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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2496102-winners-and-losers-of-st-louis-rams-offseason-so-far
Winners and Losers of St. Louis Rams' Offseason so Far
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Jun 15, 2015
The NFL operates on an extremely vicious cycle. The offseason process creates numerous winners and losers on an annual basis.
A young rookie prospect will rejoice upon hearing his name called from the NFL draft podium. A veteran free agent will shoot the cameras a shiny press-conference smile after signing a multimillion-dollar deal.
They are the offseason winners.
On the flip side, an aging veteran might watch helplessly from home as his team drafts his replacement. A young long shot might lose his NFL dream upon discovering he's been cut in favor of a high-priced free agent.
Of course, they are the offseason losers.
Every team has its winners and losers, and the Rams are no exception. This article will highlight several of each for St. Louis based on the team's offseason moves.
Winner: Rams Receivers
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
The 2015 season might present a great opportunity for the St. Louis receivers. It could be a chance for the group to finally show what it's made of.
We've seen flashes of talent from Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. Consistency has been an issue, but that's certainly understandable given the last two seasons.
Not that the receivers don't deserve any blame, but it's hard to expect decent production given that Kellen Clemens, Austin Davis and Shaun Hill were the last three quarterbacks to run the offense. Not to mention, the offensive line was practically in shambles last season.
Now that the Rams invested in new franchise quarterback Nick Foles and injected the offensive line with youth, the receivers should finally see some consistency from the supporting cast.
If Foles stays healthy and the line plays reasonably well—for a group with three new starters—the receivers might get a chance to showcase their talents.
Loser: Benny Cunningham
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
First, let me clarify by saying Benny Cunningham will still have a solid role on the St. Louis offense.
Cunningham was third on the team in receptions (45) and fifth in yards (352) last season. He accomplished this despite appearing on just 358 of the offense's 957 plays (37.4 percent).
Compare that to Tavon Austin, who had just 31 catches and 242 yards on 509 plays (53.1 percent). Lance Kendricks had 27 grabs and 259 yards despite being in on 562 plays (58.7 percent).
Foles is apparently capable of utilizing pass-catching backs, as LeSean McCoy racked up 52 catches during the 2013 season (second on the Philadelphia Eagles). That bodes well for Cunningham.
Unfortunately for him, he'll have to continue doing more with less.
He should see a solid number of touches for the first half of the season, but his opportunities will slowly vanish once Todd Gurley returns from injury.
It won't be an immediate decline for Cunningham, but as time goes on, the run game will almost exclusively depend on the tandem of Gurley and Tre Mason.
Winner: Isaiah Pead
Tom Gannam/Associated Press
Isaiah Pead was a second-round in pick in 2012. That's not very long ago, yet it's sometimes difficult to remember he's still on the St. Louis roster. His NFL career has been anything but ideal.
Despite his lofty draft status, Pead has just 17 career carries and 31 offensive touches in two seasons. In other words, he's been completely invisible.
During the 2014 preseason leading up to to Pead's third NFL season, he suffered a knee injury against the Green Bay Packers. He missed the entire 2014 campaign as a result, and the emergence of Mason turned him into an afterthought—if he wasn't that already.
However, there might be a tiny slither of hope remaining.
Zac Stacy is now a member of the New York Jets and second-year back Trey Watts is facing a four-game suspension per NFL.com, which could put his career with the Rams in jeopardy.
There's also no concrete timeline for Gurley's return to action. He could be watching from the sidelines until midseason for all we know, and that thins out the running back position even more—at least for the time being.
The departure of Stacy and the early-season absence of Gurley and Watts will give Pead a golden opportunity to get his foot in the door. He'll have to beat out several undrafted rookies for the No. 3 running back job in Week 1, but that's completely doable.
If that happens, he should see a handful of carries. If he capitalizes on the opportunity, the Rams might find a way to get him more action. At the very least, it would put him on the radar for other NFL teams.
It's a long shot, but it appears Pead will have one more opportunity to build an NFL career.
Loser: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has not been the same since his suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2013.
Dunbar went from averaging over seven tackles per game in 2012 (his debut season with the Rams) to averaging fewer than four tackles per game in his 20 starts in the last two seasons. He also helped the pass rush in 2012 with 4.5 sacks, but he has not sacked a quarterback since.
The Rams will attempt to counter Dunbar's decline with the addition of Akeem Ayers.
At 255 pounds, Ayers has 20 pounds of bulk over Dunbar. Ayers is tougher against the run, a better pass-rusher and a better playmaker. He has three picks in five seasons versus Dunbar's two picks in seven seasons.
Unless Dunbar unexpectedly rekindles his 2012 ferocity, it appears Ayers will be his replacement.
Dunbar will still play a role as a backup and special teams contributor. However, his days as a starter are likely numbered.
Winner: Jeff Fisher
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
Jeff Fisher is one of the clear winners of St. Louis' offseason for several reasons.
For starters, he has finally been given the opportunity to reshape the offense in his image. By adding a top-notch back in Gurley and a collection of young rookie blockers, Fisher now possesses the run game he's been yearning for. It's still in its infant stages, but the seeds have been planted.
Secondly, Fisher has assembled a roster that assures him job security.
The Rams have consistently been among the youngest NFL teams since Fisher's arrival. That was the case in 2014, per NFL.com, and that'll likely continue in 2015 now that the Rams have moved on from veterans such as Jake Long, Scott Wells, Shaun Hill and Davin Joseph.
For three seasons now, youthful errors have been one of the key reasons for St. Louis' inconsistent play. That will continue for another year.
The addition of a fresh quarterback in Foles and a rookie offensive coordinator in Frank Cignetti will also add security to Fisher's future. The burden of a new quarterback and play-caller is a common lifeline for head coaches. Just ask Rex Ryan and Geno Smith.
Not to mention, the relocation rumors and the uncertainty surrounding the franchise will also lend Fisher a bit of leeway.
That's not to say Fisher masterminded some elaborate plot to preserve his employment. In all likelihood, it's a total accident.
But still, this offseason has benefited Fisher. There's a chance he'll live to see 2016 even with another near-.500 season. Accident or not, that's pretty impressive.
Loser: Austin Davis
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
Austin Davis emerged from the sidelines in 2014 and had some impressive moments, even if they didn't last.
He led the Rams to some quality wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Even some of his losses were hard-fought, including a couple of nail-biters against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys (he threw for three touchdowns and over 300 yards in each game).
Unfortunately, his play was erratic and inconsistent. He also had a knack for choking in the fourth quarter with the game on the line.
He has talent and could have some value in the future with some development. Unfortunately, that won't be with the Rams.
Davis is still on the roster, but St. Louis has moved on. The Rams brought in Foles and Case Keenum as the starter and backup. St. Louis even spent a lofty third-round pick on Sean Mannion, essentially ruining any shot Davis had of being the No. 3. Mannion will get the job by default due to his draft status.
It was easy to root for Davis during his run in 2014, but he is likely done with the Rams.
Steven Gerwel is the longest-tenured Rams featured columnist at Bleacher Report and served as the Rams' game-day correspondent in 2014. You can find more of Gerwel's work by visiting his writer profile or following him on Twitter.
Winners and Losers of St. Louis Rams' Offseason so Far
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist Jun 15, 2015
The NFL operates on an extremely vicious cycle. The offseason process creates numerous winners and losers on an annual basis.
A young rookie prospect will rejoice upon hearing his name called from the NFL draft podium. A veteran free agent will shoot the cameras a shiny press-conference smile after signing a multimillion-dollar deal.
They are the offseason winners.
On the flip side, an aging veteran might watch helplessly from home as his team drafts his replacement. A young long shot might lose his NFL dream upon discovering he's been cut in favor of a high-priced free agent.
Of course, they are the offseason losers.
Every team has its winners and losers, and the Rams are no exception. This article will highlight several of each for St. Louis based on the team's offseason moves.
Winner: Rams Receivers
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
The 2015 season might present a great opportunity for the St. Louis receivers. It could be a chance for the group to finally show what it's made of.
We've seen flashes of talent from Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. Consistency has been an issue, but that's certainly understandable given the last two seasons.
Not that the receivers don't deserve any blame, but it's hard to expect decent production given that Kellen Clemens, Austin Davis and Shaun Hill were the last three quarterbacks to run the offense. Not to mention, the offensive line was practically in shambles last season.
Now that the Rams invested in new franchise quarterback Nick Foles and injected the offensive line with youth, the receivers should finally see some consistency from the supporting cast.
If Foles stays healthy and the line plays reasonably well—for a group with three new starters—the receivers might get a chance to showcase their talents.
Loser: Benny Cunningham
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
First, let me clarify by saying Benny Cunningham will still have a solid role on the St. Louis offense.
Cunningham was third on the team in receptions (45) and fifth in yards (352) last season. He accomplished this despite appearing on just 358 of the offense's 957 plays (37.4 percent).
Compare that to Tavon Austin, who had just 31 catches and 242 yards on 509 plays (53.1 percent). Lance Kendricks had 27 grabs and 259 yards despite being in on 562 plays (58.7 percent).
Foles is apparently capable of utilizing pass-catching backs, as LeSean McCoy racked up 52 catches during the 2013 season (second on the Philadelphia Eagles). That bodes well for Cunningham.
Unfortunately for him, he'll have to continue doing more with less.
He should see a solid number of touches for the first half of the season, but his opportunities will slowly vanish once Todd Gurley returns from injury.
It won't be an immediate decline for Cunningham, but as time goes on, the run game will almost exclusively depend on the tandem of Gurley and Tre Mason.
Winner: Isaiah Pead
Tom Gannam/Associated Press
Isaiah Pead was a second-round in pick in 2012. That's not very long ago, yet it's sometimes difficult to remember he's still on the St. Louis roster. His NFL career has been anything but ideal.
Despite his lofty draft status, Pead has just 17 career carries and 31 offensive touches in two seasons. In other words, he's been completely invisible.
During the 2014 preseason leading up to to Pead's third NFL season, he suffered a knee injury against the Green Bay Packers. He missed the entire 2014 campaign as a result, and the emergence of Mason turned him into an afterthought—if he wasn't that already.
However, there might be a tiny slither of hope remaining.
Zac Stacy is now a member of the New York Jets and second-year back Trey Watts is facing a four-game suspension per NFL.com, which could put his career with the Rams in jeopardy.
There's also no concrete timeline for Gurley's return to action. He could be watching from the sidelines until midseason for all we know, and that thins out the running back position even more—at least for the time being.
The departure of Stacy and the early-season absence of Gurley and Watts will give Pead a golden opportunity to get his foot in the door. He'll have to beat out several undrafted rookies for the No. 3 running back job in Week 1, but that's completely doable.
If that happens, he should see a handful of carries. If he capitalizes on the opportunity, the Rams might find a way to get him more action. At the very least, it would put him on the radar for other NFL teams.
It's a long shot, but it appears Pead will have one more opportunity to build an NFL career.
Loser: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has not been the same since his suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2013.
Dunbar went from averaging over seven tackles per game in 2012 (his debut season with the Rams) to averaging fewer than four tackles per game in his 20 starts in the last two seasons. He also helped the pass rush in 2012 with 4.5 sacks, but he has not sacked a quarterback since.
The Rams will attempt to counter Dunbar's decline with the addition of Akeem Ayers.
At 255 pounds, Ayers has 20 pounds of bulk over Dunbar. Ayers is tougher against the run, a better pass-rusher and a better playmaker. He has three picks in five seasons versus Dunbar's two picks in seven seasons.
Unless Dunbar unexpectedly rekindles his 2012 ferocity, it appears Ayers will be his replacement.
Dunbar will still play a role as a backup and special teams contributor. However, his days as a starter are likely numbered.
Winner: Jeff Fisher
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
Jeff Fisher is one of the clear winners of St. Louis' offseason for several reasons.
For starters, he has finally been given the opportunity to reshape the offense in his image. By adding a top-notch back in Gurley and a collection of young rookie blockers, Fisher now possesses the run game he's been yearning for. It's still in its infant stages, but the seeds have been planted.
Secondly, Fisher has assembled a roster that assures him job security.
The Rams have consistently been among the youngest NFL teams since Fisher's arrival. That was the case in 2014, per NFL.com, and that'll likely continue in 2015 now that the Rams have moved on from veterans such as Jake Long, Scott Wells, Shaun Hill and Davin Joseph.
For three seasons now, youthful errors have been one of the key reasons for St. Louis' inconsistent play. That will continue for another year.
The addition of a fresh quarterback in Foles and a rookie offensive coordinator in Frank Cignetti will also add security to Fisher's future. The burden of a new quarterback and play-caller is a common lifeline for head coaches. Just ask Rex Ryan and Geno Smith.
Not to mention, the relocation rumors and the uncertainty surrounding the franchise will also lend Fisher a bit of leeway.
That's not to say Fisher masterminded some elaborate plot to preserve his employment. In all likelihood, it's a total accident.
But still, this offseason has benefited Fisher. There's a chance he'll live to see 2016 even with another near-.500 season. Accident or not, that's pretty impressive.
Loser: Austin Davis
Michael Thomas/Associated Press
Austin Davis emerged from the sidelines in 2014 and had some impressive moments, even if they didn't last.
He led the Rams to some quality wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Even some of his losses were hard-fought, including a couple of nail-biters against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys (he threw for three touchdowns and over 300 yards in each game).
Unfortunately, his play was erratic and inconsistent. He also had a knack for choking in the fourth quarter with the game on the line.
He has talent and could have some value in the future with some development. Unfortunately, that won't be with the Rams.
Davis is still on the roster, but St. Louis has moved on. The Rams brought in Foles and Case Keenum as the starter and backup. St. Louis even spent a lofty third-round pick on Sean Mannion, essentially ruining any shot Davis had of being the No. 3. Mannion will get the job by default due to his draft status.
It was easy to root for Davis during his run in 2014, but he is likely done with the Rams.
Steven Gerwel is the longest-tenured Rams featured columnist at Bleacher Report and served as the Rams' game-day correspondent in 2014. You can find more of Gerwel's work by visiting his writer profile or following him on Twitter.
