Four things that need to happen for this trade to work out in 2021

[AvengerRam]

The work is not done. Here are 4 things that need to happen:

1. Bring back the D.
The Rams need, with limited resources, to figure out how to maintain a great 2020 defense. Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are great cornerstones, but we need to keep as much of the supportive cast. I’d sure love to see some cap clearing moves (restructure Stafford?) so we can keep as Leonard Floyd and/or John Johnson, but it could be difficult.

2. Don’t ignore the OL
We still need more size/talent on the interior OL. If we can do so, and provide Stafford with a running game and a clean pocket, the offense could make the jump we’re hoping for.

3. Find a home run hitter.
Stafford will be able to move the chains with Woods, Kupp and Jefferson, but we need a deep threat in the rotation. This should be a good draft to find that guy.

4. Hope for a McVay bump
The rapid improvement of Goff in his first year in McVay’s system was remarkable. Could we see a similar new level of play for Stafford?

 

[jjab360]

If the "McVay bump" looks anything like the difference between 2016 Goff and 2017 Goff, Stafford might be an MVP candidate lol

 

[AvengerRam]

If the "McVay bump" looks anything like the difference between 2016 Goff and 2017 Goff, Stafford might be an MVP candidate lol

I’d be okay with that!

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

3. Find a home run hitter.
Stafford will be able to move the chains with Woods, Kupp and Jefferson, but we need a deep threat in the rotation. This should be a good draft to find that guy.

I can't wait to see what he can do with a deep threat on this team, the guy has a cannon for an arm. Not that Goff couldn't throw deep, but Stafford is on another level and is a gunslinger.

 

[Tano]

I can't wait to see what he can do with a deep threat on this team, the guy has a cannon for an arm. Not that Goff couldn't throw deep, but Stafford is on another level and is a gunslinger.

Debbie Downer time

If we can find one AND get an upgrade at center

Without an upgrade at center, no amount of gunslinging from Stafford will help.

 

[Flatlyner]

I'm thinking people are writing off Jefferson as a deep threat guy too soon. Goff was really not asked to go deep because he wasn't accurate doing it. With a rocket armed guy like Stafford and as fast as Jefferson is, I think he will see his share of deep passes this season.

 

[ottoman89]

As I've said, DET has 2 WR FAs in Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golloday. Wouldn't be surprised to see them make a move for one as a deep threat.

 

[TXRams86]

I'm thinking people are writing off Jefferson as a deep threat guy too soon. Goff was really not asked to go deep because he wasn't accurate doing it. With a rocket armed guy like Stafford and as fast as Jefferson is, I think he will see his share of deep passes this season.

If I remember correctly he also came in with a foot injury of some sort right? Could have been something lingering as the season went on. We just weren't pushing the ball down the field regardless of who we had lined up at WR. I'm welcoming of a few deep shots this season!

 

[AvengerRam]

I'm thinking people are writing off Jefferson as a deep threat guy too soon. Goff was really not asked to go deep because he wasn't accurate doing it. With a rocket armed guy like Stafford and as fast as Jefferson is, I think he will see his share of deep passes this season.

Perhaps, but we will likely be drafting someone given that Reynolds likely won’t be retained. I’d like it to be someone with deep speed, even if it means taking someone with a limited route tree.

 

[TXRams86]

2. Don’t ignore the OL
We still need more size/talent on the interior OL. If we can do so, and provide Stafford with a running game and a clean pocket, the offense could make the jump we’re hoping for.

This is vital regardless of who is under center this year. Lets hope that we can find some decent linemen in the draft and coach 'em up in time to start day 1. That's not the McVay M.O. but lets hope for a surprise!

 

[simonblaze]

Debbie Downer time

If we can find one AND get an upgrade at center

Without an upgrade at center, no amount of gunslinging from Stafford will help.

Amen my Ram brother...

 

[dieterbrock]

If the "McVay bump" looks anything like the difference between 2016 Goff and 2017 Goff, Stafford might be an MVP candidate lol

"Might"? I'd say he's top 10 for 2021 already!

 

[808RAMS]

I can't wait to see what he can do with a deep threat on this team, the guy has a cannon for an arm. Not that Goff couldn't throw deep, but Stafford is on another level and is a gunslinger.

We saw what Stafford did when he had Calvin Johnson to throw to. We just have to hope that one of our receivers will have that same connection with Stafford.

 

[Merlin]

The work is not done. Here are 4 things that need to happen:

1. Bring back the D.
The Rams need, with limited resources, to figure out how to maintain a great 2020 defense. Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are great cornerstones, but we need to keep as much of the supportive cast. I’d sure love to see some cap clearing moves (restructure Stafford?) so we can keep as Leonard Floyd and/or John Johnson, but it could be difficult.

2. Don’t ignore the OL
We still need more size/talent on the interior OL. If we can do so, and provide Stafford with a running game and a clean pocket, the offense could make the jump we’re hoping for.

3. Find a home run hitter.
Stafford will be able to move the chains with Woods, Kupp and Jefferson, but we need a deep threat in the rotation. This should be a good draft to find that guy.

4. Hope for a McVay bump
The rapid improvement of Goff in his first year in McVay’s system was remarkable. Could we see a similar new level of play for Stafford?

Nice list and in full agreement on all.

If the defense dips too much we're gonna miss out again, gotta make sure that unit stays at least in that top 5 or top 10 range. That happens and we'll be a deep playoff team with a real chance to get it done. Main thing for me is the hope they can tag Floyd for a year and find a way to make it work. Or tag/trade him if necessary which may be possible idk to what extent cap might impact that.

Center at a minimum in this draft, unless somehow the Rams render the cap meaningless again and do wtf they want with a vet addition. There are some really good FA options. But I prefer a draft pick, we have good pieces across this OL and now a signal caller who won't need help with protections. We can do a rook and get that control so let's go that route and there's some nice Centers in this draft to fill the spot with.

The home run hitter won't be too tough IMO. I'd be looking at the slot guys this year too and seeing if I can boost us there, those guys are more numerous and you can get speed options there a little later than the outside hash dudes. Someone like Amari Rodgers who shouldn't go too high I think would be a great fit for this scheme. That little MFer got some juice and again running crossing routes in this offense with Stafford back there he would torch a ton of DBs even as a rook. Someone like him and yes I would take a receiving threat TE if that's how things line up, someday that will happen for us lol.

This was undoubtedly a really tough deal for McVay the past couple years, to beat his head against the wall with a QB who regressed like Goff did. But with the ground game pieces assembled and the line poised to return for the most part I think our only real fear is Whit missing games. He's gonna need some luck with health but if he gets it I like our chances.

 

[Neil039]

Keep in mind, players know when a winner is being built. Same reason certain guys waited to sign or jumped back into the fray to get a shot at playing with TurdB12.

I‘d gander a few vets will take less to play on this team on either side of the ball right now.
1). A Vet Center on a short contract won’t feel pressure by Blythe or Austin (freaking hope so)
2). Deep threat at WR should be the same IMO. VJ is fast but there are definitely faster FA’s out there. With this team and draft position a FA WR would be better served than a rookie (again JMO).
3). Murmurs about Watt are a “pipe dream“ (quoting another member). Although decent DEs will jump at the chance to play with AD. Testimonies can be provided by Fowler & Floyd lol
4). The true road block will likely be Rodgers (doubt the Bucs, Hawks, 49ers or Saints will improve—-prayers for TurdB12 to retire).

Just speculation, but I see the Rams as a desired destination for an opportunity to win.

 

[Flint]

Amen my Ram brother...

I never expected this would happen, I expected the Goff that led this team to the SB to be the one we saw going forward. I expected the guy who went toe to toe with Mahomes in one of the best games I’ve seen to be doing finger rolls on the crossbar for the foreseeable future, BUT clearly McVay feels like JG was holding the offense back and that he was the weak link on a super bowl ready team.
The consensus is that Goff will make a mistake sooner or later rather than him making you pay for yours. The more I think about it maybe he’s right, eliminate a couple Goff brain farts like that pick against the Hags or one of the turnovers against Miami and maybe the rams win 12 or 13 games. Sure there are issues with the oline but some of the errors were unforced. The dink and dunk was designed to help Goff stay out of trouble but it really didn’t so I guess McVay felt he had to do something.
Stafford is better athlete than Goff, though he is prone to injury, and has the arm talent to succeed when a play goes bad or protection breaks down. It’s kinda unbelievable though, the Rams make the playoffs for the first time in 20 years with Goff, get to the SB after 20 years with Goff, make the playoffs 3 out of 4 years with Goff and now they pay to get him out of town. NFL( not for long)

 

[Ballhawk]

That looks like the same list of needed items if Goff had stayed.

Make you wonder if there was something personal between him and McVay.

 

[thirteen28]

2. Don’t ignore the OL
We still need more size/talent on the interior OL. If we can do so, and provide Stafford with a running game and a clean pocket, the offense could make the jump we’re hoping for.

This should be #1, and it's far and away the most important one ... not even close.

I certainly want the D to continue to play at a high level, but absent retaining all of our starters (or even upgrading some, which is unlikely), I feel like the D takes a step back. But luckily, when your D is #1 in the league, you can fall back to being #5 or so and still be very good and playoff worthy. As long as we have AD on the front end and JR on the back end, we can be a good D, and we have the S talent to replace JJ.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

All that is required to make this trade a success is for Stafford to stay healthy and play better than Goff.

 

[simonblaze]

I never expected this would happen, I expected the Goff that led this team to the SB to be the one we saw going forward. I expected the guy who went toe to toe with Mahomes in one of the best games I’ve seen to be doing finger rolls on the crossbar for the foreseeable future, BUT clearly McVay feels like JG was holding the offense back and that he was the weak link on a super bowl ready team.
The consensus is that Goff will make a mistake sooner or later rather than him making you pay for yours. The more I think about it maybe he’s right, eliminate a couple Goff brain farts like that pick against the Hags or one of the turnovers against Miami and maybe the rams win 12 or 13 games. Sure there are issues with the oline but some of the errors were unforced. The dink and dunk was designed to help Goff stay out of trouble but it really didn’t so I guess McVay felt he had to do something.
Stafford is better athlete than Goff, though he is prone to injury, and has the arm talent to succeed when a play goes bad or protection breaks down. It’s kinda unbelievable though, the Rams make the playoffs for the first time in 20 years with Goff, get to the SB after 20 years with Goff, make the playoffs 3 out of 4 years with Goff and now they pay to get him out of town. NFL( not for long)

100%...I thought we were atleast looking at another SB appearance under Goff but after that CHI game dude hasn't been the same for whatever combo of reasons. I thought a lot of his regression could be mitigated with a stud C and competition at LG but hey McVay wanted his guy. Fingers crossed Whit comes back...