Tag: Nickell Robey-Coleman

Michael Thomas reacts to Bill Vinovich getting assigned to Super Bowl LIV

Saints WR Michael Thomas was amused when referee Bill Vinovich was assigned to Super Bowl LIV, just a year after the NFC title game no-call.

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A year ago, Bill Vinovich’s officiating crew was at fault for the worst no-call in NFL history, missing a blatant instance of defense pass interference during the NFC championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams. The botched foul helped cost the Saints a Super Bowl berth, drew a private apology from the league office, and prompted offseason rules changes that have had mostly-disappointing effects.

Vinovich’s failure also dominated the news cycle, made worse by a pathetic showing by the Rams in the Super Bowl that caused many fans and observers to wonder if the wrong team made it that far. To add insult to injury, the Rams didn’t even qualify for the playoffs the following season.

Which is where we are now — in a postseason that’s seen Vinovich receive the honor of helping officiate Super Bowl LIV, his second title game assignment (he previously worked Super Bowl XLIX). His “all-star” crew will be made up of umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Kent Payne, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Michael Banks, side judge Boris Cheek, back judge Greg Steed and replay official Mike Chase.

Saints coach Sean Payton has taken aim at the dangerous use of these randomly-shuffled officiating crews for playoff games before, but his warnings have fallen on deaf ears.

Choosing the most infamous referee in recent memory to take on a game of this importance sends a conflicting message, to say the least. And one recipient of that message was Saints wideout Michael Thomas, who brought the jokes, wondering if Vinovich is equipped to even signal fouls when needed.

“Oh no,” Thomas wrote from his official Twitter account, “he don’t even own any flags (to throw). Let me stop,” he laughed, pulling back before he could get himself into trouble. Vinovich’s pockets were empty when Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman interfered with Tommylee Lewis once before; it’s fair to ask if he’ll be willing to call a clean game again in such high-leverage situations.

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Two Rams finish among PFF’s top 20 CBs in 2019

Two Rams cornerbacks finished in the top 20 this season, but neither was named Jalen Ramsey.

The Los Angeles Rams had some big-name cornerbacks suit up for them in 2019, beginning with Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Both players were traded midseason, with Peters going on to become a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro.

The Rams replaced Peters with Jalen Ramsey, whom they acquired in a trade with the Jaguars. He also made the Pro Bowl, but his numbers weren’t eye-popping in Los Angeles.

Two players who got overlooked in all the shuffling were Nickell Robey-Coleman and Troy Hill. They each had strong 2019 seasons despite not making the Pro Bowl or receiving any post-season recognition. Yet, they finished the year as not only the Rams’ two best cornerbacks, but two of the 20 best in the NFL.

Robey-Coleman ended the season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19-ranked cornerback in the league, with Hill close behind at No. 20. Robey-Coleman allowed a passer rating of just 80.1 when targeted (13th in NFL) and ranked sixth in yards per slot coverage snap (0.63), putting together one of his best seasons.

Nickell Robey-Coleman continues to solidify himself as one of the league’s best slot cornerbacks. He accelerates with quick closing speed after showing patience in press man-to-man coverage, and he is good enough to stick with receivers at the top of their routes.

As for Hill, he took over for Talib after the veteran landed on injured reserve, starting every game from Week 6 to Week 15; he missed the final two games due to injury. PFF recognized his play opposite Ramsey, seeing a healthy share of targets each week, but still holding up well and answering the bell.

As an undrafted player in 2015, Troy Hill landed in Wade Phillips’ defense and become one of the top-performing corners in the league. Hill has allowed the fewest receptions (23) of any cornerback with a minimum of 300 coverage snaps, and he is one of only three qualifying corners to surrender a completion percentage under 50.0% after he allowed only 45.1% of his targets to be caught during the regular season. Hill was moved into a starting role after the Rams moved on from Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters, but he has rewarded the move by developing into a primetime presence in the Rams’ promising secondary.

Hill and Ramsey figure to be back as the starters at cornerback in 2020, while Robey-Coleman’s future has yet to be determined. The Rams can pick up his option for $4.5 million in 2020, which would seem like an obvious decision – especially after seeing how well he played this season.

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Rams have decision to make with Nickell Robey-Coleman, but it’s an easy one

Nickell Robey-Coleman has a team option in 2020, which should be a no-brainer for the Rams.

There will be a lot of difficult decisions made by the Los Angeles Rams this season. Deciding whether to keep Nickell Robey-Coleman on the roster in 2020 will not be one of them.

Robey-Coleman has a team option written in his contract for next season, which the Rams can either choose to pick up or decline. If they decline it, he’ll become a free agent in March. If it’s picked up, he’ll be on the books with a cap hit of $4.5 million in 2020.

It doesn’t take much to realize this decision should be a no-brainer for the Rams front office.

Robey-Coleman was one of the Rams’ steadiest cornerbacks this season and has been since coming to Los Angeles in 2017. Despite being undersized, he’s among the best slot corners in the NFL.

Keeping him around for $4.5 million would be a wise move for the Rams, given how valuable he is to the defense at such a low price. He signed his current contract before the 2018 season, locking him in for three years for a total of $16.75 million.

He finished this season with seven passes defensed, 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and three tackles for loss. Robey-Coleman was only responsible for one touchdown and allowed receptions on 64.1% of the passes thrown his way (41-for-64).

Assuming he does return in 2020, he’ll be part of a cornerback group that should also feature Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, Darious Williams and David Long Jr.

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Best sports social media moments of the year

Best sports social media moments of the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best sports social media moments of the year

From the zany to the unbelievable, the heartfelt to the inspiring, these were some of the best social media moments of 2019.

When it comes to a worthy sports moment, social media provides us with a unique feature: we can see a play, an iconic feat, a touching tribute, and so much more, from different angles and personalities—even the athletes themselves—with each one capturing and adding a different feel to the experience. The incredible moments you missed, for whatever reason, are then stored forever across multiple platforms, in scrollable, like-inducing infamy.

This year’s top moments were creations of legend, both topical and heavy on the funny. From Baby Yoda to Taco Tuesdays, World Cup dominance to Auburn’s shrubbery and a good-luck hockey dog named Barclay, it was quite the digital smorgasbord. So, let’s thumb up, and take a look back at some of the best sports social media moments of 2019.

This “bears” repeating

The power of social media at the very tip-top best, the Hershey Bears—a minor league affiliate of the Washington Capitals—set a record during a wonderful cause. They reminded all fans that the annual “Teddy Bear Toss” was happening, and urged them to bring a stuffed animal to the game against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The toss, as advised by the team, was scheduled to occur after the first Bears’ goal. And when that puck hit the back of the net…what a sight—over 45,000 teddy bears rained down in a smile-inducing frenzy!

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Jalen Ramsey gets a lot of praise, but Rams’ other 2 CBs are thriving

Troy Hill and Nickell Robey-Coleman have been among the best CBs in the NFL since Week 6.

The Los Angeles Rams defense has improved dramatically since Jalen Ramsey arrived in Week 7. In their last four games, they’ve allowed just 44 points, which is the lowest total in the NFL. They’re also No. 1 in run defense in that span, ranking fifth overall against the run this season.

Ramsey has a lot to do with the Rams’ elevated play on defense – as does the level of competition in the last month – but he’s not the only one who deserves credit. The secondary as a whole is playing significantly better, led by Troy Hill and Nickell Robey-Coleman, surprisingly.

According to Pro Football Focus, they both rank in the top three of all NFL cornerbacks since Week 6 in overall grade. Hill has been the league’s best cornerback in that span, while Robey-Coleman ranks third.

In terms of coverage, Hill is ninth and Robey-Coleman is third.

Ramsey has played well this season, too, but Hill and Robey-Coleman deserve a lot of credit for their play, as well. Hill, in particular, has been targeted frequently by opposing quarterbacks simply because Ramsey is on the other side of the field.

This season, Hill has been targeted 39 times but he’s allowed just 20 completions (51.3%), one touchdown and a passer rating of 66.8. Ramsey has seen 50 passes thrown his way, allowing 32 catches (64%), one touchdown and a 93.2 passer rating.

The Rams took a big chance by trading away both Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, showing a great deal of confidence in Hill to take over as a starter. He’s rewarded them with some outstanding play and coverage, making the Rams look smart for giving him to an extension through 2020 this offseason.

He’s become an important part of the defense and assuming things stay the way they have, he’ll be in the mix for a starting job next year, too.

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