2025 Life without the big 3

[shovelpass]

EXCELLENT PULL..

It's interesting to see the fan journey from the low-points of this season.

McVay has done an amazing job this year... and re-invented his offense. Incredible stuff.

There were low points?

 

[AvengerRam]

 

[oldnotdead]

Back in Nov I spoke of his needing to move to more of a ball control offense and he has. I pointed out he needed to run the ball to make his offense work. He has done that. I also said Henderson wasn't the guy. He found the guy in Williams.

Coming out of the bye it was clear McVay made the changes he needed to make. Now his coaching has been back to the par that we are used to getting from him. So I think Sean needed half a season to recommit himself which he seems to have done. I think it's also worth noting this new offensive scheme is more QB friendly, i.e. it would fit more QBs than simply the gunslinger type. I think he's working out the kinks for life without Stafford after next season.

Kupp = Nacua
Donald = Turner
Stafford = TBD this draft

They need another starting caliber CB, probably 6' tall running at least a 4.4. (no more smurfs Sean)

 

[AvengerRam]

Back in Nov I spoke of his needing to move to more of a ball control offense and he has. I pointed out he needed to run the ball to make his offense work. He has done that. I also said Henderson wasn't the guy. He found the guy in Williams.

I’m sorry…are you suggesting that running the ball/offensive balance and not relying on a guy who wasn’t on an NFL roster at the start the season were unique and original thoughts?

 

[Ramhusker]

WE are the contender now. Nobody will be wanting to leave this team seeking a contender.

 

[Haden]

I love Kupp, one of my favorites. However, I don't believe he is HOF material. He had one huge year but if Holt has trouble getting in, he really has trouble. Stafford should be HOF given his overall numbers, but debatable unless he adds another SB ring. Donald is a sure-fire first ballot and unanimous HOFer.

 

[Ramstien]

Kupp has played through some injuries this season, so he gets a pass from me. He still had a good season and the fact that it was a down year for him may make it easier for the Rams to retain his services for next season.

 

[InfiniteRam]

All in all, I have my gripes with McVay, but he's reinvented in the offense in the 2nd half of the season. Anybody that cannot see that is wearing blinders or just really, really does not like the guy.

He's still maturing as a coach. When I look at him, it's clear he has some OCD and probably some level of anxiety. He presses when he gets flustered. This will continue to get better as time moves on.

 

[Kupped]

All in all, I have my gripes with McVay, but he's reinvented in the offense in the 2nd half of the season. Anybody that cannot see that is wearing blinders or just really, really does not like the guy.

He's still maturing as a coach. When I look at him, it's clear he has some OCD and probably some level of anxiety. He presses when he gets flustered. This will continue to get better as time moves on.

I don't think he re-invented it then. This offense was the plan. Just took some time and good health to all come together.

 

[Kupped]

Kupp has played through some injuries this season, so he gets a pass from me. He still had a good season and the fact that it was a down year for him may make it easier for the Rams to retain his services for next season.

If he can, somehow, put together two more 1000+ seasons.. and maybe play 4 seasons more, total? I think he has a shot.
If he can eclipse 9K yards.. I think he has a chance.. because of the 21 season.

It's my Terrell Davis rule.

He's #58 on the all-time rushing list.. but he had one just completely dominant year.

Cooper Kupp's 21 wasn't the best that season.. it was an All-Time season. That buys you something, imo.

 

[Cjcinec]

I wouldn't rule out AD wanting to move to a contender this offseason. He decided to stick around post-Super Bowl and has endured two shitty rosters but is still better than 90% of the DL in this league. I don't want him to move, once again and for the record, but this type of thing happens when the player wants another shot at a ring and I presume he will be thinking about it because if I were in his shoes I would be thinking about it.

And I realize the cap is probably fugly with any of the three moving. But the Rams are very creative and if there are picks coming back to them I presume it is possible they could move one of the them.

My hope of course is we have another fine draft, as that is going to be required to contend in '24. They need cornerstone players badly too, the LT, Edge, Corner types. They also need a QBotF. Granted they should have an ability to maybe fill one of those cornerstone spots in FA, or so I hope. But I wouldn't say 2024 is a slam dunk to contend.

Also and btw if they don't make the most of a weak sched in the latter half of 2023, and fail to have a strong enough offseason to contend in 2024, there will be changes. We could even see changes at either HC or GM this offseason. I know McVay has said he is feeling refreshed but what if he gets a massive TV offer. The guy is young enough to do that for a few years then jump back in if the itch is still there. And even if he wants to stick around it is possible Kroenke elects to make a move at GM. Point is losing tends to equal heads rolling and that will be true even with a top owner like ours if we don't see a strong second half of 2023.

So 2025 is a long way out. Lot of moving parts and too many things could go sideways to even say we won't have a whole new regime in here at that point. This past offseason was an obvious break point where you would want to restack at head coach but the Rams were all-in with McVay. He's a special case in terms of his quality as a head coach, but that does not make either him or Snead immune to the universal truths of this business.

O I’m sorry but AD will finish his career as a Ram. I think qualifying for the playoffs this year guaranteed that. Nothing to be gained by finishing elsewhere.

 

[Merlin]

O I’m sorry but AD will finish his career as a Ram. I think qualifying for the playoffs this year guaranteed that. Nothing to be gained by finishing elsewhere.

From where we are sitting now I agree with you. Cheers.

 

[Merlin]

Looks like McVay might be safe. Kroenke must've changed his mind.

He's done such a great job at Washington. Wondering what his Bama teams might look like.

 

[Rambitious1]

I think it's pretty clear something is going on with McVay. His playcalling and game management has really slipped this season. It's why I floated the prospect of a coaching change. I think Snead is very safe but I think Snead and Kroenke will sit down with McVay in January and find out what the fuck is wrong with him.

I was actually very serious about Kalen DeBoer. This guy is rock solid and has been a winner he's 98-11 in his HC career. If they get Penix or Nix, DeBoer would be a natural guy to look long and hard at. I really like McVay but something isn't right with him the last two years. I think this is his job to either commit to or walk away from coaching. As a husband and father, the life of an NFL coach is about as stressful as it gets when it comes to time commitments. If he's going to leave I think it will be at the end of the season. Hire DeBoer and let him bring his own staff. Look at the job he's done with Penix in 2 years. He's developed him into an NFL ready elite prospect.

McVay talks about being re-energized but frankly, I see the exact opposite. He's not the same guy post Super Bowl. Now with his new family, he's got to be reassessing his priorities. If it was me, I'd put the family first. He's been averaging about $14M/year since his extension and with a net worth of about $40M he's not hurting for money. You know he could more than double his current salary with a media job.

Right now I see it as 60/40 his probability of leaving is greater. Why do I feel that way? Rumors of the Rams being discreetly exploring outside coaching options IMO are more than rumors. Husky OC Ryan Grubb turned down offers to be a HC at the beginning of the current season to stay at Washington. He would be next in line to take over the program if DeBoer leaves. I think DeBoer is looking to move up to the NFL next year.

If Kroenke and Snead are going to make a change next year would be the year to do it. DeBoer knows both Penix and Nix very well and DeBoer's Washington offense is a very good fit for the Ram's offensive personnel. Washington plays a very aggressive defense of both man and zone. I could see him bringing his DC with him. DeBoer will be courted by a whole lot of teams. But the LA market probably trumps them all.

If Kroenke and Snead decide to change IMO DeBoer should be their target and with this huge market profile, I don't see DeBoer declining a Ram's offer. The Rams deserve an elite HC and if McVay simply can't get his heart into it then it's time to move on. McVay has HOF credentials already but that doesn't mean he can't be replaced. But like I said it's his job to walk away from.

I couldn’t disagree more…

 

[Londoner]

To be fair, we weren’t exactly playing well at the time.

Things have changed a lot since that post was made.