FanPost

Will We Finally Get a Break? Ideal Situation For Next Year.

After every heartbreaking loss, I tell myself to just let it go, that it's a lost season and there's no hope with the likes of Austin Davis and Shaun Hill at the helm, but it still stings after ever loss. On the one hand, a part of me wants us to lose every game from here on out so we can have a higher draft pick. On the other, however, is a bigger part of me that wants us to continue fighting and win as many games as possible. Getting used to winning and developing a culture of competence, I think, would be a lot more beneficial to this young team than a higher draft pick.

Having said this, here's what my hopes are for the remainder of this season and next.

Players I really want to see develop

  1. G-Rob: Like LA Champ and I have been saying, I really wish G-Rob had been put in the games from early on. The more live action he sees, the better he will get. Yes, he struggles here and there, but as a rookie it's all part of the learning process.

  2. Lamarcus Joyner: I really love the intensity with which he plays. With more live action under his belt, I think he will develop into a fine DB. Aside from his on-field talent, I've watched many of his interviews/press conferences and he just seems so much more mature than players around his age. It's great to have the physical abilities, but I genuinely believe good players become great players when they've got a good head on their shoulders.

  3. Stedman Bailey: Mr. Gator Arms!!! If he continues his progress, and with a competent QB throwing to him, I really think this guy has the potential to become a player like Steve Smith (SR). He has got the talent, all he needs is the opportunity to shine. Like Joyner, I've noticed from Bailey's interviews/press conferences that he comes across as a smart and humble individual focused on improving his game. If you don't understand what I'm referring to, watch a few Joyner and Bailey interviews and focus on how they talk and get their message across and then watch a few Tavon Austin videos and then compare...

  4. Tre Mason: I must admit, I was not a fan of this pick when we drafted him. Coming off a season where Zac Stacy impressed the hell out of everyone in the NFL and taking into consideration that we had Benny Cunningham as well as Isaiah Pead in the backfield, I really thought this was a redundant pick. Keeping with the spirit of honesty, I'm still not 100% sold on this pick. Yes, he is running very well for us - I am acknowledging this much (and I'm very happy to do so). However, I still can't help but think Zac Stacy combined with Benny are more than capable of the same kind of production. Well... regardless, Tre is an important part of this team now. For his size, Tre runs incredibly hard. With a more competent offensive-line (that doesn't include Davin Joseph), Tre has a very high ceiling. Now question remains... what do we do with our full stable of RBs? Mason, Cunningham, Stacy, Watts, Pead... who stays?

  5. Aaron Donald: The Penetrator... enough said! He is already playing at a very high-level (Pro-Bowl??), imagine what he can do with more experience!

  6. Maurice Alexander: This is another one of those questionable picks for me. Apparently, Fisher was enamored with Alexander and wanted him badly enough to draft him ahead of what the experts thought his worth was (late round pick). The thing is, he is another strong safety with his physical measurables very similar to Mark Barron. Aside from McCleod, who is our other FS? If we traded a draft pick for Barron, I'm assuming he will be sticking around. So what of Alexander then? Can he be converted to a FS? If so, and I'm hearing he's quite fast for his big body, and given the fact that McCleod is a free agent after this season - will Alexander be the next man up for the FS position?

  7. EJ Gaines: This kid has done nothing but impress as a round 6 pick. With JJ, Gaines, Tru (not a huge fan of him), and Joyner - I think we've got a solid group of CBs. Now... if they can only be on the same page when it comes to coverage details.
Players I want re-signed
  1. Sam Bradford: I know this may not be a popular opinion here, but genuinely believe it's in the best interest of this team to roll the dice with Bradford one last time. This would obviously include restructuring to a team-friendly contract. I have no evidence for stating this next part, but for some reason, I think Sam also wants to work things out to give it one last attempt with the Rams. If the financial details are sorted, and IF Sam stays healthy next season - even with the shitty coaching, I really do believe the Rams can take that next step and become that team we all know they can be. The reason why I think Sam, if healthy, can become a top QB is the progress, albeit slow progress, that he has made. Right before he went down during that Browns preseason game, he was throwing lasers at Quick and Britt. Yes, it was preseason, but I don't think it's unfair to conclude that that was a preview of what was to come.
  2. Kenny Britt: To me, he has done enough to merit a contract extension considering our mediocre QB situation this season. During camp, it seemed like he lit a fire under our WR corps and got them all enthused. If we had even an average QB this season, it's hard to think his numbers wouldn't be more impressive. At the rate he is going, he will have 693 yards and 4-5 TDs (keep in mind his TD that was called back last game). He's young, he's definitely talented, and it seems like he has finally matured and put his off-the-field troubles behind him. Others might disagree, but I think with Britt, Quick, Bailey, Austin, and Givens, we are set at WR. No need to waste yet another draft pick on a WR, not even a late round one because those picks can come in very handy (see EJ Gaines).

  3. Joe Barksdale: Barksdale hasn't been an elite RT, but he has been more than serviceable. If we keep him, that's one more draft pick we can use to shore up the O-line or fill another need.

  4. Lance Kendricks: Like Barksdale, he hasn't been incredibly impressive, but he has been a good player for the Rams.
What are your thoughts?