*Note: The graphic above should read Week 16.

I’ve been illin’ (and not the good kind) most of the week so this will be a very abbreviated version of my usual game previews. Apologies… 

A random thought came into my head as I was coughing up a lobe from my right lung Friday night.

“I wonder which Rams team will show up in Tampa Bay on Sunday.”

Even while I’m under the weather I’m thinking about the Rams. Or maybe it’s due to the fact that I get sick to my stomach thinking about the three games the Rams should have won: Week 1 at Detroit (23-27), Week 6 at Miami (14-17), and Week 10 at San Francisco (24-24 tie). The Rams should be 9-5 right now fighting for a wild card.

Then you have the Rams that tied and beat the almighty (?) 10-3 49ers. Yes, St. Louis seems to have San Francisco’s number. Not to mention the Rams (with one last game remaining in Seattle) are one of five teams (Green Bay, New England, Houston, and Denver) that are undefeated in their division. The irony though is that those four teams are their respective division leaders and in the playoffs. Dagger!

Reality hits though as the Rams are set to face a slumping (four straight losses coming into this week) but still dangerous team in the Buccaneers. Quarterback Josh Freeman has had his ups and downs this season which doesn’t bode well for his big time, big size receivers Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. I should know, V. Jackson is on my fantasy team. The other big Bucs threat, the player formerly known as The Muscle Hamster, running back Doug Martin. He’s on both my fantasy teams and he’s also had a seat on the roller coaster that’s the Tampa Bay offense.

Rams running back Steven Jackson needs 91 yards to reach the 1,000 yards rushing for the eighth consecutive season. The longest active streak in the NFL. I say he gets it done today despite the Bucs ranking number one against the run (83.3 yards per game) coming into Sunday. Jackson has seen tough rush defenses this season and has risen to the occasion, especially against the 49ers (101 and 48 yards).

The Bottom line (Nothing really new here, folks.)

The Rams need to tune out all the noise and concentrate on their game. The rest will fall into place.

Run the ball via Steven Jackson.

Protect quarterback Sam Bradford giving him time to find one of his young receivers. This might prove to be harder than expected with their staple offensive lineman Harvey Dahl being placed on IR after a biceps tear. Chris Williams is slated to take Dahl’s place and will be challenged by the Bucs defense.

Don’t commit idiotic self-inflicted penalties. Seriously, this has to stop.

Win the field position battle. i.e. the Rams rookie punter Johnny Hekker needs to be more consistent. Kicker Greg Zuerlein will be the difference in the game.

Rams squeak out a close one winning by a field goal, 23-20 and get back to .500 with one last game to go.

7-7-1.

Coffee Roasting Grades (via Y Tambe Wikimedia Commons)

It’s going to be one of those days where the above will be heavily needed.  Don’t you see a pattern developing here?  If you see this coffee roasting graphic you know I’m in for a long hard day.  So reader beware!

If you don’t see me on Twitter tomorrow that means I have melted into goop at Six Flags.  Yes, it’s going to be one of the hottest days of the year and I’m taking a bunch of kids to an amusement/water park.  Not one of my smartest moves.

Wish me luck folks!

1) Player organized Rams-camp to be held in Arizona: James Laurinaitis, Ron Bartell, and Sam Bradford will he joining forces again this week.  The three Rams leaders will be holding a mini-camp this Thursday through Saturday breaking down film and learning Josh McDaniel’s offensive playbook via Professor Bradford.

Hmmm, so I wonder how much of McD’s playbook actually sounds like Spanish…

2) Adding a little dynasty football into the mix today: Who did the 5 NFL.com “experts” pick to be their dynasty QB?  Choices were Falcons Matty Ice, Bucs Josh Freeman, Jets Sanchize, Ravens Joe Flacco, and our very own Sam Bradford.

I think we need to come up with a cool nickname for Sam, don’t you?

3) Continued negotiations give us continued hope: And because your day would not be complete without its healthy does of NFL lockout news.

The two sides met again at an undisclosed NYC hotel to continue the momentum of last week’s talks.  I guess since the jig was up in Chicago they picked NYC this time around.  Not that where they meet really matters.  Just the fact they are talking is big.

The usual suspects were present and hopefully they are that much closer to getting something hammered out.  Good to see they aren’t waiting around for the three wise men (Benton, Colloton, and Bye) to decide their $9B+ fate.

What do you guys think about “el profesor” for Sam’s nickname?  I’m sure John Clayton wouldn’t mind sharing it with Sam.

See if you can figure out which long standing rivalry extends even to our writer here at Aerys.  The video clip below will clue you in.

PattyRams: Okay, Q2) What team would you like to see on Hard Knocks this season?

Colleen (Bears): DA BEARS.

Melissa (Lions): Wouldn’t it be wrong to not say the Lions?

Amanda (Packers): And this is supposed to be unbiased?

Brenda (Broncos): True story, but months ago – like January – I told my boyfriend I thought the Bucs would be great for Hard Knocks.

Lauren (Packers): Q2: Packers. Duh. But bias aside, if you listen to their audio from Super Bowl, they are HILARIOUS. And intense. And honest. And LOVE the game.

Colleen (Bears): Really, I think we’ve got a bad rap with a lot of the country. I’d love for the rest of the world to see how we work.

Brenda (Broncos): Now, I’ve shifted my supports for the 49ers.

Colleen (Bears): We’re a blue-collar team with some brilliant, yet unorthodox coaches.

Lauren (Packers): But if I had to be realistic….. and don’t gasp in shock…. I’d *love* to see the Bears.

Colleen (Bears): Plus, Lance Briggs on my TV more? Yes, please.

Patty (Rams): I’d love to see the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh. Rah, rah, Stanford! I mean, 49ers!

Kristine (Jets): Insert obligatory mention of Jets here.

Lauren (Packers): I like the Bears coaching style.

Kristen (Patriots): Patriots, first. But that won’t happen. So I’d really like to see the Saints, Packers or Bears.

Colleen (Bears): *gasps in shock*

Kristine (Jets): Pats would never.

Melissa (Lions): Aside from the Lions, I’d like to see the Saints. It would be interesting to watch the whole Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram scenario play out.

Colleen (Bears): I doubt the McCaskey’s would let the Bears go on it, though.

Lauren (Packers): Same with Pack, Colleen. Teddy Boy and McCarthy would shut that down quick.

Melissa (Lions): And, let’s be honest. Who wouldn’t want to see them partying on Bourbon street on their days off?

Kristine (Jets): I would love to see the Bucs, but they have already declined. So Packers are my next choice.

Patty (Rams): The Bucs would have been my second choice, too.  Josh Freeman and Mike Williams are my dynamic duo.

Brenda (Broncos): New Orleans would be entertaining, and I agree with Melissa, the Lions would be a fantastic selection.

Emily (Steelers): As much as I’d love to see the Steelers, I’d really like to see the Pack.

Kristine (Jets): New Orleans also declined already, unfortunately.

Lauren (Packers): With the Pack, though, you have to cover the city/fans/shareholders as much as the team. Because GB is just that.

Patty (Rams): Does anyone think Jerry World would work?

Kristine (Jets): Jerry would love it, I am sure.

Lauren (Packers): AHHHHH. No.

Kristen (Patriots): Cowboys did it a couple years ago.

Brenda (Broncos): I think the Broncos would be a sexy pick, with all the quarterback drama and return of John Elway. Lots of storylines for the Hard Knocks producers.

Lauren (Packers): DFW wouldn’t go for it.

Emily (Steelers): I wish they would go back and do the Bengals again. That would be such a wonderful train wreck.

Patty (Rams): But with Carson, T.O., and Ochocinco heading out I won’t have reason to get my popcorn ready.

Lauren (Packers): I lived there when the stadium was being built. He’s pretty hated.

Melissa (Lions): Haven’t the Cowboys done it twice already?

Colleen (Bears): I think we should make a swear jar for Aerys Huddle, but instead of swearing, anytime anyone says “shareholder” they put in a dollar.

Lauren (Packers): Love the Broncos idea. My boss is a HUGE broncos fan. So I’ve learned to love them by default.

Kristine (Jets): HAHAHA.

Patty (Rams): Did my own quick Hard Knocks poll and the Rams DE Chris Long writes back saying it’d be too much of a distraction.

Patty (Rams): For a young team like the Rams it’s probably best to keep things under wraps. Besides, I just can’t see Spagnuolo going for it.

Lauren (Packers): Even if they beat us in ’97. Tear.
Lauren (Packers): SHUT IT

Amanda (Packers): Cruel, Colleen.

Colleen (Bears): Hahaha.

Kristen (Patriots): Kind of cool to see the Giants (as much as I LOATHE them to my very core). They are a storied franchise with good ownership. Could be good t.v.

Patty (Rams): I had no idea the boys had already gone through it. My bad!

Brenda (Broncos): Denver would never go for it…at least that’s the word here. Still, an intriguing option.

Lauren (Packers): She’s just jealous because of this:

Kristine (Jets):

Amanda (Packers): Love Lauren!

Patty (Rams): Uh, dagger.

Kristine (Jets): According to this, Dallas has done it twice: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/05/which-team-would-you-like-to-see-on-hbos-hard-knocks/1

Colleen (Bears): Now that’s a low blow, stupid Raji.

Patty (Rams): You tell ‘em, Colleen!

Lauren (Packers): I do that dance when I score big at work.

Patty (Rams): I’ll have to go back and get the final tally but it sounds like Packers, Bears, Broncos, (Saints/Bucs declined), and 49ers?

Lauren (Packers): Like completing an awesome project.

Amanda (Packers): I am so going to try that next time.
Amanda (Packers): I usually just belt.

Patty (Rams): I hope we even HAVE a preseason for Hard Knocks…

Kristine (Jets): Umm…yeah…scary that we even have to hope for it

Which team is your front runner for Hard Knocks?  Please leave your vote in the comments section.

Aerys Huddle 3.3 – Free Agency is here.