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September 7, 2019 at 5:15 pm in reply to: tweets & things … 9/7 & 9/8 … including a lot of great off-schedule VB stuff #104779
znModeratorNSFW GRAPHIC CONTENT VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED HIDE YOUR KIDS #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/DcpGStbfWI
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) September 7, 2019
znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Antonio Brown and the Patriots reached agreement on a 1-year deal worth up $15 million that includes a $9 million signing bonus, per source.znModeratorwell now he’s been released. eligible to sign with anyone later today.
trey wingo@wingoz
Don’t think for a second that another team won’t sign @AB84. He’s that good and everyone always thinks “ yeah but I can fix him”Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
If you include fines, Antonio Brown actually paid Oakland almost $300k during his time there.Dude didn’t just flush away monster millions, but it actually cost him hundreds of thousands to do it.
Albert Breer@AlbertBreer
Agent Drew Rosenhaus on client Antonio Brown, via text: “Now that Antonio is a free agent, we are focused on the future and I will immediately work on signing him to a new team. Antonio is looking forward to a new beginning.”Andy Benoit@Andy_Benoit
As bad as it gets for the @Raiders. They can’t even say they finally drew the line with AB….they didn’t release him until he publicly demanded it.Chris Long@JOEL9ONE
Players used to sit on wooden stools and answer generic football questions for the local news. Antonio Brown wiretaps his coach and produces an artistic short film on his personal YouTube channel. This shit escalated quickly.Ian Rapoport@RapSheet
On the $30M that was voided, agent Drew Rosenhaus says he’s looking into all his options but isn’t being specific because “it might be a legal situation.” An indication WR Antonio Brown will contest Oakland’s finding.==
From @gmfb Weekend: Why was former #Raiders WR Antonio Brown so upset? pic.twitter.com/VCGv6VPlB2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2019
znModeratorpparently, he got fined again, and a significant portion of his guarantees are now out the window. that would explain things.
Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
By fining Antonio Brown $215,073.53 last night for conduct detrimental to the team on Sept. 4, the Raiders voided the $29.125 million worth of guaranteed money in his deal, per league sources. The Raiders sent Brown a letter that he no longer will be entitled to termination pay if they release him, per sources.This could help explain why Brown is now asking the Raiders for his release.
Jeff Darlington@JeffDarlington
I just got an email from Antonio Brown. He tells me the team “took away my guarantees.” He added there’s “no way I play after they took that and made my contract week to week.” So at this moment, once again, don’t expect AB to play on Monday Night Football.Joel Corry@corryjoel
The good faith effort & written notice requirement to try to invalidate a termination pay claim has been in the CBA for years. I don’t recall a team taking this action. Base salary is guaranteed through termination pay for vested veterans on 53-man roster for 1st game.Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
Gruden from that phone call is everybody: “please stop this shit and just play football? How hard is that?”Judy Battista@judybattista
Can I finish my coffee before we start this up today?Andrew Brandt@AndrewBrandt
Brown would not get anything remotely close to his Raiders contract if released. I’m sure @RosenhausSports has told him this, but does he care?Jason Cole@JasonCole62
Jon Gruden is backed into a corner. His justification for getting rid of Khalil Mack was that Mack supposedly didn’t want to be there (which was a lie). Now AB is openly saying he doesn’t want to be there. If Gruden keeps AB, Gruden becomes a joke to the players.Every single time we think this Antonio Brown drama is over… pic.twitter.com/DjahK57nHG
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 7, 2019
September 7, 2019 at 2:26 am in reply to: is Gurley be up to speed for Rams’ opener after sitting entire preseason? #104759znModerator“@TG3II is their best player on offense, and they want to make sure they get him the ball.” 🏈@MJD explains to @lindsay_rhodes how his role will not change for the @RamsNFL this season 👇
📺: @NFLTotalAccess pic.twitter.com/hPbU1UtGEu
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 7, 2019
znModeratorthink they may have thought about letting CL walk or trade him somehow,
I disagree. I think Littleton is a very good player who was out of position at the other ILB spot last year but is perfectly suited to replace Barron at the ILB spot he now occupies.
The only reason I would hesitate to sign Littleton is because it looks like Howard is just as good, so you save money on a big contract without losing the talent level.
znModeratorgruden just cut mayock’s balls off for the entire public to see.
Evan Silva@evansilva
Jon Gruden is a cartoon character at this point.And was exceptionally quick to throw under the bus Mike Mayock, a legit respected football man & Bill Parcells/Belichick offshoot in a soul-selling exchange for a team-sabotaging player.
You hate to see it.
Justin M@JustinM_NFL
AB could take a shit on Gruden’s desk and he’d smile and say, “man, that AB’s a character. Awesome.”znModeratorJared Goff starring in this ESPN commercial is pure gold.
pic.twitter.com/xurChZ3QFP— Downtown Rams [DTR] (@DowntownRams) September 7, 2019
znModeratorChris Long@JOEL9ONE
What if AB is actually an Oliver Stone plant shooting an Any Given Sunday reboot and we’re all just unpaid extras?znModeratorThey’re only going to get so many extensions before they run out of big contract slots.
In that light I would prefer they didn’t extend Peters or Littleton (and I like Littleton a lot).
We know Howard is in the background. Rams reportedly just love him. He would fit the Littleton spot. And not only are the Rams deep at DB, for years now they’ve been very good at acquiring DBs. This goes way back. In 2012 they drafted both Jenkins and Johnson and signed McCleod as a udfa the same year. That’s 3 starters in one draft year. They’ve been good since then too of course. So to me, the possibility of losing both Peters and Talib is not so daunting. I think they can develop players they have and add more.
So seen that way, why spend big contracts on those 2 players? Not that they’re not worth it (I believe Peters will have a good year this season). But you can’t sign everyone. If you believe they can get DBs and LBs (and/or may already have some) it’s more cost effective.
Just an opinion.
znModeratorThe video doesn’t make clear whether Gruden knows he is being recorded. In California, recording a phone call without each party’s consent is illegal. But according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Gruden said the video was “awesome,” so Brown may be in the clear.
September 6, 2019 at 10:29 pm in reply to: the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game #104742znModeratorRams’ defense braces for playmaking Panthers backfield
https://www.therams.com/news/rams-defense-braces-for-playmaking-panthers-backfield
A quarterback who can make plays with his legs is nothing new in today’s NFL. Neither is a running back capable of catching passes out of the backfield or while lined up out wide.
What is rare, however, is an NFL team that has both.
The Carolina Panthers are one of those teams, which means starting QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey will have complete attention of the Rams’ front seven on Sunday.
“Just playmakers,” Los Angeles DT Aaron Donald said of the duo.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Panthers in 2011, Newton has tallied 58 rushing touchdowns – most by a quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. His total touchdowns (240) and total yards (33,277) rank third by an NFL quarterback through his first eight seasons.
As a rookie, Newton’s 4,051 passing yards set a then-NFL record previously held by Peyton Manning. He also became the first rookie in NFL history to eclipse 400 passing yards in his first career start.
“Cam (Newton) has been the MVP of the league,” Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “He says he feels like a rookie now, which is kind of scary because he had some great years – even his rookie year was a heck of a year.”
McCaffrey, meanwhile, set the set Panthers single-season records for most receptions (107) and scrimmage yards (1,965) by any player last season. He also set single-season records for most receiving yards (867), receiving touchdowns (6), and receiving first downs (41) by a running back.
This was all accomplished in just his second NFL season.
“(McCaffrey) did a lot of things outside of the backfield,” Donald said. “They’re always trying to find ways to get him the ball.”
Phillips has faced Newton once before, as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos when they defeated the Panthers 24-10 to capture Super Bowl 50 in 2015.
The 2019 Panthers are a different team and this is a different time, so it’s tough to take anything away from that contest four years ago, according to Phillips. However, it’s fair to say their backfield looks different, and Phillips is well aware of the tests both Newton and McCaffrey will present.
“It will be a big challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to it,” Phillips said.
znModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Wade Phillips hinted at Taylor Rapp playing a role in Sunday’s game, saying he “won’t just be a backup”==
Our quarterback, @JaredGoff16! pic.twitter.com/mOzVlluFhP
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 6, 2019
September 6, 2019 at 11:52 am in reply to: the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game #104730znModeratorWEEK 1: Panthers borrow from Patriots’ Super Bowl game plan vs. Rams
STEVE REED, AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Panthers have pored over game tape from last year’s Super Bowl looking for ways to shut down Rams quarterback Jared Goff and the Rams’ high-powered offense in Week 1.
Hard to blame them.
Los Angeles averaged more than 30 points per game during the regular season and rolled to the NFC championship before New England designed a game plan limiting the Rams to three points on football’s biggest stage.
“To see that game versus the Patriots, you see a humbled offense,” Panthers safety Tre Boston said of New England’s 13-3 win. “You see an offense that is used to scoring points and getting down the field, and (Bill) Belichick and that defense did a great job of containing them and understanding what they like to do and not allowing them to do it. We have to do the same thing.”
Boston said that means understanding how and why the Rams run motion — and immediately comprehending and countering it.
>> You won’t want to miss Panthers Gameday LIVE from Mint Street Sunday at 11 a.m. on Channel 9. Our pregame show will get you ready before the season kicks off.
“They want your eyes in different places and they want you to think a little bit longer than you need to,” Boston said.
Panthers wide receiver Chris Hogan was with the Patriots last season and said he watched the defense spend two weeks working on ways to pressure Goff into throws he doesn’t want to make. Goff was sacked four times in the Super Bowl and finished 19 of 38 for 229 yards with one interception.
Hogan said the goal was to “try to get in his face and get him off his spot.”
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly sees that as a key on Sunday, too.
“However you can make him uncomfortable is the way to do it,” Kuechly said of Goff, who signed a $110 contract extension earlier this week. “If you’re a quarterback and you sit back there and sling to the same spot every time, it’s easy. But with him if you can push him off his spot, that’s when it is harder for him.”
The Panthers were 27th in the league in sacks last season, but have switched to a 3-4 defense and will look to apply pressure with Mario Addison and rookie Brian Burns working at outside linebacker.
>> Pizza and packing up: Kara Olsen dishes on first night in Charlotte
Things to watch Sunday between the Rams and Panthers:
CAM’S DEEP BALLS
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was hindered by a right shoulder injury that severely limited his ability to throw the ball deep in the second half of last season. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Newton is healthy now and that “it’s exciting to have him where he can make those deep throws.” He hopes an occasional deep ball will open up things underneath the coverage and keep the Rams from stacking the box as many teams did against Carolina last season due to Newton’s lack of arm strength. Newton was not listed on the team’s injury report this week after suffering a mid-foot sprain in the preseason.
NEW LINE OF PROTECTION
The Rams’ biggest area of uncertainty is the offensive line, where center Brian Allen and left guard Joseph Noteboom will make their first career starts in Charlotte. The 2018 draft picks spent last season backing up John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold, two stalwarts of the Rams’ remarkably consistent line over coach Sean McVay’s two seasons. Allen and Noteboom didn’t even get a chance to play in the preseason, sitting out along with almost all of the Rams’ starters. The Panthers’ defensive front is formidable, but Allen isn’t worried: “Starting right off the bat with a defensive line like we’re going to play is a good test right out of the gate to get us ready for the season.”
OLD HEADS
The game will mark the Rams debuts of linebacker Clay Matthews and safety Eric Weddle, who both returned to their native Southern California in the offseason after decorated NFL careers elsewhere. Both will be immediate starters for the Rams, with Matthews taking over at outside linebacker and Weddle replacing Super Bowl starter Lamarcus Joyner. Matthews and Weddle both took likely less than they could have made elsewhere to pursue a championship in LA. “I can’t wait to finally get out there with my brothers,” said Weddle, who sat out the entire preseason along with Matthews and almost every Rams starter.
SLYE ON THE FLY
If the game comes down to a winning kick, the Panthers will have to rely on untested rookie Joey Slye . Slye replaces veteran Graham Gano, who went on injured reserve last week. Slye’s accuracy (72.2 was an issue at Virginia Tech, but he kicked well in the preseason, making 7 of 8 field goals, including all three attempts from beyond 50 yards. But how will Slye perform under pressure?
STOPPING DONALD
Turner said it is vitally important the Panthers know exactly where Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is at all times. Donald has won back-to-back NFC Defensive Player of the Year awards. Turner called him a “unique player” who’s going to disrupt the offense at times and make plays, but added “the thing you have to do is not leave him in a position where he is going to make a play that turns out to be a disaster for you.”
GAME CAPSULE:
RAMS (15-4) at PANTHERS (7-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
OPENING LINE – Rams by 2 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD – Rams 7-7-2; Panthers 7-9
SERIES RECORD – Panthers lead 13-8
LAST MEETING – Panthers beat Rams 13-10, Nov. 6, 2016
AP PRO32 RANKING – Rams No. 4, Panthers No. 18
RAMS OFFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (3), PASS (5).
RAMS DEFENSE – OVERALL (19), RUSH (23), PASS (14).
PANTHERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (10), RUSH (4), PASS (17).
PANTHERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (15), RUSH (12), PASS (18).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES:
Rams reached Super Bowl last season before losing to Tom Brady and Patriots 13-3.
Sean McVay owns .750 winning percentage (24-8) in two seasons as Rams coach.
Rams averaged 30.8 points per game last season, second only to Kansas City (34.8).
QB Jared Goff was fourth in yards passing (4,688) and sixth in TD passes in 2018.
RB Todd Gurley led NFL with 21 TDs last season, was limited late last season due to knee soreness.
WR Brandin Cooks going for fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season after career-high 1,204 yards in 2018.
DT Aaron Donald has won NFL Defensive Player of Year in back-to-back seasons.
LB Clay Matthews and S Eric Weddle make Rams debut.
CB Marcus Peters’ 22 interceptions are most in NFL since 2015.
Panthers are 4-4 in season openers under coach Ron Rivera.
Rivera needs three wins to become Carolina’s all-time winningest coach.
QB Cam Newton returns from offseason shoulder surgery and mid-foot sprain in preseason. Newton needs 121 yards rushing to pass Randall Cunningham for second most by an NFL quarterback.
Christian McCaffrey set NFL record for receptions by RB last season with 107. McCaffrey also set franchise record with 1,965 yards from scrimmage.
WR D.J. Moore was first in NFL in yards after catch (7.7) in 2018.
Carolina was 27th in NFL in sacks in 2018. Added veteran DL Gerald McCoy and rookie OLB Brian Burns to bolster pass rush.
Panthers debut 3-4 defense for first time under Rivera, who’ll make defensive play calls.
LB Luke Kuechly has 948 tackles, needs 19 to pass Brian Urlacher for most by an NFL player through first eight seasons.
Ray-Ray McCloud, acquired off waivers Sunday, expected to return punts, kickoffs for Carolina. … Undrafted rookie K Joey Slye replaces Graham Gano (injured reserve/leg).
Fantasy tip: Panthers WR Curtis Samuel appears on cusp of breakout season after assuming starting role.znModeratorJared Goff is very very overrated by national media
don’t you folks find this statement to be quite opposite?…. Goff is not a media darling
Yeah that statement is shall we say, misinformed.
Like “I hear it’s too hot in Chicago in the winter.”
znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Why do the @RamsNFLwant so much depth, intelligence, and versatility at safety? “All we’re trying to do: just buy @AaronDonald97 a split more second (to sack the QB).”September 6, 2019 at 10:34 am in reply to: the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game #104723znModeratorRams at Panthers: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 1 https://t.co/trFENOYZ1O
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) September 6, 2019
znModeratorCan this defense dominate?
"100%. I feel like we’re in a position to be even better."
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 5, 2019
September 6, 2019 at 9:33 am in reply to: the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game #104721znModeratorfrom NFL Week 1 game picks
Gregg Rosenthal
…
TOUGHEST GAME TO PREDICT: Los Angeles Rams 28, Carolina Panthers 27
1 p.m. ET (FOX) | Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
Great coaches adjust. The Panthers’ Ron Rivera, author of one of this decade’s most consistent defenses, transitioned this offseason into incorporating more 3-4 looks to fit his personnel and make Carolina’s unit tougher to prepare for. Rams coach Sean McVay will undoubtedly tweak some of the offensive hallmarks that defined his first two Rams teams, possibly with fewer three-wide formations or more shotgun snaps. But the Rams’ foundation of throwing play-action passes while creating advantageous matchups through pre-snap disguises should remain, as will Rivera’s ability to maximize talent in the secondary. Great coaches don’t change what makes them great.
I expect to see both of these teams in the playoffs. Cam Newton’s foot sprain shouldn’t be a major factor, but its impact on Carolina’s red-zone rushing is just enough for me to give the slight edge to L.A., with McVay out to prove he’s long past adjusting from the Super Bowl loss.
==
PFF Greenline: NFL Week 1 spread & over/under picks
https://www.pff.com/news/pro-bet-pff-greenline-2019-nfl-week-1-spread-over-under-picks
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-2.5) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Pick: The Rams cover
Point (George Chahrouri): A lot is made of the post-Super Bowl loss hangover — but we’re talking about Los Angeles, where you don’t get hungover. Instead, you use your parents’ credit card to pay for someone to come to your apartment and give you a kombucha IV that will guarantee you suffer no ill effects. Unlike most LA Millenials, Sean McVay, Jared Goff and Aaron Donald have plenty of dollars with which to wipe away the sins of the Super Bowl defeat, and there is no better way to do that than by opening up the season with a convincing road win.
Aside from the obvious desire to prove the doubters wrong, McVay and Goff will have another important weapon at their disposal that they didn’t have last February, Cooper Kupp. Goff’s 145.9 passer rating when targeting Kupp last season was by far the best of any Rams receiver, as was the expected points added per target. In fact, both those figures ranked second in the entire NFL behind the Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett connection. With Kupp on the field, the Rams averaged 9.2 yards per pass play which would have been first in the NFL (better than the Kansas City Chiefs), and sans Kupp they averaged 5.9 yards per pass play which would have ranked 25th (worse than the Oakland Raiders). The Panthers have struggled pretty mightily in coverage and allowed the 10th-worst passer rating to wide receivers last season.
The Rams’ defense that held the Patriots to 13 points in the Super Bowl will get a Cam Newton that probably isn’t going to leverage his running ability given the injuries he’s sustained, and when asked to be a pure passer, Newton is not nearly as lethal. Cam made accurate throws to receivers with at least a step of separation at a bottom-five rate last season and was relegated to throwing shorter passes than he ever has in his career (often confused as being a successful move because his completion rate improved).
The Rams were extremely strong last season but still have plenty of room to improve, and that includes the fourth-down decision making of McVay (see NFC Championship game) which would only press the advantage his offense has in almost all matchups. With the futility of the Super Bowl on the minds of many, the Rams storm through Carolina and erase that memory.
Counterpoint (Eric Eager): It’s always difficult to back a team traveling from the west coast to the east coast to play at 1 PM EST, especially one that has to lay points. This number opened at around three, so there is some appetite for the dog here. There are certainly some valid reasons why people would be high on the Panthers following a 1-7 fall down the stretch, as the acquisitions of Gerald McCoy, Brian Burns and Bruce Irvin should help a defense that allowed six yards per play in 2018 (fifth-worst in the NFL). That said, we know that pass-rush alone will not make the seventh-worst pass defense in terms of yards per play better if they don’t address the secondary (and they really haven’t). Reports are the Cam Newton is healthy after a preseason scare, and his ability to distribute the ball into the hands of the league’s most valuable running back in Christian McCaffrey and a stable of young receivers (as well as an old one in Greg Olsen) will likely determine if this bet hits or not.
znModeratorSean McVay: Todd Gurley "feeling good," not on pitch counthttps://t.co/jQsAfkCMSK pic.twitter.com/l9JtgZQX39
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 6, 2019
znModeratorHigbee’s deal raises some interesting questions.
Just to cover the basics and get it down in black and white: 2nd contracts just go up every year. Teams don’t rank the player in relation to others, if he’s a starter he just gets what the 2nd contract market is that year for his position. So for example Wilson got 22 M in 2015 and Carr got 25 M in 2017. Was Carr considered better than Wilson? No…in 2017 qbs were getting more than they were in 2015. That’s it. It’s just next guy up.
So if Higbee were valued as a starting RECEIVING TE he would have gotten a 2nd contract that ranked in the top 2-3. He would just get what the next guy up gets. He didn’t. He got what 2nd contracts for starting TEs were going for before 2016. It would be as if Wentz got Foles money to sign a 2nd contract
Most likely that means he’s NOT valued as a top receiving TE and they don’t intend to make him into one. His deal is below market value for that. Compare that to other recent deals the Rams made. Cooks got more or less exactly what starting WRs were getting on second contracts for 2016. Hav got more or less exactly what ROTs were getting his year.
Since they like Higbee, that most likely means they see him more as supplementing the OL as kind of 6th lineman type TE, and that they value that. Like Celek was with the Eagles before he retired. But guys like that don’t get market value 2nd contracts for the year they’re up.
znModeratorMatt Hasselbeck@Hasselbeck
Ask yourselves these questions:
1. What would Andy Reid do?
2. What would Sean McVay do?Do that.
Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
Hmm 3rd and 40. Draw, inside zone or screen? GoScreen for the winner
Around The NFL@AroundTheNFL
History! Packers coach Matt LaFleur is first coach to challenge pass interference in regular seasonRich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Y’know, maybe skipping the preseason isn’t for everyone.Gregg Rosenthal@greggrosenthal
“My life is more enjoyable if I no longer have to defend Mitch Trubisky”— @ChrisWesseling, jumping off the bandwagon.Geoff Schwartz@geoffschwartz
I don’t have a strong opinion on preseason reps for starting QBs. It seems a bunch of successful coaches, Reid, Belichick, Tomlin, Carrell, Rivera all play starters some in the preseason. Lots of the younger offensive coaches do not. Worked for McVay last seasonznModeratorEvan Silva@evansilva
I was optimistic about Trubisky making a third-year leap but Chicago Tribune & Sun Times covered his camp
extensively & strongly indicated he was plateauing or regressing.Only 1/32 of season under our belt but so far looks like the newspapers (long live newspapers) were right.
Jason La Canfora@JasonLaCanfora
It was thoughtful of the Bears to open the NFL’s 100th season with the same offense they ran 100 years ago. Kudos. Well doneznModerator"No INTs for Trubisky in the first half" pic.twitter.com/Yg90DsB9mO
— Kevin Cole (@KevinColePFF) September 6, 2019
znModeratorRodgers breaking out the backhand shovel pass! 😎#GBvsCHI
(via @NFL)
— PFF (@PFF) September 6, 2019
September 5, 2019 at 10:05 pm in reply to: the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game #104708znModeratorCan the Rams defense contain the Carolina Panthers?
J.B. Long
VOICE OF THE L.A. RAMShttps://www.therams.com/news/can-the-rams-defense-contain-the-carolina-panthers
There’s so much to discuss about the opener at Carolina and the season ahead, we’re going to break this into two parts.
Later this week, some perspective on Sean McVay and what’s ahead for the offense.
But first, let’s dive into defense and special teams.
Can this Defense Dominate?
The Rams 2018 defense was clutch; it was opportunistic; quite frankly, it was championship-worthy. After all, the defense delivered an NFC title and its best performance of the year came in the Super Bowl.
Relative to expectations, however, it’s also fair to say the defense underachieved.
The 2018 Rams were average statistically. And that was despite an historic season from the two-time reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
What if they delivered on their promise now? What if – in conjunction with one of the top scoring offenses in football – the Rams defense imposed its collective will on the opposition?
Aaron Donald believes they can.
“Hundred percent,” he told me recently. “I feel like we’re in a position to be even better.”
Face of the Franchise Tag
For that to be the case, you get the sense Dante Fowler and Marcus Peters have to have extension-worthy seasons. Both are former first-round talents, entering their fifth seasons, playing positions that command massive contracts, and the Rams traded draft capital to acquire their services.
It would be a wonderful financial dilemma for L.A. to contend with in 2020, if Fowler and Peters are each coming off career years as they approach the open market. There’s reason to think that could happen.
Peters improved dramatically as 2018 wore on, as he did not allow a score after that first trip to New Orleans in Week 9, and per PFF, didn’t even surrender a deep completion in the second half of last season.
Once Fowler settled into Los Angeles, he made some of the biggest plays of the Super Bowl run, including a thunderous tackle of Ezekiel Elliott and the overtime hit on Drew Brees.
Wanted: Veteran Help
Sunday will be our first look at a revamped Rams defense, featuring two players with a dozen Pro Bowl honors between them. Yet the teams that knew them best, didn’t want them anymore.
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Sean McVay saw Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews in person last season (Weddle for two joint sessions with the Ravens; Matthews in Week 8 with the Packers). He and L.A. did want these veterans, believing strongly that there’s something left in their tanks – and a wealth of knowledge between their ears – that can benefit the 2019 Rams.
Last Hurrah?
The Rams can only hope that Weddle and Matthews have the impact that Andrew Whitworth and Aqib Talib have had.
I know this is supposed to be a defensive piece, but allow me to lump Whitworth in with Weddle, Matthews, and Talib here, only for the purposes of this brief observation.
Isn’t it remarkable how what was, until very recently, the youngest roster in the NFL suddenly got a bit long in the tooth?
Four starters 33 years or older. That’s like… Sean McVay old.
Wishing them all a healthy and fulfilling season, one that cements their legacy, particularly if it proves to be their last.
(Meantime, there are 10 rookies on the roster, including three undrafted college free agents.)
Safety in Numbers
There are few things I’m more intrigued by than the Week One snap counts at safety.
The Rams opted to keep five of them on the initial 53-man roster, and four should feature prominently in the defensive game plan against Carolina: Weddle, John Johnson, Marqui Christian, and Taylor Rapp.
“We’ve got guys that can play in the box; guys that can play in the deep part of the field; guys that can cover man-to-man,” safeties coach Ejiro Evero told me during training camp. “It really just gives you a lot of flexibility as a defense in terms of disguising and giving different looks to the offense that can keep them off balance.”
Imagine what Donald might do with that moment of hesitation while an opposing quarterback sorts through the confusion.
“That’s exactly right,” Evero continued. “And that’s all we’re trying to do: just buy him a split more second.”
When middle linebacker Micah Kiser was injured in the preseason, the importance of the Rams depth, intelligence, and versatility at safety was amplified. Sure, they’ll still need a thumping linebacker on run downs and in short-yardage situations. But I suspect more often than not, Wade Phillips and his defensive staff will opt to leverage their safeties against Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey, and the Panthers.
Something Special
We have to be intentional not to take the Rams special teams for granted; I know I’m guilty of it at times.
And this may feel like an odd moment to express any kind of concern about the kicking game, given that Greg Zuerlein hit the longest game-winner in playoff history earlier this calendar year.
But he also missed from 48 in the Super Bowl, and I’m sensitive to the fact that since his All-Pro 2017, he’s missed seven of the team’s last 18 regular season games due to injury.
Additionally, after going 18-of-19 on kicks beyond 40 yards in 2017, Zuerlein was just 8-of-12 from that distance in 2018.
There’s comfort in knowing that Zuerlein and the Rams were so confident about his health they allowed him to fly to Hawaii and back, not to mention attempt field goals of 56 and 58 yards (both missed) this preseason.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this: Nothing against Sam Ficken and Cairo Santos, but it would be a welcome relief to have Greg the Leg dialed in for 16-plus games this season. As if to drive that point home, the Panthers put their kicker, Graham Gano on injured reserve last week.
The Forgotten Man
I’ve been keeping score this off-season while reading, watching, and listening to coverage of the team.
I think Michael Brockers has been completely forgotten.
Not by his teammates. Not by his coaches. And certainly not by his front office, which chose not to repurpose his eight-figure salary cap hit. But externally, Brockers has been the least-mentioned starter on defense – and perhaps the entire team – for the past seven months.
One sack and four tackles-for-loss made for an underwhelming 2018, as Brockers often was tasked with holding the front side of a leaky Rams rush defense. His PFF grade declined significantly from 2016 and 2017 levels.
That being said, I wanted to finish with some ink for the first pick of the Les Snead era, who has quietly done the dirty work for seven years in Horns, averaging more than 15 appearances per season along the way.
Here’s one prediction for Brockers to have a 2019 worth talking about.
znModeratorRob Demovsky
ESPN Staff WriterIf the Packers can solidify their pass protection in the second half, their offense could take off even if they can’t run the ball. Aaron Rodgers went 13-of-20 for 137 yards (47 on one play to Marquez Valdes-Scantling) for a 7-3 halftime lead. And with their defense holding the Bears to just a field goal, the recipe for an upset is in front of them.
September 5, 2019 at 9:48 pm in reply to: Wade and McVay Press Conferences … 9/5 … vids & transcripts #104706znModeratorLos Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay, Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, Sep 5, 2019
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Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay
(On if there was a reason for RB Todd Gurley II not being a captain this year)“We’ve got a bunch of great leaders. He definitely got recognized by his peers as somebody that was right up there with those guys. We let the players select that and those were the six that they ended up voting on, but (RB) Todd’s (Gurley II) been a great leader. The fact that you may or may not be represented as a captain officially, we’ve got guys that we expect them to carry themselves accordingly. Todd is certainly somebody that influences and affects a locker room in a positive way and I know he’s looked at as a leader on this team.”
(On if he will have a conversation with Gurley about the team vote for captains)
“We talk about it. It’s one of those things where I think he knows he has the respect of his teammates. When you look at it, it’s nothing really against Todd, it continues to be a good reflection of those other guys. It’s one of those deals where he’s still looked at as a leader. He was right up there with the guys selected as the captains, in terms of he very easily was a couple of votes away from being one as well.”
(On TE Tyler Higbee’s new contract and what he means to the team)
“He’s really important. Versatility from that tight end position is paramount. His ability to be able to make plays in the pass game, be able to compete on the line of scrimmage in the run game, do some different things protection-wise. We ask a lot of our tight ends, in terms of the versatility and his ability to play on all three downs and be competitive with whatever we ask him, is a really important part of this offense. He’s a great leader. He’s a guy that is really been instrumental in the development and growth of helping with (TE) Gerald Everett. When you’ve got a guy in your room that, that’s what it looks like to do it right, I think those two have a great relationship. He continues to grow, so really happy for Tyler.”
(On if it was a priority to keep Higbee on the team considering he’s been a part os the nucleus of the team)
“It was. It’s a priority for our team. When you look, these decisions are what you try to project and try to get ahead of some of those things. It’s a great job, (Agent of TE Tyler Higbee) Erik Burkhardt, our group being able to work in unison to be able to get something done. It’s a good reflection of two parties working together and then Tyler, obviously, earning the deal based on what he’s done on the field and the way he’s handled himself here and overall.”
(On numbers not defining what a player means to a team)
“Absolutely. When you look at a down-in and down-out on the tape, a lot of the contributions that he made is incredibly selfless plays. Then he did get his opportunities as the year progressed, you saw the production and he delivered in a big way. He had a lot of big-time catches for us in some crucial moments. His value to us is very important. Sometimes to the outside, it might not seem that way, but it sure is in this building – his teammates, his coaches, he’s very much appreciated. The things that he does down-in and down-out certainly don’t go unnoticed or unappreciated from us.”
(On contract extensions for LB Cory Littleton and CB Marcus Peters)
“Those are conversations that continue to go on. I’m not exactly sure where we’re at with those just because we’re so busy and getting involved in the preparation for Carolina. Those are two guys that I know there is ongoing dialogue with them.”
(On if there’s any personal curiosity he has with how Gurley is going to look in in first game)
“I think there’s curiosity just for our team. How are we going to look? How are we going to play? How are we going to adjust? What are some of the things we’re going to see from them offensively, defensively, special teams? So, I think there’s a curiosity of an excitement and anticipation on just getting a chance to play real football. Roll it out there and see how we look. I think the guys are excited. I’m excited to see (RB) Todd Gurley continue to do his thing and he looks good. He’s feeling good and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”
(On if Gurley will be on a play count)
“Nope.”
(On his experience playing in his hometown last year and what he thinks it will be like for Gurley returning home to Carolina.)
“I think he’s always a guy that’s got a lot of support and great family. I’m sure he’s got a lot of people that are coming and excited to see him play. Hometown crowd. It was a little bit different going back to Atlanta. I’m not playing I’m just on the sideline just kind of watching. It’s going to be fun to be able to see him go back home and hopefully have a great game for us.”
(On an area of the team that is determinative of if they will rise or fall)
“Sure, I think like anything else it’s our ability to play as a team. I thought in a lot of instances some of the things we can draw on, knowing that what we’ve done before won’t do anything for us this season. But I think you can draw on a lot of the things that did positively take place with defense picking up offense, offense picking up defense, special teams making a crunch time play. So, it’s really about us coming together as a team, playing as one and figuring out a way to win a football game, all three phases putting it together.”
(On if he plans to watch former Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur in his head coaching debut tonight)
“I’ll have it on in the background. We’ll finish up the gameplan. But excited to see (Packers Head Coach) Matt (Lafleur) and hopefully those guys do a great job tonight. I know it will be fun. I texted with him a little bit earlier today and excited to see those guys go do their thing.”
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Los Angeles Rams DC Wade Phillips
(Opening Remarks)
“Here we go. We’re obviously excited about this season, everybody’s rearing to get ready. Big challenge we know that. (Panthers QB) Cam (Newton) has been the MVP of the league, he says he feels like a rookie now, which is kind of scary because he had some great years – even his rookie year was a heck of a year. They’ve got (RB Christian) McCaffrey who is a dual-threat – probably the biggest dual-threat, catching 107 passes and rushing for over 1,000 yards last year. I think he was third in yardage last year. Offensively they’ve got a strong group – they’ve got some good, young receivers with speed. It will be a big challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to it.”
(On if he takes away anything from when he coached against Panthers QB Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50)
“The only thing I take from the Super Bowl is that big ring I’ve got (laughs). All teams are different – their team is different from then, ours is too. This is a different team, a different time. It’s a new year – I don’t think anybody knows who really, really will be good. Everybody’s speculating, but we’ve seen last to first every year and vice versa. Everybody’s feeling it out and seeing what kind of football team we have.”
(On if he thinks the defensive line is further ahead since DT Aaron Donald has participated all offseason)
“Well, (DT) Aaron (Donald) is further ahead than he was. Even though he had fantastic years the last two years, he actually started slow in the first few games. This year, I think it’s helped him. Obviously, we’ll see, but the flip side of that is everybody’s gunning for him. We know everybody’s going to try to block two guys on him or three guys on him if they can. He’s had that, really, a lot last year, but I expect it more this year.”
(On how DT Sebastian Joseph-Day has developed since training camp)
“I think (DT) Sebastian (Joseph-Day) has done a good job for us. We played him in the preseason to see how he’d do. He played against Dallas’ first-team center, so we feel good about him on first and second down. We’ve also got (DT) Greg Gaines who has come in and done a good job for us. With those two guys, we feel that we’re all right at nose guard.”
(On what he’s seen from S Eric Weddle and LB Clay Matthews)
“(S Eric) Weddle and (LB Clay) Matthews both, obviously, are experienced guys. But, they’re also real sharp guys that communication is such a key. I can’t say enough great things about what (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) has brought in communication-wise with the offense, but also, that emphasis with the defense. Getting guys who communicate as well as these two guys do has got to help us.”
(On OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo)
“(OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo) ‘Obo’ has obviously been hurt, really even, the start of this year. He got to practice one week and got to play in a couple of preseason games and kind of showed what we thought maybe he could do. He’s got some pass rushing talent, so that was good to see.”
(On His impressions on S Taylor Rapp and How his versatility helps the defense)
“(S) Taylor (Rapp) is a lot of what we thought he was. He’s a really good football player, he’s got really good short-area quickness, he’s a very good tackler. He’s not (S) John Johnson III yet, but he’s got a lot of those traits. We expect that he will play in the game, he won’t just be a backup, he will play some in the game. He’s earned that.”
(On LB Bryce Hager stepping into his role)
“It was a competition all along anyway. Obviously when (LB) Micah (Kiser) got hurt, we went with (LB) Bryce (Hager). We feel good about Bryce. He played when (former LB Alec) Ogletree was hurt, I think we won those games, he played in. We have a lot of confidence in him. Again, smart guy, but a good athlete. Because he’s such a good special teamer, he’s a good athlete. I think that bodes well for him and us.”
(On how long he thinks LB Clay Matthews can play)
“I don’t know. I told Clay Matthews he’s only half through, because his dad played 19 years, so he’s only halfway through. I don’t know how long guys can play, it’s all individualized. Like I say, ‘Clay Matthews Sr. played linebacker for 19-years.’ I mean, that’s just amazing. These days, with the way guys train and keep themselves in shape all-year around, you expect players to play longer. When the end comes, he will know and we will know, but it’s not right now. He can still play.”
(On CB Aqib Talib)
“He said he feels real good. He’s practiced well, we will have a full speed practice again today. Yesterday, we were full speed and he felt well, he felt good, he moved around well.”
(On If preparing for Panthers QB Cam Newton is different from the Super Bowl)
“That team led the league in 15 categories. The playoffs were unbelievable. They beat (Steelers QB Ben) Roethlisberger and (Patriots QB Tom) Brady, and Cam, the MVP. They shut all of them down on third-downs less than 20 percent, I think all of them. Hit Brady 24 times in a playoff game. I don’t know if you can compare many teams to that one. I like to think we were that kind of team, but I think we good on defense. I think we are going to be a good football team”
znModeratorLindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Aaron Donald was double-teamed on 63 percent of his pass rushes last season, according to
@ESPNStatsInfo. Wade Phillips expects that number could grow. -
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