Revolving Door at QB may be hurting the Rams Trade Down Options

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 3:06 PM CST

Just when things were finally starting to look up for the Saint Louis Rams, the football gods came in to rain on our sunshine party as they have for so many years in the past. The popular though around the Saint Louis Rams fan base has been that we the Rams would either trade down with Cleveland, Washington, or Miami for the highly coveted Robert Griffin III. The rams were in primed position to hold one of these teams’ hostage by gaining multiple picks from one of them while still remaining in the top ten picks of the upcoming draft. It’s a simple concept. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately for the Rams, impossible outcomes have become probable in every situation.

Who would have thought that in this same offseason where the rams would have the number two pick in the draft, a franchise quarterback, and a list of teams that are hungry for one of their own, an unbelievable amount of better options has become better for these various teams? A former NFL scout has said that he believes that Matt Flynn will be the top option for the Cleveland Browns. This is heartbreaking news for Rams fans who have expected the Browns to have been the top bidder for the 2nd overall pick. Many have assumed (maybe incorrectly) that the Browns would part ways with BOTH first round picks in order to move up, but Flynn would cost them virtually nothing but cap space as he is a free agent, and a very good fit for the West Coast Offense that Pat Shurmer runs. Rather than losing picks to obtain Griffin, the Browns could sign Flynn and draft Richardson and Jeffery with their first round picks, greatly improving their offense.

The next team in line for an RG3 ransom is the Washington Redskins. The problem with trading back this far is that while the Rams are sure to gain a lot of picks, they will likely trade themselves out of Kalil or Blackmon. Is that a chance that the rams are willing to take? It may not be up to them now, because it was reported today that Peyton Manning will be likely to be released soon. This is a dream for Mike Shannahan. This is a head coach who is hanging on to his job by the skin (see what i did there?) of his teeth, and he wants to build a winner right now. Drafting and Grooming Griffin might not be the best way to do so, but bringing in a proven winner in Peyton Manning has become a real possibility. With that defense, the Redskins could draft a receiver for Manning in round one and compete in that division from week one.

The final obvious bidder for RG3 may not even be considered a bidder at all if these scenarios were to take place. The Miami dolphins, who are the only other desperate team needing a quarterback, would have no one to bid with if the Redskins and Browns are both out of the hunt. They know that the Rams believe in Bradford, and they know that the only teams ahead of them would no longer be in the race. They could easily sit on the pick and draft him at 8th.

OF course, these scenarios are all speculation as of today. But if these three teams are hungry enough to give everything for Griffin, then you would have to assume that they will each kick the tires on Flynn and Manning, with the loser of both getting a consolation prize in RG3.What started as a dream scenario for the rams has begun to look like a worst case scenario, or even worse, not a scenario at all. It may just be a reality. A reality that the Rams may be stuck at the 2nd spot thanks to the unusual abundance of franchise quarterbacks soon to hit the free agency.

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Comments

so lemme know what you guys think? Does the availability of Flynn and Manning hurt our chances at a trade down?

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 3:08 PM CST reply actions

A small bit, but there are more then 2 teams looking for a new qb.

I am time grown old, full of knowledge and whiskey.

by Tampa_Ram on Jan 29, 2012 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

who are the others tht u feel will be there on draft day? these are the 3 names kicking down doors lol

and each has a situation better than others except maybe san fran.

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

The tams i see wanting a new qb are..

Browns, Skins, Fins, Cowboys, Seahawks. Only one of them can land Flynn(probably fins). Manning is still a wild card that we’ll see soon enough.

I am time grown old, full of knowledge and whiskey.

by Tampa_Ram on Jan 29, 2012 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

I Really Do Not Think So

When it comes to Flynn and RGIII; I think that RGIII brings more to the table in terms of running ability, accuracy on the deep ball( West Coast Systems do not require a cannon arm, but it would sure be nice), a running threat from the QB position. If I were The Browns, I would target RGIII. Just my opinion.

by ValdezY on Jan 29, 2012 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for reading dude

imo, even with the small sample size, flynn has shown what he can do and he knows the wco. Browns would be better off buying him and using picks to improve their offense rather than trading them

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 6:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

That Would Make A Lot Of Sense

With Childress as the new OC; do you think that would make a difference? I thought that Miami would be the team of choice for Flynn

by ValdezY on Jan 29, 2012 9:56 PM CST up reply actions

Miami is the obvious pick but

Browns got the money and system

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 30, 2012 8:53 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I would imagine that Philbin sees to it

that they run HIS system, and that Flynn would be the man to jump start their new offense immediately. Just my opinion…

by DCRamFan on Jan 30, 2012 9:02 AM CST up reply actions

My question is how much will Manning cost through FA?

And I think there’s no way RGIII lasts till the Phins without a trade. Flynn is still unproven(1 good game). And RGIII will be on a team for the next 10-15 years. He is worth the trade to a team that has all the other pieces and only needs a QB to be successful. There will be other teams no one is looking at right now in the hunt for RGIII. Maybe I’m just being optimistic but I believe a trade will happen.

by jmo53 on Jan 30, 2012 9:53 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

possibly

but i believe griffin has what a lot of teams want. there may be a suiter or two out there that nobody has thought of. like the guy at the senior bowl said yeaserday, if you do not have one of the top 5 qb’s you are always looking for that guy. even if you seem set at the position already.

worse case we keep the #2 pick. we get to pick who we feel is the very best player available that is not a qb. cause we already have one that we are high on.

by hbwb on Jan 29, 2012 3:58 PM CST reply actions

thanks for commenting

yea i agree. but i dont know if Griffin will be top priority on every list with these free agents coming out. especially for celeveland who can build around flynn in this draft with their three picks in the top 50

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

rg3

Draft rg3 wait for offers.We will get some great offers! Can you actually convince yourself that we wouldnt get top value for rg3.Lets just wait for the combine and see how his workout goes.

by ram69 on Jan 30, 2012 12:42 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

if RGIII kills it at the combine and no team offers enough. Stash him till we get the offers. They will come. At least 5 teams need a QB and that takes the best one available(Mannings neck?) off the market. Call their bluffs and worst case scenario if Bradford goes down RGIII shows his stuff and we get future picks. We are still rebuilding and I hear there are some great WR coming out next year so more ammo for next year.

by jmo53 on Jan 30, 2012 10:04 AM CST via Android app up reply actions

Good post! I still think Blackmon is at the top of Cleveland's draft wish list, not RGIII

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Minnesota take Blackmon if he’s there at #3. Relying on Percy “Migraine” Harvin as their #1 WR..?
When all is said and done, we know the actual draft will little resemble the Mock Drafts we’ll be reading until NFL Draft Day. I personally think there will be some other suitors for moves up on draft day. Don’t discount Dallas or the Ravens who are at the edge with their QBs. Is there some player that Cincinnati covets at the top of the draft? If so, they have a boat load of picks they could move. Lots of Draft drama coming our way guys…

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by Douglas M on Jan 29, 2012 5:09 PM CST reply actions

My first compliment from doug. Effin sweet!

I think the browns would rather sit on rg3 and if he doesn’t fall then they take playmakers. Good point. Never thought about blackmon to vikes but…. Yea it makes all the sense in the world

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 29, 2012 6:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

outside of Eli Manning

Flacco performed better than Alex Smith and Tom Brady in the conference final games. I’m not saying that Flacco is better than Tom Brady, but I don’t think the Ravens are in any way thinking of getting a new QB, and you cannot put the blame on him for not making it to the SB. I’ll absolutely agree with you on Romo and the Bengals, though

by DCRamFan on Jan 29, 2012 9:31 PM CST up reply actions

Does Having Brad Childress As New Cleveland OC

Change things? IMO, since Childress is taking over the offensive play calling duties; he might prefer a QB that gives him more options and more versatility at the position. RGIII may be that QB. Just a thought.

by ValdezY on Jan 29, 2012 5:52 PM CST reply actions

I think it depends on ones perspective when it comes to how it helps or hurts us

Before we knew we were getting the second overall pick, and before we knew that both Jones and Barkley were returning, we only could speculate on the possibility of trading down. It hadn’t happened before in our draft history, at least not recently that I know of. The only trades I remember are trades up, or 1 trade down in 2010 getting a second 6th rounder, and of course, last years passing on Quizz to draft some guys whom got cut loose.

Before RGIII went and won the Heisman the only hope we had was straight trading down when we hadn’t seen real trading before. We’re still in that situation, accented only by the presence of a player worthy of trade down offers. Without any offer, we still have the #2 overall pick and the first picks in each even numbered round to deal. And we can do so a little easier with the restructuring of the CBA to make such dealings more feasible.

RGIII has won his college awards but his perceived value is fading with the performances and news flashes of other QBs, available in the draft and in free agency. It’s also taking a hit with the passing of time since he’s done anything to show why we were all so giddy about his declaration of draft eligibility. His time is coming, you can bet. He’s gonna have at least a private workout, if not one with Kendall Wright and others, as well as the combine. Not that any of that is necessary, because those who are making the draft day decisions are in possession of all the tape needed to refresh his value.

RGIII is a wanted man and we may or may not cash in. We may even have to actually draft him to do so. I doubt anyone has balls that big, but it would be interesting. No matter what we have the second best position in the draft to help our team, until we start screwing that up on draft day, no one can take that away from us.

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Jan 29, 2012 8:55 PM CST reply actions

You Are Right

Screw ups are not something that can be taken away. Believe me I know! LMAO!

by ValdezY on Jan 29, 2012 9:59 PM CST up reply actions

rg3

Call all these teams bluff ! Enough of the bull #%it! Draft rg3 the phone will be ringing off the hook whats the worst that could happen rg3 comes into camp and decisively wins the starting job.the rams trade bradford for multiple picks.Personally i want to keep bradford I think hes a baller.He is very accurate. I think hes a natural fit for the west coast offense.but you have to take some risk to get the rewards! Do you really think if we pulled the trigger on rg3 that we wouldnt get a ton of offers.Man up rams we can do this!

by ram69 on Jan 29, 2012 11:48 PM CST up reply actions

I see Flynn going to Miami not cleveland.

2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
"I learned that Madonna will be singing at the Super Bowl. I thought this was football not the soundtrack to your menopause." ~ RAMpage28

by RAMpage28 on Jan 29, 2012 11:56 PM CST reply actions

Sign Flynn in FA and Draft RG3

Let the ’Skins sign Manning….that will be a typical Dan Snyder signing, and I will just laugh when it happens.

QB surplus? Cornered by the Rams. Let the other teams come knocking as we sit on all the talent.

I put this plan in the file: Maybe Crazy Enough to Work.

by Beelzebubba on Jan 30, 2012 7:24 AM CST reply actions

The trade has already been agreed upon

That’s how we got Fisher. The Rams have already agreed with Washington. We will still have an option of taking the #2 OT, Richardson, the #1 DT, etc. We will also take the Skins’ second pick this year and maybe a 1st and 3rd next year too. The only thing that scares me in this scenario is the Rams taking a CB or a RB at this position. Too early!

I see Childress going after Blackmon. That would leave us to take a WR in the 2nd. Sanu? Jeffrey if he falls?

by 81 Witness on Jan 30, 2012 2:05 PM CST reply actions

I'm not worried

Flynn isn’t that good and Peyton is finished.

Also I’m certain RG3 will wow teams once they get the see him up close. He is a world class sprinter, can throw the ball a ton and he is a very bright fellow.

RG3 would be appealing to any team without a star QB… roughly that’s about half the league. The issue isn’t finding teams that covet our pick but rather finding a team that has something of value to trade.

Cleveland would be foolish to pass up on the opportunity to trade up two spots to get a legitimate QB. They could possibly make the move for as little as their 2nd round pick and at most their late first round pick. Unless they know something about Colt the rest of us don’t I suspect they’ll be real tempted despite how they are currently poo pooing the idea.

Also I’m sure someone mystery team will ultimately come out of the woodwork and drive the bidding up.

by Sggladden on Jan 30, 2012 5:37 PM CST reply actions

Rams need to fake out some people...

by “leaking” that maybe they are not so set with Sam at QB. Work it out with Sam ahead of time on the sly that they may say some less-than-kind things publicly about him to get people thinking we may take RG3 and keep him. Then you’d squeeze a little more value out of that pick.

by RAMbunctious on Jan 30, 2012 7:37 PM CST reply actions

Bernie said the same thing a month or two back

Good strategy, maybe. Looks like Stan and Jeff will be good poker players, but good enough to pull this off after basically saying “Sam’s the man” ???

by Beelzebubba on Jan 31, 2012 7:44 AM CST up reply actions

Manning is a perfect fit in S.F.!

Alex Smith had a “nice” year. Can you imagine Peyton slinging it to Crabtree and Sanu. More to the point—Ram69 is right on the ball. Draft RG3 and make them come to us. Force the Brownies to pay for what they want. I can see getting Blackmon with the #4 pick and then bundling the #22 with say a 3rd rounder to move up to position to grab DeCastro. Decastro looks like 10 years of pro-bowl interior play. The steal of the draft is Mitchell Schwartz OT from Cal in the mid 3rd round or later. Totally do-able if we can make the right trade for RG3.

by JD70-79 on Feb 3, 2012 12:52 AM CST reply actions

Flynn might be Franchise Tagged

and if that is the case, whichever team gets him will have to give up their 1st and 2nd rounders to GB. Concerning Manning, if he indeed becomes an FA, the Jets might put a lot of dough to get him. IMHO, we might get the best offer from the skins for RG3. However, at this point all of the above are just speculations.

It was nice to bring out this POV though, havn’t looked at it this way before! Go Rams!

by rifat633 on Feb 4, 2012 10:09 AM CST reply actions