Threads
-
To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.
My Wish for the Upcoming Season.....
- By Dagonet
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 24 Replies
After reading @Ramrocket 's thread.... I just want us to play outside of our division like we play in our division.. It's crazy how we can toughen up against very good teams in our division (maybe not so much the Whiners this year as in the past), yet we let cupcakes from weaker divisions beat us. If we played all season like we do teams in our division, can anyone say 10-6? 
It's perplexing and it makes me wonder how Fisher gets these guys up for division games, yet can't for the cupcakes (teams we should beat) outside of it. Who knows.. We may not play great in the division this year, but it just makes me sick to see the level of play vs division (good teams) and then see us play down to the others. . Thoughts and comments (civil) appreciated.
It's perplexing and it makes me wonder how Fisher gets these guys up for division games, yet can't for the cupcakes (teams we should beat) outside of it. Who knows.. We may not play great in the division this year, but it just makes me sick to see the level of play vs division (good teams) and then see us play down to the others. . Thoughts and comments (civil) appreciated.
Hard Knocks 5 : The Final Edition
- By Riverumbbq
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 30 Replies
Joyner had a well publicized bad week. Whining after his Game 3 eviction because of a fighting penalty, and not being allowed to practice, then whining over who know's what and got dressed to leave camp. Fisher talked him down and seems to have gotten him back on track.
Westbrooks & Chubb getting called out by coaches.
McRoberts tells team-mates he knows he's cut immediately after flubbing punt return for fumble. Later his TD reception from Mannion highlites the ups and downs these guys face every minute of trying to make the team.
Kush really shows good leadership on the field and in the locker room, his block frees up a long rush TD. Would have liked to have kept this guy on board.
Rams packing up and moving to Thousand Oaks on the same day final cuts have to be made.
Rock, the grim reaper, back at it for the final :redcard: cuts. Looked as though he was messing with some guys as he approached some players who were safe, they wondered if they were next.
Ends with a production mistake in Fisher's office, and one of the off camera guys says that's some 7 - 9 shi*. Fish says yeah, that's fu*kin 7 -9 shi*.
Westbrooks & Chubb getting called out by coaches.
McRoberts tells team-mates he knows he's cut immediately after flubbing punt return for fumble. Later his TD reception from Mannion highlites the ups and downs these guys face every minute of trying to make the team.
Kush really shows good leadership on the field and in the locker room, his block frees up a long rush TD. Would have liked to have kept this guy on board.
Rams packing up and moving to Thousand Oaks on the same day final cuts have to be made.
Rock, the grim reaper, back at it for the final :redcard: cuts. Looked as though he was messing with some guys as he approached some players who were safe, they wondered if they were next.
Ends with a production mistake in Fisher's office, and one of the off camera guys says that's some 7 - 9 shi*. Fish says yeah, that's fu*kin 7 -9 shi*.
Gordo: Rams giving haters plenty of reasons to smile
- By Florida_Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 29 Replies
If this was already posted mods please delete
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_860be581-6fcc-5e83-ac75-c7f0b7b6a826.html
Jeff Gordon 09/05/2016
Gordo: Rams giving haters plenty of reasons to smile
Since St. Louis stole the Rams from Los Angeles, you can’t really complain that LA stole them back.
Because you welcomed Georgia Frontiere despite her many eccentricities, you shouldn’t begrudge the City of Angels the right to embrace land-hoarding recluse Stan Kroenke.
What goes around comes around, as Justin Timberlake would sing.
But as jilted fans you certainly can lash out against the sheer incompetence of Kroenke’s regime and his tactless departure. Cheering against the Rams is a healthy way to blow off steam and vent your spleen.
Fortunately they have looked like the Same Old Sorry (Act) Rams during their return to LA.
The problem starts at the top. Listen to Rams CEO Kevin Demoff rave about Kroenke to the Los Angeles Times:
“I’m fortunate to have the tutelage of Stan, who has really pioneered how you combine resources and sports in a way that has never been done before. I’m grateful for his mentorship. He pushes our team for greatness and challenges us to envision the impossible.”
Yes, well, Kroenke is quite the ground-breaker when it comes to converting billions in family wealth into steady sports failure. His Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche can’t keep pace with their NBA and NHL rivals and his Rams set modern standards for futility.
It’s extremely difficult to remain irrelevant in the parity-minded NFL, but, like Kevin says, Stan challenges his people to envision the impossible.
That explains how coach Jeff Fisher could be in line for a contract extension after guiding the Rams to four losing seasons. That explains how tag-along general manager Les Snead could still be employed despite wasting precious draft picks and blowing millions on useless free agents.
Impossible? With the Rams it’s surely not.
This season they may outshine the San Francisco 49ers — who are banking on the unlikely Chip Kelly-Blaine Gabbert collaboration — but they won’t seriously challenge the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.
Recurring themes undermine this team. At quarterback the Rams pulled the reverse RGIII maneuver and spent multiple draft picks to select Jared Goff first overall in the draft.
Trouble was, Goff wasn’t a Robert Griffin III-caliber prospect and he certainly wasn’t another Andrew Luck. He was a middle to late first-round prospect who rose to the top during a down year at his position.
Like most young quarterbacks, he will need a few seasons to develop properly. Asking him to become the front man for a team moving back into the challenging LA market was absurd.
Look at the numbers Goff posted in the preseason: 55.8 passer rating with a 44.9 completion percentage, two interceptions, four sacks, three fumbles and an average gain of 4.7 yards per passing attempt.
If he serves as the face of the franchise, then the franchise wears a befuddled expression.
By default, pint-sized scrapper Case Keenum remained the starting quarterback. And after a messy preseason finale, Fisher suggested Goff could open the season at No. 3 behind Keenum and fringe prospect Sean Mannion.
Goff would become the first quarterback since, ahem, JaMarcus Russell to arrive as the first overall pick and not start in Week 1. That second overall pick Carson Wentz is the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback just adds to the disappointment.
Goff’s reserve role is probably for the best, because the Rams lack aerial firepower. Hapless Brian Quick dropped more passes this summer, leaving Kenny Britt, gadget player Tavon Austin and a bunch of rookies as the go-to targets.
The young offensive line remained unsteady, too, particularly with right tackle Rob Havenstein missing preseason time with an injury.
While elite running back Todd Gurley can move the chains, the Rams lack a change-of-pace back. Speedy Tre Mason, a former 75th overall draft pick, washed out of the NFL with some alarming mental health problems.
(After an offseason arrest, Mason told officers that “he was going to call the White House and we were all going to lose our jobs” and that “the police were responsible for teaching al-Qaida how to fly planes.”)
The Rams preseason included the usual special teams sloppiness and practice field chippiness Fisher-coached teams are known for. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” highlighted a brawl started by middle linebacker Alec Ogletree and escalated by Gurley.
Fisher lit into his players with a profanity-laced lecture. From the looks of things this summer, that won’t be the last time he addresses them in such coarse terms.
You should do the same if makes you feel better. Swear your lack of allegiance to the Rams again and again as their sacks, fumbles and interceptions mount.
Let go of it all, from Brian Quick to Jake Long to Jared Cook to the Kellen Shaun Austin Nick Clemens Hill Davis Foles mish-mash at quarterback. Yell loud enough and perhaps those blurred memories of one wobbly pass fading into the next incompletion will finally quit haunting you.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_860be581-6fcc-5e83-ac75-c7f0b7b6a826.html
Jeff Gordon 09/05/2016
Gordo: Rams giving haters plenty of reasons to smile
Since St. Louis stole the Rams from Los Angeles, you can’t really complain that LA stole them back.
Because you welcomed Georgia Frontiere despite her many eccentricities, you shouldn’t begrudge the City of Angels the right to embrace land-hoarding recluse Stan Kroenke.
What goes around comes around, as Justin Timberlake would sing.
But as jilted fans you certainly can lash out against the sheer incompetence of Kroenke’s regime and his tactless departure. Cheering against the Rams is a healthy way to blow off steam and vent your spleen.
Fortunately they have looked like the Same Old Sorry (Act) Rams during their return to LA.
The problem starts at the top. Listen to Rams CEO Kevin Demoff rave about Kroenke to the Los Angeles Times:
“I’m fortunate to have the tutelage of Stan, who has really pioneered how you combine resources and sports in a way that has never been done before. I’m grateful for his mentorship. He pushes our team for greatness and challenges us to envision the impossible.”
Yes, well, Kroenke is quite the ground-breaker when it comes to converting billions in family wealth into steady sports failure. His Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche can’t keep pace with their NBA and NHL rivals and his Rams set modern standards for futility.
It’s extremely difficult to remain irrelevant in the parity-minded NFL, but, like Kevin says, Stan challenges his people to envision the impossible.
That explains how coach Jeff Fisher could be in line for a contract extension after guiding the Rams to four losing seasons. That explains how tag-along general manager Les Snead could still be employed despite wasting precious draft picks and blowing millions on useless free agents.
Impossible? With the Rams it’s surely not.
This season they may outshine the San Francisco 49ers — who are banking on the unlikely Chip Kelly-Blaine Gabbert collaboration — but they won’t seriously challenge the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.
Recurring themes undermine this team. At quarterback the Rams pulled the reverse RGIII maneuver and spent multiple draft picks to select Jared Goff first overall in the draft.
Trouble was, Goff wasn’t a Robert Griffin III-caliber prospect and he certainly wasn’t another Andrew Luck. He was a middle to late first-round prospect who rose to the top during a down year at his position.
Like most young quarterbacks, he will need a few seasons to develop properly. Asking him to become the front man for a team moving back into the challenging LA market was absurd.
Look at the numbers Goff posted in the preseason: 55.8 passer rating with a 44.9 completion percentage, two interceptions, four sacks, three fumbles and an average gain of 4.7 yards per passing attempt.
If he serves as the face of the franchise, then the franchise wears a befuddled expression.
By default, pint-sized scrapper Case Keenum remained the starting quarterback. And after a messy preseason finale, Fisher suggested Goff could open the season at No. 3 behind Keenum and fringe prospect Sean Mannion.
Goff would become the first quarterback since, ahem, JaMarcus Russell to arrive as the first overall pick and not start in Week 1. That second overall pick Carson Wentz is the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback just adds to the disappointment.
Goff’s reserve role is probably for the best, because the Rams lack aerial firepower. Hapless Brian Quick dropped more passes this summer, leaving Kenny Britt, gadget player Tavon Austin and a bunch of rookies as the go-to targets.
The young offensive line remained unsteady, too, particularly with right tackle Rob Havenstein missing preseason time with an injury.
While elite running back Todd Gurley can move the chains, the Rams lack a change-of-pace back. Speedy Tre Mason, a former 75th overall draft pick, washed out of the NFL with some alarming mental health problems.
(After an offseason arrest, Mason told officers that “he was going to call the White House and we were all going to lose our jobs” and that “the police were responsible for teaching al-Qaida how to fly planes.”)
The Rams preseason included the usual special teams sloppiness and practice field chippiness Fisher-coached teams are known for. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” highlighted a brawl started by middle linebacker Alec Ogletree and escalated by Gurley.
Fisher lit into his players with a profanity-laced lecture. From the looks of things this summer, that won’t be the last time he addresses them in such coarse terms.
You should do the same if makes you feel better. Swear your lack of allegiance to the Rams again and again as their sacks, fumbles and interceptions mount.
Let go of it all, from Brian Quick to Jake Long to Jared Cook to the Kellen Shaun Austin Nick Clemens Hill Davis Foles mish-mash at quarterback. Yell loud enough and perhaps those blurred memories of one wobbly pass fading into the next incompletion will finally quit haunting you.
An education in quarterbacking
- By -X-
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 20 Replies
Super long read, but chock full of opinions and commentary about modern day QBing.
http://www.nfl.com/qb2016
Bill Belichick: David Johnson isn't Marshall Faulk
- By tavian
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 4 Replies
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...l-belichick-david-johnson-isnt-marshall-faulk
Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn't ready to break out the anointing oils for Cardinals running back David Johnson.
The Arizona braintrust spent the offseason lavishing unusually lofty praise on their uniquely talented second-year star.
Head coach Bruce Arians set the bar high when he acknowledged in February that Johnson has a chance to be one of the all-time best at his position. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell believes there's a Hall of Fame bust in the former Northern Iowa star's future.
All Pro defensive back Tyrann Mathieu drew comparisons between Johnson and St. Louis Rams legend Marshall Faulk. General manager Steve Keim raved about Johnson as a peerless receiving back.
"A lot of people have compared him to Marshall Faulk, and our coaches had Marshall Faulk in Indy," Keim explained last month, providing a hint at Johnson's future role. "I think he's very similar in some ways athletically and in terms of ball-catching skills to Marshall."
Those Faulk comparisons landed on Belichick's radar this week as he prepares to do battle with Johnson in the season debut of Sunday Night Football.
"When (the Rams) went to a three-receiver set, they just split (Faulk) out as a third receiver along with the other two receivers and a tight end. So they ran an 11-personnel looking formation but he was the third receiver," Belichick explained during a Monday conference call. "I don't know that's quite David Johnson's skill set. I don't know if there's many players in the league who could do what Marshall Faulk did. He was a pretty special and unique player.
"Johnson's a good receiver, he catches the ball well and has good run-after-catch skills. He can make people miss. Again, he's got the strength to break tackles. And he's got some speed to separate. Marshall Faulk, that's putting the bar pretty high with him."
Starting with Johnson's third NFL game in late September of last season, Arians did indeed begin splitting his rookie out wide or in the slot for 11-personnel (one back, one tight end) packages. If not for Chris Johnson's season-ending injury that forced the younger Johnson into a workhorse backfield role, Belichick would have seen that alignment more often from mid-November through January.
Now that he has the luxury of backfield depth again, Arians can continue to concoct new methods to take advantage of Johnson's mismatch potential in the passing game.
That said, it's easy to see why Belichick would reject the notion of placing Johnson in Faulk's class.
On a fabled "Greatest Show on Turf" team loaded with Kurt Warner, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, the transcendent Faulk was the focal point of Belichick's masterful "Bullseye" game plan in Super Bowl XXXVI.
"What sets him apart from everybody else is that he can go from a standing start to full speed faster than anybody I've ever seen," former Colts coach Ted Marchibroda said in David Halberstam's 2005 book, The Education of a Coach. "When he runs the ball and is forced to hesitate, his next step is full speed."
Warner believed it was Faulk's quarterback-like field vision that set him apart from other backs of his era. Former Rams player personnel chief Charley Armey bolstered that assessment.
"He runs with his eyes probably as well as any back in pro football, probably in the history of pro football," Armey told Halberstam. "His legs allow him to do what his instincts and eyes tell him to do."
The Cardinals have seen Johnson's exploits on a daily basis for over a year now. As hyperbolic as their assessment might seem from afar, the game film suggests they are about to unleash a transcendent talent in 2016.
Even if Johnson proves to be the rare back with natural receiving skills on par with Faulk's, though, what are the chances that he can also duplicate the Hall of Famer's unparalleled instincts, vision and suddenness?
High praise from Belichick is regarded as the "white whale" for NFL players. Perhaps Johnson can join Faulk on Belichick's opponent Mt. Rushmore with a memorable performance versus the Patriots on Sunday night.
******************************************************************************************************
Belichick Fan?Nope me either,but today I hate him a tiny smidge less.
So freakin tired of the David Johnson/Faulk comparisons.
Johnson hasn't even played a full season and he is getiing compared to
The Greatest COMPLETE back to ever play the game.
So F.U. Arians and anyone else making this comparison,Johnson hasn't earned the
right to even be mentioned in the same breath as the 'Great One".
Oh yea did I mention..... F.U. Arians
- By Chris Wesseling
- Around the NFL Writer
- Published: Sept. 5, 2016 at 10:03 p.m.
- Updated: Sept. 6, 2016 at 12:32 p.m.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn't ready to break out the anointing oils for Cardinals running back David Johnson.
The Arizona braintrust spent the offseason lavishing unusually lofty praise on their uniquely talented second-year star.
Head coach Bruce Arians set the bar high when he acknowledged in February that Johnson has a chance to be one of the all-time best at his position. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell believes there's a Hall of Fame bust in the former Northern Iowa star's future.
All Pro defensive back Tyrann Mathieu drew comparisons between Johnson and St. Louis Rams legend Marshall Faulk. General manager Steve Keim raved about Johnson as a peerless receiving back.
"A lot of people have compared him to Marshall Faulk, and our coaches had Marshall Faulk in Indy," Keim explained last month, providing a hint at Johnson's future role. "I think he's very similar in some ways athletically and in terms of ball-catching skills to Marshall."
Those Faulk comparisons landed on Belichick's radar this week as he prepares to do battle with Johnson in the season debut of Sunday Night Football.
"When (the Rams) went to a three-receiver set, they just split (Faulk) out as a third receiver along with the other two receivers and a tight end. So they ran an 11-personnel looking formation but he was the third receiver," Belichick explained during a Monday conference call. "I don't know that's quite David Johnson's skill set. I don't know if there's many players in the league who could do what Marshall Faulk did. He was a pretty special and unique player.
"Johnson's a good receiver, he catches the ball well and has good run-after-catch skills. He can make people miss. Again, he's got the strength to break tackles. And he's got some speed to separate. Marshall Faulk, that's putting the bar pretty high with him."
Starting with Johnson's third NFL game in late September of last season, Arians did indeed begin splitting his rookie out wide or in the slot for 11-personnel (one back, one tight end) packages. If not for Chris Johnson's season-ending injury that forced the younger Johnson into a workhorse backfield role, Belichick would have seen that alignment more often from mid-November through January.
Now that he has the luxury of backfield depth again, Arians can continue to concoct new methods to take advantage of Johnson's mismatch potential in the passing game.
That said, it's easy to see why Belichick would reject the notion of placing Johnson in Faulk's class.
On a fabled "Greatest Show on Turf" team loaded with Kurt Warner, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, the transcendent Faulk was the focal point of Belichick's masterful "Bullseye" game plan in Super Bowl XXXVI.
"What sets him apart from everybody else is that he can go from a standing start to full speed faster than anybody I've ever seen," former Colts coach Ted Marchibroda said in David Halberstam's 2005 book, The Education of a Coach. "When he runs the ball and is forced to hesitate, his next step is full speed."
Warner believed it was Faulk's quarterback-like field vision that set him apart from other backs of his era. Former Rams player personnel chief Charley Armey bolstered that assessment.
"He runs with his eyes probably as well as any back in pro football, probably in the history of pro football," Armey told Halberstam. "His legs allow him to do what his instincts and eyes tell him to do."
The Cardinals have seen Johnson's exploits on a daily basis for over a year now. As hyperbolic as their assessment might seem from afar, the game film suggests they are about to unleash a transcendent talent in 2016.
Even if Johnson proves to be the rare back with natural receiving skills on par with Faulk's, though, what are the chances that he can also duplicate the Hall of Famer's unparalleled instincts, vision and suddenness?
High praise from Belichick is regarded as the "white whale" for NFL players. Perhaps Johnson can join Faulk on Belichick's opponent Mt. Rushmore with a memorable performance versus the Patriots on Sunday night.
******************************************************************************************************
Belichick Fan?Nope me either,but today I hate him a tiny smidge less.
So freakin tired of the David Johnson/Faulk comparisons.
Johnson hasn't even played a full season and he is getiing compared to
The Greatest COMPLETE back to ever play the game.
So F.U. Arians and anyone else making this comparison,Johnson hasn't earned the
right to even be mentioned in the same breath as the 'Great One".
Oh yea did I mention..... F.U. Arians
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat - 9/6/16
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 9 Replies
These are selected questions and answers only. To read the whole chat click the link below.
***************************************************************************************
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_26?Page=0
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat
So, what say you about Bradford taking over the Vikings for 2016? Quite a turn of events, isn't it?
I'm beginning to think I have my own little version of the SI Jinx going. I do a story on Dorial Green-Beckham at Titans camp _ he gets traded 2 days after the story appears in the P-D. I do an online story on Chase Coffman at Colts camp, he gets cut over weekend. I catch up with Bradford when Eagles were in Indy, he gets traded the next week. I also talked with Chris Givens after that Philly-Indy game, he gets cut the next day.
Anyway, I think this could be a great spot for Bradford. The Vikings have a deep and talented roster, and had true Super Bowl aspirations entering this season. They have a strong running game and a strong defense, so they don't necessarily have to rely on him to throw 40 passes a game. Now, it's all about how quickly he can pick up the offense.
----------
If you have a jinx thing going, can you do a story about the lack of recent earthquakes juuuust before Stan's new stadium opens?
Actually, my brother envisioned that several months back. He just doesn't want anyone hurt, and he wants it very localized, so nothing else is damaged. So it's got to happen maybe at 4 a.m. on game day.
-----------
What team do you think will step back and what team do you see stepping up this season?
I certainly can't see Denver going back to the Super Bowl this year. I know they have a strong defense. I know they have a talented receiver corps. But Trevor Siemian is no Peyton Manning _ not even Peyton Manning at the end, So I see Denver as like a 10-6 wild-card.
I also wonder about Washington repeating as division champs, even though the NFC East looks like a mess. I'm still not totally convinced on Kirk Cousins. On the upside, I'm still going to tout Oakland and Jacksonville as teams that show marked improvement based on what looked like very strong offseasons in terms of personnel additions
---------
Go 49ers! At least for this week.
Just a guess, there may be a couple of former St, Louis Rams fans who feel the same way.
----------
Hi Jim, during Fisher's tenure with the Rams, there have been a lot drafted offensive players who were a little behind at the start of the season and not quite ready to contribute where you would normally expect a guy drafted at that level--guys like Pead, Quick, Jones, Robinson. The wait for those guys to catch up is still on.
Given that, any thoughts on Goff going into the season as the #3 QB behind guys not named Brady or Rodgers?
During the Fisher-Snead regime, the Rams have always gone heavy on potential moreso than college production and NFL readiness. And this frequently has come back to bite them. Brian Quick looked great working out in shorts _ but grasping complex NFL playbooks and doing it when you're playing in a full-contact situation is something different.
The Rams thought Isaiah Pead would be an effective space player. And he was productive in college. But injuries and off-field issues derailed his career, although he's still on the Miami roster as we type this. By all accounts, Greg Robinson played better this preseason, but we'll see how the regular season goes. Over time, Jake Matthews may prove to be a better pick.
-----------
How much does team travel really effect a team? Just was a video saying the Rams will travel more than any other team this year in terms of miles.
That's one of the byproducts of playing on the West Coast instead of being in the middle of the country. Throw in the fact that Kroenke has given up a home game to play in London again this year, and you have a lot of time in the air. That can catch up to a team over the course of a season, even highly-trained young athletes.
(Yes, because flying extra miles first-class for 8 games will make the difference between a winning or losing season for athletes in the prime of their lives).
----------
Did the NFL kill the live broadcast of the Rams in St. Louis last week because we nearly beat LA in TV ratings the week before? As I recall, when the Big Red left, they kept their games on TV here as the main game each week for a couple of years.
At least in the regular season, I believe Big Red games were shown on local TV here for the team's first 2 1/2 seasons in Arizona. But this time around, there were no such plans to carry any of the Rams' preseason games locally. The only reason the Dallas game was shown here was because it was a national telecast by ESPN. The Chiefs-Rams game was shown here because KMOV, Channel 4 showed all of the Chiefs' preseason games here locally.
-----------
I believe the Titans play the Rams next year. I think it would be funny if the Titans bring out all the players they got in the Goff trade for the coin toss.
That would be totally appropriate, don't you think.
---------------
I see the Rams have the youngest roster again. Other than the D line, and Rbs, there is not much quality depth. An injury here and there and it's another 3 win season. Why does this regime fail to fix the depth issue at keep positions?
They had some key losses in free agency (McLeod, Jenkins, etc.) and by design released some veterans (Long, Laurinaitis, etc.). That affects depth as others move into starting roles. Some backup players, such as CB Marcus Roberson, never developed and took that next step. Some depth players, such as Daren Bates, they let go in free agency.
It's very strange how this annually has become the youngest roster in the league. It's as if the Rams are perpetually building for the future but the future never comes.
----------
JT, how did you get the info on all of the Rams roster moves even before the L.A. writers?
One: I never kiss and tell. Two, I've been doing this for a while. But thx. . . .
----------
I wonder what the reception is like from Todd Hewitt (fired Rams equipment manager, current USC equipment manager) when the Rams use USC's locker room? Have you heard anything?
Interesting you should bring that up. I've thought about that as well. I haven't talked to Todd in quite a while, so I don't know how he feels about all this. But I'm sure he won't be overjoyed to see Kevin Demoff, if they cross paths.
----------
Hewitt's at USC? Ex-Lax in coffee time, Mr. Demoff!
Yes, Hewitt is the equipment manager for the entire USC athletic department.
----------
Have you heard any rumblings that the Rams may have overvalued Goff and screwed up with the big trade? Without the trade they could have stud WR and stud LB etc. With Keenan still at the helm. Also their 1st rounder they gave up next year is really going to sting when it's a top 5 pick. Yikes.
Well, it's still early in the process. It would be foolish to call Goff a bust after four preseason games. But it is surprising that the Rams don't have Goff more game-ready than he is at this point. I think it's more the media than the rest of the league that's wondering about Goff at this point, particularly if he's holding a clipboard as the No. 3 QB on opening night in San Francisco.
-------------
Fisher said that this is not the 53 man roster that he is going to war with. Where do you see him making changes?
The Rams are heavy on the O-line (10 on current roster); heavy at wide receiver (seven); and light in the secondary (8 DBs), and particularly at safety with only 3 on the current roster. Once Cooper and Spruce are healthy, they might lose a wide receiver _ and maybe it would be Mike Thomas.
Hard to see them keeping 10 o-linemen throughout the season. They need another DB, particularly since those guys are staples of special teams play. Somewhat unrelated to the numbers game, Akeem Ayers could be back at LB at a reduced rate.
-----------
What is Fisher thinking, in releasing Ayers?
I think they want to sign him back for a reduced rate. And if they do so after Week 1, Ayers contract is not guaranteed.
-----------
The Rams offense on paper looks weak to begin with. One injury to Gurley and it could look like Spags first year or his last for that matter.
I don't disagree. Gurley certainly has the kind of skill to level the playing field but if he goes down. . things could get ugly.
(If Adrian Peterson or any other starting running back of that caliber goes down, it could get ugly for their teams as well. So what's the point?)
---------------
Could you go o- line, health, strength weakness & etc. Is Stafford health this year? Over /under is 6 games with buddies.
(Who's Stafford?)
Saffold is healthy. And now that Havenstein is back, I'm curious to see where Saffold lines up on opening day. Do they move him back to left guard? Robinson, at least what we saw of him in preseason, played better. But he's still a key figure for the Rams on the o-line. He's gotta play better _ a lot better. Barnes is solid at center, and played better over the second half of last season.
It remains to be seen whether Havenstein will be rusty at RT after missing a lot of time in camp/preseason. With Battle and D. Williams struggling in the preseason _ and now neither are on the roster _ the Rams are a little thin at tackle. If Saffold is at guard, it looks like he kicks out to tackle if anything happens to the starters.
Players like Wichmann, Donnal, Brown, and Havenstein all have some seasoning as they enter their second NFL seasons, so the expectation there is that they show improvement.
----------
Jim, do you sense any of the Rams players see the team differently after the move? Like in a similar way to the ST. Louis fans. Lamarcus Joyner seemed jaded in a recent hard knocks preview.
(Speaking of "jaded," time for a good tune to break the monotony).
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbexOeoH5hg
I don't have a sense for that. And remember, I'm not around the team anymore. I thought Joyner's displeasure was over being temporarily demoted to the second unit.
----------
You must be the loneliest man in town.
Actually, I thoroughly enjoy these Tuesday therapy sessions! And although it's not quite the same as having a team in your hometown I'm really enjoying my new duties covering the NFL league-wide.
-----------
Catching up with Hard Knocks on this side of the pond. Could not believe the Rams gave up all those picks for a guy who'd never taken a snap under centre and never called a play in the huddle. Is there a precedence for QB's so inexperienced in a pro style offence having a great pro career?
You know what, there haven't been a ton of spread/shotgun type QBs that have had success in the NFL. And the thing is, more and more members of the pool of QBs entering the league each year are coming out of those systems. It's a big adjustment, there's no doubt.
----------
If the stadium vote in San Diego fails, will Dean Spanos move Chargers to Inglewood stadium?
On the San Diego stadium vote, Inglewood remains an option. But it clearly looks like an option of last resort for Spanos. I wrote about that roughly a year ago, and much has been written and said about it since. Spanos could always choose to stay in San Diego on a year-to-year basis and keep hoping for a solution there. Failing that, I hear St. Louis does not have an NFL team.
-----------
Expanding on your earlier statement that STL is the new LA in terms of leverage-do you think the league's then-professed love of Oakland as a market was a simple matter of expediency in keeping Davis there and getting ESK and his $ to LA, or do they truly want a team there enough to leapfrog that city over STL?
I think the league likes the Oakland market better than the St. Louis market. And the other thing to consider obviously, is that Mark Davis would be happy staying in Oakland with a new stadium. He does not want to be in St. Louis. He made that very clear to me at the owners meetings last March. And at the end of the day, the league can't really coerce an owner to move his teams somewhere he or she doesn't want to be.
----------
Do you think the Chargers would actually consider STL as an option?
Not really.
----------
With regards to the Raiders move to Vegas, what are the remaining hurdles to that becoming a reality? I thought I read where they were asking nearly $700 M in public funds.
They're asking for $750 million, which I think will come out of a hotel tax. I believe sometime in the next couple of weeks a regional committee will recommend that the state legislature take up and ultimately vote on the issue.
---------
How is the NFL preseason schedule determined. Does the league set the schedule or do teams work it out for themselves? If the latter, what criteria do teams use?
I think to a large degree, it's the NFL's call but with input from individual teams.
---------
How do teams set their practice squad rosters? Do the pick the best player available, give them more options for weak position groups or some other criteria?
As you probably have noticed, the vast majority of players on a team's practice squad are developmental players that were with that same team in camp and the preseason. Often times the positions added to the practice squad are ones where maybe the 53-man roster is a little light. In addition, you always want to add some extra legs at wide receiver and the secondary for practice purposes _ you need some people to help run the scout team.
-------------
Jim, all seems perfect for the NFL right now, with four teams in each division, and four divisions in each conference. Do you see any expansion on the horizon?
The league has shown no appetite towards expansion at this time. Keep in mind, with each expansion team that's added the TV pie gets sliced into that many new pieces. There's also the thought by some that there isn't enough talent around to be spread out to added clubs.
But if the NFL really wanted to expand, they'd find a way to make a schedule work no matter how many teams are in the league. The league for example, got by with a 31-team schedule before the Houston Texans arrived in 2002.
-----------
It seems that JT has left the premises early without saying goodbye. I could keep clicking refresh...but...
***************************************************************************************
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_26?Page=0
Jim Thomas - NFL Chat
So, what say you about Bradford taking over the Vikings for 2016? Quite a turn of events, isn't it?
I'm beginning to think I have my own little version of the SI Jinx going. I do a story on Dorial Green-Beckham at Titans camp _ he gets traded 2 days after the story appears in the P-D. I do an online story on Chase Coffman at Colts camp, he gets cut over weekend. I catch up with Bradford when Eagles were in Indy, he gets traded the next week. I also talked with Chris Givens after that Philly-Indy game, he gets cut the next day.
Anyway, I think this could be a great spot for Bradford. The Vikings have a deep and talented roster, and had true Super Bowl aspirations entering this season. They have a strong running game and a strong defense, so they don't necessarily have to rely on him to throw 40 passes a game. Now, it's all about how quickly he can pick up the offense.
----------
If you have a jinx thing going, can you do a story about the lack of recent earthquakes juuuust before Stan's new stadium opens?
Actually, my brother envisioned that several months back. He just doesn't want anyone hurt, and he wants it very localized, so nothing else is damaged. So it's got to happen maybe at 4 a.m. on game day.
-----------
What team do you think will step back and what team do you see stepping up this season?
I certainly can't see Denver going back to the Super Bowl this year. I know they have a strong defense. I know they have a talented receiver corps. But Trevor Siemian is no Peyton Manning _ not even Peyton Manning at the end, So I see Denver as like a 10-6 wild-card.
I also wonder about Washington repeating as division champs, even though the NFC East looks like a mess. I'm still not totally convinced on Kirk Cousins. On the upside, I'm still going to tout Oakland and Jacksonville as teams that show marked improvement based on what looked like very strong offseasons in terms of personnel additions
---------
Go 49ers! At least for this week.
Just a guess, there may be a couple of former St, Louis Rams fans who feel the same way.
----------
Hi Jim, during Fisher's tenure with the Rams, there have been a lot drafted offensive players who were a little behind at the start of the season and not quite ready to contribute where you would normally expect a guy drafted at that level--guys like Pead, Quick, Jones, Robinson. The wait for those guys to catch up is still on.
Given that, any thoughts on Goff going into the season as the #3 QB behind guys not named Brady or Rodgers?
During the Fisher-Snead regime, the Rams have always gone heavy on potential moreso than college production and NFL readiness. And this frequently has come back to bite them. Brian Quick looked great working out in shorts _ but grasping complex NFL playbooks and doing it when you're playing in a full-contact situation is something different.
The Rams thought Isaiah Pead would be an effective space player. And he was productive in college. But injuries and off-field issues derailed his career, although he's still on the Miami roster as we type this. By all accounts, Greg Robinson played better this preseason, but we'll see how the regular season goes. Over time, Jake Matthews may prove to be a better pick.
-----------
How much does team travel really effect a team? Just was a video saying the Rams will travel more than any other team this year in terms of miles.
That's one of the byproducts of playing on the West Coast instead of being in the middle of the country. Throw in the fact that Kroenke has given up a home game to play in London again this year, and you have a lot of time in the air. That can catch up to a team over the course of a season, even highly-trained young athletes.
(Yes, because flying extra miles first-class for 8 games will make the difference between a winning or losing season for athletes in the prime of their lives).
----------
Did the NFL kill the live broadcast of the Rams in St. Louis last week because we nearly beat LA in TV ratings the week before? As I recall, when the Big Red left, they kept their games on TV here as the main game each week for a couple of years.
At least in the regular season, I believe Big Red games were shown on local TV here for the team's first 2 1/2 seasons in Arizona. But this time around, there were no such plans to carry any of the Rams' preseason games locally. The only reason the Dallas game was shown here was because it was a national telecast by ESPN. The Chiefs-Rams game was shown here because KMOV, Channel 4 showed all of the Chiefs' preseason games here locally.
-----------
I believe the Titans play the Rams next year. I think it would be funny if the Titans bring out all the players they got in the Goff trade for the coin toss.
That would be totally appropriate, don't you think.
---------------
I see the Rams have the youngest roster again. Other than the D line, and Rbs, there is not much quality depth. An injury here and there and it's another 3 win season. Why does this regime fail to fix the depth issue at keep positions?
They had some key losses in free agency (McLeod, Jenkins, etc.) and by design released some veterans (Long, Laurinaitis, etc.). That affects depth as others move into starting roles. Some backup players, such as CB Marcus Roberson, never developed and took that next step. Some depth players, such as Daren Bates, they let go in free agency.
It's very strange how this annually has become the youngest roster in the league. It's as if the Rams are perpetually building for the future but the future never comes.
----------
JT, how did you get the info on all of the Rams roster moves even before the L.A. writers?
One: I never kiss and tell. Two, I've been doing this for a while. But thx. . . .
----------
I wonder what the reception is like from Todd Hewitt (fired Rams equipment manager, current USC equipment manager) when the Rams use USC's locker room? Have you heard anything?
Interesting you should bring that up. I've thought about that as well. I haven't talked to Todd in quite a while, so I don't know how he feels about all this. But I'm sure he won't be overjoyed to see Kevin Demoff, if they cross paths.
----------
Hewitt's at USC? Ex-Lax in coffee time, Mr. Demoff!
Yes, Hewitt is the equipment manager for the entire USC athletic department.
----------
Have you heard any rumblings that the Rams may have overvalued Goff and screwed up with the big trade? Without the trade they could have stud WR and stud LB etc. With Keenan still at the helm. Also their 1st rounder they gave up next year is really going to sting when it's a top 5 pick. Yikes.
Well, it's still early in the process. It would be foolish to call Goff a bust after four preseason games. But it is surprising that the Rams don't have Goff more game-ready than he is at this point. I think it's more the media than the rest of the league that's wondering about Goff at this point, particularly if he's holding a clipboard as the No. 3 QB on opening night in San Francisco.
-------------
Fisher said that this is not the 53 man roster that he is going to war with. Where do you see him making changes?
The Rams are heavy on the O-line (10 on current roster); heavy at wide receiver (seven); and light in the secondary (8 DBs), and particularly at safety with only 3 on the current roster. Once Cooper and Spruce are healthy, they might lose a wide receiver _ and maybe it would be Mike Thomas.
Hard to see them keeping 10 o-linemen throughout the season. They need another DB, particularly since those guys are staples of special teams play. Somewhat unrelated to the numbers game, Akeem Ayers could be back at LB at a reduced rate.
-----------
What is Fisher thinking, in releasing Ayers?
I think they want to sign him back for a reduced rate. And if they do so after Week 1, Ayers contract is not guaranteed.
-----------
The Rams offense on paper looks weak to begin with. One injury to Gurley and it could look like Spags first year or his last for that matter.
I don't disagree. Gurley certainly has the kind of skill to level the playing field but if he goes down. . things could get ugly.
(If Adrian Peterson or any other starting running back of that caliber goes down, it could get ugly for their teams as well. So what's the point?)
---------------
Could you go o- line, health, strength weakness & etc. Is Stafford health this year? Over /under is 6 games with buddies.
(Who's Stafford?)
Saffold is healthy. And now that Havenstein is back, I'm curious to see where Saffold lines up on opening day. Do they move him back to left guard? Robinson, at least what we saw of him in preseason, played better. But he's still a key figure for the Rams on the o-line. He's gotta play better _ a lot better. Barnes is solid at center, and played better over the second half of last season.
It remains to be seen whether Havenstein will be rusty at RT after missing a lot of time in camp/preseason. With Battle and D. Williams struggling in the preseason _ and now neither are on the roster _ the Rams are a little thin at tackle. If Saffold is at guard, it looks like he kicks out to tackle if anything happens to the starters.
Players like Wichmann, Donnal, Brown, and Havenstein all have some seasoning as they enter their second NFL seasons, so the expectation there is that they show improvement.
----------
Jim, do you sense any of the Rams players see the team differently after the move? Like in a similar way to the ST. Louis fans. Lamarcus Joyner seemed jaded in a recent hard knocks preview.
(Speaking of "jaded," time for a good tune to break the monotony).
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbexOeoH5hg
I don't have a sense for that. And remember, I'm not around the team anymore. I thought Joyner's displeasure was over being temporarily demoted to the second unit.
----------
You must be the loneliest man in town.
Actually, I thoroughly enjoy these Tuesday therapy sessions! And although it's not quite the same as having a team in your hometown I'm really enjoying my new duties covering the NFL league-wide.
-----------
Catching up with Hard Knocks on this side of the pond. Could not believe the Rams gave up all those picks for a guy who'd never taken a snap under centre and never called a play in the huddle. Is there a precedence for QB's so inexperienced in a pro style offence having a great pro career?
You know what, there haven't been a ton of spread/shotgun type QBs that have had success in the NFL. And the thing is, more and more members of the pool of QBs entering the league each year are coming out of those systems. It's a big adjustment, there's no doubt.
----------
If the stadium vote in San Diego fails, will Dean Spanos move Chargers to Inglewood stadium?
On the San Diego stadium vote, Inglewood remains an option. But it clearly looks like an option of last resort for Spanos. I wrote about that roughly a year ago, and much has been written and said about it since. Spanos could always choose to stay in San Diego on a year-to-year basis and keep hoping for a solution there. Failing that, I hear St. Louis does not have an NFL team.
-----------
Expanding on your earlier statement that STL is the new LA in terms of leverage-do you think the league's then-professed love of Oakland as a market was a simple matter of expediency in keeping Davis there and getting ESK and his $ to LA, or do they truly want a team there enough to leapfrog that city over STL?
I think the league likes the Oakland market better than the St. Louis market. And the other thing to consider obviously, is that Mark Davis would be happy staying in Oakland with a new stadium. He does not want to be in St. Louis. He made that very clear to me at the owners meetings last March. And at the end of the day, the league can't really coerce an owner to move his teams somewhere he or she doesn't want to be.
----------
Do you think the Chargers would actually consider STL as an option?
Not really.
----------
With regards to the Raiders move to Vegas, what are the remaining hurdles to that becoming a reality? I thought I read where they were asking nearly $700 M in public funds.
They're asking for $750 million, which I think will come out of a hotel tax. I believe sometime in the next couple of weeks a regional committee will recommend that the state legislature take up and ultimately vote on the issue.
---------
How is the NFL preseason schedule determined. Does the league set the schedule or do teams work it out for themselves? If the latter, what criteria do teams use?
I think to a large degree, it's the NFL's call but with input from individual teams.
---------
How do teams set their practice squad rosters? Do the pick the best player available, give them more options for weak position groups or some other criteria?
As you probably have noticed, the vast majority of players on a team's practice squad are developmental players that were with that same team in camp and the preseason. Often times the positions added to the practice squad are ones where maybe the 53-man roster is a little light. In addition, you always want to add some extra legs at wide receiver and the secondary for practice purposes _ you need some people to help run the scout team.
-------------
Jim, all seems perfect for the NFL right now, with four teams in each division, and four divisions in each conference. Do you see any expansion on the horizon?
The league has shown no appetite towards expansion at this time. Keep in mind, with each expansion team that's added the TV pie gets sliced into that many new pieces. There's also the thought by some that there isn't enough talent around to be spread out to added clubs.
But if the NFL really wanted to expand, they'd find a way to make a schedule work no matter how many teams are in the league. The league for example, got by with a 31-team schedule before the Houston Texans arrived in 2002.
-----------
It seems that JT has left the premises early without saying goodbye. I could keep clicking refresh...but...
Week One: What the 49er fans are saying
- By Mojo Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 31 Replies
Here we go, another season....and you know what that means. It's time to take a weekly peek into the opposing teams fan boards. It's always special to peek into the thoughts and general shit talking that goes on when we face a divisional rival. Enjoy.
----------------
The Rams have an outstanding defense, especially against the run. Gurley is there offense. We all 49er fans know what we have. So sadly I'm going 20-17 Rams. I think we are going to end up one dimensional against them & our QB's & WR's are bad. We will turn the ball over too much it will cost us the game.
-----------------
49ers win... because we score more points than the Rams... 36-20
-----------------
3-2 49ers win
-----------------
Gurley makes the difference Rams 17-6
-----------------
Pretty close to last years season opener, 20-6 niners, the Rams are the worst team in the division IMO.
-----------------
SF 24, Rams 17
-----------------
San Fran Forty-Niners 20
Los Angeles Referees 150
-----------------
The 49ers will march down the field more than last year, but be stopped in Redzone by Gabbert's caution. I believe the 49ers will kick 4 field goals and score two touchdowns in regulation and one fg in OT. The Rams will fail on 2 pt conversion. The Rams will score three touchdowns, but will be inconsistent, with five good scoring drives (3 TD 2 FG) but multiple three and outs.
49ers 29
Rams 26
Overtime.
NOTE: I am predicting far more offense than most believe will occur. The 49ers will gain many yards, and the Rams will have drives saved by Amhad Brooks hands to the face penalties.
------------------
I think this will be a close game.. with Niners winning by a FG
if the Rams had their QB situation figured out, and/or if Goff was more NFL ready at the moment.. than I'd pick the Rams to win easily.
------------------
31-17 Rams
------------------
Rams 20
Niners 17
Gabbert tries to lead a 4th quarter drive to tie/win the game and fails on a bomb down the sideline to Smith on a third and short for some stupid reason. Crushing our dreams of a good start to the season.
------------------
We lose to the Rams with Gabbert
------------------
I'm gonna say 24-20 niners. I have faith in our first game.
But what will be interesting is how chip deals with the passing game. Bradford threw 52 passes in his debut under Kelly last year. Foles threw 32 in his debut. Either way, it doesn't seem like he's under the philosophy of bringing his starting QB gently.
------------------
Niners in a landslide
3-0
------------------
Big test for the o-line!
But I believe we have the better coach and while we know who the Rams are, they have no idea what will hit them with Hyde on O and the twintowers on D!
SF 31
LA 17
-------------------
Rams will win 13 - 9. They get 1 td and 2 fg we get 3 fg. Snoozefest.
-------------------
Niners for the win. I hope the Rams wear their old uni's the yellow and blue it will look like old times from like the 80's. I have never like the Gold and Blue.
-------------------
Where is the tie option? [board poll reflects SF win 72% Rams win 27%]
-------------------
We always seem to make the simplest QBs look PRO BOWL and top tier QBs look pedestrian. So I am sure we will cough up mucho passing yards, the question is can we make it a shoot out?
-------------------
I agree. the yellow and blue is old school. the gold in the Rams' unis always has looked wrong to me
-------------------
I'm in love with their yellow color rush setups
-------------------
if they[SF] don't win, it looks like playoff elimination by week 8
-------------------
49ers 3
Rams 2
-------------------
16 - 13 Rams. Don't know how we do against that D. Especially since our Offense is a mystery to us to start the year in real game action. So I am going with the better known D, and at this time its the Rams
-------------------
20-14 9ers
Our defense will seal the game with a pick!
-------------------
9ers 35 rams 9
-------------------
17-13 Rams in a close one
-------------------
20-17 Niners
-------------------
49ers 12
Rams 6
Neither team scores a TD in a snorefest
http://forums.49ers.com/showthread.php?164463-49ers-Vs-Rams-Sept-12-MNF-score-prediction-thread
___________________________________________________________________________________
Goff being a complete bust, how many games till fisher is fired? I do not expect a lot of points on either side this opening game
----------------------
Poor Goff does look in over his head. I didn't think he was too great coming out of college, but I certainly didn't expect him to be 3rd string come game 1.
At least give Fisher credit for that. He has recognized Goff just is not a starting caliber player at this point.
-----------------------
Niners 38
Rams 10
-----------------------
Goff just needs some time holding the clipboard. He isn't a finished product coming out of college yet, just needs more physical development to get a little bigger to absorb those hits and mental development to catchup to the speed of the game. He has made some pretty legit throws when he is comfortable.
That being said, I hope he busts
-----------------------
f**k the LA Rams!!!!
-----------------------
Very fair assessment. He has the tools, which is why I found his slide on the depth chart a little unnerving, but as you said he may just need a little "seasoning." I think many NFL fans could rally behind the concept of a rookie QB sitting a season or so to acclimate to the game and hone their skills a bit. Many coaching staffs/ownership groups would be unwilling to let a high draft pick simmer for a while, but if it means an improved team and a franchise QB for the future, it is a wise decision.
------------------------
Looking forward to our 2 young linemen Armstead and Buckner
------------------------
49ers 24 to Rams 17
------------------------
24 13. Niners
------------------------
I wanted Goff here and I dunno if he'd have looked any different under Chip Kelly's system and tutelage but now I think f**k Goff and the Rams. Let's smash em!
------------------------
Here's the trippy part.....the last time we played the LA Rams was the game after finally beating Dallas in 1994. Deion had that great pass breakup to kinda save the game. Jerry also had like 16 catches.
------------------------
i think we got this game
i'm not huge on the season but i think were better than the rams
-------------------------
With gabbert starting changing my prediction to 10-9 Niners which will lead to Kap being named the starter for week 2
-------------------------
Key Matchups for MNF's Rams vs Niners
Chip Kelly O scheme vs Greg Williams D scheme. Greg Williams will likely send blitzes in order to pressure Gabbert's counting. Kelly could take advantage only if he prepers Blaine to keep it cool and moving the no huddle drives.
Chris Davis vs Tavon Austin. Davis had a tough eveving covering Packers Cobb and Austin will be no different. Although he shown some flashes, he really needs to step up if he wanna keep his role and spot.
9ers DLinemen vs Rams OLinemen. Dorsey must disrupt the line of scrimmage in order to stop Gurley. Having Armstead, DeFo and Dial will help him. Also gonna be important they generate pass rush so guys like Carradine and/or Brooks get Keenum.
Trent Brown and Anthony Davis vs Aaron Donald and William Hayes. Staley gonna have a busy night against Quinn but is Brown and Davis who are gonna seal our faith for the running and passing game.
Vance McDonald vs Alec Ogletree. If Niners has to face 3rd and long then Vance should be the guy who convert 1st down to keep the ball and clock running in our favor.
--------------------
Good points.. If Davis struggles VS Austin look for Jimmy to shadow him and Robinson/DJ if not both(if Brock struggles as well) on their taller WRs in Britt and Quick.
--------------------
The only thing I'm concerned for in this game is how soft we are up the middle and Gurley is obviously a huge threat. We contain the run we win, we don't it could get ugly fast!
--------------------
If the niners can get a good screen game going, which is a staple of Chip's offense then that will calm down the rams aggression.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Davis starts getting abused then they slide Ward back into the slot to cover Austin.
-------------------
49ers going to score 24 Rams going to score 17 , we are going to have over 300 yards rushing , Go 49ers . 1-0 next Sunday going to be different.
-------------------
Also, don't be surprised if our RBs combine for 200 yards rushing& receiving.
Looks like Gaines might be out as well, add Patton to my list above.
-------------------
Greg Williams: " kill the head"
-------------------
Last time the niners lost to the LA Rams was November 25th 1990.
-------------------
We don't seem to be softer than their soft, warm, wet oline (especially the middle)
-------------------
24-13 Niners
put a stamp on it, this team is better than last years plain and simple... All the "experts" can say what they want, but we might possibly have the best O-Line in our Division and also a Defense that if all goes well and can stay healthy could very well be top 10 worthy D. I expect a lot of close games this year, and truly believe this team can compete for a wild card spot
-----------------
I hope Buckner and Armstead can really set the tone for the season and dominate.
Agree on Gurley.
I think the Rams will grind with the run and target our ILB's passing when the opportunity arises. Fisher is lame so he'll be safe and mostly try to run through us.
I don't know what to expect from our offense. Things are so up in the air right now, new HC and one who needed to adjust his game going into 2016. No WR's. Patton must step up.
I do know Kelly started using TE's a lot more last year and will prob have to expand on that this year out of necessity. Dont be surprised if our TE's are the leading recievers. It may not look like Chip's old offense, other than the fast tempo.
-----------------
Ya, Goff wouldve been much better off not walking into Fisher's broken net. If we drafted him I wouldve wanted Gabbernick to start 2016, maybe get him in a little but no starts till 2017.
Anyway, 49ers. I wont have a good feel for this team till about week three or four. Even if we stomp the Rams it will be too early to tell what we have. Like last year vs the Vikings.
------------------
Kelly>Fisher.
------------------
Man, I'm just so excited to have a real offensive guru leading the team. Call me soft, but it'll be fun to watch us score some points. And I'm certain we will. Kelly can score points with any team.
What I'm not excited for is the awful chip Kelly defense that usually accompanies that.
I'm gonna say we lose a close one. 24-21 or something of that nature.
----------------
49er OL will be a revelation. Beadles is the week link but he is better than anyone on last year's line except Staley. Run game may be stymied early but eventually the D will begin to tire and run game will start to work. Kelly's scheme works well against pressure and Gabbert is good at getting rid of the ball quickly. Look for a lot of plays early that will have the defense running sideline to sideline chasing underneath throws.
Stop the Ram run game and you stop the Rams. If Armstead is fully healthy, he will announce his presence to the league and Gurley. Keenum is just a journeyman and will be facing a better than expected group of 49er DBs with help from O'Neil blitzes to keep Keenum under pressure.
23-13 49ers
------------------
Anxious to see the 49ers revamped interior OLine versus those two Rams DTs, Donald and Brockers. Then in week 2 it's the Panthers DTs. Talk about being tested right off the bat.
------------------
Whose starting for the Rams at QB?
------------------
Bowman needs to spy on gurley like Willis did ap. I think Willis locked him down to 4 yards one game
------------------
If Armstead is healthy and starts I'm real excited to see what he can do I think Keenum might be seeing him in his sleep for a few weeks haha or even if Armstead and Buckner hold up the middle and allow Brooks and Tank/Harold to do some damage it would be good.
Hope Ray Ray starts at ILB he's quickest to the ball and in coverage which is a good foil for Bowman. I think we win and surprise a few pundits in doing so.
------------------
I don't think the Ram's oline is all that good, if they can't get interior push then their run game is going nowhere and I fancy our chances at stuffing them with Armstead, Buckner, Dial and Purcell - don't see Dorsey playing. Not to mention we've got Bowman to stuff the run as well and he should be closer to 2013 health now.
I fancy our chances in this game but it will come down to our Dline, I think our offense will move the ball on the Rams, as good as the Rams DT's are, I believe our oline is right up there and we should be able to slow down Donald and Brockers at the least.
---------------
Gonna say 24-17 niners only cause I don't think Goff is nfl ready and this is in Santa Clara .
---------------
that DL though its maybe the best in nfl and i think our OL is at best average and its worst in the interior where there strengths are.
I predict a lot of people calling garnett a bust after this game because hes facing donald who is the best DL in nfl (with watt)
that being said they are weak everywhere else i think we will win but we may see some bad offensive drives
----------------
Rams 18
49ers 4
Rams kick 6 FGs. 49ers sack Keenum in the endzone twice.
-------------------
Let the Chip Kelly era begin!
-------------------
Niners perform well in opening games with new coaches..... "It's the same sorry ass Rams" - Ken Norton Jr right ?
-----------------
I hope so. Rams d line is still dominant, but our offensive line is much improved. Let's see how how D handles Todd Gurley. Should be a good matchup to start the season.
-----------------
Quinn and Hayes on the ends are not chopped liver either. This may be the best front four they face all year. If they can at hold up against these guys, and stay healthy the rest of the year, there will be some
on Niner fans' faces this year.
-----------------
Stop Gurley N we win easily.
-----------------
Quinn is a beast for sure
We may need help to protect whomever whenever
------------------
Excited to see our new and improved offensive line
------------------
The defensive line, too
------------------
I think we are definitely better than last year, are the rams? They seem like they got worse
http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/186543-49ers-rams-pregame-thread-2016-season-week/
----------------
The Rams have an outstanding defense, especially against the run. Gurley is there offense. We all 49er fans know what we have. So sadly I'm going 20-17 Rams. I think we are going to end up one dimensional against them & our QB's & WR's are bad. We will turn the ball over too much it will cost us the game.
-----------------
49ers win... because we score more points than the Rams... 36-20
-----------------
3-2 49ers win
-----------------
Gurley makes the difference Rams 17-6
-----------------
Pretty close to last years season opener, 20-6 niners, the Rams are the worst team in the division IMO.
-----------------
SF 24, Rams 17
-----------------
San Fran Forty-Niners 20
Los Angeles Referees 150
-----------------
The 49ers will march down the field more than last year, but be stopped in Redzone by Gabbert's caution. I believe the 49ers will kick 4 field goals and score two touchdowns in regulation and one fg in OT. The Rams will fail on 2 pt conversion. The Rams will score three touchdowns, but will be inconsistent, with five good scoring drives (3 TD 2 FG) but multiple three and outs.
49ers 29
Rams 26
Overtime.
NOTE: I am predicting far more offense than most believe will occur. The 49ers will gain many yards, and the Rams will have drives saved by Amhad Brooks hands to the face penalties.
------------------
I think this will be a close game.. with Niners winning by a FG
if the Rams had their QB situation figured out, and/or if Goff was more NFL ready at the moment.. than I'd pick the Rams to win easily.
------------------
31-17 Rams
------------------
Rams 20
Niners 17
Gabbert tries to lead a 4th quarter drive to tie/win the game and fails on a bomb down the sideline to Smith on a third and short for some stupid reason. Crushing our dreams of a good start to the season.
------------------
We lose to the Rams with Gabbert
------------------
I'm gonna say 24-20 niners. I have faith in our first game.
But what will be interesting is how chip deals with the passing game. Bradford threw 52 passes in his debut under Kelly last year. Foles threw 32 in his debut. Either way, it doesn't seem like he's under the philosophy of bringing his starting QB gently.
------------------
Niners in a landslide
3-0
------------------
Big test for the o-line!
But I believe we have the better coach and while we know who the Rams are, they have no idea what will hit them with Hyde on O and the twintowers on D!
SF 31
LA 17
-------------------
Rams will win 13 - 9. They get 1 td and 2 fg we get 3 fg. Snoozefest.
-------------------
Niners for the win. I hope the Rams wear their old uni's the yellow and blue it will look like old times from like the 80's. I have never like the Gold and Blue.
-------------------
Where is the tie option? [board poll reflects SF win 72% Rams win 27%]
-------------------
We always seem to make the simplest QBs look PRO BOWL and top tier QBs look pedestrian. So I am sure we will cough up mucho passing yards, the question is can we make it a shoot out?
-------------------
I agree. the yellow and blue is old school. the gold in the Rams' unis always has looked wrong to me
-------------------
I'm in love with their yellow color rush setups
-------------------
if they[SF] don't win, it looks like playoff elimination by week 8
-------------------
49ers 3
Rams 2
-------------------
16 - 13 Rams. Don't know how we do against that D. Especially since our Offense is a mystery to us to start the year in real game action. So I am going with the better known D, and at this time its the Rams
-------------------
20-14 9ers
Our defense will seal the game with a pick!
-------------------
9ers 35 rams 9
-------------------
17-13 Rams in a close one
-------------------
20-17 Niners
-------------------
49ers 12
Rams 6
Neither team scores a TD in a snorefest
http://forums.49ers.com/showthread.php?164463-49ers-Vs-Rams-Sept-12-MNF-score-prediction-thread
___________________________________________________________________________________
Goff being a complete bust, how many games till fisher is fired? I do not expect a lot of points on either side this opening game
----------------------
Poor Goff does look in over his head. I didn't think he was too great coming out of college, but I certainly didn't expect him to be 3rd string come game 1.
At least give Fisher credit for that. He has recognized Goff just is not a starting caliber player at this point.
-----------------------
Niners 38
Rams 10
-----------------------
Goff just needs some time holding the clipboard. He isn't a finished product coming out of college yet, just needs more physical development to get a little bigger to absorb those hits and mental development to catchup to the speed of the game. He has made some pretty legit throws when he is comfortable.
That being said, I hope he busts
-----------------------
f**k the LA Rams!!!!
-----------------------
Very fair assessment. He has the tools, which is why I found his slide on the depth chart a little unnerving, but as you said he may just need a little "seasoning." I think many NFL fans could rally behind the concept of a rookie QB sitting a season or so to acclimate to the game and hone their skills a bit. Many coaching staffs/ownership groups would be unwilling to let a high draft pick simmer for a while, but if it means an improved team and a franchise QB for the future, it is a wise decision.
------------------------
Looking forward to our 2 young linemen Armstead and Buckner
------------------------
49ers 24 to Rams 17
------------------------
24 13. Niners
------------------------
I wanted Goff here and I dunno if he'd have looked any different under Chip Kelly's system and tutelage but now I think f**k Goff and the Rams. Let's smash em!
------------------------
Here's the trippy part.....the last time we played the LA Rams was the game after finally beating Dallas in 1994. Deion had that great pass breakup to kinda save the game. Jerry also had like 16 catches.
------------------------
i think we got this game
i'm not huge on the season but i think were better than the rams
-------------------------
With gabbert starting changing my prediction to 10-9 Niners which will lead to Kap being named the starter for week 2
-------------------------
Key Matchups for MNF's Rams vs Niners
Chip Kelly O scheme vs Greg Williams D scheme. Greg Williams will likely send blitzes in order to pressure Gabbert's counting. Kelly could take advantage only if he prepers Blaine to keep it cool and moving the no huddle drives.
Chris Davis vs Tavon Austin. Davis had a tough eveving covering Packers Cobb and Austin will be no different. Although he shown some flashes, he really needs to step up if he wanna keep his role and spot.
9ers DLinemen vs Rams OLinemen. Dorsey must disrupt the line of scrimmage in order to stop Gurley. Having Armstead, DeFo and Dial will help him. Also gonna be important they generate pass rush so guys like Carradine and/or Brooks get Keenum.
Trent Brown and Anthony Davis vs Aaron Donald and William Hayes. Staley gonna have a busy night against Quinn but is Brown and Davis who are gonna seal our faith for the running and passing game.
Vance McDonald vs Alec Ogletree. If Niners has to face 3rd and long then Vance should be the guy who convert 1st down to keep the ball and clock running in our favor.
--------------------
Good points.. If Davis struggles VS Austin look for Jimmy to shadow him and Robinson/DJ if not both(if Brock struggles as well) on their taller WRs in Britt and Quick.
--------------------
The only thing I'm concerned for in this game is how soft we are up the middle and Gurley is obviously a huge threat. We contain the run we win, we don't it could get ugly fast!
--------------------
If the niners can get a good screen game going, which is a staple of Chip's offense then that will calm down the rams aggression.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Davis starts getting abused then they slide Ward back into the slot to cover Austin.
-------------------
49ers going to score 24 Rams going to score 17 , we are going to have over 300 yards rushing , Go 49ers . 1-0 next Sunday going to be different.
-------------------
Also, don't be surprised if our RBs combine for 200 yards rushing& receiving.
Looks like Gaines might be out as well, add Patton to my list above.
-------------------
Greg Williams: " kill the head"
-------------------
Last time the niners lost to the LA Rams was November 25th 1990.
-------------------
We don't seem to be softer than their soft, warm, wet oline (especially the middle)
-------------------
24-13 Niners
put a stamp on it, this team is better than last years plain and simple... All the "experts" can say what they want, but we might possibly have the best O-Line in our Division and also a Defense that if all goes well and can stay healthy could very well be top 10 worthy D. I expect a lot of close games this year, and truly believe this team can compete for a wild card spot
-----------------
I hope Buckner and Armstead can really set the tone for the season and dominate.
Agree on Gurley.
I think the Rams will grind with the run and target our ILB's passing when the opportunity arises. Fisher is lame so he'll be safe and mostly try to run through us.
I don't know what to expect from our offense. Things are so up in the air right now, new HC and one who needed to adjust his game going into 2016. No WR's. Patton must step up.
I do know Kelly started using TE's a lot more last year and will prob have to expand on that this year out of necessity. Dont be surprised if our TE's are the leading recievers. It may not look like Chip's old offense, other than the fast tempo.
-----------------
Ya, Goff wouldve been much better off not walking into Fisher's broken net. If we drafted him I wouldve wanted Gabbernick to start 2016, maybe get him in a little but no starts till 2017.
Anyway, 49ers. I wont have a good feel for this team till about week three or four. Even if we stomp the Rams it will be too early to tell what we have. Like last year vs the Vikings.
------------------
Kelly>Fisher.
------------------
Man, I'm just so excited to have a real offensive guru leading the team. Call me soft, but it'll be fun to watch us score some points. And I'm certain we will. Kelly can score points with any team.
What I'm not excited for is the awful chip Kelly defense that usually accompanies that.
I'm gonna say we lose a close one. 24-21 or something of that nature.
----------------
49er OL will be a revelation. Beadles is the week link but he is better than anyone on last year's line except Staley. Run game may be stymied early but eventually the D will begin to tire and run game will start to work. Kelly's scheme works well against pressure and Gabbert is good at getting rid of the ball quickly. Look for a lot of plays early that will have the defense running sideline to sideline chasing underneath throws.
Stop the Ram run game and you stop the Rams. If Armstead is fully healthy, he will announce his presence to the league and Gurley. Keenum is just a journeyman and will be facing a better than expected group of 49er DBs with help from O'Neil blitzes to keep Keenum under pressure.
23-13 49ers
------------------
Anxious to see the 49ers revamped interior OLine versus those two Rams DTs, Donald and Brockers. Then in week 2 it's the Panthers DTs. Talk about being tested right off the bat.
------------------
Whose starting for the Rams at QB?
------------------
Bowman needs to spy on gurley like Willis did ap. I think Willis locked him down to 4 yards one game
------------------
If Armstead is healthy and starts I'm real excited to see what he can do I think Keenum might be seeing him in his sleep for a few weeks haha or even if Armstead and Buckner hold up the middle and allow Brooks and Tank/Harold to do some damage it would be good.
Hope Ray Ray starts at ILB he's quickest to the ball and in coverage which is a good foil for Bowman. I think we win and surprise a few pundits in doing so.
------------------
I don't think the Ram's oline is all that good, if they can't get interior push then their run game is going nowhere and I fancy our chances at stuffing them with Armstead, Buckner, Dial and Purcell - don't see Dorsey playing. Not to mention we've got Bowman to stuff the run as well and he should be closer to 2013 health now.
I fancy our chances in this game but it will come down to our Dline, I think our offense will move the ball on the Rams, as good as the Rams DT's are, I believe our oline is right up there and we should be able to slow down Donald and Brockers at the least.
---------------
Gonna say 24-17 niners only cause I don't think Goff is nfl ready and this is in Santa Clara .
---------------
that DL though its maybe the best in nfl and i think our OL is at best average and its worst in the interior where there strengths are.
I predict a lot of people calling garnett a bust after this game because hes facing donald who is the best DL in nfl (with watt)
that being said they are weak everywhere else i think we will win but we may see some bad offensive drives
----------------
Rams 18
49ers 4
Rams kick 6 FGs. 49ers sack Keenum in the endzone twice.
-------------------
Let the Chip Kelly era begin!
-------------------
Niners perform well in opening games with new coaches..... "It's the same sorry ass Rams" - Ken Norton Jr right ?
-----------------
I hope so. Rams d line is still dominant, but our offensive line is much improved. Let's see how how D handles Todd Gurley. Should be a good matchup to start the season.
-----------------
Quinn and Hayes on the ends are not chopped liver either. This may be the best front four they face all year. If they can at hold up against these guys, and stay healthy the rest of the year, there will be some
-----------------
Stop Gurley N we win easily.
-----------------
Quinn is a beast for sure
We may need help to protect whomever whenever
------------------
Excited to see our new and improved offensive line
------------------
The defensive line, too
------------------
I think we are definitely better than last year, are the rams? They seem like they got worse
http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/186543-49ers-rams-pregame-thread-2016-season-week/