Zooey wrote:

All the praise given Wichman means nothing to me. I have heard Noa, Spikes, and I don’t know who all, praised before they were cut. And if Wichman were any good,

Wichman missed most of camp so just in terms of preparedness he is behind Donnal.

In terms of the praise he gets, I don’t think this is anything like Noa or Spikes. I think the buzz on Wichman is a good sign.

We’ll make a bet. If in the future turns out you’re wrong, you have to cut off a finger. If you’re right, I have to cut off one of your fingers.

.

Intriguing Matchup: Case Keenum vs. Baltimore Blitz

Posted by: Bernie Miklasz i

http://www.101sports.com/2015/11/20/intriguing-matchup-casey-keenum-vs-baltimore-blitz/

OK, so it isn’t exactly Dan Marino taking aim at the infamous 1985 Chicago Bears defense. This isn’t Kurt Warner and the “Greatest Show” Rams cast taking their performance art into Baltimore to challenge Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs.

But with the Rams changing their starting quarterback, trying to wrestle their way back to .500 and revive their faint playoff hopes in Sunday’s game in Baltimore offers a little something extra to go with the Chesapeake Bay-style crab cakes and Maryland crab soup I plan to make in time for kickoff.

Before we get into it, let’s set the premise:

— New Rams quarterback Case Keenum has made 10 NFL starts, all with Houston. Keenum hasn’t distinguished himself. He’s no long-time starter or lasting solution. But with the Rams passing game in a torpor under somnolent quarterback Nick Foles, a shakeup makes sense. Keenum can be a string of firecrackers. He can jar the Rams’ passivity on offense. He can extend plays by roaming to his left or right. He likes to heave the long ball, and can make some connections. That string of firecrackers makes noise, draws some attention, then quickly burns out. But the Rams don’t need Keenum to be Johnny Unitas. They just need him to make some plays.

— Torn by injuries, the Baltimore defense is no longer the Baltimore defense. The Ravens have allowed an average of 25.4 points on offense per game, ranking 28th among the 32 teams. They’ve been stung by 34 completions of 20+ yards. They rank 30th in third-down defense, yielding for a conversion rate of 45.1 percent. Opposing quarterbacks have pitched their way to a 101.4 passer rating (2They’ve given up 35 “quick-strike” points this season — scores that come on possessions that last fewer than four plays. And the league average for quick-strike points is 25. The Ravens have allowed opponents to put points up on 44 percent of their offensive possessions; that ranks 30th. This defense has only five takeaways. This defense has been seared for 18 touchdown passes and made only four interceptions. (Where have you gone, Bobby Boyd? Where’s Rick Volk? Has anyone in Bawlmer seen Mike Curtis?)

In other words: you can make plays against this Baltimore defense.

Big plays at that. And while there’s no reason to expect sharp consistency from Keenum, he does have that helter-skelter style that you’d find on a playground. It’s oddly threatening to a defense that prefers going after the stationary Foles. But Keenum could be running around so much, we may see him fling a few passes from the adjacent Camden Yards.

To compensate for their loose pass defense, the Ravens have cranked up the blitz. You know: mug the quarterback before he can lock in on a downfield target. Only seven NFL defenses have blitzed more frequently on passing downs than Baltimore this season. And the blitzkrieg can inflict some damage; the Ravens have 15 of their 24 sacks when sending extra pass rushers.

But if the opposing QB can see through the heat waves and deliver the ball, it’s party time.

The Ravens have blitzed on 114 passing downs. Let’s look through the rubble:

Quarterbacks have completed 74 of 114 passes against the Baltimore blitz, or 65 percent.

The QBs have 1,173 “blitz” passing yards vs. the Ravens — the most allowed by an NFL defense.

Their yards per passing attempt vs. the Baltimore blitz is an inflated 10.29 yards; that ranks 31st.

When give time to throw, the QBs have beaten this blitz for 12 completions of 25+ yards.

Quarterbacks have charred the Baltimore blitz for 11 touchdown passes (tied for most in the NFL) with just one INT.

When the Ravens blitz, opponents have counterattacked for a 127.6 passer rating.

Yeah. I’d say you can make some plays when the Ravens send extra rushers after your QB.

Now, there’s no guarantee the Ravens will release the hounds on Keenum. After looking at the Rams’ pass-protection issues, the Ravens’ defensive coaches may conclude that it makes sense to go with a four-man pass rush. Keenum isn’t the most accurate passer, so it makes sense to put the emphasis on coverage and reduce the number of blitzes. Why give Keenum a chance to wriggle or scamper from your blitz to find an uncovered receiver downfield?

On the other hand …

For all of his Run Rabbit Run! moments, Keenum doesn’t have killer career numbers vs. the blitz. He’s completed 48 of 105 passes (45.7%), been sacked 11 times, thrown two touchdown passes with one INT, and a 68.8 rating. Keenum has banged the blitz for nine passes of 25+ yards, so the playmaking threat is there.

So we’ll have to see how this all goes down if the Ravens choose to aggressively attack the Rams’ vulnerable O-line with blitzes.

But you have to think that Fisher had the Baltimore blitz in mind when he decided to go with Keenum over Foles. Early in the season Foles was very effective when blitz, but that performance deteriorated over his last five starts. Beginning with the game at Green Bay on Oct. 11, Foles has completed only 15 of 36 passes when blitzed (42%) with a passer rating of 51.7.

As Nick Wagoner pointed out in his Rams’ coverage at ESPN.com, Keenum is superior to Foles on throws attempted outside the pocket. In his nine games Foles hit on 14 of 35 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions for a passer rating of 51.8. And in his 10 NFL starts, Keenum has completed 21 of 43 for 398 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 86.5.

I don’t think Fisher made the switch without studying the numbers and the video. There were plenty of reasons for benching Foles, but the matchup with Baltimore is also a matter of good timing.

Known for defense, Baltimore has struggled in close games this season

Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/known-for-defense-baltimore-has-struggled-in-close-games-this/article_e42462aa-fa0b-5222-8331-c114b2424d82.html

Baltimore Ravens’ football has been built around intimidating, dominant defense.

That hard-nosed style was established just a few years after the Browns announced a move from Cleveland to Baltimore for the 1996 season.

In the new franchise’s initial draft, it picked up its cornerstones, selecting Hall of Fame tackle Jonathan Ogden fourth overall and future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis at No. 26.

In 1999, the Baltimore defense, led by Lewis, Jamie Sharper, Rod Woodson, Michael McCrary and Peter Boulware, began to flex its muscle, finishing second in the NFL in both total yards and rushing yards allowed.

The next year, after a 5-4 start, the Ravens went on an 11-game win streak capped by a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.

The 2000 Ravens’ defense is viewed as one of the best ever. Baltimore set NFL records for rushing yards (970) and points (165) allowed in a 16-game season. The Ravens also forced and recovered 26 fumbles, twice as many as anybody else in the league, and picked off 23 passes.

In four playoff games, the Ravens allowed just 23 points.

Ray Lewis was voted Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl along with defensive teammates Woodson and defensive tackle Sam Adams.

“That defense, those guys, they’re legendary,” Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “They set a standard. I’ve always been a huge fan of Ray Lewis and all those guys. And of (safety) Ed Reed later on. I just have a huge appreciation for the brand of football those guys played.”

And Baltimore maintained that level of excellence over time. From 1999 through 2011, the Ravens were ranked in the top five in at least one major defensive category — total defense, rush defense or pass defense — in all but two seasons. Baltimore led the league in total defense in 2006, was second in 2008 and third in 2011.

At the end of the 2012 season, with John Harbaugh as head coach, the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 to win Super Bowl XLVII. The championship capped Lewis’ 17th and final season.

“Seems like they had the draft of their lifetime that first year, built upon it and sustained it for a long time,” Laurinaitis said. “To do what they’ve done, with completely different players, different coaches, different coordinators, and to somehow maintain their identity and high level of play from year to year, it’s super impressive. And being in this league, you realize just how hard that is to keep something like that going.”

Rams receiver Wes Welker, who faced the Ravens numerous times while playing for AFC rivals Miami, New England and Denver, said Baltimore’s defense always seemed to be a step ahead of the competition.

“First of all, they had a lot of good defensive players,” said Welker, 34 and in his 12th NFL season. “With guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, you can run just about any defense and be successful. But they had really good coaches and they brought in smart players who fit their system. They were doing things that other teams weren’t prepared for and by the time the opponents adjusted, they had made their adjustments, too.”

The Ravens, who host the Rams in a noon Sunday game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, have fallen off a bit defensively in recent seasons — they’re currently ranked 10th against the run, 26th against the pass and 20th in total yards allowed — but they’ve been competitive.

Baltimore enters Sunday’s action with a somewhat misleading 2-7 record. The seven losses have come by a total of 32 points. Both wins, at Pittsburgh and at home over San Diego, were by three points.

Harbaugh, who has led the Ravens to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, knows his defense can be better.

“Statistically, we’re not very good (but) most of it’s because of big plays,” he said of his defense. “We didn’t have big-play issues last week, we had some penalties. If we can eliminate those kind of things, I think we’re capable of being a top-notch defense.”

The 2015 Ravens’ defense is keyed by veterans Daryl Smith (81 tackles), Elvis Dumervil (29 tackles, 4½ sacks), Jimmy Smith (40 tackles, two interceptions) and youngsters C.J. Mosley and Brandon Williams, who starred at Rockwood Summit High.

A second-year linebacker from Alabama, Mosley (55 tackles, 3 sacks) grew up a Ravens’ fan.

“Especially Ray Lewis,” said Mosley, who finished as runner-up to Rams’ defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the rookie of the year voting a year ago. “People have tried to compare me to him, said I was filling his role. … He led the team on the field. His defense trusted him. The team trusted him. When plays had to be made, he made them or put players in the right position to make them. For any linebacker, those of the kind of standards you want to hold, that you want to bring to the table.

“But (Lewis) has his own face here with this organization. … I’m here to do my job as a linebacker, make calls and be a leader by example for this team.”

Williams, a nose tackle from Missouri Southern selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2013 draft, is in his second season as a starter He has 32 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble.

“He’s one of our best players,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a dominant nose guard. … Really great personality, fun guy to be around. Hard worker.”

With Mosley and Williams as a foundation, the Ravens hope to re-establish the franchise’s defensive reputation.

“That’s the goal — to win games, win Super Bowls, win our division, win our conference,” Mosley said.“That’s why we’re here. That’s why they drafted us. It’s always great to look back on tradition because it reminds you where you came from,” Mosley said. “There always has to be a next generation that comes up and makes the program that much better and that much more elite. That’s why we’re here and what we want to do.”

wv wrote:

Not many yards rushing.
He’s no Russell Wilson.

w
v

Well if he were they couldn’t have gotten him for a 7th round pick.

Keenum is streaky. IMO he’s kind of an Austin Davis without a Tilt function.

Practice Report 11/18: Austin’s Homecoming, Long Returns to Practice

Myles Simmons

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1118-Austins-Homecoming-Long-Returns-to-Practice/89291588-0e2f-4399-a3fe-3a95edd0a6b8

Because he’s a member of a team in the NFC West, wide receiver Tavon Austin doesn’t get many opportunities to play in his hometown. He’ll get to do it for the first time in his career on Sunday, when St. Louis squares of against Baltimore just steps away from the inner harbor.

“Definitely looking forward to it,” Austin said after Wednesday’s practice. “Just the fact that I get to go home, play in front of my family — a lot of people who don’t get to come see me play out here. And growing up in Baltimore, I was a Ravens fan. So just playing against one of my favorite teams growing up is definitely a blessing, too.”

Austin came up in Baltimore during a time when the Ravens featured a bevy of talented players, winning Super Bowl XXXV to conclude the 2000 season. And Austin continued to follow the club as it continued its success through the last decade.

“That’s when they had all the legends back then — Ed Reed, Jamal [Lewis] and all those guys, Ray [Lewis],” Austin said. “It was definitely good growing up and seeing them. And now, I would’ve played against one of them this year — Terrell Suggs — but unfortunately he’s hurt.”

Neither of those players were his favorite wide receiver, though.

“I was a [Derrick] Mason kind of guy,” Austin said, coincidentally referencing a receiver who played for his current head coach in Tennessee before going to the Ravens in 2005.

While Austin has played in the D.C.-Virginia-Maryland area before — the Rams played at Washington in Week 2 of this year, for instance — the Baltimore native said this game will have a different feel to it.

“I probably lived about 15 minutes from the stadium,” Austin said. “A lot of people wouldn’t travel to D.C. to come see me.”

They will, however, make the shorter trip to downtown Baltimore.

“It’ll probably be a good little section up there for me,” Austin said, adding he expects his friends and family to wear Rams gear.

It may be Austin’s first trip to Baltimore as a pro, but he has played at the home of the Ravens before. At Dunbar High School, Austin was a key cog for a team that won three consecutive Class 1A state championships. And those championship games were played at M&T Bank Stadium.

“I’ve got some good memories in that stadium,” Austin said.

Austin set all kinds of Maryland records in high school, including 9,258 yards from scrimmage, 7,962 yards rushing, 123 touchdowns, and 790 points. But there’s one thing that sicks out in his mind from the last state championship he won in 2008.

“My last play of my high school career, I scored the winning two-point conversion to win the game — to win the state championship,” Austin said.

Now, he’ll go back seven years later with the goal of creating some new memories.

“That’s the plan,” Austin said. “Go in there try to have a good game, don’t do too much — just play my game and try to get out of there with a win.”

LONG’S BACK AT PRACTICE

It’s been another trying year for defensive end Chris Long, who has been out the last four weeks since suffering a knee injury against the Packers. But the veteran is now a full participant in practice, after going through a limited session at the end of last week. He was listed as doubtful on the injury report heading into the matchup against Chicago, but admitted Wednesday that may have been a bit unrealistic.

“That was probably more hopeful than I was realistically close,” Long said. “I appreciate coaches kind of saying, ‘Hey man, let’s be smart and wait one more week. Let this thing completely heal.’ And when I’m back, I’m back. I’ll be close to 100 percent. That’s all I can ask for.”

But with this being the second straight year Long has had to miss games, it’s been a bit of a frustrating process.

“I’m not the first guy to get hurt, injured. It’s out of your control. But when you’re hurt, you feel like you’re letting people down,” Long said. “You’re watching your buddies play football, and that’s your job. You don’t feel like you’re doing your job.

“Especially two years in a row, it’s frustrating because there have been things that you just can’t avoid,” Long continued. “They’re freak things and I’m going to keep pushing to try to help this team, and do my part. I’m just excited to be back and help this team.”

If there’s a silver lining to Long’s injury this time around, it’s that there was no ligament damage to the knee so he did not have to undergo surgery.

“The bone just had to heal,” Long said. “It’s a fracture, so it’s not like something that when you’re back, you’re dragging around.”

Long lamented how he didn’t feel like himself when he got back to playing the Rams’ final five contests in 2014.

“So when I’m back, I’m back,” Long said. “And I’m really excited to help the team however I can. I’ve just missed being out there.”

“When you’re staring the prognosis down in the face, you’re like, man, it’s going to take forever,” Long added. “And then you’re out there like that. So we’ve got at least seven weeks of football left — at least — and I can’t wait to keep playing.”

INJURY REPORT

Aside from Long being listed as a full participant, the Rams had three more players listed on their Wednesday injury report.

Center Tim Barnes (concussion) was listed as a limited participant.

Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not participate in Wednesday’s session.

Now starting in Baltimore, Givens faces old team

Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/now-starting-in-baltimore-givens-faces-old-team/article_052419f3-829d-5af4-b348-83cadbfab5b1.html

Jeff Fisher’s Rams teams have always been a tight-knit group. So just because a teammate leaves and goes elsewhere, doesn’t mean the friendship ends.

And so it is with wide receiver Chris Givens. After three-plus seasons running routes against Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson on the practice field at Rams Park, he will now be trying to beat them as a Baltimore Raven on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

“That was my buddy when he was here,” Jenkins said. “We hung out a little bit. We got to know each other. I’m glad to see anybody that leaves here go somewhere and be successful.”

So Jenkins will exchange pleasantries before the game; maybe a man-hug afterwards. But in between?

“Between the white lines, it’s business,” Jenkins said. “I’ve got no words for him but Clamps. That’s all.”

“Clamps” is Jenkins’ term to describe his playing style — as in clamping down on a receiver.

Givens is expecting the trash-talking to start immediately if he’s lined up over Jenkins or Johnson.

“Nothing’s gonna change,” Givens said. “It’s gonna be the same that it’s been when I played against those guys in practice.”

Traded to Baltimore on Oct. 3 for a seventh-round draft pick, Givens faces his old friends seven weeks later.

“It’s gonna be exciting,” Givens told the Post-Dispatch. “I just can’t wait to play. It’s one of those games you look forward to.”

Givens still talks to Rams wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey about once a week, and touches base with Rams wide receivers coach Ray Sherman “every now and then.” He sent Case Keenum a congratulatory text earlier this week after Keenum was promoted to starting quarterback.

“That’s a good thing for him,” Givens said. “Case is a good guy, man. He’s a good quarterback; he just needed an opportunity.”

So did Givens.

He had that impressive rookie season with the Rams in 2012, when he caught 42 passes for a team-high 698 yards. He had a reception of 50 or more yards in five consecutive games that season, which set an NFL rookie record.

But Givens’ playing time and productivity dropped with each successive season — to 34 catches in 2013 and just 11 in 2014. He had just one catch for 7 yards as a Ram this season before the trade.

“It was very frustrating,” Givens said. “You put in a lot of work in the offseason … and you don’t get that opportunity. It just makes you frustrated. It makes you that much more hungry.”

As to why his playing time decreased, Givens said, “I never really got a clear explanation. We started the season and it was like I was just another guy.”

The trade to Baltimore has given him a chance to revive his career.

“I was praying for something like this to happen, and then the day I got the call like all my prayers were answered,” he said.

A week or so before the trade, Givens got a hint that something might be in the works. He got a text from Baltimore wide receiver Michael Campanaro, a former college teammate at Wake Forest, telling him the Ravens coaches had been asking about him.

“And it kinda made sense because of everything that as going on,” Givens said.

Ironically enough, after a season-ending back injury to Campanaro, Baltimore made the trade for Givens.

In five games with the Ravens, Givens has 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. His playing time has increased to the point where he moved into the starting lineup last week against Jacksonville, and he’s scheduled to start this Sunday against his old team.

“He’s fit in well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said via conference call Wednesday. “He’s a hard-working guy and that’s a credit to how he’s been brought up in the league. Got some talent, and we like him.”

Givens made what looked like the game-winning reception last week against Jacksonville, a 14-yard reception on a corner route. But what proved to be a controversial field goal as time expired gave the Jaguars a 22-20 victory.

Givens said he and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco already have a pretty good rapport, but work to build it every day in practice.

“He’s one of the better quarterbacks in this league; he’s gonna be like that for a long time,” Givens said. “He will get you the ball at any different time, so you’ve always got to be ready for it. He makes things easier because of how good he is.”

When they made the trade, the Ravens inherited what was left of Givens’ original Rams contract — a contract that expires after this season. Givens hopes the Ravens see enough that they’ll re-sign him beyond the 2015 campaign.

“I’m loving where I’m at,” Givens said. “I love everything about it. And it’s just one of those things that feels right. From the first day I got here everything just felt right.”

Come Sunday he’ll have some kind words for his former teammates, before and after the game. But when all is said and done he’ll be trying to beat them, and vice versa.

“No one on either side, neither one of us wants to walk away saying we lost,” Givens said. “So it’s gonna be a high-intensity game.”

“I’m not gonna go out there and kill him,” Johnson said. “We’re brothers still. He’s with the Ravens now, though, so we’re both playing for the win.”

No matter what, Givens won’t leave the stadium empty-handed. How so?

“I’m gonna take him his socks,” Austin said Wednesday, pointing to a box near his locker stall. “He left his socks here, so I’m gonna take him his socks. Just a little bit of memories.”

Yes, nothing says old times like a box full of old socks.

REEVALUATING THE FOLES-BRADFORD TRADE

With the news of Nick Foles’ benching, John Breitenbach revisits the QB-for-QB swap by the Rams and Eagles.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/11/17/pro-nick-foles-sam-bradford-trade-re-evaulated/

This offseason, the Rams traded Sam Bradford and a fifth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for Nick Foles and a second-round pick. Neither team was overly-satisfied with the fit of their signal caller, but also found the options in free agency and the draft limited, forcing them to look around the league for solutions. It’s now the middle of November, and Foles has been benched for Case Keenum, while Bradford is likely to miss time for injuries sustained against the Dolphins.

As is evident from the numbers, neither QB has played well through Week 10. Foles is better at generating big plays, but Bradford has better accuracy in general and under pressure.

Foles’ biggest issue throughout his career has been consistency. Too often, good games have been followed up with terrible ones. Even in his outstanding 2013 season, Foles was dreadful against Dallas in Week 7. Overall, he has played four games with a +4.0 grade or better in his career, but another six with grades worse than -4.0. Three of those games have come this year, including the one that resulted in his benching against the Bears.

Bradford, meanwhile, has done a decent job in Chip Kelly’s offense, but his limitations aren’t going away. He remains inaccurate and indecisive on downfield throws, even if his receivers have let him down on occasion with drops. Injury issues have resurfaced, with reports now that he may miss two games due to multiple injuries sustained in Week 10.

The backups
Jeff Fisher is desperately looking for a solution to save the Rams’ season, and probably his job, but recently-named starter Case Keenum does not look like the savior. Overall, he has a -10.6 grade in his performances in the pros (10 starts since 2013). There were some good moments in Houston, but passing under pressure proved a significant issue, along with accuracy in general.

For the Eagles, Mark Sanchez remains a capable passer, but also more than capable of crippling decisions in key situations. His -7.9 grade in nine games last season suggests he’s unlikely to seize the starting job if Bradford is forced to miss significant time.

personally wouldn’t just rely on boudreau to work his magic with these young guys. i’d count on maybe two ot three of those guys panning out.

Well at this point they have 14 linemen and counting.

I also pay attention to the “ronin vet” types, because Boudreau has gotten things out of guys like that before.

There will no doubt be other pick-ups, including UDFAS and other modest FAs and cuts.

I think so far it looks like at least 3 of the 2015 draft picks have a future: Brown, Wichman, Havenstein. Jeez that’s a lot in one year.

They have plenty to work with and now it’s more veteran than it was if you just average the years.

…

zn wrote:

This was a dramatic change in offense for him. If nothing else, just being under center every play. But also in terms of the reads and progressions.

That;s how I see it. There was more of an adjustment and he wasn’t executing.

I don’t know if he had sight adjustments before, either.

Or if the called protections against the blitz.

He looked more uncomfortable and unconfident and pressing than just plain lacking.

I still think the Foles of 2014 (not 2013) is possible with the Rams and that’s more than good enough.

.

from off the net

===

alyoshamucci

32) I still think we have a shot to pull it together and get to the playoffs …

Adding a new stat.

Defensive big plays against.

My source says “a passing big play is one in which the yards gained on the passing play equal 25 yards or more while a rushing big play is one in which the yards gained on the rushing play equal 10 yards or more.”

Rams rank 23rd with 29.

.