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The LA Rams kickoff their 2020 campaign at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. This is an extremely important game for the Rams as they expect to compete with the Cowboys for a NFC playoff berth.
Unlike most seasons where we have OTAs, full training camps and preseason games, 2020 is marked with question marks and uncertainty across the board. Rookies don’t have as much time to acclimate and new coaches have an uphill battle implementing their schemes in an abbreviated preseason.
Speaking of which, the Cowboys onboard three coaches: Head Coach, Mike McCarthy, Defensive Coordinator, Mike Nolan and Special Teams coach, John Fassel. The Rams onboard Defensive Coordinator, Brandon Staley and Special Teams coach John Bonamego. Whichever coaching staff was more successful at implementing their systems might determine the outcome of this game.
Both teams are evenly matched and will focus on their strengths. For the Rams, that means lining Aaron Donald across from Connor Williams and Joe Looney. Both offensive linemen are good – not great and would be a focal point of attack for the All Pro defensive lineman. Speaking of offensive linemen, star right tackle, La’el Collins will miss the game due to injury meaning newly acquired tackle Cam Erving will get the start.
The Cowboys will run their offense through Zeke Elliott, who along with Tony Pollard amassed 263 rushing yards in last years matchup. The Rams have big question marks at linebacker so perhaps using a defensive back like Terrell Burgess might help slow down or at least stop the bleeding if Elliott and Pollard go off.
Offensively, the Rams will look to have more balance than they did in their last meeting. The running game faltered with only 22 rushing yards. Look for the three-headed monster of Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and Malcom Brown to combine for 100 yards. This will be paramount in keeping the Cowboys defense on their toes.
While the ground game is critical, the Rams and Jared Goff should look to exploit the Cowboys suspect secondary. Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson are the superior unit when matched up against cornerbacks, Travon Diggs, Anthony Brown and Chidobe Owuzie. Passing should be the easier route, but let’s hope McVay sticks with the running game so Goff and the WRs can get an even bigger advantage.
Last but not least, it will be our first glance at kickers Samuel Sloman and ex-Ram Greg Zeurlein. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game came down to a field goal.
AgamemnonYeah, Sunday night we get to see footballllllllllllllllll. It will be a lot fun to beat Dallas. Too bad, we won’t have Lewis and Robinson.
AgamemnonThat stuff is sort of OK. But it is not the holy grail of Salary Cap. Like it is ok, to go to 65% of cap for X number of playersl. X = 8 – 12. If you go over that you don’t have enough money to fill out your rooster.
All that data is here.
Agamemnonhttps://www.therams.com/video/mcvay-jalen-ramsey-contract-extension-looking-ahead-cowboys
This has video of all the latest Press Conferences. Hit the ‘rotate’ thingy to see them all.
Agamemnon
That gives the Rams an additional $7.5 million in cap space this year, potentially opening the door for a Cooper Kupp extension.
The other day, I said $8 million. $7.5 million is close enough. 😉
Agamemnonhttps://www.dawgnation.com/football/jr-reed-2020-nfl-draft-prospect
J.R. Reed has strong NFL bloodlines as he enters the 2020 NFL Draft
JR Reed probably knows a good bit more about the NFL than some of his fellow prospects, as his father played in the NFL for 12 seasons. Reed is the son of former Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jake Reed.
Reed’s uncle also spent some extensive time in the NFL, as his uncle is Dale Carter, who was a four-time pro bowler and two-time All-Pro. Reed is also cousins with 2020 NFL Draft prospect Nigel Warrior, who played at Tennessee.
Thanks to his upbringing, Reed has grown accustomed to tough coaching and has a good idea of what it takes to be a successful player for some NFL team.
“My dad was tough on me, too, growing up,” Reed said in 2017. “So, I know that it comes from love and when [Smart’s] coaching, I know he doesn’t mean any harm.”
JR Reed measurables for the 2020 NFL Draft
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 202
40-yard dash: 4.54
Broad Jump: 130 inches
Vertical Jump: 34 inches
J.R. REED @Jr_Reed1 is the BEST SAFETY in the world!!!
#GoDawgsz pic.twitter.com/v45R7uOENb
— GEORGIA HEROES (@GeorgiaHeroes) September 22, 2019
Agamemnonhttps://www.si.com/college/georgia/news/georgia-football-jr-reed-jacksonville-jaguars
J.R. Reed Waived by Jacksonville Jaguars
Brooks Austin
Sep 6, 2020
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jim Thorpe award semifinalist, J.R. Reed was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. And now, he’s back on the free agent market after having being waived by the Jaguars. Reed didn’t exaclty turn heads during camp, but according to Demtrius Harvey of BigCatCountry who was at training camp informed us that the Safeties weren’t really even allowed to hit during camp. So, Reed dind’t get the fair shake he normally would have with preseason games.
Despite having made a drastic impact on the Georgia defense for three straight years, Reed wasn’t exactly atop the draft boards and projections.
The production of J.R. Reed at Georgia was off the charts, but the intangibles that Reed graced the program with were arguably even more valuable. When a play needed to be made, J.R. Reed seemed to find himself in the right place at the right time. Never was this ability encapsulated better than his extremely instinctive and aware interception vs. Notre Dame in 2019.
Ultimately Reed may have slipped some in the draft due to evaluators questioning his ability to play centerfield so to speak in a pass-happy NFL. It’s likely the same thing that’s kept him off the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. That and the fact that he wasn’t given the opportunity to impress through preseason games. However, Reed is extremely effective in the box as a force defender and an extra hat versus opponents’ run game, which could have him picked back up in the NFL sooner than later.
AgamemnonSean McVay says that “it is the hope” that the Rams get a deal done with WR Cooper Kupp this week.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 9, 2020
Agamemnonalyoshamucci
September 09, 2020 02:47PM
Kid is a fierce leader and I had him ranked in the 3rd round area. Basically just below Burgess. AgamemnonThe Rams can get all the money they want, by converting a portion of Ramsey’s salary this year(13M) to a signing bonus. Converting 10M of that saves they 8M this year.
AgamemnonSome additional clarification on this: Because Lewis landed on the NFI list during the season, he is actually eligible to return as early as Week 4 instead of Week 7. So he will miss at least the first 3 weeks instead. https://t.co/AifdoTrWki
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 9, 2020
Agamemnon#LARams transactions:
* Placed OLB Terrell Lewis on Reserve/NFI list
* Signed RB Raymond Calais to 53-man roster
* Signed DB J.R. Reed to practice squad— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 9, 2020
AgamemnonBecause Lewis had an actual procedure – I would speculate a scope – and the team picked up Justin Hollins, there is no real reason to rush him back with a 3-week IR designation, especially with his long-term future in mind. NFI makes a lot of sense here.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 9, 2020
Re-upping terminology this year.
NFI – Six weeks, then return to practice.
Minor injured reserve: Can come off after three weeks
Actual injured reserve: 8 games— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 9, 2020
Agamemnonhttps://tunein.com/podcasts/Sports–Recreation-Podcasts/11-Personnel-p1252813/?topicId=157161286
BREAKING: Rams Make Ramsey the Highest-Paid CB Ever
9/9/2020
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue and Rich Hammond of the ’11 Personnel’ podcast react to the record-breaking contract extension for CB Jalen Ramsey.Duration:00:09:15
Agamemnonhttps://tunein.com/podcasts/Sports–Recreation-Podcasts/11-Personnel-p1252813/?topicId=157143468
Thoughts and Questions Before a New Rams Season Begins
9/8/2020
The first game of the Rams season is just around the corner, and Jourdan Rodrigue and Rich Hammond share their thoughts on the team’s roster after final cuts, lingering questions about some position groups, their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, and more!Duration:00:45:51
AgamemnonLocked On Rams – Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Rams »
Brad Mader joins Sosa Kremenjas to discuss the 53-man roster and the Dallas CowboysFormer host Brad Mader joins Sosa Kremenjas to discuss the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster and whether or not there were any surprise makes or cuts in terms of players. The duo also discusses the practice squad, in addition to what the Rams need to do in Week 1 to beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
AgamemnonHappy Tuesday.
Here are some highlights of the best defensive player in the NFL, @AaronDonald97. pic.twitter.com/DZFWgsk1Sb
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 8, 2020
Agamemnon.@JalenRamsey making everyone around him better 💪#HardKnocksNow | @vanjefferson12 pic.twitter.com/IxVwLwdGfZ
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 8, 2020
Agamemnonhttps://www.therams.com/video/mcvay-start-of-week-1-running-backs-roster-moves
There are a couple more videos here, too.
AgamemnonRams expect Justin Hollins to be active Sunday, will play OLB and ILB
Rams expect Justin Hollins to be active Sunday, will play OLB and ILB
Cameron DaSilva
37 minutes agoAfter the dust had settled on the Rams’ final roster cuts this weekend, it was impossible not to look at the inside linebacker position where only three players remained. That was only until the Rams claimed Justin Hollins off waivers from the Broncos one day later, adding a versatile linebacker who can play inside and outside.
Hollins may not be a household name or even familiar to Rams fans, but the 2019 fifth-round pick has experience in a defensive system similar to the one Brandon Staley is installing in Los Angeles. That connection to Staley is what led the Rams to claim Hollins, Sean McVay said Monday.
“That was huge. I mean that’s the reason that we brought him in is because Brandon felt comfortable with him. He identified him as a guy that could really help us, has some familiarity with what we’re doing schematically, can contribute really on defense and on special teams,” McVay said.
Hollins has already arrived in Los Angeles and got in his first day of work with the Rams on Monday. McVay expects the former Broncos linebacker to grasp the defense quickly, and his versatility will be on display in L.A.
It sounds like Hollins will begin at outside linebacker, but McVay said he can play inside, as well.
“He was here, he looks good,” said McVay. “He’ll be a quick study that has some versatility on the edge and if he has to drop inside, talking about an inside linebacker, but he’s a guy we’re excited to be able to claim. We had kind of identified him as somebody that we wanted to be able to utilize that spot, that we were going to be able to get for A’Shawn Robinson (going on the NFI list). That’s something that we’re excited to be able to have Justin in the building. And today was his first day with us.”
As for when Hollins can expect to suit up and make his Rams debut, that’ll be on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. McVay said “the plan is he’ll be up” for the season opener, likely because the Rams are seriously lacking linebacker depth with Travin Howard out for the year.
Expectations should be tempered for Hollins early on, but it’s clear the Rams have a more defined plan for him than they did with Kenny Young after they acquired him from the Ravens last season.
AgamemnonLA Rams Final 53-Man Roster & Practice Squad | LA Rams Talk
t’s September 6th, which means the LA Rams have trimmed their roster to 53 players and assembled their 16-man practice squad. It’s bittersweet in the sense that we welcome new faces to the team, however, we say goodbye to a few as well.
At first, the Rams trimmed down to 52 players, but then immediately signed former Denver Bronco ILB/OLB Justin Hollins off of waivers. As soon as the Rams signed Hollins, they poached RB Raymond Calais Jr. from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. Calais Jr., a seventh round pick by the Bucs was relegated to the practice squad after Tampa Bay signed Leonard Fournette.
Calais Jr. joins running backs, Malcolm Brown, Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and Xavier Jones on the active roster. That’s a lot of running backs to keep on the 53-man roster, but Henderson is dealing with a hamstring injury and Calais Jr. can also return kicks (averaged 28.5 yards per return in college) or serve as a gunner on special teams.
Hollins was a 2019 fifth-round pick out of Oregon and spent time with Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley helped convert Hollins from an outside linebacker to the inside and lobbied hard for the Rams to sign Hollins when he became available during the waiver process. Hollins is 6′ 5″, weighs 248 pounds and runs a 4.50 40. Expect Hollins to get lots of reps once he acclimates.
There were a few surprises, especially when it came to selecting a kicker. Seventh-round pick, Samuel Sloman won the job over two more-experienced kickers due to his accuracy and leg strength. Apparently, Sloman saved his best for last and impressed coaches with his booming kick-offs.
Other notable surprises were DE, Eric Banks and offensive lineman, Coleman Shelton. Banks didn’t post impressive college numbers, but has a history with Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson who coached Banks in college. Like Banks, Shelton didn’t receive any buzz during training camp and is one of 10 offensive lineman to make the active roster. Shelton can play all five positions on the line which is why the Rams kept him.
Hard Knocks star and Rams seventh-round pick, Clay Johnston did not make the cut and chose to sign with the Caroline Panthers who employ his dad and college coach.
In terms of the practice squad, the Rams kept QB Bryce Perkins, WR JJ Koski, TE Kendall Blanton, OL Cohl Cabral and Jamil Demby, LBs Christian Rozenboom, Daniel Bituli, Natrez Patrick and Derrick Moncrief, DTs Michael Hoecht and Marquise Copeland, DBs JuJu Hughes, Tyrique McGee and Dont’e Deayon and DE Jonah Williams.
Agamemnonhttps://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/analyzing-broncos-six-most-surprising-roster-cuts
Analyzing Broncos’ Six Most Surprising Roster Cuts
Justin Hollins | LB
A fifth-round pick in 2019, Hollins played defensive line and outside linebacker in college, but the Broncos tried him out at inside linebacker last season. Hollins had his moments but didn’t get on the field much.
That attempted switch may have set Hollins back a bit and made his 2020 prospects iffier. However, Fangio indicated Saturday that the Broncos would like to bring him back if he clears waivers.
If you like Hollins, keep your fingers crossed because there’s a good chance he gets added to the practice squad.
Agamemnondon’t know why he got cut. that’s my only concern. were the broncos that deep at linebacker and edge?
The way I understand it. Staley spent all year training him to play MLB, although he was an edge player in college, it was Staley idea to get him to play MLB. Somebody got hurt, so they moved him back to edge and he never really learned either position in the pros. I have no idea what Denver’s team is like, except they did want to keep him. They moved him to the PS hoping he would go through.
Agamemnon
