Gary Klein (latimes.com): Rams mailbag

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  • September 10, 2016 at 4:24 pm #52590
    Avatar photozn
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    Rams mailbag: Why Akeem Ayers is gone and Brian Quick is here

    Gary Klein

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-mailbag-20160910-snap-htmlstory.html

    It’s been eight months in the making, and now we’re finally on the eve of the season opener.

    The Rams play the San Francisco 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”

    The game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is one of five road games for the Rams in the first seven weeks.

    Now, on to your questions. Keep them coming at @latimesklein or gary.klein@latimes.com.

    @LATimesklein who replaces Ayers as the SLB?
    1:35 PM – 5 Sep 2016

    I received numerous questions about Akeem Ayers, so this will serve as the clearinghouse.

    Let’s start by saying that Ayers’ release is another reminder that the NFL is a business.

    This is a player who grew up in Los Angeles, attended UCLA and appeared to be active in the community. He was about the closest thing to a hometown hero the Rams had on their roster.

    Why did the Rams terminate Ayers contract?

    He did not perform as well as expected during the exhibition season.
    He was due to earn more than $2.5 million.
    The Rams like their young players and will play with five defensive backs most of the time anyway.
    All of the above.
    The answer is d.

    Jeff Fisher had intimated that Ayers’ return was a possibility, but Ayers signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

    Undrafted free agent Cory Littleton is among the linebackers who apparently gave defensive coordinator Gregg Williams confidence that the Rams could get by without Ayers.

    @LATimesklein 3 Safeties on the roster…Could Donte Whitner be signing with the Rams?
    1:14 PM – 5 Sep 2016

    Former Cleveland Browns safety Donte Whitner has been on the minds of Rams fans for months.

    He remains there because the Rams’ 53-man roster includes safeties T.J. McDonald, Maurice Alexander and Cody Davis.

    The Rams had contact with Whitner months ago, but the veteran’s price was apparently too high. The Rams moved, on figuring the cost would come down once Whitner saw the market.

    Apparently, there isn’t much of one.

    Whitner reportedly worked out for the Carolina Panthers, but he remains unsigned.

    At 31, he would be tied for the oldest player on a Rams roster.

    How the heck did quick make this team? Titans cut a lot of “full of promise” players …
    — Irv H., Toronto

    Receiver Brian Quick is one of seven receivers who made the roster.

    But there is plenty of intrigue.

    Was he helped by the fact that draft pick Pharoh Cooper is sidelined because of a shoulder injury? Did a knee injury suffered by undrafted free agent Nelson Spruce put Quick over the hump?

    Quick signed a one-year “prove it” contract before the season, and it looks like the Rams are going to give him a chance to do that.

    BlueBlood_Rams @Blueblood_Rams
    @LATimesklein Philly question but is a measuring stick 4 Rams. Have Eagles prioritized Wentz development over a winning season (unlike Rams)

    The Rams chose to select Jared Goff over Carson Wentz with the top pick in the draft.

    Wentz will start for the Eagles, while Goff will be inactive for the opener.

    Not sure anyone would have predicted that scenario on draft day.

    The Eagles brought in Chase Daniel as a high-priced backup for Sam Bradford. But when Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, Wentz was tabbed as the starter, despite playing in only one exhibition.

    Development is part of the equation, but management execs think they can win with Wentz.

    Tom Bateman @TJBateman45
    @LATimesklein …what is the status of OL Garrett Reynolds? Is he out for the season or is he expected to return?
    7:54 PM – 5 Sep 2016

    The Rams put Garrett Reynolds on the injured list when they trimmed the roster to 53 players but terminated his contract with an injury settlement Friday.

    Reynolds, however, could return.

    ReddingRam @ReddingRam
    @LATimesklein With Cam Thomas coming back … who is he going to replace?
    4:06 PM – 5 Sep 2016

    The Rams released defensive lineman Cam Thomas when they trimmed the roster to 53 players.

    Thomas was re-signed a few days later and will provide depth for a position group that is regarded as the Rams’ strength.

    September 10, 2016 at 4:30 pm #52591
    Avatar photozn
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    See that’s what you need the LA Times for.

    Not one of us ordinary “well-informed fan” types could have answered those questions with the same depth of insight.

    .

    September 10, 2016 at 4:45 pm #52595
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
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    quick is gone. as soon as spruce and cooper are healthy.

    and does this mean littleton is the third linebacker? just assumed it’d be forrest.

    September 10, 2016 at 4:47 pm #52596
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    InvaderRam wrote:

    quick is gone. as soon as spruce and cooper are healthy.

    and does this mean littleton is the third linebacker? just assumed it’d be forrest.

    I assume it’s Forrest too, though it could be both in different packages.

    If Klein is right and it’s Littleton without Forrest showing up much, then, I will have to take back my snarky dig at him. (ie. Klein).

    …

    September 10, 2016 at 5:53 pm #52599
    sdram
    Participant

    Leaves something to be desired – maybe he was nervous in a deadpan transactional listing type of way.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by sdram.
    September 10, 2016 at 11:11 pm #52610
    Avatar photoZooey
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    zn wrote:

    The Rams chose to select Jared Goff over Carson Wentz with the top pick in the draft.

    Wentz will start for the Eagles, while Goff will be inactive for the opener.

    Not sure anyone would have predicted that scenario on draft day.

    The Eagles brought in Chase Daniel as a high-priced backup for Sam Bradford. But when Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, Wentz was tabbed as the starter, despite playing in only one exhibition.

    Development is part of the equation, but management execs think they can win with Wentz.

    I am surprised that everybody just seems to assume (and Klein doesn’t assume this, btw, but I’m jumping off this response) that Goff being inactive and Wentz starting is evidence that the Rams made a bad decision of some kind.

    Why isn’t anyone arguing that the Rams are the wise ones, and the Eagles are looking bad here? I mean…Wentz played part of ONE preseason game, and he’s the starter? I think an argument can be made the Rams are the team who is doing it right, and the Eagles are screwing it up.

    September 10, 2016 at 11:47 pm #52611
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    Zooey wrote:

    I think an argument can be made the Rams are the team who is doing it right, and the Eagles are screwing it up.

    Depends though. If Phil. is willing to take the hits on losses, then, they are giving their qb live action reps. The difference is, Phil can handle the losses because they’re rebuilding with a new head coach. Rams are in win-now mode. So it can be argued that each is doing the right thing given their different circumstances.

    Though, Phil didn’t plan that. They didn’t plan on making this a rookie sacrifice season. They were initially going to play the veteran qb. Bridgewater changed that.

    September 11, 2016 at 11:42 am #52623
    Avatar photoZooey
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    zn wrote:
    Zooey wrote:

    I think an argument can be made the Rams are the team who is doing it right, and the Eagles are screwing it up.

    Depends though. If Phil. is willing to take the hits on losses, then, they are giving their qb live action reps. The difference is, Phil can handle the losses because they’re rebuilding with a new head coach. Rams are in win-now mode. So it can be argued that each is doing the right thing given their different circumstances.

    Though, Phil didn’t plan that. They didn’t plan on making this a rookie sacrifice season. They were initially going to play the veteran qb. Bridgewater changed that.

    Yeah, sure, that would be the argument. But it leaves out the risk of Wentz getting mauled. I’m sure David Carr was confident. Where is he now? Honestly, how can the guy possibly be ready? So that’s part of the gamble Philadelphia is taking here.

    There is no equivalent risk the Rams are taking. They are taking a conservative, long-term approach.

    But the talking heads are taking that as evidence that Goff isn’t any good, that drafting him was a mistake, that the Rams gave up too much for him. That is just 24-hour news cycle BS, and all I’m saying is that I am surprised nobody has pointed that out. Considering how having a loud screaming match seems to be the staple food of television analysis, why hasn’t anyone come up with that argument to bring to table?

    September 11, 2016 at 11:57 am #52625
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    yeah. no need to be worried at this point.

    now that’s not to say that i didn’t want him to start week 1. to be honest i was disappointed. but i’ve also seen enough to still think that goff can be the starter down the line.

    against minn with the first string oline he was impressive that first drive. but it was also apparent that he left himself exposed to some pretty enormous hits later in the game. at this point i worry that he could get himself knocked out of a game. or worse the season. wait until he’s more comfortable with the offense so he isn’t putting himself in positions where he could get seriously hurt.

    September 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm #52632
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    Zooey wrote:

    But the talking heads are taking that as evidence that Goff isn’t any good, that drafting him was a mistake, that the Rams gave up too much for him. That is just 24-hour news cycle BS, and all I’m saying is that I am surprised nobody has pointed that out.

    InvaderRam wrote:

    to be honest i was disappointed. but i’ve also seen enough to still think that goff can be the starter down the line.

    I agree with all that. The Goff is a bust routine is tiring.

    I also agree that to me anyway, JG showed very positive flashes. He made some throws in the preseason I don’t think any previous Rams qb could make or attempt, and I am counting the good ones.

    September 11, 2016 at 12:57 pm #52635
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    for what it’s worth. tony gonzalez on cbs criticized the eagles for their decision to start wentz. says it will be a disaster.

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