Rams Q&A: Rich Hammond … 12/31

Rams Q&A: Rich Hammond
https://theathletic.com/1499894/2019/12/31/live-qa-with-rams-writer-rich-hammond-on-tuesday-from-1-to-2-p-m-pt-4/?source=twittered

What’s the feeling on Todd Gurley inside the locker room? Just looks disinterested to me.

Rich Hammond – I’d have to clarify with you what you mean by “looks disinterested to me.” If you’re talking about how Gurley appears during his weekly press conferences, yes, he does look disinterested because he’s never really all that interested in talking to us. And that’s fine, I’m not complaining. But that shouldn’t be projected to other areas. I’ll consistently seen him be loud/engaging with his teammates in the locker room. Is he happy with his role? Probably not, in part because every running back wants the ball more. Is he sullen in the locker room because of it? No.

If you’re able to find a clip of him during pregame intros yesterday, he was, like, excessively jumping around and pumped up. It actually caught my eye, like…what’s he doing out there. Was he more standoff-ish this season? Yes, absolutely. I think a lot of that is/was him being in “defense mode” since the start of OTAs, because of all the questions about his knee.

What are they saying/admitting about Gurley? Will they ever tell us the truth?

Rich Hammond – We’ve tried to ask this question approximately 1,200 times and there’s not been a clear answer. If you do enough reading between the lines, it’s clear that there was a “plan,” and the reality is that you don’t have a plan unless there’s a need for a plan.

What did McVay say about the fake punt from inside the Rams 20?

Rich Hammond – McVay said it was a miscommunication, but it’s not completely clear whether it was a miscommunication between him and Fassel or between Fassel and Hekker, who has the authority (in certain instances) to call those fakes. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Hekker should not have been green-lit in that situation. Whether that was a mistake on Hekker’s part or on Fassel’s part…that remains unclear, but it’s certainly fair to say that McVay was very upset.

What are your thoughts on the LT situation?

Rich Hammond – To start with the end, there might be a good number of LT prospects in the draft, but because the Rams (as of now) aren’t drafting until the latter part of the second round, I don’t know they’re going to find their answer there. The long-term answer is still probably to slide over Noteboom or Evans, but that doesn’t seem likely for the start of the 2020. My money would still be on Whitworth returning for one season, but if that becomes cost-prohibitive — if Whitworth thinks he can get a better deal on the open market and is OK with moving — the Rams are in a tough spot.

Tougher to critique Noteboom. I agree with the assessment of “just OK to start the season,” although I believe his play has started to be on the upswing just before his injury. The fact that he might not be ready to go until the start of training camp makes it tougher. So maybe you see Corbett as the incumbent at the start of the camp, and Noteboom as having a chance to unseat him if he performs well.

what do you think can we take as the biggest positives from this season?

Rich Hammond – The biggest one to me might be the growth of some of those young offensive linemen — and surprisingly, not the ones who started the season. The way guys such as Blythe (after the move to center), Evans and Corbett developed has created some options and flexibility for the future. On defense, the development of guys like Rapp and Joseph-Day are positives, because the Rams need good young players to fill those spots. And while many people won’t want to hear it, the way Goff played down the stretch was a positive.

Robey-Coleman, my understanding is his final year is 2020 and a team option at 4.5 million

Rich Hammond – I can’t imagine they would let him go. He’s arguably the best at his position.

who do you suspect will eventually win the starting CB spot opposite Jalen Ramsey between Troy Hill, Darious Williams, and David Long Jr?

Rich Hammond – I guess the answer would depend on how far into the future we’re looking. If we’re talking about the start of next season, I would still bet on Troy Hill but, man, Darious Williams looked really good in a couple of these late-season games. It’s different when you’re “the guy” instead of “the fill-in,” so I’d hesitate to crown him just yet, but he definitely was one of my surprise players of 2019. I think David Long could get there but not just yet. Maybe look to the start of 2021 on him?

When would you expect a decision on if they’re going to offer Phillips a new contract?

Rich Hammond – I’d say within the next two weeks. It sounds like McVay was going to take this week to step away and think, and then he will meet with the coaches next week. There’s no reason to wait longer, and there’s plenty of reasons to make a quicker decision. If the Rams do move on from Wade and perhaps bring in a coordinator with different ideas/preferences, they’ll need to incorporate that into their offseason planning, in terms of personnel. So you don’t want to wait too long on that.

As far as Wade is concerned, the fact that that information was leaked to a national reporter indicates that it’s being seriously considered.

I don’t think you’ll see Kromer replaced. The issues that took place with the offensive line this season, in my opinion, were more about construction than coaching.

if YOU had to choose one, who would it be: Fowler or Littleton?

Rich Hammond – Under the current construction of the Rams’ defense — i.e. a Wade Phillips 3-4/5-2 — I would rather have Littleton. However, if they’re thinking of a change in scheme, I might change my answer.

I think, in a 3-4 defense, it’s probably harder to replace/replicate the things that Littleton brings, especially because the Rams have less depth there than they do at other positions.

Do you think the rams will prioritize O-line in the draft or have a battle between who they have?

Rich Hammond – I don’t necessarily think there’s a lot of work to be done in the draft. They certainly have to address left tackle, either by re-signing Whitworth or replacing him, but that replacement is highly unlikely to come through the draft. At the other four positions, the Rams now have some pretty good options. They just need to figure out which players fit best at which positions and perhaps have some competition. The other question would be about Austin Blythe. If he does not return, I could see the Rams perhaps signing a veteran center — if they’re not sure Brian Allen is ready to handle the job — but I doubt it would be through the draft.

where do you see cap space most likely coming from.

Rich Hammond – It’s certainly accurate to say the Rams have more of a cap issue than they did before, and that’s what happens when you have so much money committed to three top players. But you can always create room, and remember also the Rams can carry over $8 million in cap room from 2019, which will help.

Where is relief most likely to come from? Weddle, as you noted, and the fact that even if they re-sign players such as Whitworth and Brockers, it should be at lower numbers. Remember, Whitworth had a HUGE cap number this season because of the previous restructure. So either way, there’s relief there.

I know people speculate about restructuring some of the current deals, and I understand that and understand that it’s a possibility, but it’s also not optimal. In most cases, you’re just kicking the can down the road. It’s like buying cap space on credit. Eventually you have to pay up.

What are the chances of the Rams bringing in experienced offensive assistants like a Jay Gruden/Jason Garrett?

Rich Hammond – Sean has been asked multiple times about the idea of bringing in a full-time offensive coordinator or some time of senior assistant/analyst, and his answer has been pretty consistent, in that he’s open to the idea but hasn’t made a decision about it one way or another. I honestly think he will take some time to evaluate the season, how things went for him and how improvements might be made, and then make a decision. I personally think it would be a good move, although the two coaches you mention might have other (and more attractive options).