Sports Illustrated@SInow
Tyreek Hill will reportedly not face criminal charges in a child abuse investigation involving his three-year-old son

Michael McCann@McCannSportsLaw
Tyreek Hill situation illustrates how burdens of proof matter in law. It appears the police believe Hill or his fiancée, Crystal Espinal, is responsible for injuries to their son, but can’t prove which of the two did it–so can’t prove either is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Pro Football Rumors@pfrumors
There’s no active investigation against #Chiefs star Tyreek Hill, but he’s not out of the woods with the NFL

Elvis

I had the amazing fortune to attend a breakfast with Kevin Demoff this morning.

And it was amazing, in a conference room at LASED, 10 season ticket holders, Demoff and a couple more Rams/LASED employees. The level of access was insane.

It lasted for just over an hour and was conducted somewhat like a focus group where they went around the table and asked us what the Rams brand meant to each of us. At one point they asked us to write down the first 3 words that come to mind when you think of the Rams. I came up with:

1. Los Angeles
2. Horns
3 History

But there was also a lot of give and take with plenty of input from Demoff.

On the uniforms, nothing we haven’t heard before. The Rams want to please us old timers while reaching out to new fans. That means, almost certainly, a modern version with blue and yellow and the horns. I asked if it was fair to say it would be a modern version of our current throwbacks and he said maybe not because they may not be that close to the overall look and feel of the current throwbacks.

I mentioned that RFU members had an affinity for the wider horns and there was a general response of they’d gotten a lot of different input about the horns and it didn’t sound like widening them was something they had a ton of interest in.

On the new stadium, they will begin work on some of the surrounding stuff, lake, retail, etc. soon there should be more than just the stadium by 2020. Construction schedule willing, there will be some events before the first game to help get us acquainted with the new digs.

I brought up the idea of including Rams history and maybe even a Rams museum at the new site and Demoff said because they’re sharing with the Chargers there won’t be a lot of that. A Rams museum might be something they’d consider a little down the road. Nothing in the works at the moment.

A few more things:

There was no Gurley talk.

We’ll roll with the same uniform strategy this year as last, whites for early home games (gonna make the Saints wear black in the heat at the Coliseum) and then throwbacks from then out at home. Baltimore will be the color rush game.

We talked a little about the move. He said it really was pretty touch and go up until the end even though the Rams to L.A. was such the obvious choice, said the Rams didn’t really get serious about moving until after arbitration went down. Also said our turnout for the Cowboys scrimmage in Oxnard was a big deal, really showed the NFL the kind of support the Rams had in L.A. and was something he’d never forget.

He said they’d focus on revenue generating stuff at the new stadium complex as far as what gets built first, start making some of that $5 billion back.

Aaron Donald loves versatility of Rams defense: ‘It’s going to be special’

Cameron DaSilva

Aaron Donald loves versatility of Rams defense: 'It's going to be special'

Position flexibility is a huge asset in today’s NFL, particularly on defense. With so much versatility on offense, defenders who can play multiple positions are extremely valuable. The Rams have countless players who fit that mold, whether it’s in the secondary or in the front seven.

They added several defenders who can line up at several spots this offseason, giving Wade Phillips more options with his play calling and personnel packages. Eric Weddle can play either safety spot, Michael Brockers can play defensive end or nose tackle, Clay Matthews can line up at inside or outside linebacker, and Taylor Rapp could be a perfect linebacker-safety hybrid.

Aaron Donald loves the versatility the Rams have on defense and believes the unit is in for a big year.

“It’s going to be special. They thought they’d seen something last year. We’re going to just keep getting better. The new players we brought in just make us that much better, so I’m excited about it,” Donald said in a recent interview.

This is Donald’s first time attending OTAs since 2016. He held out the past two years and last offseason, he finally got what he rightfully deserved with a six-year extension.

He’s happy to be working out with his teammates, and he seems extremely excited about learning from new Rams defensive line coach Eric Henderson.

“It’s been great,” Donald said of his experience with Henderson so far. “It’s one of the main reasons I wanted to be here – just to be here and learning from him, the different techniques he’s trying to teach us for stopping the run and hand placement for rushing the passer, so I feel like he’s going to get us a lot better. So there’s a lot of improvement coming.”

Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
The #Rams are taking their rookie draft class on a tour of the new stadium in Inglewood today. They just announced the signings of Dakota Allen and Nick Scott this morning and I suspect their entire class will sign their contracts today.

Zooey wrote:

I don’t have cable, let alone premium channels, so I’ve missed some good TV. The Wire. Sopranos. Deadwood. GOT. Oh, well.

DVDs.

I actually rarely watch shows on a regularly scheduled basis. Usually I wait till they’re done and get DVDs of a whole season. Sometimes I tivo them and let em build up then watch bunches at a time.

So the real thing is, a Netflix account. If you don’t have Netflix it works quite well. If you got DVDs and lined up The Wire (first 4 seasons), Deadwood (all 3 seasons), and GOT (first 6 seasons)…and some folks might recommend others…what a great time that would be.

There was a time there when american TV serials like Deadwood made TV THE great american medium, exceeding film. That’s in terms of writing, acting, stories, and issues raised. The great american TV serials are bolder and more socially aware than the film industry is, and by a longshot.

…

Joel Corry@corryjoel
The Eagles have been one of the NFL’s most proactive teams in extending contracts of core players. It’s something @JoeBanner13 started in the 1990s. There are numerous reasons why players hit the open market rather than sign contract extensions.

Darren DeGaetano@DarrenDegaetano
you categorize Wentz’s FLOOR as Goff’s STARTING POINT. Its irresponsible.

Joel Corry@corryjoel
You obviously don’t know how actual NFL contract negotiations work. It would be irresponsible for Jared Goff’s agent not to take that position. Jared Goff getting more than Carson Wentz isn’t some outlandish proposition.

I’m just telling you how this stuff is probably going to work based on my experience as an agent whether you think it should or not.

It’s common sense. The same agent is going to continually insist upon bettering the deal he just did for another client at the same position who was taken one pick later in the same draft. I know I would if representing both Carson Wentz & Jared Goff.

Once upon a time, Joe Flacco was the NFL’s highest paid player.

Both 👣 in! @RobertWoods | #LARams pic.twitter.com/kTUq69F8xr

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 6, 2019

wv wrote:

And they totally left out the Dragons,
is what i hear.

Ah but they did include the cave trolls, so it balances. Brad Dourif who plays Doc is from WV. Here he is in Lord of the Rings, playing Grima.

7 takeaways from Rams OTAs

7 takeaways from Rams OTAs

The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up the final session of organized team activities on Thursday and are heading into mandatory minicamp next week. They got in 10 days of work over the course of three weeks, getting veterans and rookies on the field at the same time.

It’s limited as to what teams can do during OTAs because live contact and pads are not allowed, but it’s better than having offenses throwing against air.

Here are seven takeaways from OTAs.

New veterans are already making their presence felt

Pads haven’t come on and there’s no live contact on the practice field yet, but the Rams’ veteran additions are already making an impact. Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle, in particular, have taken on leadership roles, helping younger players on defense.

Weddle has taken John Johnson under his wing and given rookie Taylor Rapp some tips along the way, while also working with tight end Gerald Everett, who he’s covered frequently in practice.

If nothing else, Weddle and Matthews will make everyone around them better thanks to their experience.

High expectations for Brian Allen and Joseph Noteboom

Allen and Noteboom have been taking first-team reps at center and left guard, respectively, and are in line to be the starters at those spots this season. They have some big shoes to fill by replacing Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan, but the Rams are confident they can step up in Year 2.

Sean McVay said the team is “counting on” Allen and Noteboom being able to step in and make a fairly seamless transition from backup to starter, especially with regards to “the language, the vernacular” on offense.

If Allen and Noteboom can succeed as starters, the offensive line will once again be in great shape.

Todd Gurley isn’t fully healthy

The Rams can say all they want about Gurley being on a specific plan for his knee, but one thing is clear: He’s not 100% healthy. If he were, he’d be doing on-field work and practicing with the team, not on his own in an individual capacity.

Don’t get it twisted: Gurley could very well be fine for the start of the regular season, but at the moment, he isn’t as healthy as he’s been in years past. The Rams are making a concerted effort to preserve Gurley and ensure he’s fresh for the long haul in the postseason and in years to come, but it’s foolish to think he’s his normal self right now.

Hopefully this training regimen will get him on the right track ahead of camp later this summer.

Players love Sean McVay

This isn’t anything new, but there’s been effusive praise coming McVay’s way this offseason. Newcomers such as Matthews and Weddle have discussed the benefits of playing for McVay, while Dante Fowler Jr. expressed real appreciation for the coach allowing him to take care of his family back in Florida during voluntary OTAs.

Blake Bortles also had high remarks for McVay, saying he’s never seen anything like his coaching style. Needless to say, his beliefs about McVay have all been true, which is why he signed with the Rams in the first place.

Cooper Kupp is progressing well

Kupp is making excellent progress from his torn ACL suffered last season. He obviously hasn’t gone full speed in practice yet, but he’s gotten on the field for 11-on-11 jog-throughs and has done individual work on the side.

There’s absolutely no reason to believe he won’t be fully healthy for the start of the regular season, and it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if he’s participating regularly in training camp. It’s great to see him catching passes, running routes – even if at half-speed – and working his way back from a devastating injury.

Gerald Everett is turning heads

This is the year Everett breaks out, right? It seems Rams fans have been saying that every year since he was drafted in 2017, but the young tight ends is on the right track this offseason. Yes, it’s only OTAs and yes, it’s difficult to gauge how well Everett is blocking, but as a receiver, he’s done well so far.

According to reports from those in attendance, Everett has been making plays in practice, including a one-handed grab this week. Highlights put out by the Rams have made him look good, too.

Everett said he feels he’s a “way better blocker” now than he was last year, which is promising as he tries to vault Tyler Higbee for the TE1 spot.

Backup O-linemen are still finding their roles

It’s pretty clear that the starting offensive line this season will be (from left to right) Andrew Whitworth, Noteboom, Allen, Austin Blythe and Rob Havenstein. What’s not as obvious is who will back up each guy.

Jamil Demby got first-team reps at left tackle when Whitworth was resting, as did rookie David Edwards.

Additionally, Demby was tried at center in individual drills, which is somewhat surprising. He played tackle in college and was tried at guard last season, but moving him to center appears to be new.

10 Observations from OTA No. 10

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-from-ota-no-10

1) Punter Johnny Hekker looked like he was in midseason form during the special teams period, booming the ball down the field during the special teams period as L.A. went through punt team drills.

2) Much like earlier this week, Los Angeles’ defense got in some early 11-on-11 work against a scout-team offense. It appeared to be a good amount of situational scenarios, like third downs. As that was happening, the starting offensive players were on the other field going through individual drills.

3) One such drill for the offense focused on ball security. During that period, the quarterbacks, tight ends, wide receivers, and running backs who were not on the scout team had to catch a quick pass from a QB, then move around poles and stiff arm a tackling dummy.

4) Also on the offensive side, Los Angeles’ quarterbacks worked with tight ends and wideouts on red zone route combinations. Often the club would have a pair of eligible receivers go out for a route, so QBs Jared Goff and Blake Bortles would both throw for any given play. It’s a way of making the drills more efficient and maximizing the time.

5) Later, the offense also went through an 11-on-11 period against a scout team. Goff started out the period completing a strike to wide receiver Robert Woods over the middle.

6) In a half-field passing drill, rookie running back Darrell Henderson showed his receiving skills on a completion out of the backfield. Near the right sideline, Henderson extended his arms out to make the catch, and got in two feet before going out of bounds. Henderson’s offensive teammates gave him a few laudatory yells as he went back to the huddle.

7) As the Rams had last year during training camp, the team has a video board up during practice to help review plays through film in real time — much like a viewer at home would from instant replay. On Thursday, one practical application of that came through during 11-on-11 drills with the starters competing from both offense and defense. After an early play in the period, cornerback Marcus Peters and corners coach Aubrey Pleasant were discussing Peters’ execution on a play. Pleasant then walked over to see the screen, and complimented Peters on his vision during the play.

8) During that same period, Goff hit tight end Tyler Higbee over the middle with a pass in a third-down scenario. Higbee made a nice move at the line to shake a defender, got open, and made the catch for a first down.

9) On a red-zone play, Goff connected with wide receiver Josh Reynolds toward the back of the end zone over the middle with a strike that Reynolds had to go up and get — which he did for an impressive catch. However, those in the backfield agreed the play would’ve counted as a defensive sack in a “live” scenario. But to me, that didn’t diminish what Reynolds did there.

10) After the end of practice, defensive lineman Morgan Fox did a little extra work on his own — drilling his pass-rushing moves against a dummy. Coming off a season-ending knee injury last year, Fox has done that a lot over the course of OTAs, telling therams.com that it’s all in an effort to sharpen his skills and knock the rust off.

Appears rookie David Edwards got some work at LT with the first-team offense (from @RamsNFL) pic.twitter.com/b3AeeqSEtW

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) June 6, 2019