State of the Rams post

One poster’s view.
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RockRam

Using the condensed version of each game as the only way I’ve wanted to watch the Rams this year, and paying attention to what you all have been saying, and listening to some pretty decent football guys, here’s what I think we know and what we can do if there is any hope of this team being anything but mediocre.

We know they have a good defense, but it is hardly without flaws. They are still vulnerable to big plays running and passing and this falls in two main areas: the secondary and MLB. The main secondary culprit is Janoris Jenkins who is talented, but takes too many risks and allows as many miscues as big D plays. Laurenitis has not played well. He doesn’t stuff the middle. He really plays better at this point on the outside. Ogletree is maddeningly inconsistent; but he’s only a 2nd year player.

We need to start Gaines and Tru on the outside, and use Joyner as the nickle, and keep Jenkins for depth, and do NOT give him another contract.
JL needs to be replaced with a big hitter in the middle.

QB is a need. Bradford’s limited mobility is likely to be even less, and one can only imagine his tentativeness in getting hit, given his 2 season ending ACLs. I’m not against keeping him for 2015, but no way at his current contract. It must be based on games played, performance, etc. If that can’t be worked out, move on. We need the cap space either way. No way draft a QB in the 1st round. But from 2nd round on, sure. Keep Hall under any circumstance. He is a great 2nd QB and has proved he can fill in at starter, even if he can’t be a long term starter. If they keep Bradford, Hall is insurance. If they can’t keep Bradford, he CAN be a hole-filler as short term starter. Rams have to get serious about a new QB either way. I see Bradford/Hall as the 2015 solution. No way a rookie can be seen as anything but a 2016 or beyond solution.

Interior Oline is a need. Wells can’t handle big NTs. And Davin Joseph is a shell of his former self. I don’t know if Barnes or B. Jones is the answer at center. My guess is that Jones is going to be given every opportunity to win that spot. We also need to let Joseph go. He’s strictly a RG and not very good anymore. We need a new starting OG and I suspect we’ll have to draft one. We’re fine at OT if we resign Barksdale. Problem is, he just might draw a crazy money offer in which case the Rams need to say no. I think the Rams ought to use their first round pick this year on an OT that might be better suited to OG.

We need an upgrade at the 2nd TE. Kendricks is plodding and inconsistent as a pass catcher. And while good for his size as a blocker, his 250 can’t match up with DEs. My target is George O’leary. A good enough and willing blocker and a tremendous pass catcher. Sure handed, a zone buster, great in the Red Zone.

Seattle and GB has proved something important: If you have a mobile QB who is dangerous with his feet and throws well on the run, then you don’t need a game breaking #1 WR because most big plays are on broken plays.

IF you have a relatively stationary drop back pocket passer you MUST have a game breaking #1 WR.
It’s one or the other.

Personnel moves:

1) Re-structure Bradford for 1, maybe 2 years. MUST be cap friendly and based on staying healthy. If he won’t co-operate, let him walk. The risks are just too large based on pay and salary cap.
2) Cut Wells, Joseph, and J Long. Long is only a LT, and his body simply can’t hold up. Besides, we have our new starting LT in Robinson.
3) We need a game breaking #1 WR if Fisher stays philosophically with a pure pocket passer. I have no idea how to get one.
4) We need to draft a QB with true starting potential. It’s a wasted pick to draft a camp arm like we did last year.
5) We need a quick moving thumper at MLB.
6) I like Langford at DT, but he’s being paid too much for what he does. Either restructure for less money, or release and replace with more of a run stuffing NT type. Besides, I think we’re going to see Westbrooks groomed more as a penetrating pass rush DT than a DE. So what we need is Brocker’s back-up in rotation. I see Westbrooks as Donald’s back-up, rotation guy.
7) The FA money should go for a OG/OT if there is some one out there that is worth it. Second, a very good WR (but they are seldom available).
8) Keep Brit if it can be a similar deal to the one he’s on. Even for a couple of years. But no substantial multi-year contract.

I’m puzzled with Schotenheimer. I don’t get why it’s taken so long to figure out what to do with Austin and that Bailey is probably the best Rams’ WR.
I’m also puzzled with Fisher and the notoriously slow Rams starts. The Rams simply can’t start seasons 0-4, 1-3 and expect to have a good year.

Fisher has raised this team from cellar to mediocrity. But now the challenge is to move from mediocrity to contender. I have my doubts and they’ve done nothing but grow