tweets & other bits … 1/15

Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore

Do you believe being down to Philly 14-0 ‘exposed’ the Saints and gives the Rams more confidence or was the 1st quarter just a fluke that the Saints easily recovered from?

I’m sure the Rams noticed. But trust me when I say: They are confident, regardless, they can go to New Orleans and win if they play their game

I got Rams winning

I think this Rams team is as complete a team right now in the NFL. I think they’ve been tested all year in various situations and, for the most part, passed. I like where they are right now health wise and mindset wise. And I think the way they play travels well and can go to New Orleans and win a big game

Having Talib back for this game is really big, specifically for this. Wade has plenty of options on the back end. But anytime you’re dealing with a great player it takes a collective effort. And it starts up from getting pressure on Drew. Anytime you have No. 99 on your side, you are confident you can make life miserable for a QB. And I think they have confidence in some other guys being a factor as well. I think you’ll see some blitzing too. Key is to force Drew into throwing even just a little bit out of rhythm. Pushing him off his spot. Getting bigger bodies in his face

I really liked how the Rams LB’s played on Saturday. They looked active, fresh and prepared. And yes they will play a huge role in dealing with the Saints RB both in run support and in pass coverage.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they took some big-time shots downfield, especially early, playing off the heavy run look they showed last week. But I don’t think they’ll stray too far from what they did last week and really what they’ve been doing the last three games. But with Sean, you never know

rest assured, establishing a run game is huge for this offense. I expect more of the same from Cowboys games with some new wrinkles to it. Talib back is huge. And Fowler is much more in tune now with Rams after being here for eight games or so

C.J. told me some of what happened Saturday was he and Todd communicating with each other. Like” “I’m in a rhythm, let me stay on the field for right now.” or “I need a breather” But other times it was mandated by Sean because he wanted a specific guy to run a specific play

I expect the Saints to try to create heat on Jared in all sorts of ways. They have to. [He will have to] take care of the ball. Be accurate and decisive. Operate the Rams offense efficiently, especially at the line of scrimmage given the noise in that stadium. And I think there will be a handful of times where he’s gonna have to make big-time throws.

he’s one of the best in clean pockets. That’s why getting the run game going is so important, because it sets up play action which helps get Jared a little more time to see the field and throw accurately

from Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore

Do you believe being down to Philly 14-0 ‘exposed’ the Saints and gives the Rams more confidence or was the 1st quarter just a fluke that the Saints easily recovered from?

I’m sure the Rams noticed. But trust me when I say: They are confident, regardless, they can go to New Orleans and win if they play their game

…

I got Rams winning

I think this Rams team is as complete a team right now in the NFL. I think they’ve been tested all year in various situations and, for the most part, passed. I like where they are right now health wise and mindset wise. And I think the way they play travels well and can go to New Orleans and win a big game

Having Talib back for this game is really big, specifically for this. Wade has plenty of options on the back end. But anytime you’re dealing with a great player it takes a collective effort. And it starts up from getting pressure on Drew. Anytime you have No. 99 on your side, you are confident you can make life miserable for a QB. And I think they have confidence in some other guys being a factor as well. I think you’ll see some blitzing too. Key is to force Drew into throwing even just a little bit out of rhythm. Pushing him off his spot. Getting bigger bodies in his face

I really liked how the Rams LB’s played on Saturday. They looked active, fresh and prepared. And yes they will play a huge role in dealing with the Saints RB both in run support and in pass coverage.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they took some big-time shots downfield, especially early, playing off the heavy run look they showed last week. But I don’t think they’ll stray too far from what they did last week and really what they’ve been doing the last three games. But with Sean, you never know

rest assured, establishing a run game is huge for this offense. I expect more of the same from Cowboys games with some new wrinkles to it. Talib back is huge. And Fowler is much more in tune now with Rams after being here for eight games or so

C.J. told me some of what happened Saturday was he and Todd communicating with each other. Like” “I’m in a rhythm, let me stay on the field for right now.” or “I need a breather” But other times it was mandated by Sean because he wanted a specific guy to run a specific play

I expect the Saints to try to create heat on Jared in all sorts of ways. They have to. [He will have to] take care of the ball. Be accurate and decisive. Operate the Rams offense efficiently, especially at the line of scrimmage given the noise in that stadium. And I think there will be a handful of times where he’s gonna have to make big-time throws.

he’s one of the best in clean pockets. That’s why getting the run game going is so important, because it sets up play action which helps get Jared a little more time to see the field and throw accurately

J.B. Long@JB_Long
Per @NFLOfficiating, Bill Vinovich and crew — who also officiated the Week 9 game in New Orleans — have been assigned to the NFC Championship Game.

FWIW — very little, if anything — Rams are 0-8 since 9/10/06 with this crew.

Among the “greatest” hits: MNF at SF 2016, Week 9 at NO, Week 15 vs PHI.

Suffice it to say, they’re due. (And this is a very well-respected crew that will allow the players to decide the outcome.)

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Saints’ left guard Andrus Peat struggled Sunday, but there’s a reason for it. Peat broke his hand during the Saints’ final regular-season game, underwent surgery during the bye week, then played Sunday vs. Eagles through serious pain, per source.

Lindsay Jones@bylindsayhjones
We spent so much of the year thinking there were only four teams with a shot at the Super Bowl. By December, we believed the field had completely opened up. Yet here we are in January back with those four teams in the championship games.

Alden Gonzalez@Alden_Gonzalez
The Cowboys gained 50 yards on the ground. Ndamukong Suh: “Fifty yards is too much, in my opinion.” If that’s the case, can’t imagine what he thinks of 273.

Evan Silva@evansilva
Especially with Sheldon Rankins out, this big fella set to play a huge role as #Saints face #Rams offense that’s piled up 40+ rushing attempts in 3 straight games.

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The @RamsNFL have rushed for nearly 700 yards the past three weeks and Jared Goff has been sacked just twice. In other words, the O-line is handling thangs. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/0d6jr9k0JS

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) January 15, 2019