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znModeratorWhen jokes are made about coaches getting hired simply for knowing Sean McVay, those jokes are basically about Zac Taylor. The Bengals swung big on their coaching hire, even if the roster is mostly the same. https://t.co/lrvqmLxQeJ
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) June 24, 2019
znModeratorOne wonders what the ‘connective tissue’ is for the galaxy.
Dark matter. (For real.)
Way back when we first started chattin about football online, they didn’t know that yet.
June 23, 2019 at 6:56 pm in reply to: vids: Warner recalls some big plays he threw with the Rams #102346znModeratorHere's @kurt13warner on the throw that won a Super Bowl…. pic.twitter.com/IVCAL6Dnla
— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) August 1, 2017
znModeratorAndrew Whitworth ranked among top 11 tackles in NFL https://t.co/Ktf6XENEba
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) June 23, 2019
znModeratorTodd Gurley recalls 2015 draft, didn’t expect to go before No. 20
Cameron DaSilva
Todd Gurley recalls 2015 draft, didn't expect to go before No. 20
Todd Gurley was a unique prospect coming out of Georgia in 2015, not only because he was a rare running back deserving of going in the top 10, but because of his health situation. He was coming off a torn ACL, which he suffered in November, and couldn’t do anything during the pre-draft process.
Many thought the injury would push Gurley down the draft board and cause him to slip in the first round, but the Rams took a chance on him at No. 10 overall. Needless to say, that risk paid off beautifully with Gurley winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015 and earning two All-Pro selections since.
He never expected to be drafted by the Rams and thought he’d go 20th overall at the earliest. He recalled the 2015 draft on Josh Hart’s podcast recently, discussing how he thought it would go.
“I didn’t. I didn’t, especially not like a top-10 pick, like you said. Coming off the ACL, they already had Tre Mason there, who went to Auburn. He almost had 1,000 yards, and then they had Benny Cunningham, Zac Stacy and Isaiah Pead. They had all those guys. One of my coaches called me and told me they were down there doing a background check. My agent might’ve said something, but I was like, ‘Man, they’re not drafting me. They got some decent running backs. Like, they’re good.’”
Gurley said he “didn’t even talk to St. Louis” in the pre-draft process, so he was really surprised to be drafted by Jeff Fisher and Les Snead. He was obviously thrilled to be selected in the top 10, but he didn’t expect to go that high.
On draft day, he wasn’t stressing too much because he figured his ACL injury would cause him to fall.
“The draft came, I’m in the green room. I’m just joking, I’m thinking I’m gonna go like at least 20 at the earliest, but I’m really just relaxing,” Gurley recalled. “I’m like, ‘I’m not about to get worked up over this. Whatever happens, happens.’”
Gurley told a story about one of his friends from Atlanta calling him while he was in the green room, which got Gurley’s hopes up. It was at the same time as the Falcons were on the clock at No. 8, so he thought it might be the team calling. It wasn’t.“We’re in the green room and one of my boys from back home calls me. This was when Atlanta is up, it’s like the eighth pick. I get a number from the 404, and I’m like, ‘Oh snap, I’m about to go to the A.’ I pick up the phone and it’s one of my homeboys,” Gurley said. “I cussed him out so bad and so fast, and then two picks later, Coach Fisher and Les Snead were calling me.”
Gurley landed in a good spot with the Rams affording him the chance to progress at a comfortable pace. He wasn’t forced into action because of the depth they had at running back, allowing Gurley to return when he felt most comfortable.
Four years later and the pick has worked out exceptionally well for both him and the team.
znModeratorTodd Gurley credits Sean McVay for making him a more complete RB
Cameron DaSilva
Todd Gurley credits Sean McVay for making him a more complete RB
Todd Gurley was a well-rounded running back coming out of Georgia, but he wasn’t what you would call a receiving back. He finished his career with 65 receptions for 615 yards, compared to his 510 rushing attempts and 3,285 yards on the ground.
As a rookie in 2015, he was hardly involved in the passing game. Gurley was targeted only 26 times in 13 games, catching 21 passes for 188 yards. Needless to say, he wasn’t utilized much as a receiver.
He got better in 2016 with 43 catches on 58 targets, but his pass-catching ability really took center stage in 2017 when Sean McVay arrived. In the last two years, Gurley has averaged 61.5 catches for 684 yards and has scored 10 receiving touchdowns after scoring zero in 2015 and ’16.
Gurley credits McVay for making him a more well-rounded back and using him as a receiver.
“When I first came into the league, I was a running back. I grew up looking at Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson. But I wanted to be more of an Adrian Peterson-type of back,” Gurley said on the LightHarted Podcast. “At first, I was like, ‘I’m not catching no balls, I’m not running no routes. I’m not doing this, I’m a running back.’ But seeing other guys’ games, Le’Veon [Bell], David Johnson, Duke Johnson, Devonta Freeman. I’m like, ‘All right, in order to be the best, you have to do what the best are doing.’
“I had to elevate my game and thanks to Coach McVay for putting us in this position. Certain routes, it didn’t matter if it was a receiver, tight end or running back. Whoever could run that route or whatever you feel comfortable with, he’s going to put you in that position.”
Gurley has become arguably the best running back in football, leading the NFL in total touchdowns the last two years and winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. His 3,924 yards from scrimmage the last two years are 671 more than the next-closest player, Ezekiel Elliott.
If not for his receiving ability, he likely would not have been an MVP candidate in 2017 or become a two-time All-Pro. And as an added bonus, getting touches as a receiver rather than as a runner can help take some wear and tear off of his body.
“I also learned, hey, I can save my body. Why would I want to go up against 11 guys when I can have a one-on-one with one guy?” Gurley said. “Majority of the time, I’m going to win those one-on-ones. That’s all football is about is just beating the guy across from you more than he did. Once I saw that and started getting involved in the passing game, I was like, ‘Damn, it’s this easy? I could keep doing this.’”
Gurley, like so many others, called McVay “a genius” and marveled at the way he recalls plays. He said McVay brings up plays all the time and at a recent team meeting, he essentially ran through the whole season from Week 1 to the Super Bowl, pointing out big plays and players’ first sacks
“He’s smart. A little too smart. He don’t sleep. He does his thing,” Gurley said. “He’s got the elephant memory. I mean, he remembers everything. He’ll just pull up a clip or say something like, ‘Todd, you remember this?’ And I’m like, ‘Uh uh.’ … [He does it] like all the time.”
Gurley couldn’t be happier to have McVay as his coach and loves the job he’s done since taking over in 2017.
“He’s a player’s coach. he’s a good coach, always coming up with new ideas. So you get excited. Every week, you come in on Wednesday – Tuesday’s our day off and Wednesday we start game planning. I get to smiling because it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, it’s going to be a good week.’ I mean he’s a genius. He really is a genius.”
znModeratorFrom Kingsbury/Keim to Jason Garrett to a couple of Belichick disciples, @ConorOrr on the NFL's seven hottest seats entering the 2019 season https://t.co/4WNzuoVefR
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) June 23, 2019
znModeratorCierraRam
Baldinger: Donald is the greatest interior defensive lineman of all time.
To be the best ever A.D. has to learn to play with better gap integrity. A.D. was actually a key problem the Rams D had against the run during the regular season because he would just go all out to get into the backfield, but when he didnt win he left a huge hole the Ram undersized LB’s couldnt always cover. 20 sacks is a record for a DT. That’s wonderful. However I still prefer 13 sacks and opponents constantly facing 3rd and 5 plus. In the playoffs we saw A.D. play much more disciplined and no one could run on them. That turned the Ram defense into the unit we thought we would see during the entire regular season. Right now, top 5 best ever no doubt. To be the best ever IMO it’s what I said above.
During the regular season Donald kept shooting gaps regardless of what the MEH Suh was doing or not doing. MEH Suh wasnt beating his single blocks on Donald double teams. Donald splits said double team often too late. Meanwhile there goes the running back shooting through the Donald hole for 25. Then, the playoffs. Suh is now motivated. Donald is using straight up technique, playing a lot more gap sound and is still highly disruptive. Now opponents cant run the ball. It changed everything front to back for the Ram defense….
In fact I think it was the run defense problem that exposed MArcus Peter’s in the pass defense as well. Peters is a diagnose and react zone guy. When you have 2nd and 3, 3rd and 2 all of the time the opponents passing game playbook is wide open. Zone doesnt work against that. Peter’s has to play man. Exposed. Many felt like the return of Talib turned Peters around. Sorta, yeah. But again… in the playoffs, opponents had a lot more 3rd and longs. Peters was much more effective. Not a coincidence.
In the playoffs Donald still was disruptive as he got 5 knockdowns. The difference is opponents couldnt run the ball. And that’s a major difference front to back in the defense’s playoff showing. Suddenly Peters can play zone. They can blitz effectively. They did all sorts of things to disrupt because it’s 3rd and 5 plus. Not 2nd and 3. All day long I will trade 20.5 sacks from A.D. in favor of the disruptive, gap sound guy that’s getting 11 to 13 sacks. It benefits what they do on the entire defense.
znModeratorTHIS is a GREAT breakdown. Must watch stuff.
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NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger breaks down why Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the greatest interior defensive lineman of all time.
vid link: https://sports.yahoo.com/why-los-angeles-rams-defensive-224147908.html
znModeratorUndrafted to the @ProFootballHOF. Legendary.
Happy birthday, @kurt13warner! pic.twitter.com/mBApDp70Aj
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 23, 2019
znModeratorbump cause fixed now
znModeratorbump cause fixed now
znModerator.@IsaacBruce80 days til we hit the field! 🙌@nflthrowback | #BRUUUCE4HOF pic.twitter.com/OrF3yRzsd0
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 20, 2019
znModerator80 days til #LARams football? Of course we have to play this back. @EllardHop85 | @nflthrowbackpic.twitter.com/68lvQfdYMW
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 21, 2019
znModeratorThe Rams are poised to be the "next big thing" in L.A. sports, writes @VinnyBonsignore, who says their rise is evident in attendance and TV ratings gains and, more importantly, in community outreach.https://t.co/qq8l2dQKb2
40% off for new subscribers: https://t.co/yLHAvfLaNZ
— The Athletic (@TheAthleticLA) June 22, 2019
znModeratorICYMI on @TheNFLWire: The Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl under Bill Belichick by using their guards–and foiling opposing guards–with specific concepts. That's how important the position is, and here are the 11 best offensive guards in the NFL today https://t.co/pOLXpGM5QR
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 22, 2019
znModeratorTwo coaches in particular did a great job adapting their offenses to in-season roster challenges last year:
Frank Reich
Kyle ShanahanAmazing jobs. #3 for me would be Doug Pederson. Others adapted well to singular key losses like McVay (Kupp) & McDaniels (Gronk's back).
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 22, 2019
znModerator.@saints #saints#whodat @A_kamara6 is a #CatDaddy. Can anyone tackle this guy. Balance as good as an Olympic Gymnast, star wide receiver ability and a TD maker. Might be the toughest matchup in the league. #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/i3UFzEKvr8
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 22, 2019
znModeratorTodd Gurley was on Josh Hart’s podcast and talked about getting drafted 10th overall, which he never saw coming https://t.co/szEEMIHwqH
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) June 22, 2019
znModeratorRams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore
https://theathletic.com/1036973/2019/06/19/live-qa-with-rams-writer-vinny-bonsignore-on-friday-from-noon-to-1-p-m-pt-2/Granted, just based on sheer talent and production it’s hard to get the Rams out of 11-personnel. But I do believe there is a conviction to be more diverse and versatile offensively so it’ll be interesting how that plays out in roles and personnel groupings
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo? He’s got his work cut out for him to prove he’s worthy of a roster spot, let alone a role. But I think there is intrigue about his skill set and the Rams are anxious to see if it translates into reliable production
June 21, 2019 at 7:39 pm in reply to: Gurley's trainer: All-Pro has an 'arthritic component to his knee' #102300znModeratorfrom Jeff Fisher skeptical of Todd Gurley’s trainer sharing details about knee
Jeff Fisher skeptical of Todd Gurley's trainer sharing details about knee
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Former Rams coach Jeff Fisher appeared on NFL Network Thursday to share his thoughts on the situation and expressed skepticism about Gurley’s trainer, Travelle Gaines, revealing details about the running back’s knee.
“A little unusual that a player’s personal trainer will go public with respect to the condition of his client,” Fisher said. “Most of the injury information – most, if not all of it comes from the club, it comes from the head trainer. This did not, so we’ve got to be cautious with respect to jumping to the conclusion on that.”
Fisher’s right: it is unusual. The team has remained tight-lipped about Gurley’s condition, so to have his trainer go in the opposite direction and reveal details is likely frustrating to the Rams’ training and coaching staffs.
The severity still isn’t exactly known, and so Fisher remains confident in Gurley’s ability to push through this injury situation. He didn’t have any concerns whatsoever about Gurley’s knee when the Rams drafted him in 2015.
“No concerns whatsoever. We checked Todd out like everybody else did, we were happy with the graph, we were happy with the reconstruction,” Fisher explained. “We took our time, we didn’t play him right away – I think we got him in Week 4 or 5 and he was still Rookie of the Year. But, you still have to address these issues as you move forward as you get a year post-op, or two years or three years. There’s obviously an issue there, and unfortunately, he didn’t play at the end of the year last year, didn’t play in the [postseason].”
Fisher did express some optimism for Gurley moving forward, complimenting him for being such a hard worker and saying he can get past this.
“I don’t think it’s a durability issue or a career-threatening issue, but if anyone can get this put behind him, Todd can,” Fisher said. “He’s that kind of worker. You just have to wait and see how the next couple of months play out.”
June 21, 2019 at 5:36 pm in reply to: Gurley's trainer: All-Pro has an 'arthritic component to his knee' #102299znModeratorALBERT BREER
• Todd Gurley’s trainer, Travelle Gaines, filled in the gaps on the condition of the tailback’s knee to Dave Richard of CBS over the weekend. But this isn’t news to NFL teams, and least of all the Rams. Gurley tore his ACL going into his draft year of 2015, so clubs had to sort through that then, and a bit of a degenerative condition in the knee (which is code for an arthritic condition). Now, it sounds bad. But lots of players come into the league with these kinds of conditions. Some are seen as major—Myles Jack and Jay Ajayi were in that category coming out. Gurley’s was seen as less than that. And the question in most of these cases is one of longevity.
znModeratorfrom Rams, Chargers set dates for joint practices in August
Rams, Chargers set dates for joint practices in August
On Aug. 1, the Rams will visit the Chargers at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, Calif. Two days later on Aug. 3, the Chargers will head to UC Irvine to practice at the Rams’ facility.
They won’t play each other in the preseason, so this is a good way for two Super Bowl contenders to match wits on the practice field before the real games begin a month later.
znModeratorfrom Ten most talented teams in the NFL ahead of the 2019 season
Gil Brandt
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4) Los Angeles Rams
Arguably no team in the NFL has better long-term personnel vision than the Rams. As an example: Seeing that the 2019 draft and free-agent classes would be light in receiver and cornerback prospects, they moved aggressively on the trade market in 2018, acquiring receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. Using trades rather than free agency to address these needs also allowed L.A. to collect extra compensatory picks this year. Of course, the Rams have done well in the draft (the collection of homegrown talent includes Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp, Rob Havenstein, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen and Michael Brockers) and in free agency (the signings of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and receiver Robert Woods couldn’t have gone much better than they did). The ability of GM Les Snead to work in lockstep with the coaching staff on roster building has helped the team balance salary-cap concerns in such a way that the Rams were able to extend the contracts of stars like Donald and Gurley without hindering their ability to procure talent where needed. And they’ve added (signing pass rusher Clay Matthews and safety Eric Weddle and retaining defensive end Dante Fowler) and subtracted (clearing cap space by moving on from linebacker Alec Ogletree last year and linebacker Mark Barron this year) smartly; consider that linebackers are not as critical to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme as pass rushers and press corners.znModeratorAaron Neary appreciates Rams for treating backups like starters
Cameron DaSilva
Aaron Neary appreciates Rams for treating backups like starters
There aren’t many teams in the NFL as deep as the Los Angeles Rams. They have starting-caliber players pushed down on the depth chart as backups and reserves, which makes it difficult for overlooked players to crack the 53-man roster.
Offensive lineman Aaron Neary is a player who could have a hard time making the Rams, given the talent they have up front. He’s been a backup his entire career, but he appreciates the way Los Angeles treats its reserves compared to other teams he’s played for.
“I’ve been on other teams where you notice you’re in the back seat,” said Neary, via the Spokesman-Review. “But here you’re loved. You’re treated like a starter. It’s awesome.”
Neary previously spent time with the Broncos, Eagles and Browns, bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad. The Rams actually waived him last September, at which point he was picked up by Cleveland.
When the Browns released him a week later, the Rams signed him to their practice squad on Sept. 11. He has an uphill climb to the 53-man roster, having to prove he can back up Brian Allen at center and possibly even display the versatility to play guard, too.
He would love to be a starter someday, but for now, he’s just working on getting better despite not getting reps with the first-team offense.
June 21, 2019 at 12:27 pm in reply to: Gurley's trainer: All-Pro has an 'arthritic component to his knee' #102294znModeratorJeff Fisher skeptical of Todd Gurley's trainer sharing details about knee https://t.co/jzZzmQQ9jw
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) June 21, 2019
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Personally? I don’t care. Gaines cut through a lot of fog and smoke. And he IS in a position to know. His entire approach to things depends on doing a detailed medical eval of his clients and developing very individualized work outs based on that medical info. Of the handful of people on the planet who have direct, detailed knowledge of TG’s medical info, he is one of them. He;s not beholden to the league’s way of handling that–he;s an independent.
That also means that when he says TG is preparing to have a good season, that insight counts too.
When TG plays well this year, Gaines will be one of the big reasons why. I care more about THAT than I do about some league “hush hush” code.
znModeratorRams named 4th most talented team in NFL https://t.co/XQ4FGhYLFi
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) June 21, 2019
znModeratorJim Irsay buys Pink Floyd guitarists’ “Black Strat” for nearly $4 million. Guess it beats spending “Money” on football players https://t.co/PtqeV6FRPp
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 21, 2019
znModeratorDarryl Slater@DarrylSlater
Jets’ Le’Veon Bell jewelry theft: In 911 call, he says he left 2 girlfriends naked in bed before they stole from him | Listen to the full call here https://t.co/iU6wHozfnBMike Garafolo@MikeGarafolo
If you can’t trust your two naked girlfriends you left in bed while you went to work out, who can you trust?Albert Breer@AlbertBreer
Is there anything left to believe in?znModeratorNext level time wasting here. Bears intentionally have 84 take a false start penalty so the game clock will burn another 25 seconds before the punt. pic.twitter.com/bmD35hBOoJ
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 10, 2018
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Warren Sharp@SharpFootball
Do you think any coaches are studying this superb time-wasting strategy on their summer break or looking for other intentional infraction edges? -
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