- Joined
- Sep 11, 2014
- Messages
- 553
http://isportsweb.com/2016/06/18/los-angeles-rams-rams-doomed-mediocrity/
Los Angeles Rams: Why the Rams are doomed to mediocrity again
June 18, 2016 by Akhil Ganesh
The city may have changed, but there is a lot about the Los Angeles Rams that is still the same. General manager Les Snead is still there, as well as head coach Jeff Fisher. The Rams will enter the season anchored with a stifling defensive line, led by All Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and a stellar rushing attack led by 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley, but is that enough to win football games consistently in the National Football League?
No.
Allow me to explain. There are a plethora of questions plaguing the Rams, including one question that seems to be asked every single offseason: how good is the offensive line? Los Angeles has invested countless amounts of draft capital and free agency dollars in the offensive line since Fisher and Snead took over, yet the line remains a perennial weak point for the team.
Look at the players along the Rams’ offensive line. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson was a second overall draft pick, and has failed to delivery on the lofty expectations held for him. He has struggled throughout his tenure, with some even calling for his move to the inside at guard. While his skill-set could be more valuable on the inside, the second pick in a draft is way to high for a guard. Veteran Rodger Saffold is injury-prone, and Tim Barnes spent years as a back-up. The rest of the line fills out with Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown, who will look to improve in year 2 of their careers.
There’s also the annual question at quarterback, as the Rams enter another with a questionable entity at quarterback. This year, the decision comes down to the difference between Case Keenum and Jared Goff, with last year’s big quarterback acquisition Nick Foles somewhere in the background. Los Angeles’ offense is built to run the football, but defenses know that. When they load the box against Todd Gurley, the onus is on the quarterback to make plays. If Goff can deliver, then the Rams could be in good shape.
But there is nothing in the Rams’ history with quarterbacks that could breed that kind of confidence. They too often end up injured or ineffective because the offensive line is incapable of holding up against a pass rush. Gurley can’t do everything on offense, and Goff may not be productive right out of the gate.
The Rams offense last year was a failure, despite Todd Gurley’s success. They finished dead last in total yards, and were the only team in the NFL to fail to average over 300 yards per game. In order to improve this offense, the team drafted all sorts of weapons along with Jared Goff to be the franchise quarterback. Just like the Rams once drafted Sam Bradford to be a franchise quarterback, and then would go on to draft the following names: Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Tre Mason, Isaiah Pead, Zac Stacy, and Daryl Richardson.
Just drafting the talent isn’t enough. It has to translate onto the field. In years past, the Rams would rely on a “shotgun” method to the draft. They would get as much draft capital as possible, and see what stuck with the team. Now, Los Angeles has very little draft capital for the next year, as a result of the trade to get Jared Goff. It’s a lot to put on an unproven commodity in the National Football League.
Los Angeles Rams: Why the Rams are doomed to mediocrity again
June 18, 2016 by Akhil Ganesh
The city may have changed, but there is a lot about the Los Angeles Rams that is still the same. General manager Les Snead is still there, as well as head coach Jeff Fisher. The Rams will enter the season anchored with a stifling defensive line, led by All Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and a stellar rushing attack led by 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley, but is that enough to win football games consistently in the National Football League?
No.
Allow me to explain. There are a plethora of questions plaguing the Rams, including one question that seems to be asked every single offseason: how good is the offensive line? Los Angeles has invested countless amounts of draft capital and free agency dollars in the offensive line since Fisher and Snead took over, yet the line remains a perennial weak point for the team.
Look at the players along the Rams’ offensive line. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson was a second overall draft pick, and has failed to delivery on the lofty expectations held for him. He has struggled throughout his tenure, with some even calling for his move to the inside at guard. While his skill-set could be more valuable on the inside, the second pick in a draft is way to high for a guard. Veteran Rodger Saffold is injury-prone, and Tim Barnes spent years as a back-up. The rest of the line fills out with Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown, who will look to improve in year 2 of their careers.
There’s also the annual question at quarterback, as the Rams enter another with a questionable entity at quarterback. This year, the decision comes down to the difference between Case Keenum and Jared Goff, with last year’s big quarterback acquisition Nick Foles somewhere in the background. Los Angeles’ offense is built to run the football, but defenses know that. When they load the box against Todd Gurley, the onus is on the quarterback to make plays. If Goff can deliver, then the Rams could be in good shape.
But there is nothing in the Rams’ history with quarterbacks that could breed that kind of confidence. They too often end up injured or ineffective because the offensive line is incapable of holding up against a pass rush. Gurley can’t do everything on offense, and Goff may not be productive right out of the gate.
The Rams offense last year was a failure, despite Todd Gurley’s success. They finished dead last in total yards, and were the only team in the NFL to fail to average over 300 yards per game. In order to improve this offense, the team drafted all sorts of weapons along with Jared Goff to be the franchise quarterback. Just like the Rams once drafted Sam Bradford to be a franchise quarterback, and then would go on to draft the following names: Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Tre Mason, Isaiah Pead, Zac Stacy, and Daryl Richardson.
Just drafting the talent isn’t enough. It has to translate onto the field. In years past, the Rams would rely on a “shotgun” method to the draft. They would get as much draft capital as possible, and see what stuck with the team. Now, Los Angeles has very little draft capital for the next year, as a result of the trade to get Jared Goff. It’s a lot to put on an unproven commodity in the National Football League.
