November 6, 2025 • 36 mins
J.B. Long, D'Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew sit down on the newest episode of Between The Horns to discuss the Los Angeles Rams' newly signed players on special teams and predictions ahead of Sunday's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The tro also talk about the Rams' success in the red zone.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Six and two winners of three straight. And here comes
a new between the Horns as we had to Santa Clair,
Maurice Jones, Drew DeMarco Farr. I'm JB. Long As always
represented by your Southern California to Yo to dealers, it's
forty nine Ers week. Chance to complete some unfinished business.
Why you're shaking your head tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Just every just Niners week. I just go back through
the anthology of just pitfalls when it comes to this
football team. Do you do you hate them yet? Has
it started to grow in you?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I hate them before I joined the Rams. This was
a marriage that we were. It was marriage built on hate.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It was is good. That's the That's the foundation of
what we do here, every last rep I do in
anything I think about them. It's crazy, yeh.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I know we've had more painful losses, but where does
the one on Thursday night football week five?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh God?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
In terms of sticking in your cross.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Right at the top, because it should not. But again,
this has happened before with the forty nine Ers. That's
why this is more than a rivalry. But for this
football team, it's another You could be undefeated right now,
that's one you should have gotten that you didn't get.
So even beyond the rivalry, it's just get back for
that game that you let get out of here in
(01:13):
so far you have to get that back on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
All right, we'll get into plenty of that and how
they make amends and what adjustments they make, and preview
this week ten matchup. But we're going to break the
mold a little bit on this between the Horns for
the first time in show history, right to the kicking
game in the A block atop of the show, Have
we ever led with the long snapper? No help us
all understand why? That's the first step in fixing what's
ailing this team?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, you're missing kicks. And I said, this is a
hill I'm willing to die on and I will go
to the grave saying that. I think joshuaccarty's a good kicker.
That guy's got a strong leg. I think as he
gets older he's going to get nothing but better. So,
but I think the operation was suffering and now it's
starting to hurt the football team, or it already has
hurt the football team, and it's been going on too long,
(01:58):
so you've got to get it fixed. So I think
they gave you some indication on what may be happening
when they bring back Jake mcgaid, when they bring in
another long snapper into the equation. So it's not just
about one guy. I think it's the entire operation that
needs to get better. And like I said, the shocking
thing is it's gone on for so long. That's something
(02:18):
we're not used to in the Sean McVay era. Usually
things are a problem. If you can fix them, they
get fixed. But the best thing about it is this
is something that you can get fixed in a hurry.
This isn't a fourth or fifth left tackle or you're
down to your practice scot practice squad cornerbacks. This is
a situation that can get fixed fast. And let's hope
(02:39):
it gets fixed on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Because there's replacement value right long snapper in your battery
available on the street, and so all it takes is
one piece to click in the place.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
There we go, Yes, Maurice.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Is from a player's standpoint, this organization has a very
high standard and you can imagine you've seen what it
looks like to have Sean McVay stand in front of
a room right FF three on the active roster, everyone
in the practice squad, players and coaches alike. It felt
like it had gotten to the point on Sunday where
he couldn't go into another team meeting and say, Hey,
the offense is doing this, the defense is doing this.
(03:11):
Our kicking game, just give it more time.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah, you know, I think it's this league is built
on confidence, and I think the most important thing is
if you're not confident in yourself right, and that's what
you saw with some of those kicks, like the shank,
like shanked all the way left right. That's a confidence thing.
And over time, I think DeMarco you said it best.
I think Cardi will be a really good kicker. It's
you have to build your confidence up. You have to
(03:35):
be especially whether I played for teams that we didn't
have that high of a standard. We like early on,
we would like our playoffs. This is a super Bowl
caliber roster and your standard.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Is as such.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
And so that means you have a bunch of confident
individuals around you. And so if I have to hold
myself to a certain standard every day, that means I
expect you to do the same thing. And if Sean
can't stand in from the room and hold you and
your operation or whoever it is, to that standard, then
we got to get you. We got to get you
out of here. We gotta find someone else who can
do that. And so that's the hard part of this business.
(04:08):
I think people don't talk about it is because it's
not just cutting. Most people don't get cut because of skill.
You get cut because of confidence.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Because at the skill.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Level was very minute. The difference between skill players. Even
with the Saints they had some players on their teams
that were really good. It's the confidence and the confidence,
the confidence in the scheme and myself and my covering
and my technique. If I'm not confident in those things,
then You're gonna see a big, big dip. And so
I think that's what the biggest part of it is
is there's just a lack of confidence. And it started
with in Philly right when the first one got blocked.
(04:37):
It just was like or it got close, and then
it or got blocked and it's like, oh, here we
go right and then so I think that is the
biggest thing is I thought Sean gave it.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
A lot of time to try to fix too.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
What we're week ten, now, that's a lot of time
to try to fix something from the first block field
goal and to not have it fixed is a problem.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
You're worried about confidence though, I think is relevant because yes,
they are challenging him, they bring in Harris Mevs and
maybe he ends up kicking for the Rams this weekend.
I don't know, but if it is Joshua Card who's
got a boarding past to Santa Clara, he should go
there as a confident kicker because it means he will
have won a job this week in a way that
he didn't even have to this offseason. Understandably so, but
he was the only kicker in camp. So in terms
(05:15):
of re establishing his confidence, by pushing him, maybe you
can get him back to square one.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I'll say this too.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
I firmly believe competition breeds greatness, and a lot of
times quarterbacks and kickers really don't compete, and punters those
are the three people that necessarily don't compete because normally
you have your starter in camp, he's getting his reps.
But if you look at everyone else, everyone else is
in competition. You have two three four running backs, you
have multiple wide receivers, you have multiple offensive lineman. Guys
(05:41):
are competing to move up and so in a lot
of it is because it's the psyche of those positions.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Right. The kicker has to be able to.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Not do anything all game and then come out and
kick a fifty yard or for the game winner. You
have to mentally be in a certain mindset. That same
with the quarterback. You don't want your quarterback always looking
over his shoulder. But also part of that thing is
too is how does he get confident?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Right?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Well, you get confident by winning battles, winning things, do
winning small things over time and you become that person.
And so that that's always been Like the thing is
I've always wondered how do you manage that as a coach?
How do you handle those personalities and those those type
of things for guys that don't necessarily compete day in
and day out, Like, yeah, Matthew Stafford's going to compete
(06:23):
with Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. But is he really
competing though?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Like it's over fast, right, you see what I'm saying. So,
but Kyra's competing with Blake Corram. Yeah, right, that's a
true competition about it, right? Like those dbs were competing
with each other throughout training camp, and so you start
you started to see those things. And then also this too.
I remember being in Jacksonvie. I remember I got paid.
I was so upset and this young worries by the
way they drafted Rashad Jennings.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
And I was irate.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I was like, bro, my money hasn't even touched the
bank account that you're trying to replace me, right, And
then every tuesdactually you bring it in running backs every Tuesday,
like what are we doing?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
What's going on? Huh?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
But as you run that year, Oh, I went crazy
every year until I got hurt. But that's but that's
what I'm talking about.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
The draft pick. How do you? How do you do that?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
And I think that's the question we have to ask Sean,
is how do you do that with the quarterback and
or with you know, the kicker?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Those have to be I think you just did it.
And what was the kicker's name? Again?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
His real name?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Are the one you kick? What's the what's what's his
name again?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
The thicker kick?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
You got a guy with a nickname in the room.
Come on, the competition is already there. So that's what
I'm saying. I mean, it's it's exactly what you just said.
You keep bringing in guys to replace me. They may
not even think that way about that guy, but you did.
So you're gonna get the best, the most focused out
of Cardi. So uh, I think even if you're Sean
McVay or head coach and you're struggling in that spot,
and like you said, you have to help hold everybody
(07:44):
to the same standard. You have to at least look
like you're doing something and bring in competition. I'm going
to get this fixed, guys. I'm making moves on it.
That's how you keep the locker room. But like you said,
this has got to stop, and I think it can
end very very fast. Let's see if this work.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
There is another option if necessary. But do you agree
that the best case scenario is that Cardi is kicking
this week in Santa Clara? I do. I believe that
strongly because of the research and the choice that they
made to draft him, because of what we saw at
the end of last season, knowing he's capable. Also because
in the back of my mind there's some recent data
points where I don't want to spend another kicker loose
and have him go find a job somewhere else, oh,
(08:20):
no doubt, like whether it's have a sick or dicker
or even like use the Niners as an example. Finally
had to part ways with Jake Moody and it's worked
out for them. But it's the second or third lap
around where it often cl clicks into place for these kickers.
I want that to be here in La for card.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I think it'll hurt ten five years from now if
you did. There was only one time and Johnny Hecker
was our punter. Then when you had Borquez was here
and they were battling it out, You're like, good God,
I don't know drafting.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Dimes in the preseason. Well he was out with COVID.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
You couldn't keep him. And the guy still has a
job elsewhere. I think he's in Denver, correct, still doing it.
So it was in Cleveland. It is what it is.
So yeah, I mean, I love when you compete for jobs.
You can only keep one, but I think competition, like
you said, brings the best out of all of us.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
All right, that was fun. Let's never do that again, okay?
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Good?
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Can we never lead with kicking game on between the
horns again? Put that one behind us. Yes, for sure,
let's talk trade deadline. We were talking about it before
the show, some of the things that happened around the league,
some of the things that didn't happen here in this facility. Maurice,
I think you were fairly outspoken in a very measured
way last week about what you were hoping to see
other than Roger McCreery, though the Rams do stand. Pat,
(09:28):
what's your post trade deadline reaction to the roster they have?
And thank god, thank god, what we didn't go get
Sauce Gardener. I didn't know it was gonna be like that. Okay,
so the price changes your mind?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Oh my gosh, does it more than anything?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Like I was just talking with a couple buddies of
minds that we we have these this group chat we
talk about all the time.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Jayalen Ramsey went for what two first and a fourth?
I think, yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Jalen Ramsey And again I'm not I don't want to
discredit Sauce Gardener what he was able to do his
rookie year and then a little bit of his sophomore year,
but he wasn't playing at that level and to give
that up and then take on that contract the coach
must believe that they're all in and Daniel Jones their guy,
because who do you You don't have any draft capital
to go draft the guy, and now you're gonna have
(10:10):
to You just put yourself in the counter where you're
gonna have to go pay Daniel Jones next year. Like you
literally showed your hand, this is what you have. I
think a lot of people. I think the Cowboys what
they did doesn't really help them at this point. I mean,
he just added another d tackle and a linebacker. But
but yeah, but it's Quinn. But still I go, yeah,
(10:31):
he could play, but you need pass rush, like they're
not getting to the quarterback right now on the outside.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
I don't know if it helps them. Indianapolis is in
a position to go all in. Who are we to
say that you shouldn't do that when you think you've
got the guys to do it. I like Sauce Gardner.
The only thing I had a problem with was how
much was it gonna cost. Well, I'm not willing to
part ways with those two first rounders to get him,
but you knew it was gonna be a premium price.
(10:58):
But I like the way that defense is set up.
I do. If you could just be credible in the
back end, which they are, If you can get what
you saw out of Emmanuel Forbes each and every week,
I think that's good enough. With the pass rush you have.
If this offense starts to round into form and score
points and put the pressure on opposing offenses by score,
(11:19):
I think you're set up to be one of the
top teams in the NFC. So I didn't think a
splash was necessary to take it from you know, point
A to to get to where you want to go.
I think you have good enough players on this roster already.
You just have to play a little bit better. Look,
we started this whole show talking about the kicking game.
If that was solid, you'd be seven and zero right now.
(11:42):
I think I think you're good enough to win right now.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
My only concern is this, and it's always gonna be
an issue. Who's gonna cover AJ Brown? That's gonna be
my only concern because you've done everything else to nullify
that offense. The one one problem you had was for
a quarter and a half you didn't cover a J.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Brown.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You couldn't cover him. There was only one before when
you won the Super Bowl. You had a guy that
could shut down a top with a top wide receiver, right,
and it allows you to do some different things.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
And so that's my only concern.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
If you're looking to win the Super Bowl and you're saying, look,
there's gonna be a third and nine and we're gonna
have to go one on one, can any of these
guys stop a J Brown?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
What if you're just trying to win the NFC West.
First things first, San Francisco was not able to acquire
more pass rush help importantly for this weekend beyond Seattle
did go get another weapon.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
But I was going to say that, like, Seattle scares
me by getting him fly. What did you just watch?
You can fly and go? And what does that do
for JSN? That opens up so much more. By the way,
I don't know if you guys watched the Commander's game,
but I don't think he was covered. He made someone
get hurt and then he wasn't covered the rest of
the game.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Like, so JSN is playing at such a high level.
To add that piece, I was gonna say that next
with the trade deadline, is that Seattle's low key, as
a young kids would say, making very good moves to
be to be a tender for.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
A long time six seven US.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, I'm just saying like that that move is underrated.
That move is underrated. And let's remember he was with
Clint Kubiak last year and that's what Remember those first
two games he wouldn't berserk those first couple of games
of card like three four.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Touchdowns like shot plays.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I mean again, that's that was the one thing that
was like, I was that guy cut my eye.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Let me take a stepping stone to Stafford and the
Rams by pointing out something that we floated last week
on this show, and I'm gonna double down on it here,
which is to say, I think part of the animating
force behind not making a sauce like trade is the
possibility to take two or three more bites at the
apple with Matthew Stafford. And I think that's probably a
perspective change from where we were on Draft Day of
(13:44):
this year.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Oh yeah, no doubt. Okay, so we've seen lots of
quarterbacks at the beginning, the middle, and the end. If
you were just watching Matthew Stafford from space and you
had no idea how old he was, could you really
tell on his play?
Speaker 1 (13:59):
Doesn't look like you got the best quarterback in the NFC, you.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Got the best quarterback of the NFL. And I think
in the system. To me, the way he's playing and
the way they're they allow him, the way he's allowing
the system to work through him, is why he is
where he is now. To be honest with you, I
mean we saw it last year with Jimmy G in
the last game of the season, Jimmy G went toe
to toe with the Seattle Seahawks. It was a lot
of play action pass under center stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
So you're putting his brain, his arm, talent into the
system that it's meant to be run this way and can.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Be friendly system, and you're getting what is it, twenty
one touchdowns, two picks or something crazy or I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
What it is.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
But with Pooka, without Pooka with targets who are winning.
Tell me about this this three tight end identity, Now
it's two and a half. Wit see Ferg out there.
I'm not sure it's it's true. Thirteen person Oh, it's.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Thirteen personnel because because there are no receiver running the
bigt him running like that.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
So how did the rams get here and why are
they leaning into it? In a way that they've never
done before in eight prior seasons.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Things happen where you have to make adjustments, and sometimes
you make adjustments on the fly, And I think, who
could getting hurt in Baltimore force their hand to figure
out how can we run the ball still be efficient
in our passing game and be able to use play
action pass. Puka Nakua is your lead blocker on most
run plays. Out of eleven and twelve personnel, they'll put
(15:19):
them in motion. He'll be able to lead block. Well, now,
guess what instead of putting the receiver from all the
way outside to motion across, what is a short motion
to tight end right that's stacked and then we'll do
the same thing and then he'll insert. And so it's
it's not a I don't again, I don't know the
play calls, but to me, it doesn't look like it's
a different play calls. It's a different formation right, the
(15:41):
same motion shift or whatever you want to call it.
Guys are ending up in the same spots, but now
these are bigger guys.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
So offensively, the Rams are running a lot of the
same plays and concepts. Defensively, the DeMarco you're forcing opponents
to work harder because now all their different personnel groupings
have to understand the run, pass, conflant.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Well running back. I bet you like twelve personnel, all right, yeah,
twelve twenty one. Yeah. See, I can't stand it as
a defensive player because it balances me out. I can't
call either side, so I don't have a strength side.
If you put thirteen out there, I'm really hamstrung. Here's
the other part. When you put that stuff on tape,
you have to stay up and talk about every single
thing you do defensively versus that personnel group. So everything
(16:20):
they throw out you you have to keep talking about,
this is what we're gonna do in base defense. This
is what we're gonna do in dime nickel when we blitz.
If we see this, we're gonna do that. Don't call
it here, Call it to that guy. That's a lot
of prep for one week when you put that stuff
on tape. Plus you've got Pooka and DeVante to worry about.
And that's the thing that really makes this offense tough
(16:40):
to defend.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
And the best part about it is it's probably still
the same play that they ran in OTA's with that
out of twelve and eleven personnel correct.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
And that's the thing that offense has an advantage way
back in the day when the Niners were rolling, when
I was a player, and it's funny, they would have
like twenty five different personnel groups through motions and shift
to run the same six plays over and over and
over again. That's how you get beat. That's what drives
you crazy. That's what this offense can be.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
The league wide trend though, and San Francisco has always
done this well. Seattle is doing it more than ever.
The Rams are getting there is showing run personnel to
get defenses to match you so that you can beat
them with your passing game right. And San Francisco is
unique because they've got use check and kittle right, so
they can get in some of those sets and still
(17:24):
have two pass threats at those positions. I think Seattle
will talk about this more next week, but they're doing
it at an elite level. It's meant great things for
Sam Darnold. But what does it mean for the Rams
to be able to put t Ferg out there and
have him fully integrated into the game plan and have
him be the joker piece that I think they've been
searching for ever since they drafted Gerald Everett.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
I would argue, well, again, let's talk about where quarterbacks
go to get rehabbed. Right, where do most quarterbacks go?
They go to Minnesota, they go to San Francisco, or
they come to LA Because this system is what DeMarco said.
We're gonna run twelve plays, but we're gonna run them
out of twenty fourmations and fifteen different personnels, right, and
it's but to the quarterbacks gonna look the same. And
(18:07):
we have a guy like Matthew Stafford who can identify
the defenses and know exactly who wants to go with
the ball. How much better do you think he'll be
if we can rehab a Daniel Jones back or Sam
Darnold back from what he went through with the Jets,
or some of these other people. And so the reason
Sam Darnold's doing awesome, this is the same office he
ran in San Francisco. It's the same office he ran
in Minnesota. And so I have Matthew Stafford now that
(18:29):
I can come out in thirteen personnel. You come out
in a base formation with li with linebackers and safeties
down in the box and I get one on one
with up the seam, or I get whatever, like whatever
I want with an athletic tight end.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Come on, what are we doing?
Speaker 1 (18:44):
It can't be a coincidence that Korum and Kiren both
loved it. Both had their best day of the season
last week.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Right, I'm glad you said what you said. There is
a quiet competition going on a ways. Yeah, it's fixing
to be louder either way, it's good for us. I
thought the old line up front did a great job.
I thought Kyen Williams, we said this on the digital show. Uh,
is it up to Sean to get Kiren going? Nop,
It's up to Kyroen to get going, and he did. Uh,
You've got to make more out of your opportunities because
(19:11):
when Blake korm is in the game, that dude is
thinking end zone. I really do. I love everything he did,
except when you cut it back and you force Matthew
Stafford to be a fullback.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Don't do that now, matthe Safigan out the way, let
me go, let me go on on one side. We
had to get back over there. I'll say this too
about the competition, Piauce. You keep talking about t Firk
you don't think Tyler seeing that they're all that everyone
all of a sudden.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Das Allen's offensive face mass is my favorite penalty of
the season.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
I think, yeah, he was good until he pulled the guy,
but everybody's when you're sitting in the meeting, right and again,
I may be the only one. I may be crazy,
maybe the only one thinks this way, But you're sitting
in the meeting and they're like, all right, t Firk,
this plays for you. How do you think everyone else
feels that's in that room like okay?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Like good for him? Yeah, I need some place for
me now, the same as Brayden Fisk when everybody's getting
sacks but you. And that's what Yes.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
If not for that Davis Allen penalty, I think the
Rams would be nine for nine in the red zone
the last two weeks spanning the by aside from DeVante
Adams and Matthew Stafford getting on the screws. What's changed there,
what's been different?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I think that's just it.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I think this's the thirteen personnel is literally coming out
in thirteen play action pass under center, selling outside zone.
I mean, what the Rams about? I think the Rams
the first couple of plays ran play action, didn't even
run the ball. And against the Saints, they came out
and then came out and spread ran the ball right.
That just puts your defense now your wheels are spinning.
Then we get in the redsud we come out in thirteen,
we're inside the fifteen. You're like, oh, this this has
(20:35):
to be run. I have to be aggressive, I have
to fit to my gap play action pass. Now I
got a guy straight stretching, and it's just it, just again,
it makes you think so much this offense, and we've
been waiting.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
To see this.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
We haven't seen this since twenty eighteen nineteen when Todd
Gurley was running those outside stretch plays and Whitworth was
getting the edge and then they boot away and the
guys are just wide open. We're starting to get back
to that. But it's just out of a set eleven.
It's out of thirteen.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And every once in a while you pop Tyler Higbee
out there for an easy touchdown. But I wish I
had said it on the show last week because I
thought you guys probably did too. When you go fade
ball after fade ball and you kill Jacksonville that way,
I would have wagered anything that the first time they
get in the red zone, he's gonna cross face, you're
gonna hit him on an easy slant for touchdoun, which
they did, and then you see what the Saints had
to do the next time they had a bail linebacker
(21:20):
out there to take it away. You just go back
to the fade ball and he rises and wins again.
So now you've got him coming and going.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yeah there that that touchdown to Devonte was like stealing. Yeah,
just unreal. Yeah, I didn't even make a sound when
it hit his gut. Just done. Touchdown.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Let's go to the defense, Morris. I don't know if
you were listening last week when Demark and I were talking,
I called this the yeah butt defense, Like they're a
very very good defense, but the only the only thing
that you can prevent from saying, like their elite is yeah,
who have they beaten? Indy's their best win. The Colts
are the best offense. They've defeated. Who's the best quarterback?
They've taken down Daniel Jones.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
To be Dan Jones is playing better, but I would
I mean, Mac Jones played his butt off.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
You say c J.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
Stroud got maybe the best individual quarterback, terrible offensive line situation,
didn't have his receivers week one. So I'm not trying
to damn this defense with faint praise. They've been really,
really good and there's plenty of metrics that can adjust
for opponent's strength, and they also say that this is
a top five defense. But I love the gauntlet they're
about to run. To your point about being ready for
(22:26):
this stretch, Go beat Mac Jones, Kyle Shanahan, take out
Sam Darnold. You know you still got Jared Goff, you
still got Baker Mayfield. The best offenses that they're gonna
face are in front of them, not behind him.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Yeah, I agree, And again I think that's what when
we were talking about a DBI, that was what my
concern was, Like, who is going to be your dB?
If you played Tampa and let's just Tampa gets two
of the three guys back, you got some mismatches going
on there with Inmbuka, who's playing really well. Do you
have Godwin and then you have McMillan. I don't know
if he'll be back or not by that time, but
(22:57):
or Detroit.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Who's gonna cover Amaro?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Same Brent, Right, that's a different animal on the slot.
And guess what Jameson Williams is still He's still making
plays as well. And so there's gonna be some different
concerns there. And that's what I want to see from
the defense is how do you shut down some of
these top wide receivers. It's not gonna be the old way.
You're gonna have to do it with multiple bodies, coverage,
leverage and different things.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
You get the kicking game right though. The offense playing
like this, you don't have to hold an opponent to three,
seven to ten anymore.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Correct the mundo. You know what my answer is gonna
be with any receiver is destroy the supply line that QB.
So for every receiver that we just talked about, I
hope you've got tackles and guards because the pressure will
get there. And if we're talking about quarterbacks you haven't faced.
How about the running backs you have? I mean, really,
when you think about the the you go from Saquon
(23:43):
to Taylor, you had to face King Henry. You just
this is your second time around with McCaffrey, and you
did a pretty good job against him on the run
the first time you saw him. So this defense is
doing exactly what it's designed to do with the personnel
and how they do it, stop the run, earn the
right to rush a pass, and then get after him.
And I'll keep saying this, and I have to give
him all the props in the world. There's no way
(24:04):
I thought mac Jones was going to finish that ball
game with as many times as he got hit. Yeah. Really,
I mean, I'm seriously. I mean, that was a heck
of an effort by him. He's got to remember that,
and you have to remind him of that. This Sunday.
They still and I think you said it during the broadcast.
Jared Verse went nose to nose with Trent Williams and
gave him some and Byron Young, like you said, if
(24:26):
he didn't give away that sack last week versus New
Orleans is really on one. These two guys are virtually
unblockable at times. They are game plan number one. So
I get receivers and how do you cover aj Brown?
I bet all opposing players or offenses are worried about,
how do we block these two dudes first so we
(24:47):
can get the ball.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
No one's more worried about that than Kyle Shanahan and
mac Jones because the guy's not even hold him on
the football for three seconds. I mean he's playing point
guard back there, and so I bounce passing it correct,
take it to seconds.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Well, I think that my biggest concern over the next
two weeks is pass plays on first down. That's gonna
be my biggest concern because if you look at both
of these teams, the Niners and the Seahawks, they throw
the ball on rundowns right out of run formations.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah, that's what you're talking about previously, right, and that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Is tough to stop if you have to, Well, how
do we stop guys from penning their ears back? You
gotta stop the runs, right, you got to stop the runs.
We're gonna make you play the run first and then
get into your past.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
And San Francisco couldn't and didn't run it in Houston,
and then they doubled down on it and ran all
over New York with not just CMC but Robinson too,
And so that is a real dimension you have to
respect again as you prepare for week ten.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
And that's the one thing you can circle about McCready.
Everywhere he's been he can tackle, he can tackle inside out.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
So you think he gets a look this week? Even
with do you will coming back?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I was surprised. I thought he'd played a little bit more,
but I thought Emmanuel Forbes really again, competition in the room.
Guess what happens, guy plays his best football. So I
think they're hitting all the right switches. But at some
point we're gonna see him. But the thing, the one
thing that jumps out of him, the guy's physical and
that's what the Rams are gonna bank on. And that's
what you need this Sunday, all.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Right, connect more dots from week five to week ten
in terms of adjustments, things that you saw at so
far that you think play at Levi's ts.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
You gotta cover the backs.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
You can't let Christian McCaffrey catch a four yard pass
and get fifteen.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Can't do that.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Starts after catches. How they sussist that goes hand in
hand with the time to throw thing. I just meant, well, that's.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
That's their whole deal.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Like again, being around Kyle, and I only remember this
I was around and when I was seventeen eighteen years old.
But there's certain things that stuck with him that he said.
One he talked about the multiple running the same play
out of multiple formations and multiple personnels. But two, he said,
we considered passes behind the line of scrimmage and play
action passes part of the running game. So if you
(26:47):
see a play action pass and then mac Jones dumped
into McCaffrey, he has that to the run total in
his mind. Obviously it's not like that on the stats,
but in his mind, that's like a run play to him.
And so that to me says okay, if that's the case,
So we have to make sure we have someone around
McCaffrey at all times.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
We got to make sure that he can't get it.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
If we're gonna if Kendrick bourn is gonna run all
these deep ends and Juwan Jenny's, that's fine, we'll worry
about that later. But we just can't let McCaffrey catch
it four or five yard route and then turn into
a fifteen to twenty yard We got to be able
to tackle guys in space and play a little bit
tighter covers underneath.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
I like the way you ran the ball. I don't
think Blake Korm or Kyvin Williams had to catch or
a target last week, right, they were just strictly running
backs or protectors. I like that game plan. You talk
about the emergence of thirteen personnel. I think that is
an offshoot of that. So continue on with that and
continue protecting Matthew Stafford. When you have a chance to
throw the football. I think this defense, like you said,
(27:42):
if you give them a lead, which is all they need,
give them a one score, two score lead, and have
them defend it where they have to rush the passer.
I don't think there's an O line in the world
that could keep them off you for three and a
half quarters. I just don't. So as long as you
don't turn the ball over and you remain on schedule offensively,
I think the defensive side will take care of yourself
(28:03):
as long as you stop the run. And the other
thing is what we started the show with. When you
have a chance to kick, it's got to go in period.
End of story, extra points, short field goals, even the
long ones. If you have to make it, you have
to have confidence in that group to at least do
their job or win the game if necessary. That can't
(28:23):
be an issue. You got to fix that by Sunday.
Can I say one last.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Thing, not even one last. As many as you want.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Catch the ball, what is thrown to you. I think
that from a week you're that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
That was a touchdown that was dropped and a crucial
first down that was dropped. And I think that took
a lot of momentum out of the offense in the
first half. A wee can get those those catches again.
It's again something so minute and so some of that
you've done since you've been a kid playing catch outside.
But those two drop passes that we saw, one from
Blake and one from Kiren that changed the game and
(28:54):
that puts you behind a little bit too much for
you have to get back and tie it up. But
if you caught those, you don't know the first game yeah,
oh yeah, makes sense.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Oh yeah, no, Kiddle last time, though Ton just had
a great game. Kittle's back, but Fred Warner's not, and
that's gonna feel different. I think going up to San
Francisco and not seeing him in the middle of this defense.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, I mean, I don't know who I'm happy or
not to see Bosa or Fred Warner. No.
Speaker 3 (29:18):
Probably I disagree with you because I think if I'm kiring,
I got to get some get back.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
That's how I see it.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
I really I'm mad that you're hurt because that fourth
and one, you sold out all that stuff and everyone.
I'm upset because now you stole my my chance to
get some get back away from me.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So whoever it.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Is, I'm gonna I'm gonna go get after whoever that is.
But you want to go against the best, especially when
they got the best. They got the best of you.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Tip of the cap. I'm happy he's out.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
I'm gonna say what I always say. It feels like
I always say. When the Rams face the forty nine ers,
here's your chance to throw some dirn Autumn. Don't miss again.
Their record looks great, and look if they somehow managed
to sweep the Rams. If the forty nine ers win
this week, I think they've clinched a playoff spot. Because
that's not just seven, but it's seven NFC wins. It's
four and zero against the division a remaining schedule that
(30:06):
has Arizona, Carolina, Cleveland, Tennessee, Chicago like oh no, and
I don't care how many wheels fall off, They're going
to get to ten, maybe eleven wins. So it is
incumbent upon the Rams, And I wish I had a
dollar for every time I've said this on this show
and others. DeMarco shaking his head because he's sick of
me saying this. But it seems like every time you
get to San Francisco on this schedule, they're banged up,
(30:29):
they're fragile, they're at a tipping point, and you've not
kicked them off that legend enough.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
It's it's something about Kyle Shannon Roberts Sat. I don't
sleep all night about. Yes, it's just it's just very good.
It's those two together, Yes, that really like and McCaffrey.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
When McCaffrey plays well, I'm.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Just like even when they had Demiico Ryan, I'm like,
ah whatever.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
But like with Robert sala And and Kyle Shanahan and
maybe from those years we were at the coliseum and
they just it's like the first year and they had
all those pass rushers, you couldn't do anything.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Part of the two is the division you're playing, and
in this moment in time, knowing that Seattle's next, knowing
that the NFC West is the only division with three
teams that have six wins apiece. Remember last week we
framed the Saints is take care of your business, make
sure that you're in great playoffs stand and you look
at where the Rams are relative to their pursuers. I'll
know if you have any confidence in the NFC teams
off the bubble right now, the Bears and the Vikings
(31:20):
of the world. But this week then becomes about are
you real about defending your NFC West crown? Do you
want to host on Wildcar Weekend? Or maybe play for more?
Speaker 3 (31:30):
I think the next two weeks are about that. You
can't look forward, But I think the next two weeks
are gonna say you're gonna tell us a lot about
the Rams.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Three throw the Bucks in there. Two primetime, Oh yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
I just think in the NFC West, if you like,
the easiest way to get to the playoffs is whin
your division.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
And you let one go at home.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
So now you have to go into a hostile environment
with a coach that has done a masterful job against
your defense. One of creating a game plan against Aaron Donald.
Just I mean the game plan that he had JB
for Aaron Donald for the last three or four years
of his career was unbelievable that that was just like
we knew what was gonna happen, and they just did
it anyways, and they found a way to win, right.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And then a.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
Defensive coach that has success with multiple players, regardless of
guys are heard or not of stop stifling your offense. Now,
I will say the second half of that Niners game
here in so far was.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Completely different offense and defense.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
And so that's what the Rams have to bank on
is we have to be able to go back to that.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
And if we can we can do.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
The start with like that, start faster and finish the
same way, then you'll be you'll be excited about the results.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I'm glad there's a lot on it. Everything you guys
just said. I just want to beat them.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
That's what I said on the podcast that I did.
It was like all that go, all these storylines. I
just don't like you.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
You're cheating on our podcast, not at all.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
No, it's double agent. I went behind enemy lines, told
him what it was.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Not afraid of them.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Yeah, I live down the street, JB. I'm about to
beat you. I'm gonna drive up there and eat you
guys up there.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
Good party shots. Final thoughts on anything else?
Speaker 2 (32:58):
No, just what do we get to I think we
got to everything. Uh did did I tell you that
Kevin Dodson's got an ugly stance, but it's very effective.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Tell us more.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I'm just saying that there.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
Was last week you were on about protection. I think
that was the right time, in the right state.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
The old line. I think that week off, the bye week,
really helped those two guards. In particular, when you have ankles,
you you can't really push, you know what I mean.
So they did a great job, but you can tell
they're starting to move people now. Kevin Dodson's starting to
knock people down. Steve Avula is starting to knock people
down and move people. Coleman Shelton on those double teams. Uh,
so that week off really helped. But man, that stance,
(33:33):
my goodness, good lord. You know who else had an
ugly stance? Aaron Donell did he? Oh my god, it
was terrible, But dude, it was effective. That's what I'm saying.
Absolutely was it was, oh my god, just gross. But
he was just an animal. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
For me, I just want to know what Sean does
the second half of the season, because the last couple
of years or second half of the season and the
team is like hit a switch and they've gotten hot
and they've rolled.
Speaker 1 (33:55):
Which even that was kind of a reversal, right, because
they used to start fast and hang on.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
Yeah, but then for whatever reason it was a couple
of years ago, they flipped it and it's like and
you can see it. You talked about all of a
sudden and I know here it's the Saints. It doesn't matter.
The Saints defense is still really good. It wasn't The
Saints offense was the one that was that we were
a questioning. It's the defense was always good. I mean
they stifled Tampa and then you went out there and
did that to them.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Unbelievable. Whatever you want.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
And you think this style plays as you get to
the holidays and the winter ahead, No, you.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
Know, I love this is the time of the year
where every running back, like, be happy that we caught
Baltimore right before November. Be happy because all of a sudden,
why there here's gonna start wrested for one hundred and
fifty one hundred yards a game. No one wants to
tackle them, lamarge. And just this time of the year,
the team's green Bay. This one green Bay normally makes
their run. No One wants to tackle this time of
the year. They lean on the run game, Detroit to
(34:46):
another one. Right, there's gonna be some teams, but we're
gonna see who wants to tackle this time of the year.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
And I expect the Rams to be.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Offensively and defensively to continue to get better as they've
done the last couple of years.
Speaker 1 (34:57):
All Right, they finally got their first NFC victory against
the New Orleans Saints. Now looking for their first West victory.
They'll have two opportunities back to back against their primary
competition in the division. For San Francisco then Seattle. Good
to see both. Save travels to the Bay Area. We'll
catch you at Levi's, which that's where the Super Bowl
is being played this year, am I Right?
Speaker 2 (35:20):
Wouldn't that be great?
Speaker 1 (35:20):
So having gone through San Francisco to make the confetti
fall at the Rams house, the only thing that could
ever even challenge that feeling, DeMarco would.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Be that's hey, listen, that'd be those those fans.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
I'll tell you what, your odds of getting to that
last game increased dramatically if you take care of business
in week ten. All Right, Rams and Niners renew of
the rivalry DeMarco far j B Long Maurice Jones drew
here on between the horns presented about your Southern California toy.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
The dealers keep him
Six and two winners of three straight. And here comes
a new between the Horns as we had to Santa Clair,
Maurice Jones, Drew DeMarco Farr. I'm JB. Long As always
represented by your Southern California to Yo to dealers, it's
forty nine Ers week. Chance to complete some unfinished business.
Why you're shaking your head tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Just every just Niners week. I just go back through
the anthology of just pitfalls when it comes to this
football team. Do you do you hate them yet? Has
it started to grow in you?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I hate them before I joined the Rams. This was
a marriage that we were. It was marriage built on hate.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
It was is good. That's the That's the foundation of
what we do here, every last rep I do in
anything I think about them. It's crazy, yeh.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
I know we've had more painful losses, but where does
the one on Thursday night football week five?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Oh God?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
In terms of sticking in your cross.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Right at the top, because it should not. But again,
this has happened before with the forty nine Ers. That's
why this is more than a rivalry. But for this
football team, it's another You could be undefeated right now,
that's one you should have gotten that you didn't get.
So even beyond the rivalry, it's just get back for
that game that you let get out of here in
(01:13):
so far you have to get that back on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
All right, we'll get into plenty of that and how
they make amends and what adjustments they make, and preview
this week ten matchup. But we're going to break the
mold a little bit on this between the Horns for
the first time in show history, right to the kicking
game in the A block atop of the show, Have
we ever led with the long snapper? No help us
all understand why? That's the first step in fixing what's
ailing this team?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, you're missing kicks. And I said, this is a
hill I'm willing to die on and I will go
to the grave saying that. I think joshuaccarty's a good kicker.
That guy's got a strong leg. I think as he
gets older he's going to get nothing but better. So,
but I think the operation was suffering and now it's
starting to hurt the football team, or it already has
hurt the football team, and it's been going on too long,
(01:58):
so you've got to get it fixed. So I think
they gave you some indication on what may be happening
when they bring back Jake mcgaid, when they bring in
another long snapper into the equation. So it's not just
about one guy. I think it's the entire operation that
needs to get better. And like I said, the shocking
thing is it's gone on for so long. That's something
(02:18):
we're not used to in the Sean McVay era. Usually
things are a problem. If you can fix them, they
get fixed. But the best thing about it is this
is something that you can get fixed in a hurry.
This isn't a fourth or fifth left tackle or you're
down to your practice scot practice squad cornerbacks. This is
a situation that can get fixed fast. And let's hope
(02:39):
it gets fixed on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Because there's replacement value right long snapper in your battery
available on the street, and so all it takes is
one piece to click in the place.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
There we go, Yes, Maurice.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Is from a player's standpoint, this organization has a very
high standard and you can imagine you've seen what it
looks like to have Sean McVay stand in front of
a room right FF three on the active roster, everyone
in the practice squad, players and coaches alike. It felt
like it had gotten to the point on Sunday where
he couldn't go into another team meeting and say, Hey,
the offense is doing this, the defense is doing this.
(03:11):
Our kicking game, just give it more time.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah, you know, I think it's this league is built
on confidence, and I think the most important thing is
if you're not confident in yourself right, and that's what
you saw with some of those kicks, like the shank,
like shanked all the way left right. That's a confidence thing.
And over time, I think DeMarco you said it best.
I think Cardi will be a really good kicker. It's
you have to build your confidence up. You have to
(03:35):
be especially whether I played for teams that we didn't
have that high of a standard. We like early on,
we would like our playoffs. This is a super Bowl
caliber roster and your standard.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Is as such.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
And so that means you have a bunch of confident
individuals around you. And so if I have to hold
myself to a certain standard every day, that means I
expect you to do the same thing. And if Sean
can't stand in from the room and hold you and
your operation or whoever it is, to that standard, then
we got to get you. We got to get you
out of here. We gotta find someone else who can
do that. And so that's the hard part of this business.
(04:08):
I think people don't talk about it is because it's
not just cutting. Most people don't get cut because of skill.
You get cut because of confidence.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Because at the skill.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Level was very minute. The difference between skill players. Even
with the Saints they had some players on their teams
that were really good. It's the confidence and the confidence,
the confidence in the scheme and myself and my covering
and my technique. If I'm not confident in those things,
then You're gonna see a big, big dip. And so
I think that's what the biggest part of it is
is there's just a lack of confidence. And it started
with in Philly right when the first one got blocked.
(04:37):
It just was like or it got close, and then
it or got blocked and it's like, oh, here we
go right and then so I think that is the
biggest thing is I thought Sean gave it.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
A lot of time to try to fix too.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
What we're week ten, now, that's a lot of time
to try to fix something from the first block field
goal and to not have it fixed is a problem.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
You're worried about confidence though, I think is relevant because yes,
they are challenging him, they bring in Harris Mevs and
maybe he ends up kicking for the Rams this weekend.
I don't know, but if it is Joshua Card who's
got a boarding past to Santa Clara, he should go
there as a confident kicker because it means he will
have won a job this week in a way that
he didn't even have to this offseason. Understandably so, but
he was the only kicker in camp. So in terms
(05:15):
of re establishing his confidence, by pushing him, maybe you
can get him back to square one.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I'll say this too.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
I firmly believe competition breeds greatness, and a lot of
times quarterbacks and kickers really don't compete, and punters those
are the three people that necessarily don't compete because normally
you have your starter in camp, he's getting his reps.
But if you look at everyone else, everyone else is
in competition. You have two three four running backs, you
have multiple wide receivers, you have multiple offensive lineman. Guys
(05:41):
are competing to move up and so in a lot
of it is because it's the psyche of those positions.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Right. The kicker has to be able to.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Not do anything all game and then come out and
kick a fifty yard or for the game winner. You
have to mentally be in a certain mindset. That same
with the quarterback. You don't want your quarterback always looking
over his shoulder. But also part of that thing is
too is how does he get confident?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Right?
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Well, you get confident by winning battles, winning things, do
winning small things over time and you become that person.
And so that that's always been Like the thing is
I've always wondered how do you manage that as a coach?
How do you handle those personalities and those those type
of things for guys that don't necessarily compete day in
and day out, Like, yeah, Matthew Stafford's going to compete
(06:23):
with Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. But is he really
competing though?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Like it's over fast, right, you see what I'm saying. So,
but Kyra's competing with Blake Corram. Yeah, right, that's a
true competition about it, right? Like those dbs were competing
with each other throughout training camp, and so you start
you started to see those things. And then also this too.
I remember being in Jacksonvie. I remember I got paid.
I was so upset and this young worries by the
way they drafted Rashad Jennings.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
And I was irate.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I was like, bro, my money hasn't even touched the
bank account that you're trying to replace me, right, And
then every tuesdactually you bring it in running backs every Tuesday,
like what are we doing?
Speaker 2 (06:57):
What's going on? Huh?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
But as you run that year, Oh, I went crazy
every year until I got hurt. But that's but that's
what I'm talking about.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
The draft pick. How do you? How do you do that?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
And I think that's the question we have to ask Sean,
is how do you do that with the quarterback and
or with you know, the kicker?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Those have to be I think you just did it.
And what was the kicker's name? Again?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
His real name?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Are the one you kick? What's the what's what's his
name again?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
The thicker kick?
Speaker 2 (07:23):
You got a guy with a nickname in the room.
Come on, the competition is already there. So that's what
I'm saying. I mean, it's it's exactly what you just said.
You keep bringing in guys to replace me. They may
not even think that way about that guy, but you did.
So you're gonna get the best, the most focused out
of Cardi. So uh, I think even if you're Sean
McVay or head coach and you're struggling in that spot,
and like you said, you have to help hold everybody
(07:44):
to the same standard. You have to at least look
like you're doing something and bring in competition. I'm going
to get this fixed, guys. I'm making moves on it.
That's how you keep the locker room. But like you said,
this has got to stop, and I think it can
end very very fast. Let's see if this work.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
There is another option if necessary. But do you agree
that the best case scenario is that Cardi is kicking
this week in Santa Clara? I do. I believe that
strongly because of the research and the choice that they
made to draft him, because of what we saw at
the end of last season, knowing he's capable. Also because
in the back of my mind there's some recent data
points where I don't want to spend another kicker loose
and have him go find a job somewhere else, oh,
(08:20):
no doubt, like whether it's have a sick or dicker
or even like use the Niners as an example. Finally
had to part ways with Jake Moody and it's worked
out for them. But it's the second or third lap
around where it often cl clicks into place for these kickers.
I want that to be here in La for card.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I think it'll hurt ten five years from now if
you did. There was only one time and Johnny Hecker
was our punter. Then when you had Borquez was here
and they were battling it out, You're like, good God,
I don't know drafting.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Dimes in the preseason. Well he was out with COVID.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
You couldn't keep him. And the guy still has a
job elsewhere. I think he's in Denver, correct, still doing it.
So it was in Cleveland. It is what it is.
So yeah, I mean, I love when you compete for jobs.
You can only keep one, but I think competition, like
you said, brings the best out of all of us.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
All right, that was fun. Let's never do that again, okay?
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Good?
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Can we never lead with kicking game on between the
horns again? Put that one behind us. Yes, for sure,
let's talk trade deadline. We were talking about it before
the show, some of the things that happened around the league,
some of the things that didn't happen here in this facility. Maurice,
I think you were fairly outspoken in a very measured
way last week about what you were hoping to see
other than Roger McCreery, though the Rams do stand. Pat,
(09:28):
what's your post trade deadline reaction to the roster they have?
And thank god, thank god, what we didn't go get
Sauce Gardener. I didn't know it was gonna be like that. Okay,
so the price changes your mind?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Oh my gosh, does it more than anything?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Like I was just talking with a couple buddies of
minds that we we have these this group chat we
talk about all the time.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Jayalen Ramsey went for what two first and a fourth?
I think, yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Jalen Ramsey And again I'm not I don't want to
discredit Sauce Gardener what he was able to do his
rookie year and then a little bit of his sophomore year,
but he wasn't playing at that level and to give
that up and then take on that contract the coach
must believe that they're all in and Daniel Jones their guy,
because who do you You don't have any draft capital
to go draft the guy, and now you're gonna have
(10:10):
to You just put yourself in the counter where you're
gonna have to go pay Daniel Jones next year. Like you
literally showed your hand, this is what you have. I
think a lot of people. I think the Cowboys what
they did doesn't really help them at this point. I mean,
he just added another d tackle and a linebacker. But
but yeah, but it's Quinn. But still I go, yeah,
(10:31):
he could play, but you need pass rush, like they're
not getting to the quarterback right now on the outside.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
I don't know if it helps them. Indianapolis is in
a position to go all in. Who are we to
say that you shouldn't do that when you think you've
got the guys to do it. I like Sauce Gardner.
The only thing I had a problem with was how
much was it gonna cost. Well, I'm not willing to
part ways with those two first rounders to get him,
but you knew it was gonna be a premium price.
(10:58):
But I like the way that defense is set up.
I do. If you could just be credible in the
back end, which they are, If you can get what
you saw out of Emmanuel Forbes each and every week,
I think that's good enough. With the pass rush you have.
If this offense starts to round into form and score
points and put the pressure on opposing offenses by score,
(11:19):
I think you're set up to be one of the
top teams in the NFC. So I didn't think a
splash was necessary to take it from you know, point
A to to get to where you want to go.
I think you have good enough players on this roster already.
You just have to play a little bit better. Look,
we started this whole show talking about the kicking game.
If that was solid, you'd be seven and zero right now.
(11:42):
I think I think you're good enough to win right now.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
My only concern is this, and it's always gonna be
an issue. Who's gonna cover AJ Brown? That's gonna be
my only concern because you've done everything else to nullify
that offense. The one one problem you had was for
a quarter and a half you didn't cover a J.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Brown.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You couldn't cover him. There was only one before when
you won the Super Bowl. You had a guy that
could shut down a top with a top wide receiver, right,
and it allows you to do some different things.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
And so that's my only concern.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
If you're looking to win the Super Bowl and you're saying, look,
there's gonna be a third and nine and we're gonna
have to go one on one, can any of these
guys stop a J Brown?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
What if you're just trying to win the NFC West.
First things first, San Francisco was not able to acquire
more pass rush help importantly for this weekend beyond Seattle
did go get another weapon.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
But I was going to say that, like, Seattle scares
me by getting him fly. What did you just watch?
You can fly and go? And what does that do
for JSN? That opens up so much more. By the way,
I don't know if you guys watched the Commander's game,
but I don't think he was covered. He made someone
get hurt and then he wasn't covered the rest of
the game.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Like, so JSN is playing at such a high level.
To add that piece, I was gonna say that next
with the trade deadline, is that Seattle's low key, as
a young kids would say, making very good moves to
be to be a tender for.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
A long time six seven US.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, I'm just saying like that that move is underrated.
That move is underrated. And let's remember he was with
Clint Kubiak last year and that's what Remember those first
two games he wouldn't berserk those first couple of games
of card like three four.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Touchdowns like shot plays.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I mean again, that's that was the one thing that
was like, I was that guy cut my eye.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Let me take a stepping stone to Stafford and the
Rams by pointing out something that we floated last week
on this show, and I'm gonna double down on it here,
which is to say, I think part of the animating
force behind not making a sauce like trade is the
possibility to take two or three more bites at the
apple with Matthew Stafford. And I think that's probably a
perspective change from where we were on Draft Day of
(13:44):
this year.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
Oh yeah, no doubt. Okay, so we've seen lots of
quarterbacks at the beginning, the middle, and the end. If
you were just watching Matthew Stafford from space and you
had no idea how old he was, could you really
tell on his play?
Speaker 1 (13:59):
Doesn't look like you got the best quarterback in the NFC, you.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Got the best quarterback of the NFL. And I think
in the system. To me, the way he's playing and
the way they're they allow him, the way he's allowing
the system to work through him, is why he is
where he is now. To be honest with you, I
mean we saw it last year with Jimmy G in
the last game of the season, Jimmy G went toe
to toe with the Seattle Seahawks. It was a lot
of play action pass under center stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
So you're putting his brain, his arm, talent into the
system that it's meant to be run this way and can.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Be friendly system, and you're getting what is it, twenty
one touchdowns, two picks or something crazy or I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
What it is.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
But with Pooka, without Pooka with targets who are winning.
Tell me about this this three tight end identity, Now
it's two and a half. Wit see Ferg out there.
I'm not sure it's it's true. Thirteen person Oh, it's.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Thirteen personnel because because there are no receiver running the
bigt him running like that.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
So how did the rams get here and why are
they leaning into it? In a way that they've never
done before in eight prior seasons.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Things happen where you have to make adjustments, and sometimes
you make adjustments on the fly, And I think, who
could getting hurt in Baltimore force their hand to figure
out how can we run the ball still be efficient
in our passing game and be able to use play
action pass. Puka Nakua is your lead blocker on most
run plays. Out of eleven and twelve personnel, they'll put
(15:19):
them in motion. He'll be able to lead block. Well, now,
guess what instead of putting the receiver from all the
way outside to motion across, what is a short motion
to tight end right that's stacked and then we'll do
the same thing and then he'll insert. And so it's
it's not a I don't again, I don't know the
play calls, but to me, it doesn't look like it's
a different play calls. It's a different formation right, the
(15:41):
same motion shift or whatever you want to call it.
Guys are ending up in the same spots, but now
these are bigger guys.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
So offensively, the Rams are running a lot of the
same plays and concepts. Defensively, the DeMarco you're forcing opponents
to work harder because now all their different personnel groupings
have to understand the run, pass, conflant.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
Well running back. I bet you like twelve personnel, all right, yeah,
twelve twenty one. Yeah. See, I can't stand it as
a defensive player because it balances me out. I can't
call either side, so I don't have a strength side.
If you put thirteen out there, I'm really hamstrung. Here's
the other part. When you put that stuff on tape,
you have to stay up and talk about every single
thing you do defensively versus that personnel group. So everything
(16:20):
they throw out you you have to keep talking about,
this is what we're gonna do in base defense. This
is what we're gonna do in dime nickel when we blitz.
If we see this, we're gonna do that. Don't call
it here, Call it to that guy. That's a lot
of prep for one week when you put that stuff
on tape. Plus you've got Pooka and DeVante to worry about.
And that's the thing that really makes this offense tough
(16:40):
to defend.
Speaker 3 (16:40):
And the best part about it is it's probably still
the same play that they ran in OTA's with that
out of twelve and eleven personnel correct.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
And that's the thing that offense has an advantage way
back in the day when the Niners were rolling, when
I was a player, and it's funny, they would have
like twenty five different personnel groups through motions and shift
to run the same six plays over and over and
over again. That's how you get beat. That's what drives
you crazy. That's what this offense can be.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
The league wide trend though, and San Francisco has always
done this well. Seattle is doing it more than ever.
The Rams are getting there is showing run personnel to
get defenses to match you so that you can beat
them with your passing game right. And San Francisco is
unique because they've got use check and kittle right, so
they can get in some of those sets and still
(17:24):
have two pass threats at those positions. I think Seattle
will talk about this more next week, but they're doing
it at an elite level. It's meant great things for
Sam Darnold. But what does it mean for the Rams
to be able to put t Ferg out there and
have him fully integrated into the game plan and have
him be the joker piece that I think they've been
searching for ever since they drafted Gerald Everett.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
I would argue, well, again, let's talk about where quarterbacks
go to get rehabbed. Right, where do most quarterbacks go?
They go to Minnesota, they go to San Francisco, or
they come to LA Because this system is what DeMarco said.
We're gonna run twelve plays, but we're gonna run them
out of twenty fourmations and fifteen different personnels, right, and
it's but to the quarterbacks gonna look the same. And
(18:07):
we have a guy like Matthew Stafford who can identify
the defenses and know exactly who wants to go with
the ball. How much better do you think he'll be
if we can rehab a Daniel Jones back or Sam
Darnold back from what he went through with the Jets,
or some of these other people. And so the reason
Sam Darnold's doing awesome, this is the same office he
ran in San Francisco. It's the same office he ran
in Minnesota. And so I have Matthew Stafford now that
(18:29):
I can come out in thirteen personnel. You come out
in a base formation with li with linebackers and safeties
down in the box and I get one on one
with up the seam, or I get whatever, like whatever
I want with an athletic tight end.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Come on, what are we doing?
Speaker 1 (18:44):
It can't be a coincidence that Korum and Kiren both
loved it. Both had their best day of the season
last week.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Right, I'm glad you said what you said. There is
a quiet competition going on a ways. Yeah, it's fixing
to be louder either way, it's good for us. I
thought the old line up front did a great job.
I thought Kyen Williams, we said this on the digital show. Uh,
is it up to Sean to get Kiren going? Nop,
It's up to Kyroen to get going, and he did. Uh,
You've got to make more out of your opportunities because
(19:11):
when Blake korm is in the game, that dude is
thinking end zone. I really do. I love everything he did,
except when you cut it back and you force Matthew
Stafford to be a fullback.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
Don't do that now, matthe Safigan out the way, let
me go, let me go on on one side. We
had to get back over there. I'll say this too
about the competition, Piauce. You keep talking about t Firk
you don't think Tyler seeing that they're all that everyone
all of a sudden.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Das Allen's offensive face mass is my favorite penalty of
the season.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
I think, yeah, he was good until he pulled the guy,
but everybody's when you're sitting in the meeting, right and again,
I may be the only one. I may be crazy,
maybe the only one thinks this way, But you're sitting
in the meeting and they're like, all right, t Firk,
this plays for you. How do you think everyone else
feels that's in that room like okay?
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Like good for him? Yeah, I need some place for
me now, the same as Brayden Fisk when everybody's getting
sacks but you. And that's what Yes.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
If not for that Davis Allen penalty, I think the
Rams would be nine for nine in the red zone
the last two weeks spanning the by aside from DeVante
Adams and Matthew Stafford getting on the screws. What's changed there,
what's been different?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I think that's just it.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I think this's the thirteen personnel is literally coming out
in thirteen play action pass under center, selling outside zone.
I mean, what the Rams about? I think the Rams
the first couple of plays ran play action, didn't even
run the ball. And against the Saints, they came out
and then came out and spread ran the ball right.
That just puts your defense now your wheels are spinning.
Then we get in the redsud we come out in thirteen,
we're inside the fifteen. You're like, oh, this this has
(20:35):
to be run. I have to be aggressive, I have
to fit to my gap play action pass. Now I
got a guy straight stretching, and it's just it, just again,
it makes you think so much this offense, and we've
been waiting.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
To see this.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
We haven't seen this since twenty eighteen nineteen when Todd
Gurley was running those outside stretch plays and Whitworth was
getting the edge and then they boot away and the
guys are just wide open. We're starting to get back
to that. But it's just out of a set eleven.
It's out of thirteen.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
And every once in a while you pop Tyler Higbee
out there for an easy touchdown. But I wish I
had said it on the show last week because I
thought you guys probably did too. When you go fade
ball after fade ball and you kill Jacksonville that way,
I would have wagered anything that the first time they
get in the red zone, he's gonna cross face, you're
gonna hit him on an easy slant for touchdoun, which
they did, and then you see what the Saints had
to do the next time they had a bail linebacker
(21:20):
out there to take it away. You just go back
to the fade ball and he rises and wins again.
So now you've got him coming and going.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Yeah there that that touchdown to Devonte was like stealing. Yeah,
just unreal. Yeah, I didn't even make a sound when
it hit his gut. Just done. Touchdown.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Let's go to the defense, Morris. I don't know if
you were listening last week when Demark and I were talking,
I called this the yeah butt defense, Like they're a
very very good defense, but the only the only thing
that you can prevent from saying, like their elite is yeah,
who have they beaten? Indy's their best win. The Colts
are the best offense. They've defeated. Who's the best quarterback?
They've taken down Daniel Jones.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
To be Dan Jones is playing better, but I would
I mean, Mac Jones played his butt off.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
You say c J.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
Stroud got maybe the best individual quarterback, terrible offensive line situation,
didn't have his receivers week one. So I'm not trying
to damn this defense with faint praise. They've been really,
really good and there's plenty of metrics that can adjust
for opponent's strength, and they also say that this is
a top five defense. But I love the gauntlet they're
about to run. To your point about being ready for
(22:26):
this stretch, Go beat Mac Jones, Kyle Shanahan, take out
Sam Darnold. You know you still got Jared Goff, you
still got Baker Mayfield. The best offenses that they're gonna
face are in front of them, not behind him.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
Yeah, I agree, And again I think that's what when
we were talking about a DBI, that was what my
concern was, Like, who is going to be your dB?
If you played Tampa and let's just Tampa gets two
of the three guys back, you got some mismatches going
on there with Inmbuka, who's playing really well. Do you
have Godwin and then you have McMillan. I don't know
if he'll be back or not by that time, but
(22:57):
or Detroit.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Who's gonna cover Amaro?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Same Brent, Right, that's a different animal on the slot.
And guess what Jameson Williams is still He's still making
plays as well. And so there's gonna be some different
concerns there. And that's what I want to see from
the defense is how do you shut down some of
these top wide receivers. It's not gonna be the old way.
You're gonna have to do it with multiple bodies, coverage,
leverage and different things.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
You get the kicking game right though. The offense playing
like this, you don't have to hold an opponent to three,
seven to ten anymore.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Correct the mundo. You know what my answer is gonna
be with any receiver is destroy the supply line that QB.
So for every receiver that we just talked about, I
hope you've got tackles and guards because the pressure will
get there. And if we're talking about quarterbacks you haven't faced.
How about the running backs you have? I mean, really,
when you think about the the you go from Saquon
(23:43):
to Taylor, you had to face King Henry. You just
this is your second time around with McCaffrey, and you
did a pretty good job against him on the run
the first time you saw him. So this defense is
doing exactly what it's designed to do with the personnel
and how they do it, stop the run, earn the
right to rush a pass, and then get after him.
And I'll keep saying this, and I have to give
him all the props in the world. There's no way
(24:04):
I thought mac Jones was going to finish that ball
game with as many times as he got hit. Yeah. Really,
I mean, I'm seriously. I mean, that was a heck
of an effort by him. He's got to remember that,
and you have to remind him of that. This Sunday.
They still and I think you said it during the broadcast.
Jared Verse went nose to nose with Trent Williams and
gave him some and Byron Young, like you said, if
(24:26):
he didn't give away that sack last week versus New
Orleans is really on one. These two guys are virtually
unblockable at times. They are game plan number one. So
I get receivers and how do you cover aj Brown?
I bet all opposing players or offenses are worried about,
how do we block these two dudes first so we
(24:47):
can get the ball.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
No one's more worried about that than Kyle Shanahan and
mac Jones because the guy's not even hold him on
the football for three seconds. I mean he's playing point
guard back there, and so I bounce passing it correct,
take it to seconds.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Well, I think that my biggest concern over the next
two weeks is pass plays on first down. That's gonna
be my biggest concern because if you look at both
of these teams, the Niners and the Seahawks, they throw
the ball on rundowns right out of run formations.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah, that's what you're talking about previously, right, and that.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Is tough to stop if you have to, Well, how
do we stop guys from penning their ears back? You
gotta stop the runs, right, you got to stop the runs.
We're gonna make you play the run first and then
get into your past.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
And San Francisco couldn't and didn't run it in Houston,
and then they doubled down on it and ran all
over New York with not just CMC but Robinson too,
And so that is a real dimension you have to
respect again as you prepare for week ten.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
And that's the one thing you can circle about McCready.
Everywhere he's been he can tackle, he can tackle inside out.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
So you think he gets a look this week? Even
with do you will coming back?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I was surprised. I thought he'd played a little bit more,
but I thought Emmanuel Forbes really again, competition in the room.
Guess what happens, guy plays his best football. So I
think they're hitting all the right switches. But at some
point we're gonna see him. But the thing, the one
thing that jumps out of him, the guy's physical and
that's what the Rams are gonna bank on. And that's
what you need this Sunday, all.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
Right, connect more dots from week five to week ten
in terms of adjustments, things that you saw at so
far that you think play at Levi's ts.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
You gotta cover the backs.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
You can't let Christian McCaffrey catch a four yard pass
and get fifteen.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Can't do that.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Starts after catches. How they sussist that goes hand in
hand with the time to throw thing. I just meant, well, that's.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
That's their whole deal.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Like again, being around Kyle, and I only remember this
I was around and when I was seventeen eighteen years old.
But there's certain things that stuck with him that he said.
One he talked about the multiple running the same play
out of multiple formations and multiple personnels. But two, he said,
we considered passes behind the line of scrimmage and play
action passes part of the running game. So if you
(26:47):
see a play action pass and then mac Jones dumped
into McCaffrey, he has that to the run total in
his mind. Obviously it's not like that on the stats,
but in his mind, that's like a run play to him.
And so that to me says okay, if that's the case,
So we have to make sure we have someone around
McCaffrey at all times.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
We got to make sure that he can't get it.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
If we're gonna if Kendrick bourn is gonna run all
these deep ends and Juwan Jenny's, that's fine, we'll worry
about that later. But we just can't let McCaffrey catch
it four or five yard route and then turn into
a fifteen to twenty yard We got to be able
to tackle guys in space and play a little bit
tighter covers underneath.
Speaker 2 (27:19):
I like the way you ran the ball. I don't
think Blake Korm or Kyvin Williams had to catch or
a target last week, right, they were just strictly running
backs or protectors. I like that game plan. You talk
about the emergence of thirteen personnel. I think that is
an offshoot of that. So continue on with that and
continue protecting Matthew Stafford. When you have a chance to
throw the football. I think this defense, like you said,
(27:42):
if you give them a lead, which is all they need,
give them a one score, two score lead, and have
them defend it where they have to rush the passer.
I don't think there's an O line in the world
that could keep them off you for three and a
half quarters. I just don't. So as long as you
don't turn the ball over and you remain on schedule offensively,
I think the defensive side will take care of yourself
(28:03):
as long as you stop the run. And the other
thing is what we started the show with. When you
have a chance to kick, it's got to go in period.
End of story, extra points, short field goals, even the
long ones. If you have to make it, you have
to have confidence in that group to at least do
their job or win the game if necessary. That can't
(28:23):
be an issue. You got to fix that by Sunday.
Can I say one last.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Thing, not even one last. As many as you want.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Catch the ball, what is thrown to you. I think
that from a week you're that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
That was a touchdown that was dropped and a crucial
first down that was dropped. And I think that took
a lot of momentum out of the offense in the
first half. A wee can get those those catches again.
It's again something so minute and so some of that
you've done since you've been a kid playing catch outside.
But those two drop passes that we saw, one from
Blake and one from Kiren that changed the game and
(28:54):
that puts you behind a little bit too much for
you have to get back and tie it up. But
if you caught those, you don't know the first game yeah,
oh yeah, makes sense.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Oh yeah, no, Kiddle last time, though Ton just had
a great game. Kittle's back, but Fred Warner's not, and
that's gonna feel different. I think going up to San
Francisco and not seeing him in the middle of this defense.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Yeah, I mean, I don't know who I'm happy or
not to see Bosa or Fred Warner. No.
Speaker 3 (29:18):
Probably I disagree with you because I think if I'm kiring,
I got to get some get back.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
That's how I see it.
Speaker 3 (29:24):
I really I'm mad that you're hurt because that fourth
and one, you sold out all that stuff and everyone.
I'm upset because now you stole my my chance to
get some get back away from me.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So whoever it.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Is, I'm gonna I'm gonna go get after whoever that is.
But you want to go against the best, especially when
they got the best. They got the best of you.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Tip of the cap. I'm happy he's out.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
I'm gonna say what I always say. It feels like
I always say. When the Rams face the forty nine ers,
here's your chance to throw some dirn Autumn. Don't miss again.
Their record looks great, and look if they somehow managed
to sweep the Rams. If the forty nine ers win
this week, I think they've clinched a playoff spot. Because
that's not just seven, but it's seven NFC wins. It's
four and zero against the division a remaining schedule that
(30:06):
has Arizona, Carolina, Cleveland, Tennessee, Chicago like oh no, and
I don't care how many wheels fall off, They're going
to get to ten, maybe eleven wins. So it is
incumbent upon the Rams, And I wish I had a
dollar for every time I've said this on this show
and others. DeMarco shaking his head because he's sick of
me saying this. But it seems like every time you
get to San Francisco on this schedule, they're banged up,
(30:29):
they're fragile, they're at a tipping point, and you've not
kicked them off that legend enough.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
It's it's something about Kyle Shannon Roberts Sat. I don't
sleep all night about. Yes, it's just it's just very good.
It's those two together, Yes, that really like and McCaffrey.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
When McCaffrey plays well, I'm.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
Just like even when they had Demiico Ryan, I'm like,
ah whatever.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
But like with Robert sala And and Kyle Shanahan and
maybe from those years we were at the coliseum and
they just it's like the first year and they had
all those pass rushers, you couldn't do anything.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Part of the two is the division you're playing, and
in this moment in time, knowing that Seattle's next, knowing
that the NFC West is the only division with three
teams that have six wins apiece. Remember last week we
framed the Saints is take care of your business, make
sure that you're in great playoffs stand and you look
at where the Rams are relative to their pursuers. I'll
know if you have any confidence in the NFC teams
off the bubble right now, the Bears and the Vikings
(31:20):
of the world. But this week then becomes about are
you real about defending your NFC West crown? Do you
want to host on Wildcar Weekend? Or maybe play for more?
Speaker 3 (31:30):
I think the next two weeks are about that. You
can't look forward, But I think the next two weeks
are gonna say you're gonna tell us a lot about
the Rams.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Three throw the Bucks in there. Two primetime, Oh yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
I just think in the NFC West, if you like,
the easiest way to get to the playoffs is whin
your division.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
And you let one go at home.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
So now you have to go into a hostile environment
with a coach that has done a masterful job against
your defense. One of creating a game plan against Aaron Donald.
Just I mean the game plan that he had JB
for Aaron Donald for the last three or four years
of his career was unbelievable that that was just like
we knew what was gonna happen, and they just did
it anyways, and they found a way to win, right.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And then a.
Speaker 3 (32:08):
Defensive coach that has success with multiple players, regardless of
guys are heard or not of stop stifling your offense. Now,
I will say the second half of that Niners game
here in so far was.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
Completely different offense and defense.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
And so that's what the Rams have to bank on
is we have to be able to go back to that.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
And if we can we can do.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
The start with like that, start faster and finish the
same way, then you'll be you'll be excited about the results.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I'm glad there's a lot on it. Everything you guys
just said. I just want to beat them.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
That's what I said on the podcast that I did.
It was like all that go, all these storylines. I
just don't like you.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
You're cheating on our podcast, not at all.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
No, it's double agent. I went behind enemy lines, told
him what it was.
Speaker 2 (32:48):
Not afraid of them.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Yeah, I live down the street, JB. I'm about to
beat you. I'm gonna drive up there and eat you
guys up there.
Speaker 1 (32:56):
Good party shots. Final thoughts on anything else?
Speaker 2 (32:58):
No, just what do we get to I think we
got to everything. Uh did did I tell you that
Kevin Dodson's got an ugly stance, but it's very effective.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Tell us more.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I'm just saying that there.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
Was last week you were on about protection. I think
that was the right time, in the right state.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
The old line. I think that week off, the bye week,
really helped those two guards. In particular, when you have ankles,
you you can't really push, you know what I mean.
So they did a great job, but you can tell
they're starting to move people now. Kevin Dodson's starting to
knock people down. Steve Avula is starting to knock people
down and move people. Coleman Shelton on those double teams. Uh,
so that week off really helped. But man, that stance,
(33:33):
my goodness, good lord. You know who else had an
ugly stance? Aaron Donell did he? Oh my god, it
was terrible, But dude, it was effective. That's what I'm saying.
Absolutely was it was, oh my god, just gross. But
he was just an animal. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
For me, I just want to know what Sean does
the second half of the season, because the last couple
of years or second half of the season and the
team is like hit a switch and they've gotten hot
and they've rolled.
Speaker 1 (33:55):
Which even that was kind of a reversal, right, because
they used to start fast and hang on.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
Yeah, but then for whatever reason it was a couple
of years ago, they flipped it and it's like and
you can see it. You talked about all of a
sudden and I know here it's the Saints. It doesn't matter.
The Saints defense is still really good. It wasn't The
Saints offense was the one that was that we were
a questioning. It's the defense was always good. I mean
they stifled Tampa and then you went out there and
did that to them.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Unbelievable. Whatever you want.
Speaker 1 (34:20):
And you think this style plays as you get to
the holidays and the winter ahead, No, you.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
Know, I love this is the time of the year
where every running back, like, be happy that we caught
Baltimore right before November. Be happy because all of a sudden,
why there here's gonna start wrested for one hundred and
fifty one hundred yards a game. No one wants to
tackle them, lamarge. And just this time of the year,
the team's green Bay. This one green Bay normally makes
their run. No One wants to tackle this time of
the year. They lean on the run game, Detroit to
(34:46):
another one. Right, there's gonna be some teams, but we're
gonna see who wants to tackle this time of the year.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
And I expect the Rams to be.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
Offensively and defensively to continue to get better as they've
done the last couple of years.
Speaker 1 (34:57):
All Right, they finally got their first NFC victory against
the New Orleans Saints. Now looking for their first West victory.
They'll have two opportunities back to back against their primary
competition in the division. For San Francisco then Seattle. Good
to see both. Save travels to the Bay Area. We'll
catch you at Levi's, which that's where the Super Bowl
is being played this year, am I Right?
Speaker 2 (35:20):
Wouldn't that be great?
Speaker 1 (35:20):
So having gone through San Francisco to make the confetti
fall at the Rams house, the only thing that could
ever even challenge that feeling, DeMarco would.
Speaker 3 (35:31):
Be that's hey, listen, that'd be those those fans.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
I'll tell you what, your odds of getting to that
last game increased dramatically if you take care of business
in week ten. All Right, Rams and Niners renew of
the rivalry DeMarco far j B Long Maurice Jones drew
here on between the horns presented about your Southern California toy.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
The dealers keep him
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