The fan Q&A got off to a rough start this year. I flat out missed the first two weeks of the season and wasn’t specific enough when I was asking for your questions. Oh well... you live and learn, right?
If you didn’t see the tweet come across your feed on twitter, you can find me @Papa_Lurch and I’ll always tag @TurfShowTimes in the tweet as well.
Let’s hop to it.
Do you think Robert Quinn could be cut after the season to save all that cap space?
— Alex Washburn (@WASH_tubb) September 20, 2017
It depends on which Robert Quinn shows up for the remainder of the season. He has to show the Rams that the injuries over the past few years hasn’t taken away his effectiveness. Quinn is still only 27 years old and could have a lot left in the tank. If he’s productive and can show that he still has elite pass rushing ability his $12.4M cap hit is a bargain.
However, if he’s unable to show that he can make a transition to 3-4 OLB, his contract becomes prohibitive and the Rams may be tempted to save nearly $11.5M in 2018 by cutting him.
do you think the way tavon is playing or being used, that he will be cut in the offseason?
— Scott Brumett (@Scott_Brumett25) September 20, 2017
Tavon Austin is clearly the odd man out in the WR rotation. His role in the offense is extremely limited and that contract....it’s.... well, it’s bad. Really bad.
Austin has only been on the field for 16 snaps this season. For reference, Josh Reynolds had 17 vs the Redskins alone. Alden Gonzales from ESPN summed it up pretty succinctly this morning.
Eleven Rams skill-position players have seen more action, a list that includes all three tight ends, the backup running back and five other receivers.
Let’s not forget that Sammy Watkins is in a contract year. Watkins has been billed as the #1 WR that the Rams have been missing since Torry Holt left the then St. Louis Rams for the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the 2009 season. The most likely scenario I see is that Austin is cut and the Rams use the savings from cutting him towards a Watkins extension.
Do you think Todd Gurley can surpass 1000 rushing yards this year?
— Frankie Juve (@Frankiejuve) September 20, 2017
Todd Gurley currently has 128 rushing yards through 2 games. That puts him on pace for 1024 yards. Given his history of struggling since bursting onto the scene early in his rookie year, it’s fair to question whether he can continue averaging 65 yards per game.
However, I think that Jared Goff’s early success will benefit Gurley tremendously. Fisherball broke Gurley to a degree, but that damage is not irreversible. Gurley flashed the ability that made him the 2015 Offensive Rookie of the Year last week against the Washington Redskins and I think he builds his confidence throughout the season.
Sorry I was a bit long winded, but to answer your question... yes. I think Gurley lands somewhere around 1100 yards this season.
Which players are getting the boot after the 2017 season
— Clash Of The Horns (@RamfamPodcaster) September 20, 2017
See above, but there are several other candidates to ‘get the boot’ following Sean McVay’s rookie season. The most obvious candidates for me are ILB Mark Barron ($7M savings per OverTheCap), WR Robert Woods($5M savings), and OG Rodger Saffold($6.5M savings). That’s in addition to Quinn’s $11.5M and Tavon’s $3M There is some serious money to be saved here - money that the Rams need to retain other players.
Lamarcus Joyner, Alec Ogletree, Sammy Watkins, and Trumaine Johnson all are in contract years. If the Rams are going to retain these players and finally give Aaron Donald a new contract, they’ll need to trim some fat from the roster.