What are the weakest position groups after cuts?

[Merlin]

Rather than break down position units which might be weakest, I'd prefer to look at the whole offense in summarizing where I feel questions still lie. As excited as most of us are to having Stafford being our starting QB, and coupling him with what looks like a pretty incredible group of receivers, when responding to where we may be weakest, it's more about the unknown which creates some concern on my part. The offense has a very new feel to it with our QB, OL, RB & TE off/pre-season changes, that and not seeing for ourselves what kind of chemistry exists with this new group, ... this should also include how new assistant coaches proceed to pull it all together.

I see where you're coming from on that but I don't think the offense is going to have any issues from the McVay/QB side, and it won't have any issues in the passing game. McVay is a known quantity in terms of his ability to teach, and he's got a QB plugging in who has so much mastery of basics that he's going to be able to focus how he wants to. The only potential issues with the passing game are the OL (Allen and then Whit's age).

Now the run game on the other hand we'll see. Backfield looks a ton better with Michel. IMO Allen will be a boost in the run game over Blythe. But can the RBs stay healthy I mean things look sort of brittle.

My biggest fear with offense is that we'll be a pass happy unit because it will be so easy. Goddamn I hate that. I just pray they'll be balanced.

 

[FrantikRam]

This.

In years past, when you could see the starters for maybe half a preseason game, at least you could get a taste" of what the team might be like. For example-- I still remember a preseason game vs the Raiders in 2017, when Goff hit a wide-open Kupp for a long TD pass, and thinking, "McVay is gonna kill it with this new offense!"

But nowadays, McVay (understandably) doesn't play ANY of his starters EVER in preseason. So we can't even get that "sneak peek" of what the Rams will really be like.

Rams sure sound promising this year. But HOW GOOD can they be? The Bears game is gonna give us a TON of info. Given our sky high expectations... and the conventional wisdom that the Bears are mediocre.. Sure as hell hope for a blowout win, or at least a solid victory. If the Rams win a nail biter in their opener, I for one would be a bit disappointed.

We won a nail biter last year versus a historically bad Dallas defense. A team that was mediocre even with Dak.

In 2019 we won a semi close game against Carolina. We pulled away a bit in the 4th, but was closer than it should have been.

In 2018, we were LOSING to the Raiders - a team that would go on to have a top 5 pick - until basically the end of the third quarter.

If you add a new QB to the mix, we should absolutely expect for this game to be a bit of a struggle

 

[fanotodd]

Secondary- while it looks pretty deep at safety, replacing jj3 is no small task. Fuller was already on the field with him last season. Losing hill and replacing him with an unproven rookie and a guy who hasn’t shown much just yet could be problematic.
Weaker to start the season.

OL- I guess it comes down to whether or not Allen outperforms 2020 blythe. We’ll see. Depth is tricky. Regardless of opinion, there’s a reason why some guys start and some don’t. We really don’t want to rely THAT much on backups—just occasionally. Depending on what Whitworth has left...
Push going into opening day.

RB—we lost our starting back to injury and a reliable backup to FA.
Weaker

STs—they HAVE to be better or else we’re in trouble.

DL—losing 2 proven players and depending on an injury plaques ARob and new guys tells me that the rotation will be thin until proven otherwise.
Weaker to start, but I don’t see it staying that way. It could actually end up a strength by the end of the season.

ILB-you return 2 starters and cut a former starter to make room for an impressive rookie?
Has to be stronger.

OLB—how much are we gonna depend on Obo and Lewis? Depending on how fast Garret develops is, to me, key. He just might turn out to be a monster. I also like Hollins.
A push for now, but a bright future.

 

[dieterbrock]

We won a nail biter last year versus a historically bad Dallas defense. A team that was mediocre even with Dak.

In 2019 we won a semi close game against Carolina. We pulled away a bit in the 4th, but was closer than it should have been.

In 2018, we were LOSING to the Raiders - a team that would go on to have a top 5 pick - until basically the end of the third quarter.

If you add a new QB to the mix, we should absolutely expect for this game to be a bit of a struggle

But then there was 2017, when many thought the Rams would struggle, new HC, QB in 2nd year, then?
BOOM

 

[dieterbrock]

I voted RB.

Henderson- Has been nicked up plenty very early in his career.

Michel- Has the most career snaps, but he's another young RB with plenty of bumps and bruises since his rookie season.

Funk- A 7th round rookie draft pick with 2 ACL injuries on the same knee.

I'm hoping for a another (insurance) RB signing in the coming days.

3 RB is all they need for opening day.
After game 1, if they sign a vet, they dont have to guarantee the salary

 

[dang]

I’m not counting on any rookies to be significant contributors this year. That way if they do I’ll be pleasantly surprised. With that said unless Lewis stays healthy we are thin at OLB. Same with RB unless Henderson stays healthy we are thin at RB. I’m looking for help in both those areas.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I see where you're coming from on that but I don't think the offense is going to have any issues from the McVay/QB side, and it won't have any issues in the passing game. McVay is a known quantity in terms of his ability to teach, and he's got a QB plugging in who has so much mastery of basics that he's going to be able to focus how he wants to. The only potential issues with the passing game are the OL (Allen and then Whit's age).

Now the run game on the other hand we'll see. Backfield looks a ton better with Michel. IMO Allen will be a boost in the run game over Blythe. But can the RBs stay healthy I mean things look sort of brittle.

My biggest fear with offense is that we'll be a pass happy unit because it will be so easy. Goddamn I hate that. I just pray they'll be balanced.

Allen’s run blocking was not good in the past.

 

[FrantikRam]

But then there was 2017, when many thought the Rams would struggle, new HC, QB in 2nd year, then?
BOOM

Which is the only year we played starters in the preseason.

I hope we crush the bears - and even if we don't, I think I'm on board not playing starters in preseason - but it does seem like we tend to struggle that first game when we don't play in the preseason.

Could also just be a coincidence though.

 

[leoram]

I guess I'm the outlier here because I may define depth a bit differently. While we are carrying 3 QB's, our prospects if Stafford goes down will look similar to what happened to the 9'ers last year which makes QB my #1. Losing any other player (exception; AD) wouldn't have as profound an affect. This leads me to my #2 concern...if AD goes down, the DLine goes from stellar to barely serviceable. #3 is corner because losing either starter would completely change the defense.

While I'm not happy about the LB or OL positions, the replacements due to injury won't have as dramatic an affect as the three I just posted.

 

[dieterbrock]

I guess I'm the outlier here because I may define depth a bit differently. While we are carrying 3 QB's, our prospects if Stafford goes down will look similar to what happened to the 9'ers last year which makes QB my #1. Losing any other player (exception; AD) wouldn't have as profound an affect. This leads me to my #2 concern...if AD goes down, the DLine goes from stellar to barely serviceable. #3 is corner because losing either starter would completely change the defense.

While I'm not happy about the LB or OL positions, the replacements due to injury won't have as dramatic an affect as the three I just posted.

Great post

 

[majrleaged]

We need more Safeties!!!

We need more Cow bells!!

 

[majrleaged]

I guess I'm the outlier here because I may define depth a bit differently. While we are carrying 3 QB's, our prospects if Stafford goes down will look similar to what happened to the 9'ers last year which makes QB my #1. Losing any other player (exception; AD) wouldn't have as profound an affect. This leads me to my #2 concern...if AD goes down, the DLine goes from stellar to barely serviceable. #3 is corner because losing either starter would completely change the defense.

While I'm not happy about the LB or OL positions, the replacements due to injury won't have as dramatic an affect as the three I just posted.

The fact is, the team is pretty thin. Injury can derail us. It did in the SB. It did in 2019 and it did again last year.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Stick a fork in 'em, not a chance in hell....

 

[Malibu]

Too me it is obvious both ILB and OL why because neither substantially changed these are the same players except for Allen and Jones. Allen couldn't hack it previously and Jones is a rookie and groups are the same and both were the weaknesses last year so how does ones think they will magically get better. All have had a good deal of time together so that will not make them better. Neither added a difference maker so how can anyone say any other group is weaker?

RB they added Michel he balances out where Akers was roughly.

CB I can't remotely see why anyone is worried here. We have 2 top ten DBS and imo 2 top 5 DBS only Miami has that imo. Long or Rochelle or Burgess or Reed/Hughes will take over some duties. To me the DBs are better.

 

[BonifayRam]

Evans turned in a horrendous display showing himself as a failure to capture that starting RG position. Management was compelled to re-adjust the OL once again, now telling us that Brian Allen had shown enough camp improvement to merit being appointed the starting Center job. Rams fans have had a lot to digest over the last month or so regarding how all this will eventually play out, but in the meantime we've also had to face some other disappointments while watching our back-ups play, guys like Anchrum, Brewer, Shelton & Evans weren't delivering

Very good points here, When I begin scratching the surface here on this OL & its future I see the interior OL is in very bad condition.

Snead does not have an NFL-caliber Swing reserve OG on his roster presently. He might be able to remedy that situation by retooling & grooming a mostly pure OT Tremayne Anchrum into that badly needed position but currently, that has been halted due to injury & likelihood of IR event. Snead has been forced to go with this season's most prominent failure OG Bobby Evans who came into camp looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy & it's been downhill since.

Coach Carberry selected Evans over rookie Jordan Meredith who simply outperformed him in all 3 preseason gms. Meredith gave him a future prospect that showed he could perform in 3 OL posts in TC & preseason whereas Evans could not master the one post he played all preseason RG. I simply do not understand. Rams have four OT's with 2 very positive reserves in Joe Noteboom & Alaric Jackson but they are pure OT's not versatile interior types. On top of that, they also have another grooming OT in Max Pircher.

Having your 3 centers Brian Allen, Austin Corbett & Coleman Shelton contracts expire (involved in free agency) when this season concludes just add to this interior pending debacle involving the future of this interior Ol.

 

[Merlin]

Allen’s run blocking was not good in the past.

It was hit and miss but he was pretty good on the move and 2nd level. Blythe was atrocious at both those, so I am confident we will be better in those ways.

 

[TheTackle]

Very good points here, When I begin scratching the surface here on this OL & its future I see the interior OL is in very bad condition.

Snead does not have an NFL-caliber Swing reserve OG on his roster presently. He might be able to remedy that situation by retooling & grooming a mostly pure OT Tremayne Anchrum into that badly needed position but currently, that has been halted due to injury & likelihood of IR event. Snead has been forced to go with this season's most prominent failure OG Bobby Evans who camp into camp looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy & it's been downhill since.

Coach Carberry selected Evans over rookie Jordan Meredith who simply outperformed him in all 3 preseason gms. Meredith gave him a future prospect that showed he could perform in 3 OL posts in TC & preseason whereas Evans could not master the one post he played all preseason RG. I simply do not understand. Rams have four OT's with 2 very positive reserves in Joe Noteboom & Alaric Jackson but they are pure OT's not versatile interior types. On top of that, they also have another grooming OT in Max Pircher.

Having your 3 centers Brian Allen, Austin Corbett & Coleman Shelton contracts expire (involved in free agency) when this season concludes just add to this interior pending debacle involving the future of this interior Ol.

Great points fella. I am perplexed that we are keeping Evans and wonder if, because he has game day experience, another team might offer us something in return.

He hasn’t refined the tools that he has to minimise the problem with his feet. I wonder if he will ever figure it out? As I thought moving him to guard would be the solution! As of now, I am worried that we might see him play extended downs at some point which might be a disaster against good teams

 

[BonifayRam]

Great points fella. I am perplexed that we are keeping Evans and wonder if, because he has game day experience, another team might offer us something in return.

He hasn’t refined the tools that he has to minimise the problem with his feet. I wonder if he will ever figure it out? As I thought moving him to guard would be the solution! As of now, I am worried that we might see him play extended downs at some point which might be a disaster against good teams

Most all of that "experience" came in his rookie season (2019) taking starting snaps for the injured RT Havenstein. So yes I can why the "experience factor" might enter into the equation on making this 2021 OL unit but primarily @ tackle NOT Gaurd.

Last season Evans was not used inside much during the regular season. In the Wild Card game, Evans did not start @ LG against the Seahawks it was David Edwards who gave way to Evans later in the game. Evans did start against the Packers & his effort was far from being impressive.

In college Evans was a 3-year starter @ OT was never an OG. When you review all the draft compiled information & analysis it's clear Evans tools are on the OT side, not on the interior OG side. Evans has always had poor timing in his hands he was known for being lazing & late with his hands. This is costly when playing inside. We know he can @ times explode out of stance in pure drive block to create a lot of push but we have not seen much of this in the preseason.

What we have seen is Evans unable to keep his feet tethered & his continued hop through his initial blow. His 35-inch arms do not help him @ OG but sure will @ OT. Evans would best be utilized @ RT & there's where he can make positive plays to help this offense, not @ OG.

 

[Kupped]

Most all of that "experience" came in his rookie season (2019) taking starting snaps for the injured RT Havenstein. So yes I can why the "experience factor" might enter into the equation on making this 2021 OL unit but primarily @ tackle NOT Gaurd. Evans did not start in the gm against the Seahawks it was Edwards who gave way to Evans later in the game. Evans did start against the Packers & his effort was far from impressive.

When you review all the draft information & analysis it's clear Evans tools are on the OT side, not on the interior OG side. Evans has always had poor timing in his hands he was known for being lazing & late with his hands. We know he can @ times explode out of stance in pure drive block reps to create a lot of push but we have not seen much of this in the preseason. What we have seen is Evans unable to keep his feet tethered & his continued hop through his initial blow. His 35-inch arms do not help him @ OG but sure will @ OT.

Evans would best be utilized @ RT & there's where he can make positive plays to help this offense, not @ OG.

I just wonder if Evans is the guy cut when Shelton comes of COVID protocols.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I just wonder if Evans is the guy cut when Shelton comes of COVID protocols.

If they put a player on short-term-IR (like Okoronkwo or Anchrum) no one needs to be cut.

Also need a roster spot for Hekker when he comes off the COVID list.