July 13, 2018 11:35AM | Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 35,693 Status: HOF Inductee |
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dzrams
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Rams43
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zn
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LMU93
I think what they are hoping for is that Blythe acts as the 6th man (starting weeks 1 and 2) with Noteboom, Allen and Demby as the depth. I have a hard time seeing Eldrenkamp, Neary, etc as anything more than practice squad candidates. If the Rams got it right with their draft picks then Williams, Lucas, and Dunn will be released by Labor Day.
My hope is between Noteboom, Allen and Demby they will develop two future starters. It would be great if all three did but it's unlikely. At minimum they need one to become a starter and one to be a reliable backup. Their future salary cap in 2020 and 2021 depends on it.
They will probably need to draft at least 3 again. And that's even if 2 of this year's picks makes it, or even if all 3 do.
We don't know which one of their own FAs they will sign (Saffold, Brown, Hav) but odds are, it will be one at most.
There's also possible additions between now and then. They got Blythe when he was cut. A similar thing happened in 2012 when they picked up Barksdale, who ended up being the 2013 starter. Something like that can happen again.
On the one hand we have some advocating signing AD for whatever he wants (not you, zn) or close to it.
On the other hand we’re having a conversation about only being able to afford signing one of Saffold, Brown, or Hav from an OL that was superb in ‘17.
I’ll say it again. The cap is a zero sum game wherein extra money to one player leaves less for other players, some of whom are quality starters.
Just the way it is.
Sigh...
I think we all understand that things are this way.
The question is, what can be done about that? Nothing.
Being that it's a zero sum game, eventually someone is going to be lost. So you have to choose who you're willing to lose.
Now I'm not certain I buy that they will only be able to retain only one of Saffold, Brown, and Hav but assuming that's the case, that's simply not that concerning IMO.
Saffold is a very good guard; it would hurt to lose him. Brown and Hav are both decent players. They are what you're calling a quality starter.
But neither are above average and IMO that's precisely the type of player that you let walk when their salary is set to increase.
It comes down to who's replaceable and who's not. I think Notebloom could easily replace Hav and most likely will next year. Brown could be replaced by a mid round draft pick.
When you could get the same or nearly the same production from a young cheap draft pick, why would you want to pay $5 - $8M for the average vet?