tweets & similar things … 5/22 & 5/23

Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Bengals’ guard Alex Redmond, who started 15 games last season, is being suspended four games for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Drug Policy, per @Kat_Terrell and me. Played last season with a torn labrum and hamstring injury, and made bad decision to try to help it.

Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
Credit the honesty.

While PEDs are never good, I have significant sympathy for a marginal player trying to speed up injury recovery to save/protect his job

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Brandin Cooks working to improve route running, timing with Goff https://t.co/ppyMguscFm via @theramswire

— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) May 22, 2019

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It's time for Wednesday Ranks. The RB edition. pic.twitter.com/KvwweEGwUR

— Adam Rank (@adamrank) May 22, 2019

Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore
https://theathletic.com/988418/2019/05/21/live-qa-with-rams-writer-vinny-bonsignore-on-wednesday-from-noon-to-1-p-m-pt/

Their plan going in [to the last draft] was to move down in order to collect more picks within those first 100 picks. They had multiple positions they wanted to address, and they felt at the end of the first round through pick 100 or so (maybe even further) offered pretty comparable talent. Had someone fell to them that they had a really good grade on, I think they make the pick. But all things being fairly equal in terms of grades from 30 to 100 or so, they wanted to get as many cracks as possible in that range

[Gurley this summer:] I absolutely believe he practices and will get work in during the joint workouts with Raiders and Chargers. I do not believe he plays in a game. I think they are confident they can manage whatever it is this year and beyond. I think the Henderson pick is as much about what he adds to the offense – along with Todd – as it is Todd’s status. But obviously Henderson is also insurance

[For Matthews:] I think 5 to 6 sacks, 25 or so QB hurries is within reason

I don’t think there is any question, provided they stay healthy, this is a Super Bowl-worthy roster. There are four areas I’m focused on (aside from Gurley of course) and that’s LG C ILB and NT. All of which will be manned by newcomers and, in most cases, most likely, second-year players or rookies. If those positions get locked down in a dependable way, this team is poised for another big year. Still an “if” factor, though

Really like how [Littleton] handled himself last year in his first year as a starter. And there is every reason to think he’s only going to get better. Guys like Cory – and the other second/third day draft and UDFA value Les Snead and his staff have uncovered are like finding gold for a football team. So important to be able to hit in that area of the draft and beyond when constructing a great roster.

Gaines is very highly thought of for the role they want their NT to play

[Sullivan] made all the line blocking calls, so it was a huge factor. That’s a void Brian Allen will obviously have to fill. I think skill-wise Allen has a chance to be an upgrade – bigger, stronger, younger etc…etc…but as John showed, the above-the-shoulder aspect is every bit as important.

[The McVay Rams:] The best way to put it is how guys who have played elsewhere have told me it’s so different here than in their previous stops. The culture is about teaching/communication/accountability. But it’s not just coach-to-player its player-to-coach and player-to-player. And dialoge and input isn’t just welcomed from player-to-coach, it’s insisted on and honestly heard and heeded. There is very much an everyone is all in and an active part of the process from Monday through Sunday.

Humanzze@humanzze
Clay won’t move to inside linebacker and put Fowler and Ebukam on the outside?

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
As of now they value him more as a movable piece to be deployed at various launch points

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Chris Long@JOEL9ONE
Typical day. Get on an interview to talk retirement. Get asked about NFL drug testing and I end up admitting I smoke the devil’s lettuce sometimes. Worst part is my three year old son sees it on his timeline before I can give him “the talk.” Emotionally drained.

Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
Players know the time period when the street drug test is administered. You shouldn’t fail it. And also, by this testing process, it’s clear the NFL doesn’t care too much about drug testing for street drugs. Hopefully it’s completely eliminated soon.

Chris Long@JOEL9ONE
The NFL only randomly tests for PED’s. The point I made earlier was that we’re tested ONCE yearly for “street drugs” and it seems arbitrary

Jeremy Nieves@JJSn0w
@VinnyBonsignore What is your take on what Mike Florio said about not being surprised if the #Rams don’t offer Goff a second contract?

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Nonsense.