- Joined
- May 9, 2018
- Messages
- 5,374
1. And… we’re back!
2. While I have a lot to unpack, I’m going to try not to be a Captain Obvious here. You all know that the Rams are thin at OT and CB, and that we’re relying on several young players to make a mark. You don’t need me to tell you that.
3. Instead, I’m going to tell you what my gut says because, perhaps… others might feel the same way (or entirely differently – that would be interesting too).
4. Last year at this time, I was playing the role of the eternal optimist. I predicted a 10 win season and a playoff birth, notwithstanding the collapse of 2022.
5. Does that make me a prophet? Hardly. I just looked at the roster, assessed a reasonable range of outcomes, and predicted the high end. That’s what optimists do.
6. Using the same thought process this year, I am going to predict 12 regular season wins and at least one playoff win. If the Rams can keep the key guys healthy into the postseason, I see no reason why we can’t contend.
7. There are three factors that guide my prognostication. The first is Matthew Stafford. He is healthier today than he was 12 months ago. If healthy, he is the starting QB in the NFC who I trust the most to win games that are decided based on how well the QB plays, particularly in crunch time.
8. The second factor is the depth of our “skill position corps.” Cooper Kupp’s return to health, coupled with the additions of Blake Corum, Boston Scott and Colby Parkinson will allow Sean McVay to do the two things that make his offense work: (a) run the ball, and (b) keep defenses guessing, confused and off balance.
9. The third factor is an OL that could be the best we’ve had in a while. Certainly, the interior looks like it has elite potential. No substitute for a bunch of maulers up front.
10. You’ll notice that I didn’t list the defense. That’s not because I believe our defense will be a liability. Rather, it’s a matter of too much unknown. That said, if Tre White stays healthy, and top picks Jared Verse and Braden Fiske develop as quickly as Byron Young and Kobe Turner did last year, our defense is going to surprise a lot of people.
11. As a footnote to my formula for optimism, I also have hope for the special teams. If Joshua Karty is as good as I think he is, his addition alone could be worth one extra win.
12. I love the pressure cooker that the 49ers have found themselves in. In 2025, they will have 8 current starters to re-sign, not to mention Brock Purdy who will be entering his final year and looking to be paid. If they don’t win it all this year, their current group will go down as one that truly failed to realize its potential. The thought of that just makes me smile.
13. Speaking of signing QBs… crazy numbers for some good, not great, signal callers.
14. If the Rams play their cards right, it will be 6-7 years (2 more years of Stafford, 5 years of a successor on a rookie deal) before they’ll have to face the prospect of paying elite young QB rates.
15. Of course, by then, the going rate may be $100M per year.
16. I continue to have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Love that football is back and the glimpses of future stars. Hate worrying about injuries and the over-the-top critiques (and fawning) from random observers.
17. From a guy who’s posted thousands of comments on multiple Rams sites, I wanted to give a shout out to the Admin and Mods here at ROD. I can honestly say that this site is the best combination of participation, appropriate moderation, and quality content of any I’ve been on. Kudos.
18. And I know @Loyal is probably loading a well-deserved blue-fonted snark-torpedo to fire at the preceding display of obsequiousness, but that too is one of the great things about this site!
19. I’m feeling pretty content right now. I have the only thing I really need at this time of year: rational hope for unbounded success.
20. Looking forward to the ride!
2. While I have a lot to unpack, I’m going to try not to be a Captain Obvious here. You all know that the Rams are thin at OT and CB, and that we’re relying on several young players to make a mark. You don’t need me to tell you that.
3. Instead, I’m going to tell you what my gut says because, perhaps… others might feel the same way (or entirely differently – that would be interesting too).
4. Last year at this time, I was playing the role of the eternal optimist. I predicted a 10 win season and a playoff birth, notwithstanding the collapse of 2022.
5. Does that make me a prophet? Hardly. I just looked at the roster, assessed a reasonable range of outcomes, and predicted the high end. That’s what optimists do.
6. Using the same thought process this year, I am going to predict 12 regular season wins and at least one playoff win. If the Rams can keep the key guys healthy into the postseason, I see no reason why we can’t contend.
7. There are three factors that guide my prognostication. The first is Matthew Stafford. He is healthier today than he was 12 months ago. If healthy, he is the starting QB in the NFC who I trust the most to win games that are decided based on how well the QB plays, particularly in crunch time.
8. The second factor is the depth of our “skill position corps.” Cooper Kupp’s return to health, coupled with the additions of Blake Corum, Boston Scott and Colby Parkinson will allow Sean McVay to do the two things that make his offense work: (a) run the ball, and (b) keep defenses guessing, confused and off balance.
9. The third factor is an OL that could be the best we’ve had in a while. Certainly, the interior looks like it has elite potential. No substitute for a bunch of maulers up front.
10. You’ll notice that I didn’t list the defense. That’s not because I believe our defense will be a liability. Rather, it’s a matter of too much unknown. That said, if Tre White stays healthy, and top picks Jared Verse and Braden Fiske develop as quickly as Byron Young and Kobe Turner did last year, our defense is going to surprise a lot of people.
11. As a footnote to my formula for optimism, I also have hope for the special teams. If Joshua Karty is as good as I think he is, his addition alone could be worth one extra win.
12. I love the pressure cooker that the 49ers have found themselves in. In 2025, they will have 8 current starters to re-sign, not to mention Brock Purdy who will be entering his final year and looking to be paid. If they don’t win it all this year, their current group will go down as one that truly failed to realize its potential. The thought of that just makes me smile.
13. Speaking of signing QBs… crazy numbers for some good, not great, signal callers.
14. If the Rams play their cards right, it will be 6-7 years (2 more years of Stafford, 5 years of a successor on a rookie deal) before they’ll have to face the prospect of paying elite young QB rates.
15. Of course, by then, the going rate may be $100M per year.
16. I continue to have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Love that football is back and the glimpses of future stars. Hate worrying about injuries and the over-the-top critiques (and fawning) from random observers.
17. From a guy who’s posted thousands of comments on multiple Rams sites, I wanted to give a shout out to the Admin and Mods here at ROD. I can honestly say that this site is the best combination of participation, appropriate moderation, and quality content of any I’ve been on. Kudos.
18. And I know @Loyal is probably loading a well-deserved blue-fonted snark-torpedo to fire at the preceding display of obsequiousness, but that too is one of the great things about this site!
19. I’m feeling pretty content right now. I have the only thing I really need at this time of year: rational hope for unbounded success.
20. Looking forward to the ride!
