Re: Where's the fire?

Quote
Deadpool
I have been thinking about this topic for a while, and with the trade for Cooks, I thought tonight was the perfect time.

I am confused by the Rams seemingly win right now at all cost plan. Its not like McVay and Snead are on a hot seat or have been given as much rope as they are going to get, so why make this a 1 or 2 year window? I can't be coming from the owner right? Did he make a win now mandate, so they get butts in seats for the new stadium? Doesn't seem to fit Stan's M.O.

So am I imagining this window? i don't think so and here is why: Draft picks

The draft is more then a 3 day party for draftniks. it serves an integral part of managing a teams cap. its a way of bring in cheap talent under control for 3 or 4 years allowing you the cap space to resign your stars coming into their 2nd contracts. Without picks in your top 2 rounds, your chances of drafting usable talent significantly decreases. Use ZN's favorite as an example, finding a starting LT after round 2 is like 9% in the 3rd round and almost impossible after.

The draft also builds depth. You can get depth from the 3rd -7th rounds, but you better hit.

The problem the chronically bad teams have is that they draft poorly, so they are constantly drafting to replace busts, or overspend on FAs that only go there because they outbid everyone. (for the record, and before ZN coming in and says there are other ways that don't work as well, I also do not think the Packers strategy avoiding FA for the most part works either.) What do poor drafting teams have to do with the Rams trading draft picks? Having no draft picks is the same as missing on a pick as far as cheap manageable talent goes. You don't have any.

But just because they are trading picks for talent doesn't make the window any shorter, esp. since Peters and Cooks are so young. This is when the reality of the cap sets in.

Guys that are going to demand some serious cap space considerations in the next couple of seasons:
1. Donald - 1 year
2. Cooks - 1 year
3. Suh - 1 year
4.Joyner - 1 year
5. Peters - 2 years
6. Gurley - 2 years
7. Goff - 3 years

Is that right? It seems right. I am in full draft mode now TBH.

You are not going to keep all of them. And I love most of you guys, but I have heard this over and over and its crazy: We just traded potential for a proven stud. And if we lose him we get a 3rd round comp pick next year.

Are you suggesting you are not comfortable with Snead and Co. drafting a 1st or 2nd round prospect, but are thrilled with the thought they could get a 3rd or 4th rounder in return in the form of a comp pick?

This team no longer has the cap resources or draft picks to maintain a SB window for more then 2 years IMO. Gone will be Suh and No Chainz, the Rams will need a LT that they had no draft capital to find, they have no proven LBers (and if anyone says Barron, he is gone sooner then later, and was never a 34 LBer to begin with), and no OL depth. Not to mention Sullivan and Saffold are no spring chickens. Oh and since Cooks and Suh are gone, gonna need DL help and a #2 WR. Good luck finding all that with 150k in cap space and a bunch or 3rd and 6th round draft picks.

I can appreciate the all in approach as a poker player myself. After 15 years of losing, I prefer the long game myself. Build this team through the draft, and let Goff develop. I don't care how great all your supporting players are, Goff has to be the man. Bring in a talent on trade if it makes sense (Peters more then any other) and dip into FA, and not the crazy day 1 thru 3 free agency.

In closing:

2 years from now these guys could all be gone:
Marcus Peters
Suh
Talib
Whitworth
Sullivan
Barron
TA
Cooks
Saffold
Joyner

Thats:
Both starting CBs
3/5 of your line (and your best 3 lineman)
1/3 of your DL
Your only vet LBer
your #2 WR and deep threat
your starting Safety
And a gadget WR that supposedly keeps the defense honest.

And you have in the next 2 drafts:
1st - 1
2nd - 0
3rd - 1 (possibly 2)
4th - 3 (maybe 4)
5th - 1
6th - 4
7th - 1

OK. What am I missing.