Zooey wrote:

I don’t know if this belongs here, either. Is this devoted to news, or is analysis welcome? If this belongs in a different thread, then by all means, move it.

I think it goes here just fine. In fact, thanks.

Fwiw though, and for future reference–the site doesn’t allow admins to move posts anymore.

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Zooey wrote:

I don’t know if this belongs here, either. Is this devoted to news, or is analysis welcome? If this belongs in a different thread, then by all means, move it.

I think it goes here just fine. In fact, thanks. Fwiw though, and for future reference–the site doesn’t allow admins to move posts anymore.

I bet you could still copy a post, though, and post it somewhere else, and go back and delete the original.

I do do that sometimes. Though, more often if something is really in the wrong thread, I ask the poster to just re-post it in the right thread. But as a rule that doesn’t happen much, posters are usually on top of the “what goes in what thread” issue.

One pressing question for Sean McVay and new Rams position/assistant coaches

Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5351254/2024/03/20/rams-sean-mcvay-question-coaches/?source=emp_shared_article

Big waves of change unfolded through the Rams’ first week of free agency.

To recap:

• The Rams signed two cornerstone offensive linemen, are moving another to center, signed a blocking tight end who could hold potential in the pass game, signed a familiar face at cornerback, a rising young safety, re-signed veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson, offered tenders to their starting left tackle and a depth defensive lineman/special teamer, extended a depth linebacker on a cheap, but guaranteed, deal and found their new backup quarterback.

Here’s why they spent where they did (note: This was written before the agreement to terms of safety Kam Curl, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, so they did answer the backup quarterback question posed at the bottom of the story).

• Aaron Donald retired.

Before all of that, head coach Sean McVay did some shuffling of his staff, inclusive to new hires and promotions. With so much change, I thought I’d do something fun and pose one big question to McVay and each of the new/re-arranged coaches — with some additional analysis, of course — now that they themselves are re-calibrating after the first part of free agency.

Sean McVay
After out-performing expectations in 2023, at what point does this organization determine it is back in “contender” conversations and how hard will they then push?

As we know, the answer to that specific question will predicate how the Rams use remaining resources, and at what time of year. McVay has new life in his run game behind a scheme change and personnel upgrades along the offensive line and at running back, and his veteran quarterback plays at an elite level when healthy. Glaring holes remain along the defensive line and even in the secondary, despite the Curl and Darious Williams additions, and the Rams need to plan for life after Cooper Kupp after injury issues popped up again in 2022 and 2023 (based on his recent social media posts, Kupp seems to be preparing for a healthy 2024).

Because of the way the Rams “set the table” in free agency, these areas are where I’d predict they use remaining resources, whether via draft or packaged together for trade ahead of the deadline, if they believe they can make a real run.

Chris Shula — defensive coordinator
What are you planning for the defensive backfield?

Shula will have his hands on the entire defense, of course. But the reason I find this specifically to be such a pressing question is because of the moves the Rams made in their secondary, and the backgrounds of both Shula and secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant. Shula helped McVay identify previous defensive coordinator Brandon Staley (who, like Pleasant, was a candidate for this year’s job). He bought in to the match-zone the Rams have foundationally deployed since 2020 (obviously there were noticeable variations in 2022-23, for specific reasons covered here). Williams, already a strong zone cornerback, did very well in that match-zone, quarters-heavy scheme. At just 25, Curl has a reputation for being very versatile at safety or nickel/dime linebacker which would be a benefit in rotating and disguising coverages and pressure. The addition of these two players, to me, tells us a little more about what Shula envisions as his “schematic fingerprints” on this overall system into 2024.

Giff Smith — defensive line
How will you generate a complete pass rush?

Let’s be clear: There’s no replacing Donald. In some ways, the Rams will start from scratch here because of what they were able to do so effectively with Donald holding down one, two, sometimes even three defenders and multiple gaps snap in and snap out. They have two players who can be considered “foundation” pieces to this new puzzle, in second-year defensive tackle Kobie Turner and second-year outside linebacker Byron Young. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, who can play the nose if Turner shifts into more of a full-time, pass-rushing three-technique role, is under contract for another year as well. Michael Hoecht should step back into a rotational inside/outside role after starting full time at outside linebacker in 2023.

The Rams didn’t get into the markets for higher tiers of pass rusher or defensive tackle in free agency, preferring (even while knowing Donald’s decision as the period began) to invest a combined $34 million per year instead in their two guards, Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson. Stafford’s cap number in 2024 is $49.5 million, and Cooper Kupp’s is $29.7 million. It is very easy to see which side of the ball the Rams have made a financial priority, and that means certain positions on the other side have to be cost-controlled.

As I have reported, they had interest in possible lower-market players such as Alex Van Ginkel, but hoped to wait him out a little longer (his foot injury was a factor) and he was signed elsewhere. Trade potential also always seems to be on the table with this group, or acquiring cut players after the draft.

Could the Rams actually go “young and cheap” along their entire defensive front? I wouldn’t rule that out, either — which would put the onus directly on Smith, second-year outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio and second-year assistant defensive line coach A.C. Carter.

Greg Williams — inside linebackers
How will Ernest Jones’ leadership role expand post-Donald?

I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the Rams placed Jones’ locker next to Donald’s for the 2023 season. Jones will be asked to become even more of a vocal, veteran leader without Donald around. The Rams previously have not invested into their inside linebacker position but have opened preliminary discussions with Jones’ representation (those don’t usually progress until the late summer). On the field, Jones’ role could also expand further in consideration of Shula’s experience coaching his position. The Rams re-signed Rozeboom to a one-year deal but will need to keep locating depth here.

John Streicher — game strategy and game management
What edges and leverage points will you present to McVay and will he use them?

At least McVay had the awareness to joke about adding the role, to help him “not use my timeouts in the second half until I need to.” The Rams have always gone over in-game situations and have an analytics department that provides coaches with data on rules, situations and scenarios (such as when the math would say to kick and when to go for it on fourth down, or when to go for a two-point conversion but also far beyond those popular examples). “Stretch” has a role that on paper looks like it will be more influential, inclusive to the fact that the Rams actually list him among their coaches.

Stretch has a reputation around the league for finding edges within the NFL’s rulebook as well as advising on sound game management strategy and in personnel evaluation. McVay is one of the most progressive schematic minds in the game, which juxtaposes with a very traditional “feel and flow of the game” situational approach. I’m very, very interested to see how this goes.

Dave Ragone, Nate Scheelhaase, Rob Calabrese — quarterbacks, offensive assistants (pass game/quarterbacks)
“Jimmy G” and who else?

This is an interesting group of coaches to have in the building where the quarterback position is concerned. The Rams’ one-year deal with Garoppolo was all about cost and scheme/system fit with a player they know very well, despite Garoppolo’s incoming two-game suspension.

The bulk of the money the Rams spent in free agency went toward players who will protect and extend the career lifespan of Matthew Stafford. But if the rolling through of previous starters-turned-backups in Los Angeles in 2022 and 2023 (Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz) proves to be a precedent, Garoppolo may get a lift from his stint and take another shot at a starting job elsewhere. So what happens after 2024?

Nick Caley — tight ends, pass game coordinator
What are the short- and long-term plans for Tyler Higbee?

Caley is not a new hire, but was promoted by McVay this spring after he was wooed by New England for its offensive coordinator job.

Higbee, who tore his ACL and MCL after a low hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph in the wild-card loss, will be recovering into the summer and potentially fall. The Rams just signed 25-year-old Colby Parkinson to a three-year deal, presumably to take over as TE1 while Higbee heals. The contract extension Higbee signed last summer would be tricky to get out of in 2024 but could be movable in 2025. Parkinson could be both the short- and long-term future for the Rams at the position, but a lot of football has to happen in between.

Chili Davis — special teams assistant
Any kicker identification tips to bring to L.A.?

In all seriousness, Davis was hired by retained special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn to help turn around a unit that ranked dead last in DVOA in 2023. The Rams need to identify a kicker, sure, but they also need to develop their coverage units. I would expect Rozeboom (one-year deal) and Hoecht (right of first refusal tender) to help here as well as Ronnie Rivers (exclusive rights free-agent tender).

By association, McVay and “Stretch” can also help out the special teams unit with some of their down-and-distance and late-down decision-making.

McVay also hired Sean Desai (Bears, Eagles) and Jerry Schuplinski (Raiders, Giants, Dolphins, Patriots) as senior assistants.

My understanding of the roles are that they are offensive-oriented, even though Desai most recently has a defensive coordinator background. Now-Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake held that role in 2023, though also had the title of “assistant head coach.” One thing McVay and others from this coaching tree have done over the years is worked to understand opposing defensive systems’ “rules” in order to better tendency-break and scheme against them.

Finally, the Rams are hopeful that renowned offensive line coach Mike Munchak returns to consult with their staff for a second season. These roles are usually determined closer to OTAs and training camp.

https://theathletic.com/5458544/2024/04/30/la-rams-depth-chart-nfl-draft-update/?source=emp_shared_article

What a difference a year makes, huh?

Last offseason, the Los Angeles Rams were in the process of filling out one of the sketchiest-looking rosters (on paper) in the NFL. Fourteen draft picks in 2023 produced six starters or key depth contributors, and another 10 last week filled (on paper) remaining needs with some of their favorites in the class.

Here’s what the roster looked like entering, and exiting, this year’s draft:

Offense

Quarterback

WHEN	STARTER	2ND TEAM	3RD TEAM
PRE-DRAFT	Matthew Stafford	Jimmy Garoppolo	Stetson Bennett
POST-DRAFT	Matthew Stafford	Jimmy Garoppolo	Stetson Bennett

Despite some external speculation, I did not believe the Rams would take a quarterback in the early or middle rounds of this year’s draft. Stetson Bennett is back on campus, and while Jimmy Garoppolo will have to miss the first two games of the season because of an NFL-mandated suspension, the Rams have bigger issues at play if they need Garoppolo that early in the year.

STATUS	LT	LG	C	RG	RT
PRE-DRAFT	Alaric Jackson	Jonah Jackson	Steve Avila	Kevin Dotson	Rob Havenstein
BACKUPS	Warren McClendon	Joe Noteboom	Empty	Noteboom	Logan Bruss
POST-DRAFT	Alaric Jackson	Jonah Jackson	Steve Avila	Kevin Dotson	Rob Havenstein
BACKUPS	Warren McClendon	Joe Noteboom	Beaux Limmer	KT Leveston	Logan Bruss

I composed it this way to showcase the broader depth chart along the Rams’ offensive line, but when they get down to game-day actives the backups really are just Joe Noteboom (swing player) and Warren McClendon (swing player). KT Leveston is a sneaky-great development pick, and I would like to see him stay at tackle. Beaux Limmer can be the backup center but could also plug in as a reserve guard.

Wide receiver

STATUS	WR	WR	WR	WR
PRE-DRAFT	Cooper Kupp	Puka Nacua	Demarcus Robinson	Tutu Atwell
2ND TEAM	Empty	Ben Skowronek	Tyler Johnson	Austin Trammell
POST-DRAFT	Cooper Kupp	Puka Nacua	Demarcus Robinson	Tutu Atwell
2ND TEAM	Jordan Whittingham	Ben Skowronek	Tyler Johnson	Austin Trammell

I would keep an eye on Jordan Whittington, the Rams’ seventh-round pick, this spring and summer. General manager Les Snead, whose stepson is a long snapper at Texas (Whittington’s alma mater), gushed about the receiver and said everybody in the building referred to him as the Longhorns’ “heartbeat.” Whittington’s yards-after-catch ability, physical play style and resume on underneath concepts make him a fit for Sean McVay’s offense.

Running back

STATUS	RB	RB	RB
PRE-DRAFT	Kyren Williams	Ronnie Rivers	Zach Evans
POST-DRAFT	Kyren Williams	Blake Corum	Ronnie Rivers

Second team: Zach Evans

McVay wanted to find a second running back, and he and position coach Ron Gould hoped to bring in a player similar to lead rusher Kyren Williams so that nothing schematic would need changing if Williams were to miss any time or has to keep fresher legs through a long season. Some fans raised their eyebrows at drafting a running back in the third round, but Blake Corum was one of their top players at the position and needed in light of Williams’ injury history, and the two remaining years on his contract.

Tight end

STATUS	TE	TE	TE
PRE-DRAFT	* Tyler Higbee	Colby Parkinson	Davis Allen
2ND TEAM	* Hunter Long	Miller Forristall	Nikola Kalinic
POST-DRAFT	* Tyler Higbee	Colby Parkinson	Davis Allen
2ND TEAM	* Hunter Long	Miller Forristall	Nikola Kalinic

Tyler Higbee and Hunter Long are both recovering from injuries. Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen will be the Nos. 1 and 2 tight ends in the meantime, with Higbee expected to return in the middle or later part of the season.

Defensive line (interior)

STATUS	DL	DL	DL
PRE-DRAFT	Kobe Turner	Bobby Brown III	Desjuan Johnson
2ND TEAM	Larrell Murchison	Cory Durden	Empty
POST-DRAFT	Kobie Turner	Bobby Brown III	Braden Fiske
2ND TEAM	Desjuan Johnson	Tyler Davis	Larrell Murchison

If Bobby Brown III can stay on the field at nose tackle, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske will be able to play more of the three-technique/four, 4i roles that will allow them more opportunities to pass rush. I could also see Tyler Davis getting playing time earlier than expected.

The Rams overpaid to get up to No. 39 for Fiske, but to them, the cost was worth it. If they didn’t trade back from No. 19, they would have traded into the 30s-40s anyway because their evaluations of the talent at defensive lineman dropped steeply after that. Further, once they picked outside linebacker Jared Verse at No. 19, they knew they would try to get FSU teammate Fiske to bring in instant chemistry along their front. The cost of the trade is the cost of that chemistry, versus spending a year learning how to rush off each other in a post-Aaron Donald world.

STATUS	OLB	OLB
PRE-DRAFT	Byron Young	Michael Hoecht
POST-DRAFT	Jared Verse	Byron Young

Pre-draft second team: Nick Hampton, Ochaun Mathis, Keir Thomas
Post-draft second team: Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Hampton, Mathis

Aside from the starters, it’s probably best to look at the depth players as a rotation because they will do different things. Hampton, for example, is a speed rusher, while Hoecht and Jackson are more power and could even move inside.

Verse immediately lends significant firepower to this group.

Inside linebacker

STATUS	ILB	ILB
PRE-DRAFT	Ernest Jones	Christian Rozeboom
POST-DRAFT	Ernest Jones	Christian Rozeboom

Second team: Jake Hummel

As of now, Ernest Jones will play through his fourth season without a contract extension, but that could always change closer to training camp. This year’s inside linebackers draft class wasn’t considered to be a strong one.

Safety

STATUS	SAFETY	SAFETY	SAFETY
PRE-DRAFT	Kamren Curl	Quentin Lake
2ND TEAM	Russ Yeast	Jason Taylor II
POST-DRAFT	Kamren Curl	Quentin Lake	Kamren Kinchens
2ND TEAM	Russ Yeast	Jason Taylor II

To get the promising Kamren Kinchens on the field earlier, the Rams may show more three-safety looks that also feature Quentin Lake in a “dime linebacker” role, or they could play Kam Curl in the “star” and keep Lake and Kinchens in the two-high pre-snap look.

Cornerback

STATUS	CB	CB	CB
PRE-DRAFT	Darious Williams	* Tre’Davious White	Cobie Durant
2ND TEAM	Derion Kendrick	Tre Tomlinson
POST-DRAFT	Darious Williams	* Tre’Davious White	Cobie Durant
2ND TEAM	Derion Kendrick	Tre Tomlinson

Depth is still a concern at cornerback, in consideration of the age of Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White and of White’s continued recovery from an Achilles repair surgery. The Rams will need Cobie Durant to take another step forward in 2024.

Specialists

STATUS	LS	P	K
PRE-DRAFT	Alex Ward	Ethan Evans	Tanner Brown
POST-DRAFT	Alex Ward	Ethan Evans	Joshua Karty

The Rams! Drafted! A kicker!!!!!!!

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by zn.

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/5/18/24159243/rams-news-espn-post-draft-nfl-power-rankings

Rams in top 15 of ESPN’s post-draft NFL power rankings (ramswire)

“In ESPN’s post-draft power rankings last year, the Rams were slotted in at No. 25. Coming out of the 2024 draft, the Rams are 14th in ESPN’s poll, the same position they were in after free agency.

.

ESPN picked the Rams’ most improved unit as the secondary, which isn’t wrong; the additions of Kamren Curl, Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White and even Kamren Kinchens will make a big difference in the defensive backfield.

.

The Rams did a lot to improve their defensive front in the draft, but they still had Aaron Donald on their roster at the end of the 2023 season. Last season, Los Angeles had 10 interceptions — tied for 23rd in the NFL. Improving the secondary was a focus during free agency and the draft, with the Rams signing cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams and safety Kamren Curl and selecting safety Kamren Kinchens in the fifth round.

.

The only NFC West team ranked higher than the Rams is the 49ers, who are No. 2 behind the top-ranked Chiefs. Of the teams in the top 10, the Rams will face six of them in 2024, which shows how difficult their schedule will be.”</p>

from PFF, 2024 NFL roster rankings: Strengths, weaknesses and X factors for every starting lineup: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-roster-rankings-all-32-teams-2024-strengths-weaknesses-x-factors#LAR

14. LOS ANGELES RAMS

Biggest strength in 2023: Offensive Balance

The Rams ranked inside the top 10 in every aspect of offensive grading except pass protection last season. Matthew Stafford had a big bounce-back year. Kyren Williams proved himself to be a workhorse. Puka Nacua set the rookie receiving record. With an improved offensive line heading into 2024, the Rams’ offense will be dangerous as long as Stafford continues to produce at a high level.

Biggest weakness in 2023: Coverage

Los Angeles ranked dead last in team coverage grade last season (46.2). They were extremely young and did not have a single defensive back finish with at least a 70.0 coverage grade. They’ve done significant work this offseason to improve their secondary, though, and if that work pays off, they could be a dark-horse NFC contender.

X-factor for 2024: DI Kobie Turner

Aaron Donald’s retirement forces Kobie Turner into a marquee role on the Rams’ defensive line. Turner finished his rookie season with an excellent 83.2 overall grade and led the team with 12 sacks. Obviously, he won’t be asked to fill the void left by Donald by himself, but he will need to continue his excellent play to mitigate the loss.

Rookie to watch: EDGE Jared Verse

Another player tasked with replacing Aaron Donald’s production is first-round pick Jared Verse. He had a spectacular two-year run at Florida State and produced a 90.8 pass-rush grade in 2023. Meanwhile, the Rams’ edge group finished 30th in the NFL in overall grade last season. Verse will have every opportunity to star for this defense.

Over/Under 8.5 win total: Over

Aaron Donald is a huge loss for the Rams, but a team with Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua should still have a winning season. Their postseason success will be dictated by their defensive development. As long as Stafford continues to produce, the Rams will at least be in the playoff mix.

Projected starting lineup for 2024

OFFENSE	DEFENSE
QB Matthew Stafford (88.2)	DI Kobie Turner (83.2)
RB Blake Corum (84.0*)	DI Braden Fiske (73.9*)
RB Kyren Williams (80.4)	Edge Michael Hoecht (58.2)
WR Cooper Kupp (71.5)	Edge Jared Verse (84.4*)
WR Puka Nacua (90.2)	Edge Byron Young (64.1)
WR Demarcus Robinson (70.0)	LB Ernest Jones (78.8)
TE Tyler Higbee (57.6)	LB Christian Rozeboom (47.9)
LT Alaric Jackson (66.6)	CB Darious Williams (79.5)
LG Jonah Jackson (61.0)	CB Tre’Davious White (68.0)
C Steve Avila (60.5)	CB Quentin Lake (70.0)
RG Kevin Dotson (84.4)	S Kamren Curl (66.6)
RT Rob Havenstein (79.8)	S Russ Yeast (57.0)

From Ranking the NFL’s head coaches: https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-best-head-coaches-andy-reid-kyle-shanahan-mike-tomlin/

1. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

…

2. Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams

It’s so fun that you could ask Sean McVay what he was doing June 5, 2003 and he’ll be able to give you a detailed description of the omelet he made for breakfast that morning and what cartoon was on TV while he was making it.

McVay took a different approach to his offense last season and turned the Rams into a run-through-your-face power run team with a lot of play action mixed in. Matthew Stafford still has the ability to sling it, and it’ll be fun to see what the offense can do in year two of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as a duo. McVay has already been to two Super Bowls and won one. Can the Rams make another appearance in the biggest game of the year? Who’s to say they can’t?

They cover the NFC West starting at 9:17 in and get to the Rams at 12:42 in.

They do the Rams starting at about 40:30 in.