Because of #DaveFan'51 comments about cameras not being allowed in the Coliseum, I went to their web site and found this:

CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS
Guests are allowed to bring still cameras provided they do not have detachable lenses and do not interfere with other guests’ view of the event. Camera lenses are limited to 3-inches. Video cameras and tripods are not permitted. All commercial use of photographs depicting game action are allowed only through a licensing agreement. Policies may vary per event without notice.

http://www.lacoliseum.com/index.php/building-policies/

Thought you all should know. Based on this, DSLR camera's would not be allowed.

So much for my new 400mm zoom lens.

http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/08/31/LA-Rams-2016-season-predictions-QB-Jared-Goff

August 31, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

The actual football season is almost here and here at Downtown Rams we feel it's time to start predicting how the season will go for these players. Let's continue on in this series with the Rams signal caller Jared Goff.

The Rams mortgaged their future on the 21-year-old from California and they are in for a process as Head coach Jeff Fisher puts it. Jared Goff is going into his first year in the NFL and it's the first time in his life he won't open a regular season as the team's starter. Goff bypassed his senior year of college to end up going number one overall after a monumental trade up to the spot from the Los Angeles Rams. This is the Rams first season back in L.A. since 1994 which after they moved the team to St. Louis. Goff is considered "not ready" for the NFL game as of today but, down the road that could change and I personally expect it will.

For many, Goff is considered behind where he should be but, he really isn't. Keep in mind it took Pro Football Focus' number one overall player in the NFL Aaron Donald until week six for him to start. The Rams offensive face Todd Gurley it took until week four of his rookie year to start, The Rams all-time receiving leader Isaac Bruce didn't start at any point his rookie season, Rams all-time leading rusher Steven Jackson only started three games his rookie season. You get my point, Goff has plenty of time. You know who did start his rookie season? Sam Bradford. I am not going to even go there...

Here is how I see the rookie's season playing out:

Season Recap:

As I previously wrote in the last article about the Rams starter Case Keenum, I expect Goff to take over a 5-2 team after the bye week which is week eight this year for the Rams. So week nine Goff comes in and continues on the Rams path of winning. I am not saying he is going to be unstoppable by any means but I think by week nine he will be ready. Every day he continues to get better so by week nine he will be able to put it together in games. There is no doubting the talent Goff possesses it's the fact he has to get used to the speed of the NFL game to get comfortable and adopt his own way of playing the quarterback position. He is clearly thinking too much on the field so the qualities he had at California where he showed great pocket presence, arm accuracy and his aggressiveness in taking shots down the field are not going to shine through right away.

Read more..

http://goingviralposts.biz/chargers-will-greet-kaepernick-49ers-patriotic-pregame-history/

"Among the festivities will be 240 service members holding a 150ft x 300ft “super flag” during the national anthem, retired Navy SEALs parachuting into the stadium during the pregame show, Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Powell will sing both the National Anthem as well as a rendition of “God Bless America”, and the Marine Corps band will be on hand for all pregame activities."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...room-whos-better-melvin-gordon-or-todd-gurley

For those of you who just want to take a look back and laugh, here's this jewel. Best part of the whole article is when he says Gordon has better vision than TG3. For a former player, Bucky doesn't know crap about scouting talent.

Been seeing thread on the day of Hard Knocks showing a free stream of the program, so I cancelled today before I got charged for another month. I figured that even if I see it delayed, one show isn't worth $20

Double edged sword here - I want to see Goff get plenty of work - and ideally that work would come with the 1s, but I don't want any of the 1s to risk injury.

Game 4 is desperation time and the last thing I want is for a key piece to get hurt because some bubble player on the other side is desperate to get noticed.

I don't want to see any of the 1s on defense - but with the roster already cut to 75 I'm not sure they will have much choice but to play some of them for some time.

On offense, I'm less concerned with Goff playing with the 1s at the skill positions and more concerned that he is adequately protected. How much of our starting O Line are we really going to risk though? I'm fine with Saffold not being dressed, for instance.

Tough balance to find this game.

At least the Vikings won't be playing with all kinds of emotion.

The oppressive US Military warriors have hunted down and killed a top ISIS leader Abu Muhammed Al Adnani in an air strike. Conflicting reports give credit to Russian air strikes. But be sure, Adnani, (pictured here) has been put on waivers...er...


...no. That is another oppressed minority. Here is Adnani...




Sorry. You can understand the confusion. More on this story as details emerge.

I just purchased my ticket for our first home regular season game in 21 years will be sitting about 25 rows up at about the 45-40 yard line on our sideline. I'm so stoked to be going to the game I can just imagine the atmosphere! Lol

My question in lies with Ive never been to this stadium or LA before. I'll get there Friday before and I'll leave Monday after the game.

I rented an SUV but I've been told it's cheap to park near the stadium is this true? Should I get a cab or bus etc? I'll be staying at Venice beach. I heard you'll spend 10-20 to park in front of somebody's house?

Any pre game or post game coolness events would be greatly appreciated if you have any knowledge of them!

I got myself a nice spot a stone throw away from Venice Beach but does anybody have any suggestions on things to do? Ofc beach for a bit each day.. Thinking of going to Universal Studuos Saturday but not 100% yet on that.

Seriously, any help, suggestions, and/or advice would be greatly appreciated since it's my first time being in that huge beast of a city! Lol

Ps thinking of taking a go pro to take pics/vids of the game... Anybody ever purchased one of these cameras before?
Reviews? Advice? Tips?

Pss I need to buy a nice Gurley/Goff/ or Donald jersey... Any suggestions where to get a quality one that will get to my house before the 16th of sept?

I thank you ahead for any help making this trip a crazy unique and wonderful experience!

-Corbs

to watch ...

WR's (2 or 3 available positions) :

Brian Quick
Nelson Spruce
Paul McRoberts
Mike Thomas
Duke Williams
Austin Hill


TE's (1 available position) :

Justice Cunningham
Temarack Hemmingway


RB's (1 available position) :

Chase Reynolds
Aaron Green
Terrence Magee


OT's (2 available positions) :

Isaiah Battle
Andrew Donnal
Darrell Williams
Pace Murphy

Center (1 available position) :

Eric Kush
Demetrius Rhaney


DL (2 available positions ?) :

Cam Thomas
Eugene Sims
Ian Seau
Morgan Fox


LB'ers (2 or 3 available positions ?) :

Josh Forrest
Cory Littleton
Cameron Lynch
Brandon Chubb
Nic Grigsby


CB's ( 2 available positions) :

Marcus Roberson
Coty Sensabaugh
Troy Hill


While there are some unmentioned positions & players, I believe they are settled.

I'm already convinced guys like Longacre & Hager make the final 53. jmo.

I know some on here do, but just asking.. Here's a picture of one of my first Carolina Reapers. That is a devil tail on it. I'll post more pictures of my plants/garden later. I have Reapers, Scorpions, Ghosts, and Jay's Ghosts that are chest high. Looks to be a good year.

Fisher really doesn't look good with a man purse.

Joyner acting like a pouty whiny bitch after being kept out of practice for being ejected for fighting in the previous game. Seems to have worked as he did look better against Denver.

Ever seen Kroenke being hugged ? Tavon Austin layed one on him for his big new contract.

Talib needs a big, big fine after his cheap shot on Keenum.

What a difference a week has made for Ogletree, looking lost early, looking like the vet he is against Denver. Definitely better focused.

Rick Gullicksen (The Reaper) handing out pink slips in the cut down to 75.

Only one more episode, next week. It's gonna get cut throat.

Practice Report 8/30: '50/50' Chance Goff Starts at Minnesota

By Myles Simmons

[www.therams.com]

With one final practice Tuesday morning, the Rams have completed their training camp at UC Irvine.

As is well known, the franchise has been a fairly nomadic since its relocation was announced in mid-January. At long last, the Rams will have a place to call their permanent home — at least for the next few years.

“We have a huge challenge ahead of us not only with respect to the game, but also what’s going to take place when we get back,” Fisher said. “So we have to cut down the final roster and then we’ve got to pack up and head to our next home in Thousand Oaks.”

“We have a lot of work to do over the next couple of days, but I’d say by the middle part of the week, we should be ready to go [at Cal Lutheran],” Fisher added. “We should have any glitches at all.”

But even though the preseason practices are over, there is still work to be done on Thursday night against the Vikings. The Rams will head to Minnesota Wednesday afternoon for the final exhibition matchup, which will be the second NFL game played at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“It’s cool — it’s neat going into a new place,” Fisher said. “So looking forward to seeing the job that they did.”


Playing time likely has been determined, but Fisher declined to offer specifics on Tuesday. Across the league, however, many teams will traditionally not play their major contributors hoping to prevent a season-changing injury.

Nevertheless, Fisher said there’s a “50/50” chance quarterback Jared Goff starts the contest, and we’ll, “have to wait and see” if he does.

Should Goff start, it would likely mean quarterback Case Keenum — who remains in line to start Week 1 — has the night off. And Sean Mannion would handle the remaining snaps.

Goff said he has not been informed of whether or not he’ll be the first signal-caller on the field. But if he is, he’ll be ready for it.

“If that’s the case, then it’d be great,” Goff said. “It’d be something I’m more used to — in kind of getting out there and going in right away, as opposed to trying to warm up again on the sidelines. But whatever it is, I’ll be ready.”

The quarterback said he was able to learn plenty from his experience of playing the vaunted Broncos defense last week.

“Very beneficial — obviously, they’re the defending Super Bowl champions, and their defense is a big reason why,” Goff said. “They were good the other night — [we] didn’t score a touchdown. Really solid defense, so this week it will definitely help.”

Fisher said he’s looking to see Goff continue to take steps in his progression this week by continuing to get the ball out quickly and making the proper calls at the line of scrimmage.

“There’s no telling what we’re going to get out of that defense — it’s a very talented defense,” Fisher said. “So, it’s just improve the decision-making process, which he’s done each and every week.”

As for others on the roster who may get snaps, right tackle Rob Havenstein was active in practice on Tuesday and could see his first preseason action of 2016.

But by and large, this final preseason contest will have plenty of young players who will be motivated to put good plays on film not just for the Rams, but also for 31 other teams who may be potential employers.

“We’re going to go out and try to win this football game and evaluate some players,” Fisher said. “And there’s still a few players who have an opportunity to show us some things as far as an opportunity to either make the 53 or the practice-squad roster.”


When it’s all said and done, the Rams will have completed over 20 practices at UC Irvine and four preseason games in preparation for the season. With all of that work, there’s no doubt the Rams are in better shape than they were at the end of July.

“I think from a health standpoint, we’re in good shape right now. We’ve got some guys we’re counting on coming back — obviously we’ve lost a couple guys. But overall, coming out of camp, I think health-wise, we’re pretty good,” Fisher said. “Condition-wise, we’re in good shape. I think mentally and emotionally, we’re ready to compete. And we are — I mean, everybody improves from Day 1 through the end of camp. So I think we’ve done that.”

“And the guys understand the preseason games, and they understand that there’s a lot of things that go on out here from a football-scheme standpoint that we don’t do in preseason games,” Fisher continued. “So they have that realistic picture about them.”

And so as the preseason comes to a close, one factor that’s nice to have happened was getting two Ws to commence a new era in L.A.

“Regardless of what happens tomorrow night, it was great to get the two wins here at home to start off,” Fisher said.

RAMS FINALIZE FIRST ROUND OF CUTS

The Rams formally announced their cuts to reduce the roster to 75 players. Los Angles waived safety Jordan Lomax on Tuesday to complete this round.

As reported yesterday, the Rams waived kicker Taylor Bertolet, tight end Benson Browne, safety Michael Caputo, defensive tackle Zach Colvin, offensive lieman Brian Folkerts, linebacker Darreon Herring, long snapper Jeff Overbaugh, wide receiver David Richards, tight end Jake Stoneburner, tackle Jordan Swindle, and quarterback Dylan Thompson. The club waived with an injured designation fullback Zach Laskey and wide receiver Marquez North.

Additionally, Los Angeles terminated the contract of defensive lineman Quinton Coples, who had signed with the club in March.

Having followed the Ram for the better part of 50 years, each pre season has me hoping for the best and drinking the Kool-Aid. This year I'm taking a more sober approach like I did last year. I felt last year the OLine would hold us back and Gregg's gambling ways would cost us some games. I wasn't wrong.

This year, the OLine depth is sooooo much better but still half a season from gelling into a top flight unit. Case is serviceable and Jared needs seasoning. Defenses will continue to load the box on Gurley and Cunningham. The TE's and receivers will have to earn respect and they are not going to get it from DCoordinators until they regularly get burned mid and deep...which won't happen until Goff takes over and proves able to handle NFL blitzes while this OLine proves it can sustain 4 or more seconds. While the offense will improve, middle of the pack production is as much as we can reasonably expect.

The defense will continue to get gashed by screens and a short passing game until Williams decides it's better to win as men rather than by funky schemes. Sometimes you gamble and win, but you frequently lose as well which wastes the talent. Due to the DLine dominance and improved offense, this unit will rank in the top ten but there will still be three or four non division games that will leave us scratching our collective heads over how we gave up 500 yards against...

Special teams will again be solid as Hekker and Austin will shine and The Leg will bounce back to better than average.

This looks like a winning team, but a year away from being elite. We simply need Goff, Higbee, Cooper, Spruce, J Brown, Ogletree, and Alexander to get a year of seasoning in their respective roles. Maybe they stay healthy and make a late season run.

I remain hopeful but predict a 9 win season

These are selected questions and answers. To read the whole chat click the link below.
***********************************************************************************


http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_25?Page=0

Jim Thomas - NFL Chat

After game 3 what is your honest opinion on the Rams upcoming season? Without a good look at #30 and #11, it's been hard for me to judge the progress or lack of.

Case Keenum has played pretty well in the preseason, better than I thought he would. Jared Goff still looks a little lost to me _ not as far along as I thought he would be at this time. I thought the defense played very well in Denver, although the first-teamers were out there for only a couple, three series.

Cornerback looks like a concern, especially with E.J. Gaines being constantly nicked up during camp/preseason. I don't think this team has as much depth as some recent editions, so they can't afford too many injuries.
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Can you see the Rams signing a veteran WR that may be cut by another team?

Always possible. And I noticed that James Jones is officially on the market.


-----------
Think the rams go with 5 or 6 receivers?

Fisher usually goes with five. But because of the injury situation with Spruce and Cooper, I could see them going with six _ at least early in the season.
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What are the chances that WR Brian Quick makes the 53 man roster?

Could be wrong, but I don't think the Rams have many other options at this point.
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Tavon Austin has never surpassed 500 yards receiving in a single season. The Rams realize that, right?

I know what you're saying. I'll be curious to see how the money breaks down when the contract is filed with the NFL Players Association. Sometimes the reality of these contracts is different than what's announced. I also realize that the price of signing players only goes up. The Rams want to sign some of their core players and have decided that Austin is part of that core.

What seems like an outlandish contract now, may not seem that way in four or five years. But even saying all that, Austin is being paid like a No. 1 receiver and despite his moments of electric plays isn't anywhere close to a No. 1 receiver. Very interesting to see how Boras/Groh use him this season.


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Is it weird for you that you have not stepped foot in Rams Park in months after being in that building for so many years.

I've been keeping busy so haven't had too much time to think about it. But yes, after 21 years of a certain routine it has been different not being at Rams Park this time of year. A part of me misses watching practice every day.
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How did we lose out on a expansion team in the early 90's

Here's the Cliff notes version. The expansion process dragged out so long, that the expansion fee grew to a point where it was out of range for Jerry Clinton, the area beer distributor who was heading the St. Louis effort. James Busch Orthwein, from _ yes _ THAT Busch family, was brought in late as the money man. Clinton held the stadium lease, but didn't have the money to finish out the expansion process. Orthwein had the money, but didn't have the lease. Clinton wanted the power to run the franchise; Orthwein said if I have the money I want final say.

That split couldn't get resolved in time _ Carolina got the first expansion team. After a month's delay _ designed to give St. Louis time to get its act together _ the second expansion team was awarded to Jacksonville, which had dropped out of the expansion derby earlier in the process, but was talked into staying in the race by then NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
------------
Jim, in your opinion would Keenum be able to start for one other team in the NFL?

Well, let's see. Maybe Cleveland, maybe Houston. San Francisco.
-------------
Will Colin K make the 49ers?

It was interesting that Chip Kelly said Kaepernick currently is among the team's top two quarterbacks, which would indicate that yes, he makes the 49ers' final 53. But Kelly also said he doesn't have say over who makes the final roster. So make of that what you will.
----------
Have the Arizona Cardinals made any effort to capture an audience in STL?

Not that I'm aware of.
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Back to back games against sf and sea to open should either expose this team or prove they are finally ready to turn the corner. Doesn't 0-2 or 2-0 kinda set the tone in your opinion?

Keep in mind, Fisher's Rams have generally done their best work in the division, and struggled outside the division. With that track record, the worst you want to be after Week 2 is 1-1.
------------
Rams on the path to another 6 or fewer wins season! Defense will be worse with the defection on some key pieces. Offense will still be bad, with no real QB and a poor receiving core. Finally, they have hamstrung the cap with the TA signing.

Let's go Chiefs



We'll see. I came away from my weekend in Irvine at the start of camp thinking they looked like a five or six win team. But they've actually played a little better in the preseason than I thought they would, particularly on offense. And keep in mind, even with the Tavon Austin extension, they should have plenty of money this offseason. I'm wondering if LB Alec Ogletree is the next player due an extension.
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Jim, you're a diligent man. A part of you must despise what this forum has descended into. It's now only 5% football... and the rest cryin' on your shoulder. I've always enjoyed your work, and will continue to read your columns. But this may be my FINAL forum. There's not much of substance here.



Thanks for checking in, and best of luck to you.
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Putting aside London, do you see even a glimmer of light at the end of this dark tunnel that suggests a team (like the Jags) could end up in St. Louis in the next 5 years?

I don't see anything happening over the next five years.
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Based upon what I see the Rams offensive game plan this year will be Gurley, Gurley, Gurley, punt.



No. 30 certainly will get a lot of work. But the Rams need to pass the ball more effectively to get over the hump.
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Also, what was Snead's comment about 'pairing Austin with #30 and our tight ends' all about? What marvelous receiving tight ends do they have?

I have always thought Kendricks was underutilized. And the Rams seem to be very high on draft pick Tyler Higbee, but he has had durability issues in the past.
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Is Tony Romo's injury the least surprising development of the NFL preseason? The only person who didn't see this coming was Jerry Jones.



Just the third play of the game for Romo, and it wasn't really a hard hit. Avril was trying to knock the ball out, not hammer Romo. If Prescotts continue to play like he has so far this preseason, maybe Romo's absence won't matter much. But Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office did seem late to the party when it came to finding a possible successor or at least a competent backup.
-----------
You picking the Cardinals to take the NFC West?

I think you have to pick the Cardinals in the West with Seattle nipping at their heels.
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How do you see the rams DL shaking out? Longacre sure looks like a keeper.

Fisher always seems to keep an extra defensive linemen or two on the final roster. So I'd be surprised if Longacre doesn't make the team. That could make five DEs _ Quinn, Hayes, Sims, Westbrooks, and Longacre.

Unless I'm missing something, I see only three DTs right now on the final 53 in Donald, Brockers, and Easley. But keep in mind, Hayes usually slides inside on passing downs and Westbrooks can play inside as well.
-----------
What were the draft picks the Rams gave up to get Goff?

The Rams gave up a first-round, third-round, and two second-round picks in the 2016 draft, plus their first _ and third-rounders in 2017 in exchange for the Titans' first_, fourth-, and sixth-rounders in 2016.
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Who will the Rams lock up next, tru, donald

I think Johnson, Donald, and Ogletree are all in the on-deck circle so to speak.
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It will be fascinating to watch the Rams train wreck unfold in LA. The LA RAMS fans have no idea what is in store for them. I kind of feel bad but not really.



We'll see. You don't really wish the LA Rams fans 12 straight non-winning seasons do you? Or a five-year stretch of 15-65?
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comments on Goff's game 3 play? Also how did Mannion do? seems like he was playing with the 2nd and 3rd string lines.

I've only been able to watch the first half of the Denver game so far, so can't speak on Mannion. I'm sure he was operating behind the second_ and third-teamers though. Goff seemed like he looked a little more poised, but 4 for 12 is 4 for 12, and he was lucky that wasn't a pick 6 by ex-Ram Darian Stewart.
---------
Any word on what will become of the Dome? Cant see it being used for soccer, just maybe they leave it as is, and another team with stadium issues has a place to move?

Don't think it's going anywhere. As the months and years go by without NFL football, I'll be curious to see if it's being used more often for conventions, trade shows, concerts, etc. as the convention center people seemed to indicate would be the case once the Rams left.

With the high school football playoffs not in St. Louis this year _ I think they're in Springfield, Mo. _ and with no Missouri-Illinois or Gateway Classic game, the only football game in the building this season may have been the Legends of the Dome game!
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What is your favorite NFL venue in which to cover a game and why, please.

Without a doubt it remains Lambeau Field, because of the history, the tradition, the success of the Green Bay franchise. Although I will say it's lost a little of its charm due to recent renovations. But the atmosphere around the stadium on game day is fantastic, from the Cheeseheads to the hunter's orange later in the season. If I was a burglar, I think I'd operate in Green Bay on a Packers game day.



I'd give the silver medal to CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Game in and game out, it's the noisiest venue in the league with all those over-caffeinated 12s. (There's literally a Starbucks or Tully's on every corner.)



The bronze medal goes to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City _ home of tailgate heaven and the Sea of Red.



Honorable mention to University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. It took the Bidwills 20 years to get their stadium, but when they finally got it, they did it right. Logistically, the setup is very convenient to the media. And throughout the stadium, they pay homage to their gridiron past in St. Louis, and local football history at all levels. Very well done.
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Jim, I wish the LA Rams fans all the successes we have enjoyed in the past decade. May they replicate every single one.

There you have it.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-4-gLlF0uw

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Apparently Teddy Bridgewater was hurt pretty badly today. That's not good for the Vikings. Can AP throw the ball?

Yeah, I just heard that a few minutes ago on Bridgewater. First indications are that it could be serious, although I haven't been able to check the news wires while I've been on this chat. What a blow that would be if he was seriously hurt. I've talked to scouts who think very highly of the Vikings, think they could be a Super Bowl contender.

(I'll check for you, Jim)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...idgewater-suffers-apparent-injury-in-practice
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Jim, does Fisher have the pottiest mouth, so to speak, compared to other Rams coaches? Watching hard knocks, every other word is the F word. Nothing new for hard knocks but Fisher and Co seem to use it 10 times more than others.



Oh, I think he's pretty much mainstream on that. Mike Martz, for example, could cuss up a storm when riled up.
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Are the Chiefs Super Bowl contenders? And what are the chances the Chiefs stay on television in the STL area for all 16 games?

Yes, I think they are. Denver's not going to be the same with Siemian, Lynch, or even Sanchez this year. New England has to go one fourth of the season without Brady. Maybe the Steelers make a push if they can stay healthy. But the Chiefs as you saw just got Eric Berry under contract.

Hali and Charles should be ready for the opener. They are a very, very solid club with a very good coach in Reid. As for Chiefs games on regular-season TV, not sure. Depends on the ratings...
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Jim, I know as a journalist, you're not supposed to have a rooting interest. But, are there any teams you might follow closer than others going forward?

I'm sure I'll still be keeping my eye on the Rams, but I have always liked the Packers and Steelers, so I'll probably be watching them on Sunday Ticket more.

Our plans are to spend more time covering the teams nearest St. Louis _ Kansas City, Chicago, Indy, Tennessee. We'll still have some Rams coverage as well.
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Seems like Goff has a durability issue in addition to having bad pocket awareness. The pressure will be on the Rams to show off their new QB...do you think they may cave in before Goff is ready?

Goff has a slender frame, and if you put the truth serum in Jeff Fisher, I think you'd find a coach who's concerned about keeping his quarterback healthy. Already this preseason, Goff was pulled out of the opener when his shoulder got dinged.

He had X-rays after the Denver game for a tailbone/back issue. Hard to say on when Goff makes his debut. To a degree, it depends on how Keenum is playing _ and he's played pretty well this preseason. But also the won-list record will influence the decision.
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Rather have a 15-65 team than no team and apparently so would all the people so upset the rams moved.

I call it the bad pizza theory. Even bad pizza is better than no pizza.


---------
I have been to games at every NFL city through the years and the one thing that always struck me over the years the Rams were here was the lack of any sustained, interesting, unique attempt at involving the fans before, during and after the games. It seems every other team had some sort of clever, unique way to interact with the fans while the Rams had a shopping cart-catching-football-on-a-parachute game that went on for years, fairly lame halftime shows and nothing post-game.

Other venues had pre-game shows (Seattle 12th man and the Baltimore marching band for example) and halftime shows that got the fans early and kept them in their seats. Now I totally understand that we are all their for a football game, but it's like they never made an attempt to actually connect the team to the fans at the one place they had an opportunity to do so. You've been to them all, your thoughts?

There's some merit to what you're saying although I thought the Rams' game-day presentation improved over the years. But some of the things they tried were pretty lame, like having the guy on the scoreboard video _ was it a pro wrestler? _ telling the fans when they should clap. I think if there had been more tailgate areas around the dome it would've helped the entire game-day experience, but much of that space was gobbled up once Lumiere Place came into being.
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Hey Jim is Lamarcus Joyner helping this team? I am not a fan

I really liked Joyner coming out of college and he's an interesting person to talk to, very sincere and passionate about the game. But at this point, I'd have to say I was expecting more from him on the field. This is his third NFL season, and usually if you don't see it in season No. 3, it's not going to happen with an NFL player. So this is a key year for him.
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Goff does not look like a #1 Draft pick to me! Does he to you?

Not at this point. But that can change.

(Come on man. Goff has played sparingly in three preseason games. And this "He doesn't look like a #1 draft pick" crap begins already. Give the man a chance to develop. Lots of NFL QB's bloomed late in their careers. There's an interesting article on this topic at the link below).

http://www.footballperspective.com/how-long-does-it-take-great-quarterbacks-to-break-out/
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What's your take on Kaepernick's protest? Tempest in a teapot? I think we can mostly agree that he's a bit misguided, but what does he hope to accomplish? It doesn't have the same impact when the message is delivered by a 2nd tier player IMHO.

I haven't given it a ton of thought. But I am glad we live in a country where you have the freedom to offer an opinion, even if it's one you may not necessarily agree with. And this is coming from someone who has two Army officers went to West Point knowing they might die for their country in the line of service.

NFL players have a lot of free time in the offseason. And Kaepernick has a lot of money. I'm just wondering if he will actually try to do something about the issue? For example, Aeneas Williams is a preacher in Ferguson, he engages the community and at least in involved in dialogue on the issue and trying to make things better.


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Who was the former Rams you thought had the most potential but their career was cut short by injury?

Tight end Ernie Conwell was strong and fast, and had a horrific knee injury, I believe, in '98. Now, he did play for several seasons with the Rams and New Orleans, but it would've been interesting to see what would have happened were it not for the injury. The same holds for Sam Bradford, whom I wrote about Monday after catching up with him in Indy. He was playing some of his best football before both of his knee injuries. I know there were other issues involved, but he did lose 1 1/2 seasons of his career.

And let's not forget about Trent Green and what he might have been able to accomplish in 1999 where it not for that fateful preseason game with San Diego and Rodney Harrison crashing into the back of his leg with a hit that didn't have to be made.
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Who were you least favorite Rams players you ever had to deal with? Favorites?

Lawrence Phillips was a headache on multiple levels. As for favorites, too many to mention from Isaac Bruce to Leonard Little, D'Marco Farr, Toby Wright, Warner, Holt, Laurinaitis, William Hayes and on and on. . . .
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Is he injured and I missed it? He didn't play at all against the Broncos.

OK-we are into the last week of preseason and the team we saw last week (starters and 2nd stringers) is the 2016 Rams. As a 40 year Rams fan...Here are my thoughts on how the season will transpire:

• Rams will stick with Keenum as long as they are winning. My gut tells me after 6 to 8 games, the Rams will be .500 after a 2 game loosing stretch and it will be time to hand over the team to Goff.
• The defense will have its best year of the Fisher era. They have the talent to be a top 5 unit if the weak CB position can be held down by Gaines.
• The offense will be improved, but far from dynamic. I expect Gurley to gain between 1,700 and 1,900 yards.This will open up the passing game and the new comers; Higbey and Cooper will help create more space for either Gurley running the ball or the QB to find more open receivers. I expect the unit to fall somewhere between 15-20th in most categories.
• The team will field 5-6 pro bowlers in 2016. Donald, Hecker, Gurley will be back and Quinn, Tree and Tru will be added. There my be some others that breakthrough in Austin, TJ and Barron.
• Fisher and Snead will produce enough to be retained. The Rams will toy with a playoff spot all season and with an eventual transition to Goff, the arrows of progress will be pointing into the right direction.
• I am going with a 9-7 record with some breaks possibly leading them to a 10-6.
• After one of the most amazing off seasons (Move, Trade, Hard Knocks), the season will be one of the most satisfying ones in a long time!!

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/08/30/nfl-philadelphia-eagles-2016-scouting-report

Scouting Philadelphia: Carson Wentz Will Be the QB Before Thanksgiving
Is it really such a bold prediction? Sam Bradford has too many flaws to keep the starting job
by Andy Benoit

Carson Wentz will become this team’s starting quarterback before Thanksgiving. If the more experienced Sam Bradford were an old steady veteran, that’d be one thing. But Bradford is up-and-down in several core departments of professional quarterbacking, including: precision accuracy, pocket poise and coverage diagnosing.

He struggled mightily in Chip Kelly’s system early last season, and that’s a system built on basic reads and route concepts. If there had been a high first-round rookie QB behind Bradford last season, he likely would have been benched.

Doug Pederson’s scheme is user-friendly, like Kelly’s, though in slightly different ways. Remember: Bradford, like Wentz, has never played in it before. And while Wentz faced lower level competition at North Dakota State, he still had complete command of that pro-style offense.

He called protections at the line of scrimmage; he adjusted running plays; he made audibles; plus his reads often weren’t dictated by the play design, but rather, by the defensive look. He’s more prepared to play than a typical rookie QB.

http://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-r...ams-te-tyler-higbee-going-back-to-his-wr-ways

Alden Gonzalez

IRVINE, Calif. -- Rookie tight end Tyler Higbee lined up on the outside for 11 of the Los Angeles Rams' snaps in Denver on Saturday. He was isolated on five of those. On two others, he was part of a trips formation. And on four others, he was stationed between two receivers spread out wide.

"I did that a little bit in college," Higbee said, "so it’s cool getting out there and being able to kind of create some mismatches, get a linebacker out of the box or something like that."

Higbee was a wide receiver through high school and during his freshman year at Western Kentucky, before outgrowing the position and transitioning to tight end. He averaged 14.6 yards per reception as a sophomore, junior and senior, compiling 13 touchdowns over a span of 22 games. When he slipped to the fourth round of the 2016 draft -- a product of being arrested for second-degree assault, public intoxication and evading police 18 days earlier -- the Rams took him with hopes that he would contribute immediately.

"We’re putting him in some situations that he wasn’t asked to do in college," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said, "and he's handling it very well."

Higbee caught five passes for 49 yards in the preseason opener, then missed Week 2. He was targeted a team-best six times in Week 3, which ended in a 17-9 loss to the Broncos. Lance Kendricks, who has racked up 1,633 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over the past five years, remains the primary pass-catching tight end. But the Rams will no doubt utilize the 6-foot-4, 243-pound Higbee, a freakish athlete who can rack up yards after the catch.

Rams running back Todd Gurley previously nicknamed Higbee "Little Baby Gronk," a reference to the Patriots' superstar tight end, Rob Gronkowski.

Higbee, 23, has watched Gronkowski closely in his four years as a tight end. But he's gone back further, pulling up YouTube highlights of Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, who basically re-defined the position.

"He dominated," Higbee said. "I’ve looked him up, watched some of his highlights, some of the things he used to do back in the day. He's a man."

Some additional notes from Monday's practice ...

• Jared Goff, who suffered a bruised tailbone on a vicious tackle from linebacker Vontarrius Dora, and Case Keenum, banged up on a late hit by Aqib Talib, both went through practice unrestricted. Fisher still hasn't mapped out playing time for his top two quarterbacks leading up to the final preseason game in Minnesota on Thursday.
  
  
• Offensive lineman Rob Havenstein, who has been rehabilitating a foot injury, practiced with the team for the first time in training camp, though he was admittedly rusty. Havenstein started 13 games at right tackle as a rookie last season. Fisher hasn't ruled him out for Thursday's preseason game, but it seems unlikely that he will play.
  
  
• The Rams will have Thursdays off in a typical week during the regular season. They used to be off on Tuesdays, like most teams, but have found that players get more out of Thursday off days, because they've had two full practices installing the game plan.
  

So I was just debating myself on what particular thing I absolutely love most watching our current Rams players doing and have a huge debate. I'm trying to decide what gets me most excited when I see a Rams player achieve or get in a certain position that is absolute must see, analyze every split second, edge of your seat, hold your breath and feel that thrill and excitement swell up in you and I think I finally narrowed it down to that split-second Tavon Austin is breaking into the open field is my absolute highest craziness I get.Knowing any and everything can happen with him in which I'm surprised it's not Gurley with being a former running back.

Anybody got theirs?

That split Second you see Gurley get into the open field or
that flash when you see Aaron Donald get into the backfield...
A QB tossing one long?

@-X-