Connect with us

Uncategorized

Rams News: Matthew Stafford hits Van Jefferson for another 60+ yard strike

Published

on


Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 11/3/21

Cooper Kupp is developing a real chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford but Kupp isn’t the only one. Second year receiver out of the University of Florida, selected in the second round, son of a former NFL receiver, Van Jefferson is also stacking connections with Stafford in McVay’s offense.

Jefferson had 19 catches for 220 yards and one touchdown in his rookie regular season and already through eight games of his second campaign he has 24 catches for 392 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Chicago Bears, Jefferson had a 67 yard touchdown catch and against the Houston Texans he had a 68 yard catch.

Advertisement

Here are three indicators from the Jefferson’s 68 yard catch vs the Texans that points to his ability and potential.

SPEED

The play has Jefferson alone on the left side running a skinny post. The defense is in a single high formation with the cornerback lined up over Jefferson with about an 8-10 yard cushion. This look implies that the defense is guarding against a deep route. In order for the play to be successful to Jefferson, he’s got to run past his defender who has a cushion as a head start. Jefferson closes quickly and gets even with the defender as Stafford pulls the trigger. Then it’s a race to the ball and the defender loses.

ROUTE RUNNING

The cornerback is just the first defender that is guarding against Jefferson. As he gets past the cornerback, he has to then beat or at least avoid the single high safety. The route has to be steep enough to both avoid the safety and continue upfield to get behind the defense. Jefferson is able to make a clean enough break to get the step on the cornerback, with the perfect angle, and without losing speed so he get’s behind both defenders.

Advertisement

QUARTERBACK’S CONFIDENCE

There is not a lot of scheme that helps with this play. The safety and the corner both have their eyes on Jefferson almost from the snap. It seems to be a true “take a shot’ moment with only three routes and two of them going under 15 yards. Jefferson is the only receiver going long and while Stafford has made highlight reels of looking off defenders, this play allows no opportunity with such a simple route combination. Simply, Stafford will either take a shot or check down to Kupp on a shallow cross which was open. Again, before Jefferson is actually behind the defense Stafford takes his shot and nails it. With a great throw showing off arm strength, accuracy, and anticipation, Stafford and Jefferson connect for 68 yards.

Stafford is proving to be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league this season. He’s showing that Jefferson has his confidence and it’s increasing.

And now for today’s links:

RAMS NEWS:

Los Angeles Rams waive veteran WR DeSean Jackson (ESPN)

Advertisement

Von Miller helps Los Angeles Rams now and in long term, GM Les Snead says (ESPN)

Acquiring Von Miller accomplishes team-building goal for Rams while addressing key position on defense (Rams.com)

Tom Brady on Von Miller: ‘Rams are getting one of the all-time greats’ (RamsWire)

NFL NEWS:

Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III arrested on charge of DUI resulting in death (NFL.com)

Chiefs trade OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to Jets for TE Dan Brown (NFL.com)

Advertisement

Green Bay Packers cut Jaylon Smith weeks after signing LB (ESPN)

Miami Dolphins decide against trading for Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson before deadline (ESPN)



Source link

Advertisement

Uncategorized

Terry Francona Shares Hilarious Take On His Farewell Game

Published

on


(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

 

There hasn’t been an official announcement.

Yet, everybody in baseball, not just the Cleveland Guardians, knows it at this point: manager Terry Francona will retire after the season ends.

Advertisement

We all know it because all the signs are there.

One of the most evident signs is the fact the Guardians are going to be handing out “Thank you, Tito” shirts for Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, his last at home.

Francona joked about it when asked by the media about his retirement plans.

“Terry Francona said that despite the fact that neither he nor the Guardians have officially announced his retirement, he did address the players today to tell them it has been an ‘honor of the lifetime’ to manage them through good and bad,” MLB insider Chelsea Janes tweeted.

There you have another sign: he is already saying goodbye to his beloved players.

Advertisement

Now, about those T-shirts…

“On if tomorrow is his last home game ‘it has to be,’ Francona joked. ‘Once you give out t-shirts you can’t go back,’” Janes wrote.

Tito has a great point there.

Can you imagine giving out farewell T-shirts only for him to return for one more year?

Advertisement

It doesn’t make sense.

It would be incredibly good, but it doesn’t make sense.

Instead, Francona will be putting an end to a brilliant career as a baseball manager that started in 1997 with the Philadelphia Phillies and ends here, 26 years later, in Cleveland.

One of the most respected and talented skippers in today’s game gets to say goodbye in front of his home fans.

It’s a perfect way to end a beautiful, successful chapter of his life.

Advertisement

The post Terry Francona Shares Hilarious Take On His Farewell Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.





Source link

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

MLB Postseason Is Featuring A Rare Absence In 2023

Published

on


(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

 

Historically, the New York Yankees, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Red Sox have had long periods of dominance in MLB.

In fact, those are the teams with the most World Series victories.

Advertisement

The Yanks have 27 (the last one coming in 2009), the Cardinals are second with 11 (the most recent one being in 2011), and the Red Sox are tied with the Oakland Athletics (previously Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics) with nine.

Since 1993 and up until 2022, a span covering 30 seasons, at least one of those teams was in the playoffs, often all three and sometimes two of them.

However, all good things (and bad, too) come to an end.

2023 will be the first season in 30 years in which none of those three historically relevant franchises will be in the postseason, according to ESPN.

The Yankees are the only team of the bunch with a positive record, but things went south almost from the beginning.

Aaron Judge had two long stints on the injured list, Giancarlo Stanton regressed, and Carlos Rodon was either injured or inconsistent, not to mention a myriad of injuries to starters, relievers, and lineup regulars.

The Red Sox made huge strides with their farm system, but even though they stayed relevant and competitive for most of the year, couldn’t get key wins and all their AL East foes are just better.

The Cardinals’ pitching was never good enough for the team to contend.

With demanding fanbases and a sense of urgency, all three teams will likely find a way to contend soon enough.

Advertisement

For now, though, they will have to watch the postseason on TV.

The post MLB Postseason Is Featuring A Rare Absence In 2023 appeared first on The Cold Wire.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Miguel Cabrera Set To Lose An Elite Mark Upon Retirement

Published

on


(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

 

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera made his MLB debut in 2003 with the Miami Marlins (then Florida Marlins).

Among active players, he is the longest-tenured in MLB, with 2023 being his 21st season.

Advertisement

He is, however, about to relinquish his throne, because he is set to retire after the weekend.

MLB on FOX shows us the list of the longest-tenured players in MLB, and there will be some changes next year.

With Cabrera retiring, Zack Greinke will be the leader of the list if he decides to keep pitching.

He is 39 and will hit free agency after 2023 so there is a chance he retires, too.

Advertisement

Next up is Rich Hill, and he has stated that he intends to keep pitching in 2024.

He is also a free agent and will be 44, so he might have a hard time finding a team, much like Greinke.

After Hill, we have Justin Verlander, who made his MLB debut (with the Tigers) in July of 2005.

Verlander, unlike all the names mentioned to this point, is under contract with the Houston Astros and will be returning for another year, at the very least.

It’s fascinating to see all these veterans completing amazing careers.

Advertisement

In the specific case of Cabrera, it became evident that he could no longer hang with the young guys.

Retirement is the wisest choice, and Tigers fans get to celebrate a colorful, successful, and brilliant career that includes a World Series triumph in 2003 and lots of individual accolades.

Not many players can say they can retire with 3,000+ hits, 500+ home runs, and 600+ doubles.

The post Miguel Cabrera Set To Lose An Elite Mark Upon Retirement appeared first on The Cold Wire.





Source link

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending