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znModeratorAlso, Abel was a “keeper of flocks” i.e., a sheep fucker. No children. No human race. No overpopulation. Problem solved.
I don’t think you can genuinely do all that. I mean, near as I know, retroactive species cleansing is not really possible.
If it were…no John Shaw. Is all I’m sayin.
znModerator(Could we please stop pretending that the Rams would have gone on some dynamic, unstoppable run with a healthy Bradford at QB?)
Nittany’s right. Yeah cause what everyone said and believed was that they would go on an UNSTOPPABLE RUN.
Actually what most people asserted was that they would be better. Better, at any rate, than a team that starting 2 back-up qbs including one who got benched and then later cut.
And of course there’s the great neglected theme of all Rams discussions. The OL was a mess starting in training camp (with both Long and Wells missing time). Then got worse when Long went out, GR shifted his green on the job training self to LOT, Wells and Saffold both played hurt, and they had to start Joseph.
Given all that it is actually reasonable to say they would have done better if the starting qb
znModeratorfrom off the net
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aeneas1
this isn’t a bad offense, personnel wise, certainly not bottom of the barrel bad, yet that’s where the offense currently is, bottom of the barrel…
but guess who currently ranks 1st in average yards gained on 1st down? that’s right, the rams. not only do the rams rank 1st in average yards gained on 1st down, but they also rank 1st in average pass yards gained on 1st down, and 1st in average rush yards gained on 1st down, so the rams clearly have the ability to move the ball…
then the wheels come off on 2nd downs… the rams rank 32nd, dead last, in average yards gained on 2nd down, dead last in average pass yards gained on 2nd down, and 27th in average rush yards gained on 2nd down. the 2nd down fall of is so steep that the rams rank 30th in average distance to go on 3rd downs…
interestingly foles’ 1st and 2nd down numbers are very similar – his completion rate is 62.5 and 63.0% respectively, while his qb rating is 86.8 and 92.3 respectively. however there is a huge difference in his average yards per attempt, his 1st down average is more than twice as much as his 2nd down average – his first down average ranks 1st in the league, his 2nd down average ranks 32nd, dead last.
one explanation for the difference in average yards per pass attempt could be the element of of surprise, i.e. play action – the rams have passed the ball just 34% of the time on 1st down, teams expect run, which has made them susceptible to play action. conversely the rams have passed the ball 62% of the time on 2nd down. this also probably helps explain why foles has been sacked just once on 41 dropbacks on 1st down pass plays vs 6 times on 52 dropbacks on 2nd down pass plays.
October 25, 2015 at 1:18 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32850znModerator7 things to watch: Rams vs. Browns
Jim ThomasThe Rams are facing QB Josh McCown for the third year in a row but he’s been in a different uniform every time. In 2013, it was Chicago; last season, Tampa Bay; and now, Cleveland. McCown is extremely competitive. He will stand in the pocket and take hits, avoid sliding on scrambles to get the extra yard, and take chances with throws. If the Rams get consistent pressure, “Bad Josh” will make some ill-advised decisions. But give him time and “Good Josh” can shred defenses. Just ask Baltimore.
WHO IS THIS GUY?
Unless you’re a fan of the reality television show “Total Divas,” you probably didn’t know who Gary Barnidge was until this season. On the TV show, Barnidge dated a couple of WWE Divas in 2014. On the football field, he’s putting up Gronkowski-like numbers at tight end, with 27 catches for 413 yards and five TDs. He’s the first Browns TE with at least one TD catch in four consecutive games since Ozzie Newsome in 1981. Barnidge never had more than 13 catches or two TDs in any of his six previous NFL seasons.
TRACKING TRAVIS
It was supposed to be the Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline Show at WR for Cleveland. But both free-agent pickups have been major disappointments. Bowe, who had three 1,000-yard seasons for Kansas City, has been inactive in four games and doesn’t have a catch. Hartline has only nine receptions. Filling the void has been unheralded Travis Benjamin, a fourth-round pick in 2012 who never had more than 18 catches or 314 yards in any of his three previous seasons. The speedster already has 31 for 528 and four TDs in 2015.
BY COMMITTEE
The plan was for Cleveland to be a “run-first” offense, but that hasn’t been the case. The team ranks 25th in rushing offense, and has used Isaiah Crowell, rookie Duke Johnson Jr., and now Robert Turbin at RB. Keep an eye on Johnson catching passes out of the backfield — he’s third on the team with 24 catches. After three seasons backing up Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Turbin was claimed off waivers by the Browns on Sept. 10. Turbin’s a power runner who made his season debut last week vs. Denver after an ankle injury.
LINE DANCING
Four of the top six players on Cleveland’s offensive line are either first- or second-round picks, so the Browns have invested in this unit. More mobile than straight-ahead blockers, the group has been better in pass protection than run-blocking. One of the day’s best matchups pits LT Joe Thomas, an eight-time Pro Bowler, against Rams DE Robert Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowler. Starting LG Joel Bitonio paid a “top 30” pre-draft visit to the Rams in 2014. Starting RG John Greco was a Rams third-round draft pick back in 2008.
ON THE BACK END
Cleveland boasts three Pro Bowlers in its secondary, but two of them probably won’t play against the Rams. CB Joe Haden (concussion/finger) was ruled out Friday; FS Tashaun Gipson (ankle) is doubtful after missing the Browns’ two previous games. But this unit has pretty good depth, and Broncos receivers weren’t running free all over the place last week. Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir (Francis Howell Central) played well in place of Haden last week and is expected to start in his hometown Sunday.
FAMILIAR FOE
Less than two weeks shy of his 34th birthday, LB Karlos Dansby is still making plays. He had two interceptions of Peyton Manning last week, returning one 35 yards for a TD midway through the fourth quarter. Dansby leads the Browns in tackles (46) this season, and leads all active NFL linebackers in career interceptions (18) and career INTs returned for touchdown (five). This marks his 15th start against the Rams, with 13 of them coming during the seven seasons he played for NFC West rival Arizona.
October 25, 2015 at 12:20 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32849znModeratorAre the Rams (finally) ready to roll?
Jim Thomas
It was duly noted at Rams Park that the NFC West standings have tightened up. Since the last time the Rams played a football game, all three rivals in the West have lost.
Coach Jeff Fisher also pointed out to his players that in seven games over the Rams’ bye weekend, the outcome was decided by a touchdown or less.
The moral of the story?
“Really it’s up for grabs right now,” tight end Cory Harkey said. “So we need to figure out a way to just take it and run with it.”
Funny, there’s about 20 other NFL teams that feel the exact same way. Every year in the league, there are about a half-dozen teams clearly better than everybody else. And maybe a half-dozen team that are clearly worse than everyone else.
And in between — the great middle class. As the NFL enters its seventh week and November beckons, there are a ton of teams hovering around .500, give or take a game or two.
“Just struggling to find their identity, and really just looking to stack games and get on a roll,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “And you can either stack games and get on a roll, or you can lose multiple games and start to sink.”
And so here come the Rams, fresh off their bye week at 2-3, having gone through a crucible of contending teams, high-powered offenses, and marquee quarterbacks.
But their schedule now lightens up noticeably, with their next five opponents a combined 10-20. Six of their next nine contests take place at the Edward Jones Dome, starting with Sunday’s noon kickoff against the Cleveland Browns (2-4).
Stack or sink? What’s it gonna be?
“I really feel we’re at a breaking point right now,” Laurinaitis said. “We’re at one of those moments where it’s let’s go out there, let’s get our stuff together, let’s play good, consistent football and see if we can stack a couple together.”
“Exactly,” Harkey added. “We just need to get one. Put two together. Put three together.”
Combine the more favorable schedule with the fact that the NFC West appears less formidable in 2015, and well, opportunity is knocking. Are the Rams listening? Are they capable of answering the door?
Let’s face it, the Rams have been at similar junctures during the Fisher regime, only to disappoint a fan base aching for a taste of success. What was once referred to as the Lost Decade is now the Lost Decade-Plus.
No playoff berths since the 2004 season. Nary a winning record since 2003. (The Rams last made the postseason as an 8-8 wild card in ’04.)
But now, in Year 4 with Fisher as head coach and Les Snead as general manager, the Rams have to feel like they are capable of making a run in the NFC West, and a run at the postseason.
“I think everybody knows and feels it,” Harkey said.
“I think that’s something we’ve never lost sight of,” tight end Jared Cook said. “That’s something that’s been the goal ever since we stepped on the field during camp. And it’s something that’s gonna continue to be the goal as we take each week head on. And the next team is the Browns.”
Funny thing about the Browns. They’re probably thinking the same thing. They’ve had only one winning record since 2002. Until last season, they had gone six consecutive seasons without winning more than five games.
Under new head coach Mike Pettine, they started 7-4 last season … only to lose their final five contests. This year, three of their four losses have been by seven points or fewer, including last week’s excruciating 26-23 overtime loss to unbeaten Denver.
At face value, they seem oh-so-close to escaping the great middle class, and as Laurinaitis puts it, stacking some wins.
“You can see it falling into place,” Fisher says of the Browns. “This is a legit team that’s playing in a very difficult division and has played three consecutive 3-point games.
“They’ve lost two (of those games) and they won one, so it doesn’t take a lot to convince your team about the opponent that you’re facing.”
Two weeks ago, the Browns rallied from a 21-9 third-quarter deficit to win a 33-30 overtime game at Baltimore. With journeyman quarterback Josh McCown throwing for a franchise-record 457 yards, it marked only the second time the Browns have defeated Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in 15 tries.
It looked very much like one of those launching-pad games but the Browns couldn’t quite pull it off last week against a vulnerable Denver team.
“Knowing some of the guys on their team, they’re fighting to figure out what they are,” Laurinaitis said. “But they’re close. Not too dissimilar from us.”
It would be totally understandable if the Browns viewed the Rams as an inconsistent team that hasn’t been able to get much going on offense, even with rookie running back Todd Gurley bursting onto the scene lately.
Jump out early on the Rams, and things could go Cleveland’s way in a building where there figures to be thousands of empty seats, and thus not much of a home-field advantage.
In fact, the Browns could be viewing the Rams as the easy part of their schedule.
Like many of the Rams, Laurinaitis has been diligently ignoring talk about a softer schedule.
“I’ve been on one of those teams early in my career here where we were the ‘quote-unquote’ easy part of the schedule,” Laurinaitis said. “And New Orleans came to town (in 2011) and we whooped them.
“I’ve been on that side of that. So as a team, we can’t think about, ‘Thank goodness we’re past the tough part of our schedule.’ This is the NFL. Every Sunday’s tough. And from what I’ve seen on film with the Browns, this team, if we don’t bring our ‘A’ game, they will come into town and whoop us.”
October 24, 2015 at 4:23 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32843znModeratorRams’ must fare well in red zone to beat Browns
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writerhttp://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/22702/rams-must-fare-well-in-red-zone-to-beat-browns
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Here are three things to watch for the Rams to come away with a win:
1. Ruling the red zone: In the Rams’ win against the Arizona Cardinals earlier this season, they were able to hang on for a win largely because of their ability to stand tall when the Cardinals offense got inside their 20. As Arizona settled for field goals, the Rams managed enough touchdown to escape with a victory. In order to beat Cleveland, the Rams will need to continue that ability to limit teams to three points but also get some improvement when they get close to the Browns’ end zone.
Entering Sunday’s game, the Browns have scored a touchdown on just seven of their 19 red zone trips. That’s second-worst in the league and should be a good sign for the bend but don’t break Rams defense.
Josh McCown and the Browns are scoring a touchdown at a rate of about once out of three trips to the red zone. Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Rams haven’t been all that good in their own right when driving deep into opponent territory. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Rams have had just five drives reach goal-to-go situations. On those five trips, they’ve managed only a touchdown and a field goal with quarterback Nick Foles completing none of his five pass attempts with two going for interceptions. It’s been enough of a struggle for the Rams to get down there but when they do, they must start scoring points, particularly touchdowns.2. Getting after McCown: It’s a known fact that the Rams defensive success relies greatly on getting after all quarterbacks but it might be even more true this week against Cleveland’s Josh McCown, especially on third down. McCown is first in the league in passing yards (616), passer rating (127.6) and completion percentage (71.7 percent) amongst quarterbacks who have started all of his team’s games.
That means McCown has a knack for keeping the Browns on the field even in the face of pressure on third down. But McCown can also be had by the pass rush. Opposing defenses have sacked McCown at least four times in each of Cleveland’s previous four games this season. The Rams are tied for the third-most sacks in the NFL so far this season with 19.
But Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to have to pick and choose his spots when it comes to blitzing. The Rams have the third-highest blitz percentage in the NFL at a rate of 42 percent of drop backs. That could be asking for trouble against McCown, who has six touchdowns and only one interception when blitzed so far this season.
Without Chris Long and with Robert Quinn missing time because of a knee issue this week, the onus falls on the front four to generate pressure. The Rams have the talent to do it but will need contributions from backups like William Hayes and Eugene Sims to make it work.
3. Staying on the field: This has been a common refrain in this space this season but it remains a point of contention in the Rams’ plan until they prove they can do it consistently. The Rams average 1.35 points, 4.8 plays and 26 yards per possession, all of which ranks last in the NFL. Simply put, they haven’t been able to sustain drives and thus put points on the board on a regular basis.
Running back Todd Gurley has given them hope of an offensive breakthrough and against Cleveland’s 32nd ranked defense, the matchup appears favorable. However, one way for the Rams to sustain drives is to establish Gurley early. In his three games, he’s averaged just 2 yards per carry in the first quarter and 3.3 in the first half with the bulk of his success coming in the second half.
Getting Gurley rolling early should allow the Rams to establish a much-needed offensive rhythm.
October 24, 2015 at 1:25 pm in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32837znModeratorou seem to be very invested in the Rams not getting better at receiver?
Why?
I am a very longterm Ram fan going back to the days of Pat Ferragamo and Vince Haden and Deacon Youngblood.
I don’t like what you’re insinuating. I bleed Rams maroon and blue.
On the grave of Trent Warner, I swear my longterm diehard-ism.
There that good enough for you Mr. Insinuations?
October 24, 2015 at 1:20 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32836znModeratorfrom off the net
==
thehammer
when the Rams rush the passer they win when they don’t they lose….which is bad news this week. Thomas will dominate Quinn, Schwartz who shut out Von Miller will dominate Hayes and Westbrook? Greco, Bitonia and Mack will easily shut down Donald who has had 5 straight games of declining pff scores…
Cleveland’s an elite 3rd down team that features rb Duke Johnson, 2nd best receiving rb in last years draft, and te Barnridge…vs our poor covering lber’s and safeties….Rams are 27th in the league in pd even with that pass rush. have a hard time seeing the Rams holding Cleveland under 28 points
IMO game comes down to how many points do the Rams offense score…better be more then 28. Shelton will manhandle Barnes. Rams moved Garrett Reynolds to lg to help the hapless Robinson. Kirksey has the speed to get outside vs Gurley. Nate Orchard is getting more snaps over Kruger….like the Rams lot of young talent.
lot of bad matchups.BUT a home game after a bye week…a test of the coaching staff..good coaches will dominate opponents after the bye..especially in a home game. Fisher moved Reynolds to lg. We will see what other changes they made. IMO this game IS the season. Fisher and the Rams have to win to have any credibility
going forward…for the sack of argument lets say the feckless Rams win 31-28 to keep fans dreams alive BUT the end of all pro Fisher threads if they lose
October 24, 2015 at 11:07 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32834znModeratorEven if some guys do return to form getting another WR may not be a bad idea. As Cosell says somewhere below, the Rams receiving group is pretty average and they lack a true number one WR.
Except it looks better when Kendricks and Quick are performing, Cook gets his career average, and there’s pass protection.
(Career avg. on Cook isn’t good but he’s worse now. In 2013 it was 0.375 drops per game, in 2014 it was 0.3125 drops per game, in 2015 so far it’s 0.6 drops per game…his avg. has doubled over what it was the last 2 years.)
Cosell, remember, is not a Rams historian. Last year he didn’t complain about the receivers. This year, he doesn’t recall what he said last year about the Rams receivers, though. It’s a thing where recent impressions become more absolute.
I am not against getting a receiver, but I am interested in the fact that so many look worse than usual at the same time. Honestly, what are the odds that 4 WRs/TEs all show career worst problems all at the same time? What that suggests to me is that the problem may not be the players. There’s something else going on.
And I don’t have any idea what that could be, except that last time there was a drops epidemic involving several players was in 2011. New system and not feeling comfortable.
It may also be that catching passes from Foles in practices and in games isn’t the same, which hints at an adjustment period as they all get on the same page.
.
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October 24, 2015 at 10:39 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32831znModeratorMaybe draft a WR high next year?
Maybe sign a solid Vet WR ?Unless, as I suggested, a guy or 2 returns to form. For example, Kendricks led them in catch percentage for 3 straight years (2012-14). This recent drops thing is actually unusual for him.
There is not doom in EVERYTHING.
Sometimes, some stuff gets better.
.
October 24, 2015 at 1:32 am in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32820znModeratorI don’t think Bailey and Austin have any drops.
Correct. Bailey and Austin have no drops.
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October 24, 2015 at 1:23 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32819znModeratorWill Rams DBs press the issue vs. Cleveland?
Jim Thomas
Predating even the arrival of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams last season, the sight of Rams cornerbacks playing off coverage on opposing receivers in recent years has frequently driven fans and observers crazy.
The reasoning for the strategy is obvious. With a young secondary, the idea is to keep the play in front of you to avoid the big strike, the quick 60- or 70-yard touchdown pass.
But the more skilled and savvy quarterbacks around the NFL have been able to exploit the soft coverage by simply playing pitch and catch underneath and methodically picking the defense apart.
With that background in mind, it was eye-opening to see the Rams come out Oct. 11 at Lambeau Field and play press coverage against mighty Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Not on every play, mind you, but on the vast majority of plays there was Janoris Jenkins right in Ty Montgomery’s face at the line of scrimmage, or Lamarcus Joyner doing the same with Randall Cobb, or Trumaine Johnson getting face time with James Jones.
They were all trying to contest a free release off the line and disrupt the rhythm of the pass play.
“It worked a lot,” Jenkins said. “We took away some guys that we wanted to take away. Me and Tru, we had to hold up the outside by ourselves. And I feel like we did a pretty good job of that.”
“We were pretty successful,” Joyner said. “We looked at the film and thought that we could have success doing it, so we went with it.”
The Rams had seen enough of Rodgers on film, and in person in recent years, to know that if they sat back in coverage he would dissect them underneath. It would be a slow, painful death.
Coach Jeff Fisher liked what he saw of the press coverage in Green Bay.
“Yes, with the exception of two plays,” Fisher said. “But when you’re playing Aaron, he’s gonna find somebody. We had a slip, and then we had a technique error on the pick (play).”
Joyner slipped in coverage against Jones, with the result being a 65-yard touchdown catch and run. The technique error that Fisher referred to came when Johnson lost inside position, leaving Montgomery free on a 31-yard TD catch.
But those were the only two offensive TDs for Green Bay that day, and most opponents will take that against the Packers’ high-powered offense. Rodgers committed three turnovers and just about every pass he threw was contested.
“That was our philosophy, to go in and challenge them,” Fisher said. “Make them hold the football knowing that the risk, the down side of that, is that once (Rodgers) recognizes that … then he can escape.”
Press coverage can leave mobile quarterbacks with plenty of running room if the QB can escape the pocket. Rodgers ended up leading the Packers in rushing that day, but as Fisher pointed out: “I’d probably rather have Aaron running the football than throwing it.”
The even bigger down side, as evidenced in Green Bay, is that if the receiver escapes press coverage, it can lead to a big play if there’s no help from behind.
“You see how deep we play our safeties?” Williams said. “Deeper than anybody in the National Football League. That’s Rodney (McLeod)’s job and that’s T.J. (McDonald)’s job, whoever it is depending on our press alignments.
“When you press and when you’re very physical with press, you’ve got to have an ‘angel’ back there in the secondary. We call it the angel. The angel player has got to be out there to help you out.”
More specifically, the angel is the deep safety help, usually McLeod at free safety. McLeod took a bad angel, uh, angle, on the Jones TD; otherwise he might have been able to tackle Jones after a moderate gain. For the most part, Williams said McLeod has done “a phenomenal job” of playing the angel.
In a copycat league, Williams said other Packers opponents may try more press coverage given the Rams’ relative success. In fact, he indicated that was the case from San Diego, which played Green Bay last week while the Rams were on their bye.
What about Rams opponents, starting with Cleveland on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome? Should they expect more press from the Rams?
“Yeah, absolutely,” Browns quarterback Josh McCown said. “I think we’ll see press. I think it was effective for them, so we absolutely expect them to press. … We’ll have our hands full with that and what’s expected of us as far as that goes, and trying to get guys open and how disruptive it can be in the passing game.”
Cleveland’s top three wideouts are all smaller, quicker players, so it may be more difficult for Rams cornerbacks to get their hands on them. Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins, and Taylor Gabriel range in height from 5 feet 7 to 5-10 and in weight from 167 pounds to 180. But if you do get your hands on such smaller receivers, you can easily knock them off their routes.
But there’s no guarantee the Rams will stick with the heavy dose of press coverage. That’s because Williams’ game plans tend to change from week to week, from opponent to opponent.
“We pick and choose our times to (play press),” Williams said. “But we’re going to press parts of all ballgames, but some games more than others.”
Ask a cornerback, however, and almost invariably they’ll vote for press coverage.
“That’s what I love,” Jenkins said. “I like zone every now and then, but I like (press) man-to-man because I don’t like to play off that much. That’s just a pitch and catch as you look at the game.
“I hope we play it a whole lot. But at the same time, you’ve got to play within the scheme and stay within the defense. So whatever they call, I’m gonna be ready.”
znModeratorI didn’t see your Cosell was there. I took mine out. It is the law of the jungle–duplicates die.
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znModeratorHe’s played well and he’s vital to our success. He was very vital in this last ball game. And as you guys watch how he played on (Packers WR Randall) Cobb, wow. That’s a testament to getting it.
Williams on Joyner.
Just a bit I liked.
.
October 23, 2015 at 9:23 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32801znModeratorPractice Report 10/23
Myles Simmons
INJURY REPORT
The Rams had good news along much of the injury front with the final report on Friday.
While Quinn (knee) did not practice earlier in the week, he was a full participant on Friday and is listed as probable. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins has passed the concussion protocol, was a full participant in practice and is also listed as probable.
After sitting out earlier in the week, wide receiver Tavon Austin (thigh) was a limited participant on Friday and is listed as questionable. Tight end Lance Kendricks (hand) similarly did not practice earlier in the week, but was limited on Friday and is questionable.
Running back Tre Mason (ankle) did not practice all week and is questionable.
Chris Long (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday. Alec Ogletree (ankle) remains on the active roster, and has also been declared out.
ROSTER MOVE
With Mason questionable for Sunday, the Rams promoted running back Trey Watts to the active roster from the practice squad and waived safety Christian Bryant.
The Rams signed Watts as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa in 2014, and the running back was a major contributor on special teams last year. Prior to serving a four-game suspension to start the regular season, Watts flashed in the 2015 preseason. He rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries and had eight receptions for 58 yards in the four exhibition matchups.
FILLING IN FOR OGLETREE
The Rams will be without Ogletree for an extended period of time, and on Friday, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he was pleased with the way St. Louis filled in for the linebacker in Green Bay.
“We managed a lot of different personnel packages and managed a lot of different people through there and it worked out pretty good,” Williams said.
One of the players involved in the process is Mark Barron, who has been utilized both as a safety and linebacker within Williams’ scheme.
“We have 42 ways to add up to 11,” Williams said. “We have 42 packages of defense that we’ll trot 11 guys out there. We play the same kind of a defensive structure, but we have different people playing different spots. He fits in that very well. I’ve been real proud of him, too.”
And with Barron moving primarily to linebacker, Lamarcus Joyner has become all the more entrenched as the team’s nickel corner. Williams said Friday he’s proud of the Florida State product for how far he’s been able to come along over the last year.
“I’m so proud of his adapting to the National Football League and all of the sudden becoming a student of the game,” Williams said, adding he may have been a little hard on the defensive back last year. “He has reacted very well to that type of coaching and mentoring. I’m proud of him. I really am proud of him. He’s played well and he’s vital to our success. He was very vital in this last ball game. And as you guys watch how he played on [Packers wide receiver Randall] Cobb? Wow. That’s a testament to ‘getting it.’”
October 23, 2015 at 8:25 pm in reply to: catch percentage, drops, and other bad things from the dark side #32795znModeratorLooking just at drops now (not catch percentage)…Kendricks, Britt, and Cook all fell off from where they even were last year.
If even one of them steps back up, it gets better.
The positive thing is that they WERE better last year, there’s something there.
Just one example: drop percentage. The difference between 2014 and 2015 is just eye-catching bad.
Britt
2015, 9.1%
2014, 2.4%Cook
2015, 10.7%
2014, 5.1%Kendricks
2015, 14.3%
2104, 2.6%October 23, 2015 at 7:20 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32791znModeratorNo Excuses For Rams: It’s Now or Never
Bernie Miklasz
http://www.101sports.com/2015/10/23/no-excuses-for-rams-its-now-or-never/
Really, coach Jeff Fisher and the Rams are way, way overdue in putting together a winning stretch of football. There have been too many false starts for this regime, and I’m not talking about the usual jumpy offensive linemen and their penalties.
Every time the Rams win a game, you start to think that this will be it. Finally: the beginning of consistent, dependable, successful football and proof that they’re headed in a positive direction. And then … sigh … the Rams squander a game they should win and walk backwards again.
Well, the any reasonable degree of patience expired a long time ago. By the fourth season of the Fisher and GM Les Snead rebuilding project, the Rams should be more than just another mid-pack team, sitting there at 2-3. No one wants to hear about the youth of the team, or the inexperienced offensive line, or the injuries. If this is the NFL’s youngest team for the fourth year in a row, it’s because Fisher and Snead wanted it that way. If the young O-line gets overrun too often, that’s on Fisher-Snead for declining to put a more experienced group in charge of protecting quarterback Nick Foles. And injuries? Give me the name of one NFL team that hasn’t been damaged by injuries.
In his first 32 games as the Rams head coach, Fisher went 14-17-1, a winning percentage of .453 that ranked 20th in the NFL over the 2012-2013 seasons. Considering that he’d taken over a smashed pumpkin of a franchise that had lost 65 of the previous 80 games, Fisher’s first two seasons were respectable.
By Fisher’s third season, 2014, the Rams should have been on a more impressive trajectory. Yes, even with the knee injuries that put QB Sam Bradford out of action. (Could we please stop pretending that the Rams would have gone on some dynamic, unstoppable run with a healthy Bradford at QB?) Instead, since the start of the 2014 season the Rams are 8-13, a winning percentage of .381 that ranks tied for 25th in the league.
Let’s see:A .453 winning percentage in your first two seasons and 32 games.
And a .381 winning percentage over the next 21 games covering all of 2014 and the first five contests of ’15.When you rebuild a football team, isn’t it supposed to be getting better? I’ve only been covering the NFL since 1982, but that’s my understanding.
By Year Four whatever is supposed to be happening — winning streaks, division titles, a wild-card playoff spot, some postseason victories, and dare we say a conference championship or Super Bowl — should be happening. No one is asking Fisher to build the Great Pyramids here, so he doesn’t get 20+ years to complete the project.It’s time — no, it’s beyond time — for the Rams to win more than a football game or two per month.
I looked at the Fisher record on a individual monthly basis. Not counting the current month, the Rams have played 13 separate months of football with Fisher in charge. And they’ve had only three winning months out of 13. And each winning month came in a different season: the final month of 2012, November 2013 and Nov. 2014. That’s it. And each winning month was followed (naturally) by a losing month.
Fisher had a three-game winning streak late in his first season here, but hasn’t been able to repeat it. He’s had five mini-winning streaks — two games — since the start of the 2013 season.
Here’s the good news — well, at least on paper:
Home game vs. Cleveland.
Home game vs. San Francisco.
Road game at Minnesota.
Home game vs. Chicago.
Road game at Baltimore.There will be other invitations to string together wins later in the season, including consecutive home games that bring Detroit and Tampa Bay to St. Louis. But for now I just wanted to put the focus on the next five games, and not look too far into the distance. Because if the Rams stumble around and lose when they should win and fail to significantly take advantage of the next five games on their schedule, the rest of the season will be just another extension of 2012, 2013, 2014.
Cleveland, San Francisco, Minnesota, Chicago and Baltimore are a combined 10-20 this season.
A quick look at the next five opponents:
— Cleveland has a good offense but ranks 24th in points allowed and is the league’s worst defense at stopping the run, plundered for an average yield of 150 yards rushing per game. The Rams have a young line — but a massive line. The Rams also have the most exceptional and exciting Todd Gurley to give this offense a new identity. These people should be able to run block, right? They did it in junior league, high school and college football, correct? We’re not asking this O-line to split the atom; just split the Browns’ defensive front and give Gurley a cutback lane. This is Football 101, so I don’t want to hear a damned thing about how the Browns were doing this, doing that, making it difficult for the Rams to set Gurley free.
— San Francisco still puts a respectable defense on the field but the offense is last in the NFL in points per game (14.7) and 31st in yards per game. The ‘Niners have lost five of their last six games, getting outscored by 99 points in those five defeats. QB Colin Kaepernick is near the bottom of the league in passer rating. Jim Harbaugh is coaching Michigan. Frank Gore is running the ball for Indianapolis. Much of that once-ferocious defense has retired, been suspended, or splintered by free agency.
— Minnesota does have a winning record (3-2), and is 3-0 at home. But two of the home wins came against two of the league’s sorriest teams in 2015, Detroit and Kansas City. And while the Vikings have played very well defensively so far, their offense has sputtered — ranked 29th in points per game (19.2) and 30th in yards per game. If the Rams’ defense is as good as just about everybody says it is, then Gregg Williams’ wolf pack is surely capable of winning a game or two during this stretch if the Rams’ offense drifts and stalls.
— Chicago is 1-2 on the road, lost at Detroit, and fields a defense that ranks dead last in the league in points allowed (30 per game) and is 27th at stopping the run. Plus: Jay Cutler is the Bears’ quarterback and if Robert Quinn and his merry marauders can’t rattle Cutler then they should donate their game checks to charity.
— Baltimore is one of the biggest surprises of the season, but not in a way that delights my old bunkies in Bawlmer. The Ravens are 1-5 and have lost their teeth defensively, getting pushed around by opponents for an average of 27 points per game, which ranks 27th.
There’s another important aspect to this five-game stretch: the Fisher’s Rams need to collect wins away from the NFC West mosh pit. The Rams have been plenty tough against NFC West brethren Seattle, San Francisco and Arizona, going 9-10-1 with Fisher as coach. But outside the division, the Fisher record is 13-20-1.
That’s awful. That needs to change. Now. Four of the next five games will be played beyond the borders of the gates of the NFC West. If the Rams want to pull themselves out of mediocrity and become a winning team and a postseason presence, it’s time … it’s past time.
October 23, 2015 at 6:33 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32784znModeratorRams must solve riddle of unfamiliar opponents
Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/22733/rams-must-solve-riddle-of-unfamiliar-opponents
EARTH CITY, Mo. — To be sure, the St. Louis Rams’ record since Jeff Fisher arrived as head coach in 2012 is below average.
The Rams have yet to reach even a .500 record under Fisher, let alone find themselves in the mix for a playoff spot. But there’s also been a noticeable trend when it comes to how they perform against NFC West opponents and those from the league’s seven other divisions. Familiarity has bred more success when playing Arizona, Seattle and San Francisco than it has when facing an unfamiliar opponent.
When facing NFC West teams under Fisher, the Rams are 9-10-1, a winning percentage of .475. Against teams from the other seven divisions the Rams are 13-20, a winning percentage of .394. Taking a deeper dive, the only AFC division Fisher’s Rams has a winning record against — we won’t count the North, as they’ve only played one game against that division since 2012 — is the AFC South.
That should be no surprise, given Fisher’s familiarity with Jacksonville, Houston and Indianapolis from his time in Tennessee. Coincidentally, the only game the Rams lost when playing that division was the team Fisher knows best, the Titans. Of course, the Titans are also the team that knows Fisher the best.
Fisher’s Rams are 1-6 against the NFC North and 2-5 against the NFC East. They have, however, had some success against the NFC South with a 4-2 record.
The difference in-division vs. out is substantial enough for the Rams to take notice as they prepare to play this week’s opponent, the Cleveland Browns, for the first time under Fisher.
“I mean, the players understand the difference between the unfamiliar opponent vs. the familiar opponent and the extra time that’s involved,” Fisher said. “So they’re going to have to put the extra time in.”
By extra time, Fisher is referring to the game preparation that goes into facing an unfamiliar team.
When preparing for a Seattle or Arizona, most Rams can lean on the knowledge they’ve gained from previous meetings. They know tendencies of the teams and even individual players. So when they sit down to study film, they look for new wrinkles, but they have a pretty good working knowledge of what an opponent will do schematically.
For example, Seattle will probably play a lot of Cover 3 on defense and run a lot of outside zone rushing plays on offense. While that knowledge works both ways, it makes for less guesswork when it comes to preparation.
When a team like Cleveland comes to town, it can be easy to look at its 2-4 record and see a possible pushover, but the unknown aspect of what the Browns do means longer days in meeting rooms and watching film, especially for the coaching staff.
“It feels like there’s a lot that are 2-3, 3-2 right now and are still trying to find their identity and really just looking to stack games and get on a roll,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “You can either stack games and get on a roll or lose multiple games and start to sink. I really feel we are at a breaking point right now where we are at one of those moments — let’s go out there, get our stuff together, let’s play good, consistent football and see if we can stack a couple together. It starts week by week. I’m sure Cleveland is saying the exact same thing. That’s the reality of the state of both teams and it’s going to be a good matchup on Sunday.”
As the Rams prepare for Cleveland on Sunday, they at least have a few things working in their favor, things that mean there is no excuse for not being prepared to play the Browns.
First, the Rams are coming off their bye week, which means they had an extra week to pore over the tape and put together a solid game plan.
“What was unique for what we were doing is that our new schedule kind of fits very well with the bye-week schedule,” Fisher said. “We’re just doing the same things. Now coaches have had a lot of extra time, a lot more time from a game planning standpoint. But no, we’re not changing anything this week.”
The Rams also will be seeing a base 3-4 defense for the fourth consecutive game and while Cleveland runs that defense a bit different from the game-heavy Packers, for example, it’s still beneficial for the offense.
“It helps with different protections you’ve seen we’ve run,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “Just calls up front. Recognizing what they’re doing with their ‘backers and everything. Just going against that, we have some reps against it, so that will help us. At the same time, every week a team is going to show you something different that they haven’t shown before, so we’ve just got to be prepared for that.”
So far this season the Rams are 2-0 against NFC West foes and 0-3 in games against opponents from the AFC North, NFC East and NFC North. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence, but considering that an NFL schedule is comprised of 10 games against non-division opponents, it’s a coincidence that must come to an end if the Rams are going to make a push in 2015.
“I don’t think there’s anything there,” Foles said. “We just didn’t execute well in those games. Defense gave us opportunities to win the games we lost. We’ve just got to put more points on the board and stop hurting ourselves, really.”
znModeratorRobert Quinn, Tavon Austin probable for Sunday against Browns
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams have had some big names on their injury report all week but the news isn’t all bad as they head toward Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
Defensive end Robert Quinn (knee), receiver Tavon Austin (hamstring) and tight end Lance Kendricks (finger) all returned to practice in some capacity Friday and it looks like at least Quinn and Austin will be ready to go on Sunday.
Quinn and Austin are listed as probable on Friday’s injury report while Kendricks is considered questionable. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins cleared the concussion protocol and is also probable.
Here’s the full rundown of Friday’s injury report:
Out: DE Chris Long (knee), LB Alec Ogletree (ankle)
Questionable: TE Lance Kendricks (finger), RB Tre Mason (ankle)
Probable: DE Robert Quinn (knee), WR Tavon Austin (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion)
znModeratorRAMS DEFENSE, WEEK 7 BEFORE THE BROWNS GAME
Rankings relying on avgs. and percentages because teams haven’t played the same number of games so you can’t compare them straight up. Especially bad ones in red, especially good ones in blue.
AVG YARDS PER GAME: 10TH
AVG. YARDS PER PLAY: 7TH
3RD DOWN CONVERSION PERCENTAGE: 26TH
RUSHING YARDS PER GAME: 21ST
YARDS PER RUSH ATTEMPT: 20TH
COMPLETION PERCENTAGE: 31ST
PASSING YARDS PER GAME: 10th
YARDS PER PASS ATTEMPT: 11TH
AVG. OPPONENT PASSER RATING: 18TH
SACK PERCENTAGE: 3RD
INTERCEPTIONS PER GAME: 13TH
FUMBLE RECOVERIES PER GAME: 10TH
TAKEAWAYS PER GAME: 8TH
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME: 13TH
POINTS PER GAME BY OPPOSING OFFENSE ONLY: 9TH
REDZONE SCORING PERCENTAGE (TDS ONLY): 2ND
==========
AVG YARDS PER GAME: 10TH
POINTS PER GAME BY OPPOSING OFFENSE ONLY: 9TH
REDZONE SCORING PERCENTAGE (TDS ONLY): 2ND
Note: this is after facing 3 of the top 13 offenses in terms of yards per game (Arizona 5th, Green Bay 11th, Seattle 13th).
And also facing 3 of the top 10 offense in terms of points per game (Arizona 2nd, Green Bay 5th, Pittsburgh 8th)
October 23, 2015 at 2:10 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32766znModeratorMcCown’s in his 13th season?
I get all these guys confused: McCown, McCoy, Macduff, Macbeth. I thought they all came in the league around three years ago.
Macbeth was beheaded, though. So he really didn’t last that long.
October 23, 2015 at 1:40 am in reply to: A closer look at what could be next for Rams and Saffold #32764znModeratorRams update: 5-month recovery for Saffold after surgery
Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot…cle_c6d9d69e-ffec-5557-ad82-e076c7ecf201.html
Rams offensive lineman Rodger Saffold underwent surgery Wednesday in New York City to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
“Everything went well,” said Saffold’s agent, Alan Herman. “He feels fine. Unfortunately, he misses the season.”
Dr. Frank Cordasco of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York performed the surgery. Cordasco also performed surgery on Saffold’s left shoulder on Jan. 7.
Herman said the tear in Saffold’s right shoulder was more significant than the previous tear in his left shoulder, which is why both Rams doctors and Cordasco recommended surgery as a soon as possible for this latest injury.
Saffold played through the entire 2014 season with the injury to his left shoulder, wearing a harness. But the tear was such to the right shoulder that doctors felt Saffold couldn’t play with a harness this year, according to Herman, or at least play effectively.
Saffold should be healthy from this latest surgery in five months — or by mid March. He suffered the right shoulder injury blocking early in the team’s Oct. 11 game at Green Bay. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Garrett Reynolds.
October 23, 2015 at 1:30 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32763znModeratorRams, Browns QB McCown are familiar foes
Joe Lyons
For the third time in as many seasons — and with a third different team — Josh McCown will start against the Rams on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns visit the Edward Jones Dome for a noon kickoff.
In his 13th NFL season, the 36-year-old McCown completed 76.6 percent of his passes and threw for 352 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the visiting Chicago Bears in a 42-21 win for the fast-starting Rams in November of 2013. Last year, in a 19-17 Week 2 win for the Rams at Tampa Bay, he completed 76.2 passes for 179 yards with an interception.
“There’s a familiarity, obviously,” he said during a teleconference call with St. Louis media this week. “But every team is different from year to year. … What hasn’t changed is (Rams defensive end) Robert Quinn’s still there and he’s still very good. It’s just a very good defense, but it starts with him and his ability to be disruptive. Then (defensive tackle) Aaron Donald is just a really special player. (And) the linebackers and guys on the back end are good players as well.
“This is a very good defense, but we’re putting a plan together to go out and do the best we can and execute against them.”
McCown and the Browns are 2-4 coming off a frustrating 26-23 overtime loss at home to the 6-0 Denver Broncos. Following up on three of the best games of his career, McCown struggled at key times against the top-ranked Denver defense, completing 20 of 39 passes for 213 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He also lost a fumble on a sack that led to a Broncos field goal.
“The main thing is you have to put that one behind you, as much as it hurts and it’s disappointing,” he said. “You have to because if you don’t, one loss can become more than just that one loss.”
After losing 31-10 on the road to the New York Jets and beating Tennessee 28-14 at home, the Browns have come up short in three of four recent tight games, losing 27-20 to Oakland and 30-27 at San Diego before winning 33-30 in overtime at Baltimore the week before the OT loss to Denver.
In the three games leading up to the Denver contest, McCown was as hot as any quarterback in the league, completing 96 of his 141 passes (68.1 percent) for 1,154 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a score in the OT win over Baltimore, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors while becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 450 yards with two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions.
His 457 passing yards against the Ravens set a Browns franchise record.
“Your arm gets a little tired,” McCown kidded when asked how it feels to throw for 457 yards. “It was a fun day and you don’t ever plan on things going that way. … It was a fun day because we got the win, first and foremost, and doing it through the air from a quarterback’s perspective makes it even sweeter.”
Drafted out of Sam Houston State by Arizona in the third round of the 2002 draft, McCown played for the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Panthers, Bears and Buccaneers before signing a three-year deal with Cleveland in March.
“Guys I know who’ve coached Josh rave about him,” Browns head coach Mike Pettine said. “Raved about him as a person, about him as a player, his professionalism. That this is a guy that, even though he’s so many years in the league, that he’s not a lot of years as “The Guy,” the starter. … I made the joke that he was like a car that’s been kept in the garage by a little old lady who just drove it to church on Sundays.
“Just not a lot of game reps, but when he’s been given the opportunity and the supporting cast and the scheme was right around him that he could be a good NFL quarterback. And he’s proven that. When we’ve played well around him, he’s shown he can move the football and score points.”
McCown, who was released by Tampa Bay in February, said Cleveland has been a good fit.
“I think what (Pettine) and (offensive coordinator) John DeFilippo, what they wanted to do offensively … matched my skillset,” the 6-foot-4, 218-pound McCown said. “‘Flip’ and I had worked together in Oakland, so I thought the familiarity was big. Then, obviously, the offensive line was a big draw for me.”
Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis feels getting to McCown early could be a key to Sunday’s game.
“If he gets hot early and feels comfortable, you know, he’ll put 400 on you. That’s what happened in the Ravens’ game,” the Rams’ career tackles leader said. “He’s a savvy vet (and) I think they’ve got a solid O-line. … You know what (McCown) is about. He’s athletic, you see on tape that he can make guys miss, that he’ll float around the pocket and he can pick up first downs with his legs. When he’s on, when he’s feeling it, when he’s in the rhythm, he’s got a very good arm.
“It’s all about how we start this game. Are we going to let him feel comfortable and safe in the pocket or are we going to try to disrupt him, get him to throw and make bad decisions? And that’s what we’ve been trying to focus on. The way you do that is you try to shut down the run game and put them in passing situations and really attack him there.”
znModerator2016 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/03/nfl-draft-2016-big-board-joey-bosa-jalen-ramsey
1
JOEY BOSA, DE
Junior, Ohio State
Probably wise to tone down any J.J. Watt comparisons, even if Bosa heads into the 2015 as a near-unanimous choice to be the 2016 draft’s top prospect. Watt’s name gets mentioned in Bosa discussions because the Buckeyes junior can win with both raw strength and outstanding athleticism, a combo coveted but not always possessed by edge-rushing prospects. His one-week suspension should not hurt him, provided he stays on course once he returns.2
JALEN RAMSEY, CB/S
Junior, Florida State
The Seminoles’ head coach, Jimbo Fisher, told ESPN’s Joe Schad in July that Ramsey “can play safety but is an NFL cornerback.” Don’t be surprised if NFL scouts view Ramsey the other way around, as a safety first. He has star potential either way, featuring footwork to win outside and enough physical edge to drive down vs. the run.3
LAREMY TUNSIL, OT
Junior, Ole Miss
A tumultuous few months for Tunsil, who fractured his leg in Ole Miss’s bowl game and then was arrested over a domestic violence incident with his stepfather. Both situations are in the past, so assuming Tunsil is back to 100%, there might be nothing between him and a top-10 selection. The 6’5″ tackle moves well in all directions, especially when asked to drop as a pass blocker.4
DEFOREST BUCKNER, DE
Senior, Oregon
Won’t keep harping on it, but Buckner was more NFL-ready after the 2014 season than his former teammate and current 49ers rookie Arik Armstead. The 6’7″, 290-pounder would be a dream for an NFL defensive coordinator wanting to beef up a hybrid front.5
EZEKIEL ELLIOT, RB
Junior, Ohio State
This may be as high as a running back climbs all year (and, again, a reminder that the Big Boards are talent rankings). Elliott is the best of the potential 2016 class at that position by a substantial margin. There is not a back in college football more adept at setting up his blockers and finding a crease.6
RONNIE STANLEY, OT
Senior, Notre Dame
Obviously, things can change over the course of a season, but Stanley has the refined look of a tackle who can start Day One. An interesting twist for him this year: Because Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire is a lefty, Stanley will not be on his blind side despite playing left tackle.7
MYLES JACK, LB
Junior, UCLA
Jack’s size (6’1″, 225 pounds) and cameos at running back will remind some folks of 2015 first-rounder Shaq Thompson (6’0″, 228). Jack has better instincts compared to where Thompson was at this time a year ago. He’s a 100-tackle NFL linebacker waiting to happen.8
SHAWN OAKMAN, DE
Senior, Baylor
Can Oakman elevate himself from a physically imposing player who flashes greatness to a consistently dominant prospect? His ranking here hints that I’d argue he can. Not everyone is so convinced.9
LAQUON TREADWELL, WR
Junior, Ole Miss
A brilliant talent with an NFL frame (6’2″, 229 pounds), Treadwell’s biggest challenge right now is proving he is all the way back from the gruesome leg injury he suffered last season. If he is, Treadwell could be a dark horse Heisman candidate.10
VERNON HARGREAVES III, CB
Junior, Florida
Slightly smaller than the 6’1″ Ramsey, Hargreaves (5’11”) also is more locked in as a cornerback. And that’s fine, because he is arguably college football’s top lock-down cover CB. Hargreaves is quick, sure, but it’s his ability to read plays where he really excels.11
JAYLON SMITH, LB
Junior, Notre Dame
His hype has been just a step shy of the Bosa bandwagon this off-season. There’s good reason for it: Smith notched 112 tackles last season. He covers a ton of ground and aggressively takes on blockers, using his hands to fight free. Smith must improve at reading plays, which is a scary thought given how impressive he has been anyway.12
ROBERT NKEMDICHE, DT
Junior, Ole Miss
Nkemdiche slides from DT to DE for the Rebels. Inside is where he will continue to be most noticeable for scouts. The 6’4″, 297-pound junior requires multiple blockers or he will manhandle opposing linemen.13
KENDALL FULLER, CB
Junior, Virginia Tech
Fuller absolutely has a chance to rise up and become the first cornerback off the board next April if he turns pro. He broke up 15 passes last season despite playing with a fractured wrist.14
TYLER BOYD, WR
Junior, Pittsburgh
A one-game suspension resulting from a DUI will delay Boyd’s 2015 debut … and cause teams to do a little more digging whenever he enters the draft. The junior has the talent to bolt after this season. While he can make big plays downfield, the real draw is in Boyd’s all-around game.15
SU’A CRAVENS, S
Junior, USC
The Trojans line up Cravens at a hybrid linebacker/safety spot, so the NFL will have ample tape to watch when figuring out his best fit. Odds are his NFL position will fall awfully close to his current role. Cravens (6’1″, 225 pounds) is a physical defender who makes a marked impact in the box.16
ANTHONY ZETTEL, DT
Senior, Penn State
Now headed into his second season playing DT for the Nittany Lions after opening his career at end, Zettel is only scratching the surface. The glimpses thus far have been impressive. Zettel still maintains the athleticism that had him outside in the first place, plus he’s backed with remarkable strength at 280 pounds.17
CONNOR COOK, QB
Senior, Michigan State
The first QB on the list, but the position appears very fluid heading into the season. Aside from Cook’s arm and size (6’4″), the real reason he is in this spot is that he has become deadly creating on the run and fitting passes into tight windows.18
A’SHAWN ROBINSON, DT
Junior, Alabama
Simply occupying a ton of space is not enough for a DT to warrant a high pick. A big-bodied player who can stand his ground or shoot through a gap, though, creates some buzz (see: Danny Shelton). Robinson (6’4″, 315 pounds) stands about 25 pounds lighter than Shelton. He might be just as good at disrupting offenses up front.19
VADAL ALEXANDER, G/T
Senior, LSU
Alexander will bounce back to right tackle this season after two seasons at guard. The versatility will work in his favor, although it’s hard to imagine him being better on the edge than he was inside. The 6’6″, 340-pounder is a road-grader capable of powering his way to the second level.20
EMMANUEL OGBAH, DE
RS Junior, Oklahoma State
Tackles better not let Ogbah get the first step off the snap, because he’ll blow past them if he does. Ogbah (6’4″, 275 pounds) battles to hold the edge against the run, too.21
SCOOBY WRIGHT, LB
Junior, Arizona
As the old mantra goes, you can’t teach instincts, which puts Wright very much ahead of the game. There are questions about his size (6’1″, 246 pounds) and speed, yet Wright almost always finds his way to the ball. Last season alone, he had 163 tackles, including 29 for loss.22
GERMAIN IFEDI, OT
RS Junior, Texas A&M
The latest tackle to emerge from A&M’s pipeline, Ifedi received a second-round grade from the advisory board prior to the ’15 draft. Ifedi will move to left tackle this season after gaining experience at guard and right tackle. He figures to be a line bookend in the NFL, thanks to his size (6’5″, 320), long arms and improving footwork.23
LEONARD FLOYD, OLB
Junior, Georgia
The Bulldogs’ redshirt junior wreaks havoc coming downhill, flashing a nice array of moves when chasing the passer. It’s less certain if he can play in coverage at the next level, but would he need to do so? Georgia gave him reps during preseason practice at inside linebacker, on top of his edge-rushing duties.24
CARDALE JONES, QB
RS Junior, Ohio State
He just needs more reps, which could be a problem back at Columbus this season if J.T. Barrett takes control as the No. 1 QB. (Barrett could turn out to be a better pro prospect than Jones.) His size (6’5″, 250) is tight end-esque. Jones also showed off a huge arm and solid running ability during the Buckeyes’ title run. The potential here is enormous, but will Jones have to wait until he reaches the NFL to see increased playing time?25
JACK CONKLIN, OT
RS Junior, Michigan State
The scouting reports on Conklin might sound reminiscent of another prized Big Ten blocker: Brandon Scherff, taken No. 5 by Washington this year. Like Scherff, Conklin does his best work in the run game and could wind up as an NFL guard.26
TAYLOR DECKER, OT
Senior, Ohio State
Fits the mold of a long-term answer at left tackle (6’7″, 315 with long arms). He’s also proven more than athletic enough to excel in Urban Meyer’s scheme.27
KENNY CLARK, DE
Junior, UCLA
Clark and Robinson are close in these rankings and in terms of what they can do—namely, anchor or fire into the backfield from multiple spots on the line.28
JALEN MILLS, S/CB
Senior, LSU
Wide range of opinions on Mills, who shifted from CB to safety prior to the 2013 season, was arrested on a battery charge prior to the 2014 season and right now is rehabbing a fractured fibula. Mills was up and down as a safety (where he’ll play again this year), but he is the type of smooth-moving athlete that can thrive as an NFL cornerback.29
DARRON LEE, OLB
RS Sophomore, Ohio State
Lee is so efficient at tracking the football sideline to sideline that it’s easy to overlook his blitzing prowess (7.5 sacks a year ago). He is of the lighter, faster linebacker breed and might wind up a top-15 pick.30
SHILIQUE CALHOUN, DE
RS Senior, Michigan State
Think Owa Odighizuwa with less bulk and a more advanced pass-rushing game. Calhoun (6’4″, 250) gives up 15 pounds or so to the shredded Odighizuwa, but both thrive in walling the edge against the run. Calhoun also has 15.5 sacks combined the past two seasons. The issue in 2014 was that he didn’t really improve from 2013. Is he going to take the next step?31
RASHARD HIGGINS, WR
Junior, Colorado State
Love watching this guy play. Granted, that’s not enough reason to believe in Higgins’s NFL prospects, so fortunately he backs his entertainment value with tangible skills. The worry is that the 188-pound Higgins will be knocked around by physical, NFL cornerbacks. Those defenders better hit him when they can. Higgins catches and runs the way that college stars like Kevin White did, and he is nimble enough to shake defenders in the open field.32
TONY CONNER, S
Junior, Ole Miss
This the third safety in our top 40 and each has a unique style. Cravens is mostly an in-the-box playmaker, Mills’s future could be at cornerback due to his coverage skills and Conner falls somewhere in between. He can drop and play deep, but Mississippi’s 4-2-5 scheme also asks him to play in the slot and help vs. the run.33
JARED GOFF, QB
Junior, Cal
Cards on the table, it took me a while to warm up to Goff. The more I watched him, though, the more it became obvious that he had an outstanding feel for his position—the progressions, the pre-snap analysis, etc. Cal’s “Bear Raid” offense will make it tricky to evaluate Goff, much as Oregon’s scheme forced a little extra work on Marcus Mariota. But the 6’4″ Goff seems to be ahead of the curve.34
CAMERON SUTTON, CB
Junior, Tennessee
Sutton stands 6’1″ and uses his frame to get up in receivers’ faces. It’s rare that he is beaten cleanly on a pass—he closes gaps and plays the ball well. Pretty easy to see him starting for an NFL team in the near future.35
MIKE WILLIAMS, WR
Junior, Clemson
If QB Deshaun Watson is as good this season as most people believe he will be, you’ll see a ton of Williams highlights. The 6’5″ receiver is a reliable target at all levels, with the speed and size to take the top off a secondary.36
CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG, QB
Junior, Penn State
Of all the players on this list, Hackenberg could have the most realistic shot of skyrocketing into the top five. He was far from the only one to blame for his disappointing 2014 season, but those struggles did expose some concerns, specifically with his accuracy (or lack thereof). The so-called “tools” are all there: 6’4″, big arm, experience in a pro-style system, intelligence. Hackenberg probably winds up going in Round 1 somewhere. How high can he climb?37
CODY WHITEHAIR, G/T
RS Senior, Kansas State
Soon to be a four-year starter for Kansas State, Whitehair is heading into his second season starting at left tackle. The NFL could move the 6’3″, 310-pounder back to his previous position, guard. At both spots, he has displayed NFL-caliber technique and paired it with obvious tenacity.
38VONN BELL, S
Junior, Ohio State
Bosa steals the headlines on Ohio State’s defense, but Bell is not far behind in terms of importance. Another safety comfortable covering the slot or stepping up against the run—right now, he’s probably better at both of those elements that playing straight coverage deep. Bell is noticeable whenever the Buckeyes’ defense is on the field.39
JAMES CONNER, RB
Junior, Pittsburgh
Conner rushed 298 times last season and is en route to 700 attempts for his career, so the NFL will approach with some caution considering how short running backs’ shelf lives tend to be. At 250 pounds Conner is built to withstand extra punishment. He dishes it out, too, running downhill with power. New Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has talked about getting Conner more third-down work (he has just eight career catches). Should he add that to his repertoire, a team might pounce in round 1.
40D’HAQUILLE WILLIAMS WR
Senior, Auburn
The talented Tigers receiver must use this season to rehab his image. Williams was suspended for Auburn’s bowl game at the end of last year, then benched during August practice for “a discipline issue.” There’s so much pure talent here that it would be a shame if he cannot stay focused. Williams (6’2″, 224) has reliable hands and a know-how for using his body to get open—think Anquan Boldin.znModeratorWith Rodger Saffold out, Rams reshuffle offensive line … again
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — When St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced last week that right guard Rodger Saffold would miss the rest of the season because of a pending shoulder surgery, it was clear the offensive line would have to make a change.
And there was no doubt that veteran Garrett Reynolds would step into a spot on the line, it was just a matter of where. Apparently, the answer to that question is left guard, not the right side spot vacated by Saffold. That means a likely shift back to the right side for rookie Jamon Brown.
Brown, a third-round pick out of Louisville, is no stranger to either spot after spending the offseason and most of the preseason at right guard before flipping to the left side for the first five games of the season.
“It’s not too bad,” Brown said. “I take it all the way back to college. I’ve been playing both sides of the line, left tackle and right tackle. So it’s pretty much the same. Now it’s just all about mastering the technique at the right side.”
That would mean Reynolds would head back over to the left side, the position he manned while Saffold recovered from the offseason shoulder surgery he had in January.
Brown said making the change now after five games on the left side would come with some challenges though it’s nothing he’s not prepared to handle.
“It can kind of play with your head,” Brown said. “On the left side you’re used to certain plays and being the front side of the play now you’re on the right side and those plays you were the front side, now you’re the backside so it can get confusing at times. I think I do a pretty good job with it.”
After a preseason in which the Rams had next to no stability on the offensive line, an upheaval of any sort now is far from ideal, especially considering that unit’s struggles in the first five weeks. Of course, Saffold’s injury left no choice in the matter, but the Rams are still seeking consistency from a group that entered the season as the team’s biggest question mark.
At least in this move, Brown is going back to a spot in which he’s familiar and puts him back next to right tackle Rob Havenstein.
“I’m very confident,” Brown said. “It doesn’t skip a beat. I’ve worked with everybody in our room. It doesn’t really matter who I’ll be working with. I’ll do my part and I’m sure everybody else will do theirs.”
October 22, 2015 at 11:34 pm in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32756znModeratorGurley not taking favorable matchup for granted
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Despite what the numbers say about the Cleveland Browns’ inability to stop the run so far this season, the St. Louis Rams and dynamic rookie running back Todd Gurley are taking nothing for granted as they head toward Sunday’s matchup.
“Yeah, those things sound good but the end of the day when Sunday hits and we get on the field, it’s all about executing and not letting that man across from you beat you,” Gurley said. “Those guys could come Sunday and play like the No. 1 defense. I never really look at the rankings.”
That’s probably a good thing, because if Gurley did pore over this week’s stats, he might find himself salivating over the opportunity ahead.
On paper, there’s no denying that Gurley appears headed for a big game, bigger even than his past two outings in which he’s rushed for an average of 152.5 yards. Cleveland’s defense enters the game allowing 149.8 yards per game on the ground, last in the NFL. It’s a group that’s also yielding 5 yards per carry, which ranks 31st in the league.
So the easy conclusion to draw would be that Gurley should be able to shred Cleveland’s defense and pile up big numbers, right? Well, according to Rams coach Jeff Fisher, the film doesn’t show a run defense that’s consistently giving up chunks of yards so much as one that will play the run well for long periods of time before getting burned by a longer run.
“They’ll be good 19 times out of 20,” Fisher said. “Then, the last, the twentieth attempt will go for 40 (yards). So, that’s how it’s gone against them. So, I mean, I think that’s deceiving.”
The statistics show there is something to what Fisher is saying. In six games, the Browns have allowed a whopping 23 runs of 10 yards or more (tied for second most in the NFL) and eight carries of 20 or more yards (also tied for second most in the league) for an average of 31.75 yards per carry. All of that for a team that has been run on a league-high 181 times.
In other words, the Browns give up a carry of 20 or more yards roughly once every 22 attempts and a rush for 10 or more yards once every eight tries. Take away the 20-plus yard carries and Cleveland is giving up 3.7 yards per attempt on the ground.
“They’re a talented defense,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “It’s a ranking. Any given Sunday you never know what you’re going to get. Those guys fly around and they do a really good job. We know that they’re going to come in here ready to go. They had a tough loss against Denver last week, so I know they feel good about the team they have and that they’ve had a couple close losses. That’s a ranking to me. They’re going to be ready to go.”
Though it is just a ranking, Gurley’s early tendency has been to earn a big chunk of his rushing yards on exactly the types of big runs that Cleveland has been prone to allow. He has five runs of 20 or more yards so far this season, which ties him for second-most in the NFL. Those have gone for a total of 180 yards, the highest total in the league on such runs.
From the Rams’ perspective, though they would love to see those explosive runs continue, they would also like to find traction on the ground earlier in games. In his three outings, Gurley is averaging 2.2 yards per carry in the first quarter and 3.3 in the second before having a big second half. Cleveland has actually been at its best stopping the run in the first quarter and struggled the most in the second and third.
“Well, you’d like to think as you game-plan, there are things that could give you an advantage,” offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said. “But, once again, this is the National Football League. Every Sunday is a challenge. They’re an excellent defense. We’re going to prepare. We’re going to come out here and have great practices, give ourselves a chance to be successful.”
Another thing working to the Rams’ advantage is Cleveland’s base 3-4 defense. St. Louis has seen a steady diet of odd-man fronts in Pittsburgh, Arizona and Green Bay over its past three games. In those games, Gurley didn’t see a lot of eight-man boxes designed to stop the run, but now that he’s had some success he should expect to see more of it moving forward, especially until the passing game proves it can take advantage.
Which is why it might also be worth keeping an eye on Gurley in the passing game this week. Gurley is a regular on the JUGS machine, and though his matchup on the ground looks favorable, the numbers quietly favor him through the air as well.
Cleveland is allowing 11.23 yards per catch to running backs, which ranks second-to-last in the NFL. Gurley hasn’t yet had much of a chance to show off his receiving skills (three catches for 20 yards) but this game could offer a first real look at his versatility.
“That’s why I’m out there every day (catching passes after practice),” Gurley said. “When the time comes, the time comes.”
The time could be Sunday.
znModeratorThis is what my sherry, tweed, and a nice pipe with good tobacco friends like to call “a serious-ass meltdown.”
znModeratorBut now Robinson has to play with someone else after getting used to Brown. No stability.
Except it’s Reynolds, who is a vet. My guess is they did this because, among other reasons, Reynolds is better on the left side.
…
znModeratorAfter this game, either the hated 49ers or Seahawks will be 2-5, effectively ending their season.
The better thing is, both teams win.
That way there’s no future trap game.
October 22, 2015 at 9:10 am in reply to: as we prepare for the post-bye era: reporters preview the BROWNS game #32729znModeratorDon’t look now, but Rams have chance to contend
Joe Strauss
Warning: Your trusted correspondent may be reporting today from the intersection of Pollyanna & Naivete, located within an easy walk of The Yellow Brick Road.
Whenever conversation turns to the Rams and relevance within the NFC West, consumers reflexively check their wallets, their sanity or the ties between the club and media outlet offering such propaganda. This is, after all, one of only two NFL franchises seeking its first winning season since 2003 and the only member of its division not to see the playoffs within the last three years.
But still …
The Rams exit a bye week staring Opportunity in the face.
Yes, they are a pedestrian 2-3 in possession of the league’s lowest-ranked offense.
Yes, at last glance quarterback Nick Foles was throwing four interceptions behind a porous line in a surprisingly winnable game at Green Bay.
Yet this season’s NFC West offers a different dynamic: a 2-4 defending conference champion in Seattle embarrassingly unable to hold a fourth-quarter lead, a vulnerable rebuilding team in San Francisco suddenly skeptical of its franchise quarterback, and a division leader the Rams defeated in the Arizona desert two-plus weeks ago. The NFC West carries an abysmal 3-9 road record, with the Seahawks responsible for three losses.
Whether the Rams are making progress will be determined in their next five games against an ordinary grouping consisting of Cleveland, San Francisco, Minnesota, Chicago and Baltimore. The fivesome enters the weekend 10-19, a significant comedown from the 18-12 bunch the locals already have faced.
“It’s an opportunity. But every week in this league represents an opportunity,” said linebacker James Laurinaitis following Tuesday’s practice at Earth City. “You really can’t afford to look at games as a group. Each week is its own challenge.”
Laurinaitis has been on campus since 2009. The leading tackler in franchise history has never experienced anything better than a 7-8-1 season here. He’s been around long enough to hear the preseason happy talk followed by fits of inconsistency. He’s enjoyed three home wins the last four seasons against the Seahawks and a 4-1-1 division record in 2012 but stewed over lapses in seemingly more favorable match-ups.
“We’re hardly in a position where we can assume a win over anybody,” he said. “There are probably teams that still view us that way.”
The Rams possess a top 10 defense. They rank as the league’s best first-down offense; however, they’re confounding on third down, the opposite of a Browns team that labors early in possessions but is among the league’s most prolific on third down. Asked about the road ahead, coach Jeff Fisher moves away from the long view. His team hasn’t won three straight since 2012. It followed up a season-opening home overtime win over Seattle with a jarring loss at Washington, where the Rams were favored.
Fisher likes Foles, imported from Philadelphia for his efficiency but coming off the worst single-game passer rating (23.8) of a four-year career.
He likes the impact wrought by rookie rusher Todd Gurley, who ranks eighth among NFL rushers despite starting only twice. Gurley is the only NFC back who has twice rushed for more than 145 yards. Fisher would like it a bit more, however, if a young offensive line more quickly congealed. No Rams receiver has amassed more than 169 yards. The league counts 43 receivers with at least 300 yards, including five who have at least matched tight end Jared Cook’s team-high yardage total with a single game.
Fisher’s first Rams team found itself 6-6 after 12 games and entered that season’s last game with a mathematical chance at making the playoffs. A winning record the next five weeks could re-energize a fan base tired of the tease.
Consider: Through five games the Rams have encountered three of the NFC’s top five defenses and the AFC’s second-best pass defense (Pittsburgh). Of the next five opponents, only the Chicago Bears’ defense ranks among its conference’s top half. The 49ers statistically rank as the league’s second-worst pass deterrent; the Browns enter the Edward Jones Dome Sunday as the NFL’s worst rush defense.
The Rams have been outscored 37-7 in the first quarter, hardly a recipe for success. If the trend continues this weekend at home, concerns should mount. But one would think a team with fresh running legs and a dangerous pass rush should expose a pass-happy team that has surrendered 22 sacks. Their next five opponents sport a minus-142 point differential compared to the previous five’s plus-176.
But Fisher has seen all this before. His team has ambushed Indianapolis, New Orleans and Denver when those teams were dominant and folded at Washington, Miami and New York when those clubs were anything but.
“You have to go week to week in this league. You have to,” said Fisher, citing the heavy percentage of games decided every Sunday by a single possession. For example, only 16 points total separate the Browns from its last four opponents. “It’s just the way the league is. The differences week to week are often so small that every team represents its own challenge.”
If not for a double-digit fourth-quarter rally against Seattle, the Rams might be 1-4.
If not for their inability to score a touchdown in a 12-6 loss to Pittsburgh, they might be 3-2.
These Rams remain young but may not be classified as inexperienced, especially on defense. First-year offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti has better incorporated former first-round pick Tavon Austin into the scheme. The next several weeks will show whether the season-ending loss of veteran right guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder) is crippling or an inconvenience.
Success comes with a cost in the NFL. Salary cap constraints eventually invade every successful locker room. Intrigue may be part of the price the Seahawks are paying for their epic Super Bowl fail against New England. The 4-2 Cardinals still carry a burden of proof as they’ve so far enjoyed a soft-serve schedule.
The NFC West has become a softer, more vulnerable neighborhood. The Rams, still as capable of frustrating as they are of shocking, now resemble a team that could go either direction, a decided upgrade over those days when they lived on a one-way, gravel road pointed toward a December cul-de-sac
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