- Joined
- Jun 20, 2014
- Messages
- 4,137
Here are a few of my own opinions, fwiw.
Gurley, a formerly elite player, was released because of a combo of reduced production and brutal cap cost, an unsustainable situation. Such a shame, but they had little choice.
Cooks was traded because of the combo of health issues due to concussions (5 of them, and counting) AND a brutal cap cost. Another unsustainable situation. BTW, it was a minor miracle that they got back a 2nd in trade for Cooks.
IMO, both players would still be Rams today but for their respective health issues despite their gigantic contracts. But it is what it is.
Yeah, McVay will be using more 12 sets this year. That seems beyond obvious, don’t you think? Higbee could have a monster year. There will be no shortage of passing weapons for the Rams in ‘20, whether they draft a WR high or not.
I’m cautiously optimistic about our OL this year. I’ve got a lot of trust in Kromer and I see promise in Corbett, Edwards, and Evans entering their 2nd season as Ram starters (Blythe’s 2nd season as starting C). Blythe should be adequate as starting C now that he’s healthy. If Hav can rise up and reclaim his starting position at RT that would be a huge bonus. Everyone probably knows that I like Boom as our future starting LOT once fully healthy. Until then Whit should be more than capable there.
I feel that our DL will be better this year, particularly against the run. I’m Very happy about that ARob addition.
I’m just gonna say it. I consider our secondary as borderline elite at a minimum. I don’t envy any QB that must throw into that coverage while under pressure.
I’ve got a real good feeling about Staley and this Fangio style of D that I think he’s bringing in. It’s gonna be unpredictable and it’s gonna confuse a lot of QB’s. Should be more consistent and should be fun to watch, too.
As to my guesses for this draft? I have no specifics, but I do have some generalities that I think are highly likely.
Snead will be active making trades Duh.
I see him trading down out of at least one 2nd and maybe both, depending on who falls and who remains below among his targets. I make it over 50% that he trades down outta both 2nds, actually. Snead may do a trade up, as well, but if so I think it will be of a later and kinda minor variety.
Our first 4 picks will probably be the following 4 positions but who knows in what order:
RB. Don’t kid yourself, this is a very high priority. Snead has been hinting as much for weeks. Bank it.
WR. Just lost Cooks and this is a terrific draft for WR’s. Only question in my mind is whether it takes place on Day 2. Probably will.
C. Blythe is on a 1 year prove it contract and this is reportedly a bumper crop of quality C’s. A match made in heaven, IOW. Rams have been sniffing around the C position, reportedly.
ILB. Littleton is gone, but there should be a Staley type ILB sitting there on Day 2, one that’s a better run defender, and I think the Rams will pounce. I suspect that the Rams kinda like a couple of guys already on their roster, but it’s always wise to keep the pipeline full. This is probably in ‘bank it’ territory on Day 2.
Edge. I’ve read that this is not a stellar Edge draft where we will be picking. Still, maybe a player that the Rams like will fall to them. If so, this position is a likely Day 2 pick, especially if Snead got his trade down.
Finally, I’ve read some posters that have said that this ‘20 season is a bit of a throwaway season while preparing for ‘21. Nonsense. I see no reason to think that this ‘20 Ram team won’t be extremely competitive and a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs. This will be a team better constructed to compete in the difficult NFC West, too.
Gurley, a formerly elite player, was released because of a combo of reduced production and brutal cap cost, an unsustainable situation. Such a shame, but they had little choice.
Cooks was traded because of the combo of health issues due to concussions (5 of them, and counting) AND a brutal cap cost. Another unsustainable situation. BTW, it was a minor miracle that they got back a 2nd in trade for Cooks.
IMO, both players would still be Rams today but for their respective health issues despite their gigantic contracts. But it is what it is.
Yeah, McVay will be using more 12 sets this year. That seems beyond obvious, don’t you think? Higbee could have a monster year. There will be no shortage of passing weapons for the Rams in ‘20, whether they draft a WR high or not.
I’m cautiously optimistic about our OL this year. I’ve got a lot of trust in Kromer and I see promise in Corbett, Edwards, and Evans entering their 2nd season as Ram starters (Blythe’s 2nd season as starting C). Blythe should be adequate as starting C now that he’s healthy. If Hav can rise up and reclaim his starting position at RT that would be a huge bonus. Everyone probably knows that I like Boom as our future starting LOT once fully healthy. Until then Whit should be more than capable there.
I feel that our DL will be better this year, particularly against the run. I’m Very happy about that ARob addition.
I’m just gonna say it. I consider our secondary as borderline elite at a minimum. I don’t envy any QB that must throw into that coverage while under pressure.
I’ve got a real good feeling about Staley and this Fangio style of D that I think he’s bringing in. It’s gonna be unpredictable and it’s gonna confuse a lot of QB’s. Should be more consistent and should be fun to watch, too.
As to my guesses for this draft? I have no specifics, but I do have some generalities that I think are highly likely.
Snead will be active making trades Duh.
I see him trading down out of at least one 2nd and maybe both, depending on who falls and who remains below among his targets. I make it over 50% that he trades down outta both 2nds, actually. Snead may do a trade up, as well, but if so I think it will be of a later and kinda minor variety.
Our first 4 picks will probably be the following 4 positions but who knows in what order:
RB. Don’t kid yourself, this is a very high priority. Snead has been hinting as much for weeks. Bank it.
WR. Just lost Cooks and this is a terrific draft for WR’s. Only question in my mind is whether it takes place on Day 2. Probably will.
C. Blythe is on a 1 year prove it contract and this is reportedly a bumper crop of quality C’s. A match made in heaven, IOW. Rams have been sniffing around the C position, reportedly.
ILB. Littleton is gone, but there should be a Staley type ILB sitting there on Day 2, one that’s a better run defender, and I think the Rams will pounce. I suspect that the Rams kinda like a couple of guys already on their roster, but it’s always wise to keep the pipeline full. This is probably in ‘bank it’ territory on Day 2.
Edge. I’ve read that this is not a stellar Edge draft where we will be picking. Still, maybe a player that the Rams like will fall to them. If so, this position is a likely Day 2 pick, especially if Snead got his trade down.
Finally, I’ve read some posters that have said that this ‘20 season is a bit of a throwaway season while preparing for ‘21. Nonsense. I see no reason to think that this ‘20 Ram team won’t be extremely competitive and a team that no one wants to see in the playoffs. This will be a team better constructed to compete in the difficult NFC West, too.