(Written on 12/27/15)
The 6-8 St. Louis Rams traveled to Seattle to take on the 9-5 Seahawks today in a game that the Seahawks were favored by 14 points. The first half was dominated by the Rams as they jumped out to a 16-3 lead that featured Trumaine Johnson’s seventh interception this season, including his fourth consecutive game with a pick, as his 15 career interceptions lead all defenders in the 2012 draft class. Offensively, receiver Kenny Britt ran right past Seahawks corner Richard Sherman for a 28 yard touchdown on a beautifully thrown ball by quarterback Case Keenum on a drive that was set up by a 21 yard Tavon Austin punt return. The defense got on the board as well as Akeem Ayers scooped up a fumble and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Greg Zurlein celebrated his 28th birthday by making a 42 yard field goal before missing an extra point later in the second quarter.
Running back Todd Gurley got going in the second half as 63 of his 85 yards, and a touchdown, came in that span. While the Rams gave up 14 points, they spent the second half without Mark Barron and Nick Fairley as both left the game with concussions; Johnson also left with a concussion but returned later and seems to be 100% for next week. The Seahawks were still no match for the Rams, falling 23-17.
The most important aspect of today’s the game is the fact that the Rams did not commit any turnovers, despite the fact that Benny Cunningham and Gurley fumbles were recovered by center Tim Barnes who later received the game ball following the game. Keenum was particularity efficient, completing 14-23 passes for 103 yards without throwing an interceptions against Seattle’s vaunted secondary. Keeunm was also not sacked nor hit today, a huge milestone for a young offensive line that has struggled keeping passers upright this season. Offensive coordinator Rob Boras has finally built the offensive gameplan around establishing the running game first and early (the Rams ran the ball 30 times today) with Gurley as the workhorse (19 carries). Boras has not asked Keenum to do too much which has allowed them to set up shots down the field as we saw last week against the Bucs as well with Britt, while still being efficient and smart with the football.
The Rams travel to San Francisco next week to take on the 4-11 49ers in the season finale, a team that St. Louis had no trouble with in Week 8, winning 27-6. The Niners have not looked very good, going 1-5 in their last six games including losses to the Lions and Browns whom the Rams both beat. After beating the Seahawks in Seattle and completing the season sweep for the first time since 2004, the Rams are riding a three game win streak carrying enough momentum to win on the road to get to 8-8.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
4-8 Not the Only Similarities Between Lions and Rams
(Written on 12/11/15)
In what is arguably the most headline-less NFL match-up in Week 14, the St Louis Rams will host the Detroit Lions as each try to improve to 5-8. While the Lions have been dominant through the air, the Rams have gotten it down on the ground as both rank ninth in the NFL in their respective statistical categories. The same can be said for their lack of dominance in the other offensive aspects as Detroit ranks 31st in rushing yards per game and St. Louis is last in passing yards per game. Both franchises are on their second offensive coordinator this season, proving to be a wise decision for Detroit highlighted by the 31 more points they’ve scored in the five games since Joe Lombardi’s firing, than the first five games of the season. While Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah isn’t the same talent that fellow rookie running back Todd Gurley of the Rams is, both have bright future ahead and have had quite an impact on their respective offensives; to put the icing on the cake, Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley spent the first four seasons of his career with the Lions. The similarities run much deeper, however.
Ohio is the birthplace of both franchises as the Portsmouth Spartans began operations in 1929 while the Cleveland Rams were up and running 234 miles south seven years later. In 1934, a group led by Detroit radio executive George Richards bought the Spartans, struggling financially, for$7,952.08 and moved them to Detroit and renamed them the Lions as an ode to their professional baseball team, the Detroit Tigers. Both franchises moved to the National Football League just one year after existence, the Lions in 1930 and the Rams in 1937.
The 50s were high points for the franchises as the Rams won an NFL Championship in 1951 and played in four between 1949-1955 while the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship the very next year. The Browns would continue their tear of NFL Championships, defeating the Lions in ’53 and ’54 before defeating who else in ’55? The Los Angeles Rams. Both teams were quarterbacked by Hall of Famers Bobby Layne (Lions) and Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield (Rams) while Tobin Rote became a star quarterback for the Lions following the 1957 playoffs after the Lions traded Layne, thus ensuing “The Curse of Bobby Layne” in 1958: the Lions have won one playoff games (1991) since the trade.
Fast forward to the 80s as both teams were lead by phenomenal running backs Billy Sims (Lions, drafted in 1980) and Eric Dickerson (Rams, drafted in 1983) as both franchises experienced success. The Lions made the playoffs in 1982 and 1983, their first consecutive playoff appearances since 1953-1954. In seek of change after a disappointing stretch from 1979-1982, the Rams hired USC great John Robinson in 1983 who, coupled with Dickerson, made the playoffs six straight times including an NFC Championship game appearance in 1985. The previous year was a completely different season on both sides of the spectrum for the fellow running back: while Dickerson ran for an NFL record 2,105 yards, Sims suffered a career ending injury that lead a period of futility for the Lions from 1984-1988.
Change abounded for both teams during the 90s with the emergence of running back Barry Sanders. One of the greatest players of all-time, Sanders was the driving force behind the Lions’ playoff appearances in 1991, 1993-1995, 1997, and 1999; Lions guard Mike Utley also suffered a career ending injury against the Los Angeles Rams during the 1991 season. No matter Sanders’ talents, the Lions only advanced past the first round of the playoffs once. After moving to St. Louis in 1995, the Rams assembled the Greatest Show on Turf lead by quarterback Kurt Warner and a player of Sanders’ talents in running back Marshall Faulk that propelled them to a Super Bowl victory in 1999. The Rams would ride that wave until 2005, when things began to fall apart.
The 21st century is marked by poor ownership, coaching, and draft classes. While both franchises experienced success early on (the Lions made the playoffs in 2000-2001 without Sanders and the Rams made another Super Bowl appearance in 2001), the Lions didn’t win a single game on the road from 2001-2003, an NFL record 24 straight games that was a result of Matt Millen’s 31-81 record as team president. 2007 was an unfortunate turn of events as Detroit started 6-2 before fading and finishing 7-9 and St. Louis went 3-13 in their first year under Scott Linehan after going 8-8 the year before under Mike Martz. The next year was even worse for Detroit as they became the first NFL team to ever finish 0-16; not surprisingly, the Rams weren’t much better as they finished 2-14 and fired Linehan after an 0-4 start before promoting defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Despite finding their franchise quarterback in Matt Stafford the 2009 Draft, the Lions finished with the second worst record in the NFL at 2-14. The Rams were the only worse team at 1-15 as they took Sam Bradford with the first overall pick the next year, but did not become the franchise quarterback Stafford has materialized into. Both have averaged five wins a season since 2000 which is attributed to those poor drafts I mentioned early as an awful stretch occured for the Lions bewteen 2001-2005 that featured Jeff Backus, Joey Harrington, Charles Rodgers, and Mike Williams. St. Louis was equally awful from 2002-2009, featuring Robert Thomas, Tye Hill, Jason Smith, and Adam Carriker.
Records and stats out the window, this should be an interesting game showcasing young talent for years to come.
Recapping the 2015 St. Louis Rams Season
(Written on 1/4/16)
After finishing 7-9, let’s take a look at the positives and negatives from this season.
Negatives:
- The Rams finished under .500 for the fourth time in as many years under head coach Jeff Fisher; he has not coached a team to a winning record since 2008.
- The offense was abysmal, ranking 29th in points and last in total yards
- Two of the Rams’ 14 eligible linemen finished average or better according to Pro Football Focus: Garrett Reynolds and Rob Havenstein
- Nick Foles failed. Miserably.
- Jared Cook (is anyone really surprised?) had a 5.3% drop rate, finishing with the 12th worst receiving grade via PFF and 55th among 72 eligible tight ends
- The Rams failed to have a receiver go for 1,000 yards for the eighth year in a row
- The Rams finished their 12th straight season with a negative point differential, an NFL record
- Their 5.7 pass efficiency ratio is tied for the NFL’s second lowest mark this season
- They finished with the sixth most penalties per game
- 25.51% of all drives went three and out, the fifth highest rate in the NFL
- Their 25.9 3rd Down efficiency percentage was the NFL’s lowest mark
- 59 of 429 rushing attempts were stuffs (13.8%), the highest rate in the NFL
- 22.58% of field goals were missed, the third highest mark in the NFL; three field goals were blocked, the second most in the NFL
- The 74.1 team passer rating ranks last in the NFL
Positives:
- Todd Gurley was better than advertised: the rookie sensation finished with the NFL’s third most rushing yards, second most touchdowns, and most 40+ yard runs despite missing three games
- Benny Cunningham’s 714 kick return yards were the fifth most in the NFL
- Their 18 sacks allowed was an NFL low and an improvement from the 47 allowed in 2014
- Trumaine Johnson returned seven interceptions for 136 yards, the second most in the NFL; those seven interceptions were also the second most
- Gurley’s five 100+ rushing yard games are tied for second in the NFL
- Johnny Hekker was first in punt yard average, punt yard net average, and punts downed inside the 20, becoming he first punter in NFL history to do so while 15 of his punts were downed inside the 10 (t-third most); he also lead the league in punts fair caught
- Mark Barron forced the NFL’s third most fumbles; his 16 run stuffs were tied for first while the 29 stuff yards were the fifth most
- The Rams finished with the fifth best secondary according to PFF; Johnson was PFF’s fifth highest graded corner and lead the league in lowest QB rating allowed (47.4)
- The defense allowed opponents to make 34.7% of third down attempts, the sixth lowest rate; they were tied for 10th in opponent scoring efficiency percentage
- Their 4.6 rushing yards per attempt was tied for third most
- Aaron Donald finished with the highest defensive grade in PFF history; he was the highest rated defender against the run and in pass rush
- Gurley became only the third rookie running back since 2000 to make the Pro Bowl and became the third rookie back in franchise history to run for 1,000 yards
- James Laurinaitis eclipsed 1,000 career tackles
- Three players eclipsed 1,000 all-purpose yards (Cunningham, Gurley, and Tavon Austin)
Rams, Chargers Win Relocation Bid
(Written on 1/12/16)
Despite St. Louis’ efforts to keep the Rams in St. Louis (the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a measure to put about $150 million in city money toward the proposed $1 billion-plus stadium on the city’s north riverfront on December 18, 2015), owner Stan Kroenke was able to push the Rams to the 24 necessary votes from the 32 owners to relocate to Los Angeles after 21 years as the final tally was 30 for, two against. Originally, the St. Louis stadium task force, led by Dave Peacock and Bob Blitz, made final changes to the St. Louis Stadium proposal which included an addition of an extra $100 million from the NFL, which brought the league’s commitment to $300 million to make the project work.
Because of the distrust between Kroenke and Chargers’ owner Dean Spanos, the Chargers now have until January 2017 to join the Rams in Inglewood should they so choose. This allows them the opportunity to try one final time to stay in San Diego; should the Chargers stay put, the Raiders will then have a chance to join the Rams in Inglewood. The Chargers’ desired location in Carson, where the Chargers and Raiders wished to share a venue, is the sole reason the Rams and Chargers must now come together to reach an agreement: in Inglewood, Spanos would be paying Kroenke to play. At the same time, Kroenke had to defeat Disney CEO Robert Iger and his ESPN subsidiary that gives the NFL $2 billion per year for the rights to televise Monday Night Football. He personally attended the ownership meeting and lobbied the league to adopt the Carson plan as would have been directly involved in the stadium construction with the right to become a minority owner of the Chargers or Raiders.
While the new Inglewood stadium likely won’t be completed until 2019, it is assumed they will play in L.A. Memorial Coliseum. As commissioner Roger Goodell stated, “In 2019 they will be opening in a new stadium which we are all, as ownership, very excited about — the kind of facility that we believe will be extraordinarily successful in the Los Angeles market. It’s more than just a stadium, it’s an entertainment complex.” Though the cost of the Inglewood stadium proposed by Kroenke is an estimated $1.86 billion, officials and owners say the cost would likely exceed $2 billion by a significant amount, thus making it the most expensive venue in U.S. sports history. At three million square feet, including identical locker rooms, office space and owner’s suites for two teams, it would also be the NFL’s largest stadium. The project would be the centerpiece of a 298-acre entertainment, retail and housing development, something dubbed an “NFL Disney World.” Kroenke has also stated he wishes to hold the NFL Combine and Super Bowl in his venue which seats 70,000 and can expand to 100,000 for such an event.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Los Angeles Rams Off-season Plan
(Written on 12/30/15)
Up front, Week 16 hero center Tim Barnes will be a free agent who is not worth re-signing. He made four starts in 2013 as he continued to struggle in run blocking and pass protection before playing in only nine snaps in 2014; he beat out the likes of Demetrius Rhaney, Eric Kush, and Barrett Jones who was later cut. Barnes is PFF's 26th rated center as the Rams are better suited to look for a replacement in the draft due to the lack of upgrade center's entering free agency have to offer. One possibility is cutting right guard Rodger Saffold, who is due $6 million next season but underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after five games; Saffold has played in only 68 of 96 career games, starting in 65. Coupled with Cook, cutting Saffold will give the Rams $48.388 million in cap space. This allows St. Louis to pursue free agents Evan Mathis and Ramon Foster, as rookie Cody Wichmann still needs to develop but has shown promise after starting in six games. I don't envision the Rams resigning receivers Brian Quick and Wes Welker, let alone anything outside of a one year deal.
Now, the quarterback struggles are well documented and we know the fact that the Rams are 7-8 with their quarterback play is admirable. Not all the blame, however, deserves to fall on them due to the rather weak receiving corp. Cutting Nick Foles leaves the Rams with $7 million in dead money despite his awful play as Case Keenum will likely go into next season as the projected starter (I'm banking this on the belief he will be re-signed). While Keenum's play has improved during Rob Boras' time as the offensive coordinator, he has managed the game more than he has made an impact. Quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousins will both be free agents at the end of the season, and will likely seek $6 million+ a year. Both are young (25 and 27 respectively) and both have shown the ability to be franchise quarterbacks, another direction the Rams could head. On the contrary, they are currently sitting at 15th in the 2016 draft, the likes of Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and Paxton Lynch will likely be off the board but with two second round picks and Sneads' willingness to move or down, the Rams have the ammunition to get their quarterback. Outside of Alshon Jeffery, there are no free agent receivers that are true number one's, an aspect the Rams so desperately desire.
What seems like the best possible scenario is signing Osweiler or Cousins and taking a receiver (or two) in the draft as the Rams try to build and progress with the NFL's youngest roster. However, General Manager Les Snead has made it known he wants to build through the draft which would likely mean a quarterback in the first and receiver in the second. On the other hand, signing one of the aforementioned quarterbacks would allow the Rams to trade up to take Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell if need be; TCU's Josh Doctson and Pitts' Tyler Boyd are possible options in the second. The same can be said about trading up to take a quarterback, but will likely take their first and both second rounders to do so.
Things get interesting on the other side of the ball as corners Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson will both be free agents. While both have improved, Johnson has allowed the lowest passer rating in the NFL when thrown at and is tied for second with seven interceptions. He is in the last year of his four year/$3.04 million contract, and will likely seek a four year/$17 million+ year where his base salary will annually increase. As for Jenkins, he has stated publicly that he will likely test free agency, an incentive for the Rams to franchise tah him: Jenkins has improved each season and deserves a major raise. Letting Jenkins walk, who will probably want more than Johnson, isn't necessarily a bad thing as they have talent behind him. Second year corner E.J. Gaines started 15 games at corner as rookie, racking up 70 tackles, 14 defended passes, and two interceptions before suffering a Lisfranc injury in August, causing him to miss all of the 2015 season. Fellow corner Lamarcus Joyner is coming into his own after a 2014 rookie campaign where he started one game and played in 10, recording 40 tackles, a sack, and two defended passes. Due to the injuries that have affected the Rams' secondary this season, he has started five and played in 15 with 65 tackles, two sacks, and six passes defended. Fellow backfield mate Rodney McLeod signed a one year/$2.365 million prior to the season after finishing as PFF's 18th rated safety. McLeod has racked up 75 tackles and forced three fumbles, bettering his numbers from last season, while intercepting a pass. He too could be due for another pay day.
Longtime Ram and fan favorite Chris Long faces the possibility of being cut. Due $14.25 million in 2016, the defensive end has started all but 12 games between 2008-2013, a true model of consistency. However, he has started a mere 17 games in the last two seasons and will be 31 when the 2016 season starts, reducing his production. Cutting Long before the season starts will save the Rams an astounding $12 million despite the fact he's entering a contract year. Fellow defensive linemen Eugene Sims and William Hayes will likely be re-signed to two year deals as they play a role in the Rams' rotation and success up front. One of my favorites, Mark Barron (PFF's 17th rated linebacker), is expected to cash in after tallying 74 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five passes defended, three forced fumbles, and a sack as a key member of their defenses.
The summary of the Rams' season has been talked to death, and I don't need to go into detail about their offensive woes. Regardless, there are changes to be made, contracts to be restructured, and roster moves to be considered. Here, I will discuss what possibilities to look forward to this off-season.
Offensively, the first thing that should be done is cutting tight end Jared Cook who is due $8.3 million in 2016. Throughout his career, Cook has been an inconsistent pass catcher and sub-par run blocker; he is Pro Football Focus' 55th rated tight end this season. To put things in perspective, Cook's contract is valued at $35.1 million, the ninth highest among all tight ends. Those making less? Delanie Walker ($17.5 million), Gary Barndige ($12.3 million), Tyler Eifert ($8.256 million), Ben Watson ($4.95 million) , and Zach Ertz ($5.379 million), all who have caught more passes for more yards and more touchdowns this season. Ultimately, cutting Cook after June 1st will save the Rams $7 million and give them a total of $43.3 million in cap space. Ladarius Green and Craig Stevens will both be free agents at a much cheaper price.
Offensively, the first thing that should be done is cutting tight end Jared Cook who is due $8.3 million in 2016. Throughout his career, Cook has been an inconsistent pass catcher and sub-par run blocker; he is Pro Football Focus' 55th rated tight end this season. To put things in perspective, Cook's contract is valued at $35.1 million, the ninth highest among all tight ends. Those making less? Delanie Walker ($17.5 million), Gary Barndige ($12.3 million), Tyler Eifert ($8.256 million), Ben Watson ($4.95 million) , and Zach Ertz ($5.379 million), all who have caught more passes for more yards and more touchdowns this season. Ultimately, cutting Cook after June 1st will save the Rams $7 million and give them a total of $43.3 million in cap space. Ladarius Green and Craig Stevens will both be free agents at a much cheaper price.
Up front, Week 16 hero center Tim Barnes will be a free agent who is not worth re-signing. He made four starts in 2013 as he continued to struggle in run blocking and pass protection before playing in only nine snaps in 2014; he beat out the likes of Demetrius Rhaney, Eric Kush, and Barrett Jones who was later cut. Barnes is PFF's 26th rated center as the Rams are better suited to look for a replacement in the draft due to the lack of upgrade center's entering free agency have to offer. One possibility is cutting right guard Rodger Saffold, who is due $6 million next season but underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after five games; Saffold has played in only 68 of 96 career games, starting in 65. Coupled with Cook, cutting Saffold will give the Rams $48.388 million in cap space. This allows St. Louis to pursue free agents Evan Mathis and Ramon Foster, as rookie Cody Wichmann still needs to develop but has shown promise after starting in six games. I don't envision the Rams resigning receivers Brian Quick and Wes Welker, let alone anything outside of a one year deal.
Now, the quarterback struggles are well documented and we know the fact that the Rams are 7-8 with their quarterback play is admirable. Not all the blame, however, deserves to fall on them due to the rather weak receiving corp. Cutting Nick Foles leaves the Rams with $7 million in dead money despite his awful play as Case Keenum will likely go into next season as the projected starter (I'm banking this on the belief he will be re-signed). While Keenum's play has improved during Rob Boras' time as the offensive coordinator, he has managed the game more than he has made an impact. Quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousins will both be free agents at the end of the season, and will likely seek $6 million+ a year. Both are young (25 and 27 respectively) and both have shown the ability to be franchise quarterbacks, another direction the Rams could head. On the contrary, they are currently sitting at 15th in the 2016 draft, the likes of Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and Paxton Lynch will likely be off the board but with two second round picks and Sneads' willingness to move or down, the Rams have the ammunition to get their quarterback. Outside of Alshon Jeffery, there are no free agent receivers that are true number one's, an aspect the Rams so desperately desire.
What seems like the best possible scenario is signing Osweiler or Cousins and taking a receiver (or two) in the draft as the Rams try to build and progress with the NFL's youngest roster. However, General Manager Les Snead has made it known he wants to build through the draft which would likely mean a quarterback in the first and receiver in the second. On the other hand, signing one of the aforementioned quarterbacks would allow the Rams to trade up to take Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell if need be; TCU's Josh Doctson and Pitts' Tyler Boyd are possible options in the second. The same can be said about trading up to take a quarterback, but will likely take their first and both second rounders to do so.
Things get interesting on the other side of the ball as corners Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson will both be free agents. While both have improved, Johnson has allowed the lowest passer rating in the NFL when thrown at and is tied for second with seven interceptions. He is in the last year of his four year/$3.04 million contract, and will likely seek a four year/$17 million+ year where his base salary will annually increase. As for Jenkins, he has stated publicly that he will likely test free agency, an incentive for the Rams to franchise tah him: Jenkins has improved each season and deserves a major raise. Letting Jenkins walk, who will probably want more than Johnson, isn't necessarily a bad thing as they have talent behind him. Second year corner E.J. Gaines started 15 games at corner as rookie, racking up 70 tackles, 14 defended passes, and two interceptions before suffering a Lisfranc injury in August, causing him to miss all of the 2015 season. Fellow corner Lamarcus Joyner is coming into his own after a 2014 rookie campaign where he started one game and played in 10, recording 40 tackles, a sack, and two defended passes. Due to the injuries that have affected the Rams' secondary this season, he has started five and played in 15 with 65 tackles, two sacks, and six passes defended. Fellow backfield mate Rodney McLeod signed a one year/$2.365 million prior to the season after finishing as PFF's 18th rated safety. McLeod has racked up 75 tackles and forced three fumbles, bettering his numbers from last season, while intercepting a pass. He too could be due for another pay day.
Longtime Ram and fan favorite Chris Long faces the possibility of being cut. Due $14.25 million in 2016, the defensive end has started all but 12 games between 2008-2013, a true model of consistency. However, he has started a mere 17 games in the last two seasons and will be 31 when the 2016 season starts, reducing his production. Cutting Long before the season starts will save the Rams an astounding $12 million despite the fact he's entering a contract year. Fellow defensive linemen Eugene Sims and William Hayes will likely be re-signed to two year deals as they play a role in the Rams' rotation and success up front. One of my favorites, Mark Barron (PFF's 17th rated linebacker), is expected to cash in after tallying 74 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five passes defended, three forced fumbles, and a sack as a key member of their defenses.
On the other hand, fellow linebacker James Laurinaitis faces the same possible fate as Long. A similar model of consistency, Laurinaitis has started every game of his career since 2009 but has seen his production dip since 2012. He made 108 stops while registering a sack, safety, forced fumbles, and an interception but finished as PFF's 83rd linebacker. Cutting Laurinaitis will save nearly $6 million, and with linebackers such as Bruce Irvin and Danny Trevathan entering free agency, who are both currently making less than Laurinaitis, the Rams have targets to pursue. Expect kicker Greg Zurlein to be re-signed as well.
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