[river]

Who, other than you, said anything about trading up? I certainly didn’t and wouldn’t.
I’ve read a few previews and there are several solid LT candidates that could be available when the Rams draft.
And I’d like draft at least one more lineman in the same draft. A guy who projects as a guard who could play RT would be ideal. Centers are trickier to find, it seems.
The Rams could use both upgrades and depth on the Oline, IMO.

Then throw out those names that you have in mind for that #23 pick of ours, better yet, how about a mock so we can really see who/what you have in mind ?
If it's really a top LT you desire, what's wrong with trading up to get him, or is just any old LT that is hovering around that area which is going to become our first pick ?
OK, most want additional OL depth, but other than your #1 drafted LT, what draft picks are you using to garner them ? And why is an upgrade for Havenstein so important at the moment, do you not wish to re-sign him following the 2018 season ?

[/zn/]

what are the odds that a first-time nfl head coach, with just 3 years worth of nfl coordinator experience under his belt, would not only turn around a 4-12 team that hadn't seen a winning season in 13 years, but also lead it to double digit wins, the nfc west crown and the postseason?

about the same as an nfl offensive lineman starting 16 games at the age of 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40, earning all-pro honors in 3 of those 5 years, and pro bowl honors in all 5 of those years, en route to the hall of fame?

could it be that whitworth has the stamina, physical durability, and desire to be the next bruce matthews? wouldn't that be cool!

I would say with the Rams...pretty good odds they could win in 2017. That's because like all 1st-year turnarounds McVay inherited a long list of talent, including a young franchise qb and 2 guys who were in the discussion for league MVP. That's why Demoff publicly said before they even interviewed McV that this was not a rebuild.

Yes it would be cool if Whitworth played forever, a la Slater or Matthews.

But. A smart team does not count on that.

If they are smart, and I genuinely assume they are, the combination of coaches and Snead are going to be well aware that they have a 36 year old LOT, no real center until Sullivan re-ups for another 1 year, and 3 other OL starters up for free agency after the 2018 season. They know they won't be able to sign all 3. They know that counting on multiple OL rookies in 2019 is not a very good plan. They know Sullivan can't go on forever. They know that 37 year old LOTs (which he will be by the end of 2018) are not the norm and that AW is already not entirely the player he was. They know that they were very lucky to have no linemen missing consecutive games due to injuries (especially compared to Rams history going back to 2007.) They know that fixing the OL was one of the major reasons they did well in 2017.

So they are going to come up with some kind of plan that involves 2017 draft picks (and signings etc). Either that or they're NOT as smart as we assume they are.

This stuff is all so clear that even Myles Simmons is writing about it:

--

from Rams May Build Depth on OL in 2018 Offseason

Myles Simmons

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/ ... ba697a4b78

...

"I think one of the things that you do want to be mindful of is the fact that we were so fortunate with the injures this year,” McVay said. “So you look at it [and say,] ‘Alright let’s just anticipate and let’s just say you don’t have that work out in your favor — where are the areas that you want to continue to establish and build that depth? Where are some of the positions?’”

One such spot could be offensive line. Whitworth is under contract for another two seasons with Los Angeles, but he did turn 36 on Dec. 12. And Sullivan — slated to be one an unrestricted free agent in March — will turn 33 on Aug. 8.

Last week, Snead called Sullivan a player “who is hard to replace. You definitely want to keep him around.”

But when it comes to bringing in younger talent to become heir apparent to both players, that may be easier said than done.

“Cincinnati probably tried that for many years, and [Whitworth] just kept playing,” Snead said. “What you do want to do is, somehow, if you can — and I think you have those conversations with those players, knowing this is where you’re at in your career — if we do bring someone in, a younger pup, can you help develop the pups? I think that’s where they’re at.”

...

[dieterbrock]

LOL
I guess this is fine then : "Dude...you didn't follow a word I said."

And that would be fine by me if you don't read me. You were the same kind of -- artist at RamStalk, some things never change apparently. You made zero effort at clearing things up, you just repeated yourself numerous times before making a ridiculous claim. Have a good evening ...

Don’t worry about Zn.
He doesn’t read what anyone writes. He just repeats failed logic with inaccurate and made up stats that are constantly proven as false.
Love your takes keep posting

[river]

Don’t worry about Zn.
He doesn’t read what anyone writes. He just repeats failed logic with inaccurate and made up stats that are constantly proven as false.
Love your takes keep posting

Oh, i'm not worried about him, we went round and round for years at RamsTalk. I understand what he's about, just didn't realize he had wondered over here.

[river]

There are multiple successful left tackles taken in the lower half of the first round.
I don’t see the value in trading up for one in the abstract.
There are multiple guys coming out with a lower first to second round grade. Click a few mock drafts. Enjoy.
I think Hav & Brown are passable but both can be upgraded.
For that other tackle/guard candidate, I’m eyeing the 5th or 6th rounds.

Can't be more specific ? I mean, you have basically owned up to what you want at #23, and all OT's are not equal, so rather than rely on outside mocks, why not just come clean as to who you really want ? And if you are looking to move down, which OT's are on your radar for eventually replacing Whitworth ?
Being so thoroughly tied to a LT, what is your back-up plan ?

[/zn/]

There are multiple successful left tackles taken in the lower half of the first round.

Just spelling it out for the sake of spelling it out. Going back to 2000, just cause it's a nice round number, here are some notable left OTs taken anywhere from the 20s in round 1 to the end of the 2nd round.

Marvel Smith, Clifton, Light, Roos, Staley, Whitworth, NcNeil, Brown, Beatty, Castonzo, Reiff, Donovan Smith, Humphries.

I don't know who will be there at 23 in 2018, but there's a tradition of quality LOTs being there in that part of the draft.

..

[river]

Jesus fucking Christ, dude.... I’m talking about the approach I would take at this point and time. So... now you want me to pin down the exact draft pick? Fuck if I know.. haven’t had the senior bowl or combine yet so there’s a lot to be learned.

LOL
No, and before you 'wildly' lose your shit, I simply asked you to tell me who YOU liked, not tell us the impossible. OK, you don't know, why not just say that ? You want a LT as an 'approach', but are clueless as to whom that might be, ... fine.
I've also asked what your plan B was, do you have one, or is that just as vague ?

You've stated : "I’ve backed up *the approach* fairly solidly."
Well, at least you and one other seem to think so. Well done.

[river]

WHAT PLAN B THIS IS AN INITIAL, PRE-FA APPROACH. WHAT THE FUCK DO I NEED A PLAN B FOR?
FREE AGENCY WILL LIKELY HAVE A BIG IMPACT AND GOING IN THIS DIRECTION WOULDNT BE OPTIMAL.

Umm, ... I guess you don't need a plan B if you can't get beyond the idea that your favorite position to be filled at #23 may become an incredible reach and you are willing to take any ole LT who happens by.
I'm happy you brought up that free agency is quite likely to impact the draft, on this we finally agree, in fact, I rarely engage in conversation or mocks which doesn't spell out a posters thoughts on free agency as it pretty much makes early draft talk obsolete &/or ridiculous unless it is just about a players abilities, not about which team they are heading for. I was brought up to believe free agency was for filling holes and the draft is about BPA.

My initial attitude towards you was because I felt your tone was quite condescending towards someone who just entered this thread, that and two falsehoods thrown in my direction almost immediately. Your first sentence in your second post to me was trying to make Whitworth appear older than he really is, and when I pointed out his true age you backtracked, that instead of being 37, he would be turning 37. Of course, that wouldn't occur until the 2018 season is just about completed. zn then jumped in and compounded the falsehood. Next, you added that i'm projecting Whitworth for 3 more seasons, then I had to correct you by adding that his contract was for 3 seasons, he only has two remaining seasons left. Most posters don't like being told that they have said something when they have clearly not. Following this you acted like you were feeding me new information as to when Saffold, Havenstein & Brown would become eligible for free agency, and when I suggested a means for dealing with it, you both skipped right over it.
Now, I don't know you, but i've had years of experience with zn, asshats are born everyday, and he wears that as proudly as any narcissist i've ever come across.
If you choose to engage with me in the future, i'd only ask that you be better prepared and less aggressive. For those of a bullying nature, they will be treated 'in kind'. jmo.

[Hacksaw]

MOD:
So to me, meeting another with equal force is acceptable (as long as the 1st force is acceptable). More than that, not so much. We're all on the same page when it comes to the team and what we hope they can achieve. Right?
Thanks for sharing though and I hope you get guys to the bottom of it really soon..

[river]

MOD:
So to me, meeting another with equal force is acceptable (as long as the 1st force is acceptable). More than that, not so much. We're all on the same page when it comes to the team and what we hope they can achieve. Right?
Thanks for sharing though and I hope you get guys to the bottom of it really soon..

My apologies, I tried to keep it as entertaining as possible, ... and yes, i'm fairly certain we all want to examine ways to improve our favorite team.