I think for the most part this is right. A few areas where I would disagree or have a question: - I don't think Quick is the 6th WR. I don't know who is, but I don't think it's him... - On the OL I think the 8th and 9th spots are still TBD. I tend to think Battle is in there. Not saying this sarcastically but has Donnal played this preseason? I don't recall reading one word about him yet.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Read this PFF note in an article they ran. Not bashing JL as I liked him more than most around here the past 7 seasons. But this shows why Ogletree is the MLB, even if he has some things to clean up in his own game... "At one point, Laurinaitis’ run-game deficiencies were swept under the rug by his coverage prowess. Tipping 30 years old last season, though, that ceased to be the case. Heby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I'd have included Seau but I think he goes to the PS. Well worth keeping though.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think they go with 9 DL and all three stick. Quinn Donald Brockers Hayes Sims Westbrooks Easley Longacre Thomas And I would put DEs Seau and Fox on the PS.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Maybe it's just me but Hager hasn't impressed at all either. Seems to get washed out a lot. Good ST guy but not what they need as a 4th LB. With Ayers he's only going to play about 30-35% of snaps. Not outstanding like you said and I think he won't be back next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rams use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a SLB next April.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think what Ogletree showed is he's tremendous going sideline to sideline. There's still some consistency needed just playing between the guards on plays straight inside. But he will chase down way more than Laurinaitis could.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
1. DE Matt Longacre- every game this kid is making plays and working his tail off. Quickly becoming a favorite for me. The pass rush drop-off last year when Quinn got hurt was very noticeable. The Rams front four is obviously very good but the depth is really outstanding and Longacre is part of that. I hope he gets some reps come regular season. 2. TE Tyle Higbee- Physical mismatches galore wiby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I hope they play Goff the whole first half and Mannion the 2nd. Also really hope they do play the starting OL (Havenstein?) for at least the first quarter to give Goff time with them. Not sure where Spruce is with his knee but it would be great to have him get in this game.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Personally I wanted Randle in free agency. Would rather have had him in camp than Quick. But at this point I'm fine riding with Austin, Britt, Cooper, Marquez and Spruce. 6th spot TBD.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Kendricks and Cooper played well. They may be among the Rams most reliable receivers this year. And Higbee and Spruce might be right behind them. Take that as a positive or negative... All Longacre does is keep making plays and earning more playing time. Really like that guy....by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I would really hope the extension replaces the 5th year option for 2017. Not in addition to.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Wow, looking at that list it really is a pretty weak position in Rams history. A really good TE could come in and rewrite their record books in 3-4 years... I am cautiously very optimistic about Higbee. Especially coming in with Goff. Would love to see this team have a 65-70 catch TE. 35-40 from him this year would be good.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I pretty much agree though I think Reynolds still has a chance somehow. I'm not a fan at all of Rhaney or Kush but t will be interesting to see who plays center with the 2s tonight and how he does.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
It's also being replayed right after, at midnight ET/9PM PT Saturday night which is when I'm recording it. They'll likely have a lot of live look-ins during the game on NFL Network as it's the only game starting at 9PM ET/6PM PT. Titans/Raiders starts an hour earlier but is on CBS so not sure if they'd show parts of that on NFL Network.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Good point that if they score more TDs his FG accuracy becomes less important. But I still think one of the x-factors for the Rams to have a winning season is Zuerlein hitting 80%+ of his FGs. Whether that's fewer blocked FGs, taking less 60+ yard shots, or him just hitting straighter, they need a 24/30 type season from him. He was 50/58 (86.2%) in 2013 and 2014, so he's done it before.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
That kid brought a lot and closed ground fast to help fix some mistakes. Plus Williams made comments last year about how McLeod was another coach on the field or something to that effect. Should have paid that kid. I'm not worried about AO.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
My guess is Ogletree will significantly outperform Laurinaitis this year over the course of the season. We'll see in late December.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Have Keenum start and play the first 20 minutes of the game/20 plays. Rest of the 1s on offense play the whole first half. Goff plays the last 2/3 so he gets times with 1s and 2s (40+ plays). if Goff lights it up then they have some interesting discussions to have. if Keenum holds serve then the starting offense has had its tune up for the season opener. Just how I'd do it, personally.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think that's what they're planning. Haven't they typically carried that amount in recent years? My rough estimate: QB- 3 RB- 4 WR- 6 TE- 4 OL- 9 DL- 9 LB- 6 DB- 9 ST- 3by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Last version I bought and played was Madden 2004...by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Thanks very much for this. A few thoughts: I like that Ogletree isn't happy with the defense's performance. You can critique him for certain things but he wants the defense to have high standards and he knows he's a big part of that. He's not a complacent player. I think Coples is gone too unless an injury bug hits. Good to hear Havenstein is progressing. But I wonder when he'll really bby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I don't think he's overtaking Cunningham this year. And Bennie is too valuable as a KOR and 3rd down back. But it could make the Rams more likely to let Cunningham go next spring. And frankly someone may offer Cunningham a decent sized contract next spring (late round comp. pick?).by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think it's more a matter of adjusting his technique at times. In 3-LB situations where he's in the middle it is more about getting lower, his feet, etc. vs. the run-and-chase from the WLB spot. Which is what they showed Singletary focusing on with him. Not that he didn't know the defense. But I also think that given the Rams, like most teams, play so much nickel that 2/3 of the time they'reby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I agree about Gurley. He was too often getting hit in the backfield because of some whiff blocks and free shots. This is where Jared Cook leaving should help... Plus the improvement of Barnes, Robinson, Wichmann, etc. I've written before that simply turning many of the negative runs into 2-3 yard gains will help the offense and give Gurley a chance for a stellar season.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think that's a good way to summarize why Keenum is still the #1 for now. He just knows more about the offense and where to go with it. Goff obviously has the better arm and passing skills but it's more about coverage recognition and knowing where to go. Goff still hesitates sometimes because he's thinking and not reacting. A natural part of the process. Keenum's work as the #1 through OTAs andby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Patriots are cutting Bryan Stork.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think we'll see Quinn for maybe two series and Gaines the whole first half. Just a guess. Good conditioning test in the CO altitude as well.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think he's right that once Quinn, Ogletree and Barron are all playing together in that front seven we'll see the real Rams defense. With Westbrooks, Longacre and Seau emerging this really is the deepest defensive line the Rams have had under Fisher, and that's saying something...by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
One of the biggest competitions remaining.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com