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- May 9, 2018
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Last year, the Rams were one of the hottest teams in the NFL down the stretch. Their season ended with a one point loss against a team that should have made the Super Bowl.
Since then, the Rams have upgraded their roster in several areas. I think it's fair to say that the Rams will go into the 2024 season with more talent and/or depth at QB, RB, interior OL, EDGE and in the defensive backfield.
And yet, when I listen to or read the talking heads and commentators discuss teams that are expected to contend, few seem to include our Rams.
Why is that?
I have three theories:
1. 2023 naysayers find comfort in believing last year was a fluke. There were many pushing the narrative that last year's team was a rebuilding squad paying the price of having gone "all in" to win a championship. Now, rather than admitting that they were wrong, or that the Rams overcame their circumstances by building a durable playoff roster through a spectacular draft, some seem to be falling back on the notion that the Rams have a lot of holes and won't be able to compete with the top teams.
2. Over-estimating the Donald effect. Don't get me wrong... losing Donald is huge. He can't be replaced. That said, the Rams have assembled a deep and promising group of young players who could prove to be very effective. The notion that the loss of Donald will result in fewer wins, despite all the Rams' additions throughout the roster, is pessimistic overreach, in my opinion.
3. Drinking the 49er kool-aid. A lot of people seem to want to jump on the 49er bandwagon and, as a result, have pushed the Rams to a lower tier. I, for one, could see a 49er collapse, similar to other second place finishers in the past. Also... use a little imagination... its entirely possible that the two best teams in the NFC are both in the West.
So, despite last year's finish, the Rams seem to be an afterthought that is flying under the radar.
I say... good.
Maybe our opponents will underestimate us too.
No shortage of crow to serve later.
Since then, the Rams have upgraded their roster in several areas. I think it's fair to say that the Rams will go into the 2024 season with more talent and/or depth at QB, RB, interior OL, EDGE and in the defensive backfield.
And yet, when I listen to or read the talking heads and commentators discuss teams that are expected to contend, few seem to include our Rams.
Why is that?
I have three theories:
1. 2023 naysayers find comfort in believing last year was a fluke. There were many pushing the narrative that last year's team was a rebuilding squad paying the price of having gone "all in" to win a championship. Now, rather than admitting that they were wrong, or that the Rams overcame their circumstances by building a durable playoff roster through a spectacular draft, some seem to be falling back on the notion that the Rams have a lot of holes and won't be able to compete with the top teams.
2. Over-estimating the Donald effect. Don't get me wrong... losing Donald is huge. He can't be replaced. That said, the Rams have assembled a deep and promising group of young players who could prove to be very effective. The notion that the loss of Donald will result in fewer wins, despite all the Rams' additions throughout the roster, is pessimistic overreach, in my opinion.
3. Drinking the 49er kool-aid. A lot of people seem to want to jump on the 49er bandwagon and, as a result, have pushed the Rams to a lower tier. I, for one, could see a 49er collapse, similar to other second place finishers in the past. Also... use a little imagination... its entirely possible that the two best teams in the NFC are both in the West.
So, despite last year's finish, the Rams seem to be an afterthought that is flying under the radar.
I say... good.
Maybe our opponents will underestimate us too.
No shortage of crow to serve later.
