http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...t-hits-cb-top-10-trumaine-johnson-on-the-spot

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The Los Angeles defense has led the team to a surprising 3-1 record (tied with Seattle at the top of the NFC West), so it's time we turn our attention to this Rams secondary -- and specifically, CB Trumaine Johnson. The fifth-year pro is a solid cornerback and the main reason why the team didn't mind letting Janoris Jenkins go in the offseason. Johnson, who has eight passes defensed this year, is a big corner (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) with short-man quickness. He can get in and out of breaks quickly from a lateral standpoint and high-points the ball especially well. He has shown flashes of greatness in the first quarter of the season, but I need him to be more consistent on the island.

In the first two games of the season -- a shutout loss to the 49ers and a tight 9-3 win over Seattle in the home opener -- Johnson allowed four receptions for 13 yards on seven targets. Lately, though, he's struggled a bit. While shadowing Bucs star Mike Evans in Week 3, he gave up 10 receptions for 120 yards and a TD. And last week in the Rams' road win in Arizona, Johnson gave up six catches for 93 yards on 12 targets. That is 15.5 yards per catch, which is too much for my liking. He did, however, record his first interception of the season and had other opportunities for picks in that game.

I think Johnson takes plays off mentally, and cornerbacks can't do that in this league or they'll show up on the wrong side of the highlights. If he is on the field 100 plays, he needs to play 100 of them full out. Right now, he's playing 98.

Johnson will have a good test this weekend when Tyrod Taylor and the Bills come to town. Taylor extends a lot of plays and has many opportunities to step outside the pocket. Buffalo's wideouts have a lot of time to separate, so Johnson and the rest of the Rams' secondary must plaster the receivers. I'm eager to see if Johnson can do that and still make plays.

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Just going to leave this here LMAO

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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Jared Cook made news again Friday, and this time it had nothing to do the with the ankle injury that has kept him out of the Green Bay Packers' lineup.

In fact, it didn't have anything to do with football. This time, it was about chicken wings.

Or, in this case, a chicken head.

The Packers tight end caused a stir when he tweeted a picture of what he said was a chicken head that came in his takeout order earlier this week from the Buffalo Wild Wings just down the street from Lambeau Field.

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Jared Cook

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This happened Tuesday when I went to eat @BWWings How Sway? How?

6:39 AM - 7 Oct 2016

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"I had drove there, took it all the way home, got home, started eating the first wing," Cook explained Friday. "As I was putting the bone back in the box, I saw the chicken head and immediately spit my food out."

The restaurant chain issued a statement Friday: "Buffalo Wild Wings takes food preparation, service and quality extremely seriously and we are looking into this situation. We've reached out to Jared Cook and our suppliers for more information."

Cook said he drove back to the restaurant, where he was given a refund and this explanation:

"They were just, like: 'We're sorry. Typically, this doesn't happen. That just means your food was fresh,'" Cook said. "OK, that doesn't make it any better."

Cook said he eventually plans to become a vegetarian, and his latest experience might help push him in that direction.

"Seeing as how it's one of my favorite foods, I don't see how I can give that up," Cook said. "My wife is a vegetarian, and she's strongly encouraging I become one now.

"I think it's good advice. Eventually, I will become one, but not right now."

Before he returned his order, he had a little fun with it.

"In the picture, I don't know if you noticed, but there's a fork stuck in the bottom of it. The first thing I did was, I FaceTimed her and I pretended the chicken head was talking to her via FaceTime. So, she was pretty grossed out."

Cook, 29, said he's never had anything like this happen to him before.

"I've never had anything that could taste me back in my food ever," Cook said.

I'm confused,

I know Goff is on the bench and Gurley hasn't busted out a big game yet. But at the quarter mark we're in 1st place and our Offense has finally gotten a bit of a spark under Case. So why all of the bitching? Can't we just enjoy this moment and not be such jaded fans?

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http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...d-rams-football-danny-trejo-feels-whole-again

Taco trucks and Rams football: Danny Trejo feels whole again
Alden Gonzalez/ESPN Staff Writer


Jeff Fisher gets his meal ready as actor Danny Trejo provided lunch Wednesday to the only team he ever loved. Alden Gonzalez/ESPN.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Danny Trejo used to hide in the bathroom. Any bathroom, really. Back then, in the 1950s, a system of streetcars operated through central Los Angeles, so Trejo and a couple of friends used to take them from their neighborhood in Echo Park to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

They would arrive about an hour before kickoff for basically every Los Angeles Rams home game, then find a nearby restroom and hide in the stalls until fans made their way into the facility. Then they would watch their favorite team for free.

"Hiding from the police was a little different then," Trejo said. "There wasn’t as much violence in L.A. in the '50s. It was a pretty mellow spot. It wasn’t that hard to sneak in."

Trejo, now a 72-year-old actor who has appeared in more than 200 films, recalled those times after Rams practice earlier this week. He was seated in a common area of the team's facility at Cal Lutheran University, wearing a throwback Todd Gurley jersey he purchased "the minute the Rams came back."

Behind him was his taco truck, plainly called "Trejo's Tacos," providing lunch for the only team he ever loved. In front of him was a football, autographed by a handful of prominent players.

And it was at this point that Trejo felt utmost bliss.

"I keep pinching myself," Trejo said, then suddenly he looked up to the heavens and raised both of his arms in the air. "‘Are you taking me now, Lord?'"


Actor Danny Trejo shakes hands with Rams defensive lineman Dominique Easley on Wednesday. Alden Gonzalez/ESPN.com

Trejo is from the days of Norm Van Brocklin and Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch and "The Fearsome Foursome." His favorite player was Jack Youngblood, the Hall of Fame defensive end who spent his entire 14-year career with the Rams.

"But that was back in the day," Trejo said. "Now, we’ve got Gurley."

The Rams were a fixture in Trejo's youth, a constant amid the chaos. He was a drug addict and a delinquent who spent the 1960s in and out of maximum-security California state prisons before turning his life around, counseling others and venturing into the acting world basically by happenstance.

He quickly became a fixture as the heavily-tattooed Chicano nobody ever wanted to mess with, holding indelible roles on hit films such as "Heat," "Desperado," "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "Con Air."

That was right around the mid-1990s, when the Rams left for St. Louis.

"I stopped having a football team," Trejo said. "I didn’t root for anybody. I just worried about point spreads. I would bet on games, but I didn’t care about the team. It was all about point spreads. I didn’t even care who was playing.

And then when the Raiders came, well, they had Raider Nation, but I wasn’t that into the Raiders. But now, it’s like, I’m back. I’m back. I’ve bet on the Rams and I’ve already won."

Asked about his emotions when he found out the Rams were coming back, Trejo shook his head.

"Just joy," he said. "Just so happy. It was kind of like part of Los Angeles came back. Los Angeles is this huge puzzle, and there was always a piece missing. Our sports team. Our football team. This is a football city, you understand? This is a football city.

We’ve got UCLA, we’ve got SC. This is a football city. And then our biggest piece of the puzzle was missing. And then -- bam! -- they came back with a vengeance. We’re 3-1."

Several Rams players were elated to meet Trejo on Wednesday, many remembering him for starring in "Machete" and appearing on recent movies like "Spy Kids" and "Anchorman."

The local guys know him for his tacos, too.

Trejo's mother was a gifted cook who always dreamed of owning her own restaurant, and now Trejo is living her vision out for her. He joined a couple of producer friends, Ash Shah and Jeff Georgino, and opened up a Trejo's Tacos location on La Brea Avenue early this year to rave reviews.

A second, Trejo's Cantina, opened on the corner of Selma Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard in October. Trejo wants to open at least a couple more in the area, then venture out to Las Vegas and San Antonio.

He also has the truck, which now stops at Rams games.

Trejo and his black taco truck were there for the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 18, an eventual 9-3 win that was attended by more than 91,000 fans.

"It was alive, homes," Trejo said, his eyes widening. "It was alive. I felt like I was back in 1954, when everybody loved the Rams. It was like there were no haters. I don’t think there was a Seahawks fan there. It was just an unbelievable atmosphere. Like, our team is back. That was awesome. "

Breaking news:LeSean McCoy, Marcell Dareus questionable vs. Rams after suffering injuries in practice
10:00 AM PT

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  Mike RodakESPN Staff Writer

Buffalo Bills star running back LeSean McCoy and defensive lineman Marcell Dareus both suffered injuries in practice Friday and have been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
McCoy injured his hand in practice while Dareus, who is returning from a four-game suspension, injured his hamstring.

Bills coach Rex Ryan declined to elaborate on either injury, simply smiling and
replying "questionable" when asked whether McCoy would play Sunday.

McCoy, however, said during an interview later Friday with ESPN's SportsCenter that he jammed his hand but vowed that he "won't miss the game." McCoy also described the injury as "something small" and said, "I'll be fine."

Dareus remains on the exempt list, meaning the Bills have until 4 p.m. ET Saturday to activate him to their 53-man roster if they want him to play against the Rams. Otherwise, Buffalo has until Monday afternoon to clear a roster spot for Dareus.

"We'll see how it is," Ryan said of Dareus' injury. "We'll find out later how he responds."

If Dareus cannot play, the Bills would likely start Corbin Bryant at nose tackle in his place. Bryant started the first four games of this season while Dareus was suspended.

The Bills also listed starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore (ankle), tight end Charles Clay (knee), offensive tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle) and fullback Jerome Felton (back) as questionable.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ionable-vs-los-angeles-rams-practice-injuries

*Disclaimer the following will make most of you roll your eyes... and the rest won't read it all. That's ok.
I am writing this in the hope that someone out there finds something interesting in the mixed-up mess of words, numbers and thoughts I will try to present.

There are many similarities between the two Quarterbacks I'm comparing here. When looking at their pre-draft rookie scouting reports, many of the descriptions used to describe their "Pros" and "Cons" in college and potential are completely interchangeable to a surprising extent.
The similarities between them run deep and wide, too.
Both played at small college programs in a spread offense where they put up enormous record setting numbers. Both considered very intelligent and heralded for their natural leadership skills. Both were called "tough" and were known for being "gamers". Both had question marks about their arm talent and being able to throw intermediate and deep passes with enough zip, touch and accuracy to win in the NFL.
There are some differences of course.
QB#1 was drafted 10 years earlier than QB#2, who wasn't drafted at all. QB#1s draft class lacked any real prototypical QBs and was weak at that position from top to bottom with only one first round QB being selected.
The rookie Quarterback class that QB#2 found himself in was considerably different in both depth and prestige and was without question one of the most highly regarded and hyped QB classes since 1983.

FIRST 20 NFL STARTS
QB#1 ____________________ QB#2
QBR - 69.8 _______________ QBR - 79.3
YDS - 4,159 ______________ YDS - 3,848
TD - 21 __________________ TD - 19
INT - 22 _________________ INT - 12
Cmp - 391 _______________ Cmp - 325
Att - 692 _________________ Att - 576
CP% - 60.8 _______________ CP% - 56.4
YPA - 6.01 _______________ YPA - 6.6
YPC - 10.6 _______________ YPC - 11.8

So these two guys who shared so many common traits before starting their first 20 NFL games continued that trend by putting up very comparable numbers. In almost every category QB#2 has the edge, though it's close.
When we account for the fact that QB#1 averaged almost 20% more passes per game, it becomes clear that his only legitimately superior stat is his completion percentage. Both post subpar numbers in that category but QB#2 is clearly losing in that department.
Both of these guys started on bad teams. Neither played in more than one game as a rookie.
...Oh, and neither of them is over 6'1".
(As I'm sure most of you have already guessed)
QB#1 - Drew Brees
QB#2 - Case Keenum

Like so many great QBs, Brees needed time. He didn't enter the league as the badass HOF lock we know now.
He had to learn to play in a pro style offense and he had to continue to learn how to not let his height hold him back from being successful at the next level.
There is no question that Brees has always had a superior arm.
(seemingly more so after the surgery to repair his injured shoulder before being traded to the Saints)

I am 99.999% sure that Keenum will never really come close to being the same caliber of passer that Brees has become..... but it is entirely possible, I'd say probable, that Keenum will continue to improve with time. He will have his ups and downs but if he manages to stick around long enough as a starter, I think he will continue to get better and do what he has always done - find ways to WIN.

Since it's going to be assumed that my post has an ulterior motive regarding Jared Goff, I guess I should be clear on where I stand. I can't wait to see him play and I think he is an awesome prospect and I am still thrilled that we traded up to get him. However, I am also prepared to accept that like Bradford, Brees or any other QB coming out of a spread offense, his adjustment to the NFL might take a little while longer than the average impatient fan wants to believe.
Until he is ready to take over, I'll just relax and enjoy watching Keenum give everything he's got.

One of these low-life scumbags is the reason I screen all my calls now. Hope this vulture was one of those arrested. About damn time. Now if they can arrest the rest of the phone scammers who prey on the old and the just plain dumb, that would be a relief.
**************************************************************************************
http://abc27.com/2016/10/06/dozens-arrested-at-india-call-center-linked-to-irs-scam-calls/

Dozens arrested at India call center linked to IRS scam calls
By Associated Press and Griff Benner


A police official, right, escorts two men outside the court in Thane, outskirts of Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Indian police have arrested 70 people and are questioning hundreds more after uncovering a massive scam to cheat thousands of Americans out of millions of dollars by posing as U.S. tax authorities and demanding unpaid taxes. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

NEW DELHI (AP) – Indian police have arrested 70 people and are questioning hundreds more after uncovering a massive scam to cheat thousands of Americans out of millions of dollars by posing as U.S. tax authorities and demanding unpaid taxes, a police officer said Thursday.

According to police in Mumbai, the yearlong scam involved running fake call centers which sent voice mail messages telling U.S. nationals to call back because they owed back taxes.

Those who called back and believed the threats would fork out thousands of dollars to “settle” their case, Mumbai police officer Parag Marere said Thursday.

The scam brought in more than $150,000 a day, Marere said without giving a total sum. If the scam netted that amount daily, it would have made almost $55 million in one year.

Some victims were also told to buy gift vouchers from various companies, and hand over the voucher ID numbers which the impostors then used to make purchases, Marere said.

Police said they are likely to file charges against many of the 600 or more people still being questioned on suspicion of running the fake call centers, housed on several stories of a Mumbai office building.

Those arrested so far include several of the alleged ringleaders, as well as people accused of providing equipment and setting up the fake call centers. The criminal charges filed against the suspects include extortion, impersonation and violations of India’s information technology laws.

“We are questioning those who were involved in the fraud, including those posing as tax investigators,” Marere said.

Police raided the offices this week and seized hundreds of hard disks, hard disks, high-end servers and other electronic equipment.

Indian media reports said 70 percent of the scam’s proceeds were retained by the suspects in India, while the rest was paid to collaborators in the U.S.

Indian news broadcaster NDTV reported that one U.S.-based company allegedly collected the victims’ personal information and passed it to the fake call centers.

The IRS reports receiving more than 900,000 complaints about similar scam calls since October 2013. More than 5,000 people have fallen for the scam, paying out more than $26 million collectively as a result of scams.

The IRS has yet to comment on this recent arrest in India.

The IRS warns it will never call and demand immediate payment. It will never require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, like a gift card or prepaid debit card. The agency will never ask for credit card numbers over the phone.

If you receive a call form someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, you should never give out personal information. Report the call to the IRS using their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484.

THOUSAND OAKS – Matt Longacre has been with the Rams for almost 18 months, but sometimes, he can’t completely shake his apprehension – the feeling that any given week, he could either be thrust into the starting lineup, or cut from the roster entirely.

That’s the mentality that comes with having clawed his way into the NFL – a path that has seem him go from an undrafted defensive end out of Northwest Missouri State, to practice squad member, to one of 53 names on the active roster. In a 17-13 road win over the Cardinals on Sunday, Longacre made his season debut – registering two tackles while playing a career-high 43 snaps on defense.

And with starting defensive ends William Hayes and Robert Quinn limited by ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively, Sunday’s home game against the Bills looms as another potential opportunity.

“You know your time’s going to come,” Longacre said after a recent practice. “You just don’t know when. You just have to look at it like that.”

The Rams have a habit of finding unpolished gems on the defensive line, with four players in the unit having hailed from non-FBS schools. Longacre is one of them. He drew little attention heading into the 2015 NFL draft, but on the advice of his agent, jumped at an offer to sign with a team that hasn’t been scared off by poor measurables.

“The difference (big and small schools) is, a lot of times, competition and coaching,” Rams defensive line coach Mike Waufle said. “But lot of these players have more gifts.”

Though he has only made six regular-season appearances in his young career, Longacre has shown promise. After last season, Pro Football Focus named him one of their top eight low-drafted or undrafted rookies. Two months ago, the site gave him the highest pass-rushing and run-defense grade of any defensive end in Week 1 of the preseason.

After being cut at the end of last year’s training camp, however, he was just as nervous heading into the 2016 regular season. Rams coach Jeff Fisher tried to ease his mind, but the friendly notice came with one round of trimming still to go.

When he made the final cut down to 53, it brought real playing time that much closer.

“It’s completely different from this year, being on active, when you know you’re most likely the next guy up,” Longacre said.

That’s particularly true for the Rams, who have a habit of frequently rotating their defensive linemen. Not even star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, arguably the best player in the NFL on either side of the ball, has played even 70 percent of defensive snaps in every game. (Donald was one snap short of the threshold in a win against the Seahawks, playing on 46 of 67 snaps.)

“That’s the key, is that you have to have depth, and you have to keep them fresh all the time,” Fisher said.

Since last season, Longacre said he’s been able to improve his pass rush. Picking up new techniques took time, and it was difficult for him to get comfortable without game reps.

“It helps knowing to not be afraid to make mistakes,” he said. “That’s one thing that hurt my game. Playing slow is not the right word, but you’re kind of apprehensive when it comes to guessing how you could in college.”

Longacre has a clear goal in mind too: “Get that sack that’s eluded me so far.”

[www.ocregister.com]

Contact the writer: jwang@scng.com

THOUSAND OAKS – To understand where E.J. Gaines is at the moment it’s important to remember everything he’s been through the past 24 months. To do so is a case study in the roller-coaster ride professional sports sometimes takes its participants, rising as high as the imagination is willing and as low as it can bear.

For now, the ride has leveled off, with Gaines returning from more than a year-long battle with foot and leg injuries that cost him his entire second season and all of the first three games of this year.

It’s time Gaines will never get back, frustration he wouldn’t wish on anyone and a grueling match of mental gymnastics in which he battled pain, worry, apprehension and impatience.

“Frustration beyond frustration,” is how Gaines described it.

He finally made it back to the field on Sunday in the Rams’ 17-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, steadying the Rams secondary with seven tackles and two passes defended. His presence completes the Rams’ cornerback picture, the eventual depth chart consisting of Gaines as the starter opposite Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner in the slot and Troy Hill a valuable reserve in nickel and dime packages.

“There was no evidence of any injury, or anything,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “He just went out there and played like he did a year ago.”

It’s a cornerback vision the Rams conceptualized almost from the moment Janoris Jenkins bolted last March to the New York Giants in free agency. In fact, it was the comfort level the Rams used in letting Jenkins walk.

Gaines was the Rams’ safety net, his surgically repaired foot that cost him all of 2015 healing sufficiently enough to enable him to ease the blow of Jenkins’ departure.

Ideally, perhaps even provide an improvement.

But that would all have to wait after Gaines suffered various leg injuries during training camp – partly the result of some compensation he was making for the foot that inadvertently affected his legs.

Bottom line, his return was pushed back by three games.

His disdain is impossible to disguise.

“I’m a player that hates missing football games,” Gaines said. “Whether it’s a full season like last year or three games to begin this season, missing games isn’t something I want any part of. Both situations were mentally challenging and frustrating.

So imagine the satisfaction in not only returning to the field Sunday against the Cardinals, but also contributing.

“Just being back out there, making plays, helping out,” it’s a feeling I can’t really describe,” Gaines said.

Not that it makes up for the last year or so.

Or the opportunity lost.

“I wouldn’t ask that on anyone,” he said.

And who knows how things might have changed in the Rams secondary had what seemed to be the natural course of things not been interrupted by injuries. In fact, had you canvassed Rams people 14 months ago you’d have been hard-pressed to predict things would have unfolded as they did.

Two years ago Gaines was a surprise rookie starter for the Rams, pressed into duty when Johnson went down with an injury. To the casual observer Gaines was a sixth-round pick afterthought, a not nearly tall enough and not particularly flashy project who, if things broke right in training camp, might be a special teams player or practice squad candidate.

But the Rams liked the savvy, toughness and maturity of the Missouri born and bred defensive back, so when Johnson went down it was Gaines who eventually filled his spot opposite Jenkins.

If anyone worried Gaines would be a raw rookie simply occupying the position rather than excelling in it, they soon discovered the University of Missouri product was about to bring much more to the job than anyone expected.

Gaines was a stout run defender and tackler, totaling 70 tackles to fall within the top five Run Stop Percentage defender as accumulated by Pro Football Focus.

He was also impressive in pass defense, allowing just one touchdown reception and surrendering a respectable 9.6 yards per catch.

It was all the Rams could expect from Gaines and more, and by the time training camp opened for the 2015 it was Gaines, not Johnson, who was expected to start alongside Jenkins. Projecting even further ahead, the future of the Rams secondary looked more and more like Jenkins and Gaines as the long-term starting tandem with Johnson likely leaving as a free agent in 2016.

That rackety sound you hear is the roller coaster ride getting ready to take a plunge, on which the futures of Jenkins, Johnson and Gaines were buckled in.

Gaines never had a chance to fight off Johnson for the starting job after suffering a Lisfranc foot injury in training camp that required season-ending surgery. The domino affect was far reaching: Johnson regained his job opposite Jenkins – by default – then put together a career year in a contract season that landed him the franchise tag distinction from the Rams and a $14 million pay day for 2016.

In doing so, the Rams essentially chose Johnson over fellow free agent Jenkins – who left for New York – and gave a vote of confidence to Gaines and the strides he was making as a player and in rehabilitation.

In fact, when Gaines returned to the practice field last June for OTA’s, Jenkins and starting safety Rodney McLeod were gone, and he Johnson and Joyner were penciled in as the primary starters.

“It’s crazy to see how the room has changed,” Gaines remarked.

It’s taken some time for the picture to finally come into focus, but Sunday’s win over the Cardinals finally revealed the vision. Gaines, Johnson and Joyner provide athletic ability, coverage skills, intellect and toughness in a young, skilled cornerback rotation that complements a ferocious Rams pass rush.

“Glad to have him back,” Johnson said. “Real glad to have him back.”

And Gaines quickly alleviated any concerns about having to shake off any rust by immediately jumping into the action.

“I was just trying to help any way I could,” Gaines said. “Just trying to be as physical as I could on the outside opposite Trumaine, who is really physical on the other side. Just add to that, mostly. And moving forward, I’m focused on stopping these receivers from going down field and protect against the long ball.”

For now, the roller-coaster ride has leveled.

[www.ocregister.com]

Contact the writer: vbonsignore@scng.com

Gary Klein


He is the most experienced player on the Rams’ offense, an eighth-year pro seeking what thus far has proved to be an unattainable goal.

“Hopefully,” receiver Kenny Britt said. “I’ll get to the playoffs this year.”

Britt has helped the Rams to a promising start.

They are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West heading into Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills at the Coliseum.


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It’s the first of nine games against non-division opponents before the Rams finish the season against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers andArizona Cardinals.

Like Britt, the Rams are experiencing a postseason drought. They have not been to the playoffs since 2004.

Britt, 28, is determined to end the streak.

“I have responsibilities and try to be a leader,” he said, adding, “The guys are doing everything correct. Everyone is coming in on off days, looking at film, taking care of their bodies.

“You can tell there’s determination on this team to get to the playoffs.”

The Rams began the season with major questions about a receiving corps that did not undergo a significant upgrade from 2015, when the Rams ranked last in the NFL in offense and passing offense.

They drafted receivers Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round andMichael Thomas in the sixth. Cooper has not played because of a shoulder injury and Thomas has played mainly on special teams.

Through four games, the Rams rank last in offense and 30th in passing offense.

But there have been bright spots.

Brian Quick has been the biggest surprise, catching three touchdown passes. Tavon Austin has one.

But Britt has a team-best 18 receptions and is averaging 15.6 yards per catch.

He also has been a go-to receiver on third downs.

“He’s been productive. Made some big plays for us,” Coach Jeff Fishersaid. “He has overcome some drops, like the whole group has, but he’s been productive.

“He pushed through — he’s fighting through some nagging little injury things. But he shows up. He shows up and he’s emotional and he plays hard.”

In last weekend’s 17-13 victory at Arizona, Britt was targeted four times, had four receptions and averaged 20.5 yards per catch.

Tennessee Titans when they selected Britt with the 30th pick in the 2009 draft out of Rutgers. In his second season, Britt caught 42 passes, nine for touchdowns.

But in 2011 he suffered torn ligaments in his right knee.

He had surgery again on the same knee before the 2012 season and also had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee.

He caught 45 passes and scored four touchdowns in 2012 but caught only 11 passes and did not score a touchdown in 2013.

The Rams signed him in 2014 and, reunited with Fisher, Britt responded with a career-best 48 catches, three for touchdowns. Last season, he averaged 18.9 yards a catch and scored three touchdowns.

Britt sat out off-season workouts after undergoing shoulder and knee surgeries, but he said he has not lost speed and still feels young.

“I’ve been taking care of my body a lot better,” said Britt, who is earning about $4.5 million in the final year of his contract. “The first two or three years in the NFL, you don’t really know what to do off the field to take care of your body.

“This is my eighth year and I’m doing better than before.”

During training camp, quarterback Case Keenum said that he and Britt had developed “non-verbal communication” that enabled him to anticipate the receiver’s moves. Keenum said this week that they remained on the same wavelength.

Britt concurred.

“Case trusts me out there,” he said. “When we need a first down, he trusts me to do it.”

With opponents crowding the line of scrimmage to stop running back Todd Gurley, the Rams have been unable to run effectively. But if Austin’s production increases and Britt continues his pace, defenses will have to adjust, Boras said.

“We’re going to continue to run the ball and we’re going to get better running the ball,” Boras said. “When they’re loading the box, we’re going to try to take advantage of it and get the ball out in the perimeter in the pass game and let those guys make some plays.”

Like all receivers, Britt said, he wants to score touchdowns.

But a run to the postseason would be even better.

“We’re winning,” he said, “so it really doesn’t matter who gets them as long as we’re putting points on the board.”

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesklein

By Dan Graziano
ESPN Staff Writer

The quarterback who went No. 2 overall in this year's draft is 3-0, ranks sixth in the NFL in passer rating and has five touchdown passes without an interception.

The quarterback who went No. 1 overall in this year's draft hasn't played yet.

So what happened here? Did theLos Angeles Rams blow it withJared Goff? Are the Philadelphia Eagles geniuses for trading up to No. 2 to select Carson Wentz? Is Wentz a prodigy? Is Goff a bust???

Yeah, it's a hot-take world when it comes to quarterbacks, and everybody loves to jump to their favorite conclusions. In this case, it's not that simple. While Goff and Wentz will forever be linked due to their proximity at the top of the draft, their 2016 situations are anything but apples to apples.

Here's a key difference: TheMinnesota Vikings didn't offer the Rams a first-round pick for their starting quarterback a week before the season. The Vikings did do that for the Eagles, which sentSam Bradford to the upper Midwest and elevated Wentz to the starter's role.

While the Eagles weren't preparing Wentz to start Week 1 until that deal went down eight days before their opener, the fact remains that they did manage to sufficiently prepare him to start -- and play very well -- in September.

To hear the Eagles tell it, it wasn't that tough.

Case Keenum said in a phone interview Wednesday. "Our protections are definitely a little bit different, and combining them with the concepts has been a challenge. Knowing who's hot on a particular play, when they're hot, the dropback game. ... There's been a lot of change, and it's a lot to process. But I think it's working pretty good."

Keenum takes responsibility for some of the offensive issues, saying, "I've missed a few throws with some guys running open." The Rams are 30th in the league in passing yards per game and last in completion percentage. Only three teams have fewer touchdown passes than the Rams' four.

They are 3-1, however, thanks in large part to a defense that has taken away the ball nine times and is holding opponents under 20 points per game. Keenum and the offense have largely protected the ball well, and they've done enough in spite of the growing pains.


So add up the surprisingly strong win/loss start and the fact that this offense is still putting itself together, and you can see why the Rams don't feel any rush to get Goff in there. It's entirely possible he's as ready as Wentz is. But the Bradford trade gave the Eagles a reason to elevate Wentz, and the complexities of the Rams' under-construction offense give L.A. reason to worry about Goff having too much on his plate if he does play.

Wentz's coaches in Philadelphia are all quarterbacks -- Pederson the head coach, Reich the coordinator and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo. Wentz is surrounded by people who speak his language, know what he's going through and communicate simply and on his level.

Groh and Weinke were quarterbacks, but neither had ever coached quarterbacks in the NFL until this season. Boras is a former offensive lineman, and Fisher's background is on defense.

That doesn't mean what the Eagles are doing is right or what the Rams are doing is wrong. What it tells you is that the situations in which Wentz and Goff find themselves at the outset of their careers are very different. It's easy to look at what has gone on so far -- Wentz lighting up the league, while Goff rides the bench -- and say they may have been picked in the wrong order, but it's important to remember there's a long way to go. A month does not make a career (or two careers).

[www.espn.com]

I'm curious to what us on ROD thinks what will happen and I'm debating this in my head.

Obviously Goff is our future etc etc etc. As been stated many times but how short of a chain is Keenum on? I love winning more than anything and just as long as we keep winning does Keenum stay the starter? If we lose one game like this Buffalo game will Goff be put in? I'm guessing matchups pretty well this year compared to knowing what to expect from this so interested to see what the rest of your opinions are as a whole.

Take it how u want it I don't know if it's true but this guy was a good poster here

http://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,503919

OC Anthony Lynn addressed the media following practice topics include; the defensive line of the Rams, former Bills running back Karlos Williams, and being on the job for two weeks. Rams have the best pass rush group they have seen all year.

Login to view embedded media View: http://www.buffalobills.com/video/videos/Anthony-Lynn-We-Have-to-Block-Them/9cbc7442-cc7c-4dbe-a920-165d5bcb9ab7

I'm surprised his MVP isn't Tom Brady after playing 0 games. He does give respect to Aaron Donald though.
******************************************************************
Why Sam Bradford is MVP
Hard to get any more valuable than what the undefeated Vikings have received at the quarterback position. Here’s an early look at the award race, with four more surprising candidates
By Peter King

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/10/05/sam-bradford-minnesota-vikings-mvp-nfl-mailbag

I feel like a 30 for 30 promo.

What if I told you …

that the MVP of the National Football League after a quarter of the season would be a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who is not named Teddy Bridgewater … who wasn’t even on the team 10 days before the season started … and whose acquisition enraged many of the team’s fans—who felt the GM who engineered the deal was an incompetent boob.

Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Normally I wouldn’t want to name a player who missed a quarter of his team’s games the MVP. But I will make an exception for Sam Bradford. Acquired for first-round and fourth-round picks eight days before opening day, Bradford sat out the opener (the Vikings got two defensive touchdowns and won by nine at Tennessee) and started the next three Minnesota games.

In those three games, learning a new offense on the fly, Bradford has beaten quarterbacks who have played in four of the past nine Super Bowls, and in each game outplayed Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Eli Manning. Bradford has no turnovers. He has the best completion and passer rating, both by a mile, in his career.

The words “valuable” has always meant something to me with this award. Minnesota lost its three most important offensive players to injury in a two-week span in the summer: Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson and left tackle Matt Kalil. The season, justifiably, could have spiraled to hell. But an unwavering coach, Mike Zimmer, and an emerging star defense have held the fort.

And a quarterback the Rams gave away in 2015 and the Eagles gave away in 2016 has played the best three-game stretch of his pro career. The MVP, I think, should never be determined on numbers alone—though they help. The MVP should be about the player who means the most to a very good team, and without whom that team would be Just Another Team. And the Vikings would be 2-2 or maybe 3-1 with Shaun Hill playing quarterback right now.

Bradford has lifted the Vikings to a point where they believe that without their three leading men they can still win the Super Bowl. And there is tremendous value in that.

“What I’ve gone through has given me perspective I never have had—perspective I didn’t have when I was younger,” Bradford told me after the Green Bay win. “Last year, going through all that stuff in Philadelphia, I’m not sure I would have handled this well. You might not understand it at the time, but there’s always a reason. I just think it’s all part of God’s plan. I don’t worry about it.”

Then he said: “You think I should write a book about all of this?”

What would he say after the third win? On Monday Night Football, over a man with two Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVPs, Eli Manning?

Hopefully, Bradford would say he belongs on a team playing for the biggest prize in the game, something he’s never had a chance to do. And something I feel confident he’ll have a chance to do this year.

Runners up for the MVP at the quarter pole, by the way:

2. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles. The Rams are 3-1. Reason enough.

3. Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver. This is not a misprint.

4. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta. On fire for the past three weeks.

5. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland. The dawn of the next great Raider is at hand.

Just wondering if any of you guys will be going or if you've even been to a game there ? I'm thinking about making the 6 hour trip next week with my son .

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – Post-practice – October 5, 2016

(Opening Remarks)
“Had a good day. Got an especially talented opponent this weekend. All three phases, veteran guys on their special teams unit, good returner in WR Brandon Tate, so we got a challenge there. Really impressed with what they’re doing offensively. Like I said yesterday, we got a lot of work to do this week to become familiar with them. Good running game, running quarterback, well-coached offensive line, receivers make plays, and then the defense is always a handful. It’s going to be a good week for us.”

(On the challenges faced when there isn’t much game tape on players like DT Marcell Dareus)
“We’re just going to put an ‘x’ there and if he’s there we’re going to block him. That’s what you have to do and if you have to adjust, then you adjust. He’s a talented player – he’s a load. He didn’t practice, so we’ll see how it goes. He’s got the experience. They can create match-ups inside. Again, we’ll just have to adjust.”

(On WR Kenny Britt’s performance so far this season)
“He’s been productive. Made some big plays for us. He has overcome some drops, like the whole group has, but he’s been productive. He pushed through – he’s fighting through some nagging little injury things. But he shows up. He shows up and he’s emotional and he plays hard.”

(On what WR Pharoh Cooper and WR Nelson Spruce could bring to the offense)
“They’re going to give us some special teams help, immediately, I think. Then, situationaly we’ll be able to use them offensively. Just keep in mind, we go from 53 to 46 – the roster changes every week. We went with seven offensive linemen last week because we needed to get some help on special teams and in the secondary, and it tied in for that matter. It changes every week. But they both looked really good today.”

(On the challenges that the Bills defense brings after shutting out New England last week)
“It’s ever changing. It’s Rex (Ryan), and now it’s Rex and Rob (Ryan), but you’re going to see something different just about week. You don’t know what they’re going to do, or who’s where – you have to be sound, and make sure you’re running the football. It actually almost forces you to simplify things a little bit. You got to run the football and you got to make sure you’re protecting the passer. But they do a really good job, week-to-week. I thought they did an extraordinary job against New England, even though New England was depleted. They played good defense against Carolina as well, the week before. “

(On evaluating the running game with RB Todd Gurley and potentially changing things up schematically)
“We’re ever-changing. You dress things up, but you you’ve got to stay with your bread and butter. The big thing for us, it’s all tied together – it’s defense getting off the field on third down and getting another possession or offense converting a third down or moving the ball. Then of course, as of late, actually since the season’s started, we got everybody jammed in there and they don’t want to let him get going. So, we have to make our plays down the field. But it has nothing to do with Todd, whatsoever. It’s just a matter of getting him some opportunities.”

(On any concerns about the Coliseum grounds since USC is playing the day before)
“No. The field was in great shape – they switched it out after our second preseason game. It was completely re-done and in great shape for Seattle. I think it’s suitable for wear and tear.”

(On the connection between QB Case Keenum and WR Brian Quick this season)
“They’ve been doing it together here on the practice field for a long time and it came together in the game. It was a great throw. The long touchdown pass and run was great, and then the back shoulder fade. That’s something that everybody works on. What that does, is that creates opportunities inside of the offense, once we get down inside the red zone. We just got to get down there.”



Rams Offensive Coordinator Rob Boras – Post Practice – October 5, 2016

(On if there is anything schematically that the team can do to get RB Todd Gurley going)
“It’s an ongoing process, we’re taking a look at everything. Schematically, play calls, our technique at the point of attack, our decisions – we’re taking a look at everything right now. Obviously, we’re determined to get it right and get better.”

(On if there are advantages to team’s loading up the box on Gurley)
“I think we’re seeing happen right now in our run-actions and obviously guys are loaded up and stacking the box to stop the run and we’ve been able to try to take advantage of that in other areas. Part of being balanced is being able to take advantage of what the defense is giving you. And that’s part of being a balanced offense. Right now, in the run-action game, we’re able to make those plays and then, hopefully, that will loosen up and the runs will start coming as well.”

(On how Gurley has developed as a receiver)
“Since he’s been here, we’ve always said that Todd has unbelievable ball skills. A couple of catches he made – that one that he ran down the sideline, the one-handed catch and then that was a heck of a catch he made on third-and-eight in the red zone, and obviously the run after catch. He’s like any young player, he’s getting better because it’s not something he was asked to do a whole lot at Georgia, but he has natural athletic ability and natural skills. Any time we can get him in space, he can make things happen, so it’s obviously something we want to continue to build on.”

(On if that’s a natural progression of him as a player)
“I think it’s a natural progression, his response as a player. It works hand-in-hand with what’s happening in the run game, to try to take advantage of his skills in other ways. But I just think it’s a natural progression of being a second-year player. And the thing I’ve commented on a couple times, Todd’s determined, like all of our players, to get better in every area. We always say, ‘Find out what your weaknesses are, don’t ignore them, improve on them.’ And his commitment to protections and in the pass game – he, along with everybody else – it’s been impressive to see.”

(On how he thinks QB Case Keenum has played through the first quarter of the season and what he’s looking for him to do in the next phase)
“I think Case has played really well. We all remember that first game – it seems like forever ago, thankfully. He’s gotten better, he’s taking advantage of what the defense has given us. I talk about it all the time – he’s very cerebral, he’s getting us in the right place and he’s making plays. He’s making plays with his arm, he made some plays with his feet the other day, as well. He’s extending plays for us. I’ve talked about it many times – he’s a natural leader and that’s one of the things that, that position is so critical to the whole offense’s success. I just think it’s going to be continued growing as a player and making some of the routine plays routine, and keep challenging himself and taking the shots down the field when they’re available.”

(On where he thinks the chemistry is between Keenum and WR Tavon Austin and what it will take to maximize Austin)
“I think the chemistry is good right now. Obviously, there’s opportunities like it was the week before where Tavon got more touches and then this week, (WR) Brian Quick stepped up and made some plays. That wideout position in general, they’re working their tails off out here. I’m really pleased with where they were as a unit last week. Again, we want to build off of that – not assume we’re going to get that same sort of result. Those guys are hungry. Tavon, as we’ve always said, will make plays in different areas – and that return that he made at the end of the game put us in position to go score that touchdown. Anytime Tavon can touch the ball, whether it’s a returner, whether we hand him the ball, whether he catches it, anytime he has it, there’s explosive-play ability for us.”

(On if TE Lance Kendricks is taking what the defense is giving him)
“He does. And I think that’s just the tight end position in general. A lot of times, it might be in the run-action game, where he might be able to slip out and make a play. I just think Lance is one of those guys that is going to continue to get better for us, and hopefully he’ll continue to make some plays down the field. We ran that one naked and Case was able to find – Lance was about third in the progression for that 23-yard gain. It’s a nice, natural check-down for a quarterback when you start building your trust with that tight end position.”

(On how he feels WR Kenny Britt has done)
“I think Kenny’s done really well. I commented last week – I think both mentally and physically, it’s as good as I’ve seen Kenny. His preparation out here, his focus, and it’s carried over. He’s playing extremely hard, he’s made plays for us in every game – and critical plays on third down, which has been our challenge as an offense, to try to stay on the field. I think we’re all very pleased with where Kenny is and the arrow is pointing in the right direction.”

(On if Austin and Britt playing well is the key to getting Gurley more yardage and opening the offense)
“Exactly. As an offense, it’s got to work hand-in-hand. We’re going to continue to run the ball and we’re going to get better running the ball. When they’re loading the box, we’re going to try to take advantage of it and get the ball out in the perimeter in the pass game and let those guys make some plays.”

(On what WRs Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce can bring when they’re available)
“Both those guys have shown that they’re capable of moving the sticks. They can make plays, they both have great hand-eye coordination, they’re natural catchers. And they’ve shown, in the Dallas game for Nelson and really throughout the preseason, including that Kansas City game for ‘Coop,’ is they’re going to make plays. And they can make plays catching it and the run after the catch. Both of them are getting more confident right now with where they are and I think we’re all excited to see what’s going to happen when they get on the field.”

(On the challenges that Buffalo’s defense presents)
“They’re very multiple, they have talented players and then their scheme – they’re really good up front. I talked last week about the third downs, getting ready for our opponent last week – these guys are even more multiple on third down. It just creates the confusion and they’re going to show you a look as if they’re coming and then drop off into coverage and show you a coverage look and end up coming and rushing. It makes, not only the quarterback’s job hard, but the line’s job hard as well, trying to recognize who the rushers are going to be and protect the quarterback.”

(On if it jumped out to him that Buffalo shut out New England on the road last week)
“Yes, obviously, anytime you see a shutout in the league, wherever it happens. That’s a real talented defense. Again, we want to win this week, it’s the challenge in front of us right now and that’s all we can deal with. But yeah, they’re a very talented group.”



Rams QB Case Keenum – Post Practice – October 5, 2016

(On if the Bills’ deceptive defense puts pressure on him)
“Any defense that lines up and plays as many guys as they do, lines up in different spots, I think it’s really important, the quarterback-center communication, identifying fronts, identifying coverages. We’ve got our work cut out for us. It’s a good defense.”

(On if the Bills surprise him on defense, even while studying them on film)
“Yeah, I don’t know if ‘whoa’ is the word I use when I’m watching film. But yeah, there’s some moments where you’re looking at it and you’re like, ‘What’s going on here?’ It takes a few times to process it, to digest it. There’s going to be some looks on Sunday that we’ve never seen before, that point, I might say ‘whoa’. But you trust your instincts, you react to the play. We trust our linemen up front to do their job; protect, block, and backs the same thing. We’ve got to trust our guys outside.”

(On the chemistry with the wide receivers, specifically Tavon Austin, and if there have been missed opportunities with him)
“Definitely, and really there’s a couple from last week that were all on me. Watching the film, and even on the field, I knew that there’s some plays that he might still be running if I hit him in stride. He’s a really good player, and an explosive player, as you saw on the punt return, and you’ve seen week in and week out. Anytime we’ve got him open in open field, I need to get him the ball.”

(On how his chemistry with Austin has progressed since training camp)
“I think it’s getting better. Obviously game reps, game experience, that builds confidence with guys. They know when I’m looking, where I’m looking, and when to expect the ball. They’re all expecting the ball on every play, which is really cool.”

(On how he evaluates the performance of the offense four games into the season)
“We’ve done some good things. It’s like coach said the other day, there’s some good things, there’s some bad things, there’s some things we need to correct. At this point in the season, being able to find ways to win is obviously really, really important, and that’s the ultimate stat, the ultimate goal. What’s exciting is we’ve found ways to win, and we’ve still got room to grow offensively in a lot of areas, myself included. Constantly trying to work, get better, really focusing, maintaining fundamentals, and working on small things. I think the big things will take care of themselves.”

(On if he senses that he has surprised people with his performance this season)
“I don’t know, what do you think? Have I surprised you? So, you had no preconceived notions? So, you didn’t watch any film on us before? No, it really doesn’t matter. It’s like I’ve said to you guys many, many times, after the first week, or when things are not going well, to when things are going well, the opinions that matter are in the building in here, in the locker room in there, and the coaching staff. As far as a sense, or anything like that, that’s not something that I try to focus on too much.”

(On his chemistry with WR Brian Quick)
“I remember Brian when I first came to the Rams. Seeing Brian Quick and not really knowing about him until I saw him in person, and just to see the explosiveness that guy can make, and the big plays that guy can make. Then when he had got injured, obviously coming back, so I’ve seen kind of Brian in all ends of the spectrum. To see him getting back to a dominant level of football play has been really, really cool. I’m really excited to be the quarterback that’s throwing him the football.”

(On how important his chemistry with Quick means to the team)
“I think it’s important that I connect like that with everybody, all receivers. You ask about Tavon, you ask about Brian, (WR) Kenny (Britt), obviously (WR Pharoh Cooper) ‘Coop’ if he’s going to be back, whoever is going to be out there. We obviously did a great job last week of rolling a bunch of receivers in there, with (WR) Bradley (Marquez) and (WR Michael Thomas) ‘Mike’ getting in there too. I think it’s important that all those guys are weapons.”

(On if the communication with WR Kenny Britt in the offseason has carried over to the regular season)
“Yeah, I think so. It’s a deal where you, obviously feel good about whoever lines up out there. That’s the way I want to be able to feel that I have two guys and it’s the same route on both sides, and I look both sides, I’m torn inside. I have the same feelings towards both of them. I think it’s like that. I feel great about anybody that’s lined up out there right now.”

(On how much he’s adjusting his Saturday schedule to keep up with the University of Houston’s football team this season)
“I definitely try to catch the games. Coach (Tom) Herman, I talked to him the other day. Those boys got it going. It’s exciting to see. It’s exciting to see that announcers are talking about them getting into the playoff. I think if they do what they intend to do and go undefeated, I think it would be silly to leave them out. I think it would be wrong. I think that they’re a really good football team and they’ve played well.

(On if he’s been watching the games)
“When I can, I have. I‘ve watched a few games. Not as many as I’d like. My brother-in-law goes to O.U., so he still has a U of H sticker on the back of his car in a little bet that we had about that game.”

I just dunno, man.

We're so used to seeing 3-4 instant starters from these S&F drafts.

Even ROY starters. All Pros, even.

But this year? Not so much, huh?

Goff. Still looking for his first real game snap.
Higbee. A single reception for 2 yards.
Cooper. Hurt. No real snaps yet.
Thomas. Has played well on ST, but been invisible in passing game.
Forrest. Has shown some potential, but he's relegated to 3rd LB status and will be on the field 35% of time, at most. Good pick, however.
Hemingway. Slight ST contributor only.

All have potential yet to contribute this year, of course. Goff, Higbee, and Cooper might be significant contributors this year, actually.

But if we're gonna be totally honest, we've received virtually zilch from this draft class. At least so far. And we just passed the season's quarter pole.

Don't stroke out.
Don't take this as a Gurley criticism.
Get past the idea that it will never happen.

*SHOULD* Fisher start Cunningham if Gurley continues to struggle this week? Sure, it's probably all the O-line's fault (I don't think so), but most teams change things up when something isn't working or has come to the point that it is no longer working. Benny is a bigger threat in the passing game, and has a different style of running. He has a lower center of gravity, and he's a shiftier type of back. Gurley is more powerful (maybe), and is a one-cut, downhill type of runner. Since those one-cut opportunities aren't always there now, would it make sense to see if Benny can get the run game going? Or would that simply be a "slap-in-the-face" to Gurley due to his draft position and status as the #1? See, my position is, it really shouldn't matter where someone is drafted. If you're the better player, then you should be playing. Like if Pharoh Cooper started playing better than Austin in the Y, then play Cooper and let Austin be the backup.

To all our FLA/GA/SC/NC ROD brothers, batten down the hatches and get out of harms way. This looks like a good one. I have three comfortable couches if any of you on the coast suddenly find yourself in need of shelter. I also have two refrigerators so beer storage won't be an issue!