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ZooeyModerator6 of the teams on that list beat them in 2023.
Welp, they play five of them next year.
ZooeyModeratorCheck up on your 49ers homies pic.twitter.com/iCr1KXut9d
— Mexican Rug Dealer (@DealinRugs) February 12, 2024
ZooeyModeratorAt 0:24 in:
#68.
His name is Colton McKivitz.
He let Chris Jones go by untouched as he turns to block…nobody at all.
That guy is my favorite 49er right now. I also like McCloud, who fumbled the punt.
My favorite Chiefs player is whoever blocked that extra point.
ZooeyModeratori can sleep a little easier this offseason.
Me, too.
My next door neighbor throws a big SB party every year. He has 3 big screens, a bar, a pool table (with the Broncos logo in the center of the felt).
I’ve been invited, but never gone until yesterday. Two years ago, the Rams were in it, so there was no way I was going to watch the game with a mass of people who didn’t really care, and last year I was unable to watch the game at all.
I went this year, and there were around 50 people, 45 of whom were wearing 9ers jerseys.
I appreciated the end of that game, I must say.
ZooeyModeratorLAS VEGAS — Christian McCaffrey will play for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday — partly because the 49ers did not want the star running back to play for the Rams. Jed York, the 49ers chief operating officer, last week told Bay Area reporters that although the cost of acquiring McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in a 2022 trade was steep, the 49ers had to make the move. The 49ers gave up second-, third- and fourth-round draft picks in the 2023 draft and a fifth-round pick this year. Coach Kyle Shanahan apparently needed convincing from York and general manager John Lynch that although McCaffrey was not a quarterback or pass rusher, the cost was worth it. “And collectively,” York said, “it was, ‘Do you want him to go to L.A.? This is where we are.’”
So the Rams got the next best thing to McCaffrey for a 5th round pick.
OTOH, the Rams picked A. J. Arcuri with the next-to-last pick. The last pick was Brock Purdy.
ZooeyModeratorI am pretty sure that this is the first time I’ve been happy about losing hundreds of dollars.
ZooeyModeratorWho’s seen the latest DNC ad?
Prediction: Biden is pushed out by this Friday.
— 🔥✊🏽🇵🇸fluxus✊🏽🔥🇵🇸☮️CEASEFIRE NOW☮️ (@fluxus2) February 11, 2024
ZooeyModerator49erland is confident.
My sportsradio attention is pretty limited, but from what I gather, all the local talkers think the 9ers have this. I do not sense Homerism as a factor. They talk like we talked in 99.
You know the whole, “Rams haven’t played anybody yet” thing that we endured all year long? These guys have a bit of that. Especially when it comes to Brock Purdy. They have watched every game he has ever played, and they aren’t having any of the “Purdy is a system guy” bullshit. There isn’t even any debate about it, afaik, within the ranks of the sports talkers. There aren’t any skeptics. Across the board, 9er-watchers believe Purdy is Legit.
If JoeMad is around, I’d love to hear what he’s hearing. He’s also a Bay Area NoCal guy, and Ozone. I dunno if they watch/listen to anything, but that’s my 2 cents from where I’m standing.
ZooeyModeratorI would like to see SF blow a 31 point lead in this game. Does that make me a bad person?
Are you asking me?
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModeratorLook. They are already identifying goats for the 9ers loss.
ZooeyModeratorI definitely think the Rams should draft several O-line guys
If they keep Stafford healthy, they have a shot at the Super Bowl. Depth on the OL is important. And luck.
Their chances improve with some secondary excellence.
After that, RB depth and pass rush come into play.
Everything else is gravy/insurance.
ZooeyModeratorI will win $255 if the 49ers win, and lose $100 if they lose. Bets I placed while in Vegas.
I hope they lose.
And I’m never betting on football again for the same reason I don’t play fantasy football anymore.
I have my loyalties, and I don’t like these outside forces affecting that.
Fuck the money.
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModeratorMy vote for meme of the day. pic.twitter.com/EJntXxT71X
— John Oberlin (@OMGno2trump) February 5, 2024
ZooeyModeratorWhat is The FIRST Super Bowl You Remember? pic.twitter.com/3c2X280heK
— Neutral Zone Sports™ (@NeutralZnSports) February 3, 2024
I thought this was interesting.
My first SB that I remember watching was SBIII. Jets over Colts. I guess, in retrospect, that wasn’t a bad place to start.
ZooeyModerator4 free agent players the Rams should look to target this offseason
The Rams have a projected $56.6 million dollars in open cap space, these players could help the team immediatelyBy Jason Dalessandro Feb 2, 2024, 11:00am CST
The Los Angeles Rams were somewhat of a surprise playoff team this past season. Coming off a 5-12 season in 2022 and being cap-strapped heading into the offseason, LA had a fantastic draft and rebounded to not only rectify their cap situation by trading away veterans, but string together a 7-1 record to end the season and earn a wild card position with a 10-7 record.
The Rams will have the luxury of returning most of their current roster in 2024, including QB Matthew Stafford, WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, LB Ernest Jones and DL Aaron Donald. This time around they also ability to add some key pieces via the open market, with only a few players slated for free agency this year, and an expected $56.6 million dollars in cap space, the Rams should be viewed as potential Super Bowl candidates next season if they can build on their young playoff team.
These are four players I believe the Rams could bring in to help boost their chances of getting their third Lombardi trophy in franchise history.
Brian Burns – Edge Rusher
It’s hard to start any free agency list for the Rams without including Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. It’s no secret that head coach Sean McVay likes Burns, as LA tried to trade a rumored two first-round picks and a second to acquire him back in 2022. Now the team has the chance to sign him as a free agent, while giving up no draft capital to get him.Burns is currently rated the fifth best free agent available by PFF, so if there is any downside to Burns, it will be the cost to bring him to LA. That said, Burns is only 25, and one of the best edge rushers in the league, if there was a player to spend money on in long-term deal, Burns is an ideal candidate.
Last season Burns had a PFF rating of 74.1 with nine sacks on the season. He also had 12.5 sacks in 2022, and could be the perfect compliment to go along with second-year edge rusher Byron Young, who toted eight sacks of his own last year.
Kenny Moore – Cornerback
Kenny Moore may be a more surprising selection at corner for the Rams with players like Bears Jaylon Johnson and Chiefs L’Jarius Sneed available, however Moore should cost considerably less than both of those players at age 28. While that may be seen as a negative, I think bringing a veteran presence into one of the youngest cornerback rooms in the league could be a huge benefit to Los Angeles, especially if the Rams plan to used a top pick on bringing in another corner through the draft as well.Don’t let his age fool you though, Moore’s play was still top tier last season in Indianapolis. He is a tackling machine from the corner position with 72 solo tackles in 2023 – the second-most in the NFL by a defensive back. This would be a huge strength for the Rams, as their corners struggled with broken tackles most of last year.
Moore also had three interceptions, which ranked twelfth in the league, and a PFF score of 77.4. To put it in perspective, Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick were both under 60, and Ahkello Witherspoon, LA’s best corner, had a score of 64.0. Moore’s addition would clearly be a big improvement over the current situation, and pairing him with another young stud corner in the top two rounds of the draft could completely reset the Rams secondary for the better.
Andre James – Center
With current starter Coleman Shelton slated to be a free agent, the Rams may be in the market for an addition to the middle of their offensive line. Andre James of the Las Vegas Raiders had arguably his best season as a pro last year, and could be an improvement at the position for a relatively reasonable price.James should be in the market for a pay increase from his current 2 year – $8.65 extension that he signed in 2021. At only 26, his new deal will most-likely need to be a long-term contract to compete with other team’s offers.
Raiderswire.com expects that James could pull a deal somewhere in the $8 million-a-year range. Considering the Rams currently pay backup center Brian Allen $6 million on average, James potential $8 million per year as a starting center would be somewhat of a bargain, even on a 3-4 year deal. Further more, the top four centers from last year all averaged over $12 million annually.
James is stellar in the run, and he fits the Rams mold of bigger interior lineman at 6’4” 300lbs. He had a PFF grade of 74.6, and was the website’s pick for 2024 NFL free agent the Raiders couldn’t afford to lose. Rams starter Coleman Shelton had a score of 64.5, meaning James should, in theory, be a solid upgrade for the interior of the offensive line and maybe even a long term answer at center.
Darnell Mooney – Wide Receiver
If there is one thing the Rams lack at wide receiver, it is a player to completely take the top off the defense. While their were high hopes that Tutu Atwell would become that player, he has struggled to stay on the field. Mooney could be the low-priced answer the Rams are looking for.Mooney is the definition of “low cost/high ceiling” type of player. He had a down year last season behind DJ Moore, however Chicago also has one of the lower-volume passing attacks in the league, so some of the blame for his performance may be directed at that.
In his second year in the league, Mooney had 1,055 on 81 receptions and was regarded as a young up and coming player in Chicago, if McVay can get that potential again out of Mooney again, the Rams could find a steal at WR.
Mooney is only 26 years old and has an ability to separate consistently on deep routes. He could be brought in on a cheap “prove-it” type deal, and if anything, this could help push Atwell in training camp by bring in some competition. Mooney has shown in the past he can handle a substantial role in an offense, however he would not be asked to do that in LA with Kupp and Nacua, most-likely be used at wide receiver to stretch the field and bring some speed to the outside.
The Rams could also opt to bring back WR Demarcus Robinson, but he should be in for a salary increase after last season’s performance with Los Angeles. Mooney could be a lower cost option and may fit better with LA’s plans, contract wise, if they are looking to bring in another wide receiver via the draft too.
ZooeyModeratorWell, Staley doesn’t have to move his family if he gets the job with the Rams. All things =, in the case of 2 job offers, the Rams would have the inside track, I would think.
February 1, 2024 at 3:21 pm in reply to: watching/reacting to/thoughts on: the conference games #149153ZooeyModeratorI didn’t see either game. Championship weekend is my favorite football weekend of the year. Two great games. I like it better than the Super Bowl which always is a bit surrealistic.
But I had to go visit my in-laws on Sunday, and they have not only No Interest in sports, they actively hate sports and hold sports fans in disdain.
I did see bits of the Lions-49ers game on my frequent bathroom trips, though.
ZooeyModeratorI have no idea, but i lean toward that KC defense and that Mahomes guy.
Purdy keeps playing like a real QB, but he isn’t Mahomes.
It would be terrible if Purdy ended up being the “next Brady.” A draft afterthought who keeps on winning.
I will be rooting for the KC Chiefs, even though I am tired of them.
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModerator☰
Aaron Donald has his ‘fingers crossed’ this coach gets the defensive coordinator job
It looks as though the Rams veteran defensive tackle wants a familiar face to replace Raheem Morris as DCBy JasonDalessandro on January 25, 2024 11:42 pm
Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams will need to find a new defensive coordinator after Raheem Morris was hired as the new head coach for the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. While there are plenty of options, whether in-house or on the open market, one of the Rams most important players has seemed to make it clear who he hopes gets the position.LA’s veteran superstar Aaron Donald posted to his instagram stories – first with a picture of Morris and champagne glasses cheering – followed by a picture of his previous defensive line coach Eric Henderson with “fingers crossed” emoji, implying that he would like to see his former position coach back as Morris’ successor.
Henderson left the Rams coaching staff a little over a week ago when he was promoted to USC co-defensive coordinator, however that was before the Rams defensive coordinator job became available. The former Rams coach joined Sean McVay’s staff in 2019, and in addition to shaping the defensive line, he also took over as the run game coordinator in 2021.
It remains to be seen if Henderson would have even been considered for the position if he hadn’t left, or for that matter, if he would now even consider coming back so soon after committing to USC.
From the Rams perspective though, when the best player on the team has an endorsement for someone, it may be beneficial to listen up. This could be even more important when taking into account that Donald is heading into a contract year, and may be looking for a reason to sign another extension with Los Angeles over retirement. While Super Bowl trophies are always the main goal, making Donald happy with the new defensive coordinator choice could go a long way in contract negotiations as well.
To Henderson’s credit, he is still a relatively young coach at only 41, and was a very successful coach in his time with LA. If he were to be considered for the position of DC, it would be completely warranted, even without Donald pushing for it.
Henderson leaving for USC felt like a big loss on the coaching staff, and Morris will most-likely be take a few more coaches with him to Atlanta too, so bringing Henderson back as the defensive coordinator could be just the right move to help keep some resemblance of continuity for the Rams staff, while still ushering in a new era.
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ZooeyModeratorIn my view they need another back of roughly his caliber.
Yeah, okay.
On the SUBJ of running backs, I was pondering a week or so ago about what this offense would be like with Steven Jackson in his prime. Good lord. Can you imagine?
ZooeyModeratorNFL playoff predictions: 8 coaches, executives predict conference championship winners
Jeff Howe
Jan 26, 2024This is how the final four should look.
The NFL’s best teams are still standing, earning their way to championship weekend as division winners with quality playoff victories. The field contains teams with three of the best regular-season records — with the exception being the 11-win Kansas City Chiefs, who have won two of the last four Super Bowls.
There’s something for everyone, too.
If you like star quarterbacks, the AFC Championship features two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes against Lamar Jackson, who appears likely to win his second MVP next month.
If you prefer defense, the Baltimore Ravens, Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers ranked in the top three in points allowed. (The Detroit Lions were 23rd.)
If you’re into the running game, the Ravens, 49ers and Lions each ranked in the top five in total rushing yards. (The Chiefs were 19th.)
Want an underdog story? The Lions just won back-to-back playoff games for the first time since 1957 and have never played in the Super Bowl.
If you just want to turn on your TV to see Taylor Swift, hey, that’s fine, too.
We’ve once again solicited our panel of eight NFL coaches and team executives to make their picks for the weekend slate. And this time, they’re chipping in with an early Super Bowl prediction.
The crew combined to go 3-1 in the divisional round, recovering from a 3-3 mark during an upset-filled wild-card weekend.
Let’s see how they fare with a trip to Super Bowl LVIII on the line.
No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (13-4, 1-0) vs. No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (11-6, 2-0)
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET, SundayExpert picks: Ravens 7, Chiefs 1
Last week, all but one voter picked against the Chiefs, too, so they’re in familiar territory.
But this week, the Chiefs are meeting an opponent that has been viewed as the best team in the league for the past month. The Ravens have been unstoppable for long stretches with Jackson playing at a dominant level and the coaching adjustments overwhelming their opposition.
And tight end Mark Andrews might be returning from a two-month absence.
“If the tight end comes back and Lamar has his safety blanket in the middle of the field,” an executive said, “it might be over for the rest of the league.”
Aside from punting on the regular-season finale when the Ravens rested starters, their last six victories included five wins by double digits. Four of those came against playoff teams, including their 34-10 beatdown of the Houston Texans in the divisional round.
As great as Jackson has been, though, the Ravens defense has been stifling. The Texans only mustered 3 offensive points last week.
The Ravens led the league with 60 sacks, and they’ve got three players with at least nine quarterback takedowns.
“The defense is too good,” a coach said. “KC will be stuck playing catchup.”
Certainly, the Chiefs had no issues going back and forth with the Buffalo Bills, and they won’t be deterred by adversity or the hostile crowd in Baltimore. But did their season’s worth of issues disappear in Buffalo, or were they merely put on hold?
Mahomes’ supporting cast has made more than its share of mistakes, and wideout Mecole Hardman’s fumble through the end zone put their season in jeopardy in the divisional round. Rashee Rice can’t be the only reliable receiver Sunday.
“Mahomes is going to have to play out of his mind,” an executive said. “Baltimore should win unless Lamar starts turning it over.”
The Chiefs have become the standard of consistency, appearing in their sixth consecutive AFC title game and trying to get to their fourth Super Bowl in five years. Teams need a full 60-minute showing to knock them off, and the Ravens appear capable of such a feat.
“I think these are the two best teams left,” an executive said. “It should be a battle.”
No. 1 San Francisco 49ers (12-5, 1-0) vs. No. 3 Detroit Lions (12-5, 2-0)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET, SundayExpert picks: 49ers 6, Lions 2
The Niners were fortunate to outlast the Green Bay Packers, who carried their hot streak into a very strong showing in the divisional round before letting it slip away. The question is whether the 49ers are reeling, or were they just shaking off some rust against a quality opponent.
“San Francisco is a more complete team,” an executive said. “That defense is going to be tough to score points on. (Quarterback Brock) Purdy will play better this week.”
Purdy was out of sorts against the Packers, marking the second time in his last three starts with a sub-60 completion percentage. Four days after that game, the Packers fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
But the Lions are the only remaining team without a dominant defense. Purdy and his incredible supporting cast must use that to their advantage.
“I think (Niners coach Kyle) Shanahan will move the pocket enough to keep (Purdy) clean and create catch-and-runs that will go for big yards,” a coach said.
An executive added, “The Lions will give up some big plays.”
Although the panel voted heavily in favor of the 49ers, a few believed the Lions have a path to victory. The Lions also have a strong running game with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs that can aid quarterback Jared Goff, who will need to be clean and efficient against a tough pass rush.
“(Lions coach Dan) Campbell will introduce a whole lot of variance in all three phases,” an executive said.
For the Lions to pull off the upset, it’ll be paramount to get off to a hot start. They can’t let running back Christian McCaffrey get into a rhythm and need to find a way to force Purdy into mistakes.
“If the Lions get an early lead and put Purdy into passing situations, he’ll start throwing into the middle of the field where he’s been known to put the ball up for grabs (for the defense),” an executive said.
Still, the panel believed the Niners would return to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. If they’re right about each game, it’ll be a rematch of the 2012-13 Super Bowl (XLVII).
“I really don’t want to pick against Detroit,” a coach said. “But ultimately, I just feel San Francisco is a more complete team.”
Early Super Bowl predictions
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET, Feb. 11Expert picks: Ravens 6, Chiefs 1, 49ers 1
It’s hard to shake the underdog label, even as the Lions are a sentimental favorite among those within the league. But the Lions have played that role well.
This has been the Ravens’ season, and the panel expects that to continue. They were the league’s only 13-game winner, boast the top-ranked defense and have an MVP favorite at quarterback who has taken his game to the highest level of his career. Not only that, but both of John Harbaugh’s coordinators are up for head-coaching jobs of their own, with Mike Macdonald on some short lists and Todd Monken drawing interview requests.
The marriage of high-level coaching and elite on-field talent has been the recipe for the Ravens’ string of blowouts.
“We had no answers for them,” an executive said about losing to the Ravens this season. “They had us on our heels all game. They were too good.”
The Ravens haven’t played the Chiefs since 2021, but they beat the 49ers and Lions by a combined score of 71-25. They’ll be a decisive Super Bowl favorite if they can get past the Chiefs.
“Best all-around team,” a coach said of the Ravens, “playing the best football.”
ZooeyModeratorThe draft priorites as I see it are another RB and defense.
I agree with what you said about the left side of the line, and I agree that defense is a priority. I think C becomes a higher priority than RB, though. They should add another RB or two, but I wouldn’t make it a “priority.” They have 10 or 11 picks, plus they seem pretty good at adding ronin RBs.
If Shelton leaves and Allen gets let go – as expected – the Rams have no Center. That would be a problem. I’d like them to keep Jackson, Shelton, and Dotson, replace NB, and draft a C and continue to add other guys there.
My priority would be the secondary. That is the most glaring weakness. That and Special Teams. The other high priority that gets mentioned a lot (and I agree with) is another pass rusher.
ZooeyModerator
January 24, 2024 at 11:21 am in reply to: Rams off-season assessments & rankings & early previews #148997ZooeyModeratorI don’t know if this belongs here, either. Is this devoted to news, or is analysis welcome? If this belongs in a different thread, then by all means, move it.
I think it goes here just fine. In fact, thanks. Fwiw though, and for future reference–the site doesn’t allow admins to move posts anymore.
I bet you could still copy a post, though, and post it somewhere else, and go back and delete the original.
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