InvaderRam wrote:

hmmmm…

Dickerson watched the Rams’ Week 4 game against Arizona alongside fellow Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen, and they each saw one legitimate hole for Gurley to attack. During the Week 2 game against Seattle, Dickerson got a text from another Hall of Fame running back, Thurman Thomas, who wrote: “Man, that line is going to get Todd Gurley killed.”

And it’s not what it seems, IMO.

Something happened but I don’t think it;s what anyone thinks it is.

….

Rams’ Goff continues waiting game

Bob Buttitta ,

http://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2016/10/14/rams-goff-continues-waiting-game/92074246/

As other rookie quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott continue to lead their teams to wins, Los Angeles Rams rookie Jared Goff waits for his chance to show what he can do.

Five weeks into the season, the league’s No. 1 overall pick has yet to play a down. Goff said he feels no frustration over seeing other rookies play while he continues to sit.

“Every situation’s different,” Goff said Wednesday. “All these guys that are doing well right now, I’m very happy for. Most of them, I’m good friends with. They’ve done a good job.”

As the team begins its two-week road trip against the Lions in Detroit on Sunday followed by a trip to London to face the New York Giants, there’s no indication from head coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Rob Boras that they plan to insert Goff into the lineup soon.

But both emphasized they believe that Goff is making progress.

“He’s getting his offensive reps in every period with the exception – on Friday it’s kind of hard. But on Wednesday, Thursday, he’s getting his reps,” Fisher said. “And then he’s running the scout team; the scout team is completely different than our offensive reps.

“But he’s doing fine, he has a good feel for what we’re doing. I think he’s improving, he’s learned a lot and, with each passing week, he’s getting better.”

Boras echoed Fisher’s sentiment, saying Goff continues to improve and seems more comfortable with the offense.

“A lot of the times, you understand how a person is learning by the questions that he’s asking, and he’s not asking rookie questions anymore,” Boras said. “He’s starting to ask those more advanced, if you will, say the 301- or 401-type question. For me, it starts there.

“Then, obviously, just watching him going against our defense and his footwork in the pocket and eliminating the turnovers. With the reps that he does get with the first unit, those same sorts of things. He’s putting a lot of work in as if he is the starter, which I know is not an easy thing to do, especially for a young player. I think that says a lot about his maturity as a 21-year-old.”

Goff said feels like he’s made steady progress since his first day of rookie camp. He said there wasn’t an “ah-ha” moment where things suddenly clicked.

“I don’t feel like I have gone backward,” Goff said. “Seems like every day, every week has gotten more natural. Things are more second nature, so I am feeling good.”

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1014-The-Challenges-of-a-Long-Road-Trip/656300e7-19b4-4051-b8c9-02ea929191da

LAST TIME AGAINST DETROIT…

When the Rams faced the Lions in Week 14 last year, they were in strong need of a victory. They had just lost their fifth game in a row, and Fisher made the call to dismiss offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti in favor of Rob Boras.

Starting with that game — a 21-14 victory over Detroit — Boras did enough over the last four weeks to keep the job for the 2016 season.

“It was a blur, but it was a great win for the organization, just like anytime you’re on a losing streak,” Boras said. “It was exciting, it was nerve-racking for all of us, but the players found a way and responded and played really well in that game.”

That game also represented Keenum’s second start of the season, after he’d missed the last two games due to injury. Again, it was a contest where Keenum began showing enough to maintain his standing as QB-1 through this season.

Plus, defensive tackle Aaron Donald was named Defensive Player of the Week after racking up 3.0 sacks, six quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. And running back Todd Gurley broke out for 140 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries.

“Any time you watch film like that, it’s hard not to remember some of those good feelings,” Keenum said. “So I think it’s a good thing to watch some of those good plays and see what we did well, learn from the things we didn’t do well.”

Of course, it’s a different year and both teams are different. The Lions, for example, no longer have a Hall of Fame-caliber wideout in Calvin Johnson after his retirement this offseason.

“It was a pretty good game,” Gurley said, “but it was last year. I wish I was doing what I was doing last year, but I’m not. So just have to focus on this game.”

sanbagger wrote:

zn wrote:

Here’s another one.

Keenum, qb rating.
Season: 75.4
Last 3 games: 88.7

I like that…I still think he needs to get that up a touch. I’m discounting the first couple of games so I kinda appreciate this 3 week results reporting.

The key is gonna be turnovers for CK and the team in general, IMO.

When CK has a qb rating of 85 or better, Rams win (5-0).

When he is under that, they are 1-4.

Los Angeles Rams Injury Report

WR Brian Quick (calf) limited participation QST
G Cody Wichmann (ankle) limited participation QST
DE Will Hayes (ankle) limited participation QST
DE Robert Quinn (shoulder) limited participation QST
DT Michael Brockers (hip) limited participation QST
CB Trumaine Johnson (ankle) DNP OUT

Detroit Lions Injury Report

RB Theo Riddick (ankle) DNP OUT
RB Dwayne Washington (ankle) limited QST
WR Anquan Boldin (ankle) full participation QST
TE Eric Ebron (ankle/knee) DNP OUT
G Laken Tomlinson (neck) limited participation QST
G Larry Warford (hip) DNP QST
DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) limited participation QST
DT A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder) limited participation QST
DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder) DNP OUT
LB DeAndre Levy (knee/quad) DNP OUT
S Don Carey (ribs) full participation QST

*The Rams did not practice on Thursday, but they still provided an injury report based on estimates of participation.

Another Lions lineman injured ahead of matchup with Rams’ Aaron Donald

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2016/10/lions_lose_another_interior_of.html#incart_river_index

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions offensive line has been hit by another injury.

One day after left guard Laken Tomlinson was sidelined at practice because of a neck injury, right guard Larry Warford missed Thursday’s workout with a hip issue. He was also limited on Wednesday by the injury.

Tomlinson was able to return to practice on Thursday, but both guards are clearly dealing with something heading into Sunday’s game against Aaron Donald — the NFL’s most-feared interior defensive lineman — and the Los Angeles Rams.

Rookie Graham Glasgow is expected to be the first reserve in if Tomlinson or Warford is sidelined. Glasgow got his first action last week while replacing a struggling Tomlinson in the first quarter.

Rookie Joe Dahl is also on the roster, though has yet to be active for a game this year.

Also missing practice for Detroit on Thursday: Running back Theo Riddick, running back Dwayne Washington, tight end Eric Ebron, linebacker DeAndre Levy, and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Washington was doing some running on the side, so he appears to be nearing a return from an ankle injury. But until he does, Detroit’s only running backs are Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett.

Ebron, Levy and Ngata are not expected to play against Los Angeles.

I want to encourage folks to pitch in. It’s all for fun, no one is counting. I know the Bills game was deflating but still!

If it helps any…have some pie.

PFW Matchup Breakdown: Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions

http://www.winonadailynews.com/sports/football/pfw-matchup-breakdown-los-angeles-rams-vs-detroit-lions/article_2f444b65-57a0-50ce-9092-64f3b89b4120.html

The Los Angeles Rams were looking pretty good ripping off three wins in a row over Seattle, Tampa and Arizona and even throwing 37 points on the board in that Bucs game before reverting to form behind the over-matched Case Keenum.

How bad Jared Goff must be to be unable to get on the field ahead of Keenum is a mystery to all. But their defense can still keep them in games and even win some of them.

That includes this Sunday’s trip to Detroit where the Lions were all but left for dead a few weeks ago after losing at Chicago to the hapless Bears, but then bounced back last Sunday to knock off the previously unbeaten Eagles. Detroit has for the most part been really bad on defense so far this year, which makes this matchup with the inept Rams offense very interesting.

LA 32ND OFF; DET 24TH DEF

LA 28TH RUN; DET 21ST vs. RUN

LA 30TH PASS; DET 23RD vs. PASS

LA T31ST PTS; DET 20TH PTS ALLOWED

DET T18TH OFF; LA 19TH DEF

DET 23RD RUN; LA 28TH vs. RUN

DET 13TH PASS; LA 14TH vs. PASS

DET T13TH PTS; LA 14TH PTS ALLOWED

LA T13TH TO/TA; DET T21ST TO-TA

RAMS were overpowered by Bills’ 193-yard ground game and committed three costly turnovers in 30-19 home loss.

Key consideration for RAMS is injury status of DEs Robert Quinn and William Hayes and DT Michael Brockers, all of who were sorely missed in Week 5 loss.

RAMS QB Case Keenum threw for 271 yards in Week 5, but he threw 2 INTs and 0 TDs (68.1 QB rating). He dropped to a still-respectable 8-4 as NFL starter over last 3 seasons.

RAMS run game is ranked a surprisingly low 28 th with 2015 sensation Todd Gurley putting up very ordinary numbers — 105-288-3 TDs-2.7 ypc with 2 fumbles (one lost) after 23-72-1 rushing in Week 5.

RAMS multipurpose WR Tavon Austin had 7-59 receiving and 3-26 rushing in Week Five.

RAMS PK Greg Zuerlein connected on 4-of-4 FGs, including a 54-yarder, in Week Five, but team got burned badly on errant fake punt from own 23 with 3:47 remaining.

Also check status of RAMS CB Trumaine Johnson, who needed crutches for a right-ankle injury suffered in Week 5.

LIONS WR Golden Tate had only 95 total receiving yards over first 4 games after only 1-4 receiving in his last game vs. Jets in Week 4.

After managing only 1 takeaway through 4 games, LIONS capitalized on 2 late turnovers in 24-23 Week 5 win over previously undefeated Eagles to snap 3-game losing streak and erase memories of ugly loss to Bears in Week 4.

LIONS PK Matt Prater won Week 5 game with 29-yard FG with 1:28 remaining.

LIONS offense got off to strong start in Week 5 with TDs on all 3 first-half possessions, but it disappeared in second half, gaining only 45 yards/

LIONS QB Matthew Stafford was 19-25-180-3 TDs-0 INTs with a 135.0 QB rating in Week 5.

LIONS WR Golden Tate had a key 27-yard catch-and run to set up game-winning FG, and fellow WR Marvin Jones had 4-37-1 receiving on 5 targets.

LIONS RB Theo Riddick had 6-33-2 receiving, but team had only 27-80 rushing in Week 5.

LIONS stud CB Darius Slay came to play in Week 5, registering both an INT and a FF.

LIONS have given up 14 TD passes (2 in Week 5) in 5 games and have allowed 4 straight QBs to have 100-plus QB ratings.

nittany ram wrote:

If you read the article you would see that the article wasn’t really about Trump

Yeah the article has nothing to do with Trump or the election.

Though maybe now we can add another reason men don’t know this stuff.

Ansah returns to practice, but Lions down 6 starters

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/10/12/ngata-latest-lions-defender-go-down-injured/91954638/

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions got mixed news on the injury front Wednesday. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah returned to practice for the first time in three weeks, but the team was down seven players, including six starters.

Ansah’s return would be a huge boost to Detroit’s struggling pass rush. The Pro Bowler, who finished third in the NFL with 14.5 sacks last season, has been out since suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter of the team’s Week 2 loss to Tennessee.

Linebacker DeAndre Levy, tight end Eric Ebron, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, guard Laken Tomlinson, running backs Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata were all sidelined.

Ngata suffered a shoulder injury in the second half last weekend against the Eagles. The NFL Network is reporting he’ll be out of the lineup for multiple weeks. If he can’t go against the Rams this Sunday, the Lions will lean more heavily on Khyri Thornton and rookie A’Shawn Robinson.

Robinson recorded his first career sack against the Eagles and also made a critical tackle on a fourth-quarter run, one play before the defense forced a fumble that turned the game around.

“He’s growing and developing,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s still young, he’s still green, but he’s starting to make some plays for us. That play that he made at the end, when we needed to get a stop there down the stretch, those are the types of things we anticipate he’ll be able to do on a regular basis. He’s taking all the necessary steps to head in that direction.”

Ngata, a five-time All-Pro, is in his second season with the Lions. In five games, he’s recorded eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and batted down a pass.

Isiah58 wrote:

I took my daughter to the game – it was her first Rams game.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – October 12, 2016

(Opening remarks)

“Good day at practice, good day at work. The health status is improving. It doesn’t mean to say that we got people back on the field, but it’s looking better than it was. We’re hoping to get a couple of guys back Friday. A couple might be game-time decisions, but things are coming along. I thought they responded well. As we talked about, we had to address the London situation, circumstances, we did that. Now our focus is entirely on the Lions. We’re playing a good opponent. In some ways, they kind of resemble us. Although, I think that they’re a better team than their record reflects, particularly because of their losses, and their wins, for that matter, have come by a few points here and there. So, they’re in every game. I think (QB Matthew Stafford) Matt is playing as well as I’ve seen him play in the last couple of years. He’s in great shape. They’re running the football. They’ve overcome some injuries on defense, but they’re still playing fast and just up-tempo, and can put pressure on the passer, and they’re well coached on special teams.”

(On if the London trip feels like a two game road trip)

“There’s a lot of administrative, and just things that come up as far as packing, those kinds of thing. All of that is under control right now. One of the things in our business is uncertainty can become a distraction. You want to deal with things ahead of time. So, we’ve done that. It’s like, ‘Okay, have your bag here between this time and that time. It’ll be there in London when you get there,’ but now, but now let’s focus on Detroit. We have all the passports locked up in the safety deposit box right now (laughter).”

(On if the team’s success on the road makes the London trip a less stressful)

“It’s a challenge. It’s a two-step challenge. First step is Detroit, second step is at London against a good football team with the Giants. We haven’t scratched the surface with the Giants right now. It’s all about Detroit. This will be our first experience traveling three time zones, and kicking the ball off at 10:00 a.m. our time (PT). That in itself is a challenge. The statistics over the last five years, they don’t reflect a great deal of success when the West Coast teams are playing the 1:00 (ET) games on the East Coast. Those are things you talk to them about. So, we adjust our schedules a little bit. Not that that can be an excuse, but hey, you know, the approach needs to be, and it is with us, is whenever they tell us show up and play, we’re going to play.”

(On what specific things the team is doing to get adjusted to the rigorous traveling schedule ahead)

“We’re into that. When the schedule came out, we got into that. So, we’ve done all of our due diligence, and research, and all those things. The players are aware of it. Again, there’s a fine line between adjusting, and then allowing it to become an excuse. We’ll push things up a little bit on Friday, and then we’ll be fine. For example, we had a 9:15 a.m. team meeting today. Sunday, they’ll be starting pregame warm-ups at 9:15 a.m. So, it’s different. When the wakeup call comes in the morning at the hotel at 5:00 a.m. and the pregame meal is at 6:00 a.m., there’s a mindset, there’s a focus, there’s a concentration. But again, you don’t want to spring it on them. You want to let them be prepared for it.”

(On if he will keep the team awake after they land at 1:00 a.m. in the morning in London)

“Yeah, we have a plan in place. We’ll land, and we’ll move them around, and all those things. We got a couple days to get them back, but we’ll adjust. The players are one thing. The coaches are going to land in the morning and start game planning for the next opponent. Their probably game planning on the airplane on the way over there, as far as that’s concerned. It’s a huge challenge. We’ll be able to look back and say, ‘Hey, we did it right, because that’s our expectation.”

(On correcting the amount of penalties)

“Yeah, they came down last week, we got to six, so they came down. We just need to keep working on it. The offensive tackle is lined up clearly behind the center, and we get called for a neutral-zone infraction on defense; things like that. There’s a few that I had disagreed with, but the numbers are coming down. I think we’re becoming a little more disciplined. There’s going to be a hold here and there. You don’t like it, but I’d rather them grab the defensive end than get a free run on our quarterback. I expect our numbers to come down. We’ve been addressing it on a daily basis.”

(On the fact that the Lions are the only team in the NFL who have not given up a rushing touchdown this season)

“They’re defense is playing well down there; red zone defense. They’ve given up some passing touchdowns. As we talked about success in the plus territory in the red zone, if you will, it’s about carrying balance. Our emphasis this week is, like it is every week, on the run game, and stopping the run. I like our chances.”

(On what emphasis he puts on the team to perform well from the start of the game)

“I think everybody in the league has their first 12, or dirty dozen, or first 15, or first 16, or whatever it is, and that’s what you go to. So, you prepare the players to start the game. It’s about executing. It’s not about time changes, it’s just about executing.”

(On how QB Matthew Stafford has improved and what problems does he present for the team)

“When I say improved, there’s no way humanly possible to replace (WR) Calvin Johnson, but they’ve done a good job. They’ve got weapons all over the place now. They’re utilizing the run game, they’re utilizing him in the quick passing game. When we talk about Matt, Matt looks physically better than I’ve seen him in the last few years, athletically. I know he’s worked really hard this offseason. He makes all the throws. He scrambles. He’s running the ball. He’s tough. Y’all remember when he separated his shoulder, came back in, threw the touchdown pass. That’s the competitive edge that he has over a lot of quarterbacks. He’s a challenge to prepare for. He can see the field, he knows where to go with the football. You can’t trick him, you can’t surprise him. You just have to try to get pressure on him.”

(On if he has game planned around Lions newly signed RB Justin Forsett)

“Signing him is one thing; having him active and in the offense is another. If he’s active, he’d probably will have a limited role, and it would probably be involved in the run game. When we defend offenses from a run standpoint, there’s going to be a back there who’s going to get the ball. But, he’s a good player. No doubt, he’s a good player. I don’t know what happened there, but it was a good signing for them.”

***

Rams Offensive Coordinator Rob Boras – October 12, 2016

(On if he agrees with Coach Fisher that the offense is improving regardless of where they’re ranked)

“I think we’re getting better. Obviously we need consistency across the board, but I think we’re seeing glimpses of it. Again, the stat that’s critical is winning football games and we have to make sure we’re doing our part so we can win. I do think – I don’t think, I know – the offense is improving.”

(On what the indicators are that he’s seen that shows improvement)

“Last week we had our most explosive game, as far as having nine explosives. I felt that the run had glimpses – again, the word I’m going to use today, probably a bunch is consistency – we just have to be more consistent with our approach, the yardage, the time of possession. But again, our goal is to get in the end zone and we’re not doing that well enough right now, and we recognize that. Again, just the consistency of it and understanding we have explosive players with explosive ability. When that stuff starts coming all together, we’ll end up putting the ball in the end zone more consistently.”

(On if he’s seeing anything that they need to do better with the offensive line to create more holes for RB Todd Gurley)

“Across the board, it’s everything. As I’ve talked about with the run game, it’s just like anything, it takes 11 guys to protect the quarterback, the quarterback is responsible to protect himself as well, and it takes 11 guys to run the football – that’s the quarterback taking the right path with the running back and the o-line and the tight ends and the wide receivers. I’ve said it before, it’s one guy here, one guy there, the other guy. Again, it’s making sure we’re all getting on the same page and trying to take advantage of what the defense is giving us. We’re going to continue to run the football, that’s what we believe in and sometimes the number games aren’t in our favor, but we’re going to continue running because that’s what will help us with our run-action pass.”

(On if the run setting up the pass is more important than the pass setting up the run or vice versa and if the opponent dictates that)

“We like to say that we have to dictate. We’re on offense, we don’t want to play reactive, we want to be proactive. I’m not sure which one came first, the chicken or the egg, but we’re going to try to be balanced and take advantage of what the defense is giving us. We’re going to continue to run, as I said, and when we all of the sudden use a run-action pass, we’ve had the ability to get the ball down the field, whether that’s been to (WR) Kenny (Britt) or to (TE) Lance (Kendricks) against Seattle and so forth. We strive for balance and so far our defense has been playing lights out and it’s allowed us to stay balanced because it’s been a ballgame where we’ve been able to continue to run in the third and fourth quarter and not be down a couple scores. Again, we recognize, right now, our deficiency with getting the ball in the end zone and that’s what our focus is right now.”

(On if part of that deficiency is penalties and what causes that)

“It’s negative plays. You look at the game the other day for example, it was a sack on the 30-yard-line, it was a false start. Again, it starts with play calls. You’re always self-evaluating as a coach, seeing if you’re putting your players in the best position. And again, it’s the negative plays that are preventing us from having the continued success. We’ve started the drives well the last couple of games, we just haven’t finished with touchdowns, we’ve finished with field goals. It’s eliminating the negative plays when we get to the red zone.”

(On they will continue to line up Gurley out wide to get him out in space)

“It’s something we want to do with all of our running backs. Obviously, anytime you want to make the defense defend the whole field and that’s part of trying to attack a defense and it’s something we’re looking to do all the time.”

(On if struggling to get the ball in the end zone changes the way he calls plays)

“No, I’m trying to call it as if we’re ahead. We just have to trust the plan, we know what plays we want to get to in specific situations and we’re just trying to take advantage of those plays and those opportunities.”

(On what he remembers from the Detroit game last season)

“It was a big one for all of us. We had lost, I don’t know how many games in a row, and Coach (Fisher) had asked me to take over on that Monday. So it was a blur, but it was a great win for the organization, just anytime you’re on a losing streak. It was exciting, it was nerve-racking for all of us, but the players found a way and responded and played really well in that game.”

(On if Detroit being towards the bottom of the league in run defense is a big part of getting Todd Gurley going)

“No, like every week, you know your opponent, but we focus on the Rams. We’re going to know what Detroit does, they’re very talented on defense, but again, it’s about us and us taking care of our business. If we do that, we think we’re going to be very consistent and very efficient and be able to produce. Again, it’s respecting them, but focusing on us and our technique, our assignments and our details to get our job done.”

(On what he’s seen from QB Jared Goff over the last four weeks that he has improved in)

“I know I always go back to the classroom every time and it’s hard to put a grade on that because you guys don’t see that, but that’s where it starts for every position. A lot of the times, you understand how a person is learning by the questions that he’s asking and he’s not asking rookie questions anymore. He’s starting to ask those more advanced, if you will, say the 301 or 401-type question. For me, it starts there. Then, obviously, just watching him going against our defense and his footwork in the pocket and eliminating the turnovers. With the reps that he does get with the first unit, those same sorts of things. Again, it starts in the classroom, the easiest way to understand if somebody knows it is when they can regurgitate it back to you. And he’s able to do that right now and, again, ask some of those questions where you have to, yourself, look up at the sky and try to think ‘Okay, that’s a good one,” and try to give him the right answer. He’s putting a lot of work in as if he is the starter, which I know is not an easy thing to do, especially for a young player. But to watch him go ahead and study Detroit and get ready for this week as if he’s playing, I think that says a lot about his maturity as a 21-year-old.”

(On if there is ever a thought of giving him a series or two in a game to see how he reacts)

“I think that would all be based with Coach Fisher and kind of how the flow of the game would be going.”

(On if he’s seen that Kenny Britt is more comfortable with Case Keenum now that they have had 10 games together)

“Yeah, every receiver is kind of taking their turn over these last couple of weeks. I’ve talked about Kenny quite a bit. To me, against it starts in the classroom and his approach out here with walk-thrus and practice. But I think the comfort that Case and Kenny have right now is real. You can start to see that come to fruition, especially on the third-downs when we need a big play.”

(On if they work on last-minute, long touchdown drives)

“Yeah, Friday when we get into the two-minute situation or four-minute is when we focus coming back Friday. As a staff, that’s the things we get to study tonight and tomorrow and put in with the team on Friday and obviously try to execute it on Sunday afternoons.”