I know I'm part of the problem - just trying to keep from making a new thread every time I see a big player cut / traded - etc.

Starting off with this one ...


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if healthy.

Does this put any pressure on Fisher to get Goff out there sooner than planned? I would assume if they are winning--no. If they are playing .500 ball?

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/...ort-carson-wentz-start-week-one-browns-eagles

I remember the 1970's Rams, and their 7 straight NFC Championships and One Super Bowl appearance. The one strong thing about that club, was that although they didn't have a virtuoso RB like Dickerson would be a few years later, but guys like McCutcheon, Capalleti, Bryant...We were running the ball, and few teams could stop us. It was a thing of ugly beauty to watch the other teams will getting crushed, because they could not stop it, and our defense was out of this world good (like now), and would give the ball back so that the offense could crush the opposing defense again....This would still work if our Oline is up to the challenge, even if they stack the box.....

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What is Pickem?

Each week you select the winner of each game.

Rules:

1. Pick the winners, straight up (no spread)
2. A tie game counts as a "correct pick"
3. We will not include Thursday games. This will prevent "missed picks" for the one game that can be difficult to remember to get your pick sent in, in time.
4. If the week closes before you've made your picks... myself or @Selassie I will try to set your picks to all home teams. This is a last ditch contingency, do not rely on us as we forget to do this on occasion.

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Select "Join Pool"... or "select pool" to locate 2016 season.

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As a reminder... It's a little hard to see at first... But you need to click here to make your picks;

And there's your 2nd outside WR.

Texans are stacked at WR these days, so this isn't surprising.

Shorts has been productive with some pretty god awful QBing.

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Unlike Pickem, in which you attempt to pick the winners of each game for a given week, in Survivor, you only pick one team that you think will win its game in that particular week.

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http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-...ry-the-hatchet-after-hit-on-teddy-bridgewater


Ben Goessling
ESPN Staff Writer


MINNEAPOLIS -- As Mike Zimmer walked to midfield at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday night, concluding the preseason with a 27-25 win against the Los Angeles Rams, he found coach Jeff Fisher for a handshake and hug. The meeting, suffice it to say, was more cordial than their last postgame exchange.

That came in November, when Zimmer walked off the field seething after a violent, visceral 18-15 win against the Rams. The Minnesota Vikings were playing outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium then, the Rams were still in St. Louis and the tenor of the game couldn't have been much different than a sleepy preseason game between backups. The Nov. 8 matchup was between two playoff hopefuls with physical defenses, and that afternoon, as the Rams hit Teddy Bridgewater in the knee outside the pocket and Lamarcus Joyner knocked the quarterback out with an elbow to the head while Bridgewater was sliding, Zimmer thought Fisher's team had crossed a line.

He made that point clear, both in postgame comments that hinted the teams would be fighting had they been in the streets and in a NFL Films clip that became wildly popular for Zimmer's profanity-laced rebuke of the referees after the Rams' hits. Zimmer's ire was directed more at defensive coordinator Gregg Williams than it was at Fisher, though, and the head coaches made up at the NFL owners meetings in March.

On Thursday night, Zimmer said, Fisher had some words of encouragement in the wake of Bridgewater's season-ending knee injury.
"I have gotten a lot of calls from a lot of people about what happened to Teddy, from other coaches," Zimmer said. "As a matter of fact, Jeff Fisher said a lot of nice things about it tonight."

So the two are good now?

"I wasn't really mad at him," Zimmer said. "I was mad at his team. Shoot -- I shouldn't have said that."

The title speaks for itself. I would like everyone's honest most judgmental opinions.

Based off of how you feel, not what you want or expect. What teams do you think will go the gusto?...

I am feeling odd so I will go with.... Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders....

Whether my predictions are incorrect or correct at least I get a feel of what the masses are feeling.

When I get too busy to post articles on here I will put them in this format because I love you guys and I feel bad when I get behind.

L.A. Rams 2016 season predictions: RB Todd Gurley
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/01/LA-Rams-2016-season-predictions-RB-Todd-Gurley
9/1/16 by: Jake Ellenbogen

Ten Takeaways from Preseason Week 4
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/01/Ten-Takeaways-from-Preseason-Week-4
9/1/16 by: Josh Hardin

Rams 53-man roster predictions: Final Cut & Week one depth chart
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...er-predictions-Final-Cut-Week-one-depth-chart
9/2/16 by: Jake Ellenbogen

The Final Cut: Rams Roster Cut Tracker
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2016/09/02/The-Final-Cut-Rams-Roster-Cut-Tracker
9/2/16 by: Jake Ellenbogen

Rams WR's Nelson Spruce and Mike Thomas expected to make 53-man roster
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...nd-Mike-Thomas-expected-to-make-53-man-roster
9/2/16 by: Jake Ellenbogen

Former Oregon CB Troy Hill expected to make Rams 53-man roster
http://www.downtownrams.com/single-...Troy-Hill-expected-to-make-Rams-53-man-roster
9/3/16 by: Jake Ellenbogen

Very special concert. I hadn't seen my best friend for 8 years and reconnected to go see Deftones at Mesa Amp united since 2000 same venue in the pouring rain on the White Pony album. Guess what? It fucking rained and poured! [GALLERY=media, 177]20160902_224034 by BatteringRambo posted Sep 3, 2016 at 12:17 AM[/GALLERY]

If this was already posted may the Mods quickly delete..

I was waiting for his post game interview to get released and just got home and watched it... The 21 year old 215 lbs skinny Cal kid is not one to make excuses... I feel for the young lad but not at all feeling sorry for him. Most of us still have faith in him.

He's a humbled prodigy rookie quarterback and on Sept 12th, 2016 it will his first time on a football team that he's never started in a game that actually meant something when final game clock hits 00:00.

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http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/5-nfl-teams-no-chance-to-make-the-playoffs-090216




The 5 teams that have no chance to make the NFL playoffs

By Brett Smiley @brettsmiley Sep 02, 2016 1:45p ET

As always, there’s always next year
For a much more hopeful projection of the teams that are locks to make the playoffs, check out my colleague Cameron DaSilva’s story here. It covers established teams with proven quarterbacks who can carry an offense. They’ve got leaders and playmakers on both sides of the football.

On the other hand, the arrow is not pointing down for all of the teams that appear below. But they’re all in challenging rebuild situations, face rough schedules, and for a variety of other seasons, won’t be playing January football this year. Photo: Darren McCollester
Chicago Bears
The selection of the Bears here is the most likely to end up on @FreezingColdTakes. But Chicago just has too many weaknesses as it continues to rebuild under general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox. The defense was devastatingly bad against the run last season (ranked dead last per Football Outsiders) and not much better against the pass. The Bears spent three draft picks to retool their secondary and acquired inside linebackers Danny Trevathan from Denver and Jerrell Freeman from Indianapolis to shore up the middle, so the defense should become less porous. But with Matt Forte gone, the rushing attack has a very inexperienced, unproven backfield.

The main impediment is the Bears’ division. Green Bay is the heavy favorite to claim the NFC North again, the Vikings will be competitive despite the loss of Teddy Bridgewater and the Detroit Lions have what looks like a .500 squad or better. The NFC West will produce one Wild Card team (Seahawks or Cardinals), leaving just one spot for the Bears to claim. Not this season. Photo: Stacy Revere
Tennessee Titans
They’re improving, no doubt, but head coach Mike Mularkey’s “exotic smashmouth” Titans offense is not going to solve the league this year. The AFC South is one of the most winnable divisions in football, but the Texans might have fixed their quarterback problem, the Colts have a healthy Andrew Luck and decided to build him an offensive line, and the Jaguars are ascending from the depths of misery. Tennessee also got a tough draw with four games against the AFC West and NFC North squads.

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has his work cut out for him with one of the league’s worst defenses(30th per Football Outsiders’ DVOA) that didn’t improve much in the offseason. Preseason is preseason, but in its first three contents, the first-team defense got burned for opening possession touchdowns by the Chargers (44 yard touchdown pass to Melvin Gordon, Panthers (61 yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn) and Raiders (7 yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Washington). Photo: Half Length/Frederick Breedon
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams will start Case Keenum and eventually rookie quarterback Jared Goff in a brutal division against the third most difficult strength of schedule behind an underwhelming offensive line. Todd Gurley can’t do everything. The perpetually 7-9 Jeff Fisher will be lucky to pick up another seven wins in the team's first season back in Los Angeles.

The defensive line is dominant with DT Aaron Donald and DE Robert Quinn, but the secondary lost two of its top two starters in the offseason with the departures of free safety Rodney McLeod and longball-prone playmaking cornerback Janoris Jenkins. The Rams will be competitive most weeks but simply don’t have enough horses to contend for the NFC West crown right now.
Cleveland Browns
The good news is that Cleveland amassed 14 draft picks and delivered an influx of youth into the organization. The bad news is that a very shaky pass defense lost its best defender, Pro Bowl free safety Tashaun Gipson, to the Jaguars after a season in which it allowed opposing passers a 101.8 rating (29th in league) and 8.2 yards per attempt (31st in league). Can new coach Hue Jackson successfully rebuild Robert Griffin III? It’s a tall task and looked like it might be impossible after RG3 absorbed five sacks in one half against the Bucs this preseason -- a combination of wobbly protection and holding the ball too long. With the Steelers and Bengals, the NFC North has two major contenders for the AFC title. At least the Browns no longer have to worry about Johnny Manziel’s whereabouts. Photo: Larry Brown / Larry Brown Sports / Yardbarker
San Francisco 49ers
The story of the entire preseason has not been about the quality of the 49ers’ play, rather, it has been quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s controversial decision to sit (and kneel) during the National Anthem in a continued protest of social inequality and police brutality against minorities. He may have earned his roster spot with a solid performance against the Chargers on Thursday night, but Blaine Gabbert will start and that’s not a good thing.

Chip Kelly has to turn around a team that struggled everywhere last season, has a shaky offensive line outside of left tackle Joe Staley, has no real receiving threat outside of Torrey Smith, and faces the league’s toughest strength of schedule. Kelly also has to get his players to buy in to his high-tempo offense that heavily taxes both offensive and defensive players. Eagles players, many of whom detested Kelly per an NJ.com report, were not sad to see him go. Photo: John Hefti



So let it be written.So let it be done.
Brett Smiley can suck a big fat one.

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Now this is a guy I'd like to see the Rams take a hard look at.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/09/02/nfl-team-team-pivotal-players

The 32 Pivotal Players for the 2016 Season
For each team, the season will hinge on one guy’s success more than any other. These are the players—some big stars, some new faces, some underappreciated contributors—who’s performance will make or break their club
by Andy Benoit

Los Angeles: Mark Barron, LB

One of pro football’s fastest-growing trends is the rise of three- and four-safety dime packages—replacing linebackers with box safeties. And there’s no greater beneficiary of this movement than the 6' 2", 213-pound Barron. The No. 7 pick in 2012 by the Buccaneers, Barron floundered for 21⁄2 years as a strong safety in a zone-based scheme before being traded to the Rams, who smartly recognized that he’s best on the attack, not reading and reacting.

So they made him a linebacker who would blitz and chase ballcarriers behind a penetrating defensive line. Barron has flourished. Yes, there can be problems when a 310-pound run blocker gets his hands on him. But with the NFL presenting an increasingly space-oriented game, those sorts of matchups are more rare. Barron also provides flexibility with coverages because his experience at safety helps him to better guard tight ends.

Maybe?

Anyway, here are all of his throws from last night. You be the judge, but I saw two poorly thrown balls and FOUR DROPS. Yes, the fumble was his fault but the INT came on a great play by the D and a retarded ass play call. I still think he should start Monday night.

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Another stream of consciousness thing...

First, the negatives.

I'll start with Goff. What happened to that "most Pro ready" QB? The one that bravely insisted on doing his Ram private workout in a downpour? That amazed coaches and scouts on the chalkboard? That processed with speed in college? That had such accuracy and touch? Damn! Get this imposter outta here, and go get that other kid back.

Seriously? Goff seems to be regressing. He's overwhelmed too often. He definitely isn't reminding anybody of Joe Montana lately. Something is very wrong here. Goff has demonstrated in college the ability to excel at the highest levels. But now he can only occasionally flash, while mostly flailing. I'm concerned about his self confidence at this point.

Given Fisher's track record of developing QB's, I'm worried. Whatever the amalgamation of Fisher, Boras, Groh, and Weinke have concluded, it ain't working. Not NEARLY as well as was expected by virtually everyone. At least not yet. My worst fears are being realized regarding Goff's development. And all this on the heels of the Foles implosion. Shudder...

Lest we blame all of Goff's struggles on the coaching staff, let's remember that both Keenum and Mannion have greatly exceeded expectations this year. Unless we give all the credit to them for self development, don't we have to give the coaches some credit here?

I didn't focus on OL play, but I did notice that backup OT's Williams and Battle had terrible snaps when I did have my eye on them. Is it that Battle is not yet fully healthy? Both seem likely goners after last night. Pace Murphy threw a nice block that I noticed.

Duke Williams had a nightmare game.

Quick is so done as far as I'm concerned. No sympathy in my heart left for him anymore.

Even Higbee disappointed. Maybe this "drops thing" is contagious?

Still underwhelmed by our backup LB's after 4 games. Is Snead looking for a LB on the waiver wire? Might be, at that.


Now for a few bright spots.

Mannion is looking more and more like our #2 for next year. Heck, until Goff gets his feet on the ground, it seems that he's our #2 THIS year.

I don't remember ever seeing a RB corp so deep. Ever. How can they cut Green? And McGee is gonna be on somebody's roster this year. C Reynolds has gotta be released in favor of Green, don't you think?

Mike Thomas made some plays last night both as a receiver and on ST as a returner and gunner. Maybe he sticks, after all?

Good to see Hav get some snaps, but is he gonna be ready for opening day? I'm very comfortable with GRob and Saffold at OT's until Hav is 100%.

Just an aside, but how the heck can a coaching staff that has RB's and DL players coming out their ears have so much trouble stocking this team with WR's? Just amazing. Feast or famine, position wise.

Fox really showed up last night, huh? Hope he can make it to the PS.

Fassel has some work to do, that's for sure. Hope he gets on top of it now that he can finalize his various ST groups and no longer needs to look at everybody. Last night was a ST comedy of errors, wasn't it? Three Viking scores resulted from ST fubars.


Final word about the preseason. When the projected starters were in, the Rams looked more than okay. Including against the SB champ Broncos. The coaches gave lots of snaps to all the backups in order to try to find a gem or two. And they certainly had success with that philosophy.

I suspect that there will be some Boras/Groh passing wrinkles that will pleasantly surprise us come opening day.

And I have a feeling that our D is gonna be better than last year. And that our front 7 will be absolutely beastly.

Where did I go wrong? Or what did I miss?

Case Keenuim is starter; Jared Goff appears to be third option

By Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News

[www.dailynews.com]

MINNEAPOLIS >> Words you never thought you’d string together in the same sentence one month ago: Take a seat, Jared Goff, here’s hoping we don’t see you start another game the rest of the 2016 season.

Sounds harsh, right?

Almost inexplicable considering the spot in the draft Goff was taken and the price the Rams paid to acquire it.

It’s not often a team pulls aside the first overall pick at the end of the last exhibition game and tells him they’d rather not see him play again this year.

But then, why would the Rams really want Goff to play significant snaps over the next four months when doing so means two bad things happening? Losing too many games or starter Case Keenum suffering an injury. Especially after the wobbly performance Goff delivered Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings.

With a chance to take a decisive step forward and ease some concerns and maybe even close the gap on Keenum, he took two major steps backward with a forgettable and regrettable showing that raises some legitimate concerns he might not be ready to take the field at all this year.

Forget the starting job, at this point Goff might not even be the best option as the primary back up. Sean Mannion seems to be in line to get that job.

“If we were starting right now, I’d probably have Sean be the No. 2,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said, dropping a bit of a bombshell.

Goff seemed taken aback upon hearing that, but stressed he’s going to focus on getting better regardless where his name falls on the depth chart.

“I feel like I’ve made big strides and I’m on the way to being where I want to be,” he said.

Perhaps.

But that finish line seems a lot further away now that anyone could have imagined.

Who would have figured that would be the case when the Rams gathered in Irvine a month ago?

Hard to believe, but the way Keenum has played during training camp and, frankly, the way Goff hasn’t, only a worst-case scenario puts Goff and the field this year. That’s a situation the Rams not only want no part of, it’s something they simply can’t afford. Not in Los Angeles, St. Louis or anywhere else they could have called home.

The Rams need to win and Keenum gives them the best chance to do that.

They need to finally pull away from the 7-9 mediocrity they’ve been mired in the last few years and it’s Keenum, not Goff, the most capable of making that happen.

“It’s going to take time,” Fisher said of the process to get Goff ready to play significant snaps.

That might be hard to swallow for some.

A couple months ago you’d have gotten a few angry looks and some choice words for even suggesting such a thing.

L.A. beamed when the Rams moved up to the first overall pick to land the franchise quarterback that’s eluded them for more than a decade. They aren’t great at every position across the board, but they’re elite in some areas and more than enough capable in others. Put a better quarterback on the field and it changes everything.

Goff, it was assumed, would add to the Rams mix the very thing they’ve been missing.

Two things most of us missed: How far Goff really has to go to be a reliable NFL quarterback, and how hungry and determined Keenum was to fend off the rookie and hold onto the job he took control of over the last four games of last season.

Give Keenum credit, he won the job hands down. If he keeps it up, the Rams have a chance to turn the corner.

As for Goff, there’s no way you could have watched Thursday’s exhibition finale against the Vikings and walked away convinced he’s even remotely ready to take the field.

That’s as disappointing as it is obvious.

Making his first start of the exhibition season, Goff helped lead the Rams on a seven-play 62-yard touchdown drive to open the game, but it quickly deteriorated into a bunch of misfired passes and turnovers, culminating in a disastrous close to the first half in which he mishandled a perfectly delivered shot-gun snap from center to set the Vikings up at the Rams’ 7-yard line, then threw an interception on the next play to gift wrap the Vikings the ball at the Rams 28.

The Vikings thanked Goff by tacking on 10 points in just less than a minute to take a 13-7 lead into intermission.

Goff’s final line: 6 of 16 passing for 67 yards, one touchdown, a fumble, interception and a 45.6 QB rating.

It was every bit as bad as those stats suggest and it continued a disturbing trend of uneven play by Goff during training camp and the preseason.

“I was happy with how we started,” Goff said. “Obviously you want to finish the half better.”

You can argue some of the struggles were they result of playing alongside mostly back-ups and fringe roster players, this being the last preseason game and teams putting all their starters and key players in bubble wrap ahead of their season openers.

But that’s a two way street, isn’t it? He also was playing against a bunch of back-ups and fringe players.

The caliber of supporting cast and opponent had nothing to do with the passes that sailed high and wide past open receivers or dropping a snap that hit him square in the hands.

“I just took brought my eyes up, you can’t do it,” he said.

And it had very little to do with the poor throw he made on the subsequent screen pass, only for it to get tipped into the air by defensive end Justin Trattou and into the hands of defensive tackle Tom Johnson for an easy interception.

That was all on Goff.

From the get go, the Rams preached patience with their rookie quarterback. At this point that’s no longer even a decision.

The Rams have no choice anymore than to wait.

And it looks like it might be longer than anyone imagined.

Article provides grades for rookie QBs drafted in the 4th round and earlier.
************************************************************************************************************
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...t-paxton-lynch-grade-highest-among-rookie-qbs

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

Drafted: Round 1, No. 1 overall.

Preseason analysis: Goff has been very average in the preseason. He's been at his best on quick-rhythm throws that allow him to predetermine where to go with the ball and get it out of his hand rapidly. He hasn't looked comfortable working deep into progressions, and he's had issues protecting the ball (in three games, he's thrown one pick and fumbled twice). In Goff's defense, the pass catchers he's throwing to have let him down in each game he's played. It's tough to get into a groove when you have so many dropped balls. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: He needs a lot of reps to gain more confidence and poise inside the pocket. He also will benefit from simply getting physically stronger. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Goff has some room on his frame to add more weight and strength.

Expectations for rookie season: Goff didn't look like he was ready to start Week 1, but I imagine we will see him take over the position around midseason. I just can't see Case Keenum playing at a consistently high enough level to maintain his grip on the position.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

Drafted: Round 1, No. 2 overall.

Preseason analysis: We didn't get to see a lot of Wentz, who has been out since suffering a hairline rib fracture in the Eagles' preseason opener. But there were a lot of positives aspects of his play. Wentz showed excellent arm strength to drive the ball, and he uses his athleticism to extend plays. He was also very effective in the zone-read opportunities he was given. He did have several balls sail on him, although most were still catchable. GRADE: B

Areas for improvement: Accuracy -- especially when he's under duress -- is still an area in which he can improve. Wentz also needs to do a better job of protecting himself both in the pocket and on the move. He took some huge shots from Tampa defenders, one of which resulted in his injury.

Expectations for rookie season: I think the Eagles would love to have Wentz sit behind Sam Bradfordfor the entire season. If Bradford stays healthy, I believe this will be a redshirt year for Wentz. However, if he's forced to play, I believe he could handle it. He's mentally tough enough to survive the up-and-down moments that will come early in his development.

Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos

Drafted: Round 1, No. 26 overall.

Preseason analysis: Lynch was much further ahead than I anticipated during the preseason. His footwork was very crisp, considering the adjustment he's making from the offense he was in at Memphis. He displayed a huge arm and showed the ability to create with his legs. He is much more comfortable working on the edges as opposed to attacking the middle of the field. Lynch's touch and ball placement were a little spotty in the third week of the preseason. GRADE: B+

Areas for improvement: Lynch (six sacks in three games) still needs to improve his pocket awareness. He bailed early a couple of times, and he held the ball too long on occasion. He will get more comfortable in this area with more reps and game experience.

Expectations for rookie season: I know he's still pretty raw, but again, Lynch is much further along than I anticipated. His skillset is on another level than current Broncos starter Trevor Siemian. I believe he will take over the positon around the middle of the season.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Drafted: Round 4, No. 135 overall.

Preseason analysis: Prescott put on a show in the preseason, completing 39 of 50 passes (78 percent) for 454 yards, five touchdowns, zero picks and a passer rating of 137.8. I can't recall ever seeing a rookie signal caller perform better than he did this August. Prescott showed tremendous poise, accuracy, velocity and playmaking skills. He completed several beautiful touch throws down the field, as well as small-window drive throws at the intermediate level. He wasn't especially anxious to uses his legs to create plays, but when the opportunity presented itself, he took full advantage. GRADE: A+

Areas for improvement: Prescott has improved his throwing mechanics dramatically since last fall, but there are still some issues that pop up at times. He has a tendency to lock out his front leg, and that can affect his ball placement. However, that is something that can be easily fixed.

Expectations for rookie season: Due to the back injury that will keep Tony Romo out for a significant length of time, Prescott is set to begin the season as the Cowboys' starter. I believe he will perform well during Romo's absence. He's playing behind the best offensive line in the league, and he has tons of talent at the skill positions (receiver Dez Bryant, running back Ezekiel Elliott, tight end Jason Witten). He won't have the same success he enjoyed in the preseason, but I believe Prescott can be efficient and productive. Look for the Cowboys to use him more in the run game than they did in the preseason.

Cardale Jones, Buffalo Bills

Drafted: Round 4, No. 139 overall.

Preseason analysis: Jones flashed some big-time tools in the preseason (he posted 7.4 yards per throw and 5.3 yards per rush in two games, plus 8.5 yards per run and a 93.8 passer rating in the preseason opener), but he was also very inconsistent. He has outstanding arm strength to drive the ball down the field and he throws well on the move. His decision-making and accuracy are still a concern. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: Jones should see better results once he cleans up some of his footwork issues. He needs to be more crisp and deliberate in his setup. And, again, his decision-making needs to be improved.

Expectations for rookie season: Jones won't see the field this fall, but he does have the tools to eventually develop into an NFL starter down the line.

Christian Hackenberg, New York Jets

Drafted: Round 2, No. 51 overall.

Preseason analysis: Hackenberg didn't play in the first two preseason games, but he did show some positive traits in Week 3 action. He has prototypical size and arm strength and he led a nearly flawless touchdown drive. However, after that drive, his lack of poise and inconsistent ball placement were concerning. He can really lock on his first read and get mentally stuck when that throw isn't available. GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Overall, touch and accuracy are the biggest areas that needs to be improved on.

Expectations for rookie season: Hackenberg won't see the field this season, and he remains a long-term project at the position.

Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns

Drafted: Round 3, No. 93 overall.

Preseason analysis: Kessler didn't see a lot of action in the preseason, attempting just 11 passes in three games. He had one nice back-shoulder throw and a couple of accurate quick passes, but he didn't look very comfortable in the pocket. He took two safeties in the first game (including one especially embarrassing gaffe) and he held the ball too long in each game viewed (four sacks in three games). GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Kessler's feet are too busy in the pocket, and he needs to be more decisive. His deep-ball accuracy is another area that needs to be improved.

Expectations for rookie season: Kessler shouldn't see any action this season. In my opinion, he looks like a long-term backup quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots

Drafted: Round 3, No. 91 overall.

Preseason analysis: Brissett struggled in the first contest, completing 53.8 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 67.1. He made poor decisions and his ball placement was inconsistent at best. But he got better each week, flashing the ability to read the entire field in the Carolina game in Week 3 (completing all nine throws for 85 yards, a score and a passer rating of 143.1). He has enough arm to make all of the throws. GRADE: C+

Areas for improvement: His touch underneath and down the field needs improvement. Brissett is actually most comfortable on the intermediate throws. Decision-making is another area where he needs to continue to improve.

Expectations for rookie season: It looks like he will be the primary backup while Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension. It would be best for him and the Patriots if he doesn't see the field this season.

Connor Cook, Oakland Raiders

Drafted: Round 4, No. 100 overall.

Preseason analysis: Cook has ideal size (6-4, 217 pounds), a quick release and plenty of arm talent. He showed the ability to throw with touch at times, but his deep-ball accuracy was spotty. He flashed the athleticism to extend plays. The biggest issue was his tendency to force the ball into high-traffic areas, which resulted in two interceptions. GRADE: C

Areas for improvement: Field vision and decision-making are the two areas in which Cook needs to improve. He has all of the physical tools and the upside to be an NFL starting quarterback.

Expectations for rookie season: He won't see the field this fall.

Rams Notes: Roster cuts will begin immediately

By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

[www.ocregister.com]

MINNEAPOLIS – Soon after the game ended, nervous time commenced.

The Rams’ preseason finale, Thursday at Minnesota, provided a final opportunity for players on the roster bubble to prove themselves. By Saturday afternoon, the Rams must cut 22 of their 75 players and get down to the NFL-mandated maximum of 53. It won’t take that long, though.

The Rams’ coaches and management members plan to convene Friday morning and begin the process of telling players that they won’t be on the roster for the Sept. 12 season opener at San Francisco. There’s still hope, because starting Sunday, NFL teams can sign 10 players to a practice squad.

“They’re not easy,” Coach Jeff Fisher said of the cuts. “I’ve been doing them for a long time and I do each and every one personally. I’ve always done that. You tell them the truth and you stand behind that.”

Most often, though, the truth is evident on the field.

The Rams on Thursday started running back Aaron Green, an undrafted running back who looked solid in the preseason opener, then got hurt. They also started fifth-year receiver Brian Quick, who has struggled with dropped passes throughout training camp.

Green gained only 10 yards on his first five carries, and dropped a screen pass. Quick dropped the first ball throw to him, by rookie quarterback Jared Goff.

Defensive fringe players took better advantage. Reserve defensive linemen Morgan Fox and Ethan Westbrooks recorded first-half sacks and lineman Matt Longacre was disruptive, as he has been throughout the preseason.

The Rams, at least those secured of a roster spot, now will get a chance to unwind at home.

After six weeks of training camp at UC Irvine, players can return to their families and homes – most of which are in Ventura County – and slowly start building until the season opener.

The Rams will be off Friday, Saturday and Sunday, then practice Monday and Tuesday.

“That’s going to give us a chance to hang pictures,” Fisher said. “We just have to unload boxes and get ready. All the (information technology) and the video and everything has to be set up and running so the coaches can get going. We have a lot of work to do over the next couple of days, but I’d say by the middle part of the week, we should be ready to go, we shouldn’t have any glitches at all.”

NEW DIGS

The Rams likely got a glimpse of their future when they played in the Vikings’ new U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened last month and on Thursday hosted its second preseason football game.

The Rams’ stadium in Inglewood, set to open in 2019, will be designed by Dallas-based HKS Architects, the company that designed the Minneapolis stadium plus recently opened venues in Arlington, Texas, and Indianapolis.

Minnesota’s stadium has a roof covered by transparent glass-like panels, and large doors beyond one end zone that allow in fresh air and natural light. The Rams expect to incorporate similar doors and roof panels, although unlike in Minnesota, the roof won’t need to be slanted to prevent snow accumulation.

The Minnesota stadium cost $1.13 billion. The Rams’ project, which totals 300 acres, has risen to an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.

GO RAMS!!!!!

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000694353/article/jared-goff-faceplants-in-preseason-finale

Jared Goff faceplants in preseason finale
By Chris Wesseling
Around the NFL Writer

Brace yourselves for Case Keenum versus Blaine Gabbert when the Los Angeles Rams open the season on Monday Night Football.

If Jared Goff had even a slim chance of overtaking Keenum for the Week 1 quarterback job, Thursday night's performance in the preseason finale slammed the door shut.

The draft's No. 1 overall pick authored an encouraging opening touchdown drive, highlighted by a 30-yard, read-option pass to Bradley Marquez. The wheels fell off thereafter.


Goff's next five third-down opportunities resulted in three consecutive overthrows, a bail-out throw short of the first-down marker and a muffed shotgun snap inside the Rams' 10-yard line. His next throw after the lost fumble was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted.

Operating almost exclusively out of the shotgun, Goff struggled with the follow through on his mechanics, showed errant ball placement and got rattled by pressure.

After going 3-of-4 for 53 yards on the opening drive, he was a disturbing 3-of-12 for 14 yards with two turnovers on the final seven first-half possessions.

The Rams' quarterback of the future finished his first preseason 22 of 49 (44.9 percent) for 232 yards (4.73 yards per attempt), two touchdowns, two interceptions, three fumbles and a 55.8 passer rating.

Perhaps most telling, Goff has shown little awareness -- struggling with snaps, taking too many hits and failing to process at NFL speeds.

August quarterback assessments are notoriously difficult. A seemingly overmatched Cam Newton posted similar numbers to Goff in his first preseason, only to break the rookie record for passing yards in his regular-season debut.

While it's premature to downgrade Goff's career outlook, Rams fans have to be disappointed that he's headed for a redshirt rookie season rather than delivering the same brand of promise that Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota provided in Tampa and Nashville last year.
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This 3 steps backwards crap my ROD friends has me upset and sick towards the offensive coaches (Weinke/Boras) and the way they have handled him from the beginning of OTA's. JG is not blameless but for crying out loud.......

Know your damn Prodigy when you have invested so much to get him. From this day forward Its about the Rams and JG is put on the back burner until 2017. I have not lost faith in him but I have officially lost hope in the coaches that were accountable for getting him prepared and coached up to look at least like a 2nd string quarterback.

Again this has me quite sad and sick for the young fellow....

Dude is probably just putting tape out there, since the DL position is ridiculously crowded, but man what a game he had.

Also thought Ayers brought it, and was asking my friend "where the F was that intensity in previous weeks?"