Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers through 4 games ...

[Malibu]

I think someone will free up at the trade deadline that will cost us considerably less than Von without a massive drop off from Von but yes we need OLB help not to help with the run game as much as Von needed to but a pure pass rusher. Fyi Quinn entered the league the same year as Vonn and only has 17 less sacks. Id try for him Chicago is going nowhere and he costs them a lot, but half way through the season he costs less and with multiple years left on his contract that is a liability for Chicago. They need draft capital.

 

[Malibu]

I will have to look at that playoff game again because I could swear that we played more aggressive in that game but I am going completely off of memory after watching that game only once.

So you could be right about that. I will have to check it out.

We did we rushed 5 way more and it was very effective.

 

[Tano]

Shelton has had a rough regular season thus far.

First, he was the starting RG until Brian Allen was injured again. So he moved into the center post. Then Tremayne Anchrum was inserted into his old post & quickly got injured & placed on the IR. Then the Rams were forced to insert their top reserve OT into the RG post.

Playing OC with David Edwards & new guy Alaric Jackson would take some time to jell. Then Edwards came up with a Brain Fog & Shelton had to play next to Bobby Evans @ LG. Just saying that causes my stomach to get sick. Then while dealing with Bobby Evans/Alaric Jackson he badly injured his lower leg & will be out for the next month or even much longer.

I not trying to smooth over or ignore Shelton 4 game performances but I will not dish any crap on him & I still believe he is a good interior OL who the Rams are lucky to have. Or did have?

I bet you that LT Noteboom was not looking forward to the 9ers game having to pair up with LG Bobby Evans.

There is a play from the SF game in the first series where I swear I saw Noteboom was going WTF to Evans when Stafford was sacked the first time.

There was one guy to the left of Evans and one guy far left to Noteboom and I can't remember who else next to him.

Well Evans felt Noteboom should take the guy to his left and Noteboom was going to help the guy to the far left of him with whoever it was and went fuck when Evans let his guy go free. Noteboom tried to turn back to block the guy but he was already passing him.

On that play Evans ended up blocking no one until he tried to help out Noteboom late on the guy he let go. I could not understand him just letting that guy go free on Stafford. I will be posting that shot on my write-up when I finally get to it.

 

[Faceplant]

I'm afraid we are witnessing what often happens to teams with an extremely top-heavy payroll and lower round draft picks.
The Rams have lost some significant players to free agency and injury, so trying to determine just how successful our team would be without all these injuries wouldn't be very scientific. 6 out of 8 of our 2022 draft picks have been sidelined due to injuries. 3 of our 2021 draft picks haven't seen the field for one reason or another (Tutu, B.Brown, Harris), 1 was waived and another can't graduate from the practice squad while UDFA's have seemingly passed him on the depth chart. 5 of our 2020 draft picks missing multiple games are struggling with health issues, suspension or are just plain disappointing.
Vets like OBj is still weeks from returning, and that's only if we manage to re-sign him. We all await the day Allen Robinson becomes a consistent participant, and Floyd/Gaines appear to have fallen off a cliff. And then there are Rapp & Evans which are starters who may deserve to be pushed from the cliff.

That was a very good, albeit depressing article. Hard to argue with any of it.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

So has Edwards decline worsened with Noteboom playing alongside of him, the injuries at center or both?

 

[Tumak61]

I think we get it going this week. This line will come together. Jackson and Kolone are going to block really well. Expect the running game to get going

 

[den-the-coach]

So has Edwards decline worsened with Noteboom playing alongside of him, the injuries at center or both?

Well, before his concussion, Boom & Edwards played their best game against Arizona. Rated high and the problem with Edwards is he's been up and down, usually seems to struggle against loaded fronts, but at times has been very good too.

Let's be honest here, the Rams are better with Edwards at LG due to who they have in reserve. Boom has been okay at times very good, but other times not so. That's an issue because your LT should be far & away your best Offensive Lineman on the field. Center was fine with Shelton IMO, then along with Allen he gets hurt too.

All in All, I don't see the Rams making a move like they have in the past I believe they want to protect their draft capital and use those chips in April to improve the Offensive Line along with the defensive line too. It all started with the Logan Bruss injury, granted he was struggling, but he needed the reps in preseason and because of his loss, Bobby Evans made the team subtraction by subtraction.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well, before his concussion, Boom & Edwards played their best game against Arizona. Rated high and the problem with Edwards is he's been up and down, usually seems to struggle against loaded fronts, but at times has been very good too.

Let's be honest here, the Rams are better with Edwards at LG due to who they have in reserve. Boom has been okay at times very good, but other times not so. That's an issue because your LT should be far & away your best Offensive Lineman on the field. Center was fine with Shelton IMO, then along with Allen he gets hurt too.

All in All, I don't see the Rams making a move like they have in the past I believe they want to protect their draft capital and use those chips in April to improve the Offensive Line along with the defensive line too. It all started with the Logan Bruss injury, granted he was struggling, but he needed the reps in preseason and because of his loss, Bobby Evans made the team subtraction by subtraction.

At times in recent years Edwards looked like a stud. I figured maybe he has slowed by injuries but he’s not improved.

I don’t count the Cardinals game btw. They are one of the worst fronts the Rams will face, if not the worst. They may be the worst in the league.

 

[den-the-coach]

I don’t count the Cardinals game btw. They are one of the worst fronts the Rams will face, if not the worst. They may be the worst in the league.

That's fair so the game against Dallas will be an excellent test. Everyone knows I'm not a fan of Kolone, but I believe he can hold up okay on Sunday. Hopefully Allen will be back the following week. Edwards when hurt does not play well, that is why his draft stock slipped at Wisconsin because he was playing hurt and it effected his play.

Still all of us hope that with Edwards back, the line will play better and against Dallas they better be ready. I don't understand why they don't active TE Roger Carter, he's played the H-back role that Skowronek is playing and is bigger and might offer more protection too. Oh well, let's just hope the OL can play a good game, get a win and then when Allen gets back at the very minimum they will be at full strength because IMHO RG Alaric Jackson has been a find at that position.

 

[Kupped]

The Rams need some young players to start making more of an impact in some areas.. but some areas are just deficient, roster-wise.

The RB room doesn't seem to have any explosiveness.. that's gotta change this offseason. No true power either. If I have to choose, I'll take speed over power.. but that doesn't mean I want a scat-back.

The edge is just very underwhelming. I do have hopes Hardy can be something.. but that's really a stretch and would be a bit of a miracle. We can hope, though.. because he's got some incredible traits. Hollins is just a mediocre football player.. very disappointing.. and Lewis played 16 snaps against the 9ers and had a fucking donut on his stat line. Floyd is hurt. this group is holding the Rams D back right now and, unlike the DBs, it's not dealing with multiple players out with injury. This area is a problem and I'd expect to actually see McKinley on the field this week.. even though I thought he'd be cut because of the Monday sideline scene.

Other "problems" on the roster right now are really injury-driven.

Biggest offseason mistake was not keeping Miller. Wagner's great.. but it's a position that just isn't a difference-maker in the NFL right now, imo. The Rams beat the 9ers in the Championship game with Reeder and Jones.

Back to the young picks.. the 21 draft class produced one legit starter.. fortunately, they hit on a UDFA in Alaric Jackson.. so they have two starters. To be determined is what Rochell can become and what Bobby Brown can become. Those two are the key for it being a "meh" draft year, or it being a big success. Skowronek, in the 7th round, is a big success. He's averaging 3 catches a game and making blocks.

We'll see where any surprises come from.

If they can get a Robert Quinn for a second, they need to do it. He'll be under contract next year as well.
The Oline? It's in way better shape than some seem to think, imo. With everyone under contract coming back.. they have 7 guys you'd feel confident in. Then we get to evaluate whether Arcuri or Pitcher can develop into a depth tackle.. or if they need to take a couple of swings in the draft.

If they trade the 2nd for an edge.. they should still have 2 3rds.. 2 5ths.. 4 6ths.. and 3 7ths.

I know some would want to trade up... but, I'm of the school of thought that more shots are better at that point. It's not like they're going to be able to move up into the second or something.

There's no reason they can't find quality players in the areas they need in next year's draft.. and.. if McCutcheon is what he looks to be.. a reminder that you can find UDFA gems.

Just RAMbling.

 

[Tano]

The Rams need some young players to start making more of an impact in some areas.. but some areas are just deficient, roster-wise.

The RB room doesn't seem to have any explosiveness.. that's gotta change this offseason. No true power either. If I have to choose, I'll take speed over power.. but that doesn't mean I want a scat-back.

The edge is just very underwhelming. I do have hopes Hardy can be something.. but that's really a stretch and would be a bit of a miracle. We can hope, though.. because he's got some incredible traits. Hollins is just a mediocre football player.. very disappointing.. and Lewis played 16 snaps against the 9ers and had a fucking donut on his stat line. Floyd is hurt. this group is holding the Rams D back right now and, unlike the DBs, it's not dealing with multiple players out with injury. This area is a problem and I'd expect to actually see McKinley on the field this week.. even though I thought he'd be cut because of the Monday sideline scene.

Other "problems" on the roster right now are really injury-driven.

Biggest offseason mistake was not keeping Miller. Wagner's great.. but it's a position that just isn't a difference-maker in the NFL right now, imo. The Rams beat the 9ers in the Championship game with Reeder and Jones.

Back to the young picks.. the 21 draft class produced one legit starter.. fortunately, they hit on a UDFA in Alaric Jackson.. so they have two starters. To be determined is what Rochell can become and what Bobby Brown can become. Those two are the key for it being a "meh" draft year, or it being a big success. Skowronek, in the 7th round, is a big success. He's averaging 3 catches a game and making blocks.

We'll see where any surprises come from.

If they can get a Robert Quinn for a second, they need to do it. He'll be under contract next year as well.
The Oline? It's in way better shape than some seem to think, imo. With everyone under contract coming back.. they have 7 guys you'd feel confident in. Then we get to evaluate whether Arcuri or Pitcher can develop into a depth tackle.. or if they need to take a couple of swings in the draft.

If they trade the 2nd for an edge.. they should still have 2 3rds.. 2 5ths.. 4 6ths.. and 3 7ths.

I know some would want to trade up... but, I'm of the school of thought that more shots are better at that point. It's not like they're going to be able to move up into the second or something.

There's no reason they can't find quality players in the areas they need in next year's draft.. and.. if McCutcheon is what he looks to be.. a reminder that you can find UDFA gems.

Just RAMbling.

I would like to see more of Rochelle and McCutcheon

 

[Kupped]

I would like to see more of Rochelle and McCutcheon

McCutcheon will be interesting to see… hard to see where he gets reps right now.

I have very high hopes for Rochell… but the fact that Haley is playing ahead of him says so much.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

McCutcheon will be interesting to see… hard to see where he gets reps right now.

I have very high hopes for Rochell… but the fact that Haley is playing ahead of him says so much.

Agreed. Rochelle had some good moments last year. I hoped he’d be a reliable starter by now.

 

[MachS]

Hollins and Floyd have been horrible. We have no real talent at OLB and thus no pass rush this season. So we have to bring 5 and we're still not getting home and weakening our already weak coverage behind. OL playing horrible, cant run the ball, cant stay out of known passing situations. Offensive weapons underperforming big time. This team just isn't very good.

 

[Ram Ts]

I feel like Groundhog Day reading this thread. It’s last years three game losing streak all over again.

 

[BonifayRam]

I just wished they learned to invest heavily in the oline already. This offense can't be stopped with a top tier oline.

This subject has been discussed over the last decade of 11 drafts with Snead as our GM. Snead has drafted 17 OL'ers. When you do an overview of the NFL's success with the 17 drafted OL'ers you would be very surprised at the total lack of hits by Snead's team on this subject.

Not one of Snead's Ram drafted OL'ers have ever been acknowledged as an All-Pro. His best selection was RT Rob Havenstein back in 2015 in the 2nd round. Snead's most famous OL'er selection that Snead is well known for is 2014 Greg Robinson who was a second overall 1st Rd. pick a very big "total bust" in several ways currently a felon facing long prison time.

Former No. 2 overall NFL draft pick Greg Robinson arrested on felony drug charges

Police said they seized more than $120,000 worth of cocaine, crystal meth and several other drugs after a search of multiple properties, police said.

www.usatoday.com

If you had to try to name the top 5 Snead OL draft picks over the last 11 drafts it would look like this:
1-Havensstein.
2-Noteboom
3-Edwards
4-Allen
5-Evans

In conclusion, this is a hideous top five list to be on his resume. This could be the reason Snead does not prefer to draft OL'ers as you suggested with his 1st or 2nd-day draft selections.

 

[BonifayRam]

Hollins and Floyd have been horrible. We have no real talent at OLB and thus no pass rush this season. So we have to bring 5 and we're still not getting home and weakening our already weak coverage behind. OL playing horrible, cant run the ball, cant stay out of known passing situations. Offensive weapons underperforming big time. This team just isn't very good.

I believe that the Ram's top OLB pass rusher soon to be 31 yr old Leonard Floyd is damaged goods & the Rams Organization is fully aware of it!

I keep reminding myself that Floyd just has off-season ankle surgery.

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theathletic.com

Leonard Floyd staying with Rams on four-year, $64-million deal

Linebacker Leonard Floyd is staying with the Rams on a four-year deal. Former safety John Johnson is leaving for the Cleveland Browns.

www.latimes.com

It should also be brought up that besides Floyd not being healthy since last summer 2021 but continued to play on it. Floyd suffer a knee injury late in 2017 that requires surgery on the same leg that he just had surgery on this past summer. I am not sure that Floyd can make a complete return to his former self.

Floyd is contracted in 2023 and has $19 mil. cap hit with a $19 mil dead cap. In 2024 Floyd's cap hit is $22.5 mil with a $12 mil dead cap hit. In 2025 & 2026 Floyds cap hit even though his contract is long gone will be $9 million in dead cap hit. This is an extremely critical & distressing future situation not yet realized by this team but it is on the way.

 

[Merlin]

Floyd definitely isn't moving well. No idea to what extent injury is a factor but it sucks because the way our blindside looks we need him balling.