Tag: St. Louis Rams

Torry Holt comes up short of Hall of Fame once again

In his 6th straight year as a finalist, Torry Holt’s Hall of Fame bid came up short once again

Torry Holt will have to wait at least one more year to join his former St. Louis Rams teammates in Canton. Holt was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the sixth time this year and yet again, he came up short of being elected.

Holt has now been eligible for the Hall of Fame for 11 years but voters have yet to put him in, a puzzling trend for one of the best receivers in NFL history.

Jared Allen, Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen and Antonio Gates are the four Hall of Famers going in as the Class of 2025.

He finished his career with 13,382 yards and 74 touchdown receptions, posting at least 1,100 yards in eight straight years. Jerry Rice (13) is the only player in NFL history with more seasons of at least 1,100 yards than Holt, putting that remarkable feat into perspective.

Holt will try to get into the Hall of Fame next year, which will be his 12th year of eligibility. He was passed over for the following players in the Class of 2025.

Chris Long explains why his ‘heart’s with the Eagles,’ not the Rams on Sunday

Chris Long spent 8 years with the Rams, but his heart is with the Eagles for Sunday’s showdown in Philly

Chris Long played eight of his 11 NFL seasons with the St. Louis Rams, playing most of his best football with the team that drafted him second overall in 2008. But he finished his career with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, winning one Super Bowl with each team.

Now retired and in the media space, Long watches football as a fan and analyst. He’ll be locked in to Sunday’s Rams-Eagles game in Philadelphia, but he won’t be rooting for his original team in this matchup.

He’s pulling for the Eagles.

During an appearance on “Pardon My Take”, Long explained that despite having no bad blood with the Rams or hatred toward the organization whatsoever, his “heart’s with the Eagles.”

“Super weird because playing there the last two years of my career, when St. Louis cut me after eight years and moved, it felt like to me, all right, well I am a Ram and I do feel a lot of pride when I watch Jared Verse play or Byron Young or the two interior guys,” he said. “I take pride in, like, ‘Oh, there’s another group in horns like our D-line back in the day.’ There is a sense of pride there, and I still talk to people in that organization. I have no bad blood. But when the team moves across the country, it just doesn’t feel like home as much. You don’t get out there.”

Long added that he’s cognizant of how much the city of St. Louis despises Stan Kroenke and the entire franchise for leaving in 2016, noting that people there “have Super Bowl parties without the game on.”

“That’s how much they hate Stan Kroenke and the LA Rams and the concept of it,” he said. “For me, I don’t have that same vitriol. I was actually supposed to go out last week and be ‘Legend of the Game’ and of course, the game gets moved. Forest fires. The whole thing. So that got rain checked, and I ended up in Philly.”

Long only spent two years with the Eagles, but those were his final two seasons and he loves the city of Philadelphia. He doesn’t have that same love toward Los Angeles, never having played for the Rams after they moved from St. Louis.

“When I go to Philly, man, it just feels like home,” he said. “It’s like the most recent thing I did and that city, what we did there, excuse me for really enjoying being there. … The feeling you get when you go back, it’s hard for me to say my heart’s with anybody but the Eagles.”

All that said, Long expects it to be a great game between his two former teams and still believes Matthew Stafford is a top-tier quarterback.

“I think it’s going to be a great game and I think Matt Stafford’s one of the best quarterbacks left in the damn playoffs.”

Former Rams All-Pro Robert Quinn arrested after car crash in South Carolina

Former Rams star Robert Quinn was arrested and faces multiple charges following a late-night car crash in South Carolina

Former Rams All-Pro pass rusher Robert Quinn was arrested early Friday morning in North Charleston, S.C., following a car crash. According to The Post and Courier in Charleston, Quinn was allegedly leaving a nightclub when he crashed his pickup truck into a used car lot and attempted to flee the scene of the accident.

He was charged with leaving the scene of a collision with property damage and reckless driving. The incident occurred at 2 a.m., and both North Charleston police and firefighters were called to the scene.

According to the report, firefighters found Quinn “attempting to leave in a white Dodge Challenger driven by a woman he had met at the club earlier.” When the car was stopped, police found Quinn bleeding from his head and hands, and his speech was slurred.

He was also uncooperative and police accused him of resisting arrest. He was eventually detained and taken into custody where he was booked at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center.

Quinn played seven years with the Rams, five in St. Louis and two in Los Angeles. He was the 2013 PFWA Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro that season when he led the NFL with 23 tackles for a loss and recorded 19 sacks.

He then had stints with the Bears, Dolphins, Cowboys and Eagles. His last game played was in 2022 as a member of the Eagles.

Rams legend Torry Holt is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the 6th year in a row

Torry Holt is a finalist for the Hall of Fame once again, the 6th straight year he’s made it this far. Is this the year he gets in?

Is this the year Torry Holt finally gets the respect he’s long deserved? For the sixth straight year, Holt has been voted a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, giving him a chance to be inducted with the Class of 2025.

He’s one of 15 finalists, with Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr. and Antonio Gates among the other notable players who have made it this far in the selection process.

Holt has patiently waited his turn, being a semifinalist 11 times and a finalist six times. This could be the perfect year for Holt to get into Canton, though, after seeing Andre Johnson get in last year with the Class of 2024. With the numbers he put up in his career, Holt should have a stronger case than Wayne and Smith, the only other wide receivers among this year’s finalists.

Holt played 10 seasons with the Rams, catching 869 passes for 12,660 yards and 74 touchdowns in St. Louis. He finished his career with Jacksonville in 2009 where he had 51 receptions for 722 yards but no touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a first-team All-Pro in 2003 when he led the NFL with 117 catches and 1,696 yards.

He was remarkably consistent with the Rams, posting eight years in a row with at least 1,100 yards. He also scored double-digit touchdowns three times as a member of the Rams.

It’s long overdue for him to join his fellow Greatest Show on Turf teammates in Canton.

Below is the complete list of finalists for the 2025 class, which will be revealed at the NFL Honors show in February during Super Bowl week.

  • Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
  • Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
  • Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
  • Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
  • Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
  • Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
  • Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
  • Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
  • Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
  • Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
  • Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
  • Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
  • Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
  • Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

Eric Crouch discusses modern NFL’s embrace of athletic quarterbacks

Eric Crouch discusses today’s NFL embracing athletic quarterbacks w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Nebraska Cornhuskers legend and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Crouch discussed his support for The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC and his thoughts on the versatility in the NFL today.

“It’s quite the honor to be invited to come to New York City to be a finalist for the Heisman trophy,” Crouch explained. “Your name is etched in that history forever, and I always tell them to enjoy yourself while you’re here. It’s a short trip. It will go by fast, but just enjoy the moment, look around, and be thankful for what you can give.“

Crouch joined Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Charlie Ward, and Johnny Rodgers for an action-packed day of pickleball exhibitions, VIP play, and fan engagement. Pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey joined them on the court.

“Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event is something that we really love to do. The overall foundation’s mission is to inspire greater service and unity in the world,” said Blair Wortsmith, Director of Programs and Operations for the Wuerffel Foundation. “This event will go towards raising funds where Danny (Wuerffel) gets to invest in other nonprofit leaders, especially those that have their foundations, athletes that are up and coming in the area. We’re also very excited to be here and grateful for Life Time for the Heisman Trophy Trust’s partnership on this event.”

Crouch was initially drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2002 as a wide receiver but still wanted to play quarterback. Teams, however, saw Crouch as too short. He displayed fantastic athleticism for Nebraska and finished his college career as one of three quarterbacks in Division I-A history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards.

“I was more of an athlete, and so I think a lot of guys that have come through this Heisman trophy ceremony and are going to the next level have had struggles too, like, ‘Hey, where do they put us?’ because we’re all really great athletes,” Crouch explained. “We come here, and sometimes it doesn’t translate to the NFL, other times it does.

“If I was coming out of college, now I might have a better chance in the NFL. But, you know, things happen for a reason. So I felt like where I went to school was running option football, which was very unique and I was just lucky to be part of that era in Nebraska.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Rams are trying to buy back their St. Louis practice facility for $1

The Rams are trying to buy their old practice facility in St. Louis for $1 thanks to a deal originally put in place in 1995

The Rams are happily stationed in Los Angeles after moving west in 2016, but the fallout from their departure out of St. Louis seems like it’ll never subside. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams are trying to buy back their practice facility in St. Louis for $1.

It stems from a 1995 agreement when the Rams moved to St. Louis that would allow the team to buy the 27-acre site on the 29th anniversary of the original pact. The St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Authority Complex is attempting to block the purchase with a lawsuit, which was filed on Friday.

The lease technically allows the Rams to purchase the grounds from the public “as part of a quit claim deed transfer,” something the team is trying to exercise.

At issue in this case is an option in the former Rams Park lease that allows the now-departed team to buy the buildings, grounds and fields from the public as part of a quit claim deed transfer. The team requested to exercise that option on Tuesday, court filings say.

The lawsuit filed Friday claims that the $790 million Rams settlement “released any and all of the Rams’ claims,” giving the team no right to exercise the purchase option.

Even with the high cost in legal fees to fight the Rams over this ruling, St. Louis County executive Dr. Sam Page says it’s worth the cost.

“This is a fight worth having. We cannot allow a $25 million facility to be turned over for $1 to a guy who has shown time and again he has no interest in the St. Louis region. I fully support this lawsuit,” Page said in a release, via FOX2Now.

Torry Holt and Steven Jackson among nominees for 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Torry Holt and Steven Jackson will try to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as members of the 2025 class next year

Torry Holt has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2014, five years after he retired from the NFL. Yet, he’s still waiting to hear his name called in Canton.

The Rams legend hopes this will be the year he gets into the Hall of Fame after being a finalist in each of the last five years. On Wednesday, the initial list of nominees for the Class of 2025 was released and Holt is one of a few former Rams eligible for the Hall of Fame.

In addition to Holt, Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and London Fletcher are all on the nominee list for the next class. Former Rams cornerback Aqib Talib is a first-time nominee, as well.

From this group of 167 nominees, the selection committee will narrow it down to 25 semifinalists this fall and then eventually 15 finalists. The full 2025 class will be revealed at the NFL Honors show in February.

Holt has come the closest to being voted in of all the former Rams listed above. He’s been a finalist in each of the last five years and will likely make it to that stage again this time, given his impressive resume.

Geno Smith shares heartfelt message for former teammate Tavon Austin

Geno Smith shares heartfelt message for former teammate Tavon Austin

During August, former wide receiver and return specialist Tavon Austin officially called it a career. Originally the No. 8 pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Austin officially called it a career after nine seasons in the league. Austin broke into the NFL as a member of the then-St. Louis Rams, stayed with the Rams for two seasons in Los Angeles, then had stints in Dallas, Green Bay and Jacksonville. Now, he moves on to new ventures in life.

However, the story of Tavon Austin cannot be told without his collegiate quarterback Geno Smith. Both men were West Virginia Mountaineers from 2009-2012 where they led one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Recently, Smith was talking with Good Morning Football co-host Peter Schrager, and when asked about Austin, Smith wasted no time singing his praises.

Smith’s full comments can be seen below, and they are worth a watch.

https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/1831357099152130083

In Morgantown, Smith and Austin were quite the dynamic duo. The pair connected for 273 completions for 3,262 yards and 28 touchdowns through the air. Their peak came during the 2012 Orange Bowl when West Virgina obliterated Clemson to the tune of 70-33. Smith threw six touchdown passes, four of which went to Austin which set an Orange Bowl record.

We at Seahawks Wire wish Tavon Austin a happy retirement and hope he finds joy in whatever he does next with his life.

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Tavon Austin’s incredible college highlight reel has been watched 24 million times

Tavon Austin’s college highlight reel is one of the most-watched football videos on YouTube with 24 million views

Former Rams receiver Tavon Austin retired from the NFL on Tuesday, announcing his exit from football after nine seasons.

Before he got to the league, he wowed fans on Saturdays. During his time at West Virginia, Austin was one of the most electric and dynamic players in the country. In four seasons, he caught 288 passes for 3,413 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also adding 1,033 yards rushing and another six scores. That’s without even mentioning his impact as a returner where he had four kick return touchdowns and one punt return score in his career.

During his senior season alone, he had 1,932 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns, adding another 778 return yards and two touchdowns on special teams. It’s why the Rams drafted him eighth overall in 2013, believing he could be a playmaker for them on offense and in the return game.

If you’re wondering just how fun Austin was to watch in college, check out his highlight reel, “Only One”. It has 24 million views on YouTube, which is mind-boggling.

In fact, if you search “football highlights” on YouTube, it’s one of the most-viewed football videos in the world.

If you haven’t watched it already, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Steven Jackson doesn’t think about his Hall of Fame candidacy: ‘I really just block it out’

Steven Jackson says he isn’t getting on the rollercoaster of worrying about whether he’ll get into the Hall of Fame

Steven Jackson is unquestionably one of the best running backs in Rams history. He holds the franchise record with 10,138 career rushing yards and is third in rushing touchdowns, putting together a remarkable career in St. Louis.

As good as he was, he’s still waiting to get the call letting him know he’s been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jackson has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 2021 but he’s come up short each year and it remains to be seen if he’ll ever get in.

While every Rams fan would love to see him enshrined in Canton, he’s not holding his breath. In fact, he doesn’t think about it much at all.

“What it means for me, until I get the phone call, I don’t really think much about it,” Jackson told D’Marco Farr in a recent interview. “I use that perspective because I’ve seen enough of our colleagues have this emotional rollercoaster. I don’t want to ride it. I’m not a rollercoaster guy period. I’m not a Six Flags guy, so I’m not going to ride the emotional rollercoaster of that, either. If it happens, I’ll be very grateful. Going to be a hell of a party. But until then, I really just block it out.”

It’s not that getting into the Hall of Fame wouldn’t mean much to Jackson, because it would. He said it would mean even more if he were to get in while both of his parents are alive because of the sacrifices they made throughout his career.

“If it happens while they’re here, it’d be very good because to me, we’ve all put in a lot of sacrifices, the hours, the drives to practice,” he said. “It’d be for them. That speech would be for them. And for them to see the world acknowledge their child. But if it happens after them, I don’t know how I would feel.”

Jackson has a case to make the Hall of Fame, being one of the best running backs of his generation. He had eight straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2005 to 2012, and that was while playing on some terrible Rams teams.

However, as we’ve seen with Torry Holt, sometimes the voters prefer other candidates for Canton.