Rams interested in locking Foles up longterm

zn wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:

The tweet might just mean that they want to check the thinking of Foles and his agent.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking too.

And….maybe not.

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Rams want to sign Nick Foles to long-term extension

By Dan Hanzus

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000497163/article/rams-want-to-sign-nick-foles-to-longterm-extension

Nick Foles has yet to take a snap for the Rams, but the team is ready to do business with their new quarterback.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday’s edition of NFL Total Access that the Rams have made it an offseason priority to lock up Foles to a long-term deal before the start of the season. The team has reached out to Foles’ camp and the two sides have had some initial discussions, according to Rapoport.

Foles, who was acquired from the Eagles in the Sam Bradford trade this offseason, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He is due to make $1.5 million in 2015.

According to Rapoport, the Rams would like to avoid Foles playing out the final year of his deal, which they believe would put them in a financially difficult position if Foles’ performance increases his market value. The Rams would also like to avoid having to use the franchise tag.

This can be seen as wishful thinking for a team clearly looking for some stability at quarterback after two years of Sam Bradford knee injuries. Foles enjoyed a breakout season under Chip Kelly in 2013, but his 2014 performance was uneven at best before he sustained a season-ending clavicle injury.

Foles strikes us as one of the league’s starting quarterbacks with the most to prove in 2015. The Rams, surprisingly, appear willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Agamemnon wrote:

Ok, a deal with incentives then. That seems to be the new twist in Demoff’s contracts.

Could be. If so, then, there’s also a good chance that the normal market avg.s don’t apply.

Ag…like you, I was thinking/speculating/guessing that IF he gives them an “early extension discount” the numbers would be around 15 M a year avg. If however (1) he plays well enough to be considered a starting caliber qb going forward, and (2) he hits free agency without an extension, then we’re talking about the 17-19 M range.

I’m just kind of repeating what you said in different ways, but they can’t give him too much this year, so, the best bet would be to park a big cap hit in 2016, and guarantee a big part of it. That way Foles doesn’t have to worry about a scenario where he takes less for 2015, then gets hit by a a runaway grocery cart and never sees the 2016 money.

zn wrote:

Ag…like you, I was thinking/speculating/guessing that IF he gives them an “early extension discount” the numbers would be around 15 M a year avg. If however (1) he plays well enough to be considered a starting caliber qb going forward, and (2) he hits free agency without an extension, then we’re talking about the 17-19 M range.

I’m just kind of repeating what you said in different ways, but they can’t give him too much this year, so, the best bet would be to park a big cap hit in 2016, and guarantee a big part of it. That way Foles doesn’t have to worry about a scenario where he takes less for 2015, then gets hit by a a runaway grocery cart and never sees the 2016 money.

Agamemnon wrote:

As long as it is in form of a prorated bonus, they can give him a healthy check this year.

That’s true.

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Rams have begun long-term contract talks with QB Nick Foles

By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13092253/st-louis-rams-qb-nick-foles-begun-preliminary-talks-long-term-contract-extension

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Although quarterback Nick Foles hasn’t played a single snap in a regular-season game for the St. Louis Rams, the team apparently already has plans to make sure that once he does, he’ll continue to do so for a long time.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that the team has begun preliminary talks with Foles and his agent, David Dunn, on a long-term contract extension.

“We’ve had some discussions,” Fisher said. “I think what Nick has done early in his career, he has proven that he can get the job done on the field. He’s carried things on here so we are going to continue to talk and see if we can get something that’s good for both sides.”

The Rams acquired Foles via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in the opening minutes of the new league year March 10. St. Louis sent quarterback Sam Bradford to Philadelphia in exchange for Foles and draft pick compensation.

Since, Foles’ work with his new team has been limited to the offseason conditioning program and organized team activities, which are expected to end on Thursday.

For his part, Foles said that he’s felt comfortable in St. Louis almost from the moment he arrived in the city and wouldn’t mind coming to a common ground with the Rams.

“This is where I want to play,” Foles said. “As a player, you want to be somewhere you want to play the rest of your career. This is where I want to be, but that’s why we have agents. My most important thing right now is continuing to work with my teammates and continue to be the best player and person I can be.

“We’ll see what happens but I want to be here, I love Coach Fisher and the staff. I am very fortunate to be here.”

Foles is coming off an injury-plagued 2014 season in which he started eight games and threw 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, though the Eagles were 6-2 in those contests. That was considered a letdown after Foles went to the Pro Bowl on the heels of a 27-touchdown, two-interception performance in 2013.

Despite the disappointing encore in 2014 and the new start in St. Louis, Foles said he doesn’t intend to bet on himself in 2015 and push possible contract talks off while he attempts to increase his value.

“No, whatever happens with that, I’m going to be the same person no matter what it is,” Foles said. “The [money] sign is not going to change the way I play the game. I play with all my heart. It’s about my teammates and building those relationships and being a player that just helps people grow. So the money sign won’t change that. I want to be here and that’s the most important thing.”

While getting something done with Foles is on the list of the Rams’ things to do, just how pressing it is remains to be seen. There’s a bit of looking ahead that the team must do this year more so than others because they have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. As many as nine of those players project as possible starters.

With the possibility of relocation looming, the Rams could have an especially busy 2016 offseason, so they are prioritizing getting other pieces of business done sooner than later.

“We’ve already started discussions [with some players],” Fisher said. “I know they want to come back, so I feel good about it.”

Understanding both sides of Rams’ desire to sign Nick Foles

Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/19356/understanding-both-sides-of-rams-desire-to-sign-nick-foles

EARTH CITY, Mo. — When St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed Tuesday that the team is already interested in signing quarterback Nick Foles to a long-term contract despite him having never played a snap in a game for the Rams, the reactions were seemingly split down the middle.

On one side, there were many who wondered why the Rams would want to hand over big dollars to a quarterback who has so much to prove in a Rams uniform. On the other, some saw the value in signing Foles now before the season, when he could send his price tag shooting through the roof.

Personally, I can see the arguments on both sides. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some reasons why it makes sense for the Rams to sign Foles soon and some arguments why it doesn’t.

Why it makes sense:

Signing Foles now could result in the Rams getting a bargain. Let’s say the Philadelphia Eagles had tried to extend Foles before last season when Foles was coming off a 27-touchdown, two-interception performance in 2013. Foles’ price was soaring, though it was still a one-year sample size. But Foles returned, his numbers took a major hit and he suffered an injury that limited him to just eight games. It remains to be seen how Foles will fare in a Rams uniform, and though that also qualifies as a reason not to sign him, the unknown also could keep his price more reasonable. Think Andy Dalton or Alex Smith — something in the $13-17 million-a-year range rather than something closer to $20 million annually or having to use the franchise tag after the season.

The scariest proposition for any NFL team right now is simply not having a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster. The Rams have been a prime example of what below-average quarterback play can yield in the past two seasons. When they traded Sam Bradford, they made it a point to get a quarterback in return. They wanted one who can be a starter, and without Foles involved that deal never gets done. The Rams now have Foles on the roster, and he seems to want to stay with them. Getting a deal done now eliminates any anxiety the Rams might have about having to find a starter in the draft or betting their future on their ability to develop a rookie like third-round pick Sean Mannion.

The Rams have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents after the season. They also could have that small matter of a possible move to Los Angeles coming after the season. In other words, they have a lot on their plate. Getting a deal done now with Foles or any of the players they want to keep around for the long haul lessens the stress for what could be an incredibly busy offseason.

Why it doesn’t make sense:

As mentioned, Foles hasn’t played in a game for the Rams yet. He’s coming off a season in which he struggled with interceptions and injury. The Rams can’t afford to have either of those become an issue in 2015. The offense isn’t expected to be a high-powered passing attack, which means Foles’ two primary jobs are taking care of the ball and not getting hurt. The 10 interceptions in eight games in 2014 are a red flag, and with the Rams expected to have three new starters on the offensive line, Foles’ durability could be put to the test again. Signing him now only to see him struggle with either or both of those issues in 2015 could be crippling to the salary cap for a couple of years, even if they get him at a reasonable price.

Foles is making a big transition from Chip Kelly’s wide-open offense to the Rams’ more conservative approach. While it’s a change he should be able to handle, there are still a lot of unknowns on how that will go. Something as simple as taking snaps under center hasn’t really been a part of Foles’ repertoire in a long time. Now, he has to get those mechanics down and learn a new scheme with new terminology. Signing him without seeing how that translates to games is a tricky proposition.

While it’s understandable that a team would fear not having a quarterback, making a big decision and devoting big money to a player who has never played for your team based on emotion isn’t exactly a great way to do business. Fisher said Tuesday the Rams believe in Foles based on what he did in Philadelphia and what he’s showed so far in St. Louis. The Rams don’t figure to ask Foles to carry the load for the offense, which makes re-signing him, even at a so-called discount, an expensive venture

The Rams Shouldn’t Rush to Sign Nick Foles to a Long-Term Deal

Anthony Stalter

http://www.101sports.com/2015/06/23/the-rams-shouldnt-rush-to-sign-nick-foles-to-a-long-term-deal/

Rams coach Jeff Fisher recently confirmed that the Rams were interested in signing quarterback Nick Foles to a long-term contract, which begs the question: Are Fisher and the Rams being proactive or putting the cart before the horse?

Three years ago, Joe Flacco decided to bet on himself rather than signing a long-term extension with the Ravens in the 2012 offseason. After a rough first half, Flacco turned red-hot down the stretch and into the playoffs, leading Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory.

Flacco parlayed that success into a six-year, $120.6 million contract worth $52 million in guaranteed money.

If Foles doesn’t want to take a similar risk, he and his agent could “settle” for a deal in the range of $13-17 million, which is a realistic figure that ESPN’s Rams reporter Nick Wagoner has thrown out for Foles in recent weeks.

If the guaranteed money is low, then the risk is low and therefore signing Foles to a contract extension makes sense.

But, are Foles and his agent willing to accept peanuts, considering how much today’s quarterbacks are making?

It’s doubtful, and if the base salary and guarantees come anywhere close to what Chiefs QB Alex Smith signed for in 2014 (five years, $76 million with $45 million guaranteed), the risk outweighs the reward in my eyes.

Foles had a terrific 2013 season, throwing 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions. But, he played in a “quarterback-friendly” offense equipped with packaged plays that allowed him to make reads quickly and distribute the ball based on how the defense reacted pre and post-snap.

Foles is a cerebral player and there’s no doubt that he’ll pick up Frank Cignetti’s playbook in St. Louis. And it’s not like he didn’t have to read defenses and cycle through his progressions under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia.

The challenge for Foles will be playing under center after taking the majority of his snaps from shotgun in Philadelphia. It’s not the physical act of taking a snap from under center that’s the problem: It’s the timing and anticipation that’s vital for a quarterback in a pro-style offense.

Accuracy in the NFL is vital on every attempt. Don’t hit the receiver in the right spot and, at best, it’s a minimal gain or an incompletion. At worst, it’s a turnover worth six points for the opposition.

In order to be accurate, quarterbacks must perfect their footwork. This is an area at which Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers excel. They know how to time their drop steps to match their receivers’ routes and throw in rhythm so that their release point is the same on every throw. This doesn’t come naturally. The great ones have worked at the technique.

Foles is already drawing praise for his leadership and there’s no doubt that he has the size and arm strength to succeed in St. Louis, just as he did in 2013 with Philadelphia.

But just assuming Foles will make a seamless transition from Kelly’s offense to a more traditional system is a risk.

So, why pay him even average money before he’s proven he can deliver in live games?

Also, many argue the Rams should sign Foles to a deal now in case he has a great season and costs more in the offseason.

But, the guy will be quarterbacking a run-first offense. What type of numbers do you think Foles is going to put up in a Rams offense that wants to run the ball the majority of the time

Andy Dalton played in a run-first offense for the Bengals last year and threw for 19 touchdowns with 17 picks. Smith threw for 18 touchdowns and six picks with KC, while Colin Kaepernick finished with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Russell Wilson, who played in Seattle’s run-first system, put up 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

While we haven’t see the offense that Cignetti will run, it’s safe to assume, based on Fisher’s preferences and the moves the team made this offseason, the Rams are going to pound the ball on the ground.

It’s just a projection, but Foles’ ceiling is realistically 20-23 touchdowns with 10-15 interceptions. Those aren’t exactly Andrew Luck numbers.

The people suggesting the Rams pay Foles now are the same people that love to point out how Foles will have success because the Rams are going to run the ball effectively. Well, if the Rams aren’t going to require their quarterback to put the ball in the air 40 times a game, it will limit Foles’ opportunities to rack up big yardage and big touchdown totals. Thus, his asking price isn’t going to be high when he becomes a free agent.

I know the argument…”But, there won’t be better options than Foles!” Valid point, but the Rams can still make him prove his worth this season without handing him a new contract and thus blindly assuming he’ll exceed their expectations.

Again, if he’s not going to post elite quarterback numbers, why worry about having to pay him elite money at the end of the year? The Rams could always franchise him and then work on a deal that’s fair for both sides.

Don’t get it twisted: I’m excited to watch Foles this season. I loved the Sam Bradford trade when it went down and the Rams made the right decision to unburden themselves from Bradford’s contract and durability issues a year from now (regardless of how either Foles or Bradford performs in 2015).

If Foles is willing to accept a new deal for peanuts, by all means, sign him now with the risk being low.

But, when it comes to signing him for even average QB money, I’d rather the Rams risk having to pay Foles a little more a year from now if it means knowing that he can succeed in their system.

I’ll take that over regretting a long-term commitment if the production never comes.

zn wrote:

There’s always going to be new things you’re going to learn,” Foles said. “Each play based on front and coverage — it can change.

Here;s a question answered. Do they still rely heavily on sight adjustments? Yes. Or so it would seem.