Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
Billy_TParticipantIn reading/watching info about Kupp and his mindset, work habits, and study habits, it seems a good bet he will continue to have great years in the next few years. I do not think this year is going to be an aberration. Stafford-to-Kupp should continue to be an elite combo — as long as both remain healthy. It will be interesting to see what the Rams surround Kupp with. Can Woods rebound from the injury? OBJ? Is Higby going to be ok? I’m not a fan of Van Jefferson. w v
The only issue with Kupp is age, IMO. He’ll be 29 this upcoming season. He was an older rookie, at 24, so the number of peak years left for him isn’t on the high side. But, as you mention, given his work ethic and overall mindset, he may just be able to blow up those assumptions too.
I like Jefferson’s game a bit more than you do, but I think he needs to toughen up. As Zooey mentioned, he doesn’t really fight for contested footballs. Josh Reynolds was better at that than Jefferson. So, beyond Woods, the wide-receiver room isn’t as strong as it could be.
Before OBJ got hurt, it was looking like the best in the NFL. A healthy Kupp, Woods, OBJ, and Jefferson is likely tops.
Higbee should be fine, and if Harris puts on another twenty pounds of good weight, they should be set there, too, with Hopkins and Blanton. That becomes a strong group as well.
Billy_TParticipantHoly shit!
Pissed off Matthew Stafford 😳😳😳
That’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen a QB do, and the regular broadcast should have shown that. The player who speared Kupp should have been ejected, and the NFL should have a zero tolerance for it, at any position, at any time.
Billy_TParticipantwhen i watch aaron donald play, i imagine that’s what rams fans felt when they watched deacon jones and merlin olsen play.
Deacon, Merlin, and Gabe were the initial reasons I became a Rams fan in 1966. Interesting to compare eras.
Obviously, huge differences in size. Olsen, to me, was the best DT of his day, and the best all-time, until Donald. But he wasn’t the athlete Donald is. He was just huge (for that time), relentless, strong, and fearless, and I don’t remember him taking downs off. But at 6’5″, 275, he might be moved outside today. Deacon Jones would be moved to Edge, most likely. He was 6’5″ and 250, but that was considered big for a DE then. He was a great athlete, faster than most running backs and more than a few wide receivers. Even more intense than Olsen, more relentless, very strong, and fearless too. He scared the hell out of the opposing team.
Major difference in the way players trained back then and now, too. Most didn’t go much beyond team drills, old-school calisthenics, and pushing sleds around. Donald, of course, trains like a madman. Back then, though, they mostly just left it to their “natural” physical abilities. A few exceptions. But they weren’t the rule.
Oh, and most of them had summer jobs. If memory serves, Jones and Olsen worked at auto-dealerships off-season. They had to, with the pay they were getting. A typical starter made in the 20-40K range. Olsen played long enough to see that change a bit, but I don’t think he ever made much.
Size and training regimens were the big differences. Of course, if you time-travel and put Olsen and Jones in today’s NFL, they’d get bigger. They’d have to. I’d have to think if Jones, Olsen, or even Dickerson played today, they’d be in madman shape too, and their games would reflect that change.
Billy_TParticipantUFAs: Miller, Beckham, Williams, Michel, Corbett, Deayon, Powell, Mundt, Allen, Joseph-Day. That includes 5 or 6 starters. They can’t sign them all obviously. In fact, maybe at best just 1 or 2.
Who would you sign? I’ve seen the “just 1 or 2” elsewhere as well. I hope that’s not true.
To me, prior to his injury, OBJ** would definitely be one of them. The Rams haven’t had a receiver with his combo of speed and hands in a very long time. He battles for the ball, and makes impossible catches. Plus, he’s a legit 4.3 guy when healthy. But his injury really complicates things. It may mean if they re-sign him, he’s not ready until the playoffs. So, if it’s just one or two from that group, I’m conflicted.
The other guy at the top for me is SJD. He’s just hitting his peak years, and gives the Rams two monster run-stuffers, Robinson being the other. Gaines has played surprisingly well, but I’d actually prefer it if he were a part of the rotation, not the guy who has to play most of the snaps. So I think SJD is one of the two for me. I’m split between Corbett and OBJ after that. As much as I’d love to see Miller come back — he played at All-Pro levels for the Rams — I don’t see him signing for less than a boatload, and that likely impacts all the rest of the attempted signings.
**OBJ said he’d give the Rams a home-team discount, and if memory serves, that was before his injury. So, perhaps they can bring him back and still sign a coupla more from that group.
Billy_TParticipantGood rundown, Zooey.
Their first pick is a 3rd round comp for the Brad Holmes signing, I think. As far as I know, additional comps haven’t been awarded yet. Tried to duckduckgo for answers, and it’s basically an absence of evidence kinda thing. Some sites project a 4th, and two 6th rounders for the Rams. The 3rd for Holmes I’m pretty sure is already designated for them.
Brandon Powell’s the punt returner. They should re-sign him. I’d like to see Jake Funk return kickoffs, though. He has quicks and speed and guts. Good hands, too.
“Ironhands Skowronek.” That’s pretty good.
;>)
He’s got the size to win contested catches. But appears to lack the hands. Agree about Jefferson. He needs to beef up and get more aggressive. The former Ram, that great British painter of yesteryear, Joshua Reynolds, was much more physical.
Billy_TParticipantFrom a strictly cap point of view, Whit’s retiring would help a great deal. I think it takes 16 million off the books. They should be able to find a young replacement for less than half that. Not sure if they can afford Noteboom, though. I have no idea what his “market value” is . . . and we also don’t really know if he can translate his solid spot play to 17 games and beyond.
Is there anyone ready beyond Noteboom? They likely need to look elsewhere for FAs . . . plus, the general rule of thumb is that you won’t find quality LTs after the 2nd round — with rare exceptions. Some would say you don’t after the 1st round. Guards and centers tend to be a different story. I think they’ll probably use their 3rd on that position group.
My all-too-early draft targets (need based): guards, centers, inside backers, safeties, tight ends. I’d like to see them find a seriously speedy running back, too. Henderson has good speed, but not “elite.” If they keep Callais, he does as well, but he can’t seem to stay on the field.
Also, if they can’t re-sign OBJ (plus, injury concerns), they’ll need another speedy receiver with decent size. That’s not Tutu, though McVay is likely to integrate him into the offense a lot more in 2022. I’d love to see that rare combo of a 50/50 jump ball guy, who can stretch the field. Aside from OBJ, he’s not currently on the roster.
etc.
Billy_TParticipantRochell is a freakish athlete with good size for a corner. Just shy of 6′ and nearly 200 pounds. I think he’s a potential upgrade over Williams, faster, quicker, more explosive. Surprising that he lasted until the 4th. Likely was seen as a bit of a “project,” etc. If any team can speed up that timetable, it’s the Rams.
Going into 2022, I think the starting four DBs might be better than this past season. Feeling comfortable with Ramsey, Rochell, Fuller, and Scott, and Long seems to be much improved. Solid 5th DB. Rapp is decent, but not great. After that, though, I’m not so sure.
They’re gonna need to work some late round magic again, and find some bargains in FA. But, overall, that seems to be a solid position room.
February 19, 2022 at 9:33 am in reply to: annual coaches leave, coaches replaced thread…2022 #136720Billy_TParticipantA coupla things I’d like to see the Rams do far more often:
Promote existing staff, rather than going for external hires. Promote and hire more minority staff.
Obviously, if they think they can find better coaches outside the organization than exist within it, they should go that route. But, given how many Rams coaches keep getting poached by other teams, it seems obvious they have a lot of talented folks on hand already.
I like that McVay has already built up a “coaching tree.” It’s actually kinda surreal for someone so young. But I’d rather see more coaches stay with the Rams, especially minorities.
Billy_TParticipantAaron Donald says he’ll return if Rams re-sign Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller
This should be taken with a grain of salt, given the context and Donald’s celebratory mode . . . but I don’t like the sound of it. I’m betting there is no way the Rams can afford Miller. OBJ is another story, especially after his injury. He’s likely not gonna be ready until the playoffs, so his salary will take a hit. But Miller is going to want to cash in.
If the Rams do sign Miller, I don’t see how they retain guys like SJD. IMO, he’s more important to the Rams future than Miller. Yes, the latter played great football for the Rams, and it would be excellent if he returns. But not if he wants a huge contract — not at 33.
Billy_TParticipantThat’s one of the most admirable things I’ve ever seen from a QB on the field. IMO, the NFL needs to establish a zero tolerance policy for spearing, by any player, against any other player. Accidents, obviously, are another matter entirely. But if it’s on purpose, they need to be ejected. Second offense, out for the year. Third, out of the NFL.
February 16, 2022 at 1:39 pm in reply to: highlights, break downs, etc … superbowl … updated w/ Baldinger #136446Billy_TParticipant<p dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>Holding penalty on Logan Wilson against Cooper Kupp. Wilson’s right hand is grabbing Kupp’s jersey, which is clear, and he appears to use it to leverage himself into position to make the pass breakup. pic.twitter.com/L8MeVUv2j1 — 𝕋𝕠𝕞 (@TL_LARams) February 14, 2022</p>
<script async=”” src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
As mentioned in the other thread — I think it was. I confuse them these days — to me, it isn’t the grabbing. It’s Wilson basically tried to go through him to get to the ball. He got there before the ball was thrown.
And I know it’s extremely difficult for DBs in most cases. The best do next to the impossible. But you can’t go through the receiver before the ball gets there. That’s should be a PI call.
Billy_TParticipant2. Will McVay leave?
- I doubt he does. But if he does. Who ends up as the Head Coach? Raheem Morris? Brian Flores? wv ram? zn? someone else?
- What kind of offense would we run?
- What kind of defense would we run?
?
=========== I have not decided whether I am going to coach the Rams or not. I’m still ‘blessed’ and ‘living in the moment.’ I can reveal that I ‘am’ working on a new helmet design. I’m incorporating hints of anarcho-communism into the new uniforms. Still trying to work out the helmet logo. A blend of hammer, sickle and horn is in the works. w v
If it’s anarchist-communist, shouldn’t he find something from William Morris?
Just a guess: the pandemic has really altered the way people think of their jobs, and that work/life mix. I think we’re likely to see a lot more early retirements from our Rams, and most teams around the league. Brady was an aberration before the pandemic. He’s a unicorn now.
Brave New World, etc.
Billy_TParticipantI’m actually hoping Whitworth retires, for his own health, and for the cap. But if he goes, the Rams need to re-sign Noteboom, or (obviously) find an upgrade from another team. If the latter, it’s optimal to find a young FA, one in their prime, and sign them longterm.
I’m cheered to see they have A’Shawn Robinson under contract, and Gaines, so if AD decides to come back, they’re still in great shape along the line. Though I’m pounding the table for them to make it even better and re-sign SJD. To me, that foursome (in a 3/4) is tops in football, easily. They found a gem in SJD, a steal in Gaines, and perhaps the best run-stopper in football in Robinson.
Miller isn’t gonna come back, but they’ll be fine. Lewis should be better, Hollins is good, and they have Floyd. Find another edge in the draft, and they have a first rate front seven.
DBs are gonna be fine, even without Williams. I’m hoping they find a bigger corner to take his place. I’d move Nick Scott into that place, personally, and draft another safety and slot.
More thoughts on the offense later . . .
Billy_TParticipantInteresting interview with Sapp. He was quick to say Donald was a better player than he was, and that’s true. But there were a few left-handed compliments about his run defense and the quality of offensive linemen . . . unless that was in jest. Sapp does have a good sense of humor, so, probably was. Of course, AD doesn’t just go against guards. It’s tackles, centers, TEs, running backs too, etc.
He also made me think of the longevity thing. Olsen made the Pro Bowl 14 times. No other DT has done that. Maybe I was too quick to switch the crown from Merlin to AD the other day.
So, what do you guys think about the possibility of McVay retiring?
Billy_TParticipantAgree with all of that, Zooey.
And, WV, good points. But I’m wondering if Kupp maybe did get injured and they’re just not talking about it. He took a lot of shots to the head this year, and another big one in the Super Bowl.
That scares the hell out of me too.
Watched an NFL Network interview of AD, Kupp, and Stafford, together. They seemed (understandably) wiped out. Happy, but just beyond tired. Or, maybe I misread their being way cool and relaxed with being wiped out. Not sure. Anyway, it was kind of a funny interview, contrasting their demeanor there with their actions on the field. The interviewers had a little trouble getting them to talk. Those three guys are kinda humble.
With a very few exceptions, this Rams team isn’t exactly “Hollywood.”
Billy_TParticipantRe-watching that critical 4th down run by Kupp. Anyone else have their heart jump out of their body?
That was an amazing cut, and without it, he was down for a loss of yardage, and Cincy gets the ball back. Game is likely over.
Gutsy call. Great run. Strangely enough, great blocking everywhere else, but right there in front of Kupp. I’m assuming that was by design.
Right now, I think it’s clear: Kupp is the best wideout in football; AD the best defensive player; Ramsey the best corner; McVay top three coach. I still don’t know where to place Stafford, but his playoff run gets him into the conversation for at least top five.
Billy_TParticipantRelated sidebar on the D and Aaron Donald: Spent some time watching some of the sports talkers today, and they were arguing about who was the best defensive player all-time, and a bit about the “most feared.” It ticked me off that no one mentioned Deacon Jones. It was just AD against Lawrence Taylor, with Steve Smith giving the nod to the latter cuz Belichek said he was the greatest.
Other guests supported AD, but no one mentioned the Deacon. He was bigger, faster, stronger, and meaner than JT, and had more sacks. To me, he definitely wins “most feared” and GOAT.
Billy_TParticipantIt’s just memory, so I won’t plant a flag in the ground there. But I remember thinking the 1999 Rams were unstoppable on offense, and pretty good on D as well. They were #6 in the league, I believe. But, they didn’t live up to that dominance in the playoffs, and barely made it through.
The Rams this season had stretches of dominance, especially early on, but I think the pundits wrote them off at several points a long the way. They seem to have played better in the playoffs than in the regular season, if we adjust for levels of competition.
IMO, the best Rams team in recent times was the 2001 Rams. They were better on both sides of the ball than the 1999 version. But they couldn’t get it done in the Super Bowl, and, if memory serves, weren’t awesome in the playoffs before that, either.
Strange, too, the way memory works. Cuz I think several Rams teams in the late 1960s, thru the 1980s, were even more dominant, especially on D, than this year’s squad, but they were One and Done in the playoffs all too frequently. Used to break this once young fan’s heart.
Billy_TParticipantWV,
I’m seeing some media pundits this morning highlight the Pass Interference call on the Bengals, while ignoring the face-mask that led to the Cincy TD. I may be alone on this, but the replays of the one that was called look like the defender did get there too soon. If it had just been the “hold” before that, I would have said it’s a ticky-tack call, but I think the defender also bumped the receiver enough before he swatted down the pass to make a difference. So, again, it wasn’t the grabbing early on, IMO, but the significant bump right before he swats down the pass. Regardless, it was a tough call.
In general, though, the thing I think the NFL really needs to get right is calling the helmet to helmet stuff. That’s just deadly, and it needs to stop.
Are receivers now the most likely targets? It seemed like it used to be running backs. But Kupp, for instance, gets hit in the head a lot, and the non-call against OBJ a coupla weeks back looked really, really ugly.
If it were up to me, I’d throw the flag, give the player ONE warning. A second time, in that game or any other, he’s out of there. A third time, and he’s done for the season.
Billy_TParticipantDid anyone else have the feeling that this was not Akers’ day, and the Rams needed to play Henderson and Michel instead? I was yelling at the screen to take him out. Have the feeling that his long battle with his injury, and his miraculous comeback, caught up to him. He just didn’t seem to have any juice left. Gutsy, gutsy guy. But he looked off.
Of course, the Bengals were shutting down the run in general, like the Niners, but I think Henderson and Michel gave the Rams a better chance.
Billy_TParticipantI can’t remember the exact game. But early in his career, AD tackled the running back on a play-action fake, and then tackled the QB who kept the ball. At the time, I was laughing and yelling at the screen that he just did the impossible. And if memory serves, the Rams had Quinn at the time who was breaking the laws of physics too. I seriously wanted to see those two stay with the Rams forever.
Any word on OBJ’s injury?
Billy_TParticipantOh, and Kupp. He took the team on his back, just like AD and Stafford. Unworldly player.
Billy_TParticipantObviously, I’m too close to the game to be objective. So, I wonder how football fans who weren’t fans of either team saw it.
My guess is they loved it — as a great football game. As a Rams fan since 1966, however, it was too close for comfort for me.
;>)
But it had a host of great moments, with a lot of surprises. Loved seeing Hopkins step up, for instance, and I think the Rams have something there. Jones, at linebacker: They don’t have to search for that position any more. Stafford improved throughout the playoffs, but made that one goof. He’s still the guy who can bring them back to another one next year, and there is no tougher QB.
A great win, and a lot of fun to watch. I really hope AD comes back!
Anyway, congrats to them and to all of us!!
Billy_TParticipantI’m not posting as much these days, do didn’t realize he had been missing. I second the hopes of him being in good health.
Billy_TParticipantInteresting idea, WV.
Never thought of that. He may want to reappear just for a playoff run.
In the NBA, some of the older stars do that, but without leaving the team. They borrowed a term from baseball, “pitch count,” and apply that to their elder statesmen. But I don’t recall the NFL having any such “program” for their stars. So it would have to be a weddle bit like the Rams situation at DB.
Of course, if they had drafted at the freakin position in recent years, perhaps they wouldn’t need to sweat the future.
:>)
Billy_TParticipantFrom this list:
- WR Odell Beckham Jr.
- C Brian Allen
- RG Austin Corbett
- OLB Von Miller
- CB Darious Williams
- S Eric Weddle
I think they can most easily afford to let the last two go. Weddle will most likely re-retire anyway.
Rochell and Ramsey will make for a very strong duo, with good size, and more athleticism than the Ramsey/Williams pairing.
But, unless they know they can upgrade their O-line from outside the team, they better work hard to bring back Allen, Corbett, and Noteboom. Still draft for those spots. But I don’t think they can keep letting guys leave.
If they win Sunday, especially, they’re gonna be a prime destination for a lot of other players, including those perhaps thought of as over-the-hill. The Rams scouts and staff have a pretty good record of hitting on that type . . .
. . . A topic that isn’t getting as much attention as it should: they keep losing coaches and staff, too. How long before that takes its toll?
Man, I worry too much!
;>)
Billy_TParticipantThe suggestion of trading Van Jefferson wasn’t because of cap issues. He’s likely on a very team-friendly contract for two more years. It was the potential of needed draft picks, and the crowded nature of the wide receiver room, if they bring back both OBJ and Woods.
I’m betting they wouldn’t do as I suggest, and that Woods may actually be the guy they let go, if OBJ stays. Though it’s probably most likely they can’t re-sign the latter, unfortunately.
Too early prediction for that room next season: Kupp, Woods, Jefferson, Skowronek, and Tutu — plus rookie, if they keep six.
(I have no real idea where they’ll put Harris. Depends on his recovery, success at adding weight, blocking, etc.)
Billy_TParticipantI read somewhere that the Rams have $39 million in dead money coming off the books next year for Goff, Gurley, & 3 other guys. I don’t remember who. So OBJ and Miller can probably fit – if that’s what everybody actually wants to do.
I think you’re correct, Zooey. But I thought they were in cap hell even given the fall-off of dead money. Who was it from the old site, Firecap? Wasn’t he the guy who really had a handle on all of that?
Anyway, if I had to choose between just the two guys, I’d re-sign OBJ. Would love to have them both. But if it’s a choice, I take the wideout. Miller will be 33. He’s played really good football, but he’s on the downside of his career, and I think OBJ has several strong years ahead of him.
Woods is one of my favorite Rams, and I don’t want to see him go, so if they have to make room, I’d trade Van. He also might be the guy other teams seek, given his age. Woods and OBJ will be 30, I think. Apparently, in recent years, that age seems to be a downturn year for receivers in the current incarnation of the NFL. Don’t know why, exactly, but one of several Rams bloggers came up with some Next Gen stuff and found a big fall-off for receivers starting around that age. I get that stuff from the Apple News aggregate when I doom scroll.
;>)
Really want them to prioritize SJD and OBJ. Hope I’m wrong about the other stuff, about the cap being so tight, but if it is, I really want the Rams to have a rotation next year of Gaines, SJD, Donald, Brown, Hoecht, plus rookie. In the wideout room, Kupp, OBJ, Woods, Skowronek, Tutu, or rookie. That’s an amazing receiver room. About the only thing it lacks is a tree who’s really fast. A Metcalf kind of guy.
Anyway, as mentioned, looking forward to the splurge on Sunday. May just break the bank, for food and beverages. Get exotic with both, perhaps. Leave it all on the field, to the degree we fans can.
Hope all is well.
Billy_TParticipantWhen the Rams built around a handful of A+ stars (Donald, Ramsey, Stafford, Kupp, Whitworth) it was legit to ask if that was enough. The answer was simple–if they could stock the team with decent to good players around the stars and do it cheaply, the fact that they dedicated a huge proportion of their cap to a handful of players is completely justifiable. And, it’s what happened. Next year for example it looks like the Rams starting safeties will be Fuller and Scott, and that will be about as good a tandem as they’ve had for years. It cost them 1 6th round and 1 7th round pick.
I agree with all of that. I like the Scott/Fuller tandem too. A lot. Excellent picks.
But I’m worried that cap issues will cull the talent once again. Can the Rams afford to re-sign SJD, for example? He was a gem of a pick, and has a strong combination of athleticism, size, and want-to, with the latter likely (again) at least partially the result of being next to AD, etc. Can they afford to re-sign Miller or OBJ? And the O-line? How will they make up for the loss at LT? They might not be able to re-sign Noteboom either.
Have never been a cap expert, but it doesn’t look good on those fronts. IMO, that’s due to being far too quick to extend Goff, Gurley, and a few others, before they had to. And that kind of thing doesn’t just hurt them in retaining their front tier guys. It hurts depth.
Anyway, I’m being too negative in a Super Bowl week. Gotta enjoy this now and worry about next season — next season. This week is for splurging, celebration, once in a blue moon stuff.
Billy_TParticipant“I don’t know if people who can’t (do it) stick out (so much as) they’re gonna *melt*” Probly dont wanna put a sign that says ‘that’ on a wall. w v
What Snead says does echo a Rams thing. What do they look for when drafting players? Smarts is one. And another is just plain love of the game. (That’s not all but those 2 are big.) You know what the Rams 3 all-time worst high offensive line draft picks have in common? Questionable love of the game. Barron, Smith, Robinson.
Barron, Smith, and Robinson had other things in common. They were, for the line, exceptional athletes. Off the charts, elite. Though Robinson, unlike Barron and Smith, also had crazy size. They all had the physical foundation for perennial dominance.
My first (amateur GM) instinct is to go for great athletes above all other traits, and I think “athleticism” is the most easily measured, known, observable. So-called intangibles are far, far tougher for scouts and staff to see, and usually all too subjectively assessed. They’re often hidden during the draft process, or in those salad days, and may only come to the fore later. Who knows why? For instance, I highly doubt the Rams knew what they were getting in Aaron Donald along those lines, but they knew he was freakish, athletically. He’s a generational player primarily because he merges fanatical drive, discipline, and hunger with that freakish athleticism, and that combo just doesn’t happen very often. Deacon Jones is another case in point, though team after team passed him over in the draft, if memory serves. He made the scouts look seriously stupid pretty quickly.
To make a long story shorter, what the Rams have is at least two special players with freakish athleticism and fanatical love of the game: Donald and Ramsey. They have another with lesser athleticism but the same kinds of intangibles: Kupp. Having those players creates more of the same. Sparks unhidden “intangibles” in other players that even the scouts and staff never knew were there — primarily cuz the players didn’t know they had it in them, either.
Gaines seems to be benefiting tremendously from that snow-ball effect. There are obviously many others.
So, if I’m the GM/coach/staff, I keep trying to find great athletes who other teams may think are just not living up to their abilities, get them in the room with an expanding bunch of ADs, Kupps, and Ramseys, and hope the light goes on. Well, I do more than just hope. I work as hard as I can to extend and elevate that environment, from the bottom up. I also try for the guys I know already love the game but may not have elite athleticism, and train ’em up to the degree possible.
Coach up, train up, psych up, etc. Love of the game, want-to off the charts, discipline the mind and body, and we’re all in this together, etc.
-
AuthorPosts
