Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
znModeratorI wonder why they picked yellow as the color.
Why not a rainbow line. Or Teal. Beige maybe.
w
v
znModeratori’ve said this before. i’ll say it again. coming out of college, i see more potential in goff than i did in sam. and sam’s turned out to be a pretty good qb!
not only that, i think goff’s supporting cast has more potential than the supporting cast sam took on as a rookie. especially if cooper and spruce are as good as i think they are.
I agree with all that.
In Goff we trust.
Hope he doesn’t have a rough start this year, but he looks like the real deal longterm.
…
znModeratorRams … promote DB Isaiah Johnson from practice squad to 53-man roster.
This unfortunately suggests that Alexander is dinged up.
He’s listed with a thigh injury.
So it could be McDonald and Davis…with Johnson in the wings.
September 25, 2016 at 12:41 am in reply to: Andy Benoit of MMQB Breaking Down Rams Film: Seattle at LA #53782znModeratorBenoit does good stuff IMO.
Here are my 3 favorite comments:
Donald flashed as an athletic/explosive penetrator, run and pass. (Might as well just copy+paste this at start of all LA film.)
Rams were very sound in execution at LB and DB.
: Quinn unbelievable mix of speed and flexibility, beat LT Sowell on edge-bending rush for two sacks.
znModeratorLos Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: prediction, preview, pick to win
Complete guide to the Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including when and where to watch, series history, matchups, prediction, and pick to win.By The Sports Xchange
Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium. TV: FOX, Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman, Kristina Pink.
SERIES HISTORY: 22nd regular-season meeting. Rams lead series, 13-8. The Rams have beaten the Buccaneers each of the past four years. The Buccaneers’ last win came in 2010 when they rallied from an 11-point deficit to win 18-17. The teams have met twice in the NFC Championship Game, with the Rams winning each time (1979 and 1999).
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Rams have had success against Tampa Bay, winning the last three meetings. The key this week — at least defensively — is getting consistent pressure on QB Jameis Winston and forcing him into mistakes. He threw four interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals while under duress, and the Rams would like to replicate that approach.
Offensively, the Rams will again try to establish the run with Todd Gurley — although that’s proven to be fruitless thus far the first two weeks. The Rams believe they are getting closer to busting him free, and feel they just missed on a couple of runs against the Seattle Seahawks. That said, it’s time for Case Keenum and the passing game to join the party. If not, it could be another long day for Gurley and the Rams’ offense.
The Buccaneers have to find more balance on offense, but the loss of RB Doug Martin won’t help. Dirk Koetter will use both Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers and the Rams have given up more than 100 yards per game. The Buccaneers need to slow the Rams’ pass rush, led by DT Aaron Donald, who wrecked the game for the Buccaneers in St. Louis last season.
QB Jameis Winston wasn’t accurate enough last week, throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble. One pick was a Hail Mary at the end of the game and the other was a pick-six off a tipped pass. He still lacks any kind of rhythm with veteran WR Vincent Jackson. Since Evans draws the double teams, the Bucs need to get Jackson and Adam Humphries involved early.
Defensively, the Bucs have been beaten by the deep ball. They let a 51-yard bomb get over their heads at Arizona. Case Keenum had two deep passes to build a 14-0 lead at St. Louis in their game a year ago. But getting pressure on Keenum will be rough with an ankle injury limiting defensive end Robert Ayers.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Rams RB Todd Gurley vs. Buccaneers LB Kwon Alexander. Gurley is off to a slow start with only 98 yards in two games. Alexander had 17 tackles in the first game at Atlanta but only seven Sunday at Arizona.
–Buccaneers C Joe Hawley vs. Rams DT Aaron Donald. Hawley won’t be asked to block Donald alone. He will have help from G Ali Marpet and G Kevin Pamphile.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Cornerback Troy Hill, a second-year undrafted free agent, replaced Coty Sensabaugh early in the win over Seattle. While the Seahawks went right after the unproven CB, completing a 53-yard pass to Tyler Lockett in the closing minute, he held his own while playing 44 of 67 defensive snaps. Hill should see plenty of time against Tampa Bay and will be under the gun just as much as he was last week.
FAST FACTS: Rams coach Jeff Fisher is 8-1 vs. the Buccaneers. … Tampa QB Jameis Winston passed for 363 yards and two TDs in a 31-23 loss to the Rams last season. … Rams QB Case Keenum completed 14 of 17 passes for 234 yards and 2 TDs in the last meeting. He has won six of his past nine starts.
PREDICTION: The Rams and their staunch defense figure to stretch their winning streak over the Bucs to five games.
OUR PICK: Rams, 20-17.
znModerator
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Los Angeles Rams predictions from the Times Sports staff
Bucs, 24-20
Bucs were humbled in Arizona and got a reminder that preparation during the week is key. Losing Doug Martin is a big deal, but the combination of Charles Sims and Jacqizz Rodgers should provide enough ground cover to allow Jameis Winston to use play-action. Winston will face a heavy rush but should be able to make some plays downfield. Plus, the Rams have not scored a touchdown this season.
Tom Jones, Columnist
Bucs 27-10
Bucs will shake off last week’s debacle in Arizona, but they’ll have to do it without running back Doug Martin. The loss of Martin might be tough to overcome in upcoming games against Denver and Carolina, but Jameis Winston and the Bucs offense should do enough to put away the Rams. Look, too, for Tampa Bay’s best defensive effort of the season in a game against the team that has serious offensive issues.
Greg Auman, Bucs/NFL writer
Bucs, 24-17
So much room for improvement from last week in Arizona, and even shorthanded, the Bucs should be able to do what they couldn’t last year: stifle Todd Gurley and force Case Keenum to make mistakes. Jameis Winston will be sharper in the quick passing game, and the Bucs, without Doug Martin, will rush for 100 yards as a team for the first time this season.
Ernest Hooper, Columnist
Bucs 17-14
The Bucs will find themselves in a defensive battle and not just because the Rams play well on that side of the ball. My guess is Coach Dirk Koetter will keep the cards closer to the vest to minimize Jameis Winston’s turnovers, knowing that if they play smart on offense, they can outpoint the Rams. Don’t be surprised if Roberto Aguayo is called upon to make a crucial kick before the home crowd.
Martin Fennelly, Columnist
Bucs, 19-13
Lose this game and the Bucs walk down the hall to the Rams locker room and tell them, “You stay _ we’ll move to Los Angeles.” The Bucs need to get a move on this week, and the offensively challenged Rams are the perfect set-up. Los Angeles is flying across the country and can’t won’t match that intensity from it victory over Seattle in its L.A. return opener. Plus Rams QB Case Keenum is no great shakes. Then again, No Great Shakes went 14-17 for 258 yards, two TDs and a 158 rating when the Rams beat the Bucs last season. No matter. If the Good Jameis shows up, or even the decent Jameis, and the Bucs defense can contain Rams running back Todd Gurley, that should be enough.
Thomas Bassinger, Staff Writer
Bucs, 23-17
The Bucs looked awful against the Cardinals, but the 40-7 score doesn’t carry over. How did Tampa Bay follow up the 56-14 loss in Atlanta in 2014 and the 42-14 loss to Tennessee last season? It won in Pittsburgh and in New Orleans. This one should be close enough for Roberto Aguayo, who missed a 45-yard field-goal try Sunday, to make a difference.
September 24, 2016 at 1:43 pm in reply to: the blm 10 points…if you don't know this, you don't know a thing about THEM #53759znModeratorWith the backing of national civil rights organizations and Mr. Soros‘ funding, “Black Lives Matter” grew from a hashtag into a social media phenomenon, including a #BlackLivesMatter bus tour and march in September.
Bnw, all articles, even sleazy (and funded) right wing blog stuff, that is posted on this site has to include sources. You have to link them. If not then the site owner can get in trouble.
AND any genuine libertarian reading the 10 points listed above would be for them. Unless you just didn’t read it and instead fell back on partisan baiting tactics. A challenge. Read them one by one and say why you are against them. In most cases you can’t be…it would be intolerably contradictory of you to be against them. So you let us know whether you want to be known as a hack partisan or someone capable of discussing things.
—-
No, George Soros Didn’t Give $33 Million to #BlackLivesMatter
A director for the liberal billionaire’s Open Society Foundations quashes the rumor—pushed by conspiracy theorists and even mainstream outlets—that Soros is bankrolling the movement.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/19/no-george-soros-didn-t-give-33-million-to-blacklivesmatter.html
08.19.15 1:52 AM ETIn the wake of Black Lives Matter protests that interrupted speeches by Bernie Sanders and Jeb Bush over the last month, voices on social media, right-wing blogs, and even general-interest sites have pointed to a conspiracy involving liberal billionaire George Soros and a very specific amount of money: $33 million.
“The Soros-funded #blacklivesmatter movement is a big problem for the Democrats,” The American Thinker’s Thomas Lifson wrote this week.
Some of those rumors have gone mainstream, even making an appearance on Fox News’s ratings powerhouse The O’Reilly Factor in late July.
“So who’s funding Black Lives Matter? One of the big donors seems to be George Soros, our old pal, who gives big money to affiliates of Black Lives Matter—groups that do direct business with them,” host Bill O’Reilly said in a July 28 segment. “Also giving money directly to the group [are] entertainers Jay Z and Beyoncé.”
O’Reilly’s guest was Kelly Riddell, who wrote an investigative report for The Washington Times this year about Soros’s charity’s ties to left-wing organizations.
Black Lives Matter is “a group that was started by three women that work at Soros-backed organizations that are into community organizing, into kind of riling up activists,” she said. “They are all—all of these organizations, from a certain standpoint—are funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. I found that within one year, George Soros dedicated $33 million to these types of organizations.”
“So $33 million from Soros to agitators who are organized to disrupt,” O’Reilly said. “And then the national convention for the Republicans in Cleveland seems to be a target.”
But a director at Soros’s Open Society Foundations says the billionaire did not give money to Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, the three activists who rallied together on Twitter in response to the death of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of his killer.
“I can’t really speculate on what leads to rumors, but it is wrong,” said Ken Zimmerman, the director of U.S. programs at Open Society Foundations. “I don’t even know where one begins to reconstruct something like that.”
The three women came up with the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag to bring attention to the deaths of young black Americans, and the phrase gained prominence with the police killings of Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray.
Now, as The Daily Beast reported last week, “Black Lives Matter” is an umbrella term for a decentralized network of everything from blogs to in-person meet-ups—like movie nights or lectures—to protests to Facebook pages, making the task of pinpointing the number to $33 million impossible.
Some writers speculated that Soros’s years-long fundraising for Hillary Clinton may tie his charity directly to the shutdowns of two Sanders speeches in the last month. Soros has raised $2 million in PAC money for Clinton’s campaign this year, and Sanders has recently gained considerable ground on the former first lady in the polls.
“This story is not about George Soros as a person but merely an exploration of what role he and pro-Hillary Clinton activists have within the BLM protests of Senator Bernie Sanders,” The Huffington Post’s David Pakman wrote last week.
But Zimmerman said Soros isn’t in the business of paying for protests.
“We don’t fund protests, per se,” Zimmerman told The Daily Beast. “In the way we do our grant making, we are continually looking for new voices. It’s a broad array of things—including both immigration and criminal justice reform.”
September 24, 2016 at 12:17 pm in reply to: Why do people who need the government the most hate it the most? #53742znModeratorSeems to me it’s the BLM who hates the government the most and are most dependent on the government financially, not the Tea Party folks. Tea Party people don’t hate the government. They are in favor of limited government, which was the general thought of the Constitutional fathers. And I am not a Tea Party member.
BLM has never expressed “hatred for the government.” That’s only the fuzzy false picture you get of them if all you know is what detractors say about them and don’t know what they themselves actually say. And the idea that those associated with BLM are more government dependent does not bear much close scrutiny.
We don’t listen to the constitutional fathers, who were very skeptical about letting corporate power dominate democracy. Basically that’s what we ended up with. If we had listened to them we would not have ended up with that. Interestingly part of the reason we suffer a system that limits democracy (because of the power the corporate world and the wealthy exercise over it) is because those forces used the “limit government” mantra to manipulate people. That just gave more power to them.
…
_________________________________________________________________
Allow me to re-phrase that.
The founding fathers were in favor of limited-
federal
government, for the most part.
As far as state government, very few had problems with wide reaching government.
The founding fathers CREATED federal government.
And 2 key points remain:
1. blm is not protesting “government,” they are seeking to reform police policies
2. the founding fathers resisted corporate power, which is what in the end came to dominate…so if we’re going to evoke the founding fathers, let’s evoke all of it, not some selective aspects. Otherwise it’s cherry picking.
September 24, 2016 at 11:45 am in reply to: Why do people who need the government the most hate it the most? #53736znModeratorWe don’t listen to the constitutional fathers, who were very skeptical about letting corporate power dominate democracy. Basically that’s what we ended up with.
Founding fathers worried about corporate clout
Soon after the American colonies won their fight to separate from the British Empire, the Founding Fathers warned of another threat to government by the people.
Corporations.
The threat does not come from corporations that do business and amass wealth. It comes from corporations that use their wealth to build power for themselves by putting political candidates in office, dictating public policy and evading the law.
In his book “Corporations Are Not People,” attorney Jeffrey Clements explains the history of corporate power in America. Clements, a Greenwich High School graduate and former Massachusetts assistant attorney general, wrote the book as part of a nationwide effort to overturn a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows corporations to secretly give unlimited money to candidates through Super PACs.
The court ruled that not allowing corporations to give the money violates their free speech rights, which are the same as for people.
Clements quotes early American presidents on corporate power.
In 1816, Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, said he hoped to “crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
In 1827, James Madison, known as the father of the Constitution, wrote that “incorporated companies with proper limitations and guards may, in particular cases, be useful; but they are at best a necessary evil only.”
Clements explains how President Andrew Jackson became concerned about the political clout of a corporation called Second Bank of the United States. In his 1833 message to Congress, Jackson asked whether the American people are to govern through their elected representatives or “whether the money and power of a great corporation are to be secretly exerted to influence their judgment and control their decisions.”
In his 1837 message to Congress, President Martin Van Buren warned of “the already overgrown influence of corporate authorities.”
But corporations kept pushing.
After the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, significantly expanded civil rights protections, lawyers for the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. tried to use it to avoid a tax assessed by Santa Clara County, Calif. Southern Pacific said it was a person under the 14th Amendment and the tax on railroad property was not equal because it was not assessed to other persons, which violated its rights.
The case went to the Supreme Court, which in 1886 ruled in favor of the railroad based on California law, not on the premise that a corporation is a person under the Constitution.
But what followed was a slew of Supreme Court cases in which big corporations demanded constitutional rights, Clements writes. They were trying to protect themselves from increasing cries to break up monopolies, ban corporate giving to politicians, and protect workers and the environment.
In his 1888 message to Congress, President Grover Cleveland said, “Corporations, which should be the carefully restrained creatures of the law and the servants of the people, are fast becoming the people’s masters.”
Still, the power of corporations, particularly monopolies or trusts, continued to grow. In 1901 President Theodore Roosevelt took action, earning him the nickname trust buster. He won a ban on corporate political contributions and measures such as the Pure Food and Drug Act prohibiting misleading labels and harmful chemicals.
In 1913, Americans of both parties came together to back the 17th Amendment requiring that the people elect U.S. senators, Clements writes. Before that, senators were appointed by state legislatures, a process rife with corporate influence.
Woodrow Wilson, who was president from 1913 to 1921, and Franklin Roosevelt, president from 1933 to 1945, won more regulations of corporate power. During Roosevelt’s term, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black struck down the idea that corporations are people with rights under the Constitution.
After that, “corporate personhood was a dead issue for decades,” Clements writes.
Then came Earth Day 1970.
Across America 20 million people took to the streets to demand that corporations stop polluting the air, soil and water and destroying wildlife, forests and rivers. Within a few years, with bipartisan support, Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency and passed the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and many others.
In 1971, a corporate lawyer from Virginia, Lewis Powell, whose client was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, outlined a plan for how corporations could strike back. Powell, a director of several international corporations including the Philip Morris cigarette manufacturer, wrote a memo to the Chamber saying corporations had to organize and plan long term and pool their money. Most significantly, corporations had to find “activist” Supreme Court judges to grant them rights, Powell’s memo said.
In 1972, President Richard Nixon appointed Powell to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Corporations did what Powell recommended. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce established a National Chamber Litigation Center. Corporate executives funded “legal foundations” around the country to pound their message into every court — the Constitution gives corporations the same rights as people.
Finally, in 2010, the Supreme Court decreed just that.
It overturned decades of campaign-finance laws and ruled that Citizens United, a Virginia corporation that advances conservative causes, could air an anti-Hillary Clinton documentary during the 2008 presidential race. But the court didn’t stop there. It said that corporations, in protection of their free speech rights, may contribute unlimited “independent expenditures” to candidates’ Super PACs.
Now, in this presidential election year, money is flooding into Super PACs to surreptitiously pay for the campaigns and television ads of the candidates corporations choose.
This is Resolutions Week, when Americans nationwide are pushing their towns and cities to pass resolutions calling for a reversal of the Citizens United decision and a return to the thinking of the nation’s founders.
In “Corporations Are Not People,” Clements quotes President Theodore Roosevelt in a 1920 speech. “There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains,” Roosevelt said.September 24, 2016 at 11:41 am in reply to: Why do people who need the government the most hate it the most? #53735znModeratorSeems to me it’s the BLM who hates the government the most and are most dependent on the government financially, not the Tea Party folks. Tea Party people don’t hate the government. They are in favor of limited government, which was the general thought of the Constitutional fathers. And I am not a Tea Party member.
BLM has never expressed “hatred for the government.” That’s only the fuzzy false picture you get of them if all you know is what detractors say about them and don’t know what they themselves actually say. And the idea that those associated with BLM are more government dependent does not bear much close scrutiny.
We don’t listen to the constitutional fathers, who were very skeptical about letting corporate power dominate democracy. Basically that’s what we ended up with. If we had listened to them we would not have ended up with that. Interestingly part of the reason we suffer a system that limits democracy (because of the power the corporate world and the wealthy exercise over it) is because those forces used the “limit government” mantra to manipulate people. That just gave more power to them.
…
znModeratorhttp://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/the-rams-and-bucs-are-the-nfls-most-boring-teams-heres-the-proof/2294922
Rams are most boring team of the decade.I enjoyed this article, immensely. Dunno why.
I know some folks dont see the Rams offense as ‘boring’ — they see it as young, or injured, etc. But my brain sees those things, and still goes right to BORING, as well.
Good lord, have they been BORING.
w
vI don’t agree that that’s uniform. In 2012 for example, both games against SF, they went up against one of the best defenses that year (3rd total, 2nd in points) and did it without much in the way of resources and yet took it to them.
Another example, last year against Tampa they had Gurley going and were throwing all over the place.
znModeratorRams’ visit to Buccaneers reunites Gregg Williams, Dirk Koetter
Jack Wang
THOUSAND OAKS >> Gregg Williams once tried to put in a good word for Dirk Koetter.
Five years ago, the Denver Broncos were looking for a new head coach, the first move by John Elway as he transitioned from franchise legend to top executive. Williams and Koetter were both in the running, but the former removed himself from consideration.
Instead, according to the Denver Post, Williams texted Elway: “Dirk Koetter is a GREAT find on your part. I have very high regard for him.”
The pitch didn’t work then, as Elway eventually settled on John Fox. But this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, Williams — now in his third year as the Rams defensive coordinator — gets his first close look at his former co-worker in a new role: head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Each one is familiar with the other. In 2008, both served as coordinators for the Jacksonville Jaguars on opposite sides of the ball. How much of a boost that experience could give the Rams (1-1) this weekend is unclear.
“The fact that I’ve been in the fire with him a couple times helps a little bit,” Williams said. “But they probably think the same thing about me, too, because we went against each other in practice all those times.”
Promoted from offensive coordinator this offseason at 57, Koetter is among the latest in a crop of late bloomers. Across the league, only six men got their first head coaching jobs at age 50 or older. Of those, four were hired within the last four years: Koetter, Chip Kelly (49ers), Mike Zimmer (Vikings), and Bruce Arians (Cardinals).
Although Koetter had to wait for his chance, Williams’ opinion of him hasn’t changed: “Dirk Koetter is a very, very good football coach.”
The Buccaneers coach was similarly complimentary of Williams: “Any time you’re going up against a Gregg Williams defense, you know you’re going to have your hands full all day.”
“The challenge is that Gregg always got plenty up his sleeve,” Koetter added. “He’s always multiple, he’s always going to give the quarterback a lot of looks, he’s willing to bring pressure from any place on the field, he’s willing to bring unusual pressures. Everywhere he’s been, his guys on that defensive unit play extremely hard for him.”
The Rams need that assessment to hold true again. The team has yet to score a touchdown through two games, and are sitting at .500 due to a stingy defensive performance. Williams’ crew will be tested again this week, particularly by Jameis Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick who is equally capable of throwing four touchdowns as he is four interceptions.
But despite Koetter’s reputation for grooming quarterbacks, the Buccaneers (1-1) are hitting a rough patch early in the season. Star running back Doug Martin, the NFL’s second-leading rusher last season, has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, leaving Tampa Bay with a combination of either Charles Sims — who has never started a game — and Jacquizz Rodgers, who signed with the team only this month.
The team also waived Austin Seferian-Jenkins on Friday in the wake of his second DUI arrest in three years. Another tight end, Luke Stocker, is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Williams, however, won’t be surprised if Koetter makes do with what he has.
“I always teased him about the fact that he could coach defense, too,” Williams said. “Because that’s the way he coaches offense. Because he’s no-nonsense, he’s very aggressive in his ways, he’s very detailed in his ways. I have a lot of respect for him. They do a really good job of adapting the offensive concepts to the skill sets of their players similar to what we try to do, too.”[
znModeratorCooper, Spruce doubtful for Rams; Jared Goff’s status uncertain
Alden Gonzalez
Los Angeles Rams rookie receivers Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce returned to practice this week, but both were listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium.
As for whether Jared Goff will be the backup quarterback again?
“Come to the game,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after Friday’s practice from Cal Lutheran University.
Goff, the No. 1 overall pick, began the season as an inactive third-string quarterback, then flipped with Sean Mannion and served as the backup to Case Keenum for Week 2. Fisher said at the time he wasn’t certain if he would continue to alternate Goff and Mannion in that role, but did confirm Friday that only one of them will be active. Asked whether the depth chart would remain the same in Week 3, Fisher said: “Don’t know yet. Have to wait and see.”
E.J. Gaines, who missed the first two games with an injury to his left thigh and was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report Friday. Gaines was a limited participant for the Rams’ three practices this week and, if healthy, would solidify a No. 2 cornerback spot that has been in a flux. It is especially crucial this week, with running back Doug Martin out for the Rams and quarterback Jameis Winston expected to throw the ball frequently.
If not Gaines, Troy Hill — a 5-foot-10, 182-pound second-year corner out of Oregon — will probably start on the outside, opposite Trumaine Johnson.
Hill replaced Coty Sensabaugh early in Sunday’s 9-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks and was tested deep four times by Russell Wilson. One resulted in a defensive pass interference, another was an offensive pass interference, another was a batted ball and the last one was a 53-yard hookup with Tyler Lockett with less than a minute remaining, Hill’s desperation ankle tackle the only thing preventing a game-winning score.
Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Hill “got thrown in the fire” on Sunday and felt he “adapted well.”
“He’s got a few plays he’d want back,” Williams said, “but he did play well and it says good things about him.”
znModeratoroff the net from Florida_Ram
After hearing Jon Gruden right before the season opener he predicted Goff would need 4-5 weeks into the regular season to start and now he’s changing his mind? wow this takes another media drama spin….
– http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-quarterbacks-winston-20160922-snap-story.html
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden, color analyst for “Monday Night Football,” said there’s no way to get Goff the practice snaps he needs without naming him the starter, especially with a collective bargaining agreement that puts significant limitations on how much teams can practice.
“I think he might be best served not playing at all this year,” Gruden told The Times on Thursday. “Right now you’re going into Week 3; how many reps is he getting? Week 1 he wasn’t even active. How’s he getting better if he’s not getting all the reps?
I just can’t understand how you’re going to tell me in Week 5 he’s ready to go. Because he’s been sitting there?”
And with no Rams touchdowns so far…
“Then again,” Gruden said, “I don’t know if Case Keenum has guys running around wide open, either. I haven’t seen gaping holes for [Todd] Gurley to run through.
They’ve got a young line, I don’t know who the blocking tight end is, I don’t even know if they’ve got a fullback on their team. But they’ve got a good defense.”
For the moment, the Rams are holding their ground on Goff, arguing the hurry-up offense can wait. At 21, Goff is two years younger than Wentz.
(They point to how much another Rams quarterback, Sean Mannion, has improved with a year under his belt.) What’s more, Keenum had his best career game against the Buccaneers last season, completing 82.4% of his passes with two touchdowns and a 158.0 passer rating.
This much we know: Until the Los Angeles offense starts making some noise, the outside voices will only get louder.
In the below video Jon Gruden’s Take before his change of tone on Goff. This is what Gruden said on September 7th. “Goff would need 4 or 5 weeks before he was ready to start a game”.. fast forward to the 21:06 mark of the video
znModeratorMyles Simmons
INJURY REPORT
The Rams have six players on their injury report for Sunday, and at this point, none have been declared out.
“They’ll all make the trip,” Fisher said.
Safety Maurice Alexander (thigh), running back Benny Cunningham (knee), cornerback E.J. Gaines (thigh), cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (toe) are all listed as questionable.
Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) and wide receiver Nelson Spruce (knee) are all listed as doubtful.
All six players participated on a limited basis for both Wednesday and Friday’s sessions.
znModeratorPractice Report 9/23: Facing a Familiar, Unfamiliar Opponent
By Myles Simmons
The NFL schedule is set up in such a way that it’s rare for two teams in the same conference but different divisions to play every year. In fact, it takes a decently special set of circumstances for that to happen.
That’s part of why it’s so atypical the Rams and Buccaneers are squaring off for the fifth straight year. The two franchises have faced one another in each year of head coach Jeff Fisher’s tenure, and so far, the Rams are 4-0 over Tampa Bay.
“It’s unusual to play a non-division team, four, five years in a row,” Fisher said this week. “There’s some familiarity there from a player match-up.”
While the Rams have been fairly consistent with their coaching staff over the least four years, the Buccaneers have gone through a few stages of upheaval. The club dismissed Lovie Smith after the 2015 season and promoted its offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, to head coach. The move helped keep the offensive system consistent for quarterback Jameis Winston, aiding his development.
In fact, Winston said this week there hasn’t been much of a difference for him with Koetter now as the head coach.
“I just feel like I’m more comfortable in the offense, which allows me to have more control of the offense just by my comfort level and by my knowledge of the game plan and what we have got in store,” Winston said.
Conversely, there have been some more significant changes on defense for Tampa Bay. Mike Smith, former head coach of the Falcons, has come on to be the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator. Koetter was Smith’s offensive coordinator from 2012-2014 with the Falcons, and the two also coached together in 2007 with the Jaguars.
“Mike Smith, whenever he’s coached defense, wherever he’s coached it, he does a great job,” Fisher said. “The defensive side of the ball is very disciplined, they can rush, the linebackers are really good, they can close – they’re sideline-to-sideline players. The schemes are a little bit different, but they’re doing well in the scheme right now.”
“They’ve got some of the same players, but have made some additions on defense, secondary wise, a couple of guys up-front,” quarterback Case Keenum said. “Obviously, a different scheme, so we got our work cut out for us in that aspect. A little bit different than, say, watching the film last year.”
According to tight end Lance Kendricks, the Buccaneers’ team speed also stands out from the first two weeks of the season.
“We were watching the Atlanta tape and they fly around the ball,” Kendricks said. “They get off really good off blocks. They know how to attack the runner. So we’ve just got to be really disciplined in our offense and how we’re running things.”
TRAVELING EAST
While it isn’t the first road game for the Rams this year, it is their first trip across time zones. The team will fly from Los Angeles to Tampa on Friday afternoon, giving them Saturday to get acclimated to eastern daylight time.
“We’ll address it each day. Unfortunately, we get in there late, but we’ll let them sleep and let them adjust,” Fisher said. “That’s the most important thing – is the sleep and adjust and a little bit of exercise on Saturday.”
“I think we’ve done enough traveling in the last year to where it probably won’t affect us too much,” Kendricks said.
One factor that works out in the Los Angeles’ favor is that the game is slated for a 1 o’clock pacific kickoff, as opposed to the early window of games at 10 a.m. But if there’s an element of the east coast that might affect the Rams this week, it could be the weather. The current forecast for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. local time is 89 degrees with scattered thunderstorms.
“We have to deal with the elements, as well,” Fisher said. “It will be 90 degrees, it’s going to be humid, so we have got to address that.”
“We played in the heat this past week, so I think we’ll be good with the heat,” Kendricks said. “I don’t think the game is too early to where we’re going to be tired or anything. But we’ll be out there and we’ll be ready.”
ROSTER MOVES FOR BOTH TEAMS
The Rams have promoted defensive back Isaiah Johnson from their practice squad. An undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech, Johnson joined the Rams in the first week of September after the Lions waived him in reducing the roster to 53 players.
As a corresponding roster move, Los Angeles waived CB Steve Williams.
Also on Friday, the Buccaneers waived second-year tight end Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, after he was involved in an early-morning, off-the-field incident.
“We are very disappointed in today’s news,” said Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht said in a statement. “After careful consideration, we felt this was the right decision at this time.”
“It’s unfortunate what happened last night with the Bucs,” Fisher said. “I understand that they released him, and it’s just a great example of players needing to [understand and] make better choices. That hurt the football team.”
The tight end was a significant part of the Buccaneers’ offense, which means the Rams will have to adjust accordingly. Another tight end for Tampa Bay, Luke Stocker, will also be out for Sunday’s matchup with an ankle injury. The Buccaneers have promoted Alan Cross from their practice squad.
“Well we have to look at things from a defensive standpoint, because they’ve had four tight ends on their roster and one just got released, and the other’s been designated as out,” Fisher said. “You have to anticipate different things.”
EXTRA POINTS
— Fisher said there will only be two active quarterbacks on Sunday, but declined to name who among Jared Goff and Sean Mannion would be the backup to Case Keenum.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Fisher said.
— Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coached with Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter on the Jaguars in 2008. Williams was the defensive coordinator for that team while Koetter was the offensive coordinator.
While it was some years ago, that level of familiarity between the coaches could have an effect on the game.
“I did coach with Gregg in Jacksonville, and the challenge is that Gregg always got plenty up his sleeve,” Koetter said this week. “Everywhere he’s been, his guys on that defensive unit play extremely hard for him. They’re well coached across the board, and anytime you’re going up against a Gregg Williams defense, you know you’re going to have your hands full all day.”
“The fact that I’ve been in the fire with him helps a little bit,” Williams said of Koetter Friday. “But they probably think the same thing about me, too, because we went against each other in practice all those times.
“Dirk Koetter is a very, very good football coach, and I always teased him about the fact that he could coach defense, too,” Williams added. “That’s the way he coaches offense because he’s no nonsense, he’s very aggressive in his ways, he’s very detailed in his ways. I have a lot of respect for him.”
znModeratorBucs-Rams: Fast facts about Sunday’s game in Tampa
OPENING LINE – Buccaneers by 4 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Los Angeles 1-1, Tampa Bay 1-1
SERIES RECORD – Rams lead 15-8
LAST MEETING – Rams beat Buccaneers 31-23, Dec. 17, 2015
LAST WEEK – Rams beat Seahawks 9-3; Buccaneers lost to Cardinals 40-7
AP PRO32 RANKING – Rams No. 25, Buccaneers No. 18
RAMS OFFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (T28), PASS (32).
RAMS DEFENSE – OVERALL (9), RUSH (19), PASS (9).
BUCCANEERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (21), PASS (T18).
BUCCANEERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (8), PASS (27).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Non-divisional rivals meet for fifth consecutive season. Rams won past four, twice in Tampa. … Series includes pair of NFC championship games (1979, 1999), both won by Rams. … Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher 8-1 all-time vs. Tampa Bay. … Rams’ 186 sacks since Fisher’s arrival in 2012 are second most in NFL to Denver’s 194. … Case Keenum-led Los Angeles offense has yet to score touchdown, averaging league-low 234 yards per game. … RB Todd Gurley off to slow start with 98 yards rushing on 36 attempts. He was third in NFL with 1,106 yards as rookie in 2015. … Aaron Donald-led defense limited Seattle to three points and 67 yards rushing last week. … Rams CB Coty Sensabaugh was with Tennessee year ago, when he intercepted Jameis Winston’s first career pass and returned it for TD. … Keenum had highest passer rating possible (158.0) against Bucs last season, going 14 of 17 for 234 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. … Winston threw four interceptions and lost fumble in Tampa Bay’s lopsided loss to Arizona last week. … With Bucs RB Doug Martin sidelined with right hamstring injury, workload for backups Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers figures to increase. … Tampa Bay DE Robert Ayers left last week’s game with ankle injury, creating more playing time for rookie Noah Spence, who had first career sack vs. Cardinals. … Tampa Bay’s defense has not forced turnover through two games. … Fantasy tip: If Tampa Bay struggles to run without Martin, look for Winston to try to get ball downfield — a lot — to WRs Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Young QB attempted 52 passes against Arizona, targeting Evans (six catches, 70 yards, one TD) 17 times. Evans had nine receptions for 157 yards, but no TDs against Rams last year.
znModeratorI double posted this article and bnw responded saying he had already posted it. My version (rightly) got taken down and I bump this one so everyone knows what’s what and so I can acknowledge my error to bnw.
So there’s nothing to see here. Move on people, move on.
znModeratorIsaiah Johnson
==
from the wiki:
College career
At Georgia Tech, Johnson started three games in his freshman year in 2010, and was a starter thereafter. He was injured at the end of his junior year, and sat out the following season. He played in 2014 as a redshirt senior. He finished his college career with 283 tackles, the most by any Georgia Tech defensive back.
NFL career
Johnson went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft. He was signed by the Detroit Lions before spring training for a $12,000 signing bonus. He was among the final cuts of spring training in 2015, but was signed off the practice squad on November 14 of that year.
On September 3, 2016, Johnson was waived by the Lions.
On September 6, 2016, Johnson was signed to the Rams’ practice squad.
===
off the net from alyoshamucci
Isaiah Johnson that’s our Randolph replacement.
Instinctive violent athlete with hands. Overlooked like GTECH always is.
More our type of player.
===
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/isaiah-johnson?id=2553291
ISAIAH JOHNSON, SS
SCHOOL: GEORGIA TECH
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: SENIOR
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-1 / 202 LBS.STRENGTHS
Productive tackler and three-year starter. All-time leader in Georgia Tech history in tackles for a defensive back with 283. When in position, will make square, physical hits to end the play. Comes from high to low quickly and under control. Uses length to close down running lanes toward sidelines. Monitors quarterback’s eyes from zone coverage and shows discipline in his coverage. Outstanding work ethic. Great student on and off field with his master’s in building and facility management.
WEAKNESSES
Slow twitch. Lacking athleticism to be consistent factor in space. Can be a step slow to find proper angle for downhill tackle, missing 12 in 2014. Gets preoccupied with receiver and doesn’t maintain enough focus on running plays developing. Slow lateral transition, allowing separation for receivers. Feet get too heavy when asked to fire on throws and close the distance.
DRAFT PROJECTION Priority free agent
BOTTOM LINE
Played in space and near the line of scrimmage, but he’s best suited in a role that limits what is asked of him from a coverage standpoint. His intelligence, work ethic and play demeanor will all work in his favor, but his lack of functional speed and athleticism will not.
-Lance Zierlein
znModeratorSo the Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order. Should Lincoln have issued an executive order to free the slaves? People could respond No to that, I suppose, while still believing slavery should be terminated.
I hope people don’t argue that because the actual document that legally and permanently freed the slaves was the 13th amendment.
Lincoln himself had doubts about the legal standing of the Proclamation. On top of it the EP didn’t free slaves in border states which had not joined the Conferacy.
znModeratorBut i was just about to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt
that Vin Scully was behind 9/11w
vI thought the crash of 2008 was behind 9/11.
But if it was Scully it was Scully. What do I know.
znModeratorNelson Spruce is ready to put his injury behind him and begin his Rams career
Twenty-five snaps.
That’s all it took for Nelson Spruce to convince the Los Angeles Rams that the undrafted rookie receiver from Westlake High was worth hanging onto this fall.
“I had a quarter and a half to really make my mark,” said Spruce on Tuesday in front of his locker at the Rams’ football headquarters at Cal Lutheran University.
“The rest of the time I just had to sit back and watch. When I kind of got the news and they called that team meeting and I was one of the guys left in the room, it was a big weight off my shoulders.”
Of course, Spruce made a memorable impact during the Rams 28-24 come-from-behind win over Dallas on Aug. 13 at the Coliseum.
He caught six passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in little more than a quarter of action, leaving the Coliseum hooting “Spruuuuuce!” in approval.
The moment was captured forever by HBO’s “Hard Knocks” reality TV show, which Spruce had grown up watching avidly.
“I grew up watching that every year,” Spruce said. “(Being) a part of it, seeing my teammates on it, me on it, was surreal.”
But the knee sprain Spruce suffered while running a flat route on Sean Mannion’s game-winning touchdown pass to Aaron Green sidelined him for more than five weeks, including the balance of training camp.
Which meant a torturous three weeks waiting to see if he had done enough during offseason camp, two weeks of training camp and one preseason game to convince the coaching staff of his worth.
“I’ve worked for this opportunity my whole life,” Spruce said. “To kind of have that valuable time cut short but that injury, it put a lot of stress on me. So once I got that good news, I felt like a new man.”
When the news broke that he had made the team, Spruce said he “got a lot of love” from friends and family and “a lot of support” from the community. He attended a Westlake High football game with quarterback Jared Goff, the Rams’ No. 1-overall draft pick.
“That was the first game I’ve been to since I graduated,” Spruce said. “So it was cool to go back. I saw a lot of old faces from the staff that I had known.”
Spruce practiced in his No. 86 jersey Tuesday for the first time at Cal Lutheran, which is just six miles away from where he starred at Westlake High.
“It felt really good,” Spruce said. “Until this point, I’ve kind of just had to sit back and watch and wait for my time. We weren’t full speed today, but just to be out there with the team, back in the mix, felt really good.”
The knee sprain itself was as new an experience as the NFL has been for Spruce, who said it was the first significant injury of his football career.
“It’s kind of a new process to me,” Spruce said. “You’re kind of away from the team, so that’s the tough part, while you’re rehabbing to get back into it. I think the most important part is to just stay mentally into it.
“When you know you’re not playing, it’s easy to not stay too focused in meetings and not keep up on the playbook. That was the big challenge for me.”
Spruce caught 294 passes for 3,347 yards and 23 touchdowns in four years at the University of Colorado. He left as the most prolific receiver in Pacific-12 Conference history.
The return of Spruce and fellow rookie Pharoh Cooper (shoulder) this week brings the Rams receiving corps to full strength.
Without its two slot receivers, Los Angeles is dead last in the NFL in third-down percentage, having converted only 22.2 percent through two games.
Spruce is hoping to help that figure as soon as possible.
“I feel like I’m quarterback friendly and I have sure hands,” Spruce said. “In short-yardage situations where we have to move the chains, I feel like that’s where I can be useful.”
znModeratorMod alert.
This thread is showing some “the problem with all you X Types” posting which is one of the main things that was behing held in mind when the rules were written to cut down on antagonistic language.
Antagonistic language includes “all you people on the right/left/in the middle” insult generalizations. The rules were written the way they were written precisely to exclude that kind of discourse.
If it continues, the first stage will be post deletions and the next stage closing the thread.
znModeratorThis week’s Rams opponent: Buccaneers
Jack Wang
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160922/this-weeks-rams-opponent-buccaneers
Who will step in for Doug Martin? The running back known as “Muscle Hamster” was the Buccaneers’ backfield workhorse last year but he’ll almost certainly be sidelined when the Rams arrive this weekend.
To replace him, Tampa Bay will likely turn to Charles Sims, who averaged 4.9 yards per carry off the bench in his second season. But Sims has never started a game, and has only once topped 13 carries in 26 appearances.
“Chuck has been here long enough and earned the opportunity to be the lead back,” said offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Another option is Jacquizz Rodgers, whom Tampa Bay signed less than two weeks ago. The former Oregon State star is listed at 5-foot-7, 190 pounds — a very different picture from Sims’ 6-foot, 211-pound frame.
“He’s short in stature, but he’s a muscled-up guy,” Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said of Rodgers. “He’s hard to see back there.”
WHO’S COACHING THE BUCCANEERS?
After three decades of combined coaching experience in college and the pros, Koetter finally got his first shot at an NFL head coaching gig this offseason, when Tampa Bay hired him shortly before his 57th birthday.
Koetter was perhaps most successful at Boise State, where he was twice named Big West Coach of the Year and won back-to-back conference titles in 1999 and 2000. As an NFL coordinator, he has made an immediate impact at every stop: His first seasons in Jacksonville (2007), Atlanta (2012) and Tampa Bay (2015) each resulted in offenses that ranked top-eight in total yards.
BY THE NUMBERS
2,426 — Mike Evans’ receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2014, 10th in the league
10.3 — Yards per catch by former Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson in 2016, the lowest of his career
288 — Carries by Doug Martin in 2015, second-most in the NFL
3 — Weeks Martin could miss with a hamstring injury
32 — Points per game allowed by the Buccaneers, fifth-most in the NFL
42 — Pass attempts per game by Jameis Winston, up 8.6 from his rookie year
PLAYER TO WATCH
Winston threw for more than 4,000 yards before turning 22 years old, looking every bit like a quarterback worthy of the No. 1 overall pick in 2015.
Is he ready to take another step toward becoming a franchise cornerstone? Winston shed nearly 20 pounds this offseason, but his performances so far this year have been up and down. In a road opener at Atlanta, he lit up the Falcons by completing more than 70 percent of his passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. A week later, against a Super Bowl contender in the Arizona Cardinals, he tossed four picks while connecting on barely half his attempts.
On Sunday, he’ll need to fend off pressure from the Rams’ defensive line if he hopes to take advantage of the soft spots in an uneven secondary.
WHAT DID HE SAY?
“Jameis is an old baseball player. I think he knows how. Knowing how to do it and doing it are two different things.”
— Koetter, on Winston needing to slide instead of taking hits
September 23, 2016 at 12:21 am in reply to: Fisher (twice), Boras, Keenum Barron … 9/21 … transcripts #53587znModeratorJeff Fisher, Mark Barron – Conference Calls with Tampa Bay Media (9/21/16)
***
HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER
(On last week’s win against Seattle)
“All wins are great, but this one was big just because of the circumstances around it and everything. The fact it was our home opener and the support that we’ve had since moving and it was just really exciting, an exciting moment for the players and the fans and everybody here. And then you take into consideration who our opponent is, they’re always a tough team and I’m just really happy. A short week, guys rallied, responded, came back. Carried a great deal of respect into the game as far as the Seahawks are concerned and we found a way to win it. It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way to win it. Obviously we’re onto the next one now and I think we’ve got a good head start, we’re in a good place. Great deal of respect for what the Bucs are doing, we understand how difficult it is to play the Cardinals. I thought the Bucs did a great job against a really good Atlanta team and looking back to our game last year I just thought you see significant improvement out of [Tampa Bay quarterback] Jameis [Winston], just been always very impressed with him. I was impressed with the game that he had against us last year and I think they’ve done a great job with their personnel. So we’re coming cross-country and giving our best shot.”(On what kind of damage his defensive line can do)
“It starts with the run game and I’m not pleased with where we are with respect to that. Granted, in our matchup with the Bucs last year, we didn’t have [linebacker Alec] Ogletree or [safety] T.J. McDonald or [defensive end] Robert Quinn, so we were a little short-handed there. But I just have great respect for how the Bucs game plan, I think they had over 104 yards of rushing in that game and were behind. So that’s where it starts, but obviously every team starts the year [saying], ‘You’ve got to stop the run,’ and then when it comes time to rush the passer you hope you’ve got people in position and a skill set to do so.”(On what is unique about defensive tackle Aaron Donald)
“It’s a combination of everything. He’s got tremendous strength, quickness, leverage. He’s a quiet player, he’s very, very smart. He understands stances and protections and all of that stuff. He’s very, very difficult to block one-on-one, so it’s our job to try and create those one-on-one matchups and it’s the opposing offense’s job to create the two-on-ones and so we understand that. Someone else has to win when Aaron gets the double, but he’s a special player, he’s a great teammate, he’s just a really special player.”(On if the Rams prepare for individual Tampa Bay running backs, or the overall running game, since Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was injured last week)
“Well it’s the running game itself. No one like to lose their top back, but everybody in the league has quality backups, so to me and to our defensive staff, the concern is our scheme, it’s the run scheme and how well coached they are and how diverse they are with respect to their run patterns.”(On what Rams linebacker/safety Mark Barron has brought to their defense since being acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay in 2014)
“Any time you do a deal like that, it’s a good deal for both sides, so we welcomed Mark with open arms. We put a couple packages together early when we had him and then once ‘Tree’ [Ogletree] went down last year early in the season, Mark got an opportunity, so we took advantage of it. He loves the defense, he understand the defense and he’s just been outstanding. Again, great teammate, I was really glad that we were able to get him re-signed during free agency.”(On being featured on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ during training camp)
“There was nothing negative about the experience. When we agreed to it back in the spring, we felt – as the league did and everyone felt – that we get an opportunity to document this move because none of it had been document before. I really enjoyed – we all enjoyed – working with them. Things settled down after a couple of days and they pretty much just disappeared. And the big thing for us was just to be yourself and be a player, prepare for the opener and do all those things that you ordinarily would do at camp, as opposed to trying to be an actor or draw attention to yourself. There was a lot of fun stuff that went on, I thought the productions were great and I’d strongly recommend it to anybody next year.”(On how challenging it was for the team to have to relocate to Los Angeles)
“We found out in early January and then within weeks of that we started packing things up. The first move from St. Louis to Oxnard was a challenge, but we got set up. And then of course we moved again for the draft and then we were in nomads for a month because we had no place, no facility until we reported to training camp to UC Irvine. And then immediately after a Thursday night road game, the fourth preseason game, we came back Friday and did the final cut downs, we had to relocate again. We’ve got things up and running and we’re rolling, but I’m really proud of the players, they’ve handled it really well. I have not had a player late, haven’t had a player miss anything. They’re in early, staying late and they’ve responded really well to it. I’d like to think we’re settled here. Now we’re facing another challenge, obviously the same thing that the Bucs face and the same thing that our division faces, and that’s how to take advantage of the travel opportunities because there’s a lot of long road trips. So having a new appreciation for what our three other division teams have been doing over the last few years.”(On what is unique about Tampa Bay Head Coach Dirk Koetter as an offensive play caller)
“First and foremost, it starts with preparation. His offenses are always very well prepared. I’ve not witnessed in person a practice, but I could imagine what a great job he does at practice. So they carry over that preparation in the game and week-to-week they appear to be a little different, but they do what they do best. And like any successful coordinator in this league, you don’t ask players to do things they can’t do and I think he’s done just an outstanding job with Jameis. The two of them, you can imagine they’re on the same page.”(On how helpful it has been to grow up in the Los Angeles area)
“There is an advantage, just being familiar with L.A. It’s a great city, it’s big and there are traffic patterns and issues. I don’t know if you guys heard, but the league allowed us – the Player’s Association allowed us – to have a meeting in March with our players out here. And it wasn’t a football meeting, it was just a relocation meeting because the players went from the end of the season to March, not knowing what was going on. So we had a meeting, we showed them traffic patterns and we made suggestions, we told them where we’re going to be training and we made suggestions as to where the best places were to relocate because you want to keep your five-day or six-day-a-week commute to the facility manageable and they all did that, so it was helpful. It’s been a great experience, really good experience. You think back and one can only imagine all the stuff that we’ve been through, but we’re settled now. We have our email up [laughs]. Our coaches stations are working and we’ve got a field, that’s all we need.”(On if he is confident running back Todd Gurley will improve as the season goes on)
“Yeah, he’s outstanding. When the season is said and done, people are going to go, ‘Wow.’ Our difficulties have come in the third down area. We’re not efficient on third down, so we’re robbing ourselves a series, an opportunity for Todd. So once we become more proficient, then Todd will get more opportunities. The idea is to get the ball in his hands however we can, as often as we can.”***
SAFETY/LINEBACKER MARK BARRON
(On the difference between playing linebacker and safety)
“It’s really not much different to be honest, for me. In my opinion, I’m just closer to the ball, so I can get to everything faster.”(On if the game speeds up when playing linebacker)
“Most definitely. You have to see things a little quicker because you’re keying different things and you’re involved in different things, as far as dealing with the offensive line and run fronts and things of that nature.”(On if he has followed the Buccaneers since being traded)
“No, I honestly don’t keep up with them much unless we’re playing them or they just come across the screen. I don’t go out of my way to see what’s going on with the team.”(On if he tries to show that Tampa Bay was wrong in trading him)
“Most definitely. I always feel that way, every time I face that team. Like you said, even though it’s a different staff, I most definitely approach the game that way.”(On if he was hurt when Tampa Bay traded him)
“I wouldn’t say hurt, it was just the way everything happened. I didn’t ever feel like it was the way it should have happened, I didn’t feel like it was respectful at all, in my opinion. But I’m happy it happened, I feel like it was one of the better things that happened to my career actually.”(On if he didn’t feel like it was respectful because he was the seventh overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 2012 NFL Draft)
“No, I just didn’t know anything about the situation. I didn’t even know that it was being talked about.”(On if the trade caught him by surprise)
“Yeah, most definitely.”(On the things the Los Angeles defense needs to key in on against Tampa Bay)
“They’re definitely a team that wants to run the ball, so definitely have to stop that. They have [quarterback] Jameis [Winston] and you most definitely want to keep everything under control. We feel like he’s a streaky type of quarterback, so you don’t want to let him get going. That’s it, you stop the run and try to force them to pass, but don’t let them get going in the passing game and we feel like that’s all we need to do to get a win.”(On if getting Winston off his game starts with the pressure up front)
“Yeah, that helps with every quarterback and it’s the same with him. You want to make him uncomfortable, by getting him off his spot, keep pressure in his face. You want to disrupt him in every way you can.”(On how much the Tampa Bay offense has changed from when he was with the team)
“It’s a lot different. I don’t know a lot of the guys, I only know a couple of the receivers, I don’t really know any of the O-linemen, I don’t know the quarterback, I know the running back. So it’s a different-looking team, most definitely.”(On how much he has changed since he was in Tampa)
“Like you said, I came [to Tampa] when I was a rookie. I’m still going and now I’m in my fifth year in the league, so of course I’ve grown. As a player, I feel like I’m smarter. I feel like I’m more comfortable in the league. Obviously there always will a difference between a guy who’s a rookie and a guy who’s in his fifth year in the league.”(On if the move to a more hybrid position fits him better)
“I wouldn’t say it fits me better. I like doing it, I feel like it’s good because like I said earlier, I’m closer to the ball. I feel like I was always a guy that was always around the ball, even from a safety position. So now I’m just closer to it and I can get to everything faster, which allows me to make more plays.”(On being part of such a ‘ferocious’ defense)
“I love it because that’s also my style of play so I feel like it’s a perfect fit, that’s the way I approach the game. When I came out here I was pretty much placed in a group of guys who approach the game the same way I do, so they were a lot like me. So I feel like, like I said earlier, I think that was probably one of the best things that have happened to my career.”(On if his teammates in Tampa weren’t as physical as his current ones)
“I wouldn’t say that, but it’s most definitely different. From what I was playing when I was in Tampa –scheme-wise – from what I was playing in that scheme to what I’m playing here, there’s most definitely a difference.”(On if was asked to do more in coverage when he was in Tampa)
“No, I still cover now. The first game I was in man-to-man coverage probably half of the game. I still do –I don’t go back and play halves right now – but they still ask me to do a lot, as far as coverage. It’s not like I’m just simply playing around, I still do a lot of things, coverage-wise also.”znModeratorDo you think Goff will start this season?
I do.
w
vYes I think he will play this season.
And to give you the honest truth, though I doubt it happens this year, I cannot wait until he is up and going, confident in the offense and playing as if all the mechanical stuff and head games before the snap stuff were just 2nd nature.
Cause that guy is going to throw some of the prettiest passes we have seen as Rams fans. Even in the preseason, in the midst of the chaos and Deepwater Horizon stuff, he threw 4-5 passes that were just things of beauty.
.
znModeratorInside the NFL: The Rams return to Los Angeles
Inside the game highlights of the Rams win vs the Seahawks in their first game in LA in 22 years.
znModeratorRockRam (note: re-posted because expanded)
After rewatching the game, Keenum missed several open WRs. Keenum made some good passes. But he also BADLY missed seeing some very open WRs. The more I watched the more upset I got with Keenum’s play. He missed so many open guys I can’t believe it. Sometimes he apparently just didn’t see them. Other times just flat out poor throws that were not hard throws to make. And BTW I have been a Keenum advocate. He played much better than this at the end of last year. Goff better keep his helmet nearby. The Rams aren’t gonna beat Tampa by kicking 3 FGs.
And, of course, some WRs mishandled the ball; a couple of times when the pass was routine, a couple of times when the catch would have been difficult, but the top NFL WRs probably would have come away with a catch.
Keenum, for the most part, had good protection. Seattle was very aggressive with their pass rush and blitzes and they have very good players to do that. So it’s not like the Rams oline were playing the sisters of mercy.
What bothered me most was a couple of sacks he took that were simply not necessary; in fact, they were quite detrimental and he absolutely should have, and could have, thrown the ball away…….bad judgment.
GRob had a good game. One of the holding calls went beyond ticky tack; it was simply a bad call. But it happens.
Our interior oline did OK. Barnes got smoked once, but clearly the guy anticipated the snap and got a little lucky. I think some of that was on Keenum for getting the snap count too consistent.
I have hope for our oline, and Havenstein is clearly rounding back into form. Havenstein gets off the ball quicker than any other of our oline. He has a great kick step and stays in balance and does a consistently good job.
I love it that we have real competition at the Guard position.
If you have a means to watch in slo mo, go back and watch Forrest, Havenstein, and Ogletree. Joyner was a beast.
I can see why they let Ayers go. Forrest is a player. He seemed to be where he was supposed to be; did well fending off the big linemen he had to deal with. Made plays.
Ogletree simply gets to places most MLBs can’t. He made plays that JL could not hope to make at his prime. He is really fast and reacts quickly as well. Lot of swagger.That was a good move to put him at MLB.
Barron I didn’t mention because he is just a consistent stud. I’m not sure he knows how to have a bad game.
Another guy that played well was Tru J. Yes, they didn’t throw his way a lot instead they went after Hill. But TruJ had his man covered.
I thought it was interesting to watch Higbee. They mainly used him to block, and he did OK. He’s pretty agile so he gets to his blocks pretty well. You can see he is thinking and not reacting. Hope they involve him a bit more in the receiving end of things.
znModeratoredit: heres the list of starting QBs, btw. Where would we rank Keenum?
Well I think of it this way. He’s not a starting qb. Or, not starting caliber. So to me the question is, is he better than Shaun Hill or Chad Henne? If so by how much?
znModeratorRams, Bucs have been on different No. 1 paths
Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News
It’s bad enough the Rams concluded the second week of their season without crossing the goal line for a touchdown, but then the Football Gods went and served up a heaping dish of Carson Wentz making like Ben Roethlisberger while leading the Philadelphia Eagles to an easy win Monday night on national TV, and, well, everyone is in a panic.
The Rams, you’ll remember, had the first overall pick in last April’s draft and could have had Wentz.
Instead they decided to take Jared Goff, who hasn’t seen the field in the first two weeks of the season and might not be in uniform when the Rams play the Buccaneers Sunday in Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile, Wentz is rapidly emerging as a hero in the City of Brotherly Love. As we all witnessed on Monday Night Football.
To quote The Dude from The Big Lebowski: “That’s like, not cool man.”
Feel free to freak out. But do so at your own risk.
History reveals there is more than one way to grow a National Football League quarterback and that time lines don’t always accurately reflect draft status, talent or foretell future success.
It’s often about circumstance more than talent. And whose doing the picking more than at what point in the draft.
In 2002 David Carr and Joey Harrington were drafted first and third overall and both were starting by Week 1 of their rookie seasons.
Neither had memorable, nor particularly long, NFL careers.
Three years later Aaron Rodgers was drafted at the bottom of the first round by the Green Bay Packers and stood on the sideline for three years behind Bret Favre. When Rodgers finally took over as the starting quarterback, stardom soon followed and within two seasons he was hoisting a Super Bowl championship trophy.
Despite dubious beginnings, he’s on pace for a Hall of Fame career.
See, it’s not necessarily when you’re drafted or whether you deserve the keys to the car when you get them, it’s what you do when you get behind the wheel.
For every successful quarterback drafted first overall, such as Peyton or Eli Manning or Troy Aikman, there are busts such as Tim Couch or Lamarcus Russell or Jeff George.
Russell Wilson and Joe Montana were both third-round picks. Drew Brees was taken in the second round.
Wilson started for the Seahawks on Day 1. Montana and Brees rode the bench their first seasons.
All three won Super Bowls.
Ryan Leaf and Rick Mirer were taken second overall in their respective drafts and began their careers as their team’s starter. Both ended up NFL washouts.
“Every case is different,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said.
The Buccaneers are a prime example, being in the exact same position in April of 2015 that the Rams found themselves in April 2016. They were at the top of the draft with a quarterback at the top of their wish list, but operating on a remarkably different time lines.
Which brings us to Goff, and in a roundabout way to Jameis Winston, whom the Bucs drafted first overall last year.
Goff may or may not be in uniform Sunday as he stands on the sideline in Tampa Bay watching Winston quarterback the Buccaneers. In fact, there is a chance Goff might not see the field at all this year.
Winston, on the other hand, has started every game during his first two seasons. So has Marcos Mariota, when healthy, after being selected second behind Winston last year.
We already know about Wentz, who was drafted No. 2 behind Goff last April.
It’s stuff like that that makes people wonder if the Rams blew it by picking Goff.
Valid concern. But way too early to tell, or worry.
As much as Goff and Winston have in common — same position, same distinction as first-overall picks — their differences reveal how tricky this whole quarterback development thing can be and why it behooves everyone not to make sweeping assumptions this early in the game.
Not all things are equal, even when it comes to being the first player picked. Winston was drafted by a team that won two games the season before and approached 2015 with a grow-with-our-young quarterback mentality no matter the affect it might have on the record.
The Rams drafted Goff coming off a seven-win season, and after trading up 14 spots to get to the top of the draft, while in win-now mode even if it means delaying the starting career of the future face of the franchise.
In a new market, with a coach in the last year of his contract and conviction within the organization if a few things break right they can push past the 7-9 mark to 9-7 or 10-6, the Rams will long-play the transition to Goff in pursuit of wins,
In Tampa Bay it was push, push, push.
In L.A. it’s patience, patience, patience.
Koetter was the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator last year when then-coach Lovie Smith made it abundantly clear he wanted Winston to be the Day 1 starter.
Didn’t matter if he was ready. As in really ready. The order was the order.
Koetter’s job was to make it happen.
“It’s just a matter of figuring out a game plan to give him a chance to be successful.” Koetter said.
Whether Winston deserved the job or not, or was fully prepared, was almost beside the point. The plan was to get him on the field as soon as possible. Learning on the job was just part of the deal.
Winston just rolled with it.
“I think you just have to go out there because you never know when you’re really ready,” Winston said. “You just have to go out there and compete.
“I think the biggest thing is just being a good teammate to your teammates, finding out the personalities and finding out the guys that you’re going to be battling with for the beginning of your career. Once you get on their good side, the football part is the easy part. I think just the team camaraderie, that’s the biggest part. The football; that’s the easy part.”
His first NFL pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, incidentally.
All part of a learning curve the Bucs were perfectly fine with.
“We definitely had some rocky beginnings,” Koetter said. “In Jameis’ case, he played a lot of big time games at Florida State under pressure situations in front of big crowds. But still, we had to figure out how he was going to do in the NFL. It was definitely a learning experience.”
Winning and losing wasn’t necessarily second to the play-now edict, but close.
“I would say there is some truth to that,” Koetter said. “And the key ingredient there is that every situation is different. Again going back, in our situation last year, it was made clear from the start that we picked Jameis No. 1 and he was going to be our starting quarterback, and we were going to build around him. After that decision is made, as an assistant coach, I mean the direction is very clear, you’re going to follow directions and do your best to get it done.”
Winston threw for 4,042 yards and 25 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. His quarterback rating was 84.2 and the Bucs finished 6-10.
The experience was beneficial going into Year 2.
“I just feel like I’m more comfortable in the offense, which allows me to have more control of the offense just by my comfort level and by my knowledge of the game plan,” he said.
The growing pains remain, though. Winston threw four touchdowns in a season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons, then followed up with four interceptions in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.
“This is a very humbling league,” Koetter said. “Sometimes when you think you’re making progress, sometimes it’s two steps forward, one step back.”
We haven’t yet seen that with Goff.
But then, the Rams situation this year is remarkably different than the Bucs last season.
Frustrating, yes. But hardly a predictor of what the future holds.
-
AuthorPosts
