[R4L]

1.JPG
By: Cameron DaSilva

The start of free agency and the new league year are less than a month away with March 13 rapidly approaching. The Los Angeles Rams have several needs to address with four starters set to become free agents, while also filling holes with draft picks and outside free agents.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell laid out a five-step plan for the Rams this offseason and it’s hard to argue with any of the moves. Here’s how Barnwell believes Los Angeles should approach the next few months of the offseason.

1. Convince Andrew Whitworth to come back

2. Bring back Rodger Saffold and C.J. Anderson.

3. Trade down from the 31st pick.

4. Sign Clay Matthews and wait out the market on veterans.

5. Don’t extend Jared Goff this offseason.

Getting Whitworth back is paramount. He’s still one of the best left tackles in the NFL despite being 37 years old, and while it’s reasonable for him to consider retirement, he continues to play at a very high level. If he calls it a career, the Rams will be left with a gaping hole on the left side of the line.

Speaking of the offensive line, re-signing Saffold should be a top priority. He’ll have a big market in free agency, but the Rams must make a concerted effort to keep him in Los Angeles. Re-signing Anderson is a big more debatable. Barnwell argues that he’s a good insurance policy, but with Todd Gurley expected to be fine, the Rams could be sinking a lot of money into a backup running back position that may not get much use.

With no second- or third-round pick as of now – compensatory picks will change that – the Rams are lacking top-100 selections. By moving down, they can pick up a few more picks to fill potential holes at outside linebacker and nose tackle, if Dante Fowler Jr. and Ndamukong Suh walk.

Matthews has obvious ties to Southern California and would probably love to play for the Rams, but he’s past his prime. If the Rams can’t keep Fowler, Matthews wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize, but only at the right price on a one-year deal. He hasn’t had more than 7.5 sacks in any of the last four seasons, including just 3.5 in 2018.

Lastly, the Rams have time to extend Goff. They have him under contract for two more years and after seeing him struggle in the second half of the season, it’s reasonable for them to take their time.

They might be able to save some money by extending him now before the cap increases and other quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz sign extensions, but it’s not worth the risk. Next year would be the best time to start discussing a contract extension, assuming he doesn’t fall apart and struggle in 2019.

Overall, it’s not a bad plan from Barnwell. The Rams need help at outside linebacker, which Matthews helps with, and keeping both Whitworth and Saffold would be a huge plus.

Matthews is too old imo. Aside from that he was tied for 118th with 3.5 sacks. If the rams are going to spend the money, I'd prefer someone younger and more productive.

[Elvis]

Updated cheat sheet, now with 100% less Ryan Shazier...

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

R4L: What game is your highlight from? NRC's hits weren't hardly hits compared to that wipeout.

[Elvis]

Coaching changes are official:

https://www.therams.com/news/rams-annou ... 2019-staff

Rams announce coaching additions for 2019 staff

Myles Simmons
RAMS INSIDER

While much of the staff remains the same, the Rams have made a few coaching changes for the 2019 season.

Los Angeles has added three coaches to its staff: tight ends coach Wes Phillips, defensive line coach Eric Henderson, and assistant quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson.



Wes Phillips is defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ son. The younger Phillips was on his father’s staff in Dallas starting in 2007, and stayed on under head coach Jason Garrett as an offensive assistant through the 2013 season. In 2014, Wes Phillips arrived in Washington, where he worked under head coach Jay Gruden and then-Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay as tight ends coach — a position Phillips held through the 2018 season.

Henderson assumes the defensive line coach duties after spending 2017 and 2018 as the Chargers assistant defensive line coach. Henderson spent three seasons in the NFL after setting a Georgia Tech record with 59.5 career tackles for loss. He coached at the college level from 2012-2016.

Robinson joins the Rams after serving as an analyst for Pro Football Focus. A seventh-round pick in 2010, Robinson spent time with the Patriots, Seahawks, Lions, and Bengals from 2010-2014.

[AvengerRam]

This tidbit caught my eye:

Tony Pauline
‏

@TonyPauline
36m36 minutes ago
More
Sources tell me the Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to trade receiver John Ross and will field offers during the combine. We'll have more tonight during our podcast.

Ross is young enough (23) and has enough physical ability (speed) to make me say, "hmmmmm... worth a late draft pick?"

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

Perhaps. Our #4 and #5 WR's could be upgraded although expect Josh Reynolds to get better.

[AvengerRam]

Positive update on Kupp:

Rams coach Sean McVay expects Cooper Kupp (ACL) to be ready for training camp.
Kupp tore his ACL in November after catching 40 passes for 566 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Kupp has been outstanding through two seasons, but this injury is concerning for a player who was already somewhat limited athletically. Even so, Kupp has proven to be a legitimate touchdown threat in one of the best offenses in the league. That is enough to keep him in the WR2 conversation moving forward.

Kind of an odd comment by RotoWorld re: the injury being "concerning" given Kupp's athletic limitations. I'd say the opposite is true. A WR who relies entirely on speed would likely have a harder time coming back from an ACL tear than a technician like Kupp.

[dieterbrock]

Positive update on Kupp:



Kind of an odd comment by RotoWorld re: the injury being "concerning" given Kupp's athletic limitations. I'd say the opposite is true. A WR who relies entirely on speed would likely have a harder time coming back from an ACL tear than a technician like Kupp.

Yeah, exactly.
Because Julian Edelman has never been the same since his ACL?
Can’t make this up

[R4L]

R4L: What game is your highlight from? NRC's hits weren't hardly hits compared to that wipeout.

That's Toby Wright from the 90s in a game against ATL. That's when it was still ok to be a head hunter and Wright was just that.

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

Thanks. That was my first thought. Wright. But looked like a bears uniform. and Todd Lyght also in the picture I think.