Latest news with #NFCDivisionalRound
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider explains Rams' recent roster building strategy
NFL insider explains Rams' recent roster building strategy The Los Angeles Rams have a few flaws they've yet to address on their roster. Namely, the cornerbacks and linebackers lack firepower to truly elevate a defense. And while the Rams have the cap space and assets to pull off a move for a star cornerback (like Jalen Ramsey), the duo of head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead appears unwilling to do so with any urgency. They retained the same secondary from 2024 — the one that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed — and didn't draft any young players at either cornerback or safety despite taking a late-round linebacker. That, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, seems to be by design. "The Rams' approach to filling the position in recent years has been interesting," Breer wrote. The projected starters right now are a couple guys that came in as reclamation projects, in Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams (who returned after starting his career in Los Angeles). Former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is in that mix too. And so taking a swing on Alexander [who has since signed with the Ravens] or getting Jalen Ramsey back would kind of fit. "But I do think this is also a larger philosophical thing for the Rams, with much of their recent focus on building up the offensive skill spots and defensive front—areas they believe are truly impactful on wins and losses. I heard someone say that in today's NFL, corners are more speed bumps than stop signs, and I think that might be how L.A. has come to view the position. Or at least that's how it looks." McVay and Snead have always been ahead of the game in roster construction, so Breer's hypothesis would make sense. It would certainly explain why the Rams have used a bevy of top-100 picks on the defensive line to replace Aaron Donald with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. Or why they preferred to draft players at tight end, edge rusher, running back and defensive tackle before linebacker. If McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula think they can put together a quality defensive unit without stars at cornerback or linebacker, then this lack of urgency should work. It almost did in 2024 when the young defense emerged as a stout group right up until they ran into Saquon Barkley in the NFC Divisional Round. Whatever the case may be, the Rams appear to have a plan that they're sticking to, even despite outside pressure to reunite with Ramsey.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Lions WR said Detroit would have beat Commanders if healthy
No one expected the Washington Commanders to compete for a playoff spot in the 2024 season. It was the first season of a "recalibration," as head coach Dan Quinn called it. There was a new general manager, a new coaching staff, a rookie quarterback and over 50% of the roster turned over. Washington shocked everyone, going 12-5 and advancing to the NFC championship game one year after finishing 4-13. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was phenomenal as a rookie, looking like a 10-year veteran and one of the best players in the NFL, leading his team to an unforgettable season. One of the more shocking moments came in the NFC Divisional Round, when the Commanders shocked the top-seeded Lions on the road in front of a sold-out Detroit crowd. It wasn't a nailbiter either, as Washington won 45-31. One member of last year's Detroit team said that Washington would not have won that game if the Lions had been healthy. Here's veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson talking to the Woodward Sports Network about that game and last season. Robinson appeared in 12 games last season, catching three passes for 30 yards. He is currently a free agent. On one hand, Robinson is not wrong. That result could have been different if players like Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were healthy. On the other hand, it's the NFL. No teams are fully healthy in January. Ultimately, the Lions had no answer for Daniels, and Washington's defense forced four Jared Goff turnovers in the upset win. Last season was definitely disappointing for the Lions. They had arguably the NFL's top roster, a star-studded coaching staff, home-field advantage and didn't even make it to the NFC championship game.
New York Post
06-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Skip Bayless goes scorched on Steelers for signing ‘blame-deflecting diva' Aaron Rodgers in spicy rant
Skip Bayless reappeared on social media to blast the Pittsburgh Steelers for what he views as another bad decision at quarterback. The former ESPN and Fox Sports personality labeled Rodgers a 'washed-up, 41-year-old, finger-pointing, blame-deflecting diva' in a five-plus-minute rant he posted to X. Bayless was stunned the Steelers 'actually did it' by signing Rodgers, adding that he believes the ex-Jets signal caller is going to 'steal from the Steelers.' 'He was washed his last three years in Green Bay,' Bayless said. 'Go look at the numbers of his last three playoff games in Green Bay … I told the Jets he was washed.' Rodgers has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Steelers, who are basically all-in for the 2025 season after trading for star receiver DK Metcalf and with T.J. Watt entering the final year of his contract. 'What has become of the Pittsburgh Steelers?' he continued. 'I don't hate them anymore, I pity them.' Bayless referenced Rodgers' poor playoff stats, although he hasn't played in the playoffs since 2021. His last postseason contest game in a 13-10 home loss with Green Bay to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round, when Rodgers went 20-of-29 with 225 yards and zero touchdowns. Skip Bayless goes scorched earth on Aaron Rodgers. X, @RealSkipBayless Rodgers last secured a playoff win in 2020 over the Rams (23-of-36, 295 yards, two touchdowns) but followed that victory by losing to the eventual champion Buccaneers (33-of-48, 346 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) at home in the NFC Championship game. Bayless claimed the Steelers are better off with Mason Rudolph at quarterback and 'starting to look like the odds-on favorite to be the first pick in the draft next year.' Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers on Thursday. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 'At least got a name, but he ain't got any game,' Bayless concluded. Rodgers had an uneven season as the Jets' signal caller in 17 games last season, throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He played just four snaps in his first Jets season before suffering a torn Achilles tendon.
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Dan Campbell's emotional reaction to Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement at age 29
Dan Campbell lauded Frank Ragnow on Thursday with an emotional tribute days after the Lions center's shocking retirement at the age of 29. 'Frank's been unbelievable. Teammate, football player, man of the community. He's done it all,' the Detroit head coach said at a press conference, his voice cracking with emotion. 'He will be sorely missed.' Advertisement 4 Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement in June 2025. NurPhoto via Getty Images Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Lions, announced his retirement Monday on Instagram. 'I've tried to convince myself that I'm feeling good but I'm not and it's time to prioritize my health and my families [sic] future,' he wrote in the post. Advertisement 'I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don't. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.' As he spoke about Ragnow on Thursday, Campbell referenced one play from Detroit's 31-23 win over the Buccaneers in the 2024 NFC Divisional Round. With the Lions facing a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and the game knotted at 10-10, Detroit ran it up the gut with running back Craig Reynolds for the go-ahead touchdown. Advertisement 4 Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement from the NFL Monday after seven seasons. AP 4 Frank Ragnow (77) during the Lions' NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Bucs in January 2024. Getty Images The play was a success due in large part to Ragnow, who managed to block one of Tampa Bay's biggest defensive linemen after a painful collision with the lineman's knee. 'It was huge,' Campbell said. 'That's the type of player he was.' Advertisement 4 Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that retiring center Frank Ragnow will be 'sorely missed.' AP The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Ragnow played seven seasons with Detroit, sticking by the franchise through its rise from NFC North bottom-dweller to Super Bowl contender. He dealt with a recurring toe problem during his career, which caused him to miss 13 games in 2021, and it flared up in 2022 as well. Ragnow was a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last three seasons leading up to his retirement, and leaves a void for Detroit to fill on the offensive line as the team looks to contend for a championship this season.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why Rams safety Kam Curl says he won't play 'Madden' this year
Why Rams safety Kam Curl says he won't play 'Madden' this year Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl isn't happy he's featured in the new trailer for Madden 26. The veteran is seen being juked out by Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley in the infamous NFC Divisional Round loss during a blizzard. Curl posted a few times on X about his unhappiness with the exposure. "Lmao I ain't playing madden this year," he wrote, and added a middle finger emoji at the end. A few NFL players responded as well, including fellow safety Quandre Diggs who wrote, "why they do you like that dawg!" Curl responded: "Been playing all my life and this how my first time being on the trailer gone be." Will Blackmon, another former NFL safety, added that the trailer, "Made it seem like you wanted no part of that." The Rams and Eagles face off again in Week 3, and you can be sure Curl won't want to let history repeat itself in the real world.
