Author: Victor Haltom

The Rams have been at the center of a whirlwind of activity in the early days of the 2024 offseason. The team has made a number of significant acquisitions. There have also been important departures. Not only has all-time-great Aaron Donald retired, but also a number of players have left via free agency. With all the shake-ups, where does L.A. stand? Before Donald’s retirement, two prominent ESPN analysts (Jeremy Fowler and Field Yates) predicted the Rams would make it to Super Bowl LIX at the Superdome in New Orleans. Is that still a realistic possibility? Let’s take a look at…

LA Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom was a restricted free agent at the beginning of the 2024 offseason. However, rather than tendering Rozeboom, which would have cost the team around $3 million, the Rams agreed to a guaranteed deal him. As noted at Rams Wire, Rozeboom is a key player for the team: “Rozeboom was the No. 2 inside linebacker with the Rams last season, playing meaningful snaps alongside Ernest Jones in the middle of the defense. [¶] He also plays on special teams, which is an area the Rams must improve next season.” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted about the…

The L.A. Rams need to account for the surprising news of Aaron  Donald’s retirement as they prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft and as they explore additional moves in free agency. As  reported in the Los Angeles Daily News: “The defensive great’s departure will have a ripple effect for the Rams, from the salary cap to his unparalleled play and the loss of his leadership[.]” … “[T]he Rams’ free-agent options across the defensive line and at edge rusher are limited. Most of the top names have already signed. Others, like Jadeveon Clowney, have already scheduled multiple visits with other teams.…

New L.A. Rams QB2 Jimmy Garoppolo has a provocative nickname, at least on ESPN’s First Take. The show’s lead sports reporter/analyst, Steven A. Smith, seems to revel in calling him  “Porn Star Jimmy”. Why? Steven A. Smith and First Take Steven A. Smith is a sports television personality, sports radio host, and sports journalist. He is the featured contributor/commentator on ESPN’s First Take. (He has also written for the Philadelphia Enquirer.) First Take is a popular sports talk television program. Over the years, both the show and Smith have been involved in a few controversies, mostly concerning perceived sensationalism. Jimmy…

The SMU Mustangs roster for the 2024 season is taking shape as the team prepares for its initial season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (“ACC”). The roster has been moulded by incoming recruits from high school and the transfer portal. So, here’s a look at 1) a selected few members of the Mustangs’ 2024 recruiting class, 2) three key departures through the transfer portal, and 3) several of SMU’s significant acquisitions through the transfer portal. SMU Mustangs 2024 Recruiting Class As reported by the Dallas Morning News: On the most recent National Signing Day, SMU football signed six of the…

There is significant Los Angeles Rams free agency news on the Ides of March: While the Rams lost Center Coleman Shelton, they picked up Safety Karmen “Kam” Curl. In the NFL’s “free agency frenzy”, the Rams have made quite a splash. Here’s a look at the most recent free agency news involving the Rams, together with an assessment of the overall impact of the Rams; free agency moves. Coleman Shelton Coleman Shelton is 28 years old. He is 6’4″ and weighs 299 lbs. Shelton grew up in Pasadena, CA. As a three-star recruit out of Loyola High School, he joined…

Eight USC Trojans were at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here’s a list of the eight: Caleb Williams Brenden Rice Tahj Washington MarShawn Lloyd Jarrett Kingston Calen Bullock Solomon Byrd Christian Roland-Wallace These eight Trojan standouts look to join the ranks of the 500+ USC players who have competed in the NFL. (USC is one of only two college football programs to have over 500 of its players enter the NFL.) Up-Close Look at the Eight USC Trojans Who Were in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis Presented below are brief summaries of football facts concerning each of the eight USC…

Earlier today — March 13, 2024 — the Rams placed a $3 million tender on three-year veteran OLB Michael Hoecht. Thus, the team is making a concerted effort to keep the Ivy League graduate in the fold for at least one more year. https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1767967610426241230 Michael Hoecht Bio and Stats Michael Hoecht was born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada in 1997. He is 6’4″ and weights 310 lbs. He attended college in the Ivy League, and played four seasons for the Brown University Bears. Hoecht played defensive line at Brown. He was named a team captain. In his senior year, he was…

The Rams have made offensive line a priority this off season. As reported by NBS sports, the team turned its attention to the Tackle position after receiving accolades for its signings of Guards Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson. Los Angeles did so by placing a second-round tender on Alaric Jackson. Second-Round Tender What is a second-round tender? The NFL has published a handy glossary of terms. Context and definitions are provided in the glossary. The meaning of “second-round tender” can be gleaned from the glossary: When [a] new league year begins, contracts from the previous season expire, the trading period…

Would if make sense for the Rams to send a late-round draft pick or two to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Justin Fields? With the uncertainty currently surrounding the status of Fields and the ever-narrowing number of potential landing spots for him, there may be no time like the present for the Rams to strike. L.A. Could Be an Ideal Destination for Justin Fields A number of NFL commentators and analysts suggest the Rams are one of the few remaining teams on which it would make sense for Fields to end up. Pro Football Network articulates reasons why the…