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- Jan 14, 2013
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I'm sorry guys, I'm making a hundred of these but I'm trying to distract myself from what a gigantic kick in the nuts this season has been by looking to the future...yet again. After seeing how we played against Cincy, I'm projecting us to only win 1 more game.
Hire
David Shaw HC
John DeFilippo OC
Mike Smith DC
In this scenario, Hue Jackson takes a different job. I don't know if Shaw is willing to leave Stanford but if he does, I think the Rams make a lot of sense. They have a strong defense and a great running back. That's how Shaw prefers to win. Shaw came up in the NFL under guys like John Gruden and Brian Billick. He worked under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford before taking over and has been very successful...even in the post-Andrew Luck years. DeFilippo is more of me hoping than it seeming likely. I have no idea who Shaw would hire but I've been highly impressed with what DeFilippo has done with the Browns passing attack this year considering nobody thought they had anything at QB, WR, or TE coming into the year. On defense, Mike Smith worked with Shaw in Baltimore, has been successful as a 4-3 DC, and interviewed for a DC job last year so it seems like he's still willing to work as a DC.
Cut
Jared Cook TE
Rodger Saffold OG
Kenny Britt WR
Chris Long DE
Nick Foles QB
Re-sign
Janoris Jenkins - 5 years $55 million (after being franchised)
Trumaine Johnson - 4 years $32 million
Rodney McLeod - 3 years $10.5 million
Greg Zuerlein - 1 year $2 million
Will Hayes - 2 years $6 million
Tim Barnes - 2 years $2 million
Daren Bates - RFA Tender
Benny Cunningham - RFA Tender
Cody Davis - RFA Tender
Cory Harkey - 2 years $4 million
Brian Quick - 1 year $1.5 million
Jenkins is franchised and then agrees to a long term deal. We let Barron walk because he doesn't have a spot in the new scheme. I hate letting Chris Long go but he's getting paid too much for the production he's given us the past two years. While Foles doesn't save us much money, he just doesn't have a place on this team anymore. Too much of a liability. Sean Mannion will be the backup The rest of the guys that we let go and kept are pretty logical. Quick might be the only questionable one but we might as well give him a cheap "prove it" deal and see if he can do better with better QB play.
Free Agency
Travis Benjamin WR - 5 years $40 million
Mitchell Schwartz OG/OT - 4 years $18 million
Vinny Curry DE - 3 years $15 million
Akiem Hicks DT - 2 years $4 million
I want Anquan Boldin but thinking about it from his point of view, why would Boldin want to come to St. Louis rather than spend his last couple years with a contender? We bring in DeFilippo and Travis Benjamin follows along. We give him a contract identical to the one Torrey Smith received from the 49ers. Is this a risky signing? Yes. Benjamin should put up 1000+ yards this year under DeFilippo in Cleveland but prior to this year, he hasn't done much. Still, Benjamin is a major deep threat with game breaking speed on the edge. Why not Alshon? He's getting franchised.
I think Schwartz has a lot of potential for the team that signs him. Again, he follows DeFilippo here but instead of playing RT, we move him inside to his more natural spot of OG. He's struggled this year with speed on the edge in pass pro but like his brother Geoff (who wasn't used up to potential early on at RT), he has all the tools to be a great OG. Again, this signing has some risk because Schwartz hasn't lived up to his potential in Cleveland but I think the move to OG will suit his game and show how good he can be.
Vinny Curry steps in to replace Long. He will rotate with Hayes and Westbrooks at LDE and give Quinn a breather at RDE. Has been a fairly productive pass rusher in the Eagles 3-4 scheme the past two years with 9 sacks in 2014. I think he's a better fit in the 4-3 so there's potential for him to step up and take the starting LDE job here. He's a good fit for Smith's scheme and still has some untapped potential.
Like Curry, Akiem Hicks has untapped potential and offers us some size and athleticism behind Donald and Brockers as a rotational DT. I'm hoping we can hold onto Waufle and if we do, Hicks fits what Waufle looks for in DTs in terms of size (6'5" 325) and athleticism. Has some potential but even if he doesn't reach it, we need a guy to give Brockers and Donald a breather. He can do that much.
Trade
Rams trade Round 1 Pick #7, 2017 1st, 2017 4th
Chargers trade Round 1 Pick #3
The Browns select QB Paxton Lynch in the top 2 and the Titans have no need for a QB but they stand pat to draft an elite player...although, it's possible they could be a trade partner if they're willing to move down. We offer the same package that Buffalo offered for Sammy Watkins a couple years ago to move up. The Chargers have Philip Rivers so they're willing to move down a few slots and take future picks since it'll offer them a chance to use that extra first round pick next year to take a QB of the future.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #3 - Jared Goff QB California
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TcwdHWD3YU
Analysis: I currently have Goff rated as my #1 QB with a very slight edge over Paxton Lynch. I think Goff is the more pro ready and safer pick. Yes, he's coming from an Air Raid offense but that assumes that all Air Raid offenses are the same. Goff is asked to make NFL throws, full field reads, and go through NFL style progressions. He does all these things seamlessly. Goff possesses high caliber mental processing speed which allows him to get the ball out on time and move through progressions quickly to find the open man. He's spent his career in college behind a shaky at best OL which has helped him to develop outstanding pocket presence, movement, and poise under pressure. He has active feet and moves in the pocket like a 10 year pro QB. The thing that stands out the most about Goff's game is his accuracy. He throws WRs open, fits the ball into tight windows, and consistently hits the strike zone on passes. He's also sneaky athletic which allows him to escape pressure and run for first downs when the defense gives it to him. He's a patient and cerebral QB that will take whatever the defense gives him. He also has a quick, natural release. One other thing that's appealing to me based on our personnel is that Goff has been surrounded by smaller WRs while at Cal. The "negatives" for him are that he needs to add weight to his thin frame (6'4" 210), be more consistent with his lower body mechanics (pretty much a universal knock against college QBs), and the offense he plays in. He also doesn't have elite arm strength but his arm is easily in the good territory. It's not an issue. However, I think Paxton gets drafted earlier because he offers better physical tools so people will see more upside. Also, David Shaw is familiar with Goff since Stanford and Cal play each other.
NFL Comparison: Philip Rivers
Round 2 Pick #7 - Hunter Henry TE Arkansas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8roJxXin-w
Analysis: I'm a big fan of Evan Engram but with what DeFilippo has done this year with Gary Barnidge, I think Hunter Henry makes more sense here for his system. Henry has prototypical NFL TE size at 6'5" 250 and has been highly productive for Arkansas this year and throughout his career. He possesses great hands and is known for making tough catches in traffic. He's a very reliable option in the passing game with the acceleration and agility to get open on short to intermediate routes. Doesn't have game-breaking speed but has enough speed to threaten the seam. Basically, he's a good athlete with great hands and size. As a blocker, he's pretty average. Doesn't overpower guys when blocking inline. His fundamentals and technique are pretty sound. They can better but they're not bad. But he's more of a wall them off blocker than a bury them in the dirt blocker. That all said, he's an effective enough blocker due to his size and technique that he won't be a liability if asked to block inline. Not a good pass blocker...but we're not drafting the guy to pass block.
NFL Comparison: Tyler Eifert
Round 2 Pick #10 - Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSh6yeGjWs8
Analysis: Boyd is the type of WR that falls on draft day. He's not huge (6'2" 200ish) and doesn't have outstanding straight-line speed. However, he possesses great acceleration, outstanding agility, a high level understanding of the game (high football IQ), advanced route running ability, top tier body control, and a good pair of hands. Boyd will drop some easy passes and his motor can run hot and cold as a blocker but he'll make a lot of difficult catches and is excellent at creating yardage after the catch. Like any college player, his route running needs some development but he's very advanced for a college WR and already uses subtle nuances in his route running that you typically only see in veteran NFL WRs. He's also coming from a pro style offense. I'm a big fan of his and think he's a very underrated player. Extremely productive and consistent throughout his career.
NFL Comparison: Keenan Allen
Round 3 Pick #7 - Scooby Wright III ILB/OLB Arizona
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PUWnNxGqYE
Analysis: According to Arizona, Scooby Wright had 163 tackles, 29 TFLs, 14 sacks, and 6 FFs in 2014 ALONE. Unfortunately for him, he's missed almost this entire season thus far with injuries. This is a kid that doesn't have the NFL look. He's listed at 6'1" 246. I think he'll come in closer to 5'11" 240. But he's a guy that plays with so much passion, relentlessness, and heart that his average athleticism and underwhelming size don't limit his game. He has top tier instincts, great play strength (gym rat), and plays with reckless abandon. Sometimes, that reckless abandon will cause him to miss tackles but it's worth it with how often he's in the back-field making plays. He's Arizona's defensive leader, he is the guy that makes sure everyone is lined up properly, and he's the heart of that defense. They also will move him down to DE on certain passing downs and he's a disruptive, relentless pass rusher. This guy is James Laurinaitis's heir apparent and he can play OLB for the time being. If Wright isn't available, Tyler Matakevich from Temple is also worth considering.
NFL Comparison: Chris Borland
Round 4 Pick #12 - Evan Boehm C Missouri
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWDstknJHEw
Analysis: Boehm fits the Rams' power running style. He's a people mover at Center and that's rare. Mauling run blocker that plays through the whistle. Has a serious mean streak. Smart guy and experienced started in the SEC. Only big question is his game is if he has the pass pro skills to be a NFL Center. His athleticism is a bit limited as his feet are pretty average and he doesn't appear to have long arms. Struggles with quicker DTs that can penetrate quickly in the A gap. If he has the pass blocking chops to play in the NFL, he'll be a quality Center as run blocking is no concern.
NFL Comparison: Ben Jones
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Travis Benjamin
ZWR: Tyler Boyd
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Lance Kendricks
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: Mitchell Schwartz
C: Tim Barnes
RG: Jamon Brown
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Will Hayes
LDT: Michael Brockers
RDT: Aaron Donald
RDE: Robert Quinn
OLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
OLB: Scooby Wright III
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
SLCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: Rodney McLeod
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
A lot of the same guys but there are some tweaks compared to previous versions. Obviously, I'm a really big fan of Scooby Wright and Tyler Boyd. I think Evan Boehm is good value in the mid rounds and fits our offense well.
Hire
David Shaw HC
John DeFilippo OC
Mike Smith DC
In this scenario, Hue Jackson takes a different job. I don't know if Shaw is willing to leave Stanford but if he does, I think the Rams make a lot of sense. They have a strong defense and a great running back. That's how Shaw prefers to win. Shaw came up in the NFL under guys like John Gruden and Brian Billick. He worked under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford before taking over and has been very successful...even in the post-Andrew Luck years. DeFilippo is more of me hoping than it seeming likely. I have no idea who Shaw would hire but I've been highly impressed with what DeFilippo has done with the Browns passing attack this year considering nobody thought they had anything at QB, WR, or TE coming into the year. On defense, Mike Smith worked with Shaw in Baltimore, has been successful as a 4-3 DC, and interviewed for a DC job last year so it seems like he's still willing to work as a DC.
Cut
Jared Cook TE
Rodger Saffold OG
Kenny Britt WR
Chris Long DE
Nick Foles QB
Re-sign
Janoris Jenkins - 5 years $55 million (after being franchised)
Trumaine Johnson - 4 years $32 million
Rodney McLeod - 3 years $10.5 million
Greg Zuerlein - 1 year $2 million
Will Hayes - 2 years $6 million
Tim Barnes - 2 years $2 million
Daren Bates - RFA Tender
Benny Cunningham - RFA Tender
Cody Davis - RFA Tender
Cory Harkey - 2 years $4 million
Brian Quick - 1 year $1.5 million
Jenkins is franchised and then agrees to a long term deal. We let Barron walk because he doesn't have a spot in the new scheme. I hate letting Chris Long go but he's getting paid too much for the production he's given us the past two years. While Foles doesn't save us much money, he just doesn't have a place on this team anymore. Too much of a liability. Sean Mannion will be the backup The rest of the guys that we let go and kept are pretty logical. Quick might be the only questionable one but we might as well give him a cheap "prove it" deal and see if he can do better with better QB play.
Free Agency
Travis Benjamin WR - 5 years $40 million
Mitchell Schwartz OG/OT - 4 years $18 million
Vinny Curry DE - 3 years $15 million
Akiem Hicks DT - 2 years $4 million
I want Anquan Boldin but thinking about it from his point of view, why would Boldin want to come to St. Louis rather than spend his last couple years with a contender? We bring in DeFilippo and Travis Benjamin follows along. We give him a contract identical to the one Torrey Smith received from the 49ers. Is this a risky signing? Yes. Benjamin should put up 1000+ yards this year under DeFilippo in Cleveland but prior to this year, he hasn't done much. Still, Benjamin is a major deep threat with game breaking speed on the edge. Why not Alshon? He's getting franchised.
I think Schwartz has a lot of potential for the team that signs him. Again, he follows DeFilippo here but instead of playing RT, we move him inside to his more natural spot of OG. He's struggled this year with speed on the edge in pass pro but like his brother Geoff (who wasn't used up to potential early on at RT), he has all the tools to be a great OG. Again, this signing has some risk because Schwartz hasn't lived up to his potential in Cleveland but I think the move to OG will suit his game and show how good he can be.
Vinny Curry steps in to replace Long. He will rotate with Hayes and Westbrooks at LDE and give Quinn a breather at RDE. Has been a fairly productive pass rusher in the Eagles 3-4 scheme the past two years with 9 sacks in 2014. I think he's a better fit in the 4-3 so there's potential for him to step up and take the starting LDE job here. He's a good fit for Smith's scheme and still has some untapped potential.
Like Curry, Akiem Hicks has untapped potential and offers us some size and athleticism behind Donald and Brockers as a rotational DT. I'm hoping we can hold onto Waufle and if we do, Hicks fits what Waufle looks for in DTs in terms of size (6'5" 325) and athleticism. Has some potential but even if he doesn't reach it, we need a guy to give Brockers and Donald a breather. He can do that much.
Trade
Rams trade Round 1 Pick #7, 2017 1st, 2017 4th
Chargers trade Round 1 Pick #3
The Browns select QB Paxton Lynch in the top 2 and the Titans have no need for a QB but they stand pat to draft an elite player...although, it's possible they could be a trade partner if they're willing to move down. We offer the same package that Buffalo offered for Sammy Watkins a couple years ago to move up. The Chargers have Philip Rivers so they're willing to move down a few slots and take future picks since it'll offer them a chance to use that extra first round pick next year to take a QB of the future.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #3 - Jared Goff QB California
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TcwdHWD3YU
Analysis: I currently have Goff rated as my #1 QB with a very slight edge over Paxton Lynch. I think Goff is the more pro ready and safer pick. Yes, he's coming from an Air Raid offense but that assumes that all Air Raid offenses are the same. Goff is asked to make NFL throws, full field reads, and go through NFL style progressions. He does all these things seamlessly. Goff possesses high caliber mental processing speed which allows him to get the ball out on time and move through progressions quickly to find the open man. He's spent his career in college behind a shaky at best OL which has helped him to develop outstanding pocket presence, movement, and poise under pressure. He has active feet and moves in the pocket like a 10 year pro QB. The thing that stands out the most about Goff's game is his accuracy. He throws WRs open, fits the ball into tight windows, and consistently hits the strike zone on passes. He's also sneaky athletic which allows him to escape pressure and run for first downs when the defense gives it to him. He's a patient and cerebral QB that will take whatever the defense gives him. He also has a quick, natural release. One other thing that's appealing to me based on our personnel is that Goff has been surrounded by smaller WRs while at Cal. The "negatives" for him are that he needs to add weight to his thin frame (6'4" 210), be more consistent with his lower body mechanics (pretty much a universal knock against college QBs), and the offense he plays in. He also doesn't have elite arm strength but his arm is easily in the good territory. It's not an issue. However, I think Paxton gets drafted earlier because he offers better physical tools so people will see more upside. Also, David Shaw is familiar with Goff since Stanford and Cal play each other.
NFL Comparison: Philip Rivers
Round 2 Pick #7 - Hunter Henry TE Arkansas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8roJxXin-w
Analysis: I'm a big fan of Evan Engram but with what DeFilippo has done this year with Gary Barnidge, I think Hunter Henry makes more sense here for his system. Henry has prototypical NFL TE size at 6'5" 250 and has been highly productive for Arkansas this year and throughout his career. He possesses great hands and is known for making tough catches in traffic. He's a very reliable option in the passing game with the acceleration and agility to get open on short to intermediate routes. Doesn't have game-breaking speed but has enough speed to threaten the seam. Basically, he's a good athlete with great hands and size. As a blocker, he's pretty average. Doesn't overpower guys when blocking inline. His fundamentals and technique are pretty sound. They can better but they're not bad. But he's more of a wall them off blocker than a bury them in the dirt blocker. That all said, he's an effective enough blocker due to his size and technique that he won't be a liability if asked to block inline. Not a good pass blocker...but we're not drafting the guy to pass block.
NFL Comparison: Tyler Eifert
Round 2 Pick #10 - Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSh6yeGjWs8
Analysis: Boyd is the type of WR that falls on draft day. He's not huge (6'2" 200ish) and doesn't have outstanding straight-line speed. However, he possesses great acceleration, outstanding agility, a high level understanding of the game (high football IQ), advanced route running ability, top tier body control, and a good pair of hands. Boyd will drop some easy passes and his motor can run hot and cold as a blocker but he'll make a lot of difficult catches and is excellent at creating yardage after the catch. Like any college player, his route running needs some development but he's very advanced for a college WR and already uses subtle nuances in his route running that you typically only see in veteran NFL WRs. He's also coming from a pro style offense. I'm a big fan of his and think he's a very underrated player. Extremely productive and consistent throughout his career.
NFL Comparison: Keenan Allen
Round 3 Pick #7 - Scooby Wright III ILB/OLB Arizona
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PUWnNxGqYE
Analysis: According to Arizona, Scooby Wright had 163 tackles, 29 TFLs, 14 sacks, and 6 FFs in 2014 ALONE. Unfortunately for him, he's missed almost this entire season thus far with injuries. This is a kid that doesn't have the NFL look. He's listed at 6'1" 246. I think he'll come in closer to 5'11" 240. But he's a guy that plays with so much passion, relentlessness, and heart that his average athleticism and underwhelming size don't limit his game. He has top tier instincts, great play strength (gym rat), and plays with reckless abandon. Sometimes, that reckless abandon will cause him to miss tackles but it's worth it with how often he's in the back-field making plays. He's Arizona's defensive leader, he is the guy that makes sure everyone is lined up properly, and he's the heart of that defense. They also will move him down to DE on certain passing downs and he's a disruptive, relentless pass rusher. This guy is James Laurinaitis's heir apparent and he can play OLB for the time being. If Wright isn't available, Tyler Matakevich from Temple is also worth considering.
NFL Comparison: Chris Borland
Round 4 Pick #12 - Evan Boehm C Missouri
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWDstknJHEw
Analysis: Boehm fits the Rams' power running style. He's a people mover at Center and that's rare. Mauling run blocker that plays through the whistle. Has a serious mean streak. Smart guy and experienced started in the SEC. Only big question is his game is if he has the pass pro skills to be a NFL Center. His athleticism is a bit limited as his feet are pretty average and he doesn't appear to have long arms. Struggles with quicker DTs that can penetrate quickly in the A gap. If he has the pass blocking chops to play in the NFL, he'll be a quality Center as run blocking is no concern.
NFL Comparison: Ben Jones
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Travis Benjamin
ZWR: Tyler Boyd
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Lance Kendricks
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: Mitchell Schwartz
C: Tim Barnes
RG: Jamon Brown
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Will Hayes
LDT: Michael Brockers
RDT: Aaron Donald
RDE: Robert Quinn
OLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
OLB: Scooby Wright III
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
SLCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: Rodney McLeod
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
A lot of the same guys but there are some tweaks compared to previous versions. Obviously, I'm a really big fan of Scooby Wright and Tyler Boyd. I think Evan Boehm is good value in the mid rounds and fits our offense well.
