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znModeratorRams offensive lineman Greg Robinson staying positive while competing for a starting job
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-greg-robinson-20170531-story.html
He was the No. 2 pick in the NFL 2014 draft but has struggled with penalties and protection issues playing left tackle.
The Rams this offseason signed a three-time Pro Bowl player to take his spot, moved him to the right side and then declined to exercise their fifth-year option, a move that would have ensured him a roster spot — and a salary of more than $12 million — in 2018.
Through it all, Greg Robinson said this week that he remained positive.
“Whatever opportunities I have, I’m looking forward to my future,” he said after an organized team activity workout. “Hopefully, it’s with the Rams.
znModeratorExxonMobil shareholders voted Wednesday to require the world’s largest oil and gas company to report on the impacts of climate change to its business—defying management, and marking a milestone in a 28-year effort by activist investors.
Sixty-two percent of shareholders voted for Exxon to begin producing an annual report that explains how the company will be affected by global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate agreement. The analysis should address the financial risks the company faces as nations slash fossil fuel use in an effort to prevent worldwide temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius.
Last year, 38 percent of Exxon shareholders supported essentially the same measure, which at the time was a record.
The vote at Exxon shows the rapid erosion of support for the company’s defiant stance on climate disclosure, and it caps a shareholder meeting season that saw unprecedented support for greater corporate disclosure on climate change. In recent weeks, shareholders voted in favor of climate risk analysis at two other major energy companies, Occidental Petroleum and PPL, Pennsylvania’s largest utility. Climate-related shareholder resolutions also garnered record support at other big U.S. utilities that rely on fossil fuels: Dominion Resources (47.8%), Duke Energy (46.4%) and DTE Energy (45%).
znModeratorWell, yes, but there are a lot of position switches with guys who were already there in 2016 (eg. Joyner to FS, Alexander to SS, Havenstein to OG, etc.)
But if you look at the names, how many new starters are also 2017 acquisitions?
The count remains more or less the same. Counting special teamers…”slash” (/) = “or”…assuming everyone shows up by September—
Webster Johnson
Joyner Alexander
Quinn Ogletree Barron Barwin
Donald Brockers EasleyWhitworth Saffold Sullivan Hav Brown/GR
Higbee (though Everett will get snaps)
Goff
Tavon Woods Kupp
GurleyTavon, PR
Cooper/Thomas, KR
Hekker
ZuerleinSo out of 26, chances are 6 newcomers will start: Webster, Barwin, Whitworth, Sullivan, Woods, Kupp.
…
znModeratorI didn’t know he was dating Blac Chyna. She is someone who had a child with a Kardashian, I hear. Not sure who though. Does Kim have any brothers?
Others might be able to help you there, JPM, but I can’t. The only person on that list of names that I know is Webster. The others? Sometimes I see their names in headlines when I scroll through yahoo news. That’s it.
So, I don’t know nothin about no Carcrashians.
znModerator’d be interested, btw, in knowing just how many Americans would be comfortable with the label ‘socialist’
I bet it’s more than would be comfortable with “Mau-Mau Revolutionary.”
znModeratorThe site asked me who I voted for and then kicked me off?????????????????????????????
Fwiw that didn’t happen to me. I got a photo essay showing among other things that Pierre Garcon, at his current size as a WR, would have been an average offensive lineman in eras past.
znModeratorPortland Stabbing Victim Calls Out City’s ‘White Savior Complex’
Survivor Micah Fletcher urges supporters to focus on the girls who were targeted, not him.By Rebecca Shapiro
Portland stabbing survivor Micah Fletcher is calling for supporters to focus their attention on the girls racially and religiously attacked during Friday’s train attack.
He was one of three people stabbed after confronting a man on a MAX train for verbally attacking Destinee Mangum, 16, and her 17-year-old-friend, who is Muslim and was wearing a hijab. While Fletcher survived, Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche died from their wounds. Police arrested Jeremy Christian, who has ties to white supremacist groups, soon afterward.
Fletcher thanked supporters for an outpouring of kindness and money in a moving video he posted to Facebook Wednesday, but then he said there’s a problem that needs addressing.
“We need to remember that this is about those little girls. I want you to imagine that for a second being a little girl on that MAX,” Fletcher said. “This man is screaming at you. His face is a pile of knives. His body is a gun. Everything about him is cocked, loaded and ready to kill you,” he continued. “There is a history here with this. You can feel that this has happened before, and the only thing that was different was the names and faces. And then a stranger, two strangers, three strangers come to your aid. They try to help you. And that pile of knives just throws itself at them. Kills them.”
Even after experiencing such trauma, Fletcher has a way with words. The 21-year-old is a poet and student at Portland State University. Oregon Live reported that Fletcher won a 2013 poetry competition for two pieces of work: one that dealt with the blame rape victims face and another focused on the prejudice leveled at Muslims in America after the attacks on September 11, 2001. His work focuses on social injustices, and he wants his poems to inspire change.
“We in Portland have this weird tendency to continue patterns that we’ve done forever and one of them is same old just to put it bluntly: white savior complex,” Fletcher said in the video. “I think it’s immensely immensely morally wrong and irresponsible how much money we have gotten as opposed to how much support, money, love, kindness that has been given to that little girl.”
The poet linked to a fundraiser organized in honor of the two teenagers who were targeted during the train attack. At the time of this posting, about 1800 individuals donated more than $65,000 of its $150,000 goal. The group is raising money to provide the teenagers with safe transportation options and mental health services.
Multiple fundraisers were set up in the days following the attack and, in total, they surpassed $1 million in money raised. A GoFundMe page devoted to supporting Fletcher’s medical bills has received more than $255,000. A campaign organized by local nonprofit, Muslim Educational Trust, has raised more than $530,000 to support Fletcher and the families of the two men who died standing up to the attacker.
“Although this campaign is organized by Muslims, we welcome people of all faiths to contribute,” the campaign’s page says. The group reached its $60,000 goal within 5 hours. Its new goal is set at $550,000.
Portland restaurateur Nick Zukin started a GoFundMe page as well, which has raised $540,000 of its of $600,000 goal.
“They are heroes, yet their families are not only going to be faced with the pain of losing people they love, but with financial hardships from their passings,” Zukin wrote on the page. “I’ve started this GoFundMe to help them with costs as a result of their deaths and injuries.”
Fletcher asked followers to like and share his video, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times in the 14 hours since he posted it to Facebook.
znModeratorLMU93 wrote:
Brown was switched to OG after being drafted, not at Louisville. He started every game at LT/RT his sophomore-senior years there.
If you look at Kromer’s history, he often has different ideas than most about who plays at guard and who plays at tackle. A lot of his best guards were college tackles for example.
What’s interesting here is that although GR seems to be on the hotseat, they are replacing him from within with another Rams pick.
McVay has hinted that Kromer studied some of the guys the Rams drafted when he was with Buffalo in 2015, ie. he was familiar with them from before when he was doing draft scouting. Brown may be one of the guys he likes.
Either way btw they end up with a MASSIVE OL. One of the LA reporters who saw it in action at OTAs calls it scary huge.
Whitworth 6.7,333
Saffold 6.5,325
Sullivan 6.4,310
Hav 6.8,328
Brown 6.4,330/GR 6.5,334
avg. 6.4-5, 325-6…
The questions then are…if Brown is at tackle, does Kromer like either Donnal or Wichman to play LOG behind Saffold?
And of course…do they have a center behind Sullivan?znModeratorLMU93 wrote:
Brown was switched to OG after being drafted, not at Louisville. He started every game at LT/RT his sophomore-senior years there. I think he was made an OG because they penciled in Robinson and Havenstein as the starting OTs. He broke his leg trying to tackle a defender that had made an interception after 9 games in 2015. I can’t recall why he missed a few games last year. Maybe he doesn’t win the RT job and he settles in as their 6th man. I just think it’s not far-fetched at all for him to win it.
znModeratorRich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
Sorry to sound vague…but Rams seem optimistic Tru Johnson will return soon. We’ll see if that means OTAs or mandatory mini-camp (6/13-15).Rich Hammond @Rich_Hammond
Skipping the mandatory mini-camp includes a fine of ~$75,000, so that’s pretty good motivation.znModeratorStabbing victim Micah Fletcher: ‘I’m just trying to heal and recover’
http://www.kgw.com/news/local/stabbing-victim-micah-fletcher-released-from-hospital/444193973
PORTLAND, Ore. — During an emotional interview Tuesday morning with KGW, Micah Fletcher, one of three men stabbed during last week’s racist attack on a MAX train, said he’s having a hard time processing what happened to him.
Fletcher said he’s unsure how to move on after the attack, so he’s focusing on trying to get better.
“I got stabbed in the neck on my way to work, randomly, by a stranger I don’t know, for trying to just be a nice person,” said the 21-year-old Portland State University student. “Like, I don’t know what to do after that, you know.
“I’m healing. That’s what I’m doing. As much as I can, in whatever way I can,” he said.
Fletcher, who won a citywide poetry slam in high school for a poem that spoke out against prejudice faced by Muslims, said Portland can only heal from this tragedy if its citizens come together to assure that the city is a place where people can feel safe again.
“We’re about to go through a very hard time. Things are happening, the world is changing,” he said. “We need to remember that this is supposed to be a city where people can be safe, where children can play, where laughter can grow and where love can take roots in the soil.
“It’s going to take us standing together as a community if you want that to be the Portland we live in. There are a lot of different issues that we need to tackle. But we can’t attack any of those issues head-on until we at least know we can be safe in our streets from violence and hatred,” he said.
On May 26, 35-year-old Jeremy Christian allegedly stabbed three men who were trying to protect a Muslim woman and a black woman, after Christian shouted racial and anti-Muslim slurs at them.
Rick John Best, 53, of Happy Valley, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, of Southeast Portland, were stabbed to death. Fletcher was also stabbed but survived his injuries.
“Two very good people lost their lives that day,” Fletcher said in Tuesday’s interview. “I’m very injured, both physically and mentally. I do not feel well. And I mourn the loss of those two very brave individuals who put their lives on the line like that. I wish their families as much healing as they can in these times of immense trials and tribulations.”
Fletcher said two people came to his aid after he was stabbed Friday. He said he owes those people his life and also thanked officers, paramedics and doctors who helped him.
Community support has been helpful as well, Fletcher said. He noted that he has felt the expressions of love, support and admiration. He also said funds raised to help he and his family are appreciated.
“The outpouring of support has been immensely amazing, especially [for] my family,” he said. “I really worry about, I do, about bills in the household and how my parents can afford things. And it gives me great hope that perhaps for once I will not have to be a financial burden upon my parents.”
Fletcher said once his medical and recovery bills are covered, he will donate the rest of the money raised on his behalf to the families of Best and Namkai-Meche.
“I don’t want to profit off of this,” he said. “I want any money, once the medical bills are paid off, I want the money to go to the families of the people that lost their lives that day.”
Injury missed being fatal ‘by millimeters’
An affidavit of probable cause released Tuesday revealed more information about what happened Friday afternoon.
After Christian got on the train and started shouting at two teenage girls and making threatening comments about “decapitating heads,” several men stepped in to diffuse the situation. A man identified as Mr. Forde in the court document first tried to stop Christian but was unsuccessful.
According to TriMet video and cell phone video taken by train passengers, Christian charged at Namkai-Meche first. Fletcher stood up next to Namkai-Meche and was shoved by Christian. Fletcher shoved him back and yelled at him to get off the MAX. Christian, who had retrieved a 3 3/4-inch folding knife from his pocket, opened the knife and swung, stabbing Fletcher in the neck. Fletcher grabbed his neck to stop the bleeding and exited the train, where he was given medical attention by passengers on the platform until police and other first responders arrived.
On the train, Christian proceeded to stab Namkai-Meche and Best, who had moved in to help, multiple times. Christian then left the train and was apprehended shortly after by police.
Fletcher was taken to Legacy Emanuel and treated for a stab injury to his left neck. Fletcher told Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Lufkin that doctors told him his injury missed being fatal by millimeters.
Fletcher released from hospital Monday
Fletcher was discharged from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center on Monday night.
Miranda Helm, Fletcher’s girlfriend, shared on Facebook at 6:14 p.m. Monday that Fletcher had been released from the hospital. In the Facebook post, she requested privacy for Fletcher.
“Micah needs a lot of rest. Please give him time,” she wrote. “I know maaaany people want to see him, but a lack of rest and a lot of emotions will slow his healing process. Out of respect, allow him to reach out to you when he is ready for visitors.”
"I'm just trying to heal and recover right now…"
Micah Fletcher talks with @artedwardskgw #trimethero #MicahFletcher pic.twitter.com/f48th6Uh9r
— Devon Haskins (@devonhaskins) May 30, 2017
znModerator“You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism”: Jeremy Christian’s Arraignment Was Raucous
Jeremy Christian is still shouting.
At a brief and chaotic arraignment on nine felony and misdemeanor charges this afternoon, the suspect in the vicious stabbing deaths of two men and serious injury of a third last week entered the court room shouting.
“Free speech or die, Portland,” yelled Christian, 35, staring down an audience that included Micah Fletcher, whom police say Christian stabbed in the neck on a MAX Green Line train on Friday. “You’ve got no safe place. This is America. Get out if you don’t like free speech.”
A short time later he yelled: “Death to the enemies of America. Death to antifa [anti-fascists]. You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism. Die.”
Around the time Christian appeared in court, shouts erupted from the hallway outside. Some of that was people reacting to the man’s appearance, but other anger was aimed at a man with multicolored hair and red laces in his boots who’d shown up to support the defendant. He said he was a friend of Christian’s, but wouldn’t answer the Mercury’s questions about how he knew him. He was shouted out of the justice center under the protection of the sheriff’s office.
Later in the hallway, about a dozen people watched a live stream of arraignment. As they spotted Christian through the small circular windows on the two double doors, they yelled “YOU’RE A MURDER!” at the unrepentant killer. Sheriff’s deputies came out and forced them back.
Christian’s next court date is scheduled for June 7.
A friend of Jeremy Christian showed up to his arraignment. People chased him out. pic.twitter.com/d3uMhUlU0S
— doug brown (@dougbrown8) May 30, 2017
znModeratorJamon Brown Takes First-Team Snaps at Right Tackle
By Myles Simmons
There’s a substantial amount of time between the Rams’ fourth organized team activity practice and the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Colts.
But there was a bit of a shake up on the offensive line for Tuesday’s session, with third-year lineman Jamon Brown taking snaps with the first team at right tackle. Greg Robinson had been previously working at that spot, and head coach Sean McVay said the two players are challenging for the position.
“Jamon Brown is a guy who has competed really well. He’s done a nice job competing at guard and at tackle. We gave him and Greg a chance to compete. And really excited to go back and look at the tape,” McVay said on Tuesday. “But I think what we’ve seen from Jamon — really going back to last week — [are] a lot of encouraging things. And Greg’s done some good things as well. So until I really see this practice, it’s hard for us to say exactly how it went today. But I think it’s good to let guys compete and see how they do.”
According to McVay, Tuesday’s practice was the first where Brown has taken snaps with the first-team offensive line. Brown said the opportunity only recently materialized.
“It was just kind of a suggestion last week, just because they’re trying to plug in guys and evaluate guys at different spots and just play all over,” Brown said. “And one thing that I thought about it was just kind of show the coaches and the team that I’m a versatile guy — I can play pretty much anywhere on the line. And that’s my thoughts, just being able to plug wherever they need me.”
The Louisville product said he didn’t necessarily anticipate being asked to play tackle coming into the offseason program. But he did embrace being the swing offensive lineman — someone who could play any position when asked.
“I’ve been playing guard, I’ve been playing tackle, and I’m just trying to continue to build off that,” Brown said.
But what got Brown elevated to taking first-team snaps at right tackle?
“I think what you like about Jamon is his demeanor. I think he’s got a great disposition where he’s willing to be coached,” McVay said. “He’s got good movement for a big, physical player. And when he gets his hands on people, he certainly does a nice job of securing the line of scrimmage — whether that’s in the run game or in protection when he jump-sets people. But what he showed last week was very encouraging.”
Brown admitted he has some rust to knock off when it comes to playing right tackle. He’s worked exclusively as a guard — both on the right and left — since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2015.
“The majority of the stuff comes back pretty natural, just because that’s what I had been doing for the four years that I was in college. So it’s kind of easy to knock the rust off and get back to doing what I did,” Brown said. “But it’s been going pretty good. I don’t think there’s too much rust.”
But there is an adjustment when it comes to playing speed.
“Being in the inside playing at guard, things happen a lot quicker, a lot faster. But once you move out to tackle, you kind of get on the island, and you start to play in a little more space,” Brown said. “So just getting adjusted to the speed and how I encounter different guys on the edge and play different guys on the edge.”
Brown taking snaps at right tackle does put back in place a partnership with a member of his draft class. He and Rob Havenstein came in as the club’s right guard and right tackle, respectively. Now those positions are flipped.
“It’s always good to be able to work back with Rob,” Brown said. “It’s been a little different, me being on the outside of him. We had kind of got used to him being on the edge and me being on the inside. But that chemistry that we have, we just fit right in.”
And so while Brown has played himself into the mix at right tackle, nothing is set in stone — particularly because it’s still the month of May.
“I think Greg’s shown some good signs. Anytime that you transition from the left to the right, there is an adjustment period. It was good to see Jamon Brown, he’s continuing to grow and improve,” McVay said. “That’s a position where we feel like we’ve got some good options at that spot. And we’ll continue to evaluate that moving forward.”
znModeratorGreg Robinson will have to fight for a starting right tackle job
By Alden Gonzalez
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Greg Robinson will tell you he didn’t see this coming, but he’s happy to at least still be a tackle.
“Just the space,” Robinson said. “It’s more natural for me.”
Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, struggled mightily at left tackle during his first three NFL seasons, prompting a switch to the right side. The Los Angeles Rams opted against picking up his fifth-year option earlier this spring, and now they’re not even sure if Robinson will start. Jamon Brown, a guard through his first two years, was the one taking first-team snaps at right tackle during organized team activities on Tuesday, leaving Robinson to get his work done alongside the backups.
It’s still early, though, and Robinson will tell you he’s “getting accustomed” to his new position.
“The first week or so was a tough one, but I’m getting it down,” he said. “As a goal, all I’m planning on doing is proving with every opportunity I can that I can do well on the right side.”
Robinson committed an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the last two years and was graded 71st among 78 qualified tackles by Pro Football Focus in 2016, a year when the offensive line’s struggles made life miserable on quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley. The Rams have since guaranteed $15 million to a 35-year-old Andrew Whitworth, solidifying themselves at left tackle and prompting change throughout the right side.
Rob Havenstein is transitioning from right tackle to right guard, a move prompted by the Rams’ belief that he can do a better job of picking up assignments in the interior.
Right tackle, said first-year coach Sean McVay, “is something that we’re evaluating.”
Brown, a third-round pick in 2015, made all of his starts at tackle for Louisville, starting on the right side before moving to the left. But with Robinson on the roster and Havenstein selected a round earlier, the Rams, under Jeff Fisher, used Brown mostly at left and right guard, giving him a combined 14 starts there in 2015-16. Going back to right tackle “was just kind of a suggestion last week because they’re trying to plug in guys and evaluate guys at different spots,” Brown said.
McVay said Robinson has “shown some good signs” at right tackle, but also stated that Brown’s athleticism and strength show up there.
“The majority of the stuff comes back pretty natural, just because that’s what I’ve been doing for the four years I was in college,” Brown said. “It’s kind of easy to just kind of knock the rust off and just get back to doing what I do. ”
Whitworth, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been helping Robinson any way he can. He’s trying to act as “positive reinforcement,” Whitworth said, talking through schemes, walking through technique and simply making himself available. He stands as a much-needed third veteran on this offensive line, along with left guard Rodger Saffold and center John Sullivan.
But Robinson, 24, must carve his own path.
“Honestly, just another day on the field is an opportunity,” he said. “That’s all I’m looking forward to. I’m willing to just prove myself in any way I can, and every day that’s the only thing I’m focused on. Since the beginning I’ve been trying my best. In terms of my play, I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. All I can do is keep stacking blocks and continue building.”
znModeratorFive Takeaways from Rams OTA No. 4
By Myles Simmons
After a long holiday weekend, the Rams were back on the field for their fourth of 10 OTA practices on Tuesday. Here are five takeaways from the session.
1) Brown takes snaps at right tackle
There’s a solid competition brewing at right tackle between Greg Robinson and Jamon Brown. With the free agent signing of left tackle Andrew Whitworth, head coach Sean McVay moved Robinson to the right side of the line. And after Brown impressed throughout the offseason program, the coaching staff opted to give him first-team snaps at right tackle during Tuesday’s session.
“The right tackle position is something that we’re evaluating. I think Greg has shown some good signs. Any time that you transition from the left to the right, there is an adjustment period,” McVay said. “It was good to see Jamon Brown. He’s continuing to grow and improve.
“That’s a position where we feel like we’ve got some good options at that spot,” McVay continued, “and we’ll continue to evaluate that moving forward.”
Brown played at both tackle spots in college at Louisville, so he has familiarity and a sense of comfort there after working at guard for his first two seasons in the NFL.
“It’s kind of easy to knock the rust off and get back to doing what I did,” Brown said. “It’s been going pretty good. I don’t think there’s too much rust.”
2) Johnson, Donald absent
While cornerback Trumaine Johnson has been an active participant in the Rams’ offseason program, he opted to skip Tuesday’s practice.
“It’s a situation where I continue to remind people that it is voluntary,” McVay said. “We’re not sure where Trumaine was today, but it is voluntary. Guys that stepped up in his absence did an excellent job. I’m sure we’ll find out specifically because he’s done a great job this offseason communicating and being here every day.”
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald also continued to opt to train elsewhere. Last week, general manager Les Snead confirmed it is a contract-related absence for Donald, saying he’s hopeful a deal will get done. But McVay said there was no update on Donald following Tuesday’s practice.
3) Sullivan leading competition at center
One of the advantages of signing free agent center John Sullivan was his familiarity with McVay’s offensive system, having played in it with Washington last year. Also sporting several years of starting experience in Minnesota, Sullivan has at this point solidified his role as the Rams’ first-team center.
“Certainly right now John has definitely taken a hold of that spot. He’s done a great job commanding up front, with the calls, with the communication,” McVay said. “I think we feel very fortunate to have John, but you also want to continue to allow guys to develop.”
Those younger players at center include Austin Blythe — who the Rams recently claimed off waivers from the Colts — and college free agent Jake Eldrenkamp of Washington. The club also has 2014 draft pick Demetrius Rhaney at the position.
“Whoever gives us the best ability to win games and play at a high level is who we’re going to put out there,” McVay said. “Right now, we feel like John has done that and it’s pretty clear.”
4) Everett making early strides
Rookie tight end Gerald Everett has made a number of catches during the early going of OTAs and McVay noted Tuesday the second-round pick is making solid progress.
“When you look at the tight end position, we ask those guys to move around a lot. They’re involved in the run game, the pass game, sometimes protection,” McVay said. “I think he’s getting more comfortable with our verbiage, with the system each and every day. Did some good things. I think once he feels more comfortable with that, it’ll enable him to play a little bit faster and that’s where you can see that athleticism show up that we liked so much on tape from him in college.”
5) Working on the two-minute drill
Since he was hired in January, McVay has consistently talked about Los Angeles becoming “situational masters.” To that end, the Rams have been installing and working on different aspects of their offense over the last week — first down, second down, third down, red zone. On Tuesday, the club practiced two-minute situations.
“I thought the offense did a nice job with their tempo, getting in and out of the huddle, the communication. The defense did a good job, too,” McVay said. “It’s always hard when you’re not playing tackle to see would a guy break a tackle, would he not. But, the tempo, the communication, was at a premium on both sides and that’s what we felt good about.”
May 31, 2017 at 12:22 pm in reply to: Goff's ninth game? articles on Goff in OTAs & mini-camp & up to training camp #69540znModeratorSpeed_Kills wrote:
I have some issues with what Solomon Wilcots is saying about Goff while also pushing somehow that Kap can play and should be an option for the Rams. He flat out said Kap is better than Goff and Mannion
I called in to challenge him… I got 10 words in before he cut me off and then they disconnected me
I called back because I had waited an hour …. they put me back on – Solly and I went at it again. I told him I thought he was too quick to dismiss Goff and that some of that performance had to go to Jeff Fisher. Solly cut me off again and started talking about what the Rams gave up to draft Goff. I asked him what did the Giants give up when they drafted Manning. Solly said but Manning started day one… I told him no he did not. He started after game 7 just like Goff and never won a single game and statistically was worst than Goff
They disconnected me again after that exchange.
Look I have doubts about Goff… I didn’t want the Rams to draft him. I preferred Wentz and didn’t think Goff looked the part of the kind of QB you move up to draft. No big arm, no winning tradition, not especially athletic. I didn’t understand it
That being said I think people are picking on him a bit here… since when do we start making proclamations about rookies QBs not being able to play after only 7 games?
SW goes too far and I called him out on it. He may end up being right but its too early to know that for sure
May 31, 2017 at 12:04 pm in reply to: Player intereviews (5/30) (vids): Woods, Whitworth, Brown #69539znModeratorOTA One-On-One with Jamon Brown
Reporter Dani Klupenger talks with offensive lineman Jamon Brown about his first-team reps at right tackle.
May 31, 2017 at 12:03 pm in reply to: Player intereviews (5/30) (vids): Woods, Whitworth, Brown #69538znModeratorAndrew Whitworth OTA Press Conference – 5/30
Offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth describes his practice habits after Tuesday of Rams OTAs.
znModeratorthere are inferences and implications by the Dems
I wouldn’;t know, I don’t pay attention to that.
In fact this is my view.
Leftists who only pay attention to what Dems say about Trump/Russia are doing the left a disservice. They get all skeptical about the Dem version and then fail to realize that’s not the only way to look at it.
Dismissing Russia/Trump just because the Dems have a Russia/Trump narrative means failing to pay attention to the actual Russia/Trump narrative.
znModeratorNone of them actually exist.
Don’t get taken in by this kind of stuff…it’s mostly fraudulent.
May 31, 2017 at 11:12 am in reply to: Goff's ninth game? articles on Goff in OTAs & mini-camp & up to training camp #69528znModeratorSean McVay: Jared Goff has improved; We’ll let best player play
Josh Alper
The Rams are practicing without defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Trumaine Johnson at their Organized Team Activities, which gave coach Sean McVay plenty of chances Tuesday to use variations on stock answers about OTAs being voluntary and focusing on the players who are at practice.
McVay may have been doing the same when asked about competition at the quarterback position. With 2016 first overall pick Jared Goff and Sean Mannion in the top two spots on the depth chart, there hasn’t been much talk about competition in Los Angeles because no one has imagined Goff won’t be starting come September.
McVay said Goff is the No. 1, but intimated that the door isn’t closed to things playing out differently.
“I think what we’ve tried to preach to our players is we’re going to let the best players play,” McVay said. “We’re trying to win football games and whoever we feel like gives us the best chance is who’s going to play behind center. Right now, we feel very good about what they’ve both done. Jared has done a nice job getting better, but you always want to make sure that you’re playing the guy that you feel like gives you the best ability to win football games, because we owe it to our coaches, to our players and to this organization to do that. I think what we’ve seen is good for those guys, but right now Jared’s the starter and he’s done a nice job commanding that role.”
That isn’t quite the optimistic, fully invested answer about Goff that you might expect to hear in May. That may just be because McVay chose to go with some well-honed coach speak about the merits of competition because the prospect of Goff as anything other than the team’s starter in 2017 is one that’s hard to fathom given how much they gave up to get him to L.A.
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McVay: QB who gives Rams best chance will start
Kevin Patra
Jared Goff is the Los Angeles Rams’ starting quarterback, but new head coach Sean McVay is promoting competition at every position and won’t hand the second-year player anything.
“I think what we’ve tried to preach to our players is we’re going to let the best players play,” McVay said Tuesday, via the team’s official website. “We’re trying to win football games and whoever we feel like gives us the best chance is who’s going to play behind center.
“Right now, we feel very good about what [Goff and Sean Mannion] have both done. Jared has done a nice job getting better, but you always want to make sure that you’re playing the guy that you feel like gives you the best ability to win football games, because we owe it to our coaches, to our players and to this organization to do that. I think what we’ve seen is good for those guys, but right now Jared’s the starter and he’s done a nice job commanding that role.”
That’s a fairly milquetoast answer from a generally gushing first-time head coach.
The previous iterations of Rams coaches discussing Goff have all been of the positive variety, about the second-year player picking up the offense quickly and becoming a leader under center.
McVay’s comments about competition at every position is classic coach-speak, but it’s notable in that he was part of the staff that elevated Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin III in Washington, which went against the owner’s preference.
McVay isn’t tied to Goff. The quarterback is on the front office.
The No. 1 overall pick will still “win” the competition with 2015 third-round pick Mannion — the San Andreas Fault would have to swallow Goff for him not to start Week 1. Yet, McVay understands if he’s to harp on competition to his team, he must preach it at every position, including the presumptive quarterback.
znModeratorBTW I do see other non-mods edit their posts…I suspect it has a time limit.
znModeratorI am still wondering about the missile strike in Syria. If Trump is under the influence of Russia —
Is someone claiming he is directly under the influence of Russia?
znModeratorRUSSIANS CLAIMED FINANCIAL DIRT LEVERAGE ON TRUMP TEAM: REPORT
http://www.newsweek.com/russian-officials-spoke-openly-about-financial-dirt-trump-team-report-617535
Russian officials spoke openly about “derogatory” financial information they claimed to have on then-candidate Donald Trump and his close circle of advisers during calls intercepted by U.S. intelligence, CNN reported.
Two former intelligence officials and a source in Congress confirmed the information. One source told the broadcaster the intercepts during the 2016 campaign were about finances and whether Russia had leverage on Trump’s inner circle.
The Russians believed “they had the ability to influence the administration through the derogatory information,” one of the sources told CNN.
Subscribe to Newsweek from $1 per week
Other sources, however, warned that the Russian officials’ claims “could have been exaggerated or even made up.”
In early January, America’s intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had meddled in the 2016 election using a combination of disinformation through false stories and emails hacked from the Democrat and Republican parties.
In the intercepted communications the officials could have been “overstating their belief to influence,” one of the sources said. The sources would not tell CNN which Trump aides were mentioned by the Russians.
The finances of Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, have come under intense scrutiny from law enforcement. Flynn’s former business associates received subpoenas in May.
U.S. agents working in the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network began combing through Manafort’s offshore accounts in Cyprus earlier this year. No member of Trump’s campaign, transition or White House team has been charged with a crime.
Both Manafort and Flynn were revealed to have been picked up by American intelligence in calls with Russian officials during the campaign and transition.
On Friday May 26 the Washington Post reported that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner spoke with Russia’s ambassador to Washington during the transition period after the election to set up a communications back channel with Moscow from Russian diplomatic facilities. The plan was rejected, but picked up in communications between Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and his superiors.
New leaks about the content of the classified reports of Russian officials claiming to have incriminating financial material are “yet another round of false and unverified claims made by anonymous sources to smear the President,” the White House told CNN.
The White House pointed to an earlier report prepared in May by a law firm hired by Trump stating that he has no debts to Russians and only ever received $95 million from a Russian billionaire for an estate in Florida, and $12.2 million in connection with his 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow.
“There appears to be no limit to which the President’s political opponents will go to perpetuate this false narrative,” the White House said, “including illegally leaking classified material. All this does is play into the hands of our adversaries and put our country at risk.”
znModeratorDylan Thompson back with the NFL’s Rams
Former South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson has signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
Thompson spent 2015 with the San Francisco 49ers before being released. He signed with the Rams in June 2016 and was cut a couple of months later.
Thompson was one of three QBs who tried out for a roster spot earlier in May.
The former Boiling Springs quarterback passed for 3,564 yards in 2014 at USC, breaking the single-season school record. Thompson filled in for Connor Shaw during parts of 2012 and 2013, leading the Gamecocks to a win at Clemson in 2012 and throwing the game-winning touchdown pass in an Outback Bowl win over Michigan to close out that year.
znModeratorhttp://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/5/30/15713914/2017-nfl-playoffs-la-rams-no-seriously
ESPN is starting to put out some 2017 preview material. Today, they’re covering which team they think will make the playoffs after missing out last season (insider subscription required). Of the six experts they polled, two chose the Los Angeles Rams:
Dan Graziano, NFL Insider: I like the Los Angeles Rams. Coordinator Wade Phillips’ impact on the defense and head coach Sean McVay’s intelligence and energy will be enough to vault them to their first winning season since 2003. Also helping their case: The Cardinals are due for a downturn and Seattle’s ship looked a little leaky last year. Obviously, there’s some concern about how Jared Goff meshes with the new coaching staff and learns a whole new system. But I’ll give that staff and running back Todd Gurley the benefit of the doubt. Don’t underestimate the impact of veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth on the offensive line, either.
Aaron Schatz, editor of Football Outsiders: I’m driving the Rams bandwagon this year. OK, I guess it’s more of a minivan, but more folks should be hopping aboard once they realize Phillips’ phenomenal record of improving defenses in his first year as coordinator. (I wrote about that in detail here.) The offense isn’t going to be good, but there’s no way it will be as bad as last year. The 2016 Rams had the fourth-worst offense in the history of our DVOA stats, which stretches all the way back to 1987. The other teams in the bottom dozen improved by an average of three wins the next year, and three of those teams had winning records.
Schatz’s support isn’t all that surprising given that FO recently updated their mean projections that have the Rams at 8.2 mean wins this year. The sheer fact that 1⁄3 of the experts have the Rams making the playoffs though is what’s striking.
And perhaps the real takeaway is just how volatile projecting this season is.
You’ve got experts, quantitative and analytical and…well others, offering legitimate reasons to buy into an immediate revival of the franchise under new Head Coach Sean McVay. And then you have oddsmakers who have the Rams as underdogs in EVERY…SINGLE…GAME measured up against the odds that have the Rams as the second-longest shot to win the conference.
Really what this comes down to is a referendum on coaching. It partly depends on how much you think former Head Coach Jeff Fisher held the talent on the roster back and how quickly you think McVay can resuscitate the careers of some that talent that Fisher suppressed.
From QB Jared Goff to RB Todd Gurley to WR Tavon Austin to OL Greg Robinson, the offensive depth chart under Fisher featured a bunch of failed first-round picks. If McVay can capture a shred of improved production from that group while making good on the additions through free agency and the 2017 NFL Draft while facilitating a defensive improvement under Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, you’re looking at a scenario in which the Rams could have the chance to end a 13-season run without a winning record.
It’s asking a lot of ducks to line up in a row, but hey. Crazier things have happened.
znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@DailyNewsVinny
1. FYI on #Rams: Spoke to @Rodger_Saffold who’s happy to be in 1 spot (LG). But also happy about veterans Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan
2. Rodger told me at some points last year, all the younger players at all the OL positions came to him for advice. Got overwhelming
3. But with a veteran tackle (Whitworth) & a veteran center (Sullivan) the veteran mentorship is spread out and more position efficient
FYI on #Rams: It still needs to be blocked and executed, but seeing some really creative schemes under Sean McVay.
Goff looked really good today. He’s looked good man. Take it for what it’s worth. But he’s looked good.
This is the “business” part of the season. No need to read too much into any of this.
May 30, 2017 at 10:44 pm in reply to: vid, OTAs Live Week 2 Pressers. 2017 05 30. + McVay Transcript #69514znModeratorRams Head Coach Sean McVay – – May 30, 2017
(Opening remarks)
“Alright guys, just finished up our fourth OTA, got some good situational work in with some red zone and two-minute. Off a four-day break, guys were out there competing with great energy. We’re excited to go back and look at the tape and see the things that we can clean up, but it seemed like there was a lot of good stuff on both sides of the ball.”(On what he likes the most about what he’s seen from his team so far and what his biggest concern is)
“I think what you like that you see the most right now (is) guys are willing to be coached. They’re competing very hard on both offense, defense, and then when you look at (Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) ‘Bones’ periods during special teams. We’ve got a great group of guys that everybody comes out here, they compete to the best of their ability – that’s what you feel good about. What you’re most concerned about is, really you just want to have more time with these guys, especially being in the first year, where we’re implementing new systems on offense and defense. You wish you had more time, but feel good that we’re maximizing that time right now. Every day is very valuable and we feel like we got better today, which is a good thing.”(On if he’s heard people talking about a positive change in the environment surrounding the team)
“I think it starts with the players. Those guys are doing a great job of setting the tone. They come out and they compete and that’s all that you can ask from them. We all feel good right now. We know that when the season rolls around we will have some great challenges and that will be the real test when you go through some adversity. Can’t say enough about what our leaders have done in terms of the way that they approach meetings, on the practice field, it’s been a good thing so far.”(On the thought on specific offensive line personnel groupings)
“When you look at it, Jamon Brown is a guy that’s competed really well. He’s done a nice job competing both at guard and at tackle. We gave him and Greg (Robinson) a chance to compete and really excited to go back and look at the tape. I think what we’ve seen from Jamon, really going back to last week, a lot of encouraging things and Greg has done some good things as well. Until I really see this practice, it’s hard for us to say exactly how it went today. But, I think it’s good to let guys compete and see how they do.”(On if today was the first day that Brown got a lot of reps)
“Today was the first day that he got some reps with that first group and I thought he did a nice job, just from what I saw out there. But again, the tape is always kind of the best thing to look at afterwards.”(On practicing the two-minute offense today)
“You know, I think anytime you talk about being situational masters, that’s what we want to try to do, and we’ve had a chance last week getting our first, second and third-down offense, got a little bit of two-minute at the end of the week, then introduced the red zone. But the two-minute, I thought the offense did a nice job with their tempo, getting in and out of the huddle, the communication. The defense did a good job, too. It’s always hard when you’re not playing tackle to see would a guy break a tackle, would he not. But, the tempo, the communication, was at a premium on both sides and that’s what we felt good about.”(On TE Gerald Everett)
“I think Gerald is making strides. When you look at the tight end position, we ask those guys to move around a lot. They’re involved in the run game, the pass game, sometimes protection. I think he’s getting more comfortable with our verbiage, with the system each and every day. Did some good things. I think once he feels more comfortable with that, it’ll enable him to play a little bit faster and that’s where you can see that athleticism show up that we liked so much on tape from him in college.”(On CB Trumaine Johnson not being at practice today)
“We feel good about the guys that were out here. We weren’t expecting him not to be here, but I’m sure that we’ll find that out. He’s done a great job communicating with us, but I’m not really sure where he was today.”(On if there’s any update on DT Aaron Donald)
“Right now we’re keeping those things internal. There’s no new news on that front, but we’re keeping those discussions internal with Aaron and his representation.”(On if Johnson’s level of communication on missing practice is frustrating)
“I wouldn’t say that. It is voluntary, and I think you feel good about the way the guys have been competing out here. Trumaine’s been excellent this offseason program. Certainly, it was one of those things…you get out on the field and maybe there’s something that’s happened since then. So, I don’t have my phone on me, but it is voluntary and I think that’s something that’s important for us to remember. Certainly, you like it when all of your guys are here, but I thought the guys that stepped up in his absence today, did a nice job competing. You saw good things from (CB) E.J. Gaines, (CB) Nickell (Robey-Coleman), so that’s the thing you like about your secondary with the depth that we do have.”(On what he likes about Brown and how he has been playing so far)
“I think what you like about Jamon is his demeanor. I think he’s got a great disposition, where he’s willing to be coached. He’s got good movement for a big, physical player. When he gets his hands on people, he certainly does a nice job of securing the line of scrimmage. Whether that be in the run game or in protection when he jump sets people. What he showed last week was very encouraging. Under (offensive line) Coach (Aaron) Kromer’s guidance, we expect him to improve.”(On competition at the center position)
“Certainly right now (C) John (Sullivan) has definitely taken a hold of that spot. He’s done a great job commanding up front, with the calls, with the communication. I think we feel very fortunate to have John, but you also want to continue to allow guys to develop. Just like on the previous question – whoever gives us the best ability to win games and play at a high level, is who we’re going to put out there. Right now, we feel like John has done that and it’s pretty clear.”(On going after T Andrew Whitworth in free agency for his ability as well as his leadership and if he has seen those skills show up this early in the process)
“It is early but you see it right away. You get around him – even for me when you’re talking to him from a player’s perspective, on some of the things that you want to handle with the team. He’s been a great sounding board for me. Just watching the way he communicates with his teammates. How receptive he is to Coach (Aaron) Kromer’s techniques. He certainly knows what it looks like. He’s played at a Pro Bowl level the last couple years. We feel very fortunate to have him. His presence has definitely been felt on our offense.”(On Johnson not participating in today’s OTA)
“It’s a situation where I continue to remind people that it is voluntary. We’re not sure where Trumaine was today, but it is voluntary. Guys that stepped up in his absence did an excellent job. I’m sure we’ll find out specifically because he’s done a great job this offseason communicating and being here every day. I’m sure we’ll find out a little bit more moving forward.”(On if there is a sense that Johnson’s absence is contract-related)
“I don’t think so. But, again, those are things that we’re keeping in-house. Not sure about that, to answer your question. Haven’t heard anything of that nature, right now.”May 30, 2017 at 10:36 pm in reply to: vid, OTAs Live Week 2 Pressers. 2017 05 30. + McVay Transcript #69512znModeratorTweets based on the pressers.
Joe Curley @vcsjoecurley
“At the end of the day, we all go as far as the quarterback goes” – Whitworth
“I see a guy who’s hungry, who’s thirsty.” – Whitworth on Goff, who he compares to Carson Palmer
Whitworth says he was really close with Andy Dalton and still hears from him. Welcomes that same relationship with Goff
Whitworth says he still doesn’t feel comfortable in the NFL, “Every tackle’s nightmare is third and long.” Still nervous for games.
Holy crap Andrew Whitworth is a large human being
Asked if Johnson’s absence is contract in nature, McVay says he hasn’t heard anything to support that.
“The right tackle position is something that we’re evaluating. It’s good to see Jamon Brown, he’s continuing to grow and improve.”
McVay gets a Mannion/QB competition question. “Right now, Jared is our starter.”
“It is voluntary. That’s important for us to remember.” -McVay
Asked about Aaron Donald, who also wasn’t here, McVay says “there’s no new news.”
No Tru Johnson today. “Not really sure where he was today.”
McVay says Jamon Brown “is competing really well” at both guard and tackle. Lot of reps at both RG and RT today. “He looked good.”
McVay says he wishes he had more time as a first-year coach but he feels like the coaching staff is maximizing that time.
znModeratorI mean, how would ‘you’ describe corporate-capitalism and how it operates?
As not one thing.
BUT the way the law is currently set up in the USA, certain policies and certain factions within the whole mess are allowed to dominate in ways that are detrimental to what I anyway take to be real democracy.
Get rid of Citizens United, for example, and part of it changes.
And so on.
IMO this is very minor in-group parsing of concepts. Which is fine. Outside of this parsing, we’re united against the same things.
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