Intersting take on the developments. I don't see is much risk with any of the moves they have made. Risk to the long term success of the team. Plenty of money to sign the core players long term--Gurley,Goff, Donald, LaMarcus, Peters(probably).
Personally, these 'despearate' actions are nice to see. They have a strategy for winning and executing that strategy. As opposed to the decade plus draft and develop and sign randon free agents at areas of need philosphy. Currently, they are targeting high performing players without committing long-term salary cap money to them(specifically Peters, Talib, Suh). They have shown that a ceiling does exist in terms of what they will pay--18$ mil a year is too much for a WR1, and 14 mil for one year is the most they would pay for an All Pro DT.
Signing Shields appears to me as fine move. Downside you cut him, upside you have an above average player. One million invested.
Signing Suh to one year tells me that once Donald is paid, the money available for a second DT will not be enough for Suh. But if I can sign an All Pro and afford it for one year--why not? I don't much about Suh, other than following him as a player in college and the NFL and twitter--but he works hard. The kids on the team can benefit from that for sure. Plus, it will be super easy to guarantee one on ones for either Suh or Donald next year.
Goff is the most important player, agreed. The opposide of your thesis is that a qb must have weapons/good team to succeed. I agree completely that success(winnning a Super Bowl) is most squarely on the shoulders of how well Goff plays. These moves will hopefully allow Goff to make a few more mistakes, miss a few more plays with them than if the Rams front office took a more conservative off season strategy.
The last point on Sammy--I think this team will pay any WR1 18$ million. Personnally, I think Sammy is worth it if that is how you decide to spend your cap dollars, but I don't see that with the Rams. I foresee Goff, Gurley, Donald, Lamarcus, Peters and an OL(Whit now, someone else after) being where they spend the really big cap money. Also, an outside pass rusher in the future.
All in all, we are adding good players and maintaining control over our salary cap. I like the moves and I am a big Sammy, Quinn fan. Hopefully Suh quits the dirty @#$%& and and I can be a fan of his as well. Team will be fun as hell to watch and follow. Will also be sure to watch the Chiefs for my Sammy fix.
