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ZooeyModeratorMy motto for the playoffs? Fuck them all, big and small.
Bring them on. Whoever. Crush, kill, destroy…
Right. Ripping through them all would be just fine. Eagles, Bucs/Cowboys, Packers on the road, then the Whoevers. That would be just fine.
And…with the Eagles now down by 5 scores at home, maybe they aren’t as good as I’ve been hearing from the radios.
ZooeyModeratorSaw an interview with Mcvay he was asked if he thought the 9ers were are #1 rivals, his answer was cringe worthy in the same low energy attitude his whole team showed up with in the 1st game.The guy just doesn’t get it. I expect a flat Rams team getting their ass kicked on national TV again.
McVay acts like the Rams have proven they are superior to the 49ers every year by finishing ahead of them in the standings, and he doesn’t take them seriously.
ZooeyModeratorSaw a vid where Baldy is picking the niners.
So am i. Still dont trust this team.
I just think San Fran has more urgency and fire.Rams 15
49ers 17w
v
ZooeyModeratorI haven’t heard much talk of the game on NoCal radio, but what I have heard reflects a somewhat skeptical outlook. The talkers up in these parts are not terribly optimistic, though they remain hopeful. They are all saying the odds of the 9ers winning this game are not very good, and they don’t expect to make the playoffs. They aren’t giving up. But they are pretty guarded.
This evening, they were singing a different tune. I heard about 15 minutes, and I guess the 9ers are going to attack Travin Howard all day with Kittle and the running game because he weighs only 211 lbs, and the Rams can’t stop the run anyway, so the 9ers will control the ball all day, limiting the Rams’ offensive snaps, AND Armstead and Nick Bosa (who will soon be the highest paid defensive player in history, due in part to his performance this coming Sunday), well, they are going to pretty much prevent Stafford from ever getting a throw off before getting hit, so their depleted secondary won’t actually have to do much in pass defense anyway.
ZooeyModeratorThe 49ers secondary, linebackers, and RB seem to be a bit of a wreck between injuries and Covid.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/SF/san-francisco-49ers/depth-chart/
Of course, the Rams are without Tutu Atwell, so that kind of balances the thing out.
ZooeyModeratorZooeyModeratorI haven’t heard much talk of the game on NoCal radio, but what I have heard reflects a somewhat skeptical outlook. The talkers up in these parts are not terribly optimistic, though they remain hopeful. They are all saying the odds of the 9ers winning this game are not very good, and they don’t expect to make the playoffs. They aren’t giving up. But they are pretty guarded.
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModeratorLook. It is MY role to be the senile one.
We talked about Ishmael long, long ago. Back in the book-baking days.
I believe it was one of Pa Ram’s faves. I liked it, too.The one Quinn wrote after that, was not very good.
And yeah, you can find plenty of books that are anti-cap.
And you can find them because the system knows, Americans dont read.Well, you know, I tend to scroll past a bunch of book-bakers talking about various recipes for baking books that I haven’t heard of.
Fortunately, right around that time, I was inseminating a woman who would give birth to a son who would later introduce the book to me in its raw, unbaked form.
Which I read.
Now I’m going to put some frosting on it, and put it on eBay.
ZooeyModeratorWell, that is my point. And it would NOT…have…been…made, if it had
indicted Capitalism in direct, understandable, unambiguous terms. No studio would have touched it. Paramount sold it to Netflix. Neither would have touched it.Yes, of course.
If you want material that indicts what we are doing, try the novel Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn. It’s a pretty good read, mostly a kind of Socratic dialogue. It indicts the cultural assumptions going back to the “dawn” of civilization, the way of seeing the world that made Capitalism possible.
My son gave it to me for my birthday, and I read it over Christmas break. Good book.
ZooeyModeratorI think the simple explanation is that most people (especially the limousine libs that work in Hollywood) don’t believe Capitalism is at fault for what’s happening. I don’t think they see it as *necessarily* bad. They see it as something that is often misused, but redeemable and maybe even good when not wielded by greedy industrialists and billionaires.
I think this is correct.
The movie ends with that belief crushed by a comet.
But it does not make point clear that the blue team is complicit. The red team is drawn with more distinct lines. The blue team is there, but they aren’t identified as the blue team. Thus many viewers miss the point. I think that’s true to say.
January 4, 2022 at 6:33 pm in reply to: Cowherd likes Stafford & other takes on MS after Baltimore #135233ZooeyModerator“Stafford leads the entire NFL in 2nd half passer rating.”
It’s a good point.
Yep. I did not know that, either.
“He leads the league when it matters.”
I just think that’s important to throw into the conversation while we all sit here griping about the TOs he has had.
On Cowherd, I like him because he is well-informed, and doesn’t make an ego-spectacle of himself. I used to really enjoy sports radio, but I can barely take any of it anymore. So much of it is bombast over substance. Cowherd and Greenberg are a couple of guys who are usually “listenable.” On the big stage, I mean. There are good voices that are less well-known, of course.
ZooeyModeratorThe film does not call Capitalism out by name, but it is very plain that self-interest in profits and power are far more important to the leaders than the fate of the peons. And shitlibs come off badly in the film. They don’t recognize it because the film portrays them exactly as they are, and they don’t see anything wrong with the way they are, but leftists see it. Ultimately, trying to work within the system is a failure.
It may be that that point is not made forcefully enough. There are scenes, in contrast, that show the Uber Patriot Racist guy shooting his big boy gun at the incoming comet. And the MAGA stand-ins are shown preposterously chanting “Don’t look up.” There is a heavier hand on the right wingers for certain. And I could wish that libs were more obviously satirized as well, though there is one scene on a talk show where an interviewer is talking to a celebrity who tries to go down the middle and preach acceptance of both sides.
I think if the shitlib view had the upper hand, more blame would have been placed on the particular administration and the idiots who support it. There would have been a heroic liberal trying to rally people against the administration. They would have made heroes out of shitlibs.
This movie did not do that.
I would not go so far as to call it a Leftist movie. But the blame is clearly on the elites and the institutions who control the government response, and who feed nonsense to the masses through the media. And the billionaire visionary Musk character screws everything up by encouraging everyone to believe that we can “tech” our way to solutions. He fails, though. He fails, and the earth is destroyed.
I think this movie has done a great job of portraying the current political hellscape that is led by self-serving elitists and fostered through a vacuous and compliant media that echoes through social media. It shows the inherent paralysis of our system, it’s inability to respond in a meaningful way to any real problems. I think that irritates liberals. I mean…I’m sure most of them are going to see only the parody of the MAGA types, but I think there’s a reason that the elite movie critics don’t like the film. In an ironic way, THEY are an extension of the film. You could put their negative reviews INSIDE this movie. As Robinson points out, they MISS THE POINT. They write about all the wrong things in the film.
It’s worth seeing. It isn’t an Oscar-winner imo, but as far as political satire goes, I don’t recall a movie more pointed outside the great films like Network, and Wag the Dog, and so on.
ZooeyModerator.@CooperKupp really fillin' it up this season. pic.twitter.com/PfcDXIedIw
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 2, 2022
ZooeyModeratorRobinson is insightful. Excellent article.
I think he is exactly right about it. A leftist will see all the important observations the film makes while a liberal will see only the message that we are “dumb consumerist sheeple” and “MAGA is idiotic.” The film is not simply a condemnation of Nero (Washington DC) fiddling while Rome burns (climate change), but a damning critique of the liberals’ faith that we can fix everything just by tweaking the system here and there. Of course THAT part of the message in the film goes right over their heads. They don’t even notice that THEY are being satirized.
“This is a film with great faith in humanity, and cynicism only about the institutions we have built and the particular people who hold power…
But Don’t Look Up does show how the super-rich see their first priority as escaping the fate they have inflicted on the rest of us. They will devise “solutions” to existential problems that put all the risk on other people while protecting their own assets.
This is not a point that is widely enough understood, and clearly McKay did not make it “heavy-handedly,” since reviewers have not really noticed it. In fact, there are a number of interesting and important observations in the film that are easy to overlook but useful to understand for dealing with the crises of our own time. Consider the way DiCaprio is co-opted. He is well-intentioned and wants to solve the problem, but for much of the film he is not courageous enough to confront the powerful directly, and he rationalizes weakening his stances on the grounds that it gets him “access.” The daytime TV host played by Cate Blanchett is also seen to have made queasy compromises: she is revealed to have three master’s degrees, yet she plays an idiot on TV….”
ZooeyModeratorFuller’s INT at the end of the first half was big, but it probably doesn’t happen if McVay kept the timeouts in his pocket and let the clock run out.
I’m glad that Akers didn’t play. If he dresses this week I hope that he doesn’t see the field. I’d rather the Rams rest him for as long as possible.
I was in disbelief at McVay’s actions at the end of the 1st half. I was surprised he didn’t go for it on 4th down, but then thought he was just going to run out the clock, and regroup at halftime. Then he started calling the TOs, and I was incredulous. Why get aggressive AFTER punting? But it looks brilliant in retrospect. It put the pressure on Baltimore, and they made a mistake that the Rams capitalized on. I don’t remember ever seeing anything like it before.
I expect Akers to get a carry or two against SF just to get reacquainted with live action, if he’s actually ready. This is an historically rapid return from that injury, so I’m still waiting to see it to believe it. If he can come back and offer some relief to Michel that will be big. I just have a hard time seeing him getting up to game speed, and picking up the blocks, and all the mental part of the game, even if he’s physically able.
ZooeyModeratorI don’t know why Stafford thinks throwing deep into triple coverage is a thing.
It isn’t.
I wanted the Rams to dominate this game, but I’m not disappointed. Instead, I find myself strangely pleased, and I don’t understand that.
But… instead of mowing over a collapsing team, reeling behind a backup QB, the Rams seem to have overcome a lot of adversity, spirited and skillful play, in a very boisterous Baltimore stadium, far from home, surviving yet another -2 in TOs. Behind a clutch, game-winning 4th quarter comeback drive.
Just think what this team could do if it was +2 in TOs.
ZooeyModerator
ZooeyModerator(Not a fan of the epilogue, but that’s a minor quibble for me)
Yeah, the epilogue was a cheap joke.
I will read Robinson’s review later. Thanks for the link.
I think a lot of the negative responses are from people who identify with elements in the movie that targeted.
I liked it overall, but think that the movie didn’t have as sharp of an edge as it could have. It was masterful when it was satire, but lost its grip when it strayed into parody. Which was pretty often. Such as the epilogue.
ZooeyModeratorLamar Jackson “has a chance” to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams and is officially listed as questionable for a third straight week.
But he’s not the only injury concern heading into a must-win game, as the Ravens might be without two of their top remaining defensive players.
Cornerback Anthony Averett has been ruled out after not practicing all week, meaning the Ravens are without their top three cornerbacks at the start of the year against a potent passing attack featuring Matthew Stafford and the NFL’s leading receiver Cooper Kupp.
Tavon Young, Chris Westry, Jimmy Smith and Kevon Seymour will likely see a lot of action, with others filling in the gaps.
The Ravens’ pass rush could also be diminished as rookie outside linebacker Odafe Oweh is doubtful after not practicing all week due to a foot injury.
Oweh’s five sacks are the second-most on the team. He would have been a key part of pressuring Stafford, who has struggled this season when under duress. Justin Houston, Tyus Bowser and others would have to pick up the slack. Rookie Daelin Hayes (knee) is questionable.
Four key offensive players are questionable to play: Jackson, wide receiver Marquise Brown (illness), wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay (ankle) and fullback Patrick Ricard (knee).
Brown was sick Thursday and Friday and missed practice both days. He’s the team’s leading wide receiver and an absence would put more attention on other wideouts and tight end Mark Andrews. Duvernay made progress over the course of the week, as he didn’t practice Wednesday but was a full participant on Friday.
Ricard has missed the past three games and once again did not have a full day of practice this week. He was limited Thursday and Friday. Guard Ben Powers (foot) has been ruled out again, meaning another start for rookie Ben Cleveland.
“It’s all hands on deck,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “The guys who are ready to play and can play will, and the guys who aren’t and can’t won’t.”
While the already injury ravaged Ravens continue to keep taking shots, the Rams have only four players who are questionable for Sunday’s game and most seem ready to play.
Starting safety Taylor Rapp (shoulder) returned to practice in full Friday. Starting nose tackle Greg Gaines (hand) got in one limited practice. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was added to Friday’s report with an ankle injury that limited him in practice. Running back Cam Akers, who has been sidelined by an Achilles injury all year, has practiced fully all week but reportedly is not expected to play.
The Rams have just one player, fourth string running back Raymond Calais, on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Baltimore is also down to just one player from the 53-man roster on its COVID list with tight end Josh Oliver.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Table – Injury report
Player Injury Game statusAnthony Averett
Ribs/Chest OutDevin Duvernay
Ankle QuestionableLamar Jackson
Ankle QuestionableOdafe Oweh
Foot DoubtfulBen Powers
Foot OutPatrick Ricard
Knee QuestionableMarquise Brown
Illness QuestionableDaelin Hayes
Knee QuestionableZooeyModeratorKupp. Knew that was coming.
Stafford is next.
Ha!
You are the only person who fell for Ag’s April Fool’s joke!
ZooeyModeratorJeezus, is that Wolford guy still the back-up?
I thought we all liked the other guy. Forget his name.
I thought it had been explained to you. The NFL is not a democracy. Technically, it’s a republic, and your vote doesn’t really count.
ZooeyModeratorFor whatever this marriage of ESPN and PFF is worth, the Rams are clearly superior in the trenches to any other team in the league, and it is not close.
==========
Except when they actually play the 49ers. On the field.
And Green Bay. And Tennessee.
w
vOkay, but all three of those games came in November, when the planets and stars were aligned to create Opposite Day for the whole month.
I don’t see how a serious person can count those.
ZooeyModeratorSo I’m looking at this.
And I’m thinking about it the way our good buddy Waterfield would look at it (I think), if he was still a Rams fan.
The Trenches. Win the battle at the LOS.
These charts appear to be an alloy of ESPN Win Rates (however they calculate those), and PFF’s rankings (however they calculate those).
So perusing these charts, San Francisco and Philadelphia look like the 2nd and 3rd best teams in terms of contesting the LOS.
The Rams are clearly superior. I mean…look at this. The Rams, of all the teams in the NFL, are clearly the most dominant team at the LOS, both sides of the ball. They do not share this claim with any other team. No fan of another team can come in and say, “Well, the pass rush this, and the run blocking that…” or whatever.
For whatever this marriage of ESPN and PFF is worth, the Rams are clearly superior in the trenches to any other team in the league, and it is not close.
ZooeyModeratorYou people DO know whats gonna happen.
Stafford gets covid a day before the playoffs.
“Stafford has still never won a playoff game”
w
vWith future HOF John Wolford on the bench, I hardly think this is an issue.
Stafford will be back the following week. To lose to the Cowboys.
ZooeyModerator“The Rams truly have no excuses this week as the Ravens rank 32nd in pass yards…”
No Woods. No Kupp.
December 29, 2021 at 10:33 am in reply to: Stafford not playing at Super Bowl level (Article 12/27/21) #135048ZooeyModeratorThe Rams have shown they can beat quality teams, but Stafford has not. Thus the reason for the article
The Steve Sax comparison made me laugh. There’s some truth there.
Goff was the same way, though. And let’s not forget that Goff’s multiple turnover games was exactly what McVay cracked on Goff for when he finally called him out publicly. In fact, Goff and Stafford seem quite a bit alike to me. Uncanny accuracy blended with WTF throws, and ghastly turnovers that come in bunches. Both cool, calm and resilient. I defended Goff as long as he was around, and I always said (as did many other posters, fwiw), that I was still bullish on Goff long term. The way I see it, though, the Rams are built to win right now, not 2 or 3 years from now. Right now. And McVay believed that Goff wasn’t ready to win right now, and I would say that – whatever else Goff did in his career, and you’re right about 2018 – Goff lost his confidence last year, and just couldn’t command the ship.
Now there is a school of thought that places the blame for that on McVay rather than Goff, and that point of view has some decent evidence to support it. McVay lost his patience and failed to nurture Goff’s growth, and worse than that, piled on Goff with criticism that instilled a fear in Goff. That may be. Whatever the case, Goff played all of 2020 tentatively, and by the end of the year, it either Goff or McVay had to go, and here we are.
To my eyes, Stafford and Goff are a lot alike, as I said. I think Stafford has a stronger arm (though Goff’s is strong enough), and Stafford plays more boldly, with greater confidence. I think we will see Goff in playoff games down the road, and I think the Lions would be making a mistake to get rid of him, but there are several teams hungry for a QB, and they may find a buyer. Denver might be a good spot for him.
As for whether Stafford can win in the playoffs, well, we’re going to find out in 3 weeks.
ZooeyModeratorConsidering the way the Center position evolved in camp, I had low expectations of Shelton.
It was supposed to be Corbett, remember, and then Allen emerged after a few weeks as a starter, and everybody was skeptical about what that process really reflected. Turned out that Allen was solid. Better than solid. But there was a cloud of doubt over that position, and over the OL in general, with Whitworth’s age in question, and Havenstein not having a brilliant year last year.
All of that more than held up, but then in comes this Shelton guy, and I was afraid he would get abused.
I don’t know how they got all these guys, and I don’t know how it falls out with contracts etc. for next season, but for the remainder of this year, the OL appears to be a strength. So if Sony Michel can stay healthy, the Rams have a good chance of hanging in the story line another month, at least.
ZooeyModeratorI do think that the fact that the Rams have had an outbreak, and are over it, is probably a good thing. They may still get some Covid cases later, but other teams haven’t been hit as hard as the Rams, and if that happens to a team during the playoffs, it could be a difference-maker.
December 28, 2021 at 8:15 pm in reply to: Stafford not playing at Super Bowl level (Article 12/27/21) #135032ZooeyModeratorThe Rams do not look Super Bowl caliber to me. They haven’t shown that they can beat good teams. Of course, peaking at the right time is what it’s all about, and they are getting healthy, and the running game has improved. I’d like to see them beat Baltimore and San Francisco convincingly. Then…maybe.
But if they falter in these last two games, there is no reason to think they will win 4 games in a row against the better teams in the league. They survived the Vikings with 3 INTs. They won’t beat Dallas, GB, TB, SF, or anybody, really, if they blunder like that in the playoffs.
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