Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › The FO's gambles this year
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August 25, 2014 at 4:27 pm #5070rflParticipant
I intend this post as an exercise in taking stock. I am not here to judge Snead and Fisher. In a number of the items listed below, I would have likely done the same. And it’s probably true that all teams take significant gambles each year.
The point is, however, that as we look at this year, our prospects hinge on how well the gambles pay off. I mean, DL is not a gamble, although you could argue that taking A D was a gamble in comparison to needs elsewhere. By contrast, we went into training camp taking several significant gambles. Some might call them long shots.
1) Sam
OK, not much new to say here. I will say that they covered their bet on Sam better this year than they did last. But the big gamble that Sam would stay healthy has already crapped out. I can’t see how this doesn’t cost us a couple of games. Note: I was with them on this gamble all the way. We lost.
2) WRs
The FO gambled that Britt plus 1 or 2 emerging youngsters would get our passing game clicking. Frankly, I figured they were daft. I expected nothing from any of these guys except Stedman and, perhaps, Britt. I was wrong. I believe that the 3 year gamble on Quick is now paying off. Stedman will come back ready to go and Britt always was a productive talent, if he could stay healthy and on track. I am liking what I see at WR more than I have since Ike went to SF.
3) DBs.
The gamble is that talented youth can get the job done. Now, this one is still up in the air. There are significant concerns with these guys. BUT … I actually like what I am seeing and think that these guys will develop. I am slightly optimistic on this one.
4) OL.
This is perhaps the biggest of red flags. It could be a looming disaster. Consider:
– Saffold and Long and Wells are all fragile and prone to injury.
– Long is suspect pass blocking and still recovering–badly–from injury.
– G Rob is extremely raw at pass blocking, though I think he will eventually be fine. Right now, though, he isn’t an option.
– Saffold could go to LOT … if he could stay healthy.
– With one exception, the backups suck.The exception, of course, is D Joseph. This was IMO a very good move on our part, getting some classy vet depth. Trouble is, there’s only 1 of him. With Saffold and Long questionable at best in terms of health and no one behind Wells, we are very, very close to offensive collapse.
Best case scenario, IMO? Saffold stays healthy and plays LOT: Saffold, G Rob, Wells, D Joe, Joe B. And pray your head off that no one gets hurt. Which of course is not going to happen.
Otherwise, we have a profoundly leaky OL trying to block for a 39 year old QB with no one behind him. I find this scenario terrifying … especially when you think of SEA and SF.
You know, I would rather see us pick up a viable vet LOT than a viable vet QB. Otherwise, we gonna do nothing this year, and both Hill and Davis gonna get killed.
The Rams’ bet on making do with the OL they had plus Joseph is likely to blow up our season. It’s already cost us Sam, Long ain’t ready, and Saffold can’t get through 2 series. A bad, bad bet.
By virtue of the absurd ...
August 25, 2014 at 6:33 pm #5077znModeratorI think that was a pretty fair run-down.
I am maybe less worried about the OL because I keep thinking these coaches put less talent out there and come through with it. For example in the oft-mentioned (by me) 2nd half of 2012, SJ was getting 4.3 a carry, Bradford had a 5.4% sack percentage (which is pretty good), and they took it to SF twice and Seattle on the road and came out 1-1-1. That OL was Saffold Turner Wells Wms/Smith Richardson. Since that time 1 of those guys left and got benched (Turner) and another is out of football (Richardson).
So when they have to line the OL up for real and attack around a gameplan, these coaches seem to get the most out of their line.
I also think there’s more to guys like Washington and Bond then maybe you do. I don’t think they look that good all lined up as a unit of 2s, but I do think that 1 of them or another patched in with the 1s can hold up.
August 25, 2014 at 6:36 pm #5079MackeyserModeratorNot to nitpick, but Shaun Hill is 34. He was born January 9, 1980.
Big difference between 34 and 39… ask any 39 year old…LOL.
Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.
August 25, 2014 at 6:41 pm #5083rflParticipantNot to nitpick, but Shaun Hill is 34. He was born January 9, 1980.
Big difference between 34 and 39… ask any 39 year old…LOL.
Ah, that’s better. I must have misread.
Born in ’80 … and on the downside of the career.
Man does that make me feel old!
By virtue of the absurd ...
August 26, 2014 at 1:18 pm #5215HerzogParticipantLong worries me the most. How long (no pun intended) before he gets Hill killed as well.
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