So how bout Fox eh?

[Merlin]

Dude is probably just putting tape out there, since the DL position is ridiculously crowded, but man what a game he had.

Also thought Ayers brought it, and was asking my friend "where the F was that intensity in previous weeks?"

 

[Loyal]

Fox looked good against weak competition...maybe we can sneak him onto the the practice squad?

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'd be actively seeking a trade partner to move Sims for something, ... anything. Young guys like Fox & Seau who are a step faster, a lot cheaper, and show this degree of potential don't grow on trees. Sims outside doesn't pressure or get the QB hurries/sacks we'd probably like, although inside he still has value. Thing is, while I don't recall seeing Fox outside, his speed and ability on the interior is pretty amazing, and Seau has pretty good outside burst. Seems like the combination of Longacre, Westbrooks, Easley, Seau & Fox may make Sims obsolete. jmo.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Who did Fox play against? Too bad you can't roll Fox and Seau into one.

Fisher isn't afraid to make the hard decision. He cut Long and Laurinitis. If he agrees with you all, then cutting or trading Simms won't be a problem.

 

[DR RAM]

Fox played pretty early, and has played well. Yeah, like some noted it is a numbers game, and I include Seau in that game. Our DL is so fucking talented it's ridiculous. I'd hate having to make those decisions, but I will do a 53. I think 2 of our DL cuts will be picked up, whomever they may be. It's a good problem to have, but a hard one, if you have favorites. Seau, to me, looks like a special player someday, but right now, he's in a fight. Fox, if there was anything to gain, did that tonight, but getting a roster spot over Donald, Brockers, Easley, or Thomas, man, that is tough. How many do you carry. The numbers don't gel with the talent.

Fox, made a team tonight.

 

[jrry32]

Fox played pretty early, and has played well. Yeah, like some noted it is a numbers game, and I include Seau in that game. Our DL is so freaking talented it's ridiculous. I'd hate having to make those decisions, but I will do a 53. I think 2 of our DL cuts will be picked up, whomever they may be. It's a good problem to have, but a hard one, if you have favorites. Seau, to me, looks like a special player someday, but right now, he's in a fight. Fox, if there was anything to gain, did that tonight, but getting a roster spot over Donald, Brockers, Easley, or Thomas, man, that is tough. How many do you carry. The numbers don't gel with the talent.

Fox, made a team tonight.

Problem with Fox is that he can't play the Thomas role. Because Thomas doesn't impress me. I wish we could keep both Fox and Seau. But if I had to pick one, I might lean Fox.

 

[DR RAM]

Problem with Fox is that he can't play the Thomas role. Because Thomas doesn't impress me. I wish we could keep both Fox and Seau. But if I had to pick one, I might lean Fox.

Fox is definitely flashier, but Thomas is the underappreciated guy that just gets the job done. Tough call.

Me too, on the Fox, Seau thing. I see special in both of them.

 

[fearsomefour]

Problem with Fox is that he can't play the Thomas role. Because Thomas doesn't impress me. I wish we could keep both Fox and Seau. But if I had to pick one, I might lean Fox.

Two completely different roles of course. Thomas occupies blockers....often double teamed in the running game. With our small fast LBs that is a good thing. He does a good job and occasionally can get some pressure. Fox looked good and quick and knows how to use his hands but he is a penetrating DT on a team with Donald an Easely. PS maybe. He needs to hold up better vs the run to be more than a rush specialist.

 

[Merlin]

Fox looked good and quick and knows how to use his hands but he is a penetrating DT on a team with Donald an Easely. PS maybe. He needs to hold up better vs the run to be more than a rush specialist.

No way Fox makes it to the PS. Teams have lists ready for that last cut and because of that game you can rest assured he IS on many of them around the league. If the Rams like him they're gonna have to make room or say goodbye IMO.

 

[Picked4td]

No way Fox makes it to the PS. Teams have lists ready for that last cut and because of that game you can rest assured he IS on many of them around the league. If the Rams like him they're gonna have to make room or say goodbye IMO.

I wonder if theres research out there somewhere of how many udfa/real young guys that get cut from one team make it to another team's 53 for week 1. I'm under the impression its not that high because giving 1 of those 53 spots to a guy that doesnt know your system and you only have a handful of meaningless preseason snaps of film on them doesnt seem all that likely.

 

[BonifayRam]

You have to go Cam Thomas here no choice but to make that call. This defense simply needs & functions better with a NT like Thomas. Yes Fox sure has more upside & could be something very special but where are you going to play him? He plays the Aaron Donald & Dom Easley post nothing else.

Another thing Thomas gives Gregg some options because he is a legit & experienced 34 NT. Gregg has gone to 3-2-6 defense late last season & it did have some success.

 

[den-the-coach]

Problem with Fox is that he can't play the Thomas role. Because Thomas doesn't impress me. I wish we could keep both Fox and Seau. But if I had to pick one, I might lean Fox.

I agree I would keep Fox over Seau and down the road they need a better option than Thomas, however, they need his girth to back up Brockers.

 

[Merlin]

I wonder if theres research out there somewhere of how many udfa/real young guys that get cut from one team make it to another team's 53 for week 1. I'm under the impression its not that high because giving 1 of those 53 spots to a guy that doesnt know your system and you only have a handful of meaningless preseason snaps of film on them doesnt seem all that likely.

Valid point. But you need to consider what the player brings to the table, and how hard that is to find around the league.

Interior DL who can generate pressure are very hard to find and valued due to the way that can take away a QB's ability to step up in the pocket. That game he had is a big deal IMO, and not all teams are stacked like we are on the DL.

 

[Picked4td]

Valid point. But you need to consider what the player brings to the table, and how hard that is to find around the league.

Interior DL who can generate pressure are very hard to find and valued due to the way that can take away a QB's ability to step up in the pocket. That game he had is a big deal IMO, and not all teams are stacked like we are on the DL.

Im not saying he wont get picked up, in fact DL is probably the position where not knowing the teams scheme means the least, so theres probably a good chance he gets picked up. It just seems a lot of people on this board are always worried anyone we cut wont make it to the practice squad, while I've personally always thought that a player getting cut and picked up by another team doesnt happen that often. like I said, its be nice if there was research on this

 

[fearsomefour]

You have to go Cam Thomas here no choice but to make that call. This defense simply needs & functions better with a NT like Thomas. Yes Fox sure has more upside & could be something very special but where are you going to play him? He plays the Aaron Donald & Dom Easley post nothing else.

Another thing Thomas gives Gregg some options because he is a legit & experienced 34 NT. Gregg has gone to 3-2-6 defense late last season & it did have some success.

Exactly.
Fox gives upside, but, like you say, a different kind of upside all together. His game now is hand work and quickness. If he gains 30 lbs to 40 lbs which he will need to really play inside as an every down guy....does that affect his game? If he is just a pass rush guy to be brought in on third and long downs....sort of diminishing returns also.
One things for sure, he may well not make it past waivers (as Merlin stated). Passrushers are always in demand, someone who can get pressure inside, all the more so.

 

[hotanez]

No way Fox makes it to the PS. Teams have lists ready for that last cut and because of that game you can rest assured he IS on many of them around the league. If the Rams like him they're gonna have to make room or say goodbye IMO.

The same thing was said last year about Longacre and LTP but both made it on the PS. In my opinion both those players played better than Seau and Fox. It's not easy to drop one of your final 53 that knows your system for a rookie. If the player was a veteran maybe.

 

[BonifayRam]

This DL was a hard cadre unit that any 2016 rookie UDFA would find hard to crack in 2016. Was there really a chance or room for a DE Ian Seau? If Quinn had shown big concerns about his back surgery then a yes to some degree. But Quinn looks like he is well on the road back. When Gregg Williams finally made the move of Ethan Westbrook to the edge from the inside, since DT Easley shined so bright inside behind Donald, then add the unexpected great TC & pre season 2nd yr Matt Longacre put in......one last thing do not forget the new WSLB'er or WS safety or what ever Mark Barron ....Barron can be a quick nightmare crashing in outside the edge of our DE. Barron has some super skills in this area too. Seau has no place to fit in.

Same can be said for Morgan Fox...6-4 259 pound DT??? when you have 3 former #1 draft picks pushing for playing time with Brockers/Donald/Easley when would you yank one of them & insert Fox?? not going o happen. Then the very solid TC & PS effort by veteran Cam Thomas who ugly body fits perfect with the 3 other DT's ahead of him. Another fact that makes it impossible to find a way for Fox is that Hayes/Sims & Westbrooks can be utilized for long period of time inside without any problem. Fox has no place to fit in here....This DL unit can be the best in the NFL with a little luck.

Rams DE Unit
#1-Rob Quinn (1st Rd'er)
#2-William Hayes (4th rd'er UFA signed in 2016)
#3-Ethan Westbrooks UDFA
#4-Matt Longacre UDFA
#5-Eugene Sims (6th rd & UFA signed in 2016)

Rams interior Unit
Aaron Donald (all pro)
M. Brockers (1st rd'er)
D. Easley (1st rd'er)
Cam Thomas (5th rd'er & UFA signed in 2016)

 

[8to12]

I haven't seen him make any plays in training camp. And, didn't seem him do much in the previous 3 preseason games. IMO, he's not worth keeping over Seau or Langacre

 

[DaveFan'51]

Also thought Ayers brought it, and was asking my friend "where the F was that intensity in previous weeks?"

This is what happen when your Jobs on the line! When Push comes to Shove!! Pun intended!!:rolllaugh: