After taking care of Aaron Donald & Cooper Kupp, which Rams are next for new contracts?​

Could LA extend Rob Havenstein, Greg Gaines, or Nick Scott?

• By JB Scott
• on June 16, 2022 10:47 am

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams rewarded two major contributors that helped them win a Super Bowl in 2021 - giving re-worked contracts to Aaron Donaldand Cooper Kupp during minicamp last week.
With Donald, Kupp, Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd, Allen Robinson, and Joseph Noteboom signed for the foreseeable future, who could the Rams reward next?

Rob Havenstein, RT​

Havenstein has been a steady presence at right tackle for LA since entering the league in 2015. While he’s rarely ever mentioned among the best tackles in football, he’s certainly well-above average.
The veteran is an unrestricted free agent in 2023 and he will hit the open market at age 30, which is fairly young for a tackle that has as much starting experience as Havenstein. While he’s slated to make around $9.6M in 2022, it could take much more than that to retain Havenstein - re-signing Joseph Noteboom this offseason came with a 3-year price tag of $40M.
Could the Rams instead opt to retain Bobby Evans at a lower price and have him compete with Alaric “AJ” Jackson for the starting role at right tackle in 2023, allowing Havenstein to test the free agent waters?

Greg Gaines, DT​

After selecting Gaines in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, general manager Les Snead anointed Gaines as an immediate starting nose tackle. It took some time for this assertion to come to fruition, but Gaines emerged as a disruptive force on the defensive interior in 2021.
An injury to Sebastian Joseph-Day afforded Gaines more opportunity last season, and his encouraging development allowed the Rams to let Joseph-Day walk in free agency. Now, Gaines is also slated to be a free agent in 2023. Could LA opt to re-sign the big defensive tackle?
Joseph-Day’s deal with the Los Angeles Chargersaverages about $8M over the course of three years, so that should be a fair starting point for a new deal with Gaines.

Nick Scott, DB​

Los Angeles has historically not invested in the safety position, and they’ve allowed capable players like Rodney McLeod, Lamarcus Joyner, and John Johnson III to sign elsewhere in free agency.
While Scott, who was drafted in 2019 primarily to fill a special teams role, has developed into a starting safety, he still is a lesser player at this point in his career than the aforementioned McLeod, Joyner, and Johnson III.
The Rams won’t have to pay Scott at a mark near the top of the safety market, and that could be enough to keep him in LA long-term. His price tag might be more in the $6-8M range rather than the $12M+ top safeties have earned on the open market.

David Long, Jr., CB​

David Long, Jr. had a rough start to the 2021 season, but he turned things around during the playoffs and was a key part in helping the Rams win a Super Bowl.
While LA has drafted three talented corners over the last two seasons, the team may want to keep Long’s experience and inside-out versality for the foreseeable future.
Could a fellow resurgent corner like Green Bay Packers’ Rasul Douglas have set the market for Long in 2023? Douglas was re-signed this offseason for $21M over three years.

Tyler Higbee, TE​

Higbee will count just over $7.6M against the Rams’ cap in 2023. Trading or cutting the veteran tight-end would net LA an additional $4.8M in space, so his days with the team could be numbered.
If the Rams want to keep Higbee around, they can give him an extension and reduce his 2023 cap hit by as much as $4.1M.
How much does the emergence of Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins during last year’s playoffs impact the team’s decision to keep Higbee?

I know it’s the off-season and bored so thought I’d throw this out there. It’s good to see the new version of the soon to be Aints haven’t transitioned fully to the paper bag yet! Lol

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1537467725815111680?s=20&t=neLpOScYRwebLIJ_JS8T9w

State of the 2022 Detroit Lions: Will team break through in Year 2 under Dan Campbell?​

Members of the Lions organization, Lions fans around the world and those who still have a dog named Megatron:

The Lions were competitive in the second half of last season. That might seem like damning with faint praise. But they really did step it up once the calendar turned to November, so what do you want from me? That performance has people buzzing for this year, with the squad readying for its closeup on HBO's Hard Knocks. Could the Lions be the surprise team of 2022? Let's take a look.

One high from last season: Going 3-3 down the stretch. The Lions tied the Steelers in Week 10 -- which should have been a win for Detroit -- and then had close losses to the Browns and Bears before beating the Vikings for their first win of the season. This was a .500 team in the final six weeks, which included a win over the Packers in Week 18. Don't worry about who the quarterback was at the end of the game for Green Bay -- you won the contest. This really was a great way to finish.

One low from last season: The last-second loss to the Ravens in Week 3. This was exceptionally brutal. There was a controversial non-call. Then, Justin Tucker's 66-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar and went in, setting an NFL record for the longest field goal. Yeah, that was bad.

Head coach: Dan Campbell. I know Campbell bears a striking resemblance to South Park character PC Principal. And sometimes his sound bites seem like they're from a coach in a teen movie. Or Riverdale or something. But let's put it out there: The Lions responded to him in his first season on the job. They played hard. They were winless through their first 11 games, but they never gave up. The players love him. There are times when you might want to disregard Campbell due to his bravado, but it feels like a clever character choice to me. Like when you watch The Office, there are times where Michael Scott actually reveals himself as a genius with a real grasp on leadership, a guy who isn't doing things just to be funny. Look at the episodes Survivor Man and Murder, where Michael shows that he's crazy like a fox. That feels like Dan Campbell. There might be a lurking genius behind those anecdotes of plucking chickens.

Quarterback: Jared Goff. Listen, I make my jokes about Jared Goff. But you're not reading this to see some negativity about the guy who is going to be the starting quarterback for this team. I think it's telling that, while people talk about Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo unseating potential starting quarterbacks in some other situations (looking at you, Seattle), the Lions seem committed to Goff. And let's share more positivity. Goff had an 11:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Weeks 11-18 (second-best in the NFL; min. of 100 pass attempts during that stretch). Only Aaron Rodgers was better over those eight weeks. And in his final five starts of the season, the Lions went 3-2 and he posted a 107.1 passer rating.

Projected 2022 MVP: Goff. It's almost too easy to list the quarterback here, but when you look at the numbers mentioned above, it's clear that Goff's improvement tied directly to the Lions' success at the end of the 2021 season. I am going to write about other members of the Lions organization in this piece, but if Goff doesn't deliver this season, it's all moot.

New face to know: Aidan Hutchinson, defensive end. You know, a lot of good things are happening for the Lions. Hutchinson was ranked as the top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft by my colleague Daniel Jeremiah, but the Jaguars went in another direction and selected Travon Walker No. 1 overall, leaving the Plymouth, Michigan, native available for the Lions. What a stroke of luck! Hutchinson could have a Nick Bosa-like impact for the Lions. Hutchinson posted 14 sacks in 2021, which set a Michigan school record and ranked second among players from Power Five schools. I need to talk more about the pass rush in a minute.

2022 breakout star: Levi Onwuzurike, defensive lineman. The second-year pro showed some flashes as a rookie, but was not healthy for much of the year. Fortunately, it sounds like he's putting those issues behind him. The former second-round pick will once again find himself in the rotation on a defensive line that includes 11th-year veteran Michael Brockers, who told reporters earlier this month that he doesn't think of himself as one of the old guys in the league, but will "pull my 'OG' card out a little bit." Anyhow, I predict there will be a point this season when Onwuzurike ends up being the dude at defensive tackle.

Three key dates:

Week 2 vs. Washington Commodes. The Lions open with back-to-back home contests. And although they are currently underdogs against the Eagles in Week 1 and the Commodes in Week 2, they need to take at least one of the two if they want to quickly erase the memory of last season's woes.
Week 10 at Chicago Bears. The Lions were swept by the Bears last season. If Detroit is going to improve this year, these are the games it needs to win.
Week 18 at Green Bay Packers. The division title could be on the line! I mean, it's June. Why not be optimistic at the moment?
Will the Lions be able to ...

... get to the quarterback? We love that Hutchinson was selected, but he can't do it all on his own. He should be able to help, though. The Lions recorded 30 sacks in 2021, third-fewest in the NFL. Only the Falcons (18) and Eagles (29) had fewer. Now, in terms of pass coverage, the Lions did sign cornerback Mike Hughes in free agency. And if Jeff Okudah, the third pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, has a breakthrough season in his return from an Achilles tear, there is an opportunity for the secondary to be pretty good, thus giving the pass rushers a chance to get home. Linebacker Jarrad Davis is back with the team, and blitzing was probably his greatest strength in the first go-around. The ability to increase the heat on opposing QBs might come down to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who interviewed for head-coaching jobs in Denver and New Orleans this offseason and could be one of the leading candidates during the next hiring cycle. I mean, Goff is a huge part of things. But if the Lions come together on defense, look out.

... get a breakout season from D'Andre Swift? The fantasy football community loves Swift, who is entering his third NFL season. And the potential is there. But at some point, he needs to become the guy. Assistant head coach/running backs Duce Staley challenged him recently to fight through some of the nagging injuries that have held him back during his brief time in Detroit. Swift has started just eight games during his NFL career and shares time with Jamaal Williams, who started 11 games in 2021. Swift has logged 20 or more touches in just four contests. I think you could say that we just want to see more. And if you're looking for some similarities, Swift reminds me an awful lot of Dalvin Cook, who played just four games during his rookie year. He took another step forward in his second season and exploded for 13 rushing touchdowns during his third season in Minnesota. That would be the dream for Lions fans. Also, more consistent dominance from second-year OT Penei Sewell would be very helpful to that cause.

... people shouldn't overthink: Who will lead the Lions in targets? Again, I'm letting my fantasy bias get the best of me with this topic. Many are looking to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was excellent for the Lions last season. But his breakout coincided with tight end T.J. Hockenson's absence due to injury. And I know that you're thinking, But yeah -- he broke out and is going to be the next Cooper Kupp. I understand you feel that way, but the Lions added D.J. Chark and Jameson Williams at receiver this offseason. Detroit traded up in Round 1 to draft Williams, who is coming off a torn ACL he suffered in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Prior to that injury, he did post 15 receiving touchdowns, which was tied for third in the FBS. It's a bummer to not have answers for you fantasy-wise. But when it comes to the Lions' receivers, this is a pretty good group for Goff.

... people shouldn't overlook: The Lions elevated Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator. I thought Anthony Lynn was an excellent hire for the Lions in 2021, but he lost play-calling duties in November and the team parted ways with him as offensive coordinator after the season-ending victory over the Packers. Campbell told reporters, "It just wasn’t a fit." And that seems fair. Lynn spoke very highly of Campbell and the Lions after moving on. Sometimes things don't go like you want them to. These things happen in sports. Johnson feels like a guy who is ready to take the next step forward. The former tight ends coach could help lead Hockenson to a great season.

For 2022 to be a success, the Lions MUST:

Let's be fair. This team won three games last year. At the same time, there is so much buzz about the Lions. It feels like I can't be on the set of Good Morning Football or Total Access for more than a minute before somebody will bring up the notion the Lions are going to be the surprise team this season. I would offer that finishing above .500 seems like a realistic goal. That might get you to the playoffs, given the shape of some of these NFC teams. It's June. Dream big, Detroit.

Do Rams have the best offensive line in the NFC West?​

Despite losing Andrew Whitworth to retirement (so far), do the Los Angeles Rams have a better offensive line in 2022 than the one that helped them win the Super Bowl in 2021?

Pro Football Focus LINK ranked the Rams as having the 11th-best offensive line as of the offseason, just outside of the Indianapolis Colts rounding out the top-10. Here’s what PFF had to say about the Rams current line, which is now anchored by Joseph Noteboom at left tackle:

There’s no completely replacing the retired Andrew Whitworth for the Rams’ offensive line, but one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the NFL is taking his place. Joe Noteboom has never been a full-time starter for Los Angeles, but he’s been fantastic whenever on the field. Noteboom allowed only five pressures on 142 pass-blocking snaps last season.

Obviously Whitworth and the situation at the unit’s most important position is going to be the focus for most people, but there is perhaps a more dire situation brewing on the interior of the offensive line. Both this season and when free agency hits in 2023.

There will be a competition at right guard to replace Austin Corbett and the frontrunner might be rookie third round pick Logan Bruss. Perhaps Bruss will have his NFL experience “eased” by moving inside from right tackle, the position he played at Wisconsin, but it still not easy at all for most people to adjust to the professional league so quickly.

Look no further than Corbett himself, a player who went 33rd overall in 2018 but was traded by the Browns after only one season of trying him out along the offensive line. Even then, it took a while before Corbett was comfortable at right guard for LA and he wasn’t quite good enough for anyone to make a fuss over his free agent departure in 2022.

Perhaps a weakness at right guard wouldn’t be the worst thing ever, there are at least a half-dozen positions on offense that are more important, but going up against NFL veteran defensive tackles twice per year like Arik Armstead, J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, and Quinton Jefferson will surely mean growing pains for Bruss. And that’s only if he wins the job.

The team is also hoping that center Brian Allen will continue to grow from his first season back starting at center, while also preparing for another potential free agent departure with left guard David Edwards in 2023.

For now, the Rams offensive line could look like this:

LT: Joseph Noteboom
LG: David Edwards
C: Brian Allen
RG: Logan Bruss
RT: Rob Havenstein

That would mean limited-to-no starting experience at left tackle and right guard, Allen at center again, plus Edwards and Rob Havenstein.

Meanwhile, PFF ranks the San Francisco 49ers at 14, the Arizona Cardinals at 25, and the Seattle Seahawks all the way at the bottom at 32.

In the NFC, PFF prefers the Eagles (1), Lions (3), Bucs (4), Packers (5), and Cowboys (6). That would mean that five of the top six offensive lines in the NFL are in the NFC, and that the defending champions are not one of them.

LA Rams PR/KR Brandon Powell will be more special in 2022​

When the LA Rams took a chance at promoting WR Brandon Powell to become their primary special team’s return specialist, there was no reason to believe that he would be especially effective. Like taking your car to a bad auto repair shop, the frustrated Rams had already run the gamut of trial and error with seven other players, mainly errors, and the fact is that the Rams were just slinging players into that return role to see if someone, anyone, could stick.

Brandon Powell did stick in the role. He stuck on the LA Rams roster as the starting return specialist. Then, he stuck it to opponents. From the moment that he stepped foot onto the football field for the LA Rams, he had a bit of a good-luck charm aura about him. Before he arrived, the LA Rams were a respectable but not excellent 7-4. After he arrived, the LA Rams went on a 5-1 run in the regular season, and a 4-0 run in the playoffs.

Was it all due to Branon Powell? No, I’m not that naive. But he did a lot for the LA Rams’ overall performance. And you could make the argument that it was his punt return for a touchdown that was the margin of victory on the road against a player-hunting Minnesota Vikings.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1476183722319925251?s=21&t=gWIe3IvYxCCM8wX9sMwZzA


The thing is that the LA Rams special teams have stopped being special since 2018. But there are several factors to believing that the team

Steps to make LA Rams special teams special again

The first and perhaps most important step was the LA Rams signing on placekicker Matt Gay. Gay’s Pro Bowl nod in the 2021 NFL season was completed justified, as the Rams placekicker proved to be both incredibly accurate as well as blessed with a powerful leg. He was the difference in one regular-season game and proved to have ice in his veins in booting game-winners in three of four NFL playoff games.

Step two was discovering just how well WR/PR/KR Brandon Powell could play on special teams. While he was thought of as just a minor free agent signing, Powell proved to be the guy in punt and kick returns that the team had hoped rookie Tutu Atwell might become. His debut did not occur until the Rams played him in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That now leaves the punter role as the last special teams specialist to be filled since the Rams were the talk of the NFL in terms of their sensational 2018 special teams play.

But even as the Rams search for the successor to Johnny Hekker, they will have 17, not six, weeks of WR/PR/KR Brandon Powell in 2022. That alone could play a huge factor in the Rams’ overall 2022 performance.

While there will certainly be competition for special team roles in this training camp, I look for Brandon Powell to emerge as the starter once more. He did as much for the Rams return game as Matt Gay did for the kicking game.

Cam Akers made a remarkable recovery from a torn Achilles last year, returning to the field less than six months after suffering the injury. He gained 248 total yards in the playoffs, making three starts in the four games he played.


Everyone watching was amazed by his performance, given the circumstances, but he wasn’t close to satisfied with the way he played.

“I just wasn’t happy with my overall postseason performance,” he said after Rams minicamp. “Every playoff game, even the one game in the regular season, I just felt like I left a lot on the field. There was more out there to be had.”

Despite reaching the pinnacle of the sport as a Super Bowl champion, Akers didn’t reward himself with a vacation or a bunch of time off. He’s been at the Rams’ facility working out and training every day at 8 a.m., pushing to be even better in 2022.

“This offseason, I really wanted to focus on being more consistent. Going out every play, every snap and just making sure I put myself in the best position to be successful,” he said. “No vacations. Only one trip home. That’s probably the only time I left L.A. I’ve been here every day working and they can attest to it. 8 o’clock in the morning every day.”

Akers is clearly motivated to be the best player he can this season, but simply putting together a better season than his first two won’t be enough. He still won’t be satisfied. Not until he’s mentioned as one of the three best running backs in the NFL.

“Win first, and I do my part second and I’ll be happy,” Akers said when asked what has to happen for him to feel good about the season. “Until y’all can mention me with the top three running backs in the league, outside of winning, I won’t be happy.”

If Akers can stay healthy and remain the Rams’ workhorse back for the entire season, he has a great chance to ascend as one of the best running backs in the league. Todd Gurley maintained that title while he was with the Rams, and Akers can be a similar player.

Zero to Hero: Cooper Kupp reflects on his journey from a zero-star recruit to the NFL's highest-paid receiver
Cooper Kupp pauses for a brief second before answering the question. He wants to make sure the wording is right without coming off as arrogant or cocky.

That's part of the Los Angeles Rams receiver's story. He isn't a boastful person and tries not to put the cart before the horse. He understands that the gifts presented to him on the gridiron weren't given, but rather earned.

Kupp, 28, is coming off a career season in La La Land. He took home the NFL’s triple crown in receiving while setting a career-best in every category. He won Offensive Player of the Year while helping the Rams become only the second team to reach the Super Bowl in their own backyard. In front a packed SoFi Stadium, Kupp was the one on the opposite end of a Matthew Stafford pass for six — this one being the game-winner over the Cincinnati Bengals.

How many times have you heard that last year? Sixteen would be the correct answer.

There's a difference between confidence and cockiness. And when Kupp was asked if he went back and spoke to his 18-year-old self, knowing where his life was headed, would he believe the outcome?

The answer leans toward the former.

"I know the dreams that I had for myself and I know that the way I lived my life and the sacrifices that I was making day in and day out that I wanted to set myself on that trajectory," Kupp said in an interview with RamDigest on behalf of Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength. "I wouldn't have gone through the things I was going through if I wasn't able to believe that this was going to someday be something that I was going to be able to achieve and I could get to."

Kupp joined San Francisco 49ers great Joe Montana as one of two players to win Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP in the same season. He torched his way through opposing defenses during the regular season before making perhaps one of the league's most defining catches in postseason history against the Bucs.

Before he became one of NFL's most dynamic playmakers, he was simply Cooper — a zero-star recruit from Yakima, Wash. without a single FBS offer. Eastern Washington, the place he called home for four seasons before being drafted by the Rams in 2017, arrived late to the party with an offer, beating out Idaho State for the receiver's services.

That was enough. A chance to prove his worth. The Eagles wouldn't come to regret the decision either. Kupp went on to record 6,464 receiving yards and win the Football Championship Subdivision Offensive Player of the Year in each of his last two seasons. He also would set the FCS record for receptions (428) and receiving touchdowns (73).

"Certainly along the path, I was so lucky to have the people that came along," Kupp said. "The coaches that pour into me, saying they would get me there. Seeing it from my perspective now, I wouldn't have been able to here without them."

The transition to the pros seemed effortless for Kupp, selected 69th overall in 2017. He was expected to ease his way into the offense behind Robert Woods and Tavon Austin. Instead, he led the team in receptions as a rookie.

Two years later — coming off a torn ACL in 2018 — he collected his first 1,000-yard season. In back-to-back years, he finished with at least 90 catches and average over 10 yards per reception. It wasn't a shock to Kupp and likely wasn't for those at Eastern Washington. Kupp finished his senior season in Cheney with a Big Sky Conference-record of 117 catches for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns.

In the four games against Pac-12 opponents on the Eagles' schedule, Kupp made opposing coaches do a double-take, averaging 10 catches and 179 yards.

Kupp was rewarded for his efforts with the Rams earlier this month, signing a new three-year $80 million extension that will keep him in L.A. until 2026. The four horsemen of Los Angeles are all paid-up and ready to take on the NFC as the hopeful NFL's next dynasty.

Kupp said the process of getting an extension done was smooth. He wanted to make sure he walked away feeling good about where he was at with the organization, but also wanted the same level of comfort for Los Angeles in terms of how the contract was laid out.

"We had an opportunity to move forward together in pursuing World Championships," Kupp said. "Without a doubt that's something that was a great process for us and I'm really excited about where we ended up."

Kupp once iterated that he wanted to be a Ram for life. With the new deal keeping him in Thousand Oaks, Calif. another five years, he'll be 34 by the time he's up for a new deal. Perhaps the Rams will need to cough up more funds to keep their No. 1 receiver on the roster. At that point, Kupp could be ready to hang up the cleats for good.

A player Kupp admired growing up was Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald. He doesn't just talk about the attention of Fitz's detail in route-running or his ability to separate. His attention is on how the future Hall of Famer made an impact on his community and away from the field.

The game of football will come and go for Kupp. Establishing goals while setting an example for his sons, Cooper Jr. and Cypress, will always be a priority. A person's self worth isn't cockiness, but rather self confidence.

Kupp's confidence was there as an 18-year-old no-name prospect. Today, the confidence glows as he looks to be the top receiver in the sport.

Looking back, why should anyone be surprised at the story Kupp created for himself?

Said Kupp: "I didn't go into the weight room or step out into the field thinking 'I'm going to train to be an average NFL receiver.' The idea was I was going to achieve the best that I possibly can. I want to shoot for the moon and be one of the best to ever play the game.

"If I didn't believe it was possible, I wouldn't have been able to get to this place."

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/haprusak/status/1536814291755597825?s=21&t=VHGfuASKBAm-2U27l1iYow


Interesting.

While he was trying to convey a desire to take on a new challenge of getting another team over the hump, his specific mention of AD seems to reveal something else. When you’re used to being “the guy,” it’s tough to accept being number two.

Be careful what you wish for, Von… the “Donald effect” is real (ask Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler or Leonard Floyd).

1. Rams
6. 9ers
27. Cards
29. Hags

I’m excited to see this d, it’s nice to have some continuity at coordinator, and the biggest gaping hole that every team tried to exploit(Reeder) now has a pro bowler in it. Hell there’s a HOF’er at every level.
The west seems to be in transition the rams have a window where they can dominate this division.

But I don't agree with his Burrow and Wussel Rilson ahead of Stafford.

ED discusses the Pony Express scandal, his NFL career, and current running backs in the league.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLg_DhS00c

Pick 5 or 6

Definitely Aaron Donald, Deacon Jones, and Jack Youngblood, would be my top three choices.

Who else? I'm drawing a blank..

Here is my list of players I most want to see fail in 2022:

1. Trey Lance
I have nothing against the guy personally. For all I know, he could be a great kid. But... sorry, Trey... I want you to fail miserably. Its a 49er thing.

2. Tom Brady
Brady and his thralls of sycophantic GOAT-tail riders have become absolutely insufferable. No, Tom... you don't get to just snap your fingers and achieve the "perfect ending."

3. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has become one of the most, if not the most, unlikeable players in the NFL. As much as I admire his talent, I dislike his personality.

4. Deshaun Watson
Perhaps there was a time that I could get behind the Browns and their long-suffering yet loyal fanbase, but if they break through as a result of giving a mega-deal to a guy who seems (yes, I know that its still under investigation but, come on...) to be unable to treat women with a modicum of respect, I just cant celebrate that.

5. Deebo Samuel
Another Niner! Yeah... I respect his game, but he's just a bit too cocky for a guy who has only had one elite season. I wish for more turmoil between him and the 49ers. Who knows... if he's traded to a non-rival, maybe I'll remove him from this list!

I was just given shyte by @RamFan503 with a gif of a person using a brick cell phone, because I couldn't read a tweet. Welp, I have a couple of twitter accounts that are now closed to me because I don't have a cell phone anymore. It was just too expensive to keep and I no longer drive 48 states and I live in a very rural area in Kansas with poor cell service, so I can't verify the twitter accounts anymore without being able to text, the f*ckers.
It made think of the next new thing technology wise that I experienced in my life. I know a lot of you old bastids have used the same technology, but it does date you

1. Payphones: these were everywhere. You could go into a nice hotel and see a hallway lined with them. You could make local calls for a dime. Many people did not own a landline in their homes and used pay phones when calling anyone. It was also during the timeframe when public bathrooms required a dime to use a stall/toilet.

2. Call Machine/recorder: Before cell phones and even call answering services. My Dad was a salesman during this time in SoCal, and he could go weeks without talking to his boss. There was no instantaneous communication possible without leaving a message.

3. Beepers: Not sure if this one came first or the "car" cell phone. If you wanted to look cool and important, you had one of these publicly attached to your belt. Each had it's own attached phone number and it would beep when you got a call, and it would display the number for a call back. @Merlin had one of these when he rocked his mullet in the 80's.

4. Car Cellphone/Brick: If you were Don Johnson in Miami Vice, you had one of these. Rich Yuppies like @RamFan503 had one of these, as he developed his signature brand bbq sauces for his restaurant. The unexpected benefit of these brick phones was the possible risk of brain cancer due to the transmitting power of the things....

5. Flip cellphones/Razrs/Blackberries:/Ipjones these replaced the bricks and you could put them in your pocket. The blackberries were also called "crackberries" because people were so addicted to them. Of course personal computers and the internet were a thing, along with texting. And now I can't verify that I really exist unless I am hooked into a trackable network. @nighttrain and myself just say no! Rage against the machine!

So where do you all fit in technology wise? Who are the whippersnappers who think the flip phone was the beginning of communication technology?

And I might add that I can hardly wait.

Both for the impact on the team and for the sheer joy of seeing good play at their respective positions.

And they are ranked in this exact order for me:

Bobby Wagner. I’m expecting a quantum leap at ILB with numerous positive ripple effects to rest of the D.

Allen Robinson. This WR and this QB are PERFECT for each other. I fully expect fireworks.

Cam Akers. If truly healthy, Akers could give the Rams a very potent ground game making this O a 2-headed monster to defend.

Rochell/Long at boundary CB. I’m hopeful that Rochell demonstrates that he’s the future opposite Ramsey but if Long beats him out, so be it. Important thing is to have a quality CB outside there. I’m gonna be watching the rookies there, too. Btw, I expect Hill to be our slot at least through mid season.

Ernest Jones. Yeah, a 2nd ILB on this list. I’m excited to see his 2nd year development alongside Wagner. Sky might be the limit given his instincts.

Honorable mention should go to Nick Scott, Greg Gaines, and Justin Hollins, all for obvious reasons. You’d better believe that I’m gonna enjoy watching those guys.

What’s your Top 5? Or maybe you have a different order?

Which Rams assistant coach is next in line for a head coaching gig?​

By CliffJackson@CliffJacksonn Jun 13, 2022


Ever since the Sean McVay era began in 2017, it seems as though the LA Rams go through different coordinators and position coaches on a yearly basis. The reason being is simple, everyone wants to find the next McVay in their hiring process, and what better way to try and replicate that than by hiring someone who worked closely with him.

In McVay’s five seasons as head coach, he has had four coaches hijacked from his staff in order to become head coaches in their own right. Zac Taylor (Bengals), Matt LeFleur (Packers), Brandon Staley (Chargers), and Kevin O’Connell (Vikings) all worked under Sean McVay, as his coaching tree has become extremely impressive considering it has only been five years since he became the head man. The question is never if the Rams will have a coach from their staff hired as a head coach elsewhere, but is rather who will be the next coach to get that opportunity?


The two front-runners in my eyes are the offensive and the defensive coordinators, Liam Coen and Raheem Morris.

Coen returns to the Rams after having worked for the team from 2018-2020 as an assistant receivers coach from 18’-19’, before becoming assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020. He then served as the University of Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2021, orchestrating one of the top offenses in the SEC last season.

On the other side of the ball, Raheem Morris has been with the Rams for just one season, winning the Super Bowl in his first year on the staff. Morris has a much more extensive background in terms of NFL coaching experience, as he has been coaching in the league for nearly 20 years. He also has some head coaching experience as well, albeit not the best experience, as Morris posted a record of 17-31 in jsut three seasons as the Buccaneers head coach from 2009-2011.

What do you guys think? Will it be Coen or Morris who gets a head coaching job first? Or, will there be a dark horse who emerges to steal the spotlight?

Ranking the greatest defensive players in NFL history: Where does Aaron Donald fit in on the all-time list?​

The NFL has been gifted with elite defensive players throughout its 102-year history, enough greatness to ignite the debate of the greatest defensive player of all time. With the variety of defensive talent at multiple positions, it's seemingly impossible to name the greatest defensive players ever without a debate.

Which brings us to Aaron Donald, who just received the highest average annual salary for a non-quarterback in NFL history. Donald is already a first ballot Hall of Famer and has established himself as one of the greatest defensive players ever. Where does Donald rank amongst the greats like Reggie White, Deion Sanders, and others?

Let's rank the top defensive players of all-time -- and see where Donald fits into the equation.

10. Ronnie Lott

What Lott has able to accomplish in his 14-year career rivals any safety in NFL history. A member of the NFL's 100th anniversary team, Lott finished his stellar career with 10 Pro Bowls, six first-team All-Pro selections and a spot on the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade teams (and he retired from the league in 1994).

The leader of the 49ers defense in the 1980s, Lott won four Super Bowl championships in San Francisco. He finished with 1,146 tackles and 63 interceptions, leading the league in interceptions twice. In 20 playoff games (all starts), Lott had nine interceptions, 89 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two touchdowns. Simply put, Lott redefined the safety position.

9. Rod Woodson

Not only was Woodson one of the best cornerbacks of his era, but he was one of the best safeties of his time when he transitioned to the position full time in 1999. Woodson earned 11 Pro Bowl appearances and six first-team All-Pro selections in his Hall of Fame career, the final one coming at age 37 when he had eight interceptions as a safety (which also led the league).

Woodson finished his career with 1,158 tackles 71 interceptions and 13.5 sacks in 17 seasons. He also led the league in interceptions twice and was the 1993 Defensive Player of the Year. Woodson holds the league record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (12) and fumble recoveries (32). He has the second-most interception return yards in NFL history (1,483) and is third all-time in interceptions. He was also a star on the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense, a unit that gave up the fewest points in a 16-game season in NFL history (and won the Super Bowl).

8. Bruce Smith

One of the greatest defensive linemen ever, Smith is still the only player with 200 sacks for a career -- a number that may never be touched again. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Smith recorded double-digit sacks in 13 seasons (NFL record) despite playing in a 3-4 scheme over the majority of his career. Smith played multiple positions on the line, yet still was able to rack up the sack totals.

An 11-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro eight times, Smith was selected to the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade teams and led the league in forced fumbles twice. Smith is one of the greatest pass rushers in league history.

7. Dick Butkus

A knee injury derailed one of the greatest careers for a linebacker in NFL history, yet Butkus remains an all-time great at his position. Butkus reinvented the position with his ability to pound his opponent into the ground with his sideline-to-sideline speed, thanks to a toughness that resembled the greats from the eras prior to him.

A member of the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade teams, Butkus earned five first-team All-Pro selections and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons. He finished with 22 interceptions and 11.0 sacks, finishing in the top six of MVP voting three times.

Butkus has withstood the test of time and still remains one of the greatest linebackers ever.

6. Deacon Jones

The league finally has numbers to back up how dominant Jones was in his era. Thanks to data collected by Pro Football Reference, the NFL has an unofficial number for the amount of sacks Jones had in his career. Jones did retire as the league's all-time sack leader with 173.5, only to be surpassed by Reggie White (198) and Bruce Smith (200). Jones currently sits third on the all-time list, one of only three players with over 170 sacks in his career.

Jones has the most 15-sack seasons all time (six) and 20-sack seasons (three) in NFL history. He is the only player to lead the league in sacks more than twice, and he was the season sack champion five times (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969). Reggie White and Mark Gastineau are the only two players to join Jones in repeating as sack champions, and Jones is the only player in league history to lead the league in sacks for three consecutive seasons (1967-1969).

During Jones' prime from 1964 to 1969, he tallied 115.5 sacks in six seasons -- only 29 other players have more than 115.5 sacks in their career. He was selected to five first-team All-Pro honors and eight Pro Bowls in his 14-year career, earning a selection on the 1960s All-Decade Team.

Jones had the most dominant stretch for a pass rusher in NFL history. He's also one of the best pass rushers ever.

5. Aaron Donald

Donald has only played eight seasons, yet it's fair to rank him as one of the greatest defensive players ever. Donald already has three Defensive Player of the Year awards, tying him with J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor for the most in NFL history. He has made the Pro Bowl in all of his eight seasons, trailing Taylor and Derrick Thomas for the most consecutive Pro Bowls to start a career.

Donald has 98 sacks in his career, the most for a defensive tackle after his first eight seasons in NFL history (and fourth-most by any player). His 150 tackles for loss and 226 quarterback hits in his first eight seasons are second-most by a player in NFL history (and most for a defensive tackle). He also has seven first-team All-Pro selections in eight seasons and is the only player in the NFL with 400 pressures over the last five years.

A top-five finisher in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting seven consecutive seasons, Donald also already has a Super Bowl championship -- along with 6.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 10 postseason games.

Donald is arguably the greatest defensive tackle in league history, transforming the position, and he still has time to become the greatest defensive player ever.

4. Deion Sanders

One of the most electrifying players in NFL history, Sanders was a dominant cornerback in an era with numerous stars at wide receiver. A true game-changer, Sanders was a shutdown corner who finished his career with 53 interceptions and 1,331 interception return yards -- the second-most for a player when he retired.

Sanders was the first player to have two 90-yard interception returns for touchdowns in the same season (1994) and finished tied for second for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a career (nine) and a season (three, 1994). He was the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 while earning eight Pro Bowls and six first-team All-Pro selections.

Sanders was arguably the best player on two Super Bowl defenses and was a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. Sanders gave new meaning to the term "shutdown corner."

3. Ray Lewis

Lewis has accolades that are unmatched for his position in NFL history. The face of the Baltimore Ravens, Lewis is the first -- and only -- player in NFL history with 40 sacks and 30 interceptions in a career, while his 50 career takeaways (31 interceptions, 19 fumble recoveries) rank second among linebackers since the AFL-NFL merger.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), Lewis was the leader of the 2000 Ravens defense -- one of the greatest units in NFL history. The Ravens posted league records in a 16-game season for fewest rushing yards (970), shutouts (four), and points allowed (165). He captured Super Bowl XXXV MVP honors that season, the first of two Super Bowl titles he won in Baltimore (ended his career with a title in Super Bowl XLVII).

Lewis is the NFL's all-time leader in combined tackles with 2,059 (tackles started being recorded in 1987) -- leading the league three times -- and is second in solo tackles with 1,568 (started being recorded in 1994). Lewis is one of just 15 players to be selected to at least 12 Pro Bowls.

Lewis is just one of five linebackers to be selected as a first-team All-Pro seven times, and his 10 total All-Pro selections are a record for an inside linebacker. He's arguably the greatest inside linebacker in NFL history.

2. Lawrence Taylor

Taylor was such a dominant defensive player that coaches had to develop two tight end sets to stop him from getting to the quarterback. The 1986 NFL MVP, Taylor led the league with 20.5 sacks, becoming the first defensive player to win league MVP honors since 1971 -- and the last player to accomplish the feat.

Taylor finished his career with 142 sacks (132.5 official by the NFL), the ninth-most by a player in NFL history and the most by a linebacker in league history at the time of his retirement. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, Taylor set the NFL record with the most Pro Bowls to start a career (10) and had eight first-team All-Pro selections -- one of just 12 players to earn the honor.

A three-time Defensive Player of the Year selection, Taylor is tied with Watt and Donald for the most in NFL history -- winning the award three times in his first six seasons. Taylor notched 124 sacks in his first 10 seasons, showcasing his dominance of getting to the quarterback.

Taylor is considered the greatest defensive player ever, and he's arguably the greatest outside linebacker in NFL history.

1. Reggie White

The "Minister of Defense" was simply a force to be reckoned with on the edge, as White was arguably the most dominant defensive player in NFL history. White finished his career with 198 sacks, the most in NFL history when he retired in 2000. He finished with 12 double-digit sack seasons, including nine straight to start his career -- which is an NFL record.

White earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and made 13 Pro Bowls in his 15 seasons -- all of which were in a row from 1986 to 1998. He earned two Defensive Player of the Year awards and led the NFL in sacks twice. White and T.J. Watt are the only two players in NFL history to have four consecutive seasons of 13-plus sacks. White is the only player to have 90 sacks after his first six seasons and has the most sacks ever for a player after his first 10 seasons (145). He also made the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade teams.

White owns the NFL record with most sacks per game in NFL history (0.85) among players who have played at least 100 games, leading Taylor in that category (0.79). He averaged an astonishing 1.02 sacks per game in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles -- 124 sacks in 121 games.

There's certainly some debate on who's the greatest defensive player ever, but White was clearly the most dominant. Winning the Defensive Player of the Year award at 37 (1998 season) just showcased White's greatness through two decades.

Ernest Jones thinks playing with Bobby Wagner will take his game to the next level​

Linebacker Ernest Jones became the youngest starter on the Rams defense during the 2021 season and he wrapped up his rookie year with seven tackles and a sack to help them beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl.

As an ascending player, one might think Jones would be less than thrilled about the team adding a potential Hall of Famer at the same position but that wasn’t his response to the team signing Bobby Wagner this offseason. Jones said Wagner is his favorite player and that it has “been the highlight of my career” to watch him go about his business this offseason.

Jones said the two men have been talking football all the time and warned that he’s not going to stop picking his older teammate’s brain.

“He’s gonna be tired of me before it’s all said and done,” Jones said, via Jourdan Rodrigue of TheAthletic.com. “We’re going to be connected at the hip. He’s gonna be aggravated with the questions I do ask. He’s a genius, for real. Just having him there, it’s truly going to take my game to the next level.”

Adding Wagner should help the Rams in the short term and anything he can do to help Jones continue to grow as a player will make his signing a win in the long view as well.

MORE AT THE ATHLETIC;

Who had the most sacks during the pre-modern era of the NFL?​

#28 Merlin Olsen

Olsen helped enable Deacon Jones' havoc sprees, with the Hall of Fame defensive tackle never missing a game. In those 208 regular-season contests, Olsen finished his career with 91 sacks. The enduring Los Angeles inside presence anchored the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line and began his career with 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, often taking on double-teams that freed up teammates. Overall, Olsen went 14-for-15 in Pro Bowls. Playing at around 280 pounds, Olsen provided the Rams with incredible consistency and peaked during a late-1960s run in which L.A. went 32-7-1 from 1967-69.

#15 Fred Dryer

Prior to his acting career, Dryer teamed with Jack Youngblood to form a high-end edge-rushing tandem with the Rams. The 13-year veteran checks in with 103 career sacks, doing the bulk of the damage for some talented Rams teams in the 1970s. The Rams won seven straight NFC West titles from 1973-79; Dryer started for each team. Dryer registered two safeties in 1973 and led the NFL with 15 sacks a year later. Both the Giants and Patriots traded Dryer in 1972; he never played in New England. But he broke out with the Giants, recording 12.5 sacks in 1970 -- his second season.

#2 Jack Youngblood

The Rams executed an elite baton pass, with Youngblood taking over after Deacon Jones' departure. Both are in the top 10 all-time in sacks; Youngblood's 151.5 are unofficially sixth. Los Angeles' relentless left defensive end is partially known for playing on a broken leg in the 1979 playoffs, but he made seven straight Pro Bowls and landed on the All-Decade team. Youngblood remained productive until his retirement after the 1984 season, recording at least 9.5 sacks in his four non-strike-shortened seasons past age 30. He remained a starter through 1984, helping two new-look Rams squads to the playoffs.

#1 Deacon Jones

This retroactive sack-statting operation benefits the Rams, who now have three players in the all-time top six. The godfather of the sack has bumped Kevin Greene down a slot. Jones' unofficial total (173.5) drops in at No. 3 all-time -- behind only Bruce Smith and Reggie White. While D-linemen had more tools at their disposal when Jones played -- including Jones' since-outlawed head slap -- and O-linemen had less, his 1960s rampage left no doubt about his abilities. The former 14th-round pick led the NFL in sacks five times in six seasons in a torrid stretch to close out the '60s. Unofficially, Jones' three 20-sack seasons top J.J. Watt's two for most ever.

Where are they now? Former Rams DB & Super Bowl XXXIV Champion Todd Lyght​

Todd Lyght became interested in the Rams more than a decade before becoming a Ram.

"I grew up in Washington, D.C., and was a big Redskins fan and a big Steelers fan. But I believe it was Super Bowl XIV, when the Rams played the Steelers in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl, that's the first time I really followed the Rams and became a fan of the organization," Lyght said.

"I thought that that team was really exciting even though they ended up losing. They had guys like Vince Ferragamo and Wendell Tyler, some really remarkable players, (Jack) Youngblood and all the rest of them. I thought, 'Yeah, that's s a team that I would like to follow in the future as a young fan of the NFL."

After the young fan became a young adult and a two-time All-American cornerback at Notre Dame, Lyght was chosen by the Rams in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft.

"I was really elated. The draft process really wasn't the super hyped spectacle that it is today," Lyght said. "Matter of fact, I was the only person in terms of being a student-athlete there at the Draft in New York. I was very excited about going to L.A. and playing for the Rams."

Lyght's move from Notre Dame's campus in South Bend, Indiana to Los Angeles went well. Thanks in part because there's seemingly a touch of the Irish everywhere.

"I was very fortunate because Frank Stams and Pat Terrell were my former teammates at school," Lyght said. "They were on the Rams, and so the adjustment of coming into that locker room and having teammates that I had already played with and already had friendships with, really eased my transition.

"But I also have to give a lot of credit to Jerry Gray, who was the older veteran within our locker room. He was the leader of the defensive back unit, and he really took me under his wing and helped me develop and become a young professional."

The first eight seasons of Lyght's career with the Rams could have been a reoccurring scene in the movie, "Groundhog Day." Losing was commonplace. Going through four head coaches from 1991-98 – John Robinson, Chuck Knox, Rich Brooks, and Dick Vermeil – their cumulative record was 40-88. How did Lyght and his teammates keep a positive attitude?

"It really was tough not having a lot of success," he said. "It's interesting because being a young athlete and playing on a lot of different teams, I had never been on a losing team. And so finally getting to the NFL, and getting to a situation where we're playing at the highest level and not having a lot of success was very difficult.

"But having gone through all the transitions with the different coaches, with the defensive coordinators, having to learn new defenses, I always knew that if I prepared the right way, just try to be the best player that I could possibly be, and be the best teammate that I could possibly be, that the situation would arise where we would have a chance to compete for a championship at some point."

That point came in 1999. Then in St. Louis, the Rams posted a 13-3 record, making the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans.

"When I look at that, obviously, we had great coaches led by Coach Vermeil. All of our assistant coaches were really locked in on putting our players in a position to be successful on Sundays," Lyght said. "I really think the key to our success, as a team, would have to be singled out to the competitive intensity that we had in practice. Some of those practices where we were competing against each other at a really high level, made it so that we were able to execute at a high level on game day.

"And I'd have to say the camaraderie of my teammates and the things that we built together, not only as an organization, but just the things that guys did to help the community become a better place (are among my fondest memories). I know the Rams do a great job with their outreach program to make sure that they're constantly giving back to the community and I'm really proud of that."

During his 10 seasons with the Rams, Lyght collected 31 interceptions, three which he returned for touchdowns, and added a fourth one in the 1994 season opener against Arizona with a 74-yard fumble return. What makes him most proud of his career?

"I think the high level of consistency and the leadership that I brought to the organization," said Lyght, who was selected to play in the 1999 Pro Bowl. "I prided myself on really being a great teammate and also making sure that I took care of the younger players in terms of what their responsibility was within the organization.

"And I think that at one time, I had started over 120 consecutive games. That's, I guess, like a touch over eight seasons of consecutive starts. When you look at the average career span of NFL players, it's only three to five years. And to be able to start for over eight years consecutively shows my professionalism, and also my ability to handle the adversity and still keep moving in a positive direction. Which was really tough at times. But I wouldn't trade it for anything for the world because it did make winning the championship that much sweeter."

Concluding his 12-year career with the Detroit Lions, Lyght retired from the game in 2003, and now finds himself as a rookie again. In February, he joined First Team Real Estate in Anaheim Hills, CA.

"I'm a third-generation realtor. My grandfather had a brokerage in New York, and he always wanted me to get into real estate. As a youth, I would spend my summers filing for him and running errands, whatever he needed me to do," Lyght said.

"My grandfather passed last year. He was 102. And before he passed, he said make sure that you get your real estate license. So I kept that promise. I got it and am really enjoying it. We work with a lot of young families buying their first home, and that's always really a special event when you're able to present them with the keys to their home where they can start a new life with their family."

Lyght and his family make their home in Southern California. He and his wife, Stefanie, have a son, Logan, and a daughter, Luca.

"I'm going to be a proud dad right now," Lyght said. "Logan is a very accomplished runner in track. He is a junior at Mater Dei High School, and this year he won the Laguna Beach Championship in the 110 high hurdles, the Orange County Championship in the 110 high hurdles, and the Trinity League Championship in 110 high hurdles. He was the CIF Southern Section Division II Champion, and then he also finished fifth in the state of California Championships.

"Luca is 13. She's an honor roll student at Cerro Villa Middle School and plays soccer and also runs track.

"And being able to take my family to the Rams games, just in terms of like spending quality time, has been tremendous. We got the chance to go to a couple of games and spend some time at SoFi Stadium. It's a really great way for families to get out. I know my family really enjoys it, being able to share the Rams' success."

Not a lot of respect for Akers and the stud we drafted out of ND....

I'm from the east coast so not familiar with LA, but I'm going to a USC and Rams game in the fall. Anybody have hotel recommendations that would be in a nice neighborhood and conveniently located near the stadiums? Also open to staying in a coastal city that has train access to the stadiums. Thanks in advance

Bill Walsh Considers the LA Rams

[diva.sfsu.edu]

Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching too many drunk Russian and crazy American driver videos, but I think it’s time I get a dashcam. I think I might as well have one front and rear.

Do any of you have dashcams you can recommend for a pickup? Let’s not get too nuts on prices, but I know I’ll be spending over $50 - $75, right?

Thx