Agree. Atlanta's first two possessions of the 2nd half (both ending in FGs) totaled 26 plays and over 13 minutes of the 3rd quarter. The Rams defense was wiped by the start of the 4th quarter. And the Falcons took advantage driving for the game-sealing TD the next time they got the ball.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Agree. That's where hopefully adding Suh helps as well as getting some role contributions from Smart in his 2nd season and Franklin-Myers. Plus they have to be hoping Littleton is better vs the inside run than Ogletree was. The Rams do not need to be a top 5 or 6 run defense. That's not what Phillips stresses on defense or how he builds his roster. But they can't be in the bottom 1/4 either.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
He absolutely is... And to me (and probably him...) it's still about the guaranteed number, not the average per year. And maybe I'm missing the boat but I don't even think an $80M guaranteed number is that big a deal. Not when part of that is simply guaranteeing the first two years of base salary and not when they have just about the most cap space in the league in 2019 and 2020. 2021 could be diby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Team: - With 10 victories in 2018 the Rams would have back-to-back seasons of 10+ wins for the first time since 2000 and 2001 - The Rams also need 10 or more wins to get back to .500+ all time as a franchise (currently 555-559-21, .498) - If the Rams make the playoffs they will be the 6th franchise to have 29 or more playoff appearances (GB, NYG, DAL, PIT, MIN) Players: - Jared Gofby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I've kept wondering what happens with Barwin as well. I think he was one of those 'bridge' players they needed to install the new defense quickly and if brought back could fill a part time role again. But with young guys like Ebukam, Longacre, Okoronkwo, Lawler, Young and Price they might not want to take reps away from those guys.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I agree. While Cooper's fumbles absolutely hurt them, the Falcons played very well overall. They outplayed the Rams all around that night. Their DBs and LBs were particularly good. And Ryan showed his veteran experience in some key moments.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Yes, the main 'specialists' (Zuerein, Hekker, McQuaide and Cooper) all return, which is great. But as is always the case on special teams there will be other gaps to be filled and for Fassel to coach up. Littleton played 74% of their 2017 special teams snaps. Ebukam 52%. Assuming they start at ILB and OLB respectively I have to assume those numbers go down (Ogletree played less than 15% on STby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Came across the Rams-Falcons wildcard game replay on NFLN last night. Watched about 1/3 of it. Credit a great game by the Falcons' secondary. Their coverage was very good all night and tackling was excellent. Ability to not let Gurley get loose on screens and swing passes was a big factor. Experience by Ryan and co. also a factor. Tight game late even with the two ST turnovers. Brockers being outby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Agree. Easily one of the top 3 ST coaches in the league. Underrated.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Just one reference point, but ProFootballReference lists the Rams' best offenses ever as: 1. 1950 2. 2000 (and I agree this was their best offensive team of the GSOT era) 3. 2001 4. 1951 5. 1999 And #6 is 2017....by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
12/4by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
They did lose quite a few close games. But the analysis of Garoppolo's 5 starts is right. The win vs the Jaguars was impressive. But otherwise? They have a good coach and good QB which is more than half the battle in the NFL. But is Richard Sherman going to come back and be an impact CB? Is McKinnon really all that? I can see them winning as many as 10 games but 8-8 is also logical too.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I forgot about that 1985 loss. That was the game Jeff Kemp started for Brock. They blew a 3rd quarter lead.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Apart from the wildcard game in the 1984 playoffs the Rams really dominated the NYG throughout the 1980s...by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
RB AJ Jones was the KOR. Let the kickoff roll dead in the endzone and Phil McConkey grabbed it for a Giants' TD. That was the three safeties game, Ellard 80+ yard punt return TD, goal posts falling, etc. Rams won 33-12. Crazy game... ProFootballReference.comby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Littleton has a lot of the intangibles you look for in a player. And I like that he is the starter in OTAs and soon when camp starts vs the 'three man competition' sort of thing. If he can build on his limited experience in the defense last year and syncs well with Barry's and Phillips' coaching and probably most importantly thoroughly understands the defense he could be a really pleasant surby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Yeah. Again, I like Joyner a lot. The defense is better with him. But if there are going to be some trade-offs down the road I can totally understand if one of them is they do not sign their FS to a big, long-term deal. Another likely (in my opinion) letting Gurley go after 2020.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Maybe I'm wrong, but if I'm the Rams I am getting Donald and Cooks locked up in August and letting Joyner play out 2018. If he plays very well then fine, tag him again. Sure, he gets paid $24.8M over 2018 and 2019 but they can afford it and you maintain flexibility come 2020 when decisions on Peters and Gurley come due and they look to extend Goff. I am a believer in overpaying short term in someby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Such a myth. Not when: - You have among the most cap space in the league in both 2019 and 2020 - You have two 3rd round compensatory picks coming in 2019 and likely another in 2020 (for Suh) - You have a young QB on his rookie deal through 2020 - You have one of the brightest young head coaches in the league Yes, things will get trickier once they sign Donald, Cooks, etc. They will needby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Just a hunch, but my guess is Gurley's rushing attempts go up a bit this year and catches go down. He averaged 18.6 rush attempts/game and 4.3 receptions/game in 2017. Not a huge shift but I think it will be something like 20 and 3 per game this year. One, one of the big things defensive coordinators will look to do is sniff out screens to Gurley. Two, McVay wants to get the ball more to TEsby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Hekker is already the clear cut best punter in franchise history. Zuerlein could get there as kicker in 2-3 years.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Because of the leadership and experience factor in this defense. Obviously all should have very positive impacts and contributions. Still wondering how many targets Cooks will realistically get. More than Watkins of course but I do not think he is getting 120 targets or anything.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Blythe and Demby just got more reps the last two weeks of camp and preseason.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think that's a valid concern. They were proactive in addressing it in this draft but they do enter camp with 3 of their top 4 backup OL being rookies. I doubt Whitworth, Sullivan and Saffold get much work in preseason so they'll get plenty of reps.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
TheRinger.comby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think the reality is that- assuming their defensive line and secondary are what everyone thinks they will be- the LBs simply have to not be liabilities. If the LB unit plays decently the defense as a whole will be in great shape. If any of the LBs are exceptional that is icing on the cake.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Like a lot of young QBs, he is not a finished product. Getting too much projection of what he might become. Maybe he does. Maybe not. I do think he's genuinely good. But he's started 5 1/2 meaningful games, 202 pass attempts. Simply impossible to say what he is yet. Goff is still, after 22 regular season starts, an unfinished product as well.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Well, the depth at OG/C is definitely young and inexperienced (Blythe, Demby, Allen). Some talent but needs a lot of coaching up.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com