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  • March 1, 2017 at 11:57 am in reply to: Tru will be tagged? and yep he is & (updated) he signs #65700
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    ===

    Rams make a $16 million bet Trumaine Johnson can be a shutdown corner again
    Los Angeles will have until July 15 to sign their CB long-term.

    http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/3/1/14598954/2017-nfl-free-agency-rams-make-16-million-bet-trumaine-johnson-franchise-tag

    For second straight year, the Rams are using their franchise tag on Trumaine Johnson. Tagging Johnson entitles him to a one-year, fully guaranteed salary of $16.75 million, making him the NFL’s highest paid cornerback for 2017.

    Los Angeles will have until July 15 to strike a long-term deal with the cornerback.

    Johnson’s situation reflects the dilemma the Rams face over their secondary. Losing Janoris Jenkins to free agency last year broke up an effective pair of corners. Johnson’s production declined as the team’s No. 1 corner in 2016.

    Johnson finished 2016 with 57 tackles and one interception, the first time in his pro career that he finished without multiple picks. He ranked 48th in receiving yards allowed, 24th in touchdowns allowed and surrendered a QB rating of 89.4 on pass thrown his direction, according to Pro Football Focus.

    However, behind Johnson, all the Rams have are question marks on the cornerback depth chart. Safety T.J. McDonald is a free agent, leaving the secondary with another hole to fill. In short, the Rams need him, even if they have to overpay to keep him.

    The good news for Johnson and the Rams is that there’s a new coaching staff on board. Head coach Sean McVay is a rookie, but he’s bringing the cagey vet Wade Phillips to run the defense.

    Under Jeff Fisher and his defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Rams leaned heavily on blitzes and stunts that left their defensive backs without much support down the field. Phillips has a reputation for coaching to his players, finding what it is that they do well and tailoring his defense to fit the players.

    The Rams are making a $16.75 million bet that Phillips’ approach can turn Johnson into the shutdown corner they’re paying for.

    February 28, 2017 at 11:51 pm in reply to: Jeremiah's top 50 prospects for 2017 Draft #65689
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    14 DBs in top 50

    February 28, 2017 at 10:55 pm in reply to: racial wealth divide: 'nothing short of shocking' #65685
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    What Explains the Racial Wealth Gap?

    link: http://inequality.org/explains-racial-wealth-divide/

    A new study shows the legacy of racism far outweighs individual financial decisions in driving the growing gap between black and white families.
    No myth around around our staggering racial wealth divide may be more entrenched than the notion that black and brown people have less money because they’ve made poor personal decisions.
    Tom Shapiro, a professor at the Institute on Assets and Social Policy, and his colleagues at Brandeis University teamed up with the New York-based think tank Demos to release a new report that directly takes on this devilishly persistent “deservedness” myth.

    Neither greater education, workforce participation, nor family formation explain the persistent gap between black and white household wealth. Image: shutterstock.
    When asked in public opinion polls whether white families are better off financially than black households, less than half of white respondents acknowledge they are. Among the folks who acknowledge the racial wealth divide exists, two thirds assert that discrimination rooted in individual people is a greater problem than discrimination that is built into our laws and institutions.
    The divide in wealth between white and black families, the new report shows, cannot be explained by differences in financial or lifestyle choices. The significance of the choices individual people of color make pale against “a century of accumulated wealth.” In other words, the majority who responded to that poll are wrong.
    “Structural racism,” the research team notes, “trumps personal responsibility.”
    The new report from Brandeis and Demos — The Asset Value of Whiteness: Understanding the Racial Wealth Gap — takes each aspect of the deservedness myth head on, touching on everything from education and consumption to family formation and workforce participation.
    Does lack of education explain the racial wealth divide? White households with workers who have less than a high school degree have more wealth than black households with workers who’ve attended at least some college.
    Among workers with equal levels of education, the median white adult with at least some college holds 7.2 times more wealth than the comparable median black adult and 3.9 times more than the median Latino.
    “Higher education is valuable,” the new study’s authors conclude, “but when it comes to wealth, white privilege is equally, if not more valuable.”
    How about single-parent status? Does that explain the racial wealth gap? Black two-parent households do have more than three times the wealth of black one-parent households. But white two-parent households turn out to have ten times more wealth than the equivalent black families.
    In fact, white one-parent households have more wealth than black two-parent households. Again, the racial wealth divide persists regardless of how smart an individual’s personal financial decisions may be.
    Some apologists for inequality cite differences in spending habits as the reason why the racial wealth divide persists. Black people waste their money on frivolities, the argument goes, while whites save.

    In real life, white families spend 1.3 times more than comparable black families, on average across all income levels. Black consumers spend either less or the same as their white counterparts on clothing, jewelry, personal care, entertainment, eating out, and other non-essentials. Black families consistently outspend whites in only one category: utility bills.
    Differences in personal spending habits, the researchers sum up, “cannot explain the racial wealth gap: white households spend more than black households with similar incomes, yet also have more wealth.”
    The Asset Value of Whiteness offers a variety of policy solutions to our growing racial wealth divide, most notably calling for the implementation of a “racial wealth audit,” a tool that can measure how new potential public policy will raise or lower racial wealth gaps.
    That audit, given the current legislative climate, seems far off. But the work of shifting the narrative that holds in place our persistent racial divide remains as pressing as ever.

    February 28, 2017 at 9:33 pm in reply to: Missed yall, missed the internet #65684
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    wv wrote:

    Well, I’ve missed yall. And i’ve missed the Internet.

    See, I told you there was a big difference between Obama and Trump.

    Under Obama, the NSA used to monitor the site and drive up the hit count.

    Under Trump, they go to your house and kick you off the internet.

    February 28, 2017 at 9:20 am in reply to: another neoliberalism thread #65661
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    InvaderRam wrote:

    is there any reason for hope? cuz this thread is a little depressing.

    Well yes. Any votes for Sanders point to a groundswell of people who reject the neo-liberal agenda.

    That’s partly true of votes for Trump too, but only partly. The problem with Trump is that his supporters, to the degree they were motivated sheerly by economic issues, were deluding themselves–Trump is neo-liberal policies on steroids and acid, not a rejection of them. It’s like the movie Alien. Trump is the alien. The dems are The Company.

    Signs indicated that Sanders would have beaten Trump soundly.

    Whoever would have voted for Sanders in that scenario is rejecting neo-liberal, corporatized ‘merica.

    February 28, 2017 at 1:43 am in reply to: another neoliberalism thread #65655
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    Mackeyser wrote:

    The only folks who like neoliberalism more than Reps are party Dems.

    It’s beyond disheartening.

    Always remember.

    Everything’s just fine. It’s all good. We’re all fine. Everything’s fine.

    February 27, 2017 at 6:09 pm in reply to: Rams get a 3rd n 4th in comp picks & have 8 picks total #65649
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    LMU93 wrote this:

    I was curious why the Rams didn’t get a 6th round comp. for Fairley when that had been projected all season. This was the explanation I found at OverTheCap.com.

    “I had projected the Rams to get a 6th round comp pick for Nick Fairley, on the basis of his APY being $3 million over three years. However, what I did not notice is that Fairley had for all practical purposes signed a one year deal with two void years solely for the purpose of spreading out his signing bonus (a practice that the Saints are notorious for). When I ignored his Paragraph 5 base salaries on those void years–mere placeholder dollars that were never going to be paid out–this reduced his APY to $1.583 million. Upon that adjustment, Fairley was placed exactly where should have been–a 7th round value that just barely missed the 32-pick limit.”

    February 27, 2017 at 11:50 am in reply to: Times have changed #65646
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    Billionaires didn’t used to cook the political scene then the way they do now. Plus, they taxed em then.

    February 27, 2017 at 9:53 am in reply to: Rams at the combine (articles) #65642
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    Rams should focus on receiver, O-line, secondary at combine

    Alden Gonzalez

    http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33072/rams-should-focus-on-receiver-o-line-secondary-help-at-combine

    A closer look at the positions the Los Angeles Rams could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:

    Positions of need: The Rams have numerous holes on offense, and it isn’t because they haven’t used past draft picks to address them. They picked seven offensive linemen from 2014 to ’15 but had one of the game’s worst lines in 2016. They finished last season with five rookie receivers, but not one of them made much of an impact. This might sound repetitive, but the Rams will probably be scouting offensive linemen and wide receivers at this year’s combine. They must also be on the lookout for defensive backs, because their depth has eroded quickly there. The Rams lost their primary cornerback (Janoris Jenkins) and their starting free safety (Rodney McLeod) through free agency last offseason and replaced them internally. No. 1 corner (Trumaine Johnson) and starting strong safety (T.J. McDonald) are set to become unrestricted free agents. The Rams don’t have much impact talent left beyond them.

    Three players the Rams could focus on at the combine:

    Gareon Conley (cornerback), Ohio State: Conley has drawn comparisons to star Broncos corner Aqib Talib, which should be enough to get you excited. Conley became an All-Big Ten honorable mention as a sophomore in 2015 and was then named second-team all-conference in 2016. Conley is listed at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He has NFL size and length to go with soft hands and outstanding timing, as stated in a scouting report by NFL.com. Conley projects to be an early starter who can immediately play in a zone scheme and hold his own in press coverage. But he isn’t very physical and needs to work on his tackling. Over the past two years, Conley has combined for six interceptions and 13 pass breakups.

    Cam Robinson (tackle), Alabama: A freshman All-American and two-time first-team All-SEC pick, Robinson has been a reliable, physical left tackle for the Crimson Tide. He was named a consensus All-American as a junior in 2016, an undefeated regular season that finished with a last-second loss to Clemson in the national championship game. Robinson is listed at 6-6 and 326 pounds, a similar body type as another left tackle with the same last name. That would be Greg Robinson, the former No. 2 overall pick who has struggled as Rams left tackle these past couple of years. Cam Robinson brings great power and explosiveness, as you might expect, and has shown the ability to adequately get to the second level with his blocks. His balance and instincts are deemed weaknesses at this point, and Robinson has struggled against quicker, more athletic defensive ends.

    JuJu Smith-Schuster (receiver), USC: Smith-Schuster, listed at 6-2 and 220 pounds, was first-team All-Pac-12 as a sophomore in 2015, catching 89 passes for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games. Those numbers dropped partly because of a back injury in his junior season — to 70 catches for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns — but Smith-Schuster was still good enough to be named second-team all-conference. He brings good size, a willingness to go across the middle and a great feel for eluding defenders. He’s a solid route runner, a reliable blocker and a hyper-competitive athlete. The only negative, it seems, is Smith-Schuster’s speed and acceleration. And granted, that’s important. But, as NFL.com said in its scouting report, teams with speed elsewhere at receiver can complement that nicely with Smith-Schuster’s physicality. The Rams have speed with Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper, so perhaps there’s a fit.

    February 26, 2017 at 4:06 pm in reply to: So I've got a kid in Europe #65635
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    TSRF wrote:

    Thanks, ZN.

    I did warn her about pick-pockets. We did hear from her and she texted that the youth hostel is very nice. I’m pretty sure my Russian friend was just fucking with me; he is our reining chess master, even crushing the physicists, which pisses them off to no end.

    The wife, son and I are going to Geneva the first week of April. Sonya is going to be working her internship (was a split semester; half classes that she just finished, half internship), but we are getting there on a Friday morning. I told her to pick a destination, and we’ll fly there Friday afternoon when she gets out of work, then back to Geneva Sunday afternoon. I’m hoping somewhere in Northern Italy, but it will be her call.

    It was about this time, in terms of the month and season, that I first visited Florence many decades ago.

    Have a good trip!

    .

    February 26, 2017 at 2:38 pm in reply to: So I've got a kid in Europe #65633
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    A family I know from work–I work with both the husband and wife–who are in Budapest as we speak.

    I’ve never heard anything negative about it, as far as tourists visiting goes.

    I don’t want to stereotype too much but virtually every Russian I know is stuffed to the gills with just completely groundless prejudices.

    Here;s some stuff I got off the net

    https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g274887-s206/Budapest:Hungary:Health.And.Safety.html

    Safety
    Violent crime is relatively rare in Budapest, though petty theft is rampant, especially aimed at tourists. Pickpocketing and bicycle theft are common. Travelers should use caution and common sense when on crowded trams or in tourist-heavy areas.

    Wallets should not be kept in a back pants pocket or outside bag pocket
    Passports and travel documents should be kept in a safe place
    Backpacks should be removed and placed on the floor between your legs while riding on public transportation
    Do not flash cash, particularly large bills, unnecessarily
    Use ATMs in well-lit areas, preferably one inside a vestibule of a bank branch
    Begging is also common. Beggars can be persistent, so firmly state “no” or “nem” and walk away quickly.

    It is not a good idea to hail a taxi on the street, see the Taxis & Rental Cars article for more details

    Safety for Women
    Women travelling alone should feel at ease in Budapest. The city center is quite safe for a large city. Common sense should always rule, don’t take unnecessary risks just because you are on vacation.

    Safety for Men
    Men are subject to certain types of scams and dangers in Budapest. The common thread of all these scams is a beautiful, or often plain, woman. Avoid strip clubs and be wary of strange women who approach you out of the blue – especially at Váci utca asking for directions. These encounters will likely end in theft or a forcible trip to the ATM machine, sandwiched between two very large men after believing you are just joining your new lady friend for a drink at a local venue. Just remember, you are not that attractive. Never order without looking at prices first and you can’t go wrong.

    The US Embassy Publishes an up-to-date list of venues to avoid.

    February 26, 2017 at 1:13 pm in reply to: can/should/will the Rams keep Tru? …some opinions #65628
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    I don’t know whether they will keep Johnson, or which way the advantage lies. But Phillips is used to taking over defenses and converting them quickly based mostly on what is already there. That’s a consideration.

    I think the Rams have a deep but young secondary with or without Johnson. I doubt they would bring in an expensive FA if they let Johnson go. I count Joyner as a great slot corner/nickel safety and they played better with him in there than when he wasn’t. To me Alexander would be fine at SS…so I don;t know if they need McDonald.

    Surprisingly they actually have a lot at corner—Gaines, Hill, Countess, Jordan, Peterson, Short—and that was under a coach who has always been good at developing DBs (Wms of course) and as I said before this is a crazy deep draft for CBs and safeties, particularly free safeties.

    So, while we don’t know yet at this point exactly what they will have, IMO it;s a stronger position than I think many people give it credit for being.
    ..

    February 25, 2017 at 10:24 pm in reply to: can/should/will the Rams keep Tru? …some opinions #65624
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    Agamemnon wrote:

    I hope we have enough draft picks to find some good DBs.

    I don;t know if you;ve been reading up on the draft yet.

    Deep deep draft both at safety and corner.

    link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/2017-draft-defined-by-depth/

    February 25, 2017 at 9:43 pm in reply to: can/should/will the Rams keep Tru? …some opinions #65621
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    from PFF: 5 FREE AGENTS ABOUT TO GET OVERPAID

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-5-free-agents-about-to-get-overpaid/?utm_content=buffer037c6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=nfl

    Which 2017 free agents are about to receive big pad-days, despite the questions marks they bring to the table?

    Every year there are players who hit the open market and end up getting dramatically overpaid, costing teams in the long run and never justifying the dollar figure that gets attached to them. Here are a group of players likely to fit that billing in 2017.

    5. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams

    The league has a love affair at the moment with big, tall, long cornerbacks—the type of athletes that can at least attempt to go one-on-one with players like Julio Jones athletically and live to tell the tale. Trumaine Johnson, at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, has that prototypical size and length, but remains an inconsistent player on the field. At his best, he looks like a player worthy of those measurables, but that guy doesn’t appear on tape every week of the season, and in 2016, he allowed four touchdowns while picking off just one pass and breaking up another six. He has only allowed fewer than 60 percent of the passes thrown his way to be caught once in a season, and his career mark in that statistic is 61.2 percent, which would have ranked 61st in the NFL this season.

    February 25, 2017 at 8:40 pm in reply to: More on Wade's defense #65619
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    February 25, 2017 at 4:28 pm in reply to: Dak Goff or Wentz ? #65615
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    For the record, until I see different, I personally like both Goff and Mannion as talents/prospects.

    I think this offensive staff is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to them both progressing, too.

    .

    February 25, 2017 at 4:24 pm in reply to: Running the 3-4 #65614
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    sanbagger wrote:

    I also think he will bring in some LBer help and perhaps some line help…but the biggest concern is gonna be the backfield IMO. He just can’t fix everything in 1 offseason, but the good news is the team is young across the board.

    This is reportedly a great draft for DBs–both safeties and CBs–and it’s supposed to be a deep draft too, especially at those positions (as stated here: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/2017-draft-defined-by-depth/ ). Having a fairly high 2nd, 3rd, and 4th will serve them well this year, and my bet is they go heavy on the secondary.

    I think they can scrape together enough from what they have to field a decent to good front 7.

    February 25, 2017 at 4:21 pm in reply to: JT chat: highlights from 2/14 & 2/21 #65612
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    JT still knows more about this team than most. He has some good historical knowledge. There’s interesting bits scattered all through this. Recommended.

    February 25, 2017 at 11:18 am in reply to: Goff getting outside coaching help + other things Goff #65610
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    THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, coming off a trying rookie season, has been working with noted quarterback coaches Tom House and Adam Dedeaux.

    —

    jrry32 wrote this:

    The House offseason work is strictly foot work, core development, delivery, eyes, etc.

    These guys are highly respected around the NFL and have done amazing work with other QBs. They helped Matt Ryan retool his mechanics so that he could turn his deep ball into a strength this year. They were the ones who worked with Bortles on his mechanics prior to his great second year (Bortles didn’t go back after his second year, and his mechanics fell apart again). House worked with Drew Brees early in his career after Brees struggled out of the gate. Brady worked with House to refine his mechanics and throwing motion.

    I’m not worried about Goff. He can play. That’ll show through in McVay’s scheme.

    February 25, 2017 at 10:39 am in reply to: Kromer #65607
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    StealYoGurley wrote this:

    Kromer has always had solid OT play, but the stars on his offensive line groups have always been the guards. In New Orleans he had pro bowlers Jahri Evans and Ben Grubs, he turned a raw prospect Kyle Long into an all pro, and in Buffalo revitalized the career of former Ram Richie Incognito turning him into one of the better guards in the league.

    What do all Kromer’s pro bowl guards have in common? They are bigger guys who can pull.

    I love the run scheme Kromer ran last year with the Bills. It was a power run game, but the QB was often in shotgun instead of under center. It allowed Tyrod Tayor to play where is most comfortable in the gun and acquiesced with the power scheme that fit LeSean McCoy. IMO this also fits Goff and Gurley perfectly. Gurley is at his best seeing the hole hitting hard and having a clear idea where the play should go. In a power scheme there is a more defined direction of the run play with the RB following the pulling guard with a fullback or TE leading through the hole. Let the OL and TEs attack the DL and LBs and then good luck to opposing DBs facing Gurley with a head of steam hitting the second level.

    You can find some examples of Kromer’s run scheme below. Focus on Richie Incognito the LG because this is the role I imagine Robinson playing in this scheme. Sorry, NFL makes you click an extra link and wont let you start the clip at my time stamp, so I just put the time when the specific play starts underneath the video.

    Play 1 (.05 mark): Traditional I formation: Pretty straightforward. LT kicks out the end, Cogs Immediately gets to the second level and walls off Ogletree and Full back blows up Mark Barron springing McCoy free into the secondary where TJ has to make a 1 on 1 tackle

    Play 2: Great formation here attacked the Rams smaller LBs. Power run with a FB, but in the pistol formation. Unbalanced line with the RT shifting over to the left side. SLB Forrest is technically in the right spot opposite the TE, but the unbalanced formation means all the beef is attacking smaller WLB Mark Barron. On top of that you have the right guard pulling to the unbalanced side of the formation kicking out the end and the FB leading through the hole. Way too much power for the Rams smaller LBs to handle and the result is a huge run.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCgus9eRDNE

    Play 3 (1:17 mark): Pistol Power formation once again. Cogs pulls out and seals the edge off of RT allowing McCoy to bust a big outside the tackle run

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=jwHRr7UB0D0

    Play 4 (0:13 mark): Power play out of the shotgun with the full back to left of Tyrod and Lesean to his right. This time the RG pulls to the left and leads through a huge hole along with the FB.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=65&v=jwHRr7UB0D0

    Play 5 (1:05 mark): Another pistol power play. McCoy breaks off a huge run despite facing an 8 man box. RTs blocks down washing the end out of the play, Cogs pulled around and kicked out the 3-4 OLB and the full back leads the play and takes out the LB trying to fill the hole letting McCoy hit the hole at full speed with the secondary chasing

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=177&v=EZc-eqz08sw

    Play 6 (2:57 mark): Great run when the Jags know the Bills are going to run it to run down the clock to end the game on 3rd and long.Single back with another heavy formation with an extra tackle on the right side of the formation. WR comes in orbit motion towards the strong side of the formation. Bills run a quick toss to the opposite side of the heavy formation. LT pulls out in front both guards instantly get out to second level and take out the LBs who are trying to chase. First down game over.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=112&v=rd0Mo7D-OfY

    lay 7 (1:52 mark): Shotgun formation with 3 WRs and a wing TE (Probably fits McVay’s offense the most). LT and LG block down. Slot WR comes in orbit motion to the opposite side of the run play. Center gets the kick out block on the quick pull. TE comes from the right wing to lead through the hole and get enough of the LB so, McCoy is untouched through the hole and allowed to hit the second level untouched with a full head of steam

    I don’t see the Rams using a FB as much as the Bills did, but they have a guy like Corey Harkey who can do that in certain situations and will likely use TEs in traditional FB situations instead. This just shows you how the rams can be successful in Kromer’s run scheme.

    February 25, 2017 at 9:40 am in reply to: Fox's Shep Smith defends CNN & other news organizations against Trump #65605
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    Plus.

    An older one. From the 18th.

    ..

    February 25, 2017 at 9:14 am in reply to: 2017 Draft is deep at a lot of key positions #65603
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    zn wrote:

    What I notice here, as a Rams fan.

    Rams have 4 picks out of the first 150 in a deep draft.

    ..

    LMU93 wrote this:

    Rams need to sit tight and let this draft come to them. They can get a top 25-30 player at 37 and a top 50-55 player at 69. Happens every year. They’ll be there.

    ..

    February 25, 2017 at 12:19 am in reply to: 2017 Draft is deep at a lot of key positions #65601
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    What I notice here, as a Rams fan.

    Rams have 4 picks out of the first 150 in a deep draft.

    And these are the deep positions that could interest them:

    Wide Receiver: B+
    The year’s receiver class boasts a full compliment of skill sets and is exceptionally deep with several high ceiling players expected to be available in the late rounds.

    Tight End: A-
    Another bumper crop

    Cornerback: A+
    The 2017 class may not have a top-five overall corner, but is absolutely loaded with future stars. A many as ten corners go be taken in the first round, and possibly twenty-plus before Day 3. Size, speed, coverage ability and ball skills abound.

    Safety: A+
    Another loaded position…but what really makes this safety group special is excellent depth from top to bottom and an abundance of natural free safeties.

    February 24, 2017 at 10:37 pm in reply to: 2017 Draft is deep at a lot of key positions #65599
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    from 2017 Draft deep

    link: http://lombardiave.com/2017/02/13/green-bay-packers-2017-draft-deep/

    This is a good year to need a new cornerback, edge rusher, running back, and tight end. Unlike in recent years, this draft class is loaded with talent at all four positions.

    Take cornerback, for example. Ten corners make Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects, which is incredible. We may see players worthy of first-round selection fall into the second and even third round.

    The same is true with the pass rushers.

    —

    2017 NFL Draft: Grading each position group

    http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2017/1/17/14287666/2017-nfl-draft-grading-each-position-group

    Quarterback: B+
    Mitch Trubinsky. Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer are all bonafide first round prospects. Brad Kaaya and Pat Mahomes are solid Day 2 prospects. The class also features a few intriguing late round passers such as Chad Kelly and Josh Dobbs.

    Running Back: A+
    Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette comprise the top pair of rushers in recent memory. A handful of potential starters could be picked on Day 2, including Christian McCaffery, Joe Mixon, Wayne Gallman, Alvin Kamara and D’Onta Foreman.

    Wide Receiver: B+
    Mike Williams is a legitimate top-ten overall prospect and Corey Davis is right on his heels. The year’s receiver class boasts a full compliment of skill sets and is exceptionally deep with several high ceiling players expected to be available in the late rounds.

    Tight End: A-
    Another bumper crop, the 2017 tight ends could supply as many as seven starters by their second year in the league. The only potential knock on this group is that most of the players are better receivers than blockers. O.J. Howard, Bucky Hodges, Jordan Leggett, Evan Engram and Jake Butt headline the position.

    Offensive Tackle: D
    A relatively weak position in 2017. Cam Robinson is the only prospect assured of first round selection, and he is more of a right tackle than blindside protector. Most of the Day 2 projected players are flawed and need a good deal of development. Day 3 quality appears thin.

    Interior Offensive Line: C+
    Dan Feeney and Ethan Pocic lead a group that lacks elite prospects. Fortunately the mid rounds should provide several capable developmental centers and guards.

    Interior Defensive Line: A-
    The defensive tackle crop has an ideal mix of proven studs, namely Jonathan Allen, DeMarcus Walker and Carlos Watkins, as well as a few high upside prospects. Mailk McDowell, Caleb Brantley and Davon Godchaux are all young interior defenders who could bring excellent long term value if they slip down draft boards.

    Edge Defender: B+
    A top heavy position. After Myles Garrett, Derek Barnett and Taco Charlton, few edge rushers have the frame and strength to serve as three-down players. Most of the mid round prospects are best suited for rotational roles and the late rounds prospects do not offer much high end potential.

    Linebacker: C
    Reuben Foster and Zach Cunningham are quality first round prospects at a devalued position, but overall the linebacker class is not deep or supremely talented.

    Cornerback: A+
    The 2017 class may not have a top-five overall corner, but is absolutely loaded with future stars. A many as ten corners go be taken in the first round, and possibly twenty-plus before Day 3. Size, speed, coverage ability and ball skills abound.

    Safety: A+
    Another loaded position, at least three safeties should go in the first round. As many as five strong safeties could be chosen before Day 3, but what really makes this safety group special is excellent depth from top to bottom and an abundance of natural free safeties. Headed by Malik Hooker, 2017 includes more than a few centerfielder types, which has been an elusive position lately.

    February 24, 2017 at 10:33 pm in reply to: 2017 Draft is deep at a lot of key positions #65598
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    The three best position groups in the 2017 NFL Draft

    link: http://www.endzonescore.com/best-position-groups-2017-nfl-draft/55419

    Every draft is stronger at some positions than others, and the 2017 NFL Draft is no exception. This year offers incredible depth at certain positions, and very little talent at others. Which positions are the deepest?

    1) Defensive backs

    Both the safety and the cornerback class are incredibly deep this year. There are two safeties that could end up being top 10 picks in Jabrill Peppers and Jamal Adams. While that is extremely impressive, the cornerback class is as good as it has ever been. As many as 12 cornerbacks could end up being drafted in the first round. Some of the highlights include Jalen Tabor, Marlon Humphrey, Desmond King, and Cordrea Tankersley.

    Teams that could benefit from the depth of the corner class include the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the New Orleans Saints.

    Teams that could benefit from a deep safety class include the Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cleveland Browns.

    2) Running backs

    Obviously the running back class is extremely talented at the top, with Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook leading the way. Prospects like Christian McCaffrey and D’Onta Foreman also have a shot to go in the first round. The class is also littered with quality names like James Conner and Royce Freeman who could be starters from the later rounds. While the class has taken a hit with Nick Chubb staying in school, it still offers a lot of depth.

    Teams that could benefit from this deep running back class include the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Eagles, and Packers.

    3) Edge rusher

    There are talented edge rushers all over this draft class, but it starts at the top with Myles Garrett. Garrett is the consensus top player in the class, but Jonathan Allen could easily go ahead of him. Whether or not Allen should be considered an edge rusher is debatable, but the rest of the class is also extremely talented. Names like Tim Williams and Derek Barnett lead the way, put players like Dawuane Smoot and Carl Lawson could also go in the first round. There are as many as ten starters in this class, and several could develop into Pro Bowlers.

    Teams that could benefit from a deep edge rusher class include the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets, Browns, Colts, and Panthers.

    February 24, 2017 at 10:29 pm in reply to: 2017 Draft is deep at a lot of key positions #65597
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    Which position in 2017 NFL Draft is the deepest?

    Daniel Jeremiah

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000784501/printable/ask-5-which-position-in-2017-nfl-draft-is-the-deepest

    After a remarkable Super Bowl, all 32 teams can now put their focus on the offseason. The NFL Scouting Combine is only a few weeks away (March 3-6 on NFL Network) and I can’t wait to see all of the talent on display in Indianapolis. Some draft classes have elite players at the top, while other classes offer tremendous depth and value in the middle rounds. The 2017 NFL Draft will offer both quality and quantity at several positions. I reached out to five NFL personnel executives and asked them which position they thought was the deepest in the upcoming draft. Here are their answers.

    Executive 1: Tight end
    “This is the best group of tight ends I’ve seen in a long time. There are 7 guys at the position that are going to come in and be major contributors in Year One. I think the safety group is a close second. You are going to see some really good players still on the board in the fourth and fifth rounds.”

    Executive 2: Safety
    “Overall, this is the best group of DBs we’ve had in several years. Specifically, I love the safety depth. I keep watching one good player after another. The UConn kid (Obi Melifonwu) was a revelation at the Senior Bowl. The safety at Utah (Marcus Williams) is a great player and he isn’t even one of the five best safeties in the draft.”

    Executive 3: Cornerback
    “This draft is loaded with corners. There are some elite guys at the top of the draft, but I think there are some excellent value guys in the middle rounds and a bunch of sleepers I really like on Day 3 (Rounds 4-7).”

    Executive 4: Cornerback
    “I think it’s a very deep draft at several positions, but cornerback is the deepest, followed closely by the running back group. I think we could see a major run on cornerbacks in the first three rounds. I think we could see 20 of them go off the board in the top 100 picks.”

    Executive 5: Cornerback
    “I love the corners in this draft. I think every team has them in a different order and I’m fascinated to see how they come off the board.”

    Summary: That’s three votes for cornerback and one apiece for safety and tight end.

    Conclusion: I think you can make a case for several positions being the deepest in the upcoming draft, but I believe cornerback belongs at the top of the list. I currently have 10 cornerbacks in my top 50 players and I felt guilty for leaving a handful of other cornerbacks off my list. The running back and tight end groups are also loaded with quality depth. Although I’m not in love with the top-tier talent at the position, I believe there is some depth in the quarterback class as well.

    February 24, 2017 at 8:37 pm in reply to: Coach Evero (safeties) #65595
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    Rams have 5-6 safeties to sort through.

    McD is a free agent.

    They also have Joyner who I consider to be a nickel safety.

    There’s also

    Alexander
    Cody Davis
    Mike Jordan     (who played corner in 2016 but could get consideration at safety)
    Randolph (remember him? a training camp favorite)

    Practice squad:

    Jerome Couplin

    Positive: Three-year starter who lead William & Mary in tackles every season since his sophomore campaign. Good size, gives effort defending the run, and willingly throws his pads into the pile. Fluid going sideline to sideline, flashes cover skills in the middle of the field, and shows the ability to get outside the numbers to make plays. Heavy hitter who squares into runners and wraps up.

    Negative: Struggles making plays with his back to the ball. Has difficulty handling slot receivers.

    ==

    First stint with Lions
    Couplin was not selected in the 2014 NFL draft. However, he was considered a high-priority free agent and received several contract offers right after the draft. Couplin signed with the Detroit Lions on May 12 as an undrafted free agent. He made the initial 53-man roster prior to the start of the 2014 NFL season. His first regular season playing time came in week 1 against the New York Giants, which was also a Monday Night Football game.He recorded two tackles in the game on defense as a reserve. After playing in the first seven games of the season for the Lions, he was waived on October 19. Once he cleared waivers, he was re-signed by the Lions as a practice squad member. After spending the week as a practice squad member, he was promoted back to the active roster the day before their game against the Atlanta Falcons in London. He managed to play in the game as well. He was released again on November 1.

    Buffalo Bills
    The Buffalo Bills claimed Couplin off waivers from the Lions on November 3. He was inactive for the only game he was on the roster for, and he was waived on November 11.

    Second stint with Lions
    The Lions re-signed Couplin to their practice squad on November 13 after clearing waivers and spent four weeks on the team’s practice squad.

    Philadelphia Eagles
    The Philadelphia Eagles signed Couplin off of the Lions’ practice squad on December 10. He was released on May 2, 2016.[4]

    Los Angeles Rams
    On December 19, 2016, Couplin was signed to the Rams’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on January 3, 2017.

    February 24, 2017 at 6:59 pm in reply to: Rams get a 3rd n 4th in comp picks & have 8 picks total #65592
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    Rams Awarded 2017 Compensatory Draft Selections

    http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Awarded-2017-Compensatory-Draft-Selections/e95c148a-5adf-4936-ad03-bf768cb45f6e

    The Los Angeles Rams were awarded two compensatory picks on Friday.

    Round 3, Pick 100
    Round 4, Pick 141

    Based on the Compensatory Draft System’s net loss formula, the Rams were awarded a third round pick for the loss of Janoris Jenkins and a fourth round pick for the loss of Rodney McLeod.

    The Rams will send the third round compensatory pick (100 overall) to Tennessee and regain their original third round selection (69 overall) which was traded to Tennessee for the No. 1 pick in 2016.

    The Rams also have a seventh round selection (236 overall) from Baltimore in a 2015 trade for wide receiver Chris Givens.

    Compensatory Draft System’s net loss formula explanation:

    Thirty-two Compensatory Selections have been awarded to Clubs based upon the Compensatory Draft System’s net loss formula. Under the system, Clubs that suffer a net loss of Compensatory Free Agents (“CFA”) during the prior free agency signing period are eligible to receive a corresponding number of Compensatory Selections in the following year’s Draft, up to a maximum of four selections. No Compensatory Selections may be awarded prior to the final regular selection in round three of the Draft.

    The level of compensation (i.e., the round and selection number within the round) that the Prior Club receives for each CFA lost is based upon a weighted combination of the CFA’s average yearly compensation, postseason honors and playtime with the New Club, ranked against all players in the League who are on rosters at the end of the season.

    Article 6 (College Draft), Section 2(a) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement limits the number of Compensatory Draft Selections to the number of Clubs then in the League (32). This year, four Clubs: the Los Angeles Rams (one pick), the Green Bay Packers (one pick), the Pittsburgh Steelers (two picks), and the Arizona Cardinals (three picks) qualified for Compensatory Selections under the net loss formula, but will not receive those picks because the final numerical values of the CFAs who were lost by those Clubs ranked 33rd through 39th among the final numerical values of all Compensatory Selections. Each of those four Clubs will receive Compensatory Selections for other CFA’s lost whose final numerical values ranked within the top 32.

    Full List of Rams 2017 Draft Picks:
    Round 2, Pick 37
    Round 3, Pick 69
    Round 4, Pick 112
    Round 4, Pick 141 (Compensatory)
    Round 5, Pick 149
    Round 6, Pick 191
    Round 7, Pick 225
    Round 7, Pick 236 (From Baltimore in 2015 Chris Givens trade)

    February 24, 2017 at 6:10 pm in reply to: Bradford news #65591
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    Rick Spielman: “Everything’s in flux” with Sam Bradford beyond 2017

    Rick Spielman: “Everything’s in flux” with Sam Bradford beyond 2017

    Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said Thursday that the Vikings haven’t decided what they’ll do with running back Adrian Peterson and the same is true when it comes to quarterback Sam Bradford beyond the 2017 season.

    Bradford is entering the final year of his contract and the uncertainty about Teddy Bridgewater’s health means that the Vikings will be picking up the $18 million cap hit. The Vikings traded first- and fourth-round picks for him following Bridgewater’s severe knee injury last summer, something Spielman said that he’d do “over in a second” given the position the Vikings were in.

    He was less committal about what the team was thinking about for 2018. Spielman included Bradford among players whose contracts needed to be addressed, but gave no indication about the team’s plans.

    “Everything’s in flux right now,” Spielman said, via Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “So, I’ll just leave it at that.”

    Spielman said “everybody’s hoping” Bridgewater can play again, but that the quarterback hasn’t done any football drills at this point in his recovery. His progress in the coming months will likely play a role in any decision about Bradford’s future, although it will be hard to give up the bird in the hand should the Vikings find their way back to a winning record in 2017.

    February 24, 2017 at 5:54 pm in reply to: Republicans vote for police powers to arrest people planning peaceful protests #65588
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    Right to protest?: GOP state lawmakers push back against public dissent

    https://www.rt.com/usa/376268-republicans-seek-outlaw-protest/

    Republican lawmakers are pushing back “by any means necessary” against the wave of protests sweeping across the US with new bills in at least half a dozen states seeking to rigorously curb public dissent.
    The legislative tools, many of which have been introduced in recent months, would regulate public dissent as demonstrators take to the streets.

    In Indiana, Senate lawmakers introduced a bill in January that would require public officials to immediately dispatch “all available law enforcement” to clear a traffic blockade involving at least 10 people “by any means necessary.” Opponents, such as the Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice, have dubbed it the “block traffic and you die” bill.

    Senator Jim Tomes, who introduced bill SB285, said the bill’s purpose was very simple, to restrict permit-less protest, especially those that block roads and highways.

    “We need to keep our streets and interstates open to commerce, traffic, motorists and emergency personnel,” Tomes told WRTV. “Anyone who wants to stage or participate in a protest or demonstration is free to do so. But they will need to do what other organizations do for an event or demonstration: apply for a permit with the local government. With this information, first responders will know what roads are going to be blocked and what roads they can take when responding to an emergency.”

    Groups opposing the legislation say it is a naked attempt to curb free speech rights. The bill “doesn’t make sense,” Sue Ellen Braunlin, co-president of the Indiana Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice, told the Guardian. “We have stopped traffic for a short time during protests, with police cooperation. Often they will let us stop traffic and we have not had a problem. We’ve had a women’s rights march and a Black Lives Matter march and it was all very peaceful and coordinated with the police,” Braunlin said.

    In North Dakota, site of the Standing Rock protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline, bills were introduced by Republican lawmakers in January that would criminalize road protests, restrict what protesters can wear, and even allow the federal government to sue to cover enforcement costs.

    Among the more controversial proposals, one measure would exempt drivers from liability if they unintentionally injure or kill a pedestrian obstructing traffic on a public road or highway.

    State Republicans said they were motivated by residents’ frustration with the ongoing protests in the southern part of the state which at times saw a thousand-strong encampment opposing the construction of the $3.8 billion four-state pipeline.

    “When people are having their lives disrupted, you’re going to see things move up here,” Senator Kelly Armstrong, an oil company executive and the state Republican chair, told AP. “It’s very difficult to write ‘protest laws.’ We need to make sure there is reasonable application of the law in all circumstances, whether protest-related or not.”

    In Minnesota, new legislation seeks to increase penalties for blocking traffic, likely a response to a mass protest on a St. Paul interstate in July following the police killing of Philando Castille. Washington state legislators will consider draft legislation to classify as “economic terrorism” any permit-less protest that causes harm to the flow of commerce.

    While in Michigan’s legislature, an anti-picketing bill would boost penalties against those, particularly unions, who attempt to harm a business’s profits.

    Landmark civil rights “legislation didn’t pass because we had polite protesters,” said state Represenative Leslie Love, a Democrat from Detroit, in opposition to the Michigan bill. “We did it on buses and bridges and lunch counters. And those protesters were attacked by dogs, water hosed down.”

    “I’m deeply appalled by these bills because I grew up in a union household and my mother took me to pickets and it was always a safe environment,” she added.

    Many of the bills were drafted before President Donald Trump was elected president, and were in response to pipeline protests in North Dakota and the effective nationwide protests organized by the Black Lives Matter movement.

    Trump joined the chorus of criticism of protests after students at New York University and University of California Berkeley protested the appearance of two right-wing commentators at talks invited by College Republicans.

    Next week, North Carolina Senator Dan Bishop plans to introduce a bill that will call for imprisoning people who intimidate ex-officials, after former Governor Pat McCrory was pursed down a Washington, DC alley by a group chanting “Shame!”

    McCrory cost the state millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs due to boycotts over the anti-LGBTQ law he signed while in office. Under the law, non-discrimination ordinances were nullified across the state, forced transgender people to use the bathrooms and locker rooms matching the gender on their certificate in government-owned buildings, capped the minimum wage at $7.25 an hour, and took away the right to sue in state court for discrimination.

    The right to sue was later reinstated by executive order but the rest of law remained in effect. The video, tagged as being at the Capitol Hilton, accompanied by conservative pundit Lou Dobbs, showed the former governor doing his best to avoid a group of people shouting, “Shame!” and calling him an anti-gay bigot.

    In Missouri a bill would prohibit demonstrators committing illegal acts from wearing masks or robes, In Iowa, lawmakers introduced a penalty of five years in prison for traffic disruptions.

    All the bills are awaiting committee hearings or other legislative hurdles.

    Civil rights advocates have argued that all the bills infringe on the constitutional right to protest under the First Amendment.

    “I’ve been monitoring free speech legislation for about a dozen years now, and I’ve never seen anti-protest legislation in the states anywhere near as large as we’re seeing this year,” Lee Rowland, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union told Bloomberg News.

    It’s no coincidence that the bills are being introduced as record numbers of people protest, she said.

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