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znModeratorI doubt Johnson is even remotely in the cards for the Rams. He would be about about an 11 M cap hit, and that’s just for this year. Rams can’t afford a 11 M cap hit without heavy roster reduction.
http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Andre%20Johnson&Position=WR&Team=Texans
znModeratorI mean, that’s what a play-action passing game is! It depends on a relationship between running and passing that stresses defenses. …Sam offers the difference between a nice running game last year and a nice running game combined with a nice play action passing game yielding something special.
I quote this again. This is the key. If his 2013 performance is any indication, Bradford already IS a good play action qb. If you want highlights vids of SB, you keep seeing the play action. He’s suited for it, he has a knack for it.
PFF numbers back that up (as many already know). Now the thing about PFF grades is that sometimes they’re iffy (particularly grading OL). BUT this one is easy. They simply break down the play action throws by different qbs and do ordinary stats on them (completion percentage, and so on).
Although only 19% of SB’s attempts were play action in 2013, he had a 65.6% completion percentage (9th in the league). His YPA was 9.7 (7th in the league). His qb rating in play action was 111.5 (7th).
BTW, his percentage of attempts was down from 2012 (21.3%, ranked 14th). But his completion percentage was up over 2012 (58.6%)…as was his YPA (8.5, 18th), as was his qb rating (101.5, 18th).
So I personally don’t predict Bradford will break out…I think he will continue to be good. Maybe the national perception of him will change as a result, but I just think he was already pretty good and will stay good.
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July 11, 2014 at 12:49 am in reply to: the archive: 4 articles from 2006/7 on the collapse of Wms' 2006 Washington D #1445znModeratorOriginally these articles went up because there were some questions about whether Wms could sustain a defense, or if he burned players out.
In 2003, before he got there, the Washington D was ranked 25th. While he was there they were ranked as follows:
2004: 3rd
2005: 9th
2006: 31st
2007: 8thAll the above articles try to figure out what happened in 2006. The story gets muddied because one player at least turned against him and complained, though anonymoustly. The player was assumed to be Adam Archuletta.
It was a variety of things, but I don’t think the articles support the “players burn out on him” narrative. The most dramatic thing I could see was that he changed personnel between 05 and 06 and made a lot of poor choices with the replacements. There’s other stuff there too but that to me looked like a key thing.
znModeratorYoung has told people close to him that his thumb was fine and he could have returned to the game, a source who spoke with the quarterback after the loss told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The source also said that Young doesn’t think he needs surgery on the thumb.
According to the source, Young was upset that Fisher didn’t believe in him and didn’t put him back in the game when the quarterback felt he was healthy enough to play.
Titans place Vince Young on IR
November 23, 2010
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5839537
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Vince Young needs season-ending surgery on his throwing hand. Not that being healthy would have kept the quarterback in the Titans’ starting lineup.
The team is placing Young on injured reserve within the next few days, but after his latest meltdown — throwing his pads into the stands — Fisher said Young wouldn’t have started Sunday against Houston anyway.
Young saw a hand specialist Monday, and Fisher said team doctors recommended the surgery to repair Young’s torn flexor tendon in his right thumb. Young was injured late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 19-16 overtime loss to Washington.
Fisher said he didn’t know — and didn’t sound as though he cared — if Young will get an outside opinion.
“He may want to get a second opinion. He may want to get two dozen opinions. Our doctor said for his position, it needs to be fixed,” Fisher said.
Rusty Smith, No. 2 on the depth chart on Sunday, replaced Young in the game and Fisher said the rookie will start against Houston. Smith is a sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic, and the Titans are bringing in Chris Simms to back up Smith. Kerry Collins is the No. 3 quarterback for now, but is expected to start once his strained left calf heals enough for him to play.
After tossing his pads, Young had a heated exchange with Fisher in the locker room following the loss, then bolted the stadium.
Asked Monday if he was tempted to release Young, Fisher said no.
“He’s got an injury. We put him on injured reserve,” Fisher said.
The Tennessean reported Monday that owner Bud Adams had talked to Fisher and Young and told them to “get this thing settled” and work together. Adams said Young told him he wanted to return to the game, and the 87-year-old owner isn’t going to release the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft.
“Oh, God, yeah. He is under contract. I wouldn’t want to let him go. We are going to pay him a lot of money,” Adams told the paper. Young is due to receive $8.5 million in 2011.
Fisher, whose contract also runs through 2011, said team officials discussed Young’s injury and the need for surgery in a conference call with Adams. But Fisher hasn’t talked to Young since he stormed out of the stadium. He informed Young’s agent, Tom Condon, that the quarterback was being put on injured reserve.
“My focus is on this football team. He’s not going to play anymore games for us this year because of the injury. We can deal with all that when the season is over,” Fisher said, referring to trying to repair the relationship with Young.
That may not be possible.
“It was just an awkward situation,” Young told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter in a phone conversation. “I just want to play football. I want to win games. I want to go to the Super Bowl. That’s it.”
Fisher said Young didn’t tell him, the offensive coordinator or the quarterbacks coach that he wanted to return and could play with the injury.
Randy Moss was open a few times against the Redskins, and Fisher said Young had some incorrect reads — rare public criticism of a player by the coach. Once injured, Fisher noted Young sailed one pass into the kicking net as he tried to test his heavily taped thumb.
“If I thought Vince could go out and give us the best chance to win, then he would’ve gone back on the field,” Fisher said. “I was not going to put him on the field, knowing ahead of time he had an injury that would prohibit him from throwing accurately.”
Fisher said he isn’t worried that being challenged by Young after the game will have any impact on his control of the locker room. Even with three straight losses, Tennessee is only a game back of Jacksonville (6-4) and Indianapolis (6-4) in the AFC South with five divisional games down the stretch.
“That issue’s over with. I discussed it with the team,” Fisher said. “We’re coming back ready to work on Wednesday.”
Asked if frustration had been building with Young, Fisher said no.
“All I’ve done here since Vince has walked through the door is try to help him be to the best player he can be and stood behind him and defended him from the get-go, so there’s no frustration,” Fisher said.
Fisher, in his 16th season, is the longest tenured coach in the NFL and has a no-nonsense reputation. But Young is the player Adams essentially watched grow up in Houston, where the owner stayed when his team relocated to Nashville. Adams declared after grabbing Young in the 2006 draft that “VY is my guy.”
znModeratorDunno who that avatar face is, btw.
w
vznModeratorRamBill
Which QB’s Are Entering Pivotal Seasons? Brian Baldinger and Shaun O’Hara talk QB’s, including Rams QB Sam Bradford.
Watch QB’s Discussion
http://www.rams-news.com/which-qbs-are-entering-pivotal-seasons-video/
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Curtis Conway answers a question about each NFC West team in his version of NFC West Summer School. The Rams question: Is Sam Bradford the long term solution for the Rams? (5:29)
http://www.rams-news.com/is-sam-bradford-the-long-term-solution-for-the-rams-video/
znModeratorIf I can pick only one, I say, either McDonald or Brockers or both.
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znModerator[they don’t] have the offensive equivalents of Quinn, Brockers, Donald, ‘Tree, and perhaps TJM coming through. It’s because we hope for a synergy to emerge!
I mean, that’s what a play-action passing game is! It depends on a relationship between running and passing that stresses defenses. …Sam offers the difference between a nice running game last year and a nice running game combined with a nice play action passing game yielding something special.
I think that’s on target.
July 10, 2014 at 5:22 pm in reply to: buncha pre-camp "Rams preview" articles, pre-season rankings, & vids #1397znModeratorPretty good article as that kind of thing goes.
But with some questionable comments. Not every writer knows the team as well as informed fans.
The slot receiver will of course be Austin, who is a big-play waiting to happen if used the right way.
I doubt Austin will solely and simply be a slot receiver.
Wells has also had some trouble with nagging injuries. Tim Barnes is his backup and played when Wells was hurt.
Unless Jones is ready.
The starting ends are as good as any starting group in the league. . . .To back them up are Eugene Sims and free agent signee Alex Carrington.
Oops. Forgot Hayes. Carrington is a DT.
On the one hand, a weird comment:
fourth-round pick Maurice Alexander looked as if he is ready to contribute as a rookie.
? Alexander was sidelined during OTAs, right?
On the other hand, interesting comment:
Gaines looked much better than a late pick during OTA’s.
Okay. But if he thought he saw Alexander, how much credibility does he have on Gaines?
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July 10, 2014 at 5:12 pm in reply to: buncha pre-camp "Rams preview" articles, pre-season rankings, & vids #1396znModeratorTeam preview: St. Louis Rams
by Greg Gabriel
July 10, 02014http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Team-preview-St-Louis-Rams.html
Since head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead took control of the St. Louis Rams, the franchise has been on a steady upswing. Between the two, they have brought stability to both the coaching and front office staffs.
Fisher and Snead have done a masterful job acquiring talent through the draft and free agency. If the Rams were playing in any other division, they would be challenging for a division championship. But the reality is that they are playing in the NFC West which, right now, is the strongest division in the NFL. As good as the Rams have become, they are not quite ready to challenge Seattle or San Francisco for the division. That dream still may be a year away.
The big change for the Rams this year is the addition of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams will turn an already strong defense into an even more aggressive group. They will start blitzing as soon as the get off the bus.
Quarterback
Needless to say, this is an important year for Sam Bradford. He is entering his fifth season in the NFL and his play to date has been up and down. I thought after his rookie year in 2010 that he was on his way to becoming one of the upper echelon quarterbacks in the league, but injuries and inconsistent play have hurt his development.
Sam Bradford2014 is a make or break season for Bradford.
Bradford has to take a big step in 2014 in order for the Rams to feel comfortable. If he doesn’t, St. Louis could be looking to select a quarterback high in next year’s draft.
The Rams don’t have a lot of depth at the position. They lost Kellen Clemmons in free agency and signed former Detroit backup Shaun Hill. Hill is in his 13th season and has shown flashes in the past, but if Bradford goes down, Hill is not the type who can take a team to the playoffs.
Rookie Garrett Gilbert has some solid physical traits, but right now is a developmental type at best.
Running backs
The Rams don’t have a big name in their running back unit, but they do have a bunch of talented young guys who, as a group, can be very effective.
Going into camp, the lead back is second-year man Zac Stacy. As a rookie, Stacy ran 973 yards and had 26 receptions. Stacy is a tough inside runner, but the Rams would like to see him improve on his 3.9 yards per carry average.
Rookie Tre Mason will most likely function as the primary backup. Mason was the Rams’ third-round pick and ran for over 1,800 yards last year in leading Auburn to the National Championship game. Benny Cunningham showed flashes as a free agent rookie last year and should also figure into the rotation.
Receivers and tight ends
The numbers the wide receiver unit put up in 2013 were not impressive. The leading receiver was rookie slot man Tavon Austin with 40 catches and a 10-yard average. If you are looking for some reasons why Sam Bradford has not put up better numbers, one is that he has an average group of receivers by NFL standards.
During the offseason the Rams signed Kenny Britt away from Tennessee. Yes, Britt has had more than his fair share of off-field issues, but he is still more talented than any receiver St. Louis currently has. Britt also has a history of playing well for Jeff Fisher.
Opposite Britt should be Chris Givens, who has size, speed and talent, but he needs to develop consistency. The slot receiver will of course be Austin, who is a big-play waiting to happen if used the right way.
Two other receivers who will see significant playing time are Austin Pettis, who had a good spring, and Stedman Bailey. Bailey will miss the first four games due to a league suspension.
The tight end will be Jared Cook, who should feel a lot more comfortable in his second year in the system. His backup will be Lance Kendricks, who will also see a lot of playing time when the Rams go to a two tight end look. He is the best blocking tight end on the roster.
Offensive line
At the start of free agency, the Rams thought they lost a key member of the line when it looked as if Rodger Saffold was going to sign with the Oakland Raiders. Saffold ended up failing the Raiders’ medical exam and the Rams immediately re-signed him.
Saffold will start at guard, with 2014 No. 2 overall draft pick Greg Robinson manning the other guard position. Robinson entered the draft with two years of eligibility remaining, yet still has the traits to be a Pro Bowl-type player at offensive guard.
The two tackles are Jake Long and Joe Barksdale. When healthy, Long is one of the best tackles in the NFL, but he has been injury prone. While Long may miss the start of camp, he will be ready for the beginning of the season.
Barksdale is a steady journeyman who improves with each year. The center is consistent the Scott Wells, who is entering his 11th year. Wells has also had some trouble with nagging injuries. Tim Barnes is his backup and played when Wells was hurt.
Defensive line
The best defensive lines in the NFL right now are clubs that have depth that goes six and seven deep. Teams that can play a rotation can keep their starters fresh for both key parts of a game and over the long haul of the season. The Rams possess that kind of depth.
Chris LongLong has racked up 20 sacks over the last two seasons.
The starting ends are as good as any starting group in the league. Chris Long has a non-stop motor and is effective as a pass rusher and a run stopper. Robert Quinn has become one of the most feared pass rushers in the league, with 19 sacks a year ago. To back them up are Eugene Sims and free agent signee Alex Carrington. Both players have the ability to play inside and outside.
As for the two tackle positions, the Rams again have two players who are as good as any in the league. Former first-round pick Michael Brockers, entering his third season, has unlimited talent and is just beginning to scratch the surface.
Kendall Langford is both big and athletic and is a consistent run stopper and pass rusher. With their second first-round pick, the Rams added the best defensive lineman in college football last year. Aaron Donald lacks great size, but he is a quick, fast and explosive player who is very difficult to block. Playing in a rotation and staying fresh will make him even better. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Donald does as a rookie.
Linebackers
The unquestioned leader of the linebacker group is six-year vet James Laurinaitis. While there are other Mike linebackers who may test out better, few have his combination of size, strength, instincts and competitiveness. On top of that, Laurinaitis is remarkably durable.
The Will linebacker is second-year player Alec Ogletree. From a size/speed point of view, he is the perfect Will. As a rookie in 2013, Ogletree had 155 total tackles. As he gains experience, he will keep improving and begin to dominate. Williams will find ways to utilize his special skills.
At the top of the depth chart at Sam is Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who is armed with a new two-year contract, but there are many who believe second-year player Ray Ray Armstrong will give Dunbar a solid run for his job. That may be one of the more interesting battles to take shape during training camp.
Secondary
On paper, this group is very good, but their level of play has to pick up over 2013. The Rams best corner is Janoris Jenkins. With this being his third year, he should be just coming into his own.
Opposite Jenkins is Trumaine Johnson, who got a chance to start games last year when Cortland Finnegan went down with an injury. The Rams expect improvement in his play. The slot corner position will be rookie Lamarcus Joyner. Don’t try telling Joyner he is only 5’8,” because he plays much bigger. The battle for the fourth corner spot will be between second-year player Brandon McGee and sixth-round pick E.J. Gaines. Gaines looked much better than a late pick during OTA’s.
The Rams expect a lot from second-year safety T.J. McDonald, who played excellent football as a rookie. The free safety is Rodney McLeod, who is entering his third year. During OTA’s, fourth-round pick Maurice Alexander looked as if he is ready to contribute as a rookie.
Outlook
As I said above, if the Rams weren’t in the NFC West, they would challenge for the division title this season. With their strong defensive personnel, they have the ability to control games and keep the score down.
On offense, Sam Bradford has to step up, but he will need the receiver group to mature. If this happens, the Rams will have a chance to compete for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
znModeratorME TO BOB, EARLY ON THE 28TH.
why am I being blocked from the buzz site? (7)
Or is it down?I do know you were searching my profile, which hints that you could be looking for an IP. That happened before, when you blocked me from reading ROD. But right now I have no idea. Apparently I am blocked from reading ROD, too.
Speaking of which, I never knew why you blocked me from ROD initially a while back (or unblocked me, for that matter.)
I am not your enemy. I run the site well and it’s an active site. If you have issues, you should speak directly to me, as someone you are partnered with and, presumably, respect. Actions out of nowhere with no explanation just look arbitrary. I never thought of you as the kind of person who would just up and do something like that without communication.
Rick, aka zn
ME MUCH LATER ON THE 28TH AFTER BEING BLOCKED ALL DAY AT 2 SITES:
Come on man……if you have an issue just raise it, whatever it is, person to person. You don’t have to act like a dick and then expect me to guess what it’s about. That’s what ex-wives do. -:) Heck I never figured out why you blocked me from ROD the first time.
ME TO X
I am not asking you to do anything, like intercede, but I am just trying to find stuff out.
Why did Bob/PHX block me from both ROD and the buzz site? Do you know? I have no idea, myself. He didn’t say anything.
For that matter, for all I know the buzz is down. Either way I get no communication, or I would not have taken the step of turning to you.
I don’t get why he doesn’t just simply communicate. It’s easy and far less trouble in the end.
X TO ME:
I have no idea what’s going on with you two, and he’s being kind of tight-lipped about it. He claimed he did nothing to obstruct your view of the site, and was pissed at the accusation.
ME TO X
I’m blocked from both ROD *and* the buzz.
What else was I supposed to think? I mean who else can do that?
But I keep saying I will let it go with you. Sry to drag you in…honestly.
BOB TO ME VERY LATE ON THE 28TH.
I have been out of town without access to my email and I come home to see this? You calling me a dick?
Guess what.. I was looking at your IP to compare to a new member from your area to see if it was you (not that I cared)
I didnt do jack shit to you.. Your own mods could check to see if you were banned or not but you elected to call me a dick.
Nice move.
ME TO BOB
I am nevertheless blocked from 2 sites, with only one conclusion to draw. You would do the same and in fact it would be strange if you didn’t draw that conclusion if you were in my position. No mod on the board has the power to ban anyone, remember? There is no ban function for the mods to use. And of course a ban and a block are not the same thing.
I never even figured out why I was blocked from ROD a while back, let alone unblocked.
.
And yes, blocking someone without an explanation or raising issues if you have them? You should be more direct and open. If you have issues, raise and settle them. There’s nothing wrong with directness and honesty–in fact it’s always the best way.When it comes to having a board, I only ever wanted to act for the good of a particular, valuable, longstanding community.
You have the power to fix this…we both know that. Whatever issues you have, raise them, and trust me to be reasonable about them.
ME TO BOB, FOLLOW-UP
Oh, and…Bob. I would never create a fake handle to join a site. So even if you did check for that, doing that is a waste of time.
X TO ME (SINCE I COULDN’T SEE THE SITE I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT WAS TAKEN DOWN)
Your site is apparently gone now. A 404 error means it’s not even on the server anymore and the domain name is gone.
ME TO X
He must have just not wanted to have 2 sites.
Shrug.
znModeratorI moved posts so they will be out of order.
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znModeratorYou know, RamBill, I think in all the rush and hectic-ness of getting things up and running, I neglected to welcome you to the board.
Welcome to the board!
Have some cake.
znModeratorEvery NFL Team’s Riskiest Move So Far This Offseason
St. Louis Rams: Sticking with QB Sam Bradford
In his four seasons as the starter in St. Louis, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has failed to impress.
He holds a career record of 18-30-1 and has missed 15 games due to injury, including nine last season after tearing his ACL.
So it registered as at least a mild surprise that general manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher not only brought Bradford back for a fifth season, but declined to bring in any legitimate competition for his job.
The Rams play in the rough-and-tumble NFC West, and if they are to ascend to the level of Seattle and San Francisco, Bradford must elevate his own level of play, and that appears to be a long shot given his past history.
St. Louis could have hit the reset button in the draft and selected a quarterback (Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel?), but they opted to stick with Bradford. It’s a decision that could end up biting them in both 2014 and beyond.
znModeratorBAILEY, RUNNING ROUTES IN OKLAHOMA.
#Routes… Another day another $$$ just a little work with Sammy B
A video posted by Stedman Bailey (@iamsbxii) on
July 9, 2014 at 10:26 pm in reply to: from the archive: long radio interview with Fisher, June 19 #1334znModeratorJeff Fisher Segment 1: https://cbsstlouis.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/6-17-las-seg-1-jeff-fisher.wav
Thanks I will edit that in to the OP.
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znModeratorYou are probably too young to remember Combat.
I wonder why there were no shows about World War I.
Just stuff about WWII.w
vI remember Combat. Watched it religiously when young. I still remember the episode where Vic Morrow breaks down.
45:24 in. A young a young very french girl just wanted to be a nurse and ends up getting killed.
znModeratorThe article mentions Bailey, Austin, and Kendricks
RFIP
Quick was in the photo I posted yesterday along with Kendrick’s, tavon, sted and harkey. No Britt or Pettis, at least in the photo.
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znModeratorWonder if Britt and Quick are going to be there
So far…have not heard anything about anyone else being there.
Me in blue: question answered.
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Rams gathering for Sam Bradford’s annual workout programBy Ryan Van Bibber
Jul 9 2014St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford is holding his annual summer workout program with his teammates, receivers and tight ends as far as we can tell, at the University of Oklahoma this week. How do we know this? Because they’re talking about it on social media, where sharing stories of rising and grinding is essential.
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The article mentions Bailey, Austin, and Kendricks.
,
July 9, 2014 at 8:35 pm in reply to: from the archive: long radio interview with Fisher, June 19 #1314znModeratorRams43
An excellent listen for all who have the time.
You will gain insights into Jeff Fisher that you are unlikely to be expecting.
Well worth the time spent, I promise you.
znModeratorWonder if Britt and Quick are going to be there
So far…have not heard anything about anyone else being there.
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July 9, 2014 at 4:37 pm in reply to: Rams attend workout for defensive lineman entering supplemental draft #1297znModeratorI have seen this kind of thing before though I don’t remember names. Heavy beast DT with great numbers ends up as a UDFA or in this case in the supplemental draft.
Before, what killed the guy or 2 I am thinking of was stamina.
It was one thing to make it through a workout. It was another to make it through an NFL practice.
…
znModeratorI’d say it has possibilities. Spruce it up a bit, maybe some curtains over there and a new rug by the fire place. Ok, yeah, sign me up!
It’s the I-man! Welcome aboard. I was thinking for a color scheme, we needed bold tans and blacks and aggressive orange.
znModeratorCan we still say “fuck” here? If so, I’m in. People might say I’m vulgar, but that is a load of god-damn dick-beating fucking bullshit. Ok, got that out of my system. Nice digs.
Welcome aboard, Shakespeare. Would not be the same without you.
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znModeratorfrom NFL Analysis: Ranking offensive lines? Go figure
Frank Cooney
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-analysis-ranking-offensive-lines-165922207–nfl.html
ST. LOUIS RAMS
–OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters – LT Jake Long, LG Greg Robinson, C Scott Wells, RG Rodger Saffold, RT Joe Barksdale. Backups – G Davin Joseph, C Barrett Jones, C Tim Barnes, G Brandon Washington, T Mike Person, T Sean Hooey, C Demetrius Rhaney, T Mitchell Van Dyk, T Travis Bond, T Abasi Salimu.
Long’s health holds the key, especially at the start of the season. If he is ready coming back from ACL surgery, the unit is set. If not, the decision will be whether to slide the rookie Robinson to left tackle or move Saffold there. That would open a spot for Joseph, who was signed in the offseason after being released by Tampa Bay. There will also be an intriguing competition between Jones and Barnes. Jones is considered the heir apparent to Wells, but he wasn’t ready to play last season when Wells was injured, and Barnes got the nod. Barksdale is rarely talked about, but he continues to improve and was the only lineman to start all 16 games last season. Washington will also try to make a case for himself as a backup. Person and Hooey might battle for a backup tackle spot, although in the expected lineup, guards Robinson and Saffold could be the backups at tackle. Rookies Rhaney and Van Dyk have potential, but are probably headed to the practice squad.
znModeratorI am always optimistic till the bullets are flying (then I become more of just a hopeful realist). It all just seems natural to me. Just the way I see stuff.
But it’s qualified. For one thing I don’t do predictions…over the years, even I have learned that the most powerful thing in the world of predictions is the unpredictable
…and that (surprise!) you learn about the unpredictable after the fact. “There’s always the unexpected isn’t there.” Rams fans optimism to me just means you can see reasonable grounds for expecting the team to be good or better than it was.
So what do I think those grounds are this time?
* Coaches. Unlike many I like Schott. That’s a whole separate discussion in itself. Waufle and Boudreau are beyond compare. Fisher will field a fiesty group. Wms. really does improve defenses.
* Secondary. They were painfully young and probably misused. Wms will get the best out of them. Or I see him as capable of that, anyway.
* Front 7. This is a new era in Rams football, where the DL (and to an extent LBs) take the lead in determining games. Greatest Sacks on Turf.
* OL. If everyone is healthy, the OL has the potential to be absolutely first-rate. It has the depth to be good enough anyway, even with major injuries (though as I keep saying, past a certain point OL injuries just take a toll.) Really, I think the worst case scenario (barring catastrophic multiple injuries, something sadly enough a Rams fan can’t rule out….)
* TEs, WRs. Some good things there (Kendricks, Austin, maybe Bailey) but this is more a case where the coaches have to manufacture it out of scattered raw parts. So, it’s up to the coaches to weekly invent new ways to get something out of these guys, depending on the opponent. Obviously it would be better if they had a consistent, productive “The Guy” type guy to work with.
* QB. Based on my own quirky way of doing this, I think Bradford has already made it as a tier 2 qb. I base that on his production under Fisher when the Rams had both a reasonably healthy OL and a running threat. IMO if he doesn’t continue at that level, he has regressed.
* RBs. Not sure if they have a 16 game stud, but, they have lottsa guys who can run the ball. (I don’t know about Stacy for 16 games.)
* special teams. Best in the league.
Now what do I PREDICT based on that? I don;t know. When was the last time a young team emerged in a “best division in football” it shared with 2 consecutive conference champs? I am sure it has happened, but those are stern odds. Given that, there ARE reasonable grounds for optimism, but it’s also a young team with quite a few units in transition.
BUT. If a few of the things I think are good hold up, they should be better immediately.
I do NOT have a “3 year thing” though. I think Fisher has more than 3 years…he looks to me to be Stan’s Guy for the long haul.
Am I trying to have it both ways? Hopefully, yes. The realist in me sees how tough the situation is, and I am patient with that. The optimist in me sees plenty of places where they will be anywhere from good enough to exceptional.
I do think a team that can massacre three division winners with Clemens at qb (like they did last year)is on the rise.
,,,
znModeratorI am not on the Bennie Cunningham bandwagon myself.
On a good team, i think a guy like BC should be the third RB.
And thats what i expect this year. Stacy, Tre, BC.If the coaching staff agreed that BC was ‘special’ then
they wouldn’t have drafted Tre. Right?
RBs arent that hard to evaluate, so
i would think they know what they are doing.w
vYou’re talking about this piece, right?
http://www.rams-news.com/rb-benny-cunningham-the-rams-forgotten-man-tst/ RB Benny Cunningham, the Rams’ Forgotten Man –TST
For the second year in a row, Benny Cunningham finds himself lost in the shuffle. Entering the NFL as a knee rehabbing, undrafted free agent, from little MTSU, it was understandable.The writer makes big claims for how good he is and how we just haven’t seen it yet. I don’t know what that’s based on, though at the same time if BC shows up this summer and shines, that would be fine with me. Maybe he is better after mending his knee…that’s the same injury (patellar) Joseph had, and it can take a while to get back to a former high level of play with that injury.
Conveniently, every draft Mike Franke summarizes what is out there about a draft pick or UDFA. Here he is on Cunningham.
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http://ramview.blogspot.com/2013/07/rookie-free-agent-preview-benny.html
Sources: NFLDraftScout, ESPN.com, Middle Tennessee State University athletics, IndianapolisColts.com, CBS Sports, The Rookie Scouting Portfolio blog, Steeler Fury, YouTube
Injuries:
2012: season-ending injury (torn patellar tendon) in October, missed the final seven games. Had a second procedure in March 2013 (performed by Dr. James Andrews) but was said to be well ahead of schedule on his rehab. Appeared to be participating in full in Rams 2013 OTAs.
2011: missed four games and most of a fifth due to a broken foot.Pro day results: could only bench press at MTSU’s pro day due to knee injury. Did 26 reps; RBs averaged 20 at the Combine. He held a private workout that was (reportedly) attended only by the Rams and the Titans. College bio says he was timed at 4.39 in high school. NFLDraftCountdown estimates him at 4.60, which was the average 40 time for RBs at the Combine.
Positives: Very physical one-cut runner who gets up to speed quickly and runs with excellent pad level. Instinctive with excellent feet. Attacks the defense and knows how to gain extra yards. Consistently gets his shoulder into defenders and breaks tackles. Strong interior runner, you’re not going to arm-tackle him. Good cutback runner, reads the field well. Operates well in traffic. Does decent job getting small in the hole. Strong leg drive after initial contact. Excellent second gear when he gets into the open field. Excellent to elite acceleration. Can bounce plays outside. Ran a lot out of shotgun, which figures to be a staple in the Ram offense this season. [zn note: ah, the 2013 pre-season idea of what the offense would be] Effective goal line runner for his size. Willing blocker. Never quits on a play. Clean as a whistle off the field.
Negatives: Doesn’t have an elusive running style and doesn’t show a lot of moves. Needs to be more secure with the ball when he does put on a move; exposes himself to fumble trouble. Could be prone to penalties because league is cracking down on RBs leading with their helmets. Needs to improve in blitz protection; misses too many assignments, looks uncertain or disinterested at times. Questionable hands as a receiver. Doesn’t seem to adjust well to poor throws. Looks small, not thick in lower body. Not completely surprising he’s been injured as much as he has.
Compares to: Alfred Morris is also a popular comparison.
Fun Facts: Had Benny played all of 2012 at the statistical pace of his first five games, he would have rushed for 1,440 yards and 26 TD, very favorably comparable with high-drafted running backs Montee Ball (1,822 and 22), Le’Veon Bell (1,793 and 12) and Eddie Lacy (1,322 and 17). Marcus Lattimore had 662 yards and 11 TDs before he got hurt, with 45 carries more than Cunningham.
RamView: Cunningham’s status bears monitoring when training camp opens (yes!) next Thursday. Coming off the patella injury, odds have seemed good that the Rams will “redshirt” him this year. He didn’t have to sit out OTAs, though, and if he is able to go in camp, his quickness and tough running style fit wonderfully into what the Rams have going in the rest of their RB corps.
znModerator…..”Of course, Fisher wouldn’t have needed to rush Walton into service if he hadn’t been stiffed by Rob Ryan, whose surprise resignation last January — ….. ”
I have read this in a couple of articles. I just wonder why they think that Ryan stiffed Fisher? Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fan of Ryan. But, how do we know that Fisher wasn’t part of the issue? Maybe Ryan didn’t want to be a YES man? Maybe Fisher wasn’t going to give him full control of the defense? Maybe there’s some details I missed originally?
We really do have both sides of the story, though that doesn’t mean we have the whole story. “Stiffed” is an interpretation. A narrative spin. Reportedly, once Ryan sat down with the defensive coaches he saw that they were not fits with one another.
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/12/new_orleans_saints_defensive_c_50.html
The league officially reinstated Payton on Jan. 22. Payton made his way to Mobile, Ala., to meet with his staff at the Senior Bowl on Jan. 23. Payton fired Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator Jan. 24.“I’m not sure when that move was made, but absolutely, you know, this (the Saints) was a job I wanted,” Ryan said Friday.
Meanwhile, Ryan accepted the defensive coordinator position to work under Jeff Fisher with the Rams and the news broke Jan. 25. Ryan then balked at the Rams’ job and the team released the news of Ryan’s departure Jan. 29.
“Getting fired in Dallas was a shock to my system, and I was a little pissed off,” Ryan said. “I took a job with the Rams and hadn’t had anything signed and then just from being there and finding out the direction of how they wanted to do things, it was my obligation not only to me but to them to just walk away and look for something different.”
Ryan added: “I’ve been in the business long enough to … You know, I’d moved my family … What really came into my decision was this was going to be my fourth stop in five years. So, whatever it was, to me I wanted the perfect situation. I wanted to coach a defense that I’m an expert at, and I know I’m damn good. But I want to do the best job I could do. I was tired of moving around every single year, every two years, and …
“In this business you have to be fully in. You’re either all the way in or not. For me, hell, I’m an all-the-way-in coach. No one’s going to work longer than I do. I’m going to prepare as hard as I can, and with that situation, it was just I don’t think I can fully commit to something that wasn’t exactly what I believe in, despite having great people in the building.”
“The scheme fit (in St. Louis) was more of a 4-3,” Ryan said. “I just didn’t get the right vibe and I thought to myself I was already mad about the Dallas situation, and you know what, this is the best thing to do for me to do and for them, for me to walk away, wait for the perfect opportunity to come because I knew I was going to get one.
“Wherever it was going to be, I was going to get one because I believe in myself, then, hell, whatever it was, one week, two weeks later, I got the call to come interview here [ie. New Orleans] and this is the situation I was dreaming of.”
Fisher said earlier this week Ryan “made a commitment” to coaching the Rams, but didn’t have any hard feelings with Ryan’s decision to leave.
July 8, 2014 at 9:19 pm in reply to: Rams attend workout for defensive lineman entering supplemental draft #1233znModeratordid anyone find any official numbers posted from the workout?
Me in blue. The 47 reps was at a private workout.
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http://espn.go.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/6263/eagles-attend-workout-for-lakendrick-ross
Ross apparently put up some big numbers at his workout. Talbot report that he ran a 1.81 unofficial 10 yard split, and had a wing span of 83.5 inches. There will be an official list of players eligible for this year’s supplemental draft, and I’ll get something together with them before the draft.
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Here’s another bit but it;s from a poster on another team’s site who does not give a source:
Ross weighed in at 360 pounds and looked amazing. The NFL scouts were flocking around the physical specimen while he ran his 40 yard dash as well as did positional drills.
Ross weighed in at 366 pounds and measured in at 6’4.
He had a 83.5 wing span.
Ran a 1.81 unofficial 10 yard split, and one scout said he timed him from a 5.4 to 5.5.
July 8, 2014 at 8:43 pm in reply to: Rams attend workout for defensive lineman entering supplemental draft #1226znModeratorwell that sounds like a load of bs. not buying it.
Well, okay. But…why would that many teams attend a workout?
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