zn wrote:

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/03/17/rams-biggest-need-free-agency-draft/82494078007/?taid=67d866b01f00cd000101f71e&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick believes the Rams’ biggest issue remains at cornerback because of the team’s current depth chart of Darious Williams, Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

“The Rams have struggled to replace Jalen Ramsey since trading him to the Miami Dolphins two years ago,” Chadwich wrote. “None of the cornerbacks on their roster posted a 65.0-plus PFF overall grade last season.”

They are making GMing harder than it has to be. Just resign A Witherspoon already. Sheesh.

Zooey wrote:

nittany ram wrote:

I can’t watch any of these tribute/hi-lite videos yet. Too soon.

It must be painful for you to watch highlights of Kupp torching the Seahawks. It’s fine. Take your time.

Thanks for your understanding.

Kupp’s departure is hard for those of us who aren’t dead inside.

Sometimes I envy you souless types.

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Les Snead said the Rams are looking to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp and while he didn’t rule out the receiver staying, he said that’s the “least likely” option.

Since one of the options is giving him his unconditional release, this just underscores the fact that Kupp’s career with the Rams is over.

When asked if the Rams approached him to redo his contract to make it cap friendly, McVay said “no”.

Stafford is back! Yay!

Now the chances of the Rams winning the Super Bowl are 100%.

Prior to this, they were only 91.6%, which were their second lowest odds of winning the title in the Super Bowl era.

For you amateur historical statistology enthusiasts out there, their worst all-time chance to win was in 2009 (Spag’s first year). Their chances that year were a dismal 89.3%, and if I remember correctly, they almost didn’t win the Super Bowl that season.

Baseball ended for me when the Pirates were forced to trade away Bonds, Bonilla, and Van Slyke because they couldn’t afford to keep them.

Teams with low payrolls might make the playoffs every year, but thats a case of those teams catching lightning in a bottle. They are one-offs. Outliers. They’ll only remain competitive until their key players’ contracts are up – like the Pirates during their Killer B era.

The teams with high payrolls (Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers, etc) may not win it every year, but they have a chance to be competitive every year. They will always be in the mix because they can horde talent.

Anyone who doesn’t think the payroll disparity puts small market teams at a disadvantage has abandoned the path of wisdom, and should be publicly ridiculed until they weep.

zn wrote:

Maddy wrote:

But why?

I suspect that they’re thinking is, they don’t need 2 slower and roughly similar receivers in Nacua and Kupp, with one being older and prone to injury, plus tied to a big contract.

Look at 2021: Kupp had 145 receptions, 1947 yards, and 16 TDs. He played all 17 games. In 2024, he had 67 receptions, 710 yards, 6 TDs, and played 9 games.

Yes, his production doesn’t match his paycheck. He represents a $20 million hit to the cap this coming season, and a $19.85 million hit the following year.

Since any team that agrees to a trade would have to assume that contract, it might be hard to trade him unless he redoes his contract.

Zooey wrote:

I can’t help but think that I would be more interested in this weekend if the Rams were playing the Commanders.

Well, I’ve moved past this season and am in the process of getting stoked for next season. Next year’s Super Bowl venue is Levi Stadium.

I really, really want the Rams to be there.

Zooey wrote:

nittany ram wrote:

I must say I do have a modicum of affection for Washington

I think that in the Blue Board Charter, it was determined that nobody could have affection for Washington, and our forefathers made no mistakes; they served the lord. That Charter was passed on through multiple boards, and still exists here today.

So I’m going to ask you to leave.

There was a little known codicil in that Charter that stated that one can show a smidgen of appreciation for a lesser enemy if they inflict a substantial amount of pain upon a greater enemy, so…

zn wrote:

But this was not really a super bowl team IMO. They need another good draft.

They were 14 yds away from beating the Eagles. Had they won that game, the Rams were going to the Super Bowl. I have no doubt in my mind about that. There’s no way they were losing to Washington in SoFi.

Could they have beaten the Chiefs or the Bills? Who knows, but they already beat the Bills. No matter who they faced in the Super Bowl, I think the game would at least have been competitive.

The Rams are definitely flawed. I agree that they don’t have what most would consider a Super Bowl roster, but with Stafford and being so well-coached I think they were legitimate contenders.

The Detroit/Washington game is what you get when two great offenses face two terrible defenses.

I like the Rams’ chances should they get past Philly.

Zooey wrote:

That’s the game that made me a Rams fan.

https://images.app.goo.gl/Gf7uBZPEKPCozjEr6

I don’t know how Wyatt finds time to write these articles given all of his chores, home work, AV Club…

Zooey wrote:

Thanks a lot, Jinx.

Nice discussion with Big Whit about the Rams, playoffs, etc. Some good insight here.

While watching the Vikings/Lions game, it has become evident that the demise of the Lions’ defense has been wildly exaggerated.