you just know. now that he’s left the rams. bradford is finally going to have that breakout season everyone has anticipated for years.

zn wrote:

My counter-opinion: I don’t think Robinson is a bust and I don’t think their drafting this year is bust drafting. I think that’s a pretty negative view from early in the process. They drafted well with Brown and Rhaney, who are getting praise, and Jones is slowly rising to the challenge. I don’t see why Robinson won’t come around…I think whatever malaise he was in for one pre-season game is just not a “reveal” on who he is. Not if you look into him and his background and what he’s like.

No line is going to look good at first when they’re fielding 2 rookies, 2 2nd year guys only one of whom has played even a little before, and an inexperienced 3rd year center.

But they can develop together, which is IMO precisely what will happen. And if Hav isn’t ready they play Reynolds.

In terms of free agency, as I said, as I see it they could spend money on a free agent OL or on extending Foles, not both.

This of course is just another guy’s view of it.

from what i’ve read about robinson. he was academic honor roll sec. seems to be hard worker. boudreau has been very positive about him and his ability. i’d be surprised if he was a bust. havenstein? it’s just too early at this point.

having said that. i’m really worried about this offensive line. this season already sounds like a disaster. i’m gonna have to see something more before i believe otherwise.

rgiii is very immature right now. i don’t know that he can’t develop into a leader though.

my main concern with him is actually health. and then after that, is his leadership ability.

those two are the future of this team. unbelievable talents. i wonder if they can be leaders too.

great news. i really do think gurley will be to this offense what steven jackson was the first year of fisher’s tenure.

he’ll be that physical presence this team lacks. that offense was completely different with a steven jackson running the ball. maybe not this year. but eventually he will be. he’s gonna take a lot of pressure off his teammates.

well it would seem that penalties would not be such a big deal. or at least would not be a big deal in terms of putting wins up.

problem is those teams below the rams had effective passing games. i think the rams can overcome the penalties if they can just freaking pass the ball effectively. a healthy starting qb is a good start. gotta get the oline fixed. gotta develop a dominant running game. and hopefully that give foles enough space to be effective throwing the ball.

then penalties won’t be such a big deal.

i’ll also say this though. i saw evidence last season. particularly in the second half. that this defense can be dominant. there was a stretch where the defense was shutting every opponent down. i saw evidence that mcdonald and ogletree could become elite playmakers. the d line was completely transformed in the second half. so i think i’ve seen flashes for sure. just not this preseason.

well i think the key is that the first team did not play much. it’s just not enough of a sample size to make any kind of judgment. they could have easily dominated that first quarter, and i still don’t think it would have meant anything.

but i also think this defense has a lot to prove. last year they were very inconsistent. so ya know. until they can prove otherwise. it’s legitimate to question whether they have shown any indication that they can be a dominant defense this season.

Yup. Todd Gurley (30) with the takedown… pic.twitter.com/f44kehpwuI

— Nate Latsch (@NateLatsch) August 19, 2015

i think mcleod will be solid. i think chris and james will add a lot of veteran leadership and perspective. they know how lucky this defense is after all the years of mediocrity they’ve been through. i don’t believe they take anything for granted. jenkins i think will be motivated to get a new contract. joyner is still here as is trumaine. i think joyner especially will be rebound from a tough rookie season. a high character guy. losing gaines will hurt but they’ve got some depth there.

again. i’m fairly confident that quinn and donald can be the best at their positions. the wildcards are ogletree and mcdonald. mcdonald i am somewhat confident can come through. ogletree? i’m encouraged. those two are made for this defense. they can cover and blitz. they hit hard. they’re aggressive. instinctual. should be fun. i mean they were fun last year to watch when they were on.

the one thing we haven’t seen is gurley in this offense. that could change things. i mean if he’s really who people think he is, he should make the offensive line better. he should make the passing game better. a guy who can run, block, and catch. a guy who defenses have to account for on every snap. i like mason. not sure he’s that type of back though. if gurley can be that, this offense looks a lot different.

so robert is now the face of the franchise. i approve although donald should have something to say about that.

i think this defense goes as far as ogletree and mcdonald can take them. they’re the two wildcards to me.

at times this defense has looked like world beaters. consistency has been the problem. ogletree and mcdonald i think have been two of the biggest culprits.

i like that robinson and saffold are getting along. should help chemistry on the field. i am concerned about the weight loss. his lower body looks like nothing now. good stuff from boudreau on the rookies as well. i hope it isn’t just talk. but boudreau seems to be a straight shooter so i’m encouraged.

i’m really rooting for jones to win the job. if rhaney or barnes get the starting job to me that means there’s a real lack of talent at that position. it’ll just mean jones was just that bad.

i don’t think he’s that bad. i think a healthy jones should complete the makings of a pretty good line.

i think the important thing is that they are going up against what is very likely a top 5 defensive line. so whatever they face after this should be a little easier although this is only practice and not an actual game. this also hopefully accelerates their learning curve and doesn’t destroy their confidence.

it should also be noted that in some of the practices. at least from what i read. there were times when the rams were just calling passing plays. this would also affect the offensive line’s performance. hopefully the stories about greg robinson’s run blocking are real and mason and gurley are healthy. a strong running game will be needed this season.