Higbee Higbee Higbee!

[dieterbrock]

Cutting Higbee to save cap space is beyond ludicrous. They could have kept Allen Robinson and not have to take on that dead cap hit.
The best case scenario is an extension of sorts which could alleviate some of the cap hit, and if that isnt possible then he would be a prime trade candidate at the deadline.

 

[Memento]

Higbeast is our only experienced tight end. Saying Hopkins has any sort of blocking potential is laughable because he is as soft as a baby sea otter’s ass. I’m not even sure he’s a more valuable receiver. Long has even less receptions than Hopkins, and he’s not the best blocker either. Allen is interesting, but he’s a rookie.

There’s absolutely no way I cut Higbee without a plan to adequately replace him. The three tight ends currently on the roster aren’t it…yet.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Again he and the rest of the TE on the roster have done exactly nothing but you're hoping (is that the right word since you're not confident in it?) they can replace the best TE in franchise history coming off one of his two best seasons ever? Hopkins hasn't shown our HC/OC enough to get snaps let alone throws from our QB but we're going to gamble that he can suddenly do something worth a starting spot. Again this makes no sense. If you're just straight saying we have to cut Higs to save cap I'd get that. It's not smart football but I'd get it.

Also I loved the Allen pick but not sure he'll make a big impact. Best thing for him IMO is a year learning from Higbee but that's just me. I'm not a fan of cutting good players who aren't super expensive.

When Hopkins was drafted both jrry32 and I pointed out his issues in blocking on counters. He didn't look close to being interested in being very physical. In the chances that he has been given last year, that has improved from my observations. And he's looked good in the limited opportunities that he has been given. Has he not? IMO, he got suspended for 3 games to start last season and may have gotten in the doghouse or something.

To say someone has done exactly nothing when only provided limited opportunities just doesn't make sense to me. It's no different than with TuTu Atwell, IMO. You can't do much with limited opportunities. And even McVay admitted that Atwell should have been given more of a chance. He may say that the same applies to Hopkins, if asked.

Speaking of confidence, I'm not confident in Higbee as a blocker. I hope he executes his blocks, but I've seen him struggle whether that be due to injury or whatever.

Finally, I'm not a fan of cutting (prefer trade or pay cut) players who aren't super expensive either. But I'm not looking at this in a vacuum. I'm considering the salary cap unlike most. If they can get rid of Floyd and Ramsey and replace them with players with less or no experience, they can do the same with Higbee.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Higbeast is our only experienced tight end. Saying Hopkins has any sort of blocking potential is laughable because he is as soft as a baby sea otter’s ass. I’m not even sure he’s a more valuable receiver. Long has even less receptions than Hopkins, and he’s not the best blocker either. Allen is interesting, but he’s a rookie.

There’s absolutely no way I cut Higbee without a plan to adequately replace him. The three tight ends currently on the roster aren’t it…yet.

How is Higbee's situation any different that Floyd and Ramsey? Who were the adequate replacements for them when those decisions were made?

 

[majrleaged]

I disagree slightly. It's mostly about see what we have and restocking for 2024 but it's a lot about McVay enjoying coaching and having an offense to play with (whether or not we agree that that should be a goal).

It is important to keep the people happy that you want to keep around. It should be a goal. Plus it won't be boring to watch.

 

[majrleaged]

How is Higbee's situation any different that Floyd and Ramsey? Who were the adequate replacements for them when those decisions were made?

Money, like Merlin said

 

[Memphis Ram]

Money, like Merlin said

The adequate replacements?

I have more confidence in Long, Allen, & Hopkins or the chances of finding a cheap veteran than the replacements at EDGE and CB.

 

[Memento]

How is Higbee's situation any different that Floyd and Ramsey? Who were the adequate replacements for them when those decisions were made?

I hated the Ramsey trade to Miami, but it was about saving cap. Floyd is thirty, and we have Hoecht and a whole smorgasbord of interesting talent. That was to save cap as well.

There is pretty much nothing behind Higbee. Could he get cut or dealt? Sure, if we’re focusing on the future. But Hopkins is a free agent after this year as well. Long and Allen don’t move the needle, and I am not a Hopkins fan anyway.

Point is, we’re giving up our best current blocker at tight end, our most reliable receiving tight end, and his contract is manageable for what he brings to this team.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I hated the Ramsey trade to Miami, but it was about saving cap. Floyd is thirty, and we have Hoecht and a whole smorgasbord of interesting talent. That was to save cap as well.

There is pretty much nothing behind Higbee. Could he get cut or dealt? Sure, if we’re focusing on the future. But Hopkins is a free agent after this year as well. Long and Allen don’t move the needle, and I am not a Hopkins fan anyway.

Point is, we’re giving up our best current blocker at tight end, our most reliable receiving tight end, and his contract is manageable for what he brings to this team.

Higbee is 30 years old. And I'm not so sure that both Floyd and Ramsey wouldn't still be with the team without a thought to the future.

And, IMO, if Higbee is the best current blocker then the Rams are really in trouble. In the games I watched the WRs (Cupp, Skowronek) blocked better than him.

Anyway, I'm looking at salary cap space for this season. How do they find enough cap space to make it through this season without doing anything with Higbee? How many times can they keep going back to the restructure Donald or Kupp well before it becomes just too much? Donald's cap number for 2024 is already close to $35 million.

 

[dieterbrock]

The adequate replacements?

I have more confidence in Long, Allen, & Hopkins or the chances of finding a cheap veteran than the replacements at EDGE and CB.

I think the obvious answer is that the Rams do expect a drop off in defensive play but intend on making up on it with improved offense. You're not improving the offense by getting rid of your 2nd leading receiver and most effective run blocker (at TE). There's just no reason one could believe the group of TE behind Higbee could replace and even improve his production

 

[Memento]

Higbee is 30 years old. And I'm not so sure that both Floyd and Ramsey wouldn't still be with the team without a thought to the future.

And, IMO, if Higbee is the best current blocker then the Rams are really in trouble. In the games I watched the WRs (Cupp, Skowronek) blocked better than him.

Anyway, I'm looking at salary cap space for this season. How do they find enough cap space to make it through this season without doing anything with Higbee? How many times can they keep going back to the restructure Donald or Kupp well before it becomes just too much? Donald's cap number for 2024 is already close to $35 million.

We have a lot of cap for next year. We can afford to kick the AD contract down the road for one year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I think the obvious answer is that the Rams do expect a drop off in defensive play but intend on making up on it with improved offense. You're not improving the offense by getting rid of your 2nd leading receiver and most effective run blocker (at TE). There's just no reason one could believe the group of TE behind Higbee could replace and even improve his production

And that's where we disagree.

I mocked Higbee to the Rams. Loved him coming out of college. But Hopkins and Long were about as good receiving TEs coming out of college than Higbee, IMO. And whether it be due to injury or not, I disagree about Higbee's effectiveness as a run blocker. Once the preseason games begin, I believe that most will see that Long is the run better blocker. I really expect him to be closer to Mundt blocking than Higbee has shown.

 

[Memphis Ram]

We have a lot of cap for next year. We can afford to kick the AD contract down the road for one year.

Kupp, Donald, and Stafford are set for about $110 million in cap space in 2024 right now. The Rams could kick that can down the road another year, but I wouldn't.

Even if the backups fall on their faces, a good, cheap vet TE is FAR easier to find than and the same at EDGE or CB.

 

[PARAM]

How is Higbee's situation any different that Floyd and Ramsey? Who were the adequate replacements for them when those decisions were made?

They played defense. That's how it's different. They're trying to keep one side of the ball intact. Other than letting Evans and Edwards walk, trading A Rob they left that side of the ball intact. Possibly improved it. Why would they take a weapon away?

 

[dieterbrock]

And that's where we disagree.

I mocked Higbee to the Rams. Loved him coming out of college. But Hopkins and Long were about as good receiving TEs coming out of college than Higbee, IMO. And whether it be due to injury or not, I disagree about Higbee's effectiveness as a run blocker. Once the preseason games begin, I believe that most will see that Long is the run better blocker. I really expect him to be closer to Mundt blocking than Higbee has shown.

Hopkins and Long have been flat out trash as pros.
9 career catches in 5 seasons between the two of them.
And Hopkins was a guy who they thought they could play right away
I never said Higs was a good blocker, but he damn well is 100x better than Hopkins.
Alas, you’re dug in on your ground and I certainly can’t see it any other way on mine.

 

[OldSchool]

Hopkins and Long have been flat out trash as pros.
9 career catches in 5 seasons between the two of them.
And Hopkins was a guy who they thought they could play right away
I never said Higs was a good blocker, but he damn well is 100x better than Hopkins.
Alas, you’re dug in on your ground and I certainly can’t see it any other way on mine.

I cannot take anybody serious who says Hopkins is as good as Higbee or has a chance to be based off what we've seen of him as a pro. It's just not anything based in reality.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I cannot take anybody serious who says Hopkins is as good as Higbee or has a chance to be based off what we've seen of him as a pro. It's just not anything based in reality.

But that's just it. I said as a receiver coming out of college. If one wanted to play the stat game, he caught almost twice as many passes in college. Opportunity.

But, let me ask this, when he got his opportunity in the Super Bowl, how did he look to you? Did he stink up the joint or was he effective? I'm not holding his first couple year against him. I saw improvement in that Super Bowl and when he was given an opportunity last year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Hopkins and Long have been flat out trash as pros.
9 career catches in 5 seasons between the two of them.
And Hopkins was a guy who they thought they could play right away
I never said Higs was a good blocker, but he damn well is 100x better than Hopkins.
Alas, you’re dug in on your ground and I certainly can’t see it any other way on mine.

Long is on his 3rd coaching staff in as many years and was behind Gesicki. The Dolphins didn't spend a 3rd rounder on him & the Rams didn't request him in the Ramsey trade because he isn't any good. Hopkins has been behind Higbee. Whether he was ready right away has nothing to do with what he may be now. It goes back to opportunity.

Now if Hopkins were given the opportunity to start and fell on his face, then I'd see you point.
But I ask you too.... when he got an opportunity in the Super Bowl, how did he look?

And no Higbee is not 100x a better blocker than Hopkins. He may have been years ago. But whether it was by injury or whatever, not last year.

 

[8to12]

Hopkins and Long have been flat out trash as pros.

I respect your opinion about Higbee but saying that Long is trash? You're going to hvea to prove that. And saying that he couldn't get on the field ahead of Gesicki is not a good answer.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I respect your opinion about Higbee but saying that Long is trash? You're going to hvea to prove that. And saying that he couldn't get on the field ahead of Gesicki is not a good answer.

I don't think I'd ever be as resentful over something so easy in my life.