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Jeff Fisher's Sunday Press Conference, where he discusses the season-ending injury to Sam Bradford, and the teams' plans for the 2014 season:
Press conference transcript (link)
Twitter Talk
Terrible news...
Jeff Fisher confirms Bradford out for season. Said Bradford is devastated. pic.twitter.com/rD3siylTXt
— Doug Vaughn (@DVaughn4_CBS920) August 24, 2014
Leave it to Chris Long to sum up my feelings to a tee:
This is a TEAM. Next man up. I believe in this locker room and what we have and can't wait to show it week 1!!!!!
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 24, 2014
And for JL55 to give a little tug to my heartstrings:
My heart hurts for my friend Sam. The way he worked, the leadership he showed and his spirit was amazing this whole offseason. Hate this.
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) August 24, 2014
Now THAT'S what I like to hear!! A true leader:
This is a TEAM. Next man up. I believe in this locker room and what we have and can't wait to show it week 1!!!!!
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) August 24, 2014
Michael Sam sacks Johnny Football in Saturday's preseason game:
Michael Sam vs Johnny Manziel. And Sam wins. #rams https://t.co/Nh7HEn92F8
— Daniel Doelling (@Daniel_Doelling) August 24, 2014
And adds a "money sign" to rub it in a bit:
Johnny Manziel wasn't the only one to break out the money sign tonight. Michael Sam did too: http://t.co/5OfyXXDjar pic.twitter.com/UCX7QF88p2
— NFL Now (@NFLNow) August 24, 2014
Wishing all the best to Rams and 49ers fans in the Bay Area:
6.0 earthquake that rocked San Francisco Bay Area this morning is region's largest in nearly 25 years - USGS
— PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) August 24, 2014
Breathed a sigh of relief after reading this report:
Trumaine Johnson, Fisher said, will miss 4 to 6 weeks with an MCL injury. (Those injuries are non-surgical.)
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 24, 2014
RVB's take on the Rams' offensive coordinator:
I wouldn't wish any QB on Brian Schottenheimer. He's a career killer.
— ryan van bibber (@justRVB) August 24, 2014
Robert Quinn keeps turning heads around the league:
In other #Rams news, watched highlight of Robert Quinn blow by All-Pro LT Joe Thomas for a sack on Hoyer, who had 2.36 seconds. Quinn unreal
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2014
Do The Rams Not Have Confidence In Greg Robinson?: Ramblin' Fan
Should we be making judgements about a player based on one preseason game? I believe the Rams have full confidence in Robinson.
Rams at Browns Highlights: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Highlights from the Rams' 33-14 preseason win against the Cleveland Browns.
5 Players Who Stood Out In Week 3: Rant Sports NFL
Kenny Britt, Trey Watts, Chris Givens, Michael Sam, and Austin Davis all stood out in the Rams' victory on Saturday night. Can Watts, Sam, and Davis make the final 53-man roster?
The Showstoppers: Grantland
Bill Barnwell lists the best offensive and defensive units in league history. The Rams' current defensive line rates a mention as a "current candidate". As for "league history", Barnwell evidently didn't see the Fearsome Foursome play, nor the Rams' 1978 offensive line.
Sam Bradford
The accompanying articles contain various reactions, following the news of Sam Bradford's season-ending ACL tear:
Rams must begin planning for future at QB: ESPN NFL Nation - Nick Wagoner
Sam Bradford's injury muddles Rams' vision: USA Today
5 Reasons Why Rams Can Still Win NFC West Without Sam Bradford: Rant Sports NFL
With Sam Bradford Out For The Season, What's Next?: Ramblin Fan
Rams have interest in Eagles' Mark Sanchez: NFL.com
Bradford and Rams are cursed: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Rams turn to Hill but need more help: ESPN NFL Nation - Nick Wagoner
No easy QB answers for Rams: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
On This Day In Sports History
1943 - 10th NFL Chicago All-Star game is played. The All-Stars defeated Washington 27-7. Attendance: 48,471.
1960 - The AFL begins placing players names on the backs of their jerseys.
Rookie Highlight Reel: QB - Garrett Gilbert
Rams Capsule: Yahoo Sports
Short and sweet...but a decent little summary of the Rams' strengths, weaknesses, and expectations entering the 2014 regular season.
Countdown to cutdown: Rams by position: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
With the first cutdown from 90 to 75 scheduled for Tuesday, its a good time to look at the Rams roster, and attempt to determine who will make the final 53-man roster. Jim Thomas shares his thoughts on who will make the roster, who's on the bubble, and who won't make the team.
For Michael Sam, a victory even if cut from St. Louis Rams roster: Washington Post
Will Michael Sam survive the roster battle for the final spot on the Rams' defensive line? If he does make the roster, it'll be based solely on merit.
"There are very few things I am certain of. But I am certain Coach Fisher is a man of high integrity, and [Rams General Manager] Les Snead also. I don’t believe they brought him in as a political statement. I believe they brought him in because they believe he deserves a chance."
Rams rookie Ethan Westbrooks isn't hiding the giant chip on his shoulder: Fox Sports Midwest
Can Ethan Westbrooks beat out Michael Sam for the 9th spot on the defensive line? His play during the preseason warrants serious consideration, as noted by Coach Fisher:
"There was a series of plays in the game that was quite impressive. A couple tackles for loss, a sack, a hit on the quarterback, just one play after another. Then he moved inside to tackle and was doing some stuff, so he's really come on. He's got obviously a couple of big weeks ahead of him, but he's shown he can do some things."
Stat Facts Of The Week: Opponent Fumbles Lost Per Game
|
Rank
|
Team
|
2013
|
2012
|
|
1
|
|
0.9
|
0.4
|
|
2
|
|
0.9
|
0.2
|
|
3
|
|
0.8
|
0.6
|
|
4
|
|
0.8
|
0.5
|
|
5
|
|
0.8
|
0.9
|
|
6
|
|
0.8
|
0.3
|
|
7
|
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
|
8
|
|
0.7
|
0.3
|
|
9
|
|
0.7
|
0.3
|
|
10
|
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
|
11
|
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
|
12
|
|
0.7
|
1.2
|
|
13
|
|
0.6
|
0.4
|
|
14
|
|
0.6
|
0.9
|
|
15
|
|
0.6
|
0.7
|
|
16
|
|
0.6
|
0.6
|
|
17
|
|
0.6
|
0.5
|
|
18
|
|
0.6
|
0.6
|
|
19
|
|
0.6
|
0.7
|
|
20
|
|
0.6
|
0.8
|
|
21
|
|
0.6
|
1.2
|
|
22
|
|
0.5
|
0.7
|
|
23
|
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
|
24
|
|
0.5
|
0.9
|
|
25
|
|
0.5
|
0.8
|
|
26
|
|
0.4
|
0.6
|
|
27
|
|
0.4
|
0.8
|
|
28
|
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
29
|
|
0.4
|
0.7
|
|
30
|
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
31
|
|
0.2
|
0.8
|
|
32
|
|
0.1
|
0.
|
The Rams defense went from second-worst in 2012 - to second-best in 2013 - in recovering opponents fumbles. Expect those totals to be even better this season, as Rams' DC Gregg Williams turns up the heat a notch or two.
Jake Long rusty in return: ESPN NFL Nation
As expected, Jake Long isn't quite regular season-ready yet, and it showed in the Rams' preseason win against Cleveland. He'll have another preseason game to shake off some of the rust, and return to pre-injury form.
Injured Reserve rules need an overhaul: National Football Post
Jack Bechta takes an in-depth look at the myriad of rules regarding injured players in the NFL. The Rams will need to make decisions on Barrett Jones and Trumaine Johnson in the next few days.
Has the light turned on for Quick?: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Brian Quick has had an excellent training camp and preseason. Will all that potential finally turn into results on the field?
Sam continues building case for roster spot: ESPN NFL Nation
Michael Sam continued his fine preseason play, in the Rams' win against Cleveland. Has he done enough to earn a spot on the final 53-man roster?
Remembering Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson is still considered among the greatest players to ever don a Rams jersey. He holds the NFL single-season rushing record [2105 yards]. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, he remains one of my favorite Rams. I'll never forget watching him shred the Dallas Cowboys for 248 yards rushing on January 4, 1986. The following video is a tribute, to one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Amid injuries, unheralded rookies make strong push at Rams' roster: S.I. - Arch Authority
Saturday's game was noted for the number of injuries the Rams sustained. It was also noted for the strong performances of Michael Sam, Marcus Roberson, and Austin Davis. All three are on the roster bubble, but made strong cases for inclusion on the final 53-man roster.
Bar keeps rising for Rams' Stacy: Fox Sports Midwest
Despite the presence of Benny Cunningham and Tre Mason, Zac Stacy remains the Rams featured running back, as noted by Coach Fisher:
"He's our running back."
NFC West Preview: Sports Illustrated
Doug Farrar previews the rough and tumble NFC West. The Rams are his "dark horse" favorite for winning the division, the best and toughest in the NFL.
NFL Practice Squads Expand To 10 Players: NFL Communications
The NFL and NFLPA agreed to an expansion - from 8 to 10 - of the practice squad for the 2014-2015 seasons. Good news for the Rams, who keep stockpiling young talent.
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football Rankings - Tight Ends: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
Fantasy Football Rankings - Wide Receivers: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
Peter King - and his team at MMQB - unveil their Fantasy Football player rankings. The first position groups in the series: TE's, QB's, RB's, and WR's.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Rotowire
10 things you need to think about.
2014 fantasy football top 300: ESPN
The fantasy football staff at ESPN update their top 300 preseason fantasy rankings.
St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"
The Rams currently have $1,678,451 in available salary cap space. I will be publishing a complete salary cap update within the next couple of weeks.
The Pressers
Jeff Fisher Sunday Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher Press Conference - August 21: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Chris Long Post-Game Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Michael Sam Post-Game Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher recaps the third preseason contest versus the Cleveland Browns:
St. Louis Rams Current Roster And Depth Chart
C Scott Wells Tim Barnes Demetrius Rhaney RG Rodger Saffold Davin Joseph Travis Bond D.J. Morrell LG Greg Robinson Barrett Jones Brandon Washington RT Joe Barksdale Sean Hooey R.J. Dill LT Jake Long Mike Person Mitchell Van Dyk TE Jared Cook Justice Cunningham Alex Bayer TE Lance Kendricks Cory Harkey Brad Smelley WR Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey T.J. Moe Austin Franklin WR Brian Quick Austin Pettis Emory Blake WR Kenny Britt Chris Givens Justin Veltung Jordan Harris RB Tre Mason Chase Reynolds Trey Watts RB Zac Stacy Benny Cunningham Kadeem Jones QB Sam Bradford Shaun Hill Austin Davis Garrett Gilbert PK Greg Zuerlein P John Hekker Bobby Cowan LS Jake McQuaide Jorgen Hus DT Kendall Langford Aaron Donald Deantre Harlan DT Michael Brockers Alex Carrington Matt Conrath DE Chris Long Eugene Sims Michael Sam Kourtnei Brown DE Robert Quinn William Hayes Ethan Westbrooks MLB James Laurinaitis Phillip Steward Aaron Hill Pat Schiller OLB Alec Ogletree Daren Bates Etienne Sabino Johnny Millard OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Ray Ray Armstrong Sammy Brown Lawrence Wilson CB Janoris Jenkins Brandon McGee Marcus Roberson CB Trumaine Johnson Greg Reid Darren Woodard CB Lamarcus Joyner E.J. Gaines Jarrid Bryant S Rodney McLeod Maurice Alexander Christian Bryant Avery Cunningham S T.J. McDonald Cody Davis Matt Daniels IR Mason Brodine IR Isaiah Pead
I've updated the roster to include all transactions as of August 24, 2014. The Rams roster currently stands at 89 players, with 91 players under contract (Mason Brodine and Isaiah Pead are on the IR list). Rosters must be trimmed to 75 players by August 26. The final roster cuts - to reach the 53-man regular season limit - must be completed by August 30. The Rams will need to make roster decisions regarding Sam Bradford, Trumaine Johnson, and Barrett Jones. Jones underwent back surgery two weeks ago, and his status for the season has not been determined. Bradford suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Saturday, and will likely be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Johnson suffered an MCL sprain in Saturday's game, and will be out for 4-6 weeks.
Blast From The Past: Monday's Got The Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan - Tin Pan Alley
Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!