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znModeratorHe went from helping to revolutionizing a century old game to rescuing a sex slave, capturing a bank robber, tracking down drug traffickers, a mass shooter, racketeers and more. But there was a line he would not cross. My story. https://t.co/s4obOzC9vv
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) January 30, 2026
znModeratorThat’s funny. I don’t remember you calling for Steve Ortmayer’s head when he drafted Tony Banks.
I remember a time, during the 2000 season, when some of us criticized Zygmunt. All hell broke loose. We “upstart haters” were read the full force of the law.
Then in a few years, defending Zygmunt could get you stoned to death. Or worse.
znModeratorThey’re in Maine now too.
MSBA Governors Issue Statement Regarding Rule of Law Amid ICE Activities in Maine
The Maine State Bar Association promotes the honor, dignity and professionalism of lawyers, advances the knowledge, skills and interests of its members, and supports the public interest in a fair and effective system of justice.
The Maine State Bar Association (MSBA) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding the United States Constitution, the rule of law, judicial independence, and the fair and equal administration of justice. Acting consistently with its mission, the MSBA issues this statement to condemn recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Maine that appears to violate fundamental constitutional principles.
Our concerns about ICE’s conduct include:
Warrantless entry into private homes, in violation of the Fourth Amendment;
Warrantless arrests and detentions without individualized probable cause or meaningful judicial oversight;
Profound deficiencies in training, supervision, and accountability of ICE agents, resulting in inappropriate escalation, misuse of force, and failure to correctly assess legal authority or constitutional limits;
Racial and ethnic profiling, including the targeting of immigrant communities and individuals who are lawfully present in the United States, including U.S. citizens;
The routine use of masks or other measures to obscure the identities of federal agents, undermining transparency and accountability; and
The use of enforcement “surges” directed at regions perceived to be politically opposed to the current administration, raising concerns about selective, retaliatory, or politically motivated enforcement.
Of particular concern is ICE’s apparent lack of consistent, rigorous training of ICE agents on constitutional requirements, limits on federal immigration authority, and the lawful use of force. Law enforcement officers exercising extraordinary power, particularly the power to enter homes, detain individuals, and use force, must be thoroughly trained to understand and respect constitutional boundaries. Failure to do so predictably results in unlawful conduct, violence, and the erosion of public trust. These outcomes are not aberrations; they are the foreseeable consequences of inadequate preparation and oversight.
Proper training is not enough; agents must still adhere to constitutional limits and the rule of law.
The MSBA acknowledges that immigration law is complex and that some individuals are present in the United States without lawful documentation. Some individuals, regardless of immigration status, commit violent crimes and must be held accountable. Lawful and constitutional immigration enforcement with valid warrants, judicial oversight, and trained, accountable agents align with the rule of law.
What the MSBA unequivocally condemns is illegal and unconstitutional conduct carried out in the name of enforcement. No policy objective, immigration-related or otherwise, justifies warrantless home entries, racial profiling, the absence of judicial oversight, the use of excessive force, or the deliberate obscuring of law enforcement identity. These practices are fundamentally incompatible with constitutional principles.
The MSBA recognizes and respects the diversity of views among its members on immigration policy. Reasonable disagreement about policy choices is both expected and healthy in a democratic society. But fidelity to the Constitution, due process, and equal protection under the law is not a matter of politics. It is the foundation of our legal system and the obligation of all who wield government power.
This issue affects our clients, families, and communities. The Maine State Bar Association calls upon all law enforcement agencies operating in Maine to uphold their obligation to defend the constitutional rights of all Mainers. As lawyers, judges, and officers of the court, we have a duty to speak plainly when the rule of law is threatened and to affirm that constitutional limits on government power are not optional, they are essential to liberty, safety, and justice for all.
znModeratorACL injuries down 25 percent.
Achilles tears up 13.5 percent.I wonder what the explanation is?
w
vAchilles, it turns out, just cries a lot. Or, to use the vernacular, he tears up. Not sure why that counts against the NFL. He’s Greek.
znModeratorMissed Field Goals: The team struggled with field goal consistency throughout the season, leading them to sign Harrison Mevis to replace Joshua Karty mid-season. The Rams finished the season with the fifth-worst field goal percentage in the NFL 78.6%).
FG%
Karty 79.6% w/ 5 misses + 3 missed XP
Mevis 92.3% w/ 1 miss, 100% on XP (the missed FG was in Chicago in a winter wind)
znModeratorRams Wire@TheRamsWire
Aubrey Pleasant seems likely to remain with the Rams after the Chargers passed on him in their search for a new defensive coordinator.znModeratorSnead’s worst draft?
First pick traded to Atlanta.
2019 Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks
Round 2, Pick 61 (61st overall): Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
Round 3, Pick 70 (70th overall): Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Memphis
Round 3, Pick 79 (79th overall): David Long Jr., CB, Michigan
Round 3, Pick 97 (97th overall): Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma
Round 4, Pick 134 (134th overall): Greg Gaines, DT, Washington
Round 5, Pick 169 (169th overall): David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
Round 7, Pick 243 (243rd overall): Nick Scott, S, Penn State
Round 7, Pick 251 (251st overall): Dakota Allen, LB, Texas TecEdwards started. Rapp kinda did but was subpar. Scott was a pretty good safety. Gaines was a pretty good nt.
Both edwards and scott still play (for the Bills and Panthers respectively). Gaines keeps signing 1 years with the Buxx but isn’t a starter. Rapp is depth for the Bills.
And that’s it.
znModeratori think a guy like lane would be intriguing.
They need speed. I think Lane is in the 4.5 range (though that’s not official yet).
They need speed. Speed everywhere. Plus, guys who are fast. And also, guys who get from point A to point B in a very short time.
znModeratorJeremy Fowler@JFowlerESPN
The Raiders plan to interview Seattle OC Klint Kubiak over the weekend and then make a decision on their head coach, per sources.As one candidate predicted, “it’s probably (Kubiak’s) job to lose.”
znModeratorLA Rams Super Fan@LARamsSuperFan1
Bubba Ventrone as Special Teams Coordinator:Colts years 📈
• 2018 — 2nd
• 2020 — 4th
• 2021 — 2nd
• 2022 — 8thBrowns years 📉 (DVOA)
• 2023 — Bottom tier
• 2024 — Bottom tier
• 2025 — Near lastRams — 31st in ST in 2025
Boom or bust but he’s built elite units before
znModeratorTurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimes
Former Rams QB is Eagles new offensive coordinatorAlbert Breer@AlbertBreer
New Eagles OC Sean Mannion played nine years in the league, most recently shuttling back-and-forth b/w the Seahawks and Vikings. He got time, as a player, with Sean McVay and Kevin O’Connell. As a coach, under Matt LaFleur, he was a QC [quality control] last year, and QBs coach this year.znModeratorMeidasTouch * ooSsednptra1f3hllmal4m12flh9um
Bruce Springsteen’s song “Streets of Minneapolis” is currently #1 on iTunes in 19 countries
znModeratorVentrone was considered one of the top young coaching minds in the league during his tenure, before departing to become the Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2023
Well if he can’t cut it in Cleveland, why would he be able to cut it anywhere else?
Yes kidding.
znModeratorReport: Rams hiring Bubba Ventrone as new special teams coordinator
Cameron DaSilva
It didn’t take Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams very long to find their next special teams coordinator. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Rams are hiring Bubba Ventrone to lead their special teams unit.
They just interviewed Ventrone for the job on Wednesday and have settled on him as their new special teams coordinator. His hiring also comes just one day after the Browns hired Todd Monken as their head coach, opening the door for Ventrone to leave.
Ventrone spent the last three years as the Browns’ special teams coordinator and assistant head coach after a five-year stint as the Colts’ special teams coordinator from 2018-2022. He got his start in coaching in 2015 as an assistant special teams coach with the Patriots, holding that job for three years.
znModeratorI guess Bubba’s stint in Indy was a lot better than his time at Cleveland.
Might be another factor: Ventrone overlapped with Rams OL coach Ryan Wendell a bit in New England. Wendell was a player there from 2008-2015, and Ventrone was a Patz player from 2010-2011.
znModeratorCLE Picks@ClePicks
The last sentence in agent speak bc the Browns special teams units over the last 2 years under Bubba were some of if not the worst in the leagueMinnesota Browns Fan@mnbrownsfan
Tom, Bubba Ventrone is truly terrible. Losing Schwartz would be a major L. Losing Bubba is a huge W.BronxBrownsBacker@Mz_Informashun
Oh c’mon, we’re not going to pretend that the loss of Bubba is a catastrophe now, are we? STs single-handedly lost at least four games for the Browns this past year.goldendonut.eth@TheGolden_Donut
Ventrone is literally the single worst coordinator by unit performance that I have ever witnessed in my entire life as a Browns fan. They can have him.Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFL
#Rams hiring Bubba Ventrone, per a league source, to lead their special teams***
Browns special teams: What is the state of this unit?
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/12/the-state-of-the-browns-special-teams.html
CLEVELAND, Ohio — As a whole, the Browns special teams unit has been unproductive this season.
With five games remaining, guys in this unit are playing for their jobs, whether it be a spot on this roster or the next one.
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone has had his work cut out for him the last couple of seasons.
This unit has provided multiple examples of both benefiting and hurting the team’s winning chances, though more often the latter.
We’ll go by each subgroup of Cleveland’s special teams unit, highlighting what’s worked and what hasn’t this season.
Again, there’s still five games left. But the way this unit has been in recent time, an in-depth look felt appropriate.
Returners
The Browns’ return game has been in an interesting place in recent seasons.
Injuries derailed the Jakeem Grant experience and kept him from appearing in a regular season game in either 2022 or 2023.
Jerome Ford was really effective in the kickoff return game his rookie year, but since transitioned to a full-time running back.
That’s led Cleveland to using multiple players — usually backup wide receivers — to see what they can do.
Kickoff return
The average amount of yards per kickoff return is 25.8 yards.
Each Browns returner averages below this.
Veteran returner DeAndre Carter (24.9 yards per return) was the starter, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4.
Since then, rookie returner Dylan Sampson and Malachi Corley have split the returns, both with 15 a piece. Sampson is tied for 34th yards per return (24.0), while Malachi Corley averages 22.7 yards per return.
Punt return
The average amount of yards per punt return is 10.9 yards.
Undrafted rookie Gage Larvadain has been the main punt returner, with 142 yards gained through 16 returns (8.9 per return).
Drops
Muffs have been a recent topic.
All of Cleveland’s drops have came on punt returns.
Carter muffed a punt in his final Week 4 appearance.
Larvadain’s three muffs lead all punt returners, and all were recorded in the Week 13 loss to San Francisco, one of which was recovered by the opposition.
Ventrone spoke on Larvadain’s drops and gave him the benefit of the doubt, instead pointing out the strong winds that day.
“There was significant wind there,” Ventrone said on Thursday. “Not making an excuse for the kid, but significant wind playing away from the Dawg Pound. He’s made that catch a million times.”
Protection unit
Giving up yardage is one thing. Giving up a score makes for a bigger problem.
It’s spurred questioning as to how Cleveland practices cutting angles or getting to opposing returners quicker.
This season across the NFL, there have been four kickoff return touchdowns and 11 punt return touchdowns. Cleveland is currently one of two teams to allow one of each.
Their sole kickoff TD allowed came in Week 10: a 99-yarder scored by the Jets’ Kene Nwangwu.
They’ve allowed a league-leading two punt TDs: a 65-yarder from the Lions’ Kalif Raymond in Week 4 and a 74-yarder from the Jets’ Isaiah Williams in Week 10.
Yes, you read ‘Week 10′ twice.
In that loss to New York, Cleveland allowed touchdowns on back-to-back special teams possessions.
The last team to allow both a kickoff and punt return touchdown in the same game was Chicago, back in Week 6 of the 2017 season.
But the last team to allow both in the first quarter was Indianapolis, back in Week 10 of the 2007 season.
Before the new kickoff format, kickoffs started on their own 35-yard line, and the tacklers would get a running start and could cut into the returner’s direction.
They’re now positioned on the opposing 40-yard line, and while closer, can’t move until the returner catches the kick.
This still gives them a clearer view of the returner’s running direction and can strategize from there.
Yet, it’s not enough for Cleveland’s protection unit.
Defenders
Who is helping defend?
For starters, Rayshawn Jenkins leads the team in special teams tackles (seven) and ties for 38th among qualifying players in special teams grading (82.3), per PFF.
Behind Jenkins is Myles Harden and Grant Delpit, both tying for second with six tackles a piece.
Speaking of Delpit, he’s stood out among Cleveland’s special teams.
The strong safety has been in the right place at right time. Whether it be for a tackle, forcing a fumble, or recovering one.
A prime example of this dates back to the Week 7 win over the Dolphins. During D’Wayne Eskridge’s kickoff return, Delpit knocked the ball out and Jenkins recovered it.
That play helped Delpit earn Week 7 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Kicking
There was a surprising changing of the guard at the kicker position.
Originally, Dustin Hopkins was the expected kicker during training camp. Instead, Andre Szmyt beat out Hopkins for the starting job.
Szmyt’s been solid.
Making 16 of 19 attempts, he currently ranks 20th in field goal percentage (84.2%). Szmyt has also made three of his four kicks from 50 yards or longer.
That includes his 53-yard game-winner in Week 3 against Green Bay.
If anything, one could question if Szmyt should attempt more 50-yarders.
Through Week 6 of this season, NFL kickers were 77-for-108 on field goals of 50 yards or longer, converting to a 71.3% completion rate, per YahooSports.
You go back to last season, and there was a 71.7% rate through Week 10 of the 2024 season, per CBS Sports.
And with their slim playoff hopes, they have nothing to lose with Szmyt attempting more kicks from deep.
Conclusion
The state of this unit is not in a good place.
With five games left, it’s about building for the future. The best way players can make sure they’re part of that future is through making plays.
Gain on a return. Prevent a touchdown.
The little things that can decide a game.
znModeratorCLE Picks@ClePicks
The last sentence in agent speak bc the Browns special teams units over the last 2 years under Bubba were some of if not the worst in the leagueMinnesota Browns Fan@mnbrownsfan
Tom, Bubba Ventrone is truly terrible. Losing Schwartz would be a major L. Losing Bubba is a huge W.BronxBrownsBacker@Mz_Informashun
Oh c’mon, we’re not going to pretend that the loss of Bubba is a catastrophe now, are we? STs single-handedly lost at least four games for the Browns this past year.goldendonut.eth@TheGolden_Donut
Ventrone is literally the single worst coordinator by unit performance that I have ever witnessed in my entire life as a Browns fan. They can have him.Aaron Wilson@AaronWilson_NFL
#Rams hiring Bubba Ventrone, per a league source, to lead their special teamsznModeratorRams picks (source: https://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Future/Rams.htm ). They have 10 (at this point)
1 (13)
1 (29)
2
3
5
6
6 (from Texans)
7
7 (projected compensatory pick)
7 (projected compensatory pick)znModeratorMe note: Good’s shooter was a veteran US Border Agent before joining ICE. Pretti’s shooters were USBAs, not ICE.
***
from The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/us-border-agents-intentionally-stepped-front-moving-vehicles-justify-shooting-them/
February 28, 2014
US Border Agents Intentionally Stepped in Front of Moving Vehicles to Justify Shooting at Them
An internal review of the US Border Patrol raises serious questions about the agency’s use-of-force policy.Steven Hsieh
The Los Angeles Times obtained an internal review of US Border Patrol’s use-of-force policies, which US Customs and Border Protection has refused to release publicly (members of Congress have seen a summary). While the Times did not offer the report in full, the paper did publish previously unseen snippets that portray a law enforcement agency operating under loose use-of-force standards and little accountability.
The review was completed in February 2013 by the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit that develops best practices for law enforcement use-of-force policies. It examined sixty-seven use-of-force incidents by federal border agents near the US-Mexico border that resulted in nineteen deaths.
Here are some key findings of the review, revealed by the Times Thursday:
Border Patrol agents have intentionally and unnecessarily stepped in front of moving cars to justify using deadly force against vehicle occupants.
Agents have shot in frustration across the US-Mexico border at rock throwers when simply moving away was an option.
Border Patrol demonstrates a “lack of diligence” in investigating incidents in which US agents fire their weapons.
It’s questionable whether Border Patrol “consistently and thoroughly reviews” incidents in which agents use deadly force.
…
znModeratorI have a question.
Why didn’t Emmanuel Forbes play the entire first half?
Benched. He didn’t play in Chicago either. He played 56 snaps in the Carolina postseason game, then against Chicago and Seattle he had 13 snaps combined.
Forbes had a high point this season (Tampa game) then fell off the shelf.
znModeratorIt’s the secondary, pure and simple.
I think that’s the most important thing overall this season, but I don’t think it’s pure and simple.
The most important play that cost the Rams a Super Bowl this year was a muffed punt. Catch that ball and the Rams are probably playing the Patriots.
But that’s an easy fix. Replace the returner. I think the rest of special teams is fixed.
The reason a muffed punt cost them that one game is because they was a very tight game. They were in a tight game because Seattle could throw for 346 yards and 3 TDs, w/ no turnovers. That was with Darnold being pressured on 35% of his throws.
Fixing the secondary is easy, too. Draft Quinyon Mitchell or something. Boom!
Though given everything we said, it is interesting that it took a muffed punt to lose that particular game.
znModeratorIt’s the secondary, pure and simple.
I think that’s the most important thing overall this season, but I don’t think it’s pure and simple.
The most important play that cost the Rams a Super Bowl this year was a muffed punt. Catch that ball and the Rams are probably playing the Patriots.
But that’s an easy fix. Replace the returner. I think the rest of special teams is fixed.
The reason a muffed punt cost them that one game is because they was a very tight game. They were in a tight game because Seattle could throw for 346 yards and 3 TDs, w/ no turnovers. That was with Darnold being pressured on 35% of his throws.
znModeratorI guess it depends on what McVay thinks is the reason the defense went from very good to averaging giving up about 30 pts a game. Twice to 5’10” Bryce F’ing Young.
Maybe the personnel is just bad. But maybe teams figured Shula out. I dunno
It’s the secondary, pure and simple. They started out with veterans at CB + Durant, and the veterans (plus Lake) got injured and exposed. Witherspoon went out in week 2, and when he came back in week 12, he wasn’t the same. Forbes played well for a while and peaked against Tampa and then declined. Darious Williams missed 5 games, and didn’t always hold up when he came back. Durant also peaked against Tampa, and then wasn’t as effective, though he never hit bottom the way Witherspoon and Forbes did. Durant plus Wms, which were the CBs in the final games + post-season, = 5’11 + 5’9 respectively.
They also missed Lake and had no replacement.
Against Tampa it looked like the defense was fine. Then it got exposed.
To be fair, against Carolina in the regular season they had 3 injury replacements on the OL. As we know that always leads to disaster. Granted McClendon was playing well, but he was still a replacement, and with OL replacements you lose a bit of cohesion and communication. When you add the LOT plus your best lineman (ROG) it gets to be a problem, and it was in that game.
Back to defense. I’m sorry to say Landman dropped off too. Before the Carolina game he was averaging 9 tackles a game. After Tampa he averaged 5.5 a game.
I think for the defense as a whole, there was a lot of reading their own press.
znModeratorNate Atkins@NateAtkins_
Nathan Scheelhaase won’t be headed to the Browns. At least not as a head coach.Still a couple openings left, but the odds that the Rams keep Scheelhaase and Chris Shula have gotten a good step better.
znModeratorznModeratorso landman gets a 3 year 22 million contract. jones gets a 3 year 33 million contract. they gave tutu a one year 10 million contract. and he’s inactive for the nfc championship.
weren’t they better off just giving jones the three year contract? or was he asking for more at the time?
they don’t usually make mistakes, but this time they did.
Not sure Seattle wins without Kupp and E.Jones.
w
vI always saw Jones as a “team culture” issue. Someone–McVay, most likely, but maybe also Snead and Demoff if not both–didn’t appreciate his conduct, which I saw as complaining in public that the team wouldn’t extend him. They rewarded Landman for being a Rams-style team leader, whereas Jones is more of an edgy guy.
IMO? Jones would have made no difference. Same with Kupp. The Rams lost their opportunity when special teams undermined some games, and then that was pretty quickly followed (if memory serves) by the CBs getting undermined by injuries. Durant was pretty good but he needs to play opposite of someone better than Williams. In the end neither of the 2 projected CB starters from the summer were playing.
Special teams won’t be a hard fix. It’s already mostly fixed, except they need a returner.
They also need CBs, obviously, and they don’t have the cap space (looks like) for a FA or a trade. But you can fix that by drafting. Plus, in fact, the Rams do tend to make something out of veteran pick-ups at CB, but this time that needs to be woven in with draft picks. McReary may be a keeper. Don’t know if they can or will sign Durant.
So at this point, because it got down to the returner, STs is also really a WR issue. Whittington was too beat up all year, Atwell too expendable, Smith is not good enough, and Mumpfield was a rookie (he couldn’t come through when needed in the championship game).
They have possibly 10 picks if the projections about compensatory picks is right. 2 1s, a 2, 3, 5, 2 6s, & maybe 3 7s. The 3 7s look like trade-up fodder so it will likely be fewer that 10? Unless they trade down with the Atlanta 1. Of course they could do both.
znModeratorRight now they have 153+ M in cap space for 2027. That puts them 2nd in the league to the Jets. But then, a lot of important Rams players are not under contract in 2027.
znModerator.@Seahawks @RamsNFL @Thereal_kam2x The blitz off of play action where Sam turns his back to the D #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/dlEDLwzEgS
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 26, 2026
znModerator.@RamsNFL @Seahawks @Kyrenwilliams23 anticipated M2M coverage and ran a double run to get Kyren free…McVey with the masterful call. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/GnpLEru6fJ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 26, 2026
znModerator.@RamsNFL @tae15adams beating Seattle CB's one after the other. An immediate response. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/LbqN5FrVHN
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 26, 2026
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