noticing

Quarterback Stetson Bennett never appeared to lack confidence when he was leading Georgia to back-to-back national titles.

And for the first time since the Rams drafted him in 2023, Bennett is practicing with an obvious spring in his step.

With starter Matthew Stafford sidelined because of a back issue, and Jimmy Garoppolo running the first-team offense, Bennett has impressed while working with the second unit.

“Everything is just more comfortable,” Bennett said Thursday after a full-pads practice at Loyola Marymount.

Bennett, 27, played in the 2023 preseason but was out during the regular season for what he later acknowledged as a mental health issue. He returned last season, played in the preseason and was the No. 3 quarterback behind Stafford and Garoppolo.

But the tentativeness of last season appears to be gone. He has connected for touchdowns and big gains with several receivers while avoiding poor decisions and turnovers.

“Confidence, and he’s enjoying it,” coach Sean McVay said when asked what he noticed as the biggest difference in Bennett. “When you watched him play at Georgia, and even some of the preseason games, when he gets into a rhythm and he’s smiling, all these great competitors, there’s an enjoyment for mastering their craft and enjoyment of just being totally immersed in the moment, and then enjoyment of your teammates’ success.”

Bennett credits quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone for his development in the Rams’ system.

“Every day, he’ll challenge me a little bit more,” Bennett said.

Stafford and Garoppolo also have helped with their example and advice, Bennett said.

The instruction and counsel, combined with the increased amount of reps, has translated to more confident play. And more Bennett-initiated communication with Ragone after each series.

“I know a little bit more of what’s going on,” Bennett said. “Whereas last year I was a lot more reactionary, this year I kind of know what I’m looking at, and what could have changed or might have happened if I’d done something different.

“I can have a lot more conversations instead of just listening.”

Bennett said he was “bummed” that Stafford has not been able to practice, but he has been excited and has tried to take advantage of the opportunity for more reps.

Bennett is on track to get plenty of work Tuesday during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard. He also is expected to start on Aug. 9 when the Rams play the Cowboys in a preseason game at SoFi Stadium.

“It’s been two or three [years] since I’ve gotten to practice meaningful snaps, so I’m really grateful for it,” Bennett said. “And I try to be confident and ready and present every single day.

“It will be exciting to play other people. I know some dudes on the Cowboys, so that will be fun. It’s always fun to play somebody in a different color jersey.”

Etc.

Starting safety Kam Curl (ankle) is week to week and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (hamstring) will be out one to two weeks, McVay said. … Puka Nacua tipped a ball to himself in the end zone for a touchdown pass from Garoppolo. … Safety Kam Kinchens and cornerback Derion Kendrick intercepted passes by Garoppolo. … Owner Stan Kroenke attended practice. … Receiver Davante Adams was given a veteran rest day, McVay said. … The Rams are off Friday.

Dumb and Dumber is one of the most iconic movies of the 90s, and fans have been left in hysterics after realising there was a clever joke that never made it to the final cut

The hit 1994 comedy film Dumb and Dumber had a lasting impact on a generation, thanks in large part to the brilliant comedic performances of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. The film’s massive success saw it open at number one at the box office, raking in almost $250 million worldwide on a modest budget of $17 million, resulting in significant profits.

However, a clever detail from the film has resurfaced on Reddit, leaving many in stitches, reminiscing about their childhoods. In the ‘Movie Details’ thread, a user highlighted a subtle joke that went largely unnoticed in the original cut. Although a deleted scene had initially revealed the joke, it remained a mystery to all but the most astute viewers in the final version.

The Redditor pointed out: “In ‘Dumb and Dumber,’ Lloyd Christmas was in love with Mary Swanson. Had they gotten married and she’d taken his last name, she’d be named Mary Christmas. It’s never mentioned in the movie”.

YardBarker further explained that this was not simply a coincidence, as evidenced by a deleted scene where Harry pieces together the connection, but ultimately, the filmmakers chose not to draw attention to the joke.

When the deleted scene was shared on the Reddit thread, it received some criticism from users who failed to find it amusing.

One commenter wrote: “Wow…I’ve seen a few deleted scenes and am glad they were deleted”.

Another user echoed this sentiment, stating: “I’ve seen an uncut version on TV a long time ago, and was like what the f*** is this? Over the top crude humour. It totally killed the innocent stupidity of the characters”.

One user joked, “So basically the sequel?” while another Reddit user poked fun, saying they act “like that doesn’t exist”.

A fellow user chimed in, “Wise man. I still refuse to see it as well. In some alternate reality, there was a sequel that was true to the original and hilarious. That’s what I tell myself anyway,”.

It appears they’re not alone in their disappointment with the movie’s comedic elements, as it holds a modest 67% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, others shared fond memories of the film, saying they were “obsessed” with it as a kid and had watched it so many times it was “burned into their brain,” finding it “hilarious”.

In the same Reddit thread, someone shared a curious anecdote about encountering someone with a similarly unusual name in real life.

They wrote: “My high school had the graduating class photos from the 1930s on up to current, around the school.

“If I remember correctly in the 70s, there was a girl named Mary Christmas Tree. Her brother had an equally interesting name, but I can’t remember it now”.

A witty remark followed, “All we need to find is the Tree family tree and we will find his name”.