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Here's my summary of the Rams' offseason. Sorry for the length; each subject could probably have its own thread but I wanted to get it all down before the season starts.
Where We Were
My premise of the State Of The Rams at the end of last season was a team on the rise, but a 7-9 team for a reason. They had a lot to fix, but a lot to build on. Young defense getting better and better. With a new coordinator and some secondary fixes they could be dominant. On offense the new smash mouth identity was a hit, all that was missing was some dynamic QB talent (i.e.. Bradford coming back) and a more downfield approach. The Rams seemed on target to finally compete for the playoffs, or at the very least compete hard in a tough division every week.
Offseason Needs
Here is how I envisioned the Rams offseason need list:
So that was my premise of where the Rams stood back in February. Here is how well I think the Rams addressed each position and where things stand going into week 1 of the real season. I will grade each position on how it stands, and also grade the front office on how it attempted to address the above weaknesses in the offseason.
A couple moves that just don't make logical sense to me, but overall they are sticking to the plan of building for the future and gathering better talent every year. I think they are a little slow at getting rid of mediocre talent.
Overall state of the Rams: B-
I think there are worrisome holes at DB, LB and blocking TE. There's some depth concerns in the OL. But to state the obvious, the big blow is to Bradford. With him this team looked poised to overcome their weaknesses by adding a huge strength in the passing game. Hill will be adequate and a step up from last year, but probably not enough to carry the team if it comes down to that. Young Rams could develop into plugging those holes as the season progresses, but the Rams must start fast given their schedule. If they hiccup to a couple early close losses, it could be another long season of mediocrity and thinking what could have been. I see the worst case scenario as a repeat of last year's 7-9 but a bigger chance of upside, even if that's a bit limited now with Bradford's departure. I'm a little disappointed as at the end of last season I was determined the Rams would make the playoffs this year, but while I'm still optimistic that can happen, I think the odds are against it.
That's that, I realize nobody will agree with everything so feel free to reply. I enjoy being proven wrong since that just means I learned something.
Where We Were
My premise of the State Of The Rams at the end of last season was a team on the rise, but a 7-9 team for a reason. They had a lot to fix, but a lot to build on. Young defense getting better and better. With a new coordinator and some secondary fixes they could be dominant. On offense the new smash mouth identity was a hit, all that was missing was some dynamic QB talent (i.e.. Bradford coming back) and a more downfield approach. The Rams seemed on target to finally compete for the playoffs, or at the very least compete hard in a tough division every week.
Offseason Needs
Here is how I envisioned the Rams offseason need list:
- QB- Simple, SB just needed to come back healthy and get his career back on track(!). Also, the Rams needed to draft a developmental QB to start grooming to replace him if needed when his contract was up, seemed fairly simple to fit in with all their extra picks.
- RB- Stacy was a monster initially but after his concussion he dropped off a bit, in my opinion he lost a bit of that second level drive he initially flashed. The Rams needed a #2 RB to take some of the load so Stacy could be fresh & a beast, be it Benny, Pead to finally step up, or someone in the draft.
- WR - Sammy Watkins was tempting as an option to make this group elite, but with the run-first identify of this team, I actually was drinking the company line kool aid. They had a young group of WRs that could become pretty good with another year of development.
- TE - The "franchise record" numbers by Cook were an illusion. That just proved how bad of a TE history this franchise has. Cook needed to step up and show his talent. Plus he flat-out jaked it on plays, he had to get his head straight and his motivation on track. Cook should be among the best TEs in the NFL -- 1000 yards, not just 600 yards. Behind him Kendricks remained decent, average at both catching and blocking. Harkey had some fun big plays but was just the #3 clone of Kendricks. Not great blocking support for the new run-first identity, needed to add a monster blocking TE and a true FB, stop the nonsense of trying to convert TEs into lead blockers.
- OL - All circumstanes considered, the #2 overall pick gift was the perfect timing to draft their next O.Pace, a franchise LOT for the next decade. J.Long was an injury concern and even if he came back is not a sure thing (see: Dallas game) and could easily get hurt again. Plus his contract is up soon. So like the QB situation, time to groom a replacement. B.Jones needed to reach his potential and become the starting C as Scott Wells will not play more than 5 games -- and even when plays he's just a decent pass blocker and a horrible run blocker. Barnes did not show himself to be of NFL talent. The line also needed Saffold back at guard and another OG high in the draft. Barksdale was a great development that paid off, hopefully some of the other guys behind him could provide depth, too. All in all two or three gaping holes, a big concern.
- DL - Pretty set, just needed depth. An injury to Quinn would be problematic as there doesn't appear to be another double-digit sack specialist.
- DB - A train wreck. Only bright spot was McDonald and he was hurt, so hardly a sure thing to count on next season. McLeod was a joke, nowhere near NFL talent. The starting CBs were the arson squad, hopefully much of it could be blamed on bad scheme and bad safety play. Jenkins needed to work his ass off in the offseason but probably will always be more of a #2 gambler and not a shut down corner. Tru looked like the more probable guy to develop into a #1 cover guy. McGee also does not belong anywhere near a starting role, the slot needed fresh talent. A starting safety and corner had to come out of the offseason via free agency or draft. In sum, another huge area of concern.
- LB - There were holes here almost as important as the secondary to fix. The only thiing keeping the #3 LB from being a disaster is the limited snaps. And to keep rolling the dice on JL's health is insanity as he's the QB of that defense. The Rams must get MLB depth in case JL goes down and either get another OLB or hope Ray Ray can become the #3.
- Offensive coordinator - Schotty needed to pair a healthy SB with a new vertical attitude. The power running game screams play action, and putting deep pressure on the opposing secondary would just open up everything underneath, especially room to let Tavon Austin work. Time to make defenses bleed if they dare stack the box.
- Defensive coordinator - No more insanity of pairing a 10-yard cushion with a blitz! G.Williams would finally bring that aggressive identity that would not squander our biggest strength, our pass rush, by conceding a dump off pass every time. No more worst completion percentage defense, it's time to go all out attack all the time.
So that was my premise of where the Rams stood back in February. Here is how well I think the Rams addressed each position and where things stand going into week 1 of the real season. I will grade each position on how it stands, and also grade the front office on how it attempted to address the above weaknesses in the offseason.
- QB- Rams Luck(TM) strikes again. The Rams indeed received their only brand of luck with SB's injury. But Shaun Hill was a great signing, he looks like he will be a step above Clemens and the team can stick to the offensive plan. A.Davis actually looks passable now instead of totally lost.
Front office QB grade: C. Big win on the Hill signing, but it's fair to question the decision to not draft a developmental QB.
Overall QB grade: C+
- RB- I was a Pead believer still hoping he could become something, but alas. Mason is an interesting discussion -- will spending a draft pick on him be worth sacrificing another need? After all Benny looks fabulous and entrenched as the #2, and Watts came out of nowhere to possibly be the change of pace back. My opinion is that the Mason pick will pay off and he will be good, too. All in all I'm comfortable with this group.
Front office RB grade: B+. The Pead blunder is in the past, maybe they shouldn't bother drafting RBs any more as they are finding nice undrafted talent.
Overall RB grade: B+
- WR- Despite the initial video comedy, Britt was a good signing, he looks to be ready to go put up good numbers. He also seemed to be the piece to bring out the development of Quick. That looks to be a huge target tandem that can really move the chains now. Givens got into the act in the last preseason game hinting he can be a factor, and I don't think we saw any of Tavon on purpose. He will get targets in week 1, hopefully creatively. I'm not a huge Pettis fan but can't argue the guy just makes clutch catches. And the group will only get better when Bailey comes back.
Front office WR grade: A. Resisted the candy, stuck to their plan & identity, looks like it might pan out.
Overall WR grade: B
- TE- Harkey improved the most of any Ram over the offseason. He is a dominating blocker now and a weapon in the passing game. Cook also is focused, flashing great effort in the preseason, even in blocking. Kendricks remains static, just an ok #3. Bayer come out and auditioned to take over for Kendricks next season. But the team did not get any blocking help other than Harkey's improvement. I watched J.Cunningham closely in the preseason. He showed as a piss poor blocker, and he gives nothing to the passing game. Maybe the Rams see something in practice but what I saw says he should not be in the NFL. Smelley and K.Jones were the last hopes to find the true lead blocker this team is screaming for, but no. Harkey can do the h-back job but that leaves a weakness at in-line blocking TE. Hopefully Schotty will be willing to go jumbo or put an OL in the backfield or something creative since the 3rd and 4th-and-1 preseason showing was disgustingly weak for supposedly a smash mouth offense.
Front office TE grade: D. Lost their focus on the run first identity, got no blocking help.
Overall TE grade: B-
- OL- I think it is fair to ask if it's too much of a luxury for a 7-9 team to sit their #2 overall pick on the bench. But the key is the bottom line of the best 5 guys starting. If Robinson indeed starts on the bench, is it because J.Long is 100% and dominating, and Saffold & Davin Joseph dominating at guard? Or is it because Robinson is struggling and those guys are a bit better right now? I have no problem with Robinson sitting out if the line is dominating, but if the o-line struggles in week 1 with Robinson on the bench, that's huge. There's also the center position, the team did nothing to replace Wells. But before we criticize too much assuming the worst, let's applaud the positives in the Joseph signing, getting Saffold back and J.Long's health. The line wasn't exactly mauling in the preseason but there's a reason it's preseason, I'm going to err on the positive side here.
Front office OL grade: B. Some good moves, but the unknown of Robinson, not replacing Wells and injury factors are concerns for me.
Overall OL grade: B
- DL- Pretty shocking that the unit that needed the least got a first round addition. The buzz on Donald is good but honestly I was expecting to see more on the field after all the hype. I didn't see any crazy penetration or him simply being too quick off the ball for NFL linemen to handle. I hope he elevates when the games are now real. Westbrooks was a great find and I fully endorse his motor being added to the team. I do not agree with cutting Michael Sam however, because getting back to my list above, a backup sack specialist is a big need. What happens if Quinn goes down? Sam showed he can pile up the sacks even in meaningless games. I would have kept him over the redundant Carrington (I'd rotate in Hayes, Sims and now even Westbrooks above Carrington). Still, this unit is a monster, my only slight concern is stopping the run, but I think that will show in week 1.
Front office DL grade: C-. Not sure if the 1st round splurge will be justified yet, and disagree with cutting Sam. They did the hard part of stomaching the circus in signing Sam, why dump him when he fills a need?
Overall DL grade: A
- DB- The Rams threw everything against the wall here to see what sticks. I still think McLeod and McGee are terrible. I understand there needs to be some kind of vet presence and perhaps they will excel on special teams, but in coverage, yeesh. Joyner looks to be special and could be a home run pick. Gaines is the second best find, hopefully will get the start over McGee while Tru recovers. I didn't see much from Jenkins to form an opinion if he really dedicated himself to change in the offseason, and Tru is out, so it's hard to know exactly what we got here. I saw some of the same shocking 10-yard cushions conceding easy dump passes, hopefully those were proverbial "vanilla" moments of the preseason.
Front office DB grade: C. A couple good pickups, but if McLeod truly remains the starter it is fair to second-guess their lack of pursuing someone in free agency. Injury bug already bit, what happens if McDonald goes out?
Overall DB grade: D
- LB- I'm completely befuddled by the Rams lack of concern here. You'd think JL in a boot would be enough of a reminder, but they seem aloof of any LB weakness. Dunbar is not starter quality any more, he's a #4 guy now, and Ray Ray looks like he slept all summer. It's inconceivable to me that they didn't spend even a 7th on a Bullough or Skov just to at least try something, anything. They finally added Kevin Reddick as the savior? Come on. In short JL is going to have to increase production and stay healthy, Ogletree avoid a sophomore slump, and Dunbar to be at least average for this unit to be just average overall.
Front office LB grade: F
Overall LB grade: C
- Offense - preseason isn't supposed to show anything but I can't help but be giddy at the shots taken downfield by the QBs. Bradford was on the verge of something special, but I think if Hill stays aggressive and Schotty is actually committed to being more vertical, the offense is going to surprise, especially since I think he held back in showcasing Tavon. In a dose of bizarro world, my biggest concern is actually the run game not being as smash mouth as we are hoping.
- Defense - I'm hoping the lukewarm defensive showing is due to lack of meaning to the preseason. I think Williams was holding back and we will see a hungry, aggressive scheme that attacks in the real season.
A couple moves that just don't make logical sense to me, but overall they are sticking to the plan of building for the future and gathering better talent every year. I think they are a little slow at getting rid of mediocre talent.
Overall state of the Rams: B-
I think there are worrisome holes at DB, LB and blocking TE. There's some depth concerns in the OL. But to state the obvious, the big blow is to Bradford. With him this team looked poised to overcome their weaknesses by adding a huge strength in the passing game. Hill will be adequate and a step up from last year, but probably not enough to carry the team if it comes down to that. Young Rams could develop into plugging those holes as the season progresses, but the Rams must start fast given their schedule. If they hiccup to a couple early close losses, it could be another long season of mediocrity and thinking what could have been. I see the worst case scenario as a repeat of last year's 7-9 but a bigger chance of upside, even if that's a bit limited now with Bradford's departure. I'm a little disappointed as at the end of last season I was determined the Rams would make the playoffs this year, but while I'm still optimistic that can happen, I think the odds are against it.
That's that, I realize nobody will agree with everything so feel free to reply. I enjoy being proven wrong since that just means I learned something.