Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
znModeratorTrump’s Russia Leak Is ‘Far Worse’ Than Reported
The conservative pundit says he knows who leaked the news about the president giving confidential intel to Russia.Conservative pundit Erick Erickson is vouching for the reliability of a least one source who revealed to Washington Post reporters that President Donald Trump disclosed “highly classified information” while meeting with Russian officials last week.
Erickson knows one of the sources and supports their decision to go to the media, he wrote Tuesday in a blog post for his website, The Resurgent.
“This is a real problem and I treat this story very seriously because I know just how credible, competent, and serious — as well as seriously pro-Trump, at least one of the sources is,” Erickson wrote.
“You can call these sources disloyal, traitors, or whatever you want,” he added. “But please ask yourself a question — if the President, through inexperience and ignorance, is jeopardizing our national security and will not take advice or corrective action, what other means are available to get the President to listen and recognize the error of his ways?”
Writes Erickson:
The President does not seem to realize or appreciate that his bragging can undermine relationships with our allies and with human intelligence sources.
Erickson states that people close to the president find him too insecure to take constructive criticism as anything other than a personal attack. So sources have gone to the media in the hopes that “the intense blowback” may force Trump to recognize his errors.
And in this instance, where Trump’s careless boasting has put at risk both U.S. national security and an ally’s intelligence asset, there’s simply too much at stake not to speak out.
“I am told that what the President did is actually far worse than what is being reported,” Erickson said. “The President does not seem to realize or appreciate that his bragging can undermine relationships with our allies and with human intelligence sources. He also does not seem to appreciate that his loose lips can get valuable assets in the field killed.”
znModeratorTrump’s disclosure endangered spy placed inside ISIS by Israel, officials say
The life of a spy placed by Israel inside ISIS is at risk tonight, according to current and former U.S. officials, after President Donald Trump reportedly disclosed classified information in a meeting with Russian officials last week.
The spy provided intelligence involving an active ISIS plot to bring down a passenger jet en route to the United States, with a bomb hidden in a laptop that U.S. officials believe can get through airport screening machines undetected. The information was reliable enough that the U.S. is considering a ban on laptops on all flights from Europe to the United States.
The sensitive intelligence was shared with the United States, officials say, on the condition that the source remain confidential.
“The real risk is not just this source,” said Matt Olsen, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center and an ABC News contributor, “but future sources of information about plots against us.”
ISIS has already taken credit for blowing up a Russian airliner two years ago, killing more than 200 people, claiming the bomb was hidden in a soft drink can. The White House National Security Adviser says that justifies President Trump’s disclosures to the Russians.
“And so this was the context of the conversation in which it was wholly appropriate to share what the threat was as a basis for common action and coordination,” said General H.R. McMasters on Tuesday.
When pressed by ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, McMaster would not say if Trump disclosed classified information. Trump said in a pair of tweets Tuesday he had the “absolute right” to share “facts” with the Russians.
But many in the counter-terrorism community say what the President did was a mistake.
“Russia is not part of the ISIS coalition,” Olsen said. “They are not our partner.”
Dan Shapiro, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel, now a senior visiting fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, agreed. In an interview with ABC News, he called the president and his team “careless,” saying that the reported disclosures demonstrate a “poor understanding of how to guard sensitive information.”
Shapiro was most concerned, however, that the president’s move could make Israel think twice about sharing intelligence with the United States, warning that it will “inevitably cause elements of Israel’s intelligence service to demonstrate more caution.”
The reaction in Congress appeared to diverge along partisan lines. Asked if he had concerns about the president’s handling of classified information, the Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell let out a small laugh and before replying simply, “No.”
But Democrats disagree. Shortly after McConnell’s comments, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his call for the White House to release full, unedited transcripts of Trump’s meeting with the Russian officials.
“This is not normal behavior. This is not how a White House should operate,” Schumer said. “Firing an FBI director who is investigating the president’s campaign, disclosing classified information to a country that wishes us harm and just finished undermining the integrity of our elections. We need our Republican colleagues to join us in standing up, to put country over party.”
znModeratorNolan Nawrocki on Austin Blythe from last years draft guide…
C / OG AUSTIN BLYTHE, #63 (Sr-5) IOWA GRADE: 5.21 Ht: 6-2 ⅛ | Wt: 298 | 40: 5.36 | Arm: 31 ½ | Hand: 9 ½ History: Married. Iowa native who also competed in track and field and wrestling — won three state wrestling titles. Had his right knee scoped prior to his junior season in high school. Redshirted in 2011. Started 9-of-10 games played at right guard in ’12 — sat out two games while nursing a high left ankle sprain. Shifted to center in ’13, when he started all 13 games. Showed versatility in ’14 when he started all 13 games — first six at center, one at ORG and the final six at left guard. Was a Rimington Trophy finalist in ’15 after starting all 14 games at center. Team captain graduated with a communications degree. ‘
Strengths: Experienced, four-year starter. Excellent feet and initial quickness off the ball to zone off areas. Explosive climbing to the second level and sealing linebackers, with good body control to adjust to moving targets. Runs his feet through contact. Very efficient pulling and operating in space. Extremely intelligent and football smart — makes all the line calls and is a very quick study. Versatile — has played all three interior line positions. Works hard, is highly competitive and respected as a team leader (four-year member of the leadership council). Can power clean 400-plus pounds and is a weight-room phenom, bench-pressing 225 pounds 29 times at the Combine, more than any other center.
Weaknesses: Undersized with small hands and extremely short arms that create some issues engaging and sustaining blocks. Lacks bulk and can be overpowered by big-bodied nose tackles and walked back in pass protection. Has some lower-body stiffness and could stand to play with more consistent knee bend in-line. Limited punch.
Future: Feisty, explosive zone-blocking center who compensates for his lack of mass and length with exceptional quickness, grit and work habits. Is wired to quickly earn a starting job and make a living overcoming his physical limitations.
Draft projection: Fifth- to sixth-round pick.
May 16, 2017 at 7:08 pm in reply to: Trump asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn in February #68911znModeratorComey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation
WASHINGTON — President Trump asked the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to shut down the federal investigation into Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, in an Oval Office meeting in February, according to a memo Mr. Comey wrote shortly after the meeting.
“I hope you can let this go,” the president told Mr. Comey, according to the memo.
The existence of Mr. Trump’s request is the clearest evidence that the president has tried to directly influence the Justice Department and F.B.I. investigation into links between Mr. Trump’s associates and Russia.
Mr. Comey wrote the memo detailing his conversation with the president immediately after the meeting, which took place the day after Mr. Flynn resigned, according to two people who read the memo. The memo was part of a paper trail Mr. Comey created documenting what he perceived as the president’s improper efforts to influence a continuing investigation. An F.B.I. agent’s contemporaneous notes are widely held up in court as credible evidence of conversations.
Mr. Comey shared the existence of the memo with senior F.B.I. officials and close associates. The New York Times has not viewed a copy of the memo, which is unclassified, but one of Mr. Comey’s associates read parts of the memo to a Times reporter.
“I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Comey, according to the memo. “He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
Mr. Trump told Mr. Comey that Mr. Flynn had done nothing wrong, according to the memo.
Mr. Comey did not say anything to Mr. Trump about curtailing the investigation, only replying: “I agree he is a good guy.”
In a statement, the White House denied the version of events in the memo.
“While the president has repeatedly expressed his view that General Flynn is a decent man who served and protected our country, the president has never asked Mr. Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn,” the statement said. “The president has the utmost respect for our law enforcement agencies, and all investigations. This is not a truthful or accurate portrayal of the conversation between the president and Mr. Comey.”
In testimony to the Senate last week, the acting F.B.I. director, Andrew G. McCabe, said, “There has been no effort to impede our investigation to date.”
Video The New York Times reporters Peter Baker, Maggie Haberman and Matthew Rosenberg analyze the firing of the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey.
Mr. McCabe was referring to the broad investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. The investigation into Mr. Flynn is separate.A spokesman for the F.B.I. declined to comment.
Mr. Comey created similar memos — including some that are classified — about every phone call and meeting he had with the president, the two people said. It is unclear whether Mr. Comey told the Justice Department about the conversation or his memos.
Mr. Trump fired Mr. Comey last week. Trump administration officials have provided multiple, conflicting accounts of the reasoning behind Mr. Comey’s dismissal. Mr. Trump said in a television interview that one of the reasons was because he believed “this Russia thing” was a “made-up story.”
The Feb. 14 meeting took place just a day after Mr. Flynn was forced out of his job after it was revealed he had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about the nature of phone conversations he had had with the Russian ambassador to the United States.
znModeratorAUSTIN BLYTHE
IOWA
6’2″
291LBSOVERVIEW
In the sports world, Iowa is primarily known for two things: producing NFL offensive linemen and high-level wrestling. Blythe, a Williamsburg, Iowa native, is a perfect example of how those things go hand-in-hand. He was a two-time all-state pick in football (123 career tackles, 40 for loss, 14 sacks) and three straight heavyweight wresting titles (setting a state record with 143 pins) in a state that takes the sport very seriously. He put those skills to use in his redshirt freshman season, starting nine games at right guard but missing two due to injury. Blythe didnt miss any more games during his three final years with the Hawkeyes, starting all 40 games at center. He gained recognition for his play each year, garnering consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and second team All-Big Ten accolades from league coaches in 2014 and 2015. Blythe was even named as a Rimington Trophy finalist this season.
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 5.37 seconds
Vertical: 31 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 3 inches
Short shuttle: 4.5 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.53 secondsANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Four-year starter featuring durability and leadership qualities. Has played center and both guard spots which gives him a mental headstart. Controlled glider up to inside linebackers and plays with plus body control. Patient, confident run blocker who consistently lands his blocks in the center of his targets. Keeps his feet grinding after contact to generate movement and prolonged engagement as a blocker. Sticks to opponents like a shadow and is always bodied up near his man. Excellent outside zone blocker. Uses feet and upper body strength to run gap-shooters up the field past the quarterback. The Hawkeyes love pulling him and using as lead blocker in space. Technician able to snap and step quickly on reach blocks. Sinks hips and can anchor up against bull rushers. Good functional strength for his size. Played in over 96 percent of teams offensive snaps over last three years.
WEAKNESSES Undersized by every standard that NFL teams use for centers. Lack of length and mass is a legitimate concern moving forward. Has played both guard spots and center, but size likely limits him to center only in the league. Teams may view him as fit for zone specific teams which could limit his draft stock. Catches pass rushers rather than punching. Will have to adjust to defensive tackles using length to disrupt his task. Tape shows potential mental mistakes in protection against blitzes.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 6 or 7
NFL COMPARISON Matt Paradis
BOTTOM LINE Played with consistency throughout his stint as a four-year starter at Iowa and his 2015 tape is solid from start to finish. While his lack of physical traits could hurt where he is taken in the draft, his functional strength, technical savvy, athleticism and body control should not be ignored as he has all the makings of an eventual NFL starter.
-Lance Zierlein
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/austin-blythe?id=2555180
znModerator“…“He’s shown he can track the ball down the field,” McVay said from the Rams’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “Really, as far as establishing him as a deep threat, I think we’re just looking for all our receivers to be complete. You want to be able to have a short, intermediate and deep-route tree. And I think it gives you a little bit more route versatility so people can’t squat on you. You certainly want to be cognizant of accentuating guys’ skill set, but also not being regulated in terms of, ‘This is what they do.’ That’s the thing that he’s really embraced, and we’re looking to do that with Tavon.”
I agree. I think that’s very telling. McVay clearly has a good offensive mind and he hired a good staff. BUT. What McVay HASN’T revealed yet is an ability to adapt his system to the personnel, or in fact any interest in approaching it that way.
He seems bent on reproducing the personnel he had in Washington. Not precisely, of course, but he has roles in his offense and looks for types that fit those roles. I think if you gave Martz 4 talented skill players of any type whatsoever, he would make something coherent out of it. I think McVay is different–I think he has a specific set of things in mind. And…I think he wants Tavon to be DeSean West.
Since IMO Tavon is a unique talent who can’t be used in any of the roles McVay had in Washington (he’s not DeSean, he’s not Crowder) then McVay is basically doing this–either Tavon fits what I am doing or I don’t need him. And trying to make him into DeSean, IMO, will not work.My view is we already know he’s not DeSean. In fact my view is that it;s a kind of a waste of time to try and make him into that.
I think Tavon is best used the way he was in 2015. So far I don’t see any indication from McVay that he’s interested in that.
.
znModeratorOverall i think the CIA/NSA is about as evil as it gets. The subsystem. Not the people. Not the individuals. I’m sure ‘they’ all think they are patriots of the highest order, and all that.
I don’t find either thing to be THAT uniform or homogenous.
And I don’t think “deep state” (which only means regular longterm employees, really) and corporate interests are uniformly aligned either.
I think those things cause of where evidence trails take me. It’s an old habit.
Of course putting it like that makes me sound as categorically “I’m just right” as any sloganista.
So let me just say, lots to sort out.
….
znModeratorNah, I’d rather look at a nice pair of boobies.
So.
Evolution doesn’t always work, hunh.
znModeratorWhat’s Tavon Austin’s Role in Rams New Offense?
Myles Simmons
Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin recently underwent a surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the offseason program. And while that’s not ideal — particularly as Los Angeles installs a new offense under head coach Sean McVay — Austin will still be able to participate in many aspects of OTAs and minicamp.
“You wish he wish he was going to be able to take place in some of these workouts,” McVay said Saturday. “But, I think we’ve got a plan in place to be able to make sure that he’s not going to lose anything from a mental approach. Then because it is an upper-body thing, you can still do a lot of the things in your lower half — stay in shape, run the routes.”
McVay said he wasn’t quite sure when the injury occurred, whether it was during a workout or something lingering from last season.
“Either way, he sustained it and we got it fixed and now we’re moving forward,” McVay said. “It’s something that you’d love him to be a part of it, but I think we feel good about the plan that we’ve got in place for him — where it’s something that we’ll just work through it, as opposed to letting it be something that really affects our ability to move forward as an offense with Tavon.”
A 2013 first-round pick, Austin has recorded 2,610 career yards from scrimmage and 20 rushing and receiving touchdowns. While he received a career high 106 targets in 2016, his overall production took a dip to 668 yards from scrimmage from 907 in 2015.
And so the task for McVay and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur is to maximize Austin’s talents in their scheme. With Austin’s speed, he’s long been considered a potential downfield threat. But have his new coaches seen that ability?
“We only had him for a limited time before he had the surgery, but you could definitely see and feel his speed,” LaFleur said. “When you look at what Washington was able to do and what Atlanta was able to do and the explosive plays, it all starts with having speed at that receiver position, which is something he possesses. Great guy, is attentive each day, so we’re excited to give him those opportunities.”
Austin’s potential role in Los Angeles’ offense has drawn comparisons to former Washington receiver DeSean Jackson and Atlanta’s Taylor Gabriel — both of whom are smaller in stature, much like Austin. Nevertheless, they both recorded numerous explosive plays. Jackson led the league with 17.9 yards per reception in 2016, and Gabriel was close behind coming in at 16.5 yards per reception.
That’s why LaFleur said coaches are more concerned with how a receiver can separate and catch more than size when it comes to being a downfield threat.
“I know last year in Atlanta, they used Taylor Gabriel and he’s not the tallest guy, but he could get open and he was electric with the ball in his hands,” LaFleur said. “So hopefully we can get Tavon going the same way.”
znModeratorRams Waive Two, Sign Three in Preparation for OTAs
Nate Bain
The Los Angeles Rams signed three undrafted free agents and waived two more on Monday.
The team now sits at 89 players on its active roster before the start of organized team activities. (Roster max is 90)
Players Signed:
De’Mard Llorens – RB – Northwestern State
Shakeir Ryan – WR – Northwestern State
Teidrick Smith – OLB – Mary Hardin-BaylorPlayers Waived:
Jared Collins – DB – Arkansas
Shaq McMeans – OL – New Mexico StateOrganized team activities start on May 23.
znModeratorI;ve seen #2.
Some say it’s not as good as the first.
I didn;t feel that way. I liked it.
.
znModerator. There’s a part of me that smiles about it. I wish it was Bernie doing it. But its Trump. Which means its like Saluman pissing off Sauron.
I’m afraid it’s not that simple.
First, in the run-up to the Iraq war, on this very board, or its earlier incarnation, we came up with a ton of info questioning the president’s interpretation of things. Many of those sources were active or former members of the intel community, who were appalled at what was happening.
2nd, when challenged about sources, I kept reiterating—the mainstream media as an entire whole, from top to bottom, is not complicit. If you know how to you can sift through it and spot useful info.
This is why I never get into slogan-ized simple sides taking. Being on the left has taught me not to be categorical that way.
For example, american resistance to ISIS is unquestionably a GOOD thing and we are better with it than without it, as are millions of others who live in the region.
At the same time yes, you have to sort through and point to the actually damaging policy ideas and actions. But that’s not this unified entity acting, it’s a huge self-divided thing.
An oligarchy is just not going to be as sealed and uniform and airtight as a straight-up dictatorship.
It doesn’t lend itself to simple slogan ideas. IMO one has to be more nimble than that.
.
znModeratorI donno…
President Trump revealed highly classified information to the Russian foreign minister and ambassador in a White House meeting last week, according to current and former U.S. officials, who said Trump’s disclosures jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on the Islamic State.
How would “former US officials” know what was said there, unless they were Russian?
Hard for me to believe even Trump could do this, but his is such a narcissistic braggard that I can’t put anything part him.
The former officials did not reveal the disclosure, they discussed how sensitive it was. That would be after being contacted by the Post, presumably.
Even the Post is not going to make a mistake THAT obvious.
And other American officials would be present in such a discussion. Trump doesn’t meet them alone.
CURRENT officials revealed Trump’s leak: After Trump’s meeting, senior White House officials took steps to contain the damage, placing calls to the CIA and the National Security Agency.
So it was known about, initially, on the inside.
Officials not at the meeting could learn about it by the damage control effort described in my quotation.
.znModeratorThis is old news, but maybe bears repeating? This is a one-gap 3/4 with the stress on attacking gaps, not taking on guards. So on paper anyway it should work. Look at Arizona. Last year, with converted safety Deone Bucannon at one ILB spot, the Arz defense was 2nd in the league in yards allowed, 9th against the run, and 3rd in yards per rushing attempt. So starting Bucannon at ILB did not hurt them any. Barron has basically the same size and profile as Bucannon.
znModeratorRams want Tavon Austin to play DeSean Jackson role in new offense
By Alden Gonzalez
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are operating under the expectation that Tavon Austin will be ready by training camp. The fifth-year receiver recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair ligament damage in his left wrist, a procedure that will sideline him for organized team activities but should have him healthy and ready by late July.
The Rams are hoping he returns as a slightly different player.
Under former coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams used Austin, the eighth overall pick in 2013, as something of a gadget receiver. He returned punts, made 75 of his 181 catches behind the line of scrimmage (tied for second in the NFL over the last four years) and carried the ball 125 times (by far the most among receivers during that stretch). But the Rams aren’t yet certain if Austin will continue to return punts. And first-year coach Sean McVay wants Austin, 5-foot-8 with breakneck speed, to establish himself as more of a deep threat, perhaps similar to what DeSean Jackson was for McVay’s offense in Washington.
Is Austin capable?
“He’s shown he can track the ball down the field,” McVay said from the Rams’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “Really, as far as establishing him as a deep threat, I think we’re just looking for all our receivers to be complete. You want to be able to have a short, intermediate and deep-route tree. And I think it gives you a little bit more route versatility so people can’t squat on you. You certainly want to be cognizant of accentuating guys’ skill set, but also not being regulated in terms of, ‘This is what they do.’ That’s the thing that he’s really embraced, and we’re looking to do that with Tavon.”
Aside from 2017 fourth-round pick Josh Reynolds, who’s still very raw, and 2016 sixth-round pick Mike Thomas, an outside candidate to even crack the 53-man roster, the Rams don’t really have someone who specializes in lining up on the outside and beating defenses over the top.
McVay brought up a couple of long touchdown strikes from last season, against the Buccaneers in Week 3 and against the Saints in Week 12, as examples that Austin can make plays down the field. But the 26-year-old has made only 15 career catches on passes that have traveled at least 15 yards through the air, a total surpassed by 125 players over the last four years. His reception percentage on those deep balls is 28.8, 13.7 percentage points below the league average from 2013 to ’16.
One major disadvantage is obvious — Austin’s height, which makes it exceedingly difficult for him to make deep catches without significant separation.
But Jackson is only two inches taller, at 5-foot-10. And with the Falcons last year, new Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur had the explosive, 5-foot-8 Taylor Gabriel. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Julio Jones operated as Atlanta’s primary deep threat, but LaFleur believes short receivers can do the same as long as they “have the speed to get open” and the “separation skills to get open,” which the Rams believe Austin possesses in abundance.
“He’s got great hands,” LaFleur added. “When we judge receivers, it’s more about their ability to separate. The size is not as big of a concern.”
Austin signed a four-year, $42 million extension weeks before the start of the 2016 season. But the dead money tied to his contract drops from nearly $20 million in 2017 to $5 million in 2018 to zero thereafter, which makes it seem like he is basically on a one-year tryout with this new coaching staff.
The Rams — special-teams coordinator John Fassel specifically — are also open-minded about whether Austin will continue to return punts. He has served as the Rams’ primary punt returner since his rookie year, returning three of them for touchdowns. But Pharoh Cooper, a fourth-round pick last year, will also get consideration for the role. And others may emerge as candidates.
“Any time you’ve got a guy like that who can create with the ball in his hands, you want to be able to create those opportunities,” McVay said of Austin. “But I know there’s other players in place that can do that, as well.”
znModeratorPFF: RAMS APPEAR SET TO KEEP BARRON AT LINEBACKER
Barron had been a safety early in his career, but has played linebacker more recently, and the Rams look likely to keep him there.
MIKE CAHILL
https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-rams-appear-set-to-keep-barron-at-linebacker/
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said he had no plans to play Mark Barron at safety after playing his first full season at linebacker in 2016.
Barron played 75 percent of games at LB in 2015 and full-time at LB in 2016. Those were his two highest-graded seasons at 77.4 and 78.4, respectively.
After averaging 67.7 tackles and 21.7 stops in his first three seasons, Barron has averaged 98.5 tackles and 54 stops over the last two seasons.
Barron’s five passes defended were the second-most of his career and tied for third among 88 linebackers.
znModeratorThe HORNS ARE TOO SKINNY.
What’s wrong with you???!!! They are clearly and obviously NOT SKINNY ENOUGH.
Plus they should be orange, not white.
Where did you get your football knowledge, from a cracker jack box?
PS. I can see why someone would think they were skinny but I don’t mind myself.
May 15, 2017 at 9:27 am in reply to: PFF: Rams most aggressive third-down defense in the NFL in 2016 #68843znModeratorWill the trend continue under new DC Wade Phillips?
The art of the rhetorical question.
Simple answer: no.
.
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?
Assuming the way it’s set up there (eg. with Everett starting), it’s 7.
Sullivan, Whitworth, Everett, Kupp, Woods, Barwin, Webster
Compare to 2012. How many players who were not there in 2011 started? Adjusting some for injuries, it’s 12, though 3 of those are special teamers.
Wells, Richardson, Smith/Williams/Turner, Langford, Brockers, Dunbar, McIntosh, Finnegan, Jenkins, Hekker, Zuerlein, Givens (KR)
znModeratorI can’t access that one for some reason. Could someone post it here? Thanks.
/
znModeratorMay 14, 2017 at 10:03 pm in reply to: On Goff in 2017 (OTAs & post-draft articles etc) updated through 5/14 #68816znModeratorRams hope rookies can help quarterback Jared Goff elevate his game
Gary Klein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-rookie-camp-analysis-20170514-story.html%5B
…
NOTE: this isn’t the complete article, because my access to the Times ran out this month already. If you still have access, go here: http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-rookie-camp-analysis-20170514-story.html
Anyone with access who can post the whole article I would appreciate it.
znModeratorDomo Hatfield signs with LA Rams
http://www.blocku.com/2017/5/13/15637026/domo-hatfield-signs-with-la-rams
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
One of Utah’s most controversial players over the past couple of seasons, Domo Hatfield, has been offered a contract with the LA Rams, per a tweet from his former position coach Sharrieff Shah.The former Utah corner was controversial for many reasons, on and off the field, but he will also be remembered as a trash talking playmaker, who jumped into the two deep early on in his career after switching from wide receiver. Although his senior season had some injury issues, and a less than ceremonious exit from the team, since he was suspended for the bowl game, his final game in a Utah uniform.
For his career, Domo had 101 total tackles, with 6 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for scores. His best year was his junior season, when he had 4 of those picks, and his sophomore seasons was also really good, with 10 pass deflections.
I’m a big fan of Domo, overall, although I wish he would have handled the end of his career on the Hill a little better. I’ll be cheering for him like crazy, and hopefully he can stay at home in LA and have a nice career.
znModeratorThe path was rocky, but Rams TE Gerald Everett is where he always believed he’d be
VINCENT BONSIGNORE
Every single one of the 30 or so dreamers lining the Rams practice field this weekend in Thousand Oaks has a story to tell. You don’t just pull up at an NFL rookie minicamp, a place where lifetime dreams are allowed to continue or meet their bitter ends, without toting an extraordinary amount of baggage the result of roads less traveled.
For every high draft pick with a lucrative contract on the way, there’s three undrafted free agents hoping to make enough of an impression to get a training camp invite.
For every former five-star recruit from USC or Alabama, there’s a former no-star recruit who flashed just enough at tiny Tarleton State to earn an NFL tryout.
Yet here they all wound up at the same place at the same time with the same singular objective.
“And it’s funny when you think about it,” Rams rookie tight end Gerald Everett observed. “We all want to end up at the same place, but everyone’s path is a little different. There’s really no one path to the NFL.”
But there is one common thread.
“You just have to keep working for your dream,” Everett said, “No matter where you start, or what obstacles are in your way. Just keep fighting.”
Everett is a case in point.
In the back of his mind he always felt he would find his way onto the NFL radar. The raw athletic ability was always noticeable growing up in Atlanta. From a physical standpoint, there were compelling components to work with.
On the other hand, he did set football aside when he got to high school to focus on basketball and track and field. At the time it seemed like the beginning of the end of his football career. But in retrospect it turned out to be a shrewdly brilliant decision.
The basketball skill-set he honed is one he he presently leans on to help beat defenders to the football. At 6-foot-3, Everett’s vertical leap enables him to outjump defenders for the ball but he can also box-out to secure his fair share of 50/50 balls.
“My basketball background really helps me on the football field,” he said.
A reality he soon learned upon circling back to football his senior year of high school after moving from Martin Luther King High to Columbia in Decatur, Ga.
It turned out to be one of those just-in-the-nick of time decisions that set him on his current path.
Albeit one with enough twists and turns to fill a page-turning best seller.
Everett earned All-State honors at Columbia after a breakout senior season, only his sudden arrival to the recruiting party was entirely too late to garner scholarship interest.
Bethune Cookman, an FCS program, did offer a scholarship and Everett immediately accepted. But as enrollment day drew near, he had a change of heart and decided he was better served taking the JC route, which is how he ended up at Juco powerhouse Hutchinson Community College.
Everett sat out the 2012 season, but in 2013 put together a standout season that eventually landed him a scholarship to Alabama Birmingham.
His first season resulted in 17 catches for 292 yards and a touchdown, a foundation Everett hope to build on over his final two seasons.
Only for a major roadblock to come crashing down in front of him.
Alabama Birmingham abruptly decided to cancel its football program, a crushing, shocking development that left more than a hundred players, coaches and staff members scrambling to figure out there futures.
The fact they announced it immediately after the Jaguars became bowl eligible was a particularly low blow.
“I was disgusted,” Everett said. “At the same time, it put it in perspective that this is a business and you don’t always have control over what happens.Everett allowed himself one day to mourn. If nothing else, just to process everything that just happened.
But not only was he determined to not let someone else’s decision be the reason his dreams got squashed, he instinctively knew every second counted in terms of getting his future back on track.
Any concerns were put to rest within a day or so.
“My phone started ringing. There were programs showing interest in me.” he said. “I knew I was going to be fine.”
Everett eventually followed his Alabama Birmingham offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent, to South Alabama.
“It turned out to be a great decision for me,” Everett said. “That’s when things really started to fall into place.”
And where the NFL began coming into better focus.
Everett arrived at South Alabama at 220 pounds, but at the urging of his coaches began putting on weight. The goal was to make a permanent move to tight end, with the added girth enabling him to be a better blocker but also be able to stand up physically against bigger defenders.
And while Everett’s body got bigger, he didn’t lose any of his athletic ability.
The result was a matchup nightmare for Sun Belt Conference linebackers and defensive backs.
As a junior, Everett caught 41 passes for 575 yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that up with 49 catches for 717 yards and four touchdowns last year as a senior to earn a spot at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.
His postseason work immediately caught the interest of the Rams, specifically new head coach Sean McVay whose offense has a strong tight end component.
“I can tell you that through this process and you’ve gotten to know Sean, what his scheme requires and as you eluded to with the tight end, I have a feeling that Gerald’s one of Sean’s favorite players in the draft,” Rams general manager Les Snead said.
In Everett, McVay saw a tight end he could use as a complement to second-year tight end Tyler Higbee and perhaps even Temarrick Hemingway, who has impressed McVay so far in offseason workouts.
No surprise, then, the Rams made Everett their first selection of the NFL draft with the 44th pick overall, with the hope of developing him into the Rams’ version of Jordan Reed, a tight end McVay effectively utilized as the Washington Redskins offensive coordinator.
“Going back to just talking about Higbee and what (we) saw from Hemingway, those are encouraging things,” McVay said. “I don’t think you can ever have enough playmakers and if those guys merit it by the way that they compete in practice, then those guys will be on the field as well.”
In doing so, it proved a point that friends and coaches within Everett’s circle continually stressed to him throughout his long, winding road.“The NFL will find you no matter where you are,” Everett said. “You know, coming out of high school I wanted to go to a big-time program. But my path didn’t end up in that direction. But I want to be a testament that no matter where you are, if you keep working hard and believing in yourself, you’ll find your way.”
znModeratorPitt pass rusher sees himself as perfect fit for Rams defense
Gary Klein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-rookie-minicamp-20170513-story,amp.html
The Rams made a good decision the last time they drafted a pass rusher from Pittsburgh.
Aaron Donald, a first-round pick in 2014, is a three-time Pro Bowl tackle and one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players.
Linebacker Ejuan Price played with Donald in college, and the Rams’ Round 7 pick in the recent draft is eager to reunite and learn from his former teammate.
“I kind of know what he does,” Price said Saturday after the Rams concluded a two-day rookies minicamp in Thousand Oaks. “We kind of do the same stuff. Obviously, he’s better at it than me.
“But I’m going to keep practicing, keep working.”
Price, 5 feet 11 and 241 pounds, had 13 sacks last season at Pitt. He described himself as “perfect” for the 3-4 scheme the Rams will run under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
“I’m an edgy pass-rusher type of guy, so I think I couldn’t have landed in a better place than to be under coach Phillips,” Price said. “Because I’ve seen what he’s done in the past with his edge rushers. And I’m just hoping to be the next one.”
After evaluating players during meetings and three on-field workouts, coach Sean McVay said several first-year players could become contributors this season.
McVay said tight end Gerald Everett, receivers Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds, and fullback Sam Rogers stood out on offense, while safety John Johnson stood out on defense.
The integration of the rookies will continue this week as the Rams prepare for the start of organized team activities on May 23.
The new players will be in team meetings and work with position coaches.
“Kind of teach them the offense, the defense, our systems, where you’re really creating a foundation,” McVay said.
Sharp prospect
Rogers, a sixth-round pick from Virginia Tech, is known for his versatility and intensity.
A Virginia Tech coach once described the 5-10, 231-pound Rogers as “a nonstop ball of butcher knives” on the field.
“I don’t even know what that means, honestly,” Rogers said. “It think it’s a compliment, but I’m not really sure. It seems pretty good.”
And intimidating.
“It sounds like it would be painful if you got hit by it,” he said. “So I think, to me it’s a good thing.”
Close to home
Former USC running back Justin Davis spoke with several teams after the draft. He decided to sign with the Rams because of the opportunity.
“I just felt like this was the best place for me,” he said. “And just playing at USC, being in L.A. for four years, that had a little part to do with it.”
Todd Gurley is the Rams’ starting running back. They also signed free agent Lance Dunbar, who played five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green are other running backs on the roster.
Green participated in the minicamp, as did Northwestern State’s De’mard Llorens and Southern’s Lenard Tillery.
Davis is confident he can find a role.
“I’ve been talking closely with the special-teams coach — and that’s a big deal,” Davis said. “There are only 22 starters and the rest of the guys have to fit in somewhere else and prove their values to the team.
“So that’s No. 1, and also trying to work hard to get as many reps [at running back] as I can.”
Notes
Tavon Austin’s recovery from wrist surgery will keep him sidelined during organized team activities but will not affect plans for the offense, McVay said. Asked if Austin sustained the injury during a workout or during last season, McVay said, “Not really totally sure.” Austin has also returned punts during his four NFL seasons, returning three for touchdowns. McVay said Pharoh Cooper and others could compete for the role. “Any time you’ve got a guy like that who can create with the ball in his hands, you want to be able to create those opportunities,” McVay said. “But I know there’s other players in place that can do that, as well. [Special teams coordinator John Fassel] is doing a good job of being able to keep that open where you have some guys in those spots, and that will be determined at a later date….
McVay said that undrafted free agent Jake Eldrenkamp would get an opportunity to compete at center with John Sullivan and Demetrius Rhaney…. A jury in Florida decided that Rams defensive tackle Dominque Easley should pay a man nearly $150,000 for a dog bite the man received in 2014 from Easley’s pit bull, the Palm Beach Post reported. The jury decided in favor of the man despite the fact that he was never invited into Easley’s rented townhouse in Boca Raton and that Easley was out of town interviewing with teams prior to the NFL draft when the incident occurred, the report said. The dog has since been euthanized. Easley’s lawyer filed a motion for a new trial based on unclear property and liability laws, the report said…. The Rams will wear throwback uniforms in their Oct. 8 game against the Seattle Seahawks and Dec. 31 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
znModerator“Peasants” and “colonized brains”.
That is precisely why progressive will never move forward.
W, you just did precisely what you complain about. The kind of language WV uses does not represent all progressives on this board let alone in existence. But on the basis of one guy doing one thing you just generalized about an entire group of people.
.
znModeratorCongrats to @teidricksmith for turning heads @rams minicamp. Signed a contract today.
Teidrick Smith: One of the front four
http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/south/2015/umhb-teidrick-smith-front-four
Teidrick Smith is one of the best defensive players in the nation, and with that distinction comes a tidal wave of accolades for the junior Mary Hardin-Baylor defensive end.
Smith is the reigning American Southwest Conference Defensive Player and Lineman of the Year in 2014 and he’s the frontrunner for the honors again this year. To top it off, he was a D3football.com honorable-mention All-American last season and is a preseason All-American this year.
But ask Smith about the recognition and he will tell you it’s not something he thinks about.
“I try to block it all out because I’m all about putting the team first,” Smith said. “I want to be a leader and do what I can to help our team succeed and compete for a championship.”
Smith is doing just that, ranking third on the team in tackles (24) and second in sacks (7.5).
“I’ve played well,” Smith said. “But I can always be better and I work to get better every week.”
It’s a scary thought that Smith can be better considering what he has done already, racking up more than 100 tackles (108) and close to 20 sacks (18.5) in his first two seasons. His success is no fluke.
“He has an incredible work ethic,” Crusaders coach Pete Fredenburg said. “He’s a great role model for our younger players because he works hard in practice and expects a lot of himself and his teammates.”
The Cru has lived up to expectations so far, winning its first five games and giving up 20 or more points only once. UMHB is holding opponents to an average of 255.6 yards per game.
“We have great players on our defensive line. The front four has done a tremendous job of getting pressure on the quarterback,” Fredenburg said.
Smith said the work he and his teammates put in during practice makes a difference as well in the Crusaders’ ability to be one of the best defensive teams in the country.
“We take a lot of pride in being a great defense,” Smith said. “We do a lot of drills in practice that prepare us for each game and the coaches put us in a good position to execute our game plan every week.”
Expectations are high for the Cru, who hope to make another playoff run and contend for the national championship.
“We’ve established high goals here that the players want to achieve and developing good team chemistry is big part of our success,” Fredenburg said. “The big thing is that we work to get better every week.”
Smith plans to do what he can to keep the Cru on the right track.
“We can’t be satisfied,” Smith said. “It’s all about providing good leadership and staying focused on each game.”
znModeratorCongrats to @teidricksmith for turning heads @rams minicamp. Signed a contract today. #nevergiveup #perseverance pic.twitter.com/xRNeNeqByl
— J. Drew Pittman (@DPFootballAgent) May 14, 2017
znModeratorAt some point, the Earth’s core will solidify. When that happens, the magnetic field will collapse. Charged particles from the sun will cleanse the surface of all multi-cellular organisms.
That should give hope to the rest of the universe, unless, somehow, some way, we find a way to establish a foothold off of this planet. In that case, watch out universe!Yes but because of radioactive decay in the core that could take as long as 91 billion years. The core is hot because it includes long-lasting radioactive elements.
By then, the sun will have expanded and fried the earth (that will start to happen in about 5 billion years).
But by THEN the population of the earth will have spread all over the galaxy, putting up strip malls everywhere it goes.
znModeratorfrom PFF Ranking the top 50 undrafted free agents
With all seven rounds of the draft in the books, PFF looks at the list of the top undrafted free agents.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-ranking-the-top-50-undrafted-free-agents/
4. Jon Toth, C, Kentucky
Toth brings good size to the position, and he ran Kentucky’s offense well, grading among the nation’s top centers for three straight years. He took a slight step back in 2016, allowing 10 pressures and ranking 30th in the draft class in pass-blocking efficiency, but he’s a solid option in a downhill run scheme.
27. Casey Sayles, DI, Ohio
Sayles is undersized for a defensive tackle, but has graded solidly as a run-defender for three straight seasons. In 2016, Sayles improved his pass-rush to the tune of six sacks, four QB hits, 27 hurries, and two batted passes on 359 pass-rushing snaps.
28. Arian Penton, CB, Missouri
While he had the propensity to give up the big play (in 2016 he gave up six receptions of over 30 yards), Penton yielded just a 50.3 completion percentage against on 171 throws into his coverage between 2014 and 2016. He had six break-ups and five interceptions in 2016, one of them coming in a stellar performance against Arkansas that saw him surrender just three receptions for 9 total yards on eight throws into his coverage.
35. Jake Eldrenkamp, G, Washington
With some highlight-reel blocks as a puller, Eldrenkamp can have success in a gap scheme, and his work as a puller was a big part of his 82.6 run grade that ranked 18th in the nation in 2016. He made strides in pass protection last season, but still had his issues against better defensive fronts.
===
===PARAM wrote:
PFW, Nolan Nawrocki had our UDFA’s ranked this way:
K. Davis (11th ranked ILB)
McMeans (11th ranked OC)
Eldrenkamp (22nd ranked OG)
Orimolade (27th ranked OLB; 5 slot higher than our 4th round pick)
J. Davis (33rd ranked RB)
Penton (39th ranked CB)
Mundt (49th ranked TE)
Tillery (56th ranked RB)
Sayles (58th ranked DT)
Collins (58th ranked CB)Add Toth to that, 4th ranked OC.
Although there are a lot, if not mainly camp bodies, it wouldn’t be unusual to see a couple of them stick.
It also shows how they went about obtaining talent for the roster. Highly ranked offensive skill guys in the draft. Mid range to lower ranked defensive guys.
On the UDFA front, they supplemented the OL and went with two fairly high ranked (by position) linebackers (Orimolade #27 OLB; Davis #11 ILB). The CBs, DT, RBs and TE were ranked much lower by position.
You only get so many draft picks and in UDFA, some guys sign where they think they have a good chance to stick while others bet on themselves making the stronger roster of a winning team.
-
AuthorPosts
