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znModeratorYahoo Sports@YahooSports
The NFL will have a Wednesday game to open 2026 with 49ers-Rams in Australia being played either on Wednesday or Thursday as part of opening weekend, per @Ourand_Puck.znModeratorThe Titans have formed the baldest coaching staff of all time pic.twitter.com/oLR4UlIpcP
— BetMGM š¦ (@BetMGM) February 13, 2026
znModeratorJordan Reid@Jordan_Reid
This is a fantastic DB class. I have a huge cluster of 2nd and 3rd round grades at both safety and CB right now. The testing and on-field drills will be fun to watch at the Combine. Interested to see who separates from the group.znModeratorznModeratorHow Rob Havenstein Exemplified What the Rams Are All About
The Los Angeles Rams right tackle has his place within the franchise secured foreverBrock Vierra
https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-how-rob-havenstein-exemplified-what-are-all-about
WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams said goodbye to Rob Havenstein on Tuesday and it can not be put into words how important of a figure he was around the facility.
2025 marks a significant milestone for both Havenstein and myself. My first year on the beat was Havenstein’s last. Having had the privilege of covering him during this past year, here’s everything I learned about the Rams legend.
Football is often a metaphor for life but it’s origins comes from simulated warfare and if there was any man for whom a soldier would want in the foxhole with them, it’s Rob Havenstein. Perhaps no moment exemplified his character more than when he expressed disappointment at not being able to play due to the fact he wouldn’t be sore with his teammates the following day when they came in for treatment.
Perhaps appropriate that his fame came from his work in the trenches because for one of the most selfless players within the organization, he’s one of the most beloved due to his ability to be the glue of the roster.
When Sean McVay first came to the Rams, the idea was to move him to guard. That ended up not happening and Havenstein would remain at right tackle. From then on, he would be the thread that connects the Rams from their St. Louis era through their advanced rebuild into championship success and ended it by pioneering their next success.
Havenstein was the standard for which people followed. He was the guide that helped the Rams cut upfield in Super Bowl LVI, and he was the force behind the scenes that kept the production of offensive line intact despite losses like Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, and more throughout the years.
And now he has set up the position for the next seven to ten years. When the Rams lost Whitworth, Joe Noteboom was slated to fill in. That didn’t work out and when the Rams needed to find an answer at tackle, an undrafted free agent named Alaric Jackson found his feet because guys like Havenstein were in the position group room and now, the Rams have a premier talent at the position.
In his final year, Havenstein worked hard to come back from injury. Despite his efforts, Warren McClendon would have to fill in and McClendon performed at the top of his abilities. The reason is due to Havenstein. Havenstein, despite having his own issues that he was working through, made sure McClendon was ready to go week in and week out.
That’s why he’s a legend. As Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp did before him, Havenstein became a champion and a pillar for the franchise, leaving his legacy, and the position he occupied better than how he found it.
znModeratorScott Kacsmar@ScottKacsmar
Preview of what I’m working on.Basically, the NFC quarterbacks people who have trust issues who are playing with all those wonderful toys(Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jaxon-Smith Njigba, Puka Nacua, etc.) in innovative, fresh schemes while the best AFC quarterbacks are just trying to stay upright, hoping their best weapons donāt fall off a cliff from old age (Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry), donāt end up on TMZ (Stefon Diggs, Rashee Rice), or donāt end up as memes in Cam Newton videos (Buffaloās Cookie Man).
znModeratorznModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Brian Allen back in the building, this time on the headset instead of in the huddle.Former Rams center now stepping in as assistant OL coach. Knows the system, knows the standard, and knows what it takes to win in this city.
Second act starts now.
znModeratorAnd against those Seattle defenders who said Stafford was throwing “blindly,” the Rams qb in the last 2 games against them threw 84 for 51 (60.7%), with 831 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, and an avg. qb rating of 119.15.
So…maybe it wasn’t quite as “blindly” as they were saying?
Or maybe they meant it as a compliment? Stafford sees the defense and knows where the receiver is, and just pulls the trigger. The younger Maye has to see the receiver and that adds half a step to the throw before pulling the trigger.
In fact that’s probably what they meant, now that I think of it.
znModeratorIt's never too early to think about football@colincowherd reveals his Top 10 Teams hierarchy for the 2026 NFL season pic.twitter.com/wGK0wh8uhb
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 11, 2026
znModerator.@Patriots @Seahawks the Pats seemed to play the entire game with lack of awareness…1st & 10 in the 4th….Nobody cutting off their route…no Hots; no sight adjusts ; even in MAX PRO; these overload pressure are hard to pick up. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/5MfP9G5tNF
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) February 11, 2026
znModeratorāThe Seahawks were one of the lowest percentage blitzing teams in the National Football League this yearā¦ā
āWhat IMMEDIATELY jumped out to me was how they started the game with pressure.ā@GregCosell shares one of his key takeaways from Super Bowl LX: pic.twitter.com/C95WMma76R
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) February 11, 2026
znModeratorso does that make johnny hekker the last remaining st louis ram to still be playing in the nfl?
I think so. Unless Jake McQuaide is still their long snapper.
znModeratorScott Kacsmar@ScottKacsmar
Seattle absolutely did not throttle good teams all season.They beat up the 49ers at the end of the year and the Patriots in the SB.
That’s it.
znModeratorAlbert Breer@AlbertBreer
Long-time Rams RT Rob Havensteināthe final St. Louis Ramāannounced his retirement after 11 seasons. Great pro, and a mainstay for the team.znModeratorThe #Rams are expected to hire Tennesseeās Michael Hunter as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Does that mean Pleasant is leaving?
from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-make-their-first-defensive-coaching-hire-2026-offseason
Hunter, who played for Indiana and Oklahoma State before going undrafted in 2016, is a defensive back by trade who spent four years bouncing around the NFL before embarking on a coaching career.
Hunter was set to coach for the Tennessee Volunteers this upcoming season but chose to come to the NFL instead after winning the 2024 National Title with Ohio State
This hire comes in the wake of Aubrey Pleasant taking multiple defensive coordinator interviews. Pleasant is the Rams’ assistant head coach/ pass game coordinator who filled in for the responsibilities coaching defensive backs with Chris Beake, Mike Harris, and others.
It’s unknown if this move has any correlation with Pleasant’s recent interviews.
znModeratorNo Jordan Love. No Jared Goff. No Dak Prescott. @ChrisCanty99 shares his top five QBs in the NFC. š pic.twitter.com/0RNIWq6Vi4
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 10, 2026
znModeratorAdam Archuleta@AdamArchuleta
I’ve rewatched the Super Bowl a few times now. One thing that stood out:– Seattle used a lot of different motions and formations that specifically clouded the keys, reads and responsibilities of the New England defense.
– I had to watch some plays multiple times to make sure what the proper rules and keys needed to be to defend certain plays.
– Several times I said to myself, “Man, that’s tough” because of the conflicts.
– I didn’t see much of this from New England’s offense, with very few adjustments. I don’t see how you can expect to beat a defense as fast, physical, and instinctual as Seattle’s without attempting to change the picture and put them in conflicts.
– Some offenses motion just to motion, but the good ones understand defensive rules and keys that are specific to that defense.
– I don’t think you can be a mostly static offense and consistently beat good disciplined defense in todays game.
– every time they tried to run it – the Seahawks ran the same weak side B gap blitz! They stuffed it before they even got started. Patriots didn’t start to counter with perimeter runs in 2nd Half – weird game.
– On multiple Witherspoon blitzes, Patriots actually had it blocked up, but his time up, speed and athleticism beat the protection. One of the best blitzing days Iāve seenznModeratorThe #Rams are expected to hire Tennesseeās Michael Hunter as a defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Does that mean Pleasant is leaving?
znModeratorfrom The Athletic, NFL Power Rankings (Feb 10): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7033954/2026/02/10/nfl-power-rankings-super-bowl-seahawks-patriots-takeaways/?campaign=16838376&source=athletic_targeted_email&userId=603890
…
1. Seattle Seahawks (17-3)
Last ranking: 1The takeaway: Defense is back!
This may be an exaggeration overall, but every game the Seahawks played this season against anyone but the Los Angeles Rams should have come with a parental warning for violence. Seattle led the league in both points allowed (17.2 per game) and defensive EPA (12.5 per 100 snaps), according to TruMedia. Against everyone but the Rams, those numbers improved to 15.6 and 15.
2. Los Angeles Rams (14-6)
Last ranking: 6The takeaway: The real runners-up
Letās take a moment to appreciate the games that the Rams and Seahawks gave us this year. Seattle won two of three, and every game was a banger. The aggregate score was 88-85 in favor of the Seahawks. None of the games was decided by more than four points, and the games featured 10 lead changes. League MVP Matthew Stafford says heās coming back next year, so expect both of his games against Seattle next year to be in prime time.
znModeratorIf Stafford and Maye were on the same team, Stafford would be the starter, and Maye would be the backup.
roberto clemente@rclemente2121
in case there was any doubt…vs the top 10 pass defenses
(passer rating allowed):stafford:
19 tds, 1 int, 111.3 passer rating
26.7 offensive pts per game avgmaye:
6 tds, 5 int, 82.9 passer rating
19.0 offensive pts per game avg* includes postseason
znModeratorThis guy is just-plain-likeable. Iām sorry.
Right. And I suppose Mike Martz wasn’t?
(Kidding. Martz wasn’t.)
znModerator"When you have that much pressure and that many sacks, that's on the playcaller."@markschlereth on the Patriots' lack of adjustments. pic.twitter.com/uC60O78ibU
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 9, 2026
znModeratorOne of the stats that pointed toward Maye was common opponents. Pats were 6-0 and Rams were 4-2. I think the QB stats in those 6 games favored Maye.
I also think what Maye can do with his legs was a significant point in his favor.Stafford was better and more deserving. The little statistical counterarguments don’t persuade me a bit. I’m with Jim Everett, who says that east coast analysts and sports guys tend to watch east coast teams and they just didn’t see the Rams that much.
As for opponents the 2 teams did not have in common, they were better teams on the Rams side and weaker ones on the Patz side. Stafford faced tests and passed, Maye didn’t and coasted.
I honestly believe there was no good argument for Maye being that close to Stafford in the voting.
znModerator"I'm watching Stafford against this Seahawks defense and he looks like Lewis Hamilton. Drake Maye yesterday looked like a student driver. He was completely overwhelmed."@colincowherd thinks it's clear the moment was too big for the young Patriots QB pic.twitter.com/tvVQmAEZZg
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 9, 2026
znModeratorThe 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
The Patriots allowed a sack on 14.8% of their dropbacks in the postseasonAmong 181 teams to play multiple games in a single postseason since 2000, that sack rate ranked 179th
znModeratorJohn Frascella (Football)@NFLFrascella
With that – unimpressive? – NFL season over, here are my Updated Quarterback POWER RANKINGS considering this year, the last couple years, and the future:Tier 1:
1. Matthew Stafford
2. Patrick MahomesTier 2:
3. Josh Allen
4. Lamar Jackson
5. Joe Burrow
6. Sam DarnoldTier 3:
(Everyone is VERY close, here)
7. Jordan Love
8. Caleb Williams
9. Bo Nix
10. Brock Purdy
11. Dak Prescott
12. Drake Maye
13. Jalen Hurts
14. Trevor Lawrence
15. Jared Goff
16. Baker Mayfield
17. Justin Herbert
18. Aaron Rodgers
19. Bryce Young
20. Daniel Jones
21. Jayden DanielsTier 4:
22. Tyler Shough
23. Kyler Murray
24. Malik Willis
25. Jaxson Dart
26. Mac Jones
27. Cam WardTier 5:
28. Joe Flacco
29. Kirk Cousins
30. Jacoby BrissettTier 6:
(These guys are also VERY close)
31. CJ Stroud
32. Jameis Winston
33. Davis Mills
34. Shedeur Sanders
35. Marcus Mariota
36. Spencer Rattler
37. Tua Tagovailoa
38. Geno Smith
39. Michael PenixTier 7:
40. Russell Wilson
41. Mitchell Trubisky
42. Joe Milton
43. Tanner McKee
44. Tyson BagentTier 8:
45. Anthony Richardson
46. Drew Lock
47. Quinn Ewers
48. JJ McCarthy
49. Josh Dobbs
50. Dillon GabrielznModeratorMaybe the Oline is important in foot ball.
After all these years, I am slowly and reluctantly–against bitter internal opposition–coming to see it that way.
znModeratorJust people during the game saying in twitter that Stafford deserved the MVP, in spite of the complaints from some.
And more of that.
JimEverett@Jimeverett
The REAL Bowl was the NFC Championship. The more I see the Seahawk D, the more ā„ļø for MVP Stafford/Rams O success against them.The league MVP voting, IMHO, is the latest example of the eastern US bias in the NFL. Specifically, West Coast teams receive way less media coverage from the NY entity.
The selection was way too close but shouldāve never been so if one witnessed Staffordās play.
Drew Davenport@DrewDavenportFF
So some still think the schedule for Drake Maye wasnāt important in the MVP conversation orā¦.Matthew Stafford threw for 831 yards against Seattle in his last two games against them.
***
from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/the-closeness-of-rams-matthew-stafford-s-mvp-win-was-foolish
The win caused immense debate and while some argued Maye deserved to win, there was always a question on if Maye’s value could translate to success against top defenses, something Stafford proved he could pull off. On Sunday night, during Super Bowl LX, we found out answer. The margin of victory was foolish and the voters almost robbed Stafford of one of the most deserved MVPs in NFL history.
… If Maye won the MVP and did what he did on Sunday night, the award would lose all credibility. Against the same defense, two weeks apart, Stafford ripped them apart while Maye struggled to get a first down.
znModeratorThe Riley Mills sack. At about the 1:40 mark of the vid.
It was Aaron Donald-like.
Or else the Pats Oline is horrendous.
w
vGeoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
Just watched all the Seattle defensive pressures against New England. Just a masterclass by the Seattle defense.
New England had zero answers for anything. No hot adjustments. Maye looked lost. Even when he was able to avoid it his throws were poor. There was nothing easy in the pass game when NE was able to block up 4.
One thing that stands out clearly is the speed of their defense. Even when rushing 4 the Seahawks defense played much faster and with more confidence. They’re more physical and forceful.
Seattle was also showing man by running across with motions and then playing zone which confused the offense. -
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