By Joe Torosian
“Work hard, stay positive, and get up early.
It’s the best part of the day.”—George Allen
Kick it!
The USC win over Oregon State was great on Saturday night! Great game! Great win!
But I couldn’t see it because it wasn’t on local broadcast, ESPN, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, or being sneak peeked on the Big 10 Network.
The USC-Oregon St. game, featuring one of the premiere teams in the nation, was on the PAC 12 Network.
And people wonder why they’re leaving the conference.
***
After seeing the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night, I hope Dak Prescott is back in time to play the Rams.
How do you evaluate Giants quarterback Daniel Jones with his current offensive line and receivers? If he can stay upright, if the pieces around him can slightly improve, he can be productive.
And I’ve got a feeling the Giants will regret not picking up Jones’ fifth-year option.
The NFC East by next year will belong to Philly and New York. The TaxSkins are going nowhere, and Pokes are paying the wrong people.
Last Add Cowboys: Good win, but they had to labor way too hard and might have lost if someone other than Cooper Rush was playing quarterback.
Last Add Cooper Rush: It’s not his size, speed, or arm. It’s his decisions and how quickly they come. That’s always the difference at quarterback.
Last Add Daniel Jones: Colin Cowherd’s diatribe against Jones this morning were the same arguments he makes to defend Jimmy Garoppolo.
***
I Brought The Rams Back To Fanview:
The preseason is over. The Rams’ season starts this Monday night in San Francisco.
You have to like the way the team is progressing. Think how bad they were against Buffalo. Think how good they were for three quarters against Atlanta. Think how solid—not spectacular—they were against Arizona.
Slow starts are the trade-off for not playing your starters in August. Now it’s on. They have to beat the 49ers.
***
I hate to be that guy, but when I can be that guy…I really love being that guy.
And I was the guy that said Troy Hill was old and didn’t look great in 2020. I was also the guy that said Van Jefferson should go on the injured reserve—in August!
I was also the guy that said keep Kyler Murray contained, and the Rams will get the win.
On Sunday, Murray ran zero designed runs and scrambled for just 8-yards. In the playoff game last year, he ran once for 6-yards.
This is why Murray needs weapons, and James Connor, A.J. Green, and Hollywood Brown are not weapons.
“Temple City & The Company of The Ages” is available thru Amazon. (Click the pic)
***
Matthew Stafford Top 3:
Stafford is building a highlight reel of iconic throws.
1.) No-Look Super Bowl throw to Cooper Kupp on the game-winning drive.
3.) The No-Look touchdown pass to Kupp in Week 6 against the Giants in 2021.
Coming in at #2…And this is only #2 because it didn’t happen in the Super Bowl.
2.) Stafford’s spin out of pressure, sidearm sling, on third and 11 to Kupp on Sunday. Jubilee Dunbar! In the words of Cheech, “It was so too much.”
***
So, at this point, it’s safe to assume—barring an injury to a receiver—that when/if Odell Beckham Jr. returns, Tutu “I Only Played 3 Snaps Against Arizona” Atwell will be shown the gate.
I defend him. I fight for him…but the coaching staff refuses to help me make the case.
For the Record:
Brandon Powell: 6 offensive snaps on Sunday, 15 through three games. 5 targets, 5 receptions.
Tutu Atwell: 3 snaps on Sunday, 12 through three games. 2 targets, zero receptions.
***
Note to Denver Broncos: Thank you for not only beating San Francisco on Sunday night but for roughing them up.
We don’t celebrate the injury to 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. But injuries are going to happen. They’re inevitable. And since they’re inevitable, the timing was good for the Rams.
Williams will be out the next four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker, has a sprained MCL and is not expected to play.
When All The Laughter Turned to Sorrow:
Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater is gone for the season with a bicep tendon tear.
Joey Bosa is week-to-week with a groin injury. Justin Herbert has the rib. Center Corey Linsley is missing time with a knee, and Keenan Allen has a tender hamstring.
Oh, and J.C. Jackson didn’t even play Sunday.
It’s a curse to be a Chargers fan! A curse!
Note to Chargers Fans: To add to your misery…
Are you having any doubts about Brandon Staley’s future? I mean, just a little?
Is there a scenario where Raheem Morris gets another shot as an HC, and a fired Staley returns to the Rams as a DC?
Maybe Staley’s like Nathaniel Hackett (and his dad, Paul Hackett). A good lieutenant but a terrible captain.
***
Last Add Broncos: You can tell me it’s the new environment, you can tell me it’s the new offense, you can tell me this and tell me that…but the Russell Wilson we’re seeing is not the Russell Wilson we saw for ten years in Seattle.
That Russell Wilson feels like he’s been gone since 2018. As a Rams fan, Wilson, in recent years, didn’t instill fear. He’d make a play against the Rams, but the Rams never really let Russ cook.
***
Around The NFL:
Cowboys: Jerry Jones is paying too much money for Prescott not to remain the starter.
Dolphins: I’ve seen friends on New Year’s Eve stumble less than Tua did against the Bills.
Colts: Sunday was a happy day for Indy super fans Big Rich & Coach Elias.
Ravens: Lamar’s great…let’s see how he’s feeling in a month.
49ers: Jimmy G. is working through his preseason.
Raiders: We said Las Vegas would go 0-3. Be patient.
Packers-Buccaneers: All that star power, and I was bored.
Lions: Oh…Captain Dan was less than fantastic.
Eagles: To soon to say, “Philly is putting the Hurts on opponents.”…?
The Dude abides…
1,220
2 Corinthians 10:5
Joe T. is the author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” … “Temple City & The Company of The Ages” … “The Dead Bug Tales” … “The Dark Norm” & “FaithViews for Storm Riders”…and, the recently released, “Sin Virus.” All six available through Amazon.com.
www.JoeTorosian.com
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