Let's talk about receivers

[-X-]

Because - COME ON!!!!!

400 yards? And a part-time receiver? THAT'S the best we did last year? Clearly the Rams need to have more production from the wide-outs, and obviously that starts with fixing the O-line and (if at all possible) reduce the amount of injuries that plagued the team. I don't recall a ton of "bad passes" from Bradford, but I do recall an inordinate amount of drops. Maybe not more than any other team, but certainly more than necessary. And in an offense that was struggling to keep the QB upright, every potential reception is valuable.

SO.

What's the deal this year? Fisher/Snead bowed out of a lot of talks with the marquee receivers because "it [the talk about money] was getting out of hand." Okay, so now what? Now we're getting into the second-tier receivers because Wallace isn't going to happen. Who, out there, is conceivably better than what we have? We don't really know what we have in Salas and Pettis. Clayton could possibly be back - haven't heard much about that. And Amendola was tendered, so who knows what could happen there. Seems to me like we're pretty much right in the same spot we were last year. Does that make receiver a top priority in the draft, or is it possible the Rams are looking to shake someone loose from another team and work out a trade?

It's been many moons that this team has lacked a legit wide-out, and it doesn't seem like we're making any progress.

What do you think could/should happen here, and how would it be better than last year?

 

[bluecoconuts]

I've heard Manningham is looking more and more likely to be a Ram. Which I'm eh on. I like him and he's got skill for sure, but he's not tall (5'11) and he has health issues. The Rams need another knee injury riddled player like Paris Hilton needs more STD's.

When picking at #2 I said Kalil over Blackmon because of the value. When picking at #6, I really hope that Blackmon is on the board, because we need receivers badly.


I want Wintson and Jones to get contracts, I'll be happy if Manningham joins them, then I want to see us get Blackmon, and some impact players in the draft. This process will take longer than a single offseason, but I want to at least be able to watch the Rams play football next year.

 

[Stranger]

I share your same concerns, and I just dont get it - meaning I just dont get the Rams' FO lack of aggressiveness so far on the WR position.

 

[Angry Ram]

Blackmon. If he's there.

Blackmon, Amendola, DX, Salas, Steve Smith/Manningham (if they signs). Last spot goes to Pettis/Clayton/whoever.

No more slot guys, no more role WRs. Time to get our guy.

 

[Ramhusker]

Obviously, we can't go into this season without some kind of WR help. If we retain Amendola, resign Lloyd, Clayton plays, and keep what we had, we "could get by" if, like you said, we get improved OL play, we have a normal training camp/off season and the new O isn't too dang discombobulated. I think, without any FA moves, the Rams HAVE to draft a WR with one of their first 3 picks to get this O jump started. Of course, if Trent Richardson is drafted, we pick up a road grader OG and we do get improved OL play, those WRs might look like world beaters.

 

[libertadrocks]

Brandon Lloyd has received almost no attention in free agency so far. The only visit he has had was to the 49ers and that was believed to be just a favor call to try and stir up interest. His price is dropping. Bringing him back would certainly help. He would be a pretty good #2 and a possible fill in #1 if we have any other kind of threat.

We need to address the WR position via the draft too. Im not that high on Blackmon, although I wouldnt be upset with drafting him at 6, I just think its a reach. There are some interesting WR prospects that may be there as well at the top of the 2nd.

Signing Manningham would be a mistake IMO on a dollar basis. He wants to be paid as a number one WR. He isnt one. He is a complementary WR. If he wants a contract similar to want Desean Jackson just got, which I think is in the neighborhood, I wouldnt touch him with a 10 foot poll.

Would like to see us sign Steve Smith tho. Low risk, low dollar signing that could pay dividends. He at least provides affordable veteran depth.

 

[-X-]

Brandon Lloyd has received almost no attention in free agency so far. The only visit he has had was to the 49ers and that was believed to be just a favor call to try and stir up interest. His price is dropping. Bringing him back would certainly help. He would be a pretty good #2 and a possible fill in #1 if we have any other kind of threat.

Lloyd would be a solid keeper, but ever since I heard the words, "He gets zero yards after the catch", I started playing back all his receptions in my mind. And you know what? It's true. But... so what. He's also one of the few guys that were left holding a football in the endzone.

That said, something tells me he'll go straight to New England no matter what they offer him. Like every player, he wants a Superbowl Ring. And his chances are good there for the duration. At least getting there, anyway. And of course he's not getting any younger. He can probably be lured there for 3/4 of what we would pay him. No joke.

 

[libertadrocks]

Brandon Lloyd has received almost no attention in free agency so far. The only visit he has had was to the 49ers and that was believed to be just a favor call to try and stir up interest. His price is dropping. Bringing him back would certainly help. He would be a pretty good #2 and a possible fill in #1 if we have any other kind of threat.

Lloyd would be a solid keeper, but ever since I heard the words, "He gets zero yards after the catch", I started playing back all his receptions in my mind. And you know what? It's true. But... so what. He's also one of the few guys that were left holding a football in the endzone.

That said, something tells me he'll go straight to New England no matter what they offer him. Like every player, he wants a Superbowl Ring. And his chances are good there for the duration. At least getting there, anyway. And of course he's not getting any younger. He can probably be lured there for 3/4 of what we would pay him. No joke.

Yeah I completely agree with everything you said X

 

[Angry Ram]

Brandon Lloyd has received almost no attention in free agency so far. The only visit he has had was to the 49ers and that was believed to be just a favor call to try and stir up interest. His price is dropping. Bringing him back would certainly help. He would be a pretty good #2 and a possible fill in #1 if we have any other kind of threat.

We need to address the WR position via the draft too. Im not that high on Blackmon, although I wouldnt be upset with drafting him at 6, I just think its a reach. There are some interesting WR prospects that may be there as well at the top of the 2nd.

Signing Manningham would be a mistake IMO on a dollar basis. He wants to be paid as a number one WR. He isnt one. He is a complementary WR. If he wants a contract similar to want Desean Jackson just got, which I think is in the neighborhood, I wouldnt touch him with a 10 foot poll.

Would like to see us sign Steve Smith tho. Low risk, low dollar signing that could pay dividends. He at least provides affordable veteran depth.

You said it, he's a good #2. He's a journeyman. Traded for a 5th round pick. Had 1 good year. Never bought into the "he's a true #1" label the media gave him.

 

[HitStick]

I think we come out of this with

FA Finnegan
FA Jones
FA Manningham
and POSSIBLY FA Smith

Then in the draft I think we may try to trade down (If Blackmon/Claiborn is gone.) A team that may really NEED Richardson *cough* Bengals *cough* may cough up a second rounder to go along with the first.

Draft Floyd.

If he's gone draft Fletcher Cox (DT) in the first and take either Randle or Sanu with the 33rd

Our WR's very well could be completely different from last year

Blackmon, Manningham, Smith, Amendola, Salas (My choice)
Floyd, Manningham, Smith, Amendola, Salas
Sanu, Manningham, Smith, Amendola, Salas
Randle, Manningham,Smith, Amendola, Salas


I think Manningham signs here. Smith I'm not so sure about.

 

[Ramhusker]

It would take a lot more than the Bengals 2nd round pick to move down 11 spots in the first. Richardson will be gone before the Rams pick anyways. (Browns or Bucs) Now a QB desperate team may trade up to get Tannehill. Then we are in business.

 

[steferfootball]

Brandon Lloyd has received almost no attention in free agency so far. The only visit he has had was to the 49ers and that was believed to be just a favor call to try and stir up interest. His price is dropping. Bringing him back would certainly help. He would be a pretty good #2 and a possible fill in #1 if we have any other kind of threat.

interesting. Hopefully he will sign cheap, because as you said he isn't number one material. He doesn't get enough separation IMO. He is good as a possession Guy and cab make those bog time grabs, but it is hard to rely on a Guy who can't consistantly get separation. (His catch rate bears this out)

Perhaps the Tom Condone thigh is a legit barrier.

That said, I think we need 2 wide outs. If Salas is one, sobeit. I don't trust DX to stay healthy or improve that much. Best served as a deep specialist, IMO but he still has shaky hands.

IMO Gibson should he hurried on the bench. He gets too much playing time because of our lacking talent at the position.

 

[steferfootball]

It would take a lot more than the Bengals 2nd round pick to move down 11 spots in the first. Richardson will be gone before the Rams pick anyways. (Browns or Bucs) Now a QB desperate team may trade up to get Tannehill. Then we are in business.

Man, I'd really love that. I'd say target flloyd if we could trade down.

Look at the run on QBs last year. And now with the top two guys all but signed there aught to be a desparate team somewhere. Just a matter of where the cards land IMO.



Anyways the more I think about it, I think the opportunity to.trade down from number two was a big inticement for Fisher....that and Bradford.

 

[JdashSTL]

Re:

I share your same concerns, and I just dont get it - meaning I just dont get the Rams' FO lack of aggressiveness so far on the WR position.

The top WRs on the market signed with teams very quickly on the 1st day of FA. WRs like Bowe and Colston stayed with their team, and that hurt the FA class. It was Vincent Jackson at the top and then the talent dropped off. We could be going into the draft without a legit no. 1 or no. 2 WR, im still not worried, because im confident that we will use one of our 3 top 40 picks on a WR. Maybe 2.

 

[HitStick]

We should just give up the 6th for Wallace. Why not? He is a proven stud and can still get better. He is more a sure thing than any receiver in the draft is.

 

[-X-]

We should just give up the 6th for Wallace. Why not? He is a proven stud and can still get better. He is more a sure thing than any receiver in the draft is.

Well, then, first we should trade out of the 6 spot with a team in the late 20's or early 30's and THEN use our 1st on Wallace. That way we'll get even more picks and one helluva receiver. Someone get Snead on the phone.

 

[Stranger]

We should just give up the 6th for Wallace. Why not? He is a proven stud and can still get better. He is more a sure thing than any receiver in the draft is.

Well, then, first we should trade out of the 6 spot with a team in the late 20's or early 30's and THEN use our 1st on Wallace. That way we'll get even more picks and one helluva receiver. Someone get Snead on the phone.

Now that's some clever thinking... I like that strategy!!!

 

[quebecramfan]

Hey all... I have a question for you and it has been bothering me for some time now... What the heck is a #1 receiver?? All I see these days are people saying that "hell... signing him will make a decent #2 or #3 receiver" ....

I think as rams fans we were so spoiled with holt and bruce that we may be in withdrawl of a great receiver....

I see teams win division champs with no big names....

 

[libertadrocks]

Hey all... I have a question for you and it has been bothering me for some time now... What the heck is a #1 receiver?? All I see these days are people saying that "hell... signing him will make a decent #2 or #3 receiver" ....

I think as rams fans we were so spoiled with holt and bruce that we may be in withdrawl of a great receiver....

I see teams win division champs with no big names....

Just a go to guy, that can make plays, and commands extra defensive attention. A Megatron, Andre, Fitz, etc

 

[-X-]

Hey all... I have a question for you and it has been bothering me for some time now... What the heck is a #1 receiver?? All I see these days are people saying that "hell... signing him will make a decent #2 or #3 receiver" ....

I think as rams fans we were so spoiled with holt and bruce that we may be in withdrawl of a great receiver....

I see teams win division champs with no big names....

Just a go to guy, that can make plays, and commands extra defensive attention. A Megatron, Andre, Fitz, etc

Yeah. The #1 guy on the depth-chart. It is funny though... I never actually had to try and define it. It's just one of those things that you know what you mean when you say it (like Franchise QB), but you can't necessarily find a legal definition for it.