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It’s almost Thanksgiving and, though things seem bleak, we Rams fans have a lot to be thankful for. Here are just a few:
1. The Rams just won the Super Bowl.
2. Yes, that’s obvious, and saying it may seem a bit trite. But its important to remind ourselves just how special and how rare last year was.
3. I know that I remember the valiant effort of the 1979 Rams, who went toe-to-toe with the Steeler Dynasty, far more than I remember the seasons that followed.
4. I know that I remember the 1999 GSOT fairy tale far more than I remember the doldrums of the Linehan and Fisher years.
5. And, as much as this year stings, I know that, years from now, I’ll remember the glory of beating Tom Brady on his field, coming from behind to eliminate the 49ers, and winning the big game in our stadium, far more than I’ll remember this year’s debacle.
6. I get it, though… Sports fandom is a “what have you done for me lately” and “its never enough” type of endeavor. So, rather than blowing smoke up anyone’s posterior in addressing our prospects for the remainder of this year, let me list a few things that make me hopeful for the future.
7. First, there is still a core of talent that will almost certainly return in 2023. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey are true stars and, with the right supporting cast, can do great things.
8. There is also a secondary cast of guys who, with the right players around them, can be part of a contending squad. I include in that list Allan Robinson, Tyler Higbee, Rob Havenstein, Leonard Floyd and Ernest Jones. I’d also include Greg Gaines and Matt Gay, assuming they are re-signed.
9. The offensive line is a mess. That’s well-coverer territory. The Rams will need to make rebuilding the OL the primary focus of the offseason. It should be our focus both in free agency and in the draft.
10. Do we need five star OL? No. If we can find a quality LT (I favor taking one in Round 2 of the draft) and a veteran presence inside (OG or center), I think you can mix in (in addition to Hav returning) guys like Brian Allen (who, after all, started every game in a championship season), Coleman Shelton (who, arguably, played better than Allan before he was hurt) and even AJ Jackson (who should be healthy next year) to fill out a quality OL.
11. Running back will be an interesting position to watch. Kyren Williams will get his chances, and Cam Akers is somehow back in the fold. I strongly suspect we’ll target a RB again in the draft (or, possibly, FA). Sean McVay was clearly not happy with what we have.
12. As for the defense. There have been many debates about the philosophy/approach of Raheem Morris but, truth be told, the defense has played fairly well overall this year. Yes, we need another pass rusher, and perhaps some new blood at safety, but I sure would like to see how this defense would fare teamed with an offense that sustains drives and scores points.
13. Getting back to the theme of thankfulness, the recent mention of Torry Holt’s HOF candidacy (he’d better get in this year!) reminds me of how important it is to savor the presence of truly special players when they are here.
14. Cooper Kupp is a player like that. A few years ago, I never thought that the Rams WR “Mount Rushmore” of Elroy Hirsch, Henry Ellard, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt could ever be challenged. Kupp’s 2021 proved me wrong. And, the great thing is…he’s far from done.
15. Aaron Donald is an all-time player. Watching him is a privilege. I hope and expect he’ll continue to wow us until he decides to hang up his cleats.
16. I also find hope in the belief that we have a front office that will do whatever it takes to win. “F them picks” was the right moves to get us to the top of the hill in 2021. Now, as we retool, they might reverse the script. Perhaps we trade an asset to get back in the draft? I would not put anything past Snead and Co.
17. Can’t hurt to have a 3rd or 4th place schedule next year.
18. Some may respond to this with questions. What if McVay is lured by TV? What if Stafford decides to go way of Andrew Luck? What if Donald retires? I don’t expect any of these things to happen but, if they do, I’ll be simultaneously bummed and energized by the anticipation of what will happen next.
19. And that, ultimately, is the point. As fans, we want to be excited by the possibilities of tomorrow. Sure, for the balance of this season, that anticipation will be in short supply. But, once the season ends, it returns. We’ll be scouting the draft class, scouring the FA lists, and waiting for the next big piece of news to break. With each positive development, our hope for the future will grow and, with a bit of luck, those hopes will be fulfilled.
20. So, give thanks, my Rams brothers and sisters. We’re down for now, but we have a lot to be thankful for, a lot to look forward to, and, at the very least, we’re not Cardinals or Browns fans!
1. The Rams just won the Super Bowl.
2. Yes, that’s obvious, and saying it may seem a bit trite. But its important to remind ourselves just how special and how rare last year was.
3. I know that I remember the valiant effort of the 1979 Rams, who went toe-to-toe with the Steeler Dynasty, far more than I remember the seasons that followed.
4. I know that I remember the 1999 GSOT fairy tale far more than I remember the doldrums of the Linehan and Fisher years.
5. And, as much as this year stings, I know that, years from now, I’ll remember the glory of beating Tom Brady on his field, coming from behind to eliminate the 49ers, and winning the big game in our stadium, far more than I’ll remember this year’s debacle.
6. I get it, though… Sports fandom is a “what have you done for me lately” and “its never enough” type of endeavor. So, rather than blowing smoke up anyone’s posterior in addressing our prospects for the remainder of this year, let me list a few things that make me hopeful for the future.
7. First, there is still a core of talent that will almost certainly return in 2023. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey are true stars and, with the right supporting cast, can do great things.
8. There is also a secondary cast of guys who, with the right players around them, can be part of a contending squad. I include in that list Allan Robinson, Tyler Higbee, Rob Havenstein, Leonard Floyd and Ernest Jones. I’d also include Greg Gaines and Matt Gay, assuming they are re-signed.
9. The offensive line is a mess. That’s well-coverer territory. The Rams will need to make rebuilding the OL the primary focus of the offseason. It should be our focus both in free agency and in the draft.
10. Do we need five star OL? No. If we can find a quality LT (I favor taking one in Round 2 of the draft) and a veteran presence inside (OG or center), I think you can mix in (in addition to Hav returning) guys like Brian Allen (who, after all, started every game in a championship season), Coleman Shelton (who, arguably, played better than Allan before he was hurt) and even AJ Jackson (who should be healthy next year) to fill out a quality OL.
11. Running back will be an interesting position to watch. Kyren Williams will get his chances, and Cam Akers is somehow back in the fold. I strongly suspect we’ll target a RB again in the draft (or, possibly, FA). Sean McVay was clearly not happy with what we have.
12. As for the defense. There have been many debates about the philosophy/approach of Raheem Morris but, truth be told, the defense has played fairly well overall this year. Yes, we need another pass rusher, and perhaps some new blood at safety, but I sure would like to see how this defense would fare teamed with an offense that sustains drives and scores points.
13. Getting back to the theme of thankfulness, the recent mention of Torry Holt’s HOF candidacy (he’d better get in this year!) reminds me of how important it is to savor the presence of truly special players when they are here.
14. Cooper Kupp is a player like that. A few years ago, I never thought that the Rams WR “Mount Rushmore” of Elroy Hirsch, Henry Ellard, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt could ever be challenged. Kupp’s 2021 proved me wrong. And, the great thing is…he’s far from done.
15. Aaron Donald is an all-time player. Watching him is a privilege. I hope and expect he’ll continue to wow us until he decides to hang up his cleats.
16. I also find hope in the belief that we have a front office that will do whatever it takes to win. “F them picks” was the right moves to get us to the top of the hill in 2021. Now, as we retool, they might reverse the script. Perhaps we trade an asset to get back in the draft? I would not put anything past Snead and Co.
17. Can’t hurt to have a 3rd or 4th place schedule next year.
18. Some may respond to this with questions. What if McVay is lured by TV? What if Stafford decides to go way of Andrew Luck? What if Donald retires? I don’t expect any of these things to happen but, if they do, I’ll be simultaneously bummed and energized by the anticipation of what will happen next.
19. And that, ultimately, is the point. As fans, we want to be excited by the possibilities of tomorrow. Sure, for the balance of this season, that anticipation will be in short supply. But, once the season ends, it returns. We’ll be scouting the draft class, scouring the FA lists, and waiting for the next big piece of news to break. With each positive development, our hope for the future will grow and, with a bit of luck, those hopes will be fulfilled.
20. So, give thanks, my Rams brothers and sisters. We’re down for now, but we have a lot to be thankful for, a lot to look forward to, and, at the very least, we’re not Cardinals or Browns fans!
