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znModeratorIan Rapoport@RapSheet
The #Rams are elevating practice squad WR Nsimba Webster to the 53-man roster, source said, in part because of Brandin Cooks’ absence and in part because another team tried to sign him to their roster.DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR]@DowntownRams
The corresponding move to bring Nsimba Webster onto the roster was the waiving of RB John Kelly. There’s a good chance he’s coming back onto the practice squad if he clears waivers but it wouldn’t be smart to assume he isn’t going to get claimed either.Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Rams and Chargers should just put aside their differences and go with one offensive line: Sunday in L.A., Monday in Mexico City.J.B. Long: https://www.therams.com/news/is-it-time-for-la-to-lean-on-its-defense
It has been 19 drives and 20 days since Goff found Josh Reynolds for a 31-yard touchdown in London, the Rams most recent touchdown.Brett Kollmann@BrettKollmann
The proletariat must seize the means of yardage production from the officiating class.znModerator#LARams + Bears set for Sunday Night Football showdown
Who + what to watch for, keys to victory + more.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 16, 2019
znModeratorRams Week 11 preview: 5 questions with Bears Wire
Rams Week 11 preview: 5 questions with Bears Wire
To preview the game, we talked to Bears Wire managing editor Alyssa Barbieri about what’s gone wrong with Chicago and how this matchup will go.
Is Mitchell Trubisky the biggest reason for the Bears’ struggles?
There’s plenty of blame to go around when it comes to Chicago’s disappointing season. Whether it’s play-calling on Matt Nagy’s front, poor offensive line play or Bears leading the league in drops, it’s more than just Trubisky. But with that said, Trubisky is the biggest part of why this Bears offense is struggling. Despite showing flashes this season, Trubisky has failed to take a step forward, instead regressing drastically. Nagy isn’t doing him any favors shying away from what made Trubisky successful last season — utilizing his mobility. As a result, his confidence has taken a hit. The Lions game was the first time Trubisky looked confident back there, as Nagy scaled back the playbook. Surely they’ll look to continue the trend and try to build off last week’s encouraging performance.
Besides Khalil Mack, who is the Bears’ best player?
Two of my answers fall on guys currently on or headed to injured reserve in defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Danny Trevathan. But what that said, receiver Allen Robinson has proven himself to be a special talent that is being wasted by mediocre quarterbacks. Robinson is easily the most productive player on Chicago’s struggling offense, and he’s managed to be productive with opposing teams knowing that Trubisky will be looking for him every time. Robinson’s fast approaching his season totals from a season ago — on a worse offense — and with still seven games left to go. Although he’ll face a tough challenge against [his] former Jaguars teammate, cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
What can the Rams do to have success against Chicago’s defense?
While Khalil Mack has been hailed as the player that makes the Bears’ defense go, Chicago is learning the hard life is without Akiem Hicks, who has been the anchor on that line. The Bears defensive line has been gashed since they lost Hicks to injured reserve after Week 5. While they certainly have talent up front in Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols and Nick Williams, who leads the team in sacks, they’ve struggled to find stability in the middle of the line, where without Hicks teams have been able to attack with success.
What’s been the biggest difference for the Bears from last season to this year?
Last season, everything seemed to go right for the Bears. They caught every break, whether it was with injuries or the schedule, they didn’t have to really face much adversity. This season is a completely different story. They’re feeling the effects of significant injuries and they’re struggling with living up to expectations following last season’s success. Their flaws are multiplied as the heat is turned up on a 4-5 team that was supposed to be Super Bowl contenders.
What’s your prediction for this game?
While I expect the Bears’ defense to take advantage of the Rams’ offensive struggles, ultimately it’s going to come down to which offense struggles more. With that said, it’ll likely be Chicago’s. Rams 17, Bears 13
znModeratordo you think he knows he wrote a haiku https://t.co/n1L3MG9kp1
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) November 16, 2019
znModeratorKaepernick supporters outnumber the flag supporters outside of #Falcons facility in Flowery Branch. pic.twitter.com/Ced5ZQbNJn
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) November 16, 2019
znModeratorfrom Kurt Warner explains why he sees himself more as a Cardinal than Ram: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/11/13/nfl-rams-cardinals-kurt-warner-hall-of-fame/
“I would probably say a Cardinal. As strange as that is with as much success and maybe the best years of my career being with the Rams, but I think a lot of it has to do with just where I ended,” he said. “The fact that I ended with the Cardinals, I’m still more connected with the team and the front office and stuff there. I still live in Arizona. Hard to say because I love both organizations and both of them were about equal for my career. I would probably say a little bit more with the Cardinals.”
Warner is a Hall of Famer, but he likely wouldn’t have made it to Canton if not for his Super Bowl with the Rams. Considering he lives in Arizona and still has ties to the Cardinals, though, it’s easy to understand why he associates himself with the last team he played for.
znModeratorMason Rudolph will be fined for role in TNF brawl
Kevin Patra
Mason Rudolph will not avoid a penalty for his role in Thursday night’s brawl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Friday that the Steelers’ QB will be fined by the NFL for actions on the field during the fracas, per a source informed of the situation.
The amount of the fine is still to be determined, Pelissero added.
It comes as no surprise that Rudolph would be punished in some fashion after the NFL handed down unprecedented penalties stemming from the brawl. The league suspended Browns DE Myles Garrett indefinitely for using Rudolph’s helmet to hit the QB in the head. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was suspended three games. Cleveland defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game. All are subject to appeal. Both the Steelers and Browns were each also fined $250,000.
The fight started after Garrett took down Rudolph after a short pass with eight seconds left in the game. On the ground, Rudolph then grabbed at the pass-rusher’s helmet, feeding the fire. With teammates coming over to break up the scuffle, Garrett ripped Rudolph’s helmet off as the two rose from the turf. As Steelers offensive linemen restrained Garrett, the hatless QB returned to the fray, where he was struck with his own helmet in the skull.
Rudolph’s agent, Tim Younger, suggested late Thursday night in a tweet that the quarterback’s team could pursue legal action against Garrett for hitting Rudolph with a helmet, saying, “The matter will be reviewed thoroughly.”
However, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday evening, per a source, that Rudolph won’t take legal action against Garrett, as he considers the incident “exclusively an NFL matter.”
While the quarterback avoided a suspension, money will be taken out of Rudolph’s pocket for his role in the fight. Given the harsh punishments the league handed out Friday, the fine could be hefty.
znModeratorBears were the first to stop Rams and Sean McVay
Lindsey Thiry
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries, and behind it, quarterback Jared Goff has struggled to improvise.
A season after appearing in Super Bowl LIII, the Rams are 5-4 and clinging to a 17% playoff berth chance, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
And now the Rams host a Chicago Bears defense on Sunday (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) that became the first unit to effectively stop Rams coach Sean McVay’s offensive juggernaut last season.
The Bears are 4-5 and, similar to the Rams, have experienced a downturn this season after reaching the playoffs. But the Bears’ defense packs a similar punch to last season, when it shut down the 11-1 Rams in a 15-6 victory during Week 14.
“They were a great defense, period,” McVay said this week about the 2018 Bears. “I don’t run away from the fact that I didn’t handle that night well at all.”
The six points in that game were the fewest scored by the Rams in a regular-season game since McVay became coach in 2017.
The key to that performance, according to Bears coach Matt Nagy?
“Being able to stop the run,” Nagy told reporters this week in Chicago. “You stop the run and then you penetrate the line of scrimmage and be able to try to affect the quarterback, his timing, make him move in the pocket and do different things there.”
Running back Todd Gurley rushed for 28 yards on 11 carries in that game, and Goff threw a career-high four interceptions, which amounted to a third of his season total on his way to a second consecutive Pro Bowl.
“We’ll be ready if they do it again,” Goff said.
He should count on it. The Bears have allowed 3.66 yards per rush (fourth in the NFL), 327 yards per game (ninth) and 17.4 points per game (fourth) this season. Their front seven still features star outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who will be hungry for a sack after failing to take down a quarterback the past two games.
Mack will have a makeshift offensive line to feast on.
The Rams must play three first-year starters, with veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein sidelined because of a knee injury and center Brian Allen on injured reserve because of a damaged MCL.
“It’s part of the job description, and when you play quarterback at times, it’s not always going to be like we had the last couple years,” said Goff, referring to his offensive line the past two seasons, which started the same five linemen in each season. “This is closer to reality and just going to prepare for it.”
The Rams’ offensive line was the best in the NFL last season, with a pass block win rate of 74%. This season, the group has struggled — even before it was struck by injuries — and has the 25th-best pass block win rate at 54%, according to ESPN Metrics Powered by NFL Next Gen Stats.
Goff has suffered as a result. His total quarterback rating of 39.7 is the fifth worst in the NFL.
The fourth-year quarterback, who signed a four-year extension with $110 million in guarantees before the season, understands there are plenty of areas where he must improve.
“Throw more completions,” Goff said. “Get the ball in our guys’ hands and get rid of the ball. Get rid of the ball. Be accurate, be on time, everything. I can be a lot better at a lot of things.”
Last week, in a 17-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Goff had three turnovers, including two interceptions and a lost fumble.
He has three games this season with multiple interceptions, which trails only Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who has four. And Goff is responsible for 14 turnovers this season, the third most behind Winston (18) and New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones (17).
Goff has fumbled nine times, losing five.
Needless to say, ball security and reacting under pressure have become points of emphasis.
“Playing in the timing and rhythm, sometimes taking a sack, keeping two hands on the ball, is the best thing to be able to do there,” McVay said. “It’s something we’re going to continuously drill and make a big point of emphasis.”
znModeratorRams' 3 biggest causes for concern vs. Bears in Week 11 https://t.co/DbfnJXeScu
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) November 16, 2019
znModeratorthe whole play
…
znModeratorznModeratorBut if we look at it with cold eyes, it’s just a fact of Cause and Effect that Rudolph’s running back into the fray, squaring up directly with Garrett, when he was already contained by DeCastro and another Pittsburgh lineman . . . . Well, I see that as escalation, totally unnecessary and pretty stupid.
I agree that was pretty stupid.
znModeratorznModerator
znModeratorLindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Rams injury report ahead of Sunday vs. Bears.OUT:
RT Rob Havenstein
WR Brandin Cooks
DB Darious WilliamsQUESTIONABLE:
TE Tyler Higbee
TE Gerald Everett
TE Johnny MundtDNP FRIDAY:
OL Austin Blythe – Illness
WR Cooper Kupp – Illness
RB Todd Gurley – Not injury relatedStu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams tight ends Tyler Higbee (knee), Gerald Everett (wrist) and Johnny Mundt (groin) are officially questionable for Sunday’s game, per today’s injury report. All three were limited participants in Friday’s practice.OL Austin Blythe and WR Cooper Kupp, who both did not participate in practice today due to illness, are probable to play Sunday. HC Sean McVay said earlier that he’s hopeful the contagious stomach bug both are dealing with is just a 24-hour ordeal.
Los Angeles Rams@RamsNFL
McVay: TEs are making good progress, optimistic they are ready to go.Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Bears will be down their top two TEs (Burton + Shaheen), a starting ILB (Trevathan) and a reserve OLB (Irving) on Sunday against the Rams.
Leading rusher David Montgomery is officially questionable after rolling his ankle in practice Wednesday.
Chicago Bears@ChicagoBears
Coach Nagy says David Montgomery will be a game-time decision.znModeratorLater I will post some of those tweets.
Tom Schad@Tom_Schad
The helmet-swinging incident was bad, but it could’ve been far worse.“The number one thing you’d worry about … is a skull fracture,” Dr. Robert Cantu told @usatodaysports. “And a skull fracture, and the associated brain trauma, could have killed him.”
95.7 The Game@957thegame
“A lot of people used to call me crazy… but I never ripped somebody’s helmet off and tried to swing it at his head.”Bill Romanowski talks with @BontaSteinyGuru about the Thursday Night Football fiasco
Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
I’m putting 99 percent blame on Myles. Mason engaged in some fisticuffs and should be penalizedWill Brinson@WillBrinson
People are hot and bothered about no punishment for Mason Rudolph.He’s a QB who got his own helmet mashed onto the top of his own head and could have had his dome caved in. Wasn’t going to happen.
Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
There were two incidents. The first one between Rudolph and Garrett ended with Garrett having his helmet. Would have resulted in only fines. The second is Garrett hitting Rudolph with his helmet.Head over to the nearest sporting goods store and buy a helmet. Go to the nearest gym and find the strongest dude. Then stand there while he takes his best swing with that helmet at your head. Let me know if it’s a weapon or not afterwards.
So again…you’re suspending Rudolph for getting hit in the head with his helmet. Because you wouldn’t suspend him for running over there if Garrett didn’t swing his helmet. You see how that looks right?
==
Voice of reason on the Myles Garrett incident. Discuss what I saw and who’s at fault. This went up before the suspensions, which I agreed with. https://t.co/i1ybyIE4XX
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 15, 2019
znModeratorWhy Sunday's game vs. Bears means so much to Sebastian Joseph-Day https://t.co/iUVWzdrgaK via @theramswire
— RamsNewsNow (@RamsNewsNow) November 16, 2019
znModeratorWhat’s your take on my take that Rudolph is partially at fault in this mess too? Again, this is no way excuses what Garrett did. That was indefensible. But I think Rudolph’s actions escalated what could have been a far lesser tussle between teams. He should not have run back into the fray, especially without his helmet on.
The Rudolph thing comes up over and over in twitter. Some argue that he’s equally blameworthy, but the majority consensus is that Rudolph just did stuff you can see in virtually any NFL game, while Garrett did something you RARELY if ever see in an NFL game (ranging across decades, tweeters have come up with just a couple of other examples of something like it). Why should Rudolph or anyone expect THAT level of escalation? What did Rudolph do to cause Garrett to escalate things THAT far?
Think of Britt and Donald last year. That was bad, but also more typical of those kinds of things–it did not go anywhere near what Garrett did.
Plus this is driven home by the fact that Browns players are openly very critical of what Garrett did, and very bluntly so.
The discussion includes a lot of ex-players who live on twitter. They keep pointing out that a helmet is a 6 pound deadly weapon and the whole NFL is lucky there was no real serious injury (a fractured skull is possible–helmets are a hard shelled 6 pounts of weight).
I am with that consensus.
The consensus also is saying that Rudolph will be probably be fined, with is appropriate.
Later I will post some of those tweets.
znModeratorGary Klein@LATimesklein
WR Cooper Kupp and C Austin Blythe have a stomach bug and were told to stay home from Friday’s practice, McVay said.Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Sean McVay calls Steelers-Browns brawl tough to watch: ‘Unfortunate to see’Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
More than 24 NFL teams are now expected at Colin Kaepernick’s workout Saturday at the Falcons’ training complex outside Atlanta, per sources.znModeratorJeff Ratcliffe’s fantasy football focus: Facts, predictions, and tips for Week 11
➡️ https://t.co/onxbpC0ias pic.twitter.com/WGbwp4GXFJ
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 15, 2019
November 15, 2019 at 6:15 pm in reply to: What does it mean that the best HBCU quarterback is white? #108162znModeratorIt means nothing.
THe HBCU have long admitted white students.
They are not exclusive in tersm of race.
znModeratormore.
Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Browns’ DE Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely, with a minimum of at least this regular season and playoffs.—
Browns DE Myles Garrett has been suspended indefinitely.
Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi has been suspended one game. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey has been suspended three games.
In addition, Steelers and Browns organizations each fined $250,000. pic.twitter.com/tY6o5Ozjf2
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2019
znModeratorHere’s a buncha stuff from a tweets thread, it belongs here though.
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Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
Independent neurologist watched Rudolph get beaten over the head with his own helmet and had no problem with him going back out for the last snap?Louis Riddick@LRiddickESPN
never seen any player ever act like that ever and I have played with/against some of the toughest SOB’s ever! That is the most trash BS I have ever seen. Myles Garrett hit another player ON TOP OF THE HEAD with a f’ing helmet!Michael Silver@MikeSilver
OK, lots to unpack… Garrett’s gonna get suspended. And Pouncey seemingly kicked him in the head when he was down?Brooke Pryor@bepryor
Pouncey says Garrett should be done for the year“Absolutely, absolutely- 100%. We’ll see how serious the NFL is about their players.”
Adds he’s not worried about himself: “At this point, who cares? My man got hit in the head with a helmet. I’ll accept whatever penalty it is”
==
Holy shit pic.twitter.com/fKLM3MIQev
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 15, 2019
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I honestly do not blame Pouncey for the reaction that he had. https://t.co/DMpp0OzbKV
— Dan DeYoung (@DanDeYoungFB) November 15, 2019
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Baker being honest with his take on the fight that ended TNF
"It's endangering the other team, it's inexcusable"
(via @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/j2BvWfbqfD
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) November 15, 2019
znModeratorBears Barroom@BearsBarroom
Khalil Mack has three sacks in the three games Akiem Hicks played. Mack has 2.5 total sacks in the games Hicks was injured in or missed.Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
After injuring his ankle in practice this week, Bears coach Matt Nagy says RB David Montgomery is a pre-game decision.Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams RB Todd Gurley on if he’s ever had to pick up Khalil Mack on pass protection: “No. That wouldn’t be smart for a coach to do that.”znModeratorWhen the Bears and Rams meet Sunday, you better believe they'll be bringing the pressure.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/3pe3PbbQbK
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 15, 2019
znModeratorThink #Bears100 offense is disappointing? #Rams are a mess too. Take a look in @MarkSchofield's latest film breakdown https://t.co/pgfAtyQutY
— Hub Arkush (@Hub_Arkush) November 15, 2019
znModerator
znModeratorSo far this season, these teams have been the best at getting pressure on the QB without sending extra rushers! #LARams #GoPats #WeAreTexans #FlyEaglesFly #KeepPounding #Browns #GoNiners #RavensFlock #GoBucs #GoBills @gregcosell | @MattBowen41 pic.twitter.com/GE6ge27NSa
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) November 14, 2019
znModeratorVets confident in young offensive linemen as next men up.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 15, 2019
znModeratorLindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Rams official injury report: TE Tyler Higbee (Knee) DNP; TE Gerald Everett (Wrist) Limited; TE Johnny Mundt (Groin) Limited.Sooo… to sum this up, tight end might be a concern.
Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Sean McVay said Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett are expected to play if everything goes according to plan this week. Says the team is being smart about their injuriescynthia frelund@cfrelund
Baker Mayfield has been protected well, only under pressure on 2/19 dropbacks (10.5%, 1st half)This is after the @steelers pressured J. Goff on 33.3% of dropbacks last week
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