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znModeratorHe said: I want a gold jacket. https://t.co/rxkQWcMbkP
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) March 11, 2024
znModeratorIan Rapoport@RapSheetDarious Williams gets a 3-year deal worth $22.5M, source said, up to $30M..PFF LA Rams@PFF_RamsDarious Williams: 2nd most valuable CB in the NFL last season (per PFF WAR)
znModeratorIn fact this IOL is looking downright diabolical.
Yeah, if the Rams could throw in a Slater or a Pace, that would be swell. But A. Jack is underrated and comparatively cheap. For this year, anyway. And I can’t help but think of Stephen Jackson in an offense like this.
I have a theory about that.
You can have a great line starting Nutten and McCollum on the inside if you have Pace at LOT.
But you can also have a great line with a solid as opposed to elite LOT if you have a diabolical IOL.
Some teams have used the “build from the inside-out” approach to great success before. I’m thinking for example of the 2009 superbowl winning Saints, who had Jahri Evans at OG and Jermon Bushrod at LOT. Bushrod was pretty good but Evans was one of the best guards to ever play the game (and at 6’4 320 was in the “Rams at guard in 2024” mold).
Meanwhile, nothing stops them from drafting a couple of developmental OTs in the lower rounds of an OL rich draft.
And mentioning Steven Jackson is interesting because of course Jackson was Kyren Wms’s favorite player growing up. He was a St. Louis Rams fan. I think Wms has Jackson’s spirit in him even if he doesn’t have SJ’s body.
znModeratorDarious Williams expected to rejoin Rams, bring secondary help with 3-year deal
Jourdan Rodrigue
The Rams and cornerback Darious Williams are expected to reunite on a three-year deal, two league sources confirmed Tuesday morning.
Williams, 30, played for the Rams from 2018-2021 and was a starter on their Super Bowl-winning team. He also helped install the first version of their current defense as a starter alongside Jalen Ramsey in 2020. Williams most recently played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022-23, and last season had four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and 53 tackles. He was a cap and scheme cut in Jacksonville in early March.
The deal cannot be official until the start of the new league year on March 13.
The financial terms of the deal are still being finalized, but a source familiar with the process believed Williams would meet around the market value for some cornerbacks who agreed to deals Monday, in the $8 million to $12 million annual range.
The Rams have very little depth at cornerback without Williams, as previous starter Ahkello Witherspoon is currently testing free agency (the Rams have discussed his options with his representation). They will also have a new defensive coordinator in 2024 in Chris Shula, who has been a defensive position coach with the team since 2017. Shula’s familiarity with Williams as a player and locker room presence is an added fit.
How he fits: Williams excelled in the Rams’ zone-heavy defensive scheme, particularly when they played more match-zone concepts in 2020-21 (they had the personnel to do this). He can start on the outside or play their coverage-rangy “star” position, should Shula choose to deploy it. Williams is coverage versatile and has a knack for making plays on the ball but particularly shines in a match zone.
2024 impact: Williams joins a room of young drafted players who have had good moments, but have not demonstrated consistency. Derion Kendrick had a tumultuous 2023 season at outside cornerback and Cobie Durant has dealt with soft-tissue injuries at various points when playing inside and outside. Tre Tomlinson, who will begin his second NFL season in 2024, didn’t get much playing time and had some penalty issues. No cornerback (Williams included) currently projected into a starting or rotational role with the Rams is over six feet tall.
Cap update: The terms of this deal are still being finalized, so specifics on salary cap aren’t yet available. In general, the Rams entered Tuesday with between $6 million and $12 million in space and had yet to open up offensive lineman Joe Noteboom’s contract (they can save $5 million with a cut, but would incur $15 million in dead money, or they can open up $9.25 million with a restructure and keep Noteboom as depth). I would estimate somewhere around $10 million in remaining space, inclusive to the result of Noteboom’s choice.
Outlook: Williams is a savvy player with plenty of game left, and was one of the league’s best zone cornerbacks last year (although he is scheme-versatile). In a familiar scheme — one he actually helped install, back in 2020 — he should pick up right where he left off. The Rams still need to add cornerbacks with a little more length whether it is via the draft or in the later rounds of free agency.
March 12, 2024 at 11:59 am in reply to: Canada Ram! & others: a board quirk on posting tweets #149807
znModeratorI remembered something about this with my post and I posted it without any comment to start and it only came up as a link. As you can see, I edited afterwards adding the comment and nothing changed. However, on my first post I may have hit return a few times moving the link downward on the page. Could that have caused it to come up as a link only ?
That may be an issue with the url. To get the right url on a tweet, hit the time stamp whatever it is (it could be an hour or it could be a date). That gets you to the right url.
If problems persist, do what I did with your post. Don’t post the tweet’s url, just copy the post and post as “print” basically (go look at what I did with your Darious Wms post).
Rookie wide receivers to gain 70+ receiving yards per game since Randy Moss was drafted pic.twitter.com/iKFkt2VKuL
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 20, 2025
znModeratorWell, if Avila is as good at C as he is at G, then there is a good chance that I will be happy about this OL.
He was actually a starting OC in college longer than he was at guard.
According to Stu Jackson, his versatility was one of the reasons the Rams took him as their 1st pick in 2023. Plus their new (and IMO great) OL coach, Wendell, played center for the Patriots. So you reckon he knows what his doing coaching that position.
IMO this may be the best Rams IOL…since maybe 1978 (that was the last year for this combo: Mack Saul Harrah).
Avilla probably has a head on his shoulders like Doug Smith, the last really great Rams center, but Avilla is both bigger and more athletic than Smith was.
They have never had 2 OGs with both size and athleticism like Jackson and Dotson.
In fact this IOL is looking downright diabolical.
znModeratorRams finalizing three-year deal to sign CB Darious Williams
https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-finalizing-three-year-deal-to-sign-cb-darious-williams
Williams is finalizing a three-year deal to join the Rams, where he played four seasons and earned a Super Bowl victory, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday, per sources informed of the situation.
Williams spent the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 30-year-old authored a solid 2023 campaign, generating a career-high four interceptions, 19 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 53 tackles. Williams was one of seven players to earn four-plus INTs and two-plus forced fumbles in 2023.
Despite being their top corner, the Jags released Williams this offseason in a cost-cutting move. The 5-foot-9 defensive back is excellent in zone coverage but doesn’t fit as well with new coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s scheme.
Williams should slide back into a starting role in L.A. as Chris Shula replaces Raheem Morris as the Rams DC. Since 2020, Williams has allowed a 78.4 passer rating in primary coverage, per PFF, second-best in the NFL over that span (min. 200 targets).
Originally an undrafted free agent in 2018, Williams signed with Baltimore but played just three games with the Ravens before being waived. L.A. claimed him, and he spent the next three seasons with the Rams. Williams had a memorable playoff interception against Seattle in the 2020 playoffs and helped L.A. hoist a Lombardi the following season.
znModerator#Rams Jonah Jackson three years, $51M, $34M gtd, $4.25M signing bonus, salaries $8M (ghtd), $9M (gtd for inj at signing, skill, cap if on roster 3rd day 2025, $8M; $4.25M roster bonus 3rd day 2025, $8.5M roster bonus 3rd day 2025 gtd for inj at signing, skill cap if on roster 3rd…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 12, 2024
March 12, 2024 at 11:36 am in reply to: Canada Ram! & others: a board quirk on posting tweets #149799
znModeratorbump
znModeratorA little brush up for Rams fans here from Doug – Darious Williams is versatile but a particularly solid zone CB and aggressive in a matchier zone (when the Rams have had the personnel they’ve played that way). A signing plus a clue as to Chris Shula’s schematic plan at DC. https://t.co/tXupiMp6q7
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 12, 2024
znModeratorParkinson offers a giant 6-foot-7 frame he uses to pluck footballs out of the air at their highest point and box out defenders as if he was a power forward in the NBA. What the Rams need that they will be missing with Higbee out early on is an inline tight end who can block but also be counted on in big spots to haul in the big throw. Allen can do that from time to time but Parkinson with four years of experience is built for it. What is the best thing about his game is the fact he seemingly runs by tacklers, he’s really good with the ball in his hands in space. Yards after the catch is a premium for most tight ends who normally go down on first contact but Parkinson isn’t one of those guys and he’s going to offer the ability to threaten any defense in the red zone.
znModeratorIan Rapoport@RapSheet
Former #Jaguars CB Darious Williams is finalizing a deal to play for the #Rams, sources say, the place where he won a Super Bowl. It’s expected to be a three-year.
Rams Talk@realLARamsTalk@PFF had Darious Willams ranked 14th among all CBs last year saying: “he was phenomenal in coverage all season (85.3). He allowed just two touchdown passes, forced 16 incompletions and logged 14 pass stops while preventing separation at an elite level.”.JAKE ELLENBOGEN@JKBOGENDarious Williams only averages 1.83 penalties per year. Very disciplined corner who has everything needed to play in this scheme, is well-liked, fits the culture and can be a veteran leader in a young CB room..
znModeratorThere are some great edge rushers in the draft but I hope they can sign a proven vet DE/edge rusher.
They don’t have the money for that now. They signed Wms, a TE, and FA guard, and Dotson. They need some cap space to handle the draft plus a normal cap cushion to carry into the season. Other than that they’re done.
znModeratorThis became very relevant today…
When Rams drafted Avila, it was his versatility that sold him during the pre-draft process, especially at the Senior Bowl.
This may have always been the plan. Now with Jonah Jackson signing, he likely moves over to center. https://t.co/i7cViXy4CJ
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) March 11, 2024
znModerator* The #49ers haven't had an edge rusher besides Nick Bosa have more than 8.5 sacks in a season since Aldon Smith in 2012.
* Leonard Floyd has had nine-plus sacks in each of the past four seasons.https://t.co/Awo1vrBCRQ pic.twitter.com/Ck3TFMJKkP
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 11, 2024
znModeratorI have Jonah Jackson as the top OG available this free agency period, but it’s a good time to need solid starters across the interior.
Full top 38 OL FA rankings: https://t.co/fIF962fr5s pic.twitter.com/h4IaccojdW
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 10, 2024
znModeratorWild day for NFL RBs …
Agreed to terms: Saquon Barkley (PHI), Josh Jacobs (GB), Tony Pollard (TEN), D'Andre Swift (CHI), Austin Ekeler (WAS), Antonio Gibson (NE), Gus Edwards (LAC), Devin Singletary (NYG), Zack Moss (CIN)
Cut: Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon
Unsigned: Derrick Henry
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
znModeratorJonah Jackson snatching DL x 4 + torquing another off his feet pic.twitter.com/8SBDYtv3Fr
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 6, 2022
znModerator"He has tremendous value in Atlanta."
— @ColinCowherd reacts to Kirk Cousins signing 4-year, $180 million deal with Falcons pic.twitter.com/L84JZZ5eot
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 12, 2024
znModeratorPeter Schrager@PSchragsThe Rams are building a wall with their interior offensive line. Avila likely moves to center. Dotson and Jackson at guard. That’s 1000 pounds of offensive linemen up the middle..Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSicilianoRams aren’t messing around on the interior OL. Sean McVay wants to maul you. That’s nearly 1000 pounds of push in the run game.
znModeratorRams agree to terms with G Jonah Jackson, continue to bolster and adjust O-line
Jourdan Rodrigue
https://theathletic.com/5333392/2024/03/11/jonah-jackson-rams-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article
The Rams and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed, two league sources said Monday.
The deal cannot be official until the start of the new league year on March 13.
Agreeing to terms with Jackson comes just days after the Rams extended right guard Kevin Dotson on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
Beefing up both guard positions will likely mean a move for second-year offensive lineman Steve Avila, who started every game at left guard in 2023, to center. Avila played center for two seasons at TCU, and when he was drafted there was internal chatter about one day moving him to center. The Rams would have also been open to working out a deal with previous starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year in his contract. Shelton had a market, and Jackson’s availability plus a natural possible switch inside for Avila was too enticing to pass up or delay on.
Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.
How he fits: The Rams openly stated after a disastrous 2022 season that they needed to re-invest in their offensive line. Head coach Sean McVay changed his run scheme to emphasize more gap and power concepts, with his trademark mid and outside zone mixed in. That also meant getting bigger on the inside with Dotson (acquired via trade with Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023) and drafting Avila at pick No. 36.
2024 impact: Avila will probably move inside. A source briefed on the matter said the Rams also expect to tender left tackle Alaric Jackson, though have not yet determined the tender amount (and were waiting for other free-agency pieces to fall into place).
Of Jackson, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy wrote: “A Pro Bowler in 2021, Jackson, 27, has been a mainstay at left guard on one of the best offensive lines in football. He’s mobile in space, powerful at the line of scrimmage and a remarkably consistent lineman when healthy — and he’s young.”
History: Rams fans will be very, very familiar with Jackson’s body of work because he played for familiar opponent Detroit. McVay has spoken highly of coordinator Ben Johnson’s run game and Jackson’s size and strength translates over well to the Rams’ current scheme.
Cap update: The Rams also agreed to a three-year deal with tight end Colby Parkinson, worth up to $22.5 million, his agency (Wasserman) confirmed.
I’ll note, despite questions this may not actually affect the injured Tyler Higbee in 2024, though could afterward. Higbee signed a two-year, $17 million extension last September and the Rams would incur $11 million in dead money if he were released. After 2024 that sum becomes more manageable, and the Rams do expect Higbee to return from ACL and MCL repair in-season.
Pending the full outline and cap numbers for 2024, the Rams have somewhere between $6 million and $10 million to work with at this point, with more money on the way pending a Joe Noteboom restructure or release.
Outlook: The Rams won an unexpected 10 games last season behind an offensive line that dramatically improved from 2022, a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and a revitalized, physical run game. That seems to be the formula this group is sticking with in 2024.
znModeratorBrian Burns going from the Panthers to the Giants pic.twitter.com/yfPl6HERoU https://t.co/YD3zDxojO8
— 𝒮𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓅 (@JahanOPOY) March 11, 2024
znModerator
znModerator69RamFan
Massive OL:
LT/AJ/6-7 330
LG/JJ/6-4 311
C/Avila/6-3 330
RG/Dotson/6-4 320
RT/RHav/6-8 330
znModeratorMan, that interior of the Rams oline is going to bully people. Hill, Smith, Harrah part deux.
Except maybe better since the 2024 guys are a combo of movement and sheer size/power. You could say that of Harrah in the past but not really Hill and Smith, who didn’t have that kind of raw power (and the way they played, they didn’t need to either…but still…). Rams have never had a line like this. Plus Dotson is flat nasty (I don’t know about Jackson).
If you look at what’s happening in FA in the NFC west, the 9ers and Seattle are both spending money on their DLs. So this looks strategic too. Run it on them relentlessly and give Stafford time to eat a sandwich back there.
znModeratorI never hear a word about Wentz. He would be as good a backup as there is in the NFC. Why is it a foregone conclusion he is leaving? w v
I would imagine he’s trying the market to see what he can get as a starter. Just specularating, but if I may opinionatize, the Rams best bet to get him back is for him to decide that the Rams give him the chance to show the league he’s a good bet to start somewhere.
znModeratorhave the rams tendered alaric jackson? last i heard they were still deciding.
The question is not will they, it’s what level of tender. Rodrigue has been saying they will. The only question is, for how much and kind of pick if any will be the compensation if he’s signed elsewhere?
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueThis is *in the story* but at a certain point watching this Shelton and C market, Rams knew they could go a different direction with Avila’s ability to move inside + didn’t want to miss out on a guy who was available who they liked. They waited in FA before and it went poorly..Jackson (6-4, 311) also has played a little center, and the Rams could try that out — but as of now, team sources have strongly indicated Avila will move.
znModeratorGregg Rosenthal@greggrosenthalguards are getting paid in part because they are one of the only positions where a bunch of above average starters hit free agency
znModeratorAgreed to 3-year, $22.5M deal with TE Colby Parkinson
With Tyler Higbee still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, the Rams are adding Parkinson, a 25-year-old tight end who played the last four years in Seattle. He’s a big target who also holds up well as a blocker, fitting the mold of what Los Angeles was looking for in a tight end.
Agreed to 3-year, $51M deal with LG Jonah Jackson
Within hours of the legal tampering period opening on Monday, the Rams agreed to a three-year deal with Jackson, one of the top guards on the market. He’ll likely take over as the starting left guard, which will move Steve Avila inside to center.
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