Sony Michel?

[XXXIVwin]

Still unsigned.

Anyone hoping we spend $ to sign him? Or are we just assuming we roll with Cam, Henderson, Funk, and a new draft pick?

I posted a poll at one point asking which RB people prefer-- Sony or Darrell, and it was like 80 or 90 percent for Sony. Sony had a stretch there where his power game was a lifesaver to pull us out of our losing streak.

But now it seems Sony is an afterthought.

So... pay the man or let him walk?

 

[Riverumbbq]

If the price is right, I'm all in for re-signing Michel. Either way, I'd still be drafting a RB to compete with Funk for RB#4, and Henderson is due to hit free agency following this season.
jmo.

 

[TheTackle]

Good post

Pay him. He is great at picking up the blitz as well as offering a complimentary running game. What would it take? I expect the Rams decided to let the market decide but we will wait and see

 

[PARAM]

He's a tough runner. Fully capable in all aspects. But the money......I'd think somebody might offer him more than we want to pay. Maybe not.

 

[OntarioRam]

I don't think it is the money that sees Michel leave. The market for RBs his age, with no star player pedigree, and with some injury history, is relatively soft. He will likely be part of a running back by committee, wherever he lands. But Michel will assumedly want to go team where snatching the RB1 role, or at least being part of a regular rotation, is feasible. I don't think that is LA.

For whatever reason, the coaching staff seems intent on giving him almost no carries when Akers and Hendo are healthy. Even after Sony carried us, and with the running game being completely stalled in some playoff games. And with Sony being the harder runner and better short yardage and between the tackles RB. And better pass blocker. He got almost no carries. I think that is/was a poor choice. But it seems to be the coaching staff's desire. Which is somewhat odd considering the draft picks surrendered to get him (which, btw, saved the Rams season! Amazing pickup by Snead once the RB injuries kept piling up).

Look for Michel to thank the Rams for a good year and Super Bowl ring, but ultimately take his talents elsewhere.

He is hardly irreplaceable but I do disagree with how I perceive this coaching staff to view him.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Teams will likely wait until after the draft. If they don’t like the backs they draft or sign as UDFAs or miss out on the ones they wanted then they’ll sign a veteran.

Sony was not used enough in the playoffs imo.

 

[Alaskan Ram]

Sony needs to hold out and go to the highest bidding team with a banged up running back room coming out of camp and pre-season.

I'd grab best available with our 3rd round pick and another couple undrafted RBs.

 

[den-the-coach]

Sony was not used enough in the playoffs imo.

I agree, however, I do believe the Rams are going to draft another RB someone bigger maybe Tyler Allgeier of BYU or my favorite, Brian Robinson of Alabama. ZaQuandre White of South Carolina I'm sure is on the Ram short list as well because Thomas Brown coached him, when Brown was OC back in 2019.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I agree, however, I do believe the Rams are going to draft another RB someone bigger maybe Tyler Allgeier of BYU or my favorite, Brian Robinson of Alabama. ZaQuandre White of South Carolina I'm sure is on the Ram short list as well because Thomas Brown coached him, when Brown was OC back in 2019.

I hope so. Michel has little tread on those knees.

 

[BonifayRam]

My thoughts are Rams need to rebuild that RB room in the next two drafts. I 2nd the @den-the-coach post.

Their top 3 RB's all have serious injury concerns. You throw in the other 2 signed RB's Xavier Jones & Raymond Calais who had reconstruction surgeries in 2021 & never touched the ball.

All five of these RB's in 2021 season could not remain healthy.

All five most likely will have the special colored "NO HIT" jerseys in TC with their injury concerns.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I agree, however, I do believe the Rams are going to draft another RB someone bigger maybe Tyler Allgeier of BYU or my favorite, Brian Robinson of Alabama. ZaQuandre White of South Carolina I'm sure is on the Ram short list as well because Thomas Brown coached him, when Brown was OC back in 2019.

Robinson could be there, he is ranked outside the top 5 by most. He is the Michel type. Haskins may fit that mold too along with Allgeir.
I think we could get Haskins and possibly Allgeir with our 3rd pick or one of the 5ths.
Haskins is a pretty developed blocker but not a threat as a pass catcher
Allgeir This is likely a target for us as you said, good blocker, good size, good hands, runs physical. He also has a chance to be on the board awhile. If we aren't targeting an RB in the 3rd or 4th this guy could be in horns.

I like some late round/FA guys too McCormick @ UTSA and Borghi @ WSU both have above average hands

 

[Reddog99]

I'd like to keep Michel if the money is right. I'm not sure if Mcvay values him much since he's not very good at catching the ball. A good blocker and gets the tough yards though so I'd keep him.

 

[oldnotdead]

I'm pretty confident that both Michel and OBJ will return. The Rams have a plan to move money around but the main cog in the system right now is AD's contract. But I'm confident what I've been told about both OBJ and Michel being told they are in line to return is true. Both Allen and Noteboom ignored other offers with their only focus being to return to LA. Both players' agents were told they were in LA's plans and to simply be patient. I'm sure that the same has been done with OBJ and Michel, and it would take a very strong offer for them to sign elsewhere. Both know like all the others, Wagner, Robinson, etc, that they won't find a better situation for their careers.

The Rams are a team that players want to come to or stay with (Von being an exception). But look at the ridiculously large contract it took to pry Von away. Also, he already had two rings so this was his last chance for a big payday. Once guys have two rings it will be harder to keep them (the big rationale, in Wagner's contract IMO)

IMO Snead knows the projection is for the cap to take a huge jump in 2023 and 2024. Snead as is his way, is out in front of it. Spend it now worry about it later. Gotta love it!!!

 

[oldnotdead]

Oh BTW a lot of the Ram contracts are at market value. It's they way they are structured and the guaranteed money that is different and important.

 

[Ram65]

I don't see Michel wanting to play for the Rams after they ignored him in the playoffs. I don't know what the market is for him but, I imagine he wants at least a shot at being a platoon back. It probably will be a while before he is signed.

I don't think the Rams want him at this point. McVay likes quick backs that can catch out of the backfield like Akers and Henderson. While Michel carries a punch he isn't quick to the hole. At some point, they may decide it's the best choice for both. It could get down to the health of Akers, Henderson, and the timing.

I'm not sure how the injured players Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais are progressing. Can Jake Funk be more than a Teams player? He has a great burst. The Rams will have a few RB targets for the draft both with picks and undrafted.

 

[Rams43]

I'm pretty confident that both Michel and OBJ will return. The Rams have a plan to move money around but the main cog in the system right now is AD's contract. But I'm confident what I've been told about both OBJ and Michel being told they are in line to return is true. Both Allen and Noteboom ignored other offers with their only focus being to return to LA. Both players' agents were told they were in LA's plans and to simply be patient. I'm sure that the same has been done with OBJ and Michel, and it would take a very strong offer for them to sign elsewhere. Both know like all the others, Wagner, Robinson, etc, that they won't find a better situation for their careers.

The Rams are a team that players want to come to or stay with (Von being an exception). But look at the ridiculously large contract it took to pry Von away. Also, he already had two rings so this was his last chance for a big payday. Once guys have two rings it will be harder to keep them (the big rationale, in Wagner's contract IMO)

IMO Snead knows the projection is for the cap to take a huge jump in 2023 and 2024. Snead as is his way, is out in front of it. Spend it now worry about it later. Gotta love it!!!

I think that re-signing OBJ is quite likely. Makes sense on multiple levels for both parties.

But re-signing Michel seems iffy to me. I’m thinking that Rams are now reluctant to do 2nd contracts on RB’s and will simply draft one on Day 3 every year until they hit a jackpot.

 

[PARAM]

But re-signing Michel seems iffy to me. I’m thinking that Rams are now reluctant to do 2nd contracts on RB’s and will simply draft one on Day 3 every year until they hit a jackpot.

A 1 yr deal would be fine but I agree about drafting one every year. Btw, that "jackpot" is 4 good years.

We haven't had that since SJ....Gurley if you count 3 years and 12 or 13 games! We haven't got it from Hendo or Akers either.

 

[dieterbrock]

Michel is pretty much the best free agent RB out there and while several guys signed for over 5 mill AAV, Connor, Fournette, Edmonds, Patterson etc, the next way of guys have been signing in the 1-2 year deal range with an AAV of 1.5 mill-ish
With Akers and Henderson injury history I think its a bit penny wise and pound foolish to not get Sony back, IF he'd take around a 1.75 mill deal. He was pretty productive for a #3 RB
At some point too, these guys can wait on signing hoping to land a deal that doesnt cost the signing team comp pick formula consideration (a la Suh)

 

[Soul Surfer]

Sony is a way tougher, harder hitting, grind out the yardage back than anybody on our roster.

I think he is needed.

 

[808RAMS]

Pay Sony and trade Henderson.