Everyone was Ready for the Rams to Rebuild...Except for the Rams - Article.

[Kupped]

Never thought that for a second.

Greg Gaines - replaceable

A 'Shawn Robinson - replaceable

Leonard Floyd - replaceable

Bobby Wagner - way past his prime, didn't transform the run D...replaceable

Jalen Ramsey - hurt, yes...also was getting burned on multiple occasions starting in the playoffs...hard to replace but life goes on

Nick Scott - replaceable

Troy Hill - replaceable

Taylor Rapp - replaceable

While these guys had varying levels of success, i failed to understand the lack of faith that the GM can't find new players when they found those guys, and the coaching to develop new guys when they had done so before.

I also failed to understand how the Rams newbies were so far behind the 8-ball compared to other teams' rookies to the point where they were 31 or 32 out of 32 and automatically equated a top 5 draft pick.

Sure, they’re replaceable… but the Rams replaced them with dirt-cheap players and low-round picks.

The Rams are spending less than any other team on defense.. and the highest picks they added was a 3rd rounder.

I’ll be honest… with their pass rush, I have no idea how they’ve performed as well as they have, overall.

Massive spending in $$ and draft picks in the way this offseason,

 

[LouisvilleRam]

Never thought that for a second.

Greg Gaines - replaceable

A 'Shawn Robinson - replaceable

Leonard Floyd - replaceable

Bobby Wagner - way past his prime, didn't transform the run D...replaceable

Jalen Ramsey - hurt, yes...also was getting burned on multiple occasions starting in the playoffs...hard to replace but life goes on

Nick Scott - replaceable

Troy Hill - replaceable

Taylor Rapp - replaceable

While these guys had varying levels of success, i failed to understand the lack of faith that the GM can't find new players when they found those guys, and the coaching to develop new guys when they had done so before.

I also failed to understand how the Rams newbies were so far behind the 8-ball compared to other teams' rookies to the point where they were 31 or 32 out of 32 and automatically equated a top 5 draft pick.

Well you should be rich then because Vegas had our win total at 6.5

 

[OldSchool]

Amazing what the health of Williams, Kupp and Stafford can do for the offense.

Statistical #1 offense when all 3 play

 

[oldnotdead]

This draft and offseason will be crucial for success in 2024.

They need a franchise QB successor to Stafford who I'm really convinced will retire in 2025.

Kupp will probably retire in 2025 as well considering his health issues and age. But they have their replacement in Nacua.

Donald also is likely to retire in 2025. The Rams have Turner who may not be the OL wrecker that Aaron is but he's looking pretty damn good. Brown is beginning to flash so I would expect him to take the next step as a NT in 2024.

After QB IMO they need a CB, edge, PK, OT, WR, and RB.

Lake is a keeper at safety and I think Taylor has as much or more potential. Yeast will provide decent depth behind them. I feel that both JJ and Fuller will be gone in 2024.

In 2024 the DL looks good with Donald, Young, Turner, and Brown. A second edge to compliment Young would normally be a no brainer, but with the scheme Morris plays it's not a given. His idea of an edge is a 3-4 DE, i.e. someone like Mathis. A whole lot of decisions on the defense will hinge upon who is DC. Will it still be Morris or someone else? Personally, I would prefer someone who runs a more aggressive 3-4 hybrid variant (i.e. one gap, attacking style).

I think they will make Dotson an offer but I think it's not a given he will re-sign. Making the playoffs will go a long way as an incentive for him to stay. Also, it depends on how Wendell views McClendon's progress. I feel he was drafted to be the starter at RG. Dotson is only 27 so they can project a full 4 years for him contractually.

Jackson is another big question mark. I think they will defer the issue one more year to give him time to develop into the starter he has the potential to be. So I see them placing a first round tender on him in 2024.

At center I see them releasing Brian Allen and essentially paying Shelton as their starting center which he has earned. They then can elevate McAllister as their backup at the position.

RT is the only position on the OL that IMO will be a question mark for them. Will they pay Havenstein as a top 11 RT which would be about 6% of their cap? This is his best year but he will be 32 this year. Up to now, he's been at best a decent RT but not a franchise type player. I'm not convinced they will spend the money when they have Noteboom as a cheaper alternative at least for one year if not more.

It sounds like a lot of needs but it's not. Mostly it's about continuing to build for the future and continuing to develop the guys they have.

 

[RamDino]

Amazing what the health of Williams, Kupp and Stafford can do for the offense.

And also the health of the o-line.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1740102935084937585

 

[Snaz]

I figured the defense would be on par and that it would come down to offense. With KW and MS both in it's turned into an amazing offense.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

And also the health of the o-line.

When everything clicks, it seems to keep the players healthier. I have a theory injuries happen like dominoes when the system breaks down.

 

[JimY53]

A second edge to compliment Young would normally be a no brainer, but with the scheme Morris plays it's not a given. His idea of an edge is a 3-4 DE, i.e. someone like Mathis.

Morris plays the Fangio scheme, just like Staley. Both OLBers can rush or cover depending on the call. Same as when Phillips was DC.

Mathis is not a 3-4 DE. Not in the normal usage of that term. Mathis would be properly termed a 3-4 OLBer, like Young, like Hoecht is now (not what he was before he got moved), like all the other 3-4 OLBers Rams have and had. Keir Thomas, Miller, T. Lewis, even going back to Phillips' time. Robert Quinn was moved from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB

a 3-4 OLber is a taller, leaner kind of guy compared to a 3-4 DE. Mathis is 6-5, 250. Byron Young is a shorter version but he'd 250. Hoecht is a huge version of that position. Hampton is also a 3-4 OLBer but he's on the smaller end.

A 3-4 DE, in normal usage of that term plays a 4i tech (in terms of Fanio's TITE or TUFF fronts) but in a 3-4 can be a 4 or tight 5. He's a three-point stance guy taking on a tackle.

Examples of a 3-4 DE in relation to Rams ... Jonah Williams now. A'Shawn Robinson last year, Michael Brockers before. Jump back to the 1980s, guys that were 3-4 DE included Jack Youngblood (miscast but that is what he played), Reggie Doss, Doug Reed.
(we can get into technicalities regarding a 3-tech in a 3-4 like Phillips or the Fangio scheme)

With the exception of Youngblood they are bigger, stouter guys compared to the 3-4 OLBers.

Again, to see where Mathis played in the few snaps he's had last year, just watch the game you can see what you are saying is wrong.
I mean this is pretty basic stuff, dude.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...

Examples of a 3-4 DE in relation to Rams ... . Jump back to the 1980s, guys that were 3-4 DE included Jack Youngblood (miscast but that is what he played), Reggie Doss, Doug Reed.
(we can get into technicalities regarding a 3-tech in a 3-4 like Phillips or the Fangio scheme)

With the exception of Youngblood they are bigger, stouter guys compared to the 3-4 OLBers.

...

I remember when the Rams switched to the 3-4 in 1983. I thought Youngblood (Jack, not you) could not possibly hold-up as a 3-4 DE. Convinced it was a terrible idea.

It's on the long list of times that I was very mistaken about my favorite team. However, it's on the Happy List of times I thought something would be a failure but turned-out to be successful.

 

[JimY53]

I remember when the Rams switched to the 3-4 in 1983. I thought Youngblood (Jack, not you) could not possibly hold-up as a 3-4 DE. Convinced it was a terrible idea.

It's on the long list of times that I was very mistaken about my favorite team. However, it's on the Happy List of times I thought something would be a failure but turned-out to be successful.

You were not alone. A lot of experts agree with you. Lots of media on that subject in the preseason/offseason of 1983.

Where you were right, is he was miscast. I saw someone wrote it was like playing Dr. J at power forward. He could *do it* but it was not his natural position so why waste his talents.

He also, as you know, hated it. But he went in there and in base defense did what he had to do. Then he'd play DE in the 4-2-5 nickel ... in 1983 they'd bring Gary Jeter in and he'd play DT. Then in 1984 it was mosty DeJurnett who was the 4th DL in nickel.