Looks like Sims is back

[Rams43]

I like Eugene Sims he has been a good back up DE for us long time. Its a good thing to have all but one of our pass DE from 2015 season back. Good for Snead/Fisher. Sims played more time in 2015 than in three or four yrs previously. Sims in truth finished 11 games for the Rams @ RDE for Quinn. Sims production @ LDE was no where close to the normal RDE production. Sims could only manage only one 1/2 sacks & only 24 tacks in total those are not good for a DE who finished & played the majority of snaps @ RDE. On the positive Sims is one serious iron clad player who held up under serious heavy duty work assignment.

Trying to be positive here on our edge rushers but its hard......Sims & Hayes both lack good pass rushing skills. Their best game is in the stopping of the run from the edge. In 2015 Sims produced little of that too. Sims had some big & consistent runs come through his area of responsibility last season. So if Quinn does not fully recover & you are expecting that Sims will be the man to hold up the RDE post .....you might be disappointed.

If Quinn is healthy both he & Sims are a great tag team. Sims best contributions always show up on the field when he comes off the bench in relief of Quinn & when he is used inside the DL in passing situations. I sure hope the Rams defense can use Sims this upcoming 2016 season.

Well said, Bonifay. As usual.

Sims was a good signing.

Unspectacular, but effective player.
Very experienced and very affordable.
Knows GW's system.
Flexible. Can help at DE or DT as needed.
Excellent injury insurance.

Our DL is now looking pretty decent, with one exception. We need a stud LDE. Hayes will be a terrific rotational player, but we really need to snag a top drawer LDE in this draft. Very probably at 15.

GW's D requires it. A strong LDE is a "must have" if we want our D to be top 5. And a top 5 D is probably necessary until our young QB, young O, and new OC figure things out this year.

 

[ReddingRam]

Well said, Bonifay. As usual.

Sims was a good signing.

Unspectacular, but effective player.
Very experienced and very affordable.
Knows GW's system.
Flexible. Can help at DE or DT as needed.
Excellent injury insurance.

Our DL is now looking pretty decent, with one exception. We need a stud LDE. Hayes will be a terrific rotational player, but we really need to snag a top drawer LDE in this draft. Very probably at 15.

GW's D requires it. A strong LDE is a "must have" if we want our D to be top 5. And a top 5 D is probably necessary until our young QB, young O, and new OC figure things out this year.

That is why ... I am not so sure that QB or WR is the pick at #15 ... or even lower if they try and trade down a bit... this is a heavy DL class. the strength of this class actually, along with DB. I would not be surprised if they went DL with #15 at all ... especially an edge rusher.

 

[JUMAVA68]

I would much prefer having The Mighty One off the refs crap list so he could start getting calls for all those choke holds against him. I wonder how many sacks he can collect if the refs simply do their damn job.

Agree the refs basically let him get assaulted out there.

 

[BonifayRam]

That is why ... I am not so sure that QB or WR is the pick at #15 ... or even lower if they try and trade down a bit... this is a heavy DL class. the strength of this class actually, along with DB. I would not be surprised if they went DL with #15 at all ... especially an edge rusher.

You & I are on the same Ram wave length here.

Surprised? I would be surprised if its anything else than a DL'er. A pass rushing edge rusher or a bruising nasty NT. IMO it oozes with smartness!

 

[StealYoGurley]

You & I are on the same Ram wave length here.

Surprised? I would be surprised if its anything else than a DL'er. A pass rushing edge rusher or a bruising nasty NT. IMO it oozes with smartness!

Edge Rusher maybe NT no way.

DT in the first when Brockers will be extended soon and Donald could get a mega extensions as early as next year doesn't make a ton of sense financially. NT usually play two downs those downs will usually be dominated by Brock. I dont think we need 3 1st round DTs when we could find better value for a rotational guy later. A 3rd DT is definitely needed unless they are really high on Trinca-Past or want to play Westbrooks there full time.

EDGE Rusher I can see especially if they think a guy like Spence, Lawson, or Floyd is BPA at 15. However, Westbrooks is the wild card in the DE situation. I think the coaches think highly of him and hopefully they will let him stick at LDE and let him develop behind Hayes instead of moving him all around. Then you have Sims backing up Quinn and Longacre as another young developmental guy. I would never rule out Snisher taking a pass rusher, but they could be set here.

 

[BonifayRam]

Edge Rusher maybe NT no way.

DT in the first when Brockers will be extended soon and Donald could get a mega extensions as early as next year doesn't make a ton of sense financially. NT usually play two downs those downs will usually be dominated by Brock. I dont think we need 3 1st round DTs when we could find better value for a rotational guy later. A 3rd DT is definitely needed unless they are really high on Trinca-Past or want to play Westbrooks there full time.

EDGE Rusher I can see especially if they think a guy like Spence, Lawson, or Floyd is BPA at 15. However, Westbrooks is the wild card in the DE situation. I think the coaches think highly of him and hopefully they will let him stick at LDE and let him develop behind Hayes instead of moving him all around. Then you have Sims backing up Quinn and Longacre as another young developmental guy. I would never rule out Snisher taking a pass rusher, but they could be set here.

You seem to be more positive on the Brockers re-sign than I am. Some of these upper tier DT/NT's could be more than just 2 downers. I am more positive on Westbrooks than most. But we have not seen Ethan used much @ LDE yet his action came mainly from playing both interior DL posts than on the edge.

Rams loose Brockers they better have a talented NT to hold up the middle so Aaron can do his thing. Right now Rams have one very big HOLE behind Brockers who is NOT signed past this season. With the only one legit edge pass rusher that being Quinn coming off surgically repaired back you know that rest solidly in the back of Fisher/Snead brains.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Our DL is now looking pretty decent, with one exception. We need a stud LDE. Hayes will be a terrific rotational player, but we really need to snag a top drawer LDE in this draft. Very probably at 15.

Hayes was brought back to be the full time starter opposite Quinn. The moment CLong was released Hayes was basically promoted because he's outplayed Long for awhile now. Hayes could have started for a number of teams the last few years but was obviously a rotational guy here with our insane depth.
I do agree that drafting a DE is very probable though.

 

[DaveFan'51]

He"s certain good enogh to take over for the Long of the past couple of years (injured or healthy)

He's a good back-up, and a starting caliber DE/DT, but as I said he's no Chris Long! Not by any stretch of the imagination!JMHO

 

[ReddingRam]

Hayes was brought back to be the full time starter opposite Quinn. The moment CLong was released Hayes was basically promoted because he's outplayed Long for awhile now. Hayes could have started for a number of teams the last few years but was obviously a rotational guy here with our insane depth.
I do agree that drafting a DE is very probable though.

You are correct but ... Hayes is also over 30. They could be looking to add long term replacement/and more speed to the outside. Just saying it wouldn't surprise me with how many good edge rushers are in this class

 

[Rams43]

Hayes was brought back to be the full time starter opposite Quinn. The moment CLong was released Hayes was basically promoted because he's outplayed Long for awhile now. Hayes could have started for a number of teams the last few years but was obviously a rotational guy here with our insane depth.
I do agree that drafting a DE is very probable though.

I love Hayes, Mojo. I think everybody does.

But he's not an elite or even near elite LDE. His salary alone tells us the NFL agrees that his ceiling is just not that high.

Great for rotation to give a starter a breather. Great injury insurance, too.

But GW's D is predicated on a dominating pressure front four.

So I stand by my previous post. If a stud LDE falls to 15, I would be surprised if S&F passed.

 

[kurtfaulk]

You seem to be more positive on the Brockers re-sign than I am. Some of these upper tier DT/NT's could be more than just 2 downers. I am more positive on Westbrooks than most. But we have not seen Ethan used much @ LDE yet his action came mainly from playing both interior DL posts than on the edge.

Rams loose Brockers they better have a talented NT to hold up the middle so Aaron can do his thing. Right now Rams have one very big HOLE behind Brockers who is NOT signed past this season. With the only one legit edge pass rusher that being Quinn coming off surgically repaired back you know that rest solidly in the back of Fisher/Snead brains.

the rams aren't losing brockers. demoff said the rams wil have $75m in cap space next season which will be used to keep the rams FAs. brockers was the first player's name to come out of his mouth. so there's that.

but then again can we trust anything that comes out of demoff's mouth ever again?

.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I love Hayes, Mojo. I think everybody does.

But he's not an elite or even near elite LDE. His salary alone tells us the NFL agrees that his ceiling is just not that high.

Great for rotation to give a starter a breather. Great injury insurance, too.

But GW's D is predicated on a dominating pressure front four.

So I stand by my previous post. If a stud LDE falls to 15, I would be surprised if S&F passed.

I didn't say he was elite. Not too many guys are. I said he's starter material on most teams, including the Rams now that Long is gone.
He's still a Ram with a relatively low salary because he loves playing for Fisher, not because his value is strictly as a rotation guy.

Since coming to the Rams as a rotational guy he's put up an average of about 30 solo tackles and 6 sacks/year. There aren't many rotational DE's putting in that kind of work IMO.

We don't have to agree obviously but the bottom line for me is that you're selling Hayes short. He's not elite by any stretch but he's a solid starter for any team that doesn't have an elite DE....which is alot of teams around the league.

 

[Mojo Ram]

You are correct but ... Hayes is also over 30. They could be looking to add long term replacement/and more speed to the outside. Just saying it wouldn't surprise me with how many good edge rushers are in this class

I agree. Pointed that out at the end of my post

 

[Mojo Ram]

Hayes was brought back to be the full time starter opposite Quinn.

I do agree that drafting a DE is very probable though.

 

[StealYoGurley]

You seem to be more positive on the Brockers re-sign than I am. Some of these upper tier DT/NT's could be more than just 2 downers. I am more positive on Westbrooks than most. But we have not seen Ethan used much @ LDE yet his action came mainly from playing both interior DL posts than on the edge.

Rams loose Brockers they better have a talented NT to hold up the middle so Aaron can do his thing. Right now Rams have one very big HOLE behind Brockers who is NOT signed past this season. With the only one legit edge pass rusher that being Quinn coming off surgically repaired back you know that rest solidly in the back of Fisher/Snead brains.

Brockers is probably the easiest resign the Rams have since he already makes 6 million under his 5th year option. When Quinn went down last year Westbrooks primarily played RDE and he played LDE primarily year one as well when he beat out Michael Sam. Yes the Rams need depth, but a 3rd DT shouldn't be high on the priority list when you consider the other holes. Before Quinn went down Brockers backup was Westbrooks and he wasn't even active on game days. I think you are overstating the value of backup NT a bit.

Right now the rams have definite need for starters at QB, WR, TE, FS, and CB depending on who you ask. Going for a third first round DT, in the first round, in the deepest DT draft in years, for depth purposes, when we already have a ton invested in the position would be a poor allocation of resources IMO.

Edge Rusher I can't argue alot with you there you can never have enough pass rushers and hopefully Quinn is healthy. If Quinn is healthy we have 3 game day guys are locked in Quinn, the underrated Hayes, and Sims. I think Westbrooks could be the 4th guy and he has starting upside so we should let him get snaps and develop because if he is the 5th guy he wont get snaps on gameday. On the other hand it would be hard to pass on dynamic edge guy just because you want to develop Westbrooks, but who is that guy. Can you trust Spence? Is Floyd better than similar prospects like Mingo and Dion Jordan who were busts? Is Shaq Lawson a consistent edge threat in NFL (Kinda reminds me of Hayes). If the answer is yes to any of those questions one of those prospects may be be in play.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah, but he's a known entity.

Besides, if we trade up for a QB... We can't go into the draft with too many needs.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I would have been confused if they hadn't signed Sims. Low cost and fits the system. It's not like they expect him to be Suh, or V. Miller. His depth has value.

 

[BonifayRam]

Brockers is probably the easiest resign the Rams have since he already makes 6 million under his 5th year option.
As first glance I would agree with you StealYoGurley on this but as I look around the NFL & what very good NT/DT's 2016 contracts have been mega $$$$$ tons of guarantees $$$$....I would have to disagree fully on this. Brockers can command a serious heap of cap cash & if Brockers goes that route....well not so easy after all. Right now Brockers is NOT signed for 2017 & beyond.
When Quinn went down last year Westbrooks primarily played RDE and he played LDE primarily year one as well when he beat out Michael Sam.
Quinn was active for 8 games & Sims was the reliever of RDE post. When Quinn was gone wk 10 John Longacre was activated & relieved for both DE posts. Yes Ethan got in some time small time @ RDE bit not much. Ethan continued to be mainly in the interior DL rotation as I best recall.
Yes the Rams need depth, but a 3rd DT shouldn't be high on the priority list when you consider the other holes. Before Quinn went down Brockers backup was Westbrooks and he wasn't even active on game days. I think you are overstating the value of backup NT a bit.
Here again I saw it differently where Ethan primarily back up Donald & Fairley got more of the action at both but when Brockers came out it was Fairley who got that action. Ethan was not active for games 12,13 & 16, leaving Fairley the main reserve for Brockers with some Worthington. Matter of fact Fairley was playing NT in place of Brockers when he suffered his injury (Seahawks)& was IR'd. Worthington played in 2 games as a back up to NT Brockers too. After Fairley was injured Worthington replaced Fairley @ reserve NT reserve . At the end of the Seahawks game NT Worthington was injured & IR'd. That's how I recalled that could be wrong though.
Right now the rams have definite need for starters at QB, WR, TE, FS, and CB depending on who you ask. Going for a third first round DT, in the first round, in the deepest DT draft in years, for depth purposes, when we already have a ton invested in the position would be a poor allocation of resources IMO.
Good discussion here I glad you decided to come in here & hang around....this DT investment stuff you bring up other than Donald..... name me any other interior DL investment past this season in DT's???? that's right the response is ZERO there is no investments. You must be strongly believing that the Rams will sign Brockers to a mega $$$ contract. That's why I am advocating the big need of "investment" of a talented NT selection in the 2016 draft.
Edge Rusher I can't argue alot with you there you can never have enough pass rushers and hopefully Quinn is healthy. If Quinn is healthy we have 3 game day guys are locked in Quinn, the underrated Hayes, and Sims. I think Westbrooks could be the 4th guy and he has starting upside so we should let him get snaps and develop because if he is the 5th guy he wont get snaps on gameday. On the other hand it would be hard to pass on dynamic edge guy just because you want to develop Westbrooks, but who is that guy.
Quinn is our only bonified pass rusher & he is a big ? Sims,Hayes & Longacre show very little as a pass rusher. Ethan is different & does flash some talent as a pass rusher from the edge. Right now Rams have BIG investments in 3 DE's past next season. 2 other DE's Ethan & Longacre can be easy resigns neither are UFA in 2017. So these five DE's could be here for a while like DT Louis Tricant Pasat.

Summary: Snead has 3 DE's (Sims/Hayes/Westbrooks)who can play effectively inside or out if need be without any major issues. Besides those 3 he has signed DT'sTricant-Pasat/Worthington for 2016 plus the 2 starters inside Donald/Brockers. I see ZERO need for any 3 tech DT to be drafted with all those DE/DT's sitting around. The only need is @ NT. If Quinn is not healthy then Snead has big big need of a pass rushing specialist more than any NT. There we will agree 100% on.

 

[RamBill]

Breaking down Eugene Sims' new deal with Rams
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/27636/breaking-down-eugene-sims-new-deal-with-rams

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The Los Angeles Rams struck a deal with defensive end Eugene Sims over the weekend, bringing him back for a third contract with the team.

Sims' deal is for three years and includes a guarantee of $3.75 million, most of which comes in the first year and essentially means the Rams can move on after one year if they choose.

Here's a year-by-year breakdown of Sims' new contract with all numbers courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information:

2016
Base salary: $2.25 million (guaranteed)
Roster bonus: $750,000 (fully guaranteed, paid out on Tuesday)
Cap charge: $3 million
Cash: $3 million
Notes: Can earn up to $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives based on sacks, playing time and postseason achievements.

2017
Base salary: $2.75 million ($750,000 guaranteed for injury only at time of signing, total becomes fully guaranteed on fifth day of 2017 league year)
Roster bonus: $500,000 (to be paid on fifth day of 2017 league year)
Cap charge: $3.25 million
Cash: $3.25 million
Notes: Can earn up to $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives based on sacks, playing time and postseason achievements.

2018
Base salary: $3.25 million
Roster bonus: $500,000 (to be paid on fifth day of 2018 league year)
Cap charge: $3.75 million
Cash: $3.75 million
Notes: Can earn up to $750,000 in not likely to be earned incentives based on sacks, playing time and postseason achievements.