The NFL is back in a big way! Host Nii Wallace-Bruce caught up with Los Angeles Rams beat reporter, Brock Vierra, to examine the Micah Parsons trade and also look ahead to the upcoming season.

The Micah Parsons Trade Fallout & NFC Shakeup (00:44)

Immediate reactions to the Cowboys trading Micah Parsons to the Packers. Brock shares where he was when the news broke.

How the trade impacts the Cowboys, Packers, and the competitive balance in the NFC.

Blockbuster Trades: Lessons from the Rams (03:31)

Comparing the Parsons trade to the Rams’ acquisition of Matthew Stafford and the resulting Super Bowl win.

Playoff Runs & Key Moments (05:00)

A look back at the Rams’ playoff journeys, critical games, and the evolution of their roster.

Stafford’s Health & Quarterback Depth (07:09)

Updates on Matthew Stafford’s back, his practice status, and what it means for the Rams’ season.

Offensive Weapons: RBs & WRs (08:30)

Discussion of Kyren Williams, Jarquez Hunter, Blake Corum, and the wide receiver room, including the addition of Davante Adams.

Tight End Room Analysis (09:45)

Deep dive into the Rams’ tight ends: Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, and Terrance Ferguson.

Potential for more 12 personnel and how the group could shape the offense.

Defensive Line Youth Movement (13:25)

Spotlight on DROY Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and the new faces stepping up after Aaron Donald.

How Nate Landman, a former Atlanta Falcon, is making an impact as a signal-caller and motivator.

Rams’ Playoff Prospects & NFC West Outlook (16:50)

Expectations for the Rams in a competitive division and their chances for another Super Bowl run.

NFC Contenders & Roster Challenges (17:33)

Breakdown of the Rams’ main competition, including the Eagles and Commanders, and key roster changes.

Trade Deadline: What’s Still Needed? (19:15)

Brock puts on the GM hat: what moves could the Rams make to strengthen their roster for a deep playoff push?

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Leave a review and let us know what you thought!

Opening and closing music courtesy of Jeremiah Alves - "Evermore".

Welcome to another episode of PSP.

2

I am your host, me Wallace Bruce.

3

And football is back.

4

We are so back in North America.

5

The NFL is here kicks off on Thursday

night when the Dallas Cowboys going to

6

Philadelphia in an NSC East matchup.

7

So to take us through something

going on in the league, we have

8

a friend of the show joining us.

9

It is the Beat reporter for LA

Rams on sports illustrated.com.

10

Brock Vera, you can find him.

11

On social media at B-R-O-C-K-V-I-E-R-R-A.

12

Brock, how you doing?

13

Brock Vierra: I'm doing very good.

14

Thank you for having me back.

15

PSP: It's a pleasure to have you on Brock.

16

I know you're a busy man and you

cover all things blue, yellow, but

17

first, before we get into the rams, in

there preseason, where will you win?

18

Michael Parsons was traded from

the Cowboys to the Packers.

19

Brock Vierra: That's a great question

because that will definitely be one of

20

the most infinite trades in NFL history

especially depending on which way.

21

On swings at the place that I was at

when I first learned about it was I

22

was at my desk in my apartment just

typing away, getting some work done.

23

When I got the notification on my phone,

and I'll be honest with you, I had to

24

PSP: I'll be honest,

25

Brock Vierra: just

26

PSP: stop

27

Brock Vierra: what

28

PSP: the process.

29

Brock Vierra: It

30

PSP: It was

31

Brock Vierra: in my opinion, that.

32

This would be the course of action that

the cowboys would move on from Parsons.

33

didn't expect the destination to

be Green Bay, even though we did

34

hear reports of cutback coming out.

35

And two, the trade value.

36

till today,

37

PSP: so

38

Brock Vierra: I still

39

PSP: today.

40

Brock Vierra: at

41

PSP: I

42

Brock Vierra: desk

43

PSP: still cannot work at my desktop.

44

Brock Vierra: train is around the corner.

45

PSP: Yeah, you can say that.

46

Again, I'm not gonna lie.

47

I thought everything leading up to this

was just one big ruse by Jerry Jones

48

and Michael Parsons just to promote that

documentary about the Cowboys on Netflix.

49

I honestly thought that it was a bit of.

50

Cat and mouse, a bit of chicken.

51

We've seen this in some respects relating

to that Prescott's contract negotiation.

52

The same with seeding lamb, but at the

same time, I guess you can only pay so

53

many people, while I was a little bit

shocked, I understand why the Cowboys did

54

it, I do think they did sell themselves a

bit short, and it is curious that they did

55

trade passings away to an NSC competitor.

56

And not just that, a team that

had knocked them out in the

57

playoffs recently in the packets.

58

It's almost like you're

making them better.

59

But there's the breaks, and I'm

sure the cowboys have a plan.

60

You would hope they have a plan.

61

Brock Vierra: have to assume, right?

62

At the same time, look at

who we're talking about.

63

for everyone in the NFL, especially

in the NFC, the conference that I

64

partly covered because of my work with

the rounds, the packers have got to

65

PSP: Actors have

66

Brock Vierra: star that

67

PSP: song

68

Brock Vierra: for a few years now,

69

PSP: for few years now, can

70

Brock Vierra: big of an

71

PSP: have as big of

72

Brock Vierra: White

73

PSP: as.

74

Brock Vierra: things

work out in their favor.

75

Now, that's a tremendous leap for

Parsons to take, especially since

76

we have yet to see that playoff But

when it comes to a team like the

77

PSP: comes.

78

Brock Vierra: who may run into the Packers

in the playoffs, Sean McVay has yet

79

to defeat Matt LaFleur her head coach.

80

They run similar things offensively.

81

when you have that different

element on defense, you essentially

82

wipe out the advantage that you

have with a guy like Jared Verse.

83

So I'm very interested to see how

it all works out for everybody.

84

PSP: Sure, we'll get to McVay and

what he's got cooking in LA shortly.

85

But there are is an example where a

blockbuster trade like this has worked

86

and you would know it very well.

87

It was only a few years

ago where the Rams.

88

The helm by Les Nee as GM made a

trade with Detroit that sent Matthew

89

Stafford to California in exchange for

Ry golf, and they, there also picks

90

involved, but the Rams were able to turn

that into a Super Bowl championship.

91

That's the goal at the

end of the day, right?

92

We do this for championships,

I guess the cowboys might be

93

looking at that in as an example.

94

Maybe they're planning for the future,

but would you say this trade is

95

bigger than the golf staffer trade?

96

Brock Vierra: I would not say that,

and I know that when I give that media

97

opinion, the first thought that comes to

people's mind is, of course you're gonna

98

say that you're probably around comer or

this or that, but here's my perspective.

99

When the Rams made the trade for Matthew

Stafford, let's look at what happened to

100

end their season the year before in 2020.

101

They were about two years removed

from their first Super Bowl appearance

102

PSP: First period

103

Brock Vierra: show on turf and since they

104

PSP: storm

105

Brock Vierra: Los Angeles, they

saw what they had in Jared go

106

PSP: saw.

107

They.

108

Brock Vierra: which was a guy that can

get them there, but he's unable to win it.

109

Then as of 2018, then again in 2020.

110

Yes.

111

Goth to his credit, with

like pins and needles in his

112

hand, went up to Seattle and

113

PSP: up to Seattle, had a

114

Brock Vierra: wasn't even

115

PSP: playoff game.

116

Brock Vierra: it.

117

PSP: Wasn't

118

Brock Vierra: Wofford was a

119

PSP: like John Walker,

120

Brock Vierra: Then you saw that transition

the week after when they went to Green

121

Bay and it was clear that even though golf

122

PSP: even though

123

Brock Vierra: playing with a head issue.

124

He was not that guy to go out there and

125

PSP: Guy,

126

Brock Vierra: multiple road playoff games

127

PSP: playoff

128

Brock Vierra: critical

129

PSP: even.

130

Brock Vierra: game in order

to get them over the top.

131

PSP: In order to get

132

Brock Vierra: that up to that point,

133

PSP: mind that,

134

Brock Vierra: had only had

one playoff win on the road.

135

With Goff, and that was in the 2019

136

PSP: and that was,

137

Brock Vierra: game where

they were assisted by a clear

138

PSP: assisted

139

Brock Vierra: pass interference

penalty on Mikhail Robby Coleman, that

140

PSP: on,

141

Brock Vierra: called.

142

So they needed a

143

PSP: so they.

144

Brock Vierra: to take them over the hill.

145

Stafford walked into an

146

PSP: Staff

147

Brock Vierra: was ready

148

PSP: into an office.

149

Brock Vierra: So if a couple

150

PSP: Great.

151

Brock Vierra: there, Robert

152

PSP: A couple already there.

153

Lot work was already there.

154

Brock Vierra: lineman in

155

PSP: They had the offensive

156

Brock Vierra: was

157

PSP: place.

158

Brock Vierra: anchor at left tackle.

159

When it comes to Green

Bay, I can't say that this

160

PSP: say

161

Brock Vierra: for Parsons immediately

puts them in that same position

162

that the rounds were back in 2021.

163

The reason why I say that

164

PSP: the reason why I say that.

165

Brock Vierra: going to

have a immediate impact.

166

the defense, which is going to allow

the offense to play a little bit

167

more free, potentially be a little

bit more conservative with that run

168

game that they have if they wish to,

grind out the clock and grind out

169

these victories and stuff like that.

170

But when I

171

PSP: Stuff like that.

172

Brock Vierra: the

173

PSP: But what I was looking.

174

Brock Vierra: roster, I'm not

necessarily seeing a defense

175

that I'm, is ready to roll.

176

They do have tremendous play makers.

177

Ed Cooper being probably

the best outta all of

178

PSP: Probably the best,

179

Brock Vierra: when I

look at that defensive

180

PSP: but when I look that

secretary, I have massive concern,

181

Brock Vierra: moments.

182

They will let

183

PSP: critical,

184

Brock Vierra: down,

especially in a division

185

PSP: especially revolution,

186

Brock Vierra: and

187

PSP: both Detroit and Minnesota exist,

188

Brock Vierra: has

189

PSP: and then in Chicago

190

Brock Vierra: their

191

PSP: also has

192

Brock Vierra: with Ben

Johnson and what they

193

PSP: Johnson.

194

Brock Vierra: well.

195

PSP: I.

196

Yeah, there's a lot to watch

out there in the NFC North, but

197

let's bring it close to home.

198

In the NFC West, you talked about Stafford

and Stafford will go down in folklore

199

with the Rams 'cause he brought that

title home the first in a long time.

200

In fact, the first in the last 25 years

for LA Rams, so he'll forever be a legend

201

for winning that Super Bowl for la.

202

Fast forward to this season though.

203

He is a little bit questionable

in terms of health.

204

There's talk of a back complaint, and

as you get older, those back issues,

205

they don't necessarily go away.

206

What's your read on the quarterback

situation, particularly with Matthew

207

Staff's back heading into week one?

208

Brock Vierra: back has looked great.

209

On Monday he completed his ninth straight

practice, so he completed four days over

210

the past weeks, so four day sessions.

211

And then this week he

got back to it on Monday.

212

He's expected to practice

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

213

And then if he is set to be the starter,

come the season opener on Sunday.

214

When it comes to Stafford,

215

PSP: When it.

216

Brock Vierra: this point in his career, as

you mentioned, right older player dealing

217

with this issue, he's accumulated a ton

of hits over the course of his career, not

218

just in the NFL, but we gotta think about.

219

He played SEC football at Georgia.

220

PSP: Football,

221

Brock Vierra: level,

high school football at

222

PSP: high level, high

school football in Texas.

223

Brock Vierra: point.

224

So it

225

PSP: So

226

Brock Vierra: your question,

227

PSP: comes to.

228

Brock Vierra: I will say.

229

I think that Stafford will be able to

230

be able to perform in the playoffs.

231

I think he's able to

make the critical throws.

232

I think that he will be able to manage

the pain, but I do wonder as these

233

hits add up, will we start to see a

decreased of him as the season goes

234

on that we started to see last year?

235

And if so, will the rounds respond in

the same way by relying on their run

236

PSP: By relying.

237

Brock Vierra: they did in 2024.

238

Now with Stafford's season,

it wasn't his age or injuries

239

that we saw lead to decreased

production as the season went on.

240

It was the fact that he was having

to throw the rounds back into

241

games so much during those first

like eight weeks of the season.

242

I think he just ran out of steam in

243

PSP: I.

244

Brock Vierra: because we saw once he had

that one week break in week 17, when the

245

rounds were able to put in Jimmy Rappolo

because they had wrapped up the division,

246

he came out firing in the playoffs.

247

If he doesn't get that break that

he needs, how will that impact them?

248

And that kind of sums up

my answer to your question.

249

PSP: That's a good point.

250

You raised the fact that.

251

Show mc, they can lean on

the run in Kyron Williams.

252

He can definitely trust

him to tote the rock.

253

They've also got Jacques Hunt who was

drafted in Springs along with Blake

254

Quorum in the running back room.

255

One thing that stands out

to me is the passing game.

256

So Nuku is still there.

257

He had a breakout, a couple of

seasons coming outta college.

258

But Devonte Adams has come in to

replace Cooper Cuff, who's going

259

within the division to Seattle.

260

Regardless of what happens to Devonte

Adams, I'm noticing that there's

261

at least three or four tight ends.

262

You got Tyler Higby Co.

263

Kobe Parkinson, who's played in Seattle,

Davis, Allen, and then Terence Ferguson,

264

who was also drafted this spring.

265

Are we gonna see more 12 personnel

potentially from the Rams this season?

266

Brock Vierra: I cannot comment on what

you'll exactly see from the Rams in

267

terms of if they use 12 personnel.

268

I will say this, the tight end room has

definitely given Sean McVeigh enough

269

reason to use more two tight end sets.

270

Of course, not only am I able to comment

on the formation from a media standpoint.

271

But at the same time, NVE has to

take things a game at a time in

272

reference to his opponents as well.

273

And they also did invest

274

PSP: They also.

275

Brock Vierra: in two.

276

Two Atwell to maintain that 11

personnel lineup with, of course,

277

Adams, Nikko, and Atwell, along

with whomever they wanna rotate in,

278

in training Cap and in preseason.

279

And throughout these practices,

there are several things that

280

have made themselves clear.

281

Higby is playing at a phenomenal level and

he could honestly have the best season of

282

his career if he's able to stay healthy.

283

his ability to frame out defenders,

to secure catches, to gain critical

284

yards, and to be effective off

play action is going to make him a

285

pillar of this office regardless of

which personnel they put out there.

286

Kobe Parkinson is the guy that I

think will get the least amount

287

Just because his utilization

might be a little bit different.

288

So that leads us to, of course,

Davis, Allen and Terrence Ferguson.

289

So lemme get into those guys.

290

Allen had arguably the best training

cap outta all the tight ends.

291

It was assisted because Ferguson

was hurt, so he couldn't participate

292

in a whole bunch of things.

293

But not only was Alan effective

in the past game making catches

294

running crisp routes assisting

on chipping and blocks and

295

PSP: On

296

Brock Vierra: and even being a solid run

297

PSP: I

298

Brock Vierra: an extent.

299

PSP: solid, rough block,

300

Brock Vierra: He made ridiculous

one-handed grabs throughout training

301

town, like stuff where he has to

go against momentum, reach his

302

arm out, and was snag snagging it.

303

I think that what we're going to see as

the season goes on is if we turn back

304

the film and watch how Davis Allen was

utilized in the Minnesota Vikings playoff

305

game last year in the NFC Wild card round.

306

I think that's what

307

PSP: Ground

308

Brock Vierra: a lot more

309

PSP: that's, we're gonna see a lot more

310

Brock Vierra: Alan

311

PSP: think that's

312

Brock Vierra: tight end and the

313

PSP: as,

314

Brock Vierra: or build something off of

12 personnel that remains to be seen,

315

but think Alan provides that dynamic.

316

When it comes to Terence Ferguson.

317

I don't think that we're gonna

318

PSP: I don't think that we're.

319

Brock Vierra: tremendous amount of

12 personnel with his usage until

320

we get deeper into the season.

321

to feel a bit more comfortable in this

322

PSP: Sense

323

Brock Vierra: we're gonna see him

324

PSP: Office, I think just

325

Brock Vierra: where he

326

PSP: market

327

Brock Vierra: simple responsibilities,

328

PSP: a very

329

Brock Vierra: he understands

that he needs to run

330

PSP: understand

331

Brock Vierra: However,

332

PSP: route.

333

Brock Vierra: continues to grow in

334

PSP: as

335

Brock Vierra: education, which

is already based on a strong

336

PSP: already

337

Brock Vierra: where they ran a bunch of

338

PSP: when they ran stuff

339

Brock Vierra: once it gets

to that level mentally.

340

I

341

PSP: level

342

Brock Vierra: we're gonna start to

see that implementation of him within

343

the entire offense, potentially flexed

out as a standalone receiver as well.

344

I think he brings that

345

PSP: I

346

Brock Vierra: Kelsey, kind of

Jimmy Graham kind of hybrid

347

Type and look.

348

is going to eventually develop into

being a full, round, tight end one when

349

it gets there mentally, and two, when

it gets to the next off season, I can

350

focus on player development instead of

the draft that he had to this off season.

351

PSP: Play development.

352

The Rams have a young and fun defensive

line featuring rookie of the year.

353

Jared verse, he came on in

354

Got Byron Young Kobe Turner.

355

They showed out as well.

356

It's almost like they

replaced Aaron Donald.

357

In the aggregate.

358

You've also got plays like

Braden Fisk and Pune Ford who

359

are making big plays as well.

360

But when it comes to the defense, I

wanna talk about a story that maybe

361

has flown under the radar a little

bit, and that is Nate Landman.

362

Who's an off ball Lineback, who's come

from Atlanta, and he's had a pretty strong

363

preseason because he's not only secured a

starting spot by looks of things when you

364

look at the death chart, but in preseason

games, he was calling defensive plays.

365

He had the green dart on his helmet.

366

What's been his impact from what

you've seen in training camp?

367

How smooth was the

transition in your opinion?

368

Brock Vierra: When you wanna talk

about the RAVs defense, even just

369

the RAVs roster in general, where

they found the biggest improvement

370

was at the off ball linebacker spot

because of their addition of Laman.

371

He is going to be the defensive signal

caller this year, which will take

372

that responsibility off Quinton Lake.

373

automatically allows Lake to be that

linchpin that Chris Shula, the defense

374

coordinator, has described Lake to be

being able to be utilized in a variety of

375

ways without having to be the main signal.

376

Caller

377

PSP: The main

378

Brock Vierra: will also have the

responsibility of helping coordinate

379

the defensive secondary as well,

which takes a little bit off

380

PSP: it

381

Brock Vierra: both

382

PSP: bit off.

383

Brock Vierra: because Laman can focus on

one game of play out, but two, organize

384

the everything in the box, whereas

Lake can take care of the secondary.

385

And then when we talk about the

play, oh my goodness, it has been

386

absolutely incredible to watch

387

PSP: Incredible.

388

Brock Vierra: unfortunately, for the

389

PSP: The,

390

Brock Vierra: of

391

PSP: unfortunately,

392

Brock Vierra: and as

everyone knows, have not

393

PSP: everyone

394

Brock Vierra: high level

395

PSP: not had that high level

396

Brock Vierra: that they

would've wished for.

397

They also haven't had

that linebacker duo that

398

PSP: live.

399

Brock Vierra: others have, especially

in the same division with Drake Greenlaw

400

and Fred Warner when they were teammates.

401

Of course, in San Francisco,

Lam's Impact is this.

402

plays succinct football with Omar

Spates and those two guys are

403

the starters as confirmed by ula.

404

Landman is also a turnover inducing

405

PSP: Turned

406

Brock Vierra: being able to punch

out the football with Charles

407

Tillman level of accuracy.

408

Landman on the run has

409

PSP: off

410

Brock Vierra: tremendous

gap integrity for defense.

411

So it's gonna be very

hard to run against him.

412

He has that sideline to sideline speed.

413

So if the ball was to be kicked

414

PSP: ball

415

Brock Vierra: to go

416

PSP: outside.

417

Brock Vierra: defenders.

418

He's a brilliant

419

PSP: It was

420

Brock Vierra: He knows how to

421

PSP: really.

422

Brock Vierra: down, which

is probably a credit to

423

PSP: Which probably credit

424

Brock Vierra: rugby player in Zimbabwe.

425

PSP: players in Zimbabwe.

426

Brock Vierra: his where he was born and

the home of his family before they moved

427

to the United States back in the nineties.

428

then the last thing I wanna say

about Lamin is he is an infectious

429

motivator when he makes a big player.

430

The entire defense from on the field

to the sideline erupts in applause and

431

congratulations and an expression of

attitude, however you wanna define it.

432

when you have a guy Laman, who's able

to provide that immediate physical

433

impact, that intelligence, and then that

emotional impact to fire up a defense.

434

Gonna be looking back, perhaps

I'm speaking ahead of myself,

435

but this is how I feel.

436

I truly believe that we're gonna be

looking back at Nick Laman as one of

437

the key signings of the entire NFL

season throughout the whole league.

438

PSP: Yes, and you beat me to

it with a Zimbabwe reference.

439

He is one of the few plays in the league

from Southern Africa, let alone Zimbabwe.

440

So shout out to Nate Landman doing

his thing and doing his country.

441

Proud on the big stage.

442

And yes, he has definitely

scooped up for a relative bargain.

443

Atlanta's loss may well

be the Rams getting there.

444

When it comes to games, the Rams,

they made the playoffs last season.

445

The division, the NFC

West is still pretty open.

446

I would say The Rams

are near the top there.

447

If they're not favorites,

they're definitely in the

448

conversation for the Wild Card.

449

When you consider what you've

seen this pre-season, what can

450

we expect from La Rams overall?

451

2025.

452

Brock Vierra: I think this is a team

that's gonna a gun for a Super Bowl.

453

Whether they get to that point

remains to be seen, but it's gonna

454

take a lot for them to get knocked

off their pedestal in the NFC West.

455

think that when you get into the

postseason outside of the Philadelphia

456

PSP: Outside

457

Brock Vierra: and to an extent

the Washington Commanders,

458

PSP: extent

459

Brock Vierra: is the most battle tested

and ready playoff team in the NFC.

460

Of course, Washington is coming off that

461

PSP: Washington coming.

462

Brock Vierra: and to their

credit, they have made massive

463

investments into that roster.

464

I'm not convinced that

those investments are

465

PSP: I'm convinced.

466

Brock Vierra: Evil Samuel was one

thing we saw that he had arguably,

467

if not for sure, his worst season

of his NFL career last season.

468

Now was that him being frustrated

with San Francisco and needing a

469

fresh start to get back to his form?

470

I'm not too sure, but the main

thing that I'm concerned about

471

for Washington is wearing utensil.

472

S tonsil was awful.

473

Last season, I think he led the

NFL in holding penalties he brings.

474

Tremendous financial hardship

475

PSP: actual question,

476

Brock Vierra: once season kind of

passes and that contract that he has

477

starts to really stick into their books.

478

And then of course, a guy

479

PSP: of course,

480

Brock Vierra: Daniels that dual

threat how to utilize the legs,

481

whether that's to extend place, to

open up things, downfield, or take

482

off the game yards in the short

483

PSP: off guard, short term.

484

Brock Vierra: thing that induces

485

PSP: So one thing that.

486

Brock Vierra: else is a

487

PSP: Holding calls.

488

Anything

489

Brock Vierra: because

490

PSP: Local quarterback,

491

Brock Vierra: defenders see

492

PSP: once,

493

Brock Vierra: start to move,

they're gonna try to pull away from

494

PSP: to pull away,

495

Brock Vierra: doesn't let go.

496

He's put in the left tackle

position clear as day.

497

gonna see 'em holding.

498

So that's why I'm not

499

PSP: that's why I'm not

500

Brock Vierra: is that number two

501

PSP: was.

502

Brock Vierra: because they, even though

they made the innocent Championship being

503

last season, I'm convinced the Rams are,

because they have won a Super Bowl in

504

this decade, a decade in which only the

Chiefs, the Eagles and the Buccaneers

505

have won on the title, On the Buccaneers.

506

They've lost a lot of those guys who are

part of that Super Bowl team as well.

507

I think that when it comes to the rounds

and the playoffs and things like that,

508

when they went to Philadelphia last

year, I don't know what that attitude was

509

like, but when they left, they knew that.

510

PSP: Left

511

Brock Vierra: need to make changes to get

to a Super Bowl because they were close.

512

They were one play away.

513

They make one critical block.

514

They're

515

PSP: critical.

516

Brock Vierra: championship game.

517

Not only that, they're hosting

it against the commanders.

518

They did that, Wasson Blanc

was gonna run all over them.

519

Let's go get pun Ford to go block

up the all line of scrimmage, right?

520

Christian Roseman gets blown up

with who getting Nate Landman.

521

Cooper Cup, he's good, but we're seeing a

decreased product and we don't have that.

522

Gotta

523

PSP: Don't have that

524

Brock Vierra: receiver on our roster yet

525

PSP: receiver,

526

Brock Vierra: body, big frame, vertical

kind of guy, even though tries his best,

527

he just doesn't have that physically.

528

So

529

PSP: doesn't have that

530

Brock Vierra: go get Devante Adams, right?

531

They need better

communication on the offensive

532

PSP: better communication on office,

533

Brock Vierra: Shelton,

a center that's played

534

PSP: shelter center, that

535

Brock Vierra: is clearly

comfortable with, who won Super

536

PSP: with.

537

Brock Vierra: round.

538

They took care of all that mental

and physical issues, and now

539

it's all coming together and

540

PSP: Now

541

Brock Vierra: very confident about the

542

PSP: together, and that's why.

543

Yeah, and you've

definitely saw me on that.

544

Let's finish up by going back to the thing

we started off with and that's trades.

545

You've covered a few needs that Les

need is met during the off season,

546

but let's put you in les's chair.

547

You are Les need.

548

We're heading towards a trade deadline.

549

What's a move that you feel the Rams

still need to make during this season?

550

Brock Vierra: Ooh gr.

551

Great question.

552

So I think that we have

to look at shift for this.

553

Now, the obvious answer would be

that's, that it's secondary, right?

554

That's a position that gets criticized

the most from the rounds of season.

555

What if a guy like Jalen Ramsey,

for example, becomes available

556

again or somebody of that caliber,

do they go and make that trade?

557

I don't think so.

558

Because

559

PSP: I don't think so

560

Brock Vierra: of this defense,

561

PSP: comes to

562

Brock Vierra: all about maintaining

563

PSP: all.

564

Brock Vierra: shell of the secondary

to give their pass structures enough

565

time to create a critical impact on the

quarterback that's going to lead to throws

566

going awry, which could lead to turnovers.

567

So that's why I'm not saying

the defense is secondary.

568

The other main point of concern would

be an add, another offensive playmaker,

569

because that's what the NFL does.

570

However, where do they play?

571

The wide receiver room is already full.

572

The running back room is already full,

and they don't really need another

573

guy in the offensive line or in the

tight end room, and there's not gonna

574

be that guy that comes available.

575

the rounds were make were to make

a trade in the season to go and

576

get a Super Bowl, history says they

have to trade for an edge rusher.

577

Why?

578

Because in 2018, when they went

to the Super Bowl, they got Dr.

579

TA Jr.

580

For the Jaguars Midseason.

581

In 2021, it was Von Miller.

582

though the Rams have Jared verse,

Byron Young, even a young July

583

Stewart, the Philadelphia Eagles

have shown that unless you have

584

Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback.

585

You need to have a defensive

line that could get pressure

586

rushing for and is able to rotate.

587

So you got fresh every single

player who that player would be?

588

I'm not exactly sure yet.

589

I have some thoughts.

590

he could stay healthy, I think Jaylen

Phillips from Miami could be a possible

591

option because I don't think Miami has

the capital or the care to extend him.

592

He'll be like a three

to four month rental.

593

I think another potential option

could be bringing Dak Von Miller

594

from Washington if things go awry.

595

Especially since Miller's at the

point in his career where he is

596

pretty much unable to play every snap.

597

So he would be more willing to

step in those kind of critical

598

situations or, time situations.

599

If we're really throwing

names out here to.

600

Be frank with you.

601

think that an intriguing option,

even though it sounds unlikely,

602

be, dare I say, somebody the A

FC West that player would be.

603

I'm not exactly sure yet.

604

But I'm looking at like Denver,

I'm looking at Kansas City.

605

I'm looking at one of those

teams that we expect to

606

PSP: I'm looking

607

Brock Vierra: from this year, where

if something goes odd with them, if

608

something does not go up to expected

609

PSP: does not up

610

Brock Vierra: prepping for the next draft,

611

PSP: for.

612

Brock Vierra: think they go with it.

613

And when it comes to the Denver Broncos.

614

I am thinking that potentially they

go and get a guy like Jonah Ellis or Q

615

PSP: Going to La

616

Brock Vierra: like

617

PSP: Robinson

618

Brock Vierra: depth track

who can rotate in as long as

619

PSP: and

620

Brock Vierra: per se is willing to give

621

PSP: Denver for

622

Brock Vierra: not de the

round, was to give up

623

PSP: Denver.

624

Brock Vierra: of premier day to draft it

because a bunch of their guys still have

625

several years left on their rookie deals.

626

I, like I said, that's probably

like a one to 2% chance of happening

627

when it comes to the AFC West.

628

Everybody else, I think, is a

little bit more likely depending

629

of course, on how their season

goes and how the team goes as well.

630

PSP: Okay.

631

Okay.

632

I'm sure there's some

food for thought there.

633

The Denver Broncos are interesting.

634

They, it seems like they're heading

in the right direction, but.

635

John Franklin Myers, Alex

Singleton, off ball linebacker.

636

I could see those guys fitting

in if things go the wrong

637

way for the mile high team.

638

Brock Vierra: Before anybody thinks that

I think Denver is gonna be terrible.

639

I don't think that I'm just using them

as an example of teams that we have high

640

hopes on I just look back at, like I

said, I've been looking back at history

641

where you look at when Jacksonville

642

PSP: Look at when Jacksonville

643

Brock Vierra: training away him, the

Jaguars would come into that season

644

PSP: Jaguar come into that,

645

Brock Vierra: excellent.

646

PSP: that

647

Brock Vierra: if I recall correctly,

the year before that was Saxon

648

Bill when they made it all the

649

PSP: ville,

650

Brock Vierra: Championship.

651

PSP: all the way

652

Brock Vierra: that's just,

I just wanna clarify that

653

PSP: That's,

654

Brock Vierra: chose a team like Denver.

655

I don't

656

PSP: I

657

Brock Vierra: any Denver Broncos

658

PSP: don't wanna.

659

Brock Vierra: I just

want to make that clear.

660

PSP: It was just an example that I hear

what you're saying and shout out to

661

former RAM and member of the Saxon V era.

662

Blake Bortles.

663

What a throwback that was.

664

Those are, he was a Tom Brady MOS

class away from one the Super Bowl.

665

What might have been.

666

Anyway, this has been a

great interview, Brock.

667

We can find your

work@sportsillustrated.com

668

and we can find you on social media.

669

At B-R-O-C-K-V-I-E-R-R-A.

670

Brock, did you have any final thoughts

before we let you get back to the beat?

671

Brock Vierra: No, I just wanna say

thank you for having me on again.

672

It's always a pleasure to top ball

with you and just top ball in general.

673

I appreciate everyone for listening.

674

check out my work.

675

I'm always dropping daily reports on

what's happening so you guys can all get

676

caught up with what's happening with the

rounds and just as excited football's back

677

and I'm ready to watch it with everybody.

678

PSP: Oh good.

679

We are so back.

680

The pig skin is back.

681

And Broco also does some college as well.

682

So make sure you don't

miss out on that coverage.

683

'cause before Sundays, you obviously

have Sundays, so in the full week

684

of football is back on the plate.

685

In the meantime.

686

My name is Neil Wallace.

687

Bruce, this has been

another episode of PSP.

688

Thank you for listening.