NFL Stats@NFL_Stats
Most expensive defenses in 2024:

#Steelers – $145.8M
#Packers – $124.5M
#Bears – $116.0M
#Falcons – $115.8M
#Chargers – $115.6M

Cheapest:

#Rams – $44.1M
#Chiefs – $75.1M
#Lions – $78.3M
#Eagles – $79.4M
#Broncos – $79.7M

Most expensive offenses in 2024:

#Rams – $176.4M
#Chiefs – $153.9M
#Cowboys – $137.0M
#Colts – $135.9M
#Giants – $133.9M

Cheapest:

#Steelers – $66.5M
#Packers – $73.0M
#Chargers – $78.0M
#Buccaneers – $79.7M
#Titans – $81.7M

from https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5727310/2024/09/02/nfl-teams-rumors-russell-wilson-skepticism-davante-adams-trades/?campaign=5888993&source=dailyemail&userId=603890

Los Angeles Rams: Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s handle on the offense is admired in the building. This might be a small example, but he made a slight adjustment with a play call during one practice this summer that had the entire offense gushing on the sideline, including coaches and players who were listening on the headsets. There’s so much respect around the league for Stafford and head coach Sean McVay that the Rams are expected to be NFC contenders once again.

zn wrote:

Brian Baldinger@BaldyNFL @RamsNFL @beaux_knows_showed throughout preseason that he belongs on the Rams 53. @RazorbackFB link for vid: https://x.com/BaldyNFL/status/1830646667697070169

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/9/3/24234914/rams-rookie-beaux-limmer-praised-film-study?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=turfshowtimes&utm_campaign=socialflow

Jourdan Rodrigue, from:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5738891/2024/09/04/los-angeles-rams-observations-preview-week-1/?the best of an already tough situation.

Players/coaches/topics we aren’t talking about enough

Because the Rams so outperformed expectations in 2023 with a relatively unknown group, I have decided we should probably get ahead of a couple players and coaches people should be talking about:

• Avila. I think the second-year lineman has a real shot at cementing himself among the best in the NFL this season.

• Jordan Whittington. The rookie receiver was my sleeper way back in the spring, and will clearly factor into the offense in some way this season (though isn’t a lead target). Whittington was a former running back whose catch-and-run ability is more fullback-like, if a fullback was also pretty dang fast.

• Eric Yarber, receivers coach. Can this veteran coach get more attention for churning out receiver after receiver who McVay couldn’t have dreamed up any better for his system over the years?

• Ryan Wendell, offensive line coach. Wendell’s work with not one, but three potential starting centers this summer is notable as was his management of backups Warren McClendon and Joe Noteboom at the tackle spots when the starters got hurt.

• Aubrey Pleasant, pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach. People ask me every year, “who is the next coach to ascend out of McVay’s staff?” This year or in the coming years, I believe it’s Pleasant — who is, at the very least, on a defensive coordinator track.

• Braden Fiske. I didn’t want to make a big deal about how Fiske was moving in the early days of camp because players didn’t have pads on. His hands were right, and so were his feet. When pads went on and later when the Rams got into joint practices, it became clear that Fiske could match his technique with power, speed, and a tenacity that will probably irritate offensive linemen over time. Fiske rarely finishes a practice without one of his pants/tights getting ripped to shreds because he just doesn’t stop churning his legs through blocks. Am I now making too big of a deal about the rookie second-rounder? Probably. But when he pairs with first-round pick Jared Verse (who also very much looks the part), you can see why the Rams’ staff was so excited to get them together.

• How much the Rams like all three of their running backs (Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers) and all three of their tight ends (Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long).

• The run defense minus Aaron Donald. I believe the Rams will find ways to get pressure, but I remain skeptical about how the smaller-sized, still-developing group will fare against physical running schemes, particularly those they will face in their first three games this season (Lions, Cardinals, 49ers).