Rams Current News & Events!

[chy1127]

I'm a ESPN immigrant...Those boards had become terribly troll infested...I've heard much better about this board...Looking forward to a new start for both me and our Rams...

Good seeing you here mikey. Enjoy.

 

[Clayton]

We totally need a banner in here. Maybe a picture of 'The Tackle' across the middle and images of great Rams throughout the years on the edges. Or just the later. Or maybe a big 'Ram-Page' logo of some sort

 

[Retroram52]

Clayton. What sort of banner do you have in mind and for just this thread or additional ones?

 

[mutigers1fan]

 

[zeke2829]

god bless MIKE JONES !

 

[Clayton]

Clayton. What sort of banner do you have in mind and for just this thread or additional ones?

The Niners board and the Seahawks board seems to have replaced the traditional Sportshoopla header with their own custom headers. I'm not sure if that is something given to mods or someone needs to have fun with photoshop or something. I think a conventional layout of Deacon Jones on the left, a current player on the right and something like 'The Ram Pages' on the top middle with 'the tackle' or a picture of the stadium and a logo underlining the title. Or even just a simple banner in Rams' colors would be awesome.

Anyone with a graphic arts degree in here or are we going to have to weld it on?

 

[Retroram52]

I'll look into and see what I can generate. Give a day or two.

 

[Retroram52]

Hey Clayton. HammerDown tells me someone has to make the banner. I am getting further instructions. So if you want to try let me know.

 

[Retroram52]

Hey Everyone: Guess where Billy Devaney ended up? He's on ESPN's NFL Live offering analysis on players and teams and of course most of what he says is utter bullshit. That is typical of ESPN though. But that is where one-half of the dufus brothers ended up Lol.

 

[Clayton]

Hey Clayton. HammerDown tells me someone has to make the banner. I am getting further instructions. So if you want to try let me know.

I haven't touched Photoshop in about 13 years but I'm sure its pretty intuitive. I might give it a go if I get some time

 

[Red_Chaos]

neh if you guys can find renders or pics you want to render, i got peeps on another site that i visit that make sigs

 

[Retroram52]

Yea Clayton. Take the time and see what you come up with. I need you to save it as a file so it can be transported here via a link. A jpeg file is the best. After you get the thing constructed, save it as a jpeg file. If I had Photoshop, I'd do it myself. But see what you can derive.

 

[Rambunctious]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQZZVH-gVk0]The Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Retroram52]

This vid is also in the thread of Rams Football videos.

 

[bluepigpen]

Thank you Rambunctious for that.

 

[Jermaine133]

lol Retro its just like ESPN to ask an idiot's opinion on something....just like Herm Edwards is asked for advice but has yet to coach a successful team. I graduated in 2007 with a BS in Graphic arts..but unfortunately I have not used it since 2008. I can tell you more about TCP handshakes than i can about photoshop.

 

[Rambunctious]

This vid is also in the thread of Rams Football videos.

Oh yeah...thanks Retroram there are more than a few cool videos there...

 

[Retroram52]

Yep, that is right Rambunctious. And its a good place to go to get pumped for camp in just a week away!!

 

[Vitamike]

Hey guys, just read this article and it brings up some pretty good questions going into training camp this week. I know we've kicked some of these around over the past few months but let's discuss them again with the advent of training camp ...

1. Boom or bust for Bradford?​

Not really. But this could be a defining year for Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Will he take another step towards becoming a franchise quarterback? Or is he destined for less — maybe only a “pretty good” QB?
For the first time as a pro, Bradford has the same coordinator and the same offense. The front office did its best to upgrade his supporting cast during the offseason, adding Pro Bowl left tackle Jack Long and speedy tight end Jared Cook in free agency, and then trading up for dynamic wide receivers Tavon Austin and West Virginia teammate Stedman Bailey in the draft.

2. Young guns: Can the wideouts progress quickly?​

At the ripe old age of 25, Austin Pettis finds himself the graybeard of the WR corps with all of two years NFL experience. Pettis was impressive during OTAs, but is he really a starting caliber WR? That’s where he was at the end of the spring practice along with second-year man Chris Givens and rookie Tavon Austin in three-receiver sets.
Where does that leave Brian Quick, who continued to flash big-play ability on the practice field but with periods of inconsistency? Wideouts frequently make a big jump between Year 1 and Year 2, so keep an eye on Givens. But it can be tough-sledding for rookies.

3. Who replaces Steven Jackson?​

There is no position more unsettled than running back as the Rams enter their first season in a decade minus Jackson. When all is said and done Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, rookie Zac Stacy, and even “The Sandwich-Maker” (Terrance Ganaway) could end up with the starting job. And don’t discount rookie free agent Benjamin Cunningham if healthy.
Because the Rams invested a second-round pick in Pead, he will be given every opportunity to win the job even though he’ll miss the opener due to a one-game NFL suspension. He still has much to prove. No matter what it will likely be a committee approach anyway.

4. Will Schotty open it up?​

One of the main points of emphasis during the offseason was adding speed, explosiveness, and playmaking ability on offense. That all points to a more wide-open, daring, pass-oriented approach, which is counter to what coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has done most of his NFL career. (Not to mention ground-oriented head coach Jeff Fisher.)
Making the most out of a talented, but extremely inexperienced group of skill-position players is the challenge. Does Schottenheimer have the creativity to make it happen? He should, based on his time spent with Steve Spurrier way back when as a backup QB at Florida.

5. What about Kendricks?​

The Rams paid a premium to land Jared Cook in free agency in a recruiting battle with Miami. He is one of the NFL’s fastest tight ends and undoubtedly will be a focal point on offense.
But what about Lance Kendricks, who showed noticeable improvement last season as a pass-catcher? What’s his role? Will the Rams go to the kind of two-tight end approach used so successfully in New England? Will Kendricks line up more in the backfield, as he did on occasion last season, proving to be an effective lead blocker? The spring practice period provided no clues with Kendricks sidelined following knee surgery.

6. What’s my line?​

The Rams could have their best offensive line since the days of the Greatest Show on Turf. Left tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells have Pro Bowl on their resumes. Right guard Harvey Dahl and tackle Rodger Saffold have above-average talent.
But can this veteran group stay healthy? All four blockers missed time with injuries in 2012, so this is a feast-or-famine unit. Stay healthy and flourish? Or suffer injuries and struggle? Saffold must make the transition to right tackle — he was against the move after the Long signing. Left guard remains up for grabs with Chris Williams the frontrunner entering camp.

7. What can we expect on defense?​

The Rams tied for the league lead in sacks a year ago, scored five defensive touchdowns, and flirted with top 10 status in total defense. They did that all without a coordinator, complements of the suspended Gregg Williams.
This year the Rams actually have a coordinator in young, fast-rising Tim Walton, who Jeff Fisher tried to hire a year earlier. Will there be many tweaks to the scheme? More blitzes? Less “off” coverage by the cornerbacks? We’ll see. The preseason may not reveal much. Obviously, Fisher will be involved as well as assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, so there should be much continuity.

8. How much impact by Ogletree?​

The Rams were ecstatic to grab linebacker Alec Ogletree late in the first round of the 2013 draft. No one doubts his athleticism. He can run and chase and make big plays. But there were mixed reviews on Ogletree coming out of Georgia. Some questioned his football instincts; some questioned his ability to take on blockers. And then there were the off-field issues that cost him playing time in college.
Other than safety, there is no other position as vital to getting this defense to elite level than outside linebacker. Specifically, Ogletree’s spot at outside linebacker. He needs to be a quick study.

9. Set at safety?​

Maybe, maybe not. After spending most of the 2012 season on the bench, a starting spot was all but handed to Darian Stewart after starters Craig Dahl (free agent) and Quintin Mikell (released) left in the offseason. But as was the case during training camp in 2012, Stewart couldn’t stay healthy this spring. Rodney McLeod got better in May and June, as did rookie draft pick T.J. McDonald. Stewart didn’t; he wasn’t on the field.
If Stewart can stay healthy and stay on the field during training camp and the preseason, his hard-hitting style could add some bite at safety. If not, this could be a problem position.

10. Is this the year for the return game?​

At some point in our lifetimes, the Rams will have a dynamic, feared return game — the type that can flip field position in the blink of an eye or even put points on the scoreboard. But it’s been a while. A long while. The annual search for pop on kickoff and punt retuns begins anew with training camp.
Can the Rams finally find some answers this year? Tavon Austin? He certainly did some damage on returns in college. Janoris Jenkins? He got a look on punt returns last year, but his ball security is sketchy. Chris Givens? One of the running backs? They are all prospects — or is it suspects — until proven otherwise.

 

[Vitamike]

1. Boom or bust for Bradford?

I say boom but I think it will be a progressive boom. We have many questions on the Offensive (Junkie will say excuses

) But really they are what they are. An oft injured OL with question marks at depth, RB by committee (Which really means nobody at this time), not a single WR on the roster with at least 1000 NFL career yard (Excluding the TE's).

All this really says to me is we have a young team, still lack some depth and they will need some time to grow together. I know this wont be good enough for all the Bradford critics however by seasons end I think that all changes.


2. Young guns: Can the wideouts progress quickly?

Yep, a lot of you guys posted on the WR thread however I've been a busy guy of late and didn't get a chance to chime in. I am not sold on Quick like some of you however am certainly not ready to throw in the towel either. I think it's optimistic to believe he will be the teams No. 1 and would love for that to be the case just don't see it. I also am not sold on Stedman either, that we chose him tells me that Fisher and company are still searching for a WR corp and have concerns with the group as a whole. I do think Tavon steps up right away but just like Givens last year, I am worried about the rookie burnout near seasons end.


3. Who replaces Steven Jackson?
First off the answer is, no one replaces Steven Jackson

That said everyone's favorite is Isaiah Pead, mainly because he is Jeff Fisher's favorite. I had some thoughts it could be Terrance Gannaway earlier this year because of his size however I'm really interested to see Zac Stacy in the mix but anyway we slice it we need to put up more rushing TD's. Even SJax had trouble in that department. I think this year even running the RB's by committee will produce more rushing TD's this year because I believe (hope) teams will be paying more respect to our passing game.


4. Will Schotty open it up?

One can only play the cards they are dealt, right? I guess it makes sense to question Schotts ability to open it up but I don't think the Rams go and make the FA moves and draft moves if they don't have a plan in place to, at the very least, go after it and open it up. If they do (Or he does) I think we will see if from Preseason game one. Let those youngins make them mistakes early on and lets see what we have! I have been known to criticize Brian however do think he makes some pretty good half time adjustments. Lets see what he will do when he has a decent lead going into halftime. (LOL we haven't had an opportunity to see this in play, let us all hope we see it often this season)


5. What about Kendricks?

Such problems!!! I think we will see Lance in a double TE set ala NE however it will be dictated by the teams we face. I don't think this matches up well vs the NFC West teams (Except maybe the Rams LOL). Bottom line, for the most part Lance is a pretty good blocking TE so he will be relegated to that role IMO. None the less, we will see him catching the ball this year and hopefully he will catch defenses off guard and get into the endzone!


6. What’s my line?

How can you bring up the Rams OL in an article without bringing up Paul Boudreau? With the miracles I saw that man perform with the Rams OL last year he is just one miracle away from Saint hood if you ask me. Yes injuries are a huge factor in the performance of the OL but let's face it, it always is....


7. What can we expect on defense?

The most obvious answer is a lot of sacks, smashmouth, hard hitting defensive plays. I don't think the addition of DC Tim Walton changes that or much in the way the defense will be run this year. I think the evidence of that was the way that Rob Ryan was shown the door due to the 'changes' he would have implemented.

8. How much impact by Ogletree?

Enter Spoon. Yes, outside of veteran depth, this guy is probably the reason we brought back Will Witherspoon. I know some of you believe he will be a great 'adviser' for Lil Animal but I think he is here more for Alec. As far as impact by Ogletree, I think he will be a starter by game one of the regular season (Has to be, right) and with this coaching staff, I think he will put to rest some of his critics.


9. Set at safety?

Well every team has an achilles heal and here is ours, To be honest, I'm not sure how we did it last year. Can we do it again? Is TJ McDonald going to be a star in this league? I really can't answer these questions right now but I do have some faith in McDonald as he was stellar in the red zone at USC.


10. Is this the year for the return game?

This always worries me, because the guys who do this best are usually little guys who can get hurt. Do we really want to put Tavon or Janoris as our return guys? With the depth issues, I hope it turns out to be somebody like Zac or Stedman who can turn it out. I don't even know if those two have experience in returning punts and kickoff, however I just don't want to mortgage our future for an occasional good field position.

Well I hit 'em all, what say you fellas?