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So.. Roster wise.. where are the Rams at, in your mind? Are they better or worse than they were at the end of the season, in your mind? Compared to the start of last season?
Not a super deep dive.. but.. general thoughts:
Quarterback:
Same, and that's not a bad thing.
Running back:
Better. Corum has a year experience now and Hunter is an excellent addition, imo. I like that they have someone to work in who has a little more juice.. and who also runs hard.
WR:
Better. I hate saying that reflects in a negative way at all on Cooper Kupp.. so this is NOT taking any shot at him. But Davante is a significant upgrade, in my mind.. especially because of specific fit. Kupp may thrive again in a system where he's got two outside guys to take pressure off him and allow him to find space. Davante creates his own space.. puts a different kind of pressure on defenses.. and may actually open more up for guys like Tutu and Whittington. Also.. Tutu is better than a lot think.. and I think Whittington is going to take a step. I also think that there's more to squeeze from Smith.
TEs:
Appreciably better than the start of last season and slightly better than at the end. Ferguson is interesting.. I think he impacts the WR mix quite a bit.. I can see him taking on a lot of motion stuff and being a super-sized Puka in motion actions. Higbee came back and looked better than I expected.
Oline:
Should be better? Sounds like Shelton is penciled in as starter.. but I'm curious if Limmer can get in the weight room enough to make a difference there and beat him out. At worst, depth at center should be better. No experienced swing tackle is a bit of a concern. I wonder what they really think of Leveston? There's no reason to think he *can't* be a solution.. but it's unknown. The UDFA guy is very intriguing from a physical profile standpoint.. but.. who knows with that?
Safeties:
Slightly better. I just think with a full season for the young players.. and having, essentially the same unit come back, is a big, big plus. They need to be creative and they can be. I think they may be a real strength.
Corners:
Who knows? Lol. Apparently, they're happy with them. Seems there's some smoke around Ramsey coming back. We'll see. So many question marks.. but there's still some real potential with Forbes and Durant.
Linebackers:
Better. I think. I mean.. we have to see Paul in action, he's a rookie. But.. he seems like a fantastic addition and Landman feels, at worst, like an upgrade on 1st and 2nd down over Reeder or Rozeboom. I think Speights will take a big step.. love, love what I saw from him.
OLBs:
Better. I hope. I think Verse will continue to improve and I hope he can figure out what's behind so many of his missed tackles. If he cleans that up.. he starts moving into DPOY conversations. A truly special player who I expect to get even better. BY is what he is.. limited.. but plays hard and has some good qualities. Losing Hoecht hurts.. but I'm intrigued by Stewart and believe he may be every bit as good, if not better. Even as a rookie.
DL:
Better. Definitely better. Adding ford and then Hamilton MORE THAN MAKE UP for losing Bobby Brown.. and Poona is just an absolute perfect fit for what they needed to add on first and second downs. Hamilton is intriguing.
If the additions on offense compliment each other the right way.. the offense can go from pedestrian to good or very, very good. If they can stay healthy.. and if someone like Ferguson can be better as a rookie than expected? They may be fire. Ferguson, Watkins and Hunter create the possibility of more explosive plays, imo.. Corum too.
They still can make additions.. but it's a very solid roster.. and, oh.. did I mention? They got an extra first rounder in next year's draft for, basically, a high fourth round pick. Amazing.
Not a super deep dive.. but.. general thoughts:
Quarterback:
Same, and that's not a bad thing.
Running back:
Better. Corum has a year experience now and Hunter is an excellent addition, imo. I like that they have someone to work in who has a little more juice.. and who also runs hard.
WR:
Better. I hate saying that reflects in a negative way at all on Cooper Kupp.. so this is NOT taking any shot at him. But Davante is a significant upgrade, in my mind.. especially because of specific fit. Kupp may thrive again in a system where he's got two outside guys to take pressure off him and allow him to find space. Davante creates his own space.. puts a different kind of pressure on defenses.. and may actually open more up for guys like Tutu and Whittington. Also.. Tutu is better than a lot think.. and I think Whittington is going to take a step. I also think that there's more to squeeze from Smith.
TEs:
Appreciably better than the start of last season and slightly better than at the end. Ferguson is interesting.. I think he impacts the WR mix quite a bit.. I can see him taking on a lot of motion stuff and being a super-sized Puka in motion actions. Higbee came back and looked better than I expected.
Oline:
Should be better? Sounds like Shelton is penciled in as starter.. but I'm curious if Limmer can get in the weight room enough to make a difference there and beat him out. At worst, depth at center should be better. No experienced swing tackle is a bit of a concern. I wonder what they really think of Leveston? There's no reason to think he *can't* be a solution.. but it's unknown. The UDFA guy is very intriguing from a physical profile standpoint.. but.. who knows with that?
Safeties:
Slightly better. I just think with a full season for the young players.. and having, essentially the same unit come back, is a big, big plus. They need to be creative and they can be. I think they may be a real strength.
Corners:
Who knows? Lol. Apparently, they're happy with them. Seems there's some smoke around Ramsey coming back. We'll see. So many question marks.. but there's still some real potential with Forbes and Durant.
Linebackers:
Better. I think. I mean.. we have to see Paul in action, he's a rookie. But.. he seems like a fantastic addition and Landman feels, at worst, like an upgrade on 1st and 2nd down over Reeder or Rozeboom. I think Speights will take a big step.. love, love what I saw from him.
OLBs:
Better. I hope. I think Verse will continue to improve and I hope he can figure out what's behind so many of his missed tackles. If he cleans that up.. he starts moving into DPOY conversations. A truly special player who I expect to get even better. BY is what he is.. limited.. but plays hard and has some good qualities. Losing Hoecht hurts.. but I'm intrigued by Stewart and believe he may be every bit as good, if not better. Even as a rookie.
DL:
Better. Definitely better. Adding ford and then Hamilton MORE THAN MAKE UP for losing Bobby Brown.. and Poona is just an absolute perfect fit for what they needed to add on first and second downs. Hamilton is intriguing.
If the additions on offense compliment each other the right way.. the offense can go from pedestrian to good or very, very good. If they can stay healthy.. and if someone like Ferguson can be better as a rookie than expected? They may be fire. Ferguson, Watkins and Hunter create the possibility of more explosive plays, imo.. Corum too.
They still can make additions.. but it's a very solid roster.. and, oh.. did I mention? They got an extra first rounder in next year's draft for, basically, a high fourth round pick. Amazing.
