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Random Ramsdom: November 24: St. Louis Rams - Playing For 9

A disappointing loss to the Chargers, in a game the Rams could have won. 5 more games to go. 5 more games that are winnable. 5 more games to a 9-7 record. Bring on the Raiders!

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Twitter Talk

Chris Long talking about Raiders LB Khalil Mack...so true, oh so true:

A telling statistic:

Jeff Fisher, on the controversial play call near the end of the game:

Gotta love Stedman Bailey:

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

Toxic Differential Leaders
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.

NFL Football

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!!