Re: Not expecting much this season

Similar to the 1990 Cowboys, the Rams have many pieces in place, but without the requisite experience needed. Getting the O line solidified, and replacing Quinn effectively with Price/Samson would be a huge step for them late in the 2017 season (a la 3rd rounder Pat Swiling coming on for the Saints midway through his 1986 rookie season). Watkins will get 5-6 catches a game, and so will Kupp....then, you have Everett, too. They are smart players, and McVay is a smart coach...that alone with get them to #23 in offense....if the O line comes through, then, even top 15-18....but that is 50/50.

a) Developing offense could be exciting; Defense may sag until Donald/pass rush electrifies:
If the offense gets to top 15-20, even at 7-9, I would be ecstatic.....the Defense, that I thought could be top 8, doesn't look very good without Donald (and Quinn) and even worse with L Joyner at FS. IF the D was top 8, like I had thought, then I was thinking 8-8 to 10-6 if Goff comes through. Great Defense=7-9 even with a bad offense....but I lost hope for a great defense. We will see week 4 if I am right about our defense

b) The new coach pump-up theory:
In 1995, Rich Brooks with no O line, no real running game and the Jet-mirage defense with the horrific Anthony Paker at CB started 5-1; then reality came...so, I expect McVay's Rams will have a good bounce of the ball, and a few other things go their way, too, this is common with positive energy Coaches like McVay.

....and so they won't be at 4-6 wins with all the talent they are developing...no, no, no way--they are a smart team, now. So 7 wins for sure, I hope 9, but 10 would happen if the Goffer does his golden arm thing, and doesn't become the gofer from Caddy Shack.


AD note:
Aaron Donald is nearing Curt FLood/Reggie Jackson territory with his holdout status...meaning what he is doing is changing the whole free agent thinking. I don't think the NFL owners want Donald 'beating' the system...interesting to see it play out.

Curt Flood, in 1972-73 in baseball, was the first to challenge the system. AD is doing the same, I think. No one wins in 2017 in this scenario.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2017 08:18AM by Steve.