OFFICIAL 2023 NFL trades, cuts, free agents, and more

[El Chapo Jr]

Well I didn't accuse you of intentionally lowering the standards. Conditioning lowered the standards. 15-65 is horrible and it could certainly make 31-48-1 appear solid to a hungry fanbase. But it isn't solid. Better yes but not solid. Look at it this way. The difference between the two, 16-17-1 is still under .500 which tells us how we were fooled. Not by any reasonable standard is either solid. Not the 16-17-1 or the 31-48-1.

Oh it was a dumpster fire. It just wasn't the California-type forest fire (in Missouri) of Linehan and Spags.

Thank you. It went from embarrassing to almost mediocre. Mediocre would be 8-8 and that was never achieved once in 5 years. It certainly didn't go from terrible to solid. In no vocabulary is mediocre solid. Solidly mediocre? That fits.

Yes, we obtained Gurley, Donald, Goff (and don't forget Brockers, Havenstein and Higbee) under Fisher. 6 pieces that were a big part of the 2018 run to the Superbowl, so for that, I will always be grateful. I will also be grateful that Goff only had to spend 7 starts under Fisher because any more than that, 12, 14, 16, etc and he might have been ruined beyond repair.

Hahahaha yeah 7-9 is mediocre but on the low side for sure but man did we get out of the sewer cuz we were a laughing stock for a good while. I agree that we were fortunate to not have Fisher coach Goff too long and McVay was almost able to get us a chip with him at QB too. Goff had blossomed a bit more in Detroit so good for him. We were also fortunate that Fisher at least helped with the pieces McVay started with cuz he definitely elevated them that much more. Hopefully McVay can continue on making this team achieve great things.

 

[OldSchool]

So those that have talked about us possibly trading Stafford. The cap hit isn't something we can absorb it's been said over and over and now spotrac has come out with the numbers. Lets put this to rest once and for all maybe?


View: https://twitter.com/spotrac/status/1641136257517473794

 

[Merlin]

Correct but I'm not talking about media idiots.

Mediots. They remind me of the seagulls in Finding Nemo.

So those that have talked about us possibly trading Stafford. The cap hit isn't something we can absorb it's been said over and over and now spotrac has come out with the numbers. Lets put this to rest once and for all maybe?


View: https://twitter.com/spotrac/status/1641136257517473794

In before the "so you're saying there's a chance" meme.

 

[CGI_Ram]

So those that have talked about us possibly trading Stafford. The cap hit isn't something we can absorb it's been said over and over and now spotrac has come out with the numbers. Lets put this to rest once and for all maybe?


View: https://twitter.com/spotrac/status/1641136257517473794

That screams 2 probably 3 more seasons.

That also makes it a year too soon for an early round development QB. Do you really want to lose 3yrs of his rookie deal on the bench? Not to mention this draft we need players that contribute to games right away with the draft picks we have.

Someone like Tune later if we’ve accumulated more picks, makes sense, as it’s a flier anyway.

 

[fanotodd]

Fisher's biggest problem was no QB...Bradford couldn't stay healthy and they couldn't find a replacement. That ultimately lead to teams that could have been 10 win teams in 2013'-15' with just solid QB play.

He also couldn't hire a legit OC, especially after Schottenheimer left. Everyone knew he was on last last legs as the HC so that job was a dead-end role.

I certainly won’t disagree with anything in your post^, but I would add that those Rams teams struggled to land a top flight WR too.

I would go so far as to say trading up and essentially spending two picks on tavon austin set the tone for a disappointing run during the fisher years, especially when you consider how many talented WRs were in that draft:
Hopkins, Woods, Patterson, Allen, to name a few.

I thought the the first year Snead and fisher were together (2012) they did a fantastic job of establishing/building a very good defense to keep the Rams in the game until the offense came around. It never did. The austin trade/pick and no reliable QB killed the fisher regime. He was fired a year too late, but that inevitably lead to hiring McVay, so it all worked out.

Of course, as parting gifts, the fisher tenure left behind Donald, Gurley, and Goff. Ironic, they finally got fisher a QB, but too late.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I am very aware that Goff was Fisher's choice for the top pick in the draft.

Nothing will ever convince me that fisher wanted Goff. He can say what he wants but actions speak louder than words. He single handedly initiated the "Goff is a bust" talk.

He approved all the footage on that shit show that made it their mission to make Goff look like a dumb kid. What the hell was that where does the sun set question. Why ask it? Why approve it? There is only one answer.

Then he sat him the first game of the season. "Goff is a bust" began the next day. It only intensified when the Rams offense found it difficult to make a 1st down in week 1.

For a guy who supposedly hand picked Goff he certainly hung him out to dry to begin his career.

.

 

[OldSchool]

That screams 2 probably 3 more seasons.

That also makes it a year too soon for an early round development QB. Do you really want to lose 3yrs of his rookie deal on the bench? Not to mention this draft we need players that contribute to games right away with the draft picks we have.

Someone like Tune later if we’ve accumulated more picks, makes sense, as it’s a flier anyway.

Yeah 2 more years and retiring when it's a dead even cap hit with dead money in 2025 seems the earliest out unless he retires and pays back bonus money.

 

[PARAM]

That screams 2 probably 3 more seasons.

That also makes it a year too soon for an early round development QB. Do you really want to lose 3yrs of his rookie deal on the bench? Not to mention this draft we need players that contribute to games right away with the draft picks we have.

Someone like Tune later if we’ve accumulated more picks, makes sense, as it’s a flier anyway.

Well it worked for Green Bay. First Rodgers, soon Love. LOL. Yeah, I know waiting 3 years gives you a more learned QB when he starts but even with that GB has 1 Championship in Rodgers tenure.

Whoever we had else we had on the top of our board for those slots that draft year wasn't as good as Bobby Wagner.

Wasn't as good as Bobby Wagner became. Seems, I've been told, there is no such thing as a sure thing. And with the great Bobby Wagner in the middle of their Legion of Boom defense, Seattle won 1 Superbowl. Went to 2 and won 1. Same as the Rams since missing out on Wagner. If we only had Wagner, Bradford, Case Keenum or Austin Davis could have been a SB winning QB? I'm not so sure about that. And that's the name of the game....Superbowls......as evidenced by fans complaining 2023 won't be a SB contending season even if they are competitive.

I give Snead a pass on Greg. The Rams were desperate for an OLT. Greg was a physical freak. The next best OLT threatened to rape a rape victim if she talked.

Fishers problem was that he knew nothing about offense but insisted on having his hands all over it. He was beyond conservative. He turned Bradford into Captain Checkdown. He couldn’t evaluate receivers, put out a terrible Oline, and brought in a lot of bad attitude ‘Me,me’ players. The defense was always good.

Yeah but was it Fisher or Rams scouts? Name the best WR drafted between Torry Holt (99) and Cooper Kupp (2017). Kevin Curtis? He's only slightly better for the Rams than Josh Reynolds or Van Jefferson. 21 WRs in 17 years from Holt to Kupp, 7 in the first 3 rounds. Nada. And neither Reynolds or Jefferson are included in that group.....so maybe it was Fisher?

Curtis (51 G) 136-1714 12 TD 12.6
Reynolds (64 G) 113-1450 9 TD 12.8
Jefferson (44 G) 93-1391 10 TD 15.0

Fisher drafted 9 OL from 2012 to 2015 and just 1 worked out.

As for Montgomery, Lions signed him for 3 years $18m while Jamal Williams got $12m for three years from New Orleans. So that's a measure of market value. The Lions did want Williams back, but Montgomery is younger, better, and more versatile. Of course the Lions also have D'Andre Swift, who has been averaging 900+ combined yards for three years in the league.

As for Akers vs Montgomery, I would like to think Akers could be as good but he hasn't shown it. Akers has 1664 combined yards and 10 tds in three years. Montgomery has 4849 combined yards and 30 tds in four years. (stats below).

As for the Rams would kill to be in Detroit's shoes... I'm not saying the Rams regret trading for Stafford. We got what we bargained for and won the Super Bowl.

The Lions also got what they wanted. The Lions now have a young and talented team with a top 5 offense, led by Goff, and a defense that is likely about to be stacked with talent from free agency and the draft. In fairness, the Lions started a rebuild two earlier than the Rams, and with much higher draft picks. But the result is they are not only already a serious team but have a chance to get a lot better with 5 top 80 picks and salary cap left to spend.

The Rams have a much tougher road at the moment than the Lions, both to build a really first class roster overall (especially the D) and to win their conference. Not saying they can't compete. I hope they can. It's the NFL, winning or losing isn't set in stone. But imo right now the Lions objectively have a much better opportunity to be seriously competitive sooner.


AKERS: Career stats

Year	Team	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
2022	Rams	188	786	4.2	7	13	117	9.0	0
2021	Rams	5	3	0.6	0	3	10	3.3	0
2020	Rams	145	625	4.3	2	11	123	11.2	1
Career		338	1,414	4.2	9	27	250	9.3	1

Montgomery:
Career stats

Year	Team	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
2022	Bears	201	801	4.0	5	34	316	9.3	1
2021	Bears	225	849	3.8	7	42	301	7.2	0
2020	Bears	247	1,070	4.3	8	54	438	8.1	2
2019	Bears	242	889	3.7	6	25	185	7.4	1
Career		915	3,609	3.9	26	155	1,240	8.0

I think the major difference in those 2 are, Montgomery has played 1 more year, actually 2 counting Akers achilles injury. And Montgomery's ypc is under 4 (I can't call that a good RB) while Akers is over 4. But yeah, I expect Montgomery to be more effective with Goff than he was with Fields. Swift and Akers are almost the same in rushing but Swift has played 11 more games. Swift also has much better ypc and receiving production. Which is why some Ram fans are asking for a RB early.

 

[blackbart]

That screams 2 probably 3 more seasons.

That also makes it a year too soon for an early round development QB. Do you really want to lose 3yrs of his rookie deal on the bench? Not to mention this draft we need players that contribute to games right away with the draft picks we have.

Someone like Tune later if we’ve accumulated more picks, makes sense, as it’s a flier anyway.

Agree on the too early idea of a QB and don’t see the talent available where we are to waste draft capital on this year.

I was really hoping we’d get 5 years out of Stafford. Having our next guy behind him for 2 years would be a solid progression if it’s the right guy.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Could the NFL put an entire division in Europe?

Could the NFL put multiple teams in Europe? It's a wild idea -- here are the challenges, and the opportunities, involved.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Merlin]

That screams 2 probably 3 more seasons.

That also makes it a year too soon for an early round development QB. Do you really want to lose 3yrs of his rookie deal on the bench? Not to mention this draft we need players that contribute to games right away with the draft picks we have.

Someone like Tune later if we’ve accumulated more picks, makes sense, as it’s a flier anyway.

Yes and it also screams young QB behind him. On that first contract, saving you the typical $5-10M or whatever backups normally make. Rams taking a QB chances are 100% in this draft just a matter of when.

 

[Karate61]

Nothing will ever convince me that fisher wanted Goff. He can say what he wants but actions speak louder than words. He single handedly initiated the "Goff is a bust" talk.

He approved all the footage on that shit show that made it their mission to make Goff look like a dumb kid. What the hell was that where does the sun set question. Why ask it? Why approve it? There is only one answer.

Then he sat him the first game of the season. "Goff is a bust" began the next day. It only intensified when the Rams offense found it difficult to make a 1st down in week 1.

For a guy who supposedly hand picked Goff he certainly hung him out to dry to begin his career.

.

Well, actually it was Fisher, and started with Fisher's son Brandon that pointed out Goff while watching game film. Here's a link to the full article, and a screenshot from the article:

How Jeff Fisher, L.A. Rams decided on Jared Goff with No. 1 pick

The L.A. Rams' improbable move to the top of the 2016 draft board netted them their QB of the future, Jared Goff. Jeff Fisher and Co. reveal to Michael Silver why the team hitched its wagon to the Cal QB.

www.nfl.com

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Could the NFL put an entire division in Europe?

Could the NFL put multiple teams in Europe? It's a wild idea -- here are the challenges, and the opportunities, involved.

www.yahoo.com

I hope not, they probably have designs for an entire European conference with the Super Boel being the American conference vs the European Conference. Ugh

 

[Riverumbbq]

I hope not

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpbbuaIA3Ds

 

[FarNorth]

Well it worked for Green Bay. First Rodgers, soon Love. LOL. Yeah, I know waiting 3 years gives you a more learned QB when he starts but even with that GB has 1 Championship in Rodgers tenure.

Wasn't as good as Bobby Wagner became. Seems, I've been told, there is no such thing as a sure thing. And with the great Bobby Wagner in the middle of their Legion of Boom defense, Seattle won 1 Superbowl. Went to 2 and won 1. Same as the Rams since missing out on Wagner. If we only had Wagner, Bradford, Case Keenum or Austin Davis could have been a SB winning QB? I'm not so sure about that. And that's the name of the game....Superbowls......as evidenced by fans complaining 2023 won't be a SB contending season even if they are competitive.

Yeah but was it Fisher or Rams scouts? Name the best WR drafted between Torry Holt (99) and Cooper Kupp (2017). Kevin Curtis? He's only slightly better for the Rams than Josh Reynolds or Van Jefferson. 21 WRs in 17 years from Holt to Kupp, 7 in the first 3 rounds. Nada. And neither Reynolds or Jefferson are included in that group.....so maybe it was Fisher?

Curtis (51 G) 136-1714 12 TD 12.6
Reynolds (64 G) 113-1450 9 TD 12.8
Jefferson (44 G) 93-1391 10 TD 15.0

Fisher drafted 9 OL from 2012 to 2015 and just 1 worked out.

I think the major difference in those 2 are, Montgomery has played 1 more year, actually 2 counting Akers achilles injury. And Montgomery's ypc is under 4 (I can't call that a good RB) while Akers is over 4. But yeah, I expect Montgomery to be more effective with Goff than he was with Fields. Swift and Akers are almost the same in rushing but Swift has played 11 more games. Swift also has much better ypc and receiving production. Which is why some Ram fans are asking for a RB early.

To me the Rams missing Wagner is not about what ifs. I'm just still ticked off because it was a totally unforced error, they had the pick to draft him but Snead got too cute with a tradedown. We know it was Snead because Fisher wanted Wagner and was furious when Seattle drafted him instead. Every team and GM makes mistakes in the draft, it's inevitable, but it hurts when you trade down and miss a great defensive player with multiple pro bowl years ahead of him.

Imo the Rams could really use a power runner such as to pair up with Akers, or an effective second RB of any type. Detroit is set with complementary backs Swift and Montgomery (unless they decide to draft Bijan Robinson.)

Nothing will ever convince me that fisher wanted Goff. He can say what he wants but actions speak louder than words. He single handedly initiated the "Goff is a bust" talk.

He approved all the footage on that shit show that made it their mission to make Goff look like a dumb kid. What the hell was that where does the sun set question. Why ask it? Why approve it? There is only one answer.

Then he sat him the first game of the season. "Goff is a bust" began the next day. It only intensified when the Rams offense found it difficult to make a 1st down in week 1.

For a guy who supposedly hand picked Goff he certainly hung him out to dry to begin his career.

.

I think it was sheer incompetence at offense and desperation that caused Fisher unintentionally to hang Goff out to dry. No effective scheme, unpredictable receivers who couldn't be counted on to run correct routes, etc. They were awful. Also pressure just to throw the No.1 pick in there because Rams were losing.

 

[dieterbrock]

Yes and it also screams young QB behind him. On that first contract, saving you the typical $5-10M or whatever backups normally make. Rams taking a QB chances are 100% in this draft just a matter of when.

Exactly!
If Stafford only has 2-3 more seasons in him, that means we'll need a low cost backup with starter potential down the line.
I think without a doubt they take a QB at some point in this draft. Not re-signing the others sort of verifies that IMO

 

[PARAM]

To me the Rams missing Wagner is not about what ifs. I'm just still ticked off because it was a totally unforced error, they had the pick to draft him but Snead got too cute with a tradedown. We know it was Snead because Fisher wanted Wagner and was furious when Seattle drafted him instead. Every team and GM makes mistakes in the draft, it's inevitable, but it hurts when you trade down and miss a great defensive player with multiple pro bowl years ahead of him.

Imo the Rams could really use a power runner such as to pair up with Akers, or an effective second RB of any type. Detroit is set with complementary backs Swift and Montgomery (unless they decide to draft Bijan Robinson.)

I think it was sheer incompetence at offense and desperation that caused Fisher unintentionally to hang Goff out to dry. No effective scheme, unpredictable receivers who couldn't be counted on to run correct routes, etc. They were awful. Also pressure just to throw the No.1 pick in there because Rams were losing.

What is funny about that draft was Seattle traded down 4 slots first with the Jets from #43 to #47, with Wagner on the board and then the Rams traded down two slots later, down 5 slots #45 to #50. So did Seattle know something? Or did somebody they covet come off the board (Alshon Jeffery?) and so then they took Wagner?

 

[blackbart]

I hope not, they probably have designs for an entire European conference with the Super Boel being the American conference vs the European Conference. Ugh

That would push me out of any interest I have now. Definitely could not give a shit about a world league.

Greed, pure and simple.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Nothing will ever convince me that fisher wanted Goff. He can say what he wants but actions speak louder than words. He single handedly initiated the "Goff is a bust" talk.

He approved all the footage on that shit show that made it their mission to make Goff look like a dumb kid. What the hell was that where does the sun set question. Why ask it? Why approve it? There is only one answer.

Then he sat him the first game of the season. "Goff is a bust" began the next day. It only intensified when the Rams offense found it difficult to make a 1st down in week 1.

For a guy who supposedly hand picked Goff he certainly hung him out to dry to begin his career.

.

My reply was going to be the same thing as @FarNorth just said. Fisher didn’t want yo look like the idiot who couldn’t have a good offense with the number 1 pick in the draft. So he let Goff take the fall.

To me the Rams missing Wagner is not about what ifs. I'm just still ticked off because it was a totally unforced error, they had the pick to draft him but Snead got too cute with a tradedown. We know it was Snead because Fisher wanted Wagner and was furious when Seattle drafted him instead. Every team and GM makes mistakes in the draft, it's inevitable, but it hurts when you trade down and miss a great defensive player with multiple pro bowl years ahead of him.

Imo the Rams could really use a power runner such as to pair up with Akers, or an effective second RB of any type. Detroit is set with complementary backs Swift and Montgomery (unless they decide to draft Bijan Robinson.)

I think it was sheer incompetence at offense and desperation that caused Fisher unintentionally to hang Goff out to dry. No effective scheme, unpredictable receivers who couldn't be counted on to run correct routes, etc. They were awful. Also pressure just to throw the No.1 pick in there because Rams were losing.

Yeah, Fisher and his big ego having to control everything took away any chance the Rams had of being good. It’s odd because he trusted his buddy Norm Chow to run the offense in Tennessee. But with the Rams he had his fingerprints all over it.

 

[oldnotdead]

Unbeknownst to the media the Rams did sign a DE off the free agent list. Zach VanValkenburg was an UDFA signed last year by the Raiders. He's got the look of a typical DE backup at 6'4" 263 lbs, timed at 4.88 (HH) while with the Raiders. He isn't fast, and will not overpower a defender, but he's got a good work ethic and plays with a non-stop motor. Right now he's signed as a PS player. OTAs and the draft will settle his final disposition. Probably hoped for depth behind Hoecht. Zach was productive at Iowa so there is some talent there. He might project more as an early down SAM OLB depending upon his zone defender skills.

The Rams finally moved TJ Carter from DE to DT which would look to be his best fit. He seems probably more quick than fast thou he posted a 4.92 time while with the Steelers. At 6'4" 289 lbs being sub 5 isn't a bad time at all. He probably projects as a backup to Donald. If he's on the field at the same time as Murchison that could be interesting. Both play the game in a similar fashion. Carter looks a bit quicker with slightly better long speed. Murchison seems to bring more power. Regardless the two might provide some push inside. If Donald rotates to weakside DE and Hoecht is playing the JACK on the strongside at least on paper it could provide a decent 4 man rush.