Higbee Higbee Higbee!

[PARAM]

Comparing Higbee to other TEs one-on-one, he doesn't come out looking as valuable as some. Higbee/Kelce. Higbee/Andrews. Higbee/Kittle. But those are the top tight ends in the NFL. Where you can get a sense of his value is where he ranks in receptions year to year. In 2022, he was #5 among all TEs in receptions. In 2021 he was #9 (tied). That's top 10 the past two years and if you check further, he's been top 10 three of the past four years. #5, #9t, #19, #6. Plus he's a good blocker in the run game. Not too shabby.

 

[So Ram]

IMO Higbee might have his BEST SEASON ever!! He cut his hair,team leader(captain?),#1 healthy,super focused(dialed in),with an offense that’s been in place for awhile.

 

[OldSchool]

Comparing Higbee to other TEs one-on-one, he doesn't come out looking as valuable as some. Higbee/Kelce. Higbee/Andrews. Higbee/Kittle. But those are the top tight ends in the NFL. Where you can get a sense of his value is where he ranks in receptions year to year. In 2022, he was #5 among all TEs in receptions. In 2021 he was #9 (tied). That's top 10 the past two years and if you check further, he's been top 10 three of the past four years. #5, #9t, #19, #6. Plus he's a good blocker in the run game. Not too shabby.

Yeah he's not as good as 3 of the best in the game? Oh shit we butter dump him

Most teams play 1 sometimes 2 so lets say each team plays 1.5 TE's and a guy who's been in the top 10 of 45 guys regularly playing the position isn't valuable by some peoples estimation?

 

[Merlin]

Gaines had pretty much replaced SJD when he was injured? SJD was getting 50 snaps a game, Gaines 25 when SJD was injured. In what world is that "replacing" somebody? Obviously, in the coaches mind SJD needed to be on the field twice as much as Gaines!!! SJD was injured in week 7 and spent week 8 through Feb 11th on IR, so the idea Gaines didn't let him win his job back is fantasy. Did Gaines "win" the job by his play OR by the fact he had another year left on his deal?

If SJD had returned the next season Gaines would have taken his job. Gaines is better than him.

 

[PARAM]

If SJD had returned the next season Gaines would have taken his job. Gaines is better than him.

That's one opinion. Gaines is better but he only got half as many snaps when they were both healthy? AND his play earned him no offer from the Rams, a 1 yr deal with Tampa for 3.5 mil while SJD got 3 yrs, 24 mil with 16 mil guaranteed from the Chargers. All indications.....Rams coaching staff, Chargers front office.....suggest otherwise. Hey, I liked Gaines. Thought he was a good complimentary piece for the D. But so was SJD.

 

[So Ram]

That's one opinion. Gaines is better but he only got half as many snaps when they were both healthy? AND his play earned him no offer from the Rams, a 1 yr deal with Tampa for 3.5 mil while SJD got 3 yrs, 24 mil with 16 mil guaranteed from the Chargers. All indications.....Rams coaching staff, Chargers front office.....suggest otherwise. Hey, I liked Gaines. Thought he was a good complimentary piece for the D. But so was SJD.

Yeah - there were a lot of EXRam players not resigned.Will be interesting how some of The Rams Homegrown’s do in 2023.

The Rams totally turned the Page this season.Bobby Brown is The Next Ram Draft Pick up.
Hoecht is going to be a guy to keep an eye on,but don’t sleep on Earnest Brown in one of Raheem(ethomas) DLine rotations.

I LMAO- at Rams Fans & they’re HATE for a player(team)coach.In 2023 they can’t say oh they have him & him & this guy should be fired or cut.
—I told EVERYONE over & over that Derion Kendrick is only a rookie who came out early.Was a later round draft pick & starting in The NFL at CB.(Really?) A tough task to ask a 21year old kid to do.

 

[So Ram]

IMO the TE group is going to be one of the most interesting groups come CUTS!! How many players at each position in its self will be TOUGH! A lot of surprises. You could play a game of Rams 53 & no one will get it totally right.
—The question I have with Avila & Sony is if The Rams go to more 12’s & if a power game might be what Mcvay is thinking about with Lafluer? I remember Mcvay beating The Rams with using a rookie RB & Trent Williams.
The purpose is more ball control & less times the defense has to be on the field to make STOPS!! Especially with the lead & closing out games.
Those late game RUNS take a toll on a RB. So Cam Akers doesn’t get over used & teams take CHEAP shots at him.Plus being fresh will tire out defenses late.
—Mcvay is going to condition this young group of players so he knows that will help improve them & has more control of the team. —- I’ll say what no Rams coach will say,but have that certain effect on The Rams TEAM.Jalen Ramsey was a DIVA!! A HOF player,that has to be catered to & can’t expect him to give that extra EFFORT in practice.Mainly because of keeping his health & preparation
to his liking.There was a FINE LINE. That line has been erased & bring in veteran WR’s is going to add to competition.

 

[So Ram]

If SJD had returned the next season Gaines would have taken his job. Gaines is better than him.

I’d say Morgan Fox was an excellent rotation guy.That K. Smart guy playing for AD99 was a reason why Wade Phillips wasn’t resigned.That Niner game in 2019 will always be a thing,but last season Mcvay had a real lossing season,so that in itself is it’s own thing.

I’ll just say in 2023 The Rams core players are really in a good space in their careers Health wise. Kupp,AD99,Higbee,Stafford,Cam,Jefferson
That said Notebooms health & play is a reason Mcvay is so inclined to be curious how good The Rams offense can be.

Where AJ Jackson plays is going to be KEY!! LT-LG-RG?
Noteboom,Avila,Allen,Jackson,Haveninstien .

 

[dang]

I must admit I was pounding the table for a transition away from Higbee. I based it on his $9m cap hit in 2023 which isn’t totally fair as restructuring added to his $7.25m/year contract salary. I’ve been waiting for a stud TE since McVay arrived and it just hasn’t happened. Looking closer at the disastrous 2023 season Higbee did have a good number of receptions and yards. However I attribute much of this to the Rams having nothing but Higs and Jefferson at the end of the year. He had only 3 TDs and a low avg/catch. Which I attribute to his deteriorating skill set. I often saw him moving very slowly and not getting the YAC he got in previous seasons. So I see the Tams not resigning Higbee in 2024 as he will likely have opportunities for more money on another team. And I don’t want the Rams overpaying for a 31 year old Higbee

 

[Merlin]

Snaps aren't the best indicator. SJD had a job and when another player emerges staffs don't always play them as much as they should. The coaches need to handle the people so it isn't like with us where we see the quality of the backup and expect a quick change on the depth chart.

Gaines was a slam dunk to be the starter because he was more immovable vs double teams plus penetrates in the rush. And the timing was ideal for the Rams on his emergence, with SJD moving on for more money. Sometimes things line up.

This year it was similar with Ramsey, whose game was showing cracks. Rams moved him wisely to avoid drama and bs and went young. So the quality of replacement is not as good as Gaines>SJD but it might work out better for them than everyone expects.