"It's the OLB'ers where this defense is @ its weakest @ this time." Could they draft an ILB in round 2 or 3? Sure. Someone of real value may slip to them and be too good to pass up. And you can also use the argument about 2022 free agency when 3 of their 4 returning ILB will be FAs. But Reeder (who improved quite a bit in year 2), Kiser and Young combined for over 1,450 snaps last yeby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
WR is not where I would put free agent dollars. The Rams need a WR4 with deep speed that can play situationally- 15, maybe 20 snaps per game. I would much prefer to draft that guy in the middle rounds.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I really am curious how they will deal with the cap. There is managing numbers and there is managing numbers... I tried using the calculator on OverTheCap the other day and was having a hard time just getting them to zero. I restructured Donald, Ramsey, Woods AND Kupp plus traded Havenstein and cut Allen and Demby and was STILL a little bit over.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Chris Long on the Mina Kimes' podcast (which I really enjoy). Really insightful hour and toward the end she asks him a series of questions. One was about best/worst stadiums he played in... (on The Edward Jones Dome) "It was a bad stadium, but...I'm weird though, my favorite stadium was actually Candlestick." "I love the (LA) Coliseum, just because of the flame...I just likeby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I feel reasonably confident a 1st round RFA tender will keep him in LA for 2021. But between the unknown beyond that and uncertainty of who takes the 3rd CB spot (can Long handle coming in and playing 25 snaps/game?) I could see a scenario where they take a CB at 57 or soon after. Defenses excel with QB pressure and outside coverage. Rams would be wise to keep bolstering both.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
They clearly should draft a center this April. Whether it's s starter or not. Rarely does a team NEED to draft multiple OL in a single draft. Could happen. But I'd keep the pipeline full with one every year. 2022 I would guess a tackle but who knows.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Always interesting when I not only come across a Ram I don't know but one that was noticeably good. I had never heard of Charlie Stukes until 5 minutes ago. Had to look him up. Very good career... 25 INTs in his last 4 years and an INT in his last (playoff) game ever vs. MIN. Pro-Football-Referenceby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Right, not all. But most. Agree Kromer is a big loss. And Pleasant...by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Not claiming it's more or less. But across multiple years even with a consistent Head Coach I don't think assistant turnover is uncommon at all. And again most of these are promotions. I just think it's a big leap to think there is any sort of cultural problem going on. Also keep in mind in Kromer's career he has rarely stayed in one spot more than 2 years. Other than his 4 years in LA he wasby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I'm not saying they should. I'm just saying IF they want to go the way of signing a modest priced FA center with some starting experience he fits that category (the other two don't) and has played well overall recently. Admittedly I know basically zero about what style of center he is, if he's stronger and more physical than Blythe or not, etc. I'd love to draft a center in April but that isby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think Shatley could be a consideration. He seems to be ascending. And if he could be had for a moderate two-year deal they are under no pressure to find a day one starter in the Draft (could still select one, though). The other two are pure JAGs/backups.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I think you restructure guys you have reasonable certainty will be around a while and productive. Hence start with Donald. I would not restructure Brockers- keep him (my preference) for 2021 or don't. Then save $9M in 2022 by cutting ties then.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Tyler Shatley- played career high 643 snaps in 2020 w/ JAX. Was PFF's 14th ranked center (out of 36). 25 starts over the past 5 seasons. Brett Jones- played 138 snaps in 2020 w/ MIN. Has started 19 games in 5 seasons with NYG and MIN (13 of those in 2017). James Ferentz- played 161 snaps in 2020 w/ NE. Only 4 starts in 7 NFL seasons. Almost all his offensive snaps (365 of 387) have come tby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
It would help if a few guys like Jackson could elevate in 2021. He was very good for Syracuse in 2019 and is a great example of a rookie who was probably hindered by no OTAs or preseason. He's probably a decent bet to be their WR5 (replacing Webster) but more than that is a pretty big jump.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I would really try to sign Fox for 2 years regardless. He is not going to show up on any top 100 (or maybe 150) free agents list and he'd be a good value signing. I would keep Brockers for 2021 and move on in 2022 but we'll see.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
For the life of me I will never understand selecting Brycen Hopkins at #136 last year when Biadasz was still on the board....by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I look at it this way (and I am assuming Floyd leaves). All together Floyd, Ebukam, Hollins, Lewis and Okoronkwo played over 1,900 defensive snaps. Floyd and Ebukam played 67% of those. Now let's assume they need 1,900 collective snaps from edge players again. And let's just assume Hollins plays 50% more snaps and Lewis doubles his in 2021. That would still leave 1,000 snaps on the edge to acby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Like you said staying #1 (or top 3) is really, really hard, especially in a salary cap-strapped year and with potentially losing Floyd, Johnson, Hill, Fox and Ebukam. As a TEAM, if they can stay in the top 10 defensively, though, while getting the offense back into the top 10 and special teams into the top 15 (from 30th) they would be in good position.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Sorry, I don't mean to be dismissive. And I'm certainly not saying (a) draft an Edge rusher at 57 no matter what or (b) they're so good at ILB they couldn't upgrade. At all. But what I am saying is what makes defenses great in 2020-2021 is absolutely rushing the passer and outside coverage. If you are weak there you are weak everywhere regardless of what sort of Tasmanian Devil you might haveby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Pass rush (or lack there of) is going to dictate a lot of how good or not the defense can remain. Without a good edge rush who they have at ILB becomes pretty meaningless. Waiting to add an edge rusher until day 3 would be a BIG mistake...by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
The article says that maybe he gives them about 250 snaps in 2021. I think that's a reasonable goal. He played 124 this year in 8 games (15.5/game). Now I do think they can work with him on whatever his issues are in a full offseason and help him in ways they couldn't after the Draft last year. Most rookies were training on their own and in their own homes until late July... But is he going to beby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
The 'tiebreaker' for me was thinking that center was a more likely position they could still find in the late 3rd or 4th rounds vs. Edge. Defense is about pass rush and outside coverage. The rest is details. Which is why I also would not have ILB in the top 4 at all. I'm very much a "make do" with Reeder, Kiser, Young and Howard guy.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
He was brought up last offseason and before the trade deadline this year. As an UFA maybe he fits the mold of an older veteran who would come under a 1-2 year, incentives-heavy deal.. McVay would know him being in WASH. Kerrigan only played 37% of the snaps this year as a rotational player yet still managed 5.5 sacks. He will turn 33 in August. Maybe he is a guy that could be a productive platoonby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
3 Rams drives stall inside the Tampa 5-yard line. Tampa QBs 4-for-26 for 54 yards an an INT (23.6 QBR).by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
The Rams have targeted Higbee/Everett combined 122, 149, and 84 times the past three seasons. That's an average of about 120/year which is I think around the Rams should try for in 2021. But Higbee should be targeted probably 90 of those. With Hopkins, they don't need him to come in and catch 50 passes as the TE2. But if he can prove to be a threat that can get upfield, etc. and catch something lby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Yeah, Havenstein is 'fine' in my opinion but the speed rushers thing really is an issue. And he's making top-10 RT money. So... irreplaceable? Not at all. And saving $5.2M there (assuming Kromer feels good about Evans at RT and Anchrum as the 3rd OG) could really help. He might fetch a day 3 pick from another team where he could fit.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I agree. I have been counting out (i.e. retiring) Whitworth for years and every year he proves me wrong. But I am pretty sure 2021 will be it for him. I am intrigued by Anchrum. I really liked his draft profile (3 years starter, all-ACC, etc.) and think he has real potential. I have been one of those that has felt Havenstein is "good enough" but if they are going to really get bby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
I don't think the Rams have not prioritized the OL. In 2017 they signed Whitworth (which proved to be an incredibly significant addition) and Sullivan. And they followed that up with 5 draft picks in the past 3 years. One of those is a solid starter (Edwards), one still might be (Evans), one is a good 3rd/swing OT (Noteboom) and one is still TBD (Anchrum). Interior OL especially do not need tby LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Back when the Pro Bowl was still a thing it was so routine for the Rams to have 2 and very often 3 OL there. Seemed like Slater, Harrah and Smith were always there together.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com
Not that he hasn't been a great player. But he will be 32 next month and has missed at least half the season in 3 of the past 5 seasons. His last really exceptional year was 2018. Teams have to pay him based on 2016-2020 not 2011-2015. Who knows where he'd like to go. But I would pay him a one, maybe two year, incentive-laden deal with not much guaranteed after the first season.by LMU93 - RamsFootballFans.com