While there is certainly plenty of culprits among players and coaches for the embarrassing showing the Rams put on for National TV on MNF, There is one that should get the biggest blame for laying an egg. Offensive Line coach Paul Boudreau. The game has passed this guy by. Just like I predicted in pre-season, He starts an OL that had only played a few snaps together.
First and foremost, GRob ,Wichmann, Barnes, Brown and Saffold had started all four pre-season games together and were gelling, sure enough, Coach Boo changes that for the opening game. Why? He starts Havenstien, who was sidelined with a broken toe for all of preseason and only got about 8 snaps in the 4th game. He shuffles the whole line, moving Saffold to LG, benching Wichmann. The result? GRob played like crap, Saffold played like crap, and Havenstien was the biggest turd on the OL. So what does coach Boo do when he sees how bad the OL is? He subs Wichmann in for Brown at RG, Instead of yanking Hav and putting Saffold back in at RT and Wichmann back at LG.

That OL had NO CONTINUITY, could not open holes for the running game and did a horrible job of pass blocking, and I blame Paul Beaudreau for fucking it up just so he could get Hav in who was clearly not ready. I'ts also clear to me GRob and Saffold don't play very well next to each other

I could rant more but I think I'll just have another beer.

Looks like the Chili Peppers are gonna play a preshow gig before the game Sunday!! How awesome! Says fans should be in there seats 30 mins before game.

Login to view embedded media View: http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-to-Welcome-Rams-Home-to-Los-Angeles/39362390-ae03-4e8a-80be-38ba1589f6bd

It was nice of the Rams to want to carry on a tradition, but a bit of a shame they got it a little confused.

These are selected questions and answers. To read the whole chat click the link below. Before you get too upset, our vent thread is not much different.


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http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/NFL_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_27?Page=0

Jim Thomas - NFL Chat

The LA trolls have been telling us since January that the Rams will be winners now that they're "back home where they belong." How'd that work out last night? it wasn't STL fans who made the Rams losers. Check with kroenke, Demoff, Snead and Fisher if you want to see the real losers

One game does not a season make. When San Francisco won its last Super Bowl, the 49ers lost an early season game 40-8. Obviously, the Rams aren't winning the Super Bowl this year. And obviously there are lots of issues with the team. Including lack of linebackers, a lack of talent at wide receiver, and lack of overall depth. Its amazing to me that the Rams thought coming back without major changes to the WR corps was a good idea.
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Out of curiosity I watched some of the Rams game. How in the blue heck do they think they are going to win with Britt, Austin, and Quick as their top 3 receivers? It's laughable. lol lol lol lol

Pretty amazing, isn't it.
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How many mistakes does Fisher get - with the draft, FA, etc. etc. - before he is canned?

Apparently, it's a bottomless pit.


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What do the Rams need to fix between now and Sunday to make it a close game?

1.) Sign or trade for a veteran linebacker. 2.) Put some vertical plays in next week's game play. 3) Put in some jet sweeps and runs with Tavon Austin. 4.) Cut penalties in half.
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What are the chances the Rams can accomplish any of those four items you listed?

Well, history tells us the penalty thing won't change. Don't know who's out there at linebacker. But usually if you can walk or chew gum at the same time, you're on a roster this time of year. As for the vertical plays, and stuff with Austin, they're in the playbook.
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That game was great last night please tell me all Rams games will be on St. Louis television? Better than best comedy show on TV.

The Seattle game will be televised next week by Fox 2. After that, I believe it depends on the ratings.
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How does releasing Ayers look today?

He looks like Ray Lewis in his prime.
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The Rams had 195 yards of offense. Late in the game they had 100+ penalty yards. How long will LA fans put up with that mediocraty?

I wouldn't call that mediocrity


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I'm not one to overreact to one game but rams in all phases look awful. Oline, receivers, and qb play is a mess. Hard to see them winning more then 4 games.

It's the NFL. You're allowed to overreact. It's part of the fun of the game. This Seattle game is huge, because after that the Rams are at Tampa Bay _ which looks like an emerging team _ and at Arizona. Lose to Seattle, and you could very well be staring at 0-4.
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Just a reminder for next Sunday, we have seen this before out of Fisher teams and just when we think they have no chance of ever winning again, they pull out a great game. The upcoming Seattle game qualifies as one of their upset specials. Remember, they did that here in STL too when we gave them no chance.

No doubt. Agreed.
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Boy, Hekker is really good. What a showcase last night.

He's the best.


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What is a typical shelf-life of an NFL coach in terms of:

1. How long do they stay at a team before the players get bored and stop listening?
2. Their ideas and methods become outdated an they stop getting hired?

Realistically, five years is a pretty good run. It takes sustained success for a coach to last 10 years, which is pretty rare. Usually as long as a team has some success, the players listen to the message. And Fisher remains popular with most of his players. As for question No. 2, teams that rely on the running game and strong defense can still win and win big in this league. Seattle is a great example of that. But the Rams have never really been that under Fisher.
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I didn't know if I could watch last night but I did and enjoyed every minute of it. The Rams offense is obviously bad but were you surprised at how the defense looked?

Yes, and no on the defense. There are missing 5 starters from last year's unit and that's a big turnover in any year. Laurinaitis, Long, Jenkins, McLeod, and Jenkins. When I saw that they were lining up with nickel personnel in the red zone against 2 TE sets _ on both of San Fran's first rushing TDs _ I almost fell out of my chair. They need LBs.

Also, there are depth issues at cornerback, particularly with E.J. Gaines sidelined. Sensabaugh looked overmatched in the preseason, and he looked overmatched Monday night against a less-than-stellar receiver corps.
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Been a rams fan for 38 years. I didn’t care when they moved to st. Louis and I don’t care that they have moved back to LA. I have loved them, followed them, set my families schedule around them regardless of what city they called home. what I do care about is the $40 I spent to subscribe to HBO for two months so I could watch the rams on Hard Knocks and the $300 I will, again, and have done so for 5 years, spend on the NFL ticket so I can watch the rams every Sunday.

After last night’s, uhhh, performance?, I am so upset with myself for investing any more time or money into these clowns. From kroenke to demoff to fisher and snead to the idiots wrecking go carts, throwing coaches in pools, setting and rising suns, and swimming with mermaids, they are clowns.

They must be clowns…they get laughed at each and every week. I am done. i’ve had it. I will gladly check in with your weekly chat, however. Your chat is amazing therapy for me, there are very few rams fans in these parts. Thank you for what you do!

This chat has kind of degenerated into group therapy, so we do what we can


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3 words, describe last nights Rams game...

That's way too easy. In the words of Dana Stubblefield from 1995. . .Same. . .Old. . .Rams. (That of course is the PG verson.)


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A smart football man a long time ago said "organizations win championships." So true. It was no accident that the Dallas Cowboys went from an expansion team in 1960 to the championship game against the Browns by 1964. Tex Shram, Gil Brandt and Tom Landry had an organizational plan and stuck to it. But, then again they weren't as interested in making money as much as, you know, winning football games.

Well said.
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The coaching staff will probably view last night's embarrassment as a failure to execute on the offensive side - but isn't it really because of a lack of a vertical game, as Steve Young kept saying, in between his laughter?

That's part of it. But there are other factors, such as, not using Tavon Austin in the running game at all. It wasn't a good night for the offensive line. And well, the receivers are the receivers.
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The defense was, as I feared, not very good last night, and the middle was wide open for Gabbert to run through. What happened there?

Yeah, those early runs were huge by Gabbert, who's more athletic than generally given credit for. He kept some early drives alive, and avoided sliding to get the necessary yardage. It's hard to say why the middle was wide open without (sorry, coach-speak alert) looking at game tape.

Perhaps the D-tackles had some kind of stunt going where they both went outside instead of inside. Also, there's often running room when the defense is in man coverage, because the defenders backs are to the QB. But it was strange how often the middle was open on those plays.
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The game was an embarrassment that became a disgrace - I was shocked at Donald's behavior. Ogletree though started it. No discipline, even among his best guys??

And don't forget Gurley, throwing the football at Tramaine Brock, drawing a taunting foul, and taking the Rams out of field goal range.
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I heard that Snead and Fisher were negotiating extensions of their contracts. Is $ilent $tan really thinking about retaining them despite their ineptitude? They have a free pass this season. LA is ecstatic to have their team back, but at some point $tan will have to sell tickets for his new football palace on 7-9 records and We'll get that fixed replies by Fisher to debacles like last night may have worked in St. Louis, but not in LA with all the recreation options available there?

Yes, I believe this extension talk is serious. Here's the thing. Stan really won't have to worry about selling tickets until the new stadium is open. Does that mean two or three more years of Fisher?
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Ray Ray looked pretty good. There's a linebacker we had on the roster a few years ago. Maybe he's available for a first rounder in 2018. #sarcasm

As you may recall, the Boom King was cut because of his lack of discipline. #sarcasm
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How much difference do you think not having laurenitis as the captain of that defense calling the signals make last night? 49ers are not a good team and should have been held to well under 28 points. Of course, if you cant score any points, it doesn't really matter I guess.

The Rams coaching staff didn't think much of Laurinaitis at the end. I'll just leave it at that.


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Keep in mind if you keep turning over your roster of older players, that point #1- players not listening- wont happen as you keep having the leagues youngest roster. There may be a method here to the madness of Fisher/Snead.

Perhaps, but at 27-37-1, do you think it's working?
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Meanwhile, New England tops AZ on the road with no Brady or Gronk and a makeshift front line. Seems they should be primed for another deep run with a well-rested Brady coming in at week 5, eh? They could easily be 4-0 when Brady steps back under center.

Yeah, I watched only a little of that game on replay, I was driving back from Kansas City. But it was a huge victory for the Patriots, no doubt, especially considering the rest of the AFC East lost their openers. I guess Garoppolo looked pretty good, eh? With their next three games at home _ Miami, Houston, Buffalo _ I would not be stunned if the Patriots did indeed start 4-0.
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They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. That's year five of the Fisher Regime on offensive philosophy. Doesn't matter who the OC is. So my question is, since you were at Rams park everyday, does Fisher influence the game planning on offense? This game, to me, had his fingerprints all over it.

It's not like Fisher was calling the plays. And on game days, he's generally not a meddler. But the overall philosophy of the offense _ of any offense _ comes from the head coach.
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I'm having misgivings about Jeff Fisher. He's obviously clueless about the offensive side of the ball. I think the Rams need an O-wizard and Fisher should just let him handle it. Do you think Rob Boras is that guy?

I think Fisher gives his coordinators a lot of leeway. If you hire someone to do a certain job, you let them do their job. I think Boras is a smart guy, a good coach. His background is the running game, and O-line play, however. And the players he has to work with are the players he has to work with. If you catch my drift.
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How does Jeff Fisher keep his job. John Fox had a 46-18 4 year record with the Broncos who let him go. At a winning pace of 7 wins a season, Fisher will have 46 wins in 6.5 years with a lot more losses than 18. Is the only reason Fisher is still around because $tanK thinks Fisher did such a great job when the Houston Oilers were moved to Tennessee?

Well, that's the question, isn't it? Marty Schottenheimer got fired after a 14-2 regular season in San Diego. The rest of the league doesn't operate the way the Rams do.
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For fans of NFL football in Los Angeles who may not have been paying much attention while they had no team, here is a primer on what you have:

1. You may be thinking that the 49ers are a great team that would do this to most opponents. No, they are average at best. Your Rams were slightly below average last year, lost 6 starters over the winter, and replaced them with players that were kept on the bench last year by the guys you lost. You added nobody (at least for the moment). Your Rams are in for a long, tough year.

2. You may be thinking that your Rams will win a couple of games that they should lose. They likely will. They will also likely lose a couple of games that they should win.

3. You may think that Jared Goff will save your franchise. He may, but the fact that he is third string is a tell. Note that Carson Wentz is starting. Unless you think that Case Keenum and Sean Mannion are both a lot better than Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, you might have reason to be concerned.

4. You may think that next year will be better. Think again, you don’t have much for draft picks next year either.

5. You may think that things will get better eventually, that your hero Stan won’t put up with losing long-term. Take a look at the recent championship trophies of the Avalanche and the Nuggets.
Enjoy your team.

I will add this caveat. Even the Arizona Cardinals overcame Bill Bidwill, but it took nearly 20 years and his son taking over the franchise for that to happen.
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Will LA fans fill the Coliseum Sunday? How many season tickets did they sell?

Yes. It's a sellout, isn't it? So I think we'll see in the 80,000 to 90,000 range.
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How was Fisher ever successful with the Titans? It must have been the personnel he inherited. That is the only explanation.

Hard to do it without the players. Eddie George, Steve McNair and Jevon Kearse were great players to name a few.
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Jeff Fisher's agent is Martin Demoff, the father of Kevin Demoff, the only way Fisher gets fired is if Demoff gets fired and Demoff isnt going anywhere. Sorry LA, Fisher is your problem no, and not starting Goff is pure keeping your job strategy. If Goff starts and sucks that is Fisher's fault, however, but not starting Goff, Fisher can wait out another year.

Well, you have connected some dots


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How bad does the Rams record need to be before they start Goff at QB?

I'd say 0-1. But I'd also say that judging by what I saw in the preseason, he doesn't look ready.
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Will Donald face a suspension?

Don't think so. But he can expect about $40,000 in fines.
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when was the last time the Rams had a decent o-line?

Pace, Nutten, McCollum, Timmerman, Tucker.
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Jim, any idea on were Orlando Pace would be honored and receive his hall of fame ring? Maybe a Cardinals game or Ohio State football game? Since Rams ownership made it clear they want nothing to do with the last 21 years I can't imagine he would go to LA to be honored.

I believe it's this weekend at halftime of the Rams-Seahawiks game.
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Did Chris Berman make some pro stlouis comments?

Yes, he did. I'm paraphrasing here, but it was just kind of shout out to St. Louis fans, realizing they're hurting over the loss of the team. And also realizing that many who were watching from the StL may be rooting for the team to lose.


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Chris Long had a good game!!! Good things happen to good people! Hope he gets a Superbowl win!!!

Yeah, it was good to see Chris Long getting after it. Hope he stays healthy.
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Would love to find out from Chris Long what he sees as the significant differences between the Rams and Pats in terms of organizational approach, philosophies, etc. Obviously, Bill B vs Jeff is the big one. But beyond the coach. Any chance you'll get to interview him about that?

Don't know if Chris Long will nibble on that one. But I do hope to catch up with him at some point this season.
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I was just looking at the schedule and from my perspective there is a legitimate chance the Rams go 0-16. There isn't one team they play that I feel confident they can beat.

I'm gonna say 5-11, 6-10.


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Any thoughts on what Martz thinks about this Rams regime and ownership? You and him should get together and write a book! I don't miss the Rams, but I miss that era in the early 2000s. Even when the team wasn't great, his press conferences were pretty entertaining sometimes.

Mike was always great copy, and he had a true appreciation for the local media and what our jobs were. He took the time to try to get to know us. I'll just put it this way: He's not a huge fan of John Shaw and Jay Zygmunt. Don't think that's a big secret. But he was long gone by the time Demoff arrived, and I could be wrong, but I don't think he had much of a relationship with Kroenke. It was interesting to see him shake Jay's hand at the Pace induction ceremonies in Canton.
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What is your opinion on Gurly? I don't remember where I read about it this morning but I saw some stats that showed Gurly's last 9 games have been remarkably worse than his first 4 games. To steal a baseball reference are we still in "too small a sample size" phase with him?

There's no doubt he's a very talented back. He just wasn't breaking off the long runs late last season like he did earlier in the year. The great backs, like Barry Sanders, could be held in check for most of the game, and then rip off a big run or two that helped changed the balance of a game. There's no doubt that Gurley isn't being helped by the fact that the Rams have a non-existent passing game.
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Can you give a brief update on how the ex-ram players are doing? The ones from last year?

Glad you asked. We will try to provide of rundown of how the ex-St. Louis Rams are doing from time to time on line. We did an update of all St. Louis area players (who played their high school ball here or are from StL) that's currently onlilne now, and will follow that up with Mizzou players next week. And all ex-StL Rams in a couple weeks.

Laurinaitis is starting and is a team captain in New Orleans. You probably saw that Long had a good game against Arizona. Talked to McLeod a couple of weeks ago when the Eagles played in Indy and he's starting and seems to be doing well.
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Is Carson Wentz that much more "NFL Ready" than Jared Goff? To be fair, I doubt Wentz would be able to make it behind the offensive line and with the receivers of the Rams, but would Goff have been as good as Wentz if he were wearing an Eagles uniform?

Out front, I'll tell you that I liked Wentz better as a prospect coming out than Goff. But let's not get too carried away on Wentz. He did it against Cleveland.
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Something I can't remember about the GSOT days was what happened to Charlie Armey? Was he pushed out or did he retire on his own? Seems like the architect of one of the best teams of all time (i don't think that's over the top) would be given some leeway. Then, you have the current HC/GM....all they have is leeway....with ZERO results.

Charley was pushed out. He's retired and living in Phoenix. I still talk to him a few times a year, I believe he'll be in town in about a week for a charity golf tourney.

Boy, he was eerily quiet the last three months or so and barely featured on Hard Knocks. I would LOVE to see a reporter ask him some questions about the WR and QB positions and why the offense has regressed over the last 5 years. You have to wonder if they are truly all on board with the current direction. If they all fully agreed on Goff over Wentz. If they all agreed that it was worth giving so much up to jump up to #1 in the draft. If this team keeps gets worse, the truth serum will be spilling quickly as folks try to keep their jobs.

Lost in the mahem of last nights debacle was how bad JJ was missed. Sensabaugh was either beat or out of position against a reciever that was just signed this week in Curley. Furthermore, his tackling was atrocious. TJJ would consistantly break through WR blocks and make an outstanding open field tackle. He was also one of the "play makers" on D, capable of a pick 6. I understand the rationale of why he is no longer here, but we can question why we did not lock him up this time last year (similar to Austin and Brockers this year). The Cody Sensabaugh experiment is over. Gaines cannot get on the field fast enough

Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Packers, Patriots move up

There's a new No. 1 in town. ESPN's power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) has shuffled the rankings following Week 1 outcomes, and the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots have moved up to claim the top two spots. Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.

ESPN Stats & Information contributed the following information.


1. Green Bay Packers
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 6

Jordy Nelson gained only 32 yards in his return, but caught six balls for three first downs in the process. It was a microcosm for the Packers' offense in Week 1 (getting by with just enough), but the Vikings should provide a tougher test in Week 2.



2. New England Patriots
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 3

Tom who? Rob who? Jimmy Garoppolo led the Brady-less and Gronkowski-less Patriots to an impressive victory in Arizona in Week 1 to move up the rankings. Next up? The Dolphins at home. The Pats are 20-1 at home against division foes since 2009.


3. Seattle Seahawks
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 1

The Seahawks were the top-ranked team in our Power Rankings, but a two-point victory at home over the Dolphins doesn't inspire confidence. Seattle could slip lower after a Week 2 matchup at Los Angeles. The Seahawks have lost three of their past four games against the Rams.


4. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 2

If you forgot how good Antonio Brown was, let a 126-yard, two-touchdown Monday night performance serve as a reminder. Look for Brown to have another big game in Week 2 against the division rival that ended his season early with a hit to the head last postseason.


5. Arizona Cardinals
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 4

There are worse things in the world than losing to the Patriots, even withoutTom Brady. But a loss to the Bucs at home in Week 2 would give the Cardinals their first 0-2 start since 2005.


6. Carolina Panthers
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 5

Cam Newton was sacked, hit while throwing or hit while rushing 17 times in Week 1, his most ever in regulation. Newton could certainly use a break already and he may get one in Week 2, as the Panthers host the 49ers.


7. Houston Texans
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 13

Lamar Miller was one of two backs to rush for 100 yards in Week 1, and Will Fuller became the first Texans rookie to gain 100 receiving yards in a season opener. Neither was around last season when the Chiefs -- the Texans' Week 2 opponent -- beat Houston 30-0 in the playoffs.


8. Denver Broncos
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 8

Trevor Siemian was one of three quarterbacks with multiple interceptions in Week 1, but a formula of great defense and good-enough quarterback play worked for the Broncos last season. It will need to work again in Week 2 withAndrew Luck and the Colts coming to town.


9. Cincinnati Bengals
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 7

Let Week 1 serve as a reminder of how good A.J. Green is, as he dropped 180 yards against a secondary with Darrelle Revis. Green and the Bengals look to get their revenge against the Steelers this week.


10. Oakland Raiders
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 11

Don't worry Jack, we aren't trying to take your job. The numbers simply showed how gutsy a call it was to go for two. Thanks to that conversion, the Raiders will be looking for their first 2-0 start since 2002 when they host Atlanta this week.


11. Kansas City Chiefs
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 9

Alex Smith did more than just manage the game in the Chiefs' Week 1 comeback win against the Chargers, notching his second-most yards in a single game (363). Smith's reward is a Week 2 date at Houston with J.J. Watt.



12. Minnesota Vikings
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 12

The Vikings' defense scored two touchdowns in Week 1 while the offense scored no touchdowns. It resulted in a win, but that was against the Titans. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will provide a tougher test in Week 2.


13. Baltimore Ravens
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 15

Joe Flacco returned to action in Week 1 with a 65.3 Total QBR and no interceptions. Flacco threw 12 picks in 10 games last season, and had only two games with none. One of those games was against his Week 2 opponent, the Browns.


14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 24

Four touchdowns in a game is always impressive, but it was against a weak Falcons defense. If QB Jameis Winston can repeat his performance (or come close) against the Cardinals this week, we'll have a better idea of where the Bucs are headed this season.


15. New York Jets
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 10

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter, but can he finish? In his past two fourth quarters he's 8-of-19 with no touchdowns and four interceptions. Three of those came in Week 17 against the Bills last season, a team the Jets play Thursday, and a team they lost to twice last season.


16. New York Giants
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 17

The Giants held onto a lead and didn't mismanage the clock, so the Ben McAdoo era is already off to a roaring start with a win against Dallas. The new-look defense faced a rookie in Week 1, but Drew Brees threw seven touchdowns against the G-Men last season, and he's coming to town in Week 2.


17. Washington Redskins
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 14

Kirk Cousins threw for at least one touchdown in all 16 games last season, but put up a goose egg in that category in the Redskins' Week 1 loss. The Cowboys' weak pass defense could be the cure for that in Week 2.


18. Dallas Cowboys
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 23

Dak Prescott might be a rookie, but he should still introduce himself to Dez Bryant. The duo connected once for eight yards on five tries in Week 1. The Cowboys are 4-13 when Bryant is held under 35 yards in his career.


19. Indianapolis Colts
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 18

The Colts lost in Week 1, but Andrew Luck didn't throw an interception and took only two sacks, so they have to feel good about that. The reigning champs are up next, but Luck is 3-1 in his career against Denver (including playoffs).


20. Philadelphia Eagles
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 25

Poise counts! Carson Wentz went 8-of-8 against the blitz in his NFL debut and led the Eagles to one of the most lopsided victories of Week 1. Will Wentz continue to shine brightly in Week 2's Monday night game against Chicago?


21. Atlanta Falcons
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 22

The good? Julio Jones got a friend in Mohamed Sanu, who grabbed 80 yards and a score in his Falcons debut. The bad? The Falcons forgot how to run, gaining 52 yards on 22 tries in Week 1. They'll look to find balance at Oakland this week.


22. Detroit Lions
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 20

The wide receivers were supposed to be the focus for the Lions following Calvin Johnson's retirement, but the running backs accounted for 229 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. They look to continue that momentum against the Titans, who limited Adrian Peterson to 31 yards, in Week 2.


23. Jacksonville Jaguars
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 19

The Jaguars need to provide some relief for Blake Bortles, and 48 total rushing yards on 26 tries is not the answer. The Jags might get that relief in Week 2 against the Chargers, who have allowed the third-most yards per rush since the start of last season.


24. New Orleans Saints
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 27

Since the start of last season, Saints opponents have thrown for 46 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. The Saints might need to score 50 points every week to win, which was exactly what they needed to do to beat the Giants last season. New Orleans is at the Giants in Week 2.


25. San Diego Chargers
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 26

It looked like San Diego solved one of its biggest problems, rushing, afterMelvin Gordon scored his first two career rushing touchdowns. But the defense -- the other big problem -- doomed the Chargers in Week 1, and could doom them against a frisky Jaguars team in Week 2.


26. Tennessee Titans
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 30

The Titans scored 16 points in Week 1, didn't allow an offensive touchdown, and still lost by nine. The Titans have now lost five straight, and are 2-14 with a minus-161 point differential in their past 16 games.


27. Buffalo Bills
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 16

The Bills mustered a whopping seven points in Week 1 and didn't even record a first down in the fourth quarter. But with the Jets coming to Buffalo in Week 2, that could change quickly. The Bills went 2-0 against coach Rex Ryan's former team last season.


28. Miami Dolphins
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 21

Ryan Tannehill was sacked four times in Week 1 and had 137 of his 186 passing yards come after the catch. He'll need to be a lot better for Miami to compete, especially with the Patriots up next on the schedule.


29. Chicago Bears
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 29

Jay Cutler was sacked five times and pressured on 40 percent of his dropbacks (tied for highest in NFL) in the season opener. A sign of things to come? We'll see if the Bears can right the ship on Monday night against Philadelphia.


30. San Francisco 49ers
2016 record: 1-0
Week 1 ranking: No. 32

Coach Chip Kelly sure knows how to make an entrance, but the 49ers dominated in Week 1 last season, too. A trip to Carolina in Week 2 will either knock the 49ers back down to Earth, or ... most likely and literally knock them down to Earth.


31. Los Angeles Rams
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 28

The Rams were the first team shut out in a season opener since ... the Rams in 2009. The Rams went 1-15 that season, and if they can't get the offense going against the Seahawks in Week 2, they'll be on be right on track with that 2009 team.


32. Cleveland Browns
2016 record: 0-1
Week 1 ranking: No. 31

In a week defined by close games and monster comebacks, the Browns took a 19-point beating from a team with a rookie quarterback. The Browns now have a 38 percent chance of getting the first pick in 2017 according to NFL FPI, by far the highest in the league.

Per CBS sports, Fisher says Keenum is still the #1 QB and that he will start this Sunday. I received this via notification. Not sure if it is on their site yet.

1. We haven't seen the kid play.
2. Plausible deniability and general incompetence on the part of players, staff and front office.
3. No succession plan in place.
4. Nice guy, who people genuinely like.
5. Has moved a team before.
6. Played at USC / California local.
7. Team plays for him (not counting the 4th quarter because I did not see it).
8. Drafted Goff
9. Hired Snead
10. Will keep the team relevant in the eyes of the most loyal of fans (due largely to defense and not getting blown out in games... usually)



Did I miss anything? I would love to hear more reasons. I did my very best to be constructive here. I am genuinely curious as to how the fuck this is acceptable?

I think you'll figure out who's names and positions to replace for this to make sense.

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Rams fire offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti December 7, 2015

Rams Promote Rob Boras to Offensive Coordinator for the last 4 games of the 2015 season and Jeff Fisher makes him the permanent OC choice for the 2016 season.

I left out the rushing stats because when you have Todd Gurley just about any coordinator can look good calling run plays. Boras had his work cut out for him entering 2016 but the issue for this team was the passing game and he didn't do anything special to warrant Fisher keeping him as the OC.

Boras got too much credit in 2015 for the Rams winning 3 of their last 4 games. When you revisit the statistics (passing game & 3rd down conversions) Fisher selected his close friend who never was really qualified.

As soon as the trade for the #1 pick was done Fisher selected the QB that didn't fit his Boras/scheme. I also never thought much of 2nd year QB coach Weinke because his only background was that of his QB school. Weinke had not 1 game of NFL experience coaching QB's until he was hired by Fisher in 2015.

Neither Boras or Weinke had any experience at the NFL level to risk developing a rookie spread formation #1 overall pick. I never predicted they would fail but when you look back on it now it makes sense of why Goff was going to have a longer than expected learning curve.

Both of these coaches have a combined 22 games of NFL quarterback coaching experience on their resumes. I was happy the Rams chose Goff but this Offense needed to be tailored to his skill set from the beginning of OTA's and until we see different this was never the right staff to put much faith into.

This isn't about bashing Rob Boras but he had an entire off-season to tinker and prepare his offensive personnel to fit his revised playbook to work with the talent he knew very well before even being promoted to OC. He never had the experience of grooming a rookie QB and tweaking his playbook to get the best possible results. Fisher just figured they would all learn how to on the fly?

Rams Passing Game Under Boras 2015/2016

2015 Week 14 vs Lions

3rd Downs conversions 4/11
Total Net Yards Passing 114

Passing
C.Keenum 14/22 124 Yards.. 0 TD.. 1 INT

Receiving
K.Britt 2/35
B.Marquez 3/32
T.Austin 3/19
J.Cook 1/11
W.Welker 1/11
B.Cunningham 1/8
T.Gurley 1/7
T.Mason 2/1

2015 Week 15 vs Bucs

3rd Downs conversions 2/10
Total Net Yards Passing 221

Passing
C.Keenum 14/17 234 Yards. 2 TD.. 0 INT

Receiving
K.Britt 2/71 TD 1
J.Cook 4/64
T.Austin 3/41 TD 1
T.Gurley 2/31
L.Kendricks 3/27

2015 Week 16 at Seahawks

3rd Downs conversions 5/12
Total Net Yards Passing 103

Passing
C.Keenum 14/23 103 Yards. 1 TD.. 0 INT

Receiving
K.Britt 3/49 TD 1
T.Austin 3/16
B.Cunningham 3/14
T.Gurley 1/7
B.Quick 1/6
J.Cook 1/5
T.Mason 1/3
W.Welker 1/3

2015 Week 17 at 49ers

3rd Downs conversions 3/13
Total Net Yards Passing 231

Passing
C.Keenum 22/37 231 Yards. 0 TD.. 0 INT

Receiving
K.Britt 3/81
L.Kendricks 5/37
B.Cunningham 3/34
T.Austin 5/30
B.Quick 2/23
W.Welker 2/16
C.Harkey 1/12
M.Brown 1 for -2

2016 Week 1 at 49ers

3rd Downs conversions 3/15
Total Net Yards Passing 120

Passing
C.Keenum 17/35 130 Yards. 0 TD.. 2 INT

Receiving
K.Britt 4/67
B.Quick 3/23
L.Kendricks 2/15
T.Austin 4/13
M.Brown 1/8
B.Cunningham 1/7
T.Higbee 1/2
T.Gurley 1 for -5

Cause if they arent we are all in for a long painful season.

The five stages, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to live with, Rams/collapse/torment . They are tools to help us frame and identify what we may be feeling.

:

I'm just as sick as everyone else about this embarrassment on national tv last night but its over and I'm still and will always be a rams fan. a couple of things I noticed when I wasn't turning my head in disgust was.

1. I don't know if RG Brown got hurt or they were sick of him getting beat but Witchman came in and played some then they put Brown back in. Did anyone notice if they were rotating them every other series or what? I didn't watch close enough to see who was in on every series.

2. The D played as good as one could expect when they were on the field for 95% of the game. The only negitive I have is Coty Sensebaugh got beat like a drum. Hopefully Gains will be back this week if not put Hill in he can't be any worse.

3. I thought Higbee was supposed to be one of the few on this team that had sure hands? He couldn't catch a cold last night but it didn't help that all his routes were 5 yard drags with all 11 defenders being 5 yards or closer it makes it a little tough.

4. I thought the Rams would just maybe not get screwed every week by the Zebras with the NFL wanting the move back to LA go over good but I was wrong. Fuck the refs.

5. There is no reason to not play Goff this week. There is no possible way that he could play any worse then Case did last night. He needs to get all the experience he can, he could have at least saved us the embarrassment of getting shut out on national TV. I'm sure Stan will be at the opener this week against the Seachickens if Fisher starts Case again and were getting blown out I would hope goes down at half time and escorts Fisher out of the building Ive seen enough.

I was hoping that I had a very bad dream only to wake up and realize that I was not dreaming.
Instead I woke up with my stomach in my throat and my heart squashed like a grape under a tennis shoe.
What happened I do not know, but this I do know we as a team are missing something in a big way and it isn't only talent or Coaching philosophy, lack of heart or desire. It is knowing how to win, how to stay composed, how to support each other and how to overcome adversity.
We are way off and change of some kind better be on the horizon or this franchise will lose another market. Too early you say? you may want to take a deeper look.
This forum houses the true fans and I know that my ROD brothers out there are hurting from this unexpected and underwhelming display.
Stay tough my friends.

From Tomsula to Chip Kelly was night and day for the Niners.

From league doormat in '15 to a team that simply abused the Rams for 60 minutes in front of a MNF audience.

We've all seen this movie before, huh?

We were outplayed by a country mile last night.

We were out coached by a country mile, too.

A very bad combination, indeed.

They quickly made us one dimensional. And a one dimensional team is really a no dimensional team, isn't it?

Hard for this old Ram fan to watch.

Shoulda replaced Fisher at the end of last season. Now, it's too late. We're in no man's land now HC wise for '16. Damned if we make a change, damned if we don't.

The frustrating thing? I know that there's real talent on this roster. A lot of it. Yet they are sputtering with fits and starts. Almost to a man and from top to bottom.

That's coaching, y'all...

I have been a Fisher supporter , but am begging to waver, so I had to post this.

Rams back in LA , with a rich owner, who does NOT want to have a crappy team in a brand new stadium in 2 years is a dream scenario for a coach. Pure spotlight. Rams cannot afford to fail with the time and money put into relocating and building the monster size stadium.

So Coaches that have flirted, nut stayed away might consider . Gruden anyone?

I wish they could make Williams the coach but make him bring in some offensive guru and let him run the show. Fisher just refuses to believe that his offense is obsolete. He reminds me of Al Davis and how he held onto that old Raider offense for so long after it has been made irrelevant.