Can we NOW be honest about Ramsey?

[AvengerRam]

Jalen Ramsey is a great player.

I wanted to make that part clear from the start, lest be accused of expressing mere “sour grapes.” Ramsey is a guy who can shut down elite receivers and make big plays from the secondary. He may be the best CB I’ve ever seen in run support.

But, now that he’s gone, can I be honest? There were some things about him that concerned me.

To borrow from a common phrase, it would be difficult for any player to walk the walk required to talk as much as Jalen talked. How many other CBs have publicly critiqued the league’s QBs (with some pretty unflattering statements about some)? How many other CBs have openly chastised teammates on the field as Ramsey did?

Beyond that, again… can I be honest? His role in the Rams’ championship run was… odd. Against Tampa, he was beat for a big TD. Against the 49ers, he dropped two potential interceptions that could have changed the game. Then, against the Bengals, while I don’t blame him for the TD that resulted from an uncalled face mask, he made a potentially huge mistake on the final drive by going for an interception, turning what would have a 3-4 yard gain into a 17 yard gain.

After the win, he didn’t show up at the Championship parade. Supposedly, a prior commitment… but that was… odd.

This past year, he made a lot of plays. But, truth be told, wasn’t he beat more than you’d expect from an elite CB?

Now, he’s gone. And, yes, we received compensation that was… disappointing. But, now that I’m hearing that Ramsey may have been angling for more money… let’s just say I’m starting to feel like there’s more to the story than just a 3rd round draft pick, Hunter long, and $5.6 million in immediate cap savings.

I’m still a Jalen Ramsey fan. I appreciate his contribution to one of the greatest Rams seasons ever.

But… I’ll just say it. In the long run, all things considered, I’m not sure we’re going to be worse off without him.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

It's not going to make a difference because we have holes everywhere on defense

 

[den-the-coach]

I thought Ramsey played his ass off this year, but he wanted more money and he wanted South Beach. I understand the Rams wanted to do right by him and the guaranteed money limited the offers. I just hope the Rams have a plan and before jumping off the Tallahatchie Bridge I will give it time to see the plan put into place.

 

[Ellard80]

If he wanted more money.. then we had no choice.

And he was solid last year... but no way did he deserve more money.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I won't miss his smack talk or him berating teammates on the field. I lost a lot of respect for the guy when he punched Rapp on the field after a play. Still pisses me off what they got for him.

 

[thirteen28]

My only beef with moving on from him is the pitiful compensation we received. If we would have got more picks, or more cap savings, I might feel different. I just think they gave him away too cheaply, and don't think they needed to find another Bill O'Brien to get a better deal.

 

[FrantikRam]

I think the league hasnt caught up to CBs being overrated yet. I don't think it's a premium position anymore.

A secondary of Ramsey, Woodson and Deion get destroyed by average WRs if there is zero pass rush.

I'm not saying its not an important position, but I think in the modern NFL it's like the ILB position....do you keep one that's great? Sure. But this past year showed us that a lack of a pass rush reduces their effectiveness....so pass rushers are exponentially more valuable

 

[PARAM]

Ramsey is an awesome CB.
OBJ is an awesome WR.
Tyrann Mathieu is an awesome S.
Stephon Diggs is an awesome WR.
Jaire Alexander is an awesome CB.
DK Metcalf is an awesome WR.

They all have 1 thing in common besides their greatness. And that is they have the propensity to allow an opponent to get them off their game. And then they're worthless.

But I loved Ramsey as a Ram, except when he ran his mouth unnecessarily or took a dumb penalty. That's a big talent to lose. But so was Marcus Peters when we traded him away.

 

[tempests]

All things considered he was one of the top defensive backs we ever had. I won't go so far as to say he was our best CB ever, but he was on the short list.

Didn't have a great 2021 postseason. But he had almost an Aeneas Williams transformative effect in the secondary for Brandon Staley's defense. Fewest yards, fewest passing yards, fewest points.

Big upgrade from Marcus Peters.

Could be at this point, he's a depreciating asset and the time was now to get something for him. I'll respect that.

But I am going to miss him and I think the Rams are too.

 

[Selassie I]

CBs aren't really remembered for all the plays they make throughout a game... BUT they are always remembered for the few plays they don't win in a game.

They are on an island... and it's a lonely place compared to the other positions on the field.

I'll say this about Ramsey. We wouldn't have that new banner hanging in SOFI without him. He was worth everything we had to give to get him in Horns. To say he is UNDER APPRECIATED doesn't begin to describe what he meant to this team.

I'm gonna miss blasting "I Got 5 On It" after games now... a lot.

Big Mahalos 5

 

[HitStick]

Miscast in this D. No pass rush doesn’t help. He’s still elite. He was the only player on D that put it all out there regardless of the score and record.

Jalen in my mind is still the best defensive back in the NFL. Corner is the hardest position to be elite at, and he does it.

Jalen is one of the greatest players I’ve had the pleasure of watching play.

We fucked up. Period.

 

[AvengerRam]

Amusing side note.

I learned of the trade when my son sent a photo of his Ramsey jersey with the simple caption: “fuck.”

 

[RamFanWA]

As great as Ramsey is, he is definately an enigma.
He suredly wear his emotions on his sleeve. That goes both good and bad, depending on the game to game circumstances.
I recall him shutting down DK for an entire game, while on the other hand some of the penalties incurred seemingly due to lack of discipline, were frustrating and point killing.
I think it is difficult (especially for me, a non-football insider) to weigh all these issues and traits against each other. However, freeing up $30 million in cap the next 2 years, is IMO, worth the trade.

 

[OnceARam]

I don't know. Losing JR feels like all the air has been let out of the balloon. He was the only member of the Superbowl team out there last year. It was just him holding up the team. While McVay was having his breakdown and Morris was being berated, it was Ramsey that gave them credibility - and not the other way around.

For me, Ramsey's release is like the end of an era in the history of the franchise.

It's now A.R. (After Ramsey)

 

[Loyal]

I guess it doesn’t matter now. It’s going to be sad watching our guys get burned out there this year,unless a miracle happens in the draft or FA.

 

[thirteen28]

It's now A.F. (After Ramsey)

A F??

 

[OnceARam]

A F??

Thanks. Fixed it.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Jalen is a tone-setter, and played many roles outside of a prototypical "shut down corner". He wasn't always perfect but he was tough, physical, vocal, and willing to take on a less-than-traditional role Jalen is a leader and mentor he will be missed for much more than his on-field play.

 

[Angry Ram]

As great as Ramsey is, he is definately an enigma.
He suredly wear his emotions on his sleeve. That goes both good and bad, depending on the game to game circumstances.
I recall him shutting down DK for an entire game, while on the other hand some of the penalties incurred seemingly due to lack of discipline, were frustrating and point killing.
I think it is difficult (especially for me, a non-football insider) to weigh all these issues and traits against each other. However, freeing up $30 million in cap the next 2 years, is IMO, worth the trade.

It's not his fault but his rep against DK Metcalf pretty much got a flag called on him and Seattle won it right then and there.

 

[Memento]

I'll miss Ramsey. He was the tone-setter for the defense with his physicality, going balls-to-the-wall on every play, and yes, wearing his emotions on his sleeve, good and bad.

I'm still upset at the trade, but I'm hoping we can get a young corner or two to go next to Durant (whom I think will have a huge role next year).