Gordon: Experts project more Rams suffering

Tipsheet: Experts project more Rams suffering

Jeff Gordon

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ESPN.com experts looked into their crystal ball and predicted how NFL teams would climb — or sink — over the next three years.

They judged each franchise on five factors: roster (excluding quarterback), quarterback, draft, front office and coaching. Naturally, the Rams fared poorly in this study.

The experts came up with a “Future Rank” of 30th overall and third in the NFC West, ahead of the San Francisco 49ers. (Those experts picked the Niners 31st overall and the long-suffering Cleveland Browns dead last at No. 32.)

Kroenke is a powerful malady. Moving to the West Coast hasn’t changed that for the Rams. Hapless Kevin Demoff remains in charge of the day-to-day operations and owner Stan Kroenke continues finding odd places to cut corners.

Here is what the ESPN experts wrote:

Field Yates: “The Rams’ highest grade comes at quarterback, but it isn’t an overly strong endorsement. There are obvious traits to like in Jared Goff: His natural arm talent and accuracy are unquestioned. But there is always an element of major projection when it comes to a rookie quarterback and his early NFL career. Moreover, the Rams must immediately surround Goff with a stronger supporting cast. Todd Gurley can only do so much, after all.”

Louis Riddick: “Jeff Fisher took over the Rams organization in 2012, and despite having multiple draft picks at his disposal and taking many deep dives into the free-agent market, his cumulative record over the past four years has been just 27-35-1. The Rams haven’t finished a season at .500 or better in a single season under Fisher. The biggest culprit? The team’s consistent misevaluation of the quarterback position. The Rams’ short- and long-term future will hinge on whether they properly evaluated Goff, whom they gave up major draft capital to acquire with the No. 1 overall pick. This is a make-or-break season for Fisher and his staff.”

Mike Sando: “Will Fisher make it through the next three seasons as head coach? Fisher and the Rams have talked about extending his contract, which runs through the 2016 season. But realistically, the team must make a jump in the standings before that happens. In recent years, this team has been seen as having some of the best young talent in the league. Dropping the Rams all the way to No. 30 in the future rankings seems like an overreaction to quarterback-driven underachievement.”

Or does it? You’ve seen these guys play. You know what will happen next.

Writing for Sports on Earth, Cian Fahey graded NFL teams by their supporting cast for their quarterback. Once again the Rams came in 30th:

This is Todd Gurley’s offense — Jared Goff is just a complementary piece. Grading the offensive line was difficult for a couple of reasons. First, you never know how much Rodger Saffold — who can be a difference-maker when healthy — is going to play. Second, the unit has three young, talented starters who have shown flashes of talent, but are still being developed. On the outside, Brian Quick was emerging as the Rams’ number one receiver two years ago before a shoulder injury nearly ended his career. Quick never looked fully healthy in 2015, but he is healthy this season, that would be a massive boost for Goff. Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin can both be effective in specific ways, but Britt has proven to be very inconsistent and Austin needs the offense to be catered to his limited skill set.

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On another front, Rams fans pining for their heroes will surely enjoy a new show on the E! Network, as noted earlier in STLtoday.

“Hollywood & Football” chronicles the lives of six Rams players and their families as they adjust to their exciting new life in Los Angeles. The six one-hour episodes will bring you inside the homes of Rams special teamers Chase Reynolds, Bradley Marquez and Cory Harkey.

You need bigger names to tune in? How about Britt, tight end Lance Kendricks and Saffold, the Domestic Injury Waiting to Happen.

Look for this show this fall, after two or three of these guys get cut or, in Saffold’s case, go on injured reserve