Extend or walkaway: Rams must choose between Greg Gaines, A’Shawn Robinson in 2023

[Wisconsinram]

Gaines and it isn't close. His blue-collar approach and productivity will be sorely missed if we let him get away.

 

[BonifayRam]

The FO has probably been on this for a while and has been talking with both players about how to retain both of them.

Like most here Gaines is my first choice but both these guys bring value at the right price.

Rams team investment in DL has been mostly tied up in 1 DL'er .....Aaron Donald.

Do you like the groomed & developed DE/NT/DT by Coach Henderson? This team does have a large amount of DE/DT's on the roster now most of which are UDFA's or Free Agents. Not many team assets are involved.

UDFA DT-Jonah Williams 6-5/275 3yrs
UDFA DE/ER-Mike Hoecht 6-4/310 3yrs
UDFA DT-Marquise Copeland 6-2/287 4 yrs
Draft NT-Bobby Brown 6-4/325 2nd yr
Draft DE-Ernest Brown 6-5/270 2nd yr
UDFA DE/ER-Kier Thomas 6-2/275 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Brayden Thomas 6-3/260 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Zach VanValkenburg 6-4/265 Rookie

Two newly signed FA DL'ers in:
Draft 5th rd./DT Larrell Murchison 6-2/300 25/3yrs
UDFA/ NTKhalil Davis 6-1/300 26-4yrs

 

[blackbart]

Rams team investment in DL has been mostly tied up in 1 DL'er .....Aaron Donald.

Do you like the groomed & developed DE/NT/DT by Coach Henderson? This team does have a large amount of DE/DT's on the roster now most of which are UDFA's or Free Agents. Not much team assets involved.

UDFA DT-Jonah Williams 6-5/275 3yrs
UDFA DE/ER-Mike Hoecht 6-4/310 3yrs
UDFA DT-Marquise Copeland 6-2/287 4 yrs
Draft NT-Bobby Brown 6-4/325 2nd yr
Draft DE-Ernest Brown 6-5/270 2nd yr
UDFA DE/ER-Kier Thomas 6-2/275 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Brayden Thomas 6-3/260 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Zach VanValkenburg 6-4/265 Rookie

Two newly signed DL'ers in:
Draft 5th rd. FA-DT Larrell Murchison 6-2/300 25/3yrs
UDFA FA NT-Khalil Davis 6-1/300 26-4yrs

First off, I hope Coach Henderson is still around next year, he’s already had opportunities to leave.

I like what Hoecht has shown the last few weeks. Williams has had a few flashes but none of them have shown me enough to think they are going to fill the holes that would be left by losing both Gaines and Robinson.

Much like the Oline, I’m good with having a dominant group on the line. Winning in the trenches is always how I would build a team.

The two new guys, who knows what they might be outside of bodies for the last month of this year.

 

[fearsomefour]

I would prioritize Gaines.
Id like to have both back.
One silver lining with all the injuries is Copeland has played very well, esp against the run.
I am really looking forward to both Browns getting reps the rest of year.
I hope they both get meaningful reps.

 

[PhillyRam]

It's a no Brainer to keep Gaines. Brown takes over Robinson's role

 

[fearsomefour]

Rams team investment in DL has been mostly tied up in 1 DL'er .....Aaron Donald.

Do you like the groomed & developed DE/NT/DT by Coach Henderson? This team does have a large amount of DE/DT's on the roster now most of which are UDFA's or Free Agents. Not many team assets are involved.

UDFA DT-Jonah Williams 6-5/275 3yrs
UDFA DE/ER-Mike Hoecht 6-4/310 3yrs
UDFA DT-Marquise Copeland 6-2/287 4 yrs
Draft NT-Bobby Brown 6-4/325 2nd yr
Draft DE-Ernest Brown 6-5/270 2nd yr
UDFA DE/ER-Kier Thomas 6-2/275 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Brayden Thomas 6-3/260 Rookie
UDFA DE/ER-Zach VanValkenburg 6-4/265 Rookie

Two newly signed FA DL'ers in:
Draft 5th rd./DT Larrell Murchison 6-2/300 25/3yrs
UDFA/ NTKhalil Davis 6-1/300 26-4yrs

If he isn't resigned the Rams 100% Hoecht will end up in Detroit.....and I want credit for it if it happens, haha.
Thomas is an interesting prospect....either a big Edge or a smaller DE.
Boni, Any thoughts on Murchison and Davis?

 

[fearsomefour]

It's a no Brainer to keep Gaines. Brown takes over Robinson's role

Im sure thats the plan.
Brown is starting to flash here and there even with limited snaps.
I am hoping he gets a lot more snaps going forward.

 

[IBruce80]

With Robinson being injured, it's been the perfect opportunity to see how well other players perform. With Donald being out as well, we're seeing a completely different line.

Robinson played great through the post season and Super Bowl, but I think the Rams keep Gaines.
If we don't resign Robinson he'll find a good team quite easily.

 

[fearsomefour]

With Robinson being injured, it's been the perfect opportunity to see how well other players perform. With Donald being out as well, we're seeing a completely different line.

Robinson played great through the post season and Super Bowl, but I think the Rams keep Gaines.
If we don't resign Robinson he'll find a good team quite easily.

For sure.
Brockers is still playing. A solid, smart lineman that can be stout against the run like Robinson will always have an opportunity to earn a check.
The line of backups has held up surprisingly well so far.

 

[oldnotdead]

LeCounte is probably going to compete with Yeast as the #4 safety. Both are strictly zone scheme players with IMO subpar speed limiting their range. LeCounte's speed is a bit of a question mark. His analytic speed is better than his timed speed so things are TBD in TC. Yeast could be faster than LeCounte at 4.58 (40 yd) but both are undersized at 5'10". Both project as depth players at best.

Davis looks like he has some skills, but needs work on his technique. I see him in competition with Bobby Brown.

Gaines is secure IMO. He's the Rams starter and I don't see that changing. IMO Davis is competing for a depth spot with all this in anticipation of AD retiring in 2024 and the potential DL reshuffling.

These last games are perfect for these types of signings. Gives McVay and his staff an extended look at prospects heading into the new season.

 

[Merlin]

Rams added a NT to the DL as reported in another thread.

Rams Add Ex-$3.4 Million Super Bowl Winning Defender to Roster: Report

The Rams continued to add some needed help at defensive line, while also luring in a former AFC North defender.

heavy.com

Rams sign DT Khalil Davis, DB Richard LeCounte to practice squad

The Rams added two players to their practice squad Wednesday, both on defense

theramswire.usatoday.com

I don't know if any of these DL they scoop will be any good. But if they can find one to add to the group prior to the end of the season it helps with the inevitable.

 

[BonifayRam]

I don't know if any of these DL they scoop will be any good. But if they can find one to add to the group prior to the end of the season it helps with the inevitable.

What it does do is give Coach Henderson the opportunity to look at & review whats lurking out there on the streets. Something the Rams have not done much of in the DL since Henderson has been here. Rams DL has remained very healthy compared to the rest of the units.

Have you notice how small Copeland looks these days...Wagner looks like a monster next to him. Copeland appears smaller than Donald to me.

 

[Memento]

Lemme think...do I want the tasty, decadent chocolate lava cake that all but oozes richness, and has the perfect taste...or a vanilla cake with vanilla icing?

Gaines is the chocolate lava cake, and therefore, my answer.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Both. However BB3 seems to have been chosen to replace Gaines and not AShawn.

Very possible but I am hoping Gaines is re-signed. I understand that the Rams pay top-$ for top-talent, and try to build-out the roster and find their depth through mid-round picks. Never-the-less, I would like to see the Rams retain a few more of their draft choices.

Did some analysis of the Rams 2nd through 5th Round picks from 2017-2019.

2017
Rd 2 ... Gerald Everett
Rd 3 ... Cooper Kupp
Rd 3 ... John Johnson
Rd 4 ... Josh Reynolds
Rd 4 ... Samson Ebukam

2018
Rd 3 ... Joseph Noteboom
Rd 4 ... Brian Allen
Rd 4 ... John Franklin-Myers
Rd 5 ... Micah Kiser
Rd 5 ... Obo Okoronkwo

2019
Rd 2 ... Taylor Rapp
Rd 3 ... Darrell Henderson
Rd 3 ... David Long
Rd 3 ... Bobby Evans
Rd 4 ... Greg Gaines
Rd 5 ... David Edwards

That's 16 players; and I would argue all but Kiser saw significant action. The Rams surprisingly moved-on from Franklin-Myers after one season (that may have been a mistake) but he played a lot in his rookie season.

Only Kupp, Allen and Noteboom signed a second contract with the the Rams (many here regret the re-signing of the two OL); and it's possible none of the 2019 group returns. Personally, in addition to Gaines, I would like to see the Rams bring-back Edwards provided he checks-out after two concussions.

I’ve heard JF-M mentioned a bit lately. Remember that McVay and Snead stress that they look for players that fit into their culture.

I think they take it to the extreme when they have drafts where they continually trade back and amass 6th round picks. But, could it be that JF-M was not a good locker room fit? When McVay showed up he cleared out all of Fisher’s trash immediately.

 

[Allen2McVay]

But, could it be that JF-M was not a good locker room fit? When McVay showed up he cleared out all of Fisher’s trash immediately.

The 'fit' thing is possible but Franklin-Myers was drafted under the McVay/Snead in 2018.

 

[fearsomefour]

What it does do is give Coach Henderson the opportunity to look at & review whats lurking out there on the streets. Something the Rams have not done much of in the DL since Henderson has been here. Rams DL has remained very healthy compared to the rest of the units.

Have you notice how small Copeland looks these days...Wagner looks like a monster next to him. Copeland appears smaller than Donald to me.

Exactly.
These recent moves....cutting Henderson, Burgess, Lewis....these moves are about evaluating other players for next year.
Why cut them now? Well, if the team has moved on from them it gives a chance to catch on with another team now, perhaps a playoff team. Its helpful to both sides of the equation a suppose.

 

[fearsomefour]

The 'fit' thing is possible but Franklin-Myers was drafted under the McVay/Snead in 2018.

I was disappointed when Franklin-Myers and Joseph-Day were let go. Both players I liked a lot that I thought were just coming into their own when let go.
JFM is doing well with the Jets.
Rams number one priority to me should be Gaines.
The Rams should try to get this deal done before FA period starts as I think there well may be a team willing to over pay to get him.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I was disappointed when Franklin-Myers and Joseph-Day were let go. Both players I liked a lot that I thought were just coming into their own when let go.
JFM is doing well with the Jets.

At least Joseph-Day played his four seasons before leaving via free agency. The Rams just waived Franklin-Day after his rookie season. But that’s OK. They kept Tanzel Smart.

 

[Oregonram]

Tough Call...Gaines is a year younger and has proven his worth in the absence of both Donald & Robinson, but Bobby Brown is waiting in the wings to play NT, so maybe the Rams feel Robinson plays a more vital position.

Also, Robinson played a tough run stopper in the playoffs last year...to the degree that Collinsworth kept saying that if your the Bengals, you do not want to run toward Robinson, and he was right.

 

[jrry32]

I've thought about this. I'd pick A'Shawn. Here's why:

• Gaines is the better overall player, which will make him more expensive to retain.
• A'Shawn is a totally dominant run defender, but he's not an impactful pass rusher. Gaines is a good run defender and pass rusher.
• It will be easier to replace Gaines with a platoon (bring in a pass rush specialist on passing downs) than it will be replacing A'Shawn's impact as a run defender.