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znModerator“Signed a four-year, $3.97 million contract with the Rams in June of 2022.” And this is what he’s making with the Rams. If yer Kyren, do you hold out for a better contract next year? w v Draft class 2022
Logan Bruss |round 3 Cobie Durant | 4 Kyren Williams – 5 | Quentin Lake |6 Derion Kendrick |6 Daniel Hardy |7 Russ Yeast |7 AJ Arcuri – 7With only Wms and Lake coming through so far, 2022 looks like a subpar draft class. Duran and Kendrick haven’t stepped up in 2023, and Bruss has a couple of years worth of injuries holding hom back (plus at 6’5 309 he doesn’t fit the new model of OG the Rams have under OL coach Ryan Wendell–Avila is 6’3 332 and Dotson is 6’4 321).
I wonder if along with re-assessing and adjusting the offense in 2023, they did the same with personnel policies/tendencies and scouting. So they got better at it in 2023.
Of course Wms is a big score.
In terms of contract? I’m just pulling this off the top of my head, but my impression is that generally, when I have seen backs ask for an extension while still playing on their rookie contract , it’s not in year 3, it’s in year 4. That is, they’re saying, give me an extension now before the season instead of after the rookie contract expires at the end of this season. That’s what Jonathan Taylor was doing before the season this year. He got his extension btw. 3 years, 42 M, which is 14 M a year. The Rams can afford that in 2025 easily.
Though I think they need a true 1B back they can count on if/when KW misses games. Having both KW and the “new back to be named later” healthy at the same time would be a big plus. They’re in danger of over-using KW.
znModerator@RamsNFL rookie IDL Kobie Turner has more sacks, QB hurries, QB hits, and total pressures than Jalen Carter. No rookie IDL has more sacks (11); Carter ranks second with 7. Highly disruptive player with active, nasty hands. Bit of a Geno Atkins hit here. Unblockable vs. Giants. pic.twitter.com/2QbuVQChBp
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) January 2, 2024
znModeratorDemarcus Robinson in the month of December: 😳
342 yards (for comparison cooper kupp has 341 yards in december)
4 TD’s
21 catches
(4-1 since his emergence) 👀 pic.twitter.com/igOQxtMOMV— x – Rams Tapes 🥶 (@RamsTapes) January 3, 2024
znModeratorI fixed your last one. The url you used was wrong. I don’t know what caused that.
When I see a tweet in twitter I want to post, the first thing I do to get a good url is to hit the time marker on the tweet, whcih can be either an clock time or a date. In the case of that last tweet it’s a date. When you click which ever it has, clock time or date, it gives you a good url.
January 3, 2024 at 1:27 am in reply to: Canada Ram! & others: a board quirk on posting tweets #148262znModeratorI fixed your second one. The url was wrong.
znModeratorFROM THE NFL REPORT: Want to see @AllHands81 get excited? Bring up @RamsNFL WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Listen to how the future Hall of Famer breaks down this tandem. Great stuff. For the entire episode on YouTube: https://t.co/EDSoephbpq pic.twitter.com/6NBxfQTAmu
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) January 3, 2024
znModeratorznModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilvaErnest Jones has the most tackles in a single season in franchise history. He has 145 tackles this year, and that’s with missing one game. James Laurinaitis previously held the record of 142, which he reached twiceznModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueThe Rams released LS Alex Matheson from the practice squad, so Carson Tinker wins the spot. They signed QB Dresser Winn (who was with them in training camp) to the practice squad. DB Shaun Jolly went to injured reserve. No Maher transaction yet, but McVay said that’s coming..(I do wonder if this ie. Winn is a hint at the QB plan for Sunday, because any QB who plays will need a backup option)znModeratorSorry, zn. I now see that you posted that Breer article in the Rams Reset thread.
No big. Thanks for posting it. It can be in more than 1 thread.
znModeratorAlbert Breer, from NFL Week 17 Takeaways: https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/01/01/nfl-week-17-takeaways-49ers-clinch-nfc-still-great
• I tried to tell people before the season there was no way a Sean McVay team would tank. And now, impressively, the Rams are in the playoffs. Remember, this is a team carrying some $75 million in dead money and has, at points this year, had 19 rookies on its 53-man roster. It’s also a group that was working with a madeover offensive staff, and linchpins such as Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Floyd gone from the defense. It hasn’t always been pretty, and wasn’t in Sunday’s 26–25 win over the Giants (Matthew Stafford was picked twice, Tyrod Taylor threw for 319 yards). But the team got better over time, and now, again, looks like it has an awfully bright future, not to mention a chance to be pretty aggressive again this offseason. And as for now? Well, I tried to tell you they wouldn’t take their foot off the pedal. I’m not sure I’d want to face them in the wild-card round if I were the Lions, Cowboys or Eagles.
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Sean McVay’s Changes to His Offensive Staff Pay Off for the Rams
The Super Bowl-champion coach wasn’t afraid to inject new ideas into his scheme, and the moves have his team in the playoffs.Albert Breer
• The Los Angeles Rams are back in the playoffs, and we mentioned in the Ten Takeaways how remarkable it is that this was accomplished with the team carrying $75 million in dead money and, at points this year, 19 rookies on its 53-man roster.
Here’s the other thing: Sean McVay made some pretty significant changes to his offensive staff with the idea of injecting new ideas into the Rams’ scheme, and it’s worked.
McVay looked outside his comfort zone in the offseason to retool his offensive coaching staff.
He brought in Mike LaFleur, who spent seven years under Kyle Shanahan with the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers—after McVay and Shanahan parted ways. He hired Ryan Wendell, who played with the New England Patriots and coached for Brian Daboll with the Buffalo Bills, as the team’s line coach. Along those lines, the respect McVay has always had for Josh McDaniels’s scheme was reflected in the hire of McDaniels’s right-hand man, Nick Caley, as tight ends coach. And all of it showed a certain humility in McVay’s approach.
Despite all of the success he and the Rams have had with the Shanahan scheme, McVay sought out new ideas from outside his coaching tree.
“We really wanted to do our due diligence in finding the best coaches that were out there,” McVay told me over the summer. “And I have tremendous respect for the background of all of those guys knowing that, Hey man, I was so fortunate to be around really good people that taught me, and I had tremendous respect for. Whether it was Ryan Wendell’s background as a player under Dante Scarnecchia and Bill [Belichick] and learning from Josh [McDaniels], then being under Aaron Kromer in Buffalo, there is some familiarity with our background. And then Nick Caley, I mean, a lot of it, I trust his experience is there.
“I heard great stuff from Brian Daboll about them. And then Mike I’ve known forever, but I know how close he and Kyle were, how instrumental he was in a lot of the things that they were doing.”
The result? A run game that’s more diverse with more downhill, gap-scheme concepts, and a passing game that further leans into, and empowers, the expertise and experience of Matthew Stafford. A top-10 rushing attack behind Kyren Williams. And a renaissance season from Stafford, with a record-breaking rookie receiver (Puka Nacua) riding shotgun.
All because McVay was willing to go outside his comfort zone.
znModeratorOkay, but teams coming off a bye win more often than not.
I’m for resting the equipment managers.
I think teams can play one meaningless game after they’ve clinched their playoff spots where they don’t wear any uniforms, helmets, or padding. Or for that matter, use footballs.
znModeratorBlaine Grisak @bgrisakTSTIn 2017, the Rams were 4-1 down the stretch and rested starters against the 49ers in Week 17. In the playoff game against the Falcons, Rams fell down 13-0 and didn’t score their first points until 2:30 left in the 2nd quarter. First four drives ended in four plays or less.znModeratorShould the Rams rest some starters in Week 18? https://t.co/UZBCGW3hfk pic.twitter.com/uXiSBBiBEp
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) January 2, 2024
znModeratorWhat I would like to see them get. Either draft picks or bargain veteran FAs that can be coached up like Witherspoon or Robinson. I red-bold the top priorities.
A couple of CBs. That’s along with signing Witherspoon.
LB/edge.
Another ILB to complement Jones.
NT depth
DE, ie. a 3/4 style
OT depth
OC depth
Another 1A RB so it’s not all Wms.
Kicker
10 is a lot. The ones I prioritized? It is do-able if they come through both in the draft and in picking up a couple of bargain-but-coachable FAs.
znModeratorKyren Williams’ best plays from 3-TD game
znModeratorThe Rams released kicker Lucas Havrisik on Monday morning after he missed two extra point attempts in Sunday’s narrow win over the New York Giants.
They are signing Brett Maher, according to head coach Sean McVay. Maher is one of five kickers the Rams have had on their roster since the spring. He was released before they signed Havrisik in October.
“Getting into the playoffs definitely changes a little bit of the dialogue,” said McVay on Monday afternoon. The Rams clinched a postseason spot with their win at New York, and Pittsburgh’s win at Seattle on Sunday afternoon.
“Wanted to get somebody in here that had some experience. … There’s options out there, and then there are guys that have familiarity with it. There’s not a perfect scenario. But I think when you look at the landscape, some of the options, this is what we felt like was going to be the best opportunity to move forward the way that we want to.”
Maher played seven games for the Rams earlier this season and went 17-of-23 on field goal attempts, and 12-of-13 on extra point attempts.
Long snapper Alex Ward is dealing with a neck issue and went on injured reserve in December, altering the Rams’ snap-and-hold operation. Carson Tinker is currently the team’s long snapper.
Where the rest of the roster has dramatically improved over the course of the 2023 season, special teams remains last in the NFL in DVOA and has left 37 points on the board due to 11 missed field goals and four missed extra points. The punting unit has allowed two returns for touchdowns in the last four weeks, with one costing them the game in overtime at Baltimore.
According to DVOA creator Aaron Schatz, the Rams currently have the sixth-lowest special teams DVOA in league history.
“I do think there’s plays that we’re not making that we are capable of,” McVay said. “There have been a lot of moving parts as it relates to our field goal operation … I also think that some of the coverage things, we’ve got to tackle better. We do need to play better, (and) we’re capable of doing that.”
znModeratorfrom Rodrigue: https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/nfl-week-18-news-schedule-standings/nsPRUujINWwk/l9As1V0Rv7J0/
…injury updates from McVay: Starting nose tackle Bobby Brown III, who left Sunday’s game with a knee injury and did not return, suffered a hyperextension but “should be OK.” Tackle/guard Joe Noteboom injured his heel and isn’t likely to practice this week.
Tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a posterior subluxation of his left shoulder and his status will be monitored through the week.
Safety Jordan Fuller is day to day with an ankle sprain.
Defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson has turf toe and will also be day to day.
Starting left tackle Alaric Jackson missed Sunday’s game due to a personal reason, which McVay clarified Monday was a family situation but said he’d allow Jackson to share more detail if he chose to do so. Jackson will be back with the Rams this week.
znModeratorMore from Rams HC Sean McVay on the decision to waive kicker Lucas Havrisik and bring back Brett Maher:https://t.co/VPBUA4JuvZ
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 1, 2024
znModeratorNo update yet on NT Bobby Brown, who went out of the Giants game with a knee injury.Edit: see Rodrigue below
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This reply was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by
zn.
znModeratorfrom Rams PFF grades: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-pff-grades-week-17-giants-best-worst-players/?taid=659326c651a48f0001c37371&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter
Top 5 offense
- LG Steve Avila: 85.1
- RG Kevin Dotson: 83.7
- RT Rob Havenstein: 80.0
- TE Tyler Higbee: 74.1
- RB Kyren Williams: 72.5
Based on PFF’s grades, the entire offensive line played pretty well, particularly in pass protection. Avila and Dotson allowed zero pressures, and Havenstein gave up just one.
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Top 5 defense
- DT Kobie Turner: 92.2
- DT Aaron Donald: 91.0
- CB Derion Kendrick: 80.2
- LB Troy Reeder: 79.9
- DB Quentin Lake: 73.9
Turner and Donald are legitimately one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the NFL right now. Turner played the best game of his career, recording 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks in the win. He also had five stops, making a big impact as a run defender.
Donald had six pressures and two sacks, also making two stops.
Kendrick only played 21 snaps but he broke up the only pass that was thrown his way. It would’ve gone for a touchdown, too.
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Bottom 5 offense
- WR Puka Nacua: 63.2
- WR Cooper Kupp: 56.7
- WR Demarcus Robinson: 55.6
- QB Matthew Stafford: 49.1
- C Coleman Shelton: 46.1
Don’t make much of Nacua being in the bottom five. The Rams only had 11 players on offense who played at least 10 snaps, so Nacua was essentially right in the middle. PFF did put him down for two drops, which lowered his grade.
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Bottom 5 defense
- DT Larrell Murchison: 54.7
- OLB Michael Hoecht: 52.8
- S John Johnson III: 48.0
- S Russ Yeast: 36.7
- LB Christian Rozeboom: 31.9
Murchison was kept off the stat sheet in 14 snaps played, recording zero pressures or tackles.
Hoecht had three pressures and allowed two catches for 10 yards on four targets.
Johnson missed one tackle and was credited with only three tackles made, two of which were assists.
Yeast continues to struggle, missing a key tackle along the sideline and allowing three catches for 38 yards.
Rozeboom missed two tackles and took poor angles throughout the game.
znModerator28-yard TD run by Kyren Williams was fun to watch. Kyren postgame rightfully shouted out offensive line – watch Kevin Dotson's combo block working up to play side LB – but also credited Cooper Kupp's pickup of nickel DB & keeping that DB outside for allowing him to get into lane. pic.twitter.com/hBnfmcGmGS
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 1, 2024
znModeratorThe Sean McVay era has seen six of his seven seasons end with a winning record, the best stretch the Rams have had since 1974 – 1980. pic.twitter.com/yHuQmu8lPr
— SeattleRams (@seattlerams_nfl) January 1, 2024
znModeratorSean McVay told reporters Monday that Tyler Higbee dislocated his shoulder and Jordan Fuller sprained his ankle. The Rams have no reason to rush them back after clinching a playoff berth, but their statuses will be evaluated this week leading up to the season finale.
znModeratorThey discuss the Rams at 7:43 in.
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znModeratorYou guys don’t know the first thing about tanking. If you want to tank, you play the starters so they all get injured. That way you end up with higher draft picks in 2024. Which would then give them a chance to build a team capable of going to the playoffs.
LOL I tell y’all what. I’m fine with the Rams losing their first game in the playoffs. I will allow myself about 60 seconds to have a good cry about it, then I’m going to celebrate one of the most interesting and hopeful seasons I’ve experienced as a Rams fan. Seriously, there was a LOT of talk – an Expectation, really – that the Rams were headed for Caleb Williams. Now I never believed that. I said from the beginning I thought they were ~.500 team, but they are better than that when they have KW and MS healthy. And the defense, though weak in the secondary, is much, much better than I expected. ST is worse, but there ya go.
Yeah it’s all true.
znModeratorMy concern is we could be one and out in the playoffs. Our field goal kicker is trash, and our secondary is trash. Derion Kendrick starting, means to me, no one else is as good as him, on the roster. It is sad, you look in free agency for 2024, it is not that good either, based on what’s out there.
They don’t need free agency and are frankly better off just signing their own guys. In fact they really don’t have money to make a huge splash.
Remember what the naysayers predicted for this season. That it was an awful team, too young, and years away.
Will the 2nd youngest team in the league have some holes? Sure. But in the process of proving the naysayers wrong, the Rams either found or proved they had already found a long list of players:
Witherspoon (FA, vet minimum)
Lake (low pick, 2022, came through)
Young (2023 3rd rounder)
Jones (who we knew about but he stepped up to another level)
Turner (2023 3rd rounder)
Brown (another in a long list of Rams budget draft pick NTs)
Jackson (UDFA becomes a starting left tackle)
Avilla (expected of a 2nd round pick but still)
Dotson (budget trade)
Allen (very promising rookie)
Nacua (5th rounder competing for OROY)
Robinson (another vet minimum FA)
Williams (didn’t have much of a chance in 2022, stepped up in 2023)
They still have holes but not even the most optimistic observer predicted all of that. So why can’t they keep it up in 2024? Draft picks, UDFAs, “ronin” signings, budget trades.
They don’t need an expensive FA. This team is ahead of schedule and has already demonstrated that it knows how to find players. But you can’t expect the 2nd youngest team in the league to completely “there” yet so 2023 is just for starters.
They have 11 picks in 2024 plus enough cap space to keep a number of their own UFAs. Plus they have a number of top notch position coaches, including Ryan Wendell, who just might be the best OL coach they’ve had since Hudson Houck back in the 80s (and the Rams have had many good OL coaches, it’s just that Wendell very well may be the best of the lot outside of Houk).
And you fear they may be one and one in the playoffs? Well compare that to your predictions for this team before the season. Did you ever say at that point that they could have a winning season and reach the playoffs?
They exceeded your expectations in 2023 and can do it again in 2024.
But right now they’re the 2nd youngest team in the league and would absolutely have to catch fire to win more than 1 playoff game if that. I’m not disappointed though. I was optimistic before the season started and yet they exceeded my expectations too. I’ll take it. Great year.
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znModeratorThe Rams might find more value in resting some guys before the playoff game than in going all out for the 6 seed. Maybe get Nacua the rookie records, and then put in the JV team.
You guys don’t know the first thing about tanking.
If you want to tank, you play the starters so they all get injured.
That way you end up with higher draft picks in 2024.
Which would then give them a chance to build a team capable of going to the playoffs.
znModeratorznModerator -
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