Rams tweets etc. … 8/15 – 8/17

Jim Youngblood 53@53_jim70721
[Kevin Long v. Kevin Carter] Different types, of course. Carter, by 1999, was 300 pounds. Was a power player. By 1999 and 2000 he was moving to defensive tackle on passing downs at times (with Clemens and then Little at DE)

He was good technician but he was simply stronger than a lot of RTs & RGs

Long was a speed player, an arc rusher, hustle, non-stop motor. More like Grant Wistrom, though Wistrom was right side. Long was elite edge rusher–when healthy and at his prime.

Carter much more durable … but for LDEs — they were not same type of left edge, IMO

watch how Kevin Carter
1. gets hands inside RT's hands and pushed them up
2. then extends right arm
3. while also clubbing RT's right hand
4. then gets his arm under while still leg driving
5. closes

baiscally 4 moves – forklift, long arm, wrist club, rip pic.twitter.com/kPDtO2sddf

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 15, 2025

Brandon Thorn@BrandonThornNFL
“Offensive line play has skilled involved but a lot of it is about believing that you can do it” – Travis Frederick

Simple, but hard. Over my 8 years of attending OL Masterminds hearing from hundreds of NFL OL across eras this has been a constant theme as one of the keys to success.

With this established as a foundational aspect of being good at the position the question to me becomes “How?”

My answer would be to master the fundamentals first. Stance, start, weight distribution, posture and footwork. Reps and time. Reps and time with the guy next to you is even better. Diligent, smart and consistent film study both of your opponent and of prior successful players/units with your body type and/or who operated in a similar scheme. Success leaves clues but so does failure. Learn from both of those examples.

It’s a complex topic but that’s my initial thought and where I’d start

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/17/rams-pff-grades-chargers-preseason-best-worst-players/85700618007/

Rams PFF grades: Top 5 offense

OL KT Leveston: 89.8
OL Justin Dedich: 85.5
WR Xavier Smith: 76.3
WR Mario Williams: 73.9
WR Brennan Presley: 72.9

Leveston allowed one pressure, which was a QB hit, but he was excellent in the run game. He had a team-high 93.6 run-blocking grade.

Dedich allowed zero pressures and also had an 81.1 run-blocking grade.

A trio of receivers was also among the Rams’ top players, which should be no surprise based on the big plays each guy made.

Rams PFF grades: Top 5 defense

OLB Keir Thomas: 90.2
DT Desjuan Johnson: 85.1
DT Jack Heflin: 78.0
LB Elias Neal: 77.4
CB A.J. Green III: 75.4

Thomas had one pressure in the win and also had a tackle, continuing to play well this preseason in limited action.

Johnson had a total of five pressures, two more than any other Rams player. It was a great performance by the former seventh-rounder.

Heflin stood out against the run with a 76.8 run-defense grade, as did Neal with his team-high 79.4 grade in that department.

Green’s coverage was outstanding, allowing just one catch on five targets with two pass breakups.

Stetson Bennett, grip it and rip it for a touchdown

hard to throw a pass any better

safety from the right hash couldn't get there, also pretty flat angle, but still wouldn't have gotten it there. pic.twitter.com/sXG1NdHUXX

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025

ESPN ranked the Rams linebacker corps dead last at 32… but there’s no way this group is the worst in the NFL. Young, hungry, and ready to prove it. 💪🐏#RamsHouse #NFLRankings #Linebackers #LARams #Underdogs pic.twitter.com/biDXFId3rZ

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) August 17, 2025

from https://ramblinfan.com/4-los-angeles-rams-players-show-up-among-nfl-preseason-leaders-you-never-saw-coming

P Ethan Evans – Gross punting average

Ethan Evans has punted five times this preseason and is averaging 63.4 yards per punt. That’s an enormous accomplishment, as he’s nearly seven yards ahead of the next closest punter, Kansas City’s Matt Araiza. But not everything is perfect. Thanks to poor punt coverage, Evans’ net average sits at just 38.0 yards per punt, ranking him among the worst in the NFL.

“Who needs Randy Moss!?”

Brennan Presley had a game he will never forget! Over 100 yards receiving, including this miraculous Hail Mary snatch! At 5’8. Strong hands!

The set up for the game winning TD pic.twitter.com/Siim7vbBqj

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) August 17, 2025