Les Snead and the Silver Lining ...

[dang]

I can hardly listen to Snead.... I've never heard someone who can say so much and come to nearly zero conclusion about what they just said.

Snead lives and dies by the “Art of the Deal”. It’s exciting, rewarding, maddening, and risky all at once. He’s tasted the upside, loves it and is inclined to put a blind eye to the downside. He had to mostly temper it in 2022 but with McVays support I see a full force commitment to it in 2023. They both know they won’t have Donald, Ramsey, Stafford, Wagner (yes Wagner is a key piece) and Kupp together for more than a couple more years.

 

[RamDino]

I think it's pretty obvious that Snead and McVay collaborate on draft picks even though it probably did not start that way. That said, they missed big time by drafting Decobie Durant at 142 when they could have taken Tariq Woolen, who was picked at 153 and made the pro bowl for Seattle. Not bad for a rookie. I blame that one on Snead.

And then there is the Tutu pick over all pro rookie center Creed Humphrey. I blame McVay for that one.

I realize the draft is a crap shoot but how come the Rams can't find some great players in the later rounds? The only player I can remember outplaying his draft status is Cooper Kupp. The Rams need to hit on some picks this year to get back to winning consistently.

 

[Malibu]

Good at what he does? I think he sucks at draft evaluations. He hasn’t had good drafts since Brad Holmes left. I’d rather they had traded Snead to the Lions and promoted Holmes to GM.

If he sucks so much how did we make the playoffs the last 4 of the 6 years go to the Superbowl twice in those 6 years. Name any other team that has that record other than KC & NE.

 

[PARAM]

If he sucks so much how did we make the playoffs the last 4 of the 6 years go to the Superbowl twice in those 6 years. Name any other team that has that record other than KC.

He sucks because we haven't gone to the SB EVERY YEAR!!! There are 7 guys drafted from 2017 on (plus 8 from 2012-2016), who've signed nice contracts with other teams. There will be a few more in 2023. Maybe as many as 5 or 6. You can't judge a guy's draft record by who is on your team. You judge it by who is on your team, how your team has done and draftees not on your team anymore who are still in the league. I think his record in those areas is better than most.

 

[tempests]

I realize the draft is a crap shoot but how come the Rams can't find some great players in the later rounds? The only player I can remember outplaying his draft status is Cooper Kupp. The Rams need to hit on some picks this year to get back to winning consistently.

Probably because the vast majority of "great players" are gone by the time the Rams pick.

Sebastian Joseph Day
Samson Ebukam
John Franklin Myers
Nick Scott
David Edwards
Jordan Fuller
Ernest Jones
Ben Skowronek

Rams fans may not love all these players but none of them went in the top 100 of their draft and this is where the Rams have been living.

For never having a first round pick, the Rams have been managing. Like Snead said, to replenish the roster, they need to keep their early picks this time.

 

[Merlin]

I often wonder how much of Gurley and AD were at Fishers demands.

Besides they were top ten picks even if they were all Snead. Think about the 2022 roster. The backbone is two players that Snead drafted. AD and Kupp. Stafford, Ramsey and Whitworth weren’t his picks and again they were top ten picks, aside from Whit who maybe should have been.

So aside from Kupp and Havenstein, how good has he actually done? Akers and Van J may or may not be good second round picks. At their peak yes, but we’ve seen their lows. He’s had two bad drafts since Holmes left. I’m not convinced.

His habit of trading back for more picks to increase the odds of hitting on some has yielded mostly duds. He passed on a generational LBer for two duds.

I would like to note here that I have criticized his drafting plenty Elm. And I don't disagree with anything you're saying. I think we need to draft better too starting this year. We need guys who are going to be able to help out for more than a couple seasons. Core players.

But the draft is a crap shoot and overall in spite of my annual complaints with the roster I must give the guy some credit here. He does some good things too.

 

[Faceplant]

But he can claim AD and Gurley too I suppose.

I always hear about how Fish had complete control over the roster when he was with the Rams. In fact, that argument is used a LOT to DEFEND Snead. Can't have it both ways..

@Merlin this is not aimed at you, just using your quote to make a point.

 

[John R]

Good at what he does? I think he sucks at draft evaluations. He hasn’t had good drafts since Brad Holmes left. I’d rather they had traded Snead to the Lions and promoted Holmes to GM.

It hasn’t been brought up much, but I’m afraid loosing Brad was a bigger deal than some of the assistant coaches and coordinators we lost. Big gain for Detroit.

 

[PARAM]

Snead lives and dies by the “Art of the Deal”. It’s exciting, rewarding, maddening, and risky all at once. He’s tasted the upside, loves it and is inclined to put a blind eye to the downside. He had to mostly temper it in 2022 but with McVays support I see a full force commitment to it in 2023. They both know they won’t have Donald, Ramsey, Stafford, Wagner (yes Wagner is a key piece) and Kupp together for more than a couple more years.

What downside? When you don't have your high picks, you have to make deals. Under Snead/McVay our picks almost undergo mitosis. And they've had to coming into 2017 with a rebuild and no 1st round pick. He starts with 6 picks and ends up with 8. I'd much prefer two picks in a lower round than one. Increases your chance of success 100%. It will be interesting to see if he trades down in the 2nd or 3rd to pick up a 4th this draft. He has alot of ancillary ammo in the 6th and 7th, so he may not have to trade down far. A 2nd and a 6th for a slightly lower 2nd and a 4th or a 3rd and a 6th for a 3rd and a 4th, etc. It all depends on who is available when their slot in the 2nd and 3rd comes up. And when it's all said and done we get bang for our buck in the lower rounds PLUS quality experienced players for our first round picks.

 

[AvengerRam]

Les Snead and the Silver Lining

Sounds like a children’s book.

Others…

Sean McVay and the Very Big Decision
Aaron Donald and the Frightened Quarterback
Matthew and Cooper are Friends

 

[oldnotdead]

Getting a top tier edge is very expensive and difficult. This is why I expect them to take another approach. Getting a DT would seem to be easier. Grabbing a DT like Buckner would be a worthy replacement at 3T to AD who is likely to retire after this year. Moving AD to DE would seem to be a smart move. A rotation of Donald and Hoecht would be an excellent answer to the edge problem this year. Pity the poor LTs and LGs that have to face AD. That basically would shut down runs to the left side.

Da'Ron Payne is a FA this year if WA doesn't exercise their 5th year option which isn't a given.

Even without signing a vet DT they can simply draft one or go with who they have. Move Gaines to 3T and play Brown at 1T. Regardless having Donald at DE in rotation with Hoecht would solve that edge problem this year and give Hoecht another year to develop at the position. There is no question Hoecht has the speed and tackling ability you want on the edge. He simply lacks the technique. He can learn alot from AD in one year.

This is why I don't think it's a given that the Rams will trade for a DE or DT. Brown looked promising this past season at NT. He was drafted as Robinson's replacement.

DL:
DE Donald, Hoecht
NT B. Brown
DT Gaines, Murchison
SAM Floyd, Hardy

LBs:
MIKE Wagner
MO Jones
OLB Howard

Secondary:
RCB Ramsey
LCB Rochell
SCB Durant
SS Lake
FS Scott

OL:
LT Noteboom
LG Jackson
C Allen
RG Shelton
RT Havenstein

Gameday reserves: LOT Nsekhe, OG Bruss, OG/ROT Thomas

QB Stafford, Mayfield
RB Akers, Williams, Powell
WR Kupp, Jefferson, Robinson, Atwell, Skowronek

I also think they should transition Brandon Powell back to his natural position of RB. He would be a good #3 RB and would go a long way in filling that role in the RB room. He's a natural RB with excellent field vision as a one cut and go runner. Powell is a natural RB for a zone blocked scheme.

What I'm saying is that the Rams already have a ready made roster if they simply shuffle them around. Then this draft would be about back filling the depth vacancies. IMO Donald will be better than any DE they could trade for or draft. Next year they will have a first round pick to grab an edge. But who knows Hoecht might develop into a very good edge. Like I said when he was a rookie that his combine and pro day test were very close to AD. He simply lacks the polish and strength AD has.

This roster isn't as woeful as some like to make it out to be.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

If he sucks so much how did we make the playoffs the last 4 of the 6 years go to the Superbowl twice in those 6 years. Name any other team that has that record other than KC & NE.

Trades. Plus the Rams have a good coach. I’m criticizing his drafting, especially after Holmes left.

 

[Malibu]

Getting a top tier edge is very expensive and difficult. This is why I expect them to take another approach. Getting a DT would seem to be easier. Grabbing a DT like Buckner would be a worthy replacement at 3T to AD who is likely to retire after this year. Moving AD to DE would seem to be a smart move. A rotation of Donald and Hoecht would be an excellent answer to the edge problem this year. Pity the poor LTs and LGs that have to face AD. That basically would shut down runs to the left side.

Da'Ron Payne is a FA this year if WA doesn't exercise their 5th year option which isn't a given.

Even without signing a vet DT they can simply draft one or go with who they have. Move Gaines to 3T and play Brown at 1T. Regardless having Donald at DE in rotation with Hoecht would solve that edge problem this year and give Hoecht another year to develop at the position. There is no question Hoecht has the speed and tackling ability you want on the edge. He simply lacks the technique. He can learn alot from AD in one year.

This is why I don't think it's a given that the Rams will trade for a DE or DT. Brown looked promising this past season at NT. He was drafted as Robinson's replacement.

DL:
DE Donald, Hoecht
NT B. Brown
DT Gaines, Murchison
SAM Floyd, Hardy

LBs:
MIKE Wagner
MO Jones
OLB Howard

Secondary:
RCB Ramsey
LCB Rochell
SCB Durant
SS Lake
FS Scott

OL:
LT Noteboom
LG Jackson
C Allen
RG Shelton
RT Havenstein

Gameday reserves: LOT Nsekhe, OG Bruss, OG/ROT Thomas

QB Stafford, Mayfield
RB Akers, Williams, Powell
WR Kupp, Jefferson, Robinson, Atwell, Skowronek

I also think they should transition Brandon Powell back to his natural position of RB. He would be a good #3 RB and would go a long way in filling that role in the RB room. He's a natural RB with excellent field vision as a one cut and go runner. Powell is a natural RB for a zone blocked scheme.

What I'm saying is that the Rams already have a ready made roster if they simply shuffle them around. Then this draft would be about back filling the depth vacancies. IMO Donald will be better than any DE they could trade for or draft. Next year they will have a first round pick to grab an edge. But who knows Hoecht might develop into a very good edge. Like I said when he was a rookie that his combine and pro day test were very close to AD. He simply lacks the polish and strength AD has.

This roster isn't as woeful as some like to make it out to be.

I don't agree with we may not need a OLB big upgrade. I think we can get it in the 2nd round the draft lines up right for us. There seems to be no LTs so maybe a upgrade a LG maybe the answer. If Buckner is available it is a great solution to go along with AD and a 2nd round draftee our DL will be much improved.

 

[Angry Ram]

I always hear about how Fish had complete control over the roster when he was with the Rams. In fact, that argument is used a LOT to DEFEND Snead. Can't have it both ways..

@Merlin this is not aimed at you, just using your quote to make a point.

I'm old enough to remember Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Todd Gurely were Les picks and Tavon Austin, Jason Smith, and Alec Ogletree were Jeff Fisher picks.

 

[TSFH Fan]

Ah, the good old days

Jeff Fisher, Rams GM have 'toxic' relationship, report says

The Rams are crumbling from the inside out as players and personnel try to find out who is to blame for the team’s failings.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[nighttrain]

I'm old enough to remember Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Todd Gurely were Les picks and Tavon Austin, Jason Smith, and Alec Ogletree were Jeff Fisher picks.

who chose idiot caught with 58 pounds of grass?
train

 

[Angry Ram]

who chose idiot caught with 58 pounds of grass?
train

Damnit. Greg Robinson. Still tho

 

[So Ram]

Damnit. Greg Robinson. Still tho

He didn’t pick Jason Smith.What really sucked was Jeff Fisher wasn’t going to let that pick go.

I was so pissed.It was a deep O’Line class & The Rams could have got the Bills 1st rd pick the following season & number 7 pick at the least.

 

[PARAM]

I’m criticizing his drafting, especially after Holmes left.

And how do you like Brad Holmes' drafts with the Lions? I think he selected some pretty good players.....Hutchinson, Williams, Sewell, St. Brown, Joseph, Houston, Melifonwu, etc. But in comparison to Snead's drafts those 2 years, the Lions had 4 selections before Snead made his first pick this year and 4 selections before Snead made his 2nd selection in 2021, so Holmes drafted 8 players by the time Snead had taken 1. Besides that, Detroit only had 4 picks after the 5th round, total in those two drafts while Snead had 8. What also has to be taken into consideration is the rosters. There was much more room on the Lions roster in 2021 and 2022 for these draft picks to play. And still, the Lions are 12-21-1 while the Rams are 17-17.

Who gets credit for Terrell Lewis, Terrell Burgess, Clay Johnston, Sam Sloman, Dakota Allen, Jamil Demby and Bobby Evans? Snead or Holmes?