Compared to whites, #COVID19 death rates are:
3.8X higher for Blacks
3.2X higher for AIAN
2.6X higher for NHPI
2.5X higher for Latinos
1.5X higher for Asians
Another example of the importance of age standardization, from @APMResearch https://t.co/8mFVmpwVZ1 #healthequity #phealth pic.twitter.com/kwDHIHniTo

— Mark Abraham (@urbandata) July 8, 2020

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/22/rams-joe-noteboom-guard-comfortable-camp/

Noteboom is back at left guard in training camp, running with the first-team offense. He seems in line to keep his starting job, feeling much more comfortable at the position than he did last year.

“I definitely feel way better than I did last year. I felt good last year, but it was just kind of the inexperience at guard. That was my first time playing it. I definitely feel way more comfortable there right now,” he said Friday. “I kind of learned, like even when I wasn’t playing I was just watching it over and over again. So, I think it’s guard right now. I’m trying not to think about it if I’ll play anything in the future. Just kind of trying to focus on guard because that’s most likely what I’ll be playing. But definitely feel way more comfortable there than last year.”

Love this

Also, interesting — Deacon Jones, who popularized the sack and pressed the NFL to record it as a stat also told @NFL_Journal, "I'd rather have 40 pressures and no sacks than 2 sacks and no other pressures. If I am in your ass 40 times, you ain't going to win." https://t.co/EmU8xbAdgu

— Arif Hasan, paid to blog 📝 (@ArifHasanNFL) August 22, 2020

==

Mike Sando@SandoNFL
This is all true and especially for short-term evaluation. However, over time, a great pass-rusher will have a lot of sacks. Also, not all pressures are equal or even charted well. DT pushing back the center does not make a great pass-rusher.

McVay discussing what went wrong today at the end of practice. The expectations for this offense are clearly one notch above what we saw in 2018.

Also, seems like it’s iLB by committee until someone emerges. Still confident in Kiser & Howard to start. Scrimmage @ SoFi tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/QJE703xN2L

— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) August 22, 2020

Rams training camp, Day 3: LB Micah Kiser next man up

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-micah-kiser-next-man-up

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A recap of Friday’s practice at Rams training camp:

PLAYER OF THE DAY

Around this time last year, Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Micah Kiser suffered a torn pectoral muscle that cut short his 2019 season before it ever got started.

Kiser showed toughness, staying in the game four plays after he suffered the injury.

Projected as a starter last season, the University of Virginia product endured a grueling, five-month rehab to get back on the field. Kiser said he stayed mentally focused during his rehab, taking 10,000 mental reps during that time he could not practice.

Now, with Rams leading tackler from last season Cory Littleton signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, Kiser is part of a four-man competition for two spots at inside linebacker that includes Travin Howard, Troy Reeder and Kenny Young.

“I spent a lot of time this season working on my change of direction,” Kiser said. “Being able to play better in space and make plays on the ball, being able to pass rush – all kinds of things. I really want to be a complete linebacker.

“With Cory being gone, that’s one place where we can’t really have any slippage, being a complete linebacker and being able to do things on first, second and third down.”

So far, Kiser has looked like he belongs, and certainly has the pedigree to man the position. Selected in the fifth round of the 2018 draft by the Rams, Kiser finished his time at Virginia ranked fifth all-time with 411 career tackles.

Also, Kiser finished as the second player in ACC history to lead the league in tackles in three straight seasons, joining Boston College’s Luke Kuechly.

“Micah has been a guy that’s done a lot of nice things,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “You see the instincts and you see the awareness. He’s got great communication ability, and he’s been attacking the football, forcing a couple out. … He’s just got an innate feel for the game. Football makes sense to him. It’s been good to see him out here healthy, and we’re optimistic he’s going to be big contributor this year.”

PLAY OF THE DAY

Playing in the middle of the field at deep safety, rookie Jordan Fuller made a pretty interception along the sideline tracking a ball intended for receiver Trishton Jackson on a post-corner route and hauling it in for the turnover.

The Rams have talented, young depth at safety, with Fuller, Terrell Burgess and Nick Scott all consistently making plays.

Scott caused a fumble by punching the ball out of the hands of Robert Woods on an outside run.

Another young defensive back to watch for is Adonis Alexander. At 6-3 and 205 pounds, Alexander has the frame of a lanky cornerback like Richard Sherman; Alexander made a nice pass breakup in team drills on Friday.

MATCHUP OF THE DAY

Jalen Ramsey continues to make plays. He played sticky coverage against Woods on a go route, going up high and picking off a pass that Jared Goff probably shouldn’t have thrown due to the tight coverage provided by the Florida State product.

McShay said it was a bad day for the offense overall, but a good day for the defense.

“It was the way that it ended,” McVay said. “In the two-minute situation we were playing for a touchdown and we turned it over. And then we ended up not really knowing how to handle it wit the second group. … We had a lot of guys that panicked, frankly.

“Those are situations that you never want to see on one side of the football, guys have to learn from it and that’s part of why you practice. But those things will not be tolerated from us. It’s not good enough.”

McVay said there’s no update on Ramsey’s contract negotiations.

I also enjoyed watching one-on-one pass rush drills. Seventh-round selection offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum Jr. showed good feet and hand placement working against outside linebacker Natrez Patrick.

Anchrum also played at left guard during team drills, so he has some versatility.

ROLL CALL

Safety Taylor Rapp remains out due to a knee issue, and defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson remains on the reserve/non-football injury list due to an unspecified health issue.

After taking a day off on Thursday, the Rams returned to the practice field on Friday in preparation for the team’s first scrimmage of training camp at the newly completed, $5 billion SoFi Stadium.

McVay said the scrimmage will take place Saturday at 5 p.m., allowing the players to get used to playing that time for the first game of the season on Sept. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys in a nationally televised game.

Players will get an opportunity to get used to the new, artificial turf and overall surrounding at the facility. McVay said the scrimmage will include 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and live team drills for developmental players on the cusp of making the roster.

YOU DON’T SAY

“I am surprised, just because he’s played a lot of good football in this league, and you hope for the best. I have not had much dialogue with anybody else about him, but I am surprised he’s not on a team right now.” – McVay, when asked if he was surprised quarterback Blake Bortles is not currently on an NFL roster.

7 Rams standouts from first week of padded practices

Cameron DaSilva

link https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-camp-practice-standouts-rookies/

The Rams wrapped up their third of 14 padded practices on Friday, their last session before Saturday night’s scrimmage at SoFi Stadium. The team has to take advantage of every practice it can get because of how limited the offseason work has been, and it seems to be doing just that.

To put a bow on the first week of padded practices, we selected seven standouts for the Rams – led by a bunch of impressive rookies who have stepped up in a big way.

1 S Jordan Fuller

Fuller is only a sixth-round pick but he’s not playing like one in practice. The rookie safety has made a strong first impression on the coaches and his teammates, with Sean McVay specifically name-dropping him for the plays he’s made on the field.

“You know, I’ve been really impressed with all these guys, but those two young safeties, when you look at (Terrell) Burgess and Fuller have really been standouts the last couple of days,” McVay said.

He picked off three passes in the first week of padded practices and on Friday alone, he made two huge plays on defense. He has a legitimate chance to contribute at some point this season behind John Johnson and Taylor Rapp.

2 WR Van Jefferson

Jefferson has also caught the eye of McVay early in camp for his strong hands, route running and physical play in practice. He caught a nice touchdown pass from John Wolford in the end zone, coming down in bounds with good awareness.

Jared Goff loves the way he’s played so far, too, saying Jefferson reminds him of Cooper Kupp’s rookie year in 2017, getting up to speed quicker than expected.

“Van has been really good, man. He’s been really good. I say that cautiously because you never want these young guys to get too far ahead of themselves,” Goff said. “But he’s been really impressive and done a good job. It reminds me a lot of when Cooper was a rookie, and he was just so far ahead of where a rookie kind of should be.”

3 OLB Terrell Lewis

Lewis just looks different than most rookies. He’s tall, long, fast and powerful, which is a deadly combination for an edge rusher. Michael Brockers even thought the Rams brought him in to take his job at first before realizing he was a linebacker.

Lewis dominated individual pass-rush drills against Bobby Evans on Wednesday, showing off his power and speed on the edge.

4 S Terrell Burgess

Burgess is right there with Fuller as a standout in the secondary, showing good range and versatility on the back end. He too has picked off at least one pass in practice thus far, which McVay recognized his hands for.

“He’s done a really good job. Smart player, great athleticism for a safety,” McVay said. “He has some flexibility to be able to play at the nickel position at the star for us. Really, very conscientious, made some big plays. When he gets his hands on the ball, he’s catching it. That’s one of the things I’ve been really impressed with. Our DB group as a whole, if they’ve gotten their hands on the ball, they’ve pretty much caught it.”

Burgess has to earn a role as a rookie, but he’s off to a good start, especially with the increased opportunities due to Taylor Rapp’s injury.

5 LG Joseph Noteboom

Noteboom is coming off a knee injury suffered last season but he appears to be 100% healthy – or at least healthy enough to participate in all aspects of camp. He’s grabbed hold of the starting left guard spot, which wasn’t expected after Austin Corbett and David Edwards were originally with the first-team offense to start “Hard Knocks.”

McVay has been impressed with Noteboom’s play thus far, highlighting his performance in practice.

“I’ve been particularly impressed with Austin Corbett and Joe Noteboom,” McVay said. “Joe was really playing good football before he ended up getting injured against the Niners early on in the (2019) season. I think he picked up where he left off. Looks very comfortable, looks healthy, looks explosive and strong.”

6 RG Austin Corbett

Corbett has shifted to right guard with Noteboom on the left side and hasn’t missed a beat. Like Noteboom, Corbett also received some nice compliments from McVay for how he has stepped up in practice.

McVay said Corbett has “done a really nice job,” and “really has some position flexibility” – a valuable trait for an interior offensive lineman. At this point, it seems Corbett will be one of the starting guards, depending on whether the Rams go with Edwards or Noteboom at the other spot.

7 WR Nsimba Webster

Webster’s roster spot will most likely be tied to his return ability, but he’s impressing on offense in practice, which will only help his stock. He caught two touchdown passes from John Wolford on Wednesday and continued his strong week with a good finish on Friday.

Webster is buried on the wide receiver depth chart behind the top four pass-catchers, but anything he can do on offense will help his chances of making the team as a return specialist.

Covid-19 Is Creating a Wave of Heart Disease
Emerging data show that some of the coronavirus’s most potent damage is inflicted on the heart

link https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/opinion/covid-19-heart-disease.html

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, was initially thought to primarily impact the lungs — SARS stands for “severe acute respiratory syndrome.” Now we know there is barely a part of the body this infection spares. And emerging data show that some of the virus’s most potent damage is inflicted on the heart.

Eduardo Rodriguez was poised to start as the No. 1 pitcher for the Boston Red Sox this season. But in July the 27-year-old tested positive for Covid-19. Feeling “100 years old,” he told reporters: “I’ve never been that sick in my life, and I don’t want to get that sick again.” His symptoms abated, but a few weeks later he felt so tired after throwing about 20 pitches during practice that his team told him to stop and rest.

Further investigation revealed that he had a condition many are still struggling to understand: Covid-19-associated myocarditis. Mr. Rodriguez won’t be playing baseball this season.

Myocarditis means inflammation of the heart muscle. Some patients are never bothered by it, but for others it can have serious implications. And Mr. Rodriguez isn’t the only athlete to suffer from it: Multiple college football players have possibly developed myocarditis from Covid-19, putting the entire college football landscape in jeopardy.

I recently treated one Covid-19 patient in his early 50s. He had been in perfect shape with no history of serious illness. When the fevers and body aches started, he locked himself in his room. But instead of getting better, his condition deteriorated and he eventually accumulated gallons of fluid in his legs. When he came to the hospital unable to catch a breath, it wasn’t his lungs that had pushed him to the brink — it was his heart. Now we are evaluating him to see if he needs a heart transplant.

An intriguing new study from Germany offers a glimpse into how SARS-CoV-2 affects the heart. Researchers studied 100 individuals, with a median age of just 49, who had recovered from Covid-19. Most were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.

An average of two months after they received the diagnosis, the researchers performed M.R.I. scans of their hearts and made some alarming discoveries: Nearly 80 percent had persistent abnormalities and 60 percent had evidence of myocarditis. The degree of myocarditis was not explained by the severity of the initial illness.

Though the study has some flaws, and the generalizability and significance of its findings not fully known, it makes clear that in young patients who had seemingly overcome SARS-CoV-2 it’s fairly common for the heart to be affected. We may be seeing only the beginning of the damage.

Researchers are still figuring out how SARS-CoV-2 causes myocarditis — whether it’s through the virus directly injuring the heart or whether it’s from the virulent immune reaction that it stimulates. It’s possible that part of the success of immunosuppressant medications such as the steroid dexamethasone in treating sick Covid-19 patients comes from their preventing inflammatory damage to the heart. Such steroids are commonly used to treat cases of myocarditis. Despite treatment, more severe forms of Covid-19-associated myocarditis can lead to permanent damage of the heart — which, in turn, can lead to heart failure.

But myocarditis is not the only way Covid-19 can cause more people to die of heart disease. When I analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I found that since February nearly 25,000 more Americans have died of heart disease compared with the same period in previous years. Some of these deaths could be put down to Covid-19, but the majority are likely to be because patients deferred care for their hearts. That could lead to a wave of untreated heart disease in the wake of the pandemic.

Many patients are understandably apprehensive about coming back to the clinic or hospital. The American Heart Association has started a campaign called “Don’t Die of Doubt” to address the alarming reduction in people calling 911 or seeking medical care after a heart attack or stroke.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, it’s been clear that people with heart disease or related conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are at increased risk for severe Covid-19 illness. The C.D.C. recommends that the more than 30 million Americans living with heart disease practice extra precautions to avoid infection. Hospitals and clinics should work overtime both to ensure they are safe for patients and to bolster telemedicine services so that patients can be cared for without having to leave their homes.

Doctors and researchers should no longer think of Covid-19 as a disease of the lungs but as one that can affect any part of the body, especially the heart. The only way to prevent more people dying of heart disease, both from damage caused by the virus as well as from deferred care of heart disease, is to control the pandemic.

Rams did pretty good in the 2016 draft! pic.twitter.com/Qo0ZOISlMO

— 𝙏𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚 (@tbearde) August 21, 2020

LindseyThiry@LindseyThiry
Rams rookie safety Jordan Fuller just showed some closing SPEED to breakup a deep pass. The rookie safeties, including Terrell Burgess, have looked strong so far.

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Couple of good sequences from Rams rookie safety Jordan Fuller. First scooping up a David Long forced fumble, then a pass breakup on a deep ball. He’s had a good week.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Little look at QBs 3 and 4 in individuals this afternoon. Perkins has a little mustard on the ball and a couple times WRs were not expecting the force. Another good day so far for Nsimba Webster and new name to watch is Trishton Jackson. Good length, great speed/hands

Most games with a PFF grade of 80+ since 2018 (defenders):

🔸 Aaron Donald – 11
🔸 T.J. Watt – 9
🔸 Grady Jarrett – 7 pic.twitter.com/DWDXtw3C50

— PFF (@PFF) August 21, 2020

Rams Report🗯@RamsNFLReport
Don’t want to speak to soon… but I think the hype on @VanJefferson12 is REAL. I’m very excited to watch this kid play!

Greg Beacham@gregbeacham
Dante Fowler praising the Rams, via @pnewberry1963: “They put me in the right situations to be an elite football player. … I really appreciate what they did for me. They allowed me to blossom & let this league see what kind of player I can be. I was around a lot of great guys.”