Billy_T wrote:

I’m actually (close to) appalled that the Rams would even consider this. Or laughing to myself cuz it’s so surreal at this point.

More on this. Yeah to even be interested seems like a problem.

I don’t know about this idea that you’re more likely to win if you keep adding high-end elite talent. To me that’s not trusting the right things.

Since free agency I have rarely seen top winning teams that are like that. It was much more common before free agency—back when a team could draft a guy and he was basically a career long member of that team. For example having Greene, Ham, Lambert, Blount, Shell, Webster, Harris, Bradshaw, Swann and Stallworth on the same team for years. Or like the old Rams. The Rams had 26 consecutive years–1967 to 1990—with at least one offensive lineman in the pro bowl, and in that span, they had 4 OL in the pro bowl 3 times–68, 78, and 85. Look at the 85 line–it’s of course Pankey, Hill, Smith, Harrah, and Slater. Only Pankey was not in the pro bowl that year. In 85 all 5 of those guys were in the league 5 years or more, and in the case of Slater and Harrah, it was 9 and 10 years respectively. A line like that is unimaginable today. No team could afford it without sapping some other part of the roster.

So now, you can afford a handful of elite guys and you build around them with talent that is hopefully good. Even then there will be a high turnover every 4 years (or 5 with 1st rounders). There are only so many big contract guys you can maintain on a team. By big contract, although this is open to debate, right now I would say that’s anyone over 10 M for the 2nd tier of “big” and then the 20+ M guys for the 1st tier. It’s actually not that common for a team to have 3 or more 1st tier, 20+ M players.

Rams have 3 1st tier contracts (4 actually since they are paying for 2 20 M qbs) and beyond that, they have some 2nd tier high end contracts–right now that’s Whitworth, Woods, Floyd, and Kupp. In terms of contracts it’s a top heavy team.

I have defended that approach, saying it’s worth it to put a high percentage of that cap into a few guys and then keep adding good but younger guys around them.

But at a certain point, enough is enough.

Which gets me back to where I started. I don’t see teams thriving in multiple years by continually adding high-end contract talent. You have to have some, but beyond that it’s coaching and luck.

I am not sure how I feel about a coach who thinks they are always just one expensive trade away. Why isn’t it the case that you are just some inexpensive good coaching ideas away. It seems to me that the teams that win year in and out have THAT, not the “trade a year” mentality.

To be fair I didn’t say that when they got Ramsey or Stafford. But–enough is enough, and there is just no such thing anymore as a sustainable 70s Steelers roster in the NFL’s 21st century. And IMO it won’t work by doing it the “here’s our window” way either. I prefer long term strategies. I never think any player is THE difference. Back in 99 they added Faulk to a team that was just crazy talent rich but that talent did not come from big trades for superstars. That team started 6 UDFAs (Jenkins, Fletcher, Jones, Farr, Nutten, Warner). And of course without Vermeil and Martz, all that would have mattered less.

So that’s how I feel about Jones. It’s just this guy’s take.

from https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/05/30/rams-are-out-of-julio-jones-chase/

Rams are out of Julio Jones chase

At a time when the list of teams potentially interested in Falcons receiver Julio Jones is growing, there’s one team that, per a source with knowledge of the dynamics, can be removed from the list.

The Rams.

…

Regardless, we’re told that it’s not. The Rams are out. That’s not a firm guarantee they won’t get back in. For now, they’re out.

Asking around league on Julio Jones, teams are watching 49ers closely, though uncertain how far they'd go after giving up 1s for Trey Lance. Ravens would be willing to get involved at right price. High demand plus $15M salary a hurdle. Teams could ask ATL to cover some cost.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 30, 2021

Tonight. There cannot be any justice until there is proper respect, restitution and repair. On the 100th anniversary of the massacre, The History Channel original documentary, Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre, premieres at 8/7c. #RememberTulsa pic.twitter.com/wk0OZwotPS

— HISTORY (@HISTORY) May 30, 2021

Report: Rams and Titans have talked to Falcons about a Julio Jones trade, but nothing imminent. https://t.co/U7QtbM0lzV

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 30, 2021

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Reasons the Rams won’t trade for Julio Jones:
– Drafted Tutu and Van in 2nd round
– Extended Kupp and Woods 8 months ago
– Signed DeSean
– Next 1st-rounder is in 2024
– Limited cap space

“Ight so if Stafford just restructures we’ll have enough cap for Julio plus Les don’t care about picks, not tryna get excited but lets see what happens” pic.twitter.com/9GXKThsczA

— bronald schwarzenegger jr (@PrimeLBJ) May 28, 2021

Sean McVay has “been very pleased” with what Matthew Stafford has done so far

* https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/05/28/sean-mcvay-has-been-very-pleased-with-what-matthew-stafford-has-done-so-far/

The Rams agreed to acquire Matthew Stafford from the Lions back in January and now the club has finally seen him on the practice field.

Los Angeles is keeping things light for OTAs. But when Stafford has thrown passes, he’s made a strong impression on his new head coach.

“It looked good. I think we’re in the early phases of it, but certainly the way he’s handled things up to this point, been very pleased,” Sean McVay said this week. “He’s a joy to be around every single day, the consistency that he comes in to work with is definitely something that, he makes it really fun. And I know [I’ve] been pleased with what he’s done up to this point.”

Stafford seems to be enjoying McVay’s presence just as much, saying this week that he’s liked collaborating with the head coach on the playbook. If things go as intended for Los Angeles, Stafford could be in for one of the best seasons if his career in 2021.

Tutu Atwell could return punts for the Rams https://t.co/FDwnO0e5Zg

— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) May 28, 2021

10 Observations from the Rams’ May 27 OTA session

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/10-observations-rams-may-27-ota-session

The Rams’ organized team activity session on Thursday, May 27, was open to the media. Here are staff writer Stu Jackson’s 10 observations from it:

1) The preliminary first-team offensive line had Austin Corbett at center and Bobby Evans at right guard. Corbett was the team’s starting right guard last year, while Evans was a reserve offensive tackle. Rams head coach Sean McVay went into detail about both players’ fits at their respective positions during his video conference with reporters after the session, and the common elements to both were that they had the athleticism and football IQ to be able to slide over into those spots.

McVay also noted Corbett played along the interior at both right guard and left guard, which helps with the transition, as well as the fact that he played “200-plus snaps” at center for his former team, the Browns, during the preseason two years ago. As for Evans, McVay said his quickness will allow him to kick inside and play guard, in addition to that athleticism.

2) Speaking of the center position, the rotation consisted of Corbett, Coleman Shelton and Brian Allen, aligning with what McVay mentioned after the draft in terms of the internal candidates for replacing Austin Blythe.

2) Rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell was getting reps with the punt returners, confirming what he told reporters yesterday. Atwell had limited experience with it in college with just four – all during his 2019 sophomore season – but that was primarily because defensive back Rodjay Burn and running back Hassan Hall handled those duties. Hall was an All-ACC Second Team selection as an all-purpose player and Third Team selection as a specialist in 2019. As shown by his wide receiver film and 4.32-second 40-yard dash at Louisville’s pro day, Atwell’s speed makes him an attractive option as new Rams special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis continues to evaluate the position. One of those four punt returns in college went for 50 yards, for what it’s worth.

3) Taylor Rapp had a couple of pass breakups during team drills, the first of which was a near-interception. The other came during redzone work on a Matthew Stafford pass intended for Mundt. It was nice seeing him active and those instincts on display again after being limited to nine games due to injury last season.

4) Play of the Day: Stafford connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a deep pass toward the right sideline during team drills.

5) Play of the Day, Part 2: Van Jefferson also had a nice catch in traffic near the right sideline. While it wasn’t on a deep pass like Kupp’s, Jefferson still hauled Stafford’s pass in with cornerback David Long Jr. in tight coverage.

6) Stafford’s arm talent on display: Besides the above example, there was also a no-look, side-arm pass, plus several passes fired into tight windows with ease during redzone drills.

7) As detailed in this May 7 piece on what set Atwell apart, one of the things that set Atwell apart is his elite quickness off the line of scrimmage. That was seen Thursday, with Atwell using it to separate from his defender and bring in a short pass from Stafford near the left sideline.

8) Flashback to Hard Knocks: Safety JuJu Hughes had his signature toothpick in his mouth.

9) Already buying in: Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris during today’s session wore a #DAWGWORK shirt created last year by run game coordinator and defensive line coach Eric Henderson as a credo for his group.

10) A clean bill of health for the Rams so far during spring workouts. From an injury standpoint, McVay told reporters that other than the “typical bumps and bruises,” there was “nothing that would be significant to note.”

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Sean McVay says the Rams will have joint practices with the Raiders and Cowboys during training camp.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Sean McVay also confirms: The Rams will return to Irvine for training camp.