As a former successful business owner for 33 years I see this letter differently than the average fan. I understand completely what he's saying. For the most part I have no argument with it. Resetting his financial base to make another hard run makes complete sense to me. Snead has two assets to make those trades. First round picks and cap clearance. That absolutely doesn't mean the Rams can't be competitive. The just have to be more selective in how they construct the roster. They have to rely upon their existing roster players to deliver upon their upsides.
Guys like Tutu have to deliver. He had a breakout with Mayfield that must be expanded with Stafford. Morris didn't like Gaines because Gaines was a one gap 1T NT and he wants a 0T two gap NT like Brown, because he's going to continue with his Fangio style combo two/one gap D front. We saw last year what a failure it is. It means another down year for AD. It's why he want a big DE like Hoecht to play more contain than pressure. It's why so many teams are moving to a one gap attacking front. This defense looked like Detroit's in it's first halve of the season last year.
Basically, with the return to health, Stafford's offensive group is basically intact. With Akers, and Williams they are only lacking a RB3 which they can get in the draft. At WR they have Kupp, Jefferson, Robinson, Atwell, and Skowronek and they might add to them in the draft.
He will be playing behind a OL that should be far better than last year's. The main hole in the OL Edwards is now gone. Allen when healthy is a solid center regardless of what the media thinks. Thomas and Bruss are expected to fill the OG spots now and into the future. IMO Thomas is ahead of Bruss in terms of his NFL development and expect him to start at one of the OG spots. The Rams then have Shelton as an alternative. Coleman is a better Center than OG but at OG he isn't bad. They also have Toner for depth who has played solid everywhere he's been. He's not a starter but as a backup he's better than someone like Skura who sucked. At OT they are in good shape with Noteboom and Jackson who can also start at OG. So that is why I don't see the OL as the huge issue that most here seem to think. IMO it could be better than the won they had to win the Super Bowl.
I think the Rams learned from their extended search among FAs for P and PK that they won't find what they want long term among them. They will draft a P, PK and LS and there are some decent ones that will be on the board in the 5th round. That's the round they should take their P and PK and the long snapper can come in the 6th or 7th round.
As I've said in previous posts, I don't see where all this doom and gloom is coming from. If their choices in Thomas and Toner don't pan out they will be drafting OL next year. I think Bruss will be another Corbett type of OG, good enough. i.e. not great but not bad either. I have higher expectations for Thomas, which is why I expect he and Bruss to be their OGs in the future, along with Shelton at center. I expect Noteboom to return to form and Jackson who we know is solid to be at RT starting next year.
2024 OL
LT Noteboom
LG Thomas
C Shelton
RG Bruss
RT Jackson
That is why I don't see them in the market for OL starters. Next year will be drafting for depth. It's also why Demoff's letter is fine with me.
