Yeah, Hedges if probably right about that. It’s impossible for me to imagine Chomsky availing himself of Epstein’s services, but easier to imagine that Chomsky fell to the temptation to ignore warning signs about Epstein in order to pursue mutually-beneficial professional interests.

This showed up in my FB feed last night, and I thought the choice of photo to illustrate the point was interesting.

zn wrote:

And against those Seattle defenders who said Stafford was throwing “blindly,” the Rams qb in the last 2 games against them threw 84 for 51 (60.7%), with 831 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, and an avg. qb rating of 119.15.

So…maybe it wasn’t quite as “blindly” as they were saying?

Or maybe they meant it as a compliment? Stafford sees the defense and knows where the receiver is, and just pulls the trigger. The younger Maye has to see the receiver and that adds half a step to the throw before pulling the trigger.

In fact that’s probably what they meant, now that I think of it.

What they meant – clearly – was, “We stole one. Stafford and the Rams are far better than we are, and we will be grateful to tell our grandchildren some day that we got to play against them.”

zn wrote:

never too early

I would put the 49ers at 5 or 6.

And the Rams are obviously #1.

Beyond that, I’m starting to think Cowherd could start to make a name for himself.

InvaderRam wrote:

ernest was just being…. earnest.

Which is important.

zn wrote:

wv wrote:

One of the stats that pointed toward Maye was common opponents. Pats were 6-0 and Rams were 4-2. I think the QB stats in those 6 games favored Maye.
I also think what Maye can do with his legs was a significant point in his favor.

Stafford was better and more deserving. The little statistical counterarguments don’t persuade me a bit. I’m with Jim Everett, who says that east coast analysts and sports guys tend to watch east coast teams and they just didn’t see the Rams that much.

As for opponents the 2 teams did not have in common, they were better teams on the Rams side and weaker ones on the Patz side. Stafford faced tests and passed, Maye didn’t and coasted.

I honestly believe there was no good argument for Maye being that close to Stafford in the voting.

If Stafford and Maye were on the same team, Stafford would be the starter, and Maye would be the backup.

Next!…

zn wrote:

The 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
The Patriots allowed a sack on 14.8% of their dropbacks in the postseason

Among 181 teams to play multiple games in a single postseason since 2000, that sack rate ranked 179th

So Drake Maye should have won the MVP because of what he accomplished behind that line, is what I hear you saying.

Note: Noam Chomsky’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has become the source of controversy. After suffering a severe stroke in June 2023, Chomsky is unable to comment on it. His wife Valeria has responded to questions surrounding their contacts with Epstein in the statement below. I am publishing it here, with minor typographical corrections.
Statement from Valéria Chomsky
——————————————
As many are aware, my husband, Noam Chomsky, now 97, is confronting significant health challenges after suffering a devastating stroke in June 2023. Currently, Noam is under 24/7 medical care and is completely unable to speak or engage in public discourse.
Since this health crisis, I have been entirely absorbed in Noam’s treatment and recovery, solely responsible for him and his medical treatment. Noam and I don’t have any kind of public relations assistance. For this reason, only now have I been able to address the matter of our contacts with Jeffrey Epstein.
Noam and I have felt a profound weight regarding the unresolved questions surrounding our past interactions with Epstein. We do not wish to leave this chapter shrouded in ambiguity.
Throughout his life, Noam has insisted that intellectuals have a responsibility to speak the truth and expose lies — especially when those truths are uncomfortable to themselves.
As is widely known, one of Noam’s characteristics is to believe in the good faith of people. Noam’s overly trust[ing] nature, in this specific case, led to severe poor judgment on both our parts.
Questions have rightly been raised about Noam’s meetings with Epstein, and about administrative assistance his office provided regarding a private financial matter—one that had absolutely no relation to any of Epstein’s criminal conduct.
Noam and I were introduced to Epstein at the same time, during one of Noam’s professional events in 2015, when Epstein’s 2008 conviction in the State of Florida was known by very few people, while most of the public – including Noam and I – was unaware of it. That only changed after the November 2018 report by Miami Herald.
When we were introduced to Epstein, he presented himself as a philanthropist of science and a financial expert. By presenting himself this way, Epstein gained Noam’s attention, and they began corresponding. Unknowingly, we opened a door to a Trojan horse.
Epstein began to encircle Noam, sending gifts and creating opportunities for interesting discussions in areas Noam has been working on extensively. We regret that we did not perceive this as a strategy to ensnare us and to try to undermine the causes Noam stands for.
We had lunch, at Epstein’s ranch, once, in connection with a professional event; we attended dinners at his townhouse in Manhattan and stayed a few times in an apartment he offered when we visited New York City. We also visited Epstein’s Paris apartment one afternoon for the occasion of a work trip. In all cases, these visits were related to Noam’s professional commitments. We never went to his island or knew about anything that happened there.
We attended social meetings, lunches, and dinners where Epstein was present and academic matters were discussed. We never witnessed any inappropriate, criminal, or reproachable behavior from Epstein or others. At no time did we see children or underage individuals present.
Epstein proposed meetings between Noam and figures that Noam had interest in, due to their different perspectives on themes related to Noam’s work and thought. It was in this academic context that Noam wrote a letter of recommendation.
Noam’s email to Epstein, in which Epstein sought advice about the press, should be read in context. Epstein had claimed to Noam that he [Epstein] was being unfairly persecuted, and Noam spoke from his own experience in political controversies with the media. Epstein created a manipulative narrative about his case, which Noam, in good faith, believed in. It is now clear that it was all orchestrated, having as, at least, one of Epstein’s intentions to try to have someone like Noam repairing Epstein’s reputation by association.
Noam’s criticism was never directed at the women’s movement; on the contrary, he has always supported gender equity and women’s rights. What happened was that Epstein took advantage of Noam’s public criticism towards what came to be known as “cancel culture” to present himself as a victim of it.
Only after Epstein’s second arrest in [July] 2019 did we learn the full extent and gravity of what were then accusations—and are now confirmed—heinous crimes against women and children. We were careless in not thoroughly researching his background. This was a grave mistake, and for that lapse in judgment, I apologize on behalf of both of us. Noam shared with me, before his stroke, that he felt the same way.
In 2023, Noam’s initial public response to inquiries about Epstein failed to adequately acknowledge the gravity of Epstein’s crimes and the enduring pain of his victims, primarily because Noam took it as obvious that he condemned such crimes. However, a firm and explicit stance on such matters is always required.
It was deeply disturbing for both of us to realize we had engaged with someone who presented as a helpful friend but led a hidden life of criminal, inhumane, and perverted acts.
Since the revelation of the extent of his crimes, we have been shocked.
In order to clarify the check: Epstein asked Noam to develop a linguistic challenge that Epstein wished to establish as a regular prize. Noam worked on it, and Epstein sent a check for US$20,000 as payment. Epstein’s office contacted me to arrange for the check to be sent to our home address.
Regarding the reported transfer of approximately $270,000, I must clarify that these were entirely Noam’s own funds. At the time, Noam had identified inconsistencies in his retirement resources that threatened his economic independence and caused him great distress. Epstein offered technical assistance to resolve this specific situation.
On this matter, Epstein acted accordingly, recovering the funds for Noam, in a display of help and very likely as part of a machination to gain greater access to Noam. Epstein acted solely as a financial advisor for this specific matter. To the best of my knowledge, Epstein never had access to our bank or investment accounts.
It is also important to clarify that Noam and I never had any investments with Epstein or his office—individually or as a couple.
I hope this retrospectively clarifies and explains Noam Chomsky’s interactions with Epstein. Noam and I recognize the gravity of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and the profound suffering of his victims. Nothing in this statement is intended to minimize that suffering, and we express our unrestricted solidarity with the victims.
February 7, 2026.
Valéria Chomsky

Kliff Kingsbury joining Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff: Source

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are bringing a big name onto their coaching staff.

Los Angeles is adding former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to its offensive coaching staff, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.

Kingsbury’s new role is not yet clear. The Rams have an opening at offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, and they must go through an interview process that includes satisfying the Rooney Rule, which states that the franchise must interview at least two minority or female candidates for the coordinator position.

The Rams have a strong internal candidate in passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, who interviewed for the Cleveland Browns’ head-coaching job, which went to Todd Monken. If Scheelhaase were to be named the Rams’ offensive coordinator, it could open up the passing game coordinator spot for Kingsbury. Scheelhaase could also remain in his position if Kingsbury were to take over the offensive coordinator role.

Kingsbury will bring an abundance of game-planning, leadership and play-calling experience to whichever role he ends up filling. He was head coach at Texas Tech from 2013 to 2018, where he coached Patrick Mahomes. He then was the Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022 and went 28-37-1 with one playoff appearance, in which his team lost to the Rams.

After spending the 2023 season in Los Angeles as an offensive analyst at USC, Kingsbury returned to the NFL for a two-year stint as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator. In 2024, he coached Jayden Daniels to the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as the Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game. This season, Daniels dealt with injuries as the Commanders fell to 22nd in points scored, one year after they finished fifth. The Commanders went 5-12 this season, and coach Dan Quinn decided to make a change at offensive coordinator.

Kingsbury is a passing game specialist after playing quarterback in the NFL from 2003 to 2006. His offenses are known for a spread attack that utilizes run-pass option. The Rams were long an 11-personnel offense under Sean McVay but moved to more three-tight end sets last season. That opened up a more balanced attack, and the Rams finished No. 1 in points scored as Matthew Stafford won his first MVP award.

McVay will continue to call the plays but also works to empower his assistants, and he said that would remain true with the next offensive coordinator.

“You have an overall approach, but then you have to be specific with the actual pieces and people and try to be able to maximize their potential and their best chance to be able to affect us in a positive way,” McVay said.

Kingsbury is one of three additions to the Rams’ coaching staff so far, joining special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and special teams assistant Kyle Hoke, who came from the Cleveland Browns.

Kliff Kingsbury hired by Rams.

Yay. Good for him.

zn wrote:

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
And so it begins.

Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals have requested to interview Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator job

Well shit.

wv wrote:

zn wrote:

Another way to see this is that in fact they weren’t equal. Eagles had a top defense and were also effective on offense and special teams. In contrast, the Rams offense was so strong it could put up a combined 1060 yards on Seattle in their last 2 games (counting the championship game). But it had issues on defense (the secondary) and special teams, both of which together account for the 2 losses.

I don’t take their last 2 games, as some do, as evidence that it is better to have a top defense than a top offense.

I do take their 3 games combined as evidence that a top team needs to be at least solid when it comes to its other 2 units aside from the top unit. Seattle was a top D and were more than at least solid on O and STs. Rams can’t say that, they were a top O that was less than at least solid on D and STs.

….

Well, the scores were: 21-19, 38-37, 31-27 — so thats why I think they were basically evenly matched. They definitely have different strengths/weaknesses, but when you add up all the components of Seattle and all the components of the Rams, they seem to come out purty equal when they play.

Are you saying, you think Seattle was better? Or the Rams were better?
Or something else?

w
v

I think the Rams were better. Not light years better. But better. I base that on all the various rankings produced by all the statisticians.

Because it was in Seattle, I figured the game would be a coin toss, but that the Rams would win 55% of the time.

I’m still kind of a weird combination of slight disgust, annoyance, and a sense of lost opportunity. I keep thinking about the “razor’s edge” plays, the ones that coulda gone either way, and the “team that wins the most of those wins” plays.

And that 2-point conversion. Darnold passes the ball. It falls to the ground. The whistle blows. Players start meandering. Charbonnet goes over and absently picks it up and tosses it to the ref. Teams send out their kickoff units during the commercial break. And then… suddenly… they’re reviewing it, and – presto! – 2 points for Seattle.

Without the reversal, the Rams win that game. If the Rams win that game, they get the #1 seed. If the Rams get the #1 seed, they are playing in the Super Bowl next Sunday. I believe that.

And what that comes down to, it seems, is the fluke that the knocked down ball rolled to just inside the end zone. Had it not rolled into the end zone, Charbonnet would have picked it up and tossed it to the ref, and the play would have been over even though the ball was “still live.”

And that fluke is the difference in the Rams’ season.

And Tom Mack still hasn’t moved.

You know, blacks are about 12% of the population.

Straight up, then, there should be 4/32 = 12.5% black coaches. And there were 5 until Tomlin retired and Morris was fired.

So I’m not sure about this issue.

zn wrote:

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/01/30/rams-players-who-regressed-the-most-in-2025/88433085007/?taid=697cfc5094daca0001149f2a&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

P Ethan Evans

The Rams will take a long and hard look at special teams this year after the poor season this unit had. They already changed special teams coordinators with Bubba Ventrone now at the helm and the jury is still out on what to do with kicker Harrison Mevis.

That leaves Evans, who didn’t look as good in 2025 as he had in years past. For one, Evans’ Pro Football Focus grade dropped from 79.1 in 2024 to 67.9 in 2025. His yards per punt remained steady (around 46 yards), but he had a much lower rate of punting the ball inside the 20-yard line (40.0%) in 2025 than he did in 2024 (54.5%).

C’mon. Evans is fine. What… he had one bad punt this year? Two?

I’m not looking for a replacement for Evans, if I’m the ST coach. There are bigger issues somewhere else.

zn wrote:

Zooey wrote:

That’s funny. I don’t remember you calling for Steve Ortmayer’s head when he drafted Tony Banks.

I remember a time, during the 2000 season, when some of us criticized Zygmunt. All hell broke loose. We “upstart haters” were read the full force of the law.

In a few years, defending Zygmunt could get you stoned to death. Or worse.

Those were the days. Yep. I recall that.

There are certain standards you have to meet to be a “true fan.”