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April 21, 2018 at 12:48 pm in reply to: have to take the dog in for the last time…this has been superseded #85302
znModeratorIt’s hard to lose a pet. Dog or cat. I know what you are going through, because I had both cats and dogs as pets and had to put them down, and it was hard for me, all you can do is remember the good all days you had with him.
Jack I appreciate the sentiment. But, as it turns out, this thread has been outdated with new news.
See this thread instead: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/bondi-may-have-more-time/
znModeratorFrom a different thread: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/2018-nfl-mock-draft-picks-1-32-louie-tee/#post-85297
The article is PFF, All 32 NFL team’s draft needs
Quote:
their need at edge rusher is one of the most acute in the game. They are able to hide it to some degree given just how staggeringly dominant Aaron Donald is inside, but they need a complement to his rush on the outside.
Yeah, edge rusher needed, but to focus on just what they say about Donald:
he is “staggeringly dominant.”
“Staggeringly dominant.” Sounds good to me.
.
April 21, 2018 at 11:22 am in reply to: 2018 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-32: Louie Tee (April draft thread #3) #85297znModeratorfrom PFF, All 32 NFL team’s draft needs
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Quarterback: No
Top needs: Edge, LB, O-Line
While the Rams have been making moves upon moves this offseason, their need at edge rusher is one of the most acute in the game. They are able to hide it to some degree given just how staggeringly dominant Aaron Donald is inside, but they need a complement to his rush on the outside. Last season, Robert Quinn led the team’s edge rushers with just 38 total pressures, and the leading holdover was Matt Longacre, who had 26 across 377 snaps. Even before Alec Ogletree was moved, the team needed an upgrade at linebacker, but that move just reinforced that they were aware of the issue themselves. The last area they could use an injection of youth is the offensive line, where players like Andrew Whitworth (36) and John Sullivan (32) are eventually going to start to decline.
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@DailyNewsVinny
The #Rams earned their distinction as #NFL must-see TV. But their 5 primetime stages this year all offer major challenges. And they won’t be sneaking up an anyone after last year’s breakthrough season.April 20, 2018 at 4:50 pm in reply to: have to take the dog in for the last time…this has been superseded #85291znModeratoraw that sucks…. never easy.
what is ailing the dog?
He had a cancer a few months back. We took him in for surgery, and that one seems to have been fixed. He was getting chemo. But then overnight, he developed another, unrelated (and inoperable) tumor in his bladder that is partly blocking him and getting worse by the day. Very soon that will reach the point where he will be entirely blocked and at that point of course will just start suffering miserably. Right now he is still himself, though he tires a bit easily. But it’s a very fast thing. The vet practically begged me to understand how bad this would be if I let it go, even though I immediately grasped the situation and was not resistant. He goes in Monday. I took him to the beach today. He just loved it.
znModerator(giants was a “home” game but not played in l.a.)
Cards game in London was a home game. Not the Giants game.
Thanks for the correction. I went back and fixed it via edit. Fwiw I also added a bit to it.
April 20, 2018 at 1:37 pm in reply to: 2018 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-32: Louie Tee (April draft thread #3) #85284znModeratorfrom 8 loaded teams that can gamble at the NFL draft
…
Los Angeles Rams: Pick No. 87 (seven total picks)
Lastly, the Rams have been busy adding to their army this offseason. The big names new to L.A. this season are cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. It is a good thing the Rams have been active, since they do not draft their first player until No. 87 in Round 3.
It is difficult to know who will be appealing as a mid-third-round deal. After the Rams make their selection, they then have one fourth-round pick and five picks in Round 6.
This makes the Rams’ drafting scenario right now completely unpredictable. It also provides the opportunity for the Rams to gamble on some dark horses.
On offense, perhaps another running back would help keep Todd Gurley preserved. Defensively, adding a couple of later-round linebackers would not hurt. The Rams gave up a generous 122.4 rushing yards on average per tilt last year.
But as things currently stand approaching the draft, the Rams’ roster looks awfully darn good on paper.
znModeratorWaddyWasWideOpen, St. Loser Fan, aeneas1, & RamsFanSince82 say:
4 road games in 5 weeks concerns me
it’s probably going to be that way until the rams are at inglewood. for now they’re stuck in usc’s stadium and playing one game outside america
though last season they were 3-4 at the coliseum and 8-1 away from the coliseum (cards was a “home” game but not played in l.a.)
Also, the Rams don’t leave Cal. for the first month of the season. They don’t travel much for the first half of the season. Unlike last season, they don’t have any east coast games (they have two Midwest games-@Detroit, and @Chicago).
znModeratorLMU93 sez:
A couple interesting notes in Rams history
Even with the bad years 1990-1998 and 2005-2016 the Rams are still in the top 8 all time in wins, playoff appearances and division titles.
Their all time win percentage is 19th at .498. If they go 10-6 or better they will get back to .500+ all time
znModeratorAsk average west virginians on the street what ‘neoliberalism’ is and they will either not know or they will say it means liberal or democrat.
I actually think this ‘naming’ thing is important. I know it is. And neoliberalism is the wrong term to be using unless the audience is academics.
You can have corporate capitalism without neoliberal economic policies. They’re not the same thing.
And the reason most people don’t know about it is because mainstream news does not address the issues. In fact it does not identity neoliberal economics as a “thing.” It has nothing to do with the name. Give it another name and it will still be a mystery to most news outlets and most citizens.
znModeratorfrom The 10 Must-Watch Games on the 2018 NFL Schedule
1. WEEK 15 (DEC. 16) EAGLES AT RAMS (SNF)
Here is the most exciting game on the schedule as it stands in mid-April. The defending Super Bowl champs against the NFC challenger who loaded up this offseason to dethrone them. Picks No. 1 and 2 going head to head in their third season in the league. Wade Phillips trying to fool Carson Wentz. Jim Schwartz trying to out-scheme Sean McVay. Wentz returns to L.A. where his MVP season and opportunity to lead the Eagles in the postseason was derailed when he tore his ACL and MCL against the Rams. Pick whatever narrative you want because this game has it all.
…
4. WEEK 11 (NOV. 19): CHIEFS AT RAMS (MNF IN MEXICO)
The Mexico City games are my favorite games played outside the country each year because of the crowd and the altitude, so whoever was playing down south this year was making this list no matter what. It’s a bonus that it happens to be the Chiefs and Rams, and I can’t imagine how amped Marcus Peters must be to face his old team in that environment. The Chiefs are Pat Mahomes’s team now after shipping Alex Smith to Washington this winter. The Rams may not be this potent for the long haul, but everything we know about football indicates they are real contenders in 2018 and 2019. This is one of the best AFC vs. NFC matchups of the year.
…
10. WEEK 3 (SEPT. 23): CHARGERS AT RAMS
This game is No. 10 on the list because it has the opportunity to set the tone for the season for these two squads. The Chargers have been knocking on the door in the twilight of Philip Rivers’s career, but haven’t been able to get over the hump due to the injury bug that finds its way to the team facility every year. After dwelling in the AFC West basement for a few years, the Chargers finished second last season in the division and are showing signs of life under Anthony Lynn. We all know what the Rams could be, and the atmosphere of two L.A. teams battling it out will give an added energy to this game.
znModeratorRyan Kartje@Ryan_Kartje
At first glance, the Rams seem to get most of their most difficult games at home. Vikings, Chargers, Packers, Seahawks, Chiefs, and Eagles matchups are all at the Coliseum.Road games against the Saints, Seahawks, Raiders, Broncos, and 49ers won’t be easy, but I’d take that over the opposite all day, every day.
Whoops, forgot that the KC game was in Mexico. But point still stands.
Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams: @Seattle, @Denver, @SF, Packers, @New Orleans in consecutive weeks will be a good test.znModeratorJB Long
FacebookThe 2018 Los Angeles Rams regular season schedule is unveiled. Overall, I give it an A- for the Rams and their fans.
Some thoughts…
1) Five prime time games — with the opportunity to flex into the NFL maximum, six — is a testament to how challenging the Rams schedule will be, and how highly regarded the defending NFC West champions are around the league.
2) The two home prime time games at the Coliseum are among the most anticipated on the entire NFL schedule.
Hosting Minnesota and Kirk Cousins, who credits Sean McVay with his career, to open the Fox Thursday package is a tremendous honor in Week Four. Nice competitive perk that the Vikings have to travel two time zones on a short week.
Then, welcoming the Eagles in the “NFC Game of the Year” on Sunday Night Football, a game we hope will have home field advantage implications for the playoffs.
3) Thursday Night Football is always tough, but the Rams win in two ways this season: They’re at home, and it’s very early in the season. Cannot ask for more from TNF.
4) The Black Hole will be revved up for Monday Night Football and Jon Gruden’s return. The Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in Week One will be as electrifying as any road environment on the schedule. What will the Raiders offense look like? There won’t be any (recent) film. However, there aren’t many NFL minds McVay knows better than Gruden and offensive coordinator Greg Olson.
5) The Rams better capitalize on a home-friendly start to the schedule. They don’t leave the state of CA in the first four weeks, including three straight home games.
6) Similarly, they won’t go farther east than Denver until a Week Nine trip to New Orleans. Starting with that trip, the Rams then play five of their final eight away from Los Angeles.
7) For the first time since 2009, the Rams will play in Seattle **before** the month of December. That’s a welcome change.
8) About the only thing to balk at would be two separate stretches in which the Rams play three straight games away from LA.
However, the first span is relatively mild: at Seattle, at Denver, at San Francisco.
And the second stint away from home includes a very strategically-placed bye: Mexico City, BYE, at Detroit, at Chicago.
9) Speaking of Mexico City, the NFL did right by the Rams: They are home the week prior and on a bye the week after. That’s the best possible scenario for the International Series.
10) The schedule reads as if the expectation is for the 49ers to be the primary challenger to the Rams in the West (see: Sunday Night Football at SF, the option to flex the season finale vs SF, and lots of prime time games for the Niners). None of the other division games were selected for prime time.
The TV schedule is not a perfect barometer, and I don’t necessarily agree with that assessment of the division, but there it is.
11) I know many fans wanted a Thanksgiving game against the Lions. However, we will be happy to be home for the holidays: Thanksgiving on a bye week, Christmas leading into the finale against the 49ers, and hopefully spending the first week of the New Year scouting Wild Card games.
znModeratorAlden Gonzalez@Alden_Gonzalez
I had the Rams at 12-4. If you go through game-by-game predictions from the beat writers who cover each of their opponents, the rest of ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters have the Rams going 14-2. That’s some serious respect.znModeratorRams 2018 Schedule Breakdown
Kristen Lago
We’ve known who the Rams will be playing during the 2018 season since the start of the New Year in January. But now that the NFL has officially released its league-wide schedule, the dates and times of all 16 matchups have been finalized.
Let’s take a look at each of Los Angeles’ 16 games in order:
(2017 record, finish in standings). All times Pacific.
Week 1: at Oakland Raiders (6-10, 3rd Place in AFC West) | 7:20 p.m. | Monday Night Football
All-time record: 8-5-0 | Last matchup: Rams won 52-0 in Nov. 2014
Los Angeles will open up its season on the road for one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of 2018. The second of two Monday Night Football games in Week 1, the contest will feature a marquee battle between student and teacher. Rams head coach Sean McVay received his first NFL coaching position under the Raiders’ Jon Gruden in 2008, and the two have remained close ever since.
Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals (8-8, 3rd Place in NFC West) | 1:05 p.m.
All-time record: 39-38-2 | Last home matchup: Rams won 33-0 in Oct 2017
After a short flight north, the Rams will be back at the Coliseum to take on the division-rival Cardinals. It will be the first time McVay faces Arizona’s new head coach Steve Wilks and will also represent a chance for the Rams to take on the first of two former starting quarterbacks this season in Sam Bradford.
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7, 2nd Place in AFC West) | 1:05 p.m.
All-time record: 6-5-0 | Last matchup: Chargers won 27-24 in Nov. 2014
In two years, these two clubs will share a new stadium, but this season it’s the Rams who will welcome the Chargers. The contest marks the first time in history that the clubs will match up as Los Angeles franchises.
Week 4: vs. Minnesota Vikings (13-3, 1st Place in NFC North) | 5:20 p.m. | Thursday Night Football
All-time record: 22-14-2 | Last matchup: Vikings won 24-7 in Nov. 2017
L.A. will welcome the defending NFC North Champions in Week 4 for one of several high-profile rematches. The Rams will be looking for their first win against the Vikings in five years. To do so, the club will have to contain Minnesota’s new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom McVay coached in Washington between 2014-2016.
Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks (9-7, 2nd Place in the NFC West) | 1:25 p.m
All-time record: 23-17-0 | Last road matchup: Rams won 42-7 in Dec. 2017
Last season, Los Angeles had one of its best performances of the year at CenturyLink Field, en route to an NFC West title. But a win in Seattle never comes easily and should present a tough challenge to the club as it kicks off a three-game road stretch.
Week 6: at Denver Broncos (5-11, 4th Place in AFC West) | 1:05 p.m
All-time record: 8-5-0 | Last matchup: Rams won 22-7 in Nov. 2014
The Week 6 matchup will see the Rams return to the Mile High City for the first time since 2010. Not only will Los Angeles face another former quarterback in Case Keenum, but newly acquired cornerback Aqib Talib and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will also be taking on their former team.
Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers (6-10, 4th Place in NFC West) | 5:20 p.m. | Sunday Night Football
All-time record: 69-65-3 | Last road matchup: Rams won 41-39 in Sept. 2017
The Rams will play their first Sunday Night Football game since 2010 when they travel north to Santa Clara to take on the 49ers. The contest will feature two of the NFC’s brightest teams and two of the most promising, young quarterbacks in the league — Los Angeles’ Jared Goff and San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s the third year in a row L.A. will face S.F. in prime time at Levi’s Stadium.
Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers (7-9, 3rd Place in NFC North) | 1:25 p.m.
All-time record: 46-46-2 | Packers won 24-10 in Oct. 2015
The Rams will be back home in Week 8 to host two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. It will be Green Bay’s first trip to the Coliseum to play the Rams since 1978. The contest will also feature a matchup of two former Cal quarterbacks in Goff and Rodgers.
Week 9: at New Orleans Saints (11-5, 1st Place in NFC South) | 1:25 p.m.
All-time record: 41-33-0 | Last matchup: Rams won 26-20 in Nov. 2017
On Nov. 4, L.A will travel to the Superdome to face the Saints in a rematch of one of the most exciting contests of 2017. The last time the Rams played in New Orleans, Goff made his first road start — tossing three touchdown passes in the first half.
Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks (9-7, 2nd Place in NFC West) | 1:25 p.m.
All-time record: 23-17-0 | Last matchup: Seahawks won 16-10 in Oct. 2017
The Rams will close out their season series against the Seahawks in Week 10, looking to avenge a close 16-10 loss at the Coliseum last year. Los Angeles is 1-1 against the Seahawks at the Coliseum since 2016.
Week 11 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6, 1st Place in AFC West) | 5:15 p.m. | Monday Night Football
All-time record 7-4-0 | Last matchup: Chiefs won 34-7 in Oct. 2014
For the third-straight year, the Rams will travel outside of the United States to host one their eight home games. This season, the club is going south to face off against the Chiefs in Mexico City. Cornerback Marcus Peters will take on the team that drafted him, while the Rams will face wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who spent the 2017 season in L.A.
Week 12: BYE
Week 13 at Detroit Lions (9-7, 2nd Place in NFC North) | 10:00 a.m
All-time record: 43-41-1 | Last matchup: Lions won 31-28 in Oct. 2016
After a week off, the L.A. will head to Detroit to take on the Lions. The Rams will be looking for their first win at Ford Field since 2009.
Week 14 at Chicago Bears (5-11, 4th Place in NFC North) | 10:00 a.m.
All-time record: 53-36-3 | Last matchup: Bears won 37-13 in Nov. 2015
The Rams will head back to the midwest for their Week 14 matchup with the Bears. Though the last four years have not been kind to Chicago — with four straight last place finishes in the division — new head coach Matt Nagy will be eager for a statement win against the reigning NFC West Champions.
Week 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, 1st Place in NFC East) | 5:20 p.m. | Sunday Night Football
All-time record: 21-19-0 | Last matchup: Eagles won 43-35 in Dec. 2017
Week 15’s contest against the Eagles has been highly regarded as one of the premier matchups of 2018, and is the Rams’ fifth prime-time game on their schedule. In last year’s December showdown, quarterback Nick Foles replaced Carson Wentz to lead the Eagles to a 43-35 victory. But Wentz is expected to back under center for the reigning Super Bowl Champions and will face a revamped Rams defense that features Peters, Talib, and Ndamukong Suh.
Week 15 at Arizona Cardinals (8-8, 3rd Place in NFC West) | 1:05 p.m.
All-time record: 39-38-2 | Last road matchup: Rams won 32-16 in Dec. 2017
The final road trip of the regular season will come in Week 15. The Rams have won the away matchup with the Cardinals in each of the last three seasons, including last year’s dominant performance.
Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-10, 4th Place in NFC West) | 1:25 p.m.
All-time record: 69-65-3 | Last home matchup: 49ers won 34-13 in Dec. 2017
For the second-consecutive year, the Rams will close the regular season with a Northern California versus Southern California showdown against San Francisco. The final week is subject to flex scheduling, as the league will look to find the most compelling matchup for Sunday Night Football.
znModeratorSchedule makes it official: Los Angeles Rams are a prime-time team
Alden Gonzalez
The NFL has released its 2018 regular-season schedule. Here’s a look at what’s in store for the Los Angeles Rams.
Breakdown: The Rams are coming off a first-place season, and now they will play a legitimate first-place schedule. They’ll have five prime-time games, including Monday Night Football on the road against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday Night Football at home against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Night Football on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs from Mexico City and Sunday Night Football at home against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams went from 10 consecutive losing seasons to an 11-5 record under Sean McVay in 2017. They have since added four stars in wide receiver Brandin Cooks, interior lineman Ndamukong Suh, and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. The entire nation is interested.
Teacher versus student: McVay has no bigger mentor than Jon Gruden, and the Rams’ 32-year-old second-year head coach will face the legendary coach right away when the Rams open their season in Oakland at 7:20 p.m. PT on Sept. 10. Gruden spent the past nine years serving as an ESPN analyst on Monday Night Football, but his first game back with the Raiders will see him coach on Monday Night Football against McVay. McVay was asked earlier this offseason if he would be excited to square off against Gruden. He lowered his head and simply said, “No.” He was kidding. Maybe.
Clash of titans: The Rams’ next four prime-time games will come against likely playoff teams. The Vikings (a Week 4 matchup) and the Eagles (Week 15) were the NFC’s two best teams last year and could be again. The 49ers (Week 7) are clearly a completely different team under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Chiefs (Week 11) look poised for their third straight AFC West title. Tough, out-of-division matchups also loom on the road against the Broncos (Week 6) and Saints (Week 9), and at home against the Chargers (Week 3) and Packers (Week 8). For the second straight year, the Rams will finish at home against the 49ers — but that game might mean a lot more this time.
Lighter travel: No team traveled more miles than the Rams the past two years. This year, though, the travel will be a little lighter, largely because their mandated International Series game will take place in Mexico City instead of London. The Rams will get their bye after playing at Estadio Azteca. After that, they’ll hit their only real tough travel stretch of the season, with back-to-back road games against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. Besides that, it’s not bad. The Rams will also have three of their first four games at home, giving them a solid chance to get off to a fast start.
Strength of schedule: T-5th, .523
znModerator
LOS ANGELES RAMS KICK OFF 2018 SEASON ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ON SEPT. 10 AT OAKLAND RAIDERSRams to appear in a team-high five primetime games in 2018;
For tickets visit TheRams.com/Tickets
LOS ANGELES – The defending NFC West Champion Los Angeles Rams will be featured in five primetime games for the first time in the team’s history, beginning with a Week 1 matchup at the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football, the team announced today in conjunction with the release of their preseason and regular-season schedules.
“This is one of the most exciting times on the NFL calendar for both fans and teams with the start of the offseason program, schedule announcement and the draft,” Rams Head Coach SEAN MCVAY said. “We are looking forward to competing against this group of opponents and making our fans proud as we open with the Oakland Raiders on September 10.”
The Rams will be featured on Sunday Night Football twice this season, first in Week 7 at San Francisco and then again in Week 15 at home vs. the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. This marks the first time that the Rams will play in two Sunday Night Football games in a single season.
Los Angeles will also appear on Monday Night Football a second time in Week 11 for an international home game in Mexico City vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, as was previously announced. The Rams’ single-season high for Monday Night Football appearances is three games. L.A. will kick off FOX’s inaugural Thursday Night Football package, when the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 on Sept. 27.
The Rams will open divisional play in Week 2 at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Last season, L.A. swept the Cardinals, a feat the team last achieved in 2012. The Rams will look to extend their winning streak at University of Phoenix Stadium to four games in their second faceoff against Arizona on Dec. 23.
In Week 3, the Los Angeles Chargers will travel cross-town to the Coliseum. The last time two Los Angeles teams played in the regular season was on Nov. 13, 1994 in a Week 11 matchup between the Rams and Raiders. Since returning to Los Angeles, the Rams and Chargers have only met in preseason action (2017).
L.A. will be on the road for three consecutive weeks beginning with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. In 2017, the Rams won their 10th game of the season in a dominating 42-7 road win over Seattle, marking the franchise’s first 10-win season since 2003. In last year’s road contest at CenturyLink, DT Aaron Donald set a new career high for single-game sacks with three, contributing to the team’s overall total of seven. In the ensuing week, L.A. will face off against the Denver Broncos for the first time since 2014. That year, the Rams defeated the reigning AFC champions, 22-7, and held the NFL’s third-ranked offense to one touchdown, ending Peyton Manning’s streak of 15 games with multiple touchdowns. K Greg Zuerlein helped seal the game for the Rams with five field goals, including two of 50-plus yards.
Upon returning to Southern California in Week 8, the Green Bay Packers will visit the Coliseum. During the teams’ last meeting (10/11/15), RB Todd Gurley rushed for a career-high 159 yards to add to his award-winning rookie season. Also in that game, the Rams defense tipped a pass that was intercepted by the franchise’s leading tackler James Laurinaitis, marking Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ first interception at Lambeau Field since 2012.
For the third time in as many seasons, the Rams will face the New Orleans Saints in regular-season play on Nov. 4 in Week 9. Historically, the Rams have achieved significant offensive milestones against the Saints, including Willie Ellison’s franchise-leading 247 rushing yards in 1971 and Willie “Flipper” Anderson’s NFL record-setting performance of 336 receiving yards in 1989. His total yardage in that game remains an NFL record.
Before the Rams travel to Mexico, the Seahawks will head down the coast to the Coliseum on Nov. 11. Then following the team’s Week 12 bye, Los Angeles will play three of their final five games on the road, including back-to-back games against members of the NFC North (at Detroit-Week 13, at Chicago-Week 14). The Rams will close out the year at home against the San Francisco 49ers, for the second-consecutive season.
Fans interested in tickets should visit TheRams.com/Tickets. PRIMESPORT, the Official Gameday Experience and Fan Travel Partner of the Los Angeles Rams, has preferred home and away game packages for Rams fans. For more information, please visit PRIMESPORT.com
znModeratorTHE WAIT IS OVER! 🙌
The 2018 #LARams schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/ywK7kkUBOF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 19, 2018
znModerator📲 Inside the #ScheduleRelease2018 call.#LARams pic.twitter.com/1Qxhpj9cR5
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 20, 2018
znModeratorLOS ANGELES RAMS
Monday Sept. 10 at Oakland Raiders, 10:20 p.m. (ESPN)
Sept. 16 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Sept. 23 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Thursday Sept. 27 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. (FOX/NFLN)
Oct. 7 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Oct. 14 at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Sunday Night Oct. 21 at San Franciso 49ers, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Oct. 28 vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Nov. 4 at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Nov. 11 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Monday Nov. 19 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Mexico City), 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Nov. 25 — BYE
Dec. 2 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Dec. 9 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Sunday Night Dec. 16 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Dec. 23 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Dec. 30 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)April 19, 2018 at 8:22 pm in reply to: 2018 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-32: Louie Tee (April draft thread #3) #85247znModerator2018 Rams Mock Draft Roundup: Third-Round Edition
Myles Simmons
The last time we got together for the mock draft roundup, Los Angeles still had its first-round pick at No. 23 overall. At that point, many analysts seemed to think the Rams would target either an edge rusher or inside linebacker.
Fast forward a few weeks and the Rams effectively chose to take Brandin Cookswith that first pick, trading No. 23 overall to the Patriots as part of the deal for the speedy wide receiver. And while there are certainly fewer mocks with the Rams’ first choice in the 2018 NFL Draft — which comes at No. 87 overall — there are a few floating around the web.
And it probably won’t surprise you that analysts still feel the Rams will target a pair of defensive positions with their first pick.
Without further ado, here’s a third-round edition of the 2018 mock draft roundup.
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Starting at ESPN, Todd McShay has Los Angeles selecting Iowa inside linebacker Josey Jewell at No. 87.
“The Rams have been extremely aggressive in trading draft picks for veterans, so they only have one pick in the first three rounds. Jewell has some physical limitations but is an instinctive run defender. He can help make up for the loss of Alec Ogletree,” McShay writes (insider subscription required — $$).
Jewell was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after a 2017 season in which he recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He totaled 28.0 TFLs and 10.0 sacks in his time at Iowa. Checking in at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Jewell ran a 4.82 40-yard dash and put up 18 reps on the bench press at the NFL Combine.
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Staying at ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. mocked Virginia defensive lineman Andrew Brown to L.A.
Kiper describes Brown as, “a former five-star recruit who came on the last two seasons and had 23.5 tackles for loss. At 6-3, 296, he’d likely be a defensive end in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.” (Insider subscription required – $$)
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, Brown recorded 26.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in four seasons at UVA. He also attended the Senior Bowl before putting up 31 bench press reps at the Combine.
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At Rotoworld, Josh Norris has Rutgers edge rusher Kemoko Turay heading to L.A. at no. 87.
“I love Turay’s game, as his flexibility to turn the corner once creating separation definitely fits Wade Phillips’ mentality. He can come in and contribute immediately, which is what the Rams need out of this pick,” Norris writes.
Turay recorded 19.0 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in his career at Rutgers. He checked in at 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds and ran a 4.65 40-yard dash at the Combine.
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Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly mocked Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa to L.A.
“Have a talented defender that you’re not quite sure what to do with? Give him to Wade Phillips — he’ll figure it out,” Edholm writes.
Mata’afa led the Pac 12 in both tackles for loss (22) and sacks (10.0) in 2017, becoming a consensus All-American in the process. He checked in at 6-foot-1 and 254 pounds and ran a 4.76 40-yard dash at the Combine.
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Up next, two analysts have mocked Oklahoma outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo to Los Angeles at No. 87.
While Scott Dochterman of Land of 10 did not comment on the potential pick, R.J. White of CBS Sports did, writing, “With their first pick, they take a pass-rusher to add to the rotation.”
The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, Okoronkwo recorded 17.0 TFLs and 8.0 sacks in his final season at Oklahoma. He ran a 4.77 40 and put up 27 bench press reps at the Combine.
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Finally, Luke Easterling of USA Today Draftwire has Los Angeles selecting Georgia edge rusher Lorenzo Carter.
Carter recorded 21.5 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks in his career at Georgia, including 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three rumble recoveries in 2017. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and recorded a 36-inch vertical at the Combine, checking in at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds.
April 19, 2018 at 8:21 pm in reply to: 2018 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-32: Louie Tee (April draft thread #3) #85246znModeratorfrom Three 2018 draft prospects to target for all 32 NFL teams
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Los Angeles Rams
Day 2: Oklahoma OLB Obo Okoronkwo
Day 3: Kansas DE/OLB Dorance Armstrong Jr.
Day 3: Wisconsin ILB Jack CichyThe Rams don’t pick until late in the third round. Look for them to use the draft to address a linebacker corps that returns just one starter. Okoronkwo needs to get stronger and improve his ability to anchor against the run, but he has good upper-body power, quick hands and natural instincts as a pass-rusher. The Rams get two of my top sleepers on Day 3 if this is how their draft unfolds. While he doesn’t have great top-end speed and had just 1.5 sacks last year, Armstrong is a much better football player than the testing and production would suggest. Cichy sustained a season-ending pectoral injury in 2016 and he missed the 2017 season with a knee injury, so there are obviously durability concerns. He’s a tough and instinctive run-stopper when he’s healthy and would complement Mark Barron.
znModeratorfrom USA TODAY Sports NFL agent poll: Redskins, Bruce Allen get low marks on preparedness, trust
USA TODAY Sports NFL columnist Jarrett Bell and NFL reporter Lindsay H. Jones have been polling agents this year to get a sense of how they view the league’s teams, executives and its issues, particularly those linked to labor relations and collective bargaining.
A total of 25 agents responded to a series of questions, with some choosing to abstain to certain portions of the survey. But most did provide opinions when asked which teams were most prepared during free agency, which decision-makers commanded the most respect (and the least), and more. Here is what their answers revealed:
(All agents participated under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the questions.)
znModeratorBrandin Cooks is getting what Sammy Watkins didn’t: time with Jared Goff
Alden Gonzalez
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams didn’t get their vertical threat until August of last year. An entire offseason program and training camp had come and gone, preseason games were about to begin, and Jared Goff had spent too much time working with other receivers to build any real, significant accord with Sammy Watkins.
Their clunky chemistry manifested itself mainly on deep balls, the ones Goff and Watkins were expected to connect on. They hit on only three of 15 passes that traveled at least 20 yards through the air, placing Watkins 55th among 65 receivers with at least 10 of those targets. That brings us to Brandin Cooks, the new Sammy Watkins in many ways except for one notable difference: Cooks is here now, early enough to build chemistry with Goff before the throws start to count.
“It’s all rhythm. It’s all timing,” Goff said Monday, which marked the start of the Rams’ offseason program. “I think any time you can get this extra time with guys like that, especially the deep stuff, getting open — I look forward to working with him, and I know he’s excited.”
In Brandin Cooks, coach Sean McVay and the Rams will be getting a receiver who has surpassed 110 catches, 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. AP Photo/Greg Beacham
Phase 1 of the offseason program, which comprises the first two weeks, consists merely of classroom work and on-field strength and conditioning. Goff won’t start throwing to Cooks until Phase 2, which coincides with the start of May.
The Rams gave up this year’s No. 23 overall pick to acquire Cooks from the New England Patriots two weeks ago. The Rams were relatively deep at receiver, but Watkins’ offseason departure left a void for a vertical presence who could take the top off a defense and open the rest of the field for Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
Cooks is only a year away from free agency, but the Rams are hopeful of signing him — and Aaron Donald, who wasn’t with the team on Monday — to a long-term contract. Still only 24, Cooks has surpassed 110 catches, 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in each of the past three seasons while catching passes from two future Hall of Famers in Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Last season, he tied the Houston Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins with 16 receptions on passes that traveled at least 20 yards through the air — and he needed only 35 targets to do so.
“I think that rapport that exists between a quarterback, receivers, tight ends and backs is really important,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “The more time they get to be comfortable and familiar with each other, I think the better that we’ll be served as an offense. I think the learning curve won’t be quite as steep.”
Cooks isn’t as physically imposing as Watkins, whose size helped him make seven touchdown catches in the red zone. But he is faster, which will require an adjustment from Goff.
Goff called this his “first real offseason.” In 2016, when he was the No. 1 overall pick, Goff transitioned to the NFL. In 2017, a season that ended with a Pro Bowl invite, Goff transitioned to McVay’s offense. Now he’s settled in. And now he has a new receiver to break in, one who if maximized can take the Rams’ offense to a whole new level.
“If there is one thing that Brandin has done a nice job of, specifically the last few years, it’s being able to go get that deep ball,” McVay said. “I thought the quarterbacks he’s played with have done an excellent job of giving him a chance and putting them in the right location. Those are things that we’ll try to utilize moving forward.”
znModeratorRobert Woods says practicing against Rams’ revamped secondary will help WRs
Cameron DaSilva
Robert Woods says practicing against Rams' revamped secondary will help WRs
With Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey-Coleman set to hit free agency, and Kayvon Webster recovering from a torn Achilles in December, the Los Angeles Rams saw a hole in the secondary. There was a chance they’d head into 2018 with three new starters at cornerback, which would’ve been a difficult situation.
As it stands right now, they’ll have one returning starter at the position in Robey-Coleman, but Johnson and Webster won’t return. Fortunately for the Rams, they upgraded at both spots by trading for Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib – two of the best ball hawks in the NFL.
The Rams’ secondary, paired with Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers wreaking havoc up front, give Los Angeles one of the top defenses in football. Not only should that strike fear in every team the Rams face next season, but it’ll help sharpen their own offense.
Getting open in practice will be substantially harder for guys like Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, who will have to face Peters, Talib and Robey-Coleman every day. None of them will be afraid of the increased competition, though. Rather, it’ll have just the opposite effect.
“For us, we get to go against those guys every day,” Woods said. “We’re going to improve in our receiver room going against that kind of talent, going against guys who go after the ball and play throughout the whistle, play until the whistle is done.”
Woods said during his media session that Jared Goff “was on the money with the timing” during the Rams’ first workout session on Monday, which is obviously a good sign. With another year under his belt, Goff should continue to improve and build upon his Pro Bowl season from 2017.
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@DailyNewsVinny
FYI in #Rams schedule: They and USC have an agreement on some Thursday night dates, so there could be a home Thursday night game this year. Also, there are two late-season Mondays when USC is not in session for potential MNF games. We’ll all find out tomorrowznModeratorIn Their Own Words: Brandin Cooks on His Outlook for 2018
Kristen Lago
The Rams became wide receiver Brandin Cooks’ third team in three years when Los Angeles acquired him from New England. Drafted as the Saints’ 20th overall pick in 2014, Cooks was then traded to the Patriots after three seasons in exchange for a first-round draft pick.
One year after that, the Rams made a similar deal — sending a first rounder of their own to the Patriots to pick up the dynamic wideout.
While some players would complain about the rapid change, these factors don’t seem to phase Cooks. Instead the self-described “silent assassin,” views Los Angeles as a city of opportunity and the chance to play under head coach Sean McVay as a blessing.
Here is Brandin Cooks in his own words:
On how it feels to be a Los Angeles Ram:
“I’m overcome with joy and gratitude to be able to have a special opportunity like this. It’s an extreme blessing. Words can’t explain it. I’m glad to be back on the West Coast and I’m looking forward to playing for such a great organization. To be closer to home where the sun is shining every single day, you can’t complain about that.”
On being traded in back-to-back years for first-round Draft picks:
“The way I look at it and people have asked me, are you upset? Absolutely not. I’m able to play this game that millions would love to be in my shoes. And the fact another first rounder? My family, they joke about it like you’ve been drafted in the first round three times, has anyone done that? So we try to take the positive out of everything. There’s a lot of positives in this one just like the last one. I can’t complain at all.”
On how he would describe himself as a player:
“Silent assassin. I come and I just go to work. I don’t want the glory, I don’t want to fame. I just come in and always my whole life just wanted to do the best that I can do and be the best that I can be to help my team. I’m not looking for anything selfishly, I just want to help my team whatever case I can to be able to win games at the end of the day and do it in a quiet format.”
On what picture he wants to put out to fans hers in Los Angeles:
“I’m just coming here humbly and I’m coming in here with the mindset of team first. I know that can be so cliche, but that’s how I believe that you build a better team is when you start to think about others’ dreams and you’re playing for other guys around you and not necessarily yourself. So, I just want to come in here and be the best that I can be, listen with my head down and go to work.”
znModeratorGoff, Cooks will Establish Chemistry in Offseason Program
Myles Simmons
When the Rams acquired wide receiver Sammy Watkins in 2017, they completed the trade during training camp.
Watkins was certainly still effective last year, helping Los Angeles lead the league in scoring to the tune of 39 receptions for 593 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns. But by Watkins’ own admission, arriving in Southern California in the middle of training camp likely set the wideout back in terms of learning and truly becoming comfortable with the offense.
That’s part of why having wide receiver Brandin Cooks with the team for the start of the offseason program can have significant benefits down the road for L.A. The Rams, of course, traded for Cooks at the beginning of the month.
“I think it’s really important,” head coach Sean McVay said. “I think that rapport that exists between a quarterback, receivers, tight ends, and backs is really important. The more time they get to be comfortable and familiar with each other, I think the better that we’ll be served as an offense.”
L.A. may specifically see benefits when it comes to deep passes, which often require significant chemistry between quarterback and wide receiver.
“With some of those deep balls, those are always things that we’ll continue to work,” McVay said. “I thought there was a handful of instances last year where Sammy did draw some PIs, where maybe we didn’t connect on some things, so you still kind of get that same result.
“But if there is one thing that Brandin has done a nice job of specifically the last few years, it’s being able to go get that deep ball,” McVay continued. “I thought the quarterbacks he’s played with have done an excellent job of giving him a chance, and putting them in the right location. Those are things that we’ll try to utilize moving forward.”
On Monday, quarterback Jared Goff said he was planning to throw with Cooks for the first time this week after watching film with him over the past weekend. He, too, recognizes the benefits of having Cooks around for the start of the offseason program.
“It’s all rhythm. It’s all timing,” Goff said. “I think any time you can get this extra time with guys like that, especially, like you’re saying, the deep stuff, it can help. I look forward to working with him and I know he’s excited, and we’re both excited to get to work and see what we can do.”
znModeratorSomething tells me they don’t get a deal done with Donald this year.
I’m not so sure about that. I think it can happen.
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znModeratorJamon Brown@JB_The_GREAT_68
Getting back around my team! Love that feeling of the first day!! This is the start of something great! -
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