Stafford Extension Close

[Dodgersrf]

It makes sense that a competitive beast like Stafford wants to keep playing.
It also makes sense that a guy like Stafford doesn’t like getting his ass kicked all season long.

As long as we keep 5 solid, big uglies in front of him and keep him upright, he’d be more inclined to stay.

 

[RamFan503]

Agree 100%.

I just want an up-grade over Quessenberry should Jackson or McClendon go down. Just a solid veteran.
As bad as he was in limited snaps last year, I think D.J. Humphries is better than what they currently have.

That's why I would have preferred if the Rams signed a veteran third-OT in free agency last month.
Someone like Fred Johnson who eventually re-signed with Philadelphia. Johnson (29) re-signed for $2M.

Personally, I don't want the Rams to use their top-pick on an OT. I would rather they re-sign McClendon and ride with him and Jackson for the foreseeable future but ... Alas ... Snead and McVay do not take my calls.

I don't think we really know what we have in the form of back-ups on the O-line. I don't think many of us saw McClendon or AJ being what they are now. Are there others waiting in the wings that we dismiss as inadequate? I admit that I don't really pay all that much attention to depth players unless I get to see them play. But it seems the Rams try to give linemen time to learn their roles and the NFL game. As far as Humphries or Quessenberry, most people acknowledge that a line takes time to gel. With Humphries, it may very well have been a case of just a new body stepping in and not necessarily that he can't do the job. In that respect, swing tackle or back up linemen may be one of the toughest positions to just step in and have things run smoothly. It will be interesting to see but I just don't think the Rams are going to go after any linemen early in this draft.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I don't think we really know what we have in the form of back-ups on the O-line. I don't think many of us saw McClendon or AJ being what they are now. Are there others waiting in the wings that we dismiss as inadequate? I admit that I don't really pay all that much attention to depth players unless I get to see them play. But it seems the Rams try to give linemen time to learn their roles and the NFL game. As far as Humphries or Quessenberry, most people acknowledge that a line takes time to gel. With Humphries, it may very well have been a case of just a new body stepping in and not necessarily that he can't do the job. In that respect, swing tackle or back up linemen may be one of the toughest positions to just step in and have things run smoothly. It will be interesting to see but I just don't think the Rams are going to go after any linemen early in this draft.

Agree with all of that but right now, the only back-up OTs on the roster are Quessenberry and A.J. Arcuri.

I was glad they brought back Quessenberry because he provides veteran position flexibility; and seems like a good guy in the O-Line room provided he is 9th or 10th on the depth chart. But he will turn 36 prior to the start of the season. I see him as no more than a journeyman back-up.

Arcuri is going to be 29 prior to the start of the season. He strikes me as a Practice Squad player who can keep starters fresh during a long season by limiting their practice reps. I just don't see anything more.

Then I look at the remaining free agent OTs ... and I get a cold chill down-my-spine ... and not in a good way.

By-the-way, I hope they don't use their top pick on an OL. If they do, that would indicate to me that they have no strategy/plan to re-sign all three among Dotson, Avila and McClendon; and I would like the Rams to keep the O-Line together beyond 2026 (not counting Shelton) ... I think it's a strong, young group ... and, continuity on the O-Line can be a huge advantage.