Cam Akers

[Classic Rams]

Sure we saw the gaping holes. We also saw the open field moves and jukes, the 2nd effort and driving his legs, and that crushing block. Cam just wants to be the main back, not a sharing back but more like how Gurley was used in his prime. I can't fault him for that. He's looked great in these last 2 games reminding me of his rookie season. Him, Kyren and Mal are the 3 amigos. Rams can go get an edge, safety and other spots before thinking about RB.

 

[badnews]

This entire team (including the coaching staff ) was a shitshow and Akers issues were clearly related to 1) Achilles injury and rushed rehab, 2) OL injuries and lack of quality depth 3) poor choices made for OC and RBs coaches, 4) McVay getting away from the run

Adding another back makes sense.
Not trusting Akers is understandable. I haven't trusted our O-line group in years. I would much rather invest our capital in the lines. Pass rushers and pass protectors. I would be looking forward to building up those units and watching the guys on our team flourish behind improved play up front.

 

[Classic Rams]

Only way I'd forget about Kyren is because the damn autocorrect tries to replace his name with "Karen" every damn time

Actually you are partially correct.

The Rams had just signed a Karen Williams to the practice squad as a backup punter... from White Wine University.

(sorority phi mega snappa)

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

since returning from his enforced holiday akers has been running at 4.8 yards a clip. i didn't include the first two games back with his 5 carries each game.

it's amazing what happens when a coach shows some faith in a rb and feeds him the ball to get him going. also the oline wasn't letting him get hit in the backfield every carry.

akers is the rams best chance to become a dominant run team. mcvay better get him ready for next season and take off his stafford to kupp goggles. man that was a shit offense earlier this season. can't expect much from mayfield now to take advantage of a great running game. we already saw what happened in cleveland. stafford though can make defenses pay, when he's not making goo goo eyes towards kupp every down.

.

 

[fanotodd]

I’d only been mildly impressed by Akers up to this point, and THAT was from mostly his rookie season. After last night’s game, I will say this:
1) the Achilles had compromised his ability to make tacklers miss. That injury just takes time. He ran well at the second level last night and he showed a more powerful burst through the line. Up until his release, Henderson was better in that department.

2) just an absolutely amazing blitz pickup/block last night, allowing for a big completion. One of his most impressive plays as a Ram. If a McVay offense is to succeed, EVERYBODY blocks.

3) his most impressive run? He was nailed 3-4 yards deep one play (which we have all seen too many times in the Rams run game) but he powered and twisted through it, a couple more defenders, and ended up with about a 3-4 yard gain. These types of plays can save drives. They are what MF28 used to call, “hidden yards.”

Easily the best game of Akers’ career as a Ram.
…but a great effort by a rag tag OL deserves credit as well.

 

[dieterbrock]

Well, it sure is shaping up for Akers to have a big year in 2023. Contract year, cant imagine they'd talk extension

 

[Kupped]

Akers performance in the last 7 game projects to a 1200 + season on the ground.. he's catching the ball well and making efforts in pass protection.

That's a top 7 back.

 

[Rams43]

I think that Snead/McVay want to extract the absolute most value out of this offseason. Obvious, I know, but bear with me for a moment.

So, first they’re gonna examine the macro before addressing the micro like specific players or positions.

For example, Snead might trade out of the 2nd and/or the 3rd if it gives him a stud like Edge or maybe a LOT. I would go so far as to say he would do so if the right opportunity presented itself.

So, our first pick might be a comp at the end of the 5th round but one or 2 needs would already be plugged by solid proven players. Isn’t that the name of the game?

OR, perhaps Snead can pull off a bit of a coup in FA beforehand? Heaven knows that Rams are adept at finding money when a player they really want becomes available. This would be my preference for addressing OL needs (either LOT or interior), Edge, CB, or Safety.

I’m told that this draft is rich in RB’s, TE’s, and Edge to a lesser degree. So why not take advantage of that? Those are all Ram needs.

So, here’s what I THINK that Snead is thinking.

1. Move heaven and earth to plug one or two needs in FA.

2. Trade down on Day 2 if opportunities present themselves OR trade picks for very solid players at need positions.

3. Let draft come to him and snag a RB and TE in the 5th. Good ones should still be sitting there in this draft. Use rest of draft for BPA’s that fall at remaining need positions or for depth/development.

If Rams can emerge from this offseason with as few as 6 shrewd upgrades as starters then I think they’re right back in the SB hunt. IOW, this is all doable in some combination via FA, trades, and draft.

 

[Kupped]

I think that Snead/McVay want to extract the absolute most value out of this offseason. Obvious, I know, but bear with me for a moment.

So, first they’re gonna examine the macro before addressing the micro like specific players or positions.

For example, Snead might trade out of the 2nd and/or the 3rd if it gives him a stud like Edge or maybe a LOT. I would go so far as to say he would do so if the right opportunity presented itself.

So, our first pick might be a comp at the end of the 5th round but one or 2 needs would already be plugged by solid proven players. Isn’t that the name of the game?

OR, perhaps Snead can pull off a bit of a coup in FA beforehand? Heaven knows that Rams are adept at finding money when a player they really want becomes available. This would be my preference for addressing OL needs (either LOT or interior), Edge, CB, or Safety.

I’m told that this draft is rich in RB’s, TE’s, and Edge to a lesser degree. So why not take advantage of that? Those are all Ram needs.

So, here’s what I THINK that Snead is thinking.

1. Move heaven and earth to plug one or two needs in FA.

2. Trade down on Day 2 if opportunities present themselves OR trade picks for very solid players at need positions.

3. Let draft come to him and snag a RB and TE in the 5th. Good ones should still be sitting there in this draft. Use rest of draft for BPA’s that fall at remaining need positions or for depth/development.

If Rams can emerge from this offseason with as few as 6 shrewd upgrades as starters then I think they’re right back in the SB hunt. IOW, this is all doable in some combination via FA, trades, and draft.

I think trades are absolutely something that could happen with these guys.. of course.

They need to address the edge situation.. and, to me, need to draft one high and bring in a cheaper vet (Melvin Ingram, Ed Hughes, Kyle Van Noy type)...

I don't think they're drafting an OT high.
It doesn't look like they're getting a comp pick for Raheem Morris.. although we could be shocked.

I think drafting another corner high is critical... or getting a good vet.

 

[Ram Ts]

Put me in the “I do not trust Akers” camp.

Agreed. There’s always something missing with Akers. Like that early wheel round out pass that he dropped for an easy TD. It was like he was going 85% effort.

I think this resurgence is a step toward a draft day trade. Maybe 5th round pick - 4th at best.

We will draft a guy (3-5th round) and probably get a vet RB in FA. That’s my guess what they do.

 

[Allen2McVay]

...

We will draft a guy (3-5th round) and probably get a vet RB in FA. That’s my guess what they do.

Maybe but first the Rams will need to acquire a 4th or 5th round pick because they don't have one right now.

 

[PARAM]

So, here’s what I THINK that Snead is thinking.

1. Move heaven and earth to plug one or two needs in FA.

2. Trade down on Day 2 if opportunities present themselves OR trade picks for very solid players at need positions.

3. Let draft come to him and snag a RB and TE in the 5th. Good ones should still be sitting there in this draft. Use rest of draft for BPA’s that fall at remaining need positions or for depth/development.

If Rams can emerge from this offseason with as few as 6 shrewd upgrades as starters then I think they’re right back in the SB hunt. IOW, this is all doable in some combination via FA, trades, and draft.

I don't know if they'll have to move heaven and earth to plug one or two needs in FA. I simply think they'll plug some in free agency.

They're always in a unique position in the draft by not having 1st round picks. They can stack their board, figure who's not going to be there and target the guys they think will be there early in the 2nd.

If they've got 3 guys who they'd be happy drafting and they are contacted by a team wanting to move up because somebody they wanted fell out of the first, they can extract a 4th or 5th and still get one of the 3 guys they have targeted.

I don't think Snead is thinking anything about moving in the draft right now. They know how to work the draft. They'll be busy stacking their board.

I'm guessing they'll pick (in no particular order): TE, RB, Edge, OL, DL, CB, LB and who knows after that? WR? QB? OL again? Edge again? But I think either TE or RB AND Edge high.

 

[Ram Ts]

Maybe but first the Rams will need to acquire a 4th or 5th round pick because they don't have one right now.

That’s why I said Akers being traded on draft day for a 4th or 5th round pick.

 

[Kupped]

Agreed. There’s always something missing with Akers. Like that early wheel round out pass that he dropped for an easy TD. It was like he was going 85% effort.

I think this resurgence is a step toward a draft day trade. Maybe 5th round pick - 4th at best.

We will draft a guy (3-5th round) and probably get a vet RB in FA. That’s my guess what they do.

Akers ain’t perfect… but he makes a ton of plays lesser backs can’t.

Just think back to Henderson.

You do not, imo, trade someone like that.

But you do get some insurance.

 

[jrry32]

I think trades are absolutely something that could happen with these guys.. of course.

They need to address the edge situation.. and, to me, need to draft one high and bring in a cheaper vet (Melvin Ingram, Ed Hughes, Kyle Van Noy type)...

I don't think they're drafting an OT high.
It doesn't look like they're getting a comp pick for Raheem Morris.. although we could be shocked.

I think drafting another corner high is critical... or getting a good vet.

I'm thinking the same. I'm assuming you mean Jerry Hughes, and yes, I think he'll be on our list.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Agreed. There’s always something missing with Akers. Like that early wheel round out pass that he dropped for an easy TD. It was like he was going 85% effort.

the pass was too far out in front of him. can't call it a drop.

.

 

[Ram Ts]

the pass was too far out in front of him. can't call it a drop.

.

That’s what I thought live. But when I rewatched it, you can see he’s not giving 100% maximum effort when the ball is thrown and arrives. It’s just a little thing. Maybe he didn’t think the ball would be thrown to him or he didn’t expect it to have so much zip in the ball. Honestly, it could also be me reading into it based on his history.

 

[ReekofRams]

That’s what I thought live. But when I rewatched it, you can see he’s not giving 100% maximum effort when the ball is thrown and arrives. It’s just a little thing. Maybe he didn’t think the ball would be thrown to him or he didn’t expect it to have so much zip in the ball. Honestly, it could also be me reading into it based on his history.

Anybody who watched that game would be crazy to think that Akers wasn’t giving his all. You’re picking on one play when even you aren’t sure what happened. What about all the other plays where it’s obvious Akers is giving his maximum effort. If you’re going to start judging at least be fair.

 

[Ram_Rally]

That’s what I thought live. But when I rewatched it, you can see he’s not giving 100% maximum effort when the ball is thrown and arrives. It’s just a little thing. Maybe he didn’t think the ball would be thrown to him or he didn’t expect it to have so much zip in the ball. Honestly, it could also be me reading into it based on his history.

Nah I think the ball was too far in front. You can see the shuttle move he gives the defender (shakes him tomthe turf actually). That's proof he was active on the play.

 

[OldSchool]

Anybody who watched that game would be crazy to think that Akers wasn’t giving his all. You’re picking on one play when even you aren’t sure what happened. What about all the other plays where it’s obvious Akers is giving his maximum effort. If you’re going to start judging at least be fair.

It's one of those that anybody who throws the ball will say it should be a better throw. It's also one of those that any pass catcher will say they put hands on it they should catch it. Pass to me was a bit too far out. Akers probably could have laid out for it but was thinking that's a score if he catches it in stride.