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  • in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157635
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    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157633
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    Stu Jackson@StuJRams
    Rams GM Les Snead on the broadcast praised rookie TE Terrance Ferguson’s ball-tracking and body control, said he fits what the Rams want to do offensively.

    Stu Jackson@StuJRams
    Les Snead also said the Rams have discussed using more 12 personnel, and said they can do a better job of giving veteran TE Tyler Higbee breaks with Ferguson in the fold now

    Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
    Every year I watch these guys in OTAs and training camp and wonder, “is this the year??”

    It could really be the year!*

    *subject to change

    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157631
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    Ramblin’ Fan@RamblinFan
    Looks like that Rams rookie TE Terrance Ferguson is all that and more.

    Stu Jackson@StuJRams
    Rams GM Les Snead on the broadcast praised rookie TE Terrance Ferguson’s ball-tracking and body control, said he fits what the Rams want to do offensively.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157629
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    Word on the game is, when they got to the absolute bottom of the OL pool–and that’s who played in this game–they weren’t any good as a unit.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157628
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    Top Plays vs. Browns Preseason Finale | Terrance Ferguson’s Debut & More

    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157627
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    from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-terrance-ferguson-browns

    Terrance Ferguson won the day with a masterful performance. It’s clear the Rams have never had a pass catching tight end talent that is able to be effective in the way Ferguson was in Cleveland. With the skills of a pure receiver, Ferguson’s feet and frame cause massive matchup problems.

    He’s taller than most defensive backs and faster than most linebackers.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157625
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    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157622
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    from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/23/watch-rams-rookie-te-terrance-ferguson-makes-first-nfl-catch/85798384007/?taid=68aa3a1cfd5d85000130960c&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

    The 2025 second-round rookie out of Oregon caught a huge 33-yard reception from quarterback Dresser Winn late in the second quarter. He added another 15-yard reception later in the drive.

    Here’s Ferguson’s first NFL reception:

    in reply to: roster cuts/practice squad thread … 8/26 #157621
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    Stu Jackson@StuJRams
    Sean McVay on Shaun Dolac not playing today vs. Browns:

    “It’s a good sign for him” heading into 53-man roster deadline Tuesday. “We’ll continue to evaluate, but he’s done a really good job.”

    Said Dolac has made his presence felt on special teams, praised his understanding of Rams defense.

    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157620
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    From “the archive”:

    1.

    WR Brennan Presley – The Rams added one of Oklahoma State’s most prolific pass catchers. He is limited by size alone, as he stands 5-foot-9, weighs 175 pounds, and runs a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. He is a versatile offensive weapon and a special-teams standout who put up 315 receptions, 3,315 yards, and 23 touchdowns. He is also a gifted runner, rushing 30 times for 160 yards and six touchdowns. He is another versatile weapon.

    2.

    from https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Brennan-Presley-WR-OklahomaState

    Scouting Report: Strengths

    Excellent route runner with a strong understanding of spacing and timing.
    Soft hands and reliable catching ability, even in traffic.
    Proven ability to gain significant yards after the catch.
    Versatile player, contributing effectively on offense and special teams.
    Strong leadership qualities – multi-year team captain.
    Highly productive with a record-setting performance in the Texas Bowl.
    Quick and agile, making him a threat in open space.
    Consistently reliable, with multiple catches in 30 consecutive games.

    Scouting Report: Weaknesses

    Limited size and physical presence at 5’8″ and 175 pounds.
    Struggles to create separation purely with speed.
    Not highly effective as a run blocker.
    Occasional difficulty making plays in tight coverage.
    Relies more on effort and technique than burst and speed.

    Scouting Report: Summary

    Brennan Presley is a dynamic slot receiver who brings versatility and high football IQ to the field. His reliable hands, crisp route-running, and ability to rack up yards after the catch make him a valuable weapon in the passing game. As a proven leader and consistent performer, he offers immediate contributions on special teams and as a reliable third-down target.

    However, Presley’s size at 5’8″ and 175 pounds presents concerns about his durability and physicality at the next level. He lacks elite top-end speed and struggles to create separation against more physical defenders. His run blocking and ability to make contested catches in tight coverage are areas needing improvement, which might limit his role in certain offensive schemes.

    Presley’s NFL potential lies in his agility, quickness, and situational awareness. He can carve out a niche as a slot receiver and special teams ace, providing value on punt and kickoff returns. Teams seeking a shifty, high-motor player with strong hands and the ability to execute precise routes will find Presley appealing. To succeed, he’ll need to leverage his strengths and overcome his physical limitations, making the most of his football savvy and competitive drive.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157619
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    from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-terrance-ferguson-browns

    Brennan Presley and Tru Edwards continued to impress with Edwards making a wild catch on a deflected ball during the team’s final offensive drive. On 4th and one, after McCallan Castles dropped an open pass for first down, Edwards hauled in the catch and while we don’t know if he had the completion while in bounds, that was the call on the field and the Rams snapped the ball before a challenge could be initiated.

    Terrance Ferguson won the day with a masterful performance. It’s clear the Rams have never had a pass catching tight end talent that is able to be effective in the way Ferguson was in Cleveland. With the skills of a pure receiver, Ferguson’s feet and frame cause massive matchup problems.

    He’s taller than most defensive backs and faster than most linebackers.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157618
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    Five takeaways from Rams’ 19-17 preseason Week 3 loss to Browns: Dresser Winn and Jordan Waters finish strong, Terrance Ferguson’s debut, and more

    Stu Jackson

    https://www.therams.com/news/five-takeaways-from-rams-19-17-preseason-week-3-loss-to-browns-dresser-winn-and-jordan-waters-finish-strong-terrance-ferguson-s-debut-and-more

    CLEVELAND – Despite a 19-17 loss to the Browns on a last-second field goal on Saturday at Huntington Bank Field, there were still plenty of notable moments and observations for the Rams in their preseason finale, between the performances of quarterback Dresser Winn and running back Jordan Waters, Terrance Ferguson’s NFL debut and more.

    Here are five takeaways from the contest.

    1) Ferguson sees first action of the preseason. The rookie second-round draft pick had been sidelined for a portion of training camp and the preseason with a groin injury before returning to practice earlier this week. He finished with two receptions for 48 yards, though it would’ve been more had a 67-yard touchdown catch not been overturned due to him stepping out of bounds. The Rams’ broadcast mentioned at kickoff that Ferguson was slated to receive around 20 snaps.

    2) Reserves on Rams defense get run against a first-team offense for the second-straight week. Similar to the Chargers in Week 2, Browns opened the game with starting quarterback Joe Flacco leading the first team offense, going three-and-out on the first possession before mounting a touchdown-scoring drive on their second possession via a 15-yard pass from Flacco to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The third and final series of the Flacco-led Cleveland offense ended with a third-down sack of Flacco by Los Angeles inside linebacker Elias Neal.

    3) Reserves on Rams offense get run against a first-team offense for the first time this preseason. Likewise, the Rams’ offensive reserves went against a Browns defense early on that was playing the majority of its first-team unit.

    4) Dresser Winn starts at quarterback. This year’s preseason finale followed the same script as last year’s: After Stetson Bennett led the offense the first two games, it was Winn’s chance to do so in Week 3. After four-straight empty possessions, Winn completed a 33-yard pass to Ferguson en route to the Rams’ first points, a 1-yard touchdown pass he completed to wide receiver Drake Stoops to cut the Browns’ lead to 10-7 with 1:55 to go in the first half, and later the go-ahead scoring drive capped by running back Jordan Waters’ 2-yard touchdown run with 2:03 remaining. Winn finished 15 of 23 passing for 191 yards and one touchdown, Waters a team-high six carries for 42 yards in addition to the touchdown.

    5) Defense notches six sacks, but late penalties costly. One of those six sacks was against Flacco, the other five Shedeur Sanders. However, the unit was penalized three times which helped move the Browns 25 total yards on the final drive of the game.

    in reply to: us & others on losing the Browns game #157617
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    4th quarter

    Ramblin’ Fan@RamblinFan
    The Rams have 5 quarterback sacks today. And these are players buried on the depth chart.

    Frank Schwab@YahooSchwab
    Not a great day for Shedeur Sanders. Dillon Gabriel played really well and Sanders has four straight three-and-outs (the offensive line is not helping him much).

    Brock Vierra@BrockVierra
    Tru Edwards makes a bizarre catch on 4th and one to set up Jordan Waters for a rushing touchdown.

    Rams lead 17-16 and are 2:03 away from going undefeated in preseason

    in reply to: The Stafford thread…update 12/31: huge S.I. article #157613
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    in reply to: OL talk, post camp #157612
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    Today the offensive coordinator, LaFleur, said: “it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s a lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur

    I don’t think a lot of Rams back-up OL candidates will make it to the practice squad.

    The starting OL:

    Jackson/Humphries
    Avila
    Shelton
    Dotson
    Havenstein

    It remains to be seen how they handle Jackson. Is he on 6 week IR? On the 53-man roster but not starting? Starting in week 1?

    Candidates for back-up positions on the 53-man roster. My bet is they keep a 9-man OL on the 53-man roster, which means at most only 4, the rest go to the PS. It could be only 3, depending on how they handle Jackson. I don’t see them cutting Humphries.

    OC:
    Limmer
    OG:
    Dedich
    Bowles
    Arcuri
    OT/OG:
    Leveston
    OT:
    McClendon
    Quessenberry

    That’s 7, out of those either 3 or 4 make the 9-man OL in the 53-man roster, depending on Jackson.

    Maybe Wedig at OT is a candidate?

    Lampkin is injured, and out.

    Anyway it’s a deep, deep OL. Deepest we have seen for years and years.

    And they often pick up someone from other teams’ cuts. In fact, basically, that’s what Shelton is.

    And how did they build this starting OL?

    Jackson: UDFA
    Humphries: bargain vet FA
    Avilla: 2nd round pick
    Shelton: picked him up 2 different time when other teams cut him (SF, then Chicago)
    Dotson: 4th round pick in trade
    Havenstein: 2nd round pick

    They only drafted 2 of them!

    Has the makings to be the best OL in the McVay era, and perhaps the best since the 99 & 2000 GSOT days.

    in reply to: The Stafford thread…update 12/31: huge S.I. article #157610
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    in reply to: around the league, starting 8/4 #157608
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    in reply to: 70s Rams: The Forgotten Defense That Crushed Everyone… #157607
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    Larry Brooks. I wonder if people forget how great he was. The wiki records unofficial sacks that happened before sacks became an official stat, and here’s what they say about Brooks in his earliest seasons:

    From the wiki:

    Brooks became a starter at right defensive tackle in the 8th game of the season during his rookie year of 1972.

    He collected 9 quarterback sacks in 1973 and the Rams defense was tops in the NFL against the run (allowing 1,270 rushing yards) and led the NFL in total defense (allowing just 2,970 yards). Brooks led Ram defensive linemen in tackles for the first time with 76. The 1973 Los Angeles Rams did not allow 300 yards in all 14 games in a 14-game season. In 2008 the Steelers’ defense has held opponents to under 300 yards in all 14 games this season, tied for the longest streak to start a season since 1970. However, the Steelers did not break the Rams’ record.

    In 1974, Brooks tackled opposing passers 11 times as the Rams were first in the NFC with 44 sacks and again led the NFL in allowing the fewest rushing yards with 1302 while allowing the fewest points, 181

    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157606
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    in reply to: Rams DL & LBs … Verse, the new ILBs, & more #157598
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    from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/21/rams-tyler-davis-defense-starter-chris-shula/85754881007/?taid=68a742ad62f2f100014ce206&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

    One player who’s been lurking in the shadows is Tyler Davis, the second-year pro out of Clemson. The Rams drafted Davis in the sixth round last year and while he was active for 16 games, he only played 29% of the snaps.

    Heading into Year 2, the Rams view him as one of four starters on the defensive line – high praise from defensive coordinator Chris Shula.

    “We really liked him and trusted him last year. Giff (Smith) always handles the rotations in games and I just think of him like a starter,” Shula said Wednesday. “If I see him out there, I never even think twice about it and I felt that way last year. I think it was more of the level of play and how he did it and how he played the run, how he was able to hit blocks and play combination blocks and understand the nuances. I think this year, what he’s done is he’s kind of upped his level of communication. Kobie Turner’s obviously the leader, the guy communicating up front. We put a lot of on those guys where with the front adjustments, we don’t have our linebackers trying to align those guys. Those guys align themselves and he’s taken a step in that direction where if he’s in and Kobie’s not in, he’s the guy that they’re all looking to communicate.”

    ME: from “the archive”…old draft report on Davis:

    from https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Tyler-Davis-DT-Clemson

    Scouting Report: Strengths

    Elite athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at number 55. He wrote: “bench-pressed 405 pounds, doing 30 reps of 225. He’s squatted 680, front-squatted 465, power-cleaned 350 and deadlifted 655. He also was timed this offseason at 4.95 in the 40”
    Exceptional at utilizing natural leverage and proportional length, enabling him to effectively engage and combat larger offensive linemen.
    Demonstrates high-level explosiveness off the snap, paired with the first-step quickness to disrupt offensive schemes early.
    Possesses remarkable upper body strength and suddenness in movements, facilitating potent hand usage and impactful punches.
    Shows a relentless motor in pursuit, complemented by impressive lateral quickness and agility to adjust and penetrate gaps efficiently.
    Exhibits solid bull rush capabilities and the ability to collapse the pocket against guards, showcasing his strength and technique.
    Proven effective against the run, with the ability to absorb and displace blockers, thereby freeing up teammates for playmaking opportunities.
    Capable of maintaining strong leverage and leg drive against double teams, underlining his utility in disrupting run plays.
    Brings versatility to the defensive line with the capacity to align in various techniques, offering strategic flexibility.

    Scouting Report: Weaknesses

    Faced multiple injuries throughout his college career, raising concerns about durability at the professional level.
    Lacks ideal arm length, which sometimes hinders his ability to extend and disengage from blockers effectively.
    At times, plays with a higher pad level than desired, diminishing his leverage against opponents.
    Pass rush arsenal could benefit from further refinement and diversity, particularly in developing and executing counter moves.
    While possessing a strong initial burst, needs to enhance consistency in hand-fighting and leveraging his lower body for maximum impact.

    Scouting Report: Summary

    Tyler Davis enters the NFL Draft as a battle-tested interior defensive lineman. His Clemson game tape shows a player with the ability to anchor the defensive line, disrupt running lanes, and pressure the quarterback. His explosive first step, combined with the natural leverage and raw power, enable him to penetrate gaps and challenge offensive lines consistently. His agility and hand usage make him equally able defending the run and pass rushing from the inside.

    However, concerns about his durability cannot be overlooked. His history of injuries may raise red flags for teams looking for reliability. Additionally, Davis’ lack of ideal arm length and occasional high pad level could limit his effectiveness against the larger, more powerful offensive linemen at the next level. While his motor and pursuit are decent, there is a need for a more diversified pass-rush arsenal.

    in reply to: NFC West (starting 7/30) #157597
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    They do the Rams starting at about 4:36.

    in reply to: Dolac gets his own thread #157595
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    in reply to: OL talk, post camp #157594
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    This is the golden era of Rams OL coaching. Ryan is a great OL coach, and at the same time the Rams are finding OL at a rate we’ve never seen before.

    Speak of the devil.

    Today the offensive coordinator, LaFleur, said: “it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s a lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur

    I assume LaFleur means a lot of players capable of being NFL starters.

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    From the Podium: OC Mike LaFleur and DC Chris Shula discuss Matthew Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion

    Wyatt Miller

    https://www.therams.com/news/from-the-podium-oc-mike-lafleur-and-dc-chris-shula-discuss-matthew-stafford-offensive-line-depth-and-defensive-cohesion

    WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams’ jog through on Wednesday served as the third-straight practice for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is returning from a back injury that held him out of training camp.

    Afterward, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula spoke with local media about Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.

    “In my three years here, I can’t speak before that, but it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur

    For a Rams team that endured injuries and/or turnover at four of the five starting offensive line positions last season, depth up front is extremely important. L.A. signed veteran tackles David Quessenberry and D.J. Humphries this offseason, and brought back center Coleman Shelton after he spent a year in Chicago. However, that will leave some difficult decisions for head coach Sean McVay, general manager Les Snead and company when roster cuts are made next week.

    “There will be some difficult decisions, and that’s what you want,” LaFleur said.

    He added that, while those choices are above his pay grade, having to make tough personnel calls at premium positions is a good thing, because it means they have depth. If those three offseason additions make the 53-man roster alongside all five of last year’s starters who returned (Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson and Rob Havenstein), that may leave just one more roster spot in the position group, as McVay said earlier this offseason that they would probably end up with nine offensive linemen.

    LaFleur praised Warren McClendon Jr.’s progress on Wednesday, saying he’s “pleased with where (McClendon’s) at” and “he knows he belongs.” McClendon, Justin Dedich and A.J. Arcuri all saw regular season playing time last season, while undrafted free agent signing Willie Lampkin IV (who is currently injured) has impressed in the preseason. There will be a very competitive battle to make the roster at offensive line.

    “He looks like Matthew Stafford to me. The coolest part is, he’s just back out there with the guys, doing stuff he loves, operating at a world-class level.” – LaFleur
    He may not know exactly how Stafford’s back feels, but LaFleur said Stafford looks like himself. He added that Stafford’s reintegration into practice and the offensive structure is “much harder than riding a bike, but it sure looks like riding a bike for him.”

    In terms of how the offense may evolve in 2025, LaFleur said it will happen “organically.”

    “Obviously, you’ve got your foundation set, there’s a few different pieces, whether it be rookies, obviously bringing in (wide receiver) Davante (Adams) right there, but from the naked eye, there’s going to be a lot of similarities, but then there’s little nuances and little differences that we’ll sprinkle in there.”

    “We feel really comfortable with those guys (in the defensive backfield). We feel like we have a really cohesive unit and you kind of add (cornerback Emmanuel) Forbes (Jr.) into the mix, and we were fortunate enough that those guys stayed healthy the whole back half of (last) year, those guys really started to get better… Those guys really started to gel. So we really want to continue to build on the cohesiveness of those guys.” – Shula

    When asked about the decision not to add to the defensive backfield this offseason, Shula expressed confidence in the group as a unit. The Rams allowed the 13th most passing yards per game in the regular season (223.1), but that number dropped by nearly 50% (114.0) in two playoff games, the lowest of any team in the postseason. Shula is banking on the continuity created throughout last season to carry over and increase in 2025.

    Shula’s own approach as a second-year defensive coordinator is “night and day” compared to this time last season. He said the coaching staff is more connected and his confidence in the players and system have increased with experience. Shula isn’t just learning what works as a coach and play-caller, he and his staff are fine-tuning things and game-planning to their players’ strengths.

    “Those guys rush as a unit. So we talk about, you’re not rushing as four isolated guys just trying to beat your guy. When you’re in a four-man rush, there’s certain guys that are going to have the tough down. There’s certain guys that are going to have the opportunity to go win, and those guys understand when it’s their opportunity, when it’s their turn to win.” – Shula

    At the beginning of last season, the Rams were getting lots of pressure but often failed to finish plays. By the end of the year, they were communicating with subtle head nods in order to play off each other’s rushing attacks. A year of experience playing together has brought a young Rams front to another level, where they are rushing with their teammates, not just alongside each other.

    Defensive end Tyler Davis is one of the young players who benefitted from increasing cohesion throughout his rookie year and a full NFL offseason. He was praised by teammates and coaches consistently throughout training camp, and Shula did so again on Wednesday.

    “We really liked him and trusted him last year,” Shula said. “… I just think of him like a starter. If I see him out there, I never think twice about it, and I felt that way last year… And I think this year what he’s done is he’s kind of upped his level of communication.”

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    Gotta think they will be looking for a replacement next offseason. Whether that’s a draft pick or not remains to be seen. I don’t know if McVay has the patience for a rookie QB. I’d settle for Joe Burrow.

    I don’t know about rookie qbs. It’s possible that as some say, the new qb coach, Ragone, is not just an in-name-only McVay qb coach like all the ones he had after 2017, but a real qb coach who has some say in qb development. Maybe McV has changed in the wake of Goff, or maybe it’s both. Either way Bennett is playing like a savvy pro right now, though of course it’s pre-season. Stiil, I watched him, he’s gettin it done, I wonder what he would be like in a real game against the 1s all game.

    in reply to: Rams DL & LBs … Verse, the new ILBs, & more #157589
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    From Doug Farrar, The NFL’s 101 best players for the 2025 season: 80-71: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1075393/the-nfls-101-best-players-for-the-2025-season-80-71

    74. Kobie Turner, DI, Los Angeles Rams

    Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead became famous for his “F Them Picks” philosophy in recent years when it was time to exchange draft capital for what the franchise thought would be better ways to win with established stars. That said, when the Rams rolled without a first-round pick every year from 2017-2023, they were very good at plucking future franchise cornerstones from the later rounds.

    One such cornerstone is Kobie Turner, who the Rams stole with the 90th pick in the third round of the 2023 draft out of Wake Forest. Turner was a credible enough quarterback disruptor in college, with three sacks and 34 total pressures for the Demon Deacons in 2022 after four years at Richmond, but it’s safe to say that few expected what Turner would do in his rookie season and beyond.

    In 2023, Turner amassed 12 sacks and 50 total pressures. That wasn’t just the most sacks for any rookie interior defensive lineman – it was more than any rookie edge-rusher had. Not that we’re comparing Turner or anybody else to Aaron Donald, Destroyer of Worlds, but with Donald’s retirement following the 2023 season, it was Turner who took the crown as the undersized (6’3, 288-pound) guy on that line who could blow things up from every gap on a play-to-play basis. I am fortunate to have an AP All-Pro/MVP vote, and Turner was my Defensive Rookie of the Year in a landslide.

    Turner proved that 2023 was no fluke with a 10-sack, 62-pressure season in 2024; he also added 44 solo tackles, 47 stops, 14 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups. Like Donald, Turner is primarily an explosive three-tech player determined to crash through guards, but he’s just as conversant with pressure everywhere from nose tackle to the edge.

    The only people saying “F That Pick” when it comes to Kobie Turner now are the opposing quarterbacks and running backs who have to deal with him.

    in reply to: Rams tweet etc. … 8/19 – 8/24 #157588
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    From Doug Farrar, The NFL’s 101 best players for the 2025 season: 80-71: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1075393/the-nfls-101-best-players-for-the-2025-season-80-71

    78. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

    Over the last two seasons, Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have completely changed their modus operandi when it comes to the run game. In 2021, the Rams led the NFL with 215 inside zone runs. But by the time 2023 and 2024 rolled around, McVay was calling more rushing attempts with man blocking than any other NFL shot-caller – 205 in 2023, and 189 in 2024. Kyren Williams, selected in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Notre Dame, has been a major reason why.

    Williams got just 35 rushing attempts in his rookie season for 139 yards in his rookie season, but in 2023, he busted out with 241 attempts for 1,203 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Last season, he made it abundantly clear that he was here to stay, with 351 carries for 1,481 yards and 14 rushing scores, adding 38 catches on 42 targets for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.

    Williams is perfectly capable of running inside and outside zone when required, but in each of his last two seasons, it’s been more about straight bully-ball. Last season, out of straight Wham or Duo blocking concepts, no other back had more attempts (70) or yards (311), and when you expand that into other non-zone ideas, Williams has been as or more prolific than any other back in the league.

    Williams also gained 716 zone yards (eighth-most in the NFL) on 177 carries (fifth-most in the NFL) with five touchdowns – so again, it’s not as if he’s limited to one thing. Williams just allows the Rams to do more of what they want to do in the run game at the highest possible level.

    On August 5, the team made their appreciation of Williams’ efforts official with a three-year, $33 million contract extension including $23 million guaranteed. It ensures that Williams will continue to be the epicenter of one of the league’s most effective ground games.

    in reply to: Dolac gets his own thread #157587
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    in reply to: injuries, starting 8/7 #157586
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    from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/19/rams-roster-moves-mcallister-thomas-williams/85733014007/

    The team announced it placed edge rusher Keir Thomas on injured reserve and waived rookie wide receiver Mario Williams with an injury designation.

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