1 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, welcome to Between the Horns. I'm Miles Simmons 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: joined by JB Long, Voice of the Rams. It is Thursday, 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: April twelfth, is about eleven am Pacific time here in 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: Los Angeles and JB. We got a lot to cover 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: actually in the last few days. You know, the preseason 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: schedule has been released. But going back a week, the 7 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: Rams made a pretty interesting trade, getting that first round 8 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: pick out of here into the New England Patriots in 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,880 Speaker 1: exchange for Brandon Cooks. What was your reaction to that? Well, 10 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: I love Brandon Cooks as a collegian, and it was 11 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: very apparent that Sean McVay loved him as a professional, 12 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: and this was not their first go at getting a 13 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 1: player of his caliber in the receiving corps. It wasn't 14 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:49,920 Speaker 1: I don't think a primary need for Los Angeles on 15 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 1: the football field until the trade materialized, and I think 16 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: he realized how important it was for McVeigh to continue 17 00:00:55,960 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 1: to bolster his offensive arsenal, even though this offseason would 18 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: say has been focused primarily on defense and bringing that 19 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: up to the championship caliber that the offense has already 20 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: proven capable of. I like that Cooks is motivated. I 21 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: like that the peers and the people around Cooks have 22 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,760 Speaker 1: spoken well of him, especially his work ethic, his consistency, 23 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: and practice. He's capable in terms of his production, although 24 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: I do think you have to take his production with 25 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: the understanding that he's played with two Hall of Fame 26 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: quarterbacks and two really great offenses. That's going to be 27 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: the case again here in Los Angeles. I can't call 28 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,759 Speaker 1: Jared Golf a Hall of Famer yet, but I think 29 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 1: he's another great quarterback, and certainly the system that Cooks 30 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:43,320 Speaker 1: steps into is a very very good one. And I 31 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: wonder with Brandon coming a little bit about the terminology 32 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: the number one wide receiver right like, because I think 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: it was perceived that Los Angeles lost their number one 34 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: in Sammy Watkins, and how interested were they in replacing 35 00:01:57,360 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 1: him with another true number one, whether it was OBJ 36 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: or someone different. This is no knock on on Brandon. 37 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: I don't think he has thought of or is going 38 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 1: to be expected to be the number one receiver in 39 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 1: Los Angeles, because I don't think that's how it sets up. 40 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: I think he creates a lot of the space and 41 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: poses a lot of the same threats that Sammy Watkins did, 42 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 1: but Robert Woods played like a number one receiver. It 43 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 1: really did in every phase. And we all think that 44 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: Cooper Cup was the steal of the draft and is 45 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: going to make vast improvements from his rookie to his 46 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 1: sophomore year. So I think that plays into mcveigh's favor. 47 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: I think that plays into Jared goss favor. When you 48 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: have an MVP at running back and then you have 49 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:47,000 Speaker 1: three receivers who can attack you in complimentary ways, right right, Yeah, 50 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: I think it fits together nicely. It really does. But 51 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 1: it's it's the system, right, and you know you get 52 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: Brandon Cook's coming in essentially to replace Sammy Watkins. What 53 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: both McVeigh and I talked to you Eric Yarbor wide 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: receiver's code last week and they both said, look, this 55 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 1: is guy is going to be the ex receiver. So 56 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: they're talking about the ex receiver for you guys at home, 57 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 1: that that's the three by one sets. You know that 58 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 1: the Rams run a lot of that would be the 59 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 1: one isolated receiver and that's a lot of what Sammy 60 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 1: Watkins did. And you know, McVeigh has talked a lot 61 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: about how Watkins would dictate and determine coverages because of 62 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 1: his speed and his explosive nature. Well, you've got a 63 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 1: guy in Brandon Cooks, who I mean since his time 64 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: at Oregon State, which almost forgot that you probably saw 65 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: a lot of you know, this is a guy that 66 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: has been a very speedy, very fast receiver. He is 67 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: that downfield kind of threat. And now I think putting 68 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: him with Robert Woods, with Cooper Cup, you have this 69 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: sort of three headed monster where one game it could 70 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: be Brandon Cooks, the next game it could be Robert Woods, 71 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: the next it's Cooper Cup, and a lot of it 72 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: is probably going to be determined by whatever opponent is 73 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,440 Speaker 1: going to what the opponent is going to try to 74 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: take away, and then what you're going to try to 75 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: attack in terms of weakness in terms of that opponent, 76 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: he checks a lot of boxes. There are a few 77 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 1: things that are still on my mind in terms of 78 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: training camp, in preseason and early in the regular season. 79 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: How are the Rams going to compensate in the red zone. 80 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: He's an underside receiver relative to Sammy Watkins, who produced 81 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: eight touchdowns and was outside of Todd Gurley, the primary 82 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: red zone threat in this offense a year ago. I 83 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: think Brandon can play behind defenses, he can play around defenses, 84 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: he can play through defenses. I'm not sure he's going 85 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: to play above defenses. And I still think there's the 86 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: opportunity for that to be layered into the Rams offense 87 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen, whether it's from someone like Josh Reynolds, 88 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 1: whether it's from one of their three young tight ends emerging. 89 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:46,679 Speaker 1: Where are you going to get that red zone production 90 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: and where are you going to put pressure on defenses 91 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 1: not vertically down the field, but vertically in the air. Yes, 92 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: And that's one thing that I think the Rams are 93 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: still going to have to figure out. I mean, you 94 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: mentioned Josh Reynolds got six foot three, who is that 95 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: frame pretty well when he is out there. But Gerald Everett, 96 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,160 Speaker 1: I think has got to be a guy that steps 97 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: up and kind of takes that role. I mean, obviously 98 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: last year you think about when he came in and 99 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: what the conversation was, It's, oh, this guy is probably 100 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: the Jordan Read of this offense. You know, Jordan Read 101 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: being the tight end in Washington that McVeagh utilized so well. 102 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 1: And so it's now all right, you're going into year 103 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,120 Speaker 1: two tight end Obviously one of the most difficult positions 104 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 1: to adjust to going from college to the NFL. How 105 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: can Gerald Everett become that kind of player? If he's 106 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 1: able to, then that really I think gives the Rams 107 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: that red zone threat. The other part about the trade 108 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: that I know intrigues all of us is how do 109 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 1: you handle having another top tier receiver who's going to 110 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 1: command compensation only have one year of contractual control less. 111 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 1: And yes, we know that the franchise tag could be 112 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: an option, but there are plenty of other candidates on 113 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: the Rams roster who might be in line to demand 114 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: that as well. So it creates a similar situation, albeit 115 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: back in time compared to where the Rams were at 116 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: the end of training camp with Sammy Watkins last year. 117 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: But there's a few things that I find fascinating. One, 118 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: the communication and the thought process and the lockstep between 119 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: the coaching staff and the front office right now seems 120 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 1: to be as good as you'll find in the NFL. 121 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 1: I agree with the point where McVeigh expressed an interest 122 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: in a very clear vision about why he wanted a 123 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: player and here are the reasons why. And the front 124 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 1: office is one willing to part with their draft capital 125 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 1: to make that work, and then you shout out to 126 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: someone like Tony Pasteur's who I think deserves a lot 127 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 1: of credit this offseason for making the dollars in the 128 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: sense work not just for this season, but for many 129 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 1: seasons beyond, so that the puzzle continues to fit together. 130 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: The other thing is, it seems to me I'm not 131 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: getting this from anywhere. This is just my own conclusion. 132 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: The Rams are potentially exploiting a little bit of a 133 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: market inefficiency right now, which is they will part with 134 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: draft pieces in this future year, whatever year that is, 135 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: and roll the dice on things working out in the 136 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:05,559 Speaker 1: intermediate in the long term with their roster pieces such 137 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: that if they sign them, if they franchise them, great, 138 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: you can move forward. If you lose them, as you 139 00:07:10,760 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: do with someone like Tremaine Johnson Sammy Watkins, the current 140 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: structure in the league is such that you get compensation 141 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: picks in future years that alleviates some of the damage 142 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: that's done in terms of your remaining resources. And the 143 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: way that less Need and company went about free agency 144 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: this year, you can tell they were very careful about 145 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: which pieces they wanted to acquire. In what you would 146 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: unrestricted free agency right, That would negate some of the 147 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: returning compensation that they lost for losing pieces like Tremaine 148 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: and like Sammy Watkins. They made trades rather than spending 149 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: big bucks in free agency, so that the net result is, hey, 150 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: we lost players to free agency. There should be draft 151 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: compensation in future years. We won't know if it plays 152 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: out exactly as they expected for another period of time, 153 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: but there's very good reason to believe that's part of 154 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 1: their thinking, and they're they're leveraging it well, right, And 155 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: even the indomin coin Sue signing because he was released 156 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: from Miami. When you look at it that way, the 157 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 1: Rams are not necessarily going after players whose contracts had expired, 158 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: and instead you're you're losing those players to free agency. 159 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: And that's why in the calculation you still at least 160 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: right now, and nobody seems to know what this formula is, 161 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: but whatever it is, right now, it seems that the 162 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: Rams would receive a couple of third round picks because 163 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: of the guys that they lost in Sammy Watkins and Trematic. 164 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: A little further, if and doom Consue had not been cut, 165 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: if he came under the open market. In their different circumstances. 166 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: It's possible the Rams may not have pursued him as 167 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 1: aggressively to the extent that they did in terms of 168 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: dollars for the very reasons we just laid out right. 169 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: It may have made sense for them to still do so. 170 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 1: But because of the circumstances that he presented uniquely, they're 171 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 1: able to pay him for one big, one year contract 172 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 1: that I think will have great benefits on the field, 173 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 1: and then we can talk about those momentarily, but also 174 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,439 Speaker 1: keep you in a very good position from a draft 175 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 1: and a salary cap standpoint moving forward. In this window 176 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 1: of opportunity that we all sense it has arrived. Yes, 177 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: especially because of the way you have now and Snee 178 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: talked about this last week. You have a young quarterback 179 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: that is on the third year of what is a 180 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: five year deal because of that first fifth year option 181 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: that you have with the first round pick, and because 182 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 1: of that, it's a cost controlled quarterback that is good. 183 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: Those are hard to find in this league. We saw 184 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 1: in this division Seattle kind of take advantage of that 185 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 1: same sort of window and get their championship, and almost 186 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: in some say they should have get a second championship 187 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 1: in that window. With that young quarterback on that cost 188 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: controlled contract. So what that allows you to do is 189 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: go out and get players like a Marcus Peters, like 190 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: in a key to lead, like in to consue, like 191 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 1: a Brandon Cooks, because it means that you can all 192 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: you can get those guys on your roster, you can 193 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: maybe keep some of them for the foreseeable future, and 194 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 1: you can also keep guys who were already on your roster, 195 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: like the Aaron Donalds of the world, like Todd Gurley, 196 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: who I mean, You're coming up on that fifth year 197 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: option with him next year. So that's something that I'm 198 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 1: sure will start to get brought up as things go on, 199 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: maybe even in the off season program and beginning next week. 200 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,319 Speaker 1: But now with the fact that you have a quarterback, 201 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:35,680 Speaker 1: and this is something that I think sometimes might get lost. 202 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: The quarterback is so important in this league, and everybody 203 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 1: always says that, but the cost controlled quarterback is almost 204 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: even more essential to creating a type of championship window 205 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 1: because once that, once this is over, you're I saw 206 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,480 Speaker 1: this on a tweet and it was last week, a 207 00:10:57,520 --> 00:10:58,959 Speaker 1: couple of weeks ago, and I wish I could remember 208 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: who tweeted it, but it was basically in that quarterback's 209 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: rookie contract window, you want to put pieces around him 210 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: so that he can excel. Once that quarterback gets to 211 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: the second contract, it's like, all right now we are 212 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 1: relying on you as the quarterback to elevate the pieces 213 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: around you. Then you become the Aaron Rodgers of the 214 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: Tom Brady exactly. We're winning because of you, right yes, yes, 215 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: and not just with you. And so right now the 216 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,200 Speaker 1: Rams are trying to maximize that time that they have 217 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,760 Speaker 1: right now with Jared Goff in this cost controlled environment 218 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:32,559 Speaker 1: passing that cup? Will you and apologies to our audience 219 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:35,839 Speaker 1: that's just listening streaming audio and doesn't see this, But 220 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 1: here's how I contextualize it. This cup is Kirk Cousins. Yes, 221 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: how many Rams pro bowlers can you fit into this 222 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 1: cup for the same dollar amount the Minnesota Vikings are 223 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: paying Kirk Cousins, So they're paying him twenty eight million 224 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,960 Speaker 1: right now. So for the time being, Goff goes in there, Yeah, 225 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 1: Girlie goes in, yeah, Karon Donald goes yes, Marcus Peters 226 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 1: goes yeah. Keep to leave goes in their LaMarcus John, 227 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: I mean before we're even halfway full, Yeah, all of 228 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: these and that's that's to me, is symbolic of where 229 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:10,439 Speaker 1: the Rams are right now and why you might say 230 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 1: they're going all in like that character and rounders. You know, 231 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: like this is this is a great opportunity, but they're not. 232 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 1: I don't sense mortgaging future potential to make it all 233 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: go in twenty eighteen, right, No, And I feel that 234 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: same way. And that's despite the fact that the Rams 235 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 1: did trade this first round pick. And I'll say this, 236 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: I was a little bit surprised that they were willing 237 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,839 Speaker 1: to part with the first round pick in general. Absolutely, 238 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,080 Speaker 1: just basically because and I think this is why I 239 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:43,319 Speaker 1: sort of rationalized it to DeMarco on the last between 240 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:47,959 Speaker 1: the Horns. You have in that five year span a 241 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: cost controlled impact player. So whether that player comes at 242 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: edge rusher, which now it is sort of still a 243 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:59,040 Speaker 1: need that the Rams have out there because you know, 244 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:02,280 Speaker 1: you've shipped off Robert Quinn, Connor Barrowin has apparently taken 245 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 1: a visit with the Arizona Cardinals. So yes, they do 246 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,760 Speaker 1: have Samson abcom and there are other linebackers on this 247 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: roster like Mett long Anchor, but you know you don't 248 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: have that I don't know established, you know, guy that 249 00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 1: is thought of as a really supremely good edge rusher 250 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 1: on this roster anymore. So that's one position I thought 251 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: that they could target. Another would have been inside linebacker, 252 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,319 Speaker 1: which is, you know, another place that the Rams created 253 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 1: a need by trading alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. 254 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: And then I even thought wide receiver could be a 255 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: position that the Rams might target there at the sort 256 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 1: of tail end of the first round. And again you 257 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: get that player under the cost controlled thing for the 258 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:45,160 Speaker 1: next five years. And I thought about it because Aaron 259 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,960 Speaker 1: Donald will is coming up, Marcus Peters is coming up 260 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 1: in some ways, you know, Todd Gurley again, somebody that's 261 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: coming up. Now. They didn't take that approach, which is fine, 262 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: and instead you've gotten a player in Brandon Cooks who 263 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 1: has averaged over eleven hundred yards over the last three 264 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: seasons and I think eight touchdowns also averaged over the 265 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,800 Speaker 1: last three seasons. And so because of that, that's a 266 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: player that is a first round impact player and it 267 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 1: is probably going to give you more bang this season 268 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 1: than any rookie would have been able to do. I mean, 269 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: you can take the draft picks from this class of 270 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 1: the Rams have traded away and just replace their spot 271 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: on the board with the actual names of starters that 272 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: the Rams are going to have on the field in 273 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen. Now, what you don't get is what you're 274 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:33,480 Speaker 1: talking about the longevity of cost controlled years over the 275 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: course of a rookie contract. And there are still certain 276 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say glaring needs, but obvious needs in terms 277 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: of positions on the fifty three man roster and even 278 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 1: on the starting depth chart, Yes, that need to be plugged. 279 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: And so I think it's reasonable to look at that 280 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,920 Speaker 1: pick twenty three, especially when you know that there's going 281 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,400 Speaker 1: to be at least four, maybe five quarterbacks taken ahead 282 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: of you in a position that you don't need, and 283 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 1: that really feels more like a top eighteen pick, maybe 284 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 1: with the potential to trade up seen some of your 285 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 1: later round capital and grab what you hope as a 286 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: surefire starter for the next five years. But I think 287 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: we'll see the results play out. It seems to be 288 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: a vote of confidence in what the Rams have in 289 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: house at linebacker and a few other positions, and what 290 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 1: the Rams feel like their defense is going to look 291 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: like and going to accomplish even if you're willing to 292 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: fortify a position group that was already strong wide receiver 293 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 1: at the expense of some depth elsewhere, be it at linebacker, 294 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: offensive line. Well, you could say the same thing about 295 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 1: defensive line too. I mean, you're pretty strong there. I 296 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: think nose tackle was a position that the RAMS were 297 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: going to have to target regardless, and it's honestly a 298 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:45,000 Speaker 1: position that they still may target because you want a 299 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: player to be able to get in there and be 300 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: that kind of rotational guy. With Sue that who is 301 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: going to start out as the three four nose tackle. Fine, 302 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: but I think from that standpoint, you already have in 303 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:01,840 Speaker 1: the arguably the best or pass rusher in the game 304 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: and Aaron Donald. Now you've added somebody who might have 305 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: said was the second or third best interior pass rusher 306 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: in the game in Sue, And so because of that, 307 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: you've made rushing from the interior such a strength that 308 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: the outside pass rushers may not need to be quite 309 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: as world changing, if you will, in order to try 310 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: to get to the quarterback, because you've even if that 311 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 1: guy is coming around the edge in a way that's 312 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: not necessarily as flat as somebody as a Robert Quinn. 313 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 1: If the quarterback tries to step up, one of two 314 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 1: guys is going to be in their face, and maybe 315 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: it's one of three guys with Michael Brocker's there's a 316 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: vision behind the scenes. Ye has been sold to the 317 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: likes of a key to Leave and especially in dominic 318 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: and sue that we are not privy too yet. We 319 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 1: probably won't be through training camp, we probably won't be 320 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: through the preseason. We'll see it in week one and 321 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: week two, in week three, But there is a vision 322 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: there that I am beyond excited about because for endomic 323 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,000 Speaker 1: ensue to take less money and way less money when 324 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:08,440 Speaker 1: you consider California taxes. Yes, and play that position which 325 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: he didn't need to do at this stage of his career, 326 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: next to Aaron Donald, which he didn't need to do 327 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:15,640 Speaker 1: at that stage of his career, on a one year deal, 328 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 1: which he didn't necessarily need to do. That's a choice, 329 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,359 Speaker 1: just like a key to lead made a choice to 330 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: pick La and Wade Phillips. And how refreshing is it, 331 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 1: How exciting and exhilarating is it to be a choice 332 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: a destination choice. Yes, for veterans that want to win 333 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:38,360 Speaker 1: big at this stage of their careers, it's a different feeling. 334 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,800 Speaker 1: And you know, I mean, especially having covered this team 335 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: for the last four seasons, that's a very kind of 336 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: different thing. And actually Alden Gonzalez basically wrote exactly what 337 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 1: you just said on ESPN dot com and I was 338 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 1: reading it, and what's interesting all I will but just 339 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: so you don't think, now, don't read it. Actually I 340 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,520 Speaker 1: shouldn't have read it myself either. You know, Alvin and 341 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:03,119 Speaker 1: I we're actually friends, so anyway, but one what I 342 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 1: mean is here that it's just interesting the way that 343 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: thing shifted and the way it has shifted pretty quickly. 344 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: You know, it took a new coach and obviously getting 345 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: some things done on the field that you know, you say, Okay, 346 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: the Rams really are a contending team. But I mean, 347 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: I think part of it is where this city is 348 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: and how the weather is, and you know, all of 349 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: the other things that come with being in LA especially 350 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: when you're somebody like Dominkin Sue and you have other 351 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 1: interests outside of football, which are I think very fair 352 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 1: for any player because there's only so much time that 353 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 1: you're going to be able to spend as a football player. 354 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:45,679 Speaker 1: We said similar things about Andrew Whitworth, I think ye 355 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,920 Speaker 1: a year ago. Yeah, I made the decision that he made. 356 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,960 Speaker 1: But one more thought on Sue and Donald and that is, 357 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's also and Greer. It's it's the 358 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 1: interior portion of fears Enforcement in terms of if you 359 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: look for a comp for what they're setting out to 360 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 1: do and the albert players that they are, it's very, 361 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:05,399 Speaker 1: very difficult to find historical precedent for it, and we 362 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,400 Speaker 1: hope that their production is unprecedented. Yeah, in that way. 363 00:19:08,440 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: But it's cool that they're doing it in Los Angeles, absolutely, Yeah, 364 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:13,640 Speaker 1: very reason. Yeah, maybe we should go back to the 365 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:17,359 Speaker 1: I can't believe I'm about to talk about uniforms. Maybe 366 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: we should go back to the blue helmet. You know. 367 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,399 Speaker 1: Got around to watch the Fearsome Forsome documentary on NFL Network, 368 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: which was phenomenal. It kind of been in my in 369 00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,080 Speaker 1: my back pocket to do for a while, but I 370 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: had the chance this offseason to watch it and it 371 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: was it was phenomenal. So to see that that old 372 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: film and then put it in the context of what 373 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:40,879 Speaker 1: the Rams have assembled on their defensive front. Who are 374 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:44,880 Speaker 1: the outside pieces still to be determined potentially, but when 375 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:46,959 Speaker 1: you combine them with Brockers, we know what that interior 376 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: is going to look like, and it's gonna look like 377 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 1: something that the NFL has very rarely, if ever seen before. Yes, 378 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: and I think that's something that could be pretty special. 379 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,040 Speaker 1: But I do want to kind of go back to 380 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: Brandon Cooks and something that you sort of brought up yourself. 381 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: I mean him as a college player. What do you 382 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 1: remember about him being in college? Well, he had the 383 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: ability to get vertical and he had a quarterback who 384 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 1: could get it there who just happens to be on 385 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 1: the Rams roster. Yes, this is true. And he played 386 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,280 Speaker 1: for Mike Riley, who is one of my all time 387 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: favorite college football coaches to cover and who was a 388 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: bit of a self described dinosaur in terms of the 389 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:28,439 Speaker 1: way he utilized his personnel offensively, still in favor of 390 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: a fullback and a tight end, things that very few 391 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: college programs, especially in the Pac twelve, were even doing 392 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,959 Speaker 1: that late in his career. But Brandon was the threat 393 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:41,119 Speaker 1: that made it all work. I mean, he was that 394 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: special ingredient that they've had truthfully troubled replacing there in 395 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,880 Speaker 1: Corvallis in subsequent years because of what he could do 396 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: stretching the field vertically and horizontally and being so dynamic. 397 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,199 Speaker 1: So it was no coincidence that after he stopped here 398 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles to be introduced, he went right to Corvallis. 399 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,359 Speaker 1: I think that's pretty cool that he and Mannion and 400 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,400 Speaker 1: Hecker still have deep ties to that program in that university, 401 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: and it helps that their college coach, Mike Raley's back 402 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: now as an assistant. So all good things for Brandon 403 00:21:07,760 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: Cooks and players like Marcus Peters too. Kind of gravitating 404 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:12,439 Speaker 1: back to the West Coast. I do think that is 405 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 1: something in free agency that plays in the rams favor 406 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: if the tax code and other elements don't necessarily Yeah, 407 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:22,879 Speaker 1: I mean especially if you brought this up with Sue. 408 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 1: I mean, like is one of his other options was Tennessee, 409 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 1: So you know what you're talking about, tax Coachville. But yeah, 410 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 1: I know it's okay, tad No, that's what I'm saying, tag, No, no, no. 411 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:37,000 Speaker 1: Nashville as a town, it's a great town, and like 412 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:38,919 Speaker 1: I've been there a few times more times than I 413 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: have to most places. But like Nashville, you all, you 414 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 1: can always have a good time. Side of the Ram's 415 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: most recent division clinching video. That's true, it makes it 416 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:48,880 Speaker 1: even better. One other thought on Cooks before we let 417 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: that go, and that's his age. I mean to put 418 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: it in context, he's actually younger than Cooper Cup. Yes, 419 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:58,120 Speaker 1: so if he is a long term piece of this franchise, 420 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: which I think is definitely the intention given what they 421 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,920 Speaker 1: traded to acquire his rights, he's got a lot of 422 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 1: tread on those tires. Yeah, and that I think is 423 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 1: definitely one of the factors for why you even give 424 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 1: up a first round pick. I mean, it was funny 425 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: last week when we were talking to him, after you know, 426 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:19,400 Speaker 1: he got into the building and was sort of introduced 427 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 1: to a couple of different people. He sat down with 428 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 1: us and he was saying that the family, he and 429 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 1: his family now kind of joke like, man, it's almost 430 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 1: like you've been drafted in the first round three times. 431 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 1: Because he was drafted obviously in the first round by 432 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 1: the Saints, then gets traded for a first round pick 433 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: by the Patriots, and now traded once again for a 434 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: first round pick to get here to Los Angeles. So 435 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: I have been asking you probably have to, like any 436 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:46,040 Speaker 1: concerns to use the word loosely that this is his 437 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,400 Speaker 1: third team in three years. And I think it kind 438 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 1: of goes hand in hand with some of the quote 439 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: unquote red flags that have been associated with and Dominican 440 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 1: Sue and Marcus Peter Ray to leave. There's a common theme, 441 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: I think in this group that has added to the 442 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 1: Rams roster, and that is devalued for whatever reason, whether 443 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: it's upcoming salary or on the field concerns or age 444 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 1: or whatever it is that allowed the Rams to swoop 445 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 1: in and make them a part of their future. And 446 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:19,680 Speaker 1: I thought it was intriguing that Sean mcvagh and less 447 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: Sneed in their introductory press conferences for these men, went 448 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:26,280 Speaker 1: out of their way to I think, counter that narrative, 449 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: to bunk it a little bit, to not address it 450 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:32,399 Speaker 1: head on, but just tangentially to say, we did our 451 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 1: vetting and one of the things that we were impressed 452 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: with and acquiring this particular person is how well their 453 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:42,119 Speaker 1: coaches and their fellow players spoke of them and how 454 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:44,920 Speaker 1: much they love football. Yes, and you can tell that's 455 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 1: really essential to their evaluation process, be it draft or 456 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: free agency. Is they want a particular kind of person 457 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 1: in terms of how they approached their craft, and so 458 00:23:56,880 --> 00:24:01,199 Speaker 1: there are certainly concerns, she would say, about how the 459 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:03,040 Speaker 1: new pieces are going to fit into a locker room, 460 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: how you're going to manage personalities and egos and all 461 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:09,000 Speaker 1: these other sorts of things. Who knows. I mean, depending 462 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 1: on how the season goes, that could play out wonderfully 463 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 1: or it could backfire in any range of options in between. Yes, 464 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: but these are calculated risks. I guess you would say 465 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:20,480 Speaker 1: that the front office and the coaching staff are taking 466 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: that they feel good about. They feel like they're getting 467 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: pieces that are devalued, maybe unfairly, that by giving them 468 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: a clean slate and a positive environment here in Los Angeles, 469 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:32,920 Speaker 1: they might have the opportunity to thrive. And I think 470 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: that's what struck me most about the opening comments that 471 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:39,639 Speaker 1: the coaching staff in the front office made about the 472 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 1: players they've acquired, is you've heard this publicly. We found 473 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 1: this in our research, and that's why we took the 474 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: steps that we do well. I think, especially with Brandon 475 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,679 Speaker 1: Cooks and I have gotten that a couple of times 476 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 1: though Okay, this is his third team that he's been 477 00:24:53,880 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: treated like why is this a thing for him? And 478 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 1: from what every he said, it can't be character. And 479 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 1: I think part of it is the two teams that 480 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:08,360 Speaker 1: he's played for, Our teams with Hall of Fame caliber 481 00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:11,919 Speaker 1: quarterbacks who have played with a bunch of different wide receivers, 482 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,639 Speaker 1: and each year those guys are fine, you know. And 483 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: so now you're bringing Cooks into a different situation I 484 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:22,639 Speaker 1: think where he can help elevate the quarterbacks game rather 485 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:26,400 Speaker 1: than the other way around. If that kind of makes sense, right, 486 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 1: And so you want this to be a long term partnership. 487 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,320 Speaker 1: But I think just in terms of the character with Cooks, 488 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 1: I don't ever recall hearing less Sneed talk about a 489 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:38,440 Speaker 1: player in terms of their character the way he described 490 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,399 Speaker 1: Brandon Cooks in that opening press conference where he said, 491 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: if in this vetting process, you know what people were 492 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 1: saying to me about Brandon Cooks, if somebody said half 493 00:25:49,080 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 1: of what they said about about Brandon Cooks about my son, 494 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 1: I would be one jack father. And so we were 495 00:25:56,680 --> 00:26:00,600 Speaker 1: actually interviewing Sneed last week and I said, you know, okay, 496 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 1: you said if somebody said some of the things that 497 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:05,080 Speaker 1: he said. No, no no, no, I said, if somebody said 498 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:09,200 Speaker 1: fifty percent of what they said, because that's just how 499 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:12,880 Speaker 1: good Cooks character was in this vetting process. So I 500 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: think you know, from that standpoint, the three teams in 501 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,200 Speaker 1: three years always been traded this, that and the third. 502 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 1: I don't think that's a concern. I don't think anything 503 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:25,960 Speaker 1: has to do with character for why he's been traded. 504 00:26:26,520 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: We all hope that's true, yes, and a partner. Aside 505 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: from whether or not it is, one unifying theme that 506 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 1: I see is timing and motivation. So let's take twenty 507 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 1: nineteen twenty and beyond out of it. Whatever happens contractually 508 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:41,960 Speaker 1: in dollars and cents will take care of itself for 509 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:46,200 Speaker 1: this year and this year only. How supremely motivated do 510 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 1: you think Marcus Peters is? Oh, how supremely motivated do 511 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 1: you think Brandon Cooks is? Right? How supremely motivated do 512 00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:55,520 Speaker 1: you think adomic and Sue is? And maybe to a 513 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 1: slightly lesser extent, but I still think to an extent 514 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,880 Speaker 1: a key to lead because of his current actual situation, 515 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: these guys have every professional reason to put their best 516 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 1: football out on the field for the two thou and 517 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: eighteen rams. Absolutely, and what's sort of funny about that 518 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 1: is all four of those guys will be playing a 519 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:18,359 Speaker 1: team they once played for at some point during the season. 520 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:20,440 Speaker 1: For Sue, it's going to be the Lions, not Miami. 521 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 1: But for to Lead, you're playing Denver. For Marcus Peters 522 00:27:24,359 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 1: it's going to be Kansas City, and for Brandon Cooks 523 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:30,280 Speaker 1: it's going to be Yeah. So that's that you talk 524 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 1: about motivation, Yeah, that's one. That's one big game that 525 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,760 Speaker 1: they'll probably circle on their schedule. The coaching staff will 526 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:37,960 Speaker 1: do their best to not let them yes that way 527 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:42,720 Speaker 1: or that far in advance, but in terms of the 528 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:45,879 Speaker 1: their stature in the game and the financial rewards that 529 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 1: they stand to reap, it's in all of their best interests, 530 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:52,639 Speaker 1: just like it is everyone's, but no more so than 531 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:56,639 Speaker 1: this particular group to have career years. Absolutely with those 532 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:58,920 Speaker 1: four guys. Do you think the Rams have done enough 533 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:03,199 Speaker 1: to repeat as INC West champions? I know this is 534 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: like that that's a really ridiculous question to ask six 535 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 1: months basically before the season starts, but I do, but 536 00:28:10,960 --> 00:28:13,480 Speaker 1: say I say it in this context. One we haven't 537 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 1: seen the draft yet, and to me, a team like 538 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: let's say New Orleans is a great example of the 539 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: impact that that a draft class can make. There's also 540 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: so much else that can happen, some not very good 541 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:31,040 Speaker 1: news with respect to Ruben Foster in the San Francisco 542 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 1: forty nine ers and the headlines right now, you know 543 00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 1: all these different dynamics. Sam Bradford sounds like setting out 544 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:40,000 Speaker 1: to play sixteen games for the Arizona Cardinals. We'll see 545 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,320 Speaker 1: they've also been voted the team most likely to jump 546 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:45,000 Speaker 1: up in the draft and take a quarterback. So without 547 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 1: knowing how that's all going to shake out around the division, 548 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 1: it's tough to say. But given the rosters on paper, absolutely, 549 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 1: I do think the Rams are and should be the 550 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 1: favorite to repeat. That being said, I like the way 551 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,239 Speaker 1: that if it was lesser sean, I'm not sure you 552 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 1: can tell me who phrase it. We're eleven wins behind 553 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 1: where we were a season. I believe that. Yeah, I 554 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:09,240 Speaker 1: like that. I think that too. I think there's a 555 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 1: great way to approach the twenty eighteen season because there's 556 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 1: no doubt in my mind this year will be harder. Yes, 557 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 1: the only thing and we haven't seen the schedule yet. 558 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 1: We're gonna talking about season schedule. We haven't seen how 559 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,760 Speaker 1: that's going to line up, but it's it's going to 560 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 1: be harder in every respect except the miles traveled to 561 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 1: get to your change. I think North for the NFC East, 562 00:29:34,080 --> 00:29:36,040 Speaker 1: like you do from last year's schedule to this year, 563 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 1: and you have a healthy Aaron Rodgers. I think that's tougher. 564 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 1: I mean, you trade the AFC South for the AFC West. 565 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:46,480 Speaker 1: I think that is tougher. And I think even though 566 00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:50,240 Speaker 1: Seattle is perceived to be on the decline, I'm not 567 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,320 Speaker 1: sure I subscribe to that until I see what it 568 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,440 Speaker 1: actually looks like on the field for them, they still 569 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 1: have one of the best home field advantages in the NFL. 570 00:29:57,320 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 1: How how quickly we forget about how good David Johnson 571 00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:03,080 Speaker 1: is and what a difference he can meet to an 572 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:05,320 Speaker 1: Arizona Cardinals team, And we didn't see him in either 573 00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:08,680 Speaker 1: meeting with that franchise last year. And then a part 574 00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:10,720 Speaker 1: aside from what happens off the field with the forty 575 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,240 Speaker 1: nine ers and the circumstances they're dealing with, Jimmy Garoppolo 576 00:30:13,280 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 1: hasn't lost yet. I don't think you can overlook that 577 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 1: and what Kyle Shanahan and company are doing there either. 578 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:22,440 Speaker 1: So yes, that was a long way of answering your question. 579 00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 1: Yes they are and they should be the favorite that 580 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:26,600 Speaker 1: they're going to have to be better than they were 581 00:30:26,760 --> 00:30:29,920 Speaker 1: last year to accomplish what they accomplished last year. And 582 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: I think they know that, you know, I think the 583 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:35,239 Speaker 1: eleven wins behind thing that Les Need said, that's a 584 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 1: good example of Okay, we can't just say, wow, we 585 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:41,680 Speaker 1: were division champions last year. You know what, we're going 586 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:43,360 Speaker 1: to be able to just go in and do it. 587 00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:46,360 Speaker 1: And Sean McVay said this exact same thing, like, we 588 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:50,080 Speaker 1: are going to have to earn every single day. We're 589 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 1: going to have to work harder than we did every 590 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 1: single day and take it one day at a time 591 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 1: in order to reach our goals. And I think one 592 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:02,040 Speaker 1: other element that it's probably a motivating factor is, yeah, 593 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:03,880 Speaker 1: you made it to the playoffs, but you lost in 594 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:06,560 Speaker 1: the first round to a wildcard team, also the sixth seed. 595 00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 1: Now there, you can say whatever you want about Atlanta. 596 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:13,480 Speaker 1: They are championship caliberteam because they had made it to 597 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 1: the super Bowl the year before. You have that playoff experience, 598 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,600 Speaker 1: You have an experienced quarterback in Matt Ryan who knows 599 00:31:19,640 --> 00:31:22,200 Speaker 1: what he's doing. That's always going to make them a threat, 600 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: especially when he has Julio Jones to throw too. But 601 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 1: at the same time, now you're going to be able 602 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:30,480 Speaker 1: to say, all right, you might have liked that last year, 603 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: let's work harder, let's do what we have to do 604 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:36,040 Speaker 1: in order to push past that. And so that I 605 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:38,040 Speaker 1: think is going to be a big thing for these Rams. 606 00:31:38,040 --> 00:31:40,080 Speaker 1: And oh, by the way, your crossover opponents are the 607 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 1: division champions exactly New Orleans. So just in terms of 608 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:46,680 Speaker 1: fortifying the schedule, you're going to go from being the 609 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:51,200 Speaker 1: hunter to the hunted, absolutely in a harder schedule and 610 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:53,680 Speaker 1: a division that I think collectively will be better than 611 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:55,400 Speaker 1: it was a year ago. I agree with that. All right, 612 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 1: So let's go to the preseason schedules since we are 613 00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:00,920 Speaker 1: sort of talking about schedules are ready and we found 614 00:32:00,960 --> 00:32:04,920 Speaker 1: that out yesterday, which is fun to sort of see 615 00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:07,280 Speaker 1: a little preview of the things to come, and we 616 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:09,320 Speaker 1: can also kind of start to plan our lives a 617 00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:13,240 Speaker 1: little bit. The first game at Baltimore, that is going 618 00:32:13,280 --> 00:32:15,440 Speaker 1: to be a long trip, especially for the preseason, but 619 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:18,280 Speaker 1: it is what it is. Second game verse Oakland in 620 00:32:18,680 --> 00:32:21,720 Speaker 1: the LA Coliseum. That's going to be a fun matchup. 621 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:25,200 Speaker 1: Of course because of the Raiders history down here, and 622 00:32:25,240 --> 00:32:27,960 Speaker 1: I think we all know that that's pretty obvious. Verse 623 00:32:28,080 --> 00:32:31,200 Speaker 1: Houston at the Coliseum in week three of the preseason 624 00:32:31,280 --> 00:32:35,000 Speaker 1: and then finish off at Saints for Week four, So 625 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,200 Speaker 1: that's going to be one of two trips at least 626 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:39,560 Speaker 1: to New Orleans. So do you want kind of high 627 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:41,760 Speaker 1: level thoughts on the schedule first or do you want 628 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 1: like matchup reactions? Who cares about the matchups preseason? JV. 629 00:32:48,160 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 1: Here's my first thing, because my first thought went to 630 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:54,719 Speaker 1: the fans in the audience in terms of the product 631 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:56,440 Speaker 1: that you're going to get at the Coliseum for the 632 00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 1: two home preseason games, one Oakland because of the natural 633 00:33:02,080 --> 00:33:04,800 Speaker 1: connection there too because we didn't get to see de 634 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:08,160 Speaker 1: Shawn for Houston last year J. J. Watt. And then 635 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,960 Speaker 1: but primarily because to the extent that we see starters 636 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:14,800 Speaker 1: in regulars play for the Rams in the preseason, and 637 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,800 Speaker 1: based on last year's precedent and the success that McVeigh 638 00:33:17,840 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 1: and the Rams had with health and injury by arresting 639 00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 1: starters throughout preseason games, I don't suspect we'll see much 640 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,560 Speaker 1: of frontline players this preseason. I highly doubt it, especially 641 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:32,080 Speaker 1: as they've added some other veterans. That being said, to 642 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: the extent that regulars do play, to the extent that 643 00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:37,120 Speaker 1: Jared Goff plays series, and that you do see Brandon 644 00:33:37,160 --> 00:33:39,880 Speaker 1: Cooks and Don mckinsue and Marcus Peters and some of 645 00:33:39,880 --> 00:33:42,720 Speaker 1: these other players that we're all going to be excited 646 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:44,680 Speaker 1: to see in Rams colors for the first time. They're 647 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:47,160 Speaker 1: going to play most likely in those weeks two and 648 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:50,400 Speaker 1: three games, right, Yes, very little Week one, not at all. 649 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,880 Speaker 1: Week four, Yes, especially with the rosters on cool that 650 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 1: your home games are two and three, because I think 651 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:57,440 Speaker 1: the vast majority of the reps that the regulars take 652 00:33:57,480 --> 00:33:59,360 Speaker 1: will be in front of the call team crowd, which 653 00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:03,240 Speaker 1: is a nice reward for season ticket holders. Kind of 654 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 1: what you hit on, I think more travel than you 655 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 1: would ideally see in your preseason schedule. There are a 656 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 1: few behind the scene factors that played into that the 657 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:12,160 Speaker 1: Rams did the best they could, like every team does 658 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:16,719 Speaker 1: with its preseason schedule. And then I don't attribute any 659 00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:21,719 Speaker 1: significance in terms of schematic advantage disadvantage seeing Oakland and 660 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:24,640 Speaker 1: New Orleans on the preseason schedule knowing they'll be on 661 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:27,200 Speaker 1: the regular season schedule as well. I think both in 662 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:29,880 Speaker 1: terms of personnel and scheme, it's going to look so 663 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:32,879 Speaker 1: different in August than it will in week whatever. Yes, 664 00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:35,839 Speaker 1: that to me, that's not much of a factor. I 665 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:42,000 Speaker 1: will say I thought Oakland La Gruden McVeigh would make 666 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:46,640 Speaker 1: for a great Week one Monday Night football window two open. 667 00:34:47,880 --> 00:34:50,200 Speaker 1: And I don't know if the NFL schedule makers will 668 00:34:50,239 --> 00:34:52,399 Speaker 1: take into consideration the fact that they're playing Week two 669 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:54,480 Speaker 1: of the preseason and then to start Week one with 670 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:57,000 Speaker 1: that matchup, whether or not those are kind of like 671 00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,040 Speaker 1: two magnets maybe repelling each other. Yeah, but I that 672 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:02,680 Speaker 1: would have been a wonderful especially because of Gruden's connections 673 00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 1: to Monday Night football and all of that, yep, and 674 00:35:05,160 --> 00:35:07,359 Speaker 1: because they like a West Coast window for that second 675 00:35:07,400 --> 00:35:11,160 Speaker 1: Monday the football opener. I thought either Oakland or Ethan 676 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:13,919 Speaker 1: San Francisco like we saw in twenty and sixteen, would 677 00:35:13,920 --> 00:35:16,799 Speaker 1: be a great way for the Rams to open this 678 00:35:16,840 --> 00:35:19,239 Speaker 1: season on Monday Night football and game two. Yeah. So 679 00:35:19,280 --> 00:35:21,799 Speaker 1: we'll see about that. But I think the Gruden McVay thing, 680 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,360 Speaker 1: that's going to be fun, especially in the preseason, where 681 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:28,319 Speaker 1: I mean, the game matters, but the result ultimately does 682 00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:30,359 Speaker 1: not as much as the process of what is going 683 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:33,040 Speaker 1: on on the field and what you can evaluate there. 684 00:35:33,040 --> 00:35:34,719 Speaker 1: I think that's going to be a nice little thing 685 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:37,120 Speaker 1: to see those two guys kind of reunite on the field. 686 00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:41,439 Speaker 1: Quick note about Baltimore. It was reported this morning by 687 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:45,759 Speaker 1: ESPN that out of Baltimore that there's a chance the 688 00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:50,839 Speaker 1: Rams and Ravens may practice together before that preseason game, 689 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:53,839 Speaker 1: which would be on a Thursday, August ninth. So if 690 00:35:53,880 --> 00:35:56,840 Speaker 1: that becomes official, we will obviously let you know. But 691 00:35:56,880 --> 00:36:00,520 Speaker 1: that would definitely be an interesting aspect to the preseason, 692 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:02,520 Speaker 1: especially early on in training came. It makes sense if 693 00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:05,880 Speaker 1: you're traveling three time zones to play a preseason game, 694 00:36:06,080 --> 00:36:08,799 Speaker 1: you'll probably have to go a day earlier for yes 695 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:12,279 Speaker 1: and safety reasons, and so while you're there, you don't 696 00:36:12,280 --> 00:36:15,080 Speaker 1: want to maybe necessarily give away a day of the preseason. Yeah, 697 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:18,080 Speaker 1: from a productivity standpoint, So maybe that's why it makes 698 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:19,480 Speaker 1: sense for the Rams to do it that And it 699 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:25,520 Speaker 1: also means we might see some chain snatching because Marcus 700 00:36:25,520 --> 00:36:30,080 Speaker 1: not Marcus believe yes, I keep to leave and Michael Crabtree. 701 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:34,080 Speaker 1: Crabtree now plays for the Baltimore Ravens, So we probably 702 00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:36,600 Speaker 1: would not see it on the preseason game because I 703 00:36:36,640 --> 00:36:38,319 Speaker 1: kind of highly doubt to keep to leave. He's gonna 704 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:40,839 Speaker 1: play Week one of the preseason just because I mean, 705 00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:42,400 Speaker 1: what does he need to play in week one of 706 00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:45,839 Speaker 1: the preseason for? But on that practice field we could 707 00:36:45,960 --> 00:36:48,360 Speaker 1: see some chain snatch. It's going to be an important 708 00:36:48,360 --> 00:36:54,040 Speaker 1: training camp and and preseason game schedule for Robert Griffin. 709 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:58,200 Speaker 1: And yes, given the connection between him and this Rams 710 00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:00,799 Speaker 1: franchise because of the RG three trade, it's interesting that 711 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:04,319 Speaker 1: he is his career is essentially on its last legs 712 00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:05,959 Speaker 1: and he's going to have to have a good month 713 00:37:06,000 --> 00:37:08,840 Speaker 1: of August to secure that backup role in Baltimore continue 714 00:37:08,880 --> 00:37:12,319 Speaker 1: his NFL career, no question, and part of that will 715 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:16,359 Speaker 1: come against the Rams. Yeah, that's definitely. It's always an 716 00:37:16,400 --> 00:37:20,480 Speaker 1: interesting connection whenever RG three is going to play the Rams. 717 00:37:20,640 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 1: All right, So you sort of brought this up before, 718 00:37:23,640 --> 00:37:25,920 Speaker 1: but I like this topic because what let's do a 719 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:30,400 Speaker 1: little schedule wish list. You're already yes, regular season. We 720 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:34,239 Speaker 1: expect that the regular season schedule will be announced at 721 00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:37,720 Speaker 1: some point next week. It's usually the week before the draft, 722 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:40,360 Speaker 1: and they have not made the announcement about when the 723 00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:43,839 Speaker 1: announcement will happen, so we don't quite know just yet, 724 00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 1: but we do expect it will be next week before 725 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:48,640 Speaker 1: the draft, and so you already sort of brought up 726 00:37:48,719 --> 00:37:52,400 Speaker 1: one Monday night football that opening week either Oakland or 727 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:54,960 Speaker 1: the Rams or San Francisco or the Rams. Where else 728 00:37:55,000 --> 00:37:57,560 Speaker 1: are you sort of thinking as a dream? Okay? So 729 00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:00,560 Speaker 1: fortunately on this year's schedule, in terms of opponents, there 730 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:03,440 Speaker 1: aren't many like dangerous road back to back trips that 731 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:06,239 Speaker 1: you would have to be concerned with that would in 732 00:38:06,320 --> 00:38:11,000 Speaker 1: any way resemble, for instance, at Jacksonville at London, by 733 00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:13,279 Speaker 1: at New York. Yes, in the span of four weeks 734 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:16,799 Speaker 1: that the Rams navigated wonderfully last years. But aside from 735 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:19,279 Speaker 1: saying maybe you hope you don't go to Chicago and 736 00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:22,040 Speaker 1: Detroit back to back, yeah, there aren't. There aren't two 737 00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:26,120 Speaker 1: road games that you necessarily absolutely have to separate for 738 00:38:26,239 --> 00:38:28,480 Speaker 1: the help and safety of your right And which is 739 00:38:28,520 --> 00:38:31,520 Speaker 1: interesting because I mean, in the last couple of years 740 00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:33,320 Speaker 1: since the Rams have been out to LA they have 741 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:37,320 Speaker 1: had a really really tough travel schedule, in part because 742 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:40,400 Speaker 1: of that London game, but also because you've played the 743 00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:43,920 Speaker 1: AFC East and then the NFC East, so you know, 744 00:38:44,120 --> 00:38:46,240 Speaker 1: going all the way and then you know the AFC 745 00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:49,360 Speaker 1: South last year where you had to go to Tennessee 746 00:38:49,480 --> 00:38:52,960 Speaker 1: to Jacksonville. So you're not doing that this year because 747 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:56,200 Speaker 1: you're playing the NFC North and then the AFC West. 748 00:38:56,320 --> 00:38:59,080 Speaker 1: So that's a nice aspect of the schedule. Here's my 749 00:38:59,239 --> 00:39:03,239 Speaker 1: number one request. Okay, I want to go to Seattle 750 00:39:04,080 --> 00:39:09,279 Speaker 1: before the month of November. Oh well, because but this 751 00:39:09,320 --> 00:39:14,080 Speaker 1: franchise has traveled to Seattle often enough late in the calendar. 752 00:39:14,440 --> 00:39:16,600 Speaker 1: It's time for that to spend the other way. I 753 00:39:16,640 --> 00:39:18,560 Speaker 1: think a week way if it's not going to be 754 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:22,440 Speaker 1: you know, Week one Rams San Francisco forty nine ers, 755 00:39:22,520 --> 00:39:24,600 Speaker 1: which I just sort of tend to think it's going 756 00:39:24,640 --> 00:39:27,640 Speaker 1: to be, especially because you have the Jimmy g factor 757 00:39:27,760 --> 00:39:30,560 Speaker 1: and you have all the factors of the Rams offseason. 758 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:33,399 Speaker 1: I feel like Rams Niners week one would be like 759 00:39:33,600 --> 00:39:35,600 Speaker 1: something that the schedulemakers would want, and I think you 760 00:39:35,640 --> 00:39:37,960 Speaker 1: should because look at the four games that they've played 761 00:39:38,040 --> 00:39:41,239 Speaker 1: since the Rams came back to Los Angeles. Week one 762 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:44,840 Speaker 1: in San Francisco twenty sixteen. Golf wasn't even active, correct, 763 00:39:45,280 --> 00:39:47,080 Speaker 1: and I was just one of the worst games I've 764 00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:49,840 Speaker 1: ever covered, and there been a battle and then the 765 00:39:50,760 --> 00:39:53,640 Speaker 1: comeback game at the end of the chip CALLI Colin 766 00:39:53,680 --> 00:39:56,120 Speaker 1: capri Era was not much to write home about from 767 00:39:56,120 --> 00:39:59,440 Speaker 1: the Rams standpoint. The Thursday Night game last year was 768 00:39:59,480 --> 00:40:02,600 Speaker 1: phenomen It was might be good reason for networks to 769 00:40:02,640 --> 00:40:05,640 Speaker 1: be attracted to that matchup again here early in twenty eighteen. 770 00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:08,440 Speaker 1: But then last year the finale at the Coliseum. I mean, 771 00:40:08,440 --> 00:40:10,040 Speaker 1: it hardly even counts in my mind. The Rams win 772 00:40:10,080 --> 00:40:13,840 Speaker 1: eleven and four, and the regulation I concur yes, because 773 00:40:13,880 --> 00:40:16,400 Speaker 1: I'll never count that game. So my point is that 774 00:40:16,480 --> 00:40:20,200 Speaker 1: these great rivals haven't had the opportunity or have not 775 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:23,320 Speaker 1: put their best foot forward very often through two years, 776 00:40:23,680 --> 00:40:26,239 Speaker 1: aside from that one Thursday Night game. So I think 777 00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:28,359 Speaker 1: it would be good for both franchises, not that I'm 778 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:30,920 Speaker 1: necessarily concerned about the fortunes of the forty nine ers 779 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:34,400 Speaker 1: at the moment. To get that ramped up to full throttle, 780 00:40:34,480 --> 00:40:36,920 Speaker 1: I think early in this calendar year. I think that 781 00:40:36,960 --> 00:40:40,320 Speaker 1: would be awesome. But I would like to see Seattle 782 00:40:40,719 --> 00:40:44,080 Speaker 1: in Seattle like week one, week two as well. I 783 00:40:44,120 --> 00:40:46,920 Speaker 1: think that would be fun to go up there, and 784 00:40:46,920 --> 00:40:49,480 Speaker 1: Seattle is a great town, and you know, when we 785 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:51,680 Speaker 1: were in Saint Louis, we would usually spend two days 786 00:40:51,719 --> 00:40:53,960 Speaker 1: out there because the flight's longer now we don't. So 787 00:40:54,200 --> 00:40:57,440 Speaker 1: just to get into Seattle in an earlier time of 788 00:40:57,560 --> 00:41:01,680 Speaker 1: year where it's a little bit nicer, degree drizzle sets in, Yes, exactly, 789 00:41:01,680 --> 00:41:03,239 Speaker 1: I think that would be really really I mean the 790 00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:05,680 Speaker 1: weather games you would like to avoid, if at all possible, 791 00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:09,919 Speaker 1: be that one at Chicago, Yes, at Denver right right? 792 00:41:09,960 --> 00:41:13,280 Speaker 1: Aside from that, are there any major No, because Detroit's 793 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:15,960 Speaker 1: and a dome and or else are you going? You're 794 00:41:15,960 --> 00:41:19,040 Speaker 1: not going to Kansas City. You're playing Kansas City in Mexico. 795 00:41:19,840 --> 00:41:23,680 Speaker 1: You play at Oakland. That's fine, And those would be 796 00:41:23,680 --> 00:41:25,960 Speaker 1: the only other concerns. I mean, because you're going to 797 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:29,560 Speaker 1: New Orleans as well, and again like that's you're inside 798 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,080 Speaker 1: a dome. So I think from a playing standpoint, you're 799 00:41:32,080 --> 00:41:34,360 Speaker 1: probably going to be okay, Okay, one last one. I 800 00:41:34,680 --> 00:41:38,760 Speaker 1: see four scheduled primetime game four hope with the potential 801 00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:42,560 Speaker 1: to flex maybe some more. Okay, but a Monday, a Thursday, 802 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:46,120 Speaker 1: and then I think the Rams are deserving of two 803 00:41:46,360 --> 00:41:49,600 Speaker 1: Sunday nights. I think no, I think so too. I mean, 804 00:41:49,600 --> 00:41:52,480 Speaker 1: I Philadelphia and Los Angeles to me, given the game 805 00:41:52,520 --> 00:41:54,719 Speaker 1: they played last year and where they are in their 806 00:41:54,760 --> 00:41:58,040 Speaker 1: respective franchise, is a sense I think is a surefire 807 00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:00,359 Speaker 1: lock for primetime. Yeah, I would have to think yeah. 808 00:42:00,400 --> 00:42:03,840 Speaker 1: And then whether it's the matchup of Cal quarterbacks Aaron 809 00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:07,400 Speaker 1: Rodgers and Jared Goff, or whether it's Minnesota and Kirk 810 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:11,160 Speaker 1: Cousins against Sean McVeigh again another two projected teams to 811 00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:14,920 Speaker 1: contend for the NFC Championship, or whether it's division games 812 00:42:14,920 --> 00:42:18,600 Speaker 1: against the likes of San Francisco or Ethan McVeigh and Gruden. 813 00:42:18,640 --> 00:42:20,800 Speaker 1: I think there are so many options out there that 814 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:22,840 Speaker 1: would appeal to a national audience. I think it'd be 815 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:26,080 Speaker 1: cool to see primetime games two Sundays, one Monday, one 816 00:42:26,160 --> 00:42:29,799 Speaker 1: Thursday on the initial scheduled release, with the potential to 817 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:32,279 Speaker 1: flex another one if things go the way we hope 818 00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:34,480 Speaker 1: they will well even New Orleans. I think when you 819 00:42:34,560 --> 00:42:37,279 Speaker 1: talk about just the quarterback matchup and the fact that 820 00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:40,200 Speaker 1: both of those teams were playoff teams last year, that 821 00:42:40,200 --> 00:42:42,840 Speaker 1: that's another one that I think might be a candidate 822 00:42:42,880 --> 00:42:45,560 Speaker 1: for a Sunday night game. And I think it's especially 823 00:42:45,760 --> 00:42:49,640 Speaker 1: it's going to be an interesting matchup because that really 824 00:42:49,800 --> 00:42:52,840 Speaker 1: in that game that the Rams played in New Orleans, 825 00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:55,840 Speaker 1: and no, it did not go very well. In twenty sixteen, 826 00:42:56,000 --> 00:42:58,480 Speaker 1: But that was Jared Goff's best game as a rookie. 827 00:42:58,719 --> 00:43:02,080 Speaker 1: I remember, you know, talking thing to Sean McVeagh about 828 00:43:02,239 --> 00:43:04,759 Speaker 1: Jared Goff really before Goff was able to get in 829 00:43:04,840 --> 00:43:07,640 Speaker 1: the building. A lot of the time point to that 830 00:43:07,960 --> 00:43:11,520 Speaker 1: New Orleans tape as one as some of the things 831 00:43:11,560 --> 00:43:13,680 Speaker 1: that he saw that were like, Okay, you can work 832 00:43:13,719 --> 00:43:16,279 Speaker 1: with this with Jared Goff. You know, you're seeing some 833 00:43:16,320 --> 00:43:18,360 Speaker 1: of the things that he can do. And he played 834 00:43:18,400 --> 00:43:20,640 Speaker 1: pretty well on that first half. And then yes, obviously 835 00:43:20,680 --> 00:43:23,040 Speaker 1: the wheels came off in the second and things got 836 00:43:23,120 --> 00:43:25,520 Speaker 1: maybe a little bit personal between Sean Payton and Greg 837 00:43:25,560 --> 00:43:31,640 Speaker 1: Williams at the end. There just a tad um Brandon 838 00:43:31,640 --> 00:43:33,879 Speaker 1: Cooks played in that game. He did well. He has 839 00:43:33,880 --> 00:43:36,440 Speaker 1: already made his return to New Orleans. Yes, so even 840 00:43:36,480 --> 00:43:38,520 Speaker 1: though that's a that's a nice rich storyline, it's not 841 00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:40,799 Speaker 1: the first time, right, not in the preseason, not in 842 00:43:40,800 --> 00:43:42,640 Speaker 1: the regular season. He will go back as a member 843 00:43:42,640 --> 00:43:45,480 Speaker 1: of the Rams. Any road trip specifically, no matter what 844 00:43:45,560 --> 00:43:51,520 Speaker 1: time of year you're looking forward to on this year's schedule. Yeah, 845 00:43:51,560 --> 00:43:54,640 Speaker 1: I thought Mile High was pretty cool. In the two 846 00:43:54,719 --> 00:43:57,600 Speaker 1: thousand and sixteen preseason game, the Rams played there. I 847 00:43:57,640 --> 00:44:00,719 Speaker 1: think that's a special place in the Nation Football League, 848 00:44:00,760 --> 00:44:02,920 Speaker 1: so I'm looking forward to that one. I have not 849 00:44:03,120 --> 00:44:05,040 Speaker 1: called a game, although I've gone to a game and 850 00:44:05,120 --> 00:44:09,120 Speaker 1: Soldier Field, and I think it's interesting that it's I 851 00:44:09,200 --> 00:44:11,080 Speaker 1: get the sense the Bears are trying to be this 852 00:44:11,160 --> 00:44:14,799 Speaker 1: year's Rams. Yes, I do too, So I think that's 853 00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:17,680 Speaker 1: a sneaky good game and a really great road trip 854 00:44:17,760 --> 00:44:20,279 Speaker 1: on the Rams schedule. I would encourage Rams fans when 855 00:44:20,320 --> 00:44:22,240 Speaker 1: the schedule does come out to maybe put a marker 856 00:44:22,280 --> 00:44:25,040 Speaker 1: on that one. I do love Chicago, and you know 857 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:30,440 Speaker 1: you're mark a trip to Chicago and selfishly another schedule 858 00:44:30,560 --> 00:44:35,560 Speaker 1: wish list. I hope there's a Notre Dame home game. Yes, yes, 859 00:44:35,960 --> 00:44:38,479 Speaker 1: I might be able to double dip. Okay, yeah, I'm 860 00:44:38,520 --> 00:44:41,560 Speaker 1: looking forward to New Orleans. I like going to New Orleans, 861 00:44:41,719 --> 00:44:43,120 Speaker 1: and it's kind of nice that we get to go 862 00:44:43,160 --> 00:44:46,960 Speaker 1: there twice. Um. I mean, New Orleans obviously is a 863 00:44:47,000 --> 00:44:49,839 Speaker 1: great town. It's a fun town. But the last time 864 00:44:49,880 --> 00:44:53,080 Speaker 1: we were there in twenty sixteen, so you know, as 865 00:44:53,160 --> 00:44:55,399 Speaker 1: one does when one goes to New Orleans. I had 866 00:44:55,480 --> 00:45:00,920 Speaker 1: a couple of hurricanes and beverages, yes, and hurricanes. Yeah, exactly. 867 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:03,880 Speaker 1: So we were a lot of us that were on 868 00:45:03,960 --> 00:45:07,719 Speaker 1: that trip. Were at Pat O'Brien's and they have you know, 869 00:45:07,760 --> 00:45:12,640 Speaker 1: the dueling pianos, and Jim Hill of CBS two, who 870 00:45:12,760 --> 00:45:14,759 Speaker 1: everybody knows and if you don't know him, I don't 871 00:45:14,760 --> 00:45:17,840 Speaker 1: know why you don't, was also there. So the one 872 00:45:17,880 --> 00:45:20,200 Speaker 1: who knows us doesn't know Jim Hill, I know, right, Like, 873 00:45:20,280 --> 00:45:22,799 Speaker 1: if you know who we are, your really um. But 874 00:45:23,160 --> 00:45:25,920 Speaker 1: so he is there. The next it must have been 875 00:45:25,920 --> 00:45:28,360 Speaker 1: the Sunday finally, you know, we were on the bus 876 00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:31,080 Speaker 1: to the game or whatever and he comes up to 877 00:45:31,120 --> 00:45:34,920 Speaker 1: me and he goes, Miles, man, you knew every word 878 00:45:34,960 --> 00:45:38,400 Speaker 1: every song at that piano bar. That was just awesome. 879 00:45:38,440 --> 00:45:41,440 Speaker 1: And I was like, oh my goodness, I forgot that 880 00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:46,080 Speaker 1: you were there. So that's my fun Jim Hill story 881 00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:47,839 Speaker 1: from New Orleans. You know what I like is that, 882 00:45:47,960 --> 00:45:50,239 Speaker 1: you know, this would have been an ideal podcast for 883 00:45:50,360 --> 00:45:52,120 Speaker 1: DeMarco far to be on, so you could have talked 884 00:45:52,239 --> 00:45:54,480 Speaker 1: and Don mckin, Sue and Aaron Donald in a more intelligent, 885 00:45:54,480 --> 00:45:57,040 Speaker 1: in depth fashion. I think we had a nice intelligent 886 00:45:57,120 --> 00:46:02,759 Speaker 1: discussion start, but you just nicely compensated for DeMarco's storytelling, 887 00:46:02,880 --> 00:46:06,040 Speaker 1: which is a staple of the podcast with one of 888 00:46:06,040 --> 00:46:07,960 Speaker 1: your own, because I can't bring that to the between 889 00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:12,880 Speaker 1: the horns. So the DeMarco far presence was felt by 890 00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:15,600 Speaker 1: virtue your storytelling. Well, I appreciate it. And the other 891 00:46:15,640 --> 00:46:18,359 Speaker 1: thing I mean, like going to Baltimore week one that 892 00:46:18,480 --> 00:46:21,520 Speaker 1: in the preseason is not ideal, but I will say this, 893 00:46:21,640 --> 00:46:24,439 Speaker 1: Baltimore is some of the best seafood that you will 894 00:46:24,560 --> 00:46:28,400 Speaker 1: ever ever eat in this world, and it's phenomenal. And 895 00:46:28,600 --> 00:46:30,640 Speaker 1: my grandfather lives there, so that will be a nice 896 00:46:30,840 --> 00:46:33,640 Speaker 1: trip and it's a nice little added extra thing for me. 897 00:46:33,719 --> 00:46:37,239 Speaker 1: So let's check the Orioles schedule, see if Candy Yards 898 00:46:37,280 --> 00:46:39,800 Speaker 1: is open. Oh yeah, that week. That's a great question. 899 00:46:40,320 --> 00:46:42,600 Speaker 1: That is a good thing. Yes, a little baseball because 900 00:46:42,600 --> 00:46:44,960 Speaker 1: that was one of the actual things about last year's 901 00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:47,319 Speaker 1: schedule that kind of bothered me was that there were 902 00:46:47,360 --> 00:46:52,120 Speaker 1: no NBA games ever when we were in these away towns, 903 00:46:52,120 --> 00:46:55,680 Speaker 1: Like I remember looking at Minnesota in particular. There are 904 00:46:55,680 --> 00:46:57,600 Speaker 1: a couple other places that we went and I was like, man, 905 00:46:57,640 --> 00:47:00,800 Speaker 1: there's just no NBA at home. So now could have 906 00:47:00,880 --> 00:47:03,040 Speaker 1: gone across the parking lot to Oracle and seeing the 907 00:47:03,120 --> 00:47:05,000 Speaker 1: dubs if we had had a free night in Oaklinton. 908 00:47:05,000 --> 00:47:09,200 Speaker 1: I wouldn't want to do that, Okay, for obvious for 909 00:47:09,200 --> 00:47:12,440 Speaker 1: pretty obvious reasons. Yeah, Cleveland Cavalier fan, well, I'm just 910 00:47:12,480 --> 00:47:16,600 Speaker 1: gonna say not really. But Lebron James, Well, I actually 911 00:47:16,640 --> 00:47:18,840 Speaker 1: that is the place where they won the first championship 912 00:47:18,840 --> 00:47:20,960 Speaker 1: in franchise history. So I would like to be able 913 00:47:21,000 --> 00:47:23,960 Speaker 1: to go there and smell the champagne inside the visitors 914 00:47:23,960 --> 00:47:25,959 Speaker 1: locker room that I'm sure still to do it quickly 915 00:47:25,960 --> 00:47:27,880 Speaker 1: because they're moving across the bay to San Francisco. This 916 00:47:28,040 --> 00:47:32,440 Speaker 1: is true. Um, so anything else before we now department 917 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:35,279 Speaker 1: for the people, Uh No, it's it's nice to see you. 918 00:47:35,400 --> 00:47:39,000 Speaker 1: And because the Rams don't have a first or second 919 00:47:39,040 --> 00:47:44,080 Speaker 1: round draft pick, my spring interest has gone all in 920 00:47:44,280 --> 00:47:48,480 Speaker 1: on the schedule. Yes, because for the reasons you mentioned already. 921 00:47:49,200 --> 00:47:51,000 Speaker 1: One you can kind of map out your calendar, and 922 00:47:51,080 --> 00:47:54,279 Speaker 1: two you can start to plan and anticipate. Yeah, I 923 00:47:54,360 --> 00:47:57,600 Speaker 1: think next week is one of the most exciting weeks 924 00:47:57,600 --> 00:48:02,080 Speaker 1: on the offseason calendar, and we don't know the release 925 00:48:02,200 --> 00:48:04,080 Speaker 1: date yet, so we have good reason to believe it'll 926 00:48:04,080 --> 00:48:06,680 Speaker 1: fall somewhere on next week's calendar, and then that sets 927 00:48:06,680 --> 00:48:09,879 Speaker 1: the table for the draft perfectly. So each of these 928 00:48:09,920 --> 00:48:12,920 Speaker 1: milestones brings us one step closer to training camp, even 929 00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:16,879 Speaker 1: OTAs that's true, which workouts next week now, yes, yes, 930 00:48:17,040 --> 00:48:19,880 Speaker 1: next Monday is the start of the off season program, 931 00:48:19,920 --> 00:48:22,560 Speaker 1: which it feels like the players were just there, but 932 00:48:22,680 --> 00:48:24,840 Speaker 1: it's been a few months and so it's going to 933 00:48:24,880 --> 00:48:27,000 Speaker 1: be cool to see all those guys get back in 934 00:48:27,040 --> 00:48:30,640 Speaker 1: the building. They can finally start talking football with their coaches. 935 00:48:30,680 --> 00:48:33,399 Speaker 1: I just got an alert Crabtree to leave round three 936 00:48:34,400 --> 00:48:37,879 Speaker 1: from a media source, Michael Crabtree and to keep to leave, 937 00:48:37,960 --> 00:48:41,319 Speaker 1: have chance to renew their bad blood at joint practices 938 00:48:41,360 --> 00:48:44,960 Speaker 1: in training camps. See, that's what I'm talking about. That's 939 00:48:45,040 --> 00:48:48,319 Speaker 1: what the people want to see, some chain snatching, as 940 00:48:48,360 --> 00:48:50,960 Speaker 1: long as it doesn't get too out of hand. Nobody 941 00:48:51,000 --> 00:48:53,040 Speaker 1: wants to like a fight on the East Coast, that's 942 00:48:53,400 --> 00:48:56,120 Speaker 1: I mean anywhere, but especially I mean like you've already 943 00:48:56,160 --> 00:48:58,239 Speaker 1: gotten on a plane for like five hours. You don't 944 00:48:58,239 --> 00:49:01,080 Speaker 1: want to be fighting with people. That's not not necessarily 945 00:49:01,080 --> 00:49:03,799 Speaker 1: what you want. On my last thought though, before we go, 946 00:49:03,880 --> 00:49:06,719 Speaker 1: since you did bring up the Cavaliers, Lebron James is 947 00:49:06,760 --> 00:49:10,640 Speaker 1: the MVP. M you should be the MVP. I haven't 948 00:49:10,640 --> 00:49:12,920 Speaker 1: paid close enough attention to the league. What is it 949 00:49:13,200 --> 00:49:15,600 Speaker 1: James Harden? Is that? Yes, James Harden is thought of 950 00:49:15,840 --> 00:49:17,720 Speaker 1: as the MVP, but if you look at the numbers, 951 00:49:17,800 --> 00:49:20,240 Speaker 1: Lebron's numbers are all better. He played eighty two games 952 00:49:20,280 --> 00:49:24,520 Speaker 1: for the first time in season fifteen, and he's got 953 00:49:24,520 --> 00:49:27,560 Speaker 1: better numbers than James Harden. He should be last two 954 00:49:27,600 --> 00:49:29,399 Speaker 1: years ago that he took the time off to kind 955 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:32,319 Speaker 1: of go that I think was two years ago. Yeah, 956 00:49:32,360 --> 00:49:36,239 Speaker 1: when he went to Miami, which weird goes, but it worked. No, 957 00:49:36,360 --> 00:49:38,120 Speaker 1: it worked, and now he's kind of swung the other way. 958 00:49:38,320 --> 00:49:41,560 Speaker 1: He's going to play hopefully every game of the entire 959 00:49:41,600 --> 00:49:44,239 Speaker 1: regular season in post season. Yes, let's hope. So for 960 00:49:44,320 --> 00:49:46,239 Speaker 1: my sake. All right, Well, thank you JB so much 961 00:49:46,600 --> 00:49:48,000 Speaker 1: for being a part of this. Good to see you 962 00:49:48,080 --> 00:49:51,080 Speaker 1: two and fans everybody make sure you tune into the 963 00:49:51,160 --> 00:49:53,880 Speaker 1: latest episode of Behind the Grind, JB, have you been 964 00:49:53,880 --> 00:49:56,759 Speaker 1: watching Behind the Grind? Awesome? Yes, really really cool? And 965 00:49:57,640 --> 00:50:01,040 Speaker 1: if I may, just because Cavon Uster played a portion 966 00:50:01,200 --> 00:50:03,840 Speaker 1: in one of the early episodes, shout out to Cavon 967 00:50:04,040 --> 00:50:07,320 Speaker 1: one for his contributions to last year's team two for 968 00:50:07,400 --> 00:50:10,640 Speaker 1: the way he handled I thought the acquisitions the Rams 969 00:50:10,640 --> 00:50:14,160 Speaker 1: had been making this spring. Like a consonant professional, he 970 00:50:14,239 --> 00:50:17,520 Speaker 1: was the first to extend congratulations and welcomes to the 971 00:50:17,560 --> 00:50:19,319 Speaker 1: likes of Marcus Peters and to keep to leave some 972 00:50:19,400 --> 00:50:21,080 Speaker 1: are probably knowing in the back of his mind what 973 00:50:21,120 --> 00:50:25,000 Speaker 1: it might mean for his professional fortunes in his next move. Today, 974 00:50:25,120 --> 00:50:27,120 Speaker 1: I think it was announced that a Key will wear 975 00:50:27,320 --> 00:50:32,120 Speaker 1: his number twenty one last season. So hey, just wish 976 00:50:32,200 --> 00:50:34,600 Speaker 1: Cavon all the best. Who knows, maybe we see again 977 00:50:34,640 --> 00:50:36,759 Speaker 1: in a Rams uniform before your career is done. But 978 00:50:37,040 --> 00:50:39,759 Speaker 1: thanks for handling everything like a consummate professional. Absolutely and 979 00:50:39,800 --> 00:50:43,399 Speaker 1: one of the more impressive players that I've ever met, 980 00:50:43,440 --> 00:50:46,879 Speaker 1: just in terms of his off the field interests. He's 981 00:50:46,880 --> 00:50:50,439 Speaker 1: a published author, he's done himself a food truck now 982 00:50:50,719 --> 00:50:53,280 Speaker 1: he's got a trucking company. This is a really really 983 00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:56,399 Speaker 1: interesting guy, multilayered guy, and it was a pleasure getting 984 00:50:56,440 --> 00:50:58,839 Speaker 1: to know him apart over the last year. But yes, 985 00:50:58,920 --> 00:51:03,359 Speaker 1: Behind the Grind next episode premieres tonight on Thursday, six 986 00:51:03,480 --> 00:51:06,719 Speaker 1: pm Pacific time. Facebook watch make sure you check it out. 987 00:51:06,800 --> 00:51:09,080 Speaker 1: The guys went to Pittsburgh and got to visit with 988 00:51:09,120 --> 00:51:11,800 Speaker 1: Aaron Donald. You're going to get to see the dungeon, 989 00:51:11,960 --> 00:51:14,520 Speaker 1: his basement where he started working out as a kid. 990 00:51:14,800 --> 00:51:17,719 Speaker 1: It's really really incredible stuff and I'm really looking forward 991 00:51:17,840 --> 00:51:20,200 Speaker 1: to seeing it, looking forward to having you guys watch 992 00:51:20,320 --> 00:51:22,680 Speaker 1: that too. We will see you next time. Right here 993 00:51:22,760 --> 00:51:24,880 Speaker 1: on between the horns now flex like Aaron Donald.