20 Random Thoughts: Season Finale

[AvengerRam]

Thanks to all who have tuned and commented on my weekly data dumps. I'll chime in from time to time with a list during the offseason, but this will be my last list for the 2020 campaign.

1. Disappointed.

2. It was surprising to see the defense fail us in the end, but I think it was pretty much a perfect storm: Donald not 100%, No. 1 Packers offense played well, perhaps a bit of road fatigue.

3. I think its important not to overreact to this game, though. The defense brought us to second round of the playoffs. It needs to be maintained, not revamped.

4. Of course, that's not as easy as it may seem. Brandon Staley's departure creates a void. For the sake of continuity, I'd probably look to a guy like Aubrey Pleasant. If we look elsewhere, I think Matt Patricia (who was a bad HC, but an excellent DC) is an option.

5. From a personnel standpoint, there are four key FAs. Darious Williams, who is restricted, is a no-brainer and should be retained. Troy Hill, though he had a good season, is expendable/replaceable. That leaves the two big ones: Leonard Floyd and John Johnson. I've flipped back and forth as to which one I'd prioritize. Right now, I'd give a slight edge to Floyd, though Johnson would probably be cheaper.

6. Shame to see Aaron Donald so limited. He'll be back, though... with a vengeance.

7. Jared Goff's playoff numbers: 46 attempts, 30 completions, 329 yards, 2 TDs, 0 Ints, 100.7 passer rating. Say what you want about his up and down, extremely inconsistent season... but those are good numbers.

8. I think the whole Sean McVay creating doubt in the QB situation ("right." vs. "right now") thing is overblown.

9. That said, I'll state for the record that a trade, though HIGHLY UNLIKELY, is not impossible. If Deshaun Watson, for whatever reason, were to decide (and, with a "not trade" clause, he has the power) that he wants to play for the Rams, I suppose its within the realm of possibility. If the Rams have to bid for him against other teams, though, they will likely not come out the winner. And, yes... I'd consider Watson an upgrade, in case that's not obvious.

10. Another possibility is that the Rams could use one of their 3rd round picks (they will likely have 4) to draft a QB who, unlike the over-hyped John Wolford, could actually compete with Goff should he falter again.

11. The most likely scenario, however, is that Goff will be affirmed as the Rams' starter, and the Rams will get him help. With a more stout OL (particularly on the inside) and further development of Cam Akers as the lead back, he can be successful. I know that isn't going to satisfy some, but that's our reality.

12. Lamar Jackson is 30-7 with a 102.6 rating in the regular season over the last three years, but 1-3 with a 68.3 rating in the playoffs. I wonder if Ravens fans talk about him the way some Rams fans talk about Goff...

13. I really hope that we can get another year out of Andrew Whitworth. With him and Havenstein back, the Rams can focus on the interior of the OL, starting at center. Austin Blythe, who is a UFA, is a guy I want to replace. If Josh Myers (Ohio State) Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma) or Landon Dickerson (Alabama) is available (a trade up could be necessary), I'd love to see a plug-and-play rookie take over that spot.

14. Josh Reynolds is a luxury we won't be able to afford. Van Jefferson looks like he can fill that role.

15. In the end, the analysis of why the season ended when it did goes like this: we were not the best team in the NFL. Can we ascend to that level? I think we can, but it will take some strong personnel decisions and a bit of luck (isn't that true for most, if not all, teams aspiring to reach the top?).

16. If you told me in September that COVID would not cancel or even postpone any of the Rams games, that they'd go 10-6, make the playoffs, and win a playoff game, I would have said "THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, I WANT TO WIN IT ALL!!!!!"

17. That said, all things considered, I'd say this was a good season.

18. Here's to a 2021 campaign entered into with hope and promise.

19. Here's to finally seeing SoFi filled to capacity.

20. Here's to us, the long-suffering, often teased by success, uniform/logo debating, multi-city, passionate, loyal and proud fans of the Los Angeles Rams!

 

[Flatlyner]

Always a great read bro. I wonder what could have been had Donald not had that midget land on his ribs. It also makes me think that we have very little talent on the D Line outside of Donald, we could not get NEAR Rodgers in that game. I think Floyd and the rest of the OLB's need Donalds' presence to draw blockers away from them to be effective. When they don't have it, they cannot produce. Would be nice to get a stand alone effective edge rusher at some point. We have been trying for years.

I'm definitely not thrilled to hand Floyd a contract and I don't think we will, or even have the cap to do so. Would love to retain JJ, but, honestly, at what cost? We did just draft 2 safeties and already had Rapp (though he is certainly injury prone). I think that was setting us up to not resign JJ.

 

[Loyal]

I heard it argued on the 11 Personnel podcast that the Rams will start the 2021 offseaswon being 20 million in the hole, due to salary cap reduction and we have no 1st round pick.Jared Goff is our QB for better or worse. However, McVay is not happy with him. When given a 2nd chance to affirm that Goff is our franchise QB, he didn't do it. He was purposefully vague by saying such coach speak that there will be competition at every position, including at QB. Really, coach? AD and Ramsey are in danger of losing their starting positions? Cam Akers is in danger of being dum;ped for a UDFA?

The realistic option is getting a stud center or OG in the draft. When Jared steps into the pocket he can't be the next David Carr...or Marc Bulger in later years.

 

[AvengerRam]

If the cap is set at $175M, the Rams would be one of 10 teams that would be at least $10M over, including fellow playoff teams KC ($18.7M), Green Bay ($25M), Pittsburgh ($25M) and New Orleans (nearly $100M).

I have to believe the league will make some accommodations to allow teams to spread their commitments out over time, rather than forcing fire sales.

 

[FaulkSF]

FWIW, I believe McVay said right now in order to create a competition and to motivate him. He certainly played better in the playoffs than in the regular season.

With that said I expected us to win one playoff game and fall short to the Saints or another hungry playoff team.

 

[Varg6]

Apparently, according to Steve Wyche, McVay + Goff relationship is "not great and needs marriage counseling." WONDERFUL.

 

[FaulkSF]

Apparently, according to Steve Wyche, McVay + Goff relationship is "not great and needs marriage counseling." WONDERFUL.

This reminds me of the Shaq Kobe relationship. The media blew it up to be bigger than what it was. In reality, Shaq was let go due to continually not showing up in great shape and postponing surgeries until late in the summer.

McVay figured he lit a fire under Goff's ass too late in the season by starting the Wolf. He just wants to keep the pilot on and encourage Goff to improve during the off-season.

 

[dang]

Sorry but QBs are by default team leaders. You either show leadership by results or by your actions. Goff is not a rah rah leader and doesn’t show the fire that other NFL QBs show. That leaves results and by all accounts in the Miami, NY Jets and both of the SF games his results were poor (putting it mildly) and greatly contributed to the Rams being inconsistent and unfortunately defeated. Goff is talented and successful but if he wants to take the next step he needs to improve and show better results. NFL ain’t easy....but if you want stability and respect you constantly have to earn it.

 

[Mackeyser]

I like Goff. Really like him...

That said, the most damning thing said about Goff is that he's a "9 to 5" guy... Even Goff admitted he needed to put more work in.

I'm sure for a monster like McVay who has guys who are monster workers... from AD to Wolford... Goff being a 9 to 5 guy has to frustrate the shit outta him... especially when there are turnovers that might have been avoided with more work put in.

Thing is, I think Goff REALLY hated being benched and is gonna have a bit of an edge to him going forward. Whatever happens, I think that's good.

 

[Varg6]

I agree guys. I think McVay is lighting a fire under his ass. Maybe that’s what he needed. I’m truly hoping this is what needed to happen for Goff to take the next step. Still a young talented dude. Now, let’s invest in the OL, let’s get a stud TE who can consistently block well, and let’s see what Goff can do. Either way, I’m hoping we position ourselves well in the future for whoever is under center. Hope it’s Goff, because I was impressed by his playoff games. Simply put, he needs to have that killer instinct every game.

 

[dang]

No one I know with a 9 to 5 work ethic excels at their job. It allows for life balance, hobbies and maybe ultimately better health. But none of those things are traits of successful players in the competitive NFL environment. I really like Goff but if he is a 9 to 5 NFL QB it’s time he makes a decision on overtime.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would like to see the list of 3rd round QBs currently starting or backing up starting QBs in the league.
Finding a good backup one is better served doing what the Rams have done.....find a competitive guy with a slightly different skill set than the starter.
Either way a draft pick is not going to compete with Goff’s salary.
The Rams again face an off-season with holes to fill and limited resources to get it done.
I agree, all things considered this was a good season.

 

[RamsSince1969]

20. Here's to us, the long-suffering, often teased by success, uniform/logo debating, multi-city, passionate, loyal and proud fans of the Los Angeles Rams!

I mean this sincerely, of all my years on ROD, this is my favorite sentence ever written. Thank you!

 

[GoodBadUgly]

No one I know with a 9 to 5 work ethic excels at their job. It allows for life balance, hobbies and maybe ultimately better health. But none of those things are traits of successful players in the competitive NFL environment. I really like Goff but if he is a 9 to 5 NFL QB it’s time he makes a decision on overtime.

This is borderline off-topic, but I disagree with this mentality. I have a software developer background and have seen the downside of the workaholic ways, especially when one is forced to conform (as it seems Goff would). My best teams were barely above 9-5, all of them LOVED programming, and we delivered far more consistently than those teams who rarely "left the building". I have countless stories of classic errors made only because it was after 20+ hours straight at the office...

For Goff, it seems more about talent (ability to truly understand the playbook, speed of making it through progressions, etc) than how much time he spends at the facility. Besides the night before a game (a boxing rule), there is also a benefit to having energy to spend on his hottie honey.

 

[Malibu]

Y

I agree guys. I think McVay is lighting a fire under his ass. Maybe that’s what he needed. I’m truly hoping this is what needed to happen for Goff to take the next step. Still a young talented dude. Now, let’s invest in the OL, let’s get a stud TE who can consistently block well, and let’s see what Goff can do. Either way, I’m hoping we position ourselves well in the future for whoever is under center. Hope it’s Goff, because I was impressed by his playoff games. Simply put, he needs to have that killer instinct every game.

Goff performed well enough in 17 & 18 seasons to not need a fire lit under his ass. The truth is the team needs a couple upgrades on the line and a speedy receiver and we will be fine or at least better.

Great QBs don't make it to the Superbowl year in year out GREAT TEAMS do that is why neither Brees nor Rodgers has made it in 10 years. It is a team sport. Are they bad QBs that have regressed no there is a reason why teams don't get there.

I don't know how hard Goff works or if he is a football junkie grinder type and I doubt anyone knows except for McVay.

 

[Mackeyser]

This is borderline off-topic, but I disagree with this mentality. I have a software developer background and have seen the downside of the workaholic ways, especially when one is forced to conform (as it seems Goff would). My best teams were barely above 9-5, all of them LOVED programming, and we delivered far more consistently than those teams who rarely "left the building". I have countless stories of classic errors made only because it was after 20+ hours straight at the office...

For Goff, it seems more about talent (ability to truly understand the playbook, speed of making it through progressions, etc) than how much time he spends at the facility. Besides the night before a game (a boxing rule), there is also a benefit to having energy to spend on his hottie honey.

The difference is that crunch is software dev can become an every day thing with bad management.

The NFL isn't an all year effort. The crunch in the NFL really is only 4 months and I don't think anyone is suggesting that Goff sleep on the film room floor.

However, in today's NFL especially at the QB position, the difference between success and failure can be a matter of millimeters or milliseconds.

So, while I don't think anyone is asking Goff to be a 20 hour/day cruncher, I do think it's pretty obvious that the 9 to 5 deal isn't nearly enough effort to be elite and win championships.

What's crazy is that Goff is talented enough just putting in the 9-5 to be a legit NFL starter. His problem is that his HC is McVay and that won't EVER be enough for him unless Goff's perfect on the field... which is about impossible.

 

[tempests]

I like Goff. Really like him...

That said, the most damning thing said about Goff is that he's a "9 to 5" guy... Even Goff admitted he needed to put more work in.

I haven't heard that before..I don't think the Rams make such a financial commitment if that were true.

This article is a few years old, but still says something about him.

https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33793/rams-qb-jared-goff-is-putting-in-the-work

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams' weight room is located on the east end of their facility and opens up to their two practice fields on the Cal Lutheran University campus. Jared Goff stood there for most of Friday morning, stationed beneath a blue overhang while watching 51 rookies -- some drafted, some undrafted, some merely taking up space -- navigate through a practice of little importance to a franchise quarterback.Goff, coming off a catastrophic rookie season, has been exceedingly present this spring. Every weekday since the start of the team's offseason program April 10, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick has been at Rams headquarters, studying film, learning verbiage, slinging footballs and familiarizing himself with teammates, even the rookies who won't make it past this weekend.

"He wants to be great," new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said Friday, the start of the Rams' two-day rookie minicamp. "He’s doing everything that we’ve asked him to do, and then some. He’s working hard every day. I think he’s getting better every day."Goff struggled mightily in the seven games he played last season, all of them losses. He completed 54.6 percent of his passes, averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, threw five touchdowns to seven interceptions and finished it all with a 22.2 Total QBR, the NFL's second-worst mark from Weeks 11 to 17.NFL rules didn't allow Goff to communicate with the new staff for the first three months of the ensuing offseason, so with the blessing of LaFleur and rookie head coach Sean McVay, he worked with noted quarterback guru Tom House in Los Angeles. And over the past five weeks, he has immersed himself into the Rams, more visible and available than any other returning player."He’s coming in early and staying late," LaFleur said. "He’s really grasped the offense surprisingly fast, especially for a new guy. When you get a new guy in an offense, there is a transition period with that, but he’s doing a nice job of picking it up at a surprisingly quick pace."

LaFleur, 37, was the quarterbacks coach when Robert Griffin III was Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Redskins in 2012 and when Matt Ryan was the MVP with the Falcons in 2016. He traveled west and found Goff to be particularly eager. LaFleur called him "a sponge" and said it has been "a joy to work with him thus far."

Rookie slot receiver Cooper Kupp, a third-round pick out of Eastern Washington, said he's seen Goff everywhere.
"I worked out with him during this draft process, and it was very clear the tenacity he has and the desire he has to win," Kupp, who shares an agent with Goff, said Friday. "That’s going to show. It just so happens that there’s people here to see it, but that’s something that’s going to be going on when there’s no cameras here. These are off days, and he’s going to be at the facility.Goff will be 22 for another five months. He's still one of the youngest players in the league, but he is being groomed to be the face of this franchise. And now, unlike last year, his starting job is solidified from the onset.

LaFleur sees Goff "really trying to take that step and be the leader we need him to be."

"I think that encourages those guys that are coming in," LaFleur said. "I love it that he’s around. I don’t think, if you go around the league, you’re going to find too many teams where the starting quarterback is sitting there watching these rookies in their rookie minicamp. I know he’s excited about some of the pieces we’ve added."

 

[UKram]

This is borderline off-topic, but I disagree with this mentality. I have a software developer background and have seen the downside of the workaholic ways, especially when one is forced to conform (as it seems Goff would). My best teams were barely above 9-5, all of them LOVED programming, and we delivered far more consistently than those teams who rarely "left the building". I have countless stories of classic errors made only because it was after 20+ hours straight at the office...

For Goff, it seems more about talent (ability to truly understand the playbook, speed of making it through progressions, etc) than how much time he spends at the facility. Besides the night before a game (a boxing rule), there is also a benefit to having energy to spend on his hottie honey.

One of my ex bosses asked me once at a review meeting

“why do you work 9-5 while you colleagues are here putting in extra hours “
My reply
“All my work is done while I’m here in those hours while the other are outside smoking every 15-20 minutes and you can’t refute that because we both know I have the highest sales figures in the sales team “

It’s not the hours you do you at work. It the work you do in the hours youre there

And yea I get it’s different with nfl players with tape to watch and stuff

 

[Mackeyser]

I haven't heard that before..I don't think the Rams make such a financial commitment if that were true.

This article is a few years old, but still says something about him.

https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/33793/rams-qb-jared-goff-is-putting-in-the-work

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams' weight room is located on the east end of their facility and opens up to their two practice fields on the Cal Lutheran University campus. Jared Goff stood there for most of Friday morning, stationed beneath a blue overhang while watching 51 rookies -- some drafted, some undrafted, some merely taking up space -- navigate through a practice of little importance to a franchise quarterback.Goff, coming off a catastrophic rookie season, has been exceedingly present this spring. Every weekday since the start of the team's offseason program April 10, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick has been at Rams headquarters, studying film, learning verbiage, slinging footballs and familiarizing himself with teammates, even the rookies who won't make it past this weekend.

"He wants to be great," new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said Friday, the start of the Rams' two-day rookie minicamp. "He’s doing everything that we’ve asked him to do, and then some. He’s working hard every day. I think he’s getting better every day."Goff struggled mightily in the seven games he played last season, all of them losses. He completed 54.6 percent of his passes, averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, threw five touchdowns to seven interceptions and finished it all with a 22.2 Total QBR, the NFL's second-worst mark from Weeks 11 to 17.NFL rules didn't allow Goff to communicate with the new staff for the first three months of the ensuing offseason, so with the blessing of LaFleur and rookie head coach Sean McVay, he worked with noted quarterback guru Tom House in Los Angeles. And over the past five weeks, he has immersed himself into the Rams, more visible and available than any other returning player."He’s coming in early and staying late," LaFleur said. "He’s really grasped the offense surprisingly fast, especially for a new guy. When you get a new guy in an offense, there is a transition period with that, but he’s doing a nice job of picking it up at a surprisingly quick pace."

LaFleur, 37, was the quarterbacks coach when Robert Griffin III was Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Redskins in 2012 and when Matt Ryan was the MVP with the Falcons in 2016. He traveled west and found Goff to be particularly eager. LaFleur called him "a sponge" and said it has been "a joy to work with him thus far."

Rookie slot receiver Cooper Kupp, a third-round pick out of Eastern Washington, said he's seen Goff everywhere.
"I worked out with him during this draft process, and it was very clear the tenacity he has and the desire he has to win," Kupp, who shares an agent with Goff, said Friday. "That’s going to show. It just so happens that there’s people here to see it, but that’s something that’s going to be going on when there’s no cameras here. These are off days, and he’s going to be at the facility.Goff will be 22 for another five months. He's still one of the youngest players in the league, but he is being groomed to be the face of this franchise. And now, unlike last year, his starting job is solidified from the onset.

LaFleur sees Goff "really trying to take that step and be the leader we need him to be."

"I think that encourages those guys that are coming in," LaFleur said. "I love it that he’s around. I don’t think, if you go around the league, you’re going to find too many teams where the starting quarterback is sitting there watching these rookies in their rookie minicamp. I know he’s excited about some of the pieces we’ve added."

I think the quote had to do with current habits... post Super Bowl, post 2nd contract with hot girlfriend. As in, he WAS more of a workoholic... now, he's more of a 9 to 5er.

The fact that Wolford was always the go to guy for throwing some extra passes after practice? I can see not wanting to get worn out, but not ever? I dunno.

I don't doubt he wanted to be great. Does he still want to be great? I think his competitive juices really kicked in when he was sat after his surgery.

Is that enough for McVay? I have no idea.

 

[CGI_Ram]

These guys get some time off, but on work days... you work. Physical, mental... lifting, stretching, tub work, playbook, working with teammates...the hardest working of NFL players will fill every minute of work days into the night.

If you play in this league, I bet you can see the difference in entrenchment between players.

They got an off-season to recharge.