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By Sean Cordy
Posted on July 17, 2016
Just a few years ago, the Los Angeles Rams looked like geniuses in the now infamous Robert Griffin trade as it allowed them to build the team with a boat load of first round talent. Ultimately, not much came out of the trade for either party involved. But now the Rams took the opposite approach, trading away their future for the present going by the name of Jared Goff.
It’s undoubtedly a bold move, and it needs to pay off immediately to save face. Coach Jeff Fisher hasn’t pulled together a winning season in his four years with the team, yet as late as June, he’s been in talks of an extension in hopes to keep some stability with this fluid roster.
This season is much of the same when the Rams were in St. Louis. There’s a more than competent defense with some blossoming stars, promise in the backfield (especially with Todd Gurley on the rise), and there’s yet another QB of the future via a trade. Yet, expectations are always just stretch too far and leave the Rams in the mud.
Offseason additions and subtractions
Additions: QB Jared Goff, DT Dominique Easley, DE Quinton Coples
Had the Rams stayed put with the 15th overall pick, this offseason would have been quite passive. But the move to the No. 1 spot has the Rams ready to climb the ranks of their division. The job is not his quite yet, but with a passing game ranked last in 2015 and a bit of animosity with at least one quarterback, Goff needs to have an immediate impact. Other than him, most of the additions are more complementary in nature but important nonetheless.
The Rams have arguably the best d-line in the league with Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn headlining. The additions of Easley and Coples to fill some backup roles now also provides some good depth, and should help the latter, in particular, revive his once promising career.
Subtractions: CB Janoris Jenkins, S Rodney McLeod, LB James Laurinaitis
The good news is that there were not many losses on offense, as it needs as much stability to grow. But the defense that’s been the stronghold of the team now faces some hurdles to maintain its elite status. Losing Jenkins was a near inevitability, as it was him or Trumaine Johnson that would leave as both demanded high contracts. McLeod was in a similar spot and now the secondary is down half of its high-level contributors. Finally, cutting ties with Laurinaitis was a really surprising move considering he hadn’t missed a game with the team in eight seasons and always notched over a hundred tackles.
22 SEPTEMBER 2013: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) takes St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) and St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) for a ride during a regular season NFL football game between the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Pivotal roster battles
QB: Jared Goff vs. Case Keenum vs. Nick Foles
It might as well be a competition between just Goff and Keenum considering there’s an estrangement with Foles right now. It doesn’t help that Foles couldn’t string together a performance better than 297 yards to open the season, threw seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Keenum at least had a winning record and had a TD-INT ratio of four to one. He’s the guy to beat right now as the official starter. But as long as the top overall pick has a serviceable camp, Goff will likely take the job.
TE2: Cory Harkey vs. Tyler Higbee
After disappointing seasons at tight end, the Rams have moved on from Jared Cook and are entrusting the full-time spot to Lance Kendricks. Now who takes over Kendrick’s role should be pivotal. The top two candidates have a good dichotomy running with Harkey the converted fullback and Higbee the converted receiver. Higbee is a bit of a wild card considering some unsettled issues, but if moving the ball through the air is the goal, he’s likely to take the job. But getting an additional blocker on the field with Harkey would benefit the progression of Gurley out of the backfield. This may end up as a co-op.
Secondary depth
As stated with the loss of Jenkins and McLeod, there’s been a big mix-up in the secondary. Aside from Trumaine Johnson and T.J. McDonald, the rest of the secondary has no more than two seasons of experience. Not only does that put a big responsibility on some young players, but the defensive line will be expected to pick up the pace even more this season.
Breakout stars/Potential cuts
Breakout stars: CB E.J. Gaines, WR Tavon Austin
Gaines is one of the most intriguing pieces for the Rams this year. As stated above, the secondary has its back against the wall with replacements with limited experience. He’s only been in the league two years and was out all last season, but his rookie campaign made quite the impression after he saw time as an interim starter. Starting 15 games in 2014, Gaines had 15 passes defended and two interceptions as an undrafted rookie. He shouldn’t have any issues replacing Jenkins.
The Rams’ receiving woes are well-documented at this point, having ranked last in passing yards last year. That should hopefully be remedied with Goff, but Austin’s role expands beyond the passing game. Last season he really hit his stride in the running game, rushing for 434 yards at 8.3 yards per attempt and four touchdowns. That’s backup RB-type production, not a wide receiver. He has only just begun showing what he can do for the Rams.
Potential cut: QB Nick Foles
It seems inevitable that one quarterback will be leaving Los Angeles and it’s almost assuredly Foles even after being with the team for just one year. The Rams swapped QBs with the Philadelphia Eagles last year which led to the Rams being able to pull off the Goff trade. There’s not much to lose parting ways with Foles. He would open $1.75 million in cap space. That would be an expensive clipboard holder.
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