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September 8, 2017 at 10:40 pm in reply to: post-cut down roster assessment & power rankings & predictions & stuff like that #73923
znModeratorRams 2017 preview: Position-by-position analysis
RICH HAMMOND
link: http://www.dailynews.com/2017/09/07/rams-2017-preview-position-by-position-analysis/
QUARTERBACK
It’s finally time to learn the truth about Jared Goff. As a rookie in 2016, he went 0-7 as a starter and got battered while he played behind a dreadful offensive line. Goff’s protection, and pass-game targets, have improved. Most importantly, so have his teachers, as the Rams added a head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach who have recent experience with successful NFL quarterbacks. There’s every reason to expect improvement from Goff this season. If it doesn’t happen, things could get ugly.
RUNNING BACK
So, now what, Todd Gurley? Gurley struggled through an awful 2016 season, one in which he averaged 3.2 yards per carry and never topped more than 85 yards in a game. Things should get better. The Rams upgraded their offensive line, and an improved pass game should open up more things for Gurley. Look also for the Rams to get Gurley more involved in the pass game. The onus is on Gurley to improve. Last season, he was too impatient and didn’t always seem in sync with the offensive line.
RECEIVER
No group got transformed more, and more effectively, during the offseason. Out went Kenny Britt and Brian Quick, and in came Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. The Rams now, at least on paper, have everything they need. Watkins is a proven deep threat, Woods is a solid possession receiver and a good run-blocker, and Kupp will go over the middle to make tough catches. Then there’s the (highly paid) wild card, Tavon Austin, for whom the Rams need to find a role.
TIGHT END
Coach Sean McVay loves his tight ends, so when Temarrick Hemingway suffered a broken leg in the preseason, the Rams traded for Washington’s Derek Carrier, even though they already had Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett lined up as starters. Higbee will get a chance, but don’t be shocked if Everett, who is very athletic with tackle-evading moves, eventually takes over as the primary target.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Well, this should be interesting. In training camp and preseason, the left side of the line looked fine with tackle Andrew Whitworth and guard Rodger Saffold, and center John Sullivan did his job. The concern is on the right side, where the Rams have flipped Rob Havenstein twice (he’s now back at tackle) and were not able to consistently run the ball to the right side behind Havenstein and Jamon Brown. If there’s a unit most likely to undergo some in-season shuffling, this is the one.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Clearly, this is a different group when it includes Aaron Donald. Without him, it looks a little dicey. Michael Brockers will do an effective job holding the middle at nose tackle, but preseason reps indicated that the Rams might be less confident in their options at end, with Donald holding out. Ethan Westbrooks should start on one end, and without Donald, the other spot might go to rookie Tanzel Smart or Morgan Fox. Donald’s absence is more likely to hurt the Rams when it comes to run defense.
LINEBACKER
There might not be a faster, more aggressive group in the NFL. Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron, a one-time safety, hold down the middle, while Connor Barwin and Robert Quinn, a converted defensive end, play the outside. The only problems here might be with size and health. Ogletree and Barron aren’t exactly heavy, stout inside linebackers. Barron had a nagging injury throughout the preseason, and it’s always a guessing game as to whether Quinn will be able to make it through a full season.
DEFENSIVE BACK
There’s good depth and versatility at cornerback. Trumaine Johnson leads that group, and Kayvon Webster holds down the other starting spot, but the Rams also have confidence that nickel back Nickell Robey-Coleman can play on the outside if necessary. The defensive backs enjoy Phillips’ system, which encourages them to make plays on the ball. The question is whether the Rams will be strong enough at safety, with converted corner Lamarcus Joyner and Maurice Alexander.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s no reason to expect a dropoff from this group, which was (somewhat sadly) the highlight of the Rams’ 2016 season. Johnny Hekker remains arguably the NFL’s top punter and, at age 27, should remain strong for years to come. Kicker Greg Zuerlein seemed to be on the verge of losing his job after the 2015 season, but he rebounded last year and made 19 of 22 attempts, and he was perfect on six field-goal attempts this preseason. The Rams’ coverage units are aggressive and effective.
znModeratorIndyStar’s Indianapolis Colts Insiders, Stephen Holder and Zak Keefer, take their best shot at predicting every game this season.
Week 1: Colts at Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Holder (1-0): Colts 17, Rams 16
Not exactly must-see TV. The Colts seem destined to catch a massive break here with contract holdout Aaron Donald likely to miss the game.
Keefer (0-1): Rams 15, Colts 9
Jared Goff vs. Scott Tolzien? This one might be one of the ugliest season openers in NFL history.
===
Doyel: Thank God for the easy schedule. And for the Rams.
Gregg Doyel
We can make the 2017 Indianapolis Colts season about anything we want. We could make it about the incompetence of Ryan Grigson or the limbo of Chuck Pagano or the reboot of Chris Ballard. We could make it about the 2017 NFL playoffs or the 2018 NFL draft. We could laugh and make it about Jim Irsay, or cry and make it about Scott Tolzien. We could make it about Andrew Luck.
We could make it about you.
And maybe that’s where we should start, today, with the Colts’ 2017 season looming like a thunderhead. When the rain comes – and it’s coming – how do you respond? And to be clear, by “you” I mean “us.” All of us. Colts fans, Colts media. You. Me. The rain’s coming and we can get angry or we can get philosophical. Either way, we’re getting wet.
The Colts enter the 2017 NFL opener against the Los Angeles Rams in terrible shape. Since last season ended, and really since the 2015 AFC title game in Foxborough, one of the few lucky breaks to go the Colts’ way was the 2017 schedule, starting with their opening opponent: the flakiest NFL franchise, a team that drafted quarterback Jared Goff and hired coach Jeff Fisher and alienated defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The Colts as they are constituted today, what with four of their most important players – quarterback Andrew Luck, safety Clayton Geathers, cornerback Vontae Davis, center Ryan Kelly – injured and unavailable, could beat very few NFL teams. It’s tiny, the list of teams these Colts have even a chance of beating, but the Rams are on it.
In the lying meathead lexicon of the National Football League, there are No Excuses because it’s Next Man Up. In the here and now, maybe, there is some truth to it. The Colts have a game to play Sunday and they will try to win without Luck and Geathers and Davis and Kelly. And without tight end Erik Swoope and linebacker Edwin Jackson. No excuses. Next man up. That’s how it is in the moment.
In the morrow, though, the narrative will change. Look at that 2015 season, which began with stated Super Bowl aspirations and ended with fans and media wanting everyone fired. In the moment, we hated 2015. In hindsight, most of us get it: That season, with Andrew Luck missing nine games and 40-year-old replacement Matt Hasselbeck playing through violent stomach issues and then his replacement, Josh Freeman, going from unemployment on Tuesday to the Colts’ starting lineup on Sunday, wasn’t a tragedy but a triumph.
The tragedy happened before the 2015 season, when the Colts didn’t fix their offensive line issues from 2014 and wasted another first-round draft pick and spent their free agent money on old and mostly useless players. We know that now. We knew it in real time, too, but NFL Sundays tend to steamroll perspective.
With so many injuries, a truly tragic 2017 seems possible. The national media has spoken about the Colts and they have spoken in belching, belittling terms about a franchise widely predicted to finish third or fourth in the AFC South, and well out of the playoff picture.
It seems fair, doesn’t it? Luck is the best player on offense, and Kelly isn’t far behind. Geathers and Davis are the best two players on defense. Even with those four players a year ago, the Colts were mediocre. Without them for weeks on end to open the 2017 season? Bleacher Report predicts the Colts will be the worst team in the league, 32nd of 32.
Me, I wouldn’t go quite that far. Jacksonville is still in the league. So is Cleveland. San Francisco. The Rams. And if you can believe it, those are four of the Colts’ first seven opponents this season. Better to be lucky than good, especially when good isn’t a realistic option.
With good out of the question, we have other things to focus on. The offensive line’s development. Johnathan Hankins’ arrival. Henry Anderson’s return. Young cornerbacks. Marlon Mack. Jacoby Brissett.
And there’s the future of coach Chuck Pagano. He won Jim Irsay’s winter wishbone tug, but with Grigson gone both legs on the wishbone now belong to Pagano, and he’s not on the same timetable as his new GM. Ballard has turned over more than half the 53-man roster in eight months – 27 players are new, as of Wednesday – and promises “there will be more change.” Ballard also has been preaching the long view as it relates to Luck’s return, and now Irsay has joined him, talking less about this season and more about Luck having a “very, very long and great career with us.”
In the Colts’ front office, they see a brighter tomorrow. On the field, Pagano knows he can’t lose too much today. He’s dealing with injuries and a roster full of new, young players, about whom he says: “It’s my job to get them ready to play winning football.”
Good football is out of the question for a few weeks, but perhaps winning football is not. The early schedule is friendly and the division is weak. At some point, injuries heal. Maybe this thunderhead will pass.
The Rams lost their final seven home games a year ago. They stink. They’re the Rams. But just to be safe, grab your umbrella. It doesn’t rain much in Southern California, but when it does? Albert Hammond got it right in that 1972 song of his: It pours. Man, it pours.
znModeratorWith Many Unknowns, How have Rams Prepared for Colts?
The Rams have a new coaching staff and have turned over much of their personnel — especially on offense. Los Angeles kept things schematically vanilla in its four preseason contests as well, not revealing much in preparation for the games that count.
Those factors likely have presented challenges for the Colts when it comes to preparing for this week’s game at the Coliseum. But Indianapolis’ roster turnover has presented L.A. with some questions to answer as well.
The Colts hired Chris Ballard as their general manager in late January, and he’s since embarked on a roster overhaul. Indianapolis enters Week 1 having replaced 26 of the 53 men on 2016’s opening-day roster. The changes are particularly noticeable on defense, where only one of Indy’s Week 1 starters last year even remains on the roster.
That’s why offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur described preparing for this week’s game as “a little bit of a guessing game.”
“It’s not like we’re studying those players necessarily from last year — we’re studying what they do schematically and then what they put on tape during the preseason,” LaFleur said on Friday. “So, it is a little bit of a guessing game, but I think our guys are well prepared for whatever we’re going to see.”
“I mean, the structure has stayed the same, and that’s basically the only thing that’s truly stayed the same,” offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said. “You get a little bit of reps out of preseason, but if you want to see some of the guys who play on the defensive line, you have to go to their prior teams to check them out.”
Because of that, Saffold said he’s anticipating the first drive to be a learning experience — both for the players and play-caller head coach Sean McVay — just to see how the Colts actually decide to attack the Rams’ offense.
“I’m sure coach McVay is going to be trying to feel them out,” Saffold said. “But I feel like after that first drive, we kind of know what they’re about. And we need to try to attack them the way we can.”
Unless a team is playing inside its own division, the mystery of how an opponent will come out schematically is a common phenomenon in Week 1.
“Playing guys twice a year, every year, you get the experience from last year,” Saffold said. “So you have to study prior teams, and that’s what makes it a little bit tougher. But I think we have a good idea. And I definitely think we’re well prepared.”
Nevertheless, LaFleur said Los Angeles feels optimistic heading into this week’s matchup.
“It’s going to be a good test on Sunday,” LaFleur said. “Indy presents a lot of challenges in terms of just, it’s a man-matched defense that is pretty aggressive and they’re pretty opportunistic. So, it’s going to be fun to watch our guys get out there and compete for a full four quarters. But, we’re optimistic.”
znModeratorIndianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams: Keys to the game, matchups to watch and prediction
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS
KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. TV: CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn.
SERIES HISTORY: 44th regular-season meeting. Colts lead series, 23-18-2. The Colts have posted a 14-6-2 home record against the Rams and are 9-12 in away games. The Indianapolis Colts have won three of the last five regular-season meetings. The Rams, though, won the last matchup, 38-8 at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 10, 2013. Indianapolis’ last win in the series occurred on Oct. 25, 2009, when the Rams were located in St. Louis, with the Colts posting a 42-6 victory. The Colts have not won a regular-season game against the Rams in Los Angeles since Dec. 21, 1969 (13-7). The Colts have lost their last three regular-season games against the Rams in Los Angeles, the last coming on Sept. 17, 1989 (31-17). The Colts have an 8-10 record against the Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum. The franchises have a shared history in former team owner Carroll Rosenbloom. Rosenbloom owned the Colts from 1953 to 1971 and the Rams from 1972 to 1979. He traded the Colts franchise to Robert Irsay, who had assumed control of the Rams. Irsay’s son Jim is now the Colts’ owner.
GAMEDATE: 9/10/17
KEYS TO THE GAME: With Scott Tolzien starting for injured Andrew Luck, the Colts’ offense must find some rhythm through the running game. That won’t be easy; Los Angeles’ strength on defense has been its defensive line and linebackers. But, it plays into the largely inexperienced Tolzien’s favor that star Rams tackle Aaron Donald is still holding out.
This is no longer the careful, deliberate Rams offense that sloughed around under former coach Jeff Fisher, so expect second-year QB Jared Goff and his new weapons — Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins, Cooper Kupp and Gerald Everett — to attack the Colts all over the field. They will hope to create a ground attack to balance things out with a new offensive line opening holes for RB Todd Gurley.
If the Rams can protect Goff, they should find the end zone against a Colts defense that has a young secondary and will be trying out a remodeled defensive line. Finding a way to put pressure on Goff and force mistakes will be key for the Colts.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Colts WR T.Y. Hilton vs. Rams CB Trumaine Johnson. Hilton had 98 catches for 1,449 yards last year and will be a handful for Johnson, whose ability to slow Hilton down could be a difference maker in the Rams beating the Colts.
–Rams LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Colts DE Henry Anderson. Whitworth was signed to finally elevate the left side of the Rams line from below average to above average, and right off the bat he’ll get a chance to prove it in his battle with Anderson, a promising third-year player from Stanford who combines a great motor with athletic ability and talent.
COLTS NOTABLE ROOKIE: Running back Marlon Mack. The South Florida back could very well be Indianapolis’ long-term answer to replace Frank Gore. Mack shows speed and good vision, is elusive and better than expected as both a pass blocker and receiver. He will be used this season primarily as a change-of-pace back and will rotate with Gore and Robert Turbin. Mack might also be used as a kickoff returner.
RAMS NOTABLE ROOKIE: Wide receiver Cooper Kupp. He was drafted in the third round, but by the end of this season people may wonder why he wasn’t a first-round pick. The smooth, dependable receiver from Eastern Washington lit up Rams camp with his route running, dependability, footwork and hands. There is every reason to believe his college production will translate to the NFL. He holds Football Championship Subdivision records for receptions (428), receiving yards (6,464) and receiving touchdowns (73).
FAST FACTS: Colts RB Frank Gore ranks eighth in NFL history with 13,065 rushing yards. He’s the fifth player in NFL history with 12,500 rushing yards (13,065) and 400 catches (414). He has 11 consecutive seasons with 1,200 scrimmage yards, most in NFL history. … Colts WR T.Y. Hilton has four seasons with 1,000 yards, third most in franchise history. He is one of four players in NFL history with at least 850 yards and five TD catches in each of first five seasons. … Colts K Adam Vinatieri leads all active players and ranks third in NFL history with 2,378 points. … The Rams’ Sean McVay makes his head coaching debut after spending the past three seasons as Washington’s offensive coordinator. … WR Sammy Watkins makes his debut for the Rams. He had more than 900 receiving yards in two of his three years in Buffalo and has 153 career receptions. … Rams holdout DT Aaron Donald had 62 tackles and led team with eight sacks in 2016. He has been named to three consecutive Pro Bowls. … Rams P Johnny Hekker was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2016. He led the NFL in net punt average (46.0).
PREDICTION: In an underwhelming QB matchup featuring rebuilding teams, the edge will go to the better coach — and McVay knows how to create offense.
OUR PICK: Rams, 26-17.
znModeratorThanks for posting that. As it happens I personally am very familiar with the controversies surrounding the film. I tend to approach it this way—I always say, as I do here, that it plays fast and loose with the history at points but that it does not matter while watching it. While watching it, you see there is nothing like it. Even fantastically implausible things like leading the panther into the pursuers, I just forgive. Overall, it’s a unique film. It has led many to say Gibson is a great director (including Tarantino, who called it a masterpiece). One of the things that makes it work is that once Jaguar Paw leads the gang dominated by Zero Wolf back into the woods, everything JP does is based on the woods being his turf and having ancient knowledge of the woods in his head, put there by his people who always lived there. Therefore his resourcefulness is not this action adventure trope, it’s just his cultural knowledge at work–he knows the forests, they’re his, he knows how to “use” it all. I also thought btw that Raoul Trujillo was just fantastic as Zero Wolf. His ferocity is very real on screen. It’s like he didn’t portray that, he incarnated it.
Here’s a paragraph from the wiki:
Apocalypto gained some passionate champions in the Hollywood community. Actor Robert Duvall called it “maybe the best movie I’ve seen in 25 years”. Director Quentin Tarantino said, “I think it’s a masterpiece. It was perhaps the best film of that year. I think it was the best artistic film of that year.” Martin Scorsese, writing about the film, called it “a vision,” adding, “Many pictures today don’t go into troubling areas like this, the importance of violence in the perpetuation of what’s known as civilization. I admire Apocalypto for its frankness, but also for the power and artistry of the filmmaking.” Actor Edward James Olmos said, “I was totally caught off guard. It’s arguably the best movie I’ve seen in years. I was blown away.” In 2013, director Spike Lee put the film on his list of all-time essential films.
znModeratorznModeratorHurricane Irma threatens ‘to devastate the United States,’ FEMA chief says
South Florida is bracing for a major storm surge and powerful winds even as Hurricane Irma weakened to a Category 4 storm as it makes it way toward the U.S. mainland.
“Obviously Hurricane Irma continues to be a threat that is going to devastate the United States,” Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator (FEMA), said at a press conference Friday morning. “We’re going to have a couple rough days.”
Irma was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm early Friday morning. As of 2 p.m. Eastern Time, the storm was moving 14 mph and located 380 miles southeast of Miami.
The National Weather Service cautioned that Irma is still “extremely dangerous,” with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, which are strong enough to uproot trees, bring down power poles and rip off the roofs and some exterior walls of well-built frame homes.
The National Weather Service issued its first hurricane warnings for Florida overnight, warning residents that “preparations to protect life should be rushed to completion.”
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for barrier islands, coastal communities, low-lying areas and mobile homes across Florida, including the counties of Brevard, Broward, Collier, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach and St. John. ABC News estimates roughly 1.2 million Florida residents have been ordered to evacuate.
Meteorologists expect Irma will approach the Florida Keys and southern Florida late Saturday night and then make landfall near Miami as a strong Category 4 hurricane with winds near 140 to 145 mph sometime between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. Overnight projections of Irma’s path showed less of a threat to the Carolinas as the monster storm appears likely to move directly up the middle of Florida and curve inland.
Meteorologists predict Irma will continue to weaken as the storm moves inland Sunday into Monday. Irma will approach Jacksonville on Monday around 8 a.m. Eastern Time with winds of about 75 mph, which would make it a dangerous Category 1 hurricane. Then, Irma should weaken rapidly to a tropical storm, depression or a remnant low later Monday as it moves across state lines into Georgia, then potentially Alabama and Tennessee on Tuesday into Wednesday, meteorologists say.
The worst of Irma’s winds and storm surge are projected to be near Marathon and Key Largo, but meteorologists say Miami and heavily populated southeastern Florida will still be on the strongest side of the storm.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Friday declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Irma’s potential impact.
“It is unfortunate that just as our nation has begun the process to repair the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Harvey, that we are faced with another extreme storm,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “However, if there is one lesson we can take from the tragic events that occurred in Texas, it is that we must redouble our preparation efforts.”
A storm-surge warning was in effect Friday morning for the Florida Keys and the Sebastian Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Venice, with the National Weather Service saying there is “danger of life-threatening inundation from rising waters moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours.”
Moreover, heavy rains are forecast to drench northern Florida, Georgia and even possibly South Carolina and Tennessee by Tuesday. Rainfall accumulations in southeast Florida and the Florida Keys are expected to reach 10 to 15 inches, with totals up to 20 inches locally. Eastern Florida, up the coast to Georgia, is expected to receive 8 to 12 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS Key West @NWSKeyWest
We cannot stress this enough, #Irma is extremely dangerous! The #StormSurge across the #FLkeys could be devastating! 5-10ft above ground!Government personnel have been deployed from Alabama to North Carolina to prepare for Hurricane Irma. Florida alone should anticipate days-long power outages, FEMA said.
Turks and Caicos pummeled, Bahamas next
The Turks and Caicos islands were hit hard as Irma passed over the tiny archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. A government spokesperson told ABC News the British overseas territory had sustained “catastrophic” damage.
The National Weather Service warned of a storm surge up to 20 feet on Turks and Caicos with 8 to 12 inches of rain for the low-lying islands through Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bahamas began to experience the extent of Irma’s wrath Friday morning. The storm’s speed was expected to slow as the core of the hurricane passed between the Bahamas and the northern coast of Cuba.
According to The Associated Press, at least 20 people have died and thousands were left homeless as a result of Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade, after it battered a string of Caribbean islands on Wednesday. At the time, Irma was a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.
Long, the FEMA administrator, said at the press conference Friday that the agency’s primary goal is to “stabilize the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico” by restoring power, maintaining security and bringing in life-sustaining supplies.
znModeratorWell….I thought it was DAMN GOOD. Really. I was startled by how good it was.
It is good. Very good. There are moments I could do without, and it does play a little loose with the actual history, but overall, in general, I thought it was very well done.
One of my favorite scenes, and it’s quirky choice, is when the priest on the pyramid conducting the sacrifices prays for the gods to return the sun from the eclipse. The crowd cheers, and he waves at them, laughing the whole time to himself, because he knows what an eclipse is and is delighted the crowd was fooled.
znModeratorI say either the AFC team wins or the NFC team wins.
But not both.
.
znModeratorI forgot an “A” in “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”.
I could have left it as it was but I didn’t want to look stupid.
Fair enough.
…
znModeratorheh…
heh, heh…
hehehehhehehhahahahahahaHAHAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAThis topic was modified 1 hour, 54 minutes ago by nittany ram.
You had to edit that?
To clean up the grammar, or something?
September 7, 2017 at 9:57 pm in reply to: 9/7 press conferences … McVay, Phillips, Gurley … vid & transcripts #73871znModeratorHead Coach Sean McVay – Post-Practice – September 7, 2017
(Opening Remarks)
“No injuries to report. We came out on the good side of that from yesterday’s practice and it was the same thing today, so we’re in good shape right now.”
(On the captains voting)
“Yeah, we let the players vote on the captains and what we did was we had the top-six vote getters, so we had three guys on defense, two on offense, one on special teams. It was (P) Johnny Hekker on special teams. Offensively, it was (T) Andrew Whitworth and (RB) Todd Gurley. Defensively, it was (CB Trumaine Johnson was one of them, (OLB) Connor Barwin and then (LB) Alec Ogletree. So, a great representation of guys that have done things the right way. I think there’s a lot of candidates that – we’ve got a lot of guys that I guess we should say that we consider leaders on this team and I think it’s a bunch of great guys in that locker room. Fortunately for those guys, that was who the team picked and I think that’s the way to do it and that’s who those guys voted on.”
(On if he liked the picks)
Oh yeah, I like the picks. Absolutely. I think there’s a handful of guys that are deserving of being captains as well and I don’t necessarily think that you have to have a ‘C’ on your chest to be a leader and to do things the right way every single day. We’ve got a handful of guys that have done that. I think you look at guys like (DT) Michael Brockers, (QB) Jared Goff is continuing to lead the right way, (C) John Sullivan, so there’s a handful of guys that I could go on and on about. But to those guys’ credit, those are the six that the team voted on and I’m very pleased with those picks and happy for those guys. I think it’s a great honor.”
(On if there is any update on DT Aaron Donald)
“No update on Aaron. Kind of right where we were yesterday.”
(On if he would rule him out of the game at this point)
“No. I wouldn’t rule him out of this game. I think we’re right in the same spot that we’ve been. We had a great practice today working on some third downs, different situations, short yardage, two-minute, so I’m pleased with the guys that are here working hard, doing a great job and I thought it was another good day where we’re putting ourselves in a position to hopefully have a good performance on Sunday.”
(On if there are any injury risks with Donald playing if he shows up tomorrow)
“Yeah, I think you certainly have to have a plan in place. But, kind of like we’ve talked about, our message remains the same – we’re very happy with the guys that we do have here. We’re continuing to work on trying to find that solution if we’re able to get it figured out before Sunday – how we exactly go about that will be determined.”
(On what he’s seen from QB Brandon Allen)
“I think he’s done a nice job. I think really when you get into some of the preparation work where Jared’s taking most of the reps offensively and then (QB) Sean (Mannion) gets the majority of the reps with the look team and things like that. He’s gotten a couple of throws, but you can see he’s a natural thrower of the football, the ball comes out quickly. But, other than that, really haven’t had too much of a chance to evaluate him and I think you look at those two guys that we’ve had here with Jared and Sean, pleased with what they’ve done.”
(On if he is totally comfortable with WR Sammy Watkins at this point or if he still has to learn some things)
“I think in terms of the position that he’s playing, he feels really comfortable. Like I’ve said with Sammy from day one – very smart player, understands football, so I think in terms of the way that we set up some of our concepts and the spacing, he understands that and I think he’s getting more and more comfortable with some of the little nuances with how we want to run certain routes and things like that. He’s a guy that’s played at a high level in this league and you can see that he’s ready to go. He’s had a good first couple days and I’m expecting a good performance from Sammy. But, to answer your question, we feel good about where he’s at and I think he’s done a good job of learning the system in a short amount of time and now it’s going to allow him to go play fast and do what he does.”
(On how he feels about the defensive line rotation if Donald is not available)
“I feel really good. I think what we’ve talked about when you look at the guys like (DT) Tanzel Smart, I think he’s really stepped up and made the most of his opportunities. You bring back a (DT) Tyrunn Walker, (DE) Morgan Fox has gotten reps. We already know what type of player that Michael Brockers is, so just looking at the interior of our defensive line, I think we’ve had a chance to develop some good depth. You get a guy like (OLB) Robert Quinn back, where we know what kind of threat he is coming off the edge and what Connor Barwin has done over the course of his career. So, I think just as a whole, looking at those guys, I feel good. (OLB) Samson (Ebukam) is going to add some depth on the outside as a rusher and then playing SAM linebacker in base, so that’s a good group of guys that we’re listing right there and that’s something that we do feel good about.”
(On what he thinks it says about Connor Barwin and Andrew Whitworth in being voted captains their first year with the team)
“I think when you look at targeting those types of players in free agency, what you really like is clearly the production as a player, but also the human being and the way they go about their business – they are pro’s pros. We talk about that all the time and they both have a nice, natural way about it. It comes off authentic and genuine and they do it whatever is true to their personality. I think their teammates sense that and that’s why the way that they lead, both in different ways has been received so well from guys that have been here. Like I mentioned earlier, I think to be voted on by your peers as a captain is an extremely humbling thing. It’s a great honor for those guys and from what I’ve seen from them and the impact that they’ve made both in the locker room and on the practice field, it’s kind of exactly what we had hoped and envisioned and we’re fortunate to have two players like that.”
(On what it says about CB Trumaine Johnson being voted a captain after expressing disappointment in not getting a long term contract in the offseason)
“I think it shows you what a great job he’s done on focusing on the things that he can control – being about all the right stuff. Since he’s gotten back from training camp, you see a motivated player. He’s doing everything that we ask. Clearly, we know what type of talent he is, but now I think he’s starting to bring people with him, where he’s setting a good example for that room day-in and day-out and when your peers vote on you as a captain, that says a lot. So, credit to Trumaine for not letting some of the things be a distraction and all he’s done is the right things and I think it’s a great example of when you come in here, you just do the little things the right way every single day, you get rewarded for that and now we expect big things from him. I’m really proud of Trumaine and I think it’s a great honor for him.”
(On if he has a pregame ritual that he normally adheres to)
“I think you’re figuring out that rhythm. I think you have a couple things that you do as far as getting ready for some of the plays that you want to run and how you want to be able to call a game and the way you want to try to set it up and get guys involved, so we’ll do that. Normally, that takes place on Friday night, so kind of trying to get a little bit ahead on that, but I think I’ll stay pretty consistent with some of those routines and it will be fun. Keep it the same as what we’ve done.”
(On if he has a special breakfast on Sunday morning)
“No special breakfast. Nothing like that. I’ll probably just wake up every hour, tossing and turning, excited about the game. But that’s been pretty consistent since I’ve been coaching.”
***
Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips – Post-Practice – September 7, 2017
(Opening Remarks)
“We’re excited about this game. I think it seems like a long time since we stared with OTAs and a new group and trying to put them together. And actually, we haven’t played – our first group really hasn’t played together very much in the preseason. Now we’ve started to practice together more, so I’m looking forward to see how we do. The Colts have a really good offense, they’ve got a premiere receiver in the league and (offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski) ‘Chud’ does a great job. I worked with Rob in San Diego. He does a great job as offensive coordinator. I know Chuck Pagano is a really good head coach. They’ve got good coaches and they’ve got good players, so we’ve got to get ourselves ready.”
(On how concerned he is that the starting defense hasn’t gotten much in-game work yet)
“I don’t know that concerned – I’m just waiting to kind of see how we do. I think there’s going to be good things. We’re practicing together well this week. I’ve been impressed with our practices this week and we have all our guys healthy and all of them are practicing now, so you’ve got to carry that to the game, but I thought we’ve practiced really well.”
(On DT Aaron Donald)
“As far as Aaron Donald, we know what the situation is and I know what the situation is. I’ve been through it before. It’s disappointing. It’s disappointing that he’s not here for whatever the reasons are, but I’ve been through it before, too. You’ve got to play with the guys you have. We believe that we can play well and that’s what we’re going to try to do. So, wishing and hoping one hand and all that stuff.”
(On what he feels his scheme can do for Donald)
“Well, I don’t know if I can do anything. I mean, I don’t know that I did anything for (Pro Football Hall of Fame DE) Reggie White, or (Pro Football Hall of Fame DE) Bruce Smith, or (Pro Football Hall of Fame DE) Elvin Bethea, or (Pro Football Hall of Fame DT) Curley Culp, or (Pro Football Hall of Fame LB) Rickey Jackson or some of these guys that are in the Hall of Fame. I think you give them the opportunity to do what they do well. I think those kind of players, (Texans DE) J.J. Watt, I can go on and on really. They’re talented. They do what they do really well. You’ve got to let them do it and you’ve got to put them in a position to be able to utilize their talent, is all you have to do. That’s not real hard.”
(On if he presumed that Donald wouldn’t be here when he started game planning for the Colts)
“No. We have adjustments in our defense for whoever we have. Guys have certain responsibilities, let’s say a gap responsibility, but how you do it is different on who the guy is. If you’ve got a big, heavyset guy that doesn’t move real quick, well then he kind of powers the guy. If you’ve got a guy like Aaron Donald, you tell him, ‘Take off and beat the guy real quick.’ So, we just adjust with our personnel and let them do what they do well.”
(On what has impressed him about DT Tanzel Smart)
“Tanzel Smart has come in and done a really good job as a rookie, a lower-round draft choice. We thought, he had some ability and he’s shown that ability. So, he’s going to have to play in a rotation. We think he’ll play all right. He played well in the preseason. He’s still got to get better, but I think he will.”
(On what he has seen from CB Trumaine Johnson)
“I’m really impressed with Trumaine Johnson. I think he’s come in here and done everything we’ve asked and a little bit more, really. And that’s what I’ve been impressed with. He works at what he does, he’s a smart player, he’s athletic, he listens to what we’re trying to teach, he knows how to fit in, in the defense. I’ve been really impressed with him. I’ve had some really good corners, but he can be right up there. Throw in (Broncos OLB) Von Miller and (Former OLB) DeMarcus Ware, you can throw him in there too. If we’re just naming names, (former DT) Jerome Brown and (former DE) Clyde Simmons were pretty good too, so.”
(On his approach to coaching talented defensive players like Watt and Miller early in their careers)
“Just like I’ve said, they’re really good players. I think you’d have to mess it up as a coach for those guys not to play well. I said it before, if a great player like that can’t play in your scheme then you’ve got the wrong scheme. So, I don’t worry about those kind of players. Now, I still think you have to coach them. I still think they have to work to be better whoever it is. And those guys that you mentioned did that. They kept working at what they did even though they were really talented, they kept working at what they did. (Hall of Fame DE) Bruce Smith, at the end of his career was still the same way. He kept getting sacks because he kept working at what he did and tried to get better all the time. And, I think the great one have that too. They have heart too. You can’t – the intangibles that people talk about – one of them is that they have a tremendous will to be the best and you get around guys like that, they’re going to do well unless you mess them up, really.”
(On what he has seen from LB Alec Ogletree)
“I’ve been really impressed with Alec Ogletree. He’s a smart guy, but he’s really athletic. He gives you everything you want in a linebacker. He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s fast and he’s smart. He can make all the calls and the adjustments. It’s a new defense and he’s the leader of that defense and done a great job with it.”
(On if he will monitor OLB Robert Quinn’s snaps)
“Yeah. I think anybody that hasn’t practiced the whole time or whatever, we’ve got to be aware of Robert Quinn or even (LB) Mark Barron. Some of those guys that haven’t been in live action during the preseason at all. We’ll have to be aware and monitor how many snaps they have. They’ll be on the snap count or pitch count or whatever. Whether it’s baseball or football, whatever it is.
(On what it is about the Colts offense that allows WR T.Y. Hilton to be so dangerous)
“He led the NFL in receiving so, just like any – I said ‘Chud’ is a really good coordinator and he’s got a great player there and he utilizes him. That’s what you do, you put him in situations where you can get him one-on-one and you can get him running option routes where he can go any way he sees, which he’s great at. So, you have to double him every play, so we will.”
(On if it is a little bit of a sign of relief that he will not have to face Colts QB Andrew Luck on Sunday)
“I just think you have to play as good as you can play whoever you play against. We hadn’t had any luck, we hadn’t had any luck this game anyway. They don’t either, so. No, I don’t worry about that. I worry about who they have and what they’re doing and try to stop them. That’s what our job is.”
(On if it’s tough to get a read on a different quarterback)
No. I think their offense is going to be similar. Obviously he’s played some, he played last year against Pittsburgh, so we have some background on him as far as playing and he’s a veteran guy that we know can read defenses and things like that. So, it’s just preparation. It’s just getting prepared for what you feel like they can do. Then you get in the game and they’re doing something else and you have to adjust and we have a capability of doing that I think.”
(On Coach McVay’s first regular season game as a head coach)
“Sean McVay is – I thought – that’s why I came here, but I thought when I came here he’s going to be an outstanding head coach. The more I’m around him the more I have that feeling. I think if you talk to any of the players, the culture here, he’s doing all of the right things. That doesn’t make you win all your games, certainly, but I think, I was around (Hall of Fame Coach) Marv Levy who’s in the Hall of Fame and, obviously I was impressed with Marv. Dan Reeves who won 200 games and Marty Schottenheimer who won 200 games and this guy is potentially that kind of coach because he’s got a clear message, the players know what to expect and that was the thing that those other guys I talked about had.”
***
RB Todd Gurley – Post-Practice – September 7, 2017
(On being voted a captain by his teammates and what that means to him)
“It means a lot. The team voted for me to be a captain. For that to be my second year in a row to be a captain it means a lot. It just means a lot for what the guys think of me. So, I appreciate that – just trying to work hard and try to be the best leader, the best teammate I can be.”
(On if being a captain brings on any extra responsibility)
“Obviously just being yourself. When you have that ‘C’ that gives you just a little bit more edge to do a little bit more, say a little bit more, because they voted for you for a reason. And it’s a good thing, just to have ‘Whit’ (T Andrew Whitworth) with me. It doesn’t matter if you have a ‘C’ on your chest or not. Anybody can lead, anybody can…doesn’t matter if practice squad or whatever, you know. So, just take information from everybody else and we just all work together as one.”
(On how he thinks the offense looks going into Week 1)
“I’m excited. I’m very, very excited. I can’t wait…football, well it starts back tonight. I’m pretty sure everybody’s anxious to see how we’re going to do just like we are. So, we just can’t wait to play Sunday.”
(On if feels any different going into this season, because he got a lot more work in this year’s preseason as opposed to last year’s preseason)
“Not really. You know it’s just a new offense. It felt like things have been clicking. We’ve just got that confidence about us – just try to build it every day. We feel a lot more comfortable with the offensive schemes that we’ve been running the last four, five months. We just can’t wait to get out there.”
(On what specifically gives him and the offense confidence)
“Just practice reps, you know practice reps, game reps – just seeing what other teams (did) in the past against those types of defenses. And just going out there and practicing, executing – not looking sloppy, catching the ball, running the ball, not turning the ball over. Just the more things you do…,just like you all, the more articles you get, the more comfortable you get. The more practices you get, just the more comfortable you get. So that’s just kind of how we feel right now.”
(On what WR Sammy Watkin’s addition to the team can do for the offense)
“A lot. He’s a great play-maker. Obviously, we know what he can do with the ball in his hands and when he’s healthy. Just having him, having (WR) ‘Rob’ (Robert Woods) you know those two guys being on the same team last year and having their connection – just adding ( WR Cooper) Kupp, (WR) Tavon (Austin), (TE) Gerald (Everett), (TE Tyler) Higbee. It’s a lot of guys I feel like can step up and we all can be that go to guy. A lot of people are depending on a lot of people. I feel confident that we can all come together as one and make it happen.”
(On if he heard complaints last year from fans who drafted him to their fantasy football team)
“Yeah, that’s the only thing you hear these days is fantasy football. (Nobody cares) about nothing else (anymore).”
(On if the fantasy football comments get annoying)
“Yeah, it’s always annoying. I mean, I don’t really care about it. But that’s just how it is now, you know, it is what it is.”
znModeratorFor the Rams, figuring out what they have in Jared Goff outweighs everything in 2017
VINCENT BONSIGNORE
BLISHED: September 7, 2017 at 4:55 pm | UPDATED: September 7, 2017 at 5:02 pm
At some point Sunday night, after a full day of NFL games conclude and the leftover wings and brats are wrapped up tightly and tucked away in the refrigerator and the barbecue grills are scrubbed clean and neatly covered, a whole bunch of tired heads will hit a whole bunch of pillows across Los Angeles.What happens next — whether sleep arrives rapidly and happily and satisfied for Rams fans, or it is prolonged, anxious and concerned — will rely heavily on how a certain second-year quarterback plays Sunday afternoon against the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s not like all the angst and optimism and worry and confidence and doubt and conviction about Jared Goff will be validated or invalidated.
It will take much more than the opening game of a new season to fairly arbitrate the varying degrees of credence or apprehension about Goff, the polarizing first overall pick in the 2016 draft whose disastrous rookie season was either the fault of the impossible situation the Rams put him in or damning evidence he was miscast as the future face of the franchise.
We likely won’t won’t be anointing him the next big thing or kicking him entirely to the curb based on one game, either.A season opener at that.
But deep down in our football souls, a place where the lasting snapshots of the greats, the average and the busts among the hundreds of NFL quarterbacks that preceded Goff impartially reside, we’ll have a much better idea where all this is headed.
The direction of which will define the Rams’ second year back in Los Angeles and the immediate future that follows.
Goff, to his credit, seems eager to embrace the challenge. And it would be disingenuous to claim he hasn’t provided snippets of evidence he is much further along now than at any point last year.
Aside from an All-Pro caliber play by Chargers pass-rush demon Joey Bosa to strip sack Goff and force a 76-yard touchdown fumble recovery and one very lousy overthrow by Goff for an interception, the former Cal star was mostly effective during the preseason while completing 24 of 32 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. Of the first six drives he presided over, he directed the Rams to scores on four of them, connecting on 75 percent of his passes.
Throughout OTAs and training camp, he looked much further along this year compared to last.
This isn’t the overwhelmed Goff we saw last preseason, the one who didn’t make the active roster for the season opener and then sat nine weeks before finally getting his chance to play. He looks, acts and, at least through most of the preseason, has played the part of a productive NFL quarterback.
“I feel confident compared to last year,” Goff said. “I think that obviously getting all the reps through the offseason has been huge and understanding what we’re trying to do and like I just kind of said, understanding so much more about the game and about what everyone’s intent is on the field. Ultimately, just comfortability and just being where I want to be mentally, physically, emotionally, everything.”
He needs to be.
There is an incredible amount riding on his performance.
Forget the Aaron Donald holdout.
Or the beginning of the new era of Rams football under first-year coach Sean McVay.
Set aside the Fight for L.A. slogan pinning the Rams against the Chargers, their new Los Angeles neighbors by way of San Diego. It’ll be years before the winner of that battle is truly calculated.
It’s not about wins and losses, per se, or attendance figures and television ratings.
The 2017 season is all about Jared Goff and whether he proves he’s the quarterback the Rams can confidently march into the future with or a miscalculation they need to move on from.
If that sounds hasty and harsh, well, that’s how it goes when it comes to the NFL and quarterbacks.
You’re in business when you’ve got a real one.
You’re lost with a pretender.
You are relevant with a very good to great one.
You’re just a faceless team in the crowd with just an OK one.
The Rams have been lost for years, sorting through one would-be permanent quarterback after another, and their relevancy as a bona fide NFL franchise, a team opponents fear and fans flock to, has steadily dwindled.
It was glaring problem in St. Louis, where they stumbled through 13 straight non-winning seasons before packing up and moving back to Los Angeles.
But it was regionally confined, given the market they played in.
The stage in Los Angeles offers no shade, no place to hide or retreat. You spin your wheels here, you might as well be pedaling backward off the side of a mountain. That’s no way to rekindle a romance in a new city, especially with the Chargers moving into town and vying for the attention and hearts and wallets from many of the same fans the Rams are wooing.
But until they get their long-term quarterback situation solved, that’s exactly what they’ll be doing.
Beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, we’ll start getting a better idea if those wheels finally found some traction.
“I think anytime that you get guys in the games, that’s where you get a chance to really evaluate them,” McVay said. “I think we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve seen in practice – the pocket movement, the ability to work through progressions. The best test is when you can truly get tackled and I think in spurts, he’s showed some really good positive signs of going in the right direction with what he did in the preseason. ”
Everything the Rams did since last season was to ensure this year provides a fair representation of what they actually have in Goff. Not the finished product, necessarily, but frank, valid proof he’s their guy.
They fired defensive-minded coach Jeff Fisher and replaced him with McVay, a 31-year-old offensive prodigy who has surrounded himself with assistants heavy on offensive design and quarterback development experience.
They replaced Greg Robinson, the worst left tackle in the NFL, with Andrew Whitworth, one of the best.
Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp were added at wide receiver, transforming one of the least dangerous groups in all of football into one opposing defenses now have to respect.
From coaching to personnel, you can make the case almost everything around Goff has been improved.
The bad coaching and even worse talent around Goff last year rendered judgment on him unfair. As bad as the numbers were – an 0-7 record, 112 of 205 passing with seven interceptions and five touchdowns and an incredible 26 sacks – it was much more the by-product of poor coaching and insufficient talent. In many ways, Goff was just a victim of circumstance.
But the Rams have removed that crutch, making this season a much more reasonable microscope from which to dissect Goff. Even he notices a major difference.
“I think as a whole we’ve really improved everywhere – not only offensively, but defensively, special teams, everywhere we’ve improved. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we feel really good where we’re at.”
The question is, will a bunch of anxious Rams fans feel just as good when their heads hit the pillows Sunday night?
znModeratorWell here are some things from 2016 that are absolutely unique to 2016 and therefore gone in 2017.
1. They’re not moving. Any writer or analyst who actually talked about this (including Farr, who has been through a move) stated unequivocally that this was a big drain and had an effect. So I expect them to be sharper, more focused, and more stable overall.
2. They have a starting qb from day one. Not a #2 caliber guy (albeit one with some pluck plus a long ball), and not an especially green rookie.
3. Gurley has gone out of his way to indicate he is more focused this offseason. I am hoping that pays off.
4. An extension of #1. They don’t believe, as a team, that this season is a kind of “pass” where management will think you’re fine, considering you have moved, if you;re just competitive. (Which was something that came up last year.) No, it’s “yes this counts” from the get-go.
I think all those things will contribute to better all around team performance.
Plus they added Philips, McVay, Kromer, Olson, Watkins, Woods, Whitworth, Balmer, and Kupp.
They’re just going to be both a better team AND less mired in a less than ideal situation.
…
znModeratorUS News Tropical Storm Jose Forms Right Behind Category 5 Hurricane Irma
On the heels of Hurricane Irma, which reached Category 5 strength on Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, Tropical Jose formed.
Tropical Storm Jose, the Atlantic 2017 season’s 10th named storm, has winds of 40 mph, and was moving west-northwest at 13 mph, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
It’s located some 1,500 miles east of the Lesser Antilles in the far-eastern Caribbean Sea.
“Jose,” the Center said, “should move toward the west or west-northwest for the next three to four days at a slightly faster rate of forward speed as it moves south of the deep-layer Azores-Bermuda high.”
“In about four to five days, Jose should turn toward the northwest and slow,” according to the NHC.
Hurricane Irma, meanwhile, is approaching the island of Antigua. V.C. Bird International Airport said it is shutting down Tuesday to seek protection from the powerful storm, The Associated Press reported. It said, “May God protect us all.”
Irma, said to have winds of 180 mph, is expected to pass north of Antigua and near Barbados on Tuesday night.
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
-Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis
-Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten
-Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
-British Virgin Islands
-U.S. Virgin Islands
-Puerto Rico, Vieques and CulebraThe storm may hit Florida, and it prompted Gov. Rick Scott to issue a state of emergency on Monday afternoon.
Scott wrote:
“Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared. I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma’s path—potentially impacting millions of Floridians. Today, given these forecasts and the intensity of this storm, I have declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida to make certain that state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm.
In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared. This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape.”
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello warned residents, saying all decisions taken in the next few of hours could mean the difference between life and death.
States of emergency have been declared in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AP reported.
September 7, 2017 at 6:36 pm in reply to: Adam Schefter & others: latest status of Rams's Aaron Donald, etc. #73857znModeratorIf the numbers given to me are accurate, the #Rams have made more than one very fair offer to Aaron Donald.
charles zabielski @CZabielski
What’s your take on Donald’s stance here?Benjamin Allbright@AllbrightNFL
Show up, play. Team is much more flexible on money next year.znModeratorI assume the Rams will win but there are so many question marks.
How far along is Goff, in a different way how far along is Watkins, can rookie Kupp runneth over, is Gurley for real, is the right side of the line okay, how do they use Tavon, can the DL hold up without Donald, do they have a pass rush, how is Quinn and how is Barron, are the safeties okay, what about Webster.
As Gurley goes, so goes the season.
…
znModeratorfrom PFT’s Week One picks
Mike Florio
Colts at Rams
MDS’s take: Are you excited for the Jared Goff vs. Scott Tolzien quarterback matchup? I’ll take Goff’s guys to win at home.
MDS’s pick: Rams 20, Colts 17.
Florio’s take: If L.A. getting football back means L.A. witnessing Scott Tolzien and Jared Goff, maybe L.A. is better off without football.
Florio’s pick: Rams 24, Colts 10.
znModeratorPFF picks for the opening week of the NFL season! pic.twitter.com/R2Qq9bpbZZ
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 7, 2017
September 7, 2017 at 4:18 pm in reply to: post-cut down roster assessment & power rankings & predictions & stuff like that #73848znModeratorfrom 2017 DVOA Projections
Aaron Schatz
Here are our DVOA projections for 2017, updated from the season forecasts in Football Outsiders Almanac 2017.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2017/2017-dvoa-projections
Los Angeles Rams
Overall Rank: 14th
Offense: 27th
Defense: 2nd
Special Teams: 2nd
Mean Wins: 8.3
Playoff Odds: 37.6%
Projected 2018 Draft Position: 20thSeptember 7, 2017 at 3:14 pm in reply to: Adam Schefter & others: latest status of Rams's Aaron Donald, etc. #73846znModerator#Rams were hopeful Aaron Donald deal would be done at this point. It unfortunately is not. Donald wants gtd $ front loaded.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 7, 2017
Re: social media rumor of potential trade of Aaron Donald to #Browns, I was told "that has never been discussed."
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 7, 2017
znModeratorGoff Ready to Show Off New Offense
Myles Simmons
When Sean McVay was interviewing to become the Rams’ head coach in January, he studied plenty of film on quarterback Jared Goff, and was able to meet with the young signal-caller. Los Angeles’ top draft pick in 2016 clearly did not have the type of rookie season anyone envisioned, but McVay noticed Goff still exhibited positive traits — both on and off the field.
“What you see on tape from Jared before you ever get a chance to work with him and know the person [is that he’s a] natural thrower of the football, he’s tough where he’ll stand in there and keep his eyes down the field,” McVay said on Wednesday.
“The thing that I really like is, when I got a chance to interview for the job, you talk to him about how he processed last year,” McVay added. “Clearly, it didn’t go the way that we wanted it to go, but I sensed a guy that was motivated in the right ways. He didn’t lose any of his confidence, but I think it was something that has driven him to work harder moving into this year, motivated for the right reasons.”
As the two got to know each other better over the course of the offseason program, McVay continued to see Goff make strides. The head coach said his quarterback is someone who takes instruction well, with the understanding that most comments are about correction rather than criticism.
“In terms of building and developing a relationship with him, he’s been a joy to coach — very coachable,” McVay said. “I think we’ve been really pleased with what we’ve seen in practice – the pocket movement, the ability to work through progressions. The best test is when you can truly get tackled and I think in spurts, he’s showed some really good positive signs of going in the right direction with what he did in the preseason. Certainly this game on Sunday will offer a great opportunity for us to see if what we feel like the confidence that we have in him and that we expect to see.”
Now it’s all coming together, as Goff will make his first opening day start against the Colts on Sunday. It’s been a long process to get to this point, but the quarterback feels ready to show just how much he and the offense has gotten better heading into his second year.
“I think as a whole we’ve really improved everywhere — not only offensively, but defensively, special teams, everywhere we’ve improved,” Goff said. “I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we feel really good where we’re at.”
Like many players going from their first to their second year, Goff said the game has slowed down for him.
“I think that, obviously, getting all the reps through the offseason has been huge and understanding what we’re trying to do and … understanding so much more about the game and about what everyone’s intent is on the field,” Goff said. “Ultimately, just comfortability and just being where I want to be mentally, physically, emotionally, everything.”
Even as a former No. 1 overall pick, Goff said he hasn’t felt much pressure of expectations.
“I don’t think you can pay attention to anything and put too much unneeded pressure on yourself,” Goff said, adding his approach is to “everyday come in here and do the best you can and continue to be the best person, player, teammate you can be. And, ultimately at the end of the day, it should be enough.”
And yet, the bar has undoubtedly been raised this year with McVay as Los Angeles’ head coach. With that, Goff sounded a lot like his head coach — who often cites “daily improvement” as a main focus — when asked how he’ll define success in 2017.
“You always want to win and that’s always the main point, but I think as long as we continue to keep getting better and continue to improve, I think the rest will take care of itself,” Goff said. “You don’t want to say too much or say too little, but I think we’re happy with where we are right now and excited about the future and excited to go into this season and hopefully make some noise.”
Goff echoing that coaching point may be minor, but it speaks to how the new coaching staff has approached developing a successful team.
“I’ve felt like they’ve done an incredible job just changing the culture around here and doing a great job with not only the offense, but Sean peeks in on the defense at times and has done a great job just keeping everything in line,” Goff said.
And so Goff and the Rams will begin their 2017 season on Sunday. While Goff admitted he may have a few nerves to start — “There will be some of that, but I’ve never really had many issues with being able to stay calm,” he said — those will likely fall away with the first hit. After all the practices and coaching points dispensed, McVay is looking forward to seeing the quarterback lead the offense against Indianapolis.
“I think with Jared leading the way, we feel good about it. We know it’s going to be about making good decisions, distributing the ball to the playmakers that we do have,” McVay said. “As long as we just take it one play at a time, we expect him to make good decisions, throw with accuracy, timing and rhythm. And if he does that, then I think he’ll give himself a chance to play good football for us.”
znModeratorJoe Curley @vcsjoecurley
The Rams injury report is officially blank. “No injuries to report.”This means everyone on 53 participated in practice.
Asked about potential disappointment about not going head to head with Andrew Luck, Goff answers “You’re playing the defense.”
Goff says the new staff “has done an incredible job” changing the culture in the building, in the franchise.
Goff says he’s looking forward to “showing off” what the Rams have learned over the past 6-8 months.
“When things don’t go as we plan, he doesn’t flinch.” — McVay on Jared Goff’s strengths
McVay says the defense “looks good” now that the group is nearly totally assembled.
Chuck Pagano calls McVay “a smart guy and he’s surrounded himself with a bunch of great football coaches and talented people.”
Pagano mentions DC Wade Phillips. “We’ve faced coach Phillips many times. We’ve seen his system.”
Pagano, who called Donald a “game wrecker,” says his potential absence will challenge the Rams “really good roster.” “It’s next man up.”
No Rams made the @PFF all- preseason team, but old friend EJ Gaines was on there. He allowed just 1 catch for 6 yards in 38 coverage snaps.
Alden Gonzalez @Alden_Gonzalez
Rams fans I see on Twitter continue to turn on Aaron Donald. Funny how sensibilities change when issues begin to have personal impact.Myles Simmons@MylesASimmons
For the Colts, QB Andrew Luck, CB Vontae Davis, C Ryan Kelly all did not practice — #asexpected. All have already been ruled out for Sunday.znModeratorA$AP RAMS @scarrson
Donald looking for that NBA type deal. Somewhere toward 200mill so this is a difficult spot for the teamVincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
Stop.Vince Noto @vincen0285
Vinny – one thing I don’t see written about -ZMartin and OBJ in exact same position from a contract perspective, but both are playing SundayVincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
Every situation is uniqueStephen Conway @wolfgang0423
So if he sits out all yr. He comes back next yr in exactly the same situ…2 more yrs on contract. 2 more yrs of franchising.Vincent Bonsignore @DailyNewsVinny
YesSeptember 6, 2017 at 8:43 pm in reply to: Some podcasts: Fearsome Twosome; Vincent Bonsignore #73824znModeratorThe SportsZone 9/5/17 – Vincent Bonsignore of the LA Daily News joined Bob Kemp to discuss the Rams off-season, Jared Goff, Aaron Donald and a new head coach.
September 6, 2017 at 8:00 pm in reply to: post-cut down roster assessment & power rankings & predictions & stuff like that #73823znModeratorRams Power Rankings: Week 1
Kristen Lago
This is the week Rams’ fans have been waiting for — Week 1 of the regular season. The Rams will kick off the 2017 season with a home opener on Sunday against the Colts. And as the Rams get ready for the official kickoff to their game days, each week TheRams.com will be taking an aggregate look at where the team ranks in different outlets across the sports media landscape.
Here are the power rankings for the Rams coming out of the preseason and heading into Week 1:
NFL.com, Elliot Harrison Rank: 29
ESPN.com Rank: 27
SBNation.com Rank: 25
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner Rank: 25
USA Today Rank: 24
Bleacher Report Rank: 28
The Washington Post Rank: 27
Sports Illustrated, Peter King Rank: 29
CBS Sports, Pete Prisco Rank: 26
THIS WEEK’s OPPONENT’S RANKS — INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
NFL.com — 27
ESPN.com — 18
SBNation.com — 27
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner — 28
USA Today — 27
Bleacher Report — 32
Washington Post — 24
Sports Illustrated — 24
CBS Sports — 25
znModeratorznModerator
September 5, 2017 at 8:59 pm in reply to: 9/2 = roster cutdown; 9/3 = practice squad; 9/7 must be under the cap #73797znModeratorCROMWELL21
T Michael Dunn released from PS nm
Trinca-Pasat released from PS nm
Peterson and Mundt added to PS nm
znModeratorIRMA’S A CAT 5!!!
Hurricane Irma threatens the United States with power rarely seen
Florida residents should prepare for the worst.http://www.popsci.com/hurricane-irma-united-states?src=SOC&dom=fb
One of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean will soon slam into the Antilles before setting its sights on the continental United States. Hurricane Irma grew into a scale-topping category five storm on Tuesday, making it the second major hurricane to threaten land in the past two weeks. It’s set to bring potentially catastrophic damage to parts of the Lesser Antilles (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on Wednesday, steadily skirting past Hispaniola and Cuba until it approaches Florida this weekend as a large and intense hurricane.
Hurricane Hunter aircraft flying through the storm on Tuesday afternoon found 185 MPH winds in the hurricane’s northern eyewall, which is approaching the upper limit for how strong a tropical cyclone can get in this kind of environment. Irma is only the fourth storm in the recorded history of Atlantic hurricanes to grow this strong, and the National Hurricane Center notes that it’s the strongest ever seen outside of the Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean Sea.
The hurricane is about as close as you can get to perfection—from a meteorological point of view. The eye is huge and mostly clear. The storm is almost perfectly symmetrical and has that “buzzsaw” appearance on satellite imagery, an ominous look resulting from a combination of rain bands and cirrus clouds forming as the storm vents air high into the atmosphere. There’s very little along the forecast track that could weaken the storm, aside from interaction with land and natural changes in the hurricane’s internal structure. Hurricane Irma is a powerhouse, and an extreme rarity in this part of the world.Irma will approach Florida this weekend, but not before wreaking havoc on the islands that border the Caribbean Sea. The eye will move over or very close to Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Martin, and the British Virgin Islands on Wednesday (if the storm stays on its current track).
Islands caught in the northwestern part of Irma’s eyewall will experience the strongest winds, and a storm surge—sea water pushed inland by a hurricane’s strong winds—deep enough to completely inundate buildings on the coast. The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will experience severe impacts from this storm on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center expects the two island territories to see violent winds and up to a foot of rain as the eye of the storm moves just to their north. Wind damage is likely to hit trees, power lines, and buildings, especially those with lower construction quality. Storm surge flooding of 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels is possible in the U.S. Virgin Islands (except for St. Croix), and a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet could occur on Puerto Rico’s northern coast. A storm surge is the sea water pushed inland by a hurricane’s strong winds. Islands caught in the northwestern part of Irma’s eyewall will experience the strongest winds and a storm surge that might be deep enough to completely inundate some buildings on the coast.
A storm surge isn’t the only flooding that’s possible: tropical cyclones that pass over the Antilles are notorious for unleashing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides due to hilly terrain. More people die due to flooding than from any other hazard during such storms.
But it’s the end of that five-day forecast that’s churning so many stomachs here on the east coast. Forecasters currently expect a vigorous hurricane to approach the southern tip of Florida by Sunday. Most weather models have the storm making a sharp northerly turn by the end of the weekend, and based on current forecasts, this would take the storm over the entire length of Florida.
Hurricanes naturally tend to move in a northerly direction, but a strong ridge of high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean, known as the Bermuda High, is currently steering the hurricane toward the northwest. An region of low pressure approaching over the eastern United States will help weaken that high, causing Irma to abruptly change direction and follow its own path. Exactly when this sudden change in track occurs—along with small wobbles in its track over the next couple of days—will be critical in determining who sees the worst of Irma’s impacts here in the United States. An unexpected jog to the left or right of its current motion could have huge implications for the storm’s future.
With at least five days until Irma hits the United States, we’re too far away from a potential landfall to gauge its track with laser-like precision. It’s possible the storm will just barely miss land. But Irma could also inflict a disaster not seen since Hurricane Andrew came ashore in 1992. It’s going to be a long week of nervously watching and waiting—and reloading each run of the weather models to see what they have to say. Hurricane Hunter aircraft will fly through the storm almost continuously over the next week, and The National Hurricane Center will issue updates on Hurricane Irma every six hours or as they’re urgently needed.
The best thing to do is to prepare for the storm, whether you live on the coast or 100 miles inland. Officials in the Florida Keys have already issued a mandatory evacuation, as there’s only one road back to the mainland and hurricane shelters are closed when an approaching hurricane is a category three or stronger.
As we saw with Hurricane Harvey a few weeks ago, it doesn’t take a direct hit to cause major problems, and not just coastal residents are at risk. Inland flooding is always a threat to life and property. Winds could topple trees and power lines, especially in areas where the ground is wet and soft from recent rains. Power outages are inconvenient at best, but can seriously disrupt your life at worst. Communities that see the worst conditions could be uninhabitable for weeks or even months, should the worst-case scenario plays out. Don’t panic, but do use the next five days wisely. -
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