Could a healthy Matthew Stafford be the best starting QB in the NFC?

[Flatlyner]

Possible yes. Likely no. And it is not likely because the quality of the 11 overall.

First problem is our OL of course. Second is our lack of speed threat at wideout. I think wideout could surprise with the same guys, if we see big improvement from Jefferson & Tutu. But outside of that we're gonna lack speed which means a lot of possession and less quick scoring which generally means you won't be the top performing QB.

But what could be exciting is if they simply get the OL sorted. Just that. Keep Stafford mostly clean, and give him a solid (not amazing) run game. That would put him in the conversation, with him undoubtedly being one of the better NFC QBs. And more importantly we'd win a lot of games which matters to me more than Stafford being in the mix for accolades.

I don't know about lack of speed. Our potential 2nd and 3rd WR are amongst the fastest in the league (Van/Tutu). Whether they actually play Tutu is up to some questions, but, he is undeniably our fastest and best deep weapon. Van is certainly a speed threat also if utilized.

 

[CanadaRam]

In my opinion, Stafford is number 4 in the NFC behind Purdy, Lance and Darnold

 

[Merlin]

I don't know about lack of speed. Our potential 2nd and 3rd WR are amongst the fastest in the league (Van/Tutu). Whether they actually play Tutu is up to some questions, but, he is undeniably our fastest and best deep weapon. Van is certainly a speed threat also if utilized.

Yes but both must step up for that to matter. Hope that happens. Keep hearing rumors that McVay wants wideouts though, and if true that's a bad sign.

 

[Gandalf]

McVay always wants wide outs.

 

[Ellard80]

If the offensive line is better or stays healthy?

Yes he could be.

 

[Flint]

Yeah, he could be, but everyone is considering the nfc to be “the kids table”, so I’m not sure being the best is a huge accomplishment. All the star power is in the afc, and a lot of the youth too. There are still questions about Hurt’s throwing abilities but he’s in the discussion, Goff has rebounded, Cousins, Dak, Kyler, and Stafford. How far down the list of best qbs in football til you get to one of these guys, yikes!

 

[Ellard80]

No way I put Stafford ahead of Goff or hurts based on last year. Stafford was just horrible and he was bad from the jump.

Not that long ago Stafford had 43 Td passes and was a beast in the post season

"No way?" he could be better than a guy with one good year and another guy who has a solid year but nothing like stafford in 2021?

why don't you just get this shit over with and go be a lions fan.

Quit pretending.

 

[OntarioRam]

It's either Hurts or Stafford, IMO. I don't see how you can argue for anyone else. I'd take Hurts, but I do consider it a debate that reasonable minds can differ on.

Jared Goff is easily #3 IMO.

The NFC QBs are light years behind the AFC QBs. I agree with other posters that we should have tried to compete for at least another season or two. The NFC is so weak that we would have had the horses, if we could have avoided catastrophic injury.

 

[Riverumbbq]

If our OL doesn't start trending up, Stafford should sit out the season. Might as well let Wolford be the punching bag.

 

[bubbaramfan]

No indication so far the Rams intend to improve the OL. Restructuring Noteboom, resigning Shelton and saying they intend to use current players already on the roster as their starting OL is NOT an improvement, it will be another disaster.

Damn I hate being a doom and gloomer, but its hard for me to see Rams winning more than 5 games. Rams backfield is going to get torched without Ramsey and no pass rush. Staford better practice rolling out and getting the ball out fast with Allen and Shelton as interior OL.

With 11 picks Snead needs to get a couple of diamonds in the rough.

 

[younghutch]

I'm not sure it's particularly close. Only Hurts & Goff come to mind as competitors and I'm not sold on Hurts just yet.

I'm assuming Staff is healthy. Most importantly, he has McVay. None of the others have McVay.

 

[Ballhawk]

Not that long ago Stafford had 43 Td passes and was a beast in the post season

"No way?" he could be better than a guy with one good year and another guy who has a solid year but nothing like stafford in 2021?

why don't you just get this shit over with and go be a lions fan.

Quit pretending.

And we've seen what Goff looks like behind a bad O line.

 

[Ram65]

All things being equal for QB. I would go with Hurts on top with his running ability and deep ball. Goff and Stafford are about equal.

Of course, things aren't equal. Hurts' and Goff's arrows and team are pointing up while Stafford's arrow is down and so are the Rams.

 

[Flatlyner]

Yes but both must step up for that to matter. Hope that happens. Keep hearing rumors that McVay wants wideouts though, and if true that's a bad sign.

It would be a mistake, much as the Atwell pick was at the time. Atwell a round or 2 later, sure. That early just screams reach to me. Yeah, I'd be fine with a WR taken in this draft, heck, we probably need to. Just not in the first 2 picks. We have much bigger fish to fry.

 

[FarNorth]

If they do something about that offensive line then yes, he could be considered at least top 3. You'll have debate on who is best with Prescott, Hurts and Stafford. One thing Stafford proved, he is capable of clutch play late in big games. If the line is at least serviceable then he should be much better this season. He'll have to be with a diminished defense.

Offensive line needed. Haven't we learned yet that how well a QB performs depends a lot on the pieces and team around him? Stafford or Goff or Brady etc. etc.

Stafford needs to be healthy, but he also needs effective pass blocking, capable receivers in addition to Kupp, and a consistent running game. Will the Rams have any or hopefully all of that?-- They're said to be focused on offense. We'll see what pieces they add, and how the oline in particular holds up.

Meanwhile Detroit has added RB David Montgomery to an already potent offense. (They lost their power back Jamaal Williams to New Orleans, but Montgomery is a clear upgrade.) Montgomery would have been a great addition to the Rams as a power back plus, but likely his contract would have been too pricy with other holes to fill. Things are looking good for Goff and play action in Detroit however.

 

[FarNorth]

McVay always wants wide outs.

But doesn't always use them once they're on board.

 

[Giles]

Lmao did I upset you? But of course you show your maturity lvl when you make accusations about someone Fandom when there opinion doesn't aligns with yours.
Fact is Stafford was terrible last year and no matter what excuses you make he had more turnovers than tds and I expect much more from a guy who basically made 60 mil last season. While the other 2 lead top tier offenses the latter lead us to the worst season by a sb champion, and by far the worst offense we have seen from the mcsnead rams. So yea no way. Unlike some ppl I live in the present and not the past.

 

[dieterbrock]

I dont know if this thread is about Stafford being a top dog, or merely an indictment of how bad the QB play is in the NFC compared to the talent in the AFC

 

[AvengerRam]

I dont know if this thread is about Stafford being a top dog, or merely an indictment of how bad the QB play is in the NFC compared to the talent in the AFC

Yes.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Best all around QB? Maybe. Hurts brings an entirely different skill set.

I don’t see anyone in the “new” NFC that can make the throws that Stafford can though. He’s also got that clutch factor. Oh and he’s won big games including a Super Bowl with his arm.