[Elvis]

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0 ... 56042973-4

Rams GM Les Snead spoke to the media for 40 minutes today. Some takeaways: The situation with CB Trumaine Johnson is fascinating. Snead said he can "definitely" see a scenario where he's back, and so can I, especially with Kayvon Webster recovering from a torn Achilles and no real depth behind him. They'll have to pay him like a top corner. ... If anything has changed with Aaron Donald's situation, he isn't saying. But Donald can't hold out as long as he did last year because he would delay his free agency by a year. ... Snead credited WR/RB Tavon Austin with the way he handled a limited role. Snead wouldn't say it, but it's hard to see him coming back. ... Still expect S Lamarcus Joyner to get an extension and WR Sammy Watkins to get tagged. ... If you bring back Johnson, Joyner and Watkins, and you extend Donald, then you get to a point where you think the Rams may have to consider cutting ties with OLB Robert Quinn and/or ILB Mark Barron, because the savings is significant.

Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer

[max]

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0742879941456042973-4

Rams GM Les Snead spoke to the media for 40 minutes today. Some takeaways: The situation with CB Trumaine Johnson is fascinating. Snead said he can "definitely" see a scenario where he's back, and so can I, especially with Kayvon Webster recovering from a torn Achilles and no real depth behind him. They'll have to pay him like a top corner. ... If anything has changed with Aaron Donald's situation, he isn't saying. But Donald can't hold out as long as he did last year because he would delay his free agency by a year. ... Snead credited WR/RB Tavon Austin with the way he handled a limited role. Snead wouldn't say it, but it's hard to see him coming back. ... Still expect S Lamarcus Joyner to get an extension and WR Sammy Watkins to get tagged. ... If you bring back Johnson, Joyner and Watkins, and you extend Donald, then you get to a point where you think the Rams may have to consider cutting ties with OLB Robert Quinn and/or ILB Mark Barron, because the savings is significant.

Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer

TruJ has more value than Quinn, but neither is getting top dollar on the open market. I think TruJ has shown that he's not a top CB but a solid starter. That wasn't clear 2 years ago when the Rams first tagged him. Thing about Quinn is that he's not old, he's only 27, but the back injury is a major problem for him and his game. He's not gonna be the same guy we saw 5 years ago, and the Rams need a quality starting 3-4 OLB and thats probably not Quinn who is now more a situation pass rusher. So maybe if they restructure his contract he can stay. TruJ is gonna cost more but shouldn't cost anything close to what he's getting now.

Austin is a goner for sure.

Donald, Joyner will get done. They are too important.

I think Watkins stays.

[Elvis]

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/01/10/a ... on-domino/

Aaron Donald contract remains Rams’ biggest offseason domino

By RICH HAMMOND | [email protected] | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: January 10, 2018 at 4:21 pm | UPDATED: January 10, 2018 at 4:31 pm

THOUSAND OAKS — The Rams would like to duplicate many parts of their 2017 season, with one notable exception: They’d like Aaron Donald to be around for all for it.

Donald, the Rams’ star defensive lineman, held out for all of training camp and missed the season opener because he sought a new contract. The situation still hasn’t been resolved, and that’s one of the items at the top of the to-do list for General Manager Les Snead and the Rams’ front office this offseason.

“I would be probably lying if I put a timeline on this one,” Snead said Wednesday at Cal Lutheran. “We want him to be a Ram a long time. So when we ink that deal, or not, I can’t put a timeline on it, but it is a major priority, as it always will be until we get it done.”

From a practical standpoint, Donald’s contract isn’t the Rams’ top concern, because he remains under contract for the 2018 season at a very reasonable salary of just under $6.9 million.

Meanwhile, free agency could gut the Rams’ secondary, given that cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey-Coleman, and safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Cody Davis are set to hit the market on March 15. Sammy Watkins, Connor Barwin, and John Sullivan also are notable free agents.

“We’ll have them all going on simultaneously and try to knock them out,” Snead said. “We’ve got a little bit of a general plan as it is now. We’ll come back and fine-tune it.”

The Rams’ season ended Saturday with a first-round playoff loss to Atlanta, and Snead said front-office folks took a step back this week, and will start to implement their offseason plan after the Super Bowl.

Part of that, Snead said, will include deciding when players currently under contract might be candidates to be released. The Rams need to carve out some salary-cap room if they’re going to sign some of their impending free agents. For instance, they could save $3 million if they cut receiver Tavon Austin, $7 million if they cut linebacker Mark Barron and $11.4 if they cut linebacker Robert Quinn.

This will be some high-level math, and it will take place during a philosophical debate.

The Rams have Donald under contract in 2018 and could apply the NFL’s “franchise tag” to him after each of the following three seasons. So, if the Rams wanted to push things, they could keep Donald under control until after the 2021 season, when Donald would be 30 years old.

Donald would like a new contract now, and probably one that would pay him approximately $20 million per season, a huge raise over his current salary level. Donald’s play suggests he deserves it, but the Rams have to weigh that against the damage a big contract could do to their salary-cap structure.

The Rams can breathe a bit easier this year, though, because even if Donald chooses to hold out again, it won’t be for long. Donald could skip the optional summer workouts, but if he failed to report to training camp one month before the start of the regular season, he would lose a full year toward free agency, and he almost certainly won’t take that risk.

Snead knows that with both Arizona and Seattle revamping their coaching staffs, and San Francisco still in the building phase, the Rams could be at the start of a window in which they could win multiple NFC West championships. Getting the salary-cap math correct is a big part of that challenge.

“We do have a young team, so it is sustainable,” Snead said, “but it’s solving that riddle. And I think it’s best for us to sit down, take a little bit of emotional break, and come back and try to be rational and smart in our thinking.”

Snead also addressed, with different levels of transparency, some of the other big decisions the Rams face during the offseason.

— Johnson, the Rams’ top cornerback, “definitely” could return in 2018, even though Johnson and the Rams seemed fairly convinced, at the start of the season, that a split would take place after this season.

— Austin’s status remains a question, and is a matter of, as Snead put it, “can we keep carrying him and his contract?” Austin signed a four-year, $42-million contract in Aug. 2016, but played a miniscule role in the Rams’ offense this season and appeared in only two plays against Atlanta.

— Sullivan, the Rams’ center and an impending free agent, also is a candidate to return, but Snead indicated he would like veterans such as Sullivan and left tackle Andrew Whitworth to begin to mentor their eventual replacements. Sullivan turned 32 during the season and Whitworth turned 36.

— Todd Gurley’s rookie contract would expire at the end of the 2019 season, if they Rams chose to utilize the fifth-year option, but Gurley is eligible to negotiate a new contract in mid-March. Snead acknowledged the possibility that Gurley could hold out this year, as Donald did last year, and Snead called Gurley “another domino that is important.”

Snead also updated the injury status of some Rams. Defensive lineman Michael Brockers, who hurt his knee against the Falcons, would not have played this week if the Rams had won, Snead said, but will not require any serious medical procedures.

Cornerback Kayvon Webster tore his Achilles tendon during the season. Snead indicated he wasn’t certain whether Webster would be ready for the start of training camp in July and said the Rams would be cautious. Snead sounded more certain about the availability of kicker Greg Zuerlein, who underwent back surgery last month.

[SWAdude]

I got a feeling this off season is going to be a tough one for us Rams fans.

Too many key players with contract issues.

Good problem to have I guess.

[Hacksaw]

I don't know if it's such a good problem to have. Come on boys take one for the team and let's go get us one or 3..

[Elvis]

http://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/nfl/ ... 022948001/

Snead's job is to keep Rams on the upswing

Joe Curley
[email protected], 805-437-0276
Published 4:41 p.m. PT Jan. 10, 2018

The course has been corrected. Now it has to be maintained.

In just one year, the Los Angeles Rams transformed from a boring four-win team to an exciting 11-win NFC West champion.

It was the type of season that, as general manager Les Snead said Wednesday, can “make this a destination.”

Snead spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon at the Rams’ football headquarters at Cal Lutheran, four days after the team’s season ended with a 26-13 loss to Atlanta in the NFC wild-card round.

“I don’t think you’ll ever get over it,” Snead said of the loss. “You just cope with it, and then use it as fuel.”

Next up for the team? Continue the “upward trajectory” that head coach Sean McVay highlighted after Saturday’s loss.

“Just because we did it last year, and on paper it looks like, ‘OK, we’re ready to ascend,’ that’s all on paper,” Snead said. “You’ve still got to do it again.”

A lot of that work will be done during the offseason by Snead and his staff, who are charged with maintaining a roster that could lose big-play threat Sammy Watkins and much of the secondary in free agency.

Starters Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Nickell Robey-Coleman are free agents and, of course, star defensive tackle Aaron Donald is still in position to sign one of the richest contracts in the NFL.

“How do we keep this team together as long as possible?” Snead said. “The team will be different next year. But the goal is always to keep those core pieces, those difference-makers around as long as possible.”

Snead called Donald “an important domino,” but stopped short of saying whether his contract will be the first order of business of an important offseason.

“The way we attack that list of names, can’t say that Aaron would be first,” Snead said. “We’ll have them all going on simultaneously and try to knock them out.”

Fans had a clear, consistent message for the Rams during their annual Ramfest at Prado Park in Chino -- sign star Aaron Donald to a contract extention. Joe Curley/The Star

Johnson, who has played on the expensive franchise tag the past two seasons, has proclaimed publicly his preference to stay with the team, although he wondered during training camp if the feeling was mutual.

Snead said Wednesday that he “definitely” saw a scenario in which Johnson was re-signed.

“He fit in and played an important role,” said Snead.

Watkins, who cost the Rams their 2018 second-round pick and cornerback E.J. Gaines to acquire during training camp, led the team with eight touchdown catches.

But the 24-year-old talent’s production was inconsistent. He was only fourth on the team in both receptions (39) and targets (70).

“Obviously, if you went back and looked at analytics of a Sean McVay offense, he was going to spread the ball around,” Snead said. “And we always felt like (Watkins) was a very important complementary piece.”

The Rams enter the offseason with $50.5 million in cap space, according to overthecap.com, and could make more room if the team releases or renegotiates the contracts of veterans Robert Quinn, Mark Barron and Tavon Austin.

Quinn and Barron, whose releases would open up a combined $18.4 million in cap savings, could have their contracts renegotiated.

“The goal is not necessarily to save money,” said Snead, when asked about Quinn and Barron. “The goal is to make sure we can fit everybody into the budget.”

Snead didn’t wait to be asked if Austin would be retained. He asked the question himself.

“I know with Tavon you’re talking about ‘Can we keep carrying him and his contract?’ ” Snead said. “Well, I think that will be one that we talk about.”

Austin caught just 13 passes in the second year of his four-year, $42 million contract, although he was the Rams' second-leading rusher. He can be released for a $3 million savings this offseason, per overthecap.com.

Bob Buttitta and Joe Curley of the Star discuss the Rams' 26-13 playoff loss to Atlanta on Facebook Live! following the game at the Coliseum. Joe Curley/The Star

While so much of the work the team put into the 2017 season involved transitioning to new systems implemented by the new coaching staff, the Rams will now focus on refining in their second season under McVay.

"We don’t have to implement an offense," Snead said. "Now, let’s call it, we can evolve our offense and make it better, take what we didn’t do so well this year and improve it."

Reaching the playoffs for the first time in 13 years was one thing. The next step is to join the league's elite.

"We’re division champions and we don’t have to get to that level now," Snead said. "Now it’s, instead of last year, coming in and implementing a new offense, converting our defense to (Wade Phillips') 3-4, all of those things we don’t have to do. That’s been done.

"Guess what? You’re trying to not just win the division but, OK, repeat and then maybe take the next step and let’s go for home-field advantage. Let’s take the first round out of it."

While they jettisoned Jeff Fisher and much of his coaching staff after their disappointing first year back in Los Angeles, the Rams retained Snead and much of the front office.

Snead and his team repaid the confidence with the type of free agency and draft classes that helped fuel the team’s seven-win improvement.

Without a first-round pick, Snead put together a draft class that included six players who started a combined 26 games as rookies.

Receiver Cooper Kupp and safety John Johnson were among best rookies at their positions in the NFL, while tight end Gerald Everett, receiver Josh Reynolds and linebacker Samson Ebukam flashed upside that could eventually solidify into key roles.

As McVay told Snead during the draft, as captured by Amazon’s “All or Nothing” reality show, the team certainly did hit on their free agents.

Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, center John Sullivan and receiver Robert Woods became important pieces of the No. 1-scoring offense in the NFL.

“I think you can do well in this job if you can always think, ‘Hey, it’s about the Rams,’ ” Snead said. “It’s about where you’re at in the standings. So … when you lose a game, or have a losing streak, guess what, that’s part of it. You deserve criticism. So that shouldn’t bother you.

“I think what it should do is fuel you to try to maybe be on the other side of the critique.”

Snead’s performance this offseason, an important factor in the Rams’ continuing their ascent, will certainly be watched intently by Rams fans.

[RamsFanSince82]

None of this stuff will matter if the NFL doesn't want the Rams to win. Hopefully, the NFL will let the Rams to have another good year, but this time go farther in the playoffs.

Donald really isn't a good football player. He's just fortunate that NFL picked him to be one of the best defensive players. Hopefully, the NFL will let him has a few more great season for the Rams. Donald is a great actor.

[RedAlice]

WTF?

There’s a new sense of humor around here I think you’ve missed.

[SWAdude]

None of this stuff will matter if the NFL doesn't want the Rams to win. Hopefully, the NFL will let the Rams to have another good year, but this time go farther in the playoffs.

Donald really isn't a good football player. He's just fortunate that NFL picked him to be one of the bet defensive players. Hopefully, the NFL will let him has a few more great season for the Rams. Donald is a great actor.

Awesome.

I wish I was this witty.

[sloramfan]

seriously dick... put on your tin hat.. lmao

ok, so all the games are fixed.. and the rams will win no matter what cuz they are building a new stadium...

we just need to let all the other teams in the NFL know that...or maybe somebody already has

yeah those player emotions you see during a game?... all an act... they're just playin' !!

and the dissapointment from jerry jones on camera during the cowboys losing to seattle? all fake... lmao

im having trouble typing this while laffing my ass off...

anyhow...

go rams

slo

ps dick.. thanks for taking me out of my playoff loss funk.. this bb needs and appreciates guys like you