Puka and the other Youngins are renewing my fandom!

[So Ram]

Part of it is how sneaky Stafford is with his eyes. He puts on a clinic with moving guys in their drops. I suspect it gets him in trouble at times too but boy when he is on he is on.

YEP! Won The Rams a Superbowl as evidence.He has always been a real tough SOB.
Solid QB who is a HOF Qab

 

[WestCoastRam]

He's won OROY with his first 4 weeks of play!!!
39 rec (#1), 501 yds (#2).
If he plays the next 13 games and averages 3 rec, 36 yards, he'll end up with 78 catches for 969 yards. That'll win OROY!!!

CJ Stroud would like to have a word. I love Puka but what Stroud has done with mostly backups on his oline and almost nothing at WR in the first 4 games is unbelievable.

Will be interesting what both look like the next 4 games as there's enough tape on them for teams to start really game planning against both.

 

[gogoat1]

Its why you build through the draft.
F them picks needs to go away.
I am always more attached to Rams players scouted by and drafted by the Rams and only being a Ram.
Aaron Donald, Jack Youngblood, Jackie Slater anyone !!!!!

 

[gogoat1]

Its why you build through the draft.
F them picks needs to go away.
I am always more attached to Rams players scouted by and drafted by the Rams and only being a Ram.
Aaron Donald, Jack Youngblood, Jackie Slater anyone !!!!!

Oh, I am sure.

 

[fanotodd]

Its why you build through the draft.
F them picks needs to go away.
I am always more attached to Rams players scouted by and drafted by the Rams and only being a Ram.
Aaron Donald, Jack Youngblood, Jackie Slater anyone !!!!!

I think there’s a happy medium.
This roster was so bad and the Rams had been losing for so long that a couple of rookies weren’t gonna change much.
Signing Whitworth and Woods was an important move. The first pick was already gone, but it provided a 2nd year QB with a big arm, eventually being replaced with another QB with a big arm who costed the Rams two more 1rst rounders.

It’s all of the 1rst rounders the Rams traded away that brought on the scrutiny (and big contract$). That SB winning team in 2021 had many home grown players starting or logging significant PT throughout the year. Had the Rams been keeping their 1rst and 2nd rounders and only trading day 3 picks, they would not have got back the talent they needed to be a SB team, nor would they have been so scrutinized.

I agree that this is not a sustainable model because you eventually run out of high picks and more importantly, $$.
But this all in approach to get the Rams over the top WORKED. We, and all of the critics shouldn’t lose sight of that key element.

What is pleasantly surprising is how fast the Rams are reloading through the draft. Several players are already starting/showing promise and making a significant impact. This is the ONLY way building through the draft works—instant hits at significant positions, especially the QB. In the Rams case, they have a QB, but after Stafford leaves, it’s really not gonna matter which formula is in place unless he is adequately replaced.

 

[PARAM]

CJ Stroud would like to have a word. I love Puka but what Stroud has done with mostly backups on his oline and almost nothing at WR in the first 4 games is unbelievable.

Will be interesting what both look like the next 4 games as there's enough tape on them for teams to start really game planning against both.

True. But how much affect will Kupp's return have on teams game planning for Puka? And....who are they going to have to ignore, Tutu? Kyren? Higbee?

I agree Stroud has done a fine job. Of the top 3 rookie QBs, I thought he had the best chance to succeed. To me, Young is too small (frail?) and Richardson had less than half the experience of Stroud. He came from a top program with loads of experience in big games. If Stroud keeps it up, it would take phenomenal numbers that couldn't be ignored to keep OROY off his mantle. Exactly the kind Puka is amassing.

 

[majrleaged]

 I would be more concerned that Cooper's return hurts Puka's chances to win offensive player of the year or MVP.

All I care about is that the 2 of them on the field together becomes unstoppable. If so, the accolades will keep coming.

 

[majrleaged]

1) not gonna spend a lotta time on Nacua. We all see it. The kid is polished and tough. Steal of the draft.

2) how many of you rewatch plays, focusing on Avila? He’s a wall. He stopped hargraves in his tracks all day vs the 9ers. I didn’t hear buckner’s name until the game was practically over. On passing plays, Avila doubles, switches off to help double somebody else, and picks up stunts relatively easily. On run plays he just picks a guy and moves him. He already looks like a seasoned vet. Has he committed a penalty or given up a sack yet?

3) I know there are mixed feelings on Kendrick, but he’s playing his guts out taking on some big time WRs. He’s holding his own, getting more stops than not. He’s been burned and he’s committed a couple untimely penalties, but it’s easier to tolerate those than the occasional 15 yarder for taunting by a seasoned, high profile, top CB who should know better.

The young secondary in general has been impressive. 2nd year Safety Yeast is another who has impressed. I thought without a pass rush, they were toast, but that hasn’t been the case.

3) Atwell has great hands. Between him, Nacua, and Kupp, I don’t see a whole lot of catchable passes hitting the ground. I’ve already seen Atwell and Nacua make some Stafford saving catches. Atwell just looks completely different out there this season. I really like his game.

4) “The Conductor” is coming along. So is Young. These two defensive rookies get better each week. Great attitudes and high motors. Teams unfamiliar with the Rams are more likely to try more 5-7 step drops. Good luck.

5) Let’s not forget our young punter, Mr Evans. More hang time! He’s doing OK on the shorter kicks, but those long ones when he gets to show off his leg…MORE HANG TIME! Once he gets that down, teams will always be looking at a long field against this sneaky good defense.

6) KW. Not only is he running tough with good vision (always falling forward), but he has been EXCELLENT in pass protection. He’s a complete back, making the defense have to honor the whole playbook when he’s in. Methinks akers might have been an unwilling blocker, forcing him to be used solely in the run game.
KW is the type of back required to play in this offense. He’s tough in the red zone, has a burst through the line when it’s there, and then there’s the passing game where he blocks and catches. He’s gonna be an underrated weapon for the Rams this year.

7) Lastly, a quick review of this draft shows 3 day one starters in Avila, Young, and Nacua. Evans is entrenched at Punter. That’s FOUR hits without a 1rst rounder! Turner is in the DL rotation, getting enough reps to be considered our 5th draft hit.
…and we haven’t even seen ZEvans and are probably just gonna start seeing Allen getting reps at TE.

I don’t see the Rams going through a dark period after Stafford, Kupp, and Donald take their TWO rings and go home.
(See what I did there?)

agree on all of this. Just want to add that KW finds holes in itty bitty cracks as well. Ackers he sometimes, way to many times didn't even see big holes. Plus he wasn't even close to the pass protector KW is.

 

[majrleaged]

There is a time and place for Fuck them picks. When you have a good roster and the right piece comes available. The sure thing to me is way more appealing. There is risk in both processes. Many of us have complained about picks in the past. Just because it is a first pick doesn't mean it is going to work out. As far as sustainable , I would say the Rams lasted pretty long doing it. 2 SB and 1 losing season for 6 years. I guarantee you, that if so something pops up after this year and the situation is right, they will do it again.