1-15 Will Be a Blessing For the Future (Part 1)
by AmpLee on Jan 10, 2010 12:25 PM CST
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As the Rams have been sucking for the last 5 to 4 1/2 years or so, I feel like a vampire fan. What's a vampire fan, you ask? A vampire fan is one who gets more interested and excited about your home team in the OFF-season. Hence the day-night/ in-season. off-season analogy. I know...this last line seems way too Burwell-ian, but bear with me.
I used to post quite a bit about 3 years ago starting with that fucking miserable 2006 draft and it damn near killed me. I had to go away and hide under a porch like a dying animal. But now, of all times to be back, I am. I happen to be in the camp that the Rams could only be 2 seasons away from playoff potential. Seasons like these are essential for front offices (who know what they are doing) to build very solid teams. Let's face it. The main goal is winning the Super Bowl. No matter what, that wasn't going to happen this year. That's why i feel that, for a rebuilding franchise and new head coach, going 1-15 is sooooooo much more beneficial than going 7-9 or 8-8 and missing the playoffs. With a 1-15 team, the answers are RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE. 8-8? Not so much. Just ask that Scott Lameasshan.
Every fan who gritted through this season can tell you immediately which pieces will work going forward and which ones won't. Example: Craig Dahl or Danny Gorrer? Guys like Dahl, Chaimberlan, Fells, Amendola, D. Scott, B. Fletcher, Q. Butler, Justin King, and Brandon Gibson, to name a few, are FREAKIN' SWEET third and fourth string/ special teams guys for contending teams. Those guys are usually the hardest to assess and find when you are in the middle of the road. When you are 1-15, you build on top of them and you start making things happen. These guys hustled their asses off in the middle of hell and made a few nice plays along the way. It only goes up from here with them. These are the guys in a 1-15 season that make it easier for coaches and GMs alike to start taking solid strokes in free agency and the draft.
For instance, who thought we needed about 3 or 4 WRs when the season began? (I am raising my hand, as well.) Do you know how many we need now? One. Albeit a #1 WR which aren't always easy to acquire, but still, we need only ONE. That's it. #1 WR (future guy), #2 WR (Gibson, L. Robinson), #3 Slot (Avery), and #4 possession/extra (Burton, Amendola). Tight ends? One. Albeit a #1 TE but we have a solid core of Fells and Bajema. Still. One. DBs? I don't know. If we could shore up the D-line and LBs, I wouldn't cry all that much with the secondary we already have. Think about it. Those guys back there had the worst jobs in the NFL and they still did, at least, average. I'd like to think that ANY help from the pass rush next year would make their jobs a lot easier.
Well, Amp, therein lies the problem, you say. LBs and DLs. Here is where Spags is going to make his money. Year 2 will be a big test for Steve to re-stock his front seven with three or four starter-caliber players. I do, however, trust that he can given that the front 7 is Spag's area of expertise. i have formulas abound for other positions and the draft and I will get to them in future posts. Here's a little something to chew on for the near term. Please respond because i am very interested to see your opinions.
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I agree with your main point.
It is much easier to determine your needs when you are very bad (and interestingly, very good) but much more challenging when you’re middle-of-the road.
I disagree that we are only one WR away. While we certainly need a number 1 WR (that is undeniable) I am not sold on either Gibson or Robinson; they have not shown me enough. Gibson was too inconsistent during the time he was with us and Robinson was hurt very early in the season. Counting on them given such a small sample of their work is to me, like predicting someone will earn a PH.d based on high SAT scores. They may well turn out to be awesome wideouts, but as of now, I am not yet convinced.
Good point
And for the most part, I agree. The problem is that we need SO MANY starter quality players that we may not have the resources or funds to get a #2 WR. That position might be one we have to cross our fingers on and pray L. Robinson can stay healthy (big, big if). Our offense is still going to be fairly ground oriented so I see the conventional #2 WR being somewhat inconsequential if we can get a #1 and a bunch of possession receivers. And remember, Donnie Avery still has alot to prove to himself and the team next year. Maybe if we bring in a big gun it would take some pressure off him and let him make some plays under the radar.
Avery is bigger than D.J.
…but not as talented. i still think he can be a productive receiver in the NFL. He’s just not a #1 guy. He’s a little soft and lacks a tenacity for the ball but he still has sprinter’s speed and he would be a nice weapon to use if he can find those 25-20 yard seams in the D.
def
Avery is still a good receiver and it will show if we can get a reliable veteran at number one. But another thing I would be equally worried about is finding a back up for steven jackson. Gado and Darby werent cutting it especially Gado. It partly had to do with the offensive line but I would sleep better knowing that thiers a guy who can get more then 1.9 yards a carry.
R.I.P Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan
by keeperskillz24 on Jan 10, 2010 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
You beat me to it!
In Part 2 and my future mock, I was going to discuss a multi-purpose RB/KR/3rd down back that this team desperately needs. God knows how this number one overall pick is going to go, but if we trade it for various (and I mean it would have to be VARIOUS additional picks) we could be looking to add a C.J. Spiller (stinking rich man), Jahvid Best (wealthy man), or Dexter McCluster (everyman). I feel that this type of player for the #2RB is the missing piece to opening up this offense.
Avery can fly...
…but he can’t seem to catch very well or get open either. He also seems quite delicate.
feedback
I couldn’t agree more with your comments. While Spags builds the front 7 of the D next year, Devaney will have a big (and exciting) job of filling those #1 need areas through the draft and FA. Next year will be another transition year and I believe that all of those young players that you mentioned, and others, will really step forward towards establishing their NFL careers. Two more years and we will be an exciting team.
Next year finding a capable QB to manage the offense will be another key. I think we should hit FA hard in search of a QB to help in that transition as well as draft a QB that can learn next year. Perhaps a decent QB prospect will be available at that #33 spot assuming there are no trades.
Last comment. I have done a complete 180 and believe that the Rams front office should seriously consider the possibility of signing M. Vick to a 2 year contract to help us transition towards that future Super Bowl run. Let the young QB take those 1-2 seasons to prepare for life in the NFL. Let Vick help our offensive line by not having a statue for a QB (Bulger) and also help increase season ticket sales so that the StL area can once again view the Rams on TV (blackouts).
GO RAMS!!!!
If the Rams get Vick
they will have to completely change the offense. Then when the young QB is ready to take over, they will have to change the offense again. That is not the way to build a successful offense. You need to stick with one offense so your players all get well versed in it and know what they are doing at all times. If you keep changing it, the offense will never get settled. Forget the quick fix and do it right.
I don't think our current offense
is worth limiting our player acquisitions, in order to protect it. I think the decision to change the offense should stand on its’ own, though, meaning I wouldn’t change it solely to accommodate a new player or players. We should consider changing it long term, along with our OC.
feedback
towards Avery….I like him and no QB has yet to be able to show his talents. M. Vick would instantly make Avery a much more dangerous weapon for our offense.
Why? Vic has terrible stats in the passing game, much worst than Bulger.
But he is fast and can run pretty well-why not try him out as a WR? Anywhere but QB. The Rams dumped Warner for the same reasons that we pound Bulger. If we dump Bulger, he could be another Warner somewhere else if he had at least one (really good) receiver to throw to. Then watch us lambast the FO for dumping Bulger.
QB and #1WR
The more I think about it, the more I wouldn’t mind having Vick be the Qb for at least next year. This is a weak QB draft and we need so many other positions that I think it would be a win-win-win for the Org.-Vick-Fans. We are not going to win the Super Bowl next year. We probably won’t make the playoffs. Let’s just fill the areas of need on our team with the areas of strength in this upcoming draft and FA. By the time year 3 of the rebuilding rolls around then we have most pieces in place to take some shots at real difference makers i.e. #1WR and QB
Why Not?
Last year NOBODY gave the Cards a whisper of a chance even to advance in the playoff’s. The Cards kept saying Why not us??. It works like this-If you KNOW you can, you probably will. If you think you MIGHT, you just might. If you know you CAN’T, you won’t. You can’t judge a Rams 2009 scrub team with the 2010 healthy team. You’ll see.
I really hope you are right.
That would be fun to watch if they could turn the whole thing around in one year. All I am concerned about is that they have a massive amount of starters to fill.
For real
I’m sick of people thinking Vick is any good. He is not a QB. He is a running back that can throw the ball every now and then. Qb and the play calling are the issue, not the recivers. I bet Avery would look like a stud too if he had Mcnabb throwing him the ball. I just hope they can find a QB that they trust and actually open up the playbook a little bit. I think Robinson has the potential to be a #1 reciever. The playcalling just plain sucks. I really hope the QB play and the playcalling improves. I see a lot of potential in our recieving core. I personally can’t wait to see Suh in a Rams jersey next year. If they pick a QB I will be pissed. Sam Bradford? Jimmy Claussen? I don’t want any of those guys. Get one or two in free agency and pick a QB in the draft next year.
+1
I honestly wish that bradford would have stayed healthy that is the only way I think we would have possibly taken QB @ #1 and a huge decision with our 1st pick. What an idot for going back to school when he clearly would have been taken higher than this years draft, and now his shoulder is busted up! I know its important to have pride for your school but, when your football career could end at any moment and you will be paid huge money. TAKE IT! I hope he comes back strong at the combine, if that happens I still dont think the #1 is worth it. SUH will not be the next Reggie White or Warren Sapp. He will be the 1 and only SUH.
Bradford
When I have seen him, he just don’t look that good to me. The team around him looked great though. The one year he put up huge numbers was because his offensive line didn’t let anyone get close to him. His arm didn’t look very strong, although accurate. He just looks very skinny and fragile to me. The next year he showed what I already thought he was, weak. Maybe if he hits the gym and don’t leave for a couple of months, he might be the answer. But if after the first time someone actually got past his OL and sacked him he fell apart, no.
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