tweets … 8/15 thru 8/17

Howard Balzer@HBalzer721
Interesting roster rule now for players claimed on waivers. Normally, a team awarded a player has to move someone off the roster. Now, claiming team gets an exemption until the player passes the testing and screening protocols.

from PFF: What all 32 NFL teams need to see from their 2020 rookie class
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-all-32-nfl-teams-need-to-see-from-their-2020-rookie-class

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LOS ANGELES RAMS: VAN JEFFERSON GIVES THE RAMS SOME QUALITY SNAPS IN ‘11’ PERSONNEL
With how often teams are running three-wide receiver sets in the modern NFL, having a good No. 3 wideout is often an underrated part of fielding a good offense. The Rams, of course, have been the poster child of 11 personnel under Sean McVay, running it on an absurd 91% of their offensive snaps during the 2018 regular season. Their usage tailed off significantly toward the end of this past season, but the 73% of offensive plays in which they ran it over the course of the year still ranked third in the NFL.

Why is this noteworthy? The Rams traded away one of their top-three wide receivers (Brandin Cooks) this offseason. Josh Reynolds has seen plenty of playing time over the past several seasons as an injury replacement, but he has two consecutive PFF grades in the 60.0s, so the Rams would ideally like to see the rookie Van Jefferson join Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in three-receiver sets. He’ll need to improve when it comes to handling physical cornerback play on his routes, but he has some speed to win deep and does a good job of separating with his route-running ability. Considering he’s already older than three-year veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Rams could look for him to make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Rams have 2nd-youngest coaching staff in NFL https://t.co/kojJcftHur

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) August 15, 2020

from https://theathletic.com/1994714/2020/08/14/nfl-roundtable-who-will-be-better-in-2020-the-rams-or-the-chargers/?source=emp_shared_article

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
The three keys for the Rams’ return to the explosive, creative offense we saw back in 2018 are: Establish a more consistent run game using a two-back committee (and utilize these backs in the passing game as safety valves), keep the offensive line healthy after a disastrously patchwork 2019, and quarterback Jared Goff has to be more consistent especially if and when his pocket breaks down.

So much of what Sean McVay does on offense predicates on the run, and when it isn’t moving consistently the Rams struggle. Having Akers in the lineup and Darrell Henderson healthy are both huge. Getting right tackle Rob Havenstein back and healthy is a big factor, too. But a big mystery is whether Goff can take this next step and operate coolly and efficiently under duress. It was a little telling that he worked hard on accurate front- and back-foot throws with his quarterback coaches this spring — throws a guy makes when he’s on the run.

I can see Akers and Henderson being used in tandem, similar to when the Saints had Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara on the roster. I also can see all three, with Brown included as a power finisher, utilized in similar fashion to how San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan rotated his backs last season.The Rams’ rushing attack will look different than it did last year, certainly, but it also will be better.

James Palmer@JamesPalmerTV
“He’s a competitive prick” – Eric Bieniemy on Patrick Mahomes and the mindset he has out at practice.

He actually said it twice. It was simply amazing.

==

Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy on Patrick Mahomes: "You guys have been around him, you know him. He’s a competitive prick, OK. He’s a great kid, but he’s a competitive prick. … He wants to be the best at whatever he can do. "https://t.co/3CBbugTHRV pic.twitter.com/HFc6jfknm8

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 15, 2020

StuJackson@StuJRams
Rams OC Kevin O’Connell said he and QB Jared Goff have “worked a lot” on Goff’s fundamentals – “his base, having a more athletic stance and posture throughout the sequence of a snap.”

“To me, what that’s translating to is his natural accuracy is truly something really special.”

Teams with most sacks in 2019

Steelers – 54
Panthers – 53
Saints – 51
Rams – 50
Vikings – 48
49ers – 48
Buccaneers – 47
Jaguars – 47
Patriots – 47
Washington – 46
Chiefs – 45
Bills – 44
Eagle – 43
Titans – 43

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) August 17, 2020

from https://www.therams.com/news/top-rams-news-mcvay-2020-coaches-super-bowl

CBS Sports says McVay is one of the five head coaches in 2020 with the best chance of winning his first Super Bowl

For the second consecutive year, CBS Sports ranked NFL coaches who have the best chance of winning their first Super Bowl during the upcoming season. For the second consecutive year, it likes Rams head coach Sean McVay’s chances.

McVay ranked fourth among the 23 coaches after being second among the 25 in 2019.

“During his three seasons in Los Angeles, all he’s done is compile a 33-15 record with (two) playoff wins and a Super Bowl appearance. Even in his worst season, he still managed to go 9-7,” CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech wrote as part of his explanation. “Although the NFC West is loaded this year, McVay has had some serious success in divisional play (13-5 in three years), which is a big reason why it wouldn’t be completely surprising to see him make a return trip to the Super Bowl.”

Breech’s complete rankings can be viewed here. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfl-coaches-in-2020-based-on-who-has-the-best-chance-of-winning-their-first-super-bowl-this-season/