Random Ramsdom: October 5: St. Louis Rams - Soaring Above The Cards

Twitter Talk

Too bad for them...they should be getting their betting advice from good ol' Dubs here...I had the Rams covering the spread in my weekly Pigskin Picks column:

Big Miss: 91% of the tickets & 89% of the money had Cardinals covering 7-point spread vs the Rams today @WilliamHillUS sportsbooks

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 5, 2015

For the game against Miami at Wembley Stadium (London, England) on Sunday, the Jets meticulously prepared for all eventualities, especially ensuring they had their asses covered:

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. The @nyjets are bringing 350 rolls of toilet paper to London to replace the thinner UK product.

— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 1, 2015

Coach Fisher should embrace the whole fire-on-the-field thing and forget about using the other tunnel. At least SOMETHING was on fire on the field when the Rams faced the Steelers:

Asked about team continuing pyrotechnic display: "it's not my call but I'm going to enter the field from the other tunnel."

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) September 28, 2015

A small sign of progress?:

NFL just finished a calendar month without any player arrests reported. That hadn't happened in more than 6 years.

— Mike Rosenberg (@RosenbergMerc) October 1, 2015

Well, I guess that's one way to look at the trade:

To those obsessing over trade of Chris Givens, how will they survive without his 12 receptions over the last 19 games?

— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) October 3, 2015

The Cardinals staff wouldn't take any chances with the Rams' pyrotechnical equipment:

Cardinals stadium staff doing a thorough check of pyro machine before game. No sign of the original Shop Vac though. pic.twitter.com/a2z1fvc56k

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 4, 2015

Praying and keeping my fingers crossed...would be a devastating loss:

ALEC OGLETREE @STLouisRams with high ankle Best case: significant sprain Worst case: fracture, surgery Hope... https://t.co/GQcR4HCD2t

— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) October 4, 2015

Oh my....nooooo...let's hope he's back in time to play our first playoff game:

Just up from locker room. Fisher says Ogletree needs ankle surgery. At best, he's on IR/designated for return. At worst, he's out for year.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 5, 2015

It feels great for all of us!!!:

It feels great to get a W in the giant toaster. How about @TG3II ?? pic.twitter.com/U5Uz7HdmCQ

— Jake McQuaide (@JakeMcQuaide) October 5, 2015

No s**t Sherlock...:

This was what Rams had in mind last April, when they drafted Todd Gurley in round 1: In today's 4th quarter alone, Gurley ran for 106 yards.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2015

The Browns must have seen something in Davis that the Rams didn't see??:

Source: the Browns have signed reserve QB Austin Davis to a 2-year, $4.173M extension through 2017.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 30, 2015

Run-first Rams' struggles go beyond the basics: ESPN NFL Nation

"Outside zone" blocking concepts? With a bunch of inexperienced OL and RB's? Tell that to Todd Gurley...

Rams, Chargers marriage for Inglewood site may not work: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A Rubik's cube of Machiavellian back room dealings and intrigue. Come to think of it, that just about defines the NFL in general in my estimation.

Rams exec on relocation: No matter what "we are letting down" fans: St. Louis Business Journal

"As fans, I don’t know how they manage through the emotional process," Demoff said recently at a Washington University panel on the business of sports. "Everything we do is to build an emotional connection to the fan base. Fans hate hearing about the business of sports. There are so many fans who I feel like we are letting down no matter what the outcome is because they feel differently today (about the team) than they did a year ago, and we feel responsible for that."

2016 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football

Charlie Campbell adds a second round to his mock draft. The Rams select Ohio State WR Michael Thomas in the first round, followed by USC C Max Tuerk and Texas DT Hassan Ridgeway in the second round. I can see the Rams going this way in next years draft, especially if William Hayes, Nick Fairley, Eugene Sims and Brian Quick all hit Free Agency in March.

Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: DE - Joey Bosa - Ohio State

As Worries Rise And Players Flee, A Missouri School Board Cuts Football: The New York Times

I'll be covering this in a much more detailed article. Will the NFL go the way of the dinosaurs? A disturbing trend is becoming more prevalent:

"Declining youth participation rates have started to worry the N.F.L. because the league’s long-term health could be affected."

2016 NFL Draft Top 50: Mocking The Draft - SB Nation

Dan Kadar unleashes his first player rankings of the season. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa is his top rated player a quarter of the way through the college football season.

The Littered Lawns Of The NFL: Sports On Earth

Robert Weintraub investigates the alarming amount of penalties being called through the first three weeks of the NFL season:

"There have been 730 accepted penalties so far in 2015, erasing the previous record of 716 through three games set back in 2005. Week 2 alone saw a stunning 298 penalties, the most for a single slate of games in NFL history."

The Worst Plays In NFL History: Grantland

No plays involving the Rams make Bill Barnwell's all-time worst plays list. The one below will make anyone's short list of the BEST plays in NFL history:

Stat Facts Of The Week: Toxic Differential

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."

Trading Chris Givens Made Sense For The Rams: Rams In Perspective

My take on why trading Chris Givens was a smart move in the overall scheme of things.

Rams stingy defense, opportunistic offense do enough to knock off Cardinals: ESPN NFL Nation

Nick Wagoner recaps the Rams' 24-22 victory over division rival the Arizona Cardinals.

Todd Gurley Video: NFL.com

Todd Gurley scampers for 52 yards in the game against the Cardinals...a thing of beauty!

Rams Defeat Previously Unbeaten Cardinals: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Myles Simmons shares his thoughts and video footage of the game between the Rams and Cardinals.

On This Day In Sports History

1991 - Carlos Huerta's NCAA record streak of successful points after a touchdown ends at 157.

1991 - Fresno State ties an NCAA record with 49 points in a quarter, routing New Mexico 94-17.

1953 - The 50th World Series sees the Yankees beating the Dodgers 4 games to 2 for their record 5th consecutive World Series championship.

The Pressers

Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Nick Foles Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website

One-On-One With Todd Gurley: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Rams coach Jeff Fisher talks postgame about how his team secured a 24-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Tavon Austin, Todd Gurley spark Rams' offense: ESPN NFL Nation

Nick Wagoner gives two thumbs up for the performances of Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin in Synday's game against the Cardinals. Jared Cook? A hearty thumbs down.

St. Louis Rams upset Arizona thanks to turnovers and Todd Gurley: Cover 32 Rams

A RB gaining close to 150 yards, a stout defense and winning the turnover battle is a recipe for winning football games, in my estimation.

Welcome To The Gurley Show: CBS Sports

Todd Gurley left little doubt that he's the real deal.

Cardinals' Loss To Rams Not Complex: azcardinals.com

Not complex at all. The Cards were just beaten by a better team today...in virtually all facets of the game.

Rams LB Alec Ogletree to have right ankle surgery; prognosis uncertain: ESPN NFL Nation

Before the injury in the Arizona game, Ogletree was playing as well as any LB in the league. He will be sorely missed. Next man up? Akeem Ayers or Daren Bates. Expect the Rams to use even more big nickel packages with Mark Barron as a quasi-third LB.

Things We Learned In 24-22 Arizona Cardinals Loss: Revenge Of The Birds - SB Nation

A look at the Cards' loss through the eyes and thoughts of Jess Root, managing editor for our sister site on SB Nation: Revenge Of The Birds.

Rams-Cardinals Highlights: NFL.com

Highlights from the Rams' 24-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL Announces October Is NFL Merchandise Awareness Month: Sports Pickle

"This is more than just an awareness campaign," commissioner Roger Goodell stressed. "Too many times awareness campaigns fail to cause people to act. Our initiative is designed to make people aware of NFL products and then follow through with a purchase. In fact, many purchases, thereby generating vast profits for the NFL."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Post-Game Coverage

Rams halt unbeaten Cardinals

Photos from the Rams-Cardinals game.

Rams defense keys 24-22 win at Arizona

Joe Lyons recaps the Rams' uplifting road win against the Cardinals. The Rams are now 2-0 in the NFC West.

Rams Report Card

Jeff Gordon hands out plenty of "A's" in his grading of the Rams victory over Arizona.

Offense Comes Through For Rams

This is what happens when the light bulbs turn on for the whole offense at the same time.

Gurley, Rams hold it down in upset of Big Red

Jim Thomas shares his thoughts on the Rams' big win over the powerful Arizona Cardinals.

St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"

The Rams have $4,804,009 in available salary cap space as of 11:00 pm, Sunday, October 4 (the 12th lowest total in the league). Please check here and here for regular salary cap updates throughout the year.

Was that Stedman Bailey sleeping on the job??!!?? That little nap just cost him $8,681 in fines.

St. Louis Rams Current Roster & Depth Chart

The roster and depth chart is updated to reflect all transactions as of 11:00 pm, Sunday, October 4. Last Tuesday, the Rams released RB Isaiah Pead, added CB Brandon McGee from the Practice Squad to the roster and signed WR Nick Toon to the Practice Squad. On Friday, the Rams released Brandon McGee and added FS Christian Bryant from the Practice Squad. The Rams signed CB Eric Patterson to take Bryant's spot on the PS.

On Saturday, the Rams traded WR Chris Givens to the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional 2018 7th round draft pick. Trey Watts' 4-game stint on the reserve/suspended list is now completed. He's expected to fill Givens' spot on the roster. Doug Worthington was released from the Practice Squad. He has not been replaced as of this writing. The injury to Alec Ogletree will likely mean additional roster moves for the Rams. After surgery, he will be placed on either season-ending Injured Reserve or Injured Reserve - Designated For Return.

C	Tim Barnes	Demetrius Rhaney
RG	Rodger Saffold	Garrett Reynolds
LG	Jamon Brown	Cody Wichmann
RT	Rob Havenstein	Andrew Donnal
LT	Greg Robinson	Darrell Williams
TE	Lance Kendricks	Cory Harkey
TE	Jared Cook
WR	Tavon Austin	Brian Quick	Bradley Marquez
WR	Kenny Britt	Stedman Bailey
RB	Tre Mason	Benny Cunningham
RB	Todd Gurley	Chase Reynolds
QB	Nick Foles	Case Keenum	Sean Mannion
PK	Greg Zuerlein
P	John Hekker
LS	Jake McQuaide
DT	Aaron Donald	Nick Fairley
DT	Michael Brockers	Ethan Westbrooks
DE	Chris Long	William Hayes
DE	Robert Quinn	Eugene Sims
MLB	James Laurinaitis	Bryce Hager
OLB	Alec Ogletree	Daren Bates
OLB	Akeem Ayers	Cameron Lynch
CB	Janoris Jenkins	Marcus Roberson
CB	Trumaine Johnson	Lamarcus Joyner
SS	T.J. McDonald	Mark Barron	Maurice Alexander
FS	Rodney McLeod	Cody Davis	Christian Bryant
	Practice Squad	Reserve/Suspended	Injured Reserve
	DE  Matt Longacre	RB  Trey Watts	CB  E.J. Gaines
	DT  Louis Trinca-Pasat		WR  Isiah Ferguson
	CB  Melvin White
	CB  Eric Patterson
	RB  Malcolm Brown
	FB  Zach Laskey
	WR Nick Toon
	TE  Justice Cunningham
	OT  Isaiah Battle

Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: Aerosmith - Back In The Saddle Again

Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!