aeneas1

i do them using photoshop and a screen capture program… if there’s ever a play you want gif’d, just let me know!

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a nicely designed blitz, long and brockers crash inside shoulders causing the tackle and guard to block down, inside, while dunbar stunts left to a wide open gap, forcing carr to get rid of the ball quickly, resulting in a 3-and-out:

hill, under a lot of pressure, and stedman hook up for great back shoulder throw and catch that results in a 16 yard gainer:

very next play, great play-action resulting in a ton of time and clean pocket, incredible grab by stedman, 34 yard gainer:

another view:

hill’s td run, looked like the rams were counting on kendricks to sneak through and be wide open but mack wasn’t fooled, no prob, instead hill high-tailed it in, meanwhile grob manhandled sims:

3rd & 3, gaines making it look easy, forces a punt, what a friggin’ steal this guy has been, through week 13 he’s played 97% of the defensive snaps:

stedman showing off his speed, just runs by everyone, seems that someone claimed that he was an average wr with average speed not too long ago, can’t agree with that. also, and i’m a big tavon fan, but i would like to see tavon do more of this when he gets the quick screen call, one move and off to the races like stedman, as opposed to the little jitterbug moves he seems to like to do before getting it into gear, nflers are fast, you can’t d#$ck around when you get the ball!

this was a big play, rams 3rd possession, 3rd & 8, the throw and catch was 3 yards short of the first down marker, but a nifty move by stedman (and bad tackling by woodson) resulted in 10+ yards after the catch and a first down, which led to the rams third consecutive td in as many drives:

Where would the Rams be with “consistent QB play?” Nick Wagoner and Kevin Wheeler ponder

Redskins secondary puts hands up in pregame introductions, referencing protests in Ferguson, Mo.

By Isabelle Khurshudyan August 19

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/08/19/redskins-secondary-puts-hands-up-in-pregame-introductions-referencing-protests-in-ferguson-mo/

The starting lineup bounded onto the field for Monday’s preseason game against the Browns, each starter individually announced. The secondary was last, and it came out as one unit, starters and backups alike. They walked with arms folded up, palms open.

The sign of surrender, a gesture not to shoot, has become synonymous with protests in Ferguson, Mo., in the wake of the fatal shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by a police officer. Though the secondary’s stance wasn’t televised on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast, several fans at FedEx Field took notice and tweeted about it.

“Anytime you get an opportunity to do something like that, it’s something that needs to be discussed, something that you truly need to believe,” veteran safety Ryan Clark said. “That could have been any one of us. That could have been any one of our brothers, our cousins, just anyone.

“We have voices, even though sometimes we don’t like to see it that way, we do have voices. We got the opportunity to do something.”

Second-year safety Phillip Thomas said he was “just going with the program.” Clark said strong safety Brandon Meriweather and cornerback DeAngelo Hall both made the decision to do it, and then asked Clark if he would be interested in participating.

“I was like, ‘Absolutely,’” Clark said. “Everybody was in it. Everybody was together. It was a really good opportunity to make a statement and be more than football players.”

I met Jeff at the 2000 herdfest. That weekend, there was a memorable late night long conversation about the Rams with him, RFL, Phantmjokr, and me. He was a very bright, very personable guy. RIP Jeff.

Bernie: The ‘Hands Up’ Rams did nothing wrong

Bernie Miklasz

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-the-hands-up-rams-did-nothing-wrong/article_9956b867-39a0-5b21-9de8-c4ff61a4c4aa.html

The NFL won’t fine or otherwise discipline the Rams players that raised their arms in the “Hands Up’ solidarity sign with the people, and the protesters, of Ferguson. There was no call to make here; any serious suggestion that these players be punished is laughable and ludicrous. Alas, the NFL got it right by issuing a one-sentence statement: “We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who have expressed views on this tragic situation,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote.

No one is obligated to agree with the players’ decision to offer powerful symbolic support before (and in some instances, during) Sunday’s 52-0 victory over Oakland. In particular the consumers who financially support the Rams by buying tickets won’t hear any fussing from this corner if they were upset by the players bringing an intensely cultural/political controversy into a sports setting. Some fans turn to sports to escape the real-world frustrations. I understand all of that. And I respect that.

If the Rams lose business because of this — well, that’s the way of the free-market system. People can spend their money and support a team’s sponsors as they wish. Or not spend their money or support sponsors. That’s your call.

But Rams players didn’t suspend their free-speech rights as American citizens when they signed a professional contract, or when they buckle a helmet and don the colors of a team’s uniform.

The players are free to express themselves. And they can do so knowing that there could be repercussions. Their actions may be unpopular or cause tempers to flare. They could cause distractions for the team. Or they may lose fan support. But the Rams were sincere in their belief that this was something that they wanted to do, and something that they should do.

Their hearts were in the right place, and I support them for following their conscience. I never hesitate to disagree with someone’s opinion, but I’ll always defend their right to stand up for what they believe in.

Kenny Britt, Jared Cook, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin did nothing wrong here. Ferguson-related protests are occurring all over the U.S. and it’s naive (or perhaps arrogant?) to presume that sports should be walled off from the outside world.

And it’s not as if the five Rams disrupted play, refused to work, had a sit-down strike in the end zone, personally accosted paying customers, or otherwise prevented the fans from enjoying a rare 52-0 victory.

These players didn’t unfurl an obscene banner, they did not smear or slur anyone with name-calling insults. They spoke by saying nothing; this was a silent display of support. The “Hands Up” gesture has become the omnipresent symbol of the Ferguson protests, one that transcends the tragic conflict between Darren Wilson and Michael Brown. And that symbol was implemented here.

After the game, the Rams players insisted they weren’t taking sides. That’s debatable, of course. But even if they were taking sides … are they not entitled to do so? Just as you are entitled to agree or disagree with them. Just as you are entitled to cancel your Rams season tickets. Or just as you are entitled to write the players a thank-you note for standing up.

The five Rams simply walked out and raised their arms. And then they immediately pivoted to the challenge of the day, went to work, and contributed to the Rams’ largest margin of victory since the franchise moved here to St. Louis.

Professional athletes are often criticized and maligned for their failure to speak out on social issues, or to immerse themselves in the community when TV cameras aren’t there to record the photo op, or for playing it safe to avoid controversy. And then, when athletes choose to get involved in a way that isn’t in the harmless photo-op category, they’re assailed for not staying in their designated jock role.

In this instance, the five Rams clearly made some people uncomfortable. But that isn’t a bad thing. For too long in our great city we’ve all gone to our respective corners, living in our own zones with real and imaginary boundaries, unwilling to meet in the middle and confront the insidious problems that hold us back. We’ve been so comfortably settled into the polarized way of life for so long, it’s caused us to block out our differences instead of bridging them.

Letting things continue as the way they are — the reason we reached this Ferguson flashpoint — is irresponsible. It’s more beneficial to challenge each other to open our respective minds and to understand that there is more than one world view in a metropolitan area of 2.5 million citizens.

With that in mind, I’ll challenge Rams players to do more. While I support the Rams players’ right to go with the “Hands Up” symbolism, I’d like to see them do something more meaningful by getting involved on the ground in Ferguson.

Players don’t have much free time during the season, but it’s not as if this Ferguson unrest — and the underlying reasons for it — are restricted by the calendar. There’s no clock on this movement; time will not expire. When the Rams’ season is over, the citizens of Ferguson will still be there, working to cope with their real-time problems and solve the more long-term, deep-rooted issues.

It would be great to see the five Rams (and teammates) engage peaceful protesters, the business owners, community leaders, and the younger, impressionable kids. I’d be impressed if the Rams used their visible platform to condemn the violence and the looting that captured so much of the media attention, thereby overshadowing the civil, more constructive form of protest.

The five Rams chose to enter the arena, literally and figuratively, by making a hands-up gesture after they walked through the team tunnel before the game. But hands-on action would be a more powerful and effective way to show support for Ferguson.

Two additional points, written late on Monday afternoon:

1. Actually, I think the five players did one thing wrong: they didn’t inform coach Jeff Fisher and the organization of their plans. That’s a problem because the players weren’t just representing themselves; they’re representing the franchise. And the Rams’ organization — which is a business and an entity that relies on police for game-day presence and protection — shouldn’t be blindsided by the players’ independent decision.

2. Some have suggested the St. Louis police should respond by shunning the Rams and denying the team their service before, during and after home games at the Edward Jones Dome. That’s insulting to the PD because it also presumes that the brave men and women who serve this community would abandon their responsibility to the fans who attend the games in reaction to the choice made by five players. St. Louis-area police are better than that and wouldn’t default on their duties. I wouldn’t expect the police to embrace the “Hands Up” gesture; I understand why they’d be offended by it. But to walk away from protecting citizens that go to Rams games? No. It’s actually disrespectful to believe the police would put the safety of thousands of fans in jeopardy because of the actions of a few players.

alyoshamucci

AFC West games 10-12 . . .These honestly deserved to be done together (that’s what I tell myself to manage my feeling of lagging).

We have played really well three games in a row, and the one loss had some of the worst officiating I have ever seen. Even the n we were one bad read away from pulling that one out.

Since we were relatively consistent, I think it’s fair to do all three games at once.

The Great

1) D line. Besides some questionable non calls and runs by the Chargers Mathews, I havent seen our D line play better, ever. Donald is creeping into pro bowl and DROY conversations, and if he finishes strong I believe he should get the DROY. Quinn has finally picked it up, and is getting around the corner at full speed. Chris Long being back was an obvious shot in the arm. You can’t replace heart and focus.

2) Stedman Bailey finally recovered from his suspension. He’s a good #2 to have, and really removes our need for a high end WR, even if Britt departs.

3) Gaines. While I get a tad disappointed that Jenks isn’t our best defender, that’s likely just a “jersey bias” since I wear his number every week. Gaines is likely going to finish close to top ten in overall CB rating from PFF. He should be getting pro bowl buzz, but as a 6th round rookie it’s not going to happen. He is our “straight man”. Jenks is a superior athlete, and can have the best athlete receivers, but Gaines will always lock down the security blanket. And while Jenks may need a safety net over the top, I doubt that Gaines will. I am surprised by the fact that he fell to the 6th, but even more surprised by his mistake free play.

4) Playcalling. We’ve been getting guys the ball in the right way.

5) Did anyone else hear the story of how Davis took the news of returning to backup, and how the team responded? That’s why they show up to play every week. We have good people.

The Good

6) Mason seems to have solidified his position, though I am still a huge Stacy fan.

7) The secondary has been cleaning up the missed assignments and punishing receivers. Very few YAC.

8) Greg Robinson had given us a decent peek at what we’re going to have at OLT for the next decade. He is a punisher.

9) Jared Cook has been focused, and Kenny Britt has been coming through big. Just not many drops by the receiving corps.

10) Penalties are down.

11) Special Teams is playing tighter, besides the fact that our fakes and strategy stand out as a really amazingly powerful asset.

12) Shaun Hill is playing mistake free football, and we’ve still gotten good reps for Davis.

13) Mark Barron is integrating into our big nickel pretty well.

14) Trumaine Johnson and INTs, great job.

15) GZ’s field goals have been steady.

The Bad

15) TJ’s dropped INT.

16) We did not figure out how the Chargers were blocking us for a long time into the game.

17) Too little too late. Seriously we could be in the hunt, and we were close in a lot of games.

18) We need O line depth, and we don’t have it after bringing a lot of players in.

The Ugly

19) Reffing in the Chargers game was the worst I have ever seen.

I know that there are those that will say that these players are simply exercising their First Amendment rights,” SLPOA business manager Jeff Roorda said in the statement. “Well, I’ve got news for people who think that way

That, perhaps, could have been put better.

Bernie: Rams fans should savor this one

Bernie Miklasz

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-rams-fans-should-savor-this-one/article_6550205f-2abc-5f9b-98bb-28c38ccd6f2e.html

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, it was probably a good idea to give thanks for not being an Oakland Raider or one of their fans. Yes, even the Rams and their hardheaded loyalists can say that.

The Raiders are the only NFL franchise that has won fewer games than the Rams since the beginning of the 2004 season, so at least Rams fans have someone to look down on. Take it when you can.

That was the case Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome, when the team formerly known as the Same Old Sorry Rams dropped a “Greatest Show on Turf” retro performance on the tarnished Silver and Black from Oakland. Man, this was ugly. Even though legendary Raiders boss Al Davis passed away in 2011, he may fire a coach today.

The final score was 52 to zippo. And no, Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk didn’t suit up and frolic on behalf of the home team. But the 2014 Rams turned back the clock to a happier time for St. Louis pro football.

This complete performance was reminiscent of something we witnessed — with considerable awe — from 1999 through 2001. So thanks for the memories.

Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis played four seasons at The Ohio State University and never enjoyed a 52-point win there. The closest was a ruthless 58-7 stomping of Northwestern in 2007. But then again, the Buckeyes had a larger payroll, so … I kid you, Laurinaitis. I kid.

“Goodness, of all the wins I had in college playing Youngstown State and some of those early cupcake games — man, we never had 52 to nothing,” Laurinaitis said. “You’ve got to cherish these because they don’t come by very often. For whatever reason it was a perfect storm against them today.”

Yeah, I know what some of you are thinking: Shaddup, because it’s Oakland. A miserable team that’s lost 17 of its last 18 games. When you look at the Raiders you see the classic uniform colors and think of all the great players, flamboyant personalities, the commitment to excellence, the dominant seasons, etc.

The reality is much, much different. This is a ghost ship of a franchise, drifting aimlessly through the darkness, with familiar hit songs from the 1960s and ’70s echoing eerily in the fog. The Raiders have a commitment to irrelevance.

Yeah, and that said, the Rams are hardly Team Belichick. The locals haven’t haven’t fielded a squad with a winning record since 2003, and given that futility, all victories should be appreciated, if not treasured. Especially the 52 to goose egg variety.

This was a festive event.

The Rams scored their most points in a game since the 2001 season … the Rams’ defense pitched its first shutout since 2006 … the Rams’ offense scored on its first six possessions … it was the most one-sided victory by the Rams since the moving vans carried them to STL in 1995.

“Today we got slapped,” Raiders wide receiver James Jones said. “We got beat up. The Rams came out and played better than us in every phase. We got hit in the mouth and didn’t punch back.”

The Rams’ stars were aligned, with running back Tre Mason accounting for 164 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, wide receiver Stedman Bailey making 100 yards’ worth of catches in the first half, and quarterback Shaun Hill passing for two TDs and bootlegging his way to a third.

The Rams’ defense forced five turnovers, mugged for six sacks, held the Raiders to 244 yards and scored on an interception by cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

The Rams rallied themselves emotionally from the previous week’s 27-24 loss at San Diego, the most frustrating defeat during coach Jeff Fisher’s three seasons here. This was an impressive bounce-back Sunday afternoon for a 4-7 team that could have succumbed to a seemingly inevitable fate. But the Rams didn’t play down to the level of the competition; they came out and established immediate superiority.

This was important. As you know, under Fisher the Rams’ best performances have come against some of the league’s most formidable teams — and some of their worst games occurred against lesser teams. Well, not this time. In the 52-point wipeout of Oakland, the young Rams reaffirmed that they have talent and potential.

“Absolutely,” Laurinaitis said. “To me, when we went to San Francisco and won that game, where things didn’t go well for us a lot of the time … and when we beat Seattle at home … we play the tough teams really well. We play the good teams really well.

“A game like this, to win in this fashion — I’m not going to lie to you. I never saw 52-0 coming. I was most impressed with how heartbroken we were after last week, after that close loss, to come back and play this way. And it shows what we’re capable of doing.”

The Rams, 5-7, haven’t done enough. They haven’t had a winning streak since last season, and you get the feeling that this will be a substantial point of emphasis going into Sunday’s fracas at Washington.

“We still have a long way to go,” Laurinaitis said. “I mean goodness, we have to learn how to stack wins. That’s the next step with this young group here. We’ve got to figure it out.”

The Rams are also trying to figure out what to do in response to the roiling events in Ferguson. The Rams organization hosted Ferguson business owners for Sunday’s game. During pregame introductions the Rams’ five wide receivers emerged from the tunnel with the “Hands Up” gesture to convey solidarity with those protesting the police shooting death of Ferguson teenager Michael Brown on Aug. 9.

The Rams’ symbolic show of support will probably create more controversy in a racially polarized community. But players have a right to express their views — just as fans have the right to agree or disapprove of the Rams’ opinions.

But please don’t tell me that players should keep their mouths shut on a volatile issue that’s confronting St. Louis in a profound way. And it’s about time that people speak up so we can have open dialogue on a matter of critical importance. This isn’t North Korea.

“I don’t know what winning a football game does for that,” Laurinaitis said, referring to the Ferguson unrest. “Only God knows the truth. It’s important for the whole city to move forward and really love one another. I know it sounds cliché. But I’m a firm believer that love cures all things.”

The Rams may have gained some fans with their trouncing of the Raiders. They may have lost some fans with their “Hands Up” gesture. But on both counts, the team stood up Sunday.

stlramz

last 3 home games: Rams 28, 22, 52 points vs. 33 total allowed

Per game last three games

PF = 34

PA = 11

The losses to SD, AZ, Dal just killed this season. Too bad, because of all the crap they have put out there (particularly the Minnesota game), there has been some truly impressive moments.

———-
badnews

52 to Zip… with only 183 passing yds.

Under 200 passing yards and we win by 52?

I wonder how many times that has happened!

Nothing says “Team Win” quite like that.

They should start handing out sunglasses at Rams games… you know… ’cause the future…..

Rare laugher: Rams clobber Raiders 52-0

By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rare-laugher-rams-clobber-raiders/article_4e10dd93-c43a-5348-a188-e4f762d47d97.html

The only bad thing about Sunday’s 52-0 smashing of Oakland? It only counts as one victory. For the first time all season, the Rams enjoyed a laugher _ a laugher of near epic proportions.

Scoring on their first six possessions Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome, the Rams led 38-0 at halftime and then coasted to victory before a crowd announced at 55,650. The Rams had over 300 yards of offense by intermission, not to mention a 100-yard receiver (Stedman Bailey) and a 100-yard rusher (Tre Mason).

Before all was said and done, Mason had three touchdowns, quarterback Shaun Hill had thrown two TD passes, and the Rams had boosted their record to 5-7 on the season.

And let’s not forget the defense which produced four turnovers, including a pair of interceptions by Trumaine Johnson _ the second of which he returned 43 yards for the Rams’ final touchdown of the day.

The shutout was the team’s first since Dec. 17, 2006, at 20-0 victory at _ who else _ Oakland, in Scott Linehan’s first season as Rams head coach.

And the margin of victory was the most for a Rams team since the 1976 squad blanked Atlanta 59-0 on Dec. 4 of that year.

No ifs, ands, or buts, it was the most amazing first half seen in St. Louis since the Rams moved here in 1995. Yes, it came against the lowly Raiders (1-11), but it was a Raiders team coming off a 24-20 upset of Kansas City their last time out. And a Raiders team that had lost five games by seven points or fewer.

Save for a kneel-down on the final play of the first half, the Rams scored on every possession in the opening half. The first five were touchdowns, two by Mason, and one apiece by Hill, Tavon Austin, and Cory Harkey. On the Rams’ sixth possession, they settled for a Greg Zuerlein field goal and ultimately a 38-0 halftime lead.

The 38 points tied for the second most points scored in the first half in franchise history. The Rams scored 38 points in the first half vs. Green Bay in 1989, and scored a record 44 points in the first half against the Packers in 1980.

Before the end of the first quarter, Bailey had exactly 100 yards receiving on five catches. The Rams came out testing the Oakland perimeter, with Hill throwing tons of bubble screens with some occasional outside runs mixed in as well.

The Rams’ first nine offensive plays were passes, with Hill completing eight of them. The day’s first score came on a screen pass that Mason took 35 yards for a score.

The second score came on a two-yard rollout by Hill. With tight end Lance Kendricks knocked off his route by an Oakland defender, Hill just kept running to his right and scored only the fourth rushing TD of his 13-year career and his first since 2008.

After the third 3-and-out in as many possessions for the Oakland offense, Austin scored his second TD in as many weeks, dashing around left end on a jet sweep for an 18-yard score and a 21-0 lead with 2:37 still remaining in the opening quarter.

That 21-point outburst meant the Rams had outscored their opponents 86-32 in the first quarter this season.

Mason began the second quarter in scintillating fashion, racing 89 yards off left guard for the day’s fourth touchdown. Getting downfield blocks from Harkey and Austin, Mason’s run was the second-longest from scrimmage in franchise history. The record was a 92-yard run by Kenny Washington in 1947 against the Chicago Cardinals.

The run also put Mason above 100 yards rushing for the second time in three weeks.

A pair of interceptions thrown by Oakland rookie QB Derek Carr helped the Rams tack on 10 more points before the end of the half.

Missouri rookie E.J. Gaines grabbed a floater from Carr, who had Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers draped all over him when he threw. It was Gaines’ second interception as a pro, with the Rams taking over at the Oakland 23. Four plays later, it was 35-0 Rams after a four-yard TD pass from Hill to Harkey.

The Zuerlein field goal came after Johnson’s second interception in five games this year. Johnson’s 22-yard return set up the Rams at the Oakland 13.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Rams tacked on yet another TD to start the fourth quarter. A 28-yard pass interference penalty against Oakland corner T.J. Carrie, who was trying to cover Kenny Britt, put the Rams in scoring position at the Raiders 10.

After a two-yard carry by Zac Stacy. Mason then came up with the hat trick, scoring on an eight-yard run to give St. Louis a 45-0 lead with 12:47 to play in the fourth quarter.[