NFL.Com says Rams could be a Cinderella Story.... But not likely.

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Orchid

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A reasonable assessment of the Ram's prospects. The only thing missing is comments about how pivotal the injury recovers for Quinn and EJ. Personally, I believe we and most people are massively underestimating the loss of R McLeod.
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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-cinderella-candidates-rams-focused-on-future

2016 Cinderella candidates: Rams focused on future

  • By Conor Orr
  • Around The NFL Writer

We peg potential Cinderella candidates based on the progress they've made during the offseason, knowing full well that offseason champions rarely captivate us in January and February. But some teams are being built the right way, which is why we'll break down the five trendiest Cinderella candidates out there for the 2016 season and determine if they're worth looking out for.

Los Angeles Rams

2015 record: 7-9

2016 projected record: 5-11

Why we believe

There's always a wave of optimism surrounding rookie quarterbacks. The Rams cemented fan expectation by mortgaging their future to move up to the No. 1 spot in the NFL draft to take Jared Goff, and they'll likely start him opening night. This could be a great thing. Ben Roethlisberger went 13-0 as a rookie starter and Andrew Luck went 11-5. It seems, however, the Rams do not have the caliber of supporting cast Roethlisberger and Luck had despite fielding a potential superstar running back and perhaps the NFL's second-best defensive player. General manager Les Snead will disagree with me, and he made the move specifically because they believe Goff is the player who puts them over the edge. When NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah asked five NFL bigwigs to compare Goff to an NFL passer, all five of them said Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan went 11-5 as a rookie, but did so while throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Could Goff lead the Rams to 10 wins with just 16 touchdowns and 11 picks, or will they have to wait a year or two for him to develop into a truly game-changing quarterback?

Why we still have questions

Jeff Fisher hasn't had a winning season since 2008 and hasn't posted a .500 season since 2009. As a head coach, he's drafted and developed some fantastic players and is -- by all accounts -- a well-liked individual in the facility. Still, one can forgive us for being skeptical about his leadership. Patience often pays off in the NFL, but Fisher is already a coach with decades of experience. Is this a team finally ready to take a step forward? Some encouraging signs: Mike Groh was brought in to help revamp the passing game and the team is attempting another offensive shakeup. Groh comes from a solid coaching background and spent time with new Dolphins coach Adam Gase in Chicago, but will he have enough of a voice to truly bring the Rams' offense out of the mud?

What we need to know

1. Can Todd Gurley replicate his rookie season? Gurley had an absolutely fantastic season and, in Odell Beckham fashion, did so after missing the first few games. There were stretches of complete dominance and, if medical science is to be believed, he'll only be healthier and stronger this year. If Goff can toe the Dalton Scale line and play slightly above replacement level, we might be looking at a DeMarco Murray-type campaign from Gurley.

2. Tavon Austin had by far his best NFL season last year, and it left us wanting more. Austin was targeted 87 times (52 catches) and was handed the ball another 52 times. That was great! What took so long? For many people the DeAndre Hopkins season in 2015 blew the lid off the argument that it is hard to get your singular playmaker the ball with a replacement-level quarterback. And maybe Austin is nowhere near Hopkins in terms of pure receiver talent. However, he can impact the game in a similar way and needs to be treated as such.

3. What will happen at tight end? The best gift for a rookie quarterback is a dependable option at tight end. The Rams selected two in the draft -- Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway -- which puts a lot of pressure on Lance Kendricks to step up and have his best season yet.

4. Is this the year of Greg Robinson? No one is rooting for the former first-round pick harder than me. During an offensive line re-draft project I did a year ago, his raw power and size jumped straight off the film. That has yet to fully project at the NFL level and many are still waiting for Robinson to emerge as a true franchise left tackle. I'm sure I speak for Goff in saying that this would be a decent year to start.

5. Will the Rams get lucky? We gave Jacksonville the benefit of the doubt with its low-cost Bjoern Werner signing and should do the same for the Rams. Functionally, former first-round picks like Quinton Coples and Dominique Easley could fit well into this high-pressure defense and any production they get out of them should be considered a win.

6. Did they make the right call on defense? The Rams let Janoris Jenkins go and are riding with the platoon of Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines and Coty Sensabaugh. It was too expensive to lock down both franchise corners, so is the bet that the Rams' pass rush will help overcome potential coverage issues? Or do they know something about the talent on their roster that we don't (always a very, very real possibility).
 
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LACHAMP46

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nice post.
Yeah, the season hinges on the O-Line play...and the weapons around Goff. And I like the weapons....

Can the season start already?
 

DaveFan'51

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do they know something about the talent on their roster that we don't (always a very, very real possibility).
I think the answer to this question is "YES!!!":snicker::popcorn::shades:
 

Legatron4

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Well, if we really go 5-11 then our entire team needs to be blown up along with the front office. At that point the only players you keep are Goff, Gurley, Austin, Quinn, Donald and Hekker. Then you fire Snisher and basically get a whole new team.

Talent wise, we are not in the lower echoleon of the league. So I just don't understand when a writer predicts us to go 5-11 or 4-12. From a logical standpoint, it just doesn't add up. We haven't lost more then 6 with below average QB play with zero talent on offense.

At the end of the day, it's a make or break year for Fisher and Snead. If they don't win, they're most likely gone.
 

lockdnram21

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Well, if we really go 5-11 then our entire team needs to be blown up along with the front office. At that point the only players you keep are Goff, Gurley, Austin, Quinn, Donald and Hekker. Then you fire Snisher and basically get a whole new team.

Talent wise, we are not in the lower echoleon of the league. So I just don't understand when a writer predicts us to go 5-11 or 4-12. From a logical standpoint, it just doesn't add up. We haven't lost more then 6 with below average QB play with zero talent on offense.

At the end of the day, it's a make or break year for Fisher and Snead. If they don't win, they're most likely gone.
We lost 4 starters on defense, have a rookie qb, no proven wr. 5-11 seems about right. Wish we could put protections on picks like the nba
 

den-the-coach

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We lost 4 starters on defense, have a rookie qb, no proven wr. 5-11 seems about right. Wish we could put protections on picks like the nba
I don't consider losing James Laurinaitis and Chris Long major losses, in fact, Hayes played more than Long last season so IMO, Purple Hayes was the starter.

The WR's with the additions of Cooper and Thomas has more depth in a very long time and new WR Coach Mike Groh is a major upgrade over Ray Sherman. Granted there are questions marks, but IMO, the team is better than last year so pardon me for feeling the future is a bright as the Southern California Sun.
12930833_1780701062163268_1662565626_n.jpg
 

Roman Snow

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We lost 4 starters on defense, have a rookie qb, no proven wr. 5-11 seems about right. Wish we could put protections on picks like the nba
This doesn't sound like sober realism, but the repeated generalities of the fly-over media.

Not to reiterate Den's great points but to expand:
  • How do you credibly speak of our "devastating loss of 4 starters" without noting the 4 starters that matter more that we lost.....wait for it....last year, to injury! The Rams played the bulk of the year without Gaines, Ogletree, Quinn, and part of the year, McDonald. In addition to Long not being on the field most of the year. So Long not being on the field last year doesn't register, but not being on the team this year will set us back?!! When he was on the field, he was slooow. Painfully, ineffectively slow along with slow James L. The matador. We will miss Rodney and Janoris, but their replacements may even be a step up.
  • Rookie quarterback. We LOST games because of our quarterback play last year. You know it was atrocious. Look at me! Huh. Huh?:fighting:comeon Lockdn! You know better than to peddle that tripe. Jared will net 3 more wins, easy. Even with a modest rookie learning curve. Gurley. Improved and healthier defense.
  • No proven WR. :palm: This is where I started thinking you signed on as a Niner fan, just to tweak us. I'm not saying all-pro, but Britt and Tavon are proven. Kendricks is proven. And though not proven, you HAVE to be excited about Cooper, Higbee and Thomas, among others.
  • 5-11 seems about right? Wow. We will have 5 wins by Halloween.
:baghead: You
:yess:Me

:neener: Come on man!
 

RhodyRams

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I dont want the Rams to be considered a Cinderella. I want everyone to see em coming up. Then they have no excuse when the Rams smash em in the mouth and stomp all over the league.
 

tavian

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I don't consider losing James Laurinaitis and Chris Long major losses, in fact, Hayes played more than Long last season so IMO, Purple Hayes was the starter.
+1

This doesn't sound like sober realism, but the repeated generalities of the fly-over media.
+1

Matt Ryan went 11-5 as a rookie, but did so while throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Could Goff lead the Rams to 10 wins with just 16 touchdowns and 11 picks
If healthy Goff WILL NOT throw for less than 20td's.He will be closer to 25 than 16.
Mark it down ,write it down. engrave that shit in stone.whatever you gotta do. It's Happening.
 

Merlin

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I'm so tired of everyone knocking the Rams because they've disappointed in the past under Fish. I just don't see 5 wins, that's asinine. Rams are going to win at least 8 games, but hopefully several more than that, because of defense and special teams.

If they can put together an actual good offense they're gonna win the division and contend. If they put just an average or OK offense together they'll finish a couple games over .500 and probably get into the playoffs.

Waiting for this season is the hardest in recent memory man. It's effin killing me.
 

Selassie I

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Vegas has us winning 8 next year... and they have CASH involved.

I'm siding with them.
 

lockdnram21

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This doesn't sound like sober realism, but the repeated generalities of the fly-over media.

Not to reiterate Den's great points but to expand:
  • How do you credibly speak of our "devastating loss of 4 starters" without noting the 4 starters that matter more that we lost.....wait for it....last year, to injury! The Rams played the bulk of the year without Gaines, Ogletree, Quinn, and part of the year, McDonald. In addition to Long not being on the field most of the year. So Long not being on the field last year doesn't register, but not being on the team this year will set us back?!! When he was on the field, he was slooow. Painfully, ineffectively slow along with slow James L. The matador. We will miss Rodney and Janoris, but their replacements may even be a step up.
  • Rookie quarterback. We LOST games because of our quarterback play last year. You know it was atrocious. Look at me! Huh. Huh?:fighting:comeon Lockdn! You know better than to peddle that tripe. Jared will net 3 more wins, easy. Even with a modest rookie learning curve. Gurley. Improved and healthier defense.
  • No proven WR. :palm: This is where I started thinking you signed on as a Niner fan, just to tweak us. I'm not saying all-pro, but Britt and Tavon are proven. Kendricks is proven. And though not proven, you HAVE to be excited about Cooper, Higbee and Thomas, among others.
  • 5-11 seems about right? Wow. We will have 5 wins by Halloween.
:baghead: You
:yess:Me

:neener: Come on man!
We don't have a #1 cb or fs.
Austin isn't a proven wr, hes more of a scat back to me. Britt is mediocre. He caught an occasional deep pass.

Thomas, cooper, and Higbee have potential. But there still young and uproven
 

FrantikRam

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8 seems right.

But this thing won't be blown up yet regardless...we're aiming to compete in 2017.

I've been saying it for months...what do you think the loss of two secondary starters + the move + rookie QB + the most travel miles = ?

Probably not a great season...
 

Limey

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Slightly puzzling article. The result prediction is (to me) too pessimistic at 5-11, yet the actual article comes across as relatively reasonable compared to much of the national media. They are at least prepared to consider that there might be more depth to the roster than they know about, and concede that overpaying to keep all our FAs wasn't a realistic option.
 

Roman Snow

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We don't have a #1 cb or fs.
Austin isn't a proven wr, hes more of a scat back to me. Britt is mediocre. He caught an occasional deep pass.

I've been saying it for months...what do you think the loss of two secondary starters + the move + rookie QB + the most travel miles = ?
All good points. And it's impossible to guess how a season is going to go. It's just where is the balance guys?

Let me hear your passion making the case for the optimistic side of things.

My dad was a Rams fan, and always complaining, or predicting doom. "Way to go Knox! No imagination. Just give 'em the ballgame!" Maybe it made me over-compensate. I can get ticked off too. But man, why be a fan if you can't get pumped up for a game? Or a season?

I can make the case for a step back, too. Oh, the travel. Can Ogletree direct traffic? We lost half our defense!!:shocked:

I'm not saying we win the Super Bowl this year, but to see the exciting and dynamic pruning of the Ram tree, and say, "meh, 5-11..." Man! Love you guys. But I want to smack you! :boxing:

I've mentioned before, but my dad was a Northern Ca. Ram season ticket holder. He passed away 9 days before my <--Avatar pic. He would have been happy that the Rams moved back to LA , but he probably would have responded by saying, "Now let's see if we can actually win some games." :headexplosion:

Miss you dad. But I don't miss the cynicism.
 

DaveFan'51

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I dont want the Rams to be considered a Cinderella. I want everyone to see em coming up. Then they have no excuse when the Rams smash em in the mouth and stomp all over the league.
Just like when the "Fearsome Foursome" where mauling everyone, and when the GSOT where at their peak and No One could stop them!!(y)(y):yess:
 

Rams43

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Here are my thoughts, fwiw...

Goff and Higbee were the last missing pieces on our O.

Yeah, we still lack a #1 WR, but Britt, Austin, Cooper, and Thomas can make enough plays while catching well placed and well timed passes from Goff.

The OL will continue to gel and improve.

Gurley will be a beast this year, probably in the 1500+ yard ballpark.

Here's the thing. The media and pundits are ALWAYS behind the curve in identifying teams that have turned the corner.

For example, remember when the following franchises were league doormats? I mean outright PATSIES.

Patriots
Packers
Niners
Cards
Rams (early 90's)
Cowboys
Falcons
Buccaneers
Redskins
Eagles
Jets
Panthers
Raiders
Chiefs
Chargers
Seahawks
Bengals
Saints
Bears
Vikings

See what I mean? Every team has had it's ups and downs, then ups again.

But after years and years of observing pathetic play by a given franchise, many pundits tend to dismiss them even while the rebuilding is going on right under the pundit's very noses.

I submit that the Rams are such a team that might have just found their last 2 missing pieces in Goff and Higbee for the O.

Not predicting GSOT, of course, but I AM predicting that the Rams are gonna sneak up on a few teams early and surprise more than a few pundits. Probably including LaCanfora. Lol.