When I said, reset, I meant this is not a total rebuild, and at the same time, not the status quo. While focusing on cleaning up the roster for 2021 more then focusing on 2020.
Why?
1. Because it seems like they are angling towards letting go some pieces that were going to get longterm big deals, and signing guys on shorter smaller deals.
Gone: Littleton - 3 & 36, Fowler 3 & 48, Brockers 3 & 30.
Signed: Floyd 1 & 10, Whit 3 & 30 (but in reality its a 1 year deal, maybe 2) Robinson 2 & 17, we have no idea what Blythe contract is but it wont have big numbers or years.
It seems like they are in a holding pattern with what they have for 2021 with an eye on more cap space and roster flexibility.
2. Gurley seems gone one way or another, and this has been a little obvious for a while with "the meeting", then the Rams interviewing a bunch of RBs at the combine. And Snead really talking up Henderson this winter. Why dump Gurley to eat all that dead money? Again, to clear the way for more cap space in 2021 IMO.
3. Cooks looks like he could be moved. There has been some smoke on him as well. And the fact that the Rams admittedly have a WR they like in every round of the draft speaks more to the fact they are actively looking for a WR. Otherwise, just say they like the class. Why move him? Again, to clear room and roster space going into 2021.
4. Havs is basically stuck for 1 more year, but he is done after this year and the fact a guy that is the 8th highest paid on the team has to comete for his job against a 2 year kid speaks volumes to me. He will be wiped off the books post 2020, and clears more cap room.
Im sure some of you are thinking, well regardless of what Deadpool thinks, the Rams didn't have the cap to resign Fowler, Brockers and Littleton. Sure they did. In fact they could have signed at least 2 of them. Fairly easily. How? Restructure Goff. Literally simple as that. But they don't want to steal money from future years to sign these guys this year.
They also are not totally sold on the guys they have signed or they would be on longer deals. Robinson and Floyd are both young guys, both drafted in in the top 46 in a deep draft. They want to keep their cap flexibility and roster flexibility open for 2021.
But why, they were in the SB 2 years ago. Well, Gurley is a shell of himself, Cooks is a concussion away from retirement, Havs looked like his draft profile, big and slow footed. Peters never panned out which cost picks. So cap space is just gutted on guys not playing at their previous SB level. And draft picks are...lacking.
2 more things that make me think they are in a holding pattern for 2020:
They still don't know what the OL will look like, and they have a new DC that is going to need some time to find his groove.
This year will give them a lot more clarity on that OL:
1. Are Edwards and Evans the real deal, or will some tape on them expose weaknesses to DCs?
2. What do they have in Corbett. He will be on the roster for a full year. Is he a LG, is he a OC? Is he not a starter?
3. Is Blythe the answer anywhere on the OL? Specifically at OC?
4. What is Noteboom? Is he healthy? Can he replace Whit?
All these questions could and should be answered this year, giving them a running start into 2021.
One last thing. What will McVays newly revamped offense look like and what pieces does he need to add to make to go?
So what do I expect from the remaining offseason and the 2020 season?
1. Gurley is gone and they will draft a compliment to Brown & Henderson
2. Cooks and Havs stay for 1 more year and then are cut.
3. Ramsey is extended or tagged and then extended.
4. Kupp and JJ3 are extended at some point before '21.
5. The Rams will sign smaller vet min contracts on 1 year stop gap deals to fill holes before the draft.
6. The Rams compete like heck and still end around 9-7. Plus or minus, its too early to do predictions and really pointless, but just for discussions sake I will. And they will compete for a WC spot and see where it goes.
Let me be clear, I am NOT giving up on the season, and neither are the Rams. Esp. going into a new stadium. Not happening. But they are really building this thing towards 2021 in a big way. And frankly, after some of these guys not panning out and the OL issues and the DC turnover, I think they are making the right decision. Then again.maybe I wasted all of your time with 5 minute report on fairies and unicorns.
Speaking of unicorns. Look up Unicorn the golden retriever. He'll make your day. And everyone could probably use a smile. [
www.usatoday.com]
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
