Floyd, Ngokue (and others) vs. youth movement at EDGE

[Elmgrovegnome]

Huh?

And that means that’s if we play rookies we’re shooting for a top 2 pick in next year’s draft?

You are putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that they were purposely tanking. That's altogether different. I'm just saying that if they truly don't think the defense will have a chance then why try to create cap space to sign some of these veteran OLBs, or even JJ?

So, if they don't bring in any vets to guide the younger players on D, they either cannot manage it under the cap, or choose not to. If they felt that the team could make a good playoff run, then they should sign a vet or two. They always have created cap space when they needed in the past. I just believe it's one of those, 'what's the point', situations.

 

[AvengerRam]

You are putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that they were purposely tanking. That's altogether different. I'm just saying that if they truly don't think the defense will have a chance then why try to create cap space to sign some of these veteran OLBs, or even JJ?

So, if they don't bring in any vets to guide the younger players on D, they either cannot manage it under the cap, or choose not to. If they felt that the team could make a good playoff run, then they should sign a vet or two. They always have created cap space when they needed in the past. I just believe it's one of those, 'what's the point', situations.

You said:

Unless the Rams secretly think they will have a top two pick, Is try to sign one vet at least.

I don’t believe the Rams think they will have a top 2 pick, and I don’t believe that going with the young guys indicates that they view the team that way.

So, yeah…we disagree.

 

[Belkster]

If the Rams have some success this year with the youth movement, it may signal that they are no longer going to offer a second contract to 90% of their draftees, but continue to rely on their scouts and coaches to keep the pool of talent fresh and hungry and cheap...kind of a college coach hybrid approach. If it blows up on them, I think they may add some depth with veteran help. Should at least be interesting to see the experiment.

I think the youth movement will continue as long as the team performs well. That won't stop management from signing veterans in the draft. Of course, if the veteran is better than the young player. And not very expensive

 

[oldnotdead]

Every star player was a rookie at some point in their career. So to predetermine the quality of the player because of draft position is ludicrous in the extreme. These so called experts are wrong as much as they are right. They panned the Ram's 2021 OL like many on this board only to find they were good enough to win a Lombardi that year.

SO A BIG ASS YAWN TO ALL OF THEM MAY I REMIND PEOPLE THAT NOT ONE WAS CORRECT ABOUT AARON DONALD. MOST SAID HE WAS A REACH.

I prefer to make up my own mind upon what I see and know. IMO Young is underrated. They have no idea how the defense will be played they simply assume it will be the same uber-soft zone. Maybe it will but if it's played aggressively, and talent determines who starts and who rides the bench not favoritism as is SOP under Morris then they have talent on the defense to be pretty good. They don't have to be a #1 defense, but if they play like a top 10 it will be enough.

Let's see how the defense is played before we pass judgment on the team. As I've pointed out the offense is basically intact and the OL looks like it will be very much improved. There is no question that when healthy this is a top 10 offense.

I for one am excited to see them play this year and not ashamed of my optimism.

 

[Ramrasta]

This.

If we signed those two, our defense IMO would have a real shot at being above average. Floyd is an adequate rusher but will help against the run. Would allow Hoecht to play DE.

JJ is insurance and competes with the young guys.

Imo, signing any of the remaining FA edge players will not be enough to save this defense. There are multiple voids at every level. Its better long term if we take our lumps and let the youth develop.

 

[Tano]

Every star player was a rookie at some point in their career. So to predetermine the quality of the player because of draft position is ludicrous in the extreme. These so called experts are wrong as much as they are right. They panned the Ram's 2021 OL like many on this board only to find they were good enough to win a Lombardi that year.

SO A BIG ASS YAWN TO ALL OF THEM MAY I REMIND PEOPLE THAT NOT ONE WAS CORRECT ABOUT AARON DONALD. MOST SAID HE WAS A REACH.

I prefer to make up my own mind upon what I see and know. IMO Young is underrated. They have no idea how the defense will be played they simply assume it will be the same uber-soft zone. Maybe it will but if it's played aggressively, and talent determines who starts and who rides the bench not favoritism as is SOP under Morris then they have talent on the defense to be pretty good. They don't have to be a #1 defense, but if they play like a top 10 it will be enough.

Let's see how the defense is played before we pass judgment on the team. As I've pointed out the offense is basically intact and the OL looks like it will be very much improved. There is no question that when healthy this is a top 10 offense.

I for one am excited to see them play this year and not ashamed of my optimism.

It's very possible that we got some really good players in this draft.

However, they usually take a year to show themselves.

Aaron Donald was good his first year and IIRC - he didn't start until halfway thru the year. Plus he didn't become the beast he is until his second year.

This first year is going to have a lot of growing pains

 

[FaulkSF]

It's really easy folks. The Rams have 4.6M according to spotrac and $1.7M according to OTC. Without ruining their plans for next year by pushing 2023 cap hits into the future, the Rams aren't going in that direction.

However, if the Rams go through their first five games with a winning record they will consider sacrificing 2024 cap if available FAs present a significant upgrade at their position.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

You said:

I don’t believe the Rams think they will have a top 2 pick, and I don’t believe that going with the young guys indicates that they view the team that way.

So, yeah…we disagree.

That’s fine. You can disagree. I don’t know who we is referring to though. Is there two of you now?

 

[AvengerRam]

That’s fine. You can disagree. I don’t know who we is referring to though. Is there two of you now?

We = you and I. We disagree.

 

[Tumak61]

Depends on the plan. For 2023 I'd go with the youth, then when the Rams are ready to challenge for another title you ad a vet or two or three to seal the deal. I doubt the Rams bring in any vets this season.

 

[AvengerRam]

Depends on the plan. For 2023 I'd go with the youth, then when the Rams are ready to challenge for another title you ad a vet or two or three to seal the deal. I doubt the Rams bring in any vets this season.

I agree with a caveat…if the Rams see an opportunity to get a guy who can be part of the long term plan at the trade deadline (ie someone like Brian Burns), I could see them making a move.

Otherwise, I think they will opt to give the young guys snaps over veteran rentals.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

We = you and I. We disagree.

Ah, makes sense.

As much as I hate watching losing seasons (we all have seen plenty). It seems that a drop off was bound to come eventually. I’m just trying to be realistic.

McVay never seemed to be too keen on relying on rookies as starters in the past. Does that mean he’s resigned to embracing a struggling defense?

 

[Tumak61]

Ah, makes sense.

As much as I hate watching losing seasons (we all have seen plenty). It seems that a drop off was bound to come eventually. I’m just trying to be realistic.

McVay never seemed to be too keen on relying on rookies as starters in the past. Does that mean he’s resigned to embracing a struggling defense?

When you look at potential rookies who may start it seems like only one or two may get the nod. Avila at one of the three interior spots for sure, then on Defense I see only maybe Byron Young as a potential starter, then on Special Teams we could have some rookie kickers.

 

[Tano]

When you look at potential rookies who may start it seems like only one or two may get the nod. Avila at one of the three interior spots for sure, then on Defense I see only maybe Byron Young as a potential starter, then on Special Teams we could have some rookie kickers.

I have a feeling Tomlinson will eventually start at Slot

 

[Ram Ts]

I think a lot of these new guys will get playing time. Maybe not starters and maybe not much earlier on. But rotational/part time will occur for a lot of them - especially as the season progresses.

Avila seems like a full time starter. Maybe 1-2 others can gain a starter spot at TC or within first couple weeks. An edge/OLB spot certainly is wide open and likely a DB spot is open for some rookie to take & earn it.

 

[Memento]

SO A BIG ASS YAWN TO ALL OF THEM MAY I REMIND PEOPLE THAT NOT ONE WAS CORRECT ABOUT AARON DONALD. MOST SAID HE WAS A REACH.

I’d like to disagree with that. @jrry32 was definitely right. Not only about calling the pick, but saying how absolutely great Donald would be.

 

[Tano]

I’d like to disagree with that. @jrry32 was definitely right. Not only about calling the pick, but saying how absolutely great Donald would be.

I think Old was talking about the media.

I think there were a couple of posters besides Jrry32 that were high on Donald.

But definitely Jrry32 was the highest on Donald.

I distinctly remember Jrry32 banging the board hoping the Rams would take Donald at 13 after NY took OBJ

And I was ecstatic when the Rams took him at 13 as well.

 

[dieterbrock]

Once the draft pick compensation window closes, you will see a lot of these guys sign deals.
Rams can make it work financially, signing bonuses, void years etc.

 

[TheTackle]

I think Old was talking about the media.

I think there were a couple of posters besides Jrry32 that were high on Donald.

But definitely Jrry32 was the highest on Donald.

I distinctly remember Jrry32 banging the board hoping the Rams would take Donald at 13 after NY took OBJ

And I was ecstatic when the Rams took him at 13 as well.

Jrry32 was all over Donald pre draft and had me convinced

I hated the Robinson pick. We should have traded back! You don't draft a project there... Thankfully we lucked into signing a potential hall of fame LT in free agency. Big Whit was instrumental in our resurgence

We probably need to find another great LT next year if a SB run in 2024 is to become a realistic possibility

 

[oldnotdead]

They would not have drafted Young, Hampton and Mathis to go along with Hoecht if they were going to sign a vet edge.