Ourlads

Four-year starter, Appleton WI. Earned second-team All-Big 10 honors in 2021, third-team in 2020. Has seen action at both guard and tackle for the Badgers, majority of which was outside. His skill set best projects on the inside at the next level. Quickly gets off the ball and onto his man whether it is in-line or at the second level. The feisty fighter excels at staying square to his target which can somewhat hide his athletic shortcomings. His main issues arise in pass protection. The hands are late, and the sudden reactions are not good enough. Often gets walked back into the pocket and will not adjust well to secondary moves. Has the attitude and power to play inside, and his lack of pure speed will not arise as often. Can be a valuable, versatile backup with the small but present potential of eventually starting at guard. Well-distributed mass throughout his entire frame. Excellent initial movement post-snap with sudden steps while maintaining body control. Versatile tools that can credibly project to both tackle and guard. A try-hard blocker that excels at staying square to his target. Reaches the point of contact in space in a hurry and consistently gets a solid initial punch. Will recover well when initially beat, stemming from quality footwork and a strong base. Anchors well against the bull rush. Gives up too much in pass protection on the outside. Speed and quickness threaten him too much and will put him on his heels. Hands are late. Needs to work on upper body techniques and timing. Pad level gets inconsistent and does not have enough natural power to make up for it. (A-33 1/8, H-10 3/4, BP-DNP, 10 – 1.79).

Given the picks that they had,  I liked it. They addressed positions of need and they picked up a veteran in Troy Hill.  The Rams seem to know what they like with their db’s and have had success finding them late, so I have no ground to stand on when it comes to critiquing them. I remember not being impressed with Fuller’s 40 time at the Combine and I saw him as a special teams  pick when the Rams took him. He has turned out to be a gem of a pick. At one point this draft reminded me of the Rams 2003 draft when they took 3 db’s (Groce, Walton, Garrett), but then the db’s just kept coming. It will be interesting to see who makes the roster and who ends up on the practice squad or elsewhere.

The Rams running game was underwhelming last year, so I like that they seem to be trying to address this with the picks of Bruss and Kyren Williams.

I would have liked to see a punter added, but I am assuming that there is a plan in place or that they really like Riley Dixon. Either way I am sure that there will be another guy present at training camp.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 3 months ago by canadaram.

First time I have watched that. I like it. I’m still riding the wave of euphoria.

I will always remember 2022 as the year that I learned what “run it back” means.

My favourite Mic’d Up of all-time.

I stopped believing in the third quarter.

What a storybook drive to win the game. Aaron Donald finishes it off. Wow!  What a season from Kupp. Exhausted.

I feel queasy. Somebody do something to soothe me, please.

Come back, Ag.

I’m guessing that the counterfeit t-shirt people should have their “Bow up!” merchandise ready to ship in a few days.

I would be remiss if I let  this thread fade away without declaring my love for Cooper Kupp. I don’t know how he would have held up in a different era, but what he is doing in this era is incredible. The biggest game of the season might have been his best game of the season.

I’m still exhausted. I so desperately did not want the Rams to lose to the Niners. The next  two weeks will be a fun time for Rams fans. I’m glad that I was around for the McVay years.

The Niners defensive line dominated the Rams offensive line for most of the second half of their last game and seemingly for all of their first game on MNF. I don’t know how the Rams can possibly scheme for that. To win this game the Rams will need an extra possession or two, and a big contribution from special teams

I’m not confident.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by canadaram.

Lots of good things to discuss, but I’m too tired. Before I go to bed, I will say that A’Shawn Robinson was impressive. He was active and intense. I never talk about A’Shawn, so I thought that I would give him his props. I think that he will be pleased knowing this

I like how the defense responds to adversity. Even if Lamar Jackson wasn’t playing they made key plays when they needed to. They’re a scrappy bunch, but the pass defense seems vulnerable between the 20s. I’m not sure if the stats back me up on that, or it’s just my angst talking.

Fuller’s INT at the end of the first half was big, but it probably doesn’t happen if McVay kept the timeouts in his pocket and let the clock run out.

I’m glad that Akers didn’t play. If he dresses this week I hope that he doesn’t see the field. I’d rather the Rams rest him for as long as possible.

My fears that the Niners game would be meaningful have come to fruition. Stafford’s turnover problems have not gone away. Not an ideal scenario given that the Rams are playing important football in January.

My favourite scenario would be that whatever happens this week results in the final Niners game to being meaningless. I don’t want the Rams to have to play the SF with the division on the line. Ideally, I would like scenario where the Rams don’t have to play the Niners in the first round of the playoffs. If the Rams and/or the other relevant NFL teams could make that happen, I would be most grateful.

The Ravens pass defense sure seemed vulnerable yesterday. Similarly, the Rams passing game looked pretty shaky itself. I would love to see McVay become run-centric over the next couple of weeks. Five seasons worth of evidence suggests that won’t happen, but still.

xoxo