1. Its August, when things really heat up, literally and figuratively.
2. The first preseason game was everything I could have hoped for - no significant injuries.
3. I have a love/hate relationship with camp reports and evaluations of preseason play. On the one hand, after months of waiting, I'm eager for real news as the season approaches. On the other, I find myself constantly wishing to respond with "hold your horses."
4. When it comes to practice reports, observers often fail to recognize the "zero sum game" involved. If the OL is struggling, maybe it means the DL is excelling. If receivers are making big plays, maybe it means we have an issue at CB.
5. As for preseason games themselves, putting a lot of stock in what you see (particularly as an untrained layperson) is folly. There is no correlation between preseason wins and regular season records. You need not look any further than 2021, when the Rams went 0-3 in preseason and failed to score 20 points in any of the games.
6. I also find myself trying to balance my impulse to critique with my recognition of the success that our team's leadership has achieved. They know more than any of us, and their track record is pretty darn good. Does that mean we can't criticize? Of course not. I do think, however, we (myself included) sometimes take it too far.
7. Raheem Morris is a good example of this. The way some talk about him, you'd think he was an incompetent failure. In reality, he's a guy who has been on the defensive coaching staff of two Super Bowl champions, including the 2021 Rams. Will that stop me from yelling at my TV when we allow an opponent to convert a 3rd and 9 by throwing a quick pass to a receiver who is unimpeded due to soft coverage? No. But, again, the guy hasn't lasted this long in the NFL for no reason.
8. Trey Lance has become one of my favorite players. Not Lance himself but, rather, the effect he's had on the 49ers. I think its fair to say that, if their current push does not produce a championship, the ill-fated Lance trade will go down as the reason. That, and a timely meeting with a certain Detroit QB in Mexico!
9. Speaking of Mathew Stafford, its amazing how quickly the talking heads have forgotten 2021. Perhaps they are simply unwilling to bank on Stafford's health (which, at the moment, seems to be as strong as its been since he arrived). When I see him ranked in the bottom half of league QBs, though, I just chuckle. If Stafford plays 17 games, I will guarantee he'll be a Top 3 QB in the NFC, and Top 10 in the league, by the end of the season.
10. Aaron Donald is in great shape and has a chip on his shoulder. Opposing QBs... be afraid. Be very afraid.
11. I'm saddened by the recent news about Michael Oher suing the Touhy family. While it comes as no surprise to me that The Blind Side was, at best, "based on a true story," I did not expect to see this type of animosity. It also sounds like, between the two sides' current accounts, there's truth on both sides. You want these stories to be more pristine, but reality gets in the way (Rudy, by the way, later had to pay a large settlement after being accused of securities fraud. Not a great storyline for a sequel.). You just can't have good things, sometimes.
12. Seems like now is as good a time as any to make some predictions...
13. Cam Akers will finally have a breakout season.
14. Cooper Kupp will have more receptions and yards than any two Rams' players combined.
15. Steve Avila will be on every All-Rookie team.
16. Aaron Donald will have 14 or more sacks.
17. The Rams will hit their stride after the first 6-7 games and finish with a 10-7 record, shocking many "experts" and sneaking into the postseason.
18. The Eagles will return to the Super Bowl.
19. Only to lose to the Bengals.
20. Watch out for the Rams in 2024!
2. The first preseason game was everything I could have hoped for - no significant injuries.
3. I have a love/hate relationship with camp reports and evaluations of preseason play. On the one hand, after months of waiting, I'm eager for real news as the season approaches. On the other, I find myself constantly wishing to respond with "hold your horses."
4. When it comes to practice reports, observers often fail to recognize the "zero sum game" involved. If the OL is struggling, maybe it means the DL is excelling. If receivers are making big plays, maybe it means we have an issue at CB.
5. As for preseason games themselves, putting a lot of stock in what you see (particularly as an untrained layperson) is folly. There is no correlation between preseason wins and regular season records. You need not look any further than 2021, when the Rams went 0-3 in preseason and failed to score 20 points in any of the games.
6. I also find myself trying to balance my impulse to critique with my recognition of the success that our team's leadership has achieved. They know more than any of us, and their track record is pretty darn good. Does that mean we can't criticize? Of course not. I do think, however, we (myself included) sometimes take it too far.
7. Raheem Morris is a good example of this. The way some talk about him, you'd think he was an incompetent failure. In reality, he's a guy who has been on the defensive coaching staff of two Super Bowl champions, including the 2021 Rams. Will that stop me from yelling at my TV when we allow an opponent to convert a 3rd and 9 by throwing a quick pass to a receiver who is unimpeded due to soft coverage? No. But, again, the guy hasn't lasted this long in the NFL for no reason.
8. Trey Lance has become one of my favorite players. Not Lance himself but, rather, the effect he's had on the 49ers. I think its fair to say that, if their current push does not produce a championship, the ill-fated Lance trade will go down as the reason. That, and a timely meeting with a certain Detroit QB in Mexico!
9. Speaking of Mathew Stafford, its amazing how quickly the talking heads have forgotten 2021. Perhaps they are simply unwilling to bank on Stafford's health (which, at the moment, seems to be as strong as its been since he arrived). When I see him ranked in the bottom half of league QBs, though, I just chuckle. If Stafford plays 17 games, I will guarantee he'll be a Top 3 QB in the NFC, and Top 10 in the league, by the end of the season.
10. Aaron Donald is in great shape and has a chip on his shoulder. Opposing QBs... be afraid. Be very afraid.
11. I'm saddened by the recent news about Michael Oher suing the Touhy family. While it comes as no surprise to me that The Blind Side was, at best, "based on a true story," I did not expect to see this type of animosity. It also sounds like, between the two sides' current accounts, there's truth on both sides. You want these stories to be more pristine, but reality gets in the way (Rudy, by the way, later had to pay a large settlement after being accused of securities fraud. Not a great storyline for a sequel.). You just can't have good things, sometimes.
12. Seems like now is as good a time as any to make some predictions...
13. Cam Akers will finally have a breakout season.
14. Cooper Kupp will have more receptions and yards than any two Rams' players combined.
15. Steve Avila will be on every All-Rookie team.
16. Aaron Donald will have 14 or more sacks.
17. The Rams will hit their stride after the first 6-7 games and finish with a 10-7 record, shocking many "experts" and sneaking into the postseason.
18. The Eagles will return to the Super Bowl.
19. Only to lose to the Bengals.
20. Watch out for the Rams in 2024!
