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znModeratorso three of the past four super bowl winners will have been based primarily around defense and the run game.
Agreed, but with a variation. Seattle and Carolina of course have running qbs.
znModeratorWhat is unsystematic about the article? What does that mean?
The thread is unsystematic, not the article. Meaning, I am just randomly throwing an article into the thread now and then, as opposed to trying to be thorough about it.
znModeratoron the other hand there were reports he wasn’t taking his job seriously.
On the OTHER other hand, we know about that because he addressed it in public himself. That to me indicates he probably “got the message.”
znModeratoron a side note if mannion ever did pan out that 2015 draft would have to go down as an exceptional draft.
Well they sure hit on the top 2.
Gurley is a rookie of the year type, and Havenstein was PFF’s highest ranked rookie lineman.
Mannion remains an interesting question mark. Meanwhile Brown and Wichman showed promise.
January 30, 2016 at 9:18 am in reply to: Skip Peete is the new RB coach for the Los Angeles Rams #38313znModeratorReport: Rams hire ex-Bears assistant Peete as RBs coach
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/coach-701916-peete-assistant.html
Nearing the end of a significant staff retool, the Rams have reportedly hired longtime NFL assistant Skip Peete to fill the team’s vacancy at running backs coach.
Peete, who has coached running backs for the majority of the last two decades, most recently worked as a position coach with the Bears from 2013 to 2014. Peete spent last season out of the league, after he was not retained by the Bears new coaching staff, but spent prior stints as an assistant with the Cowboys (2007-12) and Raiders (1998-2006).
In Los Angeles, Peete may walk into his best situation yet as an assistant. Most notably, he’ll have a dynamic young running back to work with in Todd Gurley. As a rookie, Gurley ran for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Despite boasting one of the league’s worst passing attacks, the Rams backfield still finished seventh in the NFL in rushing offense last season.
Peete – whose brother, Rodney, was a longtime NFL quarterback – is just the latest staff hire in a busy offseason for Rams coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher fired his previous offensive coordinator, Frank Cignetti, with four games left in the season, and five more assistants after it ended.
To fill the vacant coordinator spot, Fisher officially promoted Rob Boras, removing his interim tag as offensive coordinator. He also hired Mike Groh, another former Bears assistant, as wide receivers coach.
Peete replaces running backs coach Ben Sirmans, who coached the Rams backfield for the past four seasons.
A Phoenix native, Peete also served as running backs coach at UCLA from 1996-97.
znModeratori’m wondering what people’s opinions are on his 2015 season. complete failure or signs of promise?
Signs of promise. Upward trajectory. IMO.
.
znModeratori’m stating the obvious here but it all hinges on robinson.
Yeah it does.
In the meantime, though, I like the fact that they are stocking the line every which way they can…and probably aren’t done. It’s that “build a strength” approach they use sometimes.
They actually added 10 guys last year.
JUST the guys they added last year, they break down this way:
Center/guards: 3
Guards: 2
Swingmen (Reynolds): 1
Tackles: 4znModeratorJohn Clayton: Chargers buying time by staying in San Diego for 2016
znModeratorChargers won’t play in Los Angeles in 2016
Nathan Fenno and Sam Farmer
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-chargers-rams-stadium-agreement-20160129-story.html
In another twist to their long flirtation with Los Angeles, the San Diego Chargers announced Friday they will not move here for the 2016 season and will redouble their efforts to reach a deal to remain in their hometown.
Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos, disclosing his decision in an open letter to Chargers fans, said the team still had an agreement with the Rams to share their stadium in Inglewood, “but my focus is on San Diego.”
“This has been our home for 55 years, and I want to keep the team here and provide the world-class stadium experience you deserve,” Spanos said.
The announcement means Los Angeles will have one NFL team when the season opens this year. The Rams are expected to play the first three seasons in the Coliseum while a stadium is being built in Inglewood.
The Chargers have until Jan. 15, 2017, to exercise a one-year option to move to L.A. The team can ask for the option to be extended one year if San Diego voters approve public financing for a stadium there. Should the Chargers remain in San Diego, the Oakland Raiders have the right to share the Inglewood stadium.
Spanos informed San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and County Supervisor Ron Roberts of his decision during a half-hour meeting Friday afternoon.
“We appreciate Mr. Spanos’ commitment to staying in San Diego for the 2016 season to work with the region on a stadium solution,” Faulconer and Roberts said in a joint statement. “We … will be working with him and our negotiating team on a fair and viable plan to put before voters.”
Spanos echoed that sentiment: “I am committed to looking at this with a fresh perspective and new sense of possibility.”
San Diego has pushed to put a stadium initiative on the ballot this year to approve public money to go toward a $1.1-billion stadium at a Mission Valley site near the Chargers’ current stadium.
The Chargers had previously expressed concerns that voters wouldn’t approve such a measure and that the city rushed an environmental impact report for the proposed project.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he is “very supportive” of the Chargers’ decision.
“We look forward to partnering with the Chargers in Inglewood, but the decision, of course, is Dean’s to make,” said Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
When NFL owners green-lighted the Rams to move to L.A. and build a stadium in Inglewood this month, they also provided incentives to the Chargers and Raiders to pursue stadiums in their home markets. The teams backed a rival stadium project in Carson for the last year, but the effort didn’t attract widespread support among owners.
As a consolation prize, owners pledged $100 million to each team toward new stadiums in their current cities. It’s unclear whether the money would be a loan.
The Chargers would also be able to use a $200-million construction loan from the league toward a new stadium.
Spanos has another reason to try to remain in San Diego. Moving to L.A. would require the Chargers to pay a $550-million relocation fee to the league starting in 2019. The payments could be spread over 10 years.
The Chargers are developing plans for a five-acre training facility in Santa Ana in case of an eventual move to L.A.
Earlier Friday, the team reached an agreement in principle with the Rams to share the Inglewood stadium. The deal would leave the Chargers as a tenant paying $1 per year in rent, with the team’s $200-million loan from the NFL and revenue from the sale of personal seat licenses being used to offset construction costs for the stadium.
The stadium, scheduled to open for the 2019 season, is expected to be the most expensive in U.S. history.
A second team would also be a boon for a surrounding development bankrolled by Kroenke. It would provide more visitors to what is envisioned as a sports and entertainment hub on a 298-acre site that will include shopping, office space and housing.
The Chargers had expressed reservations about the Inglewood stadium, including the venue’s roof, artificial turf and location.
Now they will return to talks in San Diego — with L.A. still one decision away.
January 29, 2016 at 6:39 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Plays that shaped the Rams season (10 articles total) #38290znModeratorPlays that shaped the Rams season No. 1: The beginning of the end
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. – In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.
The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.
Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.
Here’s No. 1:
Game: at Minnesota, week 9
Date: Nov. 8, 2015
The play: Good days for Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein were few and far between in 2015 but this looked to be one of them, save for one important exception. He was 4-of-5 on field goals, including a franchise record 61-yard effort and a 53-yarder to send the game to overtime. But he missed a 48-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter which might have given the Rams a chance to win in regulation. But the biggest mark here against the Rams was eschewing an extra point attempt in the first quarter to go for two when the score was 10-6. The kick would have been at the windy end of the field, but Zuerlein said he had felt comfortable kicking that direction between 45 and 48 yards out before the game. The extra point would have been 12 to 15 yards shorter. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he went for two because of the wind and because he felt the Rams would need every possible point. A made extra point there or a conversion from Zuerlein on the 48-yard attempt might have been enough to give the Rams a victory. Instead, they lost 21-18 in overtime to fall to 4-4 on the season.
Why it mattered: The Rams entered this game with a two-game winning streak and a 4-3 record in November, which might not seem like much but was actually quite an accomplishment for a team that hadn’t been above .500 this late in the season much in the past decade-plus. In fact, a win would have left the Rams two games over .500 at that point in the season for the first time since 2003. Instead, the Rams once again couldn’t get out of their own way in a difficult game that was eminently winnable. The missed field goal and the failed two-point conversion prevented the Rams from coming up with an impressive win. Worse, it led to a spiral that would see them lose five straight. By the time the Rams snapped out of their funk, the season was essentially lost. There were plenty of painful losses for the Rams in 2015. but you’d be hard-pressed to find one that hit as hard and had as lasting an effect as the one that took place at TCF Bank Stadium in early November.
They said it: “I felt like we were gonna need as many scoring opportunities as we possibly can,” Fisher said. “And it was indicative of how the wind was. I liked what we had up, and I let the coaches know after I observed the wind.
“It’s a long kick, and [the wind] was pushing the ball around. Whether it worked out or not, I would do it again.”
January 29, 2016 at 6:38 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Plays that shaped the Rams season (10 articles total) #38289znModeratorPlays that shaped the Rams season No. 2: Case Keenum’s concussion
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.
The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.
Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.
Here’s No. 2:
Game: at Baltimore, week 11
Date: Nov. 22, 2015
The play: With 1:10 to go in a game tied at 13, the Rams had a second-and-10 at Baltimore’s 41. After Ravens pass rusher Elvis Dumervil jumped offsides, quarterback Case Keenum took a big hit from Ravens defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan as he let go of a pass. Keenum’s head snapped back into the ground as he fell. He wobbled to his feet, only to be greeted by head athletic trainer Reggie Scott, who briefly asked Keenum how he felt before officials asked him to leave the field so they could enforce the penalty. Keenum stayed in the game though, as coach Jeff Fisher said he was unaware of the extent of Keenum’s injury and the officials didn’t pay attention because they were enforcing a penalty. Two plays later, Keenum fumbled on third down as Baltimore recovered at the Rams’ 41. The Ravens went on to kick a field goal as time expired to steal a 16-13 victory.
Why it mattered: The fallout of this play was felt immediately and lingered well beyond it. The loss to the lowly Ravens was perhaps the worst of the season for the Rams (perhaps save for the blowout defeat to Chicago) and this one dropped them to 4-6 on the season. It didn’t mathematically eliminate them from the playoffs, but with Cincinnati and Arizona coming in the two weeks that followed, it essentially crushed any dreams of a bid the Rams still harbored. Beyond that, there was plenty of controversy involving the Rams and the NFL’s handling of Keenum’s concussion. Video replays showed that Keenum had obviously suffered a concussion, but since Scott came on the field the league’s observer didn’t get involved. The Rams avoided any punishment for how it was handled but the league held more conversations about how to make the process better moving forward. Keenum missed the next two games, both of which were blowout losses that did bury the Rams.
They said it: “I remember everything,” Keenum said. “I remember the play itself. Kind of a funky play, [they] jumped offsides. I remember looking downfield and not throwing it. Obviously, not a great decision there. Trying to find my checkdown and he was eaten up, so I was just trying to get rid of the ball. Kind of got slammed and got shaken up a little bit. After I got up, Reggie came over and I was good. He told me to go down on a knee and I told him, ‘I’m good, I’m good.’ I went to the play. Got the play from the coach, went and called the next play and felt good to go.”
January 29, 2016 at 6:34 pm in reply to: ESPN will televise Reese’s Senior Bowl practices & other S.B. details #38288znModeratorSenior Bowl Practice Report: Day 3
Myles Simmons
MOBILE, Ala. — Players looking to make an impact at the Senior Bowl can sometimes be favored or hindered depending on the type of drill the coaches assign. In the North team practice Thursday morning, the Cowboys coaching staff had the team go through a long red zone 7-on-7 period. The favored player? Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett.
He made reception after reception in the period, clearly a favored target for all four North team quarterbacks. At one point, he made four touchdown catches in four snaps during the drill. He showed athleticism, an ability to get open, and a penchant for making tough catches in tight windows.
“I feel like I’ve always been a red-zone threat — just throw it up, I’ll go get it,” Vannett said after practice. “I’ll make a play.”
The former Buckeye won a National Championship last year, but received limited opportunities to make an impact in the passing game in college. Vannett made only 55 receptions for 585 yards in his collegiate career. But one of those receptions came in last year’s title game, as the tight end caught a touchdown late in the first quarter to give Ohio State its first lead of the game.
“I didn’t get many of those opportunities at Ohio State and I just wanted to show everything that I’m good at — show the real Nick Vannett,” he said. “And I think I put that on display this whole week.”
It’s apparent from his stats, but Vannett was primarily a blocking tight end at Ohio State. His experience has shown on the field this week, as he’s been able to take on defensive linemen with success in the run game.
“I did a lot of that at Ohio State so I kind of grew to like it,” Vannett said. “I get a great feeling just knowing that I made a key block and sprung the run on that play. I get just as good a feeling from doing that than I do making plays in the pass game. So I enjoy doing both and I feel like that’s going to add more value to me, being able to do those things.”
Even though he wasn’t known as a pass catcher, Vannett was still a significant piece of Ohio State’s College Football Playoff victories last year. And that’s an experience Vannett said is almost hard to describe, in part because of everything the team had to overcome.
“People didn’t think we were going to get that far after Braxton Miller going down, the loss to Virginia Tech early in the season,” Vannett said. “Everybody was kind of looking forward to next year — they kind of forgot about that year. And we stuck together, grinded it out, and came out on top. Getting to share that with all those guys in the locker room, it was incredible feeling.”
It’s well known how head coach Urban Meyer has recruited and developed talent since his arrival at Ohio State, which is reflected from the team’s four players in Mobile this week.
“It just shows the type of players that we have,” Vannett said. “We have ball players at Ohio State and we were well represented out here. I think we all did really well this whole week. And it’s just awesome to kind of put it on for back home.”
MILLER TIME
Speaking of Ohio State, Braxton Miller has been through a lot since he was named the 2013 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Back then, Miller was still a quarterback. But then, as Vannett mentioned, Miller injured his shoulder and subsequently went through a few arm surgeries.
Now, he’s attending the Senior Bowl as a wide receiver, after making a smooth transition to the position this year. Miller was effective in both the air and ground game, racking up 601 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns from a combined 25 receptions and 43 rushing attempts.
“I want to be a dominant receiver,” Miller said. “Inside, outside, or in the backfield, I’ll do whatever the team needs, I’m there for it.”
Through three practices this week, it looks like Miller could be on his way to doing so. He’s shown good burst at the line, and fairly crisp routes. Plus, he’s got good hands, making a number of tough catches throughout the week.
It’s tough to gage exactly where Miller may go in the spring draft. But at this point, it looks like he’s got a shot to have plenty of success in the league.
You can read our full spotlight report on Miller from our Austin Lankford here.
LOCAL TIES
While quarterback Carson Wentz has received plenty of attention this week — and rightfully so — USC signal-caller Cody Kessler has made his share of throws this week, too. I caught up with him to talk about his experience at the Senior Bowl, and what it was like to play college football in Los Angeles.
znModeratorFive questions facing the Los Angeles Rams this offseason
Christian Weiland
The Los Angeles Rams are getting more publicity than ever this offseason. With the recent move to LA, the Rams have all eyes watching them. They are coming off yet another ho-hum season, and fans have to be wondering if they will ever turn the corner. I’ve narrowed down five critical questions that are facing the Rams this offseason.
1. What additions will be made?
This is a question that Rams fans are dying to know. The team is coming off a dismal 7-9 season and the fans must be getting restless. “Average” is the perfect word to describe the LA Rams in the last five years. Additions are need. Big ones. The Rams need some help in a brutal division. The Seahawks and Cardinals continue to evolve and get better, now it’s time the Rams do the same. The additions that are needed are pretty clear in a franchise quarterback, offensive line help, and some fresh talent at wide receiver. Franchise wuarterbacks are diffcicult to come by, but they do seem to have an emerging franchise running back in Todd Gurley. I’m hoping for some big time offensive line additions this offseason.
2. Fisher’s last shot?
Jeff Fisher is a respected name in the world of the NFL. However, in five seasons he has yet to make his mark. The Rams have been at or below .500 in the past five seasons, and the seat keeps getting hotter for Coach Fisher. It seems as if Rob Boras will be retained as OC and Fisher as well as head coach. The NFL isn’t a place you can be average and stay for long. Fisher has a new city to take publicity away from his hot seat, but if things don’t change next season he might be off to a new city by himself.
3. How will the new location affect the fanbase?
Whether they are in St. Louis or in LA, the Rams are still the Rams. That’s the way I look at it. But I realize the pain and discomfort that some fans might be feeling in St. Louis after having their team taken away from them. As with any franchise you hope all can remain the same and the fans will still stick around, but you just never know. It will be a very interesting offseason to see how fans will react to the new city in which the Rams now reside in.
4. Will needs finally be met?
When I think of the needs that need to be met for the LA Rams, three words come to mind: quarterback, wide recievers, offensive line. The quarterback situation is a tiring topic at this point. Ever since the Sam Bradford saga, the Rams just can not seem to find their guy. Bottom line is, is that to be successful in the NFL, a franchise quarterback is an absolute must. Next up we have the reviever position. Tavon Austin hasn’t quite been the splash pick they had hoped for. Lastly, a big need is run blocking help. The Rams need to build around Todd Gurley at this point. He’s the guy, now lets get him some help.
5. What about the defense?
The defensive line is probably the Rams’ strongest asset right now. Arnold David and Robert Quinn are big time players. But could this d-line get even stronger? Yes it could. The Rams could use a fresh defensive end, such as Shawn Oakman out of Baylor. If you’re somehow unsure of who Oakman is, he’s the Baylor defensive end who blew up social media with comedic meme’s after his enormous stature was exposed on national television during a coin toss. How the Rams plan to improve their already solid defensive will be fun to watch.
znModeratorRams considering Oxnard for minicamps, other offseason activities
Bob Buttitta
Oxnard Assistant City Manager Scott Whitney confirmed the Rams are interested in Oxnard, but the two sides have yet to enter into any formal talks about using the field at River Ridge that the Dallas Cowboys use each summer for their training camp.
“We met with them (the Rams) in Oxnard this week and they like our facilities,” Whitney said. “If they come, it’ll be from mid-April to mid-June.”
Artis Twyman, senior director of communications for the Rams, confirmed the team has touched base with several places on hosting the offseason program and training camp but has not finalized anything at this time.
A professional football team’s offseason organized team activities, called OTAs, are separate from training camp. They are practice sessions that concentrate on technique, basic personnel packages and repetition. A typical session starts with players meeting with position coaches or coordinators to watch tape and talk about areas to focus on when they are on the field.
Once out on the field, the session generally starts with a special teams workout. No pads are allowed except for a helmet. Most of the time is spent on technique, foot placement, use of hands and so on. It’s a teaching period more than anything, as playing special teams without pads is a challenge.
That is followed by an individual period where each group spends time doing drills specific to the players’ positions. From there they move on to a seven-on-seven drill where quarterbacks, running backs and receivers compete against linebackers and defensive backs.
Finally there’s a period where both the offense and defense come together for team sessions. Work is done at half speed, with the emphasis on learning plays and understanding individual responsibilities.
Then there is post-practice, where players head to the weight room for a lifting session, work on conditioning on the field or study tape in the film room. The entire practice is under two hours.
Under normal circumstances, players commute from their homes to the team facility for these practices. Because the Rams are moving from St. Louis and its players don’t have homes here yet, the team is talking with the Marriott hotel adjacent to the River Ridge fields about housing players during that time.
Like the Cowboys, the Rams would have access to facilities at the Marriott, including food and meeting rooms, plus additional meeting and workout rooms at the adjacent River Ridge Golf Club.
January 29, 2016 at 6:23 pm in reply to: Rams and Charges reach agreement about sharing Inglewood stadium #38282znModeratorAnd as soon as it was done, it was over.
Spanos: Chargers will stay in San Diego for 2016
Started by: nittany ram nittany ramJanuary 29, 2016 at 4:32 pm in reply to: Rams rumored to be interested in trading up for number 1 pick #38272znModeratorThe teams most likely to be interested? According to general managers I’ve spoken with from competing teams, the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams (with two second-round picks
No, it doesn’t mean much.
ie, the GMs he spoke to were just guessing. I mean look at the question they answered…who is most likely to trade up? Very different from asking “who have you heard is making an effort to trade up.”
znModeratorDenver defense is very good. Top notch.
Carolina OL is very good. Top notch.
Ah but.
Denver’s defensive strength is the pass rush.
Carolina’s offensive weakness is the OTs, even though they have an overall great line.
Here’s PFF on the Carolina OL (which they rank 2nd overall):
2. Carolina Panthers (22nd)
Pass-blocking rank: 4thRun-blocking rank: 6th
Penalties rank: 7th
Stud: If Trai Turner looked good as a rookie, he looked great in his sophomore year. Well worth Pro Bowl contention (and the spot we awarded him), there are a lot of teams wondering just how he was allowed to get all the way to the 92nd pick of the 2014 draft.
Dud: When something went wrong in the running game, Michael Oher was usually at the center of it. He did a good job in pass protection, but no tackle came close to grading as badly as he did in the running game.
Summary: The tackles are the weak spot of this line, but not so weak where it really matters for them (pass protection). The strength is obviously the interior, where Andrew Norwell (building on a successful rookie year), Turner, and Ryan Kalil are amongst the best at their position. They’re a foundation for success on the line.
January 28, 2016 at 10:16 pm in reply to: Skip Peete is the new RB coach for the Los Angeles Rams #38244znModeratorJust off the top of my head, some reasons to hire Peete:
1. Groh worked with him and knows him and presumably endorses the hire if he did not just flat recommend it.
2. He has been around the block…Sirman was young. There’s only so much a running back coach can do. RB coaches, it seems to me, are not going to make or break your running game. They can fine tune a back’s blocking and ability to see things on film. An old coaching vet like this who has really been around the block would have more to offer than a young guy.
3. He has coaching history and pedigree. His father was a coach, and his brother was an NFL qb (Rodney Peete). Fisher would also know he coached Derrick Mason in college.
4. He has been around a lot of different coordinators and head coaches—including Norv Turner, Jimmy Raye, Marc Trestman, and Jon Gruden. So he can add a thing or 2 to the mix.
January 28, 2016 at 8:33 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Plays that shaped the Rams season (10 articles total) #38239znModeratorPlays that shaped the Rams season No. 3: A costly drop
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.
The Rams had their ups, they had their downs and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.
Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.
Here’s No. 3:
Game: vs. Pittsburgh, Week 3
Date: Sept. 27, 2015
The play: With the Rams trailing 9-3 in the third quarter, any sort of touchdown and an extra point would have given them the lead and a chance to come away with an upset to get to 2-1 on the season. Points were difficult to come by for both teams, but if the Rams could have just mustered one trip to the end zone, it might have been enough to get the job done. The Rams finally found a golden opportunity with 12:20 left in the third quarter. On first-and-10 at Pittsburgh’s 46, quarterback Nick Foles dropped back and let loose a deep pass that traveled nearly 30 yards down the sideline intended for tight end Lance Kendricks. It was a play similar to the one Kendricks caught for a touchdown in the season opener against Seattle. Alas, Kendricks couldn’t pull it in as the ball bounced off his facemask and fell to the ground harmlessly. Foles took a sack on the next play and the Rams punted two plays later on their way to a frustrating 12-6 loss.
Why it mattered: As many expected entering the season, the Rams offense was the team’s weakness. But it was hard to see just how much of a soft spot it would be for a large chunk of the season. After starting the year with a 34-point outburst against Seattle, the Rams scored only 10 points in a loss to Washington in Week 2 and only 6 in the loss to Pittsburgh. The offensive blues became a familiar refrain throughout the season with drops like Kendricks’ becoming a common occurrence among the team’s pass catchers. Of course, that was just one of the many issues that kept the Rams offense from having any sort of consistency. For Kendricks, it was later revealed that he was playing with a finger injury that required surgery over the bye week.
They said it: “I saw the ball go up, I just lost it in the light,” Kendricks said. “I couldn’t see it coming down at all. It’s tough because those are the plays we’ve got to make to win the game. But if I could take that back, I would catch it 100 times over. I just lost it in the light. It’s hard to keep track of it when the ball was high in the air but I’ve still got to come down with it.
“I saw it go up and then I couldn’t see it coming down at all. Once it hit me, then I saw it obviously. That’s why it kind of hit me in the facemask because I couldn’t see it. But no excuses. I’ve still got to find a way to catch it.”
January 28, 2016 at 8:33 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Plays that shaped the Rams season (10 articles total) #38238znModeratorPlays that shaped the Rams’ season No. 4: Todd Gurley goes down
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In what would soon become the Rams’ final season in St. Louis, the results were predictable in 2015.
The Rams had their ups, they had their downs, and ultimately those again evened out to what would be another mediocre finish under coach Jeff Fisher.
Over the next week, we’ll take a look back at 10 plays that led to the Rams’ 7-9 finish this season.
Here’s No. 4:
Game: at Arizona, week 4
Date: Oct. 4, 2015
The play: Making his first NFL start, Rams running back Todd Gurley struggled to find room to run in the first half against the Cardinals. But Gurley and the Rams finally got it rolling in the second half as Gurley broke off runs of 23, 12, 12 and 52 yards in the second half. Gurley’s breakthrough helped the Rams surge to a 24-15 lead in the fourth quarter. After Arizona scored to make it 24-22, the Rams and Cardinals traded punts before the Rams got it back with 1:44 to go. Gurley got three straight carries covering 18 yards before facing a third-and-12 at Arizona’s 38. There, Gurley took a handoff, broke to the left and darted past flailing Arizona defenders. As Gurley appeared on his way to his first NFL touchdown, he suddenly fell down, giving himself up at Arizona’s 8. Gurley could have scored the touchdown and it likely would have put the game away, but falling down guaranteed the game was over and that the Rams would emerge as 24-22 victors.
Why it mattered: The win moved the Rams to 2-2 on the season and helped them bounce back from a disappointing pair of losses to Washington and Pittsburgh the previous two weeks. By the end of the season, it would turn out to be one of the Rams’ two best victories of the year and help spur them to a 4-2 record in the NFC West division. While the Cardinals would exact a measure of revenge with a blowout win in St. Louis late in the season, the first matchup was still one of the Rams’ best moments of the season. On a more macro level, it was Gurley’s breakthrough performance as he rushed for 146 yards on 19 carries. That effort spurred Gurley to the best four-game stretch by a rookie runner in NFL history. But more than just a productive day, it also showed in Gurley a maturity beyond his years that should serve him and the Rams well long into the future.
They said it: “That was a veteran move right there, especially being it possibly his first touchdown on a run like that, in a situation like that,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “It shows you that he is a team guy first and that is what you want. You want a guy who is a team guy first. He shows that each and every day.”
January 28, 2016 at 8:10 pm in reply to: ESPN will televise Reese’s Senior Bowl practices & other S.B. details #38235znModerator10 PROSPECTS WHO STOOD OUT ON DAY 3 OF SENIOR BOWL PRACTICES
These 10 players all impressed during Thursday’s Senior Bowl practices, including former Ohio State DE Noah Spence.ere are 10 prospects who jumped out at our analysts during Day 3 of Senior Bowl practices, and how they graded out in our rankings and stats during the season:
1. Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
He was probably the best player we saw in either practice on Thursday. It seemed as though any time there was a pass play during which the quarterback didn’t get rid of the ball almost immediately, Spence was in the backfield disrupting the play. As we wrote on Wednesday, we don’t have much data on Spence because he played for an FCS team in Eastern Kentucky, but he graded out well in his two games against FBS competition in NC State and Kentucky.2. Jerrell Adams, TE, South Carolina
This guy was making plays throughout Thursday’s practice, both in one-on-one drills and team drills. His teammates on the defensive side of the ball simply couldn’t cover him, and it was clear that the coaching staff was looking for ways to get him the ball — at one point, they ran a tight end screen for him. Don’t be surprised if he makes a lot of plays in the game on Saturday. The Gamecocks’ issues at quarterback limited his production in the passing game, but he still graded out very well as a run-blocker and his 10 forced missed tackles were evidence of his playmaking ability.3. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
He looked very good in one-on-one pass-rush drills, beating guys to the outside with speed as well as with inside counter-moves. He has been very productive all week long, according to our practice grading, which backs up what we recorded from him during the season. No 4-3 defensive end in the country earned a higher pass-rush productivity score than Nassib, who recorded 53 quarterback pressures, including 16 sacks.4. Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia
He was impressive during Thursday’s practice, showing well in press coverage and looking very much like a physical presence at the cornerback position at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. He has earned the top grade among CBs during this week’s practices. However, that’s a departure from how he performed during the season, when he earned just four positive game grades all year and ranked toward the bottom of our season-long grades.5. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
One-on-one pass-rush drills are usually to the defender’s advantage, but that wasn’t the case Thursday for Whitehair. He held his own on every rep, even stoning pass-rushers on a few and leveling one with a pancake block. There’s some debate over whether he’s a tackle or a guard at the next level, after he graded out as our No. 1 tackle in 2015, but his best reps came as a guard on Thursday.6. Jason Fanaika, DE, Utah
He performed very well during one-on-one pass-rush drills, with one ridiculous spin move to beat an offensive tackle and another strong pass rush around the edge. This week is important for him because while he graded out well for us, particularly as a rusher, he wasn’t nearly on the same level as the nation’s top 4-3 defensive ends, like Nassib, Joey Bosa, Emmanuel Ogbah and Shilique Calhoun. He also missed the most tackles among draft-eligible players at the position, with 15.7. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
For the second day in a row Miller really stood out in one-on-one drills versus defensive backs, with his overall quickness and explosiveness in and out of breaks on full display. He got open often during red-zone drills. He also displayed a lot of competitiveness and physicality. He limped off the field at one point with an apparent leg injury, so we’ll have to see if that keeps him out of practice Friday and the game Saturday.8. Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State
Miller’s Buckeyes teammate also had a good showing on Thursday, displaying very good quickness and athleticism in beating blockers during one-on-one pass-rush drills. He earned the second-highest pass-rush grade in the nation last season among draft-eligible defensive tackles, having produced 48 quarterback pressures, including eight sacks. Fellow D-tackle Sheldon Day out of Notre Dame was very impressive as well, for the second day in a row.9. Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
It just seemed as though Mitchell was quietly getting open on nearly every route he ran on Thursday, both in one-on-one and team drills. That reflected what he did on the field for the Bulldogs this season, despite having to deal with Georgia’s uneven quarterback play. He ranked 13th in our receiving grades among draft-eligible players. One other receiver from the South practice who stood out was Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard, who consistently got open and beat his man.10. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
He split his time between pass-rush drills — in which he was very successful — and coverage drills with linebackers. The latter is an area in which he doesn’t have a ton of experience, having dropped into coverage just 27 times in 2015 at Georgia. He proved himself as an effective pass-rusher and run defender, however, ranking fifth among draft-eligible outside linebackers in PFF grades.znModeratorRams GM Les Snead insists team will be up for playing in Coliseum
Gary Klein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-rams-gm-les-snead-20160128-story.html
The Rams have begun the process of transitioning from St. Louis to Los Angeles, where they will play for first time in more than two decades.
The logistics of the move are only one of the issues the franchise faces as it prepares for the 2016 season, the first of three it is expected to play at the Coliseum before owner Stan Kroenke’s Inglewood stadium is completed in 2019.
Coach Jeff Fisher must fill several spots on his staff, more than a dozen players will be free agents and the Rams must decide where they will train this season before a permanent practice facility is constructed.
Rams General Manager Les Snead is attending Senior Bowl workouts in preparation for the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 28-30 in Chicago.
After watching practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Snead sat down with Times reporter Gary Klein and answered questions about several topics.
Will you be playing in the Coliseum for sure?
I’ve been told that’s where we’re playing.
Any pitfalls to being in a temporary stadium that is not your own and not outfitted specifically for your team?
The Coliseum is such an historic place; that will be neat for our players. I think our players will really enjoy being outdoors. And judging from the initial ticket [deposits] and having a relatively full Coliseum, any pitfall there is, all those things will outweigh it by a longshot.How about the locker rooms and amenities that NFL players are accustomed to? Will they care that those are lacking?
Nowadays you can draft players from certain schools and when they come to your NFL facility it’s a downgrade. So I don’t think so at all. I think because it’s the Coliseum — and maybe for you in L.A. you think, ‘Oh it’s the Coliseum.’ — but from afar, when you’ve seen USC play Notre Dame at night or what have you, it’s a neat venue. It’s something that I think our players relate to because they grew up watching college football. … I could see where if it was in another town and just a temporary venue, it may be a problem. But for temporary sites, this one is pretty neat.
Will be there a permanent training facility at the stadium?
There is a vision to go out and vet some land and build a permanent training facility.
Will there be a reorientation program for the Rams players with the move to a new location?I know Jeff [Fisher] has really been at the forefront, pushing with both our league office and the NFL Players Assn., to allow us to have a meeting before we report. Because, technically, this is their vacation. And with the collective bargaining, you can’t meet with your guys. But I think all sides — players, the NFLPA, our league — think, ‘OK it’s probably needed.’ So right now Jeff’s vision is, ‘Yes, when we have the information, let’s have a meeting and kind of orientate them to what’s about to happen…. You have to have some processes in place to get people as comfortable as possible. So we’ll design those as best we know how.
What about the temptations available to players in L.A.? Are you concerned, as the GM, about how some of your players will handle that?
I’ve definitely thought about it because it’s a larger market with more distractions…. I do know that some of the teams have been very, very successful in L.A., on the field, on the court and in the rink. So it’s proven that you can be a professional athlete and be young and still thrive…. I definitely think it would be prudent to go out and visit some of those teams and see how they handle it and go from there.
Last season, the Rams got off to a good start and then struggled and again missed the playoffs. In this market, with what could be fickle fans, do you have to be great from start to finish?
The goal is to be consistently good and I think that should be the goal whether you’re moving to L.A. or you’re in a very small town somewhere else…. If you come out and you consistently compete and you’re consistently good and you earn some equity … [fans are] going to get behind you…. Take L.A. out of it. Let’s be a good football team, consistently good. We’ve had some inconsistencies in the past. That’s why you keep doing it. Keep evolving, keep maturing, all those things to get consistently good.
Jeff Fisher has said that Case Keenum would go into training camp as the starter at quarterback. But he will be a restricted free agent. You’re pretty confident you’ll retain him?
That is a goal. We’re not going to let him go somewhere else.
In regard to the draft, are you seriously considering taking a quarterback up high?
You definitely have to prepare that you might do it.… Sometimes with QBs we’ve seen some very successful ones go in the second round, and the third round seems to be hot of late. I’m thinking of Russell Wilson. I’m thinking of Kirk Cousins [fourth round]. So the thing about the draft is, because it’s become a nice entertainment segment … there’s so much attention on the first round, especially at the QB position, that sometimes the third-round QB, it’s ‘Oh, he’s a third-round QB.’ But the long story short on all of that is we’ll definitely scout QBs, and we’ll definitely look at the trade market and free-agent market.
What about Nick Foles? At something like $12-13 million, can you keep a guy like that as a backup?
His contract is not exactly that. I don’t want to get into the exact numbers, but it’s about half of that. There’s a lot of things that get written about contracts. The answer from a salary standpoint is, yes, he’s easily keepable.
Running back Todd Gurley had a breakout rookie season. Who will be the other marquee guys that fans should be looking for?
There are bright people in marketing and they may unveil some of those guys in the near future. I think we’ll let the fans wait on that. But if I gave them a hint, you could probably tune in to the Pro Bowl. That may be the start. [Gurley, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and punter Johnny Hekker are in the Pro Bowl on Sunday]. This thing is a team sport, so really, we want to market the L.A. Rams. I know there are going to be some marquee individuals and that’s L.A. and that’s what the billboards are for, but it’s a team.
Is Gurley a new-age Eric Dickerson?
It’s hard for me to compare him to one guy. I’ve always been able to compare him to three or four guys and I’ve kind of mentioned that’s what makes Gurley special and unique. It takes four guys to make one Todd Gurley. And hey, like Eric can run between the tackles big and strong, can run through tackles, like some others guys can hurdle you, or make a cut here or there and make you miss, and like a few other guys can run away from you … and like a few other guys can catch it out of the backfield. And he definitely proved that he can protect the passer as a sixth offensive lineman when that’s called upon. It takes a few people to make up one Todd Gurley.
You gave up the least amount of sacks and had a good running game. Do you finally have the right combination on the offensive line?
The answer is yes…. Last year we went into [the draft] needing [offensive linemen]. Four of our five starters from the 2014 team, when we went to draft, still weren’t on our roster for various reasons. We needed to draft, develop some guys and let them grow together … we think we’re on our way to see it come to fruition.
Tavon Austin has been a receiver, return man and sometimes a running back. Do you want to define his role?
We want to keep evolving it. He had a few [touchdowns] called back. As a returner, he’s probably had more touchdowns called back than any other player I’ve been around has scored touchdowns on returns.Will you eventually be able to use the new stadium as a recruiting tool for free agents?
Yes, and I actually think it’s got a chance to become a selling point before it’s built. Because I think, as you’ve seen, the artist renderings of the facility are pretty impressive. I think guys may go, ‘Wow, I’d love to go play there.’ And I think the city will as well. Those things combined are attractive to young professional athletes.
Fans are infatuated with uniforms. What are your thoughts on what the Rams uniform should look like?
It’s definitely not my decision. I’ve probably got an opinion and I’d probably get in trouble for saying it, so I’ll keep it to myself. Here’s what I think everyone needs to know: There is a set of guidelines to go through for uniform changes in the NFL, and I probably can’t recite those guidelines…. We can’t just do a poll in the L.A. Times, say these are our favorite uniforms and then unveil them the next day. There is more of a process and guidelines that the NFL has in place so that teams aren’t doing that and changing frequently.
The Rams were 4-2 in the NFC West last season and struggled against the rest of the league. What does that tell you in terms of establishing a foothold in the division? Do you feel like you have done so, or are on your way to?We’re on our way to. This season showed signs of being on our way to. But because we have never conquered the division I think we still got a little bit of a hill to climb.… If you win that division you get a golden ticket to the tournament. So that’s a definitely a point of emphasis for us. Because you play those guys twice a year. That’s where we should start.
znModeratorHis contract is not exactly that. I don’t want to get into the exact numbers, but it’s about half of that. There’s a lot of things that get written about contracts.
Well…that’s interesting.
znModeratorI bet you new-englandy-portlandia people dont
even know about lasagna.Margo lived in Italy for years. She makes the best lasagna I ever ett, and does it from the ground up, starting with homemade tomato sauce.
But it takes so long to make (from starting the sauce to the finished product), I can’t bring myself to ask her to do it more than once a year or so.
znModeratorBut it’s still accurate to say that the real reason they weren’t elite is losing Quinn and Ogletree.
And McDonald, and playing a banged up CL and JL.
What impressed me was that in spite of the injuries a lot of depth came through. It wasn’t just Barron. There was Roberson–who I was wary of at first. Then Ayers was playing well toward the end. Alecander was more inconsistent but he did flash some stuff.
The only disappointment really (for me) was Sims disappearing.
I agree that with a healthy Ogletree and Quinn, that defense would have been pushing top 3 rankings.
…
znModerator“you MUST have a one-legged-QB and a cross-eyed equipment
manager to win — why doesnt Fisher KNOW THAT??!!”Well because he’s living in the past.
And that’s not the way to do things in the NFL.
Unless of course Fisher wins a superbowl.
Then it will be, “well to win a superbowl you need an sub-standard coach who does not draft well and relies on antiquated approaches and whose entire OL gets injured every year— why doesnt Fisher KNOW THAT??!!”
znModeratorBills GM Doug Whaley: QBs in 2016 draft not NFL-ready
By Dan Parr
Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley is open to drafting a quarterback this year, but he doesn’t see any prospects at the position in the 2016 class that will be ready to start from Day 1.
The trend is for quarterbacks drafted early in Round 1 to start right away, and the early consensus is that the top QBs available this year — Cal’s Jared Goff, North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and Memphis’ Paxton Lynch — won’t be waiting long before they’re picked when the draft begins on April 28.
The top two picks of last year, QBs Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, started from the jump and weren’t overwhelmed by the task. Whaley doesn’t envision this year’s top QBs handling the adjustment with such ease before an extended period of watching from the sideline.
“I think it’s a deep crop and I think it’s a crop that’s going to need some time,” Whaley said, per The Buffalo News. “Now, it depends on their situation, who takes them and what they do. But I would say it’s not as top-heavy as last year where those top two guys would still be the top two guys. How quickly these guys can matriculate into the league, I think it’s going to take a little bit of time. Maybe a year, maybe a half of a year.”
A full year of waiting to find out what your first-round QB is capable of in a game that counts would require tremendous patience the likes of which really isn’t seen anymore in the NFL.
“The guys I’ve seen, I like them and there are guys that could be potential future starters,” Whaley said. “I just think it’s going to be a process.”
It’s probably true that Wentz, Goff and Lynch could each benefit from some seasoning at the next level before they’re thrust into the fire. Wentz is the only senior of the three (Goff and Lynch are both juniors), and Wentz is already creating a buzz this week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. But is there a real chance that these QBs sit and wait before getting their turn?
As Whaley said, it rests largely on which team picks them. If the Dallas Cowboys decide to take the heir apparent to Tony Romo with the fourth overall pick, that’s a scenario where the rookie wouldn’t be expected to take the reins right away. It would be a very different situation for the Cleveland Browns if they take a QB at No. 2, and their head coach thinks they should.
January 27, 2016 at 11:28 pm in reply to: ESPN will televise Reese’s Senior Bowl practices & other S.B. details #38198znModeratorWhich unheralded prospect will make Senior Bowl splash?
NFL.comWe asked CFB 24/7’s panel of experts for their predictions with practices beginning on Tuesday and the game airing live exclusively on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 30.
Gil Brandt
NFL.com
MAC OL set to surprise
Every year, there’s a surprise or two from the Mid-American Conference in the draft. We saw it with Eric Fisher, who was the No. 1 overall pick out of Central Michigan in 2013, and we had it with Khalil Mack, the fifth overall pick from Buffalo in 2014. I think Western Michigan offensive lineman Willie Beavers is going to be the next surprise to come from the league. Don’t judge him by his tape from the 2015 season — he had an injured ankle and played at less than 100 percent. He has long arms, good agility and is very competitive. I think he has chance to be an NFL regular.Charles Davis
NFL.com
Prescott will open eyes
I am keeping a close eye on Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott. He has had an absolutely outstanding career, both individually, and as the leader of a winning program that showed well in the always difficult SEC with his hands on the wheel. At one point, he had the Bulldogs ranked as the top team in the country in 2014 … and, that’s not something that anyone saw coming (except those who support and love Mississippi State).The reason that I’m peering closely at young Mr. Prescott? I saw enormous improvement in his game in 2015, especially as a passer. He’s always been a big, strong runner with a live arm who struggled with accuracy. In 2015, I saw a QB that really had worked on his mechanics, his touch, and his ability to not just hit open targets, but to put the ball in better places for his receivers. In fact, I talked with my colleague Daniel Jeremiah about his improvement, and we swapped notes that followed that premise.
So … let the practices begin, and I’ll be watching one of the best players in Mississippi State history continuing to work hard to convince the NFL that he’s a true QB and not a TE/H-back that I listed as his NFL position when evaluating him in 2014. I believe that he deserves the opportunity to be an NFL QB with his skill set, and talents (many of which fit what QBs are being asked to do these days in the league).
Chase Goodbread
College Football 24/7
Louisiana Tech DT will impress
NFL scouts are going to love Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler, an interior defensive line prospect who was all over the field for Tech in 2015 and was named an All-Conference-USA first-team pick. He anchored the Bulldogs’ defensive front for two years, helping the program to its first back-to-back bowl wins ever. He’s athletic, powerful, and would have held his own just fine in a Power Five conference. Expect Butler to give North squad offensive linemen trouble in practice all week.Chad Reuter
College Football 24/7
Don’t sleep on small-school WR
Southeast Missouri State receiver Paul McRoberts has a chance to vault into the top 75 picks with a good week in Mobile. His 6-foot-3 frame, surprising agility and strong hands should test the South team cornerbacks. In fact, he’ll be facing three other FCS stars on the South squad, cornerbacks James Bradberry (Samford) and Harlan Miller (Southeast Louisiana), and corner/safety DeAndre Houston-Carson (William & Mary) — all potential mid-round selections if they impress coaches and scouts this week.January 27, 2016 at 11:26 pm in reply to: ESPN will televise Reese’s Senior Bowl practices & other S.B. details #38197znModeratorTen NFL draft prospects with most to prove at Senior Bowl
By Bucky Brooks
The Reese’s Senior Bowl has always been viewed as the crown jewel of the college all-star game season. NFL scouts and coaches will descend upon Mobile, Ala., the site of practices and the game, to see if the top prospects in the 2016 draft can validate their standing on the draft board with a strong performance on the practice field throughout the week and in the game, which will be broadcast live exclusively on NFL Network (Jan. 30, 2 p.m. ET). In addition, scouts will spend significant time peppering some prospects with questions to eliminate any character concerns that could impact their draft chances. With the practices slated to start on Tuesday, here are 10 prospects with the most to prove this week:
Carson Wentz, North Dakota State, QB: The buzz is building around Wentz’s potential to emerge as the draft’s top prospect at quarterback. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder displays all of the tools scouts covet in a franchise quarterback (size, athleticism, A-plus arm talent, leadership skills and winning pedigree), but the small-school standout must convince evaluators that he can step up his game against elite competition. Moreover, Wentz needs to show coaches that he can quickly learn a pro-style offense and thrive in a scheme that requires him to make full-field reads and progressions from the pocket. Although he played in a system that featured some advanced passing-game concepts, Wentz’s performance as the director of the North team’s offense this week could determine the pecking order of the quarterbacks on draft day.
Braxton Miller, Ohio State, WR: Scouts are anxious to see how Miller adapts to running routes in a pro system. The ultra-talented playmaker made tremendous progress as a receiver in his first season at the position after moving from quarterback. Keep an eye on whether he can master the nuances of the position — it could determine whether he cracks the top 50 picks on draft day.
Kyler Fackrell, Utah State, OLB: As one of the few experienced hybrids in the 2016 class, Fackrell offers an intriguing mix of rush skills and disruptive playmaking ability off the edge. However, scouts will want to see if the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder has the athleticism to drop into coverage or create chaos as a “sideline-to-sideline” defender in a 4-3 scheme.
Adolphus Washington, Ohio State, DT: There is no disputing his potential as a disruptive interior defender, yet scouts are more concerned with his character after a solicitation charge led to a team-imposed suspension that prematurely ended his collegiate career. Washington pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge last week. Thus, Washington will need to score major points in interviews to get scouts to redirect their attention back to his on-field exploits.
Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, QB: The questions surrounding the 2016 quarterback class have scouts looking for quality options that could be available in later rounds. Prescott has impressed evaluators with his leadership skills and football IQ, but questions persist about his ability to thrive in a pro-style passing game. With a week to show scouts that he can make every throw in the book with timing and precision, Prescott has a chance to shoot up the charts with a strong performance in Mobile.
Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky, DE: The ex-Ohio State standout will have an opportunity to show scouts that his production as a small-school standout at Eastern Kentucky is legit by dominating elite competition at the Senior Bowl. Most importantly, Spence must address concerns about his character when scouts press him about his ban from the Big Ten. Although he has seemingly moved beyond the issues that led to his ban, evaluators will want to know more about his background before falling in love with his talent and potential.
Jarran Reed, Alabama, DT: Despite being a key contributor on the Crimson Tide’s star-studded defense, Reed seemingly lives in the shadow of his well-known teammates. Given a chance to dominate elite competition in one-on-one and team drills this week, Reed can make a move up the charts as a disruptive interior defender with “three-down” potential.
Brandon Allen, Arkansas, QB: The Arkansas standout has piqued the interest of scouts looking for a sleeper at the position. Allen thrived as a pocket passer in Arkansas’ traditional system, but coaches will closely monitor how well he adapts to running a pro-style scheme surrounded by elite playmakers.
Bryce Williams, East Carolina, TE: The recent success of long, rangy tight ends with receiver-like athleticism has helped Williams garner significant interest as a hybrid playmaker. The ECU standout is capable of making plays on the perimeter, but questions persist about his ability to block stout defenders on the edges. While some NFL teams will covet his skills as a stand-up pass-catcher, Williams can enhance his draft chances by displaying a solid overall game in practices this week.
Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech, RB: At a time when running backs are seemingly devalued, scouts are always searching for playmakers capable of making explosive gains as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. However, Dixon must prove to coaches that he possesses the strength, toughness and grit to hold up in pass protection. With a number of fierce pass rushers dotting both rosters, the Louisiana Tech star will get plenty of opportunities to show off his skills as a blocker.
znModeratorThe Fred Roggin Show
Jeff Fisher: Fred and Jeff talked about the move to LA and what Fisher expects for the team on the field next year.
Fisher starts at 23 minutes in.
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