How do the Los Angeles Rams approach the offseason?

[BonifayRam]

How do the Los Angeles Rams approach the offseason?
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...gy-super-bowl-gm-les-snead-free-agency-trades
Loading up for title runs is expensive and attractive, but it comes with a future cost, too.
By Eric Nagel Feb 6, 2019

You’re going to hear this for months: this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams are at a crossroads.Yada, yada, yada. It’s a narrative you’re going to hear from everyone (probably 3k...definately Sosa) and sure, it’s typically a crossroads for every team (what are their needs? what moves do they make?), but the added wrinkle of a humiliating Super Bowl LIII loss and the Year of the Knee might change the strategy the Rams employ.

But what is that strategy? There are a few options to consider.
Stand pat
Puns, baby. The thinking here is that the Rams made it all the way, but just couldn’t finish. Sure, there might be some additions to the roster - maybe an EDGE, maybe some offensive line depth depending on what happens to the veterans. But the key here is that the Rams should try their hardest to keep continuity going. After all, if your previous result is making it to the Super Bowl, that’s not exactly a team you want to break up. That of course, means tough decisions on some free agents. It also means little news and more speculation, which means Sean McVay gets to answer four months-worth of questions about Todd Gurley’s knee, and nothing else, so say we all.

Upgrade
This is the goldilocks of options. Yes, the Rams are probably going to lose some players in free agency. Yes, they’re probably going to gain some compensation picks after their expert navigation in free agency last year. But, they have cap space. They can afford to sign a marquee free agent, even if for a year on a prove it deal. Given that the Rams are a contender, it might be easier to pull a veteran away for a chance at a title. But the key is they won’t blow up their draft to add veterans. The Rams haven’t shown a lot of precedence in regards to developing rookies (Les Snead treats draft picks like Sean McVay treats timeouts) but in this approach, they might have to lean on whoever they choose with that first round pick. Because the point is, they’ll actually pick someone. It’s not exactly loading up for a run, but it’s not exactly not loading up.

All in
Let’s be real - this is easily the sexiest option in terms of an offseason plan. Moving your draft picks for players like Aqib Talib, Brandin Cooks and Marcus Peters? Check. Adding players in free agency like Ndamukong Suh? Check. Here, the Rams try and bring in everyone they can and coalesce around a common goal: getting back to and winning the Super Bowl. It’s a good redemption story, and you know damn well MMQB would profile the team if they do this.

However, tossing away another year’s draft class means the Rams will hit a wall - hard. They won’t have a deep roster to lean on when Jared Goff’s inevitable contract extension comes due. Teams that feature multiple players on mega-deals like Aaron Donald (and a QB, like Goff), don’t typically survive without a young core to build around (on cheap contracts!). This means the team might lose in the future, which is hard to think about now, but important to plan.

 

[tklongball]

I know that it is the narrative, but I don't see it as a "Humilliating Super Bowl Loss" For Christ's sake, we were a catch away from tying it up with less than 4:30 left in the game.

 

[Adi]

Try to keep the personal we have , talent did not cost us the bowl.

Mcvay needs a plan B and C for offense when the usual isn't working

This team will be fine , this experience will lead to a superbowl win next year !

 

[OldSchool]

Things like this always crack me up.

The Rams haven’t shown a lot of precedence in regards to developing rookies

Rams had more draft picks/udfa on their roster than any of the other teams in the final four. Who wrote this? Oh TST got it, that explains everything.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I know that it is the narrative, but I don't see it as a "Humilliating Super Bowl Loss" For Christ's sake, we were a catch away from tying it up with less than 4:30 left in the game.

I have been a Rams homer for too many decades to count. But even I can admit this was a humiliating loss.

If we had lost a shootout to the Chiefs where the narrative was "if they only had a defense", that'd be one thing. To watchBut to manhandle the Pats with our D, only to have the nation see countless wide open options untapped, or play sequences poorly called, was beyond humiliating. Is there a word that is more humiliating than humiliating? Let's use that instead.

 

[thirteen28]

I know that it is the narrative, but I don't see it as a "Humilliating Super Bowl Loss" For Christ's sake, we were a catch away from tying it up with less than 4:30 left in the game.

I have been a Rams homer for too many decades to count. But even I can admit this was a humiliating loss.

If we had lost a shootout to the Chiefs where the narrative was "if they only had a defense", that'd be one thing. To watchBut to manhandle the Pats with our D, only to have the nation see countless wide open options untapped, or play sequences poorly called, was beyond humiliating. Is there a word that is more humiliating than humiliating? Let's use that instead.

I'm with @tklongball ... this was a humbling loss, but hardly humiliating. It was an unexpected defensive battle in which both defenses played exceptionally well, and their QB - with much more experience - missed open guys too, and threw a pick because he didn't recognize a coverage. They had poorly called play sequences as well (and in some cases, we could say the defenses made those playcalls look bad).

It is a game that simply came down to experience beating youth, and it's hardly humiliating (at least to me, as a fan) that our team, lacking the experience of our opponents, nevertheless battled them all the way, kept the game close, and held them to only 3 points until after the 4th quarter was half over.

Humiliating to me would be something like blowing a 28-3 lead and losing, or having the ball 2nd and goal with the best short yardage back in the game and choosing to pass into the middle of the defense and getting picked and thus losing your last chance to win the game.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

I'm with @tklongball
Humiliating to me would be something like blowing a 28-3 lead and losing, or having the ball 2nd and goal with the best short yardage back in the game and choosing to pass into the middle of the defense and getting picked and thus losing your last chance to win the game.

Fair points.

Maybe I use that word because it was the CHEATRIOTS? I actually think I'd rather have been blown out by them then have it teed up and hand it to them on silver platter. I feel like they cheated me out of my revenge, as they cheated my favorite GSoT team out of a SB win.

 

[thirteen28]

Fair points.

Maybe I use that word because it was the CHEATRIOTS? I actually think I'd rather have been blown out by them then have it teed up and hand it to them on silver platter. I feel like they cheated me out of my revenge, as they cheated my favorite GSoT team out of a SB win.

Nah, getting blown out by them would also have been humiliating. At least we can say the Rams put up a great fight and were only one play away from taking the lead for most of the game.

But yeah, I want revenge too, and hope we can get a rematch next year.

 

[I like Rams]

This is the offseason we start building for the future IMO. We start phasing in Obo, JFM, Kiser, Noteboom and Allen, while still keeping a few veteran players willing to take smaller contracts in order to take a crack at a SB again. Load up on oline, LB and DB in the draft. Also grab Tannehill or someone to be back up for Goff.

 

[Antonius]

Everyone has a different outlook but I found the super bowl to be quite humiliating. We almost got shut out completely in the biggest game the rams have played in almost two decades. Embarrassing.


There has been a trend in recent years with the NFC-loser in the super bowl. The seahawks, the panthers, & the falcons are all recent super bowl runners-up that completely fell off. (Maybe not completely, but do you look at those three teams as super bowl contenders?)

Do I think the same will happen with the rams? No. But nothing is guaranteed. We can’t let up in the gas pedal. This organization must stay proactive in improving our roster.

 

[Liberator]

grab Tannehill or someone to be back up for Goff.

Not sure I'd waste money on a backup QB. Tannehill will still command a lot of money on the market.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Glad i've stayed away from the media this week. Humiliating? No. That's a lazy angle.

Frustrating? Hell yes.

 

[dang]

The Rams defense played lights out. Our offense played poorly but a lot of credit has to be given to the NE defense. I think Rams fans would be feeling a whole lot better if we could have squeaked in a TD. And that should have happened on the pass to Cooks in the end zone. Although Losing to NE 13-10 would still be a loss it would have been much more palatable to Rams fans and the media.

 

[1maGoh]

Nah, getting blown out by them would also have been humiliating. At least we can say the Rams put up a great fight and were only one play away from taking the lead for most of the game.

But yeah, I want revenge too, and hope we can get a rematch next year.

The common and consistent view that I hear where I'm at is that neither team played defense and the offenses were just super inept. Basically that the game was low scoring because both teams just suck.

It's a really stupid opinion, but holy crap it's popular here in Texas.

So in the eyes of the people around me, it should be a humiliating loss because the Patriots (in their ridiculous view) didn't play offense or defense and the Rams still lost. Somehow in a game with totals of 5 sacks, 13 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 9 TFL, 1 forced fumble, and 16 QB hits there was nobody playing defense.

Freaking cowboys fans...

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

My priorities would be this...

bring back Suh....and CJ at a reasonable ticket....

Let Barron and Joyner walk...

draft a big safety or a stout inside linebacker first..... and draft the other with your next pick....

add some depth in free agency …. I'd like to see Micah Kizer get a shot at playing Inside linebacker for us next to Littleton... Johnson is a versatile safety... I think both Noteboom and Allen can step in... if Whitworth retires, we save some money...

everything else ..we're straight....

But even before player movements..

I really want us to make a strategic hire for offensive assistant. We've had some solid young assistants, but I think it's important for us to have a veteran offensive voice in McVay's ear... We're a young team..young coach..young QB... developing young assistants for 1 year, and having them move on isn't helping us in the big picture.....

someone McVay trusts...that will help Goff....

I kind of chuckled to myself when I started thinking about this because Mike Martz name came in my head...… not him per se..but someone like that whose not looking to be a head coach...not looking to be the primary play caller...but can bring out the best in McVay...and Goff...

 

[I like Rams]

Not sure I'd waste money on a backup QB. Tannehill will still command a lot of money on the market.

Really? With Foles, Carr, Flacco and Dalton on the market and this years draft being pretty good in the qb department, i dont see Tannehill getting too many bites as a starter.

 

[So Ram]

This is the offseason we start building for the future IMO. We start phasing in Obo, JFM, Kiser, Noteboom and Allen, while still keeping a few veteran players willing to take smaller contracts in order to take a crack at a SB again. Load up on oline, LB and DB in the draft. Also grab Tannehill or someone to be back up for Goff.

— Yeah- just looking back at The Rams draft picks since McVay has been a Ram is so underrated!!! I think this offseason will show even more fruitful.

1. Demby got cut, but he stuck around on 53
2. Trevino Howard is still around. Special teams okay with his speed & size should shine.
3.S. J-Day wears the magic number. Thought he should have been got, but dude is competitive .
4.Justin Lawler is like a young Conner Barwin.He takes good angles getting to the QB. His size & longarms is an advantage.
5.Aston Prophel ?? Ricky ?? Udfa?
6.Darius Williams? Don’t know much, except he is on 53 as a DB. I like the 2 PS DB’s.
7. Trevon Young is apart of that young DL group of 2018 that has a couple gems !!

PS
8. 47 Ramon Richards is a player I really liked in training camp.Kevin Peterson is another OK St. CB. —RR in practice always will catch your eye. Makes plays.
9. Stephen Parker - he is a Safety that is in the wings. Snead finds away of finding young talent.
— McVay is about teaching & his coaching staff will continue to develop players.It’s about building depth within.
The Rams will continue to grow talent.The Comp. will add more talent as well.

 

[BonifayRam]

What roster gaps should the Los Angeles Rams prioritize this offseason?
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...ee-agency-priorities-roster-needs-depth-chart
The Rams have a lot of personnel changes coming up. What positions should be prioritized?
By Sean Wilkinson

The Los Angeles Rams face a ton of questions this offseason that can and will change the direction of this team. I’m confident that General Manager Les Snead, Head Coach Sean McVay and the rest of the Rams front office will do everything in their power to improve this team, but the to-do list is a bit daunting at first glance.

The list can be boiled down to a couple of major categories that everyone can mostly agree upon. That’s the easy part though. Determining what order those issues should be tackled is much more difficult to answer.

I have talked to a bunch of Rams fans - including a bunch of the staff here at TST - and there is no consensus. Everyone has a unique view on how they should be prioritized, and I want your view. Have at the polls below and I’ll dive into the multiple ways to handle each situation as we approach the weekend.


What do you think is the MOST important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 54%
  Offensive Line
  (341 votes)
  
  
• 18%
  Pass Rush
  (110 votes)
  
  
• 18%
  Run Defense
  (110 votes)
  
  
• 9%
  Defensive Backs
  (59 votes)
  
  
• 1%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (8 votes)

What do you think is the 2nd most important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 27%
  Offensive Line
  (152 votes)
  
  
• 26%
  Pass Rush
  (149 votes)
  
  
• 27%
  Run Defense
  (150 votes)
  
  
• 19%
  Defensive Backs
  (109 votes)
  
  
• 1%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (6 votes)

What do you think is the LEAST important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 2%
  Offensive Line
  (11 votes)
  
  
• 6%
  Pass Rush
  (33 votes)
  
  
• 4%
  Run Defense
  (23 votes)
  
  
• 7%
  Defensive Backs
  (41 votes)
  
  
• 81%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (457 votes)

 

[BonifayRam]

Joe Thomas: Rams would be 'unstoppable' with elite edge rusher and Aaron Donald

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/13/nfl-rams-aaron-donald-joe-thomas-browns-pass-rusher/
By: Cameron DaSilva | February 13, 2019

Aaron Donald isn’t like other players. He’s a supposedly undersized defensive tackle who just led the NFL in sacks and set the all-time record for sacks at his position in a single season with 20.5.

He’s a rare talent and was an MVP candidate this past season, winning his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. But what makes him so good? Is it his strength despite being smaller than offensive linemen? Is it his quick get-off that allows him to sneak into the backfield before the quarterback even gets to the top of his drop?

Former All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas has a new video series with the Browns where he breaks down film, and first up was Donald. He highlights key plays from Donald’s tape that show what makes him so good, saying he’s “the best inside pass rusher – inside defensive tackle – in the NFL, and probably one of the best of all time.”

Thomas simply doesn’t see anyone stopping Donald in the near future unless they completely change their blocking schemes to account for him as a pass rusher.

“Unless offenses change – which, they’re scoring a lot of points, so I don’t see them changing a lot in the near future – I just think Aaron’s going to be this disruptive force for many years to come,” Thomas said. “There’s really no slowing him down unless offenses come up with some new type of blocking scheme where they maybe hit him with a fullback out of the backfield.”

Thomas makes his pitch for how teams can slow Donald down by doing just that: putting a fullback between the guard and tackle. Essentially, you’d be committing almost three blockers to Donald, which would obviously impact everyone else on offense.

He suggests this might be something Bill Belichick would try, which coincidentally, this video was taped before the Super Bowl matchup was even set.

“The only thing I can think of is you just line up a fullback in the gap between the guard and the tackle, but deep enough where he’s still an eligible receiver. And so you’re going to give your guard help in that gap. Maybe you even bring in an extra offensive lineman,” Thomas said. “This is something that Bill Belichick would try because he doesn’t care if he gets criticism in the media. He’s already five Super bowls in. He’s willing to try something new like that. So this could be one of those things where you see Bill Belichick try something new and if it works, then it’s a copycat league and everyone’s going to try it. But I don’t see anyone slowing Aaron Donald down and the amazing rate which he’s sacking quarterbacks, which is more than one per game, is incredible.”

The Rams tried to give Donald some help this past season by signing Ndamukong Suh, but Thomas says that’s not what Aaron needs. Thomas believes Donald would benefit more from having an elite edge rusher than a guy like Suh next to him.

“To me, it’s having another good edge rusher because that causes a lot of problems. Suh’s a good run defender and he’s very strong, but he doesn’t have the quick get-off that teams worry about from that inside position, so I don’t think he’s had as much of an impact as people want to say he has with Aaron Donald,” Thomas said. “I think Aaron Donald is just playing the best we’ve ever seen from an interior pass rusher position. If they would have like a Myles Garrett out there, it wouldn’t even be fair because now what you’d have to do is turn the center to Aaron Donald, so you’d always try to have a three-on-two over there, and then you’d have to give another tight end or another running back or somebody else in protection for the other side to help with Myles, so you’re losing two extra guys all the time in almost every one of your protections just to try to manage their pass rush. So you’re going to have a guy less in pass routes, which makes your coverage better because you’ve got an extra defender. And it would just be unstoppable if they had an edge rusher like Myles.”

The Rams tried to add a pass rusher like that in Dante Fowler Jr., but he isn’t on Garrett’s level and is set to hit free agency. Edge rusher is definitely a top need for L.A., one it should address this offseason.

The entire video is fascinating and touches on a wide range of topics about Donald’s game.

 

[OldSchool]

What roster gaps should the Los Angeles Rams prioritize this offseason?
https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/...ee-agency-priorities-roster-needs-depth-chart
The Rams have a lot of personnel changes coming up. What positions should be prioritized?
By Sean Wilkinson

The Los Angeles Rams face a ton of questions this offseason that can and will change the direction of this team. I’m confident that General Manager Les Snead, Head Coach Sean McVay and the rest of the Rams front office will do everything in their power to improve this team, but the to-do list is a bit daunting at first glance.

The list can be boiled down to a couple of major categories that everyone can mostly agree upon. That’s the easy part though. Determining what order those issues should be tackled is much more difficult to answer.

I have talked to a bunch of Rams fans - including a bunch of the staff here at TST - and there is no consensus. Everyone has a unique view on how they should be prioritized, and I want your view. Have at the polls below and I’ll dive into the multiple ways to handle each situation as we approach the weekend.


What do you think is the MOST important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 54%
  Offensive Line
  (341 votes)
  
  
• 18%
  Pass Rush
  (110 votes)
  
  
• 18%
  Run Defense
  (110 votes)
  
  
• 9%
  Defensive Backs
  (59 votes)
  
  
• 1%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (8 votes)

What do you think is the 2nd most important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 27%
  Offensive Line
  (152 votes)
  
  
• 26%
  Pass Rush
  (149 votes)
  
  
• 27%
  Run Defense
  (150 votes)
  
  
• 19%
  Defensive Backs
  (109 votes)
  
  
• 1%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (6 votes)

What do you think is the LEAST important issue facing the Rams this offseason?

• 2%
  Offensive Line
  (11 votes)
  
  
• 6%
  Pass Rush
  (33 votes)
  
  
• 4%
  Run Defense
  (23 votes)
  
  
• 7%
  Defensive Backs
  (41 votes)
  
  
• 81%
  Jared Goff Extension
  (457 votes)

I just love to hate TST.