Evaluations and observations from Rams-Chiefs

[Pupped]

Just circling back on Connors.. he's bigger and more explosive than Hunter and seems more fluid. It's backups, but he looks like more of a complete back. Am I missing something?

Between him, Hunter and Rivers.. right now I like him.

 

[So Ram]

Just circling back on Connors.. he's bigger and more explosive than Hunter and seems more fluid. It's backups, but he looks like more of a complete back. Am I missing something?

Between him, Hunter and Rivers.. right now I like him.

Waters looked like the Best RB yesterday.
What Connor’s showed was his ability to catch out of the backfield. That said imo Kyren Williams (The Rams RB group) will have more receivering yards than years past with Mike Lafleur.

 

[den-the-coach]

Between him, Hunter and Rivers.. right now I like him.

It appears that the only person that likes the Little River Band is Sean McVay, AKA, Reliable Ronnie.

 

[Pupped]

It appears that the only person that likes the Little River Band is Sean McVay, AKA, Reliable Ronnie.

Reliability is very important.. knowing schemes and being able to pick up blitzes, esp.
But if Connors is a quick study on that stuff.. the actual RB skills parts.. running and catching.. seem to lean toward Connors. But those reliabilty traits are huge.

 

[Pupped]

Separate note from last night...

I was dead set that Xavier Smith should never return a punt for the Rams again. I'm just too traumatized.

But, after seeing him play again.. but, most importantly, hearing Rob Havenstein and Jourdan just rave about him as a person and worker... I guess I have to be more open-minded. He's, obviously, the only guy on the squad who can return punts in a truly explosive way.. and is absolutely a functional WR now.

 

[PhillyRam]

Reliability is very important.. knowing schemes and being able to pick up blitzes, esp.
But if Connors is a quick study on that stuff.. the actual RB skills parts.. running and catching.. seem to lean toward Connors. But those reliabilty traits are huge.

And special teams will be huge for that 3rd or 4th RB spot

 

[den-the-coach]

On the screen pass both Ty Simpson & Dean Connors at the press conference gave shoutouts to the offensive linemen on that play, both #64 Austin Blaske & #63 Dylan McMahon made great blocks. For all of those, who want to talk up Willie Lampkin, remember, Rams poached Dylan McMahon from the Eagles practice squad. Besides a few errant snaps, I though McMahon had a good game at center plus was communicating very well with all the changes along the front.

Austin Blaske, who does have experience at LT, played the whole game and held up well. Besides the pressure on Bennett on the 3rd & goal play early, Blaske held up well and the offensive line as a whole with Bill Murray & Blake Hance did very well.

Also I have been very critical of Beaux Limmer ever since the whiff in Philadelphia, but today at RG, Limmer played his best game in years, so here is hope, Beaux in on the road to recovery.

 

[PARAM]

Reliability is very important.. knowing schemes and being able to pick up blitzes, esp.
But if Connors is a quick study on that stuff.. the actual RB skills parts.. running and catching.. seem to lean toward Connors. But those reliabilty traits are huge.

Conners picked up a blitz yesterday. He also chipped the DE going left. We didn't see Simpson leveled like Dart was, which happened because a 3rd year RB let the guy through untouched.

 

[den-the-coach]

Separate note from last night...

I was dead set that Xavier Smith should never return a punt for the Rams again. I'm just too traumatized.

But, after seeing him play again.. but, most importantly, hearing Rob Havenstein and Jourdan just rave about him as a person and worker... I guess I have to be more open-minded. He's, obviously, the only guy on the squad who can return punts in a truly explosive way.. and is absolutely a functional WR now.

Smith was my under the radar player because everyone was so down on him. Wish I could have listened to the Rodrigue & Havenstein analyses because the Chief announcers (NFL Network) did not make it easy. Trent Green was fine, but the play by play guy, did not do his homework and mispronounced some of the names especially Dan Villari at the end of the game.

 

[den-the-coach]

Conners picked up a blitz yesterday. He also chipped the DE going left. We didn't see Simpson leveled like Dart was, which happened because a 3rd year RB let the guy through untouched.

Yeah I saw that Tyrone Tracy threw the lookout block that almost ended Dart's season before it got started.

 

[majrleaged]

On the screen pass both Ty Simpson & Dean Connors at the press conference gave shoutouts to the offensive linemen on that play, both #64 Austin Blaske & #63 Dylan McMahon made great blocks. For all of those, who want to talk up Willie Lampkin, remember, Rams poached Dylan McMahon from the Eagles practice squad. Besides a few errant snaps, I though McMahon had a good game at center plus was communicating very well with all the changes along the front.

Austin Blaske, who does have experience at LT, played the whole game and held up well. Besides the pressure on Bennett on the 3rd & goal play early, Blaske held up well and the offensive line as a whole with Bill Murray & Blake Hance did very well.

Also I have been very critical of Beaux Limmer ever since the whiff in Philadelphia, but today at RG, Limmer played his best game in years, so here is hope, Beaux in on the road to recovery.

Everyone makes mistakes. Limmer has some skills. He obviously can't come close to doing what the Rams require at center but he could be a beast at guard.

 

[fearsomefour]

Preseason is for over reactions....its all part of the fun.
The truth is there are only a handful of spots up for grabs this offseason.
A player like Conners is in a tough spot.
By not playing Rivers, McVay and has picked his top three backs. Conners is competing with a RB the Rams used a pick on. That doesn't guarantee the Rams will keep Hunter over Conners but it makes it tougher.
Stetson is the back up for now.
I don't know how long he can hold off Simpson but I think it is pretty clear Stetson will likely start the year as the 2.
As for Simpson, he looks the part for sure.
His arm is live and he moves well. Good technique and he went through progressions a couple of times very nicely.
But, no blitzing....an agreement between coaches I'm sure as neither team blitzed at all.
So, it was a fantastic start for Simpson and he looked good.
But, it will be a process for him.
I think the Rams are keeping 5 WRs I think. Smith and Daniels likely rounding out the five.
Redmon is a good TE and will likely be poached (along with Presley at WR) from the PS.
Keir Thomas is a player I really like and has been a tough luck player.
He seems to always flash a bit when he is in there.
If he lands on the PS again I imagine he won't last long there. Id still like to see him at the 5th Edge....although, the new undrafted kid stacked a handful of pressures and looked really, really good.
That game was a rare thing for a week 1 pre season game....it was entertaining and penalty wise, pretty clean for the Rams.
Good start to 2026!!

 

[den-the-coach]

Everyone makes mistakes. Limmer has some skills. He obviously can't come close to doing what the Rams require at center but he could be a beast at guard.

The reason some scouts said that Limmer lasted so long in the draft was, his inability to play guard. Hopefully, in his 3rd year, he is trending in the right direction.

 

[fearsomefour]

THEY (Snead and McVay) saw it. McShay and Orlovsky saw it. The Quarterback guys KNOW what to look for in Quarterbacks.

And you're correct, many of us are simply unaware of the nuances the real professionals look for.

Snead pulled the same thing when he took Goff over Wentz in 2016. The majority of us I feel (me included) preferred Wentz, pre-Draft. We look for "wow," they look for "subtle."

"He read well with his feet...."
McVay post game about Simpson.
So, yeah, its technique heavy and changing technique is hard with the lower body......and throwing all starts with the lower body. Changing a actual throwing motion with the arm is very, very difficult. Simpson also seems to have a quick release and is pretty compact.

 

[fearsomefour]

The reason some scouts said that Limmer lasted so long in the draft was, his inability to play guard. Hopefully, in his 3rd year, he is trending in the right direction.

He played well yesterday, for what its worth.
Limmer and pass blocking is the thing. If he can get solid there is can be a good player.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Yeah I saw that Tyrone Tracy threw the lookout block that almost ended Dart's season before it got started.

Did not even slow the DB down. It was well-timed, and the DB had a full head of steam.

Watched the game on replay this morning; and, about 5 plays before that one, the Giants had a 3rd and five. Tracy was held in the backfield for blitz pick-up and a Linebacker came on an inside blitz.

Confined space but Tracy barely made contact and the blitzer pressured Dart but he completed a short pass for a 1st down. Knowing what was to come, I thought ... Yikes! ... That's a terrible attempt at pass blocking.

 

[majrleaged]

The reason some scouts said that Limmer lasted so long in the draft was, his inability to play guard. Hopefully, in his 3rd year, he is trending in the right direction.

The Rams show patience when they see potential. They also no how to coach up a player.

 

[Pupped]

Smith was my under the radar player because everyone was so down on him. Wish I could have listened to the Rodrigue & Havenstein analyses because the Chief announcers (NFL Network) did not make it easy. Trent Green was fine, but the play by play guy, did not do his homework and mispronounced some of the names especially Dan Villari at the end of the game.

They were effusive about him as a person.. "made of the right stuff" and puts all the work in and is a conscientious teammate. Hav didn't seem to have any beef with him at all.. it was one play.

 

[Pupped]

The reason some scouts said that Limmer lasted so long in the draft was, his inability to play guard. Hopefully, in his 3rd year, he is trending in the right direction.

He's an interesting prospect.. don't know if it was simple schemes.. if he's, forgive me, a little slow thinking.. but, what we do know is he may be the best athlete the Rams have in their Oline room. If he figures it out, he could be the replacement for Avila or at least compete for it.

 

[den-the-coach]

They were effusive about him as a person.. "made of the right stuff" and puts all the work in and is a conscientious teammate. Hav didn't seem to have any beef with him at all.. it was one play.

Rob Havenstein is amazing, I remember reading or listening to someone who met his parents early in Havenstein's career and how awesome his parents were. Loved watching the Rams run behind him, hopefully, Warren McClendon is ready to continue to carry that torch foward.