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Well, I gotta get this in before I totally forget stuff. I'm leaving for a boccia tournament around draft day. so this'll be my last mock draft for this year. I'm assuming, first and foremost, that we sign Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyrann Mathieu (as much as I don't want to sign the latter) in this mock, which makes things...interesting. Here's my trades:
A'Shawn Robinson to the Houston Texans for a third round pick (#80 overall).
(I get why people don't want to do this, I really do. A'Shawn is a fantastic player, a brilliant run-stuffer. But honestly, there's only one defensive lineman (Donald aside) whom I'd sign for the future, and that's Greg "Grizzly" Gaines, who is younger and better than A'Shawn is. We can't sign more than one of them. Aside from that, Robinson's value is never going to be higher than it is right now. We're coming off of a Super Bowl win that he helped win. And finally, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, and a draft pick deserve a shot to see what they are. I'm especially hyped for BB3; he reminds me of a young Haynesworth with none of the bad that Haynesworth had. As for why the Texans do it, they have two thirds, and their defensive line is atrocious. Blacklock looks like a bust, and nobody else stands out.)
Van Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons for a third round pick (#82 overall).
(With OBJ coming back, Allen Robinson signing here for the foreseeable future, and a bunch of young wide receivers in the fold (Skowronek, Harris, and maybe even a draft pick or two), Van is expendable. I'm sorry, he had a fantastic year, but he's expendable, and honestly, despite being a deep threat, he doesn't have the ability to bully cornerbacks like others could. But in Atlanta, where their current targets are Kyle Pitts and...nothing else? Van would be a great player.)
Taylor Rapp to the Denver Broncos for a 2022 sixth round pick (#206 overall).
(Rapp has no place left on our defense with the signing of Wagner and the emergence of Scott. We deal him to Denver for a sixth round pick. because they need a strong safety on their defense. They're relying on an aging Kareem Jackson on a one year deal, and Rapp could do a whole lot better.)
Darrell Henderson to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2022 sixth round pick (#196 overall).
(Henderson is on the last year of his contract, and I'm planning on taking a few running backs, so he goes to the Ravens, where all of their running backs have injury concerns. Yes, Henderson does as well, but he at least stayed healthy during this season, unlike the Ravens' backs. Aside from that, the Ravens have mostly power-backs, whereas Henderson is a back with speed and receiving ability - something they lack.)
Chatarius Atwell, 2022 seventh (#238 overall), and 2022 seventh (#253 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles for 2022 fifth round pick (#162 overall) and 2022 fifth round pick (#166 overall).
(Sorry, not sorry for trading Atwell. I'll add in the two sevenths to hopefully balance out the Eagles losing the lower two of the three fifth round picks they have. But they need wideout help, since Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside haven't worked out at all. Maybe Atwell gets his potential there. I don't know.)
Bobby Evans, 2022 third round pick (#80), 2023 fifth (original), and 2024 fourth (original) to the Tennessee Titans for 2022 third round pick (#90 overall), 2022 fourth round pick (#131 overall, and 2022 fourth round pick (#143 overall).
(Evans is valuable since offensive linemen who can block are a rare commodity, but given his struggles, I doubt he returns much - and I don't trust him to protect Stafford at right guard. Aside from that, I trust our depth players like Anchrum, Shelton, A-Jax, and Pircher (yes, I'm high on Pircher because of his potential. Could I be wrong? Sure, but I like the kid.) But Evans, in addition to the picks in the next two years that we'll have a lot of, should get us the extra picks this year. In addition to moving down ten spots, we get two fourth round picks to play with.)
#104 overall to the New York Jets for #111 overall and #117 overall.
(The Jets move up for a falling wide receiver, while we move back for more picks.)
#211 overall pick , #212 overall pick, and #218 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for 2022 fifth round pick (#165 overall).
(The Raiders trade down to recoup more picks, while we move up for a pick.)
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(I know you're questioning me at this point. "Memento, why the fuck are you taking a defensive tackle with the first pick when we could have a cornerback or an edge rusher, you stupid, crazy bitch?!" Because I see the same in Uwazurike that the Rams saw in Aaron Donald. Yes, I think he's our eventual successor to AD, and I'll be honest: the retirement rumors spooked me. AD's not going to be around forever, and he's thirty-one next month, so we absolutely have to consider replacing his production. Uwazurike is a big, tall man with a lot of length to him, but he's surprisingly quick off the ball, his technique is good (with more room to learn, of course), his motor is constantly running, and he can play all three of our positions on the line, so he could end up being moved around a lot to get him into the game. Uwazurike would be an amazing pick for us.)
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(Here's our first corner! Armour-Davis is a speedy, lengthy cornerback, but he's very much a raw prospect who will have to be coached up. He has production, he has the gifts, he even has the necessary physicality, but he's lacked consistency in using them. He needs improvement on the technical side most of all, just unlocking the toolbox. But he could push Rochell for time spent on the opposite side of Ramsey.)
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(Here's our outside linebacker, and he's apparently a fan favorite for some! Malone reminds me a bit of a smaller Robert Quinn; he won't win with size, and he struggles against a downhill rushing attack, but he can bend around the corner easily, is fast, has a plan to attack offensive linemen, forces a lot of fumbles, and quarterbacks who scramble have no chance of evading him. Malone could absolutely be special.)
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(Another lineman from a school that seems to clone them, Bruss is a solid tackle who should probably move to guard in the pros. He's country strong and a decent athlete, but while he has some technical know-how, his technique in games can be somewhat lacking. His hands are the main problem; they're often not in the right place for punching. Still, this is a guy who could probably start at guard for the next four years, if Anchrum isn't the answer and/or if Edwards leaves/gets injured again.)
#131 overall (Titans) - Luke Goedeke, OG/OT, Central Michigan. (6'5", 312 lbs.)
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(A former tight end-turned-offensive-tackle, Goedeke has a major mean streak and will absolutely maul defenders in the running game. He's strong, athletic, and has good technique for the most part. His length and the competition are the concerns; he has short arms, and needs to improve his footwork. Still, he could end up starting at guard for the next four years, depending on Anchrum/Edwards as well as fellow guard Logan Bruss.)
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(I've made no secret that Badie is my draft crush this year, and I think he could absolutely be an elite running back. He's shifty, elusive, and yet runs with power behind him and rarely goes down with arm tackles. He's also arguably the best receiving back in the draft, and while his pass protection is below-average, it's not what he's here for. He's built quite solidly for his size, and yes, he is small, I get it. But I see a lot of Jamaal Charles in him; a smaller elusive back with surprising power. I'd love to have a Jamaal Charles on our team. Wouldn't you?)
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(Flott is another interesting prospect. He's got sticky coverage, can disrupt the pass easily, and he won't ever give up on a play, but as you can clearly see from his weight...he needs to start eating the cheeseburgers and steaks, if he can even put on and keep on the weight. Despite his height, he's probably better off in the slot, but he'll struggle against receivers who can big-body him. Still, Flott is a good prospect who should be able to contribute from the first day.)
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(McKinley has amazing tape, but the size will make him fall. He's got mitts for hands (eleven interceptions in his career, including six this year), is a smart communicator, has fantastic coverage skills...and yet his size betrays him. He's definitely physical, but he'll struggle with bigger players, and he's inconsistent at tackling. Still with a fifth round pick, McKinley could be an absolute steal.)
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(Ezukanma is a runaway freight train of a player. He's big, fast, physical, has solid hands, and was a productive team captain. However, his routes need serious work. Like, from-the-ground-up sort of work. It's disappointing that he doesn't sell his routes like you'd expect, but it's not due to unwillingness to learn; he just needs more practice. He could absolutely be an elite wide receiver for us.)
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(Wydermyer is going to take a huge tumble after he bombed his Pro Day, but this kid could absolutely be an elite receiving tight end. He's lacking in his blocking; you'd expect him to be better with his size, but to be fair, it's not as bad as Hopkins' blocking was. Wydermyer's not going to make money blocking, though. He is a dominant receiver who can run good routes, snag the ball out of the air easily, has a huge catch radius, and is very much a YAC threat. Wydermyer could end up being our starting tight end before long.)
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(Monday is more than a name; he's an absolutely physical strong safety who will knock you into next month and let you know it. He's a physical, alpha-mentality safety who will struggle in coverage if he's used wrong. He's great if you put him in the box, and he'll get a few interceptions, but his average speed, below-average coverage ability, and inconsistent form tackling will do him no favors. Monday could definitely work as a special teams player, though, so I believe that's where you're going to find his best fit.)
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(Doubs is fast. Like, deep threat fast, and unlike most height/weight/speed guys, he has insane route running potential. He's smooth into his breaks. But his hands. Dear holy fucking fate, his hands are maddening. He absolutely needs work on trying to actually catch balls instead of just body-catching, so time spent on the Juggs machine would help. Still, Doubs has great potential to be a solid contributor; he's also a punt returner with gunner ability.)
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(Okonkwo is one of my favorite tight ends in this draft, but he has his flaws. He's short and light, suffered from myocarditis, and his route tree needs work. Now for the good: he is a physical ball of energy, able to block well despite lacking length, able to bounce off tackles, able to be a YAC threat, and his hands, while not as good as some of the tight ends in this class, are solid enough. I don't know if he makes the roster, given how raw he is, but he's got a shot at being a solid tight end in the league.
#212 overall (Troy Hill comp.) - Jordan Stout, P, Penn State. (6'3", 209 lbs.)
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(Honestly, while Araiza may be the better punter, I think Stout fits our team better. He's got a strong leg, but unlike Araiza who tries to kick it as far as he can every time with zero regard for hangtime, Stout has surprising touch, will likely never outkick our coverage, and has great hangtime. He's not exactly a directional punter, but he's good enough, and probably the second best punter in the draft behind Araiza, who will definitely go in the mid rounds.)
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(Pacheco is a physical runner who plays with constant urgency, which works for and against him. He's durable, rarely ever fumbles, and he always seems to fall forward. He needs to learn to set up his blockers, be a touch more patient. His third down value is nonexistent at the moment; he'll need to learn how to pass block effectively because he's not a natural hands catcher at all. Still, with a late sixth, Pacheco could be good.)
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(Geiger is absolutely electric. He's a dynamite player in the slot, on returns, everywhere. He even has experience outside, although I doubt he'll be outside in the NFL. But in the slot, you have a polished route runner with quickness, and while he isn't the fastest, he has enough juice to make a lot of corners look absolutely silly. Geiger is also here to back up Powell, in case he gets hurt or turns ineffective.)
Andrew Rupcich, RT/OG, Culver-Stockton College. (6'6", 318 lbs.)
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(Rupcich really stood out at the Collegiate Bowl, and he could be an interesting project. He needs to get stronger, sure, but he makes the most out of his talents, and he's kept improving, so he could be interesting as an UDFA.)
Luke Wattenberg, OC, Washington. (6'4", 299 lbs.)
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(Wattenberg is not strong against power, let's put it that way. He's probably not going to get any stronger either. But he's an experienced starter with good technique, and given our lack of centers, could end up making an NFL roster.)
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(Ratkovich, ever since @jrry32 introduced him, has been one of my favorite prospects to watch. He could be our answer to Kyle Juszczyk: a fullback who is a top receiving and running option. Ratkovich is also a solid lead-blocker; it's fun to watch him demolish linebackers who think they can run him over to get to the ball carrier. Still, he's a fullback, and fullbacks tend to fall on draft day. I'd gladly take him here, though.)
Mario Goodrich, CB/FS/SS, Clemson. (6'0", 176 lbs.)
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(Goodrich is going to tumble down draft boards, in my honest opinion. Not only is he a tweener (too light to be a true safety, but not fast enough to be a cornerback in the NFL), but he tested poorly at the Combine and has only one year of experience starting at Clemson. The good news is that I think he has potential as a backup safety. He has good ball skills, he's a willing and decent tackler, and he's smart. I'd love to take him as an undrafted player.)
Jeremiah Gemmel, ILB, North Carolina. (6'1", 226 lbs.)
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(Gemmel doesn't have any one trait that stands out. His tape is good, but he's more like a jack-of-all-trades sort of player. He doesn't have the talent necessary for the NFL, but he has not ever played special teams, so there's a disconnect there. I'd sign him to my practice squad, see if he can learn special teams. He's got all the potential in the world to be an ace special teams player.)
Esezi Otomewo, DE, Minnesota. (6'5", 282 lbs.)
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(Otomewo is a huge defensive end who checks all of the physical boxes...but has lacked the production. Still, with UDFAs, sometimes the light goes on a little later. He's smart with assignments, which helps, but he needs to be coached properly. I think we could do that.)
Roster:
QB - Matthew Stafford, Bryce Perkins
(Sorry, Wolford, but there's no room for you. Perkins has so much potential as a player, and I think he could back up well if Stafford - fate forbid - gets injured. But backup quarterbacks like Wolford grow on trees.)
RB - Cam Akers, Tyler Badie, Jake Funk.
(I get that there's not a real power option, but Funk plays special teams, and Akers is a power option in himself. I'm gambling that he'll be fully recovered from injury and that Badie can contribute more than Henderson did.)
WR - Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson, Odell Beckham Jr., Jacob Harris, Ben Skowronek, Erik Ezukanma, Brandon Powell.
(Wide receiver has so many options, it's scary. This is why I feel comfortable trading away Van and Atwell; nobody is going to stop our top three when healthy, Harris has oodles of potential, and Skowronek could definitely improve from his rookie season. Then you have Ezukanma, Doubs, Powell, Geiger, and Warren Jackson (I'm calling it now; he stays on the practice squad for us.) to back up every conceivable position. I put Ezukanma and Powell in because the former is likely getting poached if we put him on the practice squad and the latter is our top returnman.)
TE - Tyler Higbee, Kendall Blanton, Jalen Wydermyer.
(Sorry, Brycen, I couldn't find room to fit you. Honestly, I wanted to include Hopkins, but the roster crunch is too much to fit a fourth tight end in. Higbee is your obvious starter, although I could see Blanton taking a few snaps as well. Wydermyer is your pass-catching option, but given Higbee's injury history, don't be shocked to see Okonkwo, Ratkovich and W-Jax in the mix as well.)
OL - Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum, Rob Havenstein, Alaric Jackson, Coleman Shelton, Max Pircher, Logan Bruss, Luke Goedeke.
(I believe Anchrum wins the right guard spot out of camp, although I could see Shelton, Pircher, or one of the two rookies winning it as well. I've heard that Pircher is cross-training at center, so he could be a very good backup, able to play all five offensive line positions. A-Jax is your swing tackle and likely successor to Havenstein after this year (as he and David Edwards are both free agents after this year). Bruss and Goedeke sit and learn from the best.)
DL - Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines, Bobby Brown III, Earnest Brown IV, Eyioma Uwazurike.
(Yes, I believe that BB3 wins the starting 5-tech job. AD is AD. Gaines deserves an extension, but I don't know if he'll get it. Both EB4 and Uwazurike back up the line: EB4 backs up 5-tech and 3-tech, while Uwazurike backs up every position on the line.)
LB - Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Bobby Wagner, Ernest Jones, DeAngelo Malone, Terrell Lewis, Chris Garrett, Travin Howard, Christian Rozeboom.
(Three of the starters are set. I think Hollins wins the job opposite Floyd with Lewis and Garrett subbing in. Malone will likely sit on the bench and learn from them. Behind Wagner and Jones, there's Howard and Rozeboom as special teams players, although Howard could see snaps in obvious passing downs.)
DB - Jalen Ramsey, Robert Rochell, Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, David Long, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Cordale Flott, Terrell Burgess, Verone McKinley, Smoke Monday.
(Ramsey is Ramsey. I believe that Fuller and Scott are our best safety lineup. Rochell wins the job opposite Ramsey, although Long and Armour-Davis put up a good fight to get it. I believe that Burgess could see snaps in the slot if Mathieu isn't signed; he's played slot corner before. Flott, McKinley, and Monday will be key backups and special teams.)
ST - Matt Gay, Jordan Stout, Matthew Orzech.
(No surprises here. Stout takes the punting job, while the other two are rock solid.)
Practice Squad:
Romeo Doubs, WR/PR
Kaylon Geiger, WR/KR/PR
Warren Jackson, WR/TE
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE
Clint Ratkovich, FB/HB/TE
Isiah Pacheco, RB
Andrew Rupcich, RT/OG
Luke Wattenberg, OC
Esezi Otomewo, DE
Mario Goodrich, CB/FS/SS
Jeremiah Gemmel, ILB
(Yes, I have mostly offense because our defense is solid in most areas (with the exception of defensive line, but while we lack depth, we have guys who can move around, including Otomewo, who can play 3-tech and 5-tech.) Wattenberg and Rupcich are interesting offensive line projects who could definitely get a spot on the practice squad. Goodrich is a potential safety option, and Gemmel could eventually take Rozeboom's place. I like Warren Jackson more than most; I think he could definitely make a Darren Waller move to tight end. Ratkovich is a solid fullback option, and Doubs and Geiger should have eventual roles as well.)
So I'm sending my wife a text earlier this morning. Nothing fancy..."Have a great day...," yadda yadda yadda. I look at the auto-complete suggestions as I'm typing and am stopped in my tracks as it is offering me the following:
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports S Earl Thomas wants to resume his NFL career.
The mercurial Thomas last played for the Ravens in 2019, and was released by the team in August 2020 for conduct detrimental to the team. Thomas reportedly fought teammates in training camp and had a domestic incident with his wife. The Texans and Cowboys kicked the proverbial tires on Thomas in 2020 but passed on the veteran safety. Entering his age-33 season, Thomas -- a seven-time Pro Bowler for the Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary -- would likely have to take a one-year, prove-it deal if he wants to play in 2022.
I would be ok with the rams kicking the tires on him for vet minimum with no guaranteed money. I mean we need safety help and if hes got nothing left in the tank then just cut him in training camp.
How many times in your lifetime have you seen a Super Bowl-winning team seemingly immune from all the typical distractions that come with being the defending champs? There haven’t been many recently that I can think of.
While Los Angeles has made a couple significant splashes in free agency, they’ve taken a backseat to all the chaos in the Wild West. Arizona is dealing with Kyler Murray drama which is a little funny coming from a player who really hasn’t shown much of anything since being drafted first overall in 2019. Kyler’s shown flashes but not at all worth the headache he’s giving the Redbirds.
Seattle traded franchise icon Russell Wilson and insist they aren’t rebuilding. Try telling that to your crappy roster Pete! Not to mention star pass catchers like DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel might be leaving the division as well. My mistake, their teams apparently have no intention of trading them. Where have we seen that before? As long as both are traded out of the NFC I don’t care where they go.
Meanwhile in the City of Angeles, it’s been business as usual.
Pinch me I must be dreaming! I can’t say enough how refreshing it is to see a player act in the best interests of their teams. It’s a quality so rare in today’s NFL thanks to big money and free agency tanking team loyalty. I get these players know their value and should fight for what’s fair, but when will it end? When will it ever be enough?
Now that I have that rant out of way, Rams fans should take the time to appreciate a relaxing offseason compared to the bonkers, AFC arms race it’s been elsewhere across the league. The NFC West will be LA’s to lose next season if the division continues going down the toilet. Given recent divisional history, this instability won’t last very long.
Lamonica, legendary QB and prolific deep passer, led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance and was under center during the famed 'Heidi Game.'
The Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams should have plenty of company sitting out the...
www.seattlepi.com
Record 8 teams head into NFL draft without 1st-round pick
The Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams should have plenty of company sitting out the first round of the NFL draft next week.
The franchise that hasn't made a selection in round one since taking Jared Goff in 2016 and doesn't currently have another first-round pick until 2024, is set to be joined by a record seven other teams that have traded away their first-round picks in what has become a growing trend in recent years.
Whether it’s teams emulating the Rams' model of flipping uncertain picks for cost-controlled rookies for more proven veterans with more lucrative contracts or others that followed the path Kansas City and Buffalo used by trading future first-round picks to move up to take a future franchise quarterback, teams are opting out of the first round of the draft at a furious pace.
This will mark the third time in four years that at least seven teams won't make a pick in the first round barring one of those teams trading back up, something that happened just twice in the first 52 years of the common draft.
Former Tampa Bay general manager and SiriusXM analyst Mark Dominik said the increased salary cap, more power for players and GMs willing to take more risks have led to the change.
“I think that’s the unique thing is because players are actually getting a little bit more aggressive in their stance and clubs are willing to do that,” Dominik said. “Twenty years ago, if you tried to cross (former Chiefs GM) Carl Peterson you'd never play football again. ... That mentality has kind of gone in the league. That's why you've seen more first-round draft picks moved and traded because clubs are willing to do that.
“Therefore, having a known commodity, especially because some of these guys are elite, is better than having that first-round pick that you’re hoping is what you can be."
No one has been as aggressive as the Rams. GM Les Snead traded two first-round picks to move up to take quarterback Jared Goff in 2016, another first for receiver Brandin Cooks in 2018, traded out of the first round in 2019 for more picks, dealt two more first-rounders to acquire All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and two more for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
It added up to a Super Bowl-winning roster last season.
“The model is working,” Snead said. “It’s allowing us to consistently win games, consistently contend for the NFC West. We’ll try to use our picks in an innovative, creative way, and sometimes it will be picking players in the draft and sometimes it will be using them to go acquire players.”
The aggressiveness by the Rams has rubbed off on other teams, looking to match the success Los Angeles has had in recent years.
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said there's never “too high of a price on anybody that’s great" — especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Denver had been dealing with a revolving door of mediocrity at the most important position ever since Peyton Manning retired seven years ago but now has Russell Wilson in place.
“You can ask all these guys around here. You have to have a quarterback to have a chance,” Hackett said at the owners meetings last month. "It’s whatever it takes to get a quarterback.”
Of the eight teams that have given away their first-round picks this year, the Broncos were one of six who did it in trades for quarterbacks along with the Rams, Cleveland (Deshaun Watson), San Francisco (Trey Lance), Indianapolis (Carson Wentz) and Chicago (Justin Fields).
The other teams to do it were Las Vegas and Miami, who both traded top picks away to add game-breaking receivers they hope can get more out of their existing quarterbacks with the Raiders getting Davante Adams from Green Bay and the Dolphins getting Tyreek Hill from Kansas City.
After making 11 picks in the top 100 of the past two drafts to rebuild the roster, Miami now is not scheduled to pick until No. 102 after using those picks to move up in the draft last year to take receiver Jaylen Waddle and tackle Liam Eichenberg and then the deal for Hill.
“We’ve been building here for the last few years,” general manager Chris Grier said. “The chance to get aggressive and adding a talented top player at a position is something we just felt was too good to pass up.”
There are already five teams that have traded away their 2023 first-round picks, with the Rams and 49ers dealing away those picks last year when they got their quarterbacks, the Browns trading three years of first-round picks for Watson, the Seahawks giving up a second first-round pick for Wilson and the Saints trading their 2023 first-rounder for an extra 2022 first-rounder.
The trend shows little sign of easing.
“Any team that has success you become inquisitive and you want to know the why and you kind of dig into ‘OK. They did this and what opportunities is that they made the most of it,’” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said. “So again there’s a lot of different ways to skin a cat in terms of roster building. It’s just what your core philosophy is at the end of the day.”
With the celebratory confetti from Super Bowl LVI still being shaken from the shoulders of the Los Angeles Rams, an organizational eye is about to be sharply turned toward the upcoming 2022 season.
As the upcoming NFL Draft draws closer, speculation has already begun regarding which rookies and veterans may comprise the Rams roster for the 2022 NFL season. Soon, we may begin marking our calendars for games.
The NFL announced Thursday it will reveal the Rams, along with the rest of the league's full schedule on May 12.
As a reminder, here is a look at the Rams upcoming opponents:
Home:
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons
Dallas Cowboys
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
Away:
Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green Bay Packers
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
How does the scheduling format work?
Six games are made up of their NFC West opponents (home and away). Four are against teams from another division within the conference (rotating three-year cycle), with four being played against teams from an AFC division (rotating four-year cycle). Two games are played within the NFC, based on the prior year's standings. And finally, one game will be played against an AFC team, also based on the prior year.
Important Rams Notes:
Early projections show the Rams as having one of the toughest slates in the NFL for 2022, based on strength of schedule — a fact that should not be surprising given their status as defending Super Bowl Champions.
The Rams are set for nine home games and eight away games in 2022. However, they will actually play 10 regular-season games within the friendly confines of SoFi Stadium, as they share the venue with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bolts are listed as the home team for their upcoming matchup in 2022.
Select games will also be revealed during the week of May 9 leading up to the full schedule release May 12.
What has only happened only three times in the NFL in the last 30 years, and only one time in the last 17 years?
Repeat champions.
So, why should we expect our Rams to repeat this year? The odds are clearly against it, particularly in this age of free agency/player movement/salary cap restrictions.
I can give you some logical arguments:
The Rams are returning most of their key players from last year's championship run.
They're also getting some key guys back and have signed two top-notch free agents.
It can also be argued that the migration of talent from the NFC to the AFC and turmoil within the other NFC West organizations could lead to a smoother path to the big game this year.
In the end, though, pretty much every reigning champ and its fans feel this way and, yet, repeat champions are few and far between.
You know what my response to all that is?
I DON'T CARE!!!!
Its time for Rams fans to be presumptuous and, maybe, a bit arrogant. I feel like we're on the mountaintop, and we're going to stay there until someone knocks us off! And, you know what, I can see this team being even better this year if our key guys stay healthy, our new guys pan out, and we again add a bit more talent along the way.
I have no doubt that this team CAN repeat so, right now... I'm expecting it!
RUN IT BACK... all the way to Glendale in February 2023 and another confetti celebration!
Anyone? Curious if you did what your upbringing up was like. Reason this thought came through my head was I noticed that I didn't get many extravagant luxuries as a kid. Always thought it was because I was in a lower middle class immigrant household. I never once growing up...
-Gone to a local concert or sporting event.
-Had a family vacation "just because". It was always b/c of a wedding, funeral, or to visit relatives. If there happened to be something nearby (like Niagara Falls) we'd take a one day side trip, where the people that would come with us constantly complain b/c they've seen it before. And these things NEVER happened during the school year. Had relatives of ours had not moved to Florida, to this date I would not have gone to Disney World. Which just makes me feel so dead inside, because I recently saw a family take their kids OUT of school, and surprised them with a Disney trip for no reason at all. Not a birthday, holiday, whatever.
-Had a birthday party at Chuck-e-Cheese or similar place. Which looking back might've been a good thing, but as a kid? That was being a high roller in front of your friends.
-Took a special trip to any store with mom or dad saying "you can have one toy". I heard this ALL the time in the 90s and to this day. I was allowed to go to ToysRUs to LOOK, never buy.
-I didn't get my first gaming system until I was 10. And convincing my parents for memory cards was like pulling teeth. "You got the game, be happy". Meanwhile non-immigrants had memory cards and a fuckin closet full of video games. Until high school, I had maybe 4-5 games, pulled from the discount cart from Sears.
-Went to restaurants weekly. It was a once every couple months. Now that changed into high school and college. But man, convincing my mom to get to the TexMex place was difficult when food was available.
I hate saying (well OK not really) but kiddies today look like they have everything catered to. They have so much devoted to them, and it pisses me off. I didn't get any of this growing up.
Goddamn I'm understanding what the olds feel like.
Von Miller is being sued by a woman in L.A. who claims the NFL star, consumed by jealousy, sent sexually explicit photos to "two celebrities" and allegedly asked, "this the bitch you want?"
I only share this due to rumors flying around about Dak and McCarthy.
He’s 57 and 48 years as a Cowboy fan. He hates the Coach but loves him some Dak. He believes Payton will be their next coach, only wishes it was now. Also believes Dan Quinn will be gone next year. His only word about McCarthy was “useless”.
He couldn‘t find one nice thing to say about Murray and what the team would look like with him. He said Dak is a second tier qb. Murray is a bottom tier midget (I was laughing on the inside).
Showed me some really nice photos of him at the Cowboys old Texas Stadium. He met Darryl Woodsen and had photos with the two of them at multiple games.
Never met a Cowboy fan I liked, he’s the closest to decent I have met.
To all my fellow Ram fans who enjoy this day….I sure hope you’re enjoying it like I am. Been up since 6:30, off work and I’ve been going since 8am. Gotta get ready for tomorrow!
For all of you people, I have tried to share information about all WorldNews types of news and all this news which is being conveyed by me to you people or
After hearing the way McVay spoke about him I was kind of surprised at how much of a glowing endorsement it was. I watched some Kentucky highlights from last year and their offense looked impressive, but man after seeing his interview from this week I'm very very excited to see what this guy brings. I watch all our team media sessions and I never once felt like O'Connell blew me away answering questions or with his knowledge of the game. Hearing this guy speak reminds me a little of McVay back in 2017 honestly. How eager he is to learn, his attention to detail, how he leads and teaches the game. I know he was on our staff a few years ago, but I think we made a huge upgrade at OC and I'm excited to see how things play out this year offensively. Anyone else have this feeling too?
Man after years of crying over losses to the vikings and cowgirls (the 70's) then seeing the whiners kick our rears for 17 straight games, I'm hoping we're going to win 7 super bowls under McVay. McVay is young and Kroenke has deep pockets. I hope that we become the next dynasty.
The Rams Don’t Need Anything by Navin R. Johnson
The Rams don’t need anything.
Except OBJ. They don’t need anything else. Just OBJ…and Tyrann Matthieu. That’s all they need. OBJ, Matthieu…and another CB. They don’t need one other thing…not one…oh, wait…they need another pass rusher. They just need OBJ, Matthieu, a CB, a pass rusher, and nothing else. Except OL depth, for sure. But that’s all they need.
What do you think? Is he right? Okay always thought he was kind of a jerk.
Came across this one while looking at the RB group prospects, the play occurs at 4:06 and is pretty neat-o or as @Loyal would say "that's BOSS!" The QB lines up with his legs right behind the Center which allows him to hike it through them to the RB. At the snap the QB pretends to be looking for a fumble, or well more accurately tries to sell the sneak.
And then the RB throws the ball over the pile to the TE. Brilliant.
