oldnotdead
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- May 16, 2019
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The Rams had a star CB who was asking for a huge cap investment. This trade was about two reasons IMO. Lockerroom peace and next year's cap. When I look at the moves Snead is making it's all about setting up next year. Look at Snead's history, he's always looking a year ahead. This all is about resetting the Ram cap outlook for next year.
AD is set to retire next year leaving them with $19.5M in dead cap. As a contingency, if they have to unload Stafford due to medical retirement that will be another $36M. But with Wagner, Floyd, and Ramsey gone it really clears the roster of their mega contracts.
Case in point. Let's say Snead signs Ngakoue they can backload the contract because they will have the room starting next year and beyond. I don't like the trade, but I definitely understand why it was made. It's part of the culture here in LA that attracts talent. They know the FO isn't going to fuck them over. Wagner wanted out because he wanted to be on a team that had a better chance at another ring. The Rams bent over backward when they moved Bobby Trees. These things aren't unnoticed. Leonard Floyd asked for permission to look for a trade. It didn't happen but the Rams gave him that permission.
This isn't a rebuild, this is a cap reset year. This team has enough core talent to be competitive. It all comes down to health and how well Snead drafts this year. He's got to hit on their first three picks with players who can contribute immediately. Edge, Center, LB, but most of all QB2 if they can't keep Mayfield. IMO Mayfield, Gaines, and Scott are their three biggest priority FAs. Get them signed and the roster is reset with its core players.
Floyd will be replaced in the draft. If Howard can stay healthy he is actually becoming a decent ILB. That isn't to say they won't be drafting an ILB because IMO they will. With Shelton gone they lost their option to Allen if he goes down again. So I see one of those 3rd round picks being used on a center. I think they could use one of the comp 5th round picks on a PK or they can sign Gould or Pineiro. Pineiro is a decent PK with decent accuracy and was 2-2 over 50 yds with a long of 54 yds. They can probably sign him between $1-$2M. He's a proven kicker that they can sign cheap.
No reason to panic. The way Morris plays his secondary he wasted Ramsey's talent. If Ramsey would fucking play Rochell there wouldn't be this mess because then Rochell would be further along in his development. Rochell was drafted specifically for this moment.
If the Rams can't sign Mayfield I think they will be looking for a prototypical QB2 later in the draft. With all the extra 5th round picks I wouldn't be surprised to see them take Clayton Tune. He had a good showing at the Senior Bowl and the Rams really scout that game. The only thing he lacks is a strong arm for the very deep throws. Tune shows good accuracy and arm strength out to 20-25 yds which IMO covers 95% of NFL passes. But again accuracy is far more important as arm strength can be improved with proper training. Tune has three traits that McVay likes. He's a pure pocket passer and he goes through his progressions quickly, finally, he's got good accuracy. Tune's issues are coachable things and he's viewed as a one to two year project but likely able to contribute early in a backup role.
With a good draft with their first 3 picks being able to contribute quickly this team will be reset to be a playoff contender again. It would all depend upon team health and luck of the draw in the playoffs. If things fall right this team can get to another SB. I know I'm in the minority but again I was high on 2021 roster when many weren't this time of year back then.
AD is set to retire next year leaving them with $19.5M in dead cap. As a contingency, if they have to unload Stafford due to medical retirement that will be another $36M. But with Wagner, Floyd, and Ramsey gone it really clears the roster of their mega contracts.
Case in point. Let's say Snead signs Ngakoue they can backload the contract because they will have the room starting next year and beyond. I don't like the trade, but I definitely understand why it was made. It's part of the culture here in LA that attracts talent. They know the FO isn't going to fuck them over. Wagner wanted out because he wanted to be on a team that had a better chance at another ring. The Rams bent over backward when they moved Bobby Trees. These things aren't unnoticed. Leonard Floyd asked for permission to look for a trade. It didn't happen but the Rams gave him that permission.
This isn't a rebuild, this is a cap reset year. This team has enough core talent to be competitive. It all comes down to health and how well Snead drafts this year. He's got to hit on their first three picks with players who can contribute immediately. Edge, Center, LB, but most of all QB2 if they can't keep Mayfield. IMO Mayfield, Gaines, and Scott are their three biggest priority FAs. Get them signed and the roster is reset with its core players.
Floyd will be replaced in the draft. If Howard can stay healthy he is actually becoming a decent ILB. That isn't to say they won't be drafting an ILB because IMO they will. With Shelton gone they lost their option to Allen if he goes down again. So I see one of those 3rd round picks being used on a center. I think they could use one of the comp 5th round picks on a PK or they can sign Gould or Pineiro. Pineiro is a decent PK with decent accuracy and was 2-2 over 50 yds with a long of 54 yds. They can probably sign him between $1-$2M. He's a proven kicker that they can sign cheap.
No reason to panic. The way Morris plays his secondary he wasted Ramsey's talent. If Ramsey would fucking play Rochell there wouldn't be this mess because then Rochell would be further along in his development. Rochell was drafted specifically for this moment.
If the Rams can't sign Mayfield I think they will be looking for a prototypical QB2 later in the draft. With all the extra 5th round picks I wouldn't be surprised to see them take Clayton Tune. He had a good showing at the Senior Bowl and the Rams really scout that game. The only thing he lacks is a strong arm for the very deep throws. Tune shows good accuracy and arm strength out to 20-25 yds which IMO covers 95% of NFL passes. But again accuracy is far more important as arm strength can be improved with proper training. Tune has three traits that McVay likes. He's a pure pocket passer and he goes through his progressions quickly, finally, he's got good accuracy. Tune's issues are coachable things and he's viewed as a one to two year project but likely able to contribute early in a backup role.
With a good draft with their first 3 picks being able to contribute quickly this team will be reset to be a playoff contender again. It would all depend upon team health and luck of the draw in the playoffs. If things fall right this team can get to another SB. I know I'm in the minority but again I was high on 2021 roster when many weren't this time of year back then.
