Concluding the Semester

Posted on by Court

Would just like to thank everyone for reading, and also say that I have decided to end the use of this site along with the conclusion of this semester. I believe the goals of my site would be better served through the use of Twitter alone. Twitter would better allow me to distribute information and opinions about the L.A. Rams, without the extra “fluff” of a full website. I hope any loyal fans will join me on Twitter ASAP (handle stated below) and I hope you enjoyed the last few months of reading!

Thanks again!

Court

Twitter

Posted on by Court

Hey just a side note for those of you looking to find me on social media. Here is my twitter handle for this website: @LARamsWeb

Follow and use our hashtag!

Sharing My site

Posted on by Court

In light of Michael Mandiberg‘s “Giving Things Away Is Hard Work” in The Social Media Reader I would like to propose a few new ideas for my readers concerning the distribution of information found of this blog, as well as the sharing tactics people use for distribution.  First of all, my thoughts and opinions on this blog are open sources of information. Please feel free to interpret, use, and duplicate anything you learn here because the benefits of this website are only possible if people enjoy and share the information. Furthermore, I would like to share a few ideas for sharing information found on this website. First, as I had mentioned in previous posts, I always encourage Twitter sharing for two main reasons. First of all, Twitter is an excellent outlet for sports fact and information because it is short, sweet, and to the point. Not to mention, it is an excellent way to spark up a conversation with other sports fans. But be ready because controversial tweets can attract a lot of people that are willing to argue and disagree with your thoughts. Secondly, I believe my website will be great inspiration for Rams fans to begin their own blogs. Use my thoughts to inspire your own so that we can share and compare with one another’s thoughts. Hyperlinks and embedded pictures are an easy ways to connect also. Use these tools to start connecting websites and blogs, and before we know it, we will have a strong fan-based line of L.A. Rams websites.

Compared to Other Sports Sites

Posted on by Court

Okay, I know this assignment is suppose to explain the similarities between my website and other professional sports sites available on the web, and there are undeniable similarities to an extent. For instance, my site uses statistics, talks about the well-known players/coaches, and highlights photos that other websites use as well. However, I don’t necessarily want to be anything like the other sports sites. The usual sport websites, like ESPN.com or sportcenter.com, are primarily focused on numbers and statistics because people in today’s world want to believe that the numbers never lie and that athletes are only as good as they appeared on paper. For example, if you were to visit ESPN.com you could navigate to every sport that is covered by the new channel directly from the site’s homepage. However, almost every subcategory within the primary sport categories is centered around statistics, scores, and standings. Yes, these aspects are important BUT, they are not, in my own opinion, the most important factors within professional sports. I believe the focus on numbers is a flaw created by the media within the sports community. Unfortunately, early in sports media development analysts, journalists and writers needed something to talk about and the most straight forward perspective of professional sports is through statistics. However, there are more important aspects that need to be covered. For example, the technique in which a linebacker, like Jame’s Laurinaitis, uses to tackle/sac a quarterback if far more important to the success of a defense than the number of times a sac is made. The technique, demeanor, leadership ability & attitude of professional athletes are just a few of the aspects that should take priority over numbers in the sports website world.  Therefore, that is the goal and “what my website brings to the table.” This site will aim to include well supported opinions, and the information about professional athletes within the L.A. Rams organization that the world cannot draw from statistics.

Peanutized

Posted on by Court

This is Ms. Dani. She is a sideline reporter for the L.A. Rams organization. Before following her career in the sports journalism field, she became educated and trained at the University of Tennessee. While at Tennessee she played basketball, and reported for the football and baseball teams in between her own games. She believes her experience both on and off the court makes her a well balanced reporter for the L.A. Rams that understands both the journalistic and athletic aspects of sports media.

After graduation,  the director of her schools student production crew gave her resume to the media director in St. Louis, where the Rams were located in 2010. The past few years, Ms. Dani has happily reported on the sideline or games, and hosted numerous Rams talk shows in St. Louis. Moving forward, Ms. Dani has agreed to move to L.A. with the team and is continuing her career with them there.

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If you haven’t already guessed, my character is based off my favorite Rams reporter, Dani Klupenger. Dani is also my mentor and someone I admire greatly. Therefore, making this fan character was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed recalling the history of one of my personal heroes.

LA Rams Highlight

Posted on by Court

The piece of media I searched using Creative Commons Search Engine is a L.A. Rams highlight package from 1984. This package directly relates to the Rams today because it provides history of the program, in which showing that they started their organization originally in L.A. Unfortunately, the video is in bad condition, but I personally think that its age gives it a more authentic appeal to interested viewers because it shows the time frame. The package highlights to pride of the LA Rams at the time, and how they felt about the organization, even after falling short of a Superbowl for the second straight year. Not to mention, Eric Dickerson, one of the greatest Rams of all time, is a huge focal point in this video. I highly recommend that football history fans to take a look:

Reasons why this video is okay to use:

  1. Purpose: This video is used for educational purposes, research, and most obviously, news reporting.
  2. Nature: The highlight package is published and factual information is provided about the 1984 Rams football organization.
  3. Amount: The highlight is approximately 20 minutes long; however, this length is appropriate for the educational purpose I am using it for on this site.
  4. Effect: My use of this video has no significant effect on the market, or potential market, that would call for copyright works.

Football Memes

Posted on by Court

Being a life long Rams fan I have always hated the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers. That being said, knowyourmeme.com has aided me in figuring out a comical way to poke fun at my least favorite teams/players in the NFL. It’s called “Madden Giferator.” However, this program also allows people to address serious issues within organizations.

Which ever way, fans use Madden Giferator to create captions, include pictures of a specific player and change background settings in order to make a funny meme, or a meme with a powerful message.

For example:

  1. This is a meme of a 49ers quarterback, Tomas Dillion, celebrating the fact that he was given long desired attention from a superior, while inside a less than manly setting. 

This is the type of meme that a Rams fan would love, while 49ers fans could feel very different about… lol

2. This meme features Tod Gurley from the St. Louis Rams, and the idea that drama prevents people from directly addressing real life issues. In this case, Giferator allows people to show the public a meaningful message.

I believe that the Madden Gierator is a very interesting use of memes because it not only allows fans to create comical memes against their teams’ rivals, but it also provides a setting where people can present their beliefs/issues about professional sports in a somewhat friendly environment.

Promotion Post

Posted on by Court

So the best way to send any form of information in today’s world is through social media, in my opinion. Therefore, I would like to promote my blog through the use of Twitter, and hope that my followers will join me! Using the Twitter hashtag: #LARAMS555, we can draw attention to this site’s posts and information.

I will be posting links to my website from my personal Twitter, @Court_Rutgers, along with the hashtag I created in hopes that my followers will do the same. If we create enough buzz on Twitter, then this LA Rams site could possibly create its own News Feed. This is advantageous for you guys because it means you will be able to get quick and easy updates from me, each other and the LA Rams instantly (the advantages of Twitter).

I am asking for the support of my followers on this because the hard truth is that posting on this site is not something that can be done easily and quick every day, or throughout the day. Instead, we will be able to create a world in which Rams’ updates are constantly flowing. This Twitter hashtag will support my site with simple 140 character posts,as well as, links that will lead followers to more detailed stories here at larams555.wordpress.com. In addition, this hashtag will allow me to effortlessly provide you guys with informational sites that I think you will be interested outside of my own. (this way I did not have to always embed hyperlinks into my stories!)

So here we go!

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#LARAMS555

Saving Money & Losing Talent

Posted on by Court

The L.A. Rams are changing up not only their new home, but a new roster also. Recently, the team release defensive end Chris Long, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and tight end Jared Cook on Friday. Now, personal feelings aside I do understand that the Rams saved a lot of money on this deal. In fact, they save close to 24 MILLION DOLLARS.

However, I don’t agree with the move for a variety of reasons:

  1. James and Chris are the epitome of Professional Football veterans:

In fact, Laurinaitis and Long were all the defense that the Rams had. Long broke the record for SACs in the Rams program, and provided a lot of entertaining damage against the 49ers every year. In fact, Coach Fisher told reporters, “Chris and James are the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league and it’s been an honor to coach them both.” James played 112 games with the Rams, and also contributed impressive numbers.

2. The Rams need leadership.

Veterans provide leadership. Without experience, it can be very difficult to lead, and eliminating the top three veterans from a roster will only make finding a leader on a quarterback-less team ever hard.

3. We have zero offense.

Jared Cook is not a hall of famer, not doubt. However, he put up the numbers and knew how to get the job done. He is currently resting at a total of 3,498 receiving yards and 272 receptions. For a TE, and as far as an offensive player on the Rams goes, these numbers are solid, and even if he did not produce as much as he use to when he was young, at least he would be able to provide insight.

 

Moves like this make Rams Fans cringe. Of course we don’t like saying goodbye to our favorite players, but this is something else. We said goodbye to players that still had skills to contribute. I for one think this move was a huge mistake.

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Motivate Yourself – Jing Assignment

Posted on by Court

(The link to my screen-casting is embedded in the blog titles below.)

This assignment was pretty easy, but I still enjoyed it because I really love this blog. It is my opinion that blogs should be both simplistic and content driven, which Motivate Yourself Each and Every Day is. In addition, the theme of this blog is bright and enthusiastic. This type of theme fits the topic of this blog because the author is attempting to motivate viewers to be energetic and active. Therefore, it is only fitting that the site is filled with brightly colored foods that are organic, easy to prepare, cheap, and healthy. In addition to the blog’s healthy food presentation, the fitness videos included on this blog give a dynamic aspect of interactivity between viewers and the blog creator. Videos also show audiences that working out can be easily done at home, while also being effective. Another great characteristic about this blog is that it is super easy to navigate. All the topics are listed directly under the title, and anything you need is available with simply one click.

I suggest anyone who is active to enjoy reading this blog, and absorb some of it information!

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Motivate Yourself Each and Everyday

 

Again, super sorry about my voice…

Enjoy!