Leonard Fournette a great solve at RB

[RamFan503]

If they go after him, I will not be happy. Not because I don't like LF or am concerned with his character. I think it would speak to the confidence our coaching staff has in our RBs.

I really hope they come out and dispell this - not that they need to.

All that said, if they can get him on a sweet deal and he produces? I don't really give a flying ... Well... You know.

 

[Kevin]

Is there any evidence that the Rams are interested in signing Fournier, or are we just letting our imagination run wild?

 

[Mackeyser]

No evidence, but you KNOW Les Snead considers EVERYTHING...

If he think it helps the club he'll do it.

Remember when he was gonna trade two firsts for Khalil Mack on a one year rental? and then turn around and deal him for 2 firsts?

Yeah, that almost happened.

So you know dude isn't afraid to pull the trigger.

I kinda doubt it happens, but having a bruising inside runner is a pretty amazing thing to have when it comes to this offense.

 

[Malibu]

I started this thread eons ago back in April prior to the draft. Now the situation is way different... we have Akers. The question is he ready? He can't be fumbling, or making rookie mistakes and getting Jared blown up by a missed blocking assignment etc.

The problem for me is LF stablizes out any worry on offense and adds a great pass catching RB remember if you all forget he was a top 5 RB based on stats last season with over 1700 yards.

Here's where I worry, is it smart to put our money on Akers - if he's truly ready then the answer is yes, and if Akers is good to go I would rather use our $ down the road if needed to bring in a ILB or Marcel Darius if AR is not ready any time soon. Our D can be special but an untested unproven ILB Corp Kiser, Reeder, Young and Howard is scary. Or not having AR in the middle of the DL is scary. Our Run D really worries me with no AR.

Not having a proven back up QB is scary. Every team has strengths and weaknesses, we must look at who can provide the most bang for the buck we have or just stand pat.

One other wrinkle is the claim rule other teams could technically claim him ahead of us until he passes waivers we are just in line if we are interested.

Tough call... I hope Akers is good to go.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I started this thread eons ago back in April prior to the draft. Now the situation is way different... we have Akers. The question is he ready? He can't be fumbling, or making rookie mistakes and getting Jared blown up by a missed blocking assignment etc.

The problem for me is LF stablizes out any worry on offense and adds a great pass catching RB remember if you all forget he was a top 5 RB based on stats last season with over 1700 yards.

Here's where I worry, is it smart to put our money on Akers - if he's truly ready then the answer is yes, and if Akers is good to go I would rather use our $ down the road if needed to bring in a ILB or Marcel Darius if AR is not ready any time soon. Our D can be special but an untested unproven ILB Corp Kiser, Reeder, Young and Howard is scary. Or not having AR in the middle of the DL is scary. Our Run D really worries me with no AR.

Not having a proven back up QB is scary. Every team has strengths and weaknesses, we must look at who can provide the most bang for the buck we have or just stand pat.

One other wrinkle is the claim rule other teams could technically claim him ahead of us until he passes waivers we are just in line if we are interested.

Tough call... I hope Akers is good to go.

I agree with your summation. I'll take it further. Malcolm Brown has been a very physical runner who hits the holes hard and grinds for extra yards. He seems to get injured every season, eventually. Henderson missed nearly all of last season and is injured again. Two injuries and Akers is left on an island. What are they going to do? Sign CJ Anderson off the street? Akers is an unproven rookie and it would be best if he had some experienced backs, or at least healthy backs in the room. And if Akers can't pass block, combined with this Oline Wohlford may suddenly find himself starting, if you know what I mean.

Fournette could really help this team out. He's the closest I've seen to an SJ type of runner. If the Oline hasn't improved in run blocking, which we have no indication it has, we could use another power runner in the mix. His pass catching fits the offense too.

So how do the Rams get it done? They'd obviously have to create some cap space. I don't know if they restructure some players or trade/cut. But if they got Fournette cheaply enough, say a third of second rounder and a player or two, (some mentioned Havenstein, Maybe David Long or Troy Hil) then don't resign Fournette after his contract ends and get the third round comp pick. It could be well worth the gamble.

The only hurdle I see is would Snead have a hard enough heart to send any Rams players to Jacksonville? So it would likely be a Fournette for draft picks. Which I prefer not to trade a first for a one year rental.

 

[Mackeyser]

No one's gonna claim him because they'd be claiming him at over $4M.

Once he's cleared waivers, then he'll have to decide if he wants to play for a prove it paycheck.

There's no way the Rams would sign him long term, but he's a huge upgrade over Henderson and Brown is a career backup (who I love in that role.

I think LF could be here a year, contribute and get paid next year, netting us likely a 4th rounder.

LF will have to decide if he wants to play for anything less than his former salary as they fight over the offset language and guarantees or if he's just gonna fight it out and wait.

I think his agent is gonna remind him strongly that RBs don't go the way of Emmitt Smith and even good ones end their careers earlier than later, so play when you can.

Guys leaving the Rams have gone on to get PAID under McVay.

I dunno if they'll do anything, but if they can swing it, does anyone thing LF would be a drop over Kelly? I ask that knowing that the Rams are always clear what they can promise and what they expect...

 

[Mackeyser]

I agree with your summation. I'll take it further. Malcolm Brown has been a very physical runner who hits the holes hard and grinds for extra yards. He seems to get injured every season, eventually. Henderson missed nearly all of last season and is injured again. Two injuries and Akers is left on an island. What are they going to do? Sign CJ Anderson off the street? Akers is an unproven rookie and it would be best if he had some experienced backs, or at least healthy backs in the room. And if Akers can't pass block, combined with this Oline Wohlford may suddenly find himself starting, if you know what I mean.

Fournette could really help this team out. He's the closest I've seen to an SJ type of runner. If the Oline hasn't improved in run blocking, which we have no indication it has, we could use another power runner in the mix. His pass catching fits the offense too.

So how do the Rams get it done? They'd obviously have to create some cap space. I don't know if they restructure some players or trade/cut. But if they got Fournette cheaply enough, say a third of second rounder and a player or two, (some mentioned Havenstein, Maybe David Long or Troy Hil) then don't resign Fournette after his contract ends and get the third round comp pick. It could be well worth the gamble.

The only hurdle I see is would Snead have a hard enough heart to send any Rams players to Jacksonville? So it would likely be a Fournette for draft picks. Which I prefer not to trade a first for a one year rental.

He's already been released.

The only question is does Fournette clear waivers and then what's next?

But the time to trade for him has come and gone.

 

[jrry32]

No one's gonna claim him because they'd be claiming him at over $4M.

Once he's cleared waivers, then he'll have to decide if he wants to play for a prove it paycheck.

There's no way the Rams would sign him long term, but he's a huge upgrade over Henderson and Brown is a career backup (who I love in that role.

I think LF could be here a year, contribute and get paid next year, netting us likely a 4th rounder.

LF will have to decide if he wants to play for anything less than his former salary as they fight over the offset language and guarantees or if he's just gonna fight it out and wait.

I think his agent is gonna remind him strongly that RBs don't go the way of Emmitt Smith and even good ones end their careers earlier than later, so play when you can.

Guys leaving the Rams have gone on to get PAID under McVay.

I dunno if they'll do anything, but if they can swing it, does anyone thing LF would be a drop over Kelly? I ask that knowing that the Rams are always clear what they can promise and what they expect...

If the Rams can get him cheap, go for it. There are a lot of HBs who didn't look good in the wrong offenses with poor blocking (Gurley, Marshawn Lynch, Faulk, Bettis, etc.). And Fournette has already proven his chops in the passing game (blocking and receiving). However, I expect he'll end up somewhere with a clearer path to playing time.

 

[Mackeyser]

I think the injury situation in the RB room has to be concerning. As someone else said, Brown gets dinged and Henderson is already dinged.

Starting out with a tandem of Brown and Akers while working LF into the offense seems like a very good Super Bowl winning move.

The best way to stifle that inside rush is to be able to run inside. That opens up that play action that McVay loves and no one's gonna sell me that Malcolm Brown is a better back than Leonard Fournette even up.

There are other issues including the Rams wanting to use every nickel not used this year for next year, especially with the unknown cap, but dang... you can only plan on this year.

If there were any team that left anything on the table last season thinking this is their run... they're hosed. And those banking on 2021 are in worse shape.

I'm just saying we have to compete for today...within reason, we can't go full YOLO, but I like this team's comp better than some.

That said, if McVay does some Faulk stuff with Akers, this all may be a moot point.

 

[PressureD41]

How does Washington NOT sign him. Their RB Room needs some help and to take some pressure off their QB

 

[Mackeyser]

Well, I dunno.

If it comes down to LF clearing waivers, there are a lot of reasons to not go to Washington.

I feel for Ron Rivera and his cancer treatments and the irregular nature of when he's up for coaching due to those treatments are gonna be a disruption to the coaching flow.

Even in the best of circumstances (think Indy when Arians stepped in for Chuck Pagano), it took Andrew Luck, tons of luck and a super stable franchise to pull off a winning season and a trip to the playoffs.

Washington doesn't have Andrew Luck, tons of luck or a super stable franchise.

Again, I feel bad for Ron Rivera.

That said, I'd be very hesitant to play there right now and even moreso as an offensive skill position player on a "prove it" deal.

That's almost signing up to fail.

 

[jrry32]

I think the injury situation in the RB room has to be concerning. As someone else said, Brown gets dinged and Henderson is already dinged.

Starting out with a tandem of Brown and Akers while working LF into the offense seems like a very good Super Bowl winning move.

The best way to stifle that inside rush is to be able to run inside. That opens up that play action that McVay loves and no one's gonna sell me that Malcolm Brown is a better back than Leonard Fournette even up.

There are other issues including the Rams wanting to use every nickel not used this year for next year, especially with the unknown cap, but dang... you can only plan on this year.

If there were any team that left anything on the table last season thinking this is their run... they're hosed. And those banking on 2021 are in worse shape.

I'm just saying we have to compete for today...within reason, we can't go full YOLO, but I like this team's comp better than some.

That said, if McVay does some Faulk stuff with Akers, this all may be a moot point.

While we have this conversation, it is worth keeping in mind that Brown has proven himself to our coaches, knows the scheme, and is a quality special teams player. I'm not saying he's better than Fournette, but if you're not planning to make Fournette a major part of the offense, it makes more sense to keep Brown. As for the Faulk stuff, I think that would be more likely Henderson. He's a more gifted receiving HB than Akers. Hopefully, he's ready to go for Week 1.

Well, I dunno.

If it comes down to LF clearing waivers, there are a lot of reasons to not go to Washington.

I feel for Ron Rivera and his cancer treatments and the irregular nature of when he's up for coaching due to those treatments are gonna be a disruption to the coaching flow.

Even in the best of circumstances (think Indy when Arians stepped in for Chuck Pagano), it took Andrew Luck, tons of luck and a super stable franchise to pull off a winning season and a trip to the playoffs.

Washington doesn't have Andrew Luck, tons of luck or a super stable franchise.

Again, I feel bad for Ron Rivera.

That said, I'd be very hesitant to play there right now and even moreso as an offensive skill position player on a "prove it" deal.

That's almost signing up to fail.

If I were in his shoes, I'd be looking at the Buccaneers, Chiefs, Saints, and Chargers (not counting the Rams).

 

[bomebadeeda]

In a perfect world I think he might be a good pickup. That been said, it's not a perfect world and what little money we do have, might be saved for problems we need to get, once the overall league cuts happen. RB is not a big problem.....but maybe a ILB or another DT to give us depth. He'll end up somewhere (I don't think it will be in the NFC West....) But I think we'll have a longer list of other positions we'll need to take care of over the next few weeks......
Just my 2 cents......

 

[CGI_Ram]

Buccaneers

This.

They have been building that team down there, and the RB room looks like an opportunity.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

He's already been released.

The only question is does Fournette clear waivers and then what's next?

But the time to trade for him has come and gone.

That's what I get for skipping to the end. If he's been released isn't he a free agent?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

How does Washington NOT sign him. Their RB Room needs some help and to take some pressure off their QB

so does the Rams. They have one experienced guy who seems to get injured every year. I won't call Henderson experienced even if he knows the offense. He had very limited touches due to injury. Fournette gives them that instant threat back like when Gurley was healthy.

I wonder if Jalen Ramsey has been talking to him about what it's like to play in L.A. I could see imagine was like, "Leonard, do whatever you have to go get released, and then get over here, this place is dope!"

 

[BigRamFan]

That's what I get for skipping to the end. If he's been released isn't he a free agent?

Not until he clears waivers.

 

[BonifayRam]

I agree with your summation. I'll take it further. Malcolm Brown has been a very physical runner who hits the holes hard and grinds for extra yards. He seems to get injured every season, eventually. Henderson missed nearly all of last season and is injured again. Two injuries and Akers is left on an island. What are they going to do? Sign CJ Anderson off the street? Akers is an unproven rookie and it would be best if he had some experienced backs, or at least healthy backs in the room. And if Akers can't pass block, combined with this Oline Wohlford may suddenly find himself starting, if you know what I mean.

Fournette could really help this team out. He's the closest I've seen to an SJ type of runner. If the Oline hasn't improved in run blocking, which we have no indication it has, we could use another power runner in the mix. His pass catching fits the offense too.

So how do the Rams get it done? They'd obviously have to create some cap space. I don't know if they restructure some players or trade/cut. But if they got Fournette cheaply enough, say a third of second rounder and a player or two, (some mentioned Havenstein, Maybe David Long or Troy Hil) then don't resign Fournette after his contract ends and get the third round comp pick. It could be well worth the gamble.

The only hurdle I see is would Snead have a hard enough heart to send any Rams players to Jacksonville? So it would likely be a Fournette for draft picks. Which I prefer not to trade a first for a one year rental.

Your comments on Brown & Henderson are fully merited. Both have demonstrated that neither can be counted on when needed.....end of story there! I still want no part of Fournett mainly ....he would not fit this offense.

When Brown goes down( & he will & both he & Henderson can watch on the sideline).........
View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2906955-the-biggest-winners-and-losers-from-nfl-training-camps

Los Angeles Rams second-year back Darrell Henderson may have fallen out of the competition to replace Todd Gurley as the team's primary ball-carrier. The 2019 third-round pick suffered a hamstring injury that may keep him sidelined into the regular season."We'll be hopeful that he'll end up being able to get back and it won't affect his availability for the Dallas game," head coach Sean McVay told the media.This injury setback, along with some building buzz for rookie running back Cam Akers, is a big problem for Henderson, as the Rams would prefer to have an every-down back leading the charge."Obviously, I think you'd prefer to have a clear-cut guy to take the majority of reps and having certain guys that have a role in that offense," RB Thomas Brown told reporters. If Henderson regains a legitimate shot at that workhorse role, it's now likely going to happen in the regular season.

I would run the two rookies Akers & Jones along with 3rd yr RB Kelly all by committee & move on from any desire for a costly slow footed RB. I would hope for an uptick in the WR's being involved in those outside runs too mainly KR/PR Nsimba Webster & work Gerald Everett for about a half dozen flip passes behind the line in that running game too. Everett needs to be utilized in many ways other than just TE. Rookie RB Jones will NOT disappoint you!

 

[dieterbrock]

He was owed 4 mill and if he clears waivers Jax will be on the hook for a good part of that (TBD) Anyone who signs him will face the hit to the Cap THIS year. If the Rams are to extend any of their guys, the Cap hit will be in future years
Keeping an eye on this. McVay has already said he likes the RB by committee approach, and it sure looked good against Dallas in the playoffs 2018
Sure I'm dreaming but what the heck

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Your comments on Brown & Henderson are fully merited. Both have demonstrated that neither can be counted on when needed.....end of story there! I still want no part of Fournett mainly ....he would not fit this offense.

When Brown goes down( & he will & both he & Henderson can watch on the sideline).........
View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2906955-the-biggest-winners-and-losers-from-nfl-training-camps

View attachment 38595

Los Angeles Rams second-year back Darrell Henderson may have fallen out of the competition to replace Todd Gurley as the team's primary ball-carrier. The 2019 third-round pick suffered a hamstring injury that may keep him sidelined into the regular season."We'll be hopeful that he'll end up being able to get back and it won't affect his availability for the Dallas game," head coach Sean McVay told the media.This injury setback, along with some building buzz for rookie running back Cam Akers, is a big problem for Henderson, as the Rams would prefer to have an every-down back leading the charge."Obviously, I think you'd prefer to have a clear-cut guy to take the majority of reps and having certain guys that have a role in that offense," RB Thomas Brown told reporters. If Henderson regains a legitimate shot at that workhorse role, it's now likely going to happen in the regular season.

I would run the two rookies Akers & Jones along with 3rd yr RB Kelly all by committee & move on from any desire for a costly slow footed RB. I would hope for an uptick in the WR's being involved in those outside runs too mainly KR/PR Nsimba Webster & work Gerald Everett for about a half dozen flip passes behind the line in that running game too. Everett needs to be utilized in many ways other than just TE. Rookie RB Jones will NOT disappoint you!

My concern is always the same with this team. Will the Oline be able to run block, and will they be blue to force their will in short yardage situations? I like Brown but he is the only pounder they have and like you said he’s likely an injury waiting to happen. We watched this team be unable to gain a yard or two on third down for so many years. I hate the thought of returning to those days.

If Henderson cannot return to action and put together half a season I hope they move on from him next winter. They need more reliable options and a variety of running styles. It sounds like the Rams picked the wrong Memphis back. Two backs that were behind Henderson are both doing well. One in Dallas and one in Washington.