[ramsman34]

I would pass on that, but I would def go after Justin Houston recently released from the panthers, wants to play for a contender.

Ya, edge dude with a ton of sack production. Maybe it happens. Seems like a really good rotational piece which we could certainly use. And an upgrade to both K Thomas and Hampton.

[PARAM]

I wonder though, there's a need but is it really a good move to bring in vets at this point? If the team were older, more experienced and perhaps a lot more secure about themselves but with youngsters who might take an acquisition the wrong way....I don't know.

[ramsman34]

I think this team just wants to win PA. The Rams are really good at bringing in the right guys. They have had to bring up Keir Thomas, and have sat Ochaun Mathis and Desjuan Johnson (DL) They are pretty thin at OLB frankly. If this dude has the right attitude, it could be beneficial. Also, we need more pressure to help our deep coverage and coverage in general. Doubt it happens but I don’t think it’s a bad idea.

[ramsman34]

The more I think about this, and provided they both pass the “attitude/ we not me” test as well as be willing to play out the season at the vet minimum range, I would sign both to the PS and see how they look and fit.

Our secondary and STs are the Achilles heal for this team. Increasing the ability to get to the passer as well as keep rushers fresh in rotation can certainly help the coverage.

It won’t do anything for STs. But the potential for generating more and more consistent pressure seems awfully tempting to me.

[PARAM]

The more I think about this, and provided they both pass the “attitude/ we not me” test as well as be willing to play out the season at the vet minimum range, I would sign both to the PS and see how they look and fit.

Our secondary and STs are the Achilles heal for this team. Increasing the ability to get to the passer as well as keep rushers fresh in rotation can certainly help the coverage.

It won’t do anything for STs. But the potential for generating more and more consistent pressure seems awfully tempting to me.

I know you could always use more talent but I'd be concerned with upsetting the chemistry. I think even with our D the way it is, we're a hard out for anybody when our offense is clicking. The D has played much better starting with the Green Bay game. And truthfully, except for the Arizona game, our offense has yet to click for a full 60 minutes (red zone issues). Hopefully, they're both building to a marvelous crescendo at the perfect time.

[ramsman34]

I know you could always use more talent but I'd be concerned with upsetting the chemistry. I think even with our D the way it is, we're a hard out for anybody when our offense is clicking. The D has played much better starting with the Green Bay game. And truthfully, except for the Arizona game, our offense has yet to click for a full 60 minutes (red zone issues). Hopefully, they're both building to a marvelous crescendo at the perfect time.

I feel ya on the chemistry concerns. Sea Bass has been here so they know him. The other cat is purely a rental. Not sure who that would upset other than the edge player opposite Young. I think Hoecht would still get reps in a rotation with the new guy. Thomas and Hampton would see reduced reps for sure and one would be sent to the PS.

I’m pretty sure they are gonna roll like you say with what they got.

In some ways they are playing with house $$. In other ways, you never know when you will be in the playoffs again.

I guess if they haven’t made any claims by now, they are standing pat.

[69RamFan]

Who thinks we couldn't get both Justin Houston and SJD,

SJD could rotate with Bobby Brown at NT,

and move Turner from NT to DT/DE

and Houston at Edge,

It could be done, both clearing waivers,

and sign to a vet min contract for the rest of the season.

Cut and sent to the PS, OLB/Thomas & DE/E. Brown.

There is only two games left,

so that would be peanuts to pay them for the rest of the season.

And after the season, they are FA again.

Or worst-case scenario,

Sign to the PS with max pay as a vet,

and get called up to play the last two games,

Then during the playoffs, sign the both of them for the playoffs,

Then cut and sent to PS, both Brown & Thomas.

[ramsman34]

Who thinks we couldn't get both Justin Houston and SJD,

SJD could rotate with Bobby Brown at NT,

and move Turner from NT to DT/DE

and Houston at Edge,

It could be done, both clearing waivers,

and sign to a vet min contract for the rest of the season.

Cut and sent to the PS, OLB/Thomas & DE/E. Brown.

There is only two games left,

so that would be peanuts to pay them for the rest of the season.

And after the season, they are FA again.

Or worst-case scenario,

Sign to the PS with max pay as a vet,

and get called up to play the last two games,

Then during the playoffs, sign the both of them for the playoffs,

Then cut and sent to PS, both Brown & Thomas.

This is exactly what I want. I do understand the chemistry aspect PA brings up. But, I think these dudes are hungry. And they have the vets to explain to them how hard it is to make the playoffs and even harder to win it all. They can tell the rookies that these opportunities just must be seized upon and taken full advantage of as they may not come again. Nothing is guaranteed. I really think AD, Kupp, Fuller, Staff, Havs, and JJ all have unique experiential perspectives that would make accepting new vets to make this push much easier for the rookies and youngsters who have never been in the playoffs.

[PARAM]

I get all that. I'm also wondering if they feel they have seen enough improvement from the D and truly believe they are a game, a half or a quarter away from becoming a legit D. We'll know when we see whether or not they make any moves. Maybe they grew up a lot with that 3 and a half minute goal line standelay they had vs Washington? I suppose they may be weighing....or have already weighed.....the benefits of throwing them into the fire that is the NFL playoffs vs bringing in new guys for the postseason and delaying development. As far as 'you never know when you're gonna get back to the postseason', if I heard that coming from a coach and some vets who've been there 4 of 6 seasons (soon to be 5 of 7?), I might think, that's a load of bullshit.

[ramsman34]

I get all that. I'm also wondering if they feel they have seen enough improvement from the D and truly believe they are a game, a half or a quarter away from becoming a legit D. We'll know when we see whether or not they make any moves. Maybe they grew up a lot with that 3 and a half minute goal line standelay they had vs Washington? I suppose they may be weighing....or have already weighed.....the benefits of throwing them into the fire that is the NFL playoffs vs bringing in new guys for the postseason and delaying development.

You are right that only MCV et al really know what they have. We just go off what we see. My issue is more with the comers and deep coverage than anything else. But you aren’t fixing that with outside personnel at this point. The only way to positively affect that is to make your pass rush better - more consistent and more effective. Adding these two cats would definitely upgrade the players 69 highlighted and probably add to the overall rush package and scheme.

We will know soon enough.

I’d like nothing more then for this D, as constituted, to step up and start closing teams out instead of letting them hang around. If they don’t, and the offense sputters even a little, it will be early vacation time for the Rams.