Brandin Cooks to Rams for a 1st: blockbuster

[RamFan503]

Let’s take a quick breath. Last year’s offense with Cooks replacing Watkins and our young receivers and TEs a year more experienced. Our defense picking up Peters, Talib, AND Suh and young potential studs in Ebukam and Littleton.

Must exhale.

 

[RamFan503]

I don't like trading draft picks...but I do like this deal for a few reasons. You trade for ODB.... you lock him in long term... you don't get him the ball enough..he's going to be a distraction... Sammy didn't get a lot of catches...he didn't get a lot of targets..not sure you'd get ODB much more... We honestly just need a deep threat to bring the safety over... that was Sammy's value to us last year....and I'm not sure we have the offense that was going to get too much more out of that spot...

and the honest truth is that Robert Woods is our #1 WR.... he proved that last year...and he earned it. Cooper Kupp is a prime slot guy for us...

all we need out of that other spot is a guy who is a threat to take the top off of a defense...

and now we have Brandin Cooks...who basically that's what he does...

and that also allows us to use Josh Reynolds in that spot....who may end up being the perfect fit for us there anyway...

if you trade for ODB... seeing what Reynolds can become doesn't happen...

also... I think we can now fill some holes in free agency with Cooks contract being on board.... and I wouldn't be surprised if we use a couple of our 4ths to move up into the 2nd round...

Except that Cooks is a better PLAYER than Watkins and NEVER takes a play off. I honestly think he is our #1 receiver AND the duo of Woods and Cooks is like giving Goff Wheaton and Cooks. Who gives a damn who is #1 or 2 in that line up? Throw in Kupp, Gurley, and the scat back TA? Who do you cover? Holy shit.

 

[VegasRam]

Yeah but you’re old so...

Spoiler

Yeah, but like a fine wine, my wisdom just keeps increasing

 

[IowaRam]

Let’s take a quick breath. Last year’s offense with Cooks replacing Watkins and our young receivers and TEs a year more experienced. Our defense picking up Peters, Talib, AND Suh and young potential studs in Ebukam and Littleton.

Must exhale.

 

[Rabid Ram]

People acting like the Rams aren’t #2 in the NFL in cap room for 2019 (projected 90 million under, and only 1 million less than the Jets at #1) and #1 in cap room for 2020.

They can pay everyone who balls out in the system, collect comp picks on the guys who don’t, and a lot of these guys are just transitionary players and aren’t even supposed to be long term pieces anyway (Whitworth, Talib, and Suh).

The other neat thing about what they’re doing is these are all trades, so they’ve added a ton of talent at a low salary cost for 2018 and are still projected to nab two 3rd round comp picks in next year’s draft.

 

[VegasRam]

BTW, I wish someone else would come after me, other than Stu, cuz I want to say “Just wait mofo”...
Problem is , I had the pleasure of meeting his dad, who’s (now 80 something), cooler than hell, and stronger than an ox.


Sometime you just have to cut your losses. :giveup:

 

[8to12]

Thank you. I’m actually amazed how many don’t like this. He’s Tavon in speed but an actual 1000 yard receiver. You can’t guarantee the 23rd pick will be that good.

It's not about how good Cook's is, it's about potential mis-management of draft picks. In today's salary cap era, you need as many draft picks as possible to keep your roster filled with INEXPENSIVE players. Yes, you need to get some high quality FA's to push you over the top to get to the SuperBowl. But, you can't keep trading high draft picks, especially HIGH picks, for players in their 2nd contract, highly productive ones that are at the top of the pay scale. If the Rams want to sustain their success, they will have to stop trading away high draft picks. There will be a price to pay in the near future for this.
Personally, I'm OK with it. I believe there were some relationships in place before they started negotiating the trade which would end up with a contract extension for Cooks.I just hope they are done for this offseason and hopefully next season with all of the trades.

 

[Loyal]

Not crazy about this. What was his season like with patriots. Didnt think it was that good. Could be wrong. Must've felt he's better than any rookie they would have chosen in the first round. Maybe they were thinking wide rec. First pick instead of linebacker. They must feel they can get good linebacker rd. 3,4.they have got to have a few choices in mind that will be there later on and "pleased with LB's on the roster". Wish i felt more confortable with this but l'll trust McSnead #RAMSFANFORLIFE

He received for more than a 1000 yards last year, and Tom Brady looked forward to working with him in the next few years (before the trade).

 

[Ram_Rally]

I at least want to see deals for AD and LJ done ... then it's a no-brainer.

Even better, I'd like to see deals for AD, LJ, AND BC ... take care of Gurley and Goff in each of the next two years, and our offense will be set up for success for several seasons hence.

I'm ready to be chased by the Lynch mobb but I think Joyner is close to odd man out status .

 

[majrleaged]

Plus, It's not effectively a prove it deal. Watkins was injury prone coming to us. I think Snead/Demoff try to sign this guy to a deal early, where they wouldn't do that with Watkins last year...

Yea, this. I feel like they think they already know what it will take to sign him.It will be less than Watkins. Also this type of receiver is key to the offense and it is worth the risk that they don't sign him and get a 3rd instead. Look, I know everyone loves the 1st round pick, but you still are paying for something you don't know will pay off. Cooks is really consistent. This will give us the offense we want and with the defensive changes, they just need someone rush the passer off the edge and we are serious SB contenders. I also think they have a couple of mid round players targeted for the holes we have.

 

[Mackeyser]

People change over time and Cooks could work out well for the Rams, but it doesn't seem like the Saints moved him "purely for cap reasons."

Brandin Cooks' frustrations led to Saints sending him to Patriots
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...rations-led-to-saints-sending-him-to-patriots

It had been rumored for months. And yet, when the Saints traded star wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Patriots in March, it was one of the most shocking circumstances of this offseason.

With the two teams set to play one another today at 1 p.m. ET, let's take a look back at how this trade -- which netted New Orleans the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft -- went down.

According to multiple sources informed of the situation in New Orleans, Cooks was dealt because of a combination of his unhappiness with his role, his doubts that aging quarterback Drew Brees could get him the ball deep, the Saints' frustrations with Cooks focusing on his numbers and their disbelief he should be paid like a top receiver.

In a matter-of-fact meeting with coach Asshole Face deep into 2016, Cooks laid out his issues. The Saints got through the season, then dealt Cooks.

It started in the one-point win over the Chargers last year, when Cooks had just three catches. He was spotted being grumpy in the locker room despite the victory, which rubbed some in the organization the wrong way.

They knew it was going to be a problem.

Then, Cooks had no catches in a blowout victory over the Rams when the Saints scored 49 points. It was a big game for the team, and Cooks took the opportunity to use the aftermath to clamor for more targets.

"Closed mouths don't get fed," he told reporters. That week, reports (including from NFL Network) discussed the two sides parting ways in the offseason.

Internally, when Payton discussed the issue with Cooks, the receiver never left satisfied. The longtime coach pacified the issue, telling Cooks he'd get targets. And the following week he did -- a season-high seven catches the next week. But Cooks felt the elephant in the room -- Brees' arm strength not enabling him to find Cooks deep -- couldn't be talked about on any level.

That was frustrating to him, though personally and professionally he loved Brees. The situation and Cooks' feelings were addressed with Payton, his receivers coach John Morton, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and general manager Mickey Loomis. Some talks even began in the preseason.

To the Saints, Cooks appeared to be more concerned about himself than the team. In addition, the Saints knew Cooks eventually wanted to be paid like a top receiver -- something they weren't willing to do. As a result, trade plans started shortly thereafter.

Now, he'll try to show his former team what it is missing. Meanwhile, the Saints will be starting Ryan Ramczyk at left tackle -- who they selected with the pick they acquired from the Patriots.

Follow Ian Rapoport on Twitter @RapSheet.

The issue with Brees and the deep ball was real. He didn't seem to throw a single ball that could catch Cooks in stride. That put him in a bad spot with dbs. NO WR likes to be put in a bad spot by a poorly thrown ball.

And we didn't hear any grousing by Cooks in NE. Guy seems to be a great team guy who wants to contribute to the success.

I couldn't be more excited about Cooks...

AND from a pattern standpoint, I think Cooks is the idea fit for this offense and is a better fit overall than OBJ for this team and this offense.

 

[Mackeyser]

Cooks had 1700 yards his last season as a junior at OSU playing with someone people consider an inadequate backup QB. He had over 1000 yards his last year in HS while also playing DB and returning kicks if I recall.

The guy is quite simply a football player. My son who goes to UofO said he was talking to someone who covered OSU and UofO a couple weeks ago and she said she never saw a harder working football player on either team than Cooks. He’s a workaholic when it comes to football.

I hope we find a way to keep him because he may be a better pickup than any of the defensive stars we’ve grabbed.

He's exactly the kind of guy who's gonna mesh perfectly with McVay, Woods, Kupp and maybe most importantly Goff.

 

[majrleaged]

I think its a bit of a stretch to say he's better than Watkins. We do not know that yet, though the stats support your statement.

Stats don't

So the Rams trade their 2nd round pick for Watkins.
Watkins plays well enough to test the FA market and signs for a big pay day.

Between the Watkins and Cooks trades, the Rams have no 1rst or 2nd round pick
Cooks is gonna play as well as Watkins?
Then Cooks enters FA looking for a big pay day and walks?

Rams have no 2nd rounder or a deep threat WR next year either.
Rinse and repeat.

One thing you might notice. These guys seem to find ways to plug their holes. Remember last season? Look what they are doing this season. They have plans A thru triple Z. They have been figuring it out so far. Everyone is all, What are we gona do without Watkins spreading the field. We are going to take a step back offensively! Then.. wow that hole is filled. What are we going to do about Tru and Webster? Then.... Wow that hole is filled. What are we going to do for a nose tackle? Then...Wow that hole is filled. Lets just see how they get it done. Or not. This is fucking fun as hell.

 

[Prime Time]

So many negative Rams fans on Twitter. Who would've thought some fans would hate the fact that we keep getting better...

Exactly. Two seasons ago we were so bad the head coach got fired and we were back in S.O.S.A.R territory. Now we have Rams fans fretting over comp picks and whether or not we can sign players next year.

It's like a guy who was a hobo eating beans out of a can while hitching a ride on a freight train.

He comes into a fortune and now he's complaining that his lobster is too dry and his champagne's not cold enough.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Spoiler

Yeah, but like a fine wine, my wisdom just keeps increasing

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[kmramsfan]

I sure hope these new guys all realize they've entered the "WE" zone. At least for one dance.

 

[Gandalf]

No clue where we are going to get our EDGE/OLB's from now or ILB from for that matter. Not to mention needing OLine depth and a future LOT. Draft day just took a major down turn on me. I was actually excited to be drafting a bit later down the board to hope guys fell to us (Landry).

Who knows? The CBs and DT kinda just came out of the blue. Perhaps Wade has a couple of targets that will be reasonable. There will be some vets cut lose or available post draft. We could get a decent LB in the 3rd or 4th.

 

[RamFan503]

BTW, I wish someone else would come after me, other than Stu, cuz I want to say “Just wait mofo”...
Problem is , I had the pleasure of meeting his dad, who’s (now 80 something), cooler than hell, and stronger than an ox.


Sometime you just have to cut your losses. :giveup:

And you’ll be happy to know that he talked once again about meeting all you guys when we were back home for Easter. In particular you, @Dieter the Brock , @Selassie I , @Ramrasta , @CGI_Ram , and @RhodyRams came up. Maybe he IS getting senile because he kept going on about what a great group of guys you all were. And we ALL know THAT’s bullshit.

For those of you that don’t know and were there, I nor my two boys were able to make it to his 80th birthday party so I bought him a ticket to the game and flew my sons out to the last opening day game in St Louis instead.

We all partied and had a great time out there and then on the last night, Vegas, Rhody, my two boys, my Dad, and I all went out to the Broadway Oyster Bar and had a tremendous dinner. Any of you out there HAVE to go there if you haven’t already. One of the five best restaurants I have EVER been to and I’ve been to some great ones. Better than Emeril’s by a long stretch IMO.

I may have to do a repost of that trip with some pictures. It was a lifetime event for three generations of Rams fans. So cool.

 

[majrleaged]

First move they've made I'm not a fan of.

Frankly getting a little sick and tired of these back end of rookie contract deals. Rams just got smoked on the Watkins front essentially giving up a second rounder for a less than stellar year and then seeing him walk. Now chasing good money after bad and doubling down for Cooks who is in the SAME position as Watkins. Meanwhile, outside of free agents, the Rams haven't shown any ability to lock up their own guys on long term deals unless it's for a player they don't want like Ogletree. They can't just franchise guys every year.

The next three off seasons Rams are looking at FAs Donald/Cooks, then Gurley/Peters, then Goff and that is with 3 free agent O-lineman next year and Joyner without a long term deal.

Draft choices matter. You have to trust your scouting department. They better find some guys in rounds 3 and 4.

Seems like they are trusting their scouting department. They probly have mid to late guys targeted that can do what they want.

 

[Psycho_X]

The most surprising thing is Les gave up one of his 6th rounders. The 4th gives us a plethora of depth filling picks though so that's nice.