THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. With the promise of an improved offense, the Los Angeles Rams defense is preparing for an encore performance.
Last season, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey spurred the unit to the top of the NFL.
Both star playmakers return after a 10-6 season that resulted in divisional playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. So does outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who signed a four-year, $64 million deal after a career-best campaign in which he tallied 10.5 sacks.
But gone is defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who inherited a defense that ranked ninth in efficiency and improved it to first in his only season before departing to become the Los Angeles Chargers head coach. Enter defense coordinator Raheem Morris, who held the same post last season with the Atlanta Falcons for five games before being promoted to interim head coach.
Most would agree that racism is not a laughing matter. But prejudice is insidious. Like pesty mosquitos at a Memorial Day picnic, it buzzes around us in seemingly innocent humor that takes liberties with racial or ethnic caricatures. We all hear punch lines that made races and nationalities stingy, avaricious, or in need of help fastening a light bulb.
However, those familiar jokes are based on what society no longer considers funny. You help end racism by simply saying, “I don’t get it.”
Racism may also appear as a well-intentioned compliment.
It is one thing to say, “Beyoncé is a beautiful Black woman:” quite another to say, “Beyoncé is beautiful for a Black woman.” Prejudice has color on both sides of the coin. It’s also offensive to say, “He’s a great basketball player for a white man.” Such expressions betray a belief that persons of a particular race are afflicted by congenital tendencies.
Puertorriqueño José Juan Barea se desvincula de Movistar Estudiantes español | Puerto Rico | Edición USA efe.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from efe.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. Before the start of the 2021 NFL draft, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay made his stance clear: the roster did not have any pressing, must-fill needs. We don t have any major glaring holes where it s like, Okay, you ve got to address this position or else, McVay said. We re not really asking anybody to feel like they have to come in and immediately start.
The Rams went into the draft with six picks, but three trades later, general manager Les Snead made nine selections. The Rams added four offensive players and five on defense. All of these guys provide tremendous value, McVay said. They all love football and their skill sets are different, but I think they really fill out the rooms that they re going into.
By GREG BEACHAM - May. 01, 2021 09:00 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Rams feel they got what they needed out of the NFL draft, and that doesn t necessarily include a starter at any position.
The Rams reaffirmed their belief in the remaining veterans on their free agency-depleted roster with their actions in the draft. Where some observers saw roster needs that could be addressed after the departure of six starters in free agency and trades, the Rams top brass sees already solid depth that will only be supplemented by their nine draft picks and a slew of undrafted free agent signings.