InvaderRam wrote:

Zooey wrote:

I think it’s been clear since January that Mack was determined to have the highest contract for a defensive player ever. That came out of his camp early, and there was a suggestion he wanted Donald to sign first so that he could insure he got a dollar more.

So if he held to that, the Rams would be looking at paying Donald a big salary for all he has done for the Rams, and then 10 seconds later paying somebody else even more who hadn’t played a down for the team. Especially when Donald’s deal was somewhat nice to the Rams, I just don’t think that would be appreciated by anybody. Even if the Rams COULD afford it.

that’s a good point.

Just to add a footnote…

This is Aaron Donald’s defense. It just is.

Bringing in Khalil Mack as a higher paid player would have been insulting.

I think it’s going to be finding ways to get the offense off the field, so the defense can come on and score.

InvaderRam wrote:

good post. and i agree.

although if they can’t replace whitworth, that’d be the only stumbling block i can see. apart from injuries. so i’ll be playing close attention to noteboom.

but damn. with snead’s scouting. they could be set up for some real success for years to come. and i think that’s key too. snead’s ability to find gems each year. and this year might be his best yet?

I know.

But right now, the drafting ability of this team appears to be…excellent. May I use the word “excellent?” It’s been really good. Hence all the young stars. Also, they are making pretty impressive moves in trading for talent.

Noteboom looks really promising (early, yes), and he may be Whitworth’s replacement. But even if he isn’t, we know Saffold is at least “decent” over there, and he has said money isn’t his biggest priority anymore. Whitworth was a 2nd round pick. Noteboom is a 3rd round pick. The Rams may not get a HOF to replace Whitworth, but I am not losing sleep over his replacement right now.

Of bigger concern to me is the LB position, and Sullivan’s replacement.

But right now, I look around, and I don’t think, “Rams are screwed at ______. That HAS to be a draft priority.”

Right?

We are in a condition right now of picking depth, and future starters.

It doesn’t get better than that. I mean…if you are going to complain about needing to draft for the future, you have no hope of ever being happy as a football fan, right?

I will anticipate some games with anxiety because there are a bunch of good teams in the NFL, particularly the NFC.

But there is not going to be a game that I look at right now, and concede to the Loss column beforehand.

The Rams can beat anybody. Doesn’t mean they WILL. But nobody overmatches the Rams this year. Nobody.

Let’s go. Let’s start the Gruden II Era off right.

Brockers. Suh. Donald.

{snicker}

Some scholars believe that the Rams can do whatever they want, and the rest of the NFL can just kiss their ass, and get used to the most lopsided dominance in team sports history.

As I understand it, the Rams freed up $7 million by restructuring Woods and Whitworth.

As I understand it, $2 million of that went to Donald.

They evidently have something else in mind.

I’d give one first rounder, and a second.

That’s the #32nd and #64th.

InvaderRam wrote:

ohhhh man…

i gotta go to the bathroom… bad…..

Go ahead and go.

The announcement isn’t coming for almost a week.

We will send you a reminder to come out in time for it.

zn wrote:

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Only 11 rookie tackles have 0 QB pressure allowed this preseason. Of those 11, only three have more than 16 pass blocking snaps. Leading the way with most pass blocking snaps and 0 QB pressures allowed is #LARams’ Joseph Noteboom with 71

Well…that makes me happy.

I think that one is worth dragging a highlighter over.

I don’t want 18 games. I was happy with 14. I am used to 16 now, but I oppose an increase. One of the beauties of football compared to other sports is how much each regular season game matters. They are diluting the product, to say nothing about two more weeks’ worth of injuries, and it does not improve the game. It only improves profit…and for how long?

I think it’s a mistake.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by Zooey.

zn wrote:

Zooey wrote:

What I found of interest before the 1,000s threw me off was the assertion that he was ordered back, but carried on and bombed the place anyway.

Even if that were true, and it sounds completely bogus, how would anyone know about it?

I can see a raid being called off here and there but jeesh, a pilot refusing to listen?

That;s some made-up bs.

Yeah, but you probably don’t believe that 9/11 was an inside job, either.

What I found of interest before the 1,000s threw me off was the assertion that he was ordered back, but carried on and bombed the place anyway.

This detail makes scant difference to most of us who are more concerned with his support of American militarism, especially in the Middle East, but it’s an interesting claim.

zn wrote:

John McCain bombed a Vietnamese light bulb factory killing 1000s of innocent civilians before he was captured.

One A4 light bomber delivering its payload is not going to kill 1000s, if in fact there even is a lightbulb factory anywhere that actually employs 1000s.

I mean I know who McCain is, and I cast a dark eye on his politics too.

But jeesh, don’t spew made up hyperbolic nonsense, leave that to the righties. The truth is good enough on its own.

….

My thoughts exactly.

Had that number been 17, it would have been believable and just as damning.

I don’t understand using transparent lies to bolster a political argument (or any argument). It completely undermines confidence in the entire argument.

I am going to watch this year with an above average level of interest. The additions on the defense, combined Cooks and a second season under McVay, and very good special teams…this team looks very interesting on paper. I really am excited by what Suh and Donald will do together, and how our secondary will perform.

Kupp and Woods in their second year together. The arrow is definitely pointed up. Anything less than the championship game will be a disappointment.

Of course, my favorite McCain thing ever was his No vote on the ACA repeal.

Though…I will always wonder if he would have voted Yes for that had it been any other president in the White House.