Rams address needs, find scheme fits with Connor Barwin, Lance Dunbar

Rams address needs, find scheme fits with Connor Barwin, Lance Dunbar

Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES -- Rams fans, a message from Meat Loaf. Yes, Meat Loaf.

Don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad.

The Los Angeles Rams on Thursday failed to land the center they targeted, when the Bills decided to match the Rams' offer sheet for Ryan Groy. But the Rams did sign linebacker Connor Barwin and running back Lance Dunbar. Their search for a center continues -- probably through free agency, though Nick Mangold doesn't appear to be high on their list -- but in the meantime, the Rams addressed a couple of needs at a reasonable price.

Let's take a look. (Promise, no more Meat Loaf references.)

Terms: Dunbar and Barwin each signed one-year contracts. Barwin's deal maxes out at $6.5 million, while Dunbar's maxes out at $3 million, as reported by ESPN's Adam Caplan.

Grade: Let's give the Rams a C-plus. Not splashy or head-turning, but necessary and productive. Coach Sean McVay's offense calls for a change-of-pace running back who can be a threat in the passing game as well as the running game. As the offensive coordinator in Washington, McVay had that with Chris Thompson, and now the Rams hope he has it with Dunbar, who is a better fit for this style than the departing Benny Cunningham, a traditional backup running back. Dunbar also has familiarity with Rams running backs coach Skip Peete, who was Dunbar's first running backs coach with the Cowboys.

Likewise, Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips coached Barwin when both were with the Texans in 2011 and '12. The Rams needed another starting linebacker, and they landed an accomplished one who has made 96 consecutive starts.

What it means: It means Todd Gurley needs to improve in pass protection, a point Peete stressed recently. Dunbar -- with 94 carries for 422 yards and 68 catches for 646 yards in 54 career games -- isn't coming in as a third-down running back, per se. He's coming in as an added element to the offense. Dunbar has some experience in kickoff returns, but he hasn't thrived in the role as Cunningham has. The Rams will probably use Pharoh Cooper to return kickoffs now.

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