Talk of Rams and Vincent Jackson bubble up again
by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 31, 2010 10:23 PM CDT
in St. Louis Rams news
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Speculation is strange thing. You can't ignore it or take it too seriously.
Speculation that the St. Louis Rams are interested in Chargers WR Vincent Jackson picked up again today. Kevin Aceefrom the San Diego Union Tribune said in an online chat with readers that the Rams will be giving the Chargers a call about their disgruntled wide receiver. Here's his quote:
I've heard speculation they will. (Just speculation, albeit from an NFL person, but just speculation.)
They'd be foolish not to, but how far it gets is another thing entirely.
The group of receivers the Rams started camp with had talent. And for all the concern about their lack of experience, the group's biggest shortcoming is their inability to stay healthy. Donnie Avery is on the shelf for the year; Keenan Burton was pulled from practice today with swelling in his knee (sounds like there's serious concern too); Laurent Robinson who has missed more seasons than he's played, had a mild foot sprain today. Durability from this group must keep the coaches up at night.
Hence the rationale behind kicking the tires on Vincent Jackson. It also suggests that maybe the coaches and front office feel like this team can compete a little this year and viably threaten for the division title next year with a playmaker at the WR position.
There's no way of knowing just how serious the Rams are, and it's probably just a case of due diligence more than anything else. Beyond those two factors it's a question of opportunity costs, as Jackson won't come cheap in terms of both the trade and the money it takes to sign him.
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If I were an NFL GM, I'd make a call on almost all players
But it wouldn’t mean I’d come close to getting them. I don’t there’s much to this and I think there’s a 4% chance we get him.
Who needs WRs when you have our TEs?
Shurmur, your career is in 3rd and long. Don't run a draw.
Onobun > Gates
I'll say it once again
I’d be absolutely thrilled if the Rams could work out a way to get Vincent Jackson for a second-rounder or less, regardless of the contract figures.
I think Bradford's game against the Pats
may have changed thinking a bit.. you’re right about:
“It also suggests that maybe the coaches and front office feel like this team can compete a little this year and viably threaten for the division title next year with a playmaker at the WR position.”
Seriously, how much would it take to compete for nfc west title even this year?
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Not much as long
as Alex Smith chokes and Frank Gore goes down for at least half the season. Couple that with Derek Anderson totally sucking and we could seriously make a run at the title. With Vjax of course
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
hmmm
Alex Smith choke – CHECK
Frank Gore injury – don’t matter.. sjax stayinh healthy more important
Derek Anderson sucking – CHECK
We’d have as good a chance as anyone
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
i was kind of thinking the same thing
Redskins are a realistic favorite for the division but I think we could be above both others. Seahawks aren’t looking to be that difficult and the Cardinals are self imploding without Warner.
they actually are considered the favorite this year
which shows how far the NFC west has fallen
Ha ha
take your compass back i think its broken lol
by Stonedtodeath on Sep 1, 2010 3:07 AM CDT up reply actions
lmao
sorry guys…. though I had writte 49ers until I saw this post and the WTF is he talking about compass…. then scrolled up and realized what i wrote to start with….. I am an exhausted idiot pulling too many long shifts…. embarrassed at myself
Actually, I think Oakland was favored to win the NFC West ;-)
According to this debate
Not sure how we now have to compete with the Raiders, Skins, 9ers, Cards & Hawks.
I guess our division is so weak, the NFL decided to throw a couple more teams in there :-)
does this mean
the raiders and skins were relegated down to the NFC West? thanks for getting me caught up, almost missed that one.
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
Actually
I think The Rams should make a strong bid for VJAX. The Rams have a handfull of average WRs, without a true number one WR for BullsEye to throw to and VJAX can be that number one. With VJAX in our line up we could make a strong run at the NFC West.
Get it done.
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
Makes sense to at least call
If they are willing to deal him to the seahawks then I don’t see why they wouldn’t be willing to trade him to the rams. Ideally I would like to see this happen for a 3rd round pick.
The Chargers
Traded their 3rd string QB for what amounts to two 3rds, I think they value VJack more than a 3rd. Just a guess
IMO
Thats why they allowed the Shehawks to talk to him
If they gave up 2 3rds for Whitehurst imagine what they’d give for Jackson! 2 1sts?
Not to mention the Ravens
Trading Josh Wilson today was the Seahawks’ most baffling trade of this offseason, in my mind.
well yeah im sure they do, i think the asking price was a 2nd round pick
but i just dont think he is worth a (likely) high 2nd round pick in such a talented upcoming draft class, given his off the field issues, suspension, etc.
by Buck Nasty87 on Aug 31, 2010 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Nobody is going to agree with me
but I just don’t think he is worth the money and draft picks it will take to get him. We are in the middle of rebuilding. Plug the weakness at WR with a decent (not great) #1 and lets grab one of the really talented guys in the upcoming draft. We need all our first three to four draft picks to get quality players for one of many holes in our depth chart. and I just don’t think he is worth the money he’s wanting. He’s really good but not 30 million gauranteed good IMHO.
No one apart from the people involved know what kind of money he’s demanding, and the highest guaranteed money figure I’ve seen thrown around is $20 million. I wouldn’t mind finding a decent #1 in a trade either, but who exactly is on the trade block?
Oh I've heard 30 million
Although it’s unrealistic, there’s no doubt I’ve heard and read it multiple times. Cut it in half and lets talk.
Aside from being a great receiver, it’s worth noting that he’s also one hell of a run blocker. Certainly can’t hurt.
yeah and he is also suspended for the first three games
possibly 3 more if he doesn’t make whatever deal etc by Sept 4th ( 4 days) and to top it off he wants alot of money ( I saw thirty million gauranteed in a few different articles but it is the media and they are idiots) approximately 1 year before a possible lockout. That means paying big bucks for a guy who may possibly only play 10 games in the next two seasons and that is excluding any injury that keeps him out a game here and there. There is just no need in a year where it would take everything going right (no injuries, Bradford being phenomenal, Jackson staying healthy, all of our young players having a really good year) in order for us to hit the playoffs. Why not stay the course and build the team in a way that makes economical sense. By next year there will most likely be a rookie salary cap which mean we can grab great talent at a much more reasonable price and have our draft picks in hand.
Is it that much different from paying a guy who might play 16 games over the next two years? Vincent Jackson won’t be the only player on the shelf if there’s no football next year. Hard to address the injury concerns you mentioned, since any player can get injured. As far as I know though, he has no major injuries in his career.
Of course there’s a downside. The Chargers wouldn’t be trading a player of his caliber for (allegedly) a second rounder if there wasn’t. This is simply an opportunity to grab an elite player who has proved it on the NFL field (unlike any possible pick in the draft). People seem to be ignoring the fact that draft picks are risks as well. It’s not always grabbing great talent.
As I said, I wouldn’t mind if the team found a suitable #1 receiver some other way. There just aren’t many others available, and for good reason.
dont get me wrong I think he is a talented player
I just think the economics of it don’t make sense for where we are as a football team. Now the Vikings should take him and not look back. They are playoff and possible superbowl potential this year. Although I would be thrilled if we get there it isn’t likely this year. Just think about what our 2nd round draft picks have done for us recently. Laurianatis, Saffold. We have plugged up some major holes with some major youth and without paying high price tags in gauranteed money. Plus I am a cheap skate who doesn’t like alot of gauranteed money out period. It makes me think they can take their money and just sit there and alot of great players have done so. I do agree that I haven’t seen the #1 receiver in waiting but I am more of a Rams fan and less of an overall football fan so I don’t watch for alot of the depth charts on other teams. I do believe Devaney does though and have faith in his talent for finding talent,
i'd love to have V Jackson here but not for a 2nd rounder and $30m
i’ve said it elsewhere on this site that if he could be got for a 3rd and $20m then i think that’s a fair deal but a 2nd is too steep, especially with the upcoming WR draft class
I'd have to agree...
With those who said take him if the offer is right. VJax is a big, fast reciever who demands immediate attention. He will make our other recievers better. He’s still got plenty of years of tread left.
I don’t buy that he’s a bad seed/overly greedy/diva. San Diego seems to be reigning in spending ahead of the potential (inevitable) lockout. They’ve had contract squabbles with 3 of their bigger named players (Vjax, McNeil, Merriman). They let LT go without a clear successor and even by drafting one, no one would argue LT’s veteran presence is worth mentoring the kid.
Recievers have a high learning curve, can have big boom or bust potential and generally have been declining in draft position value. Grabbing a proven reciever in free agency adds a credible threat to our recievers helps Bradford develop, and relieves Steven Jackson from getting all the attention. Along with all of those added benefits, it starts the conversation of the Rams being playoff contenders (which isn’t a far stretch in the NFC West), therefore putting butts in the seats.
Assuming that they are only asking for one 2nd round pick, missing 3 games gives us a little bit of leverage. A 2nd round pick isn’t too much to ask for a premium, proven talent. The paycheck may be a little steep, but think of it as a down payment to not pay top 10 money next year in the draft.
"declining in draft position value."???
calvin johnson went 2nd overall
crabtree went 10th overall and that was without a combine appearance or pro day.
the receivers in this draft weren’t at the other two’s level.
AJ Green and Baldwin with good seasons could easily be taken in the top 5, or 10.
Bradford to Onobun!
Special Talent
I’m not saying a special talent can’t peak interest. There definitely are players that stand-out and come in guns blazing. In recent years, much like running back, teams are finding they can find great talent deeper in the draft. In 2008 we took the first WR in the second round.
That being said, the Rams may very well take a reciever early since we’ve been addressing the other key positions with lots of money. It’s early, Julio Jones and AJ Green do have talent, but I’m not set on them being locks in the Top 10. George Selvie is proof that those predictions can make a free fall.
Calvin Johnson is a great example of special talent, but the Lions, in this decade, took 4 wideouts with their first pick and only one remains on their team.
This year, Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant both have sustained injuries that could linger throughout the season. Thomas has not even played enough to lock down a starting position in Denver.
Baldwin
Also, I think by draft time, Baldwin’s name will be thrown around here quite a bit. He’s of the same mold as Danario Alexander. Only problem is that he is another Junior.
It gives me some jitters to think how many juniors don’t come out if the NFL labor strife continues at it’s current pace.
The prospect of coming out to not get paid for a season seems a little risky to me.
I'm going with the majority
Bradford is bucking at the gate, Sjax is overdue for a winning season and there’s a load of potential on this team(besides the dwindling wideouts). Pick up Vjax and a decent sidekick for Steven Jackson and we’ll polish up like new penny.
Forget this year.
I’d like to get him for what it could mean for Bradford’s development. Having a legit target would make his life a lot easier, and draw coverage away from the other receivers. You want to set up your young QB with the best possible chance to succeed. It’d be a lot easier for Bradford to succeed with Vincent Jackson than without him.
Every year it seems we get at least 1
season ending injury to a starter at WR, and another to a DB. Losing Avery sucks, no matter how you look at it.
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Well I'm bucking the trend here
I’m not against all the good things Jackson can do for the team. We all know what a #1 receiver can do for our budding young superstar. We all know we’re short at the position, even before Avery went down. The arguments for Jackson here are all valid. They just don’t address the arguments against.
I just think the price has to come down. We have other needs. We’d be putting a lot of apples in one cart with Jackson at a time when we have to watch our spending as much as anyone else. remember it’s these kinds of contracts that screwed us in the first place 3 to 5 years ago. Normally I, not being the guy financing this team, wouldn’t care about what we spend, but it’s bit us in the ass so many times recently that it just seems out of character for us to do something like this now. If the price came down, I’d be out of arguments.
Is there any precident
whereby we, who are expected by almost anyone not a Ram fan to be horrid and pick top 3 next year, could offer to swop first rounders with the Chargers who are expected to pick late having won their division with or without Jackson and McNeill, and we throw in a 3rd or 4th round pick to make a trade like this happen? It would be a gamble, but a calulated one for the Chargers.
If that happened, we would not be throwing massive money to a rookie (CBA or not, early picks will make big money) and could afford to give Jackson slightly more than we would otherwise value him, and we could still address DE, DT and RB with our first three picks.
It’s just a thought.
Apparently the asking price
is a 2011 2nd rounder and a 2012 3rd rounder according to Yahoo Sports.
Thats too much for me, but they will have to accept less as time goes by.
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