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Twitter Talk
I believe Joe McAtee was one unhappy guy yesterday:
Here's the bottom line. (a) We deserve better. (b) Some of yall need to realize that.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) November 10, 2014
The second half has been a horror story for the Rams all season:
Over their last five games, Rams have been outscored 86-13 in the second half. It's a wonder the Rams are 2-3 in those five games.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 10, 2014
That about sums it up:
Score won't show it but this game was there for the taking for Rams but again they can't finish. Theme of this season so far.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 10, 2014
Very telling stats:
In all games played this week, there were no other return TDs scored. For season, Rams have 8, JAX 5 and 4 teams have 3. Rest with 0,1 or 2.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) November 10, 2014
Also, neglected to mention in the return TD stat, that there hasn't been one in the three wins. So, obviously, all 8 have come in losses.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) November 10, 2014
5 wishes for Rams' second half: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bernie Miklasz lists the things he'll be hoping for from the Rams in the second half of the season. I'm hoping the Rams gain some insight into what they need to do this offseason, with the goal of making a run at the playoffs in 2015.
Kroenke met with Inglewood, California Mayor: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The intrigue continues, as Rams owner Stan Kroenke meets with a California Mayor, on the same day Missouri Governor Jay Nixon takes an initiative with respect to stadium plans in St. Louis.
The NFL Midseason Story Lines We Could - And Couldn't - Have Seen Coming: Grantland
Who could have foreseen the Arizona Cardinals with the best record in the NFL, while the 49ers and Seahawks languish nearer the middle of the pack?
NFL team could end up in LA by next season; Rams front-runners: CBS Sports
Jason La Canfora explores the possibility of the Rams moving to Los Angeles, sooner than later.
Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: WR - Amari Cooper - Alabama
Rapid Reaction: St. Louis Rams: ESPN NFL Nation
Nick Wagoner shares his thoughts on the Rams' loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Austin Davis not the answer for Rams at QB: ESPN NFC West
Is Austin Davis part of the long-term solution at QB for the Rams? Nick Wagoner doesn't seem to think so:
"But the past two weeks have served as a reminder that Davis has one of the toughest jobs in sports, a job that he simply isn't capable of doing at a level that will lead his team to wins on a consistent basis."
Cardinals survive Palmer injury, run away from Rams: NFL.com
Chris Wesseling shares his 8 takeaways from the game between the Rams and the Arizona Cardinals.
Fourth-quarter meltdown dooms Rams: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas shares his thoughts on the Rams, after their disappointing loss to the Cardinals.
Stat Facts Of The Week: Toxic Differential
| Team | Turnover Differential | Big Play Differential | Toxic Differential | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 3 | 22 | 25 |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 19 | 23 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks | 4 | 18 | 22 |
| 4 | Miami Dolphins | 6 | 13 | 19 |
| 5 | Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 2 | 12 |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | -1 | 11 | 10 |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| 8 | Washington Redskins | -9 | 18 | 9 |
| 9 | Cleveland Browns | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys | -3 | 10 | 7 |
| 11 | Buffalo Bills | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 13 | Chicago Bears | -3 | 8 | 5 |
| 14 | Houston Texans | 7 | -3 | 4 |
| 15 | Green Bay Packers | 8 | -5 | 3 |
| 16 | New England Patriots | 12 | -11 | 1 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | -3 | -1 |
| 18 | Indianapolis Colts | 0 | -1 | -1 |
| 19 | Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | -6 | -6 |
| 20 | Tennessee Titans | 0 | -6 | -6 |
| 21 | San Diego Chargers | 0 | -7 | -7 |
| 22 | New York Jets | -15 | 7 | -8 |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | -10 | 2 | -8 |
| 24 | New Orleans Saints | -6 | -2 | -8 |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | 4 | -14 | -10 |
| 26 | Kansas City Chiefs | -2 | -9 | -11 |
| 27 | Atlanta Falcons | -1 | -12 | -13 |
| 28 | St. Louis Rams | -3 | -12 | -15 |
| 29 | New York Giants | -1 | -16 | -17 |
| 30 | Jacksonville Jaguars | -9 | -9 | -18 |
| 31 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -4 | -14 | -18 |
| 32 | Oakland Raiders | -10 | -14 | -24 |
The "Toxic Differential" sure came to light in the second half of the Rams' loss to the Arizona Cardinals. A 48-yard passing big play to John Brown in the fourth quarter resulted in an Arizona TD. Two late turnovers by QB Austin Davis sealed the Rams fate.
The expression "toxic differential" was coined by former NFL coach Brian Billick. Billick was the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for 9 seasons, and led them to a Super Bowl victory in the 2000 season.
From an article by Brian Billick for NFL.com in November, 2011:
"People are constantly looking for the right combination of stats to indicate the probable success of a team. What are the key factors to winning? Is it sacks, third-down conversions, first-down efficiency, the ability to run the ball and stop the run, total passing yards? All are important, but none are a precise indicator of success."
"Beginning in 1998, when I was the Vikings' offensive coordinator, I used a formula that I called the "toxic differential" as the best barometer for our team's success. Simply stated, the toxic differential is the correlation between turnovers and explosive plays."
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Rams Report Cards: At Arizona: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff Gordon hands out his weekly grades for each Rams unit. The Rams' front-seven, and Jared Cook, merit the highest grades.
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football
Charlie Campbell updates his 3-round mock draft. The Rams select CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in the first round, QB Garrett Grayson in the second round, and G A.J. Cann in the third round. Sorry Charlie, but too little and too late on the OLine.
Rams frustrated by illegal block call on Lance Kendricks: ESPN NFC West
Nick Wagoner shares what he heard and observed in the Rams locker room following the game against the Cardinals.
Palmer hurt, Stanton rallies Cardinals past Rams: 101 Sports
The Rams-Cardinals contest highlighted the importance of turnovers, big plays, and penalties in determining the outcome of a game.
On This Day In Sports History
1957 - Playing in Los Angeles, the Rams and 49ers set an NFL attendance record - 102,368.
1991 - Bernie Kosar ends an NFL record of 308 passes without an interception.
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Top centers stand out, Andrus Peat steps up: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft
Reese Dismukes, Hroniss Grasu, and Andrus Peat. All three are names to look out for on draft day. They all would look good in horns on the offensive line.
2015 NFL Mock Draft: CBS Sports
Rob Rang updates his mock draft. He has the Rams taking a player who would be a major surprise to many.
St. Louis Rams take lead into fourth quarter, but badly collapse and lose by 17: Cover32 Rams
Spencer Engel hands out his weekly awards for the game between the Rams and Cardinals. Jared Cook and Alec Ogletree rate special mentions.
Week 10 grades: NFL.com
The folks at NFL.com give the Rams their weekly report cards.
Rams just can't handle adversity: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
As Joe Strauss suggests:
"It’s safe to say after Sunday’s meltdown in the desert that the Rams still need to grow up."
The Pressers
Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Austin Davis Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher reviews the game against Arizona with Steve Savard and D'Marco Farr: 101 Sports
St. Louis Rams Current Roster And Depth Chart
C Scott Wells Barrett Jones Tim Barnes RG Davin Joseph Brandon Washington LG Rodger Saffold RT Joe Barksdale LT Greg Robinson Mike Person TE Lance Kendricks Cory Harkey TE Jared Cook Alex Bayer WR Kenny Britt Chris Givens WR Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey Damian Williams RB Tre Mason Chase Reynolds Trey Watts RB Benny Cunningham Zac Stacy QB Austin Davis Shaun Hill PK Greg Zuerlein P John Hekker LS Jake McQuaide DT Aaron Donald Kendall Langford DT Michael Brockers Alex Carrington DE William Hayes Eugene Sims DE Robert Quinn Ethan Westbrooks MLB James Laurinaitis Marshall McFadden OLB Alec Ogletree Daren Bates OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Will Herring Korey Toomer CB Janoris Jenkins Marcus Roberson CB Trumaine Johnson E.J. Gaines Lamarcus Joyner SS Mark Barron Cody Davis Maurice Alexander FS T.J. McDonald Rodney McLeod Practice Squad IR - Des. For Return Injured Reserve QB Case Keenum DE Chris Long QB Sam Bradford OT Steven Baker RB Isaiah Pead OG Travis Bond TE Mason Brodine TE Brad Smelley OC Demetrius Rhaney TE Justice Cunningham LT Jake Long WR Emory Blake WR Brian Quick WR Devon Wylie CB Brandon McGee DT Matt Conrath CB Jemea Thomas FS Christian Bryant
The roster is updated to reflect all transactions as of 11:00 pm, Sunday, November 9. After a huge week of roster transactions, the Rams were strangely quiet this past week. For once, the roster remained unchanged. When Chris Long returns, it will require the Rams to do a bit of roster tweaking.
Blast From The Past: Monday's Got The Blues: Buddy Guy - Hoochie Coochie Man
Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!!