Do the Rams Have A Plan?

[El Chapo Jr]

Of Course they have a Plan. How could you think otherwise?

Now, whether it is a Good Plan, I have no fucking idea.

Now that's the best way to describe exactly how I feel

 

[kurtfaulk]

I'm sure Stafford and AD will be sleeping well this year with the knowledge they will be earning $40m and $30m.

 

[XXXIVwin]

If true, such a shitty deal for Stafford and AD. Luckily Kupp is not up there in the age to be as affected.

"If true"... I wouldn't say it's really a shitty deal.

They got their rings already.

How many times did we all gloat in 2021 hearing stuff like, "how the hell can the Rams sign all these guys?? Do the Rams even have a cap?"

We all knew the Rams were busting the cap in 2021 to win NOW and pay the bills later.

Well, now it's 2023 and it's time to pay off the bills. So then, in 2024, they can bust the cap again.

"IF" that's the plan, sounds okay to me. Can't realistically ignore the cap every single year. Save up in 2023, then go balls out again in 2024.

 

[PhillyRam]

Trust me, I get the logic but doesn't change the fact it's a shitty deal for AD and Stafford if we can't truly compete for a chip in 23, but are truly looking to reload in 24.

Shitty deal? They won the f**king SB last yr. What the f**k do they need?

And Stafford really is likely to be part of the team until 25'. That is when it is easier to move on from him. So as long as they don't run out a horrible OL in front of him, not sure what his complaint should be?

 

[ottoman89]

They certainly have a plan. And it seems like a dumbass plan for 2023. For 2024 maybe it'll be better, but I hate when fuckin teams plan for "2 seasons ahead". So much stuff can happen that fucks it up. Just try to win every fuckin season

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Shitty deal? They won the f**king SB last yr. What the f**k do they need?

And Stafford really is likely to be part of the team until 25'. That is when it is easier to move on from him. So as long as they don't run out a horrible OL in front of him, not sure what his complaint should be?

Man you guys are unreal lol... These are pro athletes that are competing at the highest level with only a finite amount of years so if they are close to hanging the cleats up, having a year where they know aren't going to be competitive for a chip sucks. I'm not even complaining just stating an opinion. I literally even said I get the logic from a team standpoint but sucks to be them for this coming year. Are you realistically telling me they don't want to win a chip every year no matter how unlikely the odds may be? Get your panties out of a bunch and read what I actually wrote instead of assuming shit. I'm sure they are grateful for winning a chip but as the great, ok not great, but Coach Herm Edwards said, you play to win the game hahaha

 

[El Chapo Jr]

"If true"... I wouldn't say it's really a shitty deal.

They got their rings already.

How many times did we all gloat in 2021 hearing stuff like, "how the hell can the Rams sign all these guys?? Do the Rams even have a cap?"

We all knew the Rams were busting the cap in 2021 to win NOW and pay the bills later.

Well, now it's 2023 and it's time to pay off the bills. So then, in 2024, they can bust the cap again.

"IF" that's the plan, sounds okay to me. Can't realistically ignore the cap every single year. Save up in 2023, then go balls out again in 2024.

It's still shitty to have a redshirt type year for guys at the end of their career. Just like I said in my last response, I get the logic behind it happening the way it is but it still sucks for players at the end of their careers. It's the same reason Wagner wanted out.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I'm sure Stafford and AD will be sleeping well this year with the knowledge they will be earning $40m and $30m.

I'm personally not referring to what they make, just the competitive nature of the game. The money certainly helps, no doubt, but when they are old and grey, bragging rights are priceless.

 

[FarNorth]

Its looking more and more like 2023 is gonna be a lean year. I think the plan is limit how long the lean times will be here. There will be sacrifices in the short term. So they can set themselves up better in the long term.

Rams can bite the bullet now, or extend the pain for several years. What they are doing now -- whether you call it a teardown, a remodel or a rebuild-- is imo the correct approach. Just as going for it was when they had a core of great players and, by opportunistic signings such as Miller and OBJ, had a chance to run the table. And did.

So do they have a plan? Yes, but... the key part remains TBD.

The first stage-- cutting players who won't fit in a 2024 or later future roster-- is clear and easy to execute. McVay began engineering the current roster teardown last year by ruthlessly cutting players in midseason (Henderson, Lewis, etc.). That has continued big time in 2023. And the teardown stage isn't over yet. It appears to be more focused on the D than the O, but we'll see.

The good news is that McVay is committed to the Rams going forward, as shown by both his actions and words. Imo he won't even think of leaving until he has turned the team around.

The second stage of rebuilding is no doubt being thoroughly vetted in concept: evaluation of the roster, draft talent, potential free agents, every permutation of contracts and cap. But how the process actually plays out will be challenging and unpredictable. Rams will certainly identify their gaps and needs, and players they would like to sign or draft. But they can't control circumstances. And they could lose more of their championship core due to injuries or retirement along the way (AD, Stafford.)

Rams will have to be opportunistic and patient. Fill as many holes as possible through the draft. That will take a couple of years, if they find the right guys and if the picks develop into real NFL players. Rams would then hopefully be in a cap position to add big time pieces needed for a serious run.

 

[Memento]

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Rams can bite the bullet now, or extend the pain for several years. What they are doing now -- whether you call it a teardown, a remodel or a rebuild-- is imo the correct approach. Just as going for it was when they had a core of great players and, by opportunistic signings such as Miller and OBJ, had a chance to run the table. And did.

So do they have a plan? Yes, but... the key part remains TBD.

The first stage-- cutting players who won't fit in a 2024 or later future roster-- is clear and easy to execute. McVay began engineering the current roster teardown last year by ruthlessly cutting players in midseason (Henderson, Lewis, etc.). That has continued big time in 2023. And the teardown stage isn't over yet. It appears to be more focused on the D than the O, but we'll see.

The good news is that McVay is committed to the Rams going forward, as shown by both his actions and words. Imo he won't even think of leaving until he has turned the team around.

The second stage of rebuilding is no doubt being thoroughly vetted in concept: evaluation of the roster, draft talent, potential free agents, every permutation of contracts and cap. But how the process actually plays out will be challenging and unpredictable. Rams will certainly identify their gaps and needs, and players they would like to sign or draft. But they can't control circumstances. And they could lose more of their championship core due to injuries or retirement along the way (AD, Stafford.)

Rams will have to be opportunistic and patient. Fill as many holes as possible through the draft. That will take a couple of years, if they find the right guys and if the picks develop into real NFL players. Rams would then hopefully be in a cap position to add big time pieces needed for a serious run.

Nice take.....man am I gonna miss these past good years if this comes to fruition. I'm hoping we get lucky and hit on a few key pieces early since we are due aren't we? You are definitely correct on the TBD part. Definitely has waiting to see how it all ultimately goes down.

 

[Giles]

Sounds like this up coming season is gonna be a pointless one.

 

[BonifayRam]

Or enough to trade him next offseason.

I would think that after all the sizeable Rams' overall assets that went into providing HC McVay with the QB that he lusted after in order for his team to win season after season, that would not be the plan.....

Of course, unless these rumors that #9 is seriously damaged goods are in fact true.....

 

[XXXIVwin]

It's still shitty to have a redshirt type year for guys at the end of their career. Just like I said in my last response, I get the logic behind it happening the way it is but it still sucks for players at the end of their careers. It's the same reason Wagner wanted out.

Yeah, I think you and I are basically in agreement. Absolutely, if I were AD and only had a year or 2 left, I'd be pretty pissed to hear the D is losing 3 of its best players in Wagner, Ramsey, and Floyd.

Things are bound to look better after we sign some FA's and get our draft picks.

And yes, I think both the coaches and the players will have their usual professional super-competitive stance, with the goal of winning it all in 2023. I just don't think they'll use the cap "credit card" method of overpaying guys this year.

 

[TexasRam]

Plan? Yes.

Championship level plan? We will see.

Rebuild the Oline and kill the draft and it’s possible.

 

[Malibu]

Zero plan and here's why!

They were going to trade for Burns or McCaffrey for our 2 1st rounders plus. At that point the team was heading to a bad season highly doubtful that either were going to massively effect our win totals in 2022.

To me those moves were about hope for the future but I say they had no cohesive plan because they knew what our cap space was going to be in the 2023 off-season meaning they knew we needed to dump a bunch of talent so why do we all believe their is a plan. News flash there is no clear plan.

 

[Memphis Ram]

In 2021, the Seahawks finished 7-10.

That offseason, they cut their best pass rusher in Carlos Dunlap II, their best player in Bobby Wagner, and traded their QB Russell Wilson & their 4th rounder leaving Geno Smith and the kid from Missouri whose name escapes me at the helm. During the first game of the season, they lost safety Jamal Adams (though overrated, IMO) for the season. Everyone thought they were sunk.

They finished 9-8 and darn near made the playoffs.

In return they received 2023 draft picks and:
DT Shelby Harris 44 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 passes defensed
TE Noah Fant 50 receptions, 486 yards, 4 TDs
1st Round OT Charles Cross 7 Sacks Allowed, 7 Penalties
2nd Round EDGE Boye Mafe 41 Tackles, 3 Sacks
5th Rounder traded for lower 5th & 7th Rounder which got them:
DE Tyreke Smith no stats, injured reserve I think
WR Dareke Young 2 receptions for 24 yards

One good draft and a few good cheap free agent pickups and the Rams could do the same or better if Stafford, Kupp, and Donald stay healthy.

Again my grade is INCOMPLETE.

 

[payote75]

I again will say they cannot afford a throw away season this isn't the Cowboys fan base or Steelers sadly.

I think by ridding ourselves of these contracts it will allow us to hopefully strike on a few extra picks but also begin to put some pieces in place via whatever means necessary.

You can sign or trade for young ascending players expiring ascending players etc. NY clearing that cap you can back load deals same way they sign Arob and between draft and bringing in some core young pieces you can make sure 2023 not a throw away. Then add the Vons Objs of the world. Basically very similar to what we've done.

I'd start with trading for Denver's LT or Tunsil or in Big Whit fashion but much younger get Orlando Brown in here. There are still ways to begin to put together this team again around Stafford AD and Kupp.

 

[Ram65]

Zero plan and here's why!

They were going to trade for Burns or McCaffrey for our 2 1st rounders plus. At that point the team was heading to a bad season highly doubtful that either were going to massively effect our win totals in 2022.

To me those moves were about hope for the future but I say they had no cohesive plan because they knew what our cap space was going to be in the 2023 off-season meaning they knew we needed to dump a bunch of talent so why do we all believe their is a plan. News flash there is no clear plan.

They were 3-3 at the time of the Burns trade rumor. They were trying to make a run. That was before the big injury bug hit.

Either way, they are now committing to cutting the cap and moving on from many high-cap players. It seems like the right move to make for a shorter time frame rebuild.

We can only speculate on their plans as information comes out. We get some hints from the likes of Jourdan Rodrigue.
Right now they have their full 2024 draft picks and have a lot of picks in 2023 although most are later-round picks. They do have three top-100 picks in 2023 36,67 and 77. The Rams could do an about-face and rebuild through the draft with some free-agent pickups to complement the next two drafts.

Right now they are cutting the cap hits and keeping picks for the future.

 

[KA210927]

Looks like the plan is to take 1 year to clear a ton of cap space and open up a lot of possibilities the following year. I think we could go “all-in” again with AD/Stafford in their “last” year and Kupp still in his prime. I hope we hit on some picks this year so next year can be a crazy year again.