Threads
-
To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.
Rams' offense should be better, but by how much?/ESPN
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 23 Replies
Rams' offense should be better, but by how much?
Rams coach Sean McVay says his approach to the offense this winter was about "evaluating the pieces and then figuring out what's the best way to put it together." Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES -- The optimist sees the 2017 Los Angeles Rams like this: Good on defense, good on special teams, and now it's just a matter of how quickly they can fix the offense.
Sean McVay, the rookie head coach who was brought in for that very task, isn't ready to set expectations.
"It sounds cliché -- I think the expectation is that we're just going to continue to try to get better every single day," McVay said last Thursday, the day after the conclusion of his offseason program. "I know this, in terms of the predictions, things like that, we don't really talk about it. But when you talk about the time, the effort that you put into each week, your expectation is to try to win that game."
The short answer: Nobody really knows how much better this unit can be with one offseason.
There's way too much ground to make up.
The Rams were dead last in the NFL in yards each of the past two years, but their struggles are even deeper and more pronounced than that. They have finished within the bottom 10 in yards per game each of the past 10 years. During that 10-year stretch, they didn't have a Pro Bowl quarterback and only had two 1,000-yard receivers -- Torry Holt in 2007 and Kenny Britt in 2016. Using its DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) metric, Football Outsiders has the 2016 Rams as the fourth-worst offense in the past 30 years
McVay has since cleared the decks.
Only six of those expected to start the 2017 season were starters on offense during the stretch run last season. That includes quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick from 2016 who must be given a real chance; running back Todd Gurley, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015; left guard Rodger Saffold, by far the Rams' best offensive lineman last season; receiver Tavon Austin, who might have a one-year tryout with this new coaching staff; and linemen Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown, each transitioning to new positions on the right side.
At left tackle, the Rams swapped Greg Robinson for Andrew Whitworth. At center, Tim Barnes was replaced by John Sullivan. At receiver, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp will essentially take the place of Britt and Brian Quick. At tight end, Tyler Higbee seems primed to absorb the targets that were once directed at Lance Kendricks.
"I don’t necessarily know if it was about kind of changing the structure of the entire offense," McVay said, "but more evaluating the pieces and then figuring out what's the best way to put it together."
Regardless, it will be a largely different group implementing an entirely different philosophy.
McVay was able to elevate quarterback Kirk Cousins while serving as the offensive coordinator and play-caller in Washington these past two seasons. He will call plays for the Rams, too, and has spoken constantly about being able to marry the run and the pass, something he wasn't really able to accomplish in his prior gig. It's even more important now because McVay wants to take a lot of the pressure off Goff, who's still only 22 years old.
The Rams' offense should be better, but it's impossible to know by how much.
"To say how our offense affects what we'll be able to do as a team, it's hard to say," McVay said. "And there's so many things that change from year to year. But I think when you look at what's been done in the past, we're optimistic that we're improving as a team."
[www.espn.com]
Rams coach Sean McVay says his approach to the offense this winter was about "evaluating the pieces and then figuring out what's the best way to put it together." Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES -- The optimist sees the 2017 Los Angeles Rams like this: Good on defense, good on special teams, and now it's just a matter of how quickly they can fix the offense.
Sean McVay, the rookie head coach who was brought in for that very task, isn't ready to set expectations.
"It sounds cliché -- I think the expectation is that we're just going to continue to try to get better every single day," McVay said last Thursday, the day after the conclusion of his offseason program. "I know this, in terms of the predictions, things like that, we don't really talk about it. But when you talk about the time, the effort that you put into each week, your expectation is to try to win that game."
The short answer: Nobody really knows how much better this unit can be with one offseason.
There's way too much ground to make up.
The Rams were dead last in the NFL in yards each of the past two years, but their struggles are even deeper and more pronounced than that. They have finished within the bottom 10 in yards per game each of the past 10 years. During that 10-year stretch, they didn't have a Pro Bowl quarterback and only had two 1,000-yard receivers -- Torry Holt in 2007 and Kenny Britt in 2016. Using its DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) metric, Football Outsiders has the 2016 Rams as the fourth-worst offense in the past 30 years
McVay has since cleared the decks.
Only six of those expected to start the 2017 season were starters on offense during the stretch run last season. That includes quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick from 2016 who must be given a real chance; running back Todd Gurley, the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015; left guard Rodger Saffold, by far the Rams' best offensive lineman last season; receiver Tavon Austin, who might have a one-year tryout with this new coaching staff; and linemen Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown, each transitioning to new positions on the right side.
At left tackle, the Rams swapped Greg Robinson for Andrew Whitworth. At center, Tim Barnes was replaced by John Sullivan. At receiver, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp will essentially take the place of Britt and Brian Quick. At tight end, Tyler Higbee seems primed to absorb the targets that were once directed at Lance Kendricks.
"I don’t necessarily know if it was about kind of changing the structure of the entire offense," McVay said, "but more evaluating the pieces and then figuring out what's the best way to put it together."
Regardless, it will be a largely different group implementing an entirely different philosophy.
McVay was able to elevate quarterback Kirk Cousins while serving as the offensive coordinator and play-caller in Washington these past two seasons. He will call plays for the Rams, too, and has spoken constantly about being able to marry the run and the pass, something he wasn't really able to accomplish in his prior gig. It's even more important now because McVay wants to take a lot of the pressure off Goff, who's still only 22 years old.
The Rams' offense should be better, but it's impossible to know by how much.
"To say how our offense affects what we'll be able to do as a team, it's hard to say," McVay said. "And there's so many things that change from year to year. But I think when you look at what's been done in the past, we're optimistic that we're improving as a team."
[www.espn.com]
Ezekiel Elliott wants to be more like Marshall Faulk
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 18 Replies
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...nts-to-follow-in-marshall-faulks-cleat-marks/
Ezekiel Elliott wants to follow in Marshall Faulk’s cleat marks
Posted by Charean Williams on June 21, 2017
Getty Images
Ezekiel Elliott wants to be more like Marshall Faulk.
The Cowboys running back, who led the league in rushing as a rookie, wants his growth to follow that of Faulk. Elliott calls the Hall of Famer a complete running back.
“With now being more comfortable in this offense and not really worrying about having to learn what I have to do, I kind of want to grow more as an overall player,” Elliott said, via Matt Mosley and Ed Werder in The Doomsday Podcast.
“One of the guys I looked up to growing up playing football was Marshall Faulk. You hear stories about him about how he was kind of like a second quarterback back there with Kurt Warner. So this offseason, I’ve just been focusing on kind of learning the offense outside of roles.
I’m just kind of being able to be back there and be helpful to Dak [Prescott] and just kind of … learning what everyone else is doing and how I fit into my job.”
A big storyline this offseason has been the Cowboys’ intention to use Elliott more in the passing game. Elliott had only 32 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown last season.
Faulk caught 52 passes for 522 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season of 1994. In a five-year stretch from 1998, his final season in Indianapolis, to 2002, Faulk averaged 83 catches per season.
“For sure I think I can [do that],” Elliott said. “Just when you follow Marshall Faulk’s career you see in his earlier career he was definitely involved in the passing game, but he was more of a guy who kind of got grinded down.
He had a lot of carries and really rushed for great numbers when he was in Indianapolis, and then kind of as he got older, he grew more as a player. I just like the fact that he was a guy who was great in all aspects of the game.”
Ezekiel Elliott wants to follow in Marshall Faulk’s cleat marks
Posted by Charean Williams on June 21, 2017
Ezekiel Elliott wants to be more like Marshall Faulk.
The Cowboys running back, who led the league in rushing as a rookie, wants his growth to follow that of Faulk. Elliott calls the Hall of Famer a complete running back.
“With now being more comfortable in this offense and not really worrying about having to learn what I have to do, I kind of want to grow more as an overall player,” Elliott said, via Matt Mosley and Ed Werder in The Doomsday Podcast.
“One of the guys I looked up to growing up playing football was Marshall Faulk. You hear stories about him about how he was kind of like a second quarterback back there with Kurt Warner. So this offseason, I’ve just been focusing on kind of learning the offense outside of roles.
I’m just kind of being able to be back there and be helpful to Dak [Prescott] and just kind of … learning what everyone else is doing and how I fit into my job.”
A big storyline this offseason has been the Cowboys’ intention to use Elliott more in the passing game. Elliott had only 32 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown last season.
Faulk caught 52 passes for 522 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season of 1994. In a five-year stretch from 1998, his final season in Indianapolis, to 2002, Faulk averaged 83 catches per season.
“For sure I think I can [do that],” Elliott said. “Just when you follow Marshall Faulk’s career you see in his earlier career he was definitely involved in the passing game, but he was more of a guy who kind of got grinded down.
He had a lot of carries and really rushed for great numbers when he was in Indianapolis, and then kind of as he got older, he grew more as a player. I just like the fact that he was a guy who was great in all aspects of the game.”
Rams Waive DB Brian Randolph
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 113 Replies
The Rams have waived DB Brian Randolph
following the conclusion of the club's offseason program.
Randolph signed with the Rams last offseason as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Tennessee.
He spent the 2016 season on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in the team's first preseason game.
The Rams’ roster now stands at 85 players. The team will report to training camp at UC Irvine in late July.
View: http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Waive-DB-Brian-Randolph/acd60686-f7ca-4ab0-accd-e2edd71fbc2d
BIG FREAKING MISTAKE IF YOU ASK ME!!!!!!!! But... In McSnead we trust.
following the conclusion of the club's offseason program.Randolph signed with the Rams last offseason as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Tennessee.
He spent the 2016 season on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in the team's first preseason game.
The Rams’ roster now stands at 85 players. The team will report to training camp at UC Irvine in late July.
View: http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Waive-DB-Brian-Randolph/acd60686-f7ca-4ab0-accd-e2edd71fbc2d
BIG FREAKING MISTAKE IF YOU ASK ME!!!!!!!! But... In McSnead we trust.
Invader Alert for @Mojo Ram
- By DaveFan'51
- OFF TOPIC
- 17 Replies
Hey @Mojo Ram! You live in Arizona right!? Well I just got a Facebook message from My Niece, who lives in Northern Arizona, that she has had to Kill 16 Scorpions in he yard in the last 3 Days! Is that common this time of year!?!
I told her I hate anything that Crawls and Bites! I had a nasty experience with a 12 inch Centapede in Viet Nam!
I told her I hate anything that Crawls and Bites! I had a nasty experience with a 12 inch Centapede in Viet Nam!
Most Scary Player in Rams History
- By Loyal
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 40 Replies
Wendell Tyler is my choice.
Younger fans know nothing about this guy because his time with the Rams was before their time. He was a star RB at UCLA (ughh!), and he was uber talented. He was so good in many ways as a RB, but for me it was all undone by his tendency to swing his arm wide with the football out in space. I know it helped him to maintain balance, but I remember watching that swinging football arm as he wound through defenders.I would scream at the TV for him to tuck the d@mn football in! But he rarely did. It may have seemed to happen more than it actually did, but I know it happened more than once: Tyler would be in the midst of a spectacular run, and it was like a nightmare-slow-motion sequence where I see the defender coming and I knew he would hit that arm and dislodge the football. I was a kid at the time and I would scream in agony when he did this.
Maybe another scary choice is for a guy outside of the football field, which was Lawrence Phillips
Numbers say Todd Gurley missed holes in 2016
- By Faceplant
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 27 Replies
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele.../numbers-say-todd-gurley-missed-holes-in-2016
LOS ANGELES -- The fault of Todd Gurley's disappointing 2016 season for the Los Angeles Rams usually falls on the circumstances that surrounded him, specifically a shoddy offensive line and a non-threatening passing attack that caused defenses to stack the box and suffocate Gurley every time he touched the football.
But Gurley himself didn't take advantage of opportunities.
ESPN NFL Insider K.C. Joyner tracks the situations when running backs receive good blocking under a stat called good blocking yards per attempt. Good blocking, in this instance, roughly refers to the times when offenses do not allow defenses to disrupt a rush attempt. In 2015, while on his way to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year, Gurley averaged 10.9 good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) on 73 carries, the highest rate in the NFL. In 2016, Gurley averaged 6.8 GBYPA on 101 carries, 38th among the 43 running backs with triple-digit good blocking attempts.
It validates what Jamon Brown alluded to at the end of the season, when he talked about how Gurley and the offensive line "have to get back on the same page." And what running backs coach Skip Peete talked about six weeks later, when he said that sometimes Gurley went away from the playcall.
Rodger Saffold, currently the starting left guard, saw improvement in the communication with Gurley during the offseason program.
"It's more just kind of figuring out the speed out of the backfield that he needs," Saffold said. "Once you get that down, then you kind of see the mesh of what we're trying to get done. He knows what we're trying to do on the offensive line as far as front side and back side. So, he knows where the play is going. Inside, with our wide zones and our inside zones, I think he's attacking where we want the ball to go a lot better. And I think he’s letting things develop, too. Letting things develop on the inside, but on the outside he’s really pushing that edge, and it’s opening up some things for him."
Gurley, the 10th overall pick out of Georgia in 2015, went from rushing for 1,097 yards through 12 starts in 2015 to rushing for 885 yards through 16 starts in 2016. Those 885 yards were the fewest ever for a running back with at least 275 carries in a single season. It vaulted Gurley out of the discussion for the elite running backs in the game, mere months after he was thought to be in position to lead it.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff still considers Gurley "one of the best in the league."
"He's done it in the past," Goff said, "and I think he'll prove it this year."
"He's a big, powerful guy that's able to stick his foot in the ground and break tackles," Rams first-year offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur added. "I'm really excited to see what he's going to do this fall."
Gurley's 3.18 yards per attempt ranked 41st among 42 qualified running backs. He averaged 1.59 yards before first contract, which was also the second-worst mark in the league. The latter stat shows that defenses were getting to him quickly. But Joyner's numbers say the Rams gave him good blocking on 36.3 percent of his carries, which ranked 28th among 43 qualifying running backs and indicates that Gurley should have been better. Perhaps significantly so.
Gurley isn't one for introspection, at least not in public. He talked up the communication with the new coaching staff, but downplayed what a new offense would change about his approach after a mandatory minicamp practice last Tuesday. He was asked about not putting up the numbers everybody was expecting, and he instead referenced two different numbers.
"Four and 12 is definitely not the season no one wants," Gurley said. "I don't really care about what I do individually. We wouldn't have this discussion if we were 14-2 and I had 200 yards. It really doesn't matter what I do or what anybody else does on this team. It's about what we do on the field together."
That's what strikes Goff, and several others, about Gurley -- how legitimately team-oriented he is. Thing is, the team won't have success unless Gurley does. And he knows that better than anybody, even if he won't let on.
"How hard he's taken everything, and how serious he's taken everything, has been awesome," Goff said. "I expect him to have a great year."
LOS ANGELES -- The fault of Todd Gurley's disappointing 2016 season for the Los Angeles Rams usually falls on the circumstances that surrounded him, specifically a shoddy offensive line and a non-threatening passing attack that caused defenses to stack the box and suffocate Gurley every time he touched the football.
But Gurley himself didn't take advantage of opportunities.
ESPN NFL Insider K.C. Joyner tracks the situations when running backs receive good blocking under a stat called good blocking yards per attempt. Good blocking, in this instance, roughly refers to the times when offenses do not allow defenses to disrupt a rush attempt. In 2015, while on his way to being named Offensive Rookie of the Year, Gurley averaged 10.9 good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) on 73 carries, the highest rate in the NFL. In 2016, Gurley averaged 6.8 GBYPA on 101 carries, 38th among the 43 running backs with triple-digit good blocking attempts.
It validates what Jamon Brown alluded to at the end of the season, when he talked about how Gurley and the offensive line "have to get back on the same page." And what running backs coach Skip Peete talked about six weeks later, when he said that sometimes Gurley went away from the playcall.
Rodger Saffold, currently the starting left guard, saw improvement in the communication with Gurley during the offseason program.
"It's more just kind of figuring out the speed out of the backfield that he needs," Saffold said. "Once you get that down, then you kind of see the mesh of what we're trying to get done. He knows what we're trying to do on the offensive line as far as front side and back side. So, he knows where the play is going. Inside, with our wide zones and our inside zones, I think he's attacking where we want the ball to go a lot better. And I think he’s letting things develop, too. Letting things develop on the inside, but on the outside he’s really pushing that edge, and it’s opening up some things for him."
Gurley, the 10th overall pick out of Georgia in 2015, went from rushing for 1,097 yards through 12 starts in 2015 to rushing for 885 yards through 16 starts in 2016. Those 885 yards were the fewest ever for a running back with at least 275 carries in a single season. It vaulted Gurley out of the discussion for the elite running backs in the game, mere months after he was thought to be in position to lead it.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff still considers Gurley "one of the best in the league."
"He's done it in the past," Goff said, "and I think he'll prove it this year."
"He's a big, powerful guy that's able to stick his foot in the ground and break tackles," Rams first-year offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur added. "I'm really excited to see what he's going to do this fall."
Gurley's 3.18 yards per attempt ranked 41st among 42 qualified running backs. He averaged 1.59 yards before first contract, which was also the second-worst mark in the league. The latter stat shows that defenses were getting to him quickly. But Joyner's numbers say the Rams gave him good blocking on 36.3 percent of his carries, which ranked 28th among 43 qualifying running backs and indicates that Gurley should have been better. Perhaps significantly so.
Gurley isn't one for introspection, at least not in public. He talked up the communication with the new coaching staff, but downplayed what a new offense would change about his approach after a mandatory minicamp practice last Tuesday. He was asked about not putting up the numbers everybody was expecting, and he instead referenced two different numbers.
"Four and 12 is definitely not the season no one wants," Gurley said. "I don't really care about what I do individually. We wouldn't have this discussion if we were 14-2 and I had 200 yards. It really doesn't matter what I do or what anybody else does on this team. It's about what we do on the field together."
That's what strikes Goff, and several others, about Gurley -- how legitimately team-oriented he is. Thing is, the team won't have success unless Gurley does. And he knows that better than anybody, even if he won't let on.
"How hard he's taken everything, and how serious he's taken everything, has been awesome," Goff said. "I expect him to have a great year."
Trumaine Johnson will play out this season under the franchise tag
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 92 Replies
Rams Unlikely To Extend Trumaine Johnson
by Dallas Robinson
The odds of the Rams reaching a long-term agreement with franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson are extremely slim, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Los Angeles spoke with Johnson’s representatives regarding an extension only once, and the discussions weren’t fruitful enough to warrant another round of talks.Trumaine Johnson
If he’s not extended, Johnson will play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive season. As such, his fully guaranteed base salary for the 2017 campaign will be $16.742MM, a 20% raise over his 2016 salary and the highest figure among cornerbacks for the upcoming year. The 27-year-old Johnson will have earned north of $30MM for the 2016-17 seasons.
The Rams explored trading Johnson this offseason, and while the Browns and Saints reportedly expressed interest, Johnson is now expected to stay put in Los Angeles. New head coach Sean McVay recently indicatedthat Johnson “fits any system. You’re talking about a big corner who can run, he’s physical, he can tackle and he has great ball skills.”
The NFL has pushed back the deadline for franchise players to sign extensions to July 17, meaning the Rams and Johnson have a little less than a month to agree to a long-term deal.
by Dallas Robinson
The odds of the Rams reaching a long-term agreement with franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson are extremely slim, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Los Angeles spoke with Johnson’s representatives regarding an extension only once, and the discussions weren’t fruitful enough to warrant another round of talks.Trumaine Johnson
If he’s not extended, Johnson will play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive season. As such, his fully guaranteed base salary for the 2017 campaign will be $16.742MM, a 20% raise over his 2016 salary and the highest figure among cornerbacks for the upcoming year. The 27-year-old Johnson will have earned north of $30MM for the 2016-17 seasons.
The Rams explored trading Johnson this offseason, and while the Browns and Saints reportedly expressed interest, Johnson is now expected to stay put in Los Angeles. New head coach Sean McVay recently indicatedthat Johnson “fits any system. You’re talking about a big corner who can run, he’s physical, he can tackle and he has great ball skills.”
The NFL has pushed back the deadline for franchise players to sign extensions to July 17, meaning the Rams and Johnson have a little less than a month to agree to a long-term deal.
-
Poll
Jake Ellenbogen's All-Time Rams Roster: Running backs
- By JKBOGEN
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 39 Replies
Jake Ellenbogen's All-Time Rams Roster: Running backs
In this renewed series Jake gives you a complete all-time Rams roster going through each position. Here we look at running back, there were will be two starters (since we have to go split-back formation with this position), two backups, and an honorable mention.
Starter: Eric Dickerson
(64 games started, 1,525 rushes, 7,245 rush yds, 4.8 YPC, 56 rush TDs, 123 rec, 912 rec yds, 2 rec TDs)
(4x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro, Rookie of the Year w/ Rams)
Some may disagree, while some may disagree that people disagree, but Eric Dickerson is the poster boy for the Los Angeles Rams and has been even after he left. He may get knocked by the modern day fans for lack of longevity, but Dickerson was a force of nature and was absolutely dominant. He set the rookie rushing yards record in a year that netted him the obvious Rookie of the Year award on top of runner-up in the MVP voting.
Dickerson never took home the hardware for MVP, which is mind-boggling in itself. However, that didn't stop Dickerson from becoming an icon. He set the single-season rushing record that still stands today at 2,105 rushing yards. Dickerson was a track-star at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and he combined that speed into a giant frame of 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
I decided to place Dickerson here because he was the superstar for the Rams, he is the one that would likely be associated with the Rams on a Mount Rushmore. I decided to go split back formation, but my main go-to guy is going to be Dickerson. You can't beat that speed and power. While, current Rams RB Todd Gurley looks like he has it, no one was and will never be Eric Dickerson.
Starter: Marshall Faulk
(80 games started, 1,447 rushes, 6,959 rush yds, 58 rush TDs, 4.8 ypc, 470 rec, 4,071 rec yards, 27 rec TDs)
(1x MVP, 4x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl Champion w/ Rams)
Yes, I did just split Dickerson and Marshall Faulk in the backfield to create the most terrifying offense ever. Yes, I did just do that. Faulk is my all-time favorite Ram and favorite NFL player, but I'm not being biased. Faulk was a fantastic running back, who in many people's opinion falls into the top 10 and maybe top 5 for all time running backs.
Faulk was a superstar out of San Diego State who was drafted to grow with future Hall of Fame signal-caller Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. Faulk was every bit as advertised, but due to the fact he missed a team yardage goal the Colts decided to trade him away to the St. Louis Rams. There he would join Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner and the rest was history with the Greatest Show on Turf. Faulk was such an elite talent, that when the Rams traded for him from Indianapolis he instantly changed their offense and added a new dynamic to them. It seemed like Faulk was the missing piece for an unstoppable offense.
Faulk had seven seasons with the Rams organization and during that time he helped win them their first Super Bowl Championship in two opportunities and was named Most Valuable Player capping off a Hall of Fame career. Having Faulk split with Dickerson out of the backfield as previously mentioned is lethal. Faulk in my personal opinion no matter what anyone says is a top five all-time back and the greatest pass catching running back ever.
No.3 RB: Steven Jackson
(119 starts, 2,396 rushes, 10,138 rush yds, 56 rush TDs, 4.2 ypc, 407 rec, 3,324 rec yds, 8 rec TDs)
(3x Pro Bowler)
Steven Jackson, a former first-round pick drafted out of Oregon State to pass the torch to after Marshall Faulk ended up being pretty good. By pretty good, I mean really good or even great. Jackson ended up being the Rams all-time leader in rushing yards and he achieved that fit with his bulldozer running style at 6-foot-3. 229 pounds similar to Dickerson along with some sprinkled in agility like Marshall Faulk. Unfortunately, Jackson didn't get a chance to play when the times were fun for the Rams. For his entire career he battled defenses who knew that No.39 was getting the hand off and he had to make something happen regardless.
Jackson never played in a playoff game, but he tried everything in his power to get the Rams there. Some would argue this is just right for Jackson, but others would argue that he should be No.l because of his status as the Rams all-time rusher. I think this is right where he belongs, but I also think fans seem to discount a lot of the remarkable things he was able to do. Not even just Rams fans, even though Jackson had a streak of eight seasons over 1,000 yards per carry on awful teams with zero blocking and no pass game to keep the defense honest. He only ended up as a three-time Pro Bowler and was never once an All-Pro. Quite a shame to say the least...
Sure, he didn't get to play with an elite QB like Kurt Warner, but can you even imagine if he did? Jackson was an outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield and with Warner he really would have thrived. The unfortunate thing is that I think Jackson getting his number 39 retired is iffy (even though it's a no-brainer to me) and I think he is going to be a Hall of Fame snub due to the fact the writers will look at his lack of playoff resume and zero super bowls and consider others who may not have been the talent Jackson was, but had the ring.
No.4 RB: Dan Towler
(67 games, 672 rush, 43 rush TDs, 5.2 ypc, 62 rec, 665 rec yds, 1 rec TD)
(4x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x NFL Champion w/ Rams)
The Rams have a plethora of running backs in their history, but I don't believe there is a more underrated back in the franchise's storied history than Deacon Dan Towler. Towler is considered the best running back you don't even know and there is a reason for it. Towler headlined the "Bull Elephant" backfield with running backs Tank Younger and Dick Hoerner. He was selected in the 25th round by the Rams and was absolutely dominant during his short career in the NFL.
Towler was extremely consistent, posting a 5.2 yards per carry average that is higher than Faulk, Dickerson and Jackson for the Rams. Unfortunately, his act of pure dominance, dominance in which led to an NFL championship in 1951, came to halt when Towler decided to leave the game of football forever to become a minister. There is no doubt Towler could have finished much higher on the Rams list of stats had he stayed in the NFL. Towler is sixth all-time in Rams rushing yardage.
One thing that is crazy about this list is that Towler is the only one on here that played for only the Rams. Yes, even Steven Jackson left via free agency, where as Towler played all his days with the Rams and retired from football as a whole.
Honorable Mention
Lawrence McCutcheon
The eight-year Ram is fourth all-time in rushing for the franchise and a collector of five Pro Bowl appearances. McCutcheon who was drafted out of the third round in 1972 by the Rams is another one of those underrated backs I had to mention. While some may say that Dick Bass should be up here instead of McCutcheon, I believe McCutcheon beats him out by a hair especially with his playoff rushing performance. He set a playoff rushing record with 202 yards on the ground in one game and he even threw the go-ahead touchdown in the Rams Super Bowl loss to the Steelers.
McCutcheon had a good career with the Rams and has spent a total of 38 years with the franchise. Today, he works in the player personnel front office department as a National scout. Hopefully Todd Gurley replaces McCutcheon in a couple of years on this list...
What are your thoughts Rams fans? Are you okay with this position group or do I need to make some shakeups? Let me know! Be sure to stay tuned for the next article in this series when we take on the wide receivers.
In this renewed series Jake gives you a complete all-time Rams roster going through each position. Here we look at running back, there were will be two starters (since we have to go split-back formation with this position), two backups, and an honorable mention.
Starter: Eric Dickerson
(64 games started, 1,525 rushes, 7,245 rush yds, 4.8 YPC, 56 rush TDs, 123 rec, 912 rec yds, 2 rec TDs)
(4x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro, Rookie of the Year w/ Rams)
Some may disagree, while some may disagree that people disagree, but Eric Dickerson is the poster boy for the Los Angeles Rams and has been even after he left. He may get knocked by the modern day fans for lack of longevity, but Dickerson was a force of nature and was absolutely dominant. He set the rookie rushing yards record in a year that netted him the obvious Rookie of the Year award on top of runner-up in the MVP voting.
Dickerson never took home the hardware for MVP, which is mind-boggling in itself. However, that didn't stop Dickerson from becoming an icon. He set the single-season rushing record that still stands today at 2,105 rushing yards. Dickerson was a track-star at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and he combined that speed into a giant frame of 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
I decided to place Dickerson here because he was the superstar for the Rams, he is the one that would likely be associated with the Rams on a Mount Rushmore. I decided to go split back formation, but my main go-to guy is going to be Dickerson. You can't beat that speed and power. While, current Rams RB Todd Gurley looks like he has it, no one was and will never be Eric Dickerson.
Starter: Marshall Faulk
(80 games started, 1,447 rushes, 6,959 rush yds, 58 rush TDs, 4.8 ypc, 470 rec, 4,071 rec yards, 27 rec TDs)
(1x MVP, 4x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl Champion w/ Rams)
Yes, I did just split Dickerson and Marshall Faulk in the backfield to create the most terrifying offense ever. Yes, I did just do that. Faulk is my all-time favorite Ram and favorite NFL player, but I'm not being biased. Faulk was a fantastic running back, who in many people's opinion falls into the top 10 and maybe top 5 for all time running backs.
Faulk was a superstar out of San Diego State who was drafted to grow with future Hall of Fame signal-caller Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. Faulk was every bit as advertised, but due to the fact he missed a team yardage goal the Colts decided to trade him away to the St. Louis Rams. There he would join Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner and the rest was history with the Greatest Show on Turf. Faulk was such an elite talent, that when the Rams traded for him from Indianapolis he instantly changed their offense and added a new dynamic to them. It seemed like Faulk was the missing piece for an unstoppable offense.
Faulk had seven seasons with the Rams organization and during that time he helped win them their first Super Bowl Championship in two opportunities and was named Most Valuable Player capping off a Hall of Fame career. Having Faulk split with Dickerson out of the backfield as previously mentioned is lethal. Faulk in my personal opinion no matter what anyone says is a top five all-time back and the greatest pass catching running back ever.
No.3 RB: Steven Jackson
(119 starts, 2,396 rushes, 10,138 rush yds, 56 rush TDs, 4.2 ypc, 407 rec, 3,324 rec yds, 8 rec TDs)
(3x Pro Bowler)
Steven Jackson, a former first-round pick drafted out of Oregon State to pass the torch to after Marshall Faulk ended up being pretty good. By pretty good, I mean really good or even great. Jackson ended up being the Rams all-time leader in rushing yards and he achieved that fit with his bulldozer running style at 6-foot-3. 229 pounds similar to Dickerson along with some sprinkled in agility like Marshall Faulk. Unfortunately, Jackson didn't get a chance to play when the times were fun for the Rams. For his entire career he battled defenses who knew that No.39 was getting the hand off and he had to make something happen regardless.
Jackson never played in a playoff game, but he tried everything in his power to get the Rams there. Some would argue this is just right for Jackson, but others would argue that he should be No.l because of his status as the Rams all-time rusher. I think this is right where he belongs, but I also think fans seem to discount a lot of the remarkable things he was able to do. Not even just Rams fans, even though Jackson had a streak of eight seasons over 1,000 yards per carry on awful teams with zero blocking and no pass game to keep the defense honest. He only ended up as a three-time Pro Bowler and was never once an All-Pro. Quite a shame to say the least...
Sure, he didn't get to play with an elite QB like Kurt Warner, but can you even imagine if he did? Jackson was an outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield and with Warner he really would have thrived. The unfortunate thing is that I think Jackson getting his number 39 retired is iffy (even though it's a no-brainer to me) and I think he is going to be a Hall of Fame snub due to the fact the writers will look at his lack of playoff resume and zero super bowls and consider others who may not have been the talent Jackson was, but had the ring.
No.4 RB: Dan Towler
(67 games, 672 rush, 43 rush TDs, 5.2 ypc, 62 rec, 665 rec yds, 1 rec TD)
(4x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x NFL Champion w/ Rams)
The Rams have a plethora of running backs in their history, but I don't believe there is a more underrated back in the franchise's storied history than Deacon Dan Towler. Towler is considered the best running back you don't even know and there is a reason for it. Towler headlined the "Bull Elephant" backfield with running backs Tank Younger and Dick Hoerner. He was selected in the 25th round by the Rams and was absolutely dominant during his short career in the NFL.
Towler was extremely consistent, posting a 5.2 yards per carry average that is higher than Faulk, Dickerson and Jackson for the Rams. Unfortunately, his act of pure dominance, dominance in which led to an NFL championship in 1951, came to halt when Towler decided to leave the game of football forever to become a minister. There is no doubt Towler could have finished much higher on the Rams list of stats had he stayed in the NFL. Towler is sixth all-time in Rams rushing yardage.
One thing that is crazy about this list is that Towler is the only one on here that played for only the Rams. Yes, even Steven Jackson left via free agency, where as Towler played all his days with the Rams and retired from football as a whole.
Honorable Mention
Lawrence McCutcheon
The eight-year Ram is fourth all-time in rushing for the franchise and a collector of five Pro Bowl appearances. McCutcheon who was drafted out of the third round in 1972 by the Rams is another one of those underrated backs I had to mention. While some may say that Dick Bass should be up here instead of McCutcheon, I believe McCutcheon beats him out by a hair especially with his playoff rushing performance. He set a playoff rushing record with 202 yards on the ground in one game and he even threw the go-ahead touchdown in the Rams Super Bowl loss to the Steelers.
McCutcheon had a good career with the Rams and has spent a total of 38 years with the franchise. Today, he works in the player personnel front office department as a National scout. Hopefully Todd Gurley replaces McCutcheon in a couple of years on this list...
What are your thoughts Rams fans? Are you okay with this position group or do I need to make some shakeups? Let me know! Be sure to stay tuned for the next article in this series when we take on the wide receivers.
Rams sign remaining 2017 draft picks
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 2 Replies
Login to view embedded media
View: http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Rams-Sign-Five-2017-Draft-Picks/140b1487-a49b-4e4b-bcb1-706e2b71661e
The Rams continued to take care of some offseason business on Tuesday morning, signing their remaining five draft picks: wide receiver Josh Reynolds, linebacker Samson Ebukam, defensive tackle Tanzel Smart, fullback Sam Rogers, and outside linebacker Ejuan Price.
Reynolds and Ebukam were fourth-round picks, Smart and Rogers were both sixth-round selections, and Price was taken in the seventh.
Los Angeles signed tight end Gerald Everett, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and safety John Johnson earlier this month.
Upon putting pen to paper, each of the five picks answered one question for therams.com: How do you feel after signing your rookie deal?
WIDE RECEIVER JOSH REYNOLDS
“Awesome — it’s a dream come true, really. Just happy to join the Rams organization, and I’m happy they have me.”
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER SAMSON EBUKAM
“It’s all the hard work that we’ve been putting in, just to come to this point and just for it to happen, like Josh said, it’s a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
DEFENSIVE TACKLE TANZEL SMART
“It’s a blessing, man. This is where dreams come true. That’s all I’ve got to say — it’s a dream come true.”
FULLBACK SAM ROGERS
“Even though you expect it, it’s still just such a blessing. And it’s a great feeling being able to put pen to paper and signing. So it’s been awesome.”
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER EJUAN PRICE
“I’m part of the team, now. I finally got some money so I’m not complaining. But it feels good to just get it out of the way and just focus on football.”
Jamie Han contributed reporting
One thing I miss from Coach Fisher was his penchant for signing all the rookies on the same day and having that money management session where he would bring in an armored truck with all that money.
The Rams continued to take care of some offseason business on Tuesday morning, signing their remaining five draft picks: wide receiver Josh Reynolds
, linebacker Samson Ebukam, defensive tackle Tanzel Smart, fullback Sam Rogers, and outside linebacker Ejuan Price.Reynolds and Ebukam were fourth-round picks, Smart and Rogers were both sixth-round selections, and Price was taken in the seventh.
Los Angeles signed tight end Gerald Everett
, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and safety John Johnson earlier this month.Upon putting pen to paper, each of the five picks answered one question for therams.com: How do you feel after signing your rookie deal?
WIDE RECEIVER JOSH REYNOLDS
“Awesome — it’s a dream come true, really. Just happy to join the Rams organization, and I’m happy they have me.”
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER SAMSON EBUKAM
“It’s all the hard work that we’ve been putting in, just to come to this point and just for it to happen, like Josh said, it’s a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier right now.”
DEFENSIVE TACKLE TANZEL SMART
“It’s a blessing, man. This is where dreams come true. That’s all I’ve got to say — it’s a dream come true.”
FULLBACK SAM ROGERS
“Even though you expect it, it’s still just such a blessing. And it’s a great feeling being able to put pen to paper and signing. So it’s been awesome.”
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER EJUAN PRICE
“I’m part of the team, now. I finally got some money so I’m not complaining. But it feels good to just get it out of the way and just focus on football.”
Jamie Han contributed reporting
One thing I miss from Coach Fisher was his penchant for signing all the rookies on the same day and having that money management session where he would bring in an armored truck with all that money.
Our buddy Warren Sapp will be donating his brain for research
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 13 Replies
If you haven't had a chance to read Warren's interview with ROD members from last summer, click the link below.
http://www.ramsondemand.com/forums/q-a-with-warren-sapp.79/
********************************************************************************************
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...unces-intention-to-donate-brain-for-research/
Warren Sapp announces intention to donate brain for research
Posted by Mike Florio on June 20, 2017
The Ledge
Research regarding the impact of brain injuries in football and elsewhere will continue decades into the future, and one of the best defensive linemen in league history will be helping the effort.
Hall of Famer Warren Sapp announced in a video posted by ThePlayersTribune.com that he’ll be donating his brain for research aimed at understanding the effects of football. Upon his passing, the Concussion Legacy Foundation will study his brain for evidence and insights into trauma arising from years of playing football.
“I wanted this game to be better when I left than when I got into it,” Sapp said.
An email from former NFL running back Fred Willis became the catalyst for Sapp’s decision. Sapp explains in the video that the email that contained quotes from NFL owners.
“I mean down the line you could see it,” Sapp said. “‘There’s no correlation between football, CTE, suicides, and all these foolish stuff.’ I mean, where are you getting this information from and then spewing it out as if it’s fact?”
The fact is that Sapp played football at a time when things were a lot more rough and tumble than they now are.
“I remember those month-long training camps when we just banged and banged and hit, and it was who is tough?” Sapp said. “And misery loves company and all of the foolish sayings we used to say to each other. I mean, it was just bad. It was Neanderthals. We were dinosaurs.
We were doing Oklahoma drills, bull in the ring, all the crazy stuff that was just about a tough guy. It wasn’t how much skills you had. It was just the bare bones of bone on bone, and that’s not what this game should be. It’s about skills.”
Sapp admitted that he’s having memory struggles at age 44.
“I had one of those silly memories,” Sapp said. “I used to call myself an elephant in the room. Never forget anything. Man, I wake up now and be like, ‘OK, what are we doing?’ Let me get the phone. I mean, with the reminders in the phones, it really helped me get through my day with appointments and different things that I have to do because it’s just, I just can’t remember anymore like I used to.
And it’s from the banging we did as football players. We used to tackle them by the head, used to grab facemasks. We used to allow Deacon Jones to do the head slap. All of that was something that we had to take away from the game. We used to hit quarterbacks below the knees. Now, it’s the strike zone. Let’s keep making the game better.”
Sapp compared the changes that will come to the game in future years to the outlandish things he heard from players like Hall of Fame defensive back Willie Brown, who said players during his time smoke cigarettes and drank beer at halftime. Sapp hopes that, years from now, football players are similarly amazed by how things used to be.
Sapp also advocates a ban on tackle football for all kids who have yet to get to high school, so that brains can better develop.
“That’s the biggest thing,” Sapp said. “Make it safer for everyone involved. Let’s get the research, apply the knowledge. And let’s make it better for everyone.”
It’s what the league has been trying to do. While there are limits as to how safe it ever will be, efforts to minimize the kind of contact that can cause head trauma will go a long way toward reducing total concussions and hopefully ensure that men like Sapp won’t have memory issues in the mid-40s.
http://www.ramsondemand.com/forums/q-a-with-warren-sapp.79/
********************************************************************************************
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...unces-intention-to-donate-brain-for-research/
Warren Sapp announces intention to donate brain for research
Posted by Mike Florio on June 20, 2017
The Ledge
Research regarding the impact of brain injuries in football and elsewhere will continue decades into the future, and one of the best defensive linemen in league history will be helping the effort.
Hall of Famer Warren Sapp announced in a video posted by ThePlayersTribune.com that he’ll be donating his brain for research aimed at understanding the effects of football. Upon his passing, the Concussion Legacy Foundation will study his brain for evidence and insights into trauma arising from years of playing football.
“I wanted this game to be better when I left than when I got into it,” Sapp said.
An email from former NFL running back Fred Willis became the catalyst for Sapp’s decision. Sapp explains in the video that the email that contained quotes from NFL owners.
“I mean down the line you could see it,” Sapp said. “‘There’s no correlation between football, CTE, suicides, and all these foolish stuff.’ I mean, where are you getting this information from and then spewing it out as if it’s fact?”
The fact is that Sapp played football at a time when things were a lot more rough and tumble than they now are.
“I remember those month-long training camps when we just banged and banged and hit, and it was who is tough?” Sapp said. “And misery loves company and all of the foolish sayings we used to say to each other. I mean, it was just bad. It was Neanderthals. We were dinosaurs.
We were doing Oklahoma drills, bull in the ring, all the crazy stuff that was just about a tough guy. It wasn’t how much skills you had. It was just the bare bones of bone on bone, and that’s not what this game should be. It’s about skills.”
Sapp admitted that he’s having memory struggles at age 44.
“I had one of those silly memories,” Sapp said. “I used to call myself an elephant in the room. Never forget anything. Man, I wake up now and be like, ‘OK, what are we doing?’ Let me get the phone. I mean, with the reminders in the phones, it really helped me get through my day with appointments and different things that I have to do because it’s just, I just can’t remember anymore like I used to.
And it’s from the banging we did as football players. We used to tackle them by the head, used to grab facemasks. We used to allow Deacon Jones to do the head slap. All of that was something that we had to take away from the game. We used to hit quarterbacks below the knees. Now, it’s the strike zone. Let’s keep making the game better.”
Sapp compared the changes that will come to the game in future years to the outlandish things he heard from players like Hall of Fame defensive back Willie Brown, who said players during his time smoke cigarettes and drank beer at halftime. Sapp hopes that, years from now, football players are similarly amazed by how things used to be.
Sapp also advocates a ban on tackle football for all kids who have yet to get to high school, so that brains can better develop.
“That’s the biggest thing,” Sapp said. “Make it safer for everyone involved. Let’s get the research, apply the knowledge. And let’s make it better for everyone.”
It’s what the league has been trying to do. While there are limits as to how safe it ever will be, efforts to minimize the kind of contact that can cause head trauma will go a long way toward reducing total concussions and hopefully ensure that men like Sapp won’t have memory issues in the mid-40s.
Rams Waive Four Players
- By KNUCKLEHEAD
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 7 Replies
Myles Simmons Rams Insider @MylesASimmons
Following the conclusion of the club's offseason program last week, the Rams have waived four players. Los Angeles' active roster now stands at 86.
Following the conclusion of the club’s offseason program last week, the Rams have waived four players: wide receiver Marquez North
, linebacker Reggie Northrup, center Demetrius Rhaney, and outside linebacker Teidrick Smith.Of the four, Rhaney was a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and has appeared in 32 games for the franchise. He was mainly a special teams contributor during the 2016 season, during which he played in all 16 games.
Los Angeles now has three centers on its roster: starter John Sullivan
, Austin Blythe, and Jake Eldrenkamp. Sullivan was signed as an unrestricted free agent in April. The Rams claimed Blythe off waivers from the Colts in May. And Endrenkamp was signed as a college free agent following the draft.The Rams’ roster now stands at 86 players. The team will report to training camp at UC Irvine in late July.
FOX hires Ray Lewis as analyst
- By Prime Time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 12 Replies
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/06/20/fox-hires-ray-lewis/
FOX hires Ray Lewis
Posted by Mike Florio on June 20, 2017
Getty Images
Eventual Hall of Famer Ray Lewis hasn’t had immediate success in broadcasting. His second chance to stick in the business will come via FOX.
Lewis joined ESPN in 2013 amid great fanfare, but things never really clicked for him there. After three seasons, ESPN opted to move on.
He won a pair of Super Bowls in a lengthy career with the Ravens, where he arrived as a first-rounder in 1996 and remained through 2012. His first Super Bowl win to cap the season after Lewis faced double murder charges in Atlanta arising from an incident that happened after Super Bowl XXXIV.
He later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and the league fined him $250,000. (Lewis wasn’t suspended by then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, an outcome that would never occur if the same set of facts unfolded in today’s NFL.)
Lewis, who likely will be voted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 (his first year of eligibility), will appear on various different FOX shows.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...-ravens-nfl-career/1lzriasp8b7ya1si4otzgomgoi
Lewis will be the latest former ESPNer to join Fox, following Bayless, Cowherd, Whitlock, Carter and sideline reporter Erin Andrews.
The Ravens linebacker had a rocky three-year TV stint with ESPN following his retirement in 2013. Hired with great fanfare, Lewis was given prominent roles on "Monday Night Countdown," "SportsCenter" and other shows.
But Lewis never seemed comfortable at ESPN. He and Cris Carter were let go by ESPN during a TV talent shakeup in 2016.
FOX hires Ray Lewis
Posted by Mike Florio on June 20, 2017
Eventual Hall of Famer Ray Lewis hasn’t had immediate success in broadcasting. His second chance to stick in the business will come via FOX.
Lewis joined ESPN in 2013 amid great fanfare, but things never really clicked for him there. After three seasons, ESPN opted to move on.
He won a pair of Super Bowls in a lengthy career with the Ravens, where he arrived as a first-rounder in 1996 and remained through 2012. His first Super Bowl win to cap the season after Lewis faced double murder charges in Atlanta arising from an incident that happened after Super Bowl XXXIV.
He later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and the league fined him $250,000. (Lewis wasn’t suspended by then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, an outcome that would never occur if the same set of facts unfolded in today’s NFL.)
Lewis, who likely will be voted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 (his first year of eligibility), will appear on various different FOX shows.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...-ravens-nfl-career/1lzriasp8b7ya1si4otzgomgoi
Lewis will be the latest former ESPNer to join Fox, following Bayless, Cowherd, Whitlock, Carter and sideline reporter Erin Andrews.
The Ravens linebacker had a rocky three-year TV stint with ESPN following his retirement in 2013. Hired with great fanfare, Lewis was given prominent roles on "Monday Night Countdown," "SportsCenter" and other shows.
But Lewis never seemed comfortable at ESPN. He and Cris Carter were let go by ESPN during a TV talent shakeup in 2016.
Deal or no deal? The odds for Kirk Cousins, Le'Veon Bell and Trumaine Johnson
- By Memphis Ram
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 6 Replies
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/d...irk-cousins-leveon-bell-and-trumaine-johnson/
The NFL is finally on vacation. Offseason programs are complete. Coaches, execs and players, by and large, have left the building (save for teams like the Ravens who are keeping their rookies around for a few extra weeks), and the business of football is generally on hold.
In many years there would still be a handful of players on the franchise tag racing to beat the mid-July deadline for contract extensions, but even that is a tepid proposition this time around. The tag was only applied in seven instances in 2017 -- some years the figure is double that -- and it was used primarily on players who have the ability to get to the quarterback (Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul, Melvin Ingram, Kawann Short) and those players have already signed their lucrative, multi-year deals. In many cases, long ago.
That leaves us with just three players still sitting on the tag: Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Those three players now have less than a month to attempt to negotiate long-term deals to their liking in an attempt to gain more security and earning potential beyond just this season. And for Cousins and Johnson, this is the second straight year they are sitting on the tag at the start of summer, which in the case of the quarterback only makes it more likely he gets that new payday, while in the case of the corner it all but assures he won't.
In most of these cases, the real work won't get done right before the July 17 deadline – deadlines, as all who follow the NFL know well by now – truly do spur actions. We won't know what these teams are ultimately willing to put on the table until we get closer to the date where those offers expire, but we are far enough along in the process where it makes sense to size up the odds on the likelihood that these three prominent players are signed beyond just the upcoming season.
As a brief tangent, expect to hear more and more about a pushback from the NFLPA and especially the agent community on the franchise tag as this collective bargaining agreement draws closer to its conclusion. It's always been a bone of contention, but now with rookie contracts so capped and streamlined by the new system, the cries are growing louder about eliminating this tool to constrain salaries on the high end as well. In the past the NFL has said eliminating the tag was a deal breaker, but we'll see in a few years if that's the case. I could also see a mechanism in place where perhaps QB salaries count differently against the cap than other positions, to allow for more spending and cap relief as well. It's very early in what will undoubtedly be a long and early war between the owners and players, but since I'm writing about the franchise tag I might as well pass it along. Don't shoot the messenger.
So, what are the odds that these three players are sitting on gobs of more cash and a long-term deal by mid July? Here's what I know:
Kirk Cousins QB / Washington
Odds: 80 percent
The sides have come too far and been through too much not to see this through. For as much was made about faux trade demands and how Cousins allegedly only wanted to play for the 49ers or whatever, the odds have always been strongest that he re-signed with the Redskins. Cousins was certainly not thrilled about being tagged again, but that's the business, and he's nothing if not pragmatic.
A year ago these sides were playing footsie, with no chance of a deal really getting done and owner Dan Snyder and team president Bruce Allen wanting to see Cousins prove it on the field for another season. He's done that now, and they aren't going to be picking high enough to land a top QB next year and they can't try to make another RG3-type trade to get one and franchising Cousins for a third straight year is silly and shortsighted as well.
It's now or never for the Redskins to lock up Cousins. USATSI
This is the time to make something happen and Allen knows that and he is motivated to make the quarterback a known and fixed cost for the owner. Letting Pierre Garconand DeSean Jackson walk was a nod to that, and the Redskins believe Cousins can help further develop young receivers. He's become a leader and a fixture at a position of perpetual angst for Snyder, and this team knows what it's like not to have a function, winning passer.
And they can't go back to the abyss. For as much as Cousins can reasonably talk about $25M a year, he and his representatives are smart, savvy people, and if it ends up being $23M a year and four seasons are in essence guaranteed by the salary structure, that's a major win for the former fourth round pick. I don't see this falling apart. There's just too much at stake for both sides.
Le'Veon Bell RB / Pittsburgh
Odds: 50 percent
It's certainly less than ideal for the Steelers to be carrying a running back counting over $12M against the cap. Given all of their talent, the Steelers are always doing an adroit juggling act working the cap in the first place, and for as great as Bell is, he is often injured and he has been suspended and that's a lot of assets in a position that has been diminished in the modern game.
But, given the fact he has been hurt a fair amount -- especially late in seasons when games matter the most -- and that he has missed time due to suspensions, and with Ben Roethlisberger still floating a possible retirement as soon as 2018, this might not be the worst time in the world to go year-to-year with Bell, either. The RB market has recalibrated significantly since the salad days when Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch were getting record deals and teams are loathe to reset that market now. Negotiating off the tag would be a tricky predicament for Pittsburgh, given how much money is already tied into offensive skill guys.
Bell's injury history is a concern with any deal. USATSI
I don't blame Bell for not signing the tag, and his absence from minicamp was no big deal. You don't have a signed contract, you don't practice if you are a veteran. That won't complicate anything here. What does make it tricky is the fact that no other running back in the NFL is making over $8M a year, and Bell is guaranteed $12.1 million for 2017 alone, on the tag.
I believe he is the most complete back in football, but that's a steep premium and the timing works against a deal here. But I also know the Steelers don't let premium talent leave, especially when the player is in his prime, and I suspect these sides each have at least something to consider by the eve of the deadline. Given the acute risk associated with the position he plays, might Bell blink in a month?
Trumaine Johnson CB / L.A. Rams
Odds: 0 percent
In most cases I'd never say never, but this is the exception. The sides spoke just once, a ways back, and weren't close enough to even merit a follow-up phone call. Which actually isn't surprising, given the particulars at play. Johnson is a very good corner, but not a Pro Bowler, much less an All Pro. But the Rams opted to keep him on the tag in 2016 when they knew they would lose their best corner at the time, Janoris Jenkins, who became a vital signing for the Giants.
Johnson's camp has played this situation perfectly, willing to gamble on the player and knowing that the Rams' only chance to trying to be competitive would come with keeping its defense together (with the offense non-existent in 2016). So a year later, the Rams tagged Johnson again, and now Johnson will make $31M over two years.
The Rams' focus is on locking up Aaron Donald, not Johnson. USATSI
He is the highest paid corner in the NFL in 2017. His pockets are straight. No reason not to play out that tag and keep this process going, knowing he's likely to be a well sought-out free agent next March.
As for the Rams, they are on the cusp of paying defensive lineman Aaron Donald like a quarterback and have bigger fish to fry right now as they fight for relevance in the Southern California marketplace and try to get their stadium built. They've been over-paying players for years, so carrying Johnson at this exuberant rate isn't out of the norm and if I'm repping Johnson I'm not doing much talking ahead of July 15. Play it out. Cash those checks.
Jason La Canfora
CBS Sports Insider
The NFL is finally on vacation. Offseason programs are complete. Coaches, execs and players, by and large, have left the building (save for teams like the Ravens who are keeping their rookies around for a few extra weeks), and the business of football is generally on hold.
In many years there would still be a handful of players on the franchise tag racing to beat the mid-July deadline for contract extensions, but even that is a tepid proposition this time around. The tag was only applied in seven instances in 2017 -- some years the figure is double that -- and it was used primarily on players who have the ability to get to the quarterback (Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul, Melvin Ingram, Kawann Short) and those players have already signed their lucrative, multi-year deals. In many cases, long ago.
That leaves us with just three players still sitting on the tag: Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Those three players now have less than a month to attempt to negotiate long-term deals to their liking in an attempt to gain more security and earning potential beyond just this season. And for Cousins and Johnson, this is the second straight year they are sitting on the tag at the start of summer, which in the case of the quarterback only makes it more likely he gets that new payday, while in the case of the corner it all but assures he won't.
In most of these cases, the real work won't get done right before the July 17 deadline – deadlines, as all who follow the NFL know well by now – truly do spur actions. We won't know what these teams are ultimately willing to put on the table until we get closer to the date where those offers expire, but we are far enough along in the process where it makes sense to size up the odds on the likelihood that these three prominent players are signed beyond just the upcoming season.
As a brief tangent, expect to hear more and more about a pushback from the NFLPA and especially the agent community on the franchise tag as this collective bargaining agreement draws closer to its conclusion. It's always been a bone of contention, but now with rookie contracts so capped and streamlined by the new system, the cries are growing louder about eliminating this tool to constrain salaries on the high end as well. In the past the NFL has said eliminating the tag was a deal breaker, but we'll see in a few years if that's the case. I could also see a mechanism in place where perhaps QB salaries count differently against the cap than other positions, to allow for more spending and cap relief as well. It's very early in what will undoubtedly be a long and early war between the owners and players, but since I'm writing about the franchise tag I might as well pass it along. Don't shoot the messenger.
So, what are the odds that these three players are sitting on gobs of more cash and a long-term deal by mid July? Here's what I know:
Kirk Cousins QB / Washington
Odds: 80 percent
The sides have come too far and been through too much not to see this through. For as much was made about faux trade demands and how Cousins allegedly only wanted to play for the 49ers or whatever, the odds have always been strongest that he re-signed with the Redskins. Cousins was certainly not thrilled about being tagged again, but that's the business, and he's nothing if not pragmatic.
A year ago these sides were playing footsie, with no chance of a deal really getting done and owner Dan Snyder and team president Bruce Allen wanting to see Cousins prove it on the field for another season. He's done that now, and they aren't going to be picking high enough to land a top QB next year and they can't try to make another RG3-type trade to get one and franchising Cousins for a third straight year is silly and shortsighted as well.
It's now or never for the Redskins to lock up Cousins. USATSI
This is the time to make something happen and Allen knows that and he is motivated to make the quarterback a known and fixed cost for the owner. Letting Pierre Garconand DeSean Jackson walk was a nod to that, and the Redskins believe Cousins can help further develop young receivers. He's become a leader and a fixture at a position of perpetual angst for Snyder, and this team knows what it's like not to have a function, winning passer.
And they can't go back to the abyss. For as much as Cousins can reasonably talk about $25M a year, he and his representatives are smart, savvy people, and if it ends up being $23M a year and four seasons are in essence guaranteed by the salary structure, that's a major win for the former fourth round pick. I don't see this falling apart. There's just too much at stake for both sides.
Le'Veon Bell RB / Pittsburgh
Odds: 50 percent
It's certainly less than ideal for the Steelers to be carrying a running back counting over $12M against the cap. Given all of their talent, the Steelers are always doing an adroit juggling act working the cap in the first place, and for as great as Bell is, he is often injured and he has been suspended and that's a lot of assets in a position that has been diminished in the modern game.
But, given the fact he has been hurt a fair amount -- especially late in seasons when games matter the most -- and that he has missed time due to suspensions, and with Ben Roethlisberger still floating a possible retirement as soon as 2018, this might not be the worst time in the world to go year-to-year with Bell, either. The RB market has recalibrated significantly since the salad days when Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch were getting record deals and teams are loathe to reset that market now. Negotiating off the tag would be a tricky predicament for Pittsburgh, given how much money is already tied into offensive skill guys.
Bell's injury history is a concern with any deal. USATSI
I don't blame Bell for not signing the tag, and his absence from minicamp was no big deal. You don't have a signed contract, you don't practice if you are a veteran. That won't complicate anything here. What does make it tricky is the fact that no other running back in the NFL is making over $8M a year, and Bell is guaranteed $12.1 million for 2017 alone, on the tag.
I believe he is the most complete back in football, but that's a steep premium and the timing works against a deal here. But I also know the Steelers don't let premium talent leave, especially when the player is in his prime, and I suspect these sides each have at least something to consider by the eve of the deadline. Given the acute risk associated with the position he plays, might Bell blink in a month?
Trumaine Johnson CB / L.A. Rams
Odds: 0 percent
In most cases I'd never say never, but this is the exception. The sides spoke just once, a ways back, and weren't close enough to even merit a follow-up phone call. Which actually isn't surprising, given the particulars at play. Johnson is a very good corner, but not a Pro Bowler, much less an All Pro. But the Rams opted to keep him on the tag in 2016 when they knew they would lose their best corner at the time, Janoris Jenkins, who became a vital signing for the Giants.
Johnson's camp has played this situation perfectly, willing to gamble on the player and knowing that the Rams' only chance to trying to be competitive would come with keeping its defense together (with the offense non-existent in 2016). So a year later, the Rams tagged Johnson again, and now Johnson will make $31M over two years.
The Rams' focus is on locking up Aaron Donald, not Johnson. USATSI
He is the highest paid corner in the NFL in 2017. His pockets are straight. No reason not to play out that tag and keep this process going, knowing he's likely to be a well sought-out free agent next March.
As for the Rams, they are on the cusp of paying defensive lineman Aaron Donald like a quarterback and have bigger fish to fry right now as they fight for relevance in the Southern California marketplace and try to get their stadium built. They've been over-paying players for years, so carrying Johnson at this exuberant rate isn't out of the norm and if I'm repping Johnson I'm not doing much talking ahead of July 15. Play it out. Cash those checks.
Jason La Canfora
CBS Sports Insider
Klein: Rams rookie receivers could push second-year pros for playing time
- RAMS / NFL TALK
- 32 Replies
Rams rookie receivers could push second-year pros for playing time
Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) celebrates with Pharoh Cooper after the wide receiver's 11-yard touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
By Gary Klein
It was not an over-the-top celebration, just a small exclamation point to a touchdown catch during offseason workouts.
Rams receiver Pharoh Cooper spun the ball like a top on the end zone turf. Then, with teammates hooting and hollering, he stepped back to admire his work.
A sign of things to come this season?
“Potentially,” Cooper said, laughing. “In a game-time situation it will probably be a little different.
“Especially for the first time. I’ll probably keep the ball and be a little hyped up.”
Cooper, a fourth-round draft pick in 2016, has not scored an NFL touchdown. Nor have Mike Thomas, a sixth-round pick last year, and Nelson Spruce, an undrafted free agent who scored in a preseason game before he was sidelined because of injuries.
The second-year pros could play larger roles in new coach Sean McVay’s pass-oriented offense, or find themselves playing behind rookies.
The Rams in April selected Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington in the third round and Josh Reynolds of Texas A&M in the fourth.
Kenny Britt and Brian Quick left as free agents, without resistance from the Rams.
Tavon Austin, who signed a four-year, $42-million extension last year, is back for his fifth season. Free agent Robert Woods received a five-year $34-million contract.
Neither Cooper nor Thomas said they took it as a slight when the Rams’ drafted two receivers.
“I know the NFL is a business. … Them drafting more receivers is just going to make me work harder,” Cooper said.
Said Thomas: “Of course it’s motivation. But at the end of the day it’s friendly competition. We’re helping each other get better.”
The 5-foot-11, 207-pound Cooper was a multipurpose standout at South Carolina but never really got a chance to get started last season.
His spectacular, leaping catch in a preseason game at Denver came with a cost: A shoulder injury that sidelined him for weeks.
Cooper played limited snaps when he returned, catching 14 passes for 106 yards.
“Fans want to see people make plays,” he said. “They haven’t seen me yet.”
Cooper worked in the slot and also lined up wide during offseason workouts, which concluded with a minicamp last week. He made several impressive plays on both short and longer routes.
“He can find a hole in the defense and is smart,” quarterback Jared Goff said.
Cooper also returns kickoffs and punts, and will compete for starting roles at both spots during training camp.
Thomas, 6-1 and 195 pounds, played on special teams and caught only three passes last season.
His most noteworthy play was not a highlight: He outran coverage in a Thursday night game at Seattle but dropped a long pass from Goff.
“You can’t really define a player off his mistakes,” said Thomas, who played in college at Southern Mississippi. “You’ve just got to define him off how he comes back from those mistakes. And I feel like I came back pretty well, I didn’t let that get to me.”
Thomas impressed during offseason workouts. He avoided drops and made several difficult catches.
“It’s all about relaxing,” he said, adding, “Last year, I was a little hesitant. … In Year 2, you got to step up.”
Thomas has done that, Goff said.
“He’s kind of found a role for himself,” Goff said. “He’s one of our faster receivers and can stretch the defense.
“I think he enjoys that role and understands that he’s going to be an over-the-top guy. It’s just a perfect role for him.”
During training camp last year, Spruce showed the skills that helped him leave Colorado as the Pac-12 Conference’s all-time leader in receptions.
He caught a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Sean Mannion in the first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys before suffering a knee injury. That setback, followed by another injury on the eve of a possible return, kept him sidelined throughout the season.
The 6-2, 210-pound Spruce appears physically sound again and made several notable plays during OTAs and minicamps.
“You see a natural football player,” McVay said. “He’s got a good feel for the game. I think he’s got good aggressive hands.”
The second-year pros, while competing to increase their own playing time, have aided the rookies in their transition from college to the NFL, Reynolds said.
“If I’m struggling on a play or alignment, they’ll get me corrected,” he said. “It’s not like a, ‘Oh, you’re-doing-this-wrong’ type of thing.
“They’re helpful.”
[www.latimes.com]
Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) celebrates with Pharoh Cooper after the wide receiver's 11-yard touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
By Gary Klein
It was not an over-the-top celebration, just a small exclamation point to a touchdown catch during offseason workouts.
Rams receiver Pharoh Cooper spun the ball like a top on the end zone turf. Then, with teammates hooting and hollering, he stepped back to admire his work.
A sign of things to come this season?
“Potentially,” Cooper said, laughing. “In a game-time situation it will probably be a little different.
“Especially for the first time. I’ll probably keep the ball and be a little hyped up.”
Cooper, a fourth-round draft pick in 2016, has not scored an NFL touchdown. Nor have Mike Thomas, a sixth-round pick last year, and Nelson Spruce, an undrafted free agent who scored in a preseason game before he was sidelined because of injuries.
The second-year pros could play larger roles in new coach Sean McVay’s pass-oriented offense, or find themselves playing behind rookies.
The Rams in April selected Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington in the third round and Josh Reynolds of Texas A&M in the fourth.
Kenny Britt and Brian Quick left as free agents, without resistance from the Rams.
Tavon Austin, who signed a four-year, $42-million extension last year, is back for his fifth season. Free agent Robert Woods received a five-year $34-million contract.
Neither Cooper nor Thomas said they took it as a slight when the Rams’ drafted two receivers.
“I know the NFL is a business. … Them drafting more receivers is just going to make me work harder,” Cooper said.
Said Thomas: “Of course it’s motivation. But at the end of the day it’s friendly competition. We’re helping each other get better.”
The 5-foot-11, 207-pound Cooper was a multipurpose standout at South Carolina but never really got a chance to get started last season.
His spectacular, leaping catch in a preseason game at Denver came with a cost: A shoulder injury that sidelined him for weeks.
Cooper played limited snaps when he returned, catching 14 passes for 106 yards.
“Fans want to see people make plays,” he said. “They haven’t seen me yet.”
Cooper worked in the slot and also lined up wide during offseason workouts, which concluded with a minicamp last week. He made several impressive plays on both short and longer routes.
“He can find a hole in the defense and is smart,” quarterback Jared Goff said.
Cooper also returns kickoffs and punts, and will compete for starting roles at both spots during training camp.
Thomas, 6-1 and 195 pounds, played on special teams and caught only three passes last season.
His most noteworthy play was not a highlight: He outran coverage in a Thursday night game at Seattle but dropped a long pass from Goff.
“You can’t really define a player off his mistakes,” said Thomas, who played in college at Southern Mississippi. “You’ve just got to define him off how he comes back from those mistakes. And I feel like I came back pretty well, I didn’t let that get to me.”
Thomas impressed during offseason workouts. He avoided drops and made several difficult catches.
“It’s all about relaxing,” he said, adding, “Last year, I was a little hesitant. … In Year 2, you got to step up.”
Thomas has done that, Goff said.
“He’s kind of found a role for himself,” Goff said. “He’s one of our faster receivers and can stretch the defense.
“I think he enjoys that role and understands that he’s going to be an over-the-top guy. It’s just a perfect role for him.”
During training camp last year, Spruce showed the skills that helped him leave Colorado as the Pac-12 Conference’s all-time leader in receptions.
He caught a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Sean Mannion in the first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys before suffering a knee injury. That setback, followed by another injury on the eve of a possible return, kept him sidelined throughout the season.
The 6-2, 210-pound Spruce appears physically sound again and made several notable plays during OTAs and minicamps.
“You see a natural football player,” McVay said. “He’s got a good feel for the game. I think he’s got good aggressive hands.”
The second-year pros, while competing to increase their own playing time, have aided the rookies in their transition from college to the NFL, Reynolds said.
“If I’m struggling on a play or alignment, they’ll get me corrected,” he said. “It’s not like a, ‘Oh, you’re-doing-this-wrong’ type of thing.
“They’re helpful.”
[www.latimes.com]