tweets & stuff … 2/23 – 2/26 … w/ a lot of Hammond (added Tues.)

JackPMiller wrote:

We can slide either Austin Corbett or Coleman Shelton in at the Center position.

Right now those are roster names and that’s it IMO.

Blythe is an experienced NFL center. You or I have no idea whatsoever whether or not Corbett or Shelton can play NFL center.

And even if they can (and again we don’t have the first clue whether or not they can), they–and the OL–are better off sitting for a year behind Blythe.

Back in STL for the @XFLBattleHawks game! Man the dome still brings back memories. I got chills walking on the field with the smell of football in the air! Long story short I appreciate the city that gave me my first start! #BackInTheLou pic.twitter.com/eaybIHOeIZ

— Rodger Saffold (@Rodger_Saffold) February 23, 2020

Despite a severe physical limitation–hand size that was uniformly judged to be substandard–this resilient young man has managed to make something of himself… pic.twitter.com/4pKET3rYL4

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 24, 2020

==

Re: Joe Burrow’s 9” hands

Former Bengal and now Rams QB coach Zac Robinson also had 9” hands. He told me that it particularly gave him trouble in high humidity. Burrow lit up defenses with no problem in a gd bayou I’m not too worried about him in Cincy

— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 24, 2020

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Jared Goff was at the Clippers game in LA last night and the boo-birds came out for the Rams QB

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
We talked to McVay and Snead for an hour today, total. I’m writing about Gurley and the run game for The Athletic later. If you have any other questions, hit me here. If I have an answer, I’ll give you a quick answer here. If I don’t, I’ll tell you.

Jed Kim@jedk225
What would be the plan to replace Ted Rath as strength and conditioning coach (also get-back coach as well I guess)? Internal promotion or external hire?

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Sounds like external. McVay indicated that he’s been doing some interviews and that trainer Reggie Scott is heavily involved in this also.

Mike Mulia@MikeMulia1
Any update on contract restructures for players such as Goff, Cooks or Donald? Any update on Brockets’ free agency?

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
I asked about restructures and got the answer I expected… It’s not a button you push unless you think it’s absolutely necessary, because it just kicks the can down the road, but essentially they’re open to it if it’s the most sensible solution.

Ryan Kieckhafer@rlkieckhafer
Did they comment on how much input the new coordinators may have on the draft or FA? Staley desires diff types than Wade…

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Yes, more so Staley. No specifics in terms of what those nuances would be, but an acknowledgment that there would be some nuance there. Not really with O’Connell, as the offense remains McVay’s baby.

Ryan Kieckhafer@rlkieckhafer
Any news on returning FA’s? Whit, Blythe, etc

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Not sure what you mean by news. None have signed, no. Discussions ongoing. We’re not going to hear details of negotiations, although they sounded very, very optimistic about Whitworth.

Vandee@vandee101
Rich , In your opinion how does this years rank in comparison to the last 10 years? Marquee players , depth, etc.

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
It seems pretty strong in certain areas. Les was saying that you might see more WRs drafted in the first round, for instance, than the Watkins/Cooks draft. So there’s always ebbs and flows. Strong in some positions, weaker in others.

WorldWide Rams@WorldWideRams
Despite all the talk about Gurley and Cooks, could you see them looking for a dynamic receiver to draft and Trade the likes of Josh Reynolds? Draft is deep in explosive receivers for the second year

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Yes mentioned — I’m paraphrasing here — that you never write off a position. It would be pretty surprising though, given the needs the Rams are likely to have on the defensive side.

Rams fan@RagingRamFan
How significant of a priority is re-signing Austin Blythe? Does he most likely project as a starting G or C?

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Interesting tangential point to that…as of now, it seems neither Noteboom nor Allen will be ready until training camp. They mentioned weighing bringing back parts of last year’s line vs. looking toward the future. I get the impression Blythe would be center if he returned.

Beau Benson@beautbenson
Jalen Ramsey extension?

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Came up in the same breath as Kupp, Johnson and a couple others. It’s on the radar but there are priorities, and the upcoming UFAs are first in line.

TheMikeBar3@themikebar3
Thanks Rich. Are there, “serious”, talks going on with Dante, or is Sean just saying he wants to keep, but the price is too high. I also thought Whit would have been done by now, if he was staying.

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
They feel really good about Whitworth. It didn’t take too much reading between the lines to see they think it will get done. Nothing specific on Fowler but they mentioned how the combine is a good chance to get with agents and determine market value.

otto@lacroix_toy
how much of a factor is Higbee’s emergence in this whole equation?

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Some specific talk of how much Higbee helped Goff down the stretch and his value.

==

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
It probably won’t surprise you that Sean McVay, with about two seconds’ worth of thought, knew the last left-handed QB in the NFL: Kellen Moore.

You were John Robinson’s favorite RB of the draft too. How do I know? I was allowed in the draft room at the time. JR did all he could to try to convince management to switch their thinking…but to no avail. #DangIt

— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) February 25, 2020

#LARams combine coverage:

• McVay on the approach he's taking this week: https://t.co/bDPqvyHSnp

• Snead on franchise tag candidates, pending free agents, extension talks: https://t.co/S021hJVrme

• McVay, Snead confident in Gurley heading into 2020: https://t.co/DPZdTPtpe2 pic.twitter.com/opnN9CpPHE

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) February 26, 2020