Rams Sign C John Sullivan
- Thread starter DrHavenstein
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Well, now we know that den and Florida can both sleep easier tonight. Lol.
Seriously, I agree that this is a good stopgap signing. Maybe even a 2 year stopgap.
Clearly, the FO was reassured of Sullivan's health status. Affordable vet C's that are healthy and good teammates don't grow on trees. As others have said, the Rams took their sweet time to lock up the best available C via FA. Hard to criticize the results at this point.
Pressure to reach for a C in the draft is gone now. But I do fully expect a C to be drafted at some point still. Maybe as high as one of our 4ths.
I'll say it again. This FO seems to get it. This offseason has given me the fewest head scratchers and the most smiles that I can recall in years and years.
Can't wait to see their moves in the draft.
Seriously, I agree that this is a good stopgap signing. Maybe even a 2 year stopgap.
Clearly, the FO was reassured of Sullivan's health status. Affordable vet C's that are healthy and good teammates don't grow on trees. As others have said, the Rams took their sweet time to lock up the best available C via FA. Hard to criticize the results at this point.
Pressure to reach for a C in the draft is gone now. But I do fully expect a C to be drafted at some point still. Maybe as high as one of our 4ths.
I'll say it again. This FO seems to get it. This offseason has given me the fewest head scratchers and the most smiles that I can recall in years and years.
Can't wait to see their moves in the draft.
Last Night I slept like a baby...Woke up every two hours and cried...Seriously I like the signing, he was plan B and rated high with the Redskins last season with 9 starts, but he will be keeping the position warm for Ethan Pocic, Chase Roullier or Kyle Fuller.
BonifayRam
Legend
Considering how long they took to sign him, I'm sure the Rams are satisfied with Sullivan's health!
Yes good point on the Rams checking out his back and everything else physically. I was being cautious because backs are harder to deal with then say an MCL. Sullivan could be very productive for 3 more years. He will be 32 in August. I hope he is productive for at least 2 more years.
simonblaze
Pro Bowler
Nice, this guy is a former pro bowl center. If hes half as good as he was he's still a huge upgrade over barnes
bluecoconuts
Legend
Florida_Ram
Hall of Fame
I'll admit I'm much more relieved that a veteran was signed before the draft and it did put a smile on my face.
My concern like some others is that Sullivan might be damaged goods and passing an off-season physical (for a tricky back injury) is not a telling moment of how healthy it has healed up to survive a 16 game season.
Taking a beating at the center position in the later part of camp/and preseason, then going against live bullets on game days for the long term duration is very skeptical with back injuries in the NFL.
I know I threw a small tantrum that the Rams offered Groy (only 26 years old) a joke of a contract offer knowing how important it was to solidify an upgrade over Tim Barnes.
Anyone with a football mind would've known it was highly likely (75% probable) that the Bills would match that silly offer. Especially when you looked at Groy's play/performance over the 8 games he took over and played for the starting center Eric Woods (who is 31) after he went down and needed leg surgery.
If Sullivan is truly healthy and can endure a 16 game season this could end up a great save by the Rams brass. If not the Groy low ball offer could still bite them in the ass. The only saving grace if Sully breaks down in preseason or early in the regular season would be if a center is drafted and ends up being a stud surprise starter etc..
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Groy was younger but also a depth option at Center. Overpaying for him would have made you feel better up until you see him as a starter on our line. The guy had his moments, but there was a good reason they didn't overpay him.
Sullivan has far more starting experience, but is old and beat to hell. Bottom line is both are depth guys for this line IF the goal is to get it right, which I believe it is. All this signing did was take the edge off the need a bit, maybe even buy them some time if the guy they draft has to adjust for part of the season to the speed of things.
But IMO nothing has changed really. They gotta find an answer at Center. Maybe Donnal or Wichmann can move over and save the day if things don't work out for them in the draft. Still, though, I can't imagine them looking at our depth chart and feeling good about Center. Not by a long shot. They need a starting center and the place to get it is going to be the draft.
Finally a Vet presence on the OL. Last years OL was so green they constantly got
schooled. Even though Whitworth and Sullivan are on the downside of their careers, what they bring in experience and knowing the "tricks of the trade is huge for the young guys.
You can bet the Rams took a long look at Sullivan's injury history before the determined he was healthy enough to play. That it took over 2 weeks from the time they brought him in to sign him is evidence.
schooled. Even though Whitworth and Sullivan are on the downside of their careers, what they bring in experience and knowing the "tricks of the trade is huge for the young guys.
You can bet the Rams took a long look at Sullivan's injury history before the determined he was healthy enough to play. That it took over 2 weeks from the time they brought him in to sign him is evidence.
Lmao! So stupid! Can't stop laughing! Thank you!
Perfect add. We need pieces that can contribute right away.
This fits the bill.
This fits the bill.
Florida_Ram
Hall of Fame
A sound response Merlin but I'm not on board with Plan C of Donnal Or Wichmann and the whole crossover/cross training thing for the starting center in 2017.
That makes me chuckle every time read a post of someone thinking the future center was already on the roster but playing a different position and is in the mix for the coming season.
I can go along with the drafting a rookie center thing but being a voice of logic, no way is the answer of Wichmann or Donnal doing the crossover thing ever going to pan out. Why would Groy and Sullivan be coveted if Wich and Donnal were realistically in those plans for McVay and Kromer?
I don't buy that scenario and never have since the first time a read a post that suggested it.
Just being honest and I might be wrong....
I think they have to draft the position, but that said I won't rule out the conversion.
Last time I rewatched the OL snaps from last season Wichmann got pushed around too much for my liking. So I think they'll try him there but will one offseason give him the strength he needs? Donnal was a bit better and moved around too, so I'd guess if anyone can do it from the Rams' depth it's him.
Re: the Rams going after Groy and Sullivan I think it's to take the edge off the need. Worst case they probably feel like they could make it work with those guys, but it's still a position they want to upgrade with a legit starter.
ReddingRam
Hall of Fame
They still have to get a guy for the furture. Sullivan is 31 i believe, but he is a good bridge player for us. He is not great, but he is decent. He knows SM's system. So as mentioned, he takes the urgency of getting an early rd. C in the draft. Gives us time to draft 1 plus try and cross train one of our current.
I like this signing and I am very happy with how they have handled the off season so far. Now they can go BPA ... WR/CB with pick #37
DeaconJones
Rookie
I don't know Mr Sullivan or his capabilities but it looks like a good move. He did have a 6 year stretch starting all but 3 games so he has shown some reliability in the past. Like mutual funds though, past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future results ...
Let's hope it is though.
Let's hope it is though.
ReddingRam
Hall of Fame
Mangold hasn't been signed by any other C needy team yet so ... that might just tell us that everyone wants the "name" .. but the player is not the same as he once was. Otherwise IMHO, he would have been snatched up by now