Well, our immediate Ram worries are now very few, huh?

[Rams43]

Emphasis on immediate.

The Cooks extension removed the biggest concern, and it’s pushed back until the conclusion of the ‘23 season, at that.

Now we hear that AD thinks he will be extended by camp? And even if he isn’t, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He’s gonna be a Ram for at least 3 more seasons.

Saffold, Brown, Peters, and Hav must be addressed by next offseason, but those are not an immediate problem.

Our remaining immediate problems are but two, IMO.

1) Will our new LB starters be able to contribute this year for Wade? I’m betting that they will.

2) How will our backup OL shake out? At this point we have to get the camp report and PS games feedback. They will all surely get many snaps. Until we see a problem with our own eyes. I think we can trust in Kromer.

As two remaining question marks go, those don’t appear to be all that intimidating, if you ask me.

My overall point?

We is in pretty danged good shape overall as we approach McVay’s second Ram camp.

I haven’t felt this confident about a Ram season since the GSOT days.

 

[OldSchool]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

 

[Faceplant]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

Hard to argue that. I think that is why they went heavy OL in the draft. It will be interesting to see who gets work at what positions. As much as I love Hav, he is replaceable. As is JB..... Saffold is gonna be missed if he leaves.

 

[Karate61]

We don't even need to worry about the equipment manager, as Spags took care of that years ago too!

 

[FrantikRam]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

I agree. The way we're going, it seems like they will commit to four or five corner stones (AD/Cooks/Gurley/Goff/Peters) for about half the cap space - that means we will have to draft well and turnover most other positions. I would no OL to get a second contract except possibly Hav, just because he's solid and might not command a large salary.

 

[VegasRam]

We is in pretty danged good shape overall as we approach McVay’s second Ram camp.

I haven’t felt this confident about a Ram season since the GSOT days.

Yes we is, and me ain't either!

 

[Mackeyser]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

If ANYONE should sign a team friendly deal, it's Saffold. This team stuck with him through two shoulder surgeries, never cut him and now that we know a) they were congenitally defective and are stronger now that they are repaired and b) he's found a home at LG where he can be special... I think Saffold should really think about who was there for him.

There are PLENTY of guys who had less injury history who were dumped and never got back into the league. Normally I'm not a "hometown discount" guy, but if ANYONE should give one, it's Saffold.

Will he? I have no idea, but he should.

 

[majrleaged]

If ANYONE should sign a team friendly deal, it's Saffold. This team stuck with him through two shoulder surgeries, never cut him and now that we know a) they were congenitally defective and are stronger now that they are repaired and b) he's found a home at LG where he can be special... I think Saffold should really think about who was there for him.

There are PLENTY of guys who had less injury history who were dumped and never got back into the league. Normally I'm not a "hometown discount" guy, but if ANYONE should give one, it's Saffold.

Will he? I have no idea, but he should.

He made a big deal about how great it felt to finally be on a winner, I think money wont be the most important thing for him.

 

[LesBaker]

I haven’t felt this confident about a Ram season since the GSOT days.

LOL you are ALWAYS this confident. I love reading your preseason projections too.

I agreed, this team is clearly rounding out so well. I'd add GZ to the immediate worry thing. Backs are tricky and can cause long term issues. He may not be 100% this year.

I don't want to see that happen of course, but man it seems like it is so often a chronic thing. Look what happened with Robert Quinn.

Saffold is gonna be missed if he leaves.

Normally I'm not a "hometown discount" guy, but if ANYONE should give one, it's Saffold.

I agree with both of you guys..........they need to get him a contract he is too important to that OL to lose. That is a hard pair of shoes to fill.

 

[Mackeyser]

Saffold was a beast last year. He had many times where he sealed his block, sprinted downfield and was pancaking guys 20 yards from the LOS.

Now that those shoulders are good, his highlight reel from last year was pretty outstanding. It sure didn't hurt playing next to Whitworth, either.

 

[ReekofRams]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

I'm not a capologist, I don't even play one one tv. But if the Rams want to sign Saffold to a team friendly deal the Rams will probably have to guarantee the majority of the contract, if not all of it.

 

[Merlin]

I feel a lot better with one domino down. But that said, not going to fully relax until Donald is done too, and over the next season and offseason there are some key OL decisions that need to be made. So we're not out of the woods yet even on just the offensive side of the ball.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I mentioned in the Cooks thread but I’d bet that Saffold is a goner next year, unless he signs a very team friendly deal for less than he makes now. Unlikely as that is with how well he played last year. Same to me goes for Brown and Hav, salary cap will be tight.

I was thinking about this the other day. I suspect you’re right on Saffold. He’s still going to command a big salary, but he’ll be 31 next season and we’re ripe to add cheaper contracts.

Havenstein might be affordable. Just depends on his 2018 season and if another team falls in love with his age/experience combination... which is pretty attractive and implies upside.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I never really answered the OP... I think the immediate concerns are now addressed. Getting Cooks done feels like a big checkbox.

So... the next area of immediate need might not be until next season and it feels like the oline will be in the crosshairs.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Cripes. Now that I don’t have to worry about Cooks and (probably) AD, I can get a head start on worrying about our OL.

 

[Flint]

The media doesn’t share our optimism, either that or they need something, anything, to talk about.
How do all these potentially volatile personalities fit together? Will they implode like the dream team Eagles? Have they done too much? How is AD still not signed ?

I don’t expect any nonsense from these guys, this team was pretty good without them, and guys like Suh and Talib want to put on a good show for their next team. And AD could sign if he wanted it’s not like there hasn’t been any offers made.
This division is in transition with the Rams as the most likely to make the playoffs.

 

[Ram65]

Saffold, Brown, Peters, and Hav must be addressed by next offseason, but those are not an immediate problem.

I was thinking about this the other day. I suspect you’re right on Saffold. He’s still going to command a big salary, but he’ll be 31 next season and we’re ripe to add cheaper contracts.

Havenstein might be affordable. Just depends on his 2018 season and if another team falls in love with his age/experience combination... which is pretty attractive and implies upside.

Before the off season moves I thought Saffold and Hav would be priorities. I thought Saffold could sign a friendly type deal to remain a Ram. At 31 with past injuries didn't see a long term deal in free agency for him. More like 3 years. Hav being an OT might have been harder if not impossible to resign. That's all out the window now because of the other pending contracts . It's possible the Rams find money for Brown.

 

[shaunpinney]

Emphasis on immediate.

The Cooks extension removed the biggest concern, and it’s pushed back until the conclusion of the ‘23 season, at that.

Now we hear that AD thinks he will be extended by camp? And even if he isn’t, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He’s gonna be a Ram for at least 3 more seasons.

Saffold, Brown, Peters, and Hav must be addressed by next offseason, but those are not an immediate problem.

Our remaining immediate problems are but two, IMO.

1) Will our new LB starters be able to contribute this year for Wade? I’m betting that they will.

2) How will our backup OL shake out? At this point we have to get the camp report and PS games feedback. They will all surely get many snaps. Until we see a problem with our own eyes. I think we can trust in Kromer.

As two remaining question marks go, those don’t appear to be all that intimidating, if you ask me.

My overall point?

We is in pretty danged good shape overall as we approach McVay’s second Ram camp.

I haven’t felt this confident about a Ram season since the GSOT days.

The only thing I'd add to the IMMEDIATE list is how Greg The Leg's back is healing... to me that is a big worry.

 

[dang]

Emphasis on immediate.

The Cooks extension removed the biggest concern, and it’s pushed back until the conclusion of the ‘23 season, at that.

Now we hear that AD thinks he will be extended by camp? And even if he isn’t, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He’s gonna be a Ram for at least 3 more seasons.

Saffold, Brown, Peters, and Hav must be addressed by next offseason, but those are not an immediate problem.

Our remaining immediate problems are but two, IMO.

1) Will our new LB starters be able to contribute this year for Wade? I’m betting that they will.

2) How will our backup OL shake out? At this point we have to get the camp report and PS games feedback. They will all surely get many snaps. Until we see a problem with our own eyes. I think we can trust in Kromer.

As two remaining question marks go, those don’t appear to be all that intimidating, if you ask me.

My overall point?

We is in pretty danged good shape overall as we approach McVay’s second Ram camp.

I haven’t felt this confident about a Ram season since the GSOT days.

1). I am hopeful but no confident of our LB strength coming out of the gate. Again would love a vet pickup for OLB support
2). Very optimistic On OL as a whole. Barring any early season injury I think we have some rookies and backups that will be able to fill in later in the season if needed.

 

[Merlin]

OL...

LT: Big Whit (36 years old, will be 37 this season in Dec)
LG: Saffold (FA at end of season)
C: Sullivan (33 in Aug, history of back injury, we have him on a two year contract)
RG: Brown (Suspended two games, FA at end of season)
RT: Havenstein (FA at end of season)

I'm thinking they can afford one of the three pending FAs. Probably not Roger Saffold either. And I wouldn't trust Brown, given that suspension, with a big contract on top of the fact that he was our weak link last year. So I would guess they try hard to sign Hav.

But even if they get a deal done with Hav, they're looking at two OG spots needing replacement next offseason plus they would be wise to find their LT of the future. So if this draft class can produce even one starter level player at OG it will help significantly, but we'll have to wait and see and even then they're not out of the woodwork on the OL.

The bottom line is there are plenty of concerns with the OL from now on into next offseason. In the near term they should be trying to get Hav locked up (he may be affordable now vice what he'll want if he has a good season which I expect to happen). They also need to find a starter at RG in this camp from among their new additions. And then of course they need to cross their fingers and hope that Big Whit and Sully can stay healthy.