The way I see it...

[Wisconsinram]

If I've learned one thing over the past 20 years, it's to avoid predicting what will happen tomorrow. So I hesitate to share some thoughts regarding my Rams as we move forward. With that said, I'm buzzed-up enough to share.

I believe this is the year the F.O. has determined to be the start of a rebuild plan. They have cut all future spending, outside of our HOF's, going into next year. They have invested in the OL, a key for forward movement. I believe our OL is in position to be a perennial top-5 unit. Yes, I have a ton of optimism for Note, Bruss, Jackson, and Avilla. As a Badger, I want to believe we'll bring back Hav at a fair price after his current deal is up.

Unfortunately, this year I see a bottom-seven roster in terms of overall talent. A "forest-view" from a non-partisan perspective would suggest a bottom-10 finish overall. What a great year to have it considering we have our first pick! If there was ever a year for an impatient coach/gm to draft early, this is it. We need a franchise QB moving forward in the worse way. What if, we could establish the offensive trenches for the future and still gain a top 5 pick in a QB-rich draft?

McSnead knows our roster is currently a bit lean. They provided an unbelievable 14 draft picks while freeing up enough money a year from now to fill the misses. Sean wants to score and not having to devote resources to our OL allows him to target weapons. I can't emphasize enough what I see in this plan with regards to the OL. If plays out, it will be quality AND inexpensive for years.

I see our Rams being very competitive starting in '25. Ideally, we will have our future franchise QB (attained through the draft via one bad year) either starting or learning from Matt. Our OL is established, as is CK and Akers. On D, the younger players who we hope will develop will do so (and those that fizzle will be gone). Our true "holes' become more well-defined and we have some cap room to address as appropriate.

I forecast a really bad year this year, followed by a significant turnaround the following year. Yes, I believe McSnead are playing chess while others are playing checkers.....again.

 

[Ballhawk]

I think that McVay would retire before tanking for a year.

 

[Allen2McVay]

... As a Badger, I want to believe we'll bring back Hav at a fair price after his current deal is up.

...

Lots of good stuff in your post but a word of friendly advice.

Given the above statement, you may want to look-over-your-shoulder, and keep-an-eye-out for OldNotDead.

My guess is that he will come looking for you.

 

[Malibu]

If I've learned one thing over the past 20 years, it's to avoid predicting what will happen tomorrow. So I hesitate to share some thoughts regarding my Rams as we move forward. With that said, I'm buzzed-up enough to share.

I believe this is the year the F.O. has determined to be the start of a rebuild plan. They have cut all future spending, outside of our HOF's, going into next year. They have invested in the OL, a key for forward movement. I believe our OL is in position to be a perennial top-5 unit. Yes, I have a ton of optimism for Note, Bruss, Jackson, and Avilla. As a Badger, I want to believe we'll bring back Hav at a fair price after his current deal is up.

Unfortunately, this year I see a bottom-seven roster in terms of overall talent. A "forest-view" from a non-partisan perspective would suggest a bottom-10 finish overall. What a great year to have it considering we have our first pick! If there was ever a year for an impatient coach/gm to draft early, this is it. We need a franchise QB moving forward in the worse way. What if, we could establish the offensive trenches for the future and still gain a top 5 pick in a QB-rich draft?

McSnead knows our roster is currently a bit lean. They provided an unbelievable 14 draft picks while freeing up enough money a year from now to fill the misses. Sean wants to score and not having to devote resources to our OL allows him to target weapons. I can't emphasize enough what I see in this plan with regards to the OL. If plays out, it will be quality AND inexpensive for years.

I see our Rams being very competitive starting in '25. Ideally, we will have our future franchise QB (attained through the draft via one bad year) either starting or learning from Matt. Our OL is established, as is CK and Akers. On D, the younger players who we hope will develop will do so (and those that fizzle will be gone). Our true "holes' become more well-defined and we have some cap room to address as appropriate.

I forecast a really bad year this year, followed by a significant turnaround the following year. Yes, I believe McSnead are playing chess while others are playing checkers.....again.

I agree overall with the assessment minus noteboom he never is healthy and when is see last year first 5 games he was atrocious he gave up 5 sacks and 18 pressures in 5 games that's bottom of the league and he was perfectly healthy until he wasn't.

 

[Loyal]

Lots of good stuff in your post but a word of friendly advice.

Given the above statement, you may want to look-over-your-shoulder, and keep-an-eye-out for OldNotDead.

My guess is that he will come looking for you.

"Sshhhhhhh!"~ OldNotDead

 

[Neil039]

"Sshhhhhhh!"~ OldNotDead

Penalty! There’s no way OldNotDead responds with such a lengthy sshhhhhhh

 

[Merlin]

If we have another bad season one head will roll. Won't be McVay's, either, though it is possible at that point that he takes a media deal to get out of his contract or the Rams let him go.

So I think there is a lot at stake here. They have to be good on offense at the very least, which would mean competitive ball and a middle of the pack team. Less than that and we're in for some ugliness IMO. This franchise has top expectations now and that's not a bad thing.

 

[Kupped]

Who knows?

But.. I think the offense has a real chance to be good this season.. not just better than last year, but legitimately good. The Oline makeover is an intentional step in attacking the league trend of going to quarters and light boxes... bigger and more able to run right at people. When I first saw Sony had been re-signed.. my thought was that it was just a decent vet body to lead guys and offer pass pro. The more I think about it.. the more I think he's a real power option and backup to Akers. Akers is going to get fed this season.. and, if he's physically right, will be in the mix for the rushing title.

The defense.. wow... sooooooo much youth, it's hard to believe they can get to "good".. but, can they avoid "catastrophic"? Same question for Teams.

I'm betting on the offense.. but those other two facets are so variable that I just can't predict what will come of this season.

 

[oldnotdead]

Nahh because I know Rob is gone. The beating he took from Crosby who is hardly an elite edge was proof for all to see. Maxx isn't even particularly fast but he bead rob like an old drum. He hasn't been the only one. His run blocking has deteriorated over the past two years as well. People need to stop believing PFF.

 

[AvengerRam]

Nahh because I know Rob is gone. The beating he took from Crosby who is hardly an elite edge was proof for all to see. Maxx isn't even particularly fast but he bead rob like an old drum. He hasn't been the only one. His run blocking has deteriorated over the past two years as well. People need to stop believing PFF.

Crosby had 1 sack and 3 QB hits in that game. He had 12.5 sacks (tied for 8th in the league) and 36 QB hits (2nd in league) in 2022, including 2 or more QB hits in 11/17 games (6 against Seattle!).

Sometimes, you just need to give an opponent credit, rather than tearing down a guy who has started for two Super Bowl teams.

 

[FarNorth]

If I've learned one thing over the past 20 years, it's to avoid predicting what will happen tomorrow. So I hesitate to share some thoughts regarding my Rams as we move forward. With that said, I'm buzzed-up enough to share.

I believe this is the year the F.O. has determined to be the start of a rebuild plan. They have cut all future spending, outside of our HOF's, going into next year. They have invested in the OL, a key for forward movement. I believe our OL is in position to be a perennial top-5 unit. Yes, I have a ton of optimism for Note, Bruss, Jackson, and Avilla. As a Badger, I want to believe we'll bring back Hav at a fair price after his current deal is up.

Unfortunately, this year I see a bottom-seven roster in terms of overall talent. A "forest-view" from a non-partisan perspective would suggest a bottom-10 finish overall. What a great year to have it considering we have our first pick! If there was ever a year for an impatient coach/gm to draft early, this is it. We need a franchise QB moving forward in the worse way. What if, we could establish the offensive trenches for the future and still gain a top 5 pick in a QB-rich draft?

McSnead knows our roster is currently a bit lean. They provided an unbelievable 14 draft picks while freeing up enough money a year from now to fill the misses. Sean wants to score and not having to devote resources to our OL allows him to target weapons. I can't emphasize enough what I see in this plan with regards to the OL. If plays out, it will be quality AND inexpensive for years.

I see our Rams being very competitive starting in '25. Ideally, we will have our future franchise QB (attained through the draft via one bad year) either starting or learning from Matt. Our OL is established, as is CK and Akers. On D, the younger players who we hope will develop will do so (and those that fizzle will be gone). Our true "holes' become more well-defined and we have some cap room to address as appropriate.

I forecast a really bad year this year, followed by a significant turnaround the following year. Yes, I believe McSnead are playing chess while others are playing checkers.....again.

There are no crystal balls, but this is pretty much a realistic forecast.

Getting a capable young QB in the draft is critical. Rams are unlikely to find a free agent QB who will be good enough (Mayfieid wasn't it) without paying megabucks and in any event can't restock other positions with high level talent in free agency at the same time. Too bad we couldn't get Hendon Hooker in the draft, imo he could have been a star under McVay.

We'll see what Snead and McVay can find at QB in the next draft with what realistically could be a middle or higher first round pick.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...

Sometimes, you just need to give an opponent credit, rather than tearing down a guy who has started for two Super Bowl teams.

Not going to happen here. Havenstein has been his arch-enemy for years.

 

[PhillyRam]

I am so looking forward to this season with all the "Rams are done" talk from around the league and now these BS Stafford stories being thrown around everywhere.

Hoping the Rams stick it up the collective asses of the media and talking heads even if its just a 9-8 season.

Kind of fun to be an underdog again for a change.

 

[dang]

Not going to happen here. Havenstein has been his arch-enemy for years.

I highly recommend the ignore feature on this forum. I’ve only used it twice but it made the postings more enjoyable to read through.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I highly recommend the ignore feature on this forum. I’ve only used it twice but it made the postings more enjoyable to read through.

If anyone offends me, I might use it but disagreeing with others' opinions is generally not offensive to me.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I think that McVay would retire before tanking for a year.

Don't think he's tanking on purpose. Think our talent is tanked compared to years past.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Who knows?

But.. I think the offense has a real chance to be good this season.. not just better than last year, but legitimately good. The Oline makeover is an intentional step in attacking the league trend of going to quarters and light boxes... bigger and more able to run right at people. When I first saw Sony had been re-signed.. my thought was that it was just a decent vet body to lead guys and offer pass pro. The more I think about it.. the more I think he's a real power option and backup to Akers. Akers is going to get fed this season.. and, if he's physically right, will be in the mix for the rushing title.

The defense.. wow... sooooooo much youth, it's hard to believe they can get to "good".. but, can they avoid "catastrophic"? Same question for Teams.

I'm betting on the offense.. but those other two facets are so variable that I just can't predict what will come of this season.

That's what scares me the most is that our defense is a HUGE question mark with the youth and inexperience. To me, it puts way too much stress on the offense to carry the team.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Nahh because I know Rob is gone. The beating he took from Crosby who is hardly an elite edge was proof for all to see. Maxx isn't even particularly fast but he bead rob like an old drum. He hasn't been the only one. His run blocking has deteriorated over the past two years as well. People need to stop believing PFF.

Just admit it, you loves Big Rob Hav and have a huge poster of him in your room!

 

[sjm1582002]

McVay has proven he can get the most out of the talent he has.

Perhaps best illustrated by adding a few quality veterans to Fisher's disappointing team in his first year and winning the division while leading the league in offensive ouput.

However, last year reminded us that when the talent level is clearly inferior there are no "magic carpet rides" available in this league despite gifted coaching.

I don't see where the Rams can claim to have a better roster than last years early season squad that managed to go 3 & 3.

But, the only one who's opinion matters is Coach McVay and if he is happy with it, so am I.

 

[RamDino]

McVay has no pressure on him this year.