[actionjack]

Why did you completely jump over 2024?

Having both money and the full allotment of draft picks, they could revamp the OL (our biggest issue IMO) in the 2024 draft and free agency getting a LT and G or C. They could add to the secondary in the same fashion. Likewise the front 7. And we know McSnead will get another weapon or two. I'd love a bellcow RB and another TE.

It looks like they have found an Edge (Young), DT (Turner), WR (Puka), G (Avila), P and possibly PK but who knows what else? RB? OL? Another Edge? CB? We shouldn't write off anybody just because they haven't played much this year.

We should learn a lot more over the 2nd half of the season and that should allow them to hone their aim for the 2024 draft and free agency.

Honestly, IMHO, the defense is way ahead of schedule and the offense only needs OL improvement and perhaps a bell cow RB and #2 TE.

Since the off season and draft transpired, the overwhelming majority of fans (and management) have been saying, "this is all about 2024", so I don't understand why you chose to skip over that and say "2025 will be the competitive season".

I also believe the premise "our foundation players won't be around beyond 2024-25" isn't accurate. AD, Kupp and Stafford may have more than just 2023-24 left. Furthermore, good teams develop new foundation players. We may have two replacements already on the roster (Puka and Turner). It's not blasphemy to think we can still win without AD and Kupp when the time comes that they retire.

I dont disagree with much you say here, however I think it is pretty clear AD wont be playing beyond 2025 probably Stafford too.

In skipping 2024 I am trying to be realistic, the Rams still have lots of holes and I dont think we can expect another draft like this one with so many contributors immediately. I do have the money to sign some guys, but like you have shown lots of needs.

I agree with you on the defense, yet the pass rush has been a real problem all year like most expected. They need to find a couple edge players.

On the offense, this has been a major, major disappointment. I agree we need more help on the o-line as pass pro has been big issue. But I think the offensive problems way deeper than that. This offense was supposed to score 30 points and we barely make it to 20 with Stafford. Sure we can improve the line (hopefully), but what I am hearing is, teams are really using odd schemes to put a shell on our offense and it as worked. I dont see guys running free in the pass game, Kupp has been a complete non-factor, is he back from his injury? Im not so sure.

I agree we need stud RB, a TE and probably a WR with size with downfield speed and a couple o-lineman. It is a lot IMO. We had the worst offense in the league last year and frankly this year aint much better. All I know is when we get this high draft pick, you better get your QB of the future....

[PARAM]

I dont disagree with much you say here, however I think it is pretty clear AD wont be playing beyond 2025 probably Stafford too.

So, not that I agree with your opinion on AD and Stafford's retirements, are you saying:

We have to win a SB in 24 and/or 25?
(If so, sign me up!)
Expecting a Lombardi in 24 or 25 is fantasy?
(No more than expecting one from 99-01 or from 18-22. We won 2 during those two spans, went to 4. )
or
One SB in the next two years is unacceptable?
(Now that would seem greedy, not to mention unrealistic. )

In skipping 2024 I am trying to be realistic, the Rams still have lots of holes and I dont think we can expect another draft like this one with so many contributors immediately.

More holes than the 98 or 2020 team had?
Expecting another draft 'like this one' is a hard call for two reasons.
We haven't yet let this one play out ( it's only been half a season so some holes could still be filled) and next year we'll start with more draft capital.

Besides the draft......how many selections, how high they're made, who they get........the big unknown is, who will they acquire in free agency?

It's said N-F-L stands for "not for long" but it can also stand for "new fucking look" and that doesn't take 2 or 3 seasons. It can be accomplished in one off season with a solid draft and cap space/free agent money spent well.

That's just one reason the NFL is so popular. Plus, for the optimistically inclined, the 2023 draft is a great head start. And if we're honestly realistic we might agree, predicting next year is difficult enough.....remember consensus said the offense would be great and the defense a sieve....but predicting 2 years down the road is impossible.

[actionjack]

So, not that I agree with your opinion on AD and Stafford's retirements, are you saying:

We have to win a SB in 24 and/or 25?
(If so, sign me up!)
Expecting a Lombardi in 24 or 25 is fantasy?
(No more than expecting one from 99-01 or from 18-22. We won 2 during those two spans, went to 4. )
or
One SB in the next two years is unacceptable?
(Now that would seem greedy, not to mention unrealistic. )



More holes than the 98 or 2020 team had?
Expecting another draft 'like this one' is a hard call for two reasons.
We haven't yet let this one play out ( it's only been half a season so some holes could still be filled) and next year we'll start with more draft capital.

Besides the draft......how many selections, how high they're made, who they get........the big unknown is, who will they acquire in free agency?

It's said N-F-L stands for "not for long" but it can also stand for "new fucking look" and that doesn't take 2 or 3 seasons. It can be accomplished in one off season with a solid draft and cap space/free agent money spent well.

That's just one reason the NFL is so popular. Plus, for the optimistically inclined, the 2023 draft is a great head start. And if we're honestly realistic we might agree, predicting next year is difficult enough.....remember consensus said the offense would be great and the defense a sieve....but predicting 2 years down the road is impossible.

I would say our best chance to compete for Super Bowl will be with AD and Stafford, hence I think it would need to happen in 24 or 25. Will see

[PARAM]

I would say our best chance to compete for Super Bowl will be with AD and Stafford, hence I think it would need to happen in 24 or 25. Will see

I agree. And so far I have seen huge strides from "write off year" to "this draft was damn good". I particularly enjoyed McVay's show where they touted the 5 starters from this draft and McVay felt comlelled to mention 4 others. Zach Evans, Davis Allen, Tomlinson and Taylor. There's still 1/2 a season to see what those 4 have.

[ramsman34]

And, to watch the guys who have already started showing out to improve more.

MCV is the one who concerns me. He has to be better and getting this offense more productive. Defenses are shutting his O Down. Find a way with who you have to make more plays. That’s your job.

[ramsww]

On Donald and Stafford. Stafford can play until probably 38 (3 more years). Donald can play productively probably 3 more years.

More on AD. AD is in his 10th year.

Randle played for 14 years and was tailing off but still productive in year 13. 14 years for AD would be 2026.

Sapp played for 13 yeas and was tailing off but still productive in year 12. 13 years for AD would be 2o25.

Alan Page played for 15 years and was still productive in year 15. For AD 15 years would be 2027.

Randy White played for 14 years and was tailing off but still productive in year 13.

Steve McMichael played for 15 years and was tailing off but still productive in year 14.

Anyone who truly believes Aaron Donald will be playing for the Rams in 2027 needs to share what they’re smoking with the rest of us.

Number 1. It would require the same crippling salary hit that put 9 new starters on Defense to make up for his contract next extension. Number 2. AD has given no indication whatsoever he has any plans to play past 2024.

As for Stafford playing in 2023 plus 3 more years? That smoke must be good. Yeah, Stafford was often dinged in Detroit but only missed time one year. He had the chronic Elbow in 2021 but somehow came through. He had the neck injury in 2022, missed half the season and now had the hip and thumb. 3 more years of this as the Offense goes through attrition and the D needs a baby sitter? AD was THE only starter from 2022 on the field this week. As I said “by the time” this D is competitive…..It won’t be next year if we draft below # 10.

[rams74]

Anyone who truly believes Aaron Donald will be playing for the Rams in 2027 needs to share what they’re smoking with the rest of us.

Number 1. It would require the same crippling salary hit that put 9 new starters on Defense to make up for his contract next extension. Number 2. AD has given no indication whatsoever he has any plans to play past 2024.

Yes, Aaron Donald has talked openly about retirement. Multiple times. But he's not done yet. It's one thing to say that he had planned to retire after 8 years in the league. But then he gets to year 8 and suddenly he realizes that he still wants to play. And sometimes elite athletes take less on their last contract, just to remain on a competitive team. There are no guarantees that another contract for AD would be even more exorbitant than his current one. Why are we in a hurry to write AD off and send him on his way?

As for Stafford playing in 2023 plus 3 more years? That smoke must be good.

Sure, Matthew Stafford isn't a young quarterback. But while some athletes talk about retirement publicly, I don't remember a single instance where I've heard Stafford do it. He always comes across as a guy who loves playing the game and wants to keep playing it. But everybody's so quick to want to write Stafford's NFL epitaph. I want him to stay and keep playing as long as he can. I'm certainly not setting dates for these guys' final games.

I don't get it. (Unless it's just trolling.)

[bremillard]

The problem is Matthew is off the field as much as on. He's still effective while he's playing but he's missing a lot of time.

[rams74]

The problem is Matthew is off the field as much as on. He's still effective while he's playing but he's missing a lot of time.

Right. So let's spend our resources improving his protection and keeping him upright, rather than rushing to replace him (with someone who may or may not be as good as he is). I'd love for the Rams to find another Andrew Whitworth.

[bremillard]

I would too. Ok...let's go get a strong offensive line. I'm not down on Stafford. I'm down on the entire team right now. They have won 3 games and lost 5 with him in the lineup. They are losing to mediocre teams. Heard all the excuses last season when they won 5 games coming off a SB win. They've won 8 games of the last 26. They have a lot of work to do.