Adopting the Rams model

[Neil039]

I think our model works because most teams aren’t doing it. Once the entire league starts saying “fuck them picks” the strategy won’t be as potent as it is now. Also really want to see teams trade all their draft picks and forget to stock up on late round picks.

I agree 100%. IMO….The Bengals signed a few FA but also built this team over the past few years through the draft. Still feels like most GMs will stick to the draft. Or let’s hope so lol

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I agree 100%. IMO….The Bengals signed a few FA but also built this team over the past few years through the draft. Still feels like most GMs will stick to the draft. Or let’s hope so lol

We also don’t normally sign expensive outside free agents. We trade for guys with one year left with their current team and either extend them or let them walk and collect the comp picks. We only spend big money on guys who have played for this team already.

 

[AvengerRam]

Copying our model is easier said than done.

Hey Seahawks... how's that Jamal Adams trade looking right now?
Oh, Colts... did you solve your QB situation with your trade?
Um, Bears... Khalil Mack worth it?

You can't just dabble in the FTPs approach... you have to be strategic, pick the right guys, commit and go all in!

 

[André]

Yeah, I suspect a few different things are at play here:

1) Sean McVay wants an extension for larger dollars. My answer to that: Give him the money. It doesn't go against our cap and I don't give half a shit about saving Kronke any money.

2) Aaron Donald would like a couple things: a) his contract reworked, likely to give him more guaranteed money; and b) Make sure the Rams are still spending to the top end and staying in the 'window', specifically keeping his boy Von Miller. My answer: I think he is owed the cash, and I agree that we should be doing everything we can to keep that DLine together. It won us the Super Bowl, no matter how exciting Kupp and Stafford were.

3) OBJ will likely be happy to take a short-term 'show it' deal. My answer: Give it to him. A short deal with the expectation that he will be there for the playoff run next year, and an option for a second year if that is successful.

4) We aren't going to be able to bring everyone back no matter what. Whitworth (likely) and Weddle are retiring. Noteboom, Corbett and Allen are all relatively fungible, so we shouldn't overpay for any of them. I think with Cam and Darrell "healthy", and so many needs on the offensive line, we aren't likely to pay for Sony Michel. Darious Williams is a question for the team - do they still like him and will he come back at a reasonable rate. My guess is no to both of those. Joseph-Day became superfluous with the addition of Miller alongside the growth of A'Shawn and Gaines.

Should be a very interesting off-season.

 

[FarNorth]

In order to put together a team through trades that can win the SB, the team already must be good to very good. The number of picks that you can exchange is limited, so you need to have a solid core. Other teams must also be willing to trade their stars and they must fit into the system.
It's definitely doable but it's not as easy as the media might think. The Rams FO did a very good job.

Exactly, you must be in a solid position first, then add impact players. It makes no sense to add stars and trade draft picks if the team isn't already good enough to compete. Rams had the core with AD, Gurley, even Goff when they moved to LA, but Fisher couldn't coach the offense. McVay and Snead took the core talent and ran with it. When Demoff talks about it he further credits Kroenke with giving the direction to make it happen ASAP.

Demoff also emphasizes that the "strategy" could change, or might not work at some point, or every year is different, etc. What this suggests to me is that the Rams front office were and are not following a preconceived plan. Instead they have been very opportunistic, very prepared, and very ready to add players when/if they became available and were a really right fit.

For example, Stafford, Miller, OBJ. There was no "strategy" in advance to add these players. The Rams instead took advantage of unforeseen opportunities because they were seeking to improve the team as soon/as fast as possible, and because they were quicker on the draw and more ready than others to put the most chips on the table.

So not sure this is exactly a "model," rather a series of moves that came about unexpectedly and which all proved out big time. And mainly because the Rams were smart enough to get the right players. (Jamal Adams, anyone?)

 

[GoodBadUgly]

Yeah, I suspect a few different things are at play here:


4) We aren't going to be able to bring everyone back no matter what. Whitworth (likely) and Weddle are retiring. Noteboom, Corbett and Allen are all relatively fungible, so we shouldn't overpay for any of them. I think with Cam and Darrell "healthy", and so many needs on the offensive line, we aren't likely to pay for Sony Michel. Darious Williams is a question for the team - do they still like him and will he come back at a reasonable rate. My guess is no to both of those. Joseph-Day became superfluous with the addition of Miller alongside the growth of A'Shawn and Gaines.

Should be a very interesting off-season.

Dont underestimate the OL please. You saw what it did the Bengals leading up to and into the Super Bowl. The Rams plan was clearly to get them young and have them gel under Whit's leadership. Now that we're "here", tossing them aside and starting over feels tragic.

 

[RamsSince1969]

Speaking of DeSean Jackson, he has to feel like the backside of a horse about now.

 

[Steve808]

The Rams were aggressive and went for a Super Bowl in 2021.
However, they did NOT "push all their chips into the center of the table". When you do that and lose, you don't get to play another hand. You have to leave the table because you don't have any more money. If the Rams had lost in the NFC Championship or the Super Bowl, it would have been disappointing but they still would have been projected as one of the top NFC contenders heading into 2022.

The "Experts" False-Narrative about the Rams' Strategy ignores facts that do not fit their Narrative:
... Rams have been, and continue to be, one of the youngest teams in the NFL,
... Rams have had more total draft choices than all but one NFL team since McVay was hired,
... Rams roster has a relatively high number of players they drafted and signed as undrafted FAs, and
... Rams do not partake in high-level Free Agency (only DeSean Jackson was signed last off-season)

I agree. The term all in is just a way to describe what the talking heads see because if true, then the Rams would also have a huge advantage for going all in and winning.

Don't get me wrong, the Lombardi is awesome but now we do have some issues to deal with, although most of us mind it less after being the champions this season.

 

[Memento]

Speaking of DeSean Jackson, he has to feel like the backside of a horse about now.

To Desean:

 

[CGI_Ram]

With improving analytics, maybe those early round picks get a little more valuable and predictable?

The Rams model works because analytics got them ahead of other teams hitting on those late round picks.

Now other teams are expanding their analytics capabilities… thats where other teams will compete with the Rams model long term, IMO.