Throughout the offseason and regular season, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here's a look at what's out there for Monday, August 17 about your Los Angeles Rams.
CBS Sports says McVay is one of the five head coaches in 2020 with the best chance of winning his first Super Bowl
For the second consecutive year, CBS Sports ranked NFL coaches who have the best chance of winning their first Super Bowl during the upcoming season. For the second consecutive year, it likes Rams head coach Sean McVay's chances.
McVay ranked fourth among the 23 coaches after being second among the 25 in 2019.
"During his three seasons in Los Angeles, all he's done is compile a 33-15 record with (two) playoff wins and a Super Bowl appearance. Even in his worst season, he still managed to go 9-7," CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech wrote as part of his explanation. "Although the NFC West is loaded this year, McVay has had some serious success in divisional play (13-5 in three years), which is a big reason why it wouldn't be completely surprising to see him make a return trip to the Super Bowl."
Breech's complete rankings can be viewed here.
Woods, Higbee land in PFF's position rankings for 2020
Scouting service Pro Football Focus recently ranked its Top 25 wide receivers and Top 15 tight ends entering the 2020 season, and the Rams had representatives on each list. Wide receiver Robert Woods landed at No. 17, while tight end Tyler Higbee checked in at No. 10 in their respective rankings.
PFF analyst Anthony Treash attributed Woods' inclusion to having one of the best receiving grades at his position since arriving in Los Angeles, among other attributes.
"Woods has thrived in his three years with the Rams, earning the 11th-best receiving grade at the position since 2017," PFF analyst Anthony Treash wrote. "He has dropped just seven of his 259 catchable targets in that span, though the best thing he brings to the table is his route-running. He generates an exceptional rate of separation, and that's helped him pick up the sixth-most explosive plays of 15-plus yards since 2017 (86). Woods has been a consistently great receiving option for the Rams, and that should continue in 2020."
Meannwhile, PFF analyst Ben Linsey noted Higbee's strong finish to the 2019 season as part of his reasoning for including Higbee among the top tight ends.
"No receiver — tight end or otherwise — closed the 2019 season hotter than Higbee," Linsey wrote. "An injury to Gerald Everett opened the door for Higbee to step into a featured role, and he ran with it. Over the last five weeks of the season, he ranked third among all offensive players in PFF receiving grade (91.2) and receptions (43), and his 522 receiving yards were the most in the NFL."
NFL.com's David Carr says Rams have NFL's No. 2 WR duo
NFL.com analyst and former NFL quarterback David Carr ranked the top five wide receiver duos in the league ahead of the upcoming season. Coming in at No. 2 on his list: Woods and Cooper Kupp.
"This pick might surprise some folks, but if you were paying attention last season, you knew just how productive this pair was in Sean McVay's offense," Carr wrote as part of his analysis. "Woods and Kupp ranked third in receiving yards among WR duos in 2019, and I don't see their production dropping off as long as their wizard-like coach is working his magic."
Carr's complete breakdown and rankings can be viewed here.
