Gonna go out on a limb here a little bit...

[Rams43]

But you can color me cautiously optimistic as we approach this draft.

I've seen some posters state that our O hasn't improved, even gone backwards a little bit. But they're overlooking the fact that our current roster is not the roster that finished last season or that we'll trot out on opening day.

Consider these factors that are either already in place or are expected to be added via draft:

Keenum will be able to hit the deck running from day one, instead of being thrown into a dumpster fire late in a lost season.
Boras will have had every opportunity to properly design and install his system rather than being thrown into that same dumpster fire.
OL will have a year of seasoning under it's belt. Certainly not 3 rookies and a new FA starter scenario THIS year.
Surely a WR will be added from early in the draft, maybe two.
A TE will probably be added via draft or FA to replace the disappointing Cook.
Gurley will be 100% for all 16 games. 'Nuff said.
A QB will be added, possibly via trade up. Might even be able to take snaps late in the season.
I expect to see a new kicker added, possibly an Aguayo or Fairbairn via draft. That's 2-3 more wins right there.

The D should be just fine. All of our starters are already on the roster.

Quinn, hopefully, will be back at !00%.
I would not be surprised to see improved LB play this year compared to last year's J Lau unit. I'm serious.
Call me crazy, but I prefer Gaines over Jenkins as a starting CB.
Joyner should be a more than adequate replacement for McLeod. And a possible upgrade by '17.
McDonald will be back.

I see maybe a few players added for depth, either late in the draft or from UDFA. That's it.

When all the above is considered, I see the Rams as a serious playoff contender. A team nobody really wants to play.

The promised land, however, must wait until our new QB comes of age. Probably not before '17 at the earliest.

 

[LesBaker]

The last line sums it all up..........this team needs a QB so badly I can't stand it.

Keenum is really the key to the entire season and that's just so peculiar LOL.

 

[Corbin]

But you can color me cautiously optimistic as we approach this draft.

I've seen some posters state that our O hasn't improved, even gone backwards a little bit. But they're overlooking the fact that our current roster is not the roster that finished last season or that we'll trot out on opening day.

Consider these factors that are either already in place or are expected to be added via draft:

Keenum will be able to hit the deck running from day one, instead of being thrown into a dumpster fire late in a lost season.
Boras will have had every opportunity to properly design and install his system rather than being thrown into that same dumpster fire.
OL will have a year of seasoning under it's belt. Certainly not 3 rookies and a new FA starter scenario THIS year.
Surely a WR will be added from early in the draft, maybe two.
A TE will probably be added via draft or FA to replace the disappointing Cook.
Gurley will be 100% for all 16 games. 'Nuff said.
A QB will be added, possibly via trade up. Might even be able to take snaps late in the season.
I expect to see a new kicker added, possibly an Aguayo or Fairbairn via draft. That's 2-3 more wins right there.

The D should be just fine. All of our starters are already on the roster.

Quinn, hopefully, will be back at !00%.
I would not be surprised to see improved LB play this year compared to last year's J Lau unit. I'm serious.
Call me crazy, but I prefer Gaines over Jenkins as a starting CB.
Joyner should be a more than adequate replacement for McLeod. And a possible upgrade by '17.
McDonald will be back.

I see maybe a few players added for depth, either late in the draft or from UDFA. That's it.

When all the above is considered, I see the Rams as a serious playoff contender. A team nobody really wants to play.

The promised land, however, must wait until our new QB comes of age. Probably not before '17 at the earliest.

Not a bad post or assessment tbh.

One of the things that people don't really talk about or think about is our kicker situation. I've lost confidence in GZ. Dude just seems like mentally he's shaken up. I used to have all the confidence in the world in him not only that but it's his last year, let's go get another kicker that has it all there that will lock up some games for us in Fairbairn.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading up into the end of the 1st round or top of the second to pick up Hunter Henry which adds a 3rd down/red zone weapon and the dude can damn sure block! Basically a not so half ass good pass catching run blocking TE which is exactly what we need. His NFL comparison in Jason Witten.

I also agree I prefer a healthy Gaines over Jenkins as well. Dude was overrated and gambled to much to pad his personal stats.

I'm more or less concerned the most on Defense with the FS replacement but I think and know we have some damn good potential already.

And then comes our QB situation.... sigh. I really honestly think Mannion has a half damn good shot at being at least a consistent good QB for our offense. If we got a Henry, Michael Thomas, and somebody to replace Barnes in the middle i really feel if it's Keenum or Mannion with a whole off-season under their belt could be at the very least serviceable. Keep in mind Keenum is no slouch, I believe he has the most yards in NCAA history? Obviously neither is Brady or Manning but we just need someone as we stated before the grease fire that is Nick FOlds took over we need someone who is consistent and doesn't make crazy mistakes even if they don't post gawdy numbers.

Just my two cents and I honestly feel our FO coincides with it by actions in FA etc.

 

[12intheBox]

So far, the offseason feels like a bit of a net loss but we have a ton of salary cap room to work with and the offseason ain't over.

 

[Akrasian]

Wasn't GZ fighting an injury last year? His returning to health might be enough

 

[Mojo Ram]

Good post. Still waiting for the going out on a limb part, though.

 

[Roman Snow]

I really honestly think Mannion has a half damn good shot at being at least a consistent good QB for our offense.

I agree. I would love to see Mannion and a Rookie battle for the future, while Case starts the first 6-8 games, say 6, and goes 4-2. Mannion is then ready, jumps in and rides us to an 11-5 season and the playoffs.

Case hangs on and becomes the seasoned vet backup, and either Mannion, if he does well, or (Lynch, Cook?) rise to the top.

 

[Corbin]

I agree. I would love to see Mannion and a Rookie battle for the future, while Case starts the first 6-8 games, say 6, and goes 4-2. Mannion is then ready, jumps in and rides us to an 11-5 season and the playoffs.

Case hangs on and becomes the seasoned vet backup, and either Mannion, if he does well, or (Lynch, Cook?) rise to the top.

Believe compared to the insanity we've had the last few years that sounds like a higher % of success mate!

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

Wasn't GZ fighting an injury last year? His returning to health might be enough

For the season GZ missed 8 FGs and two were blocked, let's revisit;


Vs GB he was 1-4 - missed from 53, 63 and had a 50 yarder blocked (smh) non factor Foles lost this game

Vs Bal he missed a 52 yarder (J Tuck also missed from 51) blame him for the loss?

Vs Cle he was 1-3 - missed from 63 and 37 - Rams won

Minn 4-5 outdoors on a windy day makes a 61 yarder and sends the game into OT by drilling a clutch 53 yarder with seconds left ( missed from 48)

SF 1-2 (missed a 40 yarder) Rams won

@SF 2nd game he goes 3-5 makes from 52, 33 & 32 missed from 44 and had a potential game tying 48 yarder blocked (you really blame him for this loss?

There you have it boys

Draw your own conclusions, OP states 2-3 more wins with a different kicker? Not seeing it

 

[DaveFan'51]

The last line sums it all up..........this team needs a QB so badly I can't stand it.

Keenum is really the key to the entire season and that's just so peculiar LOL.

BUT!! I still say we can make it to the Play-Offs with him! I don't know how deep we can go, that remains to be seen!!

 

[Rams43]

Good post. Still waiting for the going out on a limb part, though.

I thought my comments about drafting a kicker, preferring Gaines over Jenkins, and Joyner being an upgrade over McLeod by season's end were a little on the edgy side, Mojo.

Perhaps I was wrong?

 

[Rams43]

For the season GZ missed 8 FGs and two were blocked, let's revisit;


Vs GB he was 1-4 - missed from 53, 63 and had a 50 yarder blocked (smh) non factor Foles lost this game

Vs Bal he missed a 52 yarder (J Tuck also missed from 51) blame him for the loss?

Vs Cle he was 1-3 - missed from 63 and 37 - Rams won

Minn 4-5 outdoors on a windy day makes a 61 yarder and sends the game into OT by drilling a clutch 53 yarder with seconds left ( missed from 48)

SF 1-2 (missed a 40 yarder) Rams won

@SF 2nd game he goes 3-5 makes from 52, 33 & 32 missed from 44 and had a potential game tying 48 yarder blocked (you really blame him for this loss?

There you have it boys

Draw your own conclusions, OP states 2-3 more wins with a different kicker? Not seeing it

I am by no means the only one that has claimed 3 games were lost but for better kicking by GZ, LeftCoast.

Look, if you're satisfied with GZ, that's fine by me.

But I'm not satisfied and am ready to move on. Sounds like even Fisher might be ready, as well.

 

[-X-]

I thought my comments about drafting a kicker, preferring Gaines over Jenkins, and Joyner being an upgrade over McLeod by season's end were a little on the edgy side, Mojo.

Nah.

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

@Rams43 Not sure what's going on with the negotiations, have you heard any real news? (I'm clueless on where they are right now)

Way I see it, the overwhelming majority of his misses are from plus 50, haven't seen him choke on a critical kick, did see him drill those long shots in Minny thru the same end Minnys boy Walsh yaaaked a pressure 25 yarder

I just think some of you guys are a little off relating to GZ

I guess we'll see what happens down the road

 

[tavian]

I agree. I would love to see Mannion and
Jared Goff
battle for the future, while Case starts the first 0 games, say 0, and goes 6-0. Goff is then ready, jumps in and rides us to an 13-3 season and the playoffs.

Mannion hangs on and becomes the backup, and Goff rises to the top.

fixed it

 

[Roman Snow]

@Rams43 Not sure what's going on with the negotiations, have you heard any real news? (I'm clueless on where they are right now)

Way I see it, the overwhelming majority of his misses are from plus 50, haven't seen him choke on a critical kick, did see him drill those long shots in Minny thru the same end Minnys boy Walsh yaaaked a pressure 25 yarder

I just think some of you guys are a little off relating to GZ

I guess we'll see what happens down the road

I'm with you. I hope they keep him. Although, he HAS choked on some crucial kicks. We should have had 2-3 wins last year alone (Balt, Minn at least) which would have given us a winning season.

Having said that, go back and look. Guys miss kicks. We have had him attempt some pretty crazy kicks, and he has made 2-60 yarders. I say he settles in and becomes consistent. I just hope we don't get reactionary and have him do it for 10 years with another team.

 

[OC--LeftCoast]

I'm with you. I hope they keep him. Although, he HAS choked on some crucial kicks. We should have had 2-3 wins last year alone (Balt, Minn at least) which would have given us a winning season.

Having said that, go back and look. Guys miss kicks. We have had him attempt some pretty crazy kicks, and he has made 2-60 yarders. I say he settles in and becomes consistent. I just hope we don't get reactionary and have him do it for 10 years with another team.

Not sure about the choking thing, those were pretty awful conditions in Baltimore and Minnesota, he still managed 4-6 missing from 48 and 52...yet converting from 53 and 61...but we can debate that later

Guys DO miss kicks, look as many know here I'm a Ucla fan, their kicker Fairbairn is nice, but anyone thinking he's an upgrade over GZ will be sadly disappointed, as for the Miami kid, we'll see

As for the Rams, who knows, maybe the majority here is correct and they won't resign GZ, big mistake in my book

I guess time will reveal as it usually does

By the way, nice use of reactionary!

 

[Merlin]

I agree. I would love to see Mannion and a Rookie battle for the future, while Case starts the first 6-8 games, say 6, and goes 4-2. Mannion is then ready, jumps in and rides us to an 11-5 season and the playoffs.

Case hangs on and becomes the seasoned vet backup, and either Mannion, if he does well, or (Lynch, Cook?) rise to the top.

Mannion is going to have to battle the big boys now. Whatever QB they take gets the redshirt, unless it's some guy late rounds they think can get through waivers. That QB will be #3 on the depth chart.

It's time for Mannion to earn his job vs Keenum and Foles. If he finishes 3 then he'll be cut. But chances are he will be the Rams backup.

 

[Merlin]

Re: Zuerline...

He was 5 of 8 from 40-49 and 3 of 9 from 50+. His season was a complete MFing meltdown. His 66.7 conversion rate was the worst in the league among qualifying kickers, and to put that in perspective only 2 kickers finished below 80. The other was Matt Bryant who was 11 percentage points above him.

Effectively, as head coach with him as your kicker, you cannot relax on kicks of 40 or more yards. Think about that. THAT is a significant tactical advantage and it is made worse when you have a plodding offense that has to squeeze every point it can get from field position.

Going on a limb in regards to the kicker position would be ignoring it.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/14993/greg-zuerlein
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/zuerlein-704779-season-nfl.html

 

[Roman Snow]

Mannion is going to have to battle the big boys now. Whatever QB they take gets the redshirt, unless it's some guy late rounds they think can get through waivers. That QB will be #3 on the depth chart.

It's time for Mannion to earn his job vs Keenum and Foles. If he finishes 3 then he'll be cut. But chances are he will be the Rams backup.

I agree. Point is, the cupboard is not as bare as some imply.