FA and Cap Outlook

[BonifayRam]

Yeah, this may also be a backhanded way of putting some pressure on Noteboom to come to terms. I've mentioned previously that if Noteboom chooses to go elsewhere with a 'show me the money' decision, Whit may very well be inclined to help his old team out with another year of service. Of course, this conversation with McVay he'll be having in a couple weeks may also just be about remaining with the team in another capacity, such as a coaching position so many of us have speculated at over the last year. Either way, it doesn't sound like he's done with the game completely, and at 40 years old, he's not ready for a rocking chair just yet.
jmo.

"At the end" ......of this great 2021 season...Noteboom has proven to be a very good pass blocking LT with a ButtMonkey attached to his pro history profile......three seasons being placed on the Injured Reserve & only average run blocking LT.

I want Noteboom signed to a 4 yr contract for an amount coming in around $9 to $10 million as a maximum. The chances that another team will pay much more is very high. So I believe that Noteboom is likely gone.

We have discussed previously that the Snead OT shelf is not bare & we also know who might get worked into this open LT post.

 

[OntarioRam]

"At the end" ......of this great 2021 season...Noteboom has proven to be a very good pass blocking LT with a ButtMonkey attached to his pro history profile......three seasons being placed on the Injured Reserve & only average run blocking LT.

I want Noteboom signed to a 4 yr contract for an amount coming in around $9 to $10 million as a maximum. The chances that another team will pay much more is very high. So I believe that Noteboom is likely gone.

We have discussed previously that the Snead OT shelf is not bare & we also know who might get worked into this open LT post.

I am not so sure. How many teams will give up big money for a LT that is always injured, is average at best at run blocking, looked lost when shuffled to LG in an attempt to get all of the Rams' best linemen on the field, and does not even have much film to judge because he was mostly stuck on the bench?

It is not like Noteboom was a high 1st round draft pick, which teams would be more willing to pay based on "pedigree".

You never know with capable offensive linemen. They are so rare that some team(s) might offer Noteboom a lot more than the Rams do. But the market for Noteboom is quite hard to predict, IMO, and one that will be very interesting to watch play out. No outcome would surprise me. As much as I could see him getting a big contract, I could just as easily see the Rams' offer being in-line with anything else in the market. At which point.... does Noteboom want to stay a Ram for the culture, the weather, the winning opportunities, the familiarity with the offense? Or does he want a fresh start?

More than anything, I suspect Noteboom will go wherever he gets the chance to start, if anyone is willing to hand him the wheel at LT.

 

[Kupped]

The Rams can open up something like $60 million really simply... it doesn't mean they will, but why wouldn't they? We'll see.

One thing I'm trying to remember is that the Rams regularly pull off "holy shit!" moves.. so.. why not Terron Armstead?? He'll cost a ton.. but you could probably play with the structure on a multi-year deal.

 

[Riverumbbq]

"At the end" ......of this great 2021 season...Noteboom has proven to be a very good pass blocking LT with a ButtMonkey attached to his pro history profile......three seasons being placed on the Injured Reserve & only average run blocking LT.

I want Noteboom signed to a 4 yr contract for an amount coming in around $9 to $10 million as a maximum. The chances that another team will pay much more is very high. So I believe that Noteboom is likely gone.

We have discussed previously that the Snead OT shelf is not bare & we also know who might get worked into this open LT post.

That's true, and Whitworth could actually enter into a Weddle like situation somewhere down the line should there be another LT injury, where he comes in later in the season and saves the day.
The Rams are pretty stacked with possible replacements & back-up reserve OT'S though, Alaric Jackson, David Edwards, Chandler Brewer and even Max Pircher remain part of the conversation, so depth doesn't appear a problem so long as someone can step into the lead role successfully and with some permanence. And who knows how the Rams will draft this April ? At worst we'll be visiting free agency to fill this position. Still, I believe Noteboom will ultimately get the nod ...
jmo.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah I didn't have either Brewer or Pircher on the list. So if you add those two things look better for depth purposes. Think I had 6 legit guys on the roster by count, so if you figure those two are legit depth that pushes the roster to 8 and that's with all their FAs leaving. 9 if you keep Boom. And of course it's a big assumption since Pircher was so raw. Still looks like draft is likely to fill the front end of the pipeline things just look better on depth.

Question is how do they expect to get better. And does McVay feel like they need to. Boy do I hope he feels like they need to run the ball better.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yeah I didn't have either Brewer or Pircher on the list. So if you add those two things look better for depth purposes. Think I had 6 legit guys on the roster by count, so if you figure those two are legit depth that pushes the roster to 8 and that's with all their FAs leaving. 9 if you keep Boom. And of course it's a big assumption since Pircher was so raw. Still looks like draft is likely to fill the front end of the pipeline things just look better on depth.

Question is how do they expect to get better. And does McVay feel like they need to. Boy do I hope he feels like they need to run the ball better.

Agree 100%. My mock has us drafting 2 big OG's with our first two draft picks, although that is about as realistic as a snowball in hell with the way Snead pursues IOL in the draft. Carberry makes us better, but he still needs the right personnel to make it all work ...

 

[BonifayRam]

Yeah I didn't have either Brewer or Pircher on the list. So if you add those two things look better for depth purposes. Think I had 6 legit guys on the roster by count, so if you figure those two are legit depth that pushes the roster to 8 and that's with all their FAs leaving. 9 if you keep Boom. And of course it's a big assumption since Pircher was so raw. Still looks like draft is likely to fill the front end of the pipeline things just look better on depth.

Question is how do they expect to get better. And does McVay feel like they need to. Boy do I hope he feels like they need to run the ball better.

You did mention this OT earlier this month though.....I just forgot about him till you brought him up.

Adrian Ealy, OT, Oklahoma

RS Junior, 6'6.5", 326 lbs

thedraftnetwork.com

 

[CGI_Ram]

Wow, Whitworth is actually not sounding too convinced that this is his last game. Was on Ellen apparently and towards the end she asks him if this is his last game and says he needs to talk about it with McVay and management and even tells her to put ???? marks on a dumb trophy thing she gives him at end that has his final date played. Sooooo, might get another season out of Big Whit which I would be ok with. If that happened I think Noteboom is gone and Alaric Jackson will be groomed to take over.


View: https://youtu.be/2B5CpsBsKco

He did seem “open” to playing.

Thats an interesting thing to consider. Might buy them time with Jackson or another, like you said.

 

[ramman]

Is there any chance David Edwards could play left tackle?

 

[Allen2McVay]

Is there any chance David Edwards could play left tackle?

I think it's reasonable to say "there is a chance".

When Whitworth and Noteboom were both on the COVID-List, it was Edwards at LT, with Shelton at LG.

When Allen went-down, Shelton moved over to C, Edwards back to LG and Alaric Jackson went in at LT.

Edwards at LT might noy be the best option but it could be an option.

 

[OldSchool]

Is there any chance David Edwards could play left tackle?

Always possible but his time we've seen him there for the Rams wasn't stellar. He didn't play there in college either. And moving him there over signing Boom or a free agent to a long term contract is really only delaying the inevitable because Edwards is a free agent next off season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

He did seem “open” to playing.

That's an interesting thing to consider. Might buy them time with Jackson or another, like you said.

It's interesting but I am actually hoping he does retire.

That's a tough thing for me to write. I will punch myself in the face after I hit Post Reply.

I love the guy, and have great appreciation for what he meant to the Team on-and-off the field. I believe he was the first addition after McVay was hired. However, a 41-year old LT is beyond 'pushing-it' and I do think his play has declined a bit. Plus, I think they will need the cap-relief Whitworth's retirement would provide. I think it's somewhere in the area of $16M.

I like what I see from Noteboom but have some concerns about durability.

 

[Kupped]

It'll cost $25 million a year... but, I'll say it again... Terron Armstead.
The Rams could sign Allen and let Corbett walk to save some $$ and draft one or two guys to compete with the others for right guard.
Heck.. maybe you don't re-sign either Allen or Corbett to save money and draft a center in the 3rd.

 

[Tano]

It'll cost $25 million a year... but, I'll say it again... Terron Armstead.
The Rams could sign Allen and let Corbett walk to save some $$ and draft one or two guys to compete with the others for right guard.
Heck.. maybe you don't re-sign either Allen or Corbett to save money and draft a center in the 3rd.

What do you mean draft a center? We will draft a 5 4 WR who weights 140 lbs this times

 

[LA1980]

A very good article on the subject:

Freeing Up $100M of Rams' Cap Space | Spotrac News

Fresh off a Super Bowl 56 victory, the LA Rams currently project to $10M of negative cap space heading toward the 2022 league year. Our deep dive look at the moves that can be made to free up plenty of room to maneuver in the coming weeks.

www.spotrac.com

lots of flexibility. Prioritize Miller, OBJ, and Oline and make big splashes next year with cap jump from new tv money.

 

[BonifayRam]

Rams sign 14 players to futures contracts

Amidst all the Super Bowl euphoria, it’s business as usual

www.turfshowtimes.com

Rams sign 14 players to futures contracts​

Amidst all the Super Bowl euphoria, it’s business as usual
By Venie Randy Soares Feb 17, 2022, 10:30am CST

​

As players, coaches, and fans basked in the afterglow of winning the Super Bowl, staff at the Los Angeles Rams headquarters were still taking care of league business. On Tuesday, LA announced the signing of 14 players to reserve/futures contracts.

• WR Landen Akers

Guy must be a gamer. His claim to fame in college was as a special teams demon. Saw 25 snaps on ST’s in two games. Good speed.

• T Chandler Brewer

Entering his fourth year as a Ram. Career practice squad player who sat out 2020 due to Covid-19. Played up and down the line in preseason games.

• DB Antoine Brooks Jr.

Aggressive, hard hitting special teams contributor. Was active for last eight games of regular season and played in 62% of special teams snaps.

• DE Earnest Brown IV

Drafted at #174 of the 5th round. Spent the season on PS. Long armed, developmental project with potential who needs to work on strength and technique.

Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

• DB Tyler Hall

Nickelback who has history with Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris. Played 41 ST snaps in 2021.

• RB Javian Hawkins

True speed guy who a huge playmaker in college. I’m a fan of this guy, would love to see him get some packages designed for his skillset.

• G Jeremiah Kolone

Been waived and re-signed many times since originally joining Rams in 2018. Another versatile piece who has played all five offensive line roles.

• WR J.J. Koski

Fast guy who can also return kicks. Got a chance to win the returner job, but looked shaky and not ready for the big stage.

• TE Kyle Markway

Doesn’t fit the Rams TE profile, known more as a blocker than receiver. Over last season he was signed and released five times.

• DB Kareem Orr

Versatile safety/cornerback who can tackle. Saw 40 defensive snaps in two games, but was mostly a PS player.

• T Max Pircher

The big, Italian kid from the international intern program.

• DE Jonah Williams

A big, athletic guy who has spent a couple seasons on PS. Started 2021 on active roster and played 96 defensive snaps in eight games.

• T Adrian Ealy

This is Ealy’s second go-round with LA. Added to the roster at the the height of the Rams Covid19 struggles and released a week later. Size, length and motor are strong points.

• C Drake Jackson

Smallish center, under 300 lbs. coming out of college, with nimble feet who might be able to develop in the Rams zone scheme. His size probably limits him to center.

Pros and cons​

A reserve/future contact is a one year. non-guaranteed contract usually offered to young players who are not any team’s closing active roster. The future part of these contracts comes into play is that they do not count against the salary cap because they do not become valid until March 16, the official start of the NFL 2022 League year.

Most teams try to re-sign players off their practice squads that they want to continue developing or deem worthy of an invitation to the upcoming training periods. This is where the reserve part of contract comes into effect. Normally, a player on the practice squad can be poached by any opposing team who is willing to sign them to an active roster contract. These contracts lock in the signing player and allow the team a secure group of bodies for training camp.

What does it mean for the Rams roster?​

The signings bring the number of players the Rams currently have under contract to 59. According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, LA is projected to have eight draft picks

• 3rd (1) comp for Brad Holmes
• 4th (1) comp for John Johnson
• 5th (1) their own
• 6th (4) their own and 3 comps for Samson Ebukam, Gerald Everett, and Troy Hill
• 7th (1) from Miami for Aqib Talib

That leaves 23 more players needing to be signed by March 16th and fit under the reported salary cap of $208.2 mil in 2022.

Will the Rams re-sign their own free agents, other team castoffs, or undrafted free agents to fill the last spots on the roster?

 

[Kupped]

It'll cost $25 million a year... but, I'll say it again... Terron Armstead.
The Rams could sign Allen and let Corbett walk to save some $$ and draft one or two guys to compete with the others for right guard.
Heck.. maybe you don't re-sign either Allen or Corbett to save money and draft a center in the 3rd.

This isn't a prediction, by the way. Just an acknowledgement that the Rams often do stuff that absolutely stuns everyone.

 

[TheTackle]

What do you mean draft a center? We will draft a 5 4 WR who weights 140 lbs this times

Funny, but we just won the SB with Allen so, in the short term at least, it’s hard to fault the front office plus our reserve centre played like a plus starter and is also left handed, which aids continuity.

I agreed with you and was equally frustrated on draft day but perhaps it’s time to move on and maybe expect bigger things in Tutu’s second season. His blazing speed, route running and ability to catch over his shoulder could be pretty useful in this system, agreed?

He is a ram, for good or worse, like it or not, so let’s get behind him - after all plenty was said about Weddle returning and it proved pointlessly negative

 

[LA1980]

Funny, but we just won the SB with Allen so, in the short term at least, it’s hard to fault the front office plus our reserve centre played like a plus starter and is also left handed, which aids continuity.

I agreed with you and was equally frustrated on draft day but perhaps it’s time to move on and maybe expect bigger things in Tutu’s second season. His blazing speed, route running and ability to catch over his shoulder could be pretty useful in this system, agreed?

He is a ram, for good or worse, like it or not, so let’s get behind him - after all plenty was said about Weddle returning and it proved pointlessly negative

I believe their weaknesses in the run game were highlighted in the playoffs and an entire revamp is in order (if possible). You want, big, strong, fast, and agile. Unfortunately, the rams seem to have an affinity on the interior for small, slow, weak, and clumsy. If you have to compromise, at least get fast but small or slow but big, right? The chiefs did it last year, I hope the rams do the same.

 

[Kupped]

Funny, but we just won the SB with Allen so, in the short term at least, it’s hard to fault the front office plus our reserve centre played like a plus starter and is also left handed, which aids continuity.

I agreed with you and was equally frustrated on draft day but perhaps it’s time to move on and maybe expect bigger things in Tutu’s second season. His blazing speed, route running and ability to catch over his shoulder could be pretty useful in this system, agreed?

He is a ram, for good or worse, like it or not, so let’s get behind him - after all plenty was said about Weddle returning and it proved pointlessly negative

Tutu could certainly be of use next season. We won't see OBJ until late November or December, if he's still a Ram.

As for the draft.. I try not to be hyper focused on individual picks and what the Rams "missed" on (Creed) as much as the overall impact of a class and it takes years to fully appreciate that... something I'm sure you agree with.

I mean.. look at the roller coaster the 2018 class was on... no first rounder.. but still brought in at least two full time starters (Allen & SJD), a critical backup who will start somewhere next year (Noteboom), and guys who can contribute (Obo, Howard).

That's not even counting three guys who are playing on other teams this year.. .Kelly, Kiser and Franklin-Myers.

So, I'll hold off on being upset about Tutu. Fair to call it a bad pick.. but I don't worry too much about that. Let's see what Jones, Rochell, Brown & Brown.. Harris, Funk and Skow do in their careers.