Philosophy needs to change.

[Elmgrovegnome]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

 

[Corbin]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

I pray we pick up a premium center to. They make up a lot of mistakes and add increased yardage to the running game and coverage calls. Think that’s missing honestly.

They drafted Avila as a guard 2nd round and traded for another Guard who’s played at a pro bowl level so far.

 

[JimY53]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

My guess is those things are going to be addressed. I don't think McSnead doesn't value those guys. they just had to cut the budget and wait until next year so that they can get more picks and FAs.

This is not a complete team. It's an overachieving team of a lot of so-so players and a great rookie crop.

We all wish they could have kept Gay, I think they couldn't afford him ...

 

[thirteen28]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

Hopefully, with plenty of cap space and draft capital, they will spend for those "luxuries" this offseason.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Special teams ain't so special. Missed fg, xp, punts returned 4 td:s. Blocking penalties.

Rams ST are a mess.

 

[SoCalRam78]

Rams are clearly thin at several spots.

 

[dang]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

Agreed on MLB for next year. Can’t stand watching Reeder or Rozeboom trying to keep up with NFL players. Gotta believe K will be dealt with in the next couple of days. Theres got to be 0% confidence in Havrisik at this point. If the Rams are going to lose please let it be for anything other than frickin missed extra points.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

My guess is those things are going to be addressed. I don't think McSnead doesn't value those guys. they just had to cut the budget and wait until next year so that they can get more picks and FAs.

This is not a complete team. It's an overachieving team of a lot of so-so players and a great rookie crop.

We all wish they could have kept Gay, I think they couldn't afford him ...

Jourdan Rodrigue and other reporters over the years have mentioned as part of the Rams team build, there are areas that need to be sacrificed and don’t hold as high a value for the Rams plans. One was interior Oline and another was mlb, and special teams. Safety is one also.

It worked for them because they have been to two Super Bowls, one of which they won. without doling out big contracts on upgrades at those positions. But, this team isn’t necessarily that team.

I think speed across the defense is a big issue and it shows up at linebacker versus faster pass catchers. Same with safety. I don’t need to explain the kicking situation.

I don’t expect them to get far in the playoffs this year, but I hope these trouble spots get their attention this offseason, and not just being addressed by UFAs after the draft. I don’t know how they will use their cap space, but they could upgrade over Roseboon with a faster part time ILB. They could pay for a kicker instead of taking another preseason gamble on some ufas. I also hope they can retain Dotson.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Agreed on MLB for next year. Can’t stand watching Reeder or Rozeboom trying to keep up with NFL players. Gotta believe K will be dealt with in the next couple of days. Theres got to be 0% confidence in Havrisik at this point. If the Rams are going to lose please let it be for anything other than frickin missed extra points.

They would have beaten the Ravens if they had a decent kicker too.

 

[JimY53]

Jourdan Rodrigue and other reporters over the years have mentioned as part of the Rams team build, there are areas that need to be sacrificed and don’t hold as high a value for the Rams plans. One was interior Oline and another was mlb, and special teams. Safety is one also.

It worked for them because they have been to two Super Bowls, one of which they won. without doling out big contracts on upgrades at those positions. But, this team isn’t necessarily that team.

I think speed across the defense is a big issue and it shows up at linebacker versus faster pass catchers. Same with safety. I don’t need to explain the kicking situation.

I don’t expect them to get far in the playoffs this year, but I hope these trouble spots get their attention this offseason, and not just being addressed by UFAs after the draft. I don’t know how they will use their cap space, but they could upgrade over Roseboon with a faster part time ILB. They could pay for a kicker instead of taking another preseason gamble on some ufas. I also hope they can retain Dotson.

I agree with all of that. They couldn't get everything on their wishlist, but I think the issues you have will be addressed .

An upgrade to Roze would be great. I would think it's coming.

 

[Ellard80]

thats not the rams... thats the entire nfl.

MlB isn't valued like it once was... too much passing.

The Rams problem besides special teams is the secondary....

 

[oldnotdead]

Hey I expected them to make the playoffs and said so months before the season.

QB, CB, OT, Edge and PK are their biggest needs.

The Rams have 3 pass rushers in Young, Turner and Donald with Hoecht providing a lot of push. Like I said it's a matter of Morris turning them loose. They need a PK more than an edge. Hampton is beginning to develop into a good OLB as is Hoecht. Before the draft many evaluators felt Desjuan Johnson should transition inside to ILB. Many said the same thing about Mathis as he plays inside gaps well.

 

[Merlin]

Jourdan Rodrigue and other reporters over the years have mentioned as part of the Rams team build, there are areas that need to be sacrificed and don’t hold as high a value for the Rams plans. One was interior Oline and another was mlb, and special teams. Safety is one also.

It worked for them because they have been to two Super Bowls, one of which they won. without doling out big contracts on upgrades at those positions. But, this team isn’t necessarily that team.

I think speed across the defense is a big issue and it shows up at linebacker versus faster pass catchers. Same with safety. I don’t need to explain the kicking situation.

I don’t expect them to get far in the playoffs this year, but I hope these trouble spots get their attention this offseason, and not just being addressed by UFAs after the draft. I don’t know how they will use their cap space, but they could upgrade over Roseboon with a faster part time ILB. They could pay for a kicker instead of taking another preseason gamble on some ufas. I also hope they can retain Dotson.

I think you're right. We must have one of the slowest defenses in the league and that affects how it can be called. I don't blame them because for a rebuild year they did pretty damn good overall. But for this offseason speed is probably going to be a theme.

Hoping last offseason signalled a change by the Rams with the OL. Not that I expect them to start drafting OL high, but LT in particular in terms of being willing to look for it early would be nice. Avila isn't perfect but he demonstrates what you can get with an earlier pick on that line, the guy is already a hell of a lineman and looks like he might be on the way to being something special. You're not gonna get guys like him third round.

It's crazy to see the difference in our protections today with just Jackson changing over to Boom. So yeah I think getting that right is going to be crucial if we want a real chance to contend next season. And I want to see real investment in this defense. It is sorely required.

 

[jrry32]

I know that nobody expected the Rams to make the playoffs, but the Rams choice not to value kickers or inside linebackers almost bit them in the ass versus the Giants.

They need a second MLB that has some speed along with a real kicker. (along with many other needs this offseason.

They changed the philosophy on not valuing guards. I hope this season has them reconsidering how they view those other two positions.

The Ravens are likely going to let Patrick Queen walked because of all the money they paid Roquan Smith. I'd sign him in FA. He's young, he's extremely athletic and physical, and he is playing at a very high level. He absolutely was killing SF last week.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

thats not the rams... thats the entire nfl.

MlB isn't valued like it once was... too much passing.

The Rams problem besides special teams is the secondary....

The Browns have a great defense with two very fast linebackers. Karamoah-Owusu is one I was hoping the Rams would draft. A guy like that can give a defense a lot of versatility.

But yeah, I agree. The quarters defense doesn’t seem to value inside linebackers all that much. But they are really hurting from the lack of speed on short crossers.

I guess that one could argue that the Rams won a Super Bowl with Troy Reeder, but schemes change and teams adapt. Right now, the slow plodding inside linebackers seem to be something offenses are taking advantage of.

 

[PARAM]

they just had to cut the budget and wait until next year so that they can get more picks and FAs.

This is not a complete team. It's an overachieving team of a lot of so-so players and a great rookie crop.

We all wish they could have kept Gay, I think they couldn't afford him ...

Gay signed a 22 mil 4 year contract and his cap hit this year is 10 mil. I don't believe the Rams braintrust expected to be in the hunt for a playoff spot. They'd never admit it. And that's probably why they called it a remodel and not a rebuild. But in either case, would it have been a wise decision (sans hindsight) to pay Gay a ton of money? He's missed 5 FGs in his last 7 games. After getting rid of Ramsey, Floyd, Wagner, Gaines, etc because of money would it have made sense to pay Gay 22 mil? Why? It was a calculated decision. BTW, how many absolute lock kickers in the NFL? 10 out of 32? More? Less? Score enough TDs and you don't need FGs. How many "awesome" kickers have won the SB the last 10 years? Truth is you only need them when a FG will win the game. And because 25% of games are decided by 3 points, the kicker is uber important. Like a defense that wins Championships, not an offensive minded HC and a great QB. I'd be interested to know, in all those games over the past 10 years decided by a FG, how many of them had a missed FG involved?

 

[Ram_Rally]

Jeremiah Trotter Jr maybe?

 

[norcalramfan]

Meanwhile Fassel finds gold at the place kicking position.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

I agree .... but we did draft a kicker a couple years ago...only lasted a couple of games though.

I think that the success in picking up Matt Gay gave us some confidence that we could find another gem. But we need a major kicking upgrade.

Also... I'd say rozenboom played better than I thought he would. But we ABSOLUTELY have to upgrade that ILB spot. I really thought one of the multiple UDFA ILBs we had in camp would stick but none made the team. I mean we made Littleton close to a pro bowler .... we had the #1 defense in the NFL with Micah Kiser and Kenny Young at ILB. It's not going to take reinventing the wheel to upgrade that spot, but we need to draft one this year

 

[JimY53]

Gay signed a 22 mil 4 year contract and his cap hit this year is 10 mil. I don't believe the Rams braintrust expected to be in the hunt for a playoff spot. They'd never admit it. And that's probably why they called it a remodel and not a rebuild. But in either case, would it have been a wise decision (sans hindsight) to pay Gay a ton of money? He's missed 5 FGs in his last 7 games. After getting rid of Ramsey, Floyd, Wagner, Gaines, etc because of money would it have made sense to pay Gay 22 mil? Why? It was a calculated decision. BTW, how many absolute lock kickers in the NFL? 10 out of 32? More? Less? Score enough TDs and you don't need FGs. How many "awesome" kickers have won the SB the last 10 years? Truth is you only need them when a FG will win the game. And because 25% of games are decided by 3 points, the kicker is uber important. Like a defense that wins Championships, not an offensive minded HC and a great QB. I'd be interested to know, in all those games over the past 10 years decided by a FG, how many of them had a missed FG involved?

I think that's about right. I'd only add that I don't think they could have paid Gay if they wanted to. But they thought they could get by with rookie LS, K, and P. It was a gamble. Evans is a keeper ... but he needs a little work, too. He could be the next Hekker, I don't know but he's not there yet.