How do we keep OBJ??

[Jorgeh0605]

I wouldn't break the bank on OBJ, especially if we keep Woods (which we should). I can't imagine OBJ keeping a good attitude while being WR3 on the depth charts.

 

[Merlin]

Interesting though that we signed OBJ just before the Woods injury. So I have to assume they had a plan for utilizing all four. And frankly, it reminds me of the WTF posts when we drafted AD. We were fairly set at that position. How wrong were those posters?

Sometimes you just don't know how a team plans to use players or what weaknesses the organization sees.

I don't get all the hand wringing over this. I see them finding a way if that's how they see it. It's hard for me to question after all they've done in the era of McVay, Snead, Demoff, et al.

I'm thinking it's a waste of time to worry about this now and the players we're talking about likely do too. We're onto the second round and I REALLY hope the players are thinking about nothing but how the TEAM progresses.

I would guess the plan was to add Odell on top of our threats for good matchups vs CB3s and 4s and make that playoff run.

But at this point Odell has been a model player who has worked hard and improved in his grasp of the scheme. We basically added an elite WR to this offense.

So this is a situation where the player changed the rules and expectations. And the Rams in general make room for elite players.

 

[dieterbrock]

I wouldn't break the bank on OBJ, especially if we keep Woods (which we should). I can't imagine OBJ keeping a good attitude while being WR3 on the depth charts.

Here's the thing with Woods, even if he stays (which I hope he does), they have to work on that contract. If I read things right, he's only guaranteed 3.5 mill roster bonus, his 10 mill salary doesnt become guaranteed until March. After that his annual $$ shoots up from near 14 mill in 2023 to 17.5 in 2025. No way they'll be paying out that deal

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Here's the thing with Woods, even if he stays (which I hope he does), they have to work on that contract. If I read things right, he's only guaranteed 3.5 mill roster bonus, his 10 mill salary doesnt become guaranteed until March. After that his annual $$ shoots up from near 14 mill in 2023 to 17.5 in 2025. No way they'll be paying out that deal

I don't think he plays on this contract in 2025, but I can see them keeping him this year. He's a good candidate for a cap maneuvering restructure the next two years. I don't think he takes a pay cut though, so eventually we trade him for peanuts (because of the contract) or release him. But I don't think that happens this year.

 

[dieterbrock]

I don't think he plays on this contract in 2025, but I can see them keeping him this year. He's a good candidate for a cap maneuvering restructure the next two years. I don't think he takes a pay cut though, so eventually we trade him for peanuts (because of the contract) or release him. But I don't think that happens this year.

His max trade value would be post 3/1, meaning Rams picked up the roster bonus and trading team is only on the hook for 10 mill for 2022. So this could be one of those restructure or be traded deals. Because a restructure is already tricky being they've done one already and its 2 mill per year

 

[snackdaddy]

Woods and OBJ have different skill sets for a receiver. Woods is more of an all around guy who blocks well, runs intermediate routes well, can run sweeps. Not to mention good hands. OBJ is really good in the red zone with those hands. Not many can secure a ball like he can in the 50/50 balls.

I'd love to keep them both. But like it was mentioned, how will OBJ react to being a WR3? DeSean Jackson wanted out because he wasn't getting enough his way. So far OBJ is content with his role. But would he continue with a healthy Woods returning next year?

I suppose if any team can convince a guy to be a team first player its the Rams. They have a solid locker room that seems to rub off on players who were once considered malcontents. Jalen Ramsey is a guy who can get under people's skin but its obvious he's all about the team. Almost a Kobe Bryant mentality of demanding your teammates do their jobs.

 

[Merlin]

Woods started slow but was really coming on before the injury. Didn't he also have like 170 yards one week? I can't believe the disrespect Woods is getting in this thread, especially since he does so much more than just catch the football. Woods will be a Ram in 2022-23. No doubt about it, IMO. Hopefully, OBJ is back as well.

There is zero disrespect for Woods in this thread. Discussing the movement of a player in order to add a better player to the team going forward is a discussion that we need to have. Because Odell is a better player.

The question with Odell is will he give you the dedication and focused play you get with a driven guy like Woods. Yes you will get improved potency in matchups vs CB1s and CB2s with Odell. But will he deliver over the course of the contract? It's a tough decision but I think he is similar to Ramsey in that you know he's going to do the work because he wants the glory and the affirmation of being a top player. But it is certainly risky to sign Odell, and that is before you make room for him and deal a good team guy like Woods.

Woods and OBJ have different skill sets for a receiver. Woods is more of an all around guy who blocks well, runs intermediate routes well, can run sweeps. Not to mention good hands. OBJ is really good in the red zone with those hands. Not many can secure a ball like he can in the 50/50 balls.

I'd love to keep them both. But like it was mentioned, how will OBJ react to being a WR3? DeSean Jackson wanted out because he wasn't getting enough his way. So far OBJ is content with his role. But would he continue with a healthy Woods returning next year?

I suppose if any team can convince a guy to be a team first player its the Rams. They have a solid locker room that seems to rub off on players who were once considered malcontents. Jalen Ramsey is a guy who can get under people's skin but its obvious he's all about the team. Almost a Kobe Bryant mentality of demanding your teammates do their jobs.

Agreed. Though I will observe that Odell can do what Woods does but Woods cannot do what Odell does.

Finding a player of Odell's ability where we draft is not gonna happen. The guy is supremely talented and guys like him are gone in every draft before pick 20 or so. I really appreciate Woods and what he does for us too. I love Woods. But there's a cap there with him being a possession receiver who does a bit of everything. There is no cap with Odell. He's a guy you can win with matched up on a top corner, even on low percentage plays. The guy makes a low percentage fade look like a gimme.

The good thing here is that if Odell leaves in FA he's gonna get a big payday and recoup us a round 3 pick. But for me I'd rather keep the guy we have zero chance of drafting for the next couple years.

 

[ottoman89]

Unfortunately, that's fan speak. No player does that, ever. This will be his last shot at the green carrot, and he'll want to get every bit he can. The problem here is figuring out what "team friendly deal" means. From his POV? Well, he was making 18 mill per on his previous deal so I'm thinking 20 mill per will be his "taking one for the team" number
Can the Rams pay that?

It's complete fan speak and hope. Because honestly, I really do want to keep him. Seems like he's helped fill out RedZone woes.

 

[ottoman89]

There is zero disrespect for Woods in this thread. Discussing the movement of a player in order to add a better player to the team going forward is a discussion that we need to have. Because Odell is a better player.

The question with Odell is will he give you the dedication and focused play you get with a driven guy like Woods. Yes you will get improved potency in matchups vs CB1s and CB2s with Odell. But will he deliver over the course of the contract? It's a tough decision but I think he is similar to Ramsey in that you know he's going to do the work because he wants the glory and the affirmation of being a top player. But it is certainly risky to sign Odell, and that is before you make room for him and deal a good team guy like Woods.


Agreed. Though I will observe that Odell can do what Woods does but Woods cannot do what Odell does.

Finding a player of Odell's ability where we draft is not gonna happen. The guy is supremely talented and guys like him are gone in every draft before pick 20 or so. I really appreciate Woods and what he does for us too. I love Woods. But there's a cap there with him being a possession receiver who does a bit of everything. There is no cap with Odell. He's a guy you can win with matched up on a top corner, even on low percentage plays. The guy makes a low percentage fade look like a gimme.

The good thing here is that if Odell leaves in FA he's gonna get a big payday and recoup us a round 3 pick. But for me I'd rather keep the guy we have zero chance of drafting for the next couple years.

Couldn't change said it any better than this.

 

[Mackeyser]

Interesting though that we signed OBJ just before the Woods injury. So I have to assume they had a plan for utilizing all four. And frankly, it reminds me of the WTF posts when we drafted AD. We were fairly set at that position. How wrong were those posters?

Sometimes you just don't know how a team plans to use players or what weaknesses the organization sees.

I don't get all the hand wringing over this. I see them finding a way if that's how they see it. It's hard for me to question after all they've done in the era of McVay, Snead, Demoff, et al.

I'm thinking it's a waste of time to worry about this now and the players we're talking about likely do too. We're onto the second round and I REALLY hope the players are thinking about nothing but how the TEAM progresses.

Exactly. The Bucs had Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Cameron Brate... and they ADDED, Gronk and AB and later Fournette.

The benefit of having all those targets is that teams will have to pick their poison. The problem is that unless you've developed an immunity to Iocane powder, it's gonna be lethal no matter which cup you drink from!!!

I see us doing all we can to retain OBJ.

I think considering the lack of drop off Monday night with Boom that if that holds against Tampa that we move on from Big Whit in the off-season. I'm sure we can structure a slightly backloaded contract for Boom that will allow us to retain other key personnel.

Here's guys who WILL be back

Von Miller
Sony Michel
Joe Noteboom
Austin Corbett
Robert Woods (not being traded...he's not a FA)
OBJ (if you look at places he could get paid, he'd be miserable at all of them)
Darious Williams

I think we may push some other monies forward which is unlike us as we're in the minority that front load contracts more than most.

I think after we saw what Tampa did (and really only injuries and an AB meltdown have hurt them) and that looks really good to me.

 

[Malibu]

OBJ doesn't like losing neither did Ramsey that bodes well in our favor. He was smart enough right or wrong to question how he was being in Cleveland and how that was effecting his long term career. Luckily for us he was outspoken and doublely luckily for us he chose us over imo better opportunities at the time in GB.

To me he is NOT priority #1 .iller is, DWill 2nd and some of the key OLmen third. I love OBJ like everyone does on this forum and hopefully he can help the Rams keep him.

 

[Mackeyser]

Best possible scenario, trade Woods to Detroit, and I love Woods, but OBJ makes Rams a better and more dangerous team.

train

Best possible scenario is retaining OBJ and Woods.

Can you imagine this offense with a WR room of Kupp, Woods, OBJ, Jefferson, Skowronek and Harris (sorry, Atwell), an RB room of Akers, Michel and Howell and a TE room of Higbee?

That's more talent on offense than any other team in the NFL bar none.

Don't think after we win the Super Bowl that McSnead is gonna be LESS aggressive. Where have ya been if anyone thinks that???

Not really focused on the off-season, but I don't see us dismantling the team after we win it all.

 

[Mackeyser]

As for OBJ contracts... his ability to supplement with endorsements in LA is massive, especially after we win the Super Bowl.

I think people underestimate how much players who are here want to stay here. Yes, guys leave, but usually it's because it's time to move on, not because they don't want to stay.

If we want them, we FIND a way for them to stay.

I mean, we lose a few... Brockers and JJ, but that's the exception.

 

[PhillyRam]

Keeping OBj and Woods is intriguing but Rams will have so many mouths to feed when FA gets close.

It ain’t sexy, but I sure hope they lock up our OL future UFA’s as top priority. Continuity is a beautiful thing in one’s OL.

Keeping Michel might be smart since Hendy is always banged up.

I suspect that they want to extend Miller, if possible. Our D results sure improved once he came aboard.

We have questions at CB and Safety and I’m not sure that they want to rely on mid to late round picks to restock there.

Maybe THEN they should consider a semi-luxury like an OBJ extension.

Having said all that we’ve seen the Rams work some unbelievable magic with the cap lately, sooooo…

Subtract Whit's $13M and if Stafford gets a new deal, you can tear up his current $23M salary for next yr. Then structure the new deal with a low first yr salary. Probably could clear over $20M with those two moves alone.

 

[Malibu]

Cowherd mentioned that OBJ has already made $80 million as a player and another $42 million in endorsements. That’s a lot of cheddar. Plus he’s experienced being in a bad situation in Cleveland. Maybe he’s willing to take less to stay.

Great point. I think he will have to hope he remembers all those shit teams he was on and how unhappy he was. Then it comes down to is a paycheck that is 2-5m higher per year worth all the unhappiness vs how much fun he is having not to mention maybe he makes up the $ disparity by longevity getting to play longer which is a factor nobody accounts for in negotiations especially when he gets cut or his big contract guaranteed $ is up. He never seems to be happy on inferior teams with 5he Rams he seems super happy - translation he plays better, his career continues at a high octane pace.

 

[RAMSinLA]

You keep OBJ Woods and Kupp and Higbee. Do whatever it takes to keep them all.

 

[RAMSinLA]

I would bet OBJ would do anything to stay in LA. Even take a pay cut. He has revived his career. What a wasted time it was for him in Cleveland.

 

[MachS]

Subtract Whit's $13M and if Stafford gets a new deal, you can tear up his current $23M salary for next yr. Then structure the new deal with a low first yr salary. Probably could clear over $20M with those two moves alone.

At this point I dont see us retaining Whit. Back to back years of getting injured and Noteboom has been playing good football. Also the $ we will save will be big to resigning Von and OBJ. And the Stafford restructure as you said will help a lot. I think Stafford's new deal would clear up around $12M if I remember correctly. Plus the $13M from Whit. That is big money.

 

[FarNorth]

Not specifically directed at you @MachS … I wonder how much the knee will impact his trade value?

Me personally, I don’t know if I trade Woods. He fits this offense so well. Then again, OBJ seems to fit in too.

We need both of them.

Woods is a key precision route runner, blocker, pass catcher. Incredibly smart, tough, do it all professional.

OBJ is also smart and professional, but has a rare abilty to get open, make plays, catch the ball. He is an exceptional weapon when paired with a qb who can get him the ball.

Those two and Kupp would be unstoppable.

 

[PressureD41]

Gotta hope OBJ, is willing to chase rings w/ us. He and his GF leave in LA so many he wants to settle in w/ us for a few years. Make no mistake he's still #3 on our depth chart IMHO.

Woods
Kupp
OBJ
Higbee
Munt
Akers
Michel/Hendo

that's freakin' amazing. Keep the OL going too please!!!!!!