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Random Ramsdom: December 15: St. Louis Rams - Playing For .500

After a tough loss to the Cardinals last Thursday, the Rams close out the season against the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks. I believe the Rams will play both teams very tough. Nothing would make me happier than seeing the Rams beat the Seahawks, messing up their playoff positioning in the process.

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Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Twitter Talk

A few words from Kevin Demoff, and many moves to occur in the off-season:

Mr. Demoff restating the obvious:

Another piece of the puzzle in the DROY sweepstakes:

The Rams' defense has been playing great football:

Rams get a break following tough Thursday loss: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Coach Fisher gave his players the weekend off. When they return today, they'll be in familiar territory:

"I’m not going to make any significant roster moves or play anybody here or there. We’re play this group throughout. We’ve got lessons to learn and we still have some improvement to do. So that’s going to be our focus. Pretty boring, actually."

Rams failing to gain the tough yards: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A physical rushing attack is a trademark of Jeff Fisher-coached teams. It's just not happening this season. Bernie Miklasz shares his thoughts on why it's just not there:

"The Rams need much better run blocking at center and guard."

I couldn't agree more.

Rams really sticking with Bradford in 2015?: S.I. - NFL Mocks

All indications are the Rams will bring back Sam Bradford as their starting QB in 2015. I believe they need to cover their bases, and select a QB earlier than later in the 2015 NFL Draft. Re-signing Austin Davis, Case Keenum, and Shaun Hill would also be prudent moves. Perhaps even another free agent QB. Let them all fight it out in training camp, and carry the best three into the 2015 season.

Rams run game stuck against Arizona: ESPN NFL Nation

Pretty telling statistics:

"The Rams have lost all four games in which they have less than 90 rushing yards and have scored a combined 33 points in those contests. In their three best rushing performances, they've averaged 144.7 yards per game on the ground, won all three and averaged 32.7 points."

Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: QB - Garrett Grayson - Colorado State

Rams Legends: St. Louis Rams Official Website

This video is a tribute to the greatest players to ever play for the Rams.

Rams can still win with Schottenheimer: 101 Sports

Will Brian Schottenheimer still be the Rams' OC in 2015? Many would like him fired. The reality? He's likely to return next year.

The 100 best players in the 2015 NFL Draft: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft

Dan Kadar shares his first big board of the year. 23 of the top 40 players on his board are OL/DL.

NFL acknowledges intent of multiple teams to move to Los Angeles: CBS Sports

The league addressed the "Los Angeles" situation during the owner's meeting in Dallas last week. All eyes were on Stan Kroenke:

"Eric Grubman, the NFL executive overseeing the LA initiative for the league, spoke during the meeting and acknowledged that there were multiple teams with the intent of moving to Los Angeles as soon as next season."

"Rams owner Stan Kroenke, whose strong desire to get to LA as soon as possible is well known in league circles, was watching particularly intently as Grubman spoke, sources said, and Rams officials remain frustrated with the pace of the process."

On This Day In Sports History

1946 - The Chicago Bears defeat the New York Giants 24-14 in the NFL Championship game

Stat Facts Of The Week: NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders

Rank


Player


Yds


Years


1.

Jerry Rice

22,895

1985-2004

2.

Terrell Owens

15,934

1996-2010

3.

Randy Moss

15,292

1998-2012

4.

Isaac Bruce

15,208

1994-2009

5.

Tony Gonzalez

15,127

1997-2013

6.

Tim Brown

14,934

1988-2004

7.

Marvin Harrison

14,580

1996-2008

8.

Reggie Wayne

14,207

2001-2014

9.

James Lofton

14,004

1978-1993

10.

Cris Carter

13,899

1987-2002

11.

Henry Ellard

13,777

1983-1998

12.

Andre Johnson

13,398

2003-2014

13.

Torry Holt

13,382

1999-2009

14.

Andre Reed

13,198

1985-2000

15.

Steve Largent

13,089

1976-1989

16.

Steve Smith

13,086

2001-2014

17.

Irving Fryar

12,785

1984-2000

18.

Art Monk

12,721

1980-1995

19.

Jimmy Smith

12,287

1992-2005

20.

Anquan Boldin

12,241

2003-2014

Many all-time great wide receivers have played for the Rams over the years, dating back to Tom Fears in the late 1940's/early 1950's. Three Rams make the top-20 list of NFL leaders in career receiving yards: Isaac Bruce (4th), Henry Ellard (11th), and Torry Holt (13th).

NFL Trade Machine: Marcus Mariota One Of Very Few Options: S.I. - NFL Mocks

Teams in need of quarterbacks will have limited options in 2015, due to a weak free agent market and below-average draft class. Could the Rams be one of the teams looking to trade up for Marcus Mariota in the 2015 NFL Draft?

Sports On A Sunday Morning: CBS KMOX

Kevin Demoff talks about the stadium issue, the youngest team in the NFL, the loss to Arizona, and the Rams' QB plans for 2015.

Rams' offense seeks short-yardage improvement: ESPN NFL Nation

Short-yardage improvement? Offensive line improvement - via the draft and free agency - holds the key to short-yardage improvement, in my estimation.

How the Saints ended up in salary cap hell: Grantland

A cautionary tale, for those who believe the Rams should go after high-priced free agents this off-season.

Offensive line woes dragging down Rams: USA Today

Pick and choose the problems with the Rams' offensive line play:

"Tackle Jake Long is out for the year with a knee injury. Left guard Rodger Saffold is at less than full strength with a nagging shoulder injury that will require surgery in the offseason. Center Scott Wells has been injury-prone and is wearing a brace covering his left arm, and right guard Davin Joseph, is a journeyman."

The funniest athlete tweets of 2014: Sports Pickle

Some pretty funny stuff, in 140 characters or less.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year: A Case For Aaron Donald Over Khalil Mack: Ramblin' Fan

It's a close race for DROY honors. The winner should Aaron Donald, in a landslide.

Aaron Donald

Inside the NFL Notebook: NFL.com

Albert Breer expands on his tweets from last week regarding the Rams and plans for Sam Bradford in 2015.

Rams: Wait Till Next Year: Sports On Earth

I believe the Rams will challenge for a playoff spot next season. Consistent QB and OL play will make all the difference.

"They don't need to uncover the next Russell Wilson. Rather, consistent league-average play or better at the position could send them into the postseason. Should they find it, no one will want to see the Rams on their schedule next season."

Under The Lights - Tre Mason: St. Louis Rams Official Website

An in-depth feature on Rams' running back Tre Mason.

No joke, Mark Sanchez will be No. 1 free agent quarterback: Sporting News

For those who might have been thinking about adding a QB to the Rams' roster through free agency...it's slim pickings.

Rams still struggle to close the deal: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams still have to learn how to win the close games. Compare the Arizona Cardinals with the St. Louis Rams this season:

• The Cardinals are 5-0 in "one possession" games — games decided by seven or fewer points.

• The Rams are 3-4 in the same situations

St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"

The Rams currently have $715,028 in available salary cap space, 3rd 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. The recent extension granted to P John Hekker has little impact on the Rams' 2014 salary cap. The Rams have 69 players under contract (including the practice squad), 2nd fewest in the NFL.

St. Louis Rams Current Roster & 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 Justice Cunningham
TE Jared Cook Alex Bayer
WR Kenny Britt Chris Givens
WR Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey
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 Chris Long William Hayes
DE Robert Quinn Eugene Sims Ethan Westbrooks
MLB James Laurinaitis Korey Toomer
OLB Alec Ogletree Daren Bates
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Will Herring
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 Injured Reserve
QB Case Keenum QB Sam Bradford
OT Steven Baker RB Isaiah Pead
OG Travis Bond TE Mason Brodine
TE Brad Smelley OC Demetrius Rhaney
WR Emory Blake LT Jake Long
WR Devon Wylie WR Brian Quick
DT Matt Conrath CB Brandon McGee
LB Marshall McFadden
FS Christian Bryant

Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: Ram Jam - Black Betty

Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week.