I am cautiously optimistic about McCutcheon. The TC reports have all been good and he followed that up with a strong showing last night. IIRC, the knocks against him in the draft reports were a lack of speed and subpar route running (someone feel free to correct me on that if I’m remembering that wrong). Perhaps a guy can make the NFL if he is lacking in one of those areas, but it seems unlikely if he is lacking in both.  I guess that route running can be coached up, but obviously speed is a different story. What made McCutcheon’s night so impressive for me were the two TD’s. Both came in very different circumstances, but both were contested catches. If he can do that consistently versus starting calibre NFL db’s he could carve out a role as receiver in the league and the develop as a route runner along the way.

zn wrote:

Josh Kraushaar@HotlineJosh “The [abortion rights] counterattack will be led by a woman. And there’s only one woman on the Democratic side of things who has the network and reach to underpin and underwrite a national movement. That woman is Hillary Clinton.” Gail McGowan Mellor@authorpendragon Counterrattack will be led by Gen-xers and Millennials, who outnumber Boomers, and Blacks, all with skin directly in this game. Stop looking at every crisis as My Chance for a Comeback, Clinton. This is not about you. You blew it, did enough damage for four lifetimes. Sit down. The American people are profoundly decent and on the same page on almost every progressive issue you could name. We’ve been taken over by a White Christian Nationalist totalitarian cabal, a rabid minority, backed by billionaires and Putin. We’ll win.

On a kinda related note…

For years I had voted for whoever the Green Party candidate in my riding was, in both provincial and federal elections. I always knew that they didn’t have a hope in hell of winning but I didn’t care, it was a matter of principle to me. They seemed to be fighting for more of the things that I believed in than the other parties. I no longer vote Green and I now vote strategically against whoever the conservative candidate happens to be. With the lack of empathy and outright cruelness that I see  from both the federal and provincial Conservative Parties up here, it just seems too risky to do anything other than to vote strategically in order to keep them out. I hate that I’ve adopted this way of thinking, but after watching the tactics of the right down there I am seeing the same things starting to happen in Canada.

Here’s a video about buying a gun in Canada.  This is from 2016, so some of our regulations have likely changed, I’m certainly no expert on gun ownership in Canada. There is often talk of more regulations being needed or regulations needing to be  altered or relaxed depending on who is in charge federally. Anyway, AR-15s are not banned up here and  it’s not like we never have mass shootings up here, but it certainly doesn’t seem to be the issue that it is down there. I find it frustrating to hear American conservatives say that regulating gun ownership won’t make a difference and it’s about mental health, but access to mental health services seem to be extremely limited in many places in America. Anyway, I am no expert on any of this. It just hurts to keep seeing it happen and then  listen to how conservatives respond.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by canadaram.

Even though I already knew exactly who the rams were playing, seeing the actual schedule with dates attached to each game makes the schedule suddenly seem very daunting to me.  The only game that I feel confident about is the Falcons game.

Ourlads on Dicker

Four year starter, Austin, TX. Dicker is both a kicker and a punter who has a chance to start day one in the NFL as a placekicker. Had a successful career at Texas on field goals, kickoffs and punts. He went a perfect 15/15 on field goals at the NFL Combine. Has a calm demeanor that should help him handle the pressure of kicking on Sundays. Has solid field goal range and a very repeatable motion. Has a chance at getting drafted or becoming a high priority free agent in this year’s draft. 2021 stats: 49/50 PAT, 13/15 FG, 47 – 2200 yds punting, 46.81 avg, 72-4546 kickoff, 63.14 avg. Seventh round/PFA. (A-30 1/4, H-8 7/8).

Ourlads

Three-year starter, Rock Hill, SC. Transferred from Clemson for the 2021 season. Has played on national championship teams at two different schools. Transitioned to corner from wide receiver in 2019. Fluid athlete with excellent athleticism. Movement skills are a strength as he can quickly pedal in off coverage and easily changes direction in lateral transitions. Maintains cushion and spacing on receivers and has a smooth turn and run. Closes space well and is rarely out of position. Shows ability in press man coverage with mirror ability and enough speed to stay in phase with most receivers. As a zone defender shows ability to balance multiple routes and read the quarterback. As a deep outside corner can lateral run quickly to close on a deep corner route from the inside. As a former receiver, shows hands for the interception and when in position can make plays on the ball. Quick to break on the play when in front. Willing tackler but struggles to take on a stalk block and is easily moved out. Struggles working against physical receivers in press. Needs to be more consistent when transitioning from speed in pedal to getting into a lateral run. He is vulnerable to turning a receiver loose in the deep outside. Some of that is speed and some is timing on turn and run. Gets beat over the top more than you like. Kendrick is a solid athlete but functional speed is questionable.  With his style of play he could project to a nickel in the right scheme. At Clemson he was an outstanding returner and could make a team as a sub package corner and special teams player. The tools are there but will have to play in the right scheme. 2021 stats: 41 T, 2 TFL, 3 PBU, 4 INT. Fourth/fifth round. (A – 31, H – 9 1/8, VJ. 31, SS – DNP).

Ourlads

Third year sophomore entry, two-year starter, St. Louis, MO. Earned second-team All ACC honors in 2020 and won the conference’s Rookie of the Year. First team All-American in 2021. In a league where very few teams use a one-back system, Williams can be viewed as the ideal third down back in any offense. His skill set fits any role you want from that kind of player. He can run routes and catch the ball like a receiver, he can be fully trusted as a blocker, and he can create as a rusher in space. The team-first,  tougher- than-nails attitude and play style will be highly sought after by coaches if they have much say in the draft room. He is a safe pro, albeit with limited upside, that will be dependable in multiple levels. A rusher, pass catcher, and returner all wrapped into one that can handle 15+ touches weekly. Multi-purpose back with the skill set of both a receiver and running back. Elite in and out quickness that runs ultra-low to the ground, furthering his balance and precision. Hard target to square up for defenders. Anticipates and reacts to tacklers as if the game were being played in slow motion. Has a rare level of suddenness to him with the ball in his hands. Patient and crafty, will create on his own and doesn’t need much space to do it. Tough as nails and it shows up in all facets of his game. Delivers a violent pop as a blocker. Stays on his man and will fight as if he is protecting ahi’s family member. Will try to score a touchdown every time he touches the ball. Well below the ideal size for the position. Toughness and grit only go so far against NFL defenders. Needs to know when to take the sure yards. Will have a hard time pushing the pile and falling forward consistently. Long speed won’t create the big play, lacks the final gear to run away. 2021 Stats: 1005 yards, 4.9 ypc, 14 TD, 42 rec, 359 yds, 8.6 ypr, 3 TD, 15-151 PR, 10.1 avg. OSR: 28/28.  Third/fourth round. (A-28 5/8, H -9, BP- DNP, SS-DNP).

zn wrote:

Zooey wrote:

Rapp won’t get a second deal from the Rams. Better to start grooming a replacement now. And safety isn’t a strong spot on the Rams right now anyway. They had to hire a guy who was retired for two years to come in and play in the playoffs last year. That’s not sustainable.

…. They did need future depth though. No question.

And based on his limited playing time last year, it seems that Terrell Burgess is not a favourite of the current defensive staff.

Zooey wrote:

And Atwell can go join the Hall of Shame along with Trung Canidate, Mike Schad, Greg Robinson, Lawrence Phillips, Wayne Gandy, Jimmy Kennedy, and Bill Hawkins.

I would like to add Jason Smith to this list. I am also considering Tye Hill and Jimmy Kennedy. Will let you know.

We’re also isolating in our house as we deal with Covid. The snow in our yard is just below waist level so I am not doing any work in the garden.

Speaking of the Rams being Super Bowl Champions, the thing that brings me the greatest joy is knowing that the Rams beat the Niners in the Conference Championship on their way to becoming the best team in the NFL. I think about that daily.

wv wrote:

Btw, I predicted Kupp would be injured at some point this year. But he proved to be quite strong and durable. Instead, Higby, Woods, and OBJ went down. w v

Me too. Back in September I thought there’s no way Kupp gets through the entire season   without missing at least a game or two. His willingness to run after the catch is something you don’t see from every receiver.

Also, zn mentioned Mundt earlier in this thread. The Rams really missed his blocking in the run game.  I loved that McVay’s commitment to the run never wavered. I never would have predicted such a scenario back in November.

TSRF wrote:

No matter what happens today, nobody will care about it in 2000 years or so…

Thanks, that’s better.

zn wrote:

Los Angeles Rams UK@LARams_UK

A round up of the overnight awards:

NFL Honors – Andrew Whitworth won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award Cooper Kupp won Offensive Player of the Year Hall of Fame

Dick Vermeil enshrined Torry Holt snubbed

It is interesting to read fan reactions to the HOF announcement on social media. It seems the most outrage regarding players being snubbed was reserved for Zach Thomas. Not that that means anything, it could just be that Dolphins fans are the most passionate and are on social media more than any other fan base.

Anyway, clearly many Rams fans are bothered by Holt not making it. I am strangely ambivalent. Yet  I felt strongly about Bruce making it. I really wanted Ike to get in and was disappointed each year that he didn’t make it. I am not sure why I don’t feel the same way about Holt.

Please say hi to Jack for me. Also, please ask him for his home address as I have a few items that I would like him to sign.