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Twitter Talk
Chris Long talking about Raiders LB Khalil Mack...so true, oh so true:
Mack proves why in football, numbers can lie. He will be damn good. Context.
— Christopher Long (@JOEL9ONE) November 21, 2014
A telling statistic:
Rams continue streak of losing every game they had a return TD against. League lead in that dubious category is now at 9 return TDs against.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) November 24, 2014
Jeff Fisher, on the controversial play call near the end of the game:
Fisher said he wanted to be aggressive at end of game to win it in regulation. No regrets on play call.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 24, 2014
Gotta love Stedman Bailey:
You’re a great teammate, @iamSB3. https://t.co/FxV0MOQ6wm
— Daniel Doelling (@Daniel_Doelling) November 24, 2014
The Best Buy In Football: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
At $7 million per season, Jeff Fisher is one of the highest-paid head coaches in the league. Has he been worth the investment?
Greg Robinson still settling in at left tackle: ESPN NFL Nation
Although he's had his share of growing pains, there's little doubt the Rams made the correct decision in selecting Robinson Number 2 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
T.J. McDonald carving his own path: ESPN NFL Nation
McDonald is looking more and more like a third round steal, and may very well end up becoming the best safety out of the deep 2013 class.
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football
Charlie Campbell updates his three-round mock draft. The Rams select CB Trae Waynes in the first round, QB Garrett Grayson of Colorado St. in the second round, and guard Tre' Jackson in the third round.
Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: LB - Denzel Perryman - Miami
Rumors Kroenke would try to buy Broncos make sense: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Another twist to the ongoing saga. Could Mr. Kroenke sell the Rams and buy the Broncos? From the Rams' perspective, Bernie Miklasz believes the following:
"The only sure way to keep the Rams here is to build a new stadium. The NFL won’t allow the Rams to move if St. Louis is legitimately making progress on a new stadium plan."
"Without a workable, doable new-stadium project there are no guarantees on the Rams’ future here."
The Chaos of the 2015 RB Free-Agent Class: Grantland
Should the Rams look to free agency to bolster their already-deep RB corps? Bill Barnwell thinks it's possible.
NFP prospect focus: Tyler Lockett and La'el Collins: National Football Post
A pair of intriguing prospects that could be on the Rams' radar come draft time.
Rams make strides while RG III stumbles: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff Gordon is correct in my estimation. The RG3 trade does look better for the Rams with each passing week.
Stat Facts Of The Week: Toxic Differential
Team | Turnover Differential | Big Play Differential | Toxic Differential | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seattle Seahawks | 5 | 36 | 41 |
2 | San Francisco 49ers | 10 | 23 | 33 |
3 | Denver Broncos | 2 | 22 | 24 |
4 | Miami Dolphins | 3 | 14 | 17 |
5 | Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 15 | 16 |
6 | Green Bay Packers | 14 | 2 | 16 |
7 | Detroit Lions | 3 | 12 | 15 |
8 | Dallas Cowboys | -1 | 12 | 11 |
9 | Arizona Cardinals | 11 | -1 | 10 |
10 | Houston Texans | 8 | 0 | 8 |
11 | Washington Redskins | -11 | 18 | 7 |
12 | New England Patriots | 11 | -4 | 7 |
13 | Cleveland Browns | 8 | -3 | 5 |
14 | Buffalo Bills | 7 | -2 | 5 |
15 | Chicago Bears | -6 | 8 | 2 |
16 | Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 0 | 1 |
17 | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | -1 | 0 |
18 | New York Jets | -11 | 10 | -1 |
19 | Pittsburgh Steelers | -2 | 0 | -2 |
20 | Indianapolis Colts | 1 | -8 | -7 |
21 | St. Louis Rams | -3 | -4 | -7 |
22 | San Diego Chargers | 1 | -10 | -9 |
23 | Philadelphia Eagles | -9 | -2 | -11 |
24 | Carolina Panthers | -2 | -10 | -12 |
25 | Atlanta Falcons | 3 | -15 | -12 |
26 | New Orleans Saints | -9 | -8 | -17 |
27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -5 | -13 | -18 |
28 | Tennessee Titans | -2 | -16 | -18 |
29 | Kansas City Chiefs | -1 | -18 | -19 |
30 | Jacksonville Jaguars | -11 | -11 | -22 |
31 | Oakland Raiders | -13 | -16 | -29 |
32 | New York Giants | -4 | -30 | -34 |
Look no farther than the Rams' game against the Chargers to see the importance of turnovers and big plays, and how they influence the outcome of a game.
The expression "toxic differential" was coined by former NFL coach Brian Billick. Billick was 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."
Rams Legends: The Greatest Show On Turf
This past week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 26 semi-finalists for 2015 induction into the Hall. Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, and Isaac Bruce all made the list. Who will be the next player from the famed GSOT to join Marshall Faulk in Canton? The following is a tribute to the offensive machine more commonly referred to as the Greatest Show On Turf:
Pro Bowl Ballot: NFL.com
Aaron Donald? T.J. McDonald? John Hekker? Robert Quinn? Those four are at the top of my list for Pro Bowl consideration. Please go to NFL.com and cast your votes!
Deciphering the Dome drama: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas gives us a primer on the Rams' possible franchise move, and the many factors under consideration.
Rapid Reaction: ESPN NFL Nation
Nick Wagoner shares his initial thoughts on the Rams' loss to the Chargers. Wagoner gives a game ball to CB Janoris Jenkins.
Rams come up short in San Diego, 27-24: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rams Insider Myles Simmons recaps the game between the St. Louis Rams and the San Diego Chargers.
On This Day In Sports History
1957 - Cleveland Browns RB Jim Brown sets a single-game club record, rushing for 237 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.
1951 - In the 39th CFL Grey Cup, Ottawa defeats Saskatchewan 21-14.
Week 12 Report Card: NFL.com
Some good, some bad, and some ugly in the game against the Chargers.
Rams' Jeff Fisher stands behind play call: ESPN NFL Nation
Second-and-goal at the San Diego 4-yard line. Should the Rams have run the football instead of passing it?
Hill throws away Rams' chance to win: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas shares his thoughts on the Rams' disappointing loss to the San Diego Chargers. So near...yet so far.
Rams Report Card vs. San Diego: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff Gordon hands out his weekly grades and breaks down the Rams' performance in the game against San Diego.
Rams need QB to go from mediocrity to contender: ESPN
Perhaps Shaun Hill said it best:
"The coaches put the ball in my hands with a chance to win the game and I appreciate that. I let them down with my decision. There’s no way you can sit there and second-guess play-calling. If you’re going to second-guess anybody, second-guess the guy executing the plays. That’s me."
Sunday Blitz: Rams-Chargers Recap: ESPN
Jim Basquil and Eric Allen break down the Chargers' 27-24 win over the Rams.
Quick Hits: Bernie on the Rams' depressing loss: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bernie Miklasz takes a few quick hits alright. Right at coach Jeff Fisher.
Chargers win wild game with interception on goal line: NFL.com
Gregg Rosenthal shares a half-dozen thoughts (and some video highlights) following the Rams loss to the Chargers.
Defense takes a step back: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bernie Miklasz analyzes the Rams' defensive performance in Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.
The Pressers
Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Kenny Britt Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rodger Saffold Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rams coach Jeff Fisher talks to Steve Savard and D'Marco Farr after the game between the Rams and Chargers: 101 Sports
Stedman Bailey talks about how penalties "killed" the Rams: 101 Sports
St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"
The Rams currently have $727,615 in available salary cap space, 2nd lowest in the league. Hopefully the slew of injuries the Rams incurred earlier in the season has run its course. Any further injuries may necessitate the creation of additional salary cap space.
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 Shaun Hill Austin Davis 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 T.J. McDonald Mark Barron Maurice Alexander FS Rodney McLeod Cody Davis 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 EST, Sunday November 23. Chris Long has returned to practice and will likely be removed from IR/Designated for return this week. The Rams will need to release a player from the 53-man roster once he returns to action.
Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: The Doors - When The Music's Over
Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!