The only true FS on the roster is Scott who is a UFA this year. Lake and Yeast have the length and enough speed to play in a quarters or two high shell type of zone. They also can play in a middle zone scheme. Jordan Fuller lacks the speed to play anything except as an in the box safety. There are faster LBs than Fuller. With his size he is best played as a coverage LB in a short zone scheme.
Kendricks lacks the speed to play boundary CB. Rochell and Durant are much better suited for that role. Morris for some reason doesn't like Rochell and Durant even though both have played better than Kendricks who runs hot and cold with his effort. I'd rather have Hall who is undersized but faster and quicker and gives 100% effort.
Talent in the secondary isn't the problem. It's how Morris uses or doesn't use what he has. The holes are DE and after AD leaves 3T. IMO trade for Buckner who is a worthy replacement for AD. Move AD to DE for his final season. With Floyd, Buckner, Gaines and Donald that is a formidable 4 man DL. Tough against the run and able to provide a 4 man pass rush. After AD retires then focus upon an edge.
I have no problem with LaFluer as OC. The OC under McVay creates the game plan within McVay's offense. He then assists during the game telling McVay what he sees from the booth. In other words the OC then understands McVay's concepts and designs. He can add his input within the framework of McVay's system. That is probably why Olson doesn't seem to be the next OC. Olson could be an OC in the traditional sense. He's apparently getting some interest as a HC. His offense is more plug and play for most QBs. If McVay really wanted to be a sideline game manager then Olson would be the logical choice for his OC in the same way McVay's DCs are.
If Brown doesn't get a HC job then he should be OC IMO. They slapped that title assist HC to make it harder to poach him. If they really value him that much then he should get the promotion to OC. That's the problem with McVay, he doesn't promote from within and it's why coaches move on.
I still say Brian Flores could make this defense a top 5 unit with the talent he would have on this roster. He also would provide an inhouse solution should McVay want to walk away again. Or I think McVay should ask the Broncos for permission to speak to
Ejiro Evero to replace Morris. IMO it was a mistake to allow him to move on and not promote him instead of hiring Morris. Denver's defensive ranking on many services is around 7. The Rams rank 18 or 19 on most services. With a healthy Ram roster Evero probably could get this defense into the top 5. McVay is getting rid of mediocre players, why does he allow a mediocre DC?
One of the reasons I think Mayfield will be the QB in 2024 is financial. Stafford is due a huge commitment in cash in 2024. Matt's cap hit goes from $20M this year to $49.5M in 2024. So if Baker is smart he will commit to at least a one year understudy year in LA. He will give Snead and McVay a bigger Super Bowl window than Stafford with a much lower cost. They could sign Mayfield to a reasonable 3 year prove-it deal in 2024 (i.e. something like $100M over 3 years with $50M guaranteed. I don't really think Stafford was destined to playout the full contract. I think his last year would have been 2025 regardless. Mayfield gives them a no trade cost option with a much longer career potential (10-12 years). It would be foolish in the extreme to let him walk. With his shiny new toy McVay would stay at least through his contract (through 2026) which is 4 more seasons.
McVay needs to start grooming his replacement if he really is going to walk away at some point in the foreseeable future. Be it Brown or LaFluer or someone else. I think this was a wake up call to Snead who needs to tell Sean that he needs an understudy.
www.acmepackingcompany.com
