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June 7, 2026 at 4:40 pm in reply to: a late start…time for the thread on Trump atrocities, or “Trumpocities” #164388
znModeratorThis is a devastating interview.
Scott Pelley tells the NYT that Bari Weiss directly put a “thumb on the scale” for Trump over the killing of Renee Good.
Here’s his explanation of exactly what happened. pic.twitter.com/Kh56P1q7rM
— Niall Stanage (@NiallStanage) June 7, 2026
znModeratorMore on an issue that started in another thread:
Well the timing is important. They are arguing the Rams were sure at the time of the Simpson pick. And they hadnt offered Verse back then, had they?
I dunno, I guess they could have known that they were gonna offer Verse if they had to.
w
vI really don’t know, and you you’re probably right about Verse. But something made Jourdan say they were confident before the draft that they would get [Garrett]. Here’s what Rodrigue says in the article she wrote about the trade (it’s posted in the Garrett thread):
“Nothing was officially agreed upon until a few days ago. But by the NFL Draft, the teams’ joint confidence that they’d get the trade done in large part informed the Rams’ surprising pick at No. 13, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, multiple team and league sources said.”
The “more” I talked about:
znModerator.@RamsNFL @Browns @JaredVerse1 the Browns are getting a healthy and productive player in Verse who plays this violent game the right way…He can collapse a pocket against the very best OT's. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/4Zu0OrrmvJ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 7, 2026
znModeratorznModeratorLooks to me like there’s The Wire. And then, there’s a bunch of ‘pretty ok’ stuff. And then there’s a vast wasteland of shit.
I agree. The Wire is by far the best thing I’ve seen out of all the extended HBO and HBO-style series. “Rome” and “Deadwood” also rank pretty high for me.
There are many reasons to like it so much, but one of them is that it was written by people who worked in and studied that world.
But I also get the sense that unlike me, anyway, you are very rigorous in what you will endorse in terms of genres. For example I find value in kinds of films you apparently don’t. To me, the main thing is always narrative craft, and different genres approach that differently. (I’m not really cinematic per se, I mean I don’t forget that they’re movies and/or extended tv series in the HBO style, but really my thing is narrative.)
I am not trying to talk you into or out of anything, and I am certainly not framing this as “my way is better,” but I am very open in terms of genre, and will get into a wide variety of things, some of which you might not enjoy at all.
I can’t help being invested in narrative the way I am, or enjoying different kinds of narratives in terms of genre. I didn’t “choose” that. I don’t reason my way toward it. It’s just…my “thing.” But it might be, I think, different from your primary investments and interests when it comes to watching and judging stuff.
Don’t get me wrong–I don’t even watch tv. People around me will talk about their favorite series of the year, and I don’t even know what they’re talking about. The way I watch tv is to buy or rent the entire series and binge watch it.
Anyway. It’s interesting that we have what appears to be different interests and tolerances in film and tv narrative, but that we completely agree on The Wire.
znModeratorjust some movie moments — from dumb but likeable, to great
***
From “Watchmen.” For those who don’t know, here’s the set up. A rogue superhero ends the threat of pending nuclear world war by faking a scenario in which a godlike figure, Dr. Manhattan, has attacked mankind–thereby giving the US and USSR a common enemy. Dr. Manhattan has complete control over energy and matter, but until this moment has grown apart from mankind. He nevertheless accepts this fabrication, which rests on blaming him for something he did not do. The figure Rorschach, the guy with shifting mask, cannot tolerate the lie. His mantra is to never compromise. He insists on truth first, even if it ends the manipulated peace.
znModeratorfrom MMQB, Matt Verderame: https://www.si.com/nfl/what-we-learned-this-week-nfl-trades-extensions-retirement
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Aaron Donald returning to play with Garrett?
Upon news of the Garrett acquisition, Donald made headlines by not ruling out a potential comeback. Speaking to former NFL punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee, Donald said it has him thinking about a potential comeback after retiring two seasons ago.
At 35, coming back after missing two years would be rare, but not unheard of. As Albert Breer pointed out, the Rams have seen a similar scenario play out before. In 2021, needing help at safety, Eric Weddle came out of retirement after missing all of ’20 and ’21 before suiting up in the postseason, helping the franchise win its second Super Bowl.
If Donald were to return, he would join the league’s best defensive line that features Kobie Turner inside, along with Byron Young and Garrett on the outside. In 2025, that trio totaled 42 sacks and 82 quarterback hits. For context, the former number would have ranked 12th for entire teams last season. Now imagine adding Donald into the mix as the ultimate wild card.
For the Rams, it would fit what’s one of the biggest all-in pushes of recent memory. After this season, Los Angeles will see a slew of talent hit unrestricted free agency, including receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, tight ends Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson, offensive linemen Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila, and Turner and Young. The Rams will keep some, but certainly not all.
If not now, when? That’s true for Los Angeles. It might also be true of Donald.
znModeratorfrom PFF, Ranking the NFL’s 10 best head coaches entering the 2026 season: https://www.pff.com/news/ranking-the-nfls-10-best-head-coaches-entering-the-2026-season?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null
[me note: the rest, in order, are Reid, Shanahan, McDonald, Campbell, LaFleur, Ryans, Payton, Vrabel, and Jim Harbaugh. Rams play against those teams, counting division rivals twice, in 8 games.]
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1. Sean McVay, Los Angeles RamsThe poster child for hiring a wunderkind head coach, McVay has established himself as the clear top leader in football. The Rams head man has compiled a 92-57 record over nine seasons at the helm, including two trips to the Super Bowl — and a win coming in 2021.
What makes McVay unparalleled is his ability to blend game-planning with team success. Calling the offensive shots, McVay has propelled Los Angeles to three top-six finishes in EPA per play over the last five years. Most impressively, McVay has displayed an aptitude to evolve — such as going from more of a wide zone scheme to ushering in Matthew Stafford’s gunslinging mentality in 2021 to pioneering more of a 13-personnel approach in 2025.
In McVay’s nine years in LA, the Rams have netted a gaudy seven top-10 finishes in overall PFF grade. Plus, McVay’s coaching tree spans both conferences and continues to sprout despite him being only 40. Now, the league’s best will get to work with another loaded squad — one which just landed Myles Garrett.
znModeratorznModeratorI remember back when the Rams had fucking-super-talented monster OLines. In the 70’s and the 80’s. And they never won it all.
But in 2000 and 2022 when they did win it all, it seemed like they had one great Linemen and the rest were just ‘solid’. Dunno.
It’s unit cohesion too. That’s something that can be coached up, and it’s also something you can lose with multiple injuries.
The GSOT had Pace and Timmerman. Miller went on to play well with the Titans. Gruttadauria/McCollum and Nutten were solid.
I know everyone knows all this but I’m just getting it down in black n white.
I don’t think anyone argues an OL alone wins it for you. You had better have a top qb or a solid qb and an elite defense. But a mediocre and/or injury ravaged OL can derail either one of those 2 options (top qb or a solid qb and an elite defense). We know, we’ve seen it.
A good qb can help an OL be effective, but that’s a mutual synergy. It works the other way too.
A good OL coach can help shape that synergy, by getting the OL to play with awareness, cohesion, and good communication. Which is exactly what this OL is praised for doing. There’s a quotation in here somewhere, I think in one of the endless recent Haverstein vids, where he says an opposing defender told him during the game, I don’t know which of you is good but you guys play well together. Coaching develops that.
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znModeratorBrandon Thorn@BrandonThornNFL
The more OL I study, the more convinced I am that coaching/scheme/environment are the biggest hidden variables in how individual players and full units are perceived.Environment sets the floor. Talent determines the ceiling.
A better ecosystem can stop exposing a player and start maximizing what he already does well. Talent still matters, but OL play is uniquely dependent on whether the conditions around the player are raising the floor or cracking it.
znModeratorfrom Breer: https://www.si.com/nfl/inside-rams-browns-negotiation-myles-garrett-trade
Ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, the Rams were looking for pass-rush help, feeling the loss of 2021 deadline acquisition Von Miller. They’d called the Panthers, and after going way down the road on a Christian McCaffrey trade, before the 49ers landed him, they offered two first-round picks for Brian Burns. They made a similar offer to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby. And they went further with the Browns–a package that topped what they’d traded for Ramsey (two firsts and a fourth) for Garrett.
znModeratorThe MMQB@theMMQB
The Rams were ranked 23rd in @GManzano24’s defensive triplets rankings in 2025. Where do they check in now after acquiring Myles Garrett?***
from https://www.si.com/nfl/ranking-nfl-best-defensive-triplets-every-team-2026
1. Los Angeles Rams
Triplets: Myles Garrett, Nate Landman, Trent McDuffie
This new-look trio hasn’t played a game together yet, but it shouldn’t be difficult to plug in Garrett, perhaps the best player in the league, regardless of position. The challenge here may be getting L.A.’s new stars to play collectively and not just flex their muscles individually, and that’s where Sean McVay and his coaches come in as the right staff to maximize this star-studded roster.
znModeratorOn this episode of Bleav in Rams presented by FanDuel, Erin Coscarelli and Super Bowl winning tackle, Rob Havenstein find out what the last 48 hours at Rams HQ following the Myles Garrett trade according to LA’s offensive line coach, Ryan Wendell.
Wendell shares his reaction to the deal, what makes him one of the most difficult players in football to game plan against and could Aaron Donald really return?
He gives his perspective on how Les Snead and Sean McVay continue to find ways to make bold moves without sacrificing competitiveness.
(0:05-4:24) Myles Garrett trade reaction
(6:30-8:44) Game planning for a star pass rusher
(10:56-13:50) Potential Aaron Donald return
(14:00-16:03) Rams offensive line performance and culture
(16:23-17:15) Ryan Wendell’s weight loss journey
(19:44-21:31) Leadership and the new O-line room
(26:28-28:57) Traits of a successful offensive lineman
(30:37-32:10) Rob Havenstein’s transition to mediaznModeratorOn today's show: @Foxworth24 breaks down all the ways Myles Garrett is about to make the Rams even better…
"I have a hard time imagining how this DOESN'T work. pic.twitter.com/00CRF3QM8u
— The Domonique Foxworth Show (@FoxworthShow) June 4, 2026
znModeratorA 49er flying to Australia for the season’s first game, v. the Rams:
The flight is cramped, tiring and long,
But I have a schedule to keep,
And Myles to play before I sleep,
And Myles to play before I sleep.znModeratorfrom Ranking the NFL’s Best Offensive Triplets for 2026
Matt Verderame
https://www.si.com/nfl/ranking-nfl-best-offensive-triplets-2026
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1. Los Angeles Rams
Triplets: Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua
The Rams are the best team in football, and they have the best triplets as well. Stafford is coming off an MVP season in which he threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. He has the whole supporting cast returning, with Williams, who rushed for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns on 4.8 YPC, while Nacua amassed 129 receptions for 1,715 yards despite missing a game. When Nacua and Stafford are rolling, they’re the toughest combination to stop in the sport.
znModeratorGarrett has played in 131 games. In this discussion, the great LOT Terron Armstead talks about looking up a stat–how many games in his career did Garrett play with a lead of 7 points or more.
It was 8 times. In 9 seasons.
Five-time Pro Bowl tackle @T_Armstead72 has quite the expectations for #RamsHouse this season after trading for Myles Garrett:#NFL pic.twitter.com/W331uKVv8k
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 4, 2026
znModeratorYes, and there was a strong chance last year.
Okay. But I think that the addition of Garrett, Watson, and McDuffie makes this year’s chances so much stronger. Once the Rams defense got figured out after the bye last year, I don’t think that chance was near as strong.
Of course I am saying this way in advance of playing hands-in-the-dirt against live bullets.
So, it’s a strong chance.
znModeratorthe idea of playing with Garrett… it means no more triple teams on Donald. Now the OL has to double-team two guys? That means somebody is unblocked. There is just no way to deal with two guys like that.
So…a strong chance to get a 2nd ring?
znModeratorI wonder why AD is thinking about a comeback now. Why would the signing of Myles Garrett change any of his algebra?
w
vStrong chance for a 2nd ring.
znModeratorI don’t remember exactly when Weddle was brought in, but it was not before camp even started. I think he came in during the season and was playing a week or two later.
Weddle is a great Rams story. He actually signed at the end of the year, for the playoffs only.
This is from the wiki:
During the Wild Card Round against the Arizona Cardinals, Weddle came off the bench and played nine defensive snaps before suffering a minor hamstring injury, but remained in the game. The Rams had an easy 34–11 victory, so he eventually returned to the bench early to nurse his injuries. In the Divisional Round against the defending Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Weddle again came off the bench, but would have an increased load, playing 61 defensive snaps in a 30–27 victory. The next week, in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers, Weddle would start, play in every defensive snap and lead the team with nine tackles in a 20–17 win….Weddle would start again in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals, and would wear the communication device that designated him as the play caller on defense.
The thing is, though, to ponder the obvious for a second, while a safety will obviously have to fend off blockers in space and make tackles, it;s not like a DT, who is surrounded by blockers on every play and has to play a physical collision game from snap to whistle. So I’m not sure if Weddle is a good analogy for the kind of situation Donald would face.
znModeratorWell the timing is important. They are arguing the Rams were sure at the time of the Simpson pick. And they hadnt offered Verse back then, had they?
I dunno, I guess they could have known that they were gonna offer Verse if they had to.
w
vI really don’t know, and you you’re probably right about Verse. But something made Jourdan say they were confident before the draft that they would get him. Here’s what Rodrigue says in the article she wrote about the trade (it’s posted in the Garrett thread):
“Nothing was officially agreed upon until a few days ago. But by the NFL Draft, the teams’ joint confidence that they’d get the trade done in large part informed the Rams’ surprising pick at No. 13, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, multiple team and league sources said.”
znModeratorSean McVay gave Verse a heads-up that he was being traded to the Browns before the news broke, and on Tuesday, he revealed part of what he told the third-year pass rusher.
“We talked to him about the appreciation, the gratitude,” McVay said. “I think when you have to have those hard conversations, you just let him know. ‘We just executed a trade where we’re acquiring Myles Garrett and you’re going to Cleveland. I know it doesn’t feel great right now, but there’s a lot of love. There’s a lot of appreciation and gratitude for our relationship, the two years and the impact that you’ve made. I can’t wait to watch you go shine in Cleveland.’”
Verse is a young, outspoken player, but he handled the news like a pro, McVay says. The Rams coach couldn’t have been more impressed by Verse’s reaction to the trade, saying that he hopes his two sons handle tough conversations the way Verse did.
“I will say this, what a stud with the way that he handled it,” McVay said. “I don’t want to say that I was surprised, but I was so impressed. When Jordan and Christian eventually go through a challenging conversation, I hope they handle it the way that Jared Verse did. I’m a big fan of his. I know you guys know that. I’ll wish him the best and watch him do his thing but we are really excited, with respect to Jared, about being able to get this guy. It’s a big deal for us.”
…
znModeratorNot sure I buy the idea that the Rams were sure they were gonna get Garrett. I mean how could they be? How did they know some other team wouldnt offer more?
w
vJust speculating from all the hints that are out there. First, Garrett had a no-trade clause. He had a lot of control over where he went. If he wouldn’t waive the clause, there would be no trade. That helped narrow down the teams being considered, and the Rams have become a dream team for top players who think about a new home. But also the Browns wanted a player in the trade. The Eagles were in the mix, but Cleveland asked for Jalen Carter, and Philadelphia wouldn’t do it. When the Rams agreed to consider trading Verse, it helped make them the front runners. As many people have pointed out, Verse fits in perfectly with what the Browns want to do on defense, plus he’s young and still on his relatively less expensive first contract.
And this is the same kind of situation Philadelphia had trading Brown away. They could agree to a deal early on, but then sit on it waiting for the June 1st deadline. The June 1 date let Cleveland reduce the 2026 cap hit they were going to take on Garrett’s signing bonus for trading him. That means they could agree in principle to a deal in late April, but just not say anything or act on it until June 1. If that’s the case (and there are a lot of hints that that is the case) then the Rams could be confident a few weeks back that they had a deal in principle.
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znModeratorFor any #Rams Fans or others that still don't believe that drafting Rookie Ty Simpson was a part of the plan to eventually help them Trade for Myles Garrett,
take a listen to what former Rams Insider @JourdanRodrigue had to say…#RamsHouse🎥 Credit: @greggrosenthal pic.twitter.com/c61ErLkv7k
— Ian (Rams Up Podcast) (@RamsUp_Ian) June 3, 2026
znModeratorGeoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
The Rams were a game away from the Super Bowl and then aggressively fixed their two biggest issues with … the best pass rusher in the NFL and an All Pro CB. Of course ppl are going to be high on them.znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
@49ers OT Trent Williams on @RamsNFL trading for Myles Garrett: “it sucks”znModeratorznModerator -
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