A guess on personnel adjustments going forward

[Merlin]

Some changes that I think are either coming, or should be coming at some point hopefully this season:

Offense

1. WRs. This corps has enormous talent, and I get that there’s only one ball. But now that we have a QB who spreads that ball around like he does, I think it’s more important to keep an eye on the snaps and who’s getting them. Bailey over Pettis needs to happen. Now. In a critical down/distance with 3x receivers I would have Quick/Britt/Bailey out there plain and simple.

At some point Tavon should be pushing for playing time too, but he’s not as sure of a receiver right now as Bailey is. The key is matching these guys to the QB, who is going to go to whoever has the matchup and in that respect Bailey is going to pay huge dividends once they elevate him to “starter” snaps.

2. TEs. I’m a huge fan of Bayer, who is a guy I believe can help this team in the passing game. He has auto-hands, the dude is always ready to make the catch. Once again, he will fit very well with our QB. Kendricks is the blocker, understood. Cook is the highly paid “talent.” I also understand that. But still, start getting Bayer in there and giving him some chances to show what he can do will help this team. He is a diamond in the rough in my estimation.

3. RBs. Mason has something the rest of the RBs do not have, which is big play burst. He will bust big runs which will help this offense. I assume he has made strides in his pass pro, given that Fish has mentioned him being more involved the other week. I love Stacy but he gets dinged constantly, and Cunningham is a very good depth RB. At some point I see Mason advancing to the top of the class and helping elevate the offense even more.

4. OL. I’ll start by saying the OL has been pretty good at times, so I’m hesitant to mess with it when it’s probably smarter to let them keep gelling as a unit. However, gotta consider the potential for the running game when adding Robinson. How long will it take for him to not be a liability as an OG in blitz pickups? OG isn’t the hardest position assignment-wise, so I would hope by the time the first half of the season is gone he will be in the starting lineup and relegate Joseph to the depth role he should be in.

Defense

1. DB. Tru Johnson’s return looms as the most significant addition to this defense we will see this season. He was really playing well end of last season. When he returns I would guess that Gaines moves to slot which makes this defense stronger especially when they’re manning up back there. Joyner has been a little disappointing and not sure if they see him as a FS but he may end up pushing McLeod. Either way the competition that will result from Tru’s return is gonna be a big addition to this defense.

2. DT. Donald needs more snaps. I understand now why the Rams drafted him, not just because of how good he is, but how underwhelming both Brockers and Langford have been. More snaps for Donald will help this defense, they need to quit sweating him getting tired the dude is a beast.

3. DE. Not sure when Chris Long will return but obviously we need him. He will be a huge boost, as I believe he is a guy who makes everyone better and this DL click.

4. LB. There isn’t a lot of hope when we look at LB other than seeing Ogletree start to play at a high level. He improved as the year went on last season so I would hope that happens again but for now bleh. Honestly I have been wondering whether one of Fisher’s prized young SS’s (TJM or Alexander) can do the job, sort of in a nickel or package role where a DB does run support/blitzing near the LOS. I suspect that’s what we’re gonna see going forward.

 

[PressureD41]

excellent report, great insight.. I wonder if Tree will start to shine.. Our DT is depressing currently

 

[Irish]

Can Tru play safety? because I can't see taking quality reps away from a rapidly ascending EJ Gaines to plug in Johnson

 

[dbrooks25]

Some changes that I think are either coming, or should be coming at some point hopefully this season:

Offense

1. WRs. This corps has enormous talent, and I get that there’s only one ball. But now that we have a QB who spreads that ball around like he does, I think it’s more important to keep an eye on the snaps and who’s getting them. Bailey over Pettis needs to happen. Now. In a critical down/distance with 3x receivers I would have Quick/Britt/Bailey out there plain and simple.

At some point Tavon should be pushing for playing time too, but he’s not as sure of a receiver right now as Bailey is. The key is matching these guys to the QB, who is going to go to whoever has the matchup and in that respect Bailey is going to pay huge dividends once they elevate him to “starter” snaps.

2. TEs. I’m a huge fan of Bayer, who is a guy I believe can help this team in the passing game. He has auto-hands, the dude is always ready to make the catch. Once again, he will fit very well with our QB. Kendricks is the blocker, understood. Cook is the highly paid “talent.” I also understand that. But still, start getting Bayer in there and giving him some chances to show what he can do will help this team. He is a diamond in the rough in my estimation.

3. RBs. Mason has something the rest of the RBs do not have, which is big play burst. He will bust big runs which will help this offense. I assume he has made strides in his pass pro, given that Fish has mentioned him being more involved the other week. I love Stacy but he gets dinged constantly, and Cunningham is a very good depth RB. At some point I see Mason advancing to the top of the class and helping elevate the offense even more.

4. OL. I’ll start by saying the OL has been pretty good at times, so I’m hesitant to mess with it when it’s probably smarter to let them keep gelling as a unit. However, gotta consider the potential for the running game when adding Robinson. How long will it take for him to not be a liability as an OG in blitz pickups? OG isn’t the hardest position assignment-wise, so I would hope by the time the first half of the season is gone he will be in the starting lineup and relegate Joseph to the depth role he should be in.

Defense

1. DB. Tru Johnson’s return looms as the most significant addition to this defense we will see this season. He was really playing well end of last season. When he returns I would guess that Gaines moves to slot which makes this defense stronger especially when they’re manning up back there. Joyner has been a little disappointing and not sure if they see him as a FS but he may end up pushing McLeod. Either way the competition that will result from Tru’s return is gonna be a big addition to this defense.

2. DT. Donald needs more snaps. I understand now why the Rams drafted him, not just because of how good he is, but how underwhelming both Brockers and Langford have been. More snaps for Donald will help this defense, they need to quit sweating him getting tired the dude is a beast.

3. DE. Not sure when Chris Long will return but obviously we need him. He will be a huge boost, as I believe he is a guy who makes everyone better and this DL click.

4. LB. There isn’t a lot of hope when we look at LB other than seeing Ogletree start to play at a high level. He improved as the year went on last season so I would hope that happens again but for now bleh. Honestly I have been wondering whether one of Fisher’s prized young SS’s (TJM or Alexander) can do the job, sort of in a nickel or package role where a DB does run support/blitzing near the LOS. I suspect that’s what we’re gonna see going forward.

I disagree with the first sentence of #1 on the Defense part. I'm certain that the return of Chris Long looms as the most significant addition to this defense. Tru's return will definitely improve the unit, however.

 

[dbrooks25]

Can Tru play safety? because I can't see taking quality reps away from a rapidly ascending EJ Gaines to plug in Johnson

Joyner can play safety.

 

[Irish]

Joyner can play safety.

Yeah, I am not convinced Joyner can play ANYTHING at this point in his career. Maybe down the road, but he is a liability at this point, and QBs are targeting him a whole lot.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah Joyner at safety is intriguing to think about but if/when he earns a look then we'll have to deal with blown assignments and that learning curve all over again. Best case scenario is McLeod learning from the mistakes and playing some low error deep middle. GW has talked him up and I keep waiting for him to live up to his comments on how quick he picks things up.

Oh and dbrooks25 you're probably right re: Long given how sluggish this DL has looked from time to time, my reasoning is that this group is so deep that by the time he returns they'll probably be getting the job done. And of course I have a very high opinion of Tru Johnson, if you watch how he played in the second half of the season I think he's gonna add a real shutdown CB to this defense and push Gaines to nickel. Which gives this defense a top 3 CB lineup that rivals any defense in this league in my estimation; I think they'll get better every single week until that is true.

 

[Ramrasta]

EJ Gaines is taking amazing strides for a rookie but I think Tru is better personally. Plus, Tru is a big corner which is rare and necessary at times. Look for Tru to be eased back into the starting roll and possibly transitioning Gaines to nickel while Joyner figures it out.

 

[SierraRam]

TEs. I’m a huge fan of Bayer,

Agree with everything in your post, especially this^^ - Bayer got open and caught everything thrown at him in preseason except one pass. Hell, I can't remember a game where Cook hasn't dropped at least one. Or fell down untouched after a catch. Or tripped over the 30 yard line...

 

[jrry32]

Yeah, I am not convinced Joyner can play ANYTHING at this point in his career. Maybe down the road, but he is a liability at this point, and QBs are targeting him a whole lot.

Joyner can play FS imo. I think he'd be a better player there. I don't expect Gaines to start over Trumaine. Once Trumaine returns, Gaines slides to the slot imo.

 

[fastcat]

Hell, I can't remember a game where Cook hasn't dropped at least one. Or fell down untouched after a catch. Or tripped over the 30 yard line...

He isn't falling down untouched or tripping over the 30... the turf monster is doing this... He picks on certain guys. Remember Donnie avery?

 

[reggae]

Some changes that I think are either coming, or should be coming at some point hopefully this season:

Offense

1. WRs. This corps has enormous talent, and I get that there’s only one ball. But now that we have a QB who spreads that ball around like he does, I think it’s more important to keep an eye on the snaps and who’s getting them. Bailey over Pettis needs to happen. Now. In a critical down/distance with 3x receivers I would have Quick/Britt/Bailey out there plain and simple.

At some point Tavon should be pushing for playing time too, but he’s not as sure of a receiver right now as Bailey is. The key is matching these guys to the QB, who is going to go to whoever has the matchup and in that respect Bailey is going to pay huge dividends once they elevate him to “starter” snaps.

2. TEs. I’m a huge fan of Bayer, who is a guy I believe can help this team in the passing game. He has auto-hands, the dude is always ready to make the catch. Once again, he will fit very well with our QB. Kendricks is the blocker, understood. Cook is the highly paid “talent.” I also understand that. But still, start getting Bayer in there and giving him some chances to show what he can do will help this team. He is a diamond in the rough in my estimation.

3. RBs. Mason has something the rest of the RBs do not have, which is big play burst. He will bust big runs which will help this offense. I assume he has made strides in his pass pro, given that Fish has mentioned him being more involved the other week. I love Stacy but he gets dinged constantly, and Cunningham is a very good depth RB. At some point I see Mason advancing to the top of the class and helping elevate the offense even more.

4. OL. I’ll start by saying the OL has been pretty good at times, so I’m hesitant to mess with it when it’s probably smarter to let them keep gelling as a unit. However, gotta consider the potential for the running game when adding Robinson. How long will it take for him to not be a liability as an OG in blitz pickups? OG isn’t the hardest position assignment-wise, so I would hope by the time the first half of the season is gone he will be in the starting lineup and relegate Joseph to the depth role he should be in.

Defense

1. DB. Tru Johnson’s return looms as the most significant addition to this defense we will see this season. He was really playing well end of last season. When he returns I would guess that Gaines moves to slot which makes this defense stronger especially when they’re manning up back there. Joyner has been a little disappointing and not sure if they see him as a FS but he may end up pushing McLeod. Either way the competition that will result from Tru’s return is gonna be a big addition to this defense.

2. DT. Donald needs more snaps. I understand now why the Rams drafted him, not just because of how good he is, but how underwhelming both Brockers and Langford have been. More snaps for Donald will help this defense, they need to quit sweating him getting tired the dude is a beast.

3. DE. Not sure when Chris Long will return but obviously we need him. He will be a huge boost, as I believe he is a guy who makes everyone better and this DL click.

4. LB. There isn’t a lot of hope when we look at LB other than seeing Ogletree start to play at a high level. He improved as the year went on last season so I would hope that happens again but for now bleh. Honestly I have been wondering whether one of Fisher’s prized young SS’s (TJM or Alexander) can do the job, sort of in a nickel or package role where a DB does run support/blitzing near the LOS. I suspect that’s what we’re gonna see going forward.

I get your enthusiasm. But, where do you find any inspiration in Tavon? Bailey is better at the position. Tavon needs a new wrinkle. Hopefully he can find it mixing up outside and in the backfield. He had some limited success there last year. He doesn't show well in the slot however.

 

[Merlin]

Well as disappointing as Tavon has been with injuries and whatnot he has flashed and his talent plays in this league. Some WRs just take longer to adjust. Bailey was a much better route runner from day one in camp reportedly, so that and his ability to catch the ball in traffic translates well to playing sooner. He's a possession WR who can go deep, basically.

Tavon still has enormous upside. We haven't seen what he can do with Davis at QB yet, and also he's the kind of weapon you can scheme 2-3 new plays a game for and he'll have a good chance of busting them for big gains or TDs. That is enormously valuable in this league.

I just don't think he's there yet. And the emergence of Quick and what I think Bailey's on the cusp of doing might slow his arrival down. But as they keep working him in I would hope they find the right mix for him. With Davis at QB it's not like DBs can roll up on him without great risk. Let's see how he comes along this season, for now at least.

 

[MFdoom39]

Joyner can play FS imo. I think he'd be a better player there. I don't expect Gaines to start over Trumaine. Once Trumaine returns, Gaines slides to the slot imo.

I agree with Joyner at FS. He can cover some ground in the back end. Instinctive and a quick twitch athlete.

Plus I think McLeod is better suited to the slot corner. Let him and Gaines fight for reps in nickel situations once Tru returns.

 

[OnceARam]

Well as disappointing as Tavon has been with injuries and whatnot he has flashed and his talent plays in this league. Some WRs just take longer to adjust. Bailey was a much better route runner from day one in camp reportedly, so that and his ability to catch the ball in traffic translates well to playing sooner. He's a possession WR who can go deep, basically.

Tavon still has enormous upside. We haven't seen what he can do with Davis at QB yet, and also he's the kind of weapon you can scheme 2-3 new plays a game for and he'll have a good chance of busting them for big gains or TDs. That is enormously valuable in this league.

I just don't think he's there yet. And the emergence of Quick and what I think Bailey's on the cusp of doing might slow his arrival down. But as they keep working him in I would hope they find the right mix for him. With Davis at QB it's not like DBs can roll up on him without great risk. Let's see how he comes along this season, for now at least.

I don't think it's fair to say that TA's development is being slowed down by the other receivers development. I think that argument takes too much responsibility off of TA and the coaches that scheme for him.

 

[Thordaddy]

Agree with everything in your post, especially this^^ - Bayer got open and caught everything thrown at him in preseason except one pass. Hell, I can't remember a game where Cook hasn't dropped at least one. Or fell down untouched after a catch. Or tripped over the 30 yard line...

See if I was looking to get Bayer in he game it WOULD be to rest or replace Cook ,IMO Kendricks is doing a good job and when you want him to catch it he does. Lance is way too solid IMO to sit him for a rook.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I don't think I can say this too much, we need to get Robinson in their at LG and move Saffold to RG and get Joseph OUT-OF-THEIR!! And I'm 1000% sure giving Donald a lot more snaps will improve our D-Line play!!

 

[Fatbot]

See if I was looking to get Bayer in he game it WOULD be to rest or replace Cook ,IMO Kendricks is doing a good job and when you want him to catch it he does. Lance is way too solid IMO to sit him for a rook.

Cook cannot be replaced because he has one of the all-time worst contracts. The Rams are stuck with him until at least 2016 when the dead money is manageable. Kendricks can be good at times but his inconsistency in blocking (and those 2 false starts) make him average overall in my opinion. Kendricks' contract is up after this season so it would make sense for Bayer to audition for his role.

 

[Thordaddy]

Cook cannot be replaced because he has one of the all-time worst contracts. The Rams are stuck with him until at least 2016 when the dead money is manageable. Kendricks can be good at times but his inconsistency in blocking (and those 2 false starts) make him average overall in my opinion. Kendricks' contract is up after this season so it would make sense for Bayer to audition for his role.

IMO Bayer will never be the blocker Lance is,never

 

[Legatron4]

Does Tavon not get the Brian Quick treatment? I get that he was drafted early in the first, but it's not like we desperately need him. He will have his 2-3 elite games this year and become more consistent in his 3rd season. Give the guy some time. He just played in his 16th NFL game.