Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
znModeratorI think free agency will very important this year considering lack of draft choices.
I think they stopped doing big splash free agency.
A long list of misses and bad luck there combined, ie. expensive bad luck. Thinking of Finnegan, Long, Wells, Cook.
They do better with mid-range signings (Fairley, Hayes, Britt).
They look like they have cap space BUT they have a boatload of their own FAs to sign, including saving room for Donald (ie. if you sign a guy now he takes money from future caps too).
Things may change but that’s where it stands right now I think. I think they’ve walked away from big-market FA signings.
.
znModeratorGus Bradley was fired by the Jags.
Interesting. Why couldn’t they wait 2 games? They don’t have a new stadium to finance.
December 18, 2016 at 3:41 pm in reply to: Jeff Fisher ‘caught off guard’ by Rams firing | FOX NFL KICKOFF – Video #61293znModeratorThey probably were for a while but the blowout losses, the dissatisfaction of the fans, the Dickerson saga, etc became too much.
I think it was just the blowout losses and how that had an effect on sales er fans, myself.
But I can tolerate a different opinion. I’ve grown that way.
.
znModeratorznModeratordeep seeded revulsion to the possibility of anyone named Shaw being associated with the Rams
Hmm. Then you might want to avoid the rumor that the Rams are looking at Jim Zigmont as a possible new GM.
,,
znModeratorJohn Fassel taking no chances with Jared Goff’s health
By Rich Hammond
http://www.marinij.com/sports/20161217/rams-john-fassel-taking-no-chances-with-jared-goffs-health
A game between two teams with a combined record of 5-22 isn’t an occasion for risk-taking, so the Rams will take their time with Jared Goff over the next week.
Goff was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Thursday night, shortly after he took a huge hit from Seattle’s Richard Sherman during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks.
Rams interim coach John Fassel told reporters Friday that Goff “seemed sharp” but that the team would follow protocol. The Rams (4-10) don’t play until Dec. 24, when they host San Francisco (1-12). Fassel said Goff was getting a neck and back massage Friday and would be evaluated again when the team returns to practice Monday.
Goff took a big, head-jarring hit from Sherman at the end of a run. Goff appeared to be arguing to stay in the game, then on the sideline, but Rams officials took his helmet and escorted him to the locker room.
“As a rookie quarterback,” Fassel said, “he’ll learn to know when to maximize his yardage, but then protect his body. A lot of respect for a really, really tough, competitive kid. It’ll be a good learning experience for him.”
With two games remaining in a lost season, the Rams won’t take any chances with Goff. The NFL’s concussion protocol requires a player first to stop displaying concussion symptoms, then to go through a physical progression that includes light exercise, followed by strength training and football activities.
Last week, the Rams placed defensive end Robert Quinn on injured reserve because of a concussion. Quinn practiced last week, but the Rams decided to play things conservative with him and shut him down for the final three games of the season.
If Goff, who has started the previous five games, is unable to play, the Rams would turn either to former starter Case Keenum or third-stringer Sean Mannion, who likely will be Goff’s backup next season.
The Rams might also be mindful of last season, when they took some heat for apparently allowing Keenum to play through a concussion. Players are supposed to be removed from the game if they display “observable symptoms” of concussion.
Goff had a rough night long before the Sherman hit. The Rams allowed four sacks, which tied a season high, and the offensive line seemed unprepared for Seattle’s pressure, particularly from the outside.
Center Tim Barnes said the line should do a better job of anticipating that defenses will test Goff. The Rams have allowed a total of 14 sacks in their last four games.
“It’s kind of what you expect with a new quarterback,” Barnes said. “We’ve been struggling picking up all kinds of blitzes, and obviously we know they’re going to try and do that. We have to do a better job blocking, and do our job first, then worry about our team second.”
December 17, 2016 at 10:46 am in reply to: Bonsignoritorial: Rams providing little support for Goff #61254znModeratorVinnie doesn’t like the idea of exposing Goff to so much punishment in meaningless games. Fair enough.
But something tells me if Goff wasn’t playing he’d be complaining about how the Rams are inhibiting his development by not starting him.
And………
.
znModeratorif he fails, a large part of it will probably be because the rams failed him.
I personally don’t believe that.
If he has it in him to make it he will. If he doesn’t it won’t matter who the coach is.
…
znModeratorznModeratorWell done.
This board is the Place of Pie.
And sometimes, of Pi.
.
znModeratorThree Takeaways: Rams 24-3 Loss to Seahawks
Myles Simmons
The Rams played the Seahawks tight in the first half of Thursday’s contest, but ultimately fell 24-3 after Seattle pulled away in the second half. After a hectic short week, here are three takeaways from the matchup, which left Los Angeles 4-10 on the 2016 season.
1) Goff in concussion protocol
Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff was under heavy pressure for much of the game, taking four sacks — plus another wiped off by penalty — and seven quarterback hits. But Goff left the game in the fourth quarter after sustaining a hard, legal hit from Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman on a scramble.
With the Rams in the red zone, Goff took off to his left and darted down the sideline. He was inside the five-yard line when Sherman stopped the QB in his tracks, jarring the ball loose in the process. While L.A. kept possession on the fumble, the officials called timeout prior to the next play to escort Goff of the field to be examined.
Interim head coach John Fassel later confirmed that Goff was in the concussion protocol.
“You admire his courage, but he’s just got to get out of bounds,” Fassel said.
Goff finished 13-of-25 passing for 135 yards. Fassel said he thought Goff played “pretty sharp” in his fifth NFL start.
“We were pressing as soon as we got behind by a score or two. And then we’ve got to drop back and throw it, and their defensive line can start rushing the passer,” Fassel said. “What I’ve learned about Jared, really these last couple days when I maybe spent a little bit more time around the quarterback position is he’s a really tough kid. He’s a really tough kid. And that’ll take him a long ways.
“We’ve just got to do more in all three phases to help him out,” Fassel continued, “whether it’s field position or running the football.”
It’s unclear as of yet how long Goff will be sidelined or who would start in his stead against San Francisco next week.
2) Fassel’s first game
Fassel experienced a whirlwind few days in getting promoted from special teams coordinator to interim head coach, but when he reached turf at CenturyLink stadium, he took a moment to appreciate what was going on.
“It was — that’s pretty crazy,” Fassel said. “Obviously, losing was disappointing. But standing out in the stadium, and my dad was on the sideline, and just looking out at the stands, [thinking] how quickly things change in basically 72 hours — from Monday morning to Thursday afternoon.
“It’s just a lesson for me that you always have to be ready to adapt and take on responsibilities that you didn’t anticipate,” Fassel continued. “But it’s an experience that, of course, I’ll never forget.”
Fassel said getting through the game was a collaborative effort, as he leaned on assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, offensive coordinator Rob Boras, and defensive backs coach Brandon Fisher for their expertise in game management.
And when it comes to the aggressive early moves — going for it on 4th-and-1, the fake punt — Fassel said those were all in the plan.
“We had decided before the game that if we were in certain situations — like that 4th-and-1 — that we were going to go for it,” Fassel said. “So it wasn’t a call after third down where I told Rob to go for it. We were prepared that if we were in almost that exact situation, we were going to go for it. So there wasn’t any discussion on the sideline. It was, we’re going for it.
“And then with the fake punt,” Fassel added, “I thought we had the look and we’ve just got to play catch. And we didn’t, and that, obviously, cost us three points because they got a field goal off that position.”
With the Rams’ record at 4-10, those are strategies Fassel may well employ more in the last two games.
3) Just two remain this season
The Rams have been through a tough, emotional week and now have a couple days to rest and regroup before the final two games of the season. And while the Rams have already made a coaching change, Fassel and players said they are motivated to finish the year strong.
“You’re playing for your job because that next head coach, whoever comes in, is going to see — definitely going to see your effort on film.,” running back Todd Gurley said. “And if he doesn’t like it, then you might not be here.”
“I’m going to keep fighting for these guys because this is the last time the locker room is going to look like this — that’s just to be honest. There’s a lot of guys that aren’t going to be here next year,” offensive lineman Rodger Saffoldsaid. “This is interviews for guys these last three games to get on a team.”
“I think the players understand that what they put on tape will be important for them for jobs with the Rams or jobs somewhere else in the NFL next year,” Fassel said. “I think, as disappointing as things have been, hopefully everybody looks at this as an opportunity to prove to themselves and to other employees that I’ll fight through this and I’m going to be darn good when things aren’t so great. That’s what I’m going to do.”
znModeratorRams hope Jared Goff will be cleared to play against 49ers, but will take no chances with rookie QB’s concussion
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rams-738719-goff-play.html
A game between two teams with a combined record of 5-22 isn’t an occasion for risk-taking, so the Rams will take their time with Jared Goff over the next week.
Goff was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol Thursday night, shortly after he took a huge hit from Seattle’s Richard Sherman during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks.
Rams interim coach John Fassel told reporters Friday that Goff “seemed sharp” but that the team would follow protocol. The Rams (4-10) don’t play until Dec. 24, when they host San Francisco (1-12). Fassel said Goff was getting a neck and back massage Friday and would be evaluated again when the team returns to practice Monday.
Goff took a big, head-jarring hit from Sherman at the end of a run. Goff appeared to be arguing to stay in the game, then on the sideline, but Rams officials took his helmet and escorted him to the locker room.
“As a rookie quarterback,” Fassel said, “he’ll learn to know when to maximize his yardage, but then protect his body. A lot of respect for a really, really tough, competitive kid. It’ll be a good learning experience for him.”
With two games remaining in a lost season, the Rams won’t take any chances with Goff. The NFL’s concussion protocol requires a player first to stop displaying concussion symptoms, then to go through a physical progression that includes light exercise, followed by strength training and football activities.
Last week, the Rams placed defensive end Robert Quinn on injured reserve because of a concussion. Quinn practiced last week, but the Rams decided to play things conservative with him and shut him down for the final three games of the season.
If Goff, who has started the previous five games, is unable to play, the Rams would turn to either former starter Case Keenum or third-stringer Sean Mannion, who likely will be Goff’s backup next season.
The Rams might also be mindful of last season, when they took some heat for apparently allowing Keenum to play through a concussion. Players are supposed to be removed from the game if they display “observable symptoms” of concussion.
Goff had a rough night long before the Sherman hit. The Rams allowed four sacks, which tied a season high, and the offensive line seemed unprepared for Seattle’s pressure, particularly from the outside.
Center Tim Barnes said the line should do a better job of anticipating that defenses will test Goff. The Rams have allowed 14 sacks in their last four games.
“It’s kind of what you expect with a new quarterback,” Barnes said. “We’ve been struggling picking up all kinds of blitzes, and obviously we know they’re going to try and do that. We have to do a better job blocking, and do our job first, then worry about our team second.”
znModeratorI was watching him talking to Colin Cowherd, and he talked that Goff does not have the instincts to play QB in the NFL. Saying we screwed up drafting this kid. In other words, Lombardi believes Goff probably will be a bust. I’m a little nervous, after hearing all that.
Yeah Lombardi has been making noise like that. I think he’s full of it. Don’t get nervous every time a talking head bends your ear.
December 17, 2016 at 8:06 am in reply to: informal poll — Donald and Gurley not acting like leaders? #61223znModeratorThat was the culture that Fisher was allowing. Remember, Donald was thrown out of the 49er game.
What do you mean “allowing.”
Name me the coach who doesn’t start Donald, or cuts him.
Sometimes coach-blame just goes off into strange new galaxies.
..
znModerator“I don’t think I was ever part of seeing the new stadium”
This contrasts with his previous statement that he would coach the Rams for a long time.
I think he counted on assurances from SK. Those assurances were good until the recent non-competitive collapse games. He is taking that as meaning the assurances were never real.
Which is fine with me, heck it’s like a player who doesn’t believe he’s injured enough to sit but wants to play, he believes he could have turned it around. To me that just means he’s competitive.
Which is fine. My team’s ex-coach can be competitive that way. Doesn’t matter to me.
I am more worried about Demoff and Snead doing something they have never done before, which is hire a coach.
Our recent history includes:
Shaw: Brooks.
Shaw: Vermeil.
Shaw: Martz.
Zygmunt: Linehan.
Devaney: Spagz
SK: Fisher
Demoff/Snead: tbaznModerator$45 million – $10 million = $35 million.
We will have about $35 million to spend on free agents next year before we cut anybody.Maybe but then look at their own FAs.
Johnson Britt Keenum (maybe Quick) Cunningham Zuerlein McDonald.
Quite a time to bring in a new coach. Lots of decisions.
Plus of course they need to draft probably 2 DEs (one for each side).
znModeratorWill we still be alive to see our Rams win another Super Bowl? Just wondering.
Yes the mods will let you live another couple of years. Just to watch the team win their next superbowl.
.
December 16, 2016 at 1:09 pm in reply to: Janoris Jenkins: Rams players aren’t allowed to speak to Kroenke #61196znModeratorWhat you say is all true but I’m not convinced JJenks was really told he couldn’t speak to the owner if he saw him walking through the locker room. Kroenke has been the owner a while now and I haven’t heard that from any other former player.
So. Now. We’re reduced to JENKINS HATING.
You Patriots fans never cease to amaze me.
.
December 16, 2016 at 11:56 am in reply to: Janoris Jenkins: Rams players aren’t allowed to speak to Kroenke #61193znModeratorGuys, I personally don’t care if the owner is criticized, I personally have no need to defend him, and when a story like this comes out you don’t just shoot it down. You add it to the mix of info. Add all the other tidbits up and you get a picture of the owner, and to me it’s not flattering. Not that I care. I follow a team not an owner.
Having said that, I can’t imagine a world where players are told NOT ever to talk to the owner. Weird.
And it;s not like the 31 other owners AREN’T busy too.
.
December 16, 2016 at 11:53 am in reply to: vid link: Snead part of coach search & Demoff not looking for a GM #61192znModeratorI disagree with that. I know they rank players. But that isn’t science, exactly. It’s preference
Except ranking comes from discussion. It’s a consensus. Everyone has input on it. Fisher was obviously the 500 pound gorilla in the room but then there were other coaches and scouts and Snead too.
Setting a ranked board through group effort is just not the same as dictating.
…
December 16, 2016 at 10:51 am in reply to: vid link: Snead part of coach search & Demoff not looking for a GM #61188znModeratorAs for which specific players Snead identified or which ones Fisher wanted, we’ll never know.
It was never like that. The scouts and GM scouted, when they could the coaches joined in, then they spent days ranking the players.
The key is the ranking. Once a guy is ranked, it does not matter who wanted him or who identified him. Big long conversations go into ranking players. At the end of the ranking process they have their board. The board is not the expression of one guy’s thing.
znModeratori think he’s pressing, and he’s probably a little overwhelmed or frustrated.
That’s what I saw.
.
znModeratorthat article is from when he went on IR last year.
No it’s not. Look again.
Ie, thanks, I screwed up.
znModeratorRams have placed DE Quinn, RB Cunningham on inured reserve. OL David Arkin and DL Morgan Fox promoted from practice squad.
Rams vs. Seahawks: Safety Maurice Alexander, RB Benny Cunningham Out for Thursday Game
LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Rams starting safety Maurice Alexander and kick returner and reserve running back Benny Cunningham will miss Thursday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Alexander suffered a concussion when tackling Atlanta receiver Nick Williams in the third quarter of Sunday’s 42-14 loss to the Falcons and missed all three of the team’s practices this week. Alexander has started all 13 games this season and is fifth on the team with 59 tackles.
Cunningham has not played or practiced since suffering a neck injury in a 26-10 loss to the New England Patriots Dec. 4.
The Rams also announced on Wednesday that cornerback E.J. Gaines and defensive end Robert Quinn, both starters, are listed as doubtful and reserve defensive end Matt Longacre as questionable for Thursday’s game.
Gaines suffered a thigh injury Sunday and has not practiced this week. Quinn has missed the last two games because of a concussion suffered in the 49- 21 loss to New Orleans Nov. 27. He did not practice Wednesday after fully participating in Monday and Tuesday’s practices.
Longacre injured a heel Sunday. He fully participated in Wednesday’s practice, had limited participation in Tuesday’s practice and missed Monday’s practice.
A player listed as doubtful means it is unlikely he will play. A player listed as questionable means it is uncertain whether he will play.
A player is considered to have limited participation in practice when he participates in less than less than 100 percent of his normal repetitions.
znModeratorPut Cunningham on IR, too.
Yep. Moves:
from off the net
Rams have placed DE Quinn, RB Cunningham on inured reserve. OL David Arkin and DL Morgan Fox promoted from practice squad.
znModeratorWho has the edge? Rams (4-9) at Seahawks (8-4-1)
Rich Hammond
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20161214/who-has-the-edge-rams-4-9-at-seahawks-8-4-1
RAMS OFFENSE VS. SEAHAWKS DEFENSE
Disaster hit the Seahawks this month when five-time Pro-Bowl safety Earl Thomas suffered a broken leg. Last week, in their first game without Thomas, the Seahawks allowed 38 points to Green Bay. In their previous three games, the Seahawks had allowed a combined total of 34 points. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns against a Seattle defense that had allowed only 11 passing touchdowns in its previous 12 games. Will the Seahawks be able to adjust to the loss of Thomas, or is this a game-changer for the Rams? There’s little to suggest the latter. Last Sunday, against a mediocre Atlanta defense, the Rams could not consistently move the ball in the air or on the ground. The Rams abandoned the run early because they trailed by double digits in the first quarter, and quarterback Jared Goff looked shaky for much of the game. Now, the Rams have to face a Seattle defense that ranks in the top third of the NFL with 32 sacks. Defensive end Cliff Avril has a team-high 10 sacks this year. EDGE: SEAHAWKS
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE VS. RAMS DEFENSE
Don’t look back to September for any guidance here. The Rams won the first matchup between these teams, 9-3 at the Coliseum, but the Seahawks had a hobbled quarterback in Russell Wilson — who played through an ankle injury — and an unsettled run game. Now, Wilson is healthy and has thrown at least one touchdown in five of his last six game — although he had a dreadful five-interception game last Sunday — and running back Thomas Rawls is two weeks removed from a 106-yard, two-touchdown game against Carolina. Seattle’s offense hasn’t exactly been dynamic — the Seahawks have topped 31 points only twice this season — but it has been fairly efficient. The Seahawks rank ninth in the league with an average of 5.7 yards per play, and Wilson is sixth in the league with 7.7 yards per pass attempt. Things haven’t exactly been trending in the right direction for the Rams’ offense, and now the secondary is hobbled, with both cornerback E.J. Gaines and safety Maurice Alexander dealing with injury. EDGE: SEAHAWKS
SPECIAL TEAMS
When the highlight of a team’s season is the success of its punter, well, that’s not good, but that should not diminish how terrific the Rams’ Johnny Hekker has been this season. Hekker has tied Arizona’s Dave Zastudil for most punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line in one season, and Hekker has three more games to set the record. It’s been a while since anyone has seen Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein, since the offense is so brutal. Zuerlein has attempted only one field goal in the last three games. After a tough midseason stretch, Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka has made six consecutive field-goal attempts and five consecutive extra points. The Rams’ return units should get a boost from the return of Tavon Austin, although it will be interesting to see if the Rams still trust rookie Michael Thomas to return kickoffs in the absence of Benny Cunningham, after Thomas’ awful opening-kickoff fumble last week. EDGE: RAMS
COACHING
The resume of Seattle’s Pete Carroll includes a Super Bowl victory and two national championships at USC. The resume of Rams interim coach John Fassel includes two seasons at Div. II New Mexico Highlands University. This is no fault of Fassel, who has had a wide-eyed week after the Rams tabbed him to take over for fired coach Jeff Fisher. Fassel hasn’t been a head coach in 12 years and clearly knows he’s going to need a lot of help from his assistants. That said, Fassel was chosen — over assistant head coach Dave McGinnis or defensive coordinator Gregg Williams — because of his great enthusiasm and earnestness. Rams players respect Fassel, and the thought is that they will want to play well for him, even though the final three games essentially are meaningless. Still, Carroll is Carroll, and this is a big home game for the Seahawks so it’s tough to imagine them being unprepared. EDGE: SEAHAWKS
INTANGIBLES
What sent Fisher packing on Monday? It wasn’t simply the margin of a dreadful 42-14 loss to Atlanta, but the fact that he couldn’t fix problems. The Rams had season-highs in turnovers (five) and penalties (11) against the Falcons. The Rams failed to force a turnover for the second consecutive game, and their turnover margin is minus-15 during their last nine games (and they’ve won one of them). Seattle also failed to force a turnover in last week’s loss to Green Bay, but the Seahawks have only a minus-1 turnover margin in their last five games even though Wilson threw five interceptions last week. The Rams now have 104 penalties and 909 penalty yards, fourth-most in each category. EDGE: SEAHAWKS
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Rams CB Troy Hill vs. Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett: Seattle loves to spread around the ball. Two weeks ago against Carolina, four receivers each had between 5 to 7 catches and 63 to 68 yards. Doug Baldwin remains the Seahawks’ most consistent receiver, so chances are he will be matched against Trumaine Johnson, the Rams’ top cornerback. That means Hill could draw Lockett, who had something of a slow start to the season but has been targeted 18 times in Seattle’s last three games. Is Hill ready? He hasn’t played since Nov. 13, a week before his arrest on suspicion of DUI. Hill has been a capable cornerback for the Rams this season, but if there’s any rust in his game, Seattle figures to find it early and often.
PREDICTION: SEAHAWKS 31, RAMS 13
Yes, this could be one of those emotional, rally-the-troops victories for the Rams, and given how tough they’ve played Seattle in recent seasons, it wouldn’t be totally shocking. All evidence goes against that, though. The Rams just lost their coach, they’re coming off consecutive miserable losses and their defense is banged up. Plus, they can’t score. That’s sort of a bad combination, particularly against a Seattle team that will be motivated after last week’s poor loss to Green Bay (and by the September loss to the Rams). The Seahawks have the NFC West title all but wrapped up, but they’re in a tight battle for a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and they won’t take this game lightly. That’s bad news for the Rams.
znModeratorand points like Cleveland
In the last 3 games. True. Not in the previous 26 though.
December 15, 2016 at 1:15 am in reply to: how many of these movies have you seen? an arbitrary list #61112znModeratorDecember 14, 2016 at 11:18 pm in reply to: how many of these movies have you seen? an arbitrary list #61109znModeratorI have seen 7 Samurai, and Ran, and Rashomon.
I liked them all.
Yeah I think I misread you there.
—
Katsushiro: Is he really a samurai?
Kambei Shimada: Only in his mindznModeratorThis is from my brother, who is not a football fan. He’s ranting here about his favorite basketball team. In the process he says something interesting.
They have lost to virtually every basement dweller in the league so far, yet they manage to beat the upper echelon teams. You know what they say….. A consistent winning team has good players. A consistent losing team has bad players. An inconsistent team has bad management.
-
AuthorPosts
