The Rams 2023 Offseason Strategy - Load Up the Offense

[rdlkgliders]

There are 10 -12 really good RB prospects, I hope we don't overpay for an RB but think we will take one.
Man, Achane would be a really fun toy for SMV although speed doesn't always translate as well as you hope to - see T.A.
Bigsby is a hell of a back with pretty good hands, blocks well, and has the size and could be a good fit. it is possible that a very good back is there in the 4th if we get a 4th round comp for Williams

 

[PARAM]

There are 10 -12 really good RB prospects, I hope we don't overpay for an RB but think we will take one.
Man Achane would be a really fun toy for SMV although speed doesn't always translate as well as you hope to - see T.A.
Bigsby is a hell of a back with pretty good hands, blocks well, and has the size and could be a good fit. it is possible that a very good back is there in the 4th if we get a 4th round comp for Williams

A 4th round comp pick would really be huge. We may end up with .... 2nd, 3rd, 4thC, 5thC, three 6ths and a 6thC and a 7th and 7th C. The 6th round picks could be key since they're the 5th, 12th and 14th of the round. They can be packaged with any pick in an earlier round to move up a few slots. I can't wait to see how they work them to come out with an Edge, TE, RB and C

 

[blackbart]

Oh he would not be the primary back-up RB - like I said in another post - RB4 at most

Not worth the roster spot

 

[Riverumbbq]

Not worth the roster spot

Probably not, but there's a good chance he'll be on the roster anyway, ... he's an ERFA.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I am starting to get comfortable grabbing a top RB early.

A RB is a pick that can contribute right away from day one, juice the offense.

 

[So Ram]

I am starting to get comfortable grabbing a top RB early.

A RB is a pick that can contribute right away from day one, juice the offense.

At some point Older is better.I know a RB’s self life is for only so many season.
IMO Les Snead has had it wrong for years. Mcvay sees it & knows time to change.
I agree with you,but The Rams are in a different space. Cam Akers is still the 2nd youngest Ram at 23 years old.This is my dot —

https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2023/2/28/23611215/rams-free-agency-2023-targets-running-backs

 

[Tano]

2018 RS: 55 TD, 34 FG (487 pts - 16 G)
2018 PS: 5 TD, 7 FG (59 Pts - 3G)
Total: 60 TD, 41 FG (546 pts 19 GP) 28.7 PPG

2021 RS: 51 TD, 32 FG (453 pts - 17 G)
2021 PS: 10 TD, 9 FG (100 Pts - 4G)
Total: 61 TD, 41 FG (553 pts - 21 GP) 26.3 PPG

Really not a huge difference. A team could win a Superbowl with either offense. The difference is a stud RB. And yet, the 2021 team, sans the stud RB, won and the 2018 team lost.

To my eye, the offenses were different. One had a stud RB and a very good, albeit young QB. The other, no stud RB and an excellent, experienced QB.

Nobody can convince me the 2018 offense was any better than the 2021. And we're talking two of the best McVay offenses in his 6 years.

Gurley was not the same in the 2018 superbowl so there is that and no Kupp (that in itself was the biggest difference imho)

I think we win if Kupp was available

 

[Tano]

Not worth the roster spot

Maybe but I have yet to see a good RB4 on the Rams roster in the last few years

 

[So Ram]

A 4th round comp pick would really be huge. We may end up with .... 2nd, 3rd, 4thC, 5thC, three 6ths and a 6thC and a 7th and 7th C. The 6th round picks could be key since they're the 5th, 12th and 14th of the round. They can be packaged with any pick in an earlier round to move up a few slots. I can't wait to see how they work them to come out with an Edge, TE, RB and C

We have to see what happens first in 3 weeks

 

[PARAM]

Gurley was not the same in the 2018 superbowl so there is that and no Kupp (that in itself was the biggest difference imho)

I think we win if Kupp was available

That's easy to say "what if Gurley was Gurley" or "if only Kupp were available"... "we would have won". But who really knows? Gurley had been shut down by good defensive game plans and 2017-20 Kupp was not 2021 Kupp. And more than likely wouldn't have been had he played all year. A 90 catch guy with Goff (in 2019-20) just like Woods, he was on pace for 80 in 2018.

As far as "if only's" or "what ifs"......Woods missed half the year in 2021, Akers missed all of 2021, returned for the postseason. OBJ missed half of the SB, Higbee missed most of the CCG and all of the SB. We were down to our #2 TE, then #3 when Blanton went down and our #4 or 5 WR was our #2 in SB56. We didn't lose SB53 because we were missing Kupp or because Goff was only in his 3rd season, though they were both factors to a small degree. We lost SB53 because McVay was outcoached by Belichick. And we won SB56 because Stafford overcame every obstacle and AD made huge, timely plays.

On a side note ... Goff-Kupp vs. Stafford-Kupp. In just SF games with Goff, Kupp had 15 catches for 117 yds, 1 TD (5 g, avg 3 for 25). In SF games with Stafford, Kupp had 43 rec for 507 yds, 3 TD (4 g, avg 11 rec for 126 yds). It was obvious Kupp was their #1 target but he's produced so much more with Stafford against the team that gives us the most fits.

 

[PARAM]

We have to see what happens first in 3 weeks

Yeah cap clearing and free agency can change needs/ priorities.

 

[Tano]

That's easy to say "what if Gurley was Gurley" or "if only Kupp were available"... "we would have won". But who really knows? Gurley had been shut down by good defensive game plans and 2017-20 Kupp was not 2021 Kupp. And more than likely wouldn't have been had he played all year. A 90 catch guy with Goff (in 2019-20) just like Woods, he was on pace for 80 in 2018.

As far as "if only's" or "what ifs"......Woods missed half the year in 2021, Akers missed all of 2021, returned for the postseason. OBJ missed half of the SB, Higbee missed most of the CCG and all of the SB. We were down to our #2 TE, then #3 when Blanton went down and our #4 or 5 WR was our #2 in SB56. We didn't lose SB53 because we were missing Kupp or because Goff was only in his 3rd season, though they were both factors to a small degree. We lost SB53 because McVay was outcoached by Belichick. And we won SB56 because Stafford overcame every obstacle and AD made huge, timely plays.

On a side note ... Goff-Kupp vs. Stafford-Kupp. In just SF games with Goff, Kupp had 15 catches for 117 yds, 1 TD (5 g, avg 3 for 25). In SF games with Stafford, Kupp had 43 rec for 507 yds, 3 TD (4 g, avg 11 rec for 126 yds). It was obvious Kupp was their #1 target but he's produced so much more with Stafford against the team that gives us the most fits.

Kupp would have been in the game instead of Reynolds. Huge difference.

We barely lost in that game. We were tied 3 - 3 in the 4th qtr.

I think Kupp would have provided some additional scoring chances in the first 3 quarters and given us a lead.

But as you say - who really knows what the outcome would have been.

 

[dieterbrock]

Not worth the roster spot

Exactly.
Fun guy to watch in pre-season, but that's where it ends for him

 

[blackbart]

Maybe but I have yet to see a good RB4 on the Rams roster in the last few years

Not sure we need one of those unless they can play on teams and I doubt Perkins can fill that role.

 

[Flatlyner]

I am starting to get comfortable grabbing a top RB early.

A RB is a pick that can contribute right away from day one, juice the offense.

I'm not comfortable with it, but, I'm starting to understand that it is likely they way it will go if Gibbs happens to be there. My main issue is that Akers was balling at the end of the year, when we had some semblance of OL continuity. So, IMO, the line needs to be solidified before a RB can be effective. I think edge and OL are the 2 most vital positions we need to address early, not another RB (albeit and very good and versatile RB). Bottom line is, would I be disappointed in Gibbs, a little. But, he has the makings of a Pro Bowl weapon in the mold of CMC, so I'm sure I'd get over it after watching him in horns.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I'm not comfortable with it, but, I'm starting to understand that it is likely they way it will go if Gibbs happens to be there. My main issue is that Akers was balling at the end of the year, when we had some semblance of OL continuity. So, IMO, the line needs to be solidified before a RB can be effective. I think edge and OL are the 2 most vital positions we need to address early, not another RB (albeit and very good and versatile RB). Bottom line is, would I be disappointed in Gibbs, a little. But, he has the makings of a Pro Bowl weapon in the mold of CMC, so I'm sure I'd get over it after watching him in horns.

I will say this about Gibbs, that guy only needs a small opening to hit cuz his burst is ridiculous. That alone should make him special since he can get thru openings prior to them closing quicker than other RBs which many competent o-lines (average in other words) should be able to provide. Watch this dudes highlights if ya don't believe me, that acceleration he puts on is special.

 

[So Ram]

I will say this about Gibbs, that guy only needs a small opening to hit cuz his burst is ridiculous. That alone should make him special since he can get thru openings prior to them closing quicker than other RBs which many competent o-lines (average in other words) should be able to provide. Watch this dudes highlights if ya don't believe me, that acceleration he puts on is special.

I’d say I want Montgomery & Mcvay likes him very much.So The Rams signing him makes a lot of sense.
If The Rams sign Gibbs I wouldn’t be disappointed.I do want a bigger RB that can close games & pass protect.As well as be a solid RB that is there in case Akers goes AWOL. Akers is also going to be a FA.
I do know there are some nice RB’s in the draft,but think a veteran RB would be a good influence on K. Williams as well.
That way The Rams secure a need with a quality group.

 

[Mackeyser]

If we are looking solely at offensive weapons during the draft (not saying thats what I would do), Jahmyr Gibbs would probably be the best available we have a shot at. A RB that has world class speed and receiving skills. However his an availability can apparently change if someone else convets

I’m also on the Jahmyr Gibbs train… his burst reminds me of Gurley… when he hits a hole, if he gets thru, he’s gone.

 

[Mackeyser]

The comp for Gibbs for me would be Alvin Kamara from a talent standpoint. He’s shifty, fast, great balance and a weapon with the ball or running a route.

I dunno how much of an improvement Robinson is over Akers, but Gibbs to me seems like the perfect McVay RB… I mean, one who isn’t Faulk…

 

[CGI_Ram]

I'm not comfortable with it, but, I'm starting to understand that it is likely they way it will go if Gibbs happens to be there. My main issue is that Akers was balling at the end of the year, when we had some semblance of OL continuity. So, IMO, the line needs to be solidified before a RB can be effective. I think edge and OL are the 2 most vital positions we need to address early, not another RB (albeit and very good and versatile RB). Bottom line is, would I be disappointed in Gibbs, a little. But, he has the makings of a Pro Bowl weapon in the mold of CMC, so I'm sure I'd get over it after watching him in horns.

I don’t particularly like the idea of RB early, for reasons you mention, and that they CAN be found later in the draft.

BUT… an instant weapon at RB changes the offense significantly. And, we need that. Taking one early ups the odds of finding a stud.

I will continue to root for Akers… But here’s a question; “what does he do great?”. Not good, GREAT. I struggle to answer that, and I want more at RB.

Running backs…