Hi all, Been a busy summer, remodeling the house and all. Hopefully I can get back to couch potato status on Sunday and Monday night. Go Rams ball:

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/05/mmqb-staff-nfl-predictions-2016-super-bowl-51-winner

The MMQB 2016 Season Predictions
Our staffers make their bold selections for individual award winners and provide some contrasting viewpoints on who’ll hoist the Lombardi in Houston in Super Bowl 51
by The MMQB Staff

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Peter King: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle. Without the subtle/overt pressure of Marshawn Lynch in the locker room and huddle, Wilson, already a beautiful thrower of the deep ball, takes his game to its highest level--and takes Seattle into January again.

Albert Breer: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. No LeVeon Bell until October. No Martavis Bryant until who knows when. No problem.

Jenny Vrentas: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay. Bolstered by the return of Jordy Nelson, and Mike McCarthy’s day-to-day involvement in the offense again, we welcome back the Aaron Rodgers we’re used to seeing.

Robert Klemko: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati. Don't @ me.

Emily Kaplan: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. He has the most talented cast, and there should be nothing preventing Big Ben from having a highly productive year.

Tim Rohan: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina. He gets his No. 1 receiver (Kelvin Benjamin) back, and he’s on a mission to avenge the Super Bowl loss.

Andy Benoit: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. Has mastered the system of the most dynamic offense in the league.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

King: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota. Again, and unfortunately, Minnesota puts its season on Peterson's shoulders. Again, he performs superbly, with an 1,800-yard rushing season.

Breer: Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles. There will be bumps in the Rams’ return-to-L.A. campaign. So they’ll give Gurley the ball. A lot.

Vrentas: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. MVPs are for QBs, but this award can go to a skill position player based on the sheer volume of offense he generates. And Brown, who has caught more than 100 balls each of the last three years, is sure to generate a high volume of offense.

Klemko: Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England. He’s the greatest tight end ever, and now he has the benefit of fellow big man Martellus Bennett to stress defenses in the red zone. I’m thinking career year.

Kaplan: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Consider his gaudy numbers in 2015—which included five games of Landry Jones and Michael Vick quarterbacking. Brown rarely drops passes, he’s always improving and I expect nothing but a monster 2016.

Rohan: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Brown puts up video-game numbers again.

Benoit: Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh. Will be the most productive player in the NFL’s most prolific offense.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. Nice of J.J. Watt to cede this. Once. Mack has a 20-sack season in him one of these years, and I think it's this year, starting with a favorable matchup opening day in New Orleans.

Breer: Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona. He became the NFL’s human highlight reel in 2015, and the comeback from ACL surgery will just add to his legend.

Vrentas: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. J.J. Watt’s back surgery perhaps opens the door for someone else to win this title. A good bet is Mack, who was once famously described by Hue Jackson as “a rolling ball of butcher knives.”

Klemko: Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona. Probably one of the more under-appreciated superstars in the NFL.

Kaplan: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. The league’s next dominant pass-rusher is going to be a household name after a 20-sack season.

Rohan: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. The Raiders’ linebacker takes the next step, rises to J.J. Watt territory.

Benoit: Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland. But only if voters realize that he’s an even better run defender than pass rusher.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Ronnie Stanley, LT, Baltimore. Now, the assignment is my pick for offensive rookie--not the guy who will win it. And almost certainly someone who touches the ball will win it. But Stanley, a vital guy for Baltimore's future, is the best offensive rookie this year. And Indy center Ryan Kelly is second.

Breer: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. The hashtag #FEEDZEKE gets imported from Ohio to Texas. With Tony Romo down, the Cowboys will oblige.

Vrentas: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. As our Albert Breer wrote in June, one reason the Cowboys drafted Elliott was so their offense could be more competent in the event they lost Tony Romo again. Well, they’ve lost Romo for a while again, and the rookie has the great fortune of running behind the league’s best OL.

Klemko: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas. I freely admit to drinking the Kool-Aid. Great offensive line, with the benefit of Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. I can't remember a rookie QB in a better position to thrive. Okay I can: Roethlisberger.

Kaplan: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee. Maybe this is a hot take considering Henry isn’t the Titan’s No. 1 back. But I think Tennessee is going to run the ball 40 times a game and Henry will shoulder a fair share of the load — especially on the goal line.

Rohan: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. With Tony Romo out, the Cowboys will lean on Elliott and their superb offensive line.

Benoit: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. As Elliott himself has already said, with Dallas’s O-line, his job is easy.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Tampa Bay. He had a superb preseason. Nothing was a surprise for him. Unfortunately, he'll have to get six or eight picks to be in the running for this award. With his instincts, he just might get that many.

Breer: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Jacksonville. This freakish LB-sized CB/S will be used every which way—and show why he was considered such a unique prospect.

Vrentas: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. For cornerbacks to win this award, they have to rack up a lot of interceptions. Jack, assuming his scrutinized knee holds up, will turn heads with a sideline-to-sideline athleticism that creates big plays.

Klemko: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Jacksonville. Incredible nose for the ball has been evident this preseason; my only trepidation is that teams will be able to throw away from him against this defense. Runner up: Arizona CB Brandon Williams, who will have plenty opportunities for interceptions playing opposite Peterson.

Kaplan: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. I’m a sucker for a good story, and the Jaguars linebacker making other general managers look foolish for passing on him will be a great one.

Rohan: Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville. Racks up a ton of tackles and helps lead the Jags’ resurgence.

Benoit: Karl Joseph, S, Oakland. Raiders D and its strong pass rush will generate turnovers. Typically, safety is the one capping those forced turnovers.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Peter King: Gus Bradley, Jacksonville. Year four (after going 12-36 in his first three Jag seasons) is significantly more friendly to Bradley. His patience with players pays off in a big way, with an AFC South title.

Breer: John Fox, Chicago. I’m buying in on Fox’s patented second-year bounce—and the roster implosion that Ryan Pace has overseen.

Vrentas: Ben McAdoo, Giants. Sitting in the same seat one occupied by Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcells, the first-time head coach earns this honor by leading the Giants back to the postseason after a four-year drought.

Klemko: Jack Del Rio, Oakland. The AFC West looks wide open and the Raiders are in a great position to take advantage, provided recent offensive line expenditures and a re-tooled secondary get the job done. Runner up: Marvin Lewis.

Kaplan: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota. It will be impossible not to choose him after he leads Minnesota to the playoffs with Sam Bradford under center.

Rohan: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota. Guides the Vikings to the playoffs despite the quarterback shakeup on the eve of the season.

Benoit: Bill Belichick, New England. With Martellus Bennett now opposite Rob Gronkowski, New England's two tight end system will border on unstoppable. Remembering that they were without their Hall of Fame QB for the first quarter of the system, voters will credit this success to New England's Hall of Fame head coach.

COMEBACK PLAYER

Peter King: Tyrann Mathieu, rover, Arizona. When I saw him in camp, he was playing deep safety. He'll play lots of press corner, and some inside linebacker. All coming off an eight-month-old knee reconstruction. Runner-up: Dante Fowler, pass-rusher, Jacksonville.

Breer: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. If I’m gonna pick him for DPOY, this one is academic.

Vrentas: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. Few players in the NFL are the kind of Tasmanian Devil of energy—those are GM Steve Keim’s words—that Mathieu is. He transforms the personality of the Cardinals when he’s on the field, and he’s back after his second ACL

Klemko: Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland. Robert will have to split this award with Hue Jackson, who will work wonders with the guy who was a healthy scratch all of last season in Washington.

Kaplan: Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego. Before his season-ending knee injury, Allen had 67 passes through eight games, which ranked third-most in NFL history. He’ll pick up right where he left off.

Rohan: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona. Coming back from an ACL tear, Mathieu becomes the face of the Cardinals defense.

Benoit: Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay. Nelson’s healthy return will get Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense back on track.

* * *

NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

NFC East/ NFC North/ NFC South/ NFC West/ Wild Cards

Peter King- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Albert Breer- Washington, Chicago, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Jenny Vrentas- NY Giants, Green Baym, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Atlanta
Robert Klemko- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Arizona, NY Giants
Emily Kaplan- NY Giants, Green Bay, Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota
Andy Benoit- Washington, Green Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Arizona, Atlanta
Tim Rohan- Washington, Minnesotam Carolina, Arizona, Seattle, Green Bay

* * *

AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS

AFC East/ AFC North/ AFC South/ AFC West/ Wild Cards

Peter King- New England, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Oakland, Denver, Pittsburgh
Albert Breer- New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Oakland, NY Jets, Denver
Jenny Vrentas- New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Baltimore, Denver
Robert Klemko- New England, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Oakland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh
Emily Kaplan- New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Oakland
Andy Benoit- New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver, Oakland, Jacksonville
Tim Rohan- New England, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Denver

* * *

SUPER BOWL 51

King: Green Bay 30, Pittsburgh 26. The Steelers rise from the sixth playoff seed to fall one possession short in a rematch of Super Bowl 45. Aaron Rodgers finishes his season of redemption with a Super Bowl MVP game.

Breer: New England 30, Arizona 23. I came very close to giving Tom Brady the MVP, so let’s just hand him his record fourth Super Bowl MVP instead. No matter what happens over the season’s first month, this team is loaded with 20-something talent on D, and New England’s 12-game finish will be something to see.

Vrentas: Arizona 31, Pittsburgh 24. All of the Cardinals’ star players had a bad game on the same day in last year’s NFC Championship. Don’t count on that happening again. Go-big-or-go-home coach Bruce Arians is the perfect coach to shepherd the Super-Bowl-or-bust Cardinals.

Klemko: Carolina 21, Cincinnati 20. I felt Andy Dalton had turned a corner last season before his injury, with just seven picks in 13 starts and the highest completion percentage of his career. I'm banking on TE Tyler Eifert coming back strong from his ankle injury, and LB Vontaze Burfict coming back fit and dominant after his three-game suspension. In the end, I think Carolina survives the fact they did nothing this offseason to improve the offensive line simply because all the elite pass rushers are in the AFC (with the exception of Seattle, which has bigger problems on its own offensive line).

Kaplan: Cardinals 28, Steelers 24. The best offense in football (Pittsburgh) has made enough improvements in the front seven to go deep in the playoffs. But Arizona has too much talent, and the right coach, to beat anyone.

Rohan: Cardinals 35, Steelers 28. The Cardinals’ innovative defense – led by Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Deone Bucannon – slows Big Ben and Antonio Brown just enough. Carson Palmer redeems himself from last year’s playoff dud. Brown gets two touchdowns anyway, and Ryan Shazier gets three sacks, but Palmers throws four touchdowns to four different receivers. John Brown scores the winning touchdown in a close one. How’s that for a pick?

Benoit: Pittsburgh 31, Green Bay 27. Pittsburgh has the most explosive offense in the NFL, even without Martavis Bryant. And that defense is schematically complex and full of young players reaching their primes. The Packers have all of their weapons back and should be able to regain the identity that they lost in 2015.

Rams QB Case Keenum gearing up for first Week 1 start
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The backdrop was carried into the locker room, Case Keenum took his place in the middle of it and a mob of media members swelled around him late Thursday afternoon, four days before the Los Angeles Rams will open their season. Then came the first question ...

Case, your first NFL start. What's it like?

"Well ... it's my 16th NFL start, just so you know," Keenum said. "So, I have done it before."

Yes, in case anybody forgot, he has. But Keenum has only ever been the guy by default, starting with the Houston Texans because Matt Schaub injured a foot and an ankle in 2013, and starting for the Rams because Nick Foles wasn't good enough in 2015. This is the summer when Keenum actually won a job, holding off a developing No. 1 pick to do it.

This is the summer when Keenum will finally start a regular-season opener -- on Monday Night Football, against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, in the first meaningful game back in Los Angeles.

"It’s the first time for it to be my show starting out, and not just taking over like, 'Oh crap, send out Case now,'" Keenum said. "It’s been something I’ve prepared for for a long time. I’m excited. I really am."

Keenum left Houston as the NCAA's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions, but a relatively small stature and a weak throwing arm left him undrafted in 2012.

He spent that season buried on the Texans' practice squad, then started eight games in 2013, throwing for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Keenum spent a chunk of the next year on the Rams' practice squad, then returned to the Texans, started the final two regular-season games, winning both. He returned to the Rams for a seventh-round pick in March 2015.

Keenum went on to supplant Foles, the man he was brought in to back up, and returned from a concussion to start the final four games last season, a stretch in which he threw for 692 yards, completed nearly 65 percent of his passes and led the Rams to three victories.

In the eight months that followed, the Rams have seen continued growth.

"Every week seeing just more and more command of the offense, which is comforting," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said of Keenum. "He’s going to get up there and make the right decision. The position itself is hard to play, but he’s going to give us a chance with checking in and out of run stuff, changing protections, getting the ball down the field, making plays, extending plays with his legs."

Keenum is coming off a solid preseason, one that saw him complete 75 percent of his passes without committing a single turnover.

That's all the Rams really need from the 28-year-old: just enough to keep opposing defenses from stacking the box against star running back Todd Gurley.

But Keenum starting is in no way an ideal scenario for the Rams. He shoulders a 38.2 QBR that is the fifth worst among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 400 passes over the past three seasons. And the guy the Rams truly want ready, of course, is Jared Goff, the first overall pick who cost an assortment of high-round draft choices for the right to select him.

Keenum hasn't forgotten that.

The line of questioning won't let him.

"I’m still batting a thousand," Keenum said. "Every interview I’ve ever done, somebody has asked [about Goff]. It is what it is. I compartmentalize it. People are going to ask what they want to ask. He was the first pick of the draft. Obviously some attention there, but I’m just going to go out and do my job. My job is to be the quarterback of this team and get the ball in the right people’s hands and convert on third downs and score points."

Rams' WR situation seems tenuous heading into opener
By Alden Gonzalez

[www.espn.com]

The Los Angeles Rams are carrying seven receivers on their 53-man roster, tied with the Green Bay Packers for most in the NFL -- and that isn't necessarily a testament to their depth at the position.

Rams wideouts racked up the fewest yards, the fewest first downs and the fourth-fewest touchdowns last season. And the unit appears just as unsteady heading into the Week 1 opener on Monday night, regardless of the volume. Two of the seven receivers might not play, another might be hobbled, another has struggled with drops, another is a late-round draft pick, and the two best ones haven't produced like top-end receivers in recent years.

Here's a look at where the group stands heading into the Monday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers from Santa Clara, California. ...

Tavon Austin: The Rams gave Austin a lavish four-year, $42 million extension based largely on what his production could be. Austin is coming off his best season, which included 473 receiving yards and 434 rushing yards. The dynamic playmaker basically only touched the ball one time in the preseason, but that isn't any indication of where he fits in the offense. The Rams hope to double -- yes, double -- Austin's production and are being secretive about his usage.

Kenny Britt: He's the veteran of the group, having compiled 3,879 yards over the course of his seven-year career. His 1,429 yards in the last two seasons rank 50th. But it isn't all Britt's fault. The 27-year-old specializes in stretching the field for an offense that doesn't throw the ball deep very often, particularly with Case Keenum at quarterback. The Rams had the fewest passing plays of 20 yards or more last season with 35.

Pharoh Cooper
The Rams like the potential of Pharoh Cooper, but he won't likely make his regular-season debut Monday because of a shoulder injury.
Pharoh Cooper: The Rams are excited about their fourth-round pick out of South Carolina, a versatile receiver who can contribute a multitude of ways and is a menace after the catch. Cooper had already cemented himself as the Rams' No. 3 receiver, but he suffered a shoulder injury on an acrobatic catch in Week 3 of the preseason and will probably miss the opener. The Rams hope he can make it back shortly.

Brian Quick: Quick might not have even made the final roster if not for the Rams' uncertainty at this position. That's a crazy thought when you consider his projections upon being drafted 33rd overall out of Appalachian State in 2012. Quick has struggled to catch the football. His catch percentage last season, 31.3, was the eighth-lowest in the NFL. He had 32 targets and reeled in only 10 of those, then continued to drop passes during the preseason.

Bradley Marquez: The second-year wide receiver was in a walking boot after Week 2, but only missed about a week of action with an injury to his right ankle. He returned for the preseason finale 12 days later, connected with Jared Goff on a 30-yard pass play in the opening possession and hobbled back to the huddle. Marquez remained in the game and the Rams hope he is completely healed by the opener. Marquez caught 13 passes for 88 yards as an undrafted rookie last season.

Mike Thomas: A sixth-round pick out of Southern Miss, Thomas compiled 52 receiving yards in the preseason, hauling in four of his 10 targets. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Thomas is good at catching passes in traffic. He became one of the country's most productive amateur receivers after leaving junior college, finishing 2015 with 71 catches for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Nelson Spruce: The Rams -- and their fans -- are excited about Spruce, a possession receiver who flashed his ability to create space and secure catches by racking up a team-best 51 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. But Spruce also sprained his knee in that game and hasn't practiced with the team since, though he has done some light work on his own. Upon return, Spruce could become a focal point of the offense. But he'll likely sit out Week 1.

Rams lineman Aaron Donald small in stature, huge in impact

By RYAN KARTJE / STAFF WRITER

[www.ocregister.com]

IRVINE – Since the advent of the forward pass, conventional knowledge dictates a pass rush should be built from the outside. For decades, that meant the NFL’s most feared defenses were crafted around freakish defensive ends or rush linebackers, most of whom appeared predisposed to terrorize quarterbacks. Glory – and glamorous paychecks – were earned collecting gaudy sack totals. Sack artists, they were so glowingly labeled.

Just a few feet inside, meanwhile, their counterparts at defensive tackle were often cast as oversized workmen, plugging rush gaps and forcing double teams, toiling away in relative obscurity. They were almost always paid less. Rarely were they counted on to get after the quarterback.

On the all-time, single-season sacks list, only three defensive tackles crack the post-merger top 50. From 2003-12, the position was even more bereft of pass-rushers: Only six defensive tackles tallied double-digit sack totals in a season during that stretch, while 40 defensive ends reached that mark.

At the outset of the 2016 season, though, that balance of power on the defensive line might finally be shifting inside. In March 2015, the Dolphins made defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL with a six-year, $114.375 million deal. The Buccaneers and Bills also locked up their own interior weapons in Gerald McCoy and Marcell Dareus, respectively, signing them each to deals of $95 million or more.

This June, the mega-deals continued, as the Eagles’ contract extension with Fletcher Cox surpassed nine figures – and included about $4 million more in guaranteed money than Suh’s deal. After years of anonymity, the interior renaissance finally is upon us.

As it stands, five of the nine biggest NFL contracts on defense belong to defensive tackles. But still missing in that group is the most feared interior rusher in all of the NFL, who – at 25 years old, with only a $2.7 million cap hit – might very well redefine the defensive tackle position as we know it.

“The game has changed,” says Aaron Donald, that rare talent who over the course of two seasons, 20 sacks, and an endless highlight-reel of nightmare-inducing bullrushes, has almost singlehandedly turned the Rams into a defensive force.

It’s the final week of his third training camp with the Rams, and on the practice field in Irvine, Donald is explaining just how an undersized defensive tackle became the new prototype at a position once defined by size and brute strength.

“It’s more of a speed game now,” he says. “There’s a lot more zone schemes, a lot more running sideways. You can be a guy who’s 285 and 6-foot-1, as long as you can hold a double-team sometimes and do your job.”

Of course, to suggest that Donald wouldn’t succeed in a different era is to ignore everything he has demonstrated in his two seasons. His speed on the interior is unmatched. His strength is akin to that of a much larger, bulkier tackle, even after he cut his body fat percentage below 10 percent in the offseason. He easily slices through double teams.

Quite simply, Donald is as close to unstoppable as one finds in the NFL. And as an already-pass-heavy league continues to evolve in his favor, football’s new prototype in the middle is ready to wreak havoc on NFL offenses, and – in due time – take that havoc to the bank.

* * *

The first time Mike Waufle sat across from Donald in his office, the Rams defensive line coach told his first-year defensive tackle something he’d never, in 14 years of coaching, considered telling another NFL rookie. But after playing and replaying Donald’s highlights from Pitt, watching him win every collegiate defensive award, obliterate his competition at the Senior Bowl, and then, run the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive tackle at the combine since 2000 (4.68), it was clear Donald required a different approach.

That Donald fell all the way to 13th overall, where the Rams had been waiting with their second first-round pick of the 2013 draft, was no less than a miracle to Waufle. Unlike others, he was not deterred in the slightest by Donald’s “undersized” frame. As an assistant with the Raiders and Giants, he routinely used smaller, quicker linemen on the interior. With the Giants, he once used 263-pound end Justin Tuck as a nose tackle during the team’s Super Bowl run.

In his office, Waufle looked his rookie straight in the eye: “I’m going to say a lot of things in this room,” he told him. “However, I do not want you to listen to one word I say. Just play like you did in college.”

Still, Donald asked Waufle to cut up highlights of Vikings Hall of Famer John Randle and other great, undersized defensive lineman such as Warren Sapp of the Bucs and La’Roi Glover of the Saints, both of whom stood 6-foot-2. Donald studied the film obsessively.

Such obsession is part of his personality, he explains. From high school into college, he was so determined to become a pingpong virtuoso that he played for hours on end, challenging anyone willing to play – coaches, teammates, strangers. “It was non-stop,” he says. But it worked. As one episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” showed, Donald is an exceptional pingpong player.

In training camp that fall, that thirst to be the best was instantly clear. The Rams offensive line couldn’t block him. During his first week, nose tackle Michael Brockers remembers sitting down to casually watch Donald’s college highlights on YouTube that first week. He ended up consuming all 14 minutes.

By October, Donald announced his presence to the entire league. In a Week 7 win over the Seahawks, he burst through the line and body-slammed running back Marshawn Lynch in the backfield for a violent 5-yard loss. Teammates were stunned.

“I remember thinking then this might be the best football player I’ve ever seen,” defensive end William Hayes says.

Donald was named Rookie of the Year and followed that with a more dominant 2015 season. He tallied 11 sacks – already startling for a defensive tackle – though, he almost certainly could have had more. According to Pro Football Focus, Donald hit or hurried quarterbacks 37 times last season – 14 more than any other defensive tackle.

In an increasingly pass-heavy league, Donald’s size – or lack thereof – has become one of his greatest assets. At 6-foot-1, he has a lower center of gravity than most defensive tackles, which allows him to get under an offensive lineman’s pads easier than the likes of Brockers, his interior counterpart, who stands five inches taller. In addition, his fast first step makes it nearly impossible for linemen to keep their footing in front of him.

“It’s all about leverage and speed,” Waufle said. “He has a whole lot of both.”

He also has an advantage in Waufle, whose career has been tailored to exploit such a unique skillset. Waufle learned the nuances of defensive line play from respected assistant John Teerlinck, who helped popularize the 3-technique defensive tackle with John Randle in the 1990s. Like Donald, Randle was 6-foot-1, and as Waufle enters Year 3 with his transcendent young tackle, he is using Teerlinck’s work with Randle as his guiding light. This season, Donald will move around even more on the Rams’ line. He might even rush off the edge.

Donald insists he’s more comfortable in that role as this season begins. He’s quicker. His understanding of the scheme is more complex. His pass-rushing technique has improved. He promises he should get to the quarterback even more often in 2016.

“He’s the best defensive player in football,” Hayes said. “That’s the reality, and I don’t think it’s even really that close. He’s just different. Different than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

* * *

Most of the NFL’s best defensive tackles are still towering, 300-pound behemoths. The five highest-paid players at the position stand at least 6-foot-3 and weigh at least 295 pounds.

But with Donald, that is destined to change. The 2018 season, once his option is picked up, will be the final year of his rookie contract. Before then, the Rams will almost certainly offer Donald a contract that could make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, one that could eclipse six years and $120 million.

Such a deal would fall just short of the deal handed to Andrew Luck by the Colts this offseason – a significant investment in any non-quarterback, let alone a defensive tackle. In Donald’s case, though, he looks to be worth it.

Until then, he will keep studying film of past undersized greats, gleaning as many details as he can.

“When you talk about 3-techs – the John Randles, the Warren Sapps, the La’Roi Glovers – I want my name in that conversation,” Donald said. “I’ve got a lot more work to do, but that’s my mindset. I want to be great.”

In the Rams’ own building, one of those greats has watched closely over his first two years in the NFL. A four-time All-Pro with the Saints at just 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, Glover, now the Rams’ director of player engagement, has offered his advice to Donald on occasion, one undersized defensive tackle to another.

But as Waufle understood, Glover isn’t sure how much he can really teach Donald, either. After watching these last two dominant seasons, in fact, he wonders if Donald might already be on a level of his own – an undersized but overpowering nightmare at tackle, with the capability of changing how defenses value the interior.

“I’m not afraid to say it,” Glover said. “He has the potential to be the best ever.”

I apologize if this has been posted previously.

If you can’t get enough of Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, then The Jeff Fisher Show is for you. It airs on September 13 starting at 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPNLA 710 AM. Via the team’s official Twitter: Fisher will be joined by J.B. Long (ESPNLA Rams radio network play-by-play) and former Rams defensive tackle D’Marco Farr. The show will air every Monday night after the premiere. It will be taped live from Bogies at the Westlake Village Inn and open to the public.

Marshall talks about Goff and the Rams, the NFL, and more.....

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBGgk5zH37M

Thoroughly enjoyed watching that.

__"Welcome Back NFL"

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...e-keenum-trade-in-august?campaign=Twitter_atn


Rapoport: Broncos kept tabs on Case Keenum



Trevor Siemian will make his first professional start in Thursday night's 2016 NFL Kickoff.

If not for a few twists and turns last month, it could have been Case Keenum starting for the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl 50 rematch with the Carolina Panthers.

Denver kept tabs on Keenum during the preseason, going as far as to conduct trade talks with the Los Angeles Rams, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, via a source informed of the discussions.


The Rams would have required a "huge pick or player compensation" to move their Week 1 starter, Rapoport added, but the Broncos never offered a high enough draft pick or a talented cornerback such as Aqib Talib or Bradley Roby.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has a familiarity with Keenum going back to their days with the Houston Texans, when the former University of Houston standout started eight games over Matt Schaub during the 2013 season.

Once Siemian showed enough in training camp and preseason action to instill confidence in Denver's coaching staff, though, the Broncospulled the plug on trade talks.

It's hard to imagine general manager John Elway surrendering a high draft pick or a valuable chip on his dominant defense for a physically limited quarterback who was winless in eight starts under Kubiak three years ago. The same quarterback was free for the taking in November of 2014 when Keenum was a street free agent for nearly two months after being waived by the Rams.

Even if rookie Paxton Lynch ends up displacing Siemian as the starter within the next couple of months, Kubiak and Elway ultimately reached the sensible conclusion on Keenum's value.

"Hey Jared. It's Sam. Great seeing you. You got a sec?....Great! I understand you'll be in street clothes Monday Night. No wait, man! I'm not trying to rub it in! Come back!......Great. Thanks for giving me a chance."

"So, I don't know if you know. I spent a bit of time in street clothes when I was with the Rams,....no, it's true. So being that you're going to be in front of a national audience, and all, I thought it was important to look good. Have you thought about what you are going to wear? ...No? Good. Because I'd like to introduce you to Sam Bradfords Sideline Hoodie Collection!!

Yeah, that's right. It's all the rage for us #1 overall picks. Whether you've torn an ACL, or just been deactivated because you are a slow-witted dork. This line of Rams-wear will help you look stylin', as you cozy up to the first stringer, and pretend you are relevant as the TV cameras zoom-in during a red zone time-out. Or maybe you're spittin' seeds and laughing with one of the lineman, as if to tell the TV public, 'I got this'. You like seeds, right Jared? I mean.... you're a baseball guy."

"So without further ado:"



"This hoodie is awesome, and preferred choice for night games. And you know it gets cold in San Francisco, right Jared? What was that saying...you know...from Mark Twain?....(oh that's right...the 'sun-rise' guy). Well he once said, 'the coldest winter I ever spent, was a summer in San Francisco.' Santa Clara, whatever. Consider the vinyl/cotton hoodie."


"Next is another great hoodie with the blue, and a gold streak on each sleeve. This one is a little thicker, which might suit you well. You're about my height, but you could use some bulk. What do you weigh about a buck-fiddy?....Hey...hey... I'm just messin'. We boys, right?"



"This next...woah!!!...how'd that get there? Oh Yeah.....just a thought. Maybe before the national anthem you pull the hoodie and pace the sidelines, and give Kaepernick your best Phelpsface?....no? Alright. Moving on..."



"This one is kind of a 'throw-back' look. You're in L.A. now. It might really appeal to some of the REALLY old-timers in the Ram fan base...like @RamFan503 and @DaveFan'51 . Some of the young, virile guys like @Roman Snow and @Tron may like it, too.




"Jared, when I was spittin' seeds, and counting Stan's money, this little number looked particularly good on me. Notice the NFL logo still planted firmly on my sleeve? Don't ever be like that other bay area dork Brady and 'dis' the league, man. I mean, Super Bowl titles are nice, and everything, but when your a sideline stud, like you and me?....You gotta wear the shield proud."




"And finally, during military month, heres my 'hoody fatigues'. UUUURahhhh!! as the Marines say! You might look across and see that twisted Kaepernick in your second meeting wearing a Fidel Castro, or Black lives Matter hoodie.....Oh....I'm not saying you'll still be on the sidelines, Jared....but you know. Maybe Sean can wear this.....but wear it proud, my friend."

So there you have it Jared. The Sam Bradford Sideline Hoodie Collection! Care to place an order?


But wait! There's more! Act now and I'll throw in a case of these little babies to help ease away the time standing next to Chase Reynolds:




Order five or more garments, and I'll bump you up to the Hot N Spicy!!



"So how many would you like Jared? Cuz...I gotta go. Some people have a playbook to learn." :neener:

:fuelfire:

Carolina Panthers.

Denver Broncos.

Who ya got?

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/-VAMQF8vnNo

Rams defensive coordinator Mike Waufle joins Mason and Ireland to discuss the Rams defensive system, Aaron Donald's impact and Colin Kaepernick's anthem protest.

[av]http://cdn16.castfire.com/audio/303/2111/22714/2996640/masoncuts_2016-09-08-173040-8006-0-0-0.64k.mp3[/av]

http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play/_/id/17497860

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...aight-years-of-a-rookie-starting-qb-in-week-1

Nine straight years of a rookie starting QB in Week 1

• By Conor Orr
• Around The NFL Writer
• Published: Sept. 8, 2016

Carson Wentz's debut for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday against the Browns and Dak Prescott's start against the New York Giants will keep alive a recent trend surrounding rookie quarterbacks in the NFL.

According to the NFL, this is the ninth straight year that at least one rookie passer starts on opening weekend, which more than doubles the second-longest streak in the Super Bowl era (1968-71).

The previous quarterbacks during the streak?

» 2008 - Matt Ryan (Atlanta, W), Joe Flacco (Baltimore, W)

» 2009 - Mark Sanchez (NYJ, W), Matt Stafford (Detroit, L)

» 2010 - Sam Bradford (StL, L)

» 2011 - Andy Dalton (Cin, W), Cam Newton (Car, L)

» 2012 - Robert Griffin III (Was, W), Andrew Luck (Ind, L), Ryan Tannehill (Mia, L), Brandon Weeden(Cle, L), Russell Wilson (Sea, L)

» 2013 - E.J. Manuel (Buf, L), Geno Smith (NYJ, W)

» 2014 - Derek Carr (Oak, L)

» 2015 - Jameis Winston (TB, L), Marcus Mariota (Ten, W)

Given recent trade developments in Philadelphia and Prescott's white-hot preseason, it's safe to say that this debut is on par with last season's Winston-Mariota battle to start the season in terms of anticipation. The Eagles have entrusted Wentz with their future -- and after only 12 completions over 24 attempts in one preseason game.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman recently gushed about the quarterback in an appearance on Good Morning Football, comparing his movement to that of a gazelle and hinting that his offensive acumen is on the cutting edge of the league’s development arc.

The Cowboys have already seen Prescott -- starting in place of an injured Tony Romo -- against starting-caliber competition and could use his mobility to add a new wrinkle to their high-powered offense alongside first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott.

And honestly, what would opening weekend be without at least one new quarterback to break down? The last time we were deprived of the option was back in 2007, when JaMarcus Russell was taken with the No. 1 overall pick and Brady Quinn went No. 22 to the Browns.

Russell got his first start on Dec. 30 that season in a 30-17 loss to the Chargers. Quinn, meanwhile, had to wait until 2008 to make his debut on Nov. 6 in a loss to the Broncos.

Well we are going to get these kind of media exploits every week until Goff takes his first regular season snap.. Oh well It changes my opinion of JG 0%. Keenum holds all the cards as long as he plays well and who in their right minds would root for him to fail?

Check out @MylesASimmons's Tweet: Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/MylesASimmons/status/773986408427958272?s=09

After 60 years , TOPPS will no longer be producing NFL Trading cards ( They still do baseball and stuff )

I used to collect TOPPS football cards as a kid , and then as I got older , there just got to be way to many different kinds so I stopped , but ever year I would still get the Rams team set , I have every Rams team set since 1968 , but it looks like that run has come to an end

It looks like now , Panini has the exclusive rights to NFL trading cards

This will be the first time in 40 some years , I haven't collected a TOPPS trading card ,and will have to switch to Panini if I want to continue my Rams sets

No more Jerry Lewis Telethon , no more TOPPS NFL Trading cards

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Listening to flagship SF radio station this morning, they interviewed Tony Dungy. He talked about several general things in anticipation the start of the NFL season. Then they got to the subject of the coming Monday Night Football matchup. A few notable insights from that conversation:

• I didn't realize, but Dungy's son played for Chip Kelly up in Oregon. Dungy seems to have warm feelings for Kelly, and a general respect for him. He also believes in Kelly's coaching style, and said that he thinks he will "eventually be successful".
• Dungy's hesitancy with predicting early success for Kelly, and the Niners, seems to be a personnel issue. He didn't knock current players, but did note that the 49ers were better equipped with Gore, Davis, Kaepernick and Crabtree, (all before they got old, or decided to start sucking) He was cautious about predicting any success for this year. (Read: in his gentlemanly way, Dungy was saying we should blow them out.)
• On Goff, the Bay Area radio hosts asked Dungy, prefacing the question with the fact that "Here is a local boy. Grew up in Marin County. Went to Cal. A lot of people in this area following him. And he is not even going to be dressed for the first game Monday Night! :shocked: What is going on with Jared Goff?": Dungy's answer was not from this school::banghead: :help::fuelfire::headexplosion::shocked: :baghead: :eek::giveup:He was decidedly from this school: :icare:opcorn::shades::cheers: Dungy noted that he believed Goff shows promise, and that it is a process with quarterbacks. He noted that he has made some good throws in the preseason, and has all the tools. He believes the notion that young quarterbacks should step right in and be ready to lead an NFL team is ridiculous. "Payton Manning had Hall of famer running back Marshall Faulk, Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, and he went 3-13, and threw nearly 30 picks."
• His words echoed recently posted articles noting that there has been only one quarterback (Luck) picked in the modern era in the first round that has had a winning record as a rookie. The Rams are built to win now, and can be patient with Goff.

I'm not one that needs other people to agree with me to validate my opinion. Majority opinion, or consensus do not equal truth. But it is nice to hear sober, measured analysis cut its way through the foggy thinking that pervades lame-stream media. (Sports, politics, you name it)

I like Dungy. He is a good man.

The preseason is gone. All the speculation about the roster ( most of it anyway) has been answered. Most of us felt that our roster was so strong that a few of the players cut by the Rams would be picked up by other teams. To my knowledge, only vets have been picked up, Kush and Ayers. The Rams only picked up 7. So maybe the roster isn't as strong as we thought. Our starters seem great, especially the front 7. I still believe that our offense is much improved, especially with a full off season to work with the coaching staff. I think Keenum can get it done. The one thing that kind of scares me right now is the Rams slow starts. SF has a new coaching staff. Even though we are familiar with Kelly's offensive philosophy, we don't know what's up his sleeve with this new team. It's put up or shut up time. There's still a little Koolaid left. The Rams will get off to a fast start and have a two digit lead by half time then a big dose of Gurley in the second half.

GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out @RapSheet's Tweet: Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/773895901387558912?s=09

Go ahead and call me an idiot but, I just looked at the depth chart and didn't realize we are not using outside linebackers, more corners and safeties instead. I know Williams was using Barron as a hybrid linebacker last year and it paid off, imo. So I assume that is what led to this kind of defensive line up, the speed of the game and a more pass happy league ? Did I say you can call me an idiot for not paying attention ?

and ordered the damn direct tv so I could get Sunday ticket. I'm
moving out to my property at the end of the month. I went ahead and ordered the service and took a tv out there so I can watch every game lol. Didn't wanna go the satellite route. But at least I won't miss a game.

http://footballgameplan.com/fbgps-nfl-gameplan-week-1-preview-rams-at-49ers/

Good morning Ram fans! Good luck this week!

Em

And I thought he was a possible long term answer for us.

I didn't even know he played baseball to be honest

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/08/tim-tebow-mets/89992144/

L.A. Rams 2016 season predictions: WR Kenny Britt
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/03/LA-Rams-2016-season-predictions-WR-Kenny-Britt
September 3, 2016 | By:Jake Ellenbogen

Where Are They Now? The 2016 NFL Draft Class
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/03/Where-Are-They-Now-The-2016-NFL-Draft-Class
September 3, 2016 | By: Blaine Grisak

L.A. Rams 2016 season predictions: WR Tavon Austin
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/05/LA-Rams-2016-season-predictions-WR-Tavon-Austin
September 5, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

L.A. Rams 2016 season predictions: TE Lance Kendricks
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...ms-2016-season-predictions-TE-Lance-Kendricks
September 6, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

Downtown Rams Podcast Ep.1: Roster Cuts, Season Preview, NFL Draft Preview & Season Predictions
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...-Preview-NFL-Draft-Preview-Season-Predictions
September 6, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen & Blaine Grisak

2016 NFL Full Season Predictions
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/06/2016-NFL-Full-Season-Predictions
September 6, 2016 | By: Blaine Grisak

Getting to know the new Rams practice squad members
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...g-to-know-the-new-Rams-practice-squad-members
September 6, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

OLB Akeem Ayers gets last laugh, signs with Colts over re-upping with Rams
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...ugh-signs-with-Colts-over-re-upping-with-Rams
September 6, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

Three Rams who will return to camp and make the active roster next year
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...-to-camp-and-make-the-active-roster-next-year
September 7, 2016 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

5 Reasons The Rams Won't Make The Playoffs
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/07/5-Reasons-The-Rams-Wont-Make-The-Playoffs
September 7, 2016 | By: Blaine Grisak

First off we all know that his cut was not a surprise, given the way the Rams were working others into the position. And I am not trying to make a big deal out of it or anything, either, as the perspective is the guy is a backup center.

But to me it was clear that there were two guys kept on the roster when he was cut that were not as good as him. I have re-watched all the preseason games, and Kush got better each week. I feel he is better than Arkin, and yes I realize he was also cut. But I also think he's better than Rhaney.

I think this is a good example of perceived upside vs a better player. By that fourth preseason game Kush was routinely getting to the second level and making blocks, and while he had a couple miscues in pass pro the guy IS a backup center. IMO the difference in him and the others is notable, and tbh I think he knew that and you could see it in his face on the episode when he was talkin with Snead.

Just wanted to see what everyone's take is there. Not looking for pitchforks or anything, it's no big deal, but I do think it was a blunder where the Rams erred too much on upside and flexibility to play OG.