerstaff)





Rams approach fork in the road on when Jared Goff should step in at quarterback

By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST

On the final practice before the Rams broke for their bye week, rookie quarterback Jared Goff took the majority of snaps with the first-team offense.

Without the benefit of actual game action to assess Goff’s progress, his extended work against the Rams front-line defense last Wednesday opened a window into just how far he’s come since the end of training camp.

Coupled with the Rams’ plunge in the standings – should it continue against the Carolina Panthers – the progress Goff showed may have created a new timeline from which they finally decide to get him on the field.

What we have, essentially, is a franchise rapidly approaching a crossroads in which present and future objectives will meet.

And Case Keenum, the incumbent starter, appears more aware than ever of the looming fork in the road.

Keenum spoke recently about being the starter “this week” and how he’s taking things “a week at a time.”

It’s the first time all season Keenum has referred to his hold on the starting job in such tenuous terms. That it comes during a three-game losing streak – and immediately after he threw four interceptions in a frustrating loss to the New York Giants – is striking.

Almost as if instincts are telling him a fourth straight loss could be the catalyst for change.


Which means he might be facing a must-win situation when the Rams host the Panthers Sunday at the Coliseum.

Win, and keep the job. Lose, and give way to Goff.

It would be the right thing to do.

For the moment, the Rams remain on the fringe of the NFC West race. That’s more a product of what the rest of the division hasn’t done than what the Rams have, but as long as the division title is legitimately within reach, Keenum should stay the starter with Goff developing in the background.

That’s been the plan almost from the moment the Rams selected Goff, at which point they hoisted themselves onto two separate train tracks.

On one, they hoped to finally turn the corner from the 7-9 teams they’ve been under Jeff Fisher to a legitimate playoff contender. Keenum was the quarterback they counted on to navigate them across that route.

On the other, they’d quietly and prudently develop Goff, the undisputed future face of the franchise. As some close to Fisher explain it, he would follow a similar blueprint he used 21 years ago with Steve McNair as coach of the Houston Oilers.

McNair arrived in Houston a talented but raw prospect from tiny Alcorn State, then spent two years learning and developing behind the scenes. From that quiet place, an eventual Super Bowl quarterback emerged.

“He hasn’t wavered from his plan,” one source said. “He kept Steve McNair off the field and played Chris Chandler for a year and he liked the results.”

Ideally, the Rams hope the two train tracks run parallel to each other this year, but the three-game losing streak they’ve stumbled into has reduced their best regular-season start in years to an all-too-familiar 3-4 mark near the midpoint.

And it’s created the very intersection they hoped to avoid.

The justification for deliberately bringing along Goff in the classroom and on the practice field only holds up if the Rams remain in the playoff race.

As long as they are, Keenum deserves the chance to keep playing.

But they are barely hanging on at this point, and a loss to the Panthers essentially cuts the chord completely.

Keenum isn’t solely to blame, although his 10 interceptions through seven games is alarmingly high and the three pick-six touchdown interceptions he’s thrown have played big in two losses.

Still, he’s merely part of a larger Rams’ problem.

Of bigger concern is rolling with him out of foolish hope the playoffs are within reach, and in the process squandering the chance to develop Goff over the remaining eight games.

If the Rams lose Sunday to the Panthers, all remaining rational to stick with Keenum is lost.

Which brings us back to Goff, and his work with the first-team offense last week.

The progress was apparent in how decisive he looked, his command at the line of scrimmage and quickly the ball was coming out of his hand. On two occasions, he unleashed passes that drew oohs and ahhs from teammates watching on the sideline.

It was only practice, but for anyone who has watched Goff since OTAs the leap forward was obvious.

And for Rams coaches, it was a turning point. Goff has impressed them with his progress in the classroom the last few weeks by asking more advanced questions and delving beyond just the initial layer of play concepts and defensive looks to more nuanced details.

Now they were seeing it in real time.

“I thought it came to fruition on the practice field,” offensive coordinator Rob Boras said. “That practice Wednesday, I thought it was great. To me, and you guys that are watching practice, how fast he’s getting in and out of the huddle. You could just see the confidence with what was going on. The wheels weren’t turning when he got up to the line of scrimmage, and he was real accurate, and decisive with what he was doing.

“I’ve kept talking about how well he’s been doing in the classroom; it was time to see it out here with all those reps that he got. I think we were all really pleased to see what was able to do in those couple of practices.”

Point being, Goff is closing in on being ready to take the field.

As long as the Rams remain in legitimate playoff contention, there is justification to keep Goff on the sideline and let him develop in the background.

But the intersection between what they’d prefer to do and what they should is looming close and closer.

And you get the sense that everyone from the coaching staff to Keenum can see it up ahead.

[www.ocregister.com]

Goff: No action
Higbee: 2 catches, 6 yards
Cooper: 1 target
Hemingway: 0 snaps
Forrest: 7 games, 5 tackles
Thomas: 2 targets

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/11/saints_put_linebacker_james_la.html

The New Orleans Saints put linebacker James Laurinaitis on injured reserve, according to the NFL transaction report Saturday.

The move was one of several for the Saints, as they also activated defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins from injured reserve, waived offensive tackle Khalif Barnes and promoted linebacker Chris McCain from the practice squad.

The placement of Laurinaitis on injured reserve marks the end of his first season with the Saints. He signed a three-year deal worth up to $8.25 million in the offseason.

Laurinaitis never missed a start in seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams, and he extended his games started streak to 115 when he started his first three games with the Saints.

He returned from a quad injury in Week 7 and played sparingly over two games, before the team ruled him out for Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, again with a quad.

The Saints cited the veteran leadership and experience shown by Laurinaitis at middle linebacker as a reason for his signing in the offseason.

Craig Robertson, who began the season at weak-side linebacker, filled the middle linebacker spot starting in Week 4, and his 66 tackles lead the team.

I have an extra ticket for sale to the game. Face value is 105, I'll take 100. It's in the end zone looking through the up rights. It's like watching All 22 live. Binoculars make it even better. I'll be there tailgating in lot 6 so meeting up before the game won't be an issue. Go Rams!

I was thinking about this over a cup of coffee this morning...

Probably overthinking things... Bored, certainly.

Simple question though...

Maybe the answer should be simple? I've been a fan for so long, grew up with them, etc. That's it, right?

After years of poor play, why do I love this team? Do I enjoy the punishment? Something is going on... otherwise the cumulative effect of losing would seem to drive a sane man away.

So what gives?

For me the most simple answer might be; I love hanging out with you guys. I enjoy reading your opinions. ROD brings me considerable entertainment.

Without ROD would I be off the bandwagon? I doubt it, but it's worth asking.

So here is what I've concluded; I love the anticipation of game day. Regardless of our record, I wake up on Sundays excited to watch football and always have a belief we will win... "and here's how".

I am fascinated by the strategy of the NFL.

The strategy of building a team; draft, choosing players to retain, and free agency.

The strategy of game day; how to win the the matchup at hand.

I love the horns. This is my team. I am invested. That's no surprise to you guys, but I don't know how a person breaks away from it.

That is all.

See you in the vent thread.

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...ncos-preview-derek-carr-mvp-prediction-110416

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors were about to start the most anticipated game of the young NBA season, so why was the main topic of conversation at Oracle Arena the Oakland Raiders?

Did no one care that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were about to start a blood feud or that Stephen Curry was warming up on the court? Why was the topic of conversation in the lower and upper levels about Derek Carr — “my man is balling out right now” — Khalil Mack — “anyone who doesn’t think he’s as good as [Von] Miller needs to be checked” — and Amari Cooper — “man, he’s smooth ... like a young Jerry Rice”.

It’s been a while since the Raiders were discussed in such glowing terms around the East Bay — the general estimation is that the last time anyone in Oakland was feeling like this was in 2011 and 2012, when the team went 8-8 in back-to-back seasons but failed to make the playoffs. But the good times are back again — for the time being, at least.

At 6-2, the playoffs seem like a lock for the Raiders this year — that’s no small feat, considering the team hasn’t made the postseason since 2002 — but there’s an undercurrent to the near-ubiquitous conversation: no one knows if this team has what it takes to go deep in those playoffs.

They’re going to get something resembling an answer Sunday night, though, only a few feet away from Oracle Arena.


The Raiders will take on the Broncos in a contest that could well determine the AFC West championship this year. It’s the biggest game to take place at the venerable but decrepit Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum — a stadium so ugly and antiquated that not even a discount furniture website wants to sponsor it anymore — since the 2011 season finale, which determined the division crown (the Raiders lost, and then lost a three-way tiebreaker to the Chargers and Broncos).

The Broncos might not be as formidable as they have been in years past — it’s hard to fear a team with Trevor Siemian at quarterback — but they still represent something of a boogeyman for the Raiders. A win Sunday night, in front of a national television audience, would go a long way to “restoring the glory” in Oakland.


The concerns with the Raiders are real, though. Carr and Cooper have created an incredible 1-2 punch, but the Raiders defense leaves much to be desired outside of Mack, who has five sacks and a forced fumble this season and is yet to “roll” in 2016.

Oakland has the 28th defense in the NFL, against a league-average schedule, per Football Outsiders’ rankings. The Raiders are being burned equally through the air and on the ground (they rank 25 against both the pass and run games, per FO) and haven't shown many signs of improvement.


The reason for the Raiders’ success has been Carr, who has thrown for 2,321 yards, and a dominant offensive line, which has allowed an NFL-low nine sacks this season.

But the Broncos defense, even without star cornerback Aqib Talib, poses a threat that frankly the Raiders haven’t seen yet.

The Raiders have been built to outscore teams, but what happens when they play a defense that nearly single-handedly won a Super Bowl?

Will it look like Oakland’s 26-10 home loss to the Chiefs on Oct. 16, or will it be something else entirely?


This is a pivotal contest — if the Raiders shine, you can count on them making the playoffs and perhaps winning a divisional round. Should Carr and his offense fail to look respectable against Denver, we can likely write off the Raiders as viable playoff contenders.

It’s Week 9, but you can see why Raiders fans can’t contain their anticipation for Sunday night’s game.

Practice Report 11/4: Johnson Hopes to Play vs. Panthers


Myles Simmons

It’s been a long month for cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

In Los Angeles’ Week 5 matchup against the Bills, Johnson took on a block from fullback Jerome Felton on a run to the offense’s right midway through the fourth quarter. While it initially looked like the cornerback had shed Felton, the fullback went to the ground, and rolled up on the back of Johnson’s leg. The result, according to Johnson, was, “a high ankle sprain with a little bone bruise.”

And all things considered, the injury could have been a lot worse.

“I watched it over and over the next day,” Johnson said Friday. “It’s part of the game. He rolled over me. And I could’ve broke it. But they told me I didn’t have to have surgery, so that was good.”

Why watch it so many times?

“I had to because I was just so mad — at him at first, then I was like, it’s part of the game. I can’t do anything about it,” Johnson said.

That realization — plus the diagnosis — appeared to change Johnson’s mindset, resulting in him attacking his rehab.

“They told me four-to-six weeks [to recover], and I was happy with that,” Johnson said.

Now, just about four weeks later, Johnson could be back. He was on the field both Wednesday and Friday, albeit in a limited capacity, and is listed as questionable for Sunday.


“I feel great,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long month, and I’ve been itching to get back out there with my teammates. Lots of rehab. I’ve been living in the training room with my trainers to try to get back out on the field.”

Johnson did travel with the team on the long road trip to both Detroit and London, which he said aided his recovery.

I’m glad they took me to London, because in London I was in the training room every day with those guys,” Johnson said.

Now, just about four weeks later, Johnson could be back. He was on the field both Wednesday and Friday, albeit in a limited capacity, and is listed as questionable for Sunday.



“I feel great,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long month, and I’ve been itching to get back out there with my teammates. Lots of rehab. I’ve been living in the training room with my trainers to try to get back out on the field.”


Johnson did travel with the team on the long road trip to both Detroit and London, which he said aided his recovery.

I’m glad they took me to London, because in London I was in the training room every day with those guys,” Johnson said.

Second-year cornerback Troy Hill has been starting in place of Johnson, which should only help the Rams going forward in terms of depth.

“We’ve been able to have the next-man-up philosophy and they’ve been doing good,” Johnson said. “They’ve been holding their own. I’m just ready to get back out there, try to win some games.

With 16 career interceptions — a mark that tops the 2012 draft class — the Rams can certainly use Johnson’s skill and experience against a talented Panthers offense. That’s particularly because one of quarterback Cam Newton’s primary receivers, Kelvin Benjamin, is listed at 6-foot-5. Johnson is Los Angeles’ tallest cornerback, listed at 6-foot-2.

“I’ve been playing against big guys all my life, especially against Arizona twice a year,” Johnson said. “Playing Benjamin this year — he’s a good player. Strong, physical, has great hands. And Cam Newton, he does everything. So it’s going to be a good matchup for us.”

Whether or not Johnson plays may come down to a game-time decision. But Johnson sounded like someone who’s willing to do whatever it takes to be on the field at the Coliseum for Week 9.

“I’m just ready to play, man,” Johnson said. “I’m tired of losing — sitting out there and watching my teammates, I feel like I can help win some game. So we’ll see Sunday. I feel good, though.”

GETTING GURLEY GOING IN THE SECOND HALF

Through seven games, running back Todd Gurley has just 403 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He has yet to reach 100 yards rushing in a game this season, with his highest output — 85 yards — coming on 27 carries in the Rams’ Week 3 victory over Tampa Bay.

So, as the question goes, what’s up with Gurley?


“It’s not a Gurley thing, I think it’s more of a team thing. And then it’s an opponent issue too, because they’re stopping it, they’re loading up,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said Friday. “Like I said, we need to get it going. It’s November, and we need to get it going.”

While there are some minor things Fisher said Gurley can improve, the head coach sounded positive when it comes to the running back’s play.

“You’d like to see him make somebody miss, or break a tackle. He should win against defensive backs, especially corners,” Fisher said. “But, I’m not, by any means, down on Todd.”

“You just have to stay patient, stick to the plan, keep going out there, and work hard — just hope that things open up and I’m pretty sure they will,” Gurley said.

That won’t necessarily be easy against a stout Panthers defensive front, especially after the way Carolina played last week against Arizona.

“Obviously looking at the last game, probably one of their best games overall. Great, great, physical front seven. Linebackers are great – they know what you’re going to do before the ball [is snapped],” Gurley said. “You just have to play your game and make sure that you’re studying them as good as they’re studying you, and just beat your man, one-on-one.”

INJURY REPORT

Aside from Johnson (ankle), who is listed as questionable, the Rams have four more players on their final injury report of the week.

Defensive end William Hayes (ankle), defensive tackle Michael Brockers (groin), and offensive guardJamon Brown (hand) were all limited in Friday's practice and have been listed as questionable.

Wide receiver Nelson Spruce (calf) did not practice Friday and has been declared out for Sunday.

As for Carolina, starting linebacker Shaq Thompson (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and has been declared out. Starting center Ryan Kalil also did not participate in practice this week, but has been declared questionable. And middle linebacker Luke Kuechly did not practice Thursday or Friday and has been listed as questionable. However, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has said he expects Kuechly to play.

[www.therams.com]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/r...uld-be-ineligible-for-mvp-because-he-cheated/

Apparently, Tom Brady's four-game suspension that he received for Deflategate just wasn't harsh enough for some people. For instance, take Reggie Wayne, who wants to tack on another small punishment.

According to the former Colts receiver, that punishment would basically involve making Brady ineligible to to win the NFL MVP award this season because cheaters shouldn't be allowed to win.

"There is no way Tom Brady can win MVP because he was caught cheating this year," Wayne said on the NFL Network's Total Access show.

To be fair to Brady, he wasn't caught "this year." He was caught in January 2015, which was almost two years ago, and if we want to be technical, the NFL never said he cheated. What the league said is that Brady was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of [Jim] McNally and [John] Jastremski involving the release of air from Patriots game balls."

That finding led the NFL to suspend Brady for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the league.

Coincidentally, the game the game that started Deflategate -- the AFC Championship after the 2014 season -- also happened to be the last game of Wayne's career. After that game, Wayne was let go by Indy, only to sign with the Patriots. Wayne then asked to be released by New England before the 2015 season started because it seems that he wasn't a fan of the "Patriot Way."

So there's that.

Anyway, Wayne should actually be looking at this from the other side of the coin. If Brady can sit out four games and still do enough to win the MVP, then that means he would've pulled off one of the greatest seasons in NFL history, which is exactly what he's doing right now.

Brady already leads the league in completion percentage, yards per pass, touchdown percentage and QB rating. He's also thrown zero interceptions and has gone 4-0, and he's doing all of this with properly inflated footballs.

The good news for Wayne is that despite those impressive stats, Brady still might not win the MVP. Our analysts here at CBS Sports released their midseason awards this week, and one of them listed Brady as the MVP. All other votes went to Derek Carr or Matt Ryan.

That's just for the first eight weeks of the season, though. If Brady continues his tear through the next eight weeks, there's a good chance he'll be taking home his third career MVP.

If Brady does win the award, he should make sure to thank Wayne in his acceptance speech.

I was browsing the Panthers forum and came across a thread where they were asking who is going to the game. This is what I found on the very first page.... Let's not let these panther fans trash on the people of our city like that so we better win this Sunday!

Don't tell me it's Jeff Tripplett.

By Jack Wang, Los Angeles Daily News
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/201...-size-disadvantage-against-panthers-receivers




THOUSAND OAKS >> On Sunday, the Rams cornerbacks will be looking up.

Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin is listed at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. His teammate, Devin Funchess, is 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Against a Los Angeles secondary that might not be fully healthy, the two could have six inches and more than 30 pounds on whoever is trying to guard them.

All of which makes the return of Trumaine Johnson all the more pressing. At 6-2, 208, he’s the only cornerback who won’t feel dwarfed against Carolina’s pass-catching duo.

“Tru can match up with the bigger receivers, and I think that’s what the coaches really like,” cornerback E.J. Gaines said. “That’s why we’re just excited to get him back. Hopefully, it is this week — or whatever week it is — so he can match up against those bigger receivers.”

Johnson injured his ankle almost a month ago and it’s sidelined him for the Rams’ last two games. He returned to practice this week on a limited basis, and head coach Jeff Fisher sounded optimistic about his chances of dressing at the Coliseum — where the Rams will play for the just the third time since moving back to Southern California.

The team has felt his absence. Without Johnson, who is playing under the franchise tag this season, the Rams were forced to throw in Troy Hill, the second-year pro who had played almost exclusively on special teams before this season. The former Oregon standout has held his own at times, but opposing quarterbacks have also made it a point to attack his side of the field.

Hill and Gaines, who have started the Rams’ last two games, are both 5-10. Nickel back Lamarcus Joyner is 5-foot-8. The only other cornerback on the roster is Dwayne Gratz — slightly bigger at 5-11, 199 — who has played just two snaps on defense since the Rams claimed him off waivers last month.

That said, it certainly isn’t rare for NFL cornerbacks to have to guard bigger receivers. The position places a premium on speed and agility, and coaches are more than willing to deploy smaller defenders as long as they play with sound technique.

Sometimes, that requires cornerbacks to try and disrupt at the line of scrimmage.

“We definitely have to get physical back,” Gaines said. “Hold our own on the outside.”

Hill was more nonchalant about his strategy.

“I just do the same thing,” he said. “Honestly, I’m giving up size against every receiver I play against, so it’s nothing new.”

Joyner does have first-hand experience against Benjamin, having practiced against him when both were at Florida State.

“A physical specimen,” Joyner said of the receiver, who has 31 catches for 467 yards after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. “Could run all the routes as a big man. Good ball skills. You’ve got to go to work every day against guys like him.”

Joyner added that the Panthers are probably the “first and last” opponent that can throw that type of size at the Rams this season.

Hill came up with a more specific comparison: Tampa Bay, which had a pair of 6-foot-5 receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

It’s not a particularly encouraging example. The Rams did win that game, holding on for a 37-32 road victory in Week 3. They also gave up 389 passing yards that day — the most they’ve surrendered this season.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – Post Practice – November 4, 2016


(On how the bye week has helped the team prepare for Carolina)
“Off hand, I know Kansas City’s schedule. (Head Coach) Andy (Reid) has got a great record. I haven’t paid much attention to it, but the things that we stress are, obviously, the things that are timing related, and then penalties. We worked that this week, we talked about it, we’ve addressed it. We’ll start fast, we’ll be emotional, because we’re back home playing an outstanding opponent.”


(On if the team will do anything different defensively, against QB Cam Newton)
“I think everybody structures their plan a little differently against Carolina. First and foremost, you’ve got to defend the run. Then in passing situations, you have to be intelligent with your rush plan, because he can pull it down and run for first downs. Once they get close, they like to use him as a runner. So, we adjust the game plan accordingly.”


(On what RB Todd Gurley has to do in order to improve)
“It’s not a Gurley thing, I think it’s more of a team thing, and then it’s an opponent issue too, because they’re stopping it, they’re loading up. Like I said, we need to get it going. It’s November, and we need to get it going. What bigger challenge we’re going to have getting the run game going against this defense. This defense is really sound, and solid, especially with (LB) Luke (Kuechly) in there. Luke is telling everybody what’s going to happen before the ball is snapped. You got to give him some different looks. We got to finish, hit some creases, get receivers more involved in the blocking, and the concepts, and the schemes, and try to get Todd and (RB) Benny (Cunningham) creases. Run it in passing situations, and throw it in run situations.”


(On if Gurley needs to make any adjustments to his game)
“No, we grade everybody. You’d like to see him make somebody miss, or break a tackle. He should win against defensive backs, especially corners. But, I’m not, by any means, down on Todd.”


(On if he feels QB Case Keenum is eager to improve on his last performance)
“Case is the same every week. He loves to play, he loves to compete, he loves to prepare, practice. I know he’s a little disappointed in two of the interceptions, and the other two we don’t put on him. The week before, he put together a winning effort at Detroit. He’s excited, I know he’s excited, he’s prepared. He gets here before I get here in the morning, and I get in pretty early.”


(On if he feels as if Carolina’s secondary is an area in which the offense can exploit)
“I think we have a good plan going in to be able to mix and match our offense. Their secondary, even though they’re young, they’re improving weekly, and that’s what happens when you get snaps. They’ve gotten a lot of snaps. It’s not one of those games where you say, ‘Oh, we’re going to go after him, or go after him.’ We have to be sound, and the quarterback has to go through the progressions. Their secondary is not the issue. Like I said, just look at the quarterbacks. You have got a young secondary, look at the quarterbacks they’ve faced over the three or four weeks, that’s quite a challenge.”


(On CB Trumaine Johnson’s status)
“Trumaine was limited today in practice, and he’s listed as questionable, as is (DE) William (Hayes) and (DT Michael Brockers) ‘Brock’ and (RG) Jamon (Brown). I think the only we’ve listed as out is (WR) Nelson (Spruce). Everybody else is limited and questionable.”


Rams Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams – Post-Practice – November 4, 2016


(On the challenge of stopping Panthers QB Cam Newton)
“I’ve had some experience being in that division when he came in as a rookie, playing him twice a year. I have tremendous respect for him. When you guys get a chance, if you haven’t seen him before, up front, in person, he looks better than our defensive ends. He’s got a defensive end’s body, he’s 6-6, 260 (lbs.), can run like a defensive back, running back - a great athlete. A lot of those guys like him play in the NBA and this guy’s playing in the National Football League because he’s tough enough to do it. He brings some different things to the game, and I think (Panthers offensive coordinator) Mike Shula does a great job on what they do, offensively, to fit the skillset of his players, including the quarterback. Mike and I were together at Jacksonville, so I’ve known some things and he was there at Carolina when I was at the Saints. There’s still some familiarity of what they’re doing, conceptually, but each year he’s gotten better. As quarterbacks in our league, the guys that can stay healthy and move on through the league, it’s amazing how smart they get, as far as the feel for the game and they turn into coordinators. They’re giving him a lot of freedom to do a lot of checks and a lot of different things at the line of scrimmage. So we’ve got our work cut out for us. We’ve got to play well, we’ve got to play good.”


(On if the attention that has been paid to Newton this week, with regards to late hits, is worth a conversation with the defense going into this game)
“It really isn’t, with our guys, we play a certain way inside the white lines anyway. They really haven’t even focused anything on it. We’re just going to play football the way we are – and our guys play well, we’ve got some good team speed, we’re going to have to play the run really well there. They’re a really good run team and they take their calculated shots. They’ve got one of the tight ends that’s in this league, that’s one of the best pass-receiving tight ends in our league in Greg Olsen. Dynamically, all put together offensively, they pose some big time problems and we’re going to have to be up for it.”


(On Newton speaking with Commissioner Roger Goodell)
“No, we don’t worry about that, we just play ball. We really don’t, we just play football.”


(On how a healthy RB Jonathan Stewart changes what the Panthers do)
“He’s an extremely hard-nosed runner, but people don’t realize how fast he is. We liken him to, in this division, when (Colts RB) Frank Gore was at his best (with the 49ers). We’ve tried to picture that to some of our players that have played against Frank in Frank’s prime, too, that they’re very similar to how they play – great pad level, can run over you in the A and the B-gaps inside the run, but don’t give on him, don’t think that he can’t outrun you outside. He’s a better pass-receiver year after year after year. Again, he’s one of those all-purpose, versatile running backs that we’ve had some experiences with. Now, can we do the same thing with him?”


(On Carolina’s wide receivers having a size advantage on Los Angeles’ cornerbacks)
“We’ve had some experience with that already this year, we had some experience with the Giants. But, really, when you take a look at Tampa Bay’s receivers, Tampa Bay’s receivers were some of the tallest that we could go against in the league, too. Those are just things; we have some tall receivers here in practice, so we get that picture all the time. So that’s no excuse for us, we just have to play.”


(On who sees the most pressure on the defense when playing against a running quarterback)
“It really has to do with what kind of a call we’re in. You would love to always say it’s defensive line, but it’s not, it could be our safeties, our linebackers and our defensive line. Conceptually, our defensive line will be the first ones there on how we go about making sure we balance the rush and have good rush discipline. But it’s all of us and it really, kind of, depends on whether it’s a man call, zone call, pressure call, all that kind of stuff. You can’t predict what you’re going to be in.”


(On if he senses that the players are antsy coming off the bye week)
“It’s fun to see how much energy they have. I’ve been teasing all week long that it brings me back to my day care, managing young kids and all that kind of stuff when I had young kids growing up. And that’s that there’s a lot of energy, they can’t wait to get on the practice field, they’ve been chippy in the locker room – I’m sure you guys have seen some of the battles and the competitions that have been going on all this week. It’s time to play. Now, I would be worried if it wasn’t this way, it would bother me. But I’m not worried about it because they’re ready to play. They’re real chippy, they just need a way to get this release and, hopefully, they’ve saved enough for Sunday to have the release that we want.”


(On the health of the defense)
“What we do is, in all honestly, we don’t worry a whole lot about that. Because if you’re on an active roster, and we’ve done a good job building our roster and we have a very defined ‘next man up’ philosophy. Our D-line is getting healthier, but all those guys can play – our secondary, our young guys have stepped up and done really well, and our linebackers have done very well. We’ve got a lot of youth in that linebacker crew and you’re going to see a few more of those guys get some more playing time now. The bye week was good for all of them. And health-wise, we’re getting close; but again, whoever Coach Fisher says is active, those are the guys we have on gameday and we’re ready to go, no matter who it is.”


Rams RB Todd Gurley – Post Practice – November 4, 2016

(On how excited the team is to play at home on Sunday after coming off the bye week)
“Pretty excited. It feels like it’s been forever since we played at home. We just have to get rid that losing streak and get a winning game.”


(On how hopeful he is that things will start opening up for him during the second half of the season)
“You just have to stay patient, stick to the plan, keep going out there, and work hard – just hope that things open up and I’m pretty sure they will.”


(On if he thinks he’ll see more action in the pass game on Sunday in hopes of exposing an inexperienced Carolina secondary)
“I think that whatever coach calls out there, he’s going to do a good job of putting us in a good situation. Just going out there and doing my job and trying to make a play after catching the ball. Whatever he calls, I’ll be ready for it.”


(On how he spent his time off during the bye week)
“I went back home to see my family and friends. I had a good time.”


(On whether the bye week came at the right time for him personally)
“It felt like it was the perfect time. I don’t know how many away games we’ve had, probably about five and we went on two away games in a row, went all the way to London, and then came back for the bye week. I felt like it definitely couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time.”


(On what stands out to him when looking at the Panthers defense)
“Obviously looking at the last game, probably one of their best games overall. Great, great, physical front seven. Linebackers are great – they know what you’re going to do before the ball...You just have to play your game and make sure that you’re studying them as good as they’re studying you, and just beat your man, one-on-one.”

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A little early, I know....but fans gotta fan

Week 8 Rankings for Wild Card:
* Cowboys 6-1
* Falcons 6-3
* Vikings 5-2
* Seahawks 4-2-1
Packers 4-3
Giants 4-3
Eagles 4-3
Redskins 4-3
Lions 4-4
Cardinals 3-4-1 ("official" standings have AZ percentage points ahead of Rams, based on the tie and the NFL basically giving them half a win for ties).
Rams 3-4
Saints 3-4

Records of remaining opponents (toughest to easiest):
1. Eagles 38-26-3 .590
2. Cards 28-22 .560
3. Lions 31-26 .544
4. Redskins 30-27-1 .526
5. Packers 35-32-2 .522
6. RAMS 32-34-2 .4852
7. Seahawks 32-34-1 .4850
8. Giants 31-35-1 .471
9. Vikings 31-36 .463
10. Saints 31-38-1 .450

Playoff prediction:
1. Cowboys 12-4
2. Falcons 11-5
3. Packers 11-5
4. Seahawks 10-5-1
5. Giants 10-6
6. RAMS 9-7 ** Last game vs AZ is for playoff spot (Wins: Car, Mia, @NO, Atl, SF, AZ. Losses: @NYJ, @NE, @Sea)
7. Vikings 9-7 ** Lose tiebreaker to Rams based on conference record, 8-4 to 6-6
8. Cardinals 8-7-1
9. Redskins 7-8-1
10. Eagles 7-9
11. Saints 7-9
12. Lions 7-9
13. Panthers 7-9

Rams @ Packers in first Wildcard game certainly wouldn't be our first choice.