That was an interesting response...

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Rams43

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zn

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oldmanram
It may just be that the Rams and the Bills are taking the stand that why pay now when you don't have to? If the player does not want to meet some where with out hurting the structure of the team then all team options need to be played out

You mean they're searching for ways to underpay? (Not saying they ARE doing what you suggest, just discussing the concept.)

Because the truth is, Donald getting what he should get (north of 20 M as Schefter puts it) does not hurt the team. Donald's presence makes any defense better automatically and that's just not true of most players in the league. So instead of signing 2 good players for 11 M, you sign one transcendent player whose very presence improves any defense in the way no other player could.

That's not just talk. According to someone who did a study of Donald's stats, he faced multiple blockers more than any other defender in the league, YET at the same time led the entire league in qb pressures.

That means he's both drawing attention which frees up others AND making plays anyway, at a higher rate than anyone else. That's invaluable. (in fact it's kind of freaky.) And we have seen the effects of it too---this is not just an "on paper:" thing. Last year they basically had no one rushing from the outside (especially with Quinn playing subpar most of the season) yet were 4th in the league in sacks and 4th in sack percentage. That was entirely and solely because of Donald. He alone freed up that otherwise mediocre outside rush.

So I argue that he's worth the money and paying him does not "hurt the team." Therefore IMO the Rams would be kind of blind to force him to be underpaid that way. It's not enlightened to do that, it;'s the opposite. If that;s actually their intention. They send the message to their team that if you work hard for them and do everything right and are productive, they figure out ways to not pay you. Bad message.

And the way the cap works, you can sign Donald and Goff and have room for 5-6 other big contracts. Winning teams spend 60% of their cap on a small number of top contracts. That;s just the way the cap works,



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Well, I have 4 thoughts in response to the above, and in no particular order...

1) “Searching for ways to underpay”? Really? That’s similar to asking “when did you stop beating your wife”? Incredibly self contained bias there. What? lol where did that come from?

2) AD is a great player. Everybody agrees with that. No need to keep pounding on something we all agree upon. It doesn’t advance your agenda at all, anymore. Advance "his" agenda? What about your 10 reasons why the Rams go undefeated agenda?" C'mon man...that's not right. It's not an agenda. It's a view that is supported by solid reasoning.

3) For the umpteenth time, the more any single player is paid, the less remains for other players in this cap era. Therefore, controlling salaries as best they can is a prudent Ram strategy overall. Based on $'s available next year not reflecting the increase in cap, they shouldn't have an issue. If they can affored to pay the TruJo's and Joyner's their money for the impact they have, Donald is a no brainer.

4) You’re repeating yourself with some of your arguments (opinions). Endless repetition of the same opinions is unlikely to sway others over when their differing opinions are the opposite. Honestly, some of these opinions have already been posted by you at least a dozen times. 43...your annual reasons why the Rams are going to be great this year is a copy/paste. What's the diff? Why? Because you're optimistic? That repetition is ok? I"m just sayin'. I'm not against your annual "why the Rams will be great" posts... but I can already write your post for 2019. And, I still enjoy reading your posts on it. I'm not trying to be hateful here...but these comments are such to shut down discussion. Make a point...even if it's repetitive...

We’re almost in “The beatings will continue until morale improves” territory. Lol. I'm still scratching my head on #1!