from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/7/22/24203972/rams-training-camp-steve-avila-all-pro-predictions?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=turfshowtimes&utm_campaign=socialflow
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Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame was tasked with picking the best player at each position in terms of the highest-odds to make an All-Pro team for the first time this season. At first, I wondered why Puka Nacua wasn’t on the list, but as a second-team All-Pro in his rookie campaign, Puka was ineligible. But a Rams player did make the list:

Center: Steve Avila, Los Angeles Rams
Avila was fantastic as a rookie left guard last season. However, he’s now kicking inside after the offseason signing of Jonah Jackson. While the competition at center is fierce with Ragnow and Creed Humphrey, Avila has a chance to earn the nod provided he continues to ascend.

InvaderRam wrote:

the jackson dotson combo. best pair of guards the rams have had in the past thirty years?

I think so but this is a somewhat less dramatic a difference. In the GSOT days Nutten and Timmerman were a good pair of guards, though as I remember it, Nutten was basically just really solid. Jackson and Dotson appear to be more than that. Nutten/Timmerman were pretty good but just not Jackson/Dotson good. So then yeah you go back to Hill and Harrah at the height of the Dickerson days (Hill/Harrah were the Rams guards together from to 79 to 85. In 85 btw the Rams had 4 pro bowl OL–Hill Smith Harrah Slater.)

That OL btw, the 80s Dickerson OL, also had a first-rate, “one of the best in the league” level OL coaches, Hudson Houck. The Shaw Rams wouldn’t pay him when it was contract time so he left after 91. He then earned fame as the great OL coach of the Dallas OL from 93-2001, in the Aikman era.

Hanifan was a very good OL coach when he was with the Rams, though he had Pace to help him with that.  He made something out of guys like Nutten and McCullum, though his stars were Pace and Timmerman.

Anyway. The point is, I am wondering if Ryan Wendell is that level. Best Rams OL coach since Houck? You can’t say that after just 1 year but that’s where my thoughts are tending.

Trump’s would-be assassin researched previous mass shooter Ethan Crumbley and his family before attack

https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/19/politics/trump-rally-shooter-searches/index.html

The Trump rally shooter searched online for information on the arrest of a Michigan mass shooter and his parents, who were prosecuted in a 2021 high school shooting. He visited websites for how to build explosives. And in the minutes before he fired shots in an attempted assassination of Donald Trump, he screenshotted a picture from a livestream of the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

A week before the shooting, Thomas Matthew Crooks searched online for the date of the Democratic National Convention and where Trump planned to speak, as well as other searches for Trump and President Joe Biden.

These details were among those shared by FBI and US Secret Service officials in a Wednesday briefing with lawmakers and by additional people familiar with the investigation. The previously unreported readout documents the scope of the investigation, including an expanded timeline of the would-be assassin’s actions leading to up his assault and law enforcement’s failure to prevent it.

Investigators remain puzzled about possible motives for Saturday’s attempted assassination of the former president, finding little to point to political or ideological intentions for the attack.

But the would-be assassin’s recent trail on the internet has provided investigators with a detailed picture of his possible mindset before the attack. FBI behavioral experts are building a profile of Crooks based on the findings, the FBI told lawmakers.

Police continue to block roads around the home of Thomas Matthew Crooks as the FBI continues its investigation into the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on July 14, 2024. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, was shot in the ear July 13 in the opening minutes of his campaign rally in Butler. Rivals Joe Biden and Donald Trump urged Americans to show unity on July 14, after an assassination attempt on the Republican that the FBI said was carried out by a shooter with a legally-bought semi-automatic rifle.

Investigators now believe account on gaming site in would-be assassin’s name is fake
One emerging theory by investigators, based in part on the timing and subjects of his online searches, is that the shooter was looking to carry out a mass shooting and that the Trump event’s proximity and timing offered the most ready opportunity, according to a US official briefed on the matter.

Unlike other mass shooters who often leave behind manifestos or writings to explain their attack, Crooks left behind few clues, in his bedroom or online.

Investigators recovered rudimentary explosive devices from his car, along with a bullet-proof vest, additional magazines of the type he used in the attack and a drone, according to the officials who briefed lawmakers Wednesday. At the family home, they also recovered 14 firearms and additional explosives, along with a second cellphone, a laptop and hard drive.

Investigators have focused on Crooks’ online activity in the months and days before the attack. Family members and people he worked with described him as quiet and a loner but haven’t indicated that he showed any signs of planning an attack. In April, he searched websites for information on major depressive disorder and depressive crisis treatment.

On his primary cellphone, investigators found an image of the arrest photo of Ethan Crumbley – the student who shot and killed four classmates at a Michigan high school in 2021 – along with information about Crumbley and his parents, who were both found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, the first time parents of a school shooter have been prosecuted.

Three days after the Trump campaign announced the rally in Butler, a western Pennsylvania town about an hour from Crook’s home, Crooks made numerous searches online for well-known political figures and political events. He searched for the date and location of the Democratic National Convention, which takes place in August in Chicago, and for the location of the Trump rally. He also searched for information on Trump, Biden and other major political figures.

On the day of the rally, Crooks made several internet searches, including for photos of the location of Trump’s speech and for a local gun store not far from his home, where he purchased bullets that day.

Investigators have found data showing that Crooks had visited the location of the rally a week before it was to be held. And on the morning of the rally, he visited the farm where the rally was to be held for over an hour. He then went home, and investigators believe he retrieved an AR-15 rifle owned by his father. Crooks’ father told investigators that he saw his son leave the home with the rifle and believed he was going to a shooting range that the two had frequented.

On the day of the rally, his parents attempted to reach out to Crooks to find him. He didn’t respond.

Warren Sharp@SharpFootball
most expensive offenses in 2024

1. $191.0M – Browns
2. $190.7M – Rams
3. $170.7M – Chiefs
4. $158.7M – Cowboys
5. $151.5M – Falcons
6. $149.8M – Giants
7. $149.3M – Colts
8. $147.5M – 49ers
9. $146.2M – Panthers
10. $140.8M – Bengals
11. $140.5M – Jaguars
12. $138.7M – Cardinals
13. $138.5M – Dolphins
14. $136.3M – Texans
15. $134.4M – Bears
16. $134.2M – Lions
17. $131.0M – Seahawks
18. $125.9M – Ravens
19. $123.1M – Saints
20. $118.8M – Eagles
21. $115.8M – Broncos
22. $113.4M – Raiders
23. $113.3M – Vikings
24. $108.1M – Patriots
25. $106.9M – Commanders
26. $105.6M – Jets
27. $105.1M – Bills
28. $105.1M – Buccaneers
29. $95.9M – Titans
30. $90.6M – Chargers
31. $80.6M – Steelers
32. $78.4M – Packers

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/7/18/24201086/dan-orlovsky-believes-rams-offense-awesome-pat-mcafee-show?utm_source=twitter&utm_content=turfshowtimes&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social

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Dan Orlovsky. The ESPN NFL analyst appeared on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday, explains why he believes the Rams offense is “going to be awesome”.

“I think they’re going to be awesome. Awesome,” Orlovsky said. “I think the Rams are going to be as difficult an offense to contend that we have in the league. Maybe San Francisco, but like, the Rams offensive line is going to be awesome. They took Blake Corum, so their one-two with Kyren is going to be devastating. The two receivers are fantastic when it comes to winning on the edge. So I think the Rams offense is going to be great – and look, I don’t think Stafford throws for a gajillion yards because they’re going to run the ball so much.”

…

Zooey wrote:

Although there have been discussions & articles about Project 2025, VERY FEW focus specifically on Trump’s plans for Black Americans

Our twitchy spam software wants to hide the article in the last post. Rather than constantly “approving” it, I put in a place-holder empty reply (ie. this post) that ought to keep it in place.

Countdown to Camp: Rams enter 2024 training camp with one of NFL’s heaviest projected starting offensive lines

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/countdown-to-camp-rams-enter-2024-training-camp-with-one-of-nfl-s-heaviest-projected-starting-offensive-lines

Countdown to Camp is a series breaking down the Rams roster by position group heading into the team’s first open training camp practice. The first installment examines the offensive line.

Transitioning to a bigger, more physical offensive line in 2023, the Rams gained even more size this offseason. And, based on their projected starters, they enter training camp with the NFL’s third-heaviest unit in 2024, according to offensive line/defensive line analyst Brandon Thorn, who published the Trench Warfare Newsletter.

The Rams brought back restricted free agent Alaric Jackson (signed 1-year tender), last season’s starting left tackle, and also re-signed breakout right guard Kevin Dotson to a 3-year deal. They also signed former Lions guard Jonah Jackson to a 3-year deal in free agency, and his arrival led to Steve Avila sliding over from left guard to center. Rob Havenstein, a team captain and last season’s starting right tackle, returns as well.

Here’s how that projected starting five measures across the line:

A. Jackson: 6-foot-7, 345 pounds
J. Jackson: 6-4, 315
Avila: 6-3, 338
Dotson: 6-4, 330
Havenstein: 6-8, 323

With four of those five starting along the offensive line last year, Los Angeles averaged the seventh-most total yards of offense (359.3). More importantly, it rebounded from 27th in rushing yards per game in 2022 to 11th in 2023, their average increasing by 22.6 yards. The improvement up front translated not only in the run game, but also the pass game – a bigger, more physical unit tied for the 6th-fewest sacks allowed last season after the 2022 edition – shuffling through 12 different combinations through the first 13 games due to injury – allowed the third-most.

Now, that unit puts Avila at center and adds Jonah Jackson.

“We’ve had some cross tape through the season so I was able to see the work that they do,” Jackson said after signing with the Rams on March 14. “That’s a powerful bunch. I came out the same year as Dotson so I had some familiarity with him through college and watching him, Steve, Alaric and Rob, that’s a good group. Kind of similar to what we had in Detroit. There’s some specialness there so I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Jackson is the most intriguing piece to this heavier and slightly-reconfigured offensive line, and he arrived in Los Angeles with some schematic carryover from what Detroit did, namely in the run game.

“The gap scheme and the duo just in general is probably our bread and butter in Detroit and glad it’s the bread and butter over here,” Jackson also said on March 14. “So it’s not going to be too hard of a transition and things like that are right up my alley.”

An offensive line with that size and physicality not only should aid the run game and the pass game, but also the offense as a whole situationally – short-yardage and being able to control the clock late in games with a lead, as two examples.

It will be fun to see this group in action when the pads come on in training camp.

Warren Sharp@SharpFootball
highest % of passes thrown under pressure:

49% – Justin Fields
48%
47%
46%
45% – Will Levis
44%
43% – Zach Wilson
42% – Bailey Zappe, Russell Wilson
41% – Geno Smith, Bryce Young
40% – Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy
39% – Ryan Tannehill, Sam Howell
38% – Joshua Dobbs, Kenny Pickett
37%
36% – Lamar Jackson, Jake Browning, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jared Goff
35% – C.J. Stroud, Gardner Minshew
34% – Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford
33% – Aidan O’Connell, Kirk Cousins
32% – Dak Prescott, Desmond Ridder, Joe Flacco
31% – Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, Joe Burrow
30% – Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence
29%
28%
27%
26%
25% – Tua Tagovailoa

(2023 reg season, min 200 att)

from Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL’s top 10 QBs for 2024: https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/40284109/top-10-nfl-quarterbacks-execs-scouts-2024-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings

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1, 2, 3, 4 were Mahomes, Burrow, Allen, Jackson.

5. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 10
Age: 36 | Last year’s ranking: 10

Some evaluators see Stafford as a bit of a kingmaker.

“He elevates the play of those around him,” a high-ranking official with an NFL team said. “Puka Nacua is a good player — but he’s not the same guy without Stafford. He helps those guys reach their potential.”

Stafford’s elite status is accentuated by the most basic terms: Wins and losses.

2021: Stafford comes to Los Angeles, Rams go 12-5 and win the Super Bowl.

2022: Stafford misses nine games due to injury, Rams miss the playoffs.

2023: Stafford misses only two games, Rams are back in the playoffs despite what was supposed to be a mini-rebuild.

The longer Stafford plays alongside Sean McVay, the more his legacy mushrooms.

“The arm strength hasn’t left him — he can still make every throw to every part of the field,” an NFC executive said. “He attacks the intermediate windows and the middle of the field with accuracy. Cooper Kupp missed [five games] and he kept them afloat.”

Durability has been the knock on Stafford, but when he’s healthy and kept upright, he can deliver the football among the best. From Weeks 11-18, as Stafford returned from a right thumb injury, he ranked tied for third in passing touchdowns (16) and eighth in QBR (73) as the Rams won seven of their last eight.

Stafford is now the second-oldest starting quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers, but he wants to keep playing — hopefully on a reworked contract with Los Angeles to strengthen his guarantees.

“At this stage, he needs a quality offensive line,” a head scout of an NFL team said. “They weren’t great up front last year and he still produced. They should be better. Stafford can use his legs on occasion but should be playing comfortably in the pocket at this stage.”

from https://ramblinfan.com/posts/how-does-la-rams-gm-les-snead-find-so-many-gems-on-other-nfl-teams-rosters-01j2rt9et911

Darious Williams off waivers

Darious Williams signed with the Baltimore Ravens after the 2018 NFL Draft, but was offered only a special teams role. When the Raven released him mid-season to make room to return a player from IR, the Rams pounced and added him to their 53-man roster.

Williams would play just four defensive snaps in 2018. But in 2019, the Rams secondary would undergo some upheaval. Former All Pro CB Aqib Talib would fall to a devastating injury after just five games. And his teammate, CB Marcus Peters, was ineffective as he allowed three touchdowns over six games. The Rams traded both cornerbacks away, allowing the team to trade for discontented All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. And as the secondary was recast, the team tried Darious Williams in a starting role to close out the season.

Williams proved to be the ideal bookend to match Jalen Ramsey. As offenses threw away from Ramsey, Williams found himself getting plenty of work. In 2020, Williams picked off four passes and held opposing receiving to no better than a 54.2 percent completion rate.

And now, he’s back to do it all over again

Billy_T wrote:

From the late 1960s thru the 1980s, with just a few lost years here and there . . . they were great in the trenches, on both sides of the ball.

I’ve posted this before but I enjoy repeating it.

There is at least one Ram offensive lineman in the pro bowl every single season from 1967 until 1990. That’s 12 different pro-bowl lineman across 24 consecutive years.

In fact the 68 line had 4 pro bowlers, as did the 78 line and the 85 line.