LA Rams Scouting department undergoing changes
by Bret Stuter
[
www.cbssports.com]
NFL Rumors claim LA Rams changing talent in scouting department to overtake and fend off 49ers and Seahawks
NFL Rumors about the LA Rams appeared almost immediately after the 2019 NFL season ended. Current beliefs about the Rams suggest the team is rumored to be changing up some talent in their scouting department, a vitally important area for team trying to recoup NFC West dominance from Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. CBS Sports commentator and analyst Jason La Canfora had a lot to say about the Los Angeles Rams in his December 28, 2019 article – Sweeping changes coming to Rams coaching staff, and front office also likely headed for a shakeup.
In that article, La Canfora accurately predicted that the Rams would be parting ways with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. He also predicted that the Rams would be adding veteran coaches to reinforce the Rams coaching staff after several years of poaching from that staff by other NFL teams. So far, he’s running two for two.
La Canfora swung and missed completely in asserting that the Rams would part ways with linebackers coach Joe Barry. The Rams recently announced re-signing Barry to return to the Rams as linebackers coach. Somewhat of a minor surprise, as Barry declined a defensive coordinator role with the University of Southern California to do so.
La Canfora then aimed at the LA Rams scouting and personnel department. With no first round pick for several years in the NFL Draft, the Rams have made up the difference by finding NFL starting player talent from among the ranks of undrafted players. ILB Cory Littleton and DE Morgan Fox are two such players from just the 2016 UDFA class.
In his article, La Canfora cited several league sources indicating several Rams scouts and evaluators would be moving on this year. Immediately following, he indicated that the Rams would be looking to add to the ranks of the player personnel department, in both the college and professional football ranks. While we have not had evidence of this having occurred just yet, it makes perfect sense for the Rams to do so.
Without a day one pick, the Rams must focus upon finding their talent from among players other teams have overlooked or undervalued. Based on the Rams scouting department track record so far, they have been rather good at doing just that. But that type of proficiency requires a certain amount of “churning” each year.
New scouts come in with new connections, or fresh perspectives. Ultimately, modern professionals tend to remain in the familiar – same stores, same restaurants, and in the case of talent scouts – same colleges.
By adding new scouts with new connections, the Rams avoid fishing the same spots for talented young prospects. From another angle, Rams scouts also simply avoid overlooking talent at familiar schools.
So far , La Canfora is two out of three. We’ll try to monitor changes with the the Rams in terms of their scouting department to share at the first sign of new devleopment. As we had indicated, the Rams are not taking the 9-7 season in stride. The team is working throughout the organization to improve for the 2020 season. It’s a good time for optimism.
