from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/3/21/24106675/rams-free-agency-grades-les-snead-jonah-jackson

Offensive signings lean into Rams new identity. What does that mean?

Last season, the Rams added a physicality element to their offense. While they still ran zone in the run game, they also implemented a lot more gap scheme runs. Instead of running horizontally and looking for a cutback lane, the Rams ran at defenses. Rather than avoiding contact, the Rams began to embrace it, running a lot of duo inside the trenches. As Nate Tice from Yahoo Sport wrote,

“The Rams are embracing their identity shift of the past year and fully leaning into the newer, beefier them…This wall of humanity, oh the humanity, will provide the Rams size and talent to handle the game-wrecking defensive tackles and lines that NFL offensive lines have to face on a weekly basis…There is also a meta element to having this mass in the middle, as defenses use lighter bodies and also shift their players more and more after the snap. So simply plowing forward with all-answer runs is an effective way to blast through moving-picture looks.”

The Rams signed Jonah Jackson so that they could move Steve Avila to center. The interior of the offensive line will be one of the heaviest in the NFL. Add in Colby Parkinson who is a great blocking tight end and we could see more 12 personnel, especially in the run game.

One pressing question for Sean McVay and new Rams position/assistant coaches

Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5351254/2024/03/20/rams-sean-mcvay-question-coaches/?source=emp_shared_article

Big waves of change unfolded through the Rams’ first week of free agency.

To recap:

• The Rams signed two cornerstone offensive linemen, are moving another to center, signed a blocking tight end who could hold potential in the pass game, signed a familiar face at cornerback, a rising young safety, re-signed veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson, offered tenders to their starting left tackle and a depth defensive lineman/special teamer, extended a depth linebacker on a cheap, but guaranteed, deal and found their new backup quarterback.

Here’s why they spent where they did (note: This was written before the agreement to terms of safety Kam Curl, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, so they did answer the backup quarterback question posed at the bottom of the story).

• Aaron Donald retired.

Before all of that, head coach Sean McVay did some shuffling of his staff, inclusive to new hires and promotions. With so much change, I thought I’d do something fun and pose one big question to McVay and each of the new/re-arranged coaches — with some additional analysis, of course — now that they themselves are re-calibrating after the first part of free agency.

Sean McVay
After out-performing expectations in 2023, at what point does this organization determine it is back in “contender” conversations and how hard will they then push?

As we know, the answer to that specific question will predicate how the Rams use remaining resources, and at what time of year. McVay has new life in his run game behind a scheme change and personnel upgrades along the offensive line and at running back, and his veteran quarterback plays at an elite level when healthy. Glaring holes remain along the defensive line and even in the secondary, despite the Curl and Darious Williams additions, and the Rams need to plan for life after Cooper Kupp after injury issues popped up again in 2022 and 2023 (based on his recent social media posts, Kupp seems to be preparing for a healthy 2024).

Because of the way the Rams “set the table” in free agency, these areas are where I’d predict they use remaining resources, whether via draft or packaged together for trade ahead of the deadline, if they believe they can make a real run.

Chris Shula — defensive coordinator
What are you planning for the defensive backfield?

Shula will have his hands on the entire defense, of course. But the reason I find this specifically to be such a pressing question is because of the moves the Rams made in their secondary, and the backgrounds of both Shula and secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant. Shula helped McVay identify previous defensive coordinator Brandon Staley (who, like Pleasant, was a candidate for this year’s job). He bought in to the match-zone the Rams have foundationally deployed since 2020 (obviously there were noticeable variations in 2022-23, for specific reasons covered here). Williams, already a strong zone cornerback, did very well in that match-zone, quarters-heavy scheme. At just 25, Curl has a reputation for being very versatile at safety or nickel/dime linebacker which would be a benefit in rotating and disguising coverages and pressure. The addition of these two players, to me, tells us a little more about what Shula envisions as his “schematic fingerprints” on this overall system into 2024.

Giff Smith — defensive line
How will you generate a complete pass rush?

Let’s be clear: There’s no replacing Donald. In some ways, the Rams will start from scratch here because of what they were able to do so effectively with Donald holding down one, two, sometimes even three defenders and multiple gaps snap in and snap out. They have two players who can be considered “foundation” pieces to this new puzzle, in second-year defensive tackle Kobie Turner and second-year outside linebacker Byron Young. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, who can play the nose if Turner shifts into more of a full-time, pass-rushing three-technique role, is under contract for another year as well. Michael Hoecht should step back into a rotational inside/outside role after starting full time at outside linebacker in 2023.

The Rams didn’t get into the markets for higher tiers of pass rusher or defensive tackle in free agency, preferring (even while knowing Donald’s decision as the period began) to invest a combined $34 million per year instead in their two guards, Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson. Stafford’s cap number in 2024 is $49.5 million, and Cooper Kupp’s is $29.7 million. It is very easy to see which side of the ball the Rams have made a financial priority, and that means certain positions on the other side have to be cost-controlled.

As I have reported, they had interest in possible lower-market players such as Alex Van Ginkel, but hoped to wait him out a little longer (his foot injury was a factor) and he was signed elsewhere. Trade potential also always seems to be on the table with this group, or acquiring cut players after the draft.

Could the Rams actually go “young and cheap” along their entire defensive front? I wouldn’t rule that out, either — which would put the onus directly on Smith, second-year outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio and second-year assistant defensive line coach A.C. Carter.

Greg Williams — inside linebackers
How will Ernest Jones’ leadership role expand post-Donald?

I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that the Rams placed Jones’ locker next to Donald’s for the 2023 season. Jones will be asked to become even more of a vocal, veteran leader without Donald around. The Rams previously have not invested into their inside linebacker position but have opened preliminary discussions with Jones’ representation (those don’t usually progress until the late summer). On the field, Jones’ role could also expand further in consideration of Shula’s experience coaching his position. The Rams re-signed Rozeboom to a one-year deal but will need to keep locating depth here.

John Streicher — game strategy and game management
What edges and leverage points will you present to McVay and will he use them?

At least McVay had the awareness to joke about adding the role, to help him “not use my timeouts in the second half until I need to.” The Rams have always gone over in-game situations and have an analytics department that provides coaches with data on rules, situations and scenarios (such as when the math would say to kick and when to go for it on fourth down, or when to go for a two-point conversion but also far beyond those popular examples). “Stretch” has a role that on paper looks like it will be more influential, inclusive to the fact that the Rams actually list him among their coaches.

Stretch has a reputation around the league for finding edges within the NFL’s rulebook as well as advising on sound game management strategy and in personnel evaluation. McVay is one of the most progressive schematic minds in the game, which juxtaposes with a very traditional “feel and flow of the game” situational approach. I’m very, very interested to see how this goes.

Dave Ragone, Nate Scheelhaase, Rob Calabrese — quarterbacks, offensive assistants (pass game/quarterbacks)
“Jimmy G” and who else?

This is an interesting group of coaches to have in the building where the quarterback position is concerned. The Rams’ one-year deal with Garoppolo was all about cost and scheme/system fit with a player they know very well, despite Garoppolo’s incoming two-game suspension.

The bulk of the money the Rams spent in free agency went toward players who will protect and extend the career lifespan of Matthew Stafford. But if the rolling through of previous starters-turned-backups in Los Angeles in 2022 and 2023 (Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz) proves to be a precedent, Garoppolo may get a lift from his stint and take another shot at a starting job elsewhere. So what happens after 2024?

Nick Caley — tight ends, pass game coordinator
What are the short- and long-term plans for Tyler Higbee?

Caley is not a new hire, but was promoted by McVay this spring after he was wooed by New England for its offensive coordinator job.

Higbee, who tore his ACL and MCL after a low hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph in the wild-card loss, will be recovering into the summer and potentially fall. The Rams just signed 25-year-old Colby Parkinson to a three-year deal, presumably to take over as TE1 while Higbee heals. The contract extension Higbee signed last summer would be tricky to get out of in 2024 but could be movable in 2025. Parkinson could be both the short- and long-term future for the Rams at the position, but a lot of football has to happen in between.

Chili Davis — special teams assistant
Any kicker identification tips to bring to L.A.?

In all seriousness, Davis was hired by retained special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn to help turn around a unit that ranked dead last in DVOA in 2023. The Rams need to identify a kicker, sure, but they also need to develop their coverage units. I would expect Rozeboom (one-year deal) and Hoecht (right of first refusal tender) to help here as well as Ronnie Rivers (exclusive rights free-agent tender).

By association, McVay and “Stretch” can also help out the special teams unit with some of their down-and-distance and late-down decision-making.

McVay also hired Sean Desai (Bears, Eagles) and Jerry Schuplinski (Raiders, Giants, Dolphins, Patriots) as senior assistants.

My understanding of the roles are that they are offensive-oriented, even though Desai most recently has a defensive coordinator background. Now-Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake held that role in 2023, though also had the title of “assistant head coach.” One thing McVay and others from this coaching tree have done over the years is worked to understand opposing defensive systems’ “rules” in order to better tendency-break and scheme against them.

Finally, the Rams are hopeful that renowned offensive line coach Mike Munchak returns to consult with their staff for a second season. These roles are usually determined closer to OTAs and training camp.

The #Rams are giving new backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo a 1-year contract with a base value of $4.5M, sources say. This is all including a 2-game suspension. He has a max value of $12M based on incentives. It’s complicated, but those are the basics. pic.twitter.com/SFhRgOghgO

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2024

Zooey wrote:

I didn’t follow him at all, but I don’t think he was known for making poor reads, or lousy study habits, or a weak arm, or whatever.

Wentz was not a good leader/colleague. The Colts grew sick of his resistance to hard coaching. And of course he proudly went unvaccinated in the height of the pandemic and was outspoken about it. He basically is seen as having character issues.

InvaderRam wrote:

i don’t think he’ll be another ramsey. but he brings similar traits.

This is out there in discussion of him but when I get from the Curl signing is that Shula wants to reinforce the Rams tendency to run disguised coverages. Because Curl can line up in so many ways and do so many things, you can set up it up so that no matter what defensive look they give you pre-snap, they can do almost anything post-snap. That, and I don’t know how many know this, but D.Wms, their signed-again veteran corner, is really familiar with match zone. So it looks to me like they are going with a young front 7 but behind it, they will be scheming up all kinds of things, and the 2 veteran signed will allow them to do that at a high level.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see their first 4 picks used this way: a running back (round 3?) and then 3 defenders, at least 2 of which will be in the front 7. Or they could trade down and have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds, in which case it could be a back and then 4 defenders. So they will be aggressive in the front 7 then tricky in the secondary. All while complementing an offense built to pound the ball relentlessly keeping Stafford upright and keeping a young D off the field.

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams plans to sign with the #Vikings, whom he’s visiting today, per source.

Williams had 49 total tackles and two sacks for the #Rams last year.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 19, 2024

from 2024 NFL Free Agency: This Year’s Most Underrated Signings: https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-free-agency-this-years-most-underrated-signings/

KAM CURL, SAF, LOS ANGELES RAMS

Kam Curl remains one of the league’s most underrated players and a two-year deal of $9 million, worth up to $13 million, is proof. Not only is that contract well below what Curl should be worth — at max value, the $6.5 million average is just 21st among safeties — but he landed in a perfect spot for his skill set.

During his tenure in Washington, the former seventh-round pick spent 44 percent of his snaps deep, 27 percent in the box, 21 percent in the slot and six percent at the line of scrimmage. He can be used just about anywhere that is needed.

The Los Angeles Rams have been a defense built around disguise throughout the different defensive coordinators during the Sean McVay era. Last season, they had the third-lowest rate of static looks in the league.

A player such as Curl will only help that given how many spots he can play at before and after the snap. He’s an effective blitzer, a strong run defender and can hold up in coverage. In Washington, especially in 2023, he was responsible for cleaning up some messes in front of him, which took away some of his overall impact.

Giving Curl the ability to move around more freely in a better-coordinated defense and a better secondary could unlock another level of a player who has been one of the league’s best at his position while not many noticed.

Small school tape is a little different. pic.twitter.com/Qa33AqDQUI

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 18, 2024