By Joe Torosian —
“Oh, I’ve always been a Brandon Allen Fan!”–Joe T.
Kick it!
I don’t care about the Los Angeles Rams being called the best team in football. It’s still September, and if the Super Bowl were played in November, I’d be all in.
But the Super Bowl won’t be played until February, and until then, all I want are wins and healthy bodies. The Jacksonville Jaguars could be called the best team in football for all I care.
Matt Stafford was excellent in the 34-24 win over Tampa Bay. He torched the Buccaneers’ weak secondary and profited from the Bucs substandard pass rush.
The offensive line kept the pocket clean which allowed Stafford to take his shots. Game balls should go to Andrew Whitworth, Dave Edwards, Brandon Allen, Austin Corbett, and Rob Havenstein. This group is something to be excited about.
“Oh, I’ve always been a Brandon Allen Fan!”
In “From The RamCave,” we said if DeSean Jackson didn’t get significant snaps this week, something was wrong…Jackson got significant snaps and stretched the field. If Sean McVay wants to spot Jackson for just the big games and have him sit in the not-so-big games… I’m good with it.
Tom Brady did dink & dunk, and there were times I screamed at the flatscreen. But for the third straight week, Raheem Morris’ defense did its job. They registered three sacks, stopped the run, and beat The GOAT.
Aaron Donald was great, Jalen Ramsey was terrific, and Leonard Floyd and Justin Hollins held the edge…But Kenny Young was the show.
Last off-season, analysts, experts, even fans were ready to move on from Young. Even I was honking for LSU linebacker Jabril Cox to be drafted with the 57th pick (Rams took Tutu Atwell).
Sunday, Young registered ten tackles, three for loss, and a quarterback sack. Not bad for a toss-in on the Marcus Peters deal with the Ravens in 2019.
Two things that did stick out: The Rams are still allowing too many yards after contact. They need to finish these plays they are being put in position to make.
And…While I thought Sony Michel did exactly what was needed and maybe even a little more, I don’t want him carrying the ball 20-times a game. If Jake Funk’s on the roster as the number three back–number two until Darrell Henderson returns–he needs to start shouldering some of the load. Meaning McVay has issue Funk some trust.
The Rams win “The Ivory Sully Trophy.”
Last Add Tampa Bay: Yeah, you can say Jason Pierre-Paul would have made a difference, but Pierre-Paul hasn’t registered a sack this season. Remember, the Bucs gave Shaquil Barrett 4-years $68-million. They’re paying him $17-million a season, and he has one sack three after three games. At that pace, he’s on track to register 5.5, maybe 6-sacks for the year.
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Around The NFL:
If I’m a Chargers fan, I’m furious my team isn’t 3-0. I also know if there’s less Jared Cook, then this team has a chance to make a playoff run.
It was apparent last Sunday night the Chiefs have a problem on defense. And it’s even more so after their 30-24 loss on Sunday. To top it all off…Andy Reid spent the night in the hospital after experiencing chest pains.
In a backward way, Eric Bieniemy is about to become an HC in the NFL.
Watching the Las Vegas Raiders is like trekking through the Fire Swamp. They certainly keep you on your toes. The Raiders have had fast starts before, but I like this one because they’re not beating chumps. They’re beating solid teams.
The Gospel of Gruden Football is starting to move me.
In the: “It was a bad call, Ripley. It was a bad call” Department:
I was wrong about the Packers-49ers in the Sunday night game. Actually, I was wrong a lot on Sunday. Again, this is why I’ve never bet.
I thought Green Bay looked soft on Monday against the Detroit Lions—and they were. And that is why I took the San Francisco. I was wrong, the Packers played tough, and Zen Rodgers delivered.
Jimmy G’s tough, but it never looks easy for him.
Last Add AFC West: When you start singing the praises of the undefeated Denver Broncos, remember the three teams they’ve beaten (Giants, Jags, Jets) are a combined 0-3.
If it’s not Detroit, then Baltimore gets flagged for a delay of game. But because they were playing the Lions… “Play clock? Uh, what?”
The Ravens—with an OT loss to the Raiders, a victory over a struggling Chiefs team, and a 66-yard field goal, on a bounce, to beat Detroit—are not a Super Bowl team. The bill is going to come due.
Okay, are Chicago Bears fans convinced, now, that HC Matt Nagy was right about starting Andy Dalton over Justin Fields?
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College Football
Oregon State 45 USC 27—Trojans defense made Chance Nolan look like the greatest Beavers QB since Terry Baker.
Oklahoma 16 West Virginia 13—The Sooners needed a bad snap by the Mountaineers to get the victory at home.
Arkansas 20 Texas A&M 10—The Razorbacks keep Razorbacking. Aggies should dump the Calzada and order up a calzone.
Notre Dame 41 Wisconsin 13—Fred Mertz would look better than Graham Mertz does at QB for the Badgers.
TOP Four College Playoff Teams
(Strictly Based on Games I’ve seen)
1—Penn State (4-0): Sean Clifford, channeling Blackledge & Fusina, throws for 401-yds & 4Tds against Villanova.
2—Alabama (4-0): Put some BAM in the ‘Bama against Southern Miss.
3—Oregon (4-0): Ducks keep doing what they need to do.
4—Florida (3-1): Right now, Gators beat the Irish & Buckeyes.
(Outside Looking In)
5—Notre Dame (4-0): Give me some more Drew Pyne.
6—Ohio State (3-1): Reputation keeping them at #6.
7—Arkansas (4-0): Not fully sold—we’ll find out against Georgia.
8—Oklahoma (4-0): Still waiting to be impressed.
9—Auburn (3-1): Survived Georgia State and Post Penn St. Shock Disorder.
10—Texas A&M (3-1): The Aggies need another quarterback.
11—Texas (3-1): They will beat the Sooners in two weeks.
12—West Virginia (2-2): Should have won in Norman.
13—UCLA (3-1): Good bounce back against Stanford, and should roll until the Ducks come to the Rose Bowl.
14—Oregon State (3-1): How long does Jonathan Smith stay?
15—Stanford (2-2): Oh, I’ve always been a Tanner McKee fan.
16—LSU (3-1): Need to beat Auburn or whispers about Coach O. will turn into conversations.
17—Purdue (3-1): Big deal…everyone beats Illinois…Well, everyone but Nebraska.
18—Wisconsin (1-2): Camp Randall needs something more than the Jump Around.
19—Nebraska (2-3): Is Scott Frost finished?
20—USC (2-1): Did they really promise Donte Williams he’d have a spot on the next HC’s staff?
21—Minnesota (2-2): Yeah, this party is over.
22—Washington State (1-3): The Cougs will always have the first two quarters against USC.
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One Add NBA: Regarding Ben Simmons declaring he won’t play for the Philadelphia 76ers again. He can say anything he wants and refuse to improve his less than 60% foul shooting. You know why? Because Simmons is 25-years-old and has already banked over $57-million in his professional career.
The Dude abides…
1,193
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”…all five available through Amazon.com.
www.JoeTorosian.com
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
Instagram: @joet13b
Be sure to read:
College Hoops Breakdown—by Riley Saxon
The Urena Express—by Steven Urena (MLB)
From The RamCave—by Joe T. (Every Friday)
