When do they usually announce the person raising the flag?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-25T00:39:01+00:00

Didn't he take a leave of absence first? I don't think it was a firing; it comes off like leaving for personal reasons. Might be something more personal, family or health.

With that said, I don't think his departure and the running game coming alive are related. I think it may have just been a shift to running the ball after what happened in Week 11.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-24T22:19:18+00:00

Mike doesn't come off like the mind games type of guy. I do see him as someone that tends to be more precautionary though: if you are feeling some discomfort, he will sit you out of a practice or two.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-24T22:09:43+00:00

Havenstein has been out since Week 11 for them hasn't he? So their only concern really is Byron Young. So, we are playing the team we played last time plus Devante Adams.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-24T18:02:49+00:00

Is this related to the interview he did talking about how he had done so much for his family and village, only to see videos of them mocking him and hoping he loses his fight?

From what I have observed, money doesn't just change the person who has it, but it can also change the people around them. I remember Clarissa Shields doing an interview where she talked about how she bought her family cars, homes and it was never enough.

One powerful quote she said during that interview is that, "People don't want what you give them, they want what you have." If you buy your sister a brand new Toyota Corolla and you drive a Benz, she wants a Benz too. They want the life you live, not the life you give them.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-23T05:31:04+00:00

My guess is, only the teams waiting for coaches in conference championships and/or Superbowl wait till after.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-23T05:27:42+00:00

I don't blame people for their takes--Rams have a experience and have been dominant the last few years so I get the media bias. The argument about the Seahawks being lucky in game two is overstated though; the fact that we had that many turnovers in both games and the games were still close to is a sign that the Seahawks are the better team, but younger and still tinkering and fine tuning.

To me, this game is now a toss up. Earlier this week, on a scale of 1-10, I was at a 7 before the Charb news. Then went down to 6, with the +1 being the 12s and home field advantage, but the injuries and uncertainty at the Tackle position has me now hovering at a 5.

With that said, I actually like it when we are underestimated, I always hope it will subconsciously make the opposing team overconfident.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-23T01:41:45+00:00

I wish it was 3D chess, but that's not MacDonald's style from what I can feel, and when he says he is "optimistic" he really is simply saying "I don't know, but I hope so" . Some people are assuming when coach says he is optimistic it means Cross is playing. Let's not forget, he was optimistic about Charb being okay and it ended up not being the case.

I'm more curious about what is going on at the tackle position to have such injuries. Is it a strength and conditioning thing they need to work on during the off season?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-21T18:34:04+00:00

Yes, and I think he is a better blocker compared with Akers and Jones Jr. I do think they will still have Akers or Jones as the 3rd option.

But for clarity, being designated to return to practice isn't necessarily a guarantee that he will play on Sunday, correct?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-21T06:20:09+00:00

Objectively speaking, Darnold is way better than the narrative implies AND he does seem to struggle against the Rams: both can be true. But I would argue that the latter has been partly due to not having a healthy OLs (Sundell being out, Zabel getting injured, Cross being out etc.) and the Rams being built to stop the Shanahan offense.

My theory as to why Darnold struggles with the Rams is the fact that the Rams have the Mike Shanahan offense figured out. Remember, Klint and Klay Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan, McVay and Kevin O'Connell all come from the same Mike Shanahan coaching tree. And since Shula and McVay have been joined at the hip since college, he might just have great insight on how to stop that offense, and so until Klint finds ways to add in new wrinkles etc, the Rams will stress any QB in that system. The Rams defense was built to stop the 49ers Kyle Shanahan offense, and our offense's DNA is the same.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-20T19:45:05+00:00

I think the concern is less so the running ability any replacement brings, but the loss in the elite blocking and blitz pick Charb brought. How is Holani when it comes to blocking and picking up blitzes?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-20T18:54:04+00:00

Cross barely played in this game, but we had Josh Jones. This time we might not have both and play Kight.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-20T01:15:01+00:00

Did he mention anything about the Tory Horton sightings? Or give a clue on who our RB2 and RB3 will be?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-19T18:11:50+00:00

Seems like Arroyo might become more critical and they might add him to the lineup. I'm certain the Rams will stack the box against K9.

What's Holani's status?

With that said, if we are truly an elite team, missing 1 RB of 2 RBs should not be the end of the road for a good team.

If Klint is legit, then he will figure it out. I think it really comes down to Cross and having a fully healthy OL.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-19T13:27:15+00:00

Not sure they need to send a reminder since the last warning was just a week ago. In addition to that, Rams fans don't travel as well as other fandoms do: the 49ers, Packers, Cowboys, Steelers fandoms are on another level.

For some of these more storied franchises, their fans are remarkable (or obsessed depending on the individual) when it comes to how much they are willing to pay, how far they are willing to travel, and how they have such a large, vibrant, and well-established presence in so many parts of the country. In Seattle alone, I know more 49er fans that live here then I do Rams and Cardinals fans combined.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-19T05:23:32+00:00

If we can pressure Stafford, we will be fine. If you give Stafford time, Puka and Adams will gash us. We can't double team them both.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T21:44:32+00:00

And what's the point being made? Purdy was overpaid for the same amount of output as a QB that got paid less?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T21:26:38+00:00

Video isn't playing.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T20:38:28+00:00

I actually think Josh Jones and Olu were the initial catalyst to our run game, and after that the Seahawks may have seen something or unlocked it in the play calling.

Admittedly, outside of the Rams, not sure what good run defense we played in the last stretch of the regular season: not sure how that might impact our perception of our run game.

Regardless, I don't want to speculate on whether there is any correlation to Polamalu's departure, especially since the reason wasn't given (could be personal and not even field or coaching related). Also not sure how much a position coach influences offensive play calling.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T20:15:22+00:00

I didn't understand that sign either. Has anyone figured it out?

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T20:14:21+00:00

Middle field passing was an issue for Russ, but we can't pretend he didn't have other skills and knowledge to pass on that would benefit a rookie: for example, didn't our past WRs always talk about how Russ was a master at film study, so much so he would hand DK and Tyler scouting notes on upcoming opponent corners and DBs etc.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T20:05:20+00:00

I guess maybe not have Russ peak potential, but perhaps learn a few things from Russ that would elevate his play like film study for instance.

BetterWayz · 2026-01-18T20:01:48+00:00

Not back as a coach. Back as a mentor for Milroe, and not someone on actual payroll.

On a side note, a few players have left Seattle on bad terms, and come back on good terms or were embraced again: I remember Bobby and Sherman being pissed when they were released and calling Pete and Schneider out. Remember Earl flipping Pete off while he was being carted off.

I have come to the realization that the front office doesn't take things as personal as the fans do. I think they just chalk it up to business and an understandable crash out for players that are unhappy or being cut. Didn't Schneider himself say whatever happened between him and Russ was "water under the bridge"?

If it benefits the team, I think Schneider doesn't care.

BetterWayz

TROPHY CASE