[PARAM]

Having gone to that Bears game I just can't get excited over this win like it's some big deal/a corner turner. This team is just all over the map.

Any of the combinations (4-0, 3-1, 2-2, 1-3 or 0-4) are truly possible.

I agree, this team has been all over the place. But judging a team's chances in December, based on a game you attended in September? They started 1-4 and have gone 6-2 since.

Their two losses over the last 8 games are to the Dolphins, a talented team playing for their playoff lives and the Eagles, a talented team with just 2 losses all season. They've beat 2 division leaders in Seattle and Buffalo and the current #5 seed in the NFC (Minnesota). All the while getting healthier on the OL and at the WR position. If we simply look at how many points the defense allowed yesterday, we could worry about them. But Allen was dropping undefendable dimes all over the place and you have to tip your hat to him.

Controlling their destiny doesn't mean it'll be easy. It just means it's possible.

Having said all that, half of our wins in this 6-2 run are against weak teams (Raiders, Patriots and Saints) and we're just 3-2 vs the better teams we've faced (Minnesota, Seattle, Miami, Philly and Buffalo). But which category does SF belong? They've lost 7 times this year after losing 9 times the last 2 years. IMHO, they should be as worried about us as Rams fans are worried about them.

[rams74]

Everyone loves Matt but IMO it will be a business decision by Kroenke

You've said similar things several times. But Stan Kroenke is not Jerry Jones.

If you paid attention to the way Kroenke runs his organizations, you'd realize that Kroenke just doesn't meddle in front office personnel decisions. Not in the NFL, not in the NHL, not in the NBA, not in the Premier League.

That's not his area of expertise, he knows it, and he keeps his nose out of it.

[Dare]

Kroenke isn't a meddling fool like Jerry Jones. But to say he doesn't care how his money is spent IMO is naive. This whole approach, first the buying hired guns to get the best team he could buy to win a SB in his house was pure Kroenke. Yeah I do pay attention. Kroenke is the same way with his other sports teams.

He's also behind the move to be more sustainable and build through the draft. Who do you think was behind the move to hire McVay? He makes strategic decisions then leaves how those are implemented to Snead and McVay.

Do you honestly think he's 100% hands off? Who do you think made the decision to move back to LA and to spend $6B on SoFi? Kroenke is very much involved with the team on a strategic level, and like all good business men he understands how to delegate the implementation of those decisions.

I owned and operated my own businesses for 35 years and it's plain as day to me.

Stafford's strength's is readily apparent. But his weaknesses are too. Why do you think they placated Matt by calling his bluff about a new contract wanting more money? Do you think Snead did that on his own? The move to spend the money on Stafford to placate McVay was a win now move and that only comes from the guy writing the checks. But that has run it's course. It cost them big, because look at Goff's career trajectory.

Sam Darnold just turned 27 this year. He will be available next year. He fills the bill to placate McVay and keep him on board as the HC. If they make Darnold an offer next year do you honestly think Darnold will refuse? He's not stupid. He would have the perfect opportunity to become part of one of the most dynamic franchises in the NFL for 10 years. No way they will sit back and not make him an offer.

Look at Matt's contract and they will save about $23M off the cap next year by releasing Stafford post June 1. That is enough to get Darnold under contract IMO. So they would pay the same for their QB1 next year then pay about 40-50% thereafter. IMO Darnold will be the #1 FA on the market in 2025. The Vikings spent the #10 pick on McCarthy in the past draft this year. He's on IR which is why they signed Darnold.

Can you imagine how good he will be with the Ram organization and roster behind him? This franchise will be complete for years to come and it won't cost them multiple draft picks. The stars have aligned perfectly for the Rams in 2025 and Kroenke won't allow it to pass without making a serious run at the perfect FA QB1 to keep McVay happy. That was what convinced Sean not to retire. This is about keeping McVay as HC not keeping Stafford. How do you think Kroenke and Snead convinced McVay not to retire?

IMO they will sign Darnold and placate Sean. When Darnold's time runs its course IMO McVay will also retire. IMO they have the perfect follow-on HC in Chris Shula who is only a year older than Sean. They will take a page from the Ravens who groomed Eric DeCosta to be their GM after Ozzie Newsome retired. DeCosta turned down other franchises to be their GM for years staying with Newsome. DeCosta turned down the Seahawk's offer to be GM in 2010 (Thank God because he's like Brad Holmes, who knows how to build a franchise because he trained under Snead).

[rams74]

It's a Kroenke operation, top to bottom. No doubt.

Kroenke hires his front office, gets involved in coaching hiring when appropriate, then provides those people with the resources they need to make their own decisions.

I said he doesn't meddle in personnel decisions. Player personnel.

Pay attention.

[snackdaddy]

I'm sure when a big decision is made they run it by Kroenke before its finalized. But I doubt he goes against his experts. He hires his people with the expectation he can trust them with decision making.

We got lucky with the McVay hiring. At the time no one else was willing to hire a head coach so young. Rams front office was the ground breaker for that. Now a lot of teams are looking for the next Sean McVay. You see guys in their 30's hired almost every year.

Getting back to Kroenke, we don't know how much his involvement in these big decisions really are. But he's called Silent Stan for a reason. I don't believe he goes against his experts very often. If ever.

[ziggy]

I was at an Iconic event where Faulk talks about advising Stan while interviewing McVay. He told Stan that McVay is too young and will probably be a great coach in 3-5 years. But, he also will be long gone by that time, as well.

I'm not always a huge fan of Faulk-- but did he ever call it. I wonder if those words was what convinced Stan and Les to make the move. Whatever the case, the story is pretty legendary.

[Elvis]

Right? Supposedly Faulk went into that dinner thinking McVay was too young but afterwards told Stan he had to hire him. And McVay walked out of that dinner thinking he crushed it but didn't get the offer till the next morning. McVay spent the whole night wondering what he had done wrong...

[snackdaddy]

Whatever the case I'm glad the football gods aligned things up for us to get McVay. As much as I wanted Shanahan, his tendency to go conservative with a lead is why he's got a reputation for blowing leads. McVay is the better coach.

[Dare]

The stars aligned just right when it came to the playoffs in SB LVI. Believe it or not I think its trending that way again. I'm hoping that the Vikings will do the heavy lifting in the playoffs and eliminate the Eagles in the divisional round.

If the Rams can go into the playoffs healthy I like their chances, especially as the #3 divisional seed.

[AltiTude Ram]

Stafford is a top 10 QB. You can argue top 5 with his arm talent. Those don't grow on trees and aren't replaced by former busts that manage to keep a job (Darnold) because of the lack of top talent.

Stafford will be back and he's still a top QB in this league.

As far as the 9'ers game, It's a must win to keep control of your own destiny. Short weeks are tough as well as Division road games. The way the Rams are starting to put it together has given me some confidence.

Keep it going and Beat the Whiners!