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Experts see sunshine on Rams' horizon
• By Jeff Gordon
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/tipsheet-experts-see-sunshine-on-rams-horizon/article_526bd377-2233-5c27-8fa6-f1175cc88046.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ ... 88046.html</a>
Things are looking up for the Rams. ESPN experts believe they will be one of the NFL’s better teams by the 2016 season, although not one of the juggernauts.
San Francisco, Green Bay and Seattle earned the highest projected power rankings for that season, with Baltimore, New England, Atlanta and the New York Giants next.
As for the Rams, the World-Wide Leader ranked the franchise in a tie for eighth with Indianapolis in its ’16 power rankings.
Here is a sampling of the ESPN’s assessment:
Mike Sando: “(Sam) Bradford logged hard miles in his first couple seasons, but he's actually younger than (Colin) Kaepernick. He should be entering his prime years in 2016. The glass is half full now that the Rams have some young playmakers, and even though Bradford has struggled on third down, he did rank fourth in fourth-quarter Total QBR last season (80.0). He's entering a two-year window to earn a new contract.”
Bill Polian: “Head coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead have begun to craft a team in their image. As you would expect, they concentrated on building a defense last year and improved that group considerably. First-round draft choice Alec Ogletree (if his off-field problems are behind him) should be an immediate contributor. Free-agent pick-up Jake Long must avoid injury and pick up his level of play, and (Jared) Cook must also reach his potential. (Tavon) Austin will be an instant difference-maker in the return game, and likely a contributor on offense.”
Mel Kiper: “Yes, they could have stayed at No. 2 overall and taken Robert Griffin III in 2012, but the deal that sent the No. 2 pick to the Redskins couldn't have possibly turned into a bigger surplus of future picks. It could be argued that by the time the Rams have finished their 2014 draft -- which, thanks to the trade with Washington has them again set to take multiple first-rounders -- no team in the NFL will have a higher overall level of cheap talent on the roster, something that creates a ton of flexibility
In the meantime, though, expect some more growing pains as the legion of young Rams learn what it takes to win at this level. And don't forget that the 49ers and Seahawks aren't going away any time soon.
_____________________________________________________
Kiper is right on the money here. The "window" for the Rams, if Demoff manages the cap well, is going to open IMO next year and stay open for several seasons to come. They could very easily have 8 or 9 starters with pretty small contracts leaving a lot of money for FA's. If Snead continues his draft maneuvering it could be 10-12.
• By Jeff Gordon
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/tipsheet-experts-see-sunshine-on-rams-horizon/article_526bd377-2233-5c27-8fa6-f1175cc88046.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ ... 88046.html</a>
Things are looking up for the Rams. ESPN experts believe they will be one of the NFL’s better teams by the 2016 season, although not one of the juggernauts.
San Francisco, Green Bay and Seattle earned the highest projected power rankings for that season, with Baltimore, New England, Atlanta and the New York Giants next.
As for the Rams, the World-Wide Leader ranked the franchise in a tie for eighth with Indianapolis in its ’16 power rankings.
Here is a sampling of the ESPN’s assessment:
Mike Sando: “(Sam) Bradford logged hard miles in his first couple seasons, but he's actually younger than (Colin) Kaepernick. He should be entering his prime years in 2016. The glass is half full now that the Rams have some young playmakers, and even though Bradford has struggled on third down, he did rank fourth in fourth-quarter Total QBR last season (80.0). He's entering a two-year window to earn a new contract.”
Bill Polian: “Head coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead have begun to craft a team in their image. As you would expect, they concentrated on building a defense last year and improved that group considerably. First-round draft choice Alec Ogletree (if his off-field problems are behind him) should be an immediate contributor. Free-agent pick-up Jake Long must avoid injury and pick up his level of play, and (Jared) Cook must also reach his potential. (Tavon) Austin will be an instant difference-maker in the return game, and likely a contributor on offense.”
Mel Kiper: “Yes, they could have stayed at No. 2 overall and taken Robert Griffin III in 2012, but the deal that sent the No. 2 pick to the Redskins couldn't have possibly turned into a bigger surplus of future picks. It could be argued that by the time the Rams have finished their 2014 draft -- which, thanks to the trade with Washington has them again set to take multiple first-rounders -- no team in the NFL will have a higher overall level of cheap talent on the roster, something that creates a ton of flexibility
In the meantime, though, expect some more growing pains as the legion of young Rams learn what it takes to win at this level. And don't forget that the 49ers and Seahawks aren't going away any time soon.
_____________________________________________________
Kiper is right on the money here. The "window" for the Rams, if Demoff manages the cap well, is going to open IMO next year and stay open for several seasons to come. They could very easily have 8 or 9 starters with pretty small contracts leaving a lot of money for FA's. If Snead continues his draft maneuvering it could be 10-12.
