Note that I had a brain cramp and kept calling Mike Thomas Mike “Williams”. Will adjust in the future.
Isiah 58

I didn’t ready anything bad about the Rams in that. I don’t even think it was inferred. He is trying to fit in with his new teammates and fans – no harm in propping up New Orleans, they have had more success since JL has been in the league than the Rams.

That said, it is odd that JL has been in for 99.7% of all the plays smack dab in the middle of the defense for the entire period. Was he suggesting HE didn’t have an expectation of success? Did HE not train as hard because he was not trying to win? No, this just seems to me to be a player in a new city showing enthusiasm for his new team.

If you listen to Snead, he has a couple of mannerisms that come out when he is interviewed. One of them is prefacing everything with “It’s interesting, . . .” But this is a good listen, and I have always like Snead and think he has done a commendable job rebuilding the team.

There are two days that we feel the sting of the trade. Today is one of them. No picks today. The other day is Day #1 next year. No pick that day either. We didn’t trade any of tomorrow’s picks in the trade and actually got two picks from the Titans for tomorrow, that mostly gets forgotten. Next year we should have all of our original picks except the first. And then the pain is gone.

Hopefully what remains is a QB that can play, and can dispel the need that the Rams need to find a quarterback for the next ten years. The value of that statement alone is worth a bushel of second and third round picks. If Goff is our QB in 2021, nobody will care who we could have picked way back in 2016 in the second and third rounds, most of whom could have left through free agency by then anyways.

That is why I agree with some of those who question the choice based on “scheme fit” or who can get into the starting line-up first. Because I am not Jeff Fisher or Les Snead, and because I plan to be a Rams fan well after they are gone, I am happy that they took the “best passer” and hopefully the best QB. And like Zack I do not agree that Jeff Fisher can be painted with such a broad brush that he is incapable of implementing a passing offense.

Goff is 21 years old. Think about how crazy that is. He has just been anointed the savior of a franchise in the second biggest market in the United States. I believe it will take time. I believe he will grow physically and intellectually and socially in the next three years. I hope the Rams take care of him, bring him along right, and take the steps needed to make sure he is the QB in 2026. Screw the pundits and the naysayers and even the fans who will cry “bust” if he doesn’t start week 1 in San Francisco. This is much bigger than that, and I think the Rams will act accordingly. Here’s hoping at least.

Isiah 58

When I saw Wentz at the Senior Bowl, I marveled at how he threw the ball. Big, strong, and his release looked plenty quick to me. I lamented that he looked so good, knowing that he would definitely not fall to 15 and that 2016 was looking like another impact QB year.

Immediately after the trade, I emailed my brother that we got Wentz. I loved the move, and the more I learned about Wentz the more sure I was that the Rams would take him. He seemed like the perfect compliment to a big, bruising offensive line and an all-world powerful running back. The perfect combo, and his football IQ was reportedly off the charts. It seemed like an easy decision to me.

When I started hearing the rumors about Goff, I scoffed initially. Maybe a better pure passer, but not suited for the Rams’ system. Maybe a better technician with the football, and 1500 college throws, but he still seemed second to what Wentz offered.

But I have done the ol’ 180 since the trade (actually, about 6 of them). I want them to take Goff. Give me the better passer and we’ll work with the rest. I’ll take the QB with the better feet and the better understanding of angles and timing over the QB with the strongest arm.

I think in my mind Goff’s age of 21 versus Wentz’ age of 23 is a small consideration. Goff will get bigger and stronger. He told Mariucci he was 220, and he still looks stringy. Like Bradford, he could very well get to 235+ in two years of growing and professional training if he wants to be.

Like NERam, having the most QB ready is not very important to me either. Give me the one who has the best long term potential. I actually think Wentz is more ready to play earlier, but Goff is the better prospect long-term (others disagree on this point). Goff has more learning to do on running an offense, but seems to have that innate ability to find receivers and put the ball in their hands with touch.

I have no negatives about Wentz – I believe he can and will be a fine QB. I do think he as more of a chance to not pan out than Goff, but that possibility exists for both. Dan McGwire was a huge strapping QB for San Diego State that was a first round pick and could throw the football through a brick wall. He never turned out to be much, even though he appeared to be physically imposing as you could ever ask for.

In the end, I think that Goff will be at a minimum NFL competent, and that gives us a chance. If he plays 10 years and becomes Matt Ryan, that is a successful pick. Injuries is the great equalizer, and we must all hope that whomever they pick he stays healthy, but in my opinion they really can’t go wrong and I will be happy with whomever the decide.
Go Rams!
Isiah 58

Come on, Zack, surely you got my post!

Remember last year it was reported by Silver I believe that the Rams didn’t move Gurley’s card to the top of the board until they were on the clock? So all the scouts thought that the Rams had Gurley as a second round pick (because of the medical) and didn’t know how high the Rams actually ranked him. They did this because they didn’t want word leaking out of how much they liked Gurley.

What if they are simply doing this again? The scouts don’t know who the Rams really like because Fisher/Snead have kept their true intentions from everyone else except a few coaches? That would explain the disparity in rumors of who the Rams are taking (and could be a shock to the people in the Rams’ draft room next Thursday night).

My Prediction? Those pundits, including JT, who are calling the Rams’ trade “desperate” will be saying the move was a “no brainer” three years from now.

Even “most best” is a relative term, right?

I mean, Sean Payton may have Goff as the “most best” QB because what Goff does best is better suited to Payton’s offensive philosophy. Whereas Wentz could be “most best” in a Bruce Arians type offense, similar to Palmer and Big Ben.

To me, the question you have to ask if you are the Rams, and be honest with your evaluations, is this: “What were we not getting with Foles and Keenum that, if we had that trait or skill, would have led to more victories?” That question, more than which one of these guys is technically the more proficient passer of the football, is critical to the Rams’ future success. But I submit to you that most of the fans/columnists/pundits/draft experts, etc., are not asking that question. They are watching YouTube highlights and trying to determine who is the best thrower, and ergo the proper choice for the Rams. Throwing is very important, but not sole determining factor that should determine this pick.
Isiah 58

zn wrote:

I’ve done a bit of reading and viewing, and I have come to a decision about the #1 pick.

I think they can’t go wrong no matter who it is.

I just think they get a somewhat different style of qb in each case. But it’s not as different as, say, choosing between Cam Newton and Tom Brady.

I have seen no convincing argument stating that either Goff or Wentz would be a BAD choice.

There’s also some things I don’t buy. I don’t buy for example that there’s a “Fisher style qb.” Nor is there such a thing as a qb who “better fits his offense.” To me a Fisher style qb is just a good qb. In terms of fitting his offense, either one can do it…they would just fit it differently. The offense will evolve to take best advantage of either qb going forward. It just will evolve somewhat differently depending on which one they pick. IMO it will work no matter which way it evolves.

If I am right and they are both worthy picks, what if one becomes more elite than the other, but they take the one that’s just good? Fine, no regrets on my part. I think when it comes to that both have qualities that might foreshadow being elite, but you don’t need elite. Just good. I base that on last year…they went 7-9 with a melted down qb and if they just got consistently decent qb play they would have won more. I think if you put either qb on last year’s team they would have been a playoff team.

To me a franchise qb is just a consistently good starter you’re not looking to replace, and I think either guy will fill the bill.

Which one do I prefer?

Right now I think…both.

…

I am generally in agreement with every point you made.

I love both of these guys. I think that many of the assumptions of the national pundits and many fans too are a little off. For example, many believe that Wentz’ small school background will require a longer learning curve versus Goff’s Pac 12 background. I think this is less a factor when talking about a QB than other positions, but I also think that the pro-style offense that NDSU ran will more than make up for the jump in competition.

Also, while I marvel at some of the throws Goff made at Cal, and truly appreciate his timing and ability to throw guys open, I also wonder if those 50/50 balls he throws will work in the NFL. That said, I think he has shown toughness and a true skill at throwing the football, even if it is in a four wide, open passing attack.

I also agree with you that there is no “Fisher QB.” That is people trying hard to label Jeff Fisher. I think either fits with the type of offense that the Rams want to run, and both can be successful.

I think the Rams are due for a little QB luck. Yeah, there was Warner, but it has been a pretty dry period since. I think that with Gurley and a young but improving O-Line, our new QB is set up for success early if they can find another target for him in the draft.

Whoever they pick, you can be sure of one thing. No one on earth, including the Mel Kipers, the Daniel Jerimias, the Todd McShays, or any other entity will have invested more time and resources into this decision than the Rams. We are talking thousands of man-hours on this decision alone. This does not in any way guaranty that they make the right choice, but anyone who immediately claims that they blew it should at least concede that their opinion is based on far less information than the Rams had when they made the choice, including running both through the same workouts, asking them both the same questions in the meeting rooms, watching and dissecting every throw both of them have ever made in competition, and determining not which guy is the best passer or the best athlete, but which QB in the Rams’s system gives the Rams the best chance for a championship in the future.

Isiah 58

wv wrote:

Isiah58 wrote:

The Rams have to deal with Russell Wilson for the next 10 years. The needed a guy that can give them a shot. Three years from now, no one will miss those picks but they will be happy if they got their guy at QB.

Well, its bold, I’ll grant you that.

I would have done things differently myself,
but strangely, and unaccountably Snead did not
consult with me.

The Russell Wilson thing, cuts both ways to me. Yeah,
it points out how important a good QB is to a team,
but then…he was drafted in the Third round. The seahawks
didnt give up a gazzilion premium picks for him.
They just chose wisely in the third round.

w
v

Would the Rams have preferred to get their QB in the third round? Absolutely. But it is like a lottery ticket, right? How many third round QBs have been picked in the last 15 years? How many have become Russell Wilson? Can it be done? Yes. Is it something that you can plan on? Probably not. Its not a perfect solution, but if they are right the cost is insignificant. If they are wrong, well, maybe those same draft picks would have been wrong too. Let’s hope they choose wisely and the QB becomes the next Big Ben or even Phillip Rivers.

I think that they should and will trade up. And I am in favor of it.

A QB is worth 5 of any other position. Draft picks come and go. Most people are disappointed with who is taken, or how each player ultimately performs. Not every pick turns into Aaron Donald. Two years from now, it will not matter if we traded the pick or if we took a wide receiver or defensive end. What will matter is if we have a young QB who looks like he is going to be able to take us to where we need to be. A team needs that centerpiece, emotionally, psychologically, and strategically. You have to do what you can to get one. There are 2 or maybe three guys who can be that guy this year. Go get one, and don’t look back.

Isiah 58

This just came from Mayock:

Link

I feel the exact same way.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Isiah58.

I guess the one thing that I would follow up with is that I have read many people who are advocating signing RGIII as a possible QB solution. While I was impressed with his athleticism in his first year, he does not look like the same guy at all after his injury. More importantly, I cannot get out of my mind this article in the Washington Post.
Link

• This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Isiah58.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 9 months ago by Isiah58.

I heard an interview this morning on Sirius NFL Radio with JLau. He did confirm that they are going to slide Ogletree to middle and have Barron play weak. I know that some people are worried about having two former safeties playing those positions and being too light, but I think that their athleticism will compensate for what they lack in heft and I wouldn’t be surprised if they asked Alec to put on a few pounds.

Another interesting thing that JL said is that he thought it was very important for the Rams to resign McCloud. He said that McCloud is who he communicated with and that he is the QB of the defense.

I think if they can bring most of these guys back, they are going to field a very athletic defense.

Isiah 58