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Twitter Talk
Looks like the twitter "war" between Tavon Austin and Chris Long is finally drawing to a close:
Do yourself a favor and watch @caseyreporting's exclusive interview with @Tayaustin01 and @JOEL9ONE: http://t.co/NYQgkASrKv #RamsCamp
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) August 1, 2014
The Rams' defensive line is looking more intimidating as each day passes:
DT Michael Brockers looks lean and strong in camp. Probably in best shape as a pro.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 1, 2014
The Rams' defensive line is looking more intimidating as each day passes (part two):
Rams DE Robert Quinn is only 24 and convinced he's only going to get better. A scary proposition for NFL offenses... http://t.co/dQcjziofAi
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 30, 2014
A very encouraging sign. A healthy offensive line will be a key to the Rams' playoff aspirations in 2014:
With Long and Wells taking some 11-on-11 reps, Rams had their starting o-line on the field for the first time in camp.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) August 1, 2014
Music to our ears....CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora comments about the Rams defense as he visits camps around the league:
Gregg Williams' influence is all over this Rams defense. Playing much faster. Pre-snap looks to deceive. Constantly going for the ball.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 1, 2014
Rams' top play winner: Mike Jones' tackle: ESPN NFL Nation
The most memorable play in franchise history? "The Tackle": Mike Jones' game-saving tackle as time expired in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Numbers Rarely Lie: Grantland
Can a few key statistics from 2013 help in predicting how the 2014 season will unfold? Bill Barnwell looks at 4 key statistics - Point Differential, Record In One-Touchdown Games, Turnover Margin, and Defensive Touchdowns Allowed - in measuring how a team will play in 2014.
2014 Depth Charts Update: NFC West: Pro Football Focus
In an ongoing series, PFF updates and critiques the depth charts for all four NFC West teams. The Rams' depth chart looks very promising, more so than in many a year.
Diminutive Joyner making big impression: ESPN NFL Nation
Lamarcus Joyner is drawing praise for his work at nickel back and on special teams. He's giving every indication of being worthy of the Rams' decision to trade up for him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Rookie Highlight Reel: RB - Tre Mason
Are The Rams Pushing Sam Bradford Too Much In Training Camp?: Ramblin' Fan
Bradford has been taking all of the reps thus far in training camp. Is this a good sign? Or should the Rams be more cautious, avoiding the problems Washington ran into last season with the early return of Robert Griffin III?
Rams' offense starting to gain traction: ESPN NFL Nation
The Rams' defense ruled the first few days of training camp. The offence is catching up quickly, as noted by Coach Fisher:
"We're getting a lot more explosive plays. Sam is throwing the ball real well. The ball is going down the field on time to Kenny and Quick and Tavon and Cookie and all the guys. But that's been the thing that's been most impressive."
NFL's 10 most intriguing coaches: CBS Sports
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher makes Jason La Canfora's list, which ranges from the unexpected to the iconoclastic. Perhaps Mr. La Canfora still thinks Jeff Fisher coaches the Titans??
Silva's Latest Top 150: NBC Rotoworld
Evan Silva maps out his latest fantasy football draft. RB Zac Stacy is selected at No. 24 in the second round.
Remembering Ernie Davis
The story of Ernie Davis is both tragic and an inspiration (link). Davis was the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Davis was the number-one overall selection in the 1962 NFL Draft, drafted - reluctantly - by the Washington Redskins. Washington was the last NFL team to integrate. Davis refused to play for Washington, and was promptly traded to the Cleveland Browns. He never played a game as a professional, and died tragically of leukemia on May 18, 1963, at the age of 23.
Stat Facts Of The Week: Team Passing Yards Per Attempt
| Team | Passing Attempts | Passing Yards | Passing Yards Per Attempt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 508 | 4,110 | 8.09 |
| 2 | Denver Broncos | 675 | 5,444 | 8.07 |
| 3 | San Diego Chargers | 544 | 4,328 | 7.96 |
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks | 420 | 3,236 | 7.70 |
| 5 | New Orleans Saints | 651 | 4,918 | 7.55 |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 570 | 4,268 | 7.49 |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | 579 | 4,281 | 7.39 |
| 8 | San Francisco 49ers | 417 | 2,979 | 7.14 |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | 634 | 4,482 | 7.07 |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 587 | 4,136 | 7.05 |
| 11 | Arizona Cardinals | 574 | 4,002 | 6.97 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 586 | 4,017 | 6.85 |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys | 586 | 3,954 | 6.75 |
| 14 | Tennessee Titans | 533 | 3,496 | 6.56 |
| 15 | New England Patriots | 628 | 4,087 | 6.51 |
| 16 | Oakland Raiders | 519 | 3,340 | 6.44 |
| 17 | Atlanta Falcons | 659 | 4,243 | 6.44 |
| 18 | Carolina Panthers | 473 | 3,043 | 6.43 |
| 19 | Indianapolis Colts | 582 | 3,725 | 6.40 |
| 20 | New York Giants | 567 | 3,588 | 6.33 |
| 21 | Minnesota Vikings | 546 | 3,427 | 6.28 |
| 22 | St. Louis Rams | 506 | 3,125 | 6.18 |
| 23 | Washington Redskins | 611 | 3,751 | 6.14 |
| 24 | Kansas City Chiefs | 546 | 3,340 | 6.12 |
| 25 | New York Jets | 480 | 2,932 | 6.11 |
| 26 | Houston Texans | 633 | 3,813 | 6.02 |
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | 594 | 3,567 | 6.01 |
| 28 | Cleveland Browns | 681 | 4,047 | 5.94 |
| 29 | Buffalo Bills | 522 | 3,103 | 5.94 |
| 30 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 592 | 3,441 | 5.81 |
| 31 | Baltimore Ravens | 619 | 3,590 | 5.80 |
| 32 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 514 | 2,820 | 5.49 |
Yards Per Attempt is one of the more effective ways of gauging a team's overall passing ability. Of the 13 teams who made the playoffs/achieved 10 wins in 2013, 9 of them finished in the top 11 in this statistic. The Rams finished 22nd in this ranking. Look for the Rams to climb in the rankings in 2014, given the return of QB Sam Bradford, and a more experienced WR corps. The chart is courtesy of "Sporting Charts".
The Pressers
One On One With Rams Coach Jeff Fisher: Fox 2 Video
Sam Bradford Press Conference - August 3: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher Press Conference - August 3: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher Press Conference - August 2: St. Louis Rams Official Website
One-on-Two with Chris Long & Tavon Austin - Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jeff Fisher Press Conference - August 1: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Jake Long Press Conference - August 1: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Wired: Sam Bradford Helmet Cam: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rams Scrimmage At Edward Jones Dome: Rams News Now
Sam Bradford Compliments WR Corps: 101 ESPN
Robert Quinn on how close the Rams are to being a championship-caliber team: 101 ESPN
How can Robert Quinn build on his stellar 2013 season?: 101 ESPN
Front-Line Production Expected From Donald & Company: 101 ESPN
Rams OT Jake Long right on schedule: ESPN
Every indication is that Jake Long will be ready to go for the start of the NFL season. This is good news for all Rams fans. With the brutal mid-season schedule, it's imperative the Rams get off to a fast start.
"If there's a consummate Hall of Famer, it's Aeneas Williams": Fox Sports Midwest
Former Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past Saturday. A class act, both on and off the field. Here's hoping one of the young DB's on the Rams' current roster can develop into the player Williams was.
Top-5 Rams storylines after first week of training camp: Cover 32 Rams
The defense, Michael Sam, the offensive line, the secondary, and the emergence of Brian Quick and Kenny Britt headline the Rams' first week of training camp.
KSK Mock Draft: 2014 NFL Moments We Aren't Looking Forward To: Kissing Suzy Kolber
A tongue-in-cheek look at the upcoming NFL season, and moments we aren't likely to cherish.
On This Day In Sports History
1967 - The 34th NFL Chicago All-Star Game is played. The Green Bay Packers defeat the All-Stars 27-0. 70,934 fans were in attendance at the game.
William Hayes working back from surgeries: ESPN NFL Nation
It's hard to imagine - given his quality play since joining the Rams - William Hayes playing hurt for most of his tenure with the Rams. After THREE off season surgeries, he's hoping to return better than ever.
Predicting the 2015 Hall of Fame class: Football Outsiders
Former Rams greats Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Orlando Pace, and Kurt Warner will all be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2015. FO predicts Pace and Warner will both be enshrined as first-ballot nominees.
Critical Mass: Sports On Earth
Mike Tanier takes an in-depth look at the problems opposing offensive coordinators will have, when facing the Rams' defense this season.
"The Rams front seven represents a multiple choice test with no correct answers. The Rams' front four is the best in the NFL."
It May Not Matter How Much Young Talent NFL Teams Have: FiveThirtyEight
The Rams have been stockpiling young talent under Jeff Fisher and Les Snead. They are one of the most talented younger teams in the league. Will any of that matter in the next three years?
St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"
The Rams currently have $1,714,098 in available salary cap space. I will be publishing a complete "Training Camp Edition" salary cap update within the next couple of weeks.
Aaron Donald out to prove he's more than meets the eye: Sports Illustrated
Don't let his size fool you. Aaron Donald will be a force on the Rams' defensive line, right from the first snap of the season.
Biggest concerns heading into 2014 for Rams: KMOV - St. Louis
The two biggest concerns for the Rams heading into the 2014 season are the secondary, and depth on the offensive line. They could mean the difference between the playoffs...and a .500 season.
2014 NFL Standings And Playoff Projections - NFC West: Football Nation
Defense rules the day in the NFC West. The Rams are projected to finish 7-9, last in the division. Can the Rams rise above .500 this season, challenge for a playoff spot, and prove the skeptics wrong?
Rams' Offensive Line In Better Shape To Combat Injury: 101 ESPN
One of the bigger questions the Rams face this upcoming season: Given the recent injury histories of Scott Wells, Jake Long, and Rodger Saffold, can the OLine remain intact and healthy for a full season? More importantly, what happens to the line if one or more of that trio sustains an injury? The additions of Greg Robinson and Davin Joseph, plus the potential emergence of Barrett Jones, should give the Rams - and their fans - some comfort in answering the second question.
NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand, Heading Into The Preseason?: Bleacher Report
The Rams find themselves in 24th place in the rankings, with a projected 5-11 record. My ranking for the Rams? 14th, with a projected 10-6 record.
Rams managing Bradford's workload: ESPN NFL Nation
The Rams are being very careful with Sam Bradford's recovery from knee surgery:
"He’s throwing very well," coach Jeff Fisher said Saturday. "We’re watching the pitch counts right now, and he’s not having any problems and you can see those balls were humming today."
"We’re just watching and monitoring it. We’re going to make sure we don’t do too much."
All systems go: Bradford looks strong: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Not only is Sam Bradford recovering nicely from knee surgery, his commitment to offseason upper-body conditioning has made his arm stronger.
Highlights from all seven new Pro Football Hall of Famers' speeches: Yahoo Sports - Shutdown Corner
Seven retired players - including former Rams great Aeneas Williams - were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday night. The 2015 class could include former Rams Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt, Kurt Warner, and Orlando Pace.
Rams Camp Report: Day 8: ESPN NFL Nation
Nick Wagoner runs down the happenings at the Rams' training camp, including Saturday's annual scrimmage at the Dome.
Five Takeaways From Saturday's Scrimmage: Ramblin' Fan
Nathan Kearns offers his observations from Saturday's Rams Fan Fest and scrimmage at the Edward Jones Dome.
Rams' Training Camp Profile: WR Chris Givens: Rant Sports NFL
Brian Quick and Kenny Britt are turning heads at the Rams' training camp. Can Chris Givens fight his way back into the mix for a starting role at WR?
49ers Report: Likely Aldon's Absence Puts S.F. In Bind: S.I. - MMQB
Aldon Smith facing a suspension. Navorro Bowman recovering from a torn ACL. Glenn Dorsey sustaining a season-ending injury in camp. 3/4 of the secondary departing in the offseason. Can the Niner's defense overcome all of these losses?
St. Louis Rams' projected roster: ESPN NFL Nation
Nick Wagoner gives his take on what the final 53-man roster will look like.
Majority Of Football Fans Better Informed On Health Of NFL Players Than Parents: The Onion
"Our surveys indicate that despite an intimate, up-to-date knowledge of various ailments affecting star football players, many fans are largely oblivious to any deterioration of health in their mother or father."
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 Mason Brodine WR Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey T.J. Moe Austin Franklin WR Brian Quick Austin Pettis Emory Blake WR Chris Givens Kenny Britt Justin Veltung Jordan Harris RB Tre Mason Isaiah Pead Trey Watts Kadeem Jones RB Zac Stacy Benny Cunningham Chase Reynolds 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
I've updated the roster to include all transactions as of August 3, 2014. The Rams roster is currently at the 90-man offseason limit. 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.
Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: Aerosmith - Back In The Saddle
Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!!