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Is the window closing on the Rams?
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hasn't ignited his 2021 fire on offense. Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Is the window closing on the Rams?

The Los Angeles Rams won a Super Bowl in part by disregarding draft picks and making big risks with cap investments. 

However, the piper may come calling for the Rams as the team's 2022 hangover season continues to wither away. 

The Rams are 3-7 and continue to look like one of the NFL's most surprising disappointments this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't ignited his 2021 fire on offense, and the team's offensive line looks listless. 

The Rams are stuck with Stafford. He is virtually unmovable, with $75 million in dead cap assigned to his contract next seasons. The next couple of years don't get any easier. 

LA's skill positions aren't producing at a high level, either. There isn't much of a running game, and the team hasn't gotten star production out of 2022 free agent receiver Allen Robinson (339 yards, three touchdowns so far). 

Wideout Cooper Kupp, 2021's Offensive Player of the Year, may miss the rest of the year with a high ankle sprain

On defense, the top-heavy unit is struggling to slow down division rivals like Arizona and San Francisco. Having stars like defensive Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Bobby Wagner only helps if the overall unit plays cohesively. 

The Rams will play the offensively intimidating Seattle Seahawks twice before the year is over, as well as the formidable Kansas City Chiefs and dangerous Los Angeles Chargers. 

With so many resources tied up into its marquee players, the team only has six draft picks and $6 million in cap space for 2023 at present. Four of those 2023 draft picks come after the fifth round. The team has no first-round pick next year. 

The team has no easy salary moves to make next year, either. They'd have to trade away assets to potentially clear any space, but the potential dead cap hits would make that hard to stomach. 

Head coach Sean McVay has been linked to rumors of early retirement, and a potential rebuilding process might speed that up.

Without many resources for the future, the Rams might be stuck in the past without many answers. 

Cory Woodroof

Cory Woodroof is a longtime journalist that lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He has covered the Atlanta Falcons for the past five years for SB Nation's The Falcoholic and yearly for Athlon's NFL preview edition. He has also covered sports at all levels for the Nashville Post

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Steelers rookie Will Howard may have already moved up the depth chart
NFL

Steelers rookie Will Howard may have already moved up the depth chart

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Naomi Osaka admits if she wants to face Emma Raducanu again after Washington Open defeat
Tennis

Naomi Osaka admits if she wants to face Emma Raducanu again after Washington Open defeat

Emma Raducanu brought Naomi Osaka’s Washington Open campaign to an end with a performance full of confidence. Raducanu, enjoying her best form in some time, has looked sharp since crossing over from Wimbledon to the US hard courts and is now putting together a strong run on both sides of the draw. Her timing couldn’t be better, with the summer swing in full flow and eyes already turning towards Flushing Meadows later in August. For Osaka, though, this was another frustrating defeat by a player she might have expected to beat. In the aftermath, she was even asked whether it was worth facing Raducanu again anytime soon. Naomi Osaka shares thoughts on Emma Raducanu after defeat at Washington Open After the loss, Osaka took time to break down her performance and also spoke about what impressed her about Raducanu’s game. Starting with her own play, she mentioned: “I think honestly I have been working on my return a lot, and ironically I don’t think it was that bad today. I think she served quite well. I guess just keep working on that, working on my serve. I know it’s one of my biggest weapons. “Today the percentages were off, so hopefully improving that. Then I guess just baseline tennis. I feel like from the baseline, like, I was doing pretty well. I think there are certain situations where she got one more ball back and I was kind of just looking and waiting. So kind of getting more accustomed to being comfortable being aggressive. When asked how facing Raducanu compared to watching her previously, Osaka said: “Oh. So when I say I watched her, it might not have necessarily been her tennis. Might have been like interviews and stuff like that. “Yeah, I mean, I watched her in Wimbledon, but I think it is different playing someone in real life than playing them or seeing them on TV. “So I think for me, honestly, it was really good to get the experience, to feel how her ball is. Yeah, hopefully we meet again.” Naomi Osaka comments on her relationship with fellow players Osaka didn’t just talk about the match itself – she also shared how she’s been interacting with other players off the court. For example, the Japanese star was asked if she’d like to get to know Raducanu or other players better, to which she replied: “I mean, yes, but I don’t know. “I don’t know if I’m, like, I look scary or something, but I have been saying hi to everyone for the past year and a half since I have been back, and I think they still think I’m kind of like extremely introverted and/or have RBF. So we haven’t really, like, proceeded past the ‘Hi, how are you doing’ phase.” Osaka admitted she felt confused after her defeat to Raducanu, having played much better than the scoreline suggested. It’s Raducanu who moves forward into the quarter-finals while Osaka once again finds herself reflecting on what comes next.

Jonathan Kuminga Open to Kings Move Amid Prolonged Prolonged Free Agency
NBA

Jonathan Kuminga Open to Kings Move Amid Prolonged Prolonged Free Agency

What could have been a very exciting offseason for Golden State Warriors fans has turned into one of dread. They haven’t made any major additions to the roster, aside from a couple of late second-round picks from the Draft, and the Jonathan Kuminga situation has gone from bad to worse. It’s clear that the Congolese baller no longer wants to be part of the Dubs. He wants to be a first or second option, and Head Coach Steve Kerr hasn’t been able to run the team with Kuminga as the centerpiece. The issue, however, has been finding a way out. Kuminga has placed a high value on every trade package, one that other teams have been unwilling to match. As a result, Kuminga hasn’t agreed to a contract that would allow the Warriors to sign-and-trade him, leaving him to explore free agency, an option that likely won’t land him a big payday. Recent reports, however, have linked him to the Sacramento Kings, a franchise the Warriors were previously reluctant to deal with regarding Kuminga. Warriors insider Anthony Slater revealed in an ESPN podcast that Kuminga has had contact with Kings’ General Manager Scott Perry for the first time, and was impressed with what they were offering. “He liked the pitch that Scott Perry gave, and he’s open-minded to the idea of Sacramento,” Slater said. “And I think part of that pitch is, you’re talking starting role, you’re talking bigger opportunity than the Warriors are [giving] necessarily now. And I think that’s the part that shouldn’t get lost in this whole situation.” Slater then emphasized that Kuminga isn’t just chasing money, he’s also looking to be the star in a new team. And the Kings, for now, seem to be the only team that can make that happen. “Kuminga is not just looking for the exact contract he wants and free agency. He’s looking for the opportunity he wants on the court,” Slater concluded. Kuminga was selected seventh overall in the 2021 Draft and played a supporting role in Golden State’s championship win during his rookie season. Expectations were high, but it soon became evident that he wasn’t part of Kerr’s long-term plans. To his credit, Kuminga didn’t shy away from calling the Warriors out in front of the media. It appears the relationship between the two is now beyond repair. A move away, and soon, would be best for both parties, especially for the Warriors, who are looking to clear salary space to make additions ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.

Fans Erupt As Luka Doncic Shows Off Lean Physique While Nailing A Halfcourt Shot
NBA

Fans Erupt As Luka Doncic Shows Off Lean Physique While Nailing A Halfcourt Shot

Los Angeles Lakers fans will be eager to see what Luka Doncic has in store this upcoming season. With an emphasis on getting into shape for the new season, Doncic recently showed off the fruits of his labor. In a recent video, the Lakers superstar can be seen looking significantly leaner. And to add emphasis, the 26-year-old drained a shot from halfcourt, causing fans on social media to go berserk. Doncic is widely considered one of the most gifted basketball players in the NBA. Now that he's in what looks like the best shape of his career, fans couldn’t contain their excitement. With several fans sharing their reactions to the video on X, we take a look at some of their responses. "Tell me he isn’t looking similar to his rookie build. He’s lean as hell now!" commented one fan. "My MVP," added another. Another fan displayed some optimism and claimed, "No worries, those earlier years were just for fun. Now, he’s about to enter his prime. S**t about to get ugly for the league." "Luka's MVP season is coming," said one fan, predicting big things from the Lakers' star. Another fan added to this with, "So I’m placing my bet right now for Luka Doncic MVP." "Holy fawk, we are so back. We are winning MVP this season," boldly stated another fan. "Luka Doncic is in the best shape of his life," claimed another. One fan noted the impact this weight loss could have on his game by saying, "Attack-the-rim Luka bout to make a return this season." A Mavericks fan also commented on this marked change and lamented, "Why couldn't he do this in Dallas?" "That's the next GOAT," claimed another fan, acknowledging his potential for greatness. The expectations of Doncic to dominate next season are immense, especially given the criticism he has faced for his defensive shortcomings in the playoffs. The scrutiny the superstar has faced since donning the Purple and Gold has acted as fuel. His response has been a deepened commitment to the team, reflected in his ongoing conditioning and offseason recruiting efforts. Having played a significant role in bringing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to the Lakers in free agency, it is abundantly clear that Doncic is invested in the team's future. When also considering that the Lakers are officially on the guard's timeline now, planning their roster construction with upcoming free agency classes in mind, the team and the player appear to be in close collaboration. Doncic is currently gearing up for his activities with the Slovenian national team at the EuroBasket tournament. However, the 26-year-old is expected to return to Los Angeles before joining the national team to sign his contract extension with the Lakers, further cementing his place as the face of the franchise.

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