InvaderRam wrote:

i think this is a reasonable expectation. the offense should be better than last year. but more than that. i think the defense will be better. this will result in more turnovers, better field position, and maybe even some more touchdowns.

Agreed. I’d be happy just to see the D get more 3-and-outs. That would help as much as anything. Giving the Rams D a chance to rest, and the O to ground-and-pound.

wv wrote:

Cassel is an ok QB, but if they cant beat the
Vikes at home…well…
===============

w
v

The Vikes didn’t win a road game last year. Let’s hope that streak continues.

No penalties. Ha Ha! Just kidding. Try to keep it under 10.

No turnovers.

Slow down AP.

Tight press coverage. None of this bullshit 10 yards off the receiver when it’s 3rd and 5.

Just win.

Agreed. It’s Britt and Quick. If they can beat man coverage, just every now and then, this offense can move the ball.

Now add in some Austin, not a lot, just a “biggish” play every now and then. Plus a play or two from him on special teams. We’d have something special on offense.

This team could win 10. I’m not gonna bet the farm on them winning 10, but I think they have a good chance.

I think Sam will get a phone call.

We’re still a week away from the season starting. Except the GB/Seattle game on Thursday.

Lots of teams could use a decent pass rusher. Sam is smart, everyone has seen the high motor and hard work. He could learn his job pretty quick on any team. When it’s 3rd and 17, everyone needs a pass rusher at DE. It’s not complicated. Get after the QB, and watch for the screen on your side.

As for the “distraction” – once the season starts, the season becomes the story. Maybe teams are waiting to get closer to opening day before giving Sam a call? I don’t know. How difficult is the play book for a situational pass rushing DE? Leonard Little figured it out. And he certainly wasn’t the sharpest tack.

At the end of the day, business is business. And the only thing that matters is winning (ok, and money). If a team believes that adding Sam will make them a better team, then they’d be foolish not to add him.

And yeah, there’s a chance Sam won’t get a call. It seems stupid to even think it, but yeah, it could happen.

The Rams are building one hell of a football team. Hard to believe this team was 2-14 just 2 full seasons ago.

wv wrote:

Hard to imagine the Rams having a winning season
if they cant win a home game against
a team like the Vikings.

w
v

Ouch. But true.

My guess, and that’s all this is, the Rams see a LOT of Adrian, some quick throws, and a few play-action shots down field. Probably to Patterson. The Rams D needs to be very aware of screens, especially early in the game. Slowing down the pass rush is gonna be a big deal for the Vikes. A good running game, some successful screens, and several quick passes will help take the steam out of the Rams front 4.

If the Vikes fall too far behind early, they’re toast. Their QB won’t survive our D-line.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Winnbrad.

Play backups only. See who can play, who knows the play book, who’s hustling.

Cut the rest of’em.

I hate preseason.

I feel the same. It hurts losing Bradford because, again, he was looking sharp. But this team isn’t like Denver, Green Bay, Indy, New Orleans, etc. Those teams have to have their #1 QB under center or they won’t win 5 games. How many games did Green Bay win last year without Rodgers? None, I think. Maybe they tied one.

The Rams can still win games. Making the playoffs, I don’t know. I’m guessing the Frisco D takes a big step back this year. Lots of injuries and at least one suspension I can think of. That helps us. Seattle still looks monstrous.

zn wrote:

I don’t know if that’s anyone here, but it’s out there, on the net.

#1. Hill is better than any goll-durn rookie.

#2. They used the picks to build a solid team. If it works out that next year they bring in a expectations-setting namebrand rookie, he is better off coming to a solid team.

This whole get your qb and build the team around him thing is wearing on me. It should be the other way around.

That’s regardless what everyone says when it’s draft time.

Roethlisberger went to a solid team. They didn’t need him to spread his wings overnight. Flacco, same. Wilson, same. Kaepernick, same. Foles went to a team that already had probably the best OL in the game. Dalton, same. Rodgers, same.

After years of seeing *what* *happens*, I think it’s the better way.

So personally I don’t care whether or not they have some namebrand rookie. Hill will be better than any of them could be this year, and next year if they add one (which they probably will) that kid, whoever it is, will be better off coming to a team with some receivers, some experience, some maturity, an OL, and a defense.

.

Yep.

That’s all I wanted to add.

Just a “yep”.

I’m too sad to add more…

I don’t recall ever seeing a player with a torn ACL walking to the locker room.

zn wrote:

You guys might have to just break down and buy the online p-s game package.

It’s now just 14.99.

https://preseason.nfl.com/nflpl/secure/packages?ttv=3

If you have budget-conscious wives, offer to go without something.

You mean like sex? No wait…

They changed it again. The Saints and Colts are on at 1pm on the NFL network.

You should set Auto Pick to take the “Best Player Available” (BPA), and not worry about it.

99% chance you’re gonna win your league that way. 🙂

Have fun!

There are a lot of different ways it can work.

The GSOT had Bruce, Holt, Faulk, and then tacked on the speed of Hakim, with the chain moving ability of Proehl.

Pats: Moss (deep threat/alley-oop guy) and Welker (chain mover) worked great, long before Gronk and Hernandez appeared.

Colts: Harrison and Wayne, coupled with a great TE (Clark) and a pass catching back (James or Addai).

Pats again: Gronk, Hernadez, and the chain mover Welker.

Saints: Colston, Graham (Best receiving TE in football), Sproles (dump-offs/screens/the chain mover), Moore (another chain mover), and then Henderson and Meachem.

Packers: Everybody

Those are some of the recent, best passing attacks, imo.

But they all have two things in common: Great QBs, and coaches that will chunk it downfield from anywhere on the field.

The current Rams can’t match any of that, but I agree they can be very successful throwing the ball if they have a running game. Just the threat of running the ball effectively is enough. Sometimes the threat is greater than the execution.

The questions (for me anyway):
Can Britt and Quick consistently beat one on one coverage after a play action fake?
Can the O-line stay healthy and give Bradford time to look deep?

I’m not concerned about Bailey. He’s suspended for 4 games and is useless for a month. When he comes back, I hope he contributes.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Winnbrad.