Week 7 Power Ranks are up.

http://www.ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/power-rankings-week-7.15/

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...kings-week-7-los-angeles-rams-enter-top-three

Boys we're #3

If you believe PFF

http://forums.azcardinals.com/showthread.php?72935-The-next-three-games-Rams-49ers-Seahawks!

The next three games...Rams, 49ers, Seahawks!

We are still a team that is 3-3 despite a relatively easy early schedule. We have 3 wins by a total of 11 points, against teams with a combined 4 wins, 2 of the 3 in overtime vs very bad teams. 3 losses by a combined 50 points. At -39, only 3 teams in the NFL have a worse win-loss point spread. Only the Bears, Colts and Browns have been worse by that measure...some bad teams.

But a win vs the Rams and what should be a very winnable game against the 49ers could have us at 5-3, on top of the Rams and equal or within a game of the Seahawks. We get them at home, and TJ Logan should be back. The game would be huge.
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10-6 wins the West this year. Seattle is average and the Rams are still a year away.
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It could turn out that yesterday's offense with AP's big game was entirely a fluke driven partly by high emotions. But the Rams have no idea.

Where a mere 6 days ago, their defensive game plan would have been dictated by a weak pass protecting o-line and non-existent running game, now and until the dust settles through at least another week, they will have to assume that the Cardinals run game is as good if not better than it has been in recent years.
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The Rams are 27 in Run D. Their D hadnt been lights out and they are average in the secondary. This is a winnable game, yet the toughest of the 3.
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3-0 versus the Rams-49ers-Seahawks is a tall order but can be done ... need to win in London to even think about 3-0 though.
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There is nothing in 2017 to indicate we can win 2 out of our next 3 games. We don't have a win over a team with a 500 record let alone a winning record. Teams that put runs together are usually pretty good.

What I saw yesterday showed that we could block when healthy get our running game going against a pretty mediocre team at home. That's all I saw.

Nothing indicates we can beat the Rams or the Seahawks. We outright destroyed TB at home last year and had a much better overall D and still we never won 3 in row. We always soiled our diapers in most games after a big win.

It's early but so far in 2017 the Rams have a much better overall team on both sides of the ball. I think one game doesn't mean a thing in projecting forward. We will either stack wins or we won't. So far there is nothing to indicate that we will or that we won't.

Anyone projecting we might go 2 and 1 is as right as projecting 1 and 2 or 0 and 3. If I bet on football without my heart, I would project a loss to the Rams, a toss up game against SF in their house and I have no clue about Seattle at this point. They were very lucky to win the Ram game. The Rams had 5 turnovers and were still in that game until the end.

The problem with our team wasn't just the injuries on the OL, it was a bad Defense. Bad defensive teams usually don't stack wins. I personally think Wade Phillips is miles better than Betcher. That's if every thing else was equal. I think they have better personal on D.
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http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/cardinals-at-rams-london-preview.255430/

Cardinals at Rams (London) Preview

Team Stats:

PTS FOR: AZ (19.6--20th); LA (29.8--1st)
PASS: AZ (286.2--3rd); LA (243.8--10th)
RUSH: AZ (69.8--32nd); LA (116.0-13th)
PTS AGAINST: AZ (26.3-30th); LA (23.0--20th)

PFF Player Grades Comparisons:

QB: AZ Palmer (76.5); LA Goff (75.7)
RB: AZ Peterson (84.2); LA Gurley (74.8)
WR: AZ Fitzgerald (81.8); LA Watkins (74.5)
WR:AZ Jaron Brown (75.2); LA Woods (72.6)
WR: AZ John Brown (75.0); LA Kupp (79.3)
TE: AZ Gresham (43.6); LA Higbee (70.1)
TE: AZ Niklas (42.9); LA Everett (67.6)
LT: AZ Humphries (77.3); LA Whitworth(82.4)
LG: AZ Boone (39.7); LA Saffold(77.9)
C: AZ Shipley (50.6); LA Sullivan (75.5)
RG: AZ Watford (32.9): LA Brown (42.9)
RT: AZ Veldheer (40.4); LA Havenstein (70.9)

NT: AZ Peters (82.0); LA Smart (43.5)
DT: AZ Rucker (48.2); LA Donald (95.6)
DT: AZ Mauro (45.6); LA Brockers (85.9)
DE: AZ Jones (85.5); LA Quinn (62.4)
LB:AZ Dansby (46.2); LA Ogletree (33.0)
LB: AZ Bucannon (35.6); LA Barron (80.9)
LB: AZ Reddick (47.0); LA Barwin (45.0)
CB: AZ Peterson (82.0);LA T. Johnson (43.7)
CB: AZ Bethel (46.0); LA Webster(80.5)
S: AZ: Mathieu (42.5); LA Johnson (82.7)
S: AZ: Branch (88.1); LA Davis (77.5)

Special Teams:

K AZ Dawson (10/14 FG, 11/11 XPT); LA Zeurlein (17/18 FG, 18/18 XPT)
P AZ Lee (47.3 ave., 38.2 net); LA Hekker (46.9 ave., 44.7 net)
KR AZ Williams (20.3 ave.); LA Cooper (31.7 ave.)
PR AZ Williams (3.4 ave.); LA Cooper (5.7 ave.)

Cardinals' Advantage: QB, WR, OLB, CB, S
Rams' Advantage: T, G, C, TE, DT, ILB, K, P, KR, PR

What the Cardinals Need To Do:

On Offense:

1---Run Off-Tackle: Deuce Blocks on Brockers and Donald, Angle and Kick Out Blocks on Quinn and Barwin
2---Wall the Middle on Pass Plays, keep a RB in to take first penetration, A gap blitzes
3---Help on DE Quinn---chips, double teams
4---Win WR/CB matchups
5---Isolate RB in passing game on Ogletree

On Defense:

1---Swarm tackle on Gurley
2---Pressure Goff, collapse pocket, get him to throw off back foot---make blitzes count
3---DL get hands up in passing lanes to stifle short passing game---get 3rd down stops
4---Do a quicker job reading and blowing up screens---get a big game from Buc and Dansby
5---Abandon the zones---play tight man exclusively---Peterson (Watkins), Bethel/T.Williams (Woods); Mathieu (Kupp); Branch (Higbee); Dansby (Everett), Bethea deep help opposite Peterson and at times sneak up to jump Kupp or Higbee.

On STs:

1---Limit Pharoh Cooper's touches on returns with touchbacks and hang-time on punts
2---Pressure Hekker and Zeurlein, disturb their timing and rhythm
3---Put Bethel back as one of the gunners, pair him with Baker
4---Don't let STC John Fassel and the Rams' very good STs be the difference maker in this game
5---Get Scooby Wright going---play these teams with passion
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Not comfortable with TM on Kupp. He's Goffs go to guy. Get a CB covering Kupp.

They should even consider Peterson on 3rd down.
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I can understand your thought, in light of his recent struggles, but I think Honey Badger will do a superb job on Kupp. It's time for him to step up and he is pretty fired up for this London trip.
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Lol @ the entire rams o- line being ranked better... guess that shouldn't be a surprise.
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Just did a quick snap shot of the stats. What they suggest is:

Rams have huge advantages in Sacks and Interceptions.

Gurley performs for them similar to the way AP performed for us.

Their ST's do better than our ST's.

They spread the ball around to several receivers in the passing game.

But they tend to play things close to the vest passing-wise and then beat you with Gurley.

Net-Net: Their game is more mistake-free than BA's. We will ned to win the turnover war, neutralize their pass rush advantage, make fewer mistake, rattle Goff and out gut them in the 4Q if we're to have any shot at winning.
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Sounds like we will need a miracle. Might I suggest we start the game off with an onside kick.
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http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/cant-wait-for-next-weeks-matchup-with-rams.255419/

Can't wait for next week's matchup with Rams

Should be an exciting game. It should really be a magnifying glass for how good or bad we are as a team right now. A win gets everyone back on board in our fight to win our division. A loss could show us how good the Rams actually are this year, and/or what we need in order to stay competitive in coming years.
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I do like the fact we are leaving for London early while the Rams are going to leave for the game at the last moment. I think on the normal road game the team is going to start leaving a day before to avoid distraction but for an oversea trip, allowing the team time to assimilate is right
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Really afraid at the thought of Tyrann covering Cooper Kupp.
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Kupp is good, but really nothing special. Every team nowadays has their sneaky slot WR who moves the chains. It's not like Kupp is dominating or something like that. Rams should be afraid of covering Fitz, Brown and Nelson while AP runs down their throats. I love the matchup!
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I will temper my enthusiasm for this week. So far games in London have been blowouts and I don't see this one being any different. The Cardinals have not traveled well historically so that is a factor that works against them.

I live in the S.F. Bay Area diehard Rams fan. Looking for the official l.a. tv station for the Rams. Trying to see if I can get it up here in the S.F. Bay Area.

https://www.si.com/nfl-power-rankings-2017

This week’s voters:

Andy Benoit, Analyst and Staff Writer
Greg Bishop, Senior Writer
Andrew Brandt, Business of Football Columnist
Adam Duerson, Assistant Managing Editor
Jacob Feldman, NFL Reporter
Gary Gramling, Senior Editor
Jonathan Jones, Staff Writer
Kalyn Kahler, Editorial Assistant
Bette Marston, Senior Producer
Mark Mravic, Executive Editor
Tim Rohan, NFL Writer
Jenny Vrentas, Senior Writer

10. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
Last Week’s Rank: 14

Points in MMQB Power Poll: 288

Highest-Place Vote: Sixth

Lowest-Place Vote: 11th (2)

Last Week’s Result: Win at Jacksonville, 27-17

Week 7 Opponent: vs. Arizona

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...no-1-theyve-earned-it/?utm_term=.e266f6d7345c

Each week, national NFL writer Mark Maske will provide his ranking of the league’s 32 teams.

6. Los Angeles Rams (4-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 10

The Rams are a first-place team after six games and still way ahead of any realistic rebuilding schedule under first-year coach Sean McVay after the triumph over the Jaguars. They probably aren’t the team to beat in the NFC West, not after losing to the Seahawks a couple weeks ago. But they show no signs at this point of disappearing from the race.

http://www.nbcsports.com/washington...owboys-new-england-patriots-green-bay-packers

11) Los Angeles Rams
Last week's ranking: 13

Most recent result: W, 27-17 vs. Jaguars

Why they're here: Sean McVay's offense has been the story thus far for the Rams, but it was the third phase of the game that saved them vs. the Jags. A kickoff return for TD and blocked punt return for TD boosted them to their third road victory in three attempts, a sign that one of football's youngest rosters is playing beyond its age. They're now in first in the NFC West.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...nd-patriots-top-our-board-remaining-schedules

9. Los Angeles Rams
2017 record: 4-2
Week 6 ranking: No. 11

The Rams are heading into one of the toughest stretches of the year. Seven of their next eight games are against teams that are currently .500 or better, and six of those games are against conference foes and three will be division games.

Littleton’s blocked punt was more than textbook execution. Not only did he time his inside twist perfectly, but he laid out in a manner that didn’t touch the punter if he missed the ball.

But the part that was really special is how he rolled over, popped up, and carried Brown into the endzone with a soufflé move like Quinn was penalized to be “unnecessary roughness.”

This is one of the best individual efforts I’ve ever seen on special teams and I’d hate for it to be lost in the shuffle of a long season. Without that play, this game could’ve ended differently.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/10/17/jason-myers-out-as-jaguars-kicker-josh-lambo-in/

Jason Myers out as Jaguars kicker, Josh Lambo in
Posted by Josh Alper on October 17, 2017


Getty Images

The Jaguars had a miserable special teams day against the Rams in Week Six and one member of the group lost his job on Tuesday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the team is cutting kicker Jason Myers. Myers missed two field goals against the Rams, including a 54-yarder late in the game that would have cut the Jags’ deficit to one score with time for an onside kick.

Myers was 11-of-15 on field goals on the season and missed one against the Jets in a game that Jacksonville would ultimately lose on a field goal in overtime. Myers was 53-of-64 on field goals in his first two seasons with Jacksonville and missed 12 extra points over his entire tenure.

Josh Lambo will be the new Jaguars kicker. He was 52-of-64 on field goals for the Chargers the last two seasons, but got beaten out by Younghoe Koo this summer. The Chargers have since cut Koo and signed Nick Novak.

On the road again, and the Rams don't mind


"I don't even think we should play at home," joked Rams running back Todd Gurley, whose team is 3-0 on the road this season. Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports

• Alden GonzalezESPN Staff Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The road, in many ways, is their home.

The Rams play out of Los Angeles, but they have performed their best away from it. The sample size is still quite small, but the Rams have won only two games in L.A. since they moved there at the start of the 2016 season, both of which represented their home openers. This year, they're 3-0 on the road for the first time since 2001 -- the year they went to the Super Bowl -- and 1-2 at home.

"I don't even think we should play at home," Rams running back Todd Gurley said, jokingly (one would think). "We've gotten all the wins on the road. That's been a good thing for us."

It's good timing, too.

The Rams beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field 27-17on Sunday and are staying in the city through Thursday. From there, they will go to London to serve as the home team against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Then they'll have their bye week, and then they'll travel to face the New York Giants. That's three games covering something in the neighborhood of 17,000 airline miles. Their next true home game, Week 10 against the Houston Texans, will come 35 days after their last one.

Because they now play out of the West Coast, and because they've drawn the London game, the Rams are set to travel more miles than any other team from the start of the 2016 season to the end of the 2017 season.

This week, their home is a sprawling, luxurious golf-course resort along Jacksonville's coastline. Rams coach Sean McVay is looking forward to the whole experience. He recently spoke to Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, whose team played in Denver and in Seattle for back-to-back games and wound up spending an entire week on the West Coast.

"It offers a unique opportunity to continue to connect as a team," McVay said. "Being away, but still you’re almost creating another camp in-season, if you will, and it feels comfortable."


The Rams are trying to mimic their typical weekly schedule and adjust it to E.T. They had meetings on Monday, will be off on Tuesday, then practice on the campus of the University of North Florida on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. They'll then hold a late, light practice at 4 p.m. local time from London on Friday.

The Rams are 4-2 for the first time 2006, already matching their win total from all of last season.

There have been times, as recently as their Week 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks, when their offense has had to use a silent count at home because so many of the fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum were rooting for the opposing team.

Maybe they acquired that road mentality early.

Maybe they have already come together.

“We’re playing as a team and finishing games," Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said. "We've had a lot of adversity in our games, but we're still finding a way to play for four quarters and finishing.”

[www.espn.com]

Pharoh Cooper Talks About the Rams Victory vs. Jacksonville –Audio

Rams WR and return specialist Pharoh Cooper talks about running the kickoff back for his first NFL touchdown on Sunday. Cooper talks about Jared Goff and the high scoring offense this season.

Listen to Cooper Interview

We were all happy to get out of Florida with an ugly road win vs a solid Jags team with a fierce pass defense. But I think all of us felt frustrated that so many drives stalled. We could have literally put them away and blown them out on 10 separate drives that somehow stalled.

Why did the Drives stall? Was it Goff's fault? Mcvay? Or just a great defense that brought our so called powerful offense back to earth.

Thank me later, but I did the leg work to uncover the mystery of the stalled drives in this weeks addition of "Who killed my Drive".


Let's get is started:

The Rams had 10 drives that stalled. I went back and watched all 10 and here is what happened:

1. 3rd and 1 - Gurley stuffed. Predictable play

2. 3rd and 2 - Watkins dropped pass. Tight defense but ball was there for the first down.

3. 3rd and 10 - Goff sacked. Credit Jags Defense and Calais Campbell.

4. 3rd and 6 - Campbell batted pass.

5. 3rd and 1 - Gurley stuffed. Predictable play.

6. 3rd and 4 - Incomplete to Everett. Pass interference not called in my opinion, some could argue Everett should have caught it which is becoming a trend with him, not catching balls in Traffic

7. Woods fumble.

8. 3rd and 11 - Incomplete to Watkins. Bouye has a sneaky pushoff that isn't caught by the ref and positions Watkins under the ball making it appear just a tad overthrown. This is to me, a great individual defensive play that was so quick it couldn't get called, or usually isn't. Great defensive play.

9. 3rd and 20 - Incomplete to Woods. Everett Hold and Tavon 6 yard loss put us in unmanageable. Rams make safe throw. Some knock Goff for the throw or Woods with the catch. I think it was too low and put this one on Goff. But that is a tough 3rd and 20 throw. I'm knocking Everett for the 10 yard Holding penalty that put us in this position.

10.3rd and 3 - Gurley stuffed.

Who Killed my Drive Summary:

3 Stalled drives due to Mcvay running Gurley up the middle. I love Mcvay, really I do. But this is 5 or 6 times in three games. Time to snap out of Fisher ball.

3 Stalled drives due to Jags Defense. One by Bouye and and 2 by Calais Campbell who batted a pass and also got a sack. He is their Aaron Donald. Drive Killer. Hard to beat. Credit defense. No fault.

2 Everett fails. I love Everett and understand he is a rookie, but it's time he show some first year improvement. Holding calls and dropped pass (interfered with but still). He's had other penalties and dropped passes this year that have killed drives. Time to get better.

1 Woods fumble. Ball security Bro.

1 Incomplete low throw to Woods on 3rd and 20. Not holding this against Goff because I am pretty sure the goal was to throw safe and keep it down. I am fine with that. I


So Who Killed your drive?

Mcvay - 3
Jags Defense - 3
Everett - 2
Woods -1
Watkins - 1

Great win, but lot's to work on. All fixable things.

We've all seen, heard, and witnessed that when Everett has the ball in his hands he looks like a running back.

Let's see him in that H-back role a little bit. Having a threat of Everett, Gurley, and Tavon with the sweep.

I really can't imagine how teams could plan for an attack like that, then you add in play action.

I've always loved play design with sports and my mind is going crazy with ways you could deploy this group of players as run options.

This kind of started with rewatching the Everett TD a few times. Not only does he do a great job of securing that shovel pass, but then he gets his head down, and finds the hole.

What do you guys think? Sean are you reading? How about you Kromer? Lafluer?

We had a fantastic time yesterday in Jax. The win just capped off the day because everything was better than I ever expected as far as the experience. I'm bad at taking pics... but I got a few worth sharing I think. Got a few cool things to share about the day too.

The first thing I want to say is just how nice everyone in Jax was... and I'm not talking about the crew from ROD. I'm talking about the Jag fans and everyone who worked in that stadium. I have been to a shit load of road games in my time, but I have never experienced the fan friendliness (I don't know if that's even a thing lol) that I experienced yesterday as a fan of a visiting team in any stadium EVER. It was almost like the Twilight Zone. @Ramrasta and I are still kinda in shock about it really.

A bunch of us freaks met up to tailgate at Hooters on The Landing around noon. It's always a blast to meet and talk in person with ROD members at these things. Here's a pic of some of our crew in Hooters... we had the table next to this too but I didn't take enough pics. I'll try and remember everyone's "stage name" here and point them out.




Going clockwise from the bottom left... Blue lensed sunglasses is me. Tongue out with the Shaka Brah sign is @Ramrasta , 99 Donald jersey just showing the back of his head is @RamsJunkie, his little girl with the bow and a full Ram cheerleader outfit is in front of him and his wife has the throwback Gurley jersey next to her, Behind and to the left of Ramsjunkie is @RAMNATION 's wife, RAMNATION is back there with the 28 Faulk jersey, @Dog is next to him in the blue Gurley, coming around to the guy in the white T-shirt is @Soul Surfer , next to him is @Dog 's girl (can't remember if they are married), and at the bottom right with his HORNS UP is @Ramhusker ... Oh, and if you look close you'll see Dog's wooden carved Ram in the middle of the table.




@Dog and @Ramhusker ... you can see the St Johns river behind them. It's still higher than hell from the hurricane.






DOG... and if you look behind him you'll see his girl obviously taking a pic of his ass.




RAMNATION and his wife. Ramrasta in the Youngblood.

Ramrasta got constant compliments for his Youngblood jersey throughout the entire day. Jag fans were telling him how much respect they had for it even after the game was over. So Cool... and Jack Youngblood so deserves it. He's from Florida... he's a more than a Legend here.





OK... things got crazy when we went into the stadium. I didn't realize that the seats I bought were in this special Club seating section for the visitors. It was totally badass. You go into a special entrance and enter an air conditioned palace with private bar and all kinds of different food venders and tables and GIANT TV and tables and bathrooms. Did I mention air conditioning? They even had kick ass Ram memorabilia for auction.

I'm not one to try and take pics of celebs or players,,, and I don't want to be disrespectful. But when it come to the ladies ... and our players have some SUPER HOT wives... I had a moment of weakness. I went over and asked these ladies if I COULD PLEASE take their picture.

Left to Right.... Mrs Ogletree, Mrs Jamon Brown and his daughter, Mrs Quinn. Just so you guys know... these beautiful ladies were so nice, and so tiny.





Here's a shot from our seats. right before the Anthem. They did a KICK ASS Anthem with a Navy Fly Over. Jax is a big time military town. They honored Vets and current Service members throughout the entire game. The fans cheered for the military there like the Jags scored a TD... it was really something else.





So I took this right after Greg Z kicked his last field goal. I never take selfies, but I just HAD to take this one because you guys wouldn't believe it if I didn't have proof.

Early in the game... the little ones sitting behind me just couldn't resist me for some reason. The little girl and boy both really liked me,,, or just wanted to mess with me LOL. She kept kicking or smacking me to get my attention I think,,, and the little guy was very sweet and was rubbing his hands across the Dickerson letters on my shoulders. Their mother kept apologizing,,, and I kept telling her it was just fine. They were the sweetest little children I have been around in a very long time.

Anyway,,, whenever we were on defense I could hear the little girl asking her Mom "where's Daddy" and stuff like "did Daddy get him?" Finally in around the 3rd quarter,,, I couldn't stand it anymore and I just had to ask Mom ... OK Who's Daddy?, I have to know!

She said Aaron... Aaron Donald.





Here's my oldest boy standing next to Aaron's daughter after the game. She got Quinn to come over and talk to them.



We got to talk to so many of the player's family it was almost unbelievable. They were all so very nice and appreciative. We kept getting to talk to so many of the Ram player's family members that it was almost like being out at the high school game talking to other parents of the team. So cool. I'm so glad that Ramrasta and I got to share that.

Forrest signed to Seahag practice squad, Spruce to Bears PS.

Posted cause I know a lot of folks here liked both. Hope they both get a chance.

I realize the Yankees are down 2-0 to the Astros. I understand it's a long shot they advance any further. I know most non-Yankee baseball fans hate the Yankees for various reasons. Success, money, or whatever. But man, what Brian Cashman has done to the organization is looking pretty good.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21016204/yankees-built-many-octobers-come
HOUSTON -- Perhaps the greatest losses in the history of the New York Yankees occurred at the end of July 2016. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner had hemmed and hawed about putting up a white flag on the season and needed a little more convincing. General manager Brian Cashman's insistence was not enough.

In this case, inaction was better than words.

The Yankees, with an older, going-nowhere roster, were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in front of their owner.

The owner was finally ready to take the vision laid out to him by his GM. The Yankees would never say they put up a white flag, but in dealing Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova, the team basically surrendered the 2016 season -- and it is beyond obvious that this was the right decision.

The losses to the Rays -- in which Nova, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda were the losing pitchers -- pushed Steinbrenner over the edge.

"I think it [the series against the Rays] influenced the people above me more," Cashman said shortly after the 2016 trade deadline. "The inconsistency of our club reared its ugly head. A true playoff contender wouldn't have done that."

Steinbrenner signed off, but he guided Cashman on the path that has led the Yankees to the 2017 American League Championship Series. Steinbrenner told Cashman to execute his plan and reload the farm system, but simultaneously keep the team competitive in an attempt to sneak into the playoffs.

Cashman brought back ex-Yankees relievers Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard, who could help, though they were not Miller and Chapman.

The Yankees did not make the playoffs, but the rebuild and reload game plan was fully hatched.

That is how the Yankees have arrived so quickly back in the playoffs, where they currently trail the Houston Astros 2-0 in the ALCS. But while the Astros completely tore their team down to rebuild, suffering through three straight seasons with 106 or more losses from 2011-2013, the Yankees never tanked. In fact, the Yankees haven't even had a sub-.500 season since 1992, a truly remarkable string, high payroll or not.

For the rest of baseball, the scariest part of Cashman's execution is that there is another wave in the farm system behind this current group. Plus, the Yankees are about to reduce payroll next year to drop under the luxury threshold, with the real possibility that they could be big free-agent players after 2018 when stars such as Bryce Harper and Manny Machado could be available.

With the offseason trade of catcher Brian McCann to the Astros included, the Yankees received 14 prospects in their rebuild that began after Steinbrenner watched that Tropicana sweep and allowed Cashman to basically punt 2016.

The haul included three top prospects: outfielder Clint Frazier, infielder Gleyber Torres and starter Justus Sheffield, none of whom are on the playoff roster. Frazier is the only one who has made the majors.

In other words, this is just the start.

"We hope so," Cashman said. "Sports can change things. Injuries. There are a lot of things, and that is why you have to grasp the moment when it comes. The Mets, going into the season, had a great team on paper, and then injuries hit. You see what is going on with my New York Giants [in the NFL]."

Cashman's peers have long considered him one of the best GMs in the game. However, given the advantages of the Core Four dynasty and the money the Yankees can spend, he hasn't received full marks from the media and fans. He has claimed that he doesn't truly care, as long as the Yankees win. Now, he may receive his full due, because this is his plan, and he is pressing the gas pedal.

He has put together this team in a masterful way, especially how he has exhausted all means to put a young base around a solid, but not spectacular, group of veterans.

Behind the plate, Cashman signed Gary Sanchez out of the Dominican as a 16-year-old at the urging of former vice president of player development Mark Newman. At first base, Cashman took Greg Bird in the fifth round out of high school in the 2011 draft, after the GM's amateur scouting department, led by Damon Oppenheimer, studied Bird's sweet swing in the Colorado high school scene.

At second base, Cashman essentially acquired Starlin Castro for free, trading Warren for him. The Yankees then reacquired Warren as a throw-in when they dealt Chapman to the Cubs last July for prospects, which included Torres.

After last season, the Yankees re-signed Chapman as a free agent for five years and $86 million. Essentially, for 2017, Cashman picked up Castro, Chapman and Warren for only money.

In 2014, the Yankees were on a mission to find the retiring Derek Jeter's replacement. Their super scout, Tim Naehring, gave Didi Gregorius a top rating, even though he wasn't even playing every day for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cashman desperately tried to deal for Gregorius but couldn't find a match with his buddy Dave Stewart, who was Arizona's GM at the time. Finally, Cashman brought then-Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski into the picture and worked a three-team trade that sent pitcher Shane Greene to Detroit, while Gregorius went east from Phoenix to the Bronx. He has been the Yankees' shortstop since 2015.

Aaron Judge was drafted after 31 picks went by in the 2013 draft, including the Yankees' first selection. The Yankees chose Notre Dame third baseman Eric Jagielo seven picks before they snapped up Judge. Cashman used Jagielo, as part of a discounted price, to acquire Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds when Chapman was under investigation for domestic violence in the winter prior to the 2016 season.

In center field, Cashman essentially erased the $153 million mistake of a contract the team gave to Jacoby Ellsbury by stealing Aaron Hicks in November 2015 for a backup catcher named John Ryan Murphy. After struggling in his first year with the Yankees, Hicks, the 14th pick in the 2008 draft, has excelled to the point that he is starting playoff games in center over Ellsbury.

In 2014, the Yankees signed starter Luis Severino at the recommendation of international scouting director Donny Rowland. With Newman leading the charge, the Yankees had to pay Severino only a $225,000 bonus.

Last offseason, the Yankees could have set their sights on 2018 or 2019, but instead, using their two-pronged approach, they gave Chapman the big contract with the idea of winning now, while building for later.

"We are not going to assume the next three to five years are going to be perfect," Cashman said. "We have to put the pedal to the metal every which way we can. Storm clouds are always brewing. You can't guarantee anything."

That is true, but the Yankees are built for this October, and many more to come.

That was a pretty good article.

I really hope they don't sign Machado or Harper. Crazy right? I'd prefer they keep the mojo they're building with the young guys there and the young guys coming up. If they want to spend money, buy pitching.

New segment I'll be trying out weekly. Since, you know, there's always a call or play we have to discuss ad nauseum every week regardless of the outcome. So, here's the inaugural video. Quinn called for unnecessary roughness on Fournette against Jacksonville.

Penalty (take it) or Nah (leave it)?

Granted, I may have installed my bias into this particular video, but I'll try to stop that going forward.

Poll attached.

The NFL will force you to watch this on YouTube, but at least they're no longer deleting these.

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I see plenty of music threads here, but none specifically dedicated to the best band in the world, Clutch!

If you are familiar with C!, then you know what I'm talking about. If you have never heard of them, you're welcome.

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(I've already had 4) uke:

Granted this doesn't tell us how many times we helped with a pull to their side or extra TE blocking. But these numbers are impressive, they had some pass blocking issues but they mauled the Jags line in the 4th quarter.

Some impressions
All these are opinions, subject to change upon recognition of greater intelligence

Overall:
1. The Rams O line looks like the know what they are doing every play--Jamon even seems to know!!; despite their size, they don't look like maulers. Howver, in the 4th the Jags defensive line was just wasted and we stomped on them late....like the old days with Pankey, Hill, Smith, Harrah and Slater, oh my...hohhoho, playoffs (50% chance).
2. Doug Marrone didn't adjust the defense one stupid bit; Rams ran the same plays, and the LBers never came up and filled; Actually, they didn't bite on play action, which means they are ready to fill passing lanes, not stop the run--thus a top 5 team against the pass (31??). ANd, Marrone never adjusted, maybe because Bortles can't, when we dominated at the point of attack. NO change up...they were losing at half, and din't come out and do anything different or good. Bad, bad coaching.

3. The Jags offense gave the Rams D 'one look' in the running game. YOu can't do that to Brockers and Donald...they clearly out-thought the Jags O line and made them look stupid. Impressive, but I don't think other teams will make it so easy. By the way, it reminded me of the 1970s 'bad' teams that tried to run on the Rams. Dryer and Youngblood were 220 and 235, but no one every ran on them consistently....they had better technique and intelligence....same with DOnald and Brockers---who both are brutally tough, too!

4. It looks like we are more focusing on not turning the ball over in the passing game; no risks, really--even when we went long, it was max protect, so no big sacks given up; and, this is a John Robinson philosophy when playing inferior teams that always leads to 10-6 seasons....which we might attain, if we beat theCards and Giants coming up.

5. I do like how I have no idea what play will be next; they don't go to Gurley in the flat every game, nor to Higbee every game, nor to Kupp in the slot every game; you can't predict, and that is important. Also, McVay will become a better game day coach...he is 31....I expect even more.

6. Not impressed with the lack of sustaining drives by the offense; against the Seahawks, we didn't score, but we sustained drives, controlled the ball, and got in to the red zone 6 times....that was impressive---this game was pretty awful, and near Fish level.
7. Special teams: best in the NFL yesterday, right? ANd, I wanted to cut Cooper, I am really, really wrong about him.

D Line:
Love Smart- dspite him being onlyt 300lbs or so, he does great. He can't handle double teams so, so well, but man he doesn't give up: he twists, turns, maneuvers to get to that ball carrier. Love this guy; think next year he could be like DOnald in playing style...or not
Brockers: the man. He can not be pushed off the ball more than 1 step, no matter the O lineman.
Donald:messing with those o lineman--as always.
Walker looked tough, and had one great move on the center to pressure Bortles on an important play

LBs:
Quinn: Mr 1/2 a trick pony made about 4-5 nice moves; the rest is ridonkulous.
Barron: the stud of the back 8. He is THE man; he is tough and instinctual, made a great play against two O lineman on a screen.

D backs:
John Johnson: not impressed with his tackling, physicality or 'choices' on some plays....and yet, when the ball is in the air he is very good, it seems. Reminds me of Sharper---another mediocre tackling safety (yes, I remember the Dallas tackle to end the game; one tackle not maketh the man).
Webster: when he came back, the defense went to the next level. Big difference.
Tru Jo: good enough. HE ain't coming back next year....no,no,no way.

Offense:
Gurley: he looked a bit different--better. More moves and cuts....but, he looks tired...maybe I am wrong.
Watkins: I am not so down on him; teams still have to watch him; without him, everything gets tight, because no one is afraid of Woods and Kupp. Mike Thomas could change that.
Tavon Austin: he is what he is....and it seems like a nice distraction for the defense....sadly that is it.

Goff is the same Goff from games 1-4, but the circumstances that surrounded him were much, much different. So, Goff had to become a game manager yesterday---and, that was predeteremined before the game, I believe.. Made some important throws when he had to to Woods and Kupp. He did good enough. THe errant deep throws are a bummer, and a bit of a suprise, but when Sammy starts getting in step, then we will have an offense.
The TEs: blocking seems to be adequate....bummer on the Everett hold...but, no surprise.

Some Rams look 'tired'....

I am going to watch the Cards tonight.....hmm AP is back...well, well...is the AZ O line still bad, or did they pummel Tampa, or what? I gotta find out...

What is up with his arm and spiral? I keep seeing him throw ducks out there. In the last 3 games his long ball has been terrible.

So far I am happy with his progression from last year, but please, someone work on his spiral.