They didn’t make all of those moves in one offseason. The moves were more calculated.I can't imagine what argument you think you're making here.
I mean.. really?
Whitworth, Floyd and A'Shawn Robinson. Three significant players.
Oh.. and it worked out that OBJ hit the street.. and they brought in Weddle in the playoffs.
You have to acquire talent and FA is one of the tools to do that. Trades are great too.. but those cost you draft picks and you often have to over pay in the trades, or to retain the players once they hit FA.
They've drafted and are developing a bunch of young players who are good and will be helpful. FA is a tool to get players in key roles to push them over the top.
How do you know they're not being "calculated" about what they're doing this offseason?They didn’t make all of those moves in one offseason. The moves were more calculated.
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The 2017 offseason would be very comparable to what I'm looking at when it comes to FA and overall approach. But I think the Rams can and will go a little bigger.
Whitworth
Woods
Nickell-Robey
Lance Dunbar
Kayvon Webster
Conner Barwin
Unfortunately.. I don't think there's a big-whit in this class.
Thanks for the well thought out response.THIS, I agree with!
I am trying to be fair because ... Well ... I am a Fair Guy God Damn-it!!!
I have not participated in this exchange since yesterday morning because I think long exchanges can go off-the-rails, where the topic can go in different directions.
My point (in several posts on this thread) was simply the following (which is a quote from one post):
"The only point of my post (where I agreed with @dieterbrock) was that the Rams do NOT have many veterans under contract that are good candidates for restructure."
I accept that it is Theoretically Possible for the Rams to add significant 2024 cap space.
I am saying it is not Practical for them to do so because they do not have many veterans under contract that are good candidates for restructure; and, accordingly, they Will NOT do so.
But putting that point ... whether anyone agrees or not ... aside for a moment, I agree with the idea that they can have a 2024 Free Agency comparable to 2017.
The six players listed above, plus John Sullivan (not listed) represented a very fruitful and Fucking Smart group of signings by Rams' Management. However, only Whitworth and Woods represented Major Signings from the stand-point of money and years.
Sullivan, Robey-Coleman and Dunbar were veteran-minimum signings. Webster signed a two-year deal. Barwin for one-year. Most contributed ... some tremendously But None represented a huge 2017-$-commitment.
Should Rams' Management once again identify the right free agents (assuming those players are available), the Rams can absolutely repeat their successful 2017 free agent off-season.
Now I am coming back to the $-point.
In my opinion, even with only 36 players under contract for 2024 and not having many veterans under contract that are good candidates for restructure, the Rams will have enough cap space to add one or two quality / impactful players, plus several solid players. To do so, they Will Not Need to create significant additional cap space, making any MAJOR contract restructures unnecessary.
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I like your overall approach to this offseason.
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But is it necessary for them to rebound in a big way?First, the Rams *can* open up a lot of space, according to multiple sources.
This is a factual point, not an opinion point.
I think this is a fantastic question and it does not have a simple answer, imo.But is it necessary for them to rebound in a big way?
But there are some nice FAs at positions of need (3-4 very impactful Edge and a couple good OCs). Add a stud LT and CB thru the draft and there could be a nice boost on both sides of the ball.How do you know they're not being "calculated" about what they're doing this offseason?
NFL rosters have turnover every season.. why wouldn't we want some of the new players to be high-end, if the team has the ability to acquire them?
And opening up money also gives them the opportunity to keep someone like Dotson. I know there are concerns out there about him being a one-year wonder.. but if his price isn't too high, I love the idea of some stability on the line.
The 2017 offseason would be very comparable to what I'm looking at when it comes to FA and overall approach. But I think the Rams can and will go a little bigger.
Whitworth
Woods
Nickell-Robey
Lance Dunbar
Kayvon Webster
Conner Barwin
Unfortunately.. I don't think there's a big-whit in this class.
Agree with whole post, furthermore I'd say that if I were to "overspend" on a FA, I'd easily do it on a LT than an edge. Same to be said about who I'd draft provided players were equally ratedI think they need to spend wisely. Not frugaly. Wisely.
I think their biggest needs are LT and Edge, not necessarily in that order.
He's been impressive. Hope it continues.
The fact he came from the Steelers is even better. My dislike for the Steelers has grown significantly. Watching a recent Browns player wipe his a$$ with a terrible towel was the best thing to happen this season as far as I'm concerned. Tomlin is regarded as a HOF great coach, but, our coach, McVay, has won the same amount of Superbowls as Tomlin. Rub that in the face of a terrible towel waving lunatic when you can.He's been impressive. Hope it continues.
I believe your 100% right about getting a top- flight edge. That one move would transform this Defense and improve this team the most. Let's go get Hunter in Free agency please.I think signing Dotson is a big deal and I think they need to consider Shelton as well. Continuity would be nice.
The need for a top-flight edge thing is just so clear. Think about how well this D is performing.. and it's toward the bottom of the NFL in turnovers and sacks.
Get a top-flight edge and both of those numbers will change.
That's the one position that there are just no internal options for or players already on the roster who can be retained.