3 positions Rams must address this offseason

[Riverumbbq]

McVay plays his rookies from day 1, particularly on the offense side of things. Hopkins only active in 5 games, barely a whiff on special teams. Jefferson made enough noise in TC to get PT right away, if Hop did anything, he'd have been on the field. As for Higbee, he is what he is. Decent, not great. If they had anything behind him, he'd be a perfect trade candidate, but no development. We knew Everett wasnt coming back. So We've got Higbee on a make or break year, and nothing else...

We'll see, but right now I have to disagree. With Stafford under center, I see no reason why Higbee can't get back to his 2019 production rate. We'll also have to see whether McVay plays as much 12 personnel with Stafford, but i'm thinking not ...

 

[So Ram]

We'll see, but right now I have to disagree. With Stafford under center, I see no reason why Higbee can't get back to his 2019 production rate. We'll also have to see whether McVay plays as much 12 personnel with Stafford, but i'm thinking not ...

My Thoughts on Higbee as well.From Day 1 he was Jared Goff’s go to Guy.Roommate & Bestie. I think Tyler Higbee is more of a Free Spirit guy & Goff with his Girlfriend sort of changed that connection a bit. IMO.
On the Field can any Ram Fan name a better Rams TE ? His 2019 season was pretty special. In 2020 I call Higbee89(Fred Dyer) an All Motor guy.Playing with his WHOLE Arm in a strap showed Toughness.
Cam Akers got the Starting RB job at age 21. Talk about young.We can go on about players.I have an idea on The Rams moves,but McSnead seems to think Big & Outside the box at times.
—Comp Picks & trades are what I see,as well as solid draft picks & 1 FA key signing.
What happens with D.Williams?? Hill ?
JJ ?? Does Woods,Havenstien,or Brockers get traded ?

 

[BonifayRam]

It's really good for me to read everyone else's valid concerns. Most all have merit & so many members seeing things so much different. For so many decades in the past, I never had such opportunities to know any other Ram fans much less have great in-depth discussions with so many knowledgeable Ram fans....I still marvel @ my good luck getting to fully enjoy my favorite hobby.... ..".The Rams".

Very hard for me to get past the near Negative/ in the RED -$30 million in cap space. That's the big one right in the face of this Org. before trying to address the priority needs as they see it.

Most members differ from me. I do see the OC as a big need but I don't see any way the Rams can afford to sign an effective veteran center. I also do not see the drafting of a center & starting him either. @CGI_Ram "options are; a) resign Blythe, or b) another experienced center "......

I feel that the Rams have an expereinced interior OL'er in Austin Corbett who is very smart & now has 2 seasons worth of starts under his belt as a possible solution to having an experienced healthy OL'er starting @ OC that does not cost $8 to $10 million that the Rams can not afford. An in-house fix for this season. This does not create an additional issue @ OG because the Rams have plenty of other signed OL'ers who can fill this vacancy. Rams will draft an OC in April for the future.

I'm thinking give Corbett a lot of work at Center in training camp and run with him.Put Evans in at Right Guard.
Let's run with our best five.

I agree 100% with your first sentence. Corbett is the answer to the lack of cap mountain size issue.

My problem with Evans being able to start once again @ OG is he will be the starting RT because starting RT Rob Havenstein will end up being involved in a trade. Evans is the likely replacement to fill the vacant RT post.

 

[So Ram]

It's really good for me to read everyone else's valid concerns. Most all have merit & so many members seeing things so much different. For so many decades in the past, I never had such opportunities to know any other Ram fans much less have great in-depth discussions with so many knowledgeable Ram fans....I still marvel @ my good luck getting to fully enjoy my favorite hobby.... ..".The Rams".

Very hard for me to get past the near Negative/ in the RED -$30 million in cap space. That's the big one right in the face of this Org. before trying to address the priority needs as they see it.

Most members differ from me. I do see the OC as a big need but I don't see any way the Rams can afford to sign an effective veteran center. I also do not see the drafting of a center & starting him either. @CGI_Ram "options are; a) resign Blythe, or b) another experienced center "......

I feel that the Rams have an expereinced interior OL'er in Austin Corbett who is very smart & now has 2 seasons worth of starts under his belt as a possible solution to having an experienced healthy OL'er starting @ OC that does not cost $8 to $10 million that the Rams can not afford. An in-house fix for this season. This does not create an additional issue @ OG because the Rams have plenty of other signed OL'ers who can fill this vacancy. Rams will draft an OC in April for the future.

Bonifay’d — The Rams have an excellent idea at what they are going to do at Center.—- Stafford might actually have a say as well.Not sure how many man butts he has been under.If any of The Rams guys either?
—What I do know is Mcvay waited to sign John Sullivan after that Gotta Bills guy was signed on the cheap.
—The Rams new OL coach has coached some college ball & knows a couple players.A Stanford Center coming out might have value ? Allen & Shelton both are under contract so you have that as well. Corbett?? Right Now to me is a HUGE??? Some think Mcvay said he would be a Center ???

 

[dieterbrock]

We'll see, but right now I have to disagree. With Stafford under center, I see no reason why Higbee can't get back to his 2019 production rate. We'll also have to see whether McVay plays as much 12 personnel with Stafford, but i'm thinking not ...

You mean the 2019 when he caught only 26 passes for 212 yards in his first 10 games?
It like the Brian Quick syndrome, dude had 4 incredible games in a row, and that is what people think he is. Meanwhile he has been in the league 5 years and never had a game like that before or after that blip.
He's a good tight end, but nothing great, and unless this o-line somehow improves greatly, I'd expect more 12 personnel than less, even though the TE room is fairly empty right now

Again, this isnt to disparage Higbee, just to bring up the TE is vastly overlooked as a position of need

 

[Riverumbbq]

It's really good for me to read everyone else's valid concerns. Most all have merit & so many members seeing things so much different. For so many decades in the past, I never had such opportunities to know any other Ram fans much less have great in-depth discussions with so many knowledgeable Ram fans....I still marvel @ my good luck getting to fully enjoy my favorite hobby.... ..".The Rams".

Very hard for me to get past the near Negative/ in the RED -$30 million in cap space. That's the big one right in the face of this Org. before trying to address the priority needs as they see it.

Most members differ from me. I do see the OC as a big need but I don't see any way the Rams can afford to sign an effective veteran center. I also do not see the drafting of a center & starting him either. @CGI_Ram "options are; a) resign Blythe, or b) another experienced center "......

I feel that the Rams have an expereinced interior OL'er in Austin Corbett who is very smart & now has 2 seasons worth of starts under his belt as a possible solution to having an experienced healthy OL'er starting @ OC that does not cost $8 to $10 million that the Rams can not afford. An in-house fix for this season. This does not create an additional issue @ OG because the Rams have plenty of other signed OL'ers who can fill this vacancy. Rams will draft an OC in April for the future.

Nice post, but a few items I disagree with, and they are related.

1) I do believe the Rams can sign a quality free agent center.

2) We absolutely won't have to pay $8-$10 mil for him for 2021.

Just for shits & giggles, let's say we sign Corey Linsley for his projected 3 year, $29mil estimate. His first year under a 3 year contract could easily come in at closer to $5.mil., with the bulk of it pushed back to 2022/2023 when there is a sky high NFL CAP rate following the new TV contracts. Also, consider the likelihood of Whitworth's contract coming off the books following the 2021 season when his dead money CAP hit shrinks to $1.6mil. 2022 becomes a financial 'push' for Linsley. If we still like the guy for 2023 and beyond, a simple extension makes that year cheaper also.
On the other hand, we can always re-sign Blythe to another 1 year contract probably getting him close to $4.mil for 2021. Which would you rather do ?

 

[Riverumbbq]

You mean the 2019 when he caught only 26 passes for 212 yards in his first 10 games?
It like the Brian Quick syndrome, dude had 4 incredible games in a row, and that is what people think he is. Meanwhile he has been in the league 5 years and never had a game like that before or after that blip.
He's a good tight end, but nothing great, and unless this o-line somehow improves greatly, I'd expect more 12 personnel than less, even though the TE room is fairly empty right now

Again, this isnt to disparage Higbee, just to bring up the TE is vastly overlooked as a position of need

In 2019 Higbee had 734 yards from 89 receptions ... nothing to laugh at. And yes, his streak was awesome and i'm not prepared to give up on him just yet.
<Money is tight and draft picks are short, if we had more assets i'd love to take a shot at Njoku, but as stated in my mock, we may have to wait until 2022 with as many needs as we currently have.

 

[So Ram]

It's really good for me to read everyone else's valid concerns. Most all have merit & so many members seeing things so much different. For so many decades in the past, I never had such opportunities to know any other Ram fans much less have great in-depth discussions with so many knowledgeable Ram fans....I still marvel @ my good luck getting to fully enjoy my favorite hobby.... ..".The Rams".

Very hard for me to get past the near Negative/ in the RED -$30 million in cap space. That's the big one right in the face of this Org. before trying to address the priority needs as they see it.

Most members differ from me. I do see the OC as a big need but I don't see any way the Rams can afford to sign an effective veteran center. I also do not see the drafting of a center & starting him either. @CGI_Ram "options are; a) resign Blythe, or b) another experienced center "......

I feel that the Rams have an expereinced interior OL'er in Austin Corbett who is very smart & now has 2 seasons worth of starts under his belt as a possible solution to having an experienced healthy OL'er starting @ OC that does not cost $8 to $10 million that the Rams can not afford. An in-house fix for this season. This does not create an additional issue @ OG because the Rams have plenty of other signed OL'ers who can fill this vacancy. Rams will draft an OC in April for the future.
I agree 100% with your first sentence. Corbett is the answer to the lack of cap mountain size issue.

My problem with Evans being able to start once again @ OG is he will be the starting RT because starting RT Rob Havenstein will end up being involved in a trade. Evans is the likely replacement to fill the vacant RT post.

Rumors of Woods & Brockers being traded ? Makes sense as well as Havienstien. This becomes more interesting if Big Rob stays.This O”Line might very well keep Corbett. Evans & Noteboom both have showed they can play LG. Edwards actually to me is The Rams Best RG on the roster.

—You can’t deny (could?) that Noteboom & Evans can play Guard.In fact you can do your research on Safffold playing LT as a backup.My point being those 2 Players have both started at LG. Then again Look at Noteboom starting a LT as well.You might not like Bobby Evans & respect his play. Which is cool,but he is only 23 years old & going into his 3rd season as a Ram(Fact). That to me shows YOUTH & Experience!! You want to talk about what I believe in as a Ascending player ? There is a formula.

Brian Allen as a Guard ?? No prof he can play even at center.He gets blown up.Why was he The Rams Center in 2019?? Dude gets Covid & injury? I do think he is athletic & could start again??? You can’t (can)say The Rams didn’t or don’t believe in him now ??

Noteboom to me showed a lot in 2020.
1.came back from injury to start.which I said (WRONG) could never happen.
2.Showed he could handle LT in The NFL.
3.Tougness & Fight which told me all I needed to know about Joe Notebooms character.From a long time NFL I respect certain players.He is one of them & I honestly think he will be a Ram a long time.

The Rams Offensive Line Ram Fans can question. The need for more OL Man to myself is not. Youth,experience, & depth is there.2022 is another story.

 

[So Ram]

Nice post, but a few items I disagree with, and they are related.

1) I do believe the Rams can sign a quality free agent center.

2) We absolutely won't have to pay $8-$10 mil for him for 2021.

Just for shits & giggles, let's say we sign Corey Linsley for his projected 3 year, $29mil estimate. His first year under a 3 year contract could easily come in at closer to $5.mil., with the bulk of it pushed back to 2022/2023 when there is a sky high NFL CAP rate following the new TV contracts. Also, consider the likelihood of Whitworth's contract coming off the books following the 2021 season when his dead money CAP hit shrinks to $1.6mil. 2022 becomes a financial 'push' for Linsley. If we still like the guy for 2023 and beyond, a simple extension makes that year cheaper also.
On the other hand, we can always re-sign Blythe to another 1 year contract probably getting him close to $4.mil for 2021. Which would you rather do ?

What Ram Offensive Lineman get cut & how do you get down to a solid Cap space ? I won’t say what your saying is true or false.I just don’t see any of that happening. Sounds good though.

 

[So Ram]

In 2019 Higbee had 734 yards from 89 receptions ... nothing to laugh at. And yes, his streak was awesome and i'm not prepared to give up on him just yet.

Truth will come out soon on how good Tyler Higbee has become. He was injured & has never been with another QB.Stafford I’m sure throws a different type of pass.Will see what kind of offensive changes McConnell makes in there 2nd season.
ADD- funny O’Connell is The 1st. OC brought back under Mcvay & The QB is New for the 1st. time. Lmao. So much for coaching & QB consistency.Yes Mcvay has been the real OC.

 

[BonifayRam]

Nice post, but a few items I disagree with, and they are related.

1) I do believe the Rams can sign a quality free agent center.

2) We absolutely won't have to pay $8-$10 mil for him for 2021.

Just for shits & giggles, let's say we sign Corey Linsley for his projected 3 year, $29mil estimate. His first year under a 3 year contract could easily come in at closer to $5.mil., with the bulk of it pushed back to 2022/2023 when there is a sky high NFL CAP rate following the new TV contracts. Also, consider the likelihood of Whitworth's contract coming off the books following the 2021 season when his dead money CAP hit shrinks to $1.6mil. 2022 becomes a financial 'push' for Linsley. If we still like the guy for 2023 and beyond, a simple extension makes that year cheaper also.
On the other hand, we can always re-sign Blythe to another 1 year contract probably getting him close to $4.mil for 2021. Which would you rather do ?

Reference your other post above.....
I can see your first four listed above as being very possible & happening very quickly.

Your #5 has been my #1 resign (Floyd) since the very beginning. Do I think it will happen...No.

The above scenario you presented above is possible. I think the resign of Blythe is more likely. I do not want to go into the 2021 season with Blythe as our starting center. Time to move on from Blythe he is not the answer.

I still lean that the big 2021 issue @ OC can be fixed from the current OL roster along with the drafting of a future OC. I would reframe from using the UFA'cy to fix the OC @ this time. I would not enter the first round of FA'cy period. I would also be hesitant to move early in that usual 2nd round of FA'cy too. I would take the position to just wait & see which veteran starting OC falls into WWC.

I also question the ease in which many think that Ramsey/ Donald/ Woods/ Kupp/ Whitworth will embrace restructuring their contracts. None of which may happen.

 

[Riverumbbq]

What Ram Offensive Lineman get cut & how do you get down to a solid Cap space ? I won’t say what your saying is true or false.I just don’t see any of that happening. Sounds good though.

I'm not sure what you are asking, I've been saying the same thing for months, the Rams have plenty of depth behind Havenstein & Brockers, I would sacrifice them both. Floyd & Williams are the current players I want re-signed, Linsley & Zay Jones are the free agents I want signed. All this requires restructuring Donald, Ramsey & Woods as well as extending Stafford also.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Reference your other post above.....
I can see your first four listed above as being very possible & happening very quickly.

Your #5 has been my #1 resign (Floyd) since the very beginning. Do I think it will happen...No.

The above scenario you presented above is possible. I think the resign of Blythe is more likely. I do not want to go into the 2021 season with Blythe as our starting center. Time to move on from Blythe he is not the answer.

I still lean that the big 2021 issue @ OC can be fixed from the current OL roster along with the drafting of a future OC. I would reframe from using the UFA'cy to fix the OC @ this time. I would not enter the first round of FA'cy period. I would also be hesitant to move early in that usual 2nd round of FA'cy too. I would take the position to just wait & see which veteran starting OC falls into WWC.

I also question the ease in which many think that Ramsey/ Donald/ Woods/ Kupp/ Whitworth will embrace restructuring their contracts. None of which may happen.

I don't think any of this is about what will happen, It's more of a reflection on how we fans would like to proceed if we were in the know, it's just fan speculation and pretty interesting to hear how different fans would approach it. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

I don't think any of this is about what will happen, It's more of a reflection on how we fans would like to proceed if we were in the know, it's just fan speculation and pretty interesting to hear how different fans would approach it. jmo.

Understood!

The Rams need to turn what they have been forced into upside down. It's time to use the draft primarily on defense & then skilled offensive positions. Chances are these positions will yield some good returns on game days with wins. Thus forcing them to utilize the available salary-cap on proven veteran UFA OL'ers to fill needs.

Utilizing the NFL draft to produce starting OL'ers is a waste of time. These OL'er either sits for the first 2 or 3 seasons or even worse play & produce poor game-day performances never producing any real return on your draft investments.

The amount of time these drafted OL'ers take to where they are getting close to being effective on game days..... bam bam it's UFA time & they are gone elsewhere never getting anything in return for your investment.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Understood!

The Rams need to turn what they have been forced into upside down. Using the draft primarily on defense & then skilled offensive positions. Thus forcing them to utilize the available salary-cap on proven veteran UFA OL'ers to fill needs.

If you recall, i'm the guy who was most against re-signing Blythe last year, instead opting for Corbett to move directly from his 2019 LG role to a 2020 Center role, then Covid, a reduced camp and no pre-season became the new norm. One guy we both liked, Brewer, was also out for the season. If the Rams can't afford someone like Linsley to take over at center while we are supposedly all in for a deep play-off run, then Corbett is still my fallback guy from our present roster perspective. It's possible a guy like Alex Mack is picked up, but for how much ? And if his 1 year cost is as little as Blythe might be, then I believe i've shown why Linsley wouldn't be that much more for fiscal 2021. Hiring Mack may also present another problem, needing to draft a future Center when we have so few draft picks available, so I say let's just go all out and get Corey Linsley and be done with it for awhile. jmo.

 

[BonifayRam]

If you recall, i'm the guy who was most against re-signing Blythe last year, instead opting for Corbett to move directly from his 2019 LG role to a 2020 Center role, then Covid, a reduced camp and no pre-season became the new norm. One guy we both liked, Brewer, was also out for the season. If the Rams can't afford someone like Linsley to take over at center while we are supposedly all in for a deep play-off run, then Corbett is still my fallback guy from our present roster perspective. It's possible a guy like Alex Mack is picked up, but for how much ? And if his 1 year cost is as little as Blythe might be, then I believe i've shown why Linsley wouldn't be that much more for fiscal 2021. Hiring Mack may also present another problem, needing to draft a future Center when we have so few draft picks available, so I say let's just go all out and get Corey Linsley and be done with it for awhile. jmo.

If you want a roadblock to winning an SB just sign Blythe again to be your starting center.

Oh by the way I would love to have Linsley as our starting OC!

 

[Riverumbbq]

My Thoughts on Higbee as well.

—Comp Picks & trades are what I see,as well as solid draft picks & 1 FA key signing.
What happens with D.Williams?? Hill ?
JJ ?? Does Woods,Havenstien,or Brockers get traded ?

Williams gets a first round tender, Hill, JJ & Fox are gone, Havenstein & Brockers are traded, and Wood gets restructured as does Donald & Ramsey.

River's final mock before Free Agency ...

OK, this is my final mock before Free Agency opens. As we are all are aware, the Rams are hurting in CAP availability and draft picks this year, at least presently. Both can be fixed somewhat, but not everyone will be pleased with the results. It looks like our only 3'rd & 4'th round draft picks...

ramsondemand.com

 

[dieterbrock]

In 2019 Higbee had 734 yards from 89 receptions ... nothing to laugh at. And yes, his streak was awesome and i'm not prepared to give up on him just yet.
<Money is tight and draft picks are short, if we had more assets i'd love to take a shot at Njoku, but as stated in my mock, we may have to wait until 2022 with as many needs as we currently have.

He had 60% of his yards in 4 games.
that is not a good season.
They missed the playoffs by 1 game, perhaps if he would have showed up earlier in the season they might have won another game.
Not investing in TE is a huge mistake.

 

[So Ram]

I'm not sure what you are asking, I've been saying the same thing for months, the Rams have plenty of depth behind Havenstein & Brockers, I would sacrifice them both. Floyd & Williams are the current players I want re-signed, Linsley & Zay Jones are the free agents I want signed. All this requires restructuring Donald, Ramsey & Woods as well as extending Stafford also.

All solid moves. Would make The Rams better than today.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I also question the ease in which many think that Ramsey/ Donald/ Woods/ Kupp/ Whitworth will embrace restructuring their contracts. None of which may happen.

I missed this part earlier ...

Restructure isn't a cut in pay. Donald, Ramsey & Woods are all likely restructured imo, they really have no choice as the Rams build these scenarios into their original contracts. Nothing changes for the players, they still get paid the same money they were always going to get, and right on time. It's just an accounting tool which allows teams to move money around from base salary to bonuses, but it's the guaranteed money which most impacts the players, and this goes unchanged.
My question is more about Stafford's extension, will it happen now and at what amount ?