this is a real bummer. i think the rams are still in contention for making the playoffs but that’s it. superbowl i think is out the door. you’re not just trying to replace a hall of famer. you’re trying to replace a guy against whom all others at his position and likely even other positions will be compared. i do think it’s useless to try and debate best defensive player ever. there’s just too many variables and it’s too subjective an argument. but the fact that he’s even in that realm to have such a discussion.

how in the hell do you replace him? yeah with multiple players sure. but the odds of that in one year are nigh impossible. i’m happy for him. i certainly don’t want him walking away from the game physically and mentally a shell of himself. for that i am actually truly proud of him. it doesn’t surprise me either. i partially expected him to do something like this. he just strikes me as that type of guy. but it is a bummer from a selfish point of view.

i’ve said it before but i really like this signing. i don’t really know much about football, but he looks really aggressive on tape. and the things i’m reading about his versatility and intelligence. i don’t think he’ll be another ramsey. but he brings similar traits. and then if the rams drafted a guy like cooper dejean who also has similar traits. that’d be a helluva secondary.

Zooey wrote:

Conspiracy theory on the net: AD will come back for the stretch drive like Eric Weddle. Me: Nah. That isn’t the way the man operates. He never took a shortcut in his life.

i do hope he changes his mind before the season starts. i won’t fully believe it until maybe 2 years post-retirement. haha. call it denial i guess.

Christian Rozeboom will return to the Rams on a one year deal, according to a source. The Rams didn't want to put the $3M tender on him bc of amount, but incoming deal will include fully guaranteed money. Rozeboom had a choice to make between a couple teams but preferred to stay.

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 15, 2024

darius robinson is my choice.

he’s no aaron donald. but that would be impossible to find anyway.

well that is a huge bummer for sure.

curl was valued by pff at 14.4 million per. rams signed him for 13 for two years???

he’s from san diego. wants to win – posted about how he was sick of watching the playoffs from the sideline. looks intense on the few tweets i’ve seen. very physical.

awesome. been reading good things about him.

second highest graded safety by pff in 2022. may have had a down year in 2023?

that’s two defensive backs signed. who’s the second safety? yeast or lake? need another corner. edge defender. one more dlineman. a linebacker. running back possibly. wr possibly?

https://www.pff.com/news/why-kamren-curl-is-the-washington-commanders-most-important-defensive-player

one guy i’ve overlooked just reading over draft profiles.

edgerrin cooper from texas a&m

he’s an inside linebacker prospect, but he can rush the passer.  pff has him rated as the most valuable linebacker in college football last year.

he graded out equally as well in both the run and pass.  but the bonus is that last year texas a&m had him rush the passer.  he pressured qbs 27 times (top 10 among all college linebackers) and converted 10 (sports reference says 8) into sacks which led all linebackers in college.

him paired with jones sounds like a dream.  and maybe he stays on third downs as a pass rusher.

he’s 6’2″ 230 pounds.  he’s got 34″ arms and 9.75″ hands.  ran a 4.51 40 with a 1.54 10 yard split which was as fast as any lb or edge rusher in this draft.  34.5″ vert and 9’10” broad.

i haven’t heard anything about the rams interviewing him or anything.  he’s graded as a second round pick.  i don’t know.  but if the rams were to trade back.  or trade up.  or maybe he falls to the rams second round pick.  he fills a need at linebacker.  he potentially fills a need as a pass rusher.

been looking for developmental prospects particularly at edge.

one has caught my eye. a small school prospect who converted from safety.

jalyx hunt. here’s a link to his combine page.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jalyx-hunt/32004855-4e24-9742-b212-73017a032b03

6’4″ 252 lbs 34 3/8″ arms 10″ hands

4.64 40 1.60 10 yd split 37.5″ vertical 10’8″ broad

that’s a guy worth looking at in the 4-5 round range.

Zooey wrote:

So there are plenty of places that could stand an upgrade. The Rams didn’t get much out of the non-Aaron Donald DE spot, or the LBs outside of Jones. If they could get a disruptive DE or strongside LB, that would be great. A top-notch CB would be great. If they could hit on those 2 picks, they can do whatever they like with the remaining 9, and I’ll be happy. Well…8. Because I would like a K who can hit FGs.

i’ve been reading your posts. and i agree with what you say.

maybe they re-sign jj although i could see him going to atlanta. beyond that they’re probably done. so edge rusher will have to be in the draft. but also you’re counting on young to perhaps make improvements to his game.

so there needs are:

db (cb and maybe s depending on if jj comes back)

edge

de

ilb

rb

k

wr (for development in case kupp falls off a cliff)

maybe another db also for development purposes.

i don’t know that an edge rusher will be available at 19 who’s worth that pick so i’m leaning toward db or de. i like robinson there although some are now predicting he won’t even last that long. but if he’s off the board and the edge rushers are off the board a cb should fall to the rams.

zn wrote:

They asked about Hunter 2 years ago at 27. I noted cost and age would be a huge factor/sliding scale as well as how the markets eventually play out at that position…don’t think he was someone they seriously considered for both factors if he stays near top of market. We’ll see how other layers of FA + draft shake out and even if he dips significantly but they’ve committed to being real young (minus Aaron) on that side of ball.

i’m guessing hunter isn’t going to happen.

i do think a guy like chase young might be worth looking into.

Zooey wrote:

Or they’re talking to Hunter.

i think the rams got priced out. 30 million per? gotta think hunter gets close to that at least?

Zooey wrote:

Looks like the Rams plan to run the football. I wonder what RBs they have their eyes on.

good question. i do wonder if the rams still like evans.

in the draft tyrone tracy jr sounds intriguing. athletically he’s off the charts. but he’ll turn 25 this year so he could drop.