zn wrote:

SEATTLE RAM, IN A TWEET: The newest LA Rams player taking one back Tony Horne style.

wv wrote:

Is he a Trung?

w
v

More of a Sproles? Though bigger than Sproles. Lighter than DH though. The Horne comparison is apt because though Horne was a WR he was also a great KR AND a great special teams gunner. Calais has the same potential on special teams.

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from https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/raymond-calais/5IeuoLJqqj

RAYMOND CALAIS
RB, Louisiana

HT 5’9″ — WT 180 lbs

PROS: Has game-changing speed and he’s dangerous in space. When he gets free on the second level, tacklers have a tough time getting their hands on him. Averaged 7.8 yards per rush on 236 career carries, a testament to his big play potential. Isn’t shy of contact for a smaller back. Runs with daring purpose and challenges defenders to square him up. Springy feet and lateral quickness. Controls his speed well and has good balance when stringing together moves. Appears to have good hands despite only 17 career catcher. Dynamic kick returner and experienced covering punts.

CONS: Why didn’t he get more chances to catch the football in college? Unlikely to be an asset in pas protection. Smaller back that won’t have the same success with the power components in the NFL as he did in college. Modest field vision and he requires runways to be created for him. Does not illustrate much in the way of patience as a ball carrier and he can get overeager, not allowing for blocks to take form.

BEST TRAIT – Speed

WORST TRAIT – Size

RED FLAGS – None

Louisiana running back Raymond Calais enters the NFL after making his share of explosive plays in college as a runner, returner and occasionally a receiver. At the next level, he projects as a space player where his home run ability can be fully maximized and his lack of size and vision won’t be as problematic. Asking Calais to pound the rock between the tackles and pass protect aren’t likely within his wheelhouse but that doesn’t mean he can’t be useful in the NFL by an offensive creator that can intelligently get him the football. In addition to an x-factor type role on offense, Calais has been an exceptional kick returner and has experience serving as a gunner on punt team. Calais brings considerable value in the variety of meaningful ways he can make an impact as a depth player in the NFL.

The newest LA Rams player taking one back Tony Horne style. https://t.co/ML1tuorvk4

— SeattleRams (@seattlerams_nfl) September 7, 2020

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-justin-hollins-waivers-things-to-know/

Hollins improved his draft stock in the East-West Shrine Game last year, which is a pre-draft all-star game for some of the top prospects in the draft. In the game, he had 10 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. He was named defensive MVP for his performance, putting his name on the radars of more NFL teams and draft analysts.
…
Hollins is a bigger linebacker, but he has plenty of speed. He ran a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL combine, which was the sixth-fastest time among all edge rushers and linebackers.

DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR]@DowntownRams
From the #Broncos official site. Vic Fangio on cutting #Rams LB Justin Hollins yesterday:

“He’s a good football player, and if he doesn’t get claimed today, he’s a guy we’ll have interest in”

ULL RB Raymond Calais keeps flashing his speed at the NFLPA Bowl. This 101-yard KR TD will catch scouts attention. pic.twitter.com/gN8Vz5Fhqr

— Bobby Football (@RobPaulNFL) January 19, 2020

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Ok guys some intel on the new guy Justin Hollins…BIG TIME Brandon Staley guy. He was an OLB in college but under Staley started cross-training to play inside. Played 267 snaps on defense as a backup when Chubb tore his ACL in Week 4. This offseason, Broncos decided to keep

him at OLB which sort of reversed all his cross-training, and also forced him to be the odd man out. So for him, he is back in a place with the guy who saw so much potential in him in the first place.

How invested in Hollins’ potential was Staley? Here is DC Ed Dontell talking about Hollins in 2019: “It’s a credit to the type of kid he is. You usually don’t do that with a young player. He had a really good background, similar background with the defense he played in college…

(Coach) Staley came to us with the idea. He thought he could get it done. He’s done a great job getting him ready. It’s been some productive days to see him and just get an idea how he can possibly help our defense at a couple positions.”

Staley also caught on to Hollins early in the scouting process and saw his potential (and potential versatility), and pushed for him to personnel people, but just didn’t have enough time to finish the teaching part. I’d infer his voice was a pretty big part of this process.

Agamemnon wrote:

We’ve claimed LB Justin Hollins off waivers.

He;s a Fangio/Staley guy.

The Denver Broncos select Oregon linebacker Justin Hollins No. 156 in Round 5 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Notice the draft year, 2019. That means Staley coached him in Denver last year.

…

from: https://www.milehighreport.com/2019/3/29/18284975/nfl-draft-profile-justin-hollins

Scouting Report

-Sudden. He’s an explosive athlete with good lateral mobility.

-Slippery.

-Will threaten to tackles off the snap.

-Looks comfortable with pass drops. You can sleep easy if he’s in space.

-There are better prospects at bending the edge.

-Hands could get better. Will need to develop more rush moves.

-Needs to get stronger.

What I’ve heard/read

NFL Draft & Combine Profile – Justin Hollins | NFL.com
Three-year starter with athletic ability and length teams look for from edge talent. Hollins has shown consistent growth as a prospect and flashes every-down potential at times, but his lack of consistent aggression and force could be a limiting factor. He should find special teams reps early on, but his future might very well be defined by his team’s ability to develop and unlock his capacity as a disruptive pass rusher.

Justin Hollins EDGE Oregon – Draft Player Profile | The Draft Network
Justin Hollins brings impressive athletic ability to the edge and as he continues to build some additional power and strength into his hands, he should be more effective to create favorable angles for himself. Hollins flashes short area quickness to disrupt gaps up front, but he’s not quite keen on finishing just yet. Hollins needs to create more separation for himself in his efforts to be balanced as he challenges opposing QBs and ball carriers. Promising upside in space. Round Grade – Fourth Round

NFL scout and a draft expert evaluate Oregon Ducks LB Justin Hollins
Rob Rang (@RobRang) says: ”Hollins to me is the one that I think is going to be the first Oregon Duck drafted. I did not expect to say that half way through the season, even toward the end of the season…But when he went to that East-West Shrine Game and was asked to play more of a traditional stand up linebacker role, and his athletic ability really caught the attention of some of the people there. He’s 6-6, 250 and watch, he is going to end up running in the 4.5s. He can fly…There’s a perception that he still has untapped potential. I have some reservations that he could be a bit of a tweener. He’s not big enough to play defensive end and not quite agile enough to play linebacker. But he is going to workout so well, that somebody is going to convince themselves that they can make him into a linebacker.”

12 draft prospects who need to stand out at the scouting combine | Touchdown Wire | Page 2
Of all the defensive linemen and linebackers in this draft class—and it’s the deepest defensive line class in recent memory—Hollins may be the most freakish athlete. At 6’5” and 245 pounds, Hollins has the athleticism to do everything from rushing the passer from the edge to covering receivers in the slot. Athletically, he brings former 49ers and Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson to mind. Hollins doesn’t always bring that athleticism to the field in ways you’d want—he especially needs more and better moves as a pass-rusher—but if you’re looking for one guy to blow up the drills at his position, Hollins would be a good one to bet on.

Final thoughts
Hollins isn’t a finished product, not by any means. I doubt he’ll be the guy to threaten a rookie sack record. But he’s one of the more freakish athletes in this extremely loaded defensive line group and a guy that could blossom into an elite role player with Fangio guiding the way.

…

from https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/justin-hollins

JUSTIN HOLLINS
EDGE, Oregon

Run Defense – Free flower in space and features good pursuit speed. With that said, his ability to stack and shed blocks on the move is inconsistent. Doesn’t have the mass and lower body power to anchor and set firm edges.

Pass Rush – Has an appealing blend of burst, length, flexibility and some hand usage to rush the passer. Excellent burst releasing out of his stance and carries good speed up and around the arc. Does well to diminish his surface area and challenge blockers to get their hands on him.

Burst – Fluid and explosive out of both a standup and three point stance. No false steps and easily eats up turf with his long strides. Smooth mover in every direction when tasked with defending space.

Effort – Gives good effort on every snap. Keeps battling to get off blocks and his pursuit urgency is sound. Wouldn’t label him an unrelenting defender but he doesn’t ever pack it in.

Hand Technique – Does well to take advantage of his length and keep blockers away from his frame. Could be more effective timing and getting to his pass rush counters. Does he have the pop in his punch to stun blockers in space?

Flexibility – Like how twitchy his upper body is. Does well to diminish his surface area and dip his inside shoulder. Rushes with good tilt through angles. Has easy change of direction skills and smooth transitions in space.

Processing – Block IDing skills is adequate. Does a decent job of reading the set of blockers and attacking the pocket. Can be a tick late recognizing routes in his zone coverage drops

Play Strength – Doesn’t get bullied but he’s more finesse than power. Doesn’t project favorably to squeezing gaps or setting the edge. Contact balance doesn’t impress. More of a gap slasher than plugger.

Versatility – Has been used in a variety of ways but his fit in the NFL comes as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Has some upside in space and he has room to grow as a pass rusher.

BEST TRAIT – Versatility

WORST TRAIT – Play Strength

RED FLAGS – None

Oregon deployed Hollins in a variety of ways and that versatility makes him and appealing NFL defender. While his bread and butter and career trajectory will be defined by the impact he makes as a pass rusher, Hollins has plenty of appeal in space and in an attacking role as a 3-4 outside linebacker. As a pass rusher, Hollins’ blend of burst, length, fluidity and hand technique gives him an exciting ceiling. Development is needed in terms of functional strength, processing and zone coverage awareness. Hollins projects as a sub package contributor initially but he can command a bigger role on defense with more development.

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PA Ram wrote:

Good to see you too, wv. I love that the board is still here. I spend a lot less time online these days. But it always feels like home coming back here.

You need to see us more!

.

zn wrote:

Yeah it’s a distortion.

from Over 90% of Black Lives Matter demonstrations this summer were peaceful, analysis shows

link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/police-protestors-conflicting-images/page/4/#post-120403

More on the same thing.

93% of Black Lives Matter Protests Have Been Peaceful, New Report Finds

https://time.com/5886348/report-peaceful-protests/?fbclid=IwAR2gZj04CZulLxQXZN9duxd2qEocQUQoUy77vncLKZwN1XySLJaZicdgusQ

The vast majority of Black Lives Matter protests—more than 93%—have been peaceful, according to a new report published Thursday by a nonprofit that researches political violence and protests across the world.

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) analyzed more than 7,750 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington D.C. that took place in the wake of George Floyd’s death between May 26 and August 22.

Their report states that more than 2,400 locations reported peaceful protests, while fewer than 220 reported “violent demonstrations.” The authors define violent demonstrations as including “acts targeting other individuals, property, businesses, other rioting groups or armed actors.” Their definition includes anything from “fighting back against police” to vandalism, property destruction looting, road-blocking using barricades, burning tires or other materials. In cities where protests did turn violent—these demonstrations are “largely confined to specific blocks,” the report says.

The ACLED report includes protests toppling statues of “colonial figures, slave owners and Confederate leaders” as violent incidents. “Since Floyd’s killing, there have been at least 38 incidents in which demonstrators have significantly damaged or torn down memorials around the country,” the report states.

Still, many people continue to believe that Black Lives Matter protests are largely violent—contrary to the report’s findings. ACLED highlights a recent Morning Consult poll in which 42% of respondents believe “most protesters (associated with the BLM movement) are trying to incite violence or destroy property.” ACLED suggests this “disparity stems from political orientation and biased media framing… such as disproportionate coverage of violent demonstrations.”

U.S.-based ACLED is funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations as well as foreign governments and other organizations, including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German Federal Foreign Office, the Tableau Foundation, the International Organization for Migration, and The University of Texas at Austin. It relied on data collection from the U.S. Crisis Monitor—a joint project led by ACLED and Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative—that tracks and publishes real-time data on political violence and demonstrations in the U.S in order to “establish an evidence base from which to identify risks, hotspots and available resources to empower local communities in times of crisis.”

ACLED also highlights a “violent government response,” in which authorities “use force more often than not” when they are present at protests and that they “disproportionately used force while intervening in demonstrations associated with the BLM movement, relative to other types of demonstrations.” The report also references “dozens of car-ramming attacks” on protesters by various individuals, some of whom have ties to hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

ACLED warns in the report that the U.S. “is at heightened risk of political violence and instability going into the 2020 general election,” citing trends in mass shootings, violent hate crimes and police killings. The authors of the report say the Trump administration has exacerbated tensions caused by racial inequality and police brutality. President Donald Trump and high-ranking members of his administration have frequently generalized protesters as violent anarchists.