[Elvis]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... eat-story/

Rams’ pursuit of RGIII would make for a great story

Posted by Mike Florio on February 14, 2016, 12:13 PM EST

The one thing I root for when it comes to the NFL is a great story. And while the prospect of Magic Johnson pulling a rabbit from his hat by luring Peyton Manning to L.A. would generate plenty of interest, there’s another quarterback who’s migration to California would be nearly as compelling.

Four years ago, the Rams picked up three first-round picks and a second-round pick in exchange for the privilege of drafting quarterback Robert Griffin III. And the Rams repeatedly reminded Washington of the move, from selecting the players obtained through the trade as captains for a game against Griffin’s team to using the picks as a draft-room rallying cry.

“It made too much sense for us to go ahead and recognize the guys that probably wouldn’t be here had it not been for the trade,” Fisher said in December 2014, explaining his coin-toss emissaries following a game against Washington. “We want to do that before the game. It was a memory that will last them for a lifetime. It was a good idea. I’ve sent other people out for different reasons as well.”

Now that Griffin’s time in Washington is coming to an end (unless they want to pay him more than $16 million fully guaranteed for 2016), the prospect looms of the Rams completing the grift by signing Griffin.

Some will say Griffin is now irrelevant, especially after a season spent in bubble wrap, following a preseason game in which the Lions nearly burst him. But Washington coach Jay Gruden decided that Kirk Cousins fits the offense better than Griffin, and once that decision was made there was no reason to risk owing Griffin that $16 million salary for 2016, since last year it was guaranteed only for injury.

The Rams would need to put Griffin through the paces of a full-blown workout before signing him, to ensure he still can move and cut and throw. But it’s a low bar to surpass the skill sets of Nick Foles and Case Keenum, and if no one else is offering Griffin starter money, it could be easy to get Griffin.

Yes, the Cowboys may come calling for Griffin, offering him a chance to serve as Tony Romo’s understudy and to be groomed as his successor. But the financial package would reflect that status. So if Griffin wants to maximize his earnings and play now, why not be interested in playing in L.A.?

The mere fact that it would be the perfect bow on one of the worst trades since the Herschel Walker debacle makes it worth trying.

[dieterbrock]

If we aren't drafting a QB, I'd like this.
90+ QB rating, 48 td in 35 games. He was an absolute weapon when used properly as a rook.
Mannion, RGII and Keenum. Use 2 of the top 3 picks on WR

[Hacksaw]

Most mocks have us getting a chance at one of the top 3 QB's. But that said I think Wentz is the only real prospect there. Cleveland snags him at 3. So if we don't try and trade up (swap 1sts, a 2nd and $$ or 3rd player) then RGII out of the FA class is the most exciting prospect with the greatest potential. But will Washington even trade him to us after everything that happened with the previous trade? Will Gruden still remember the coin flip off Fish ran out there?
That would be a bing name splash in LA fashion and the back story could be a big Rams win if he stays healthy and has matured. imo

[Hacksaw]

Los Angeles Rams: A Fitting New Home For Robert Griffin III
By Brandon Bate  Feb 17, 2016, 5:48p
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

If the Los Angeles Rams don’t think they’re capable of landing a game-changing, immediate impact type quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft, they’ll - in all likelihood - be real players in free agency.

Currently atop the list of impending free agent signal callers is Eagles’ Sam Bradford. And it’s a very short list, especially if teams are looking for a starting QB. But there’s another quarterback who will almost certainly be joining Bradford in free agency, and heating things up in the 2016 offseason. That player: former Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III.

As NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported last Monday [via Twitter], Griffin III passed his exit physical with the Skins, and now it’s a matter of when, not if, he hits the free agent market.

Given the Los Angeles Rams’ current quarterback situation - which many would consider dire - it comes as no surprise that Griffin’s name is [and has been] getting tossed around as a viable solution to their QB woes. And why not?

Mike Sando recently covered five intriguing fits for Griffin III [In$ider], lumping the Rams in with other potential landing spots like Bills, Cowboys, Broncos, and Chiefs:

On paper, the Rams have the defense and running game to support the kind of low-volume passing attack to help a quarterback survive. On the field, those things were insufficient for the Rams to win consistently with Nick Foles as their starting quarterback in 2015. The Rams are heading into the offseason with Foles and Case Keenum operating under a first-time NFL playcaller in Rob Boras. They didn't like Griffin enough to draft him second overall in 2012. There is less to like about Griffin now, but if the price were right, the Rams could at least consider buying another raffle ticket at the position.

A few things here.

I’m not sure it’s fair to say "the Rams didn’t like Griffin enough to draft him second overall in 2012." That was the very first year of the Jeff Fisher/Les Snead regime, and Fisher was very adamant that part of the reason he’d chosen St. Louis over Miami was Sam Bradford. Only two seasons removed from being drafted first overall, why would the new regime simply discard a promising young quarterback? The answer is simple: they wouldn’t. What they would do, however, was wisely trade that pick to the Redskins, landing themselves a slew of players in the process...

Another thing to note is that Sando makes no mention of Sean Mannion, who the Rams selected with the 98th overall pick [3rd round] in the 2015 draft. Conventional wisdom would tell you that the Fisher & Co. were confident enough in Foles/Keenum that they didn’t find themselves in a position to take a quarterback higher in the draft. But with only seven snaps under his belt - all of which were played in Week 12 - it’s hard to get a pulse on whether or not he’s truly in the mix for the starting job.

In this Fox Sports article, which was posted yesterday, the Rams name once again emerged as a potential landing spot for Griffin III, amongst six others. In it, the author also mentions the draft haul the Rams were afforded via the draft-day trade with the Rams:

Forever on a search for a quarterback, the Rams couldn't have been happy with Nick Foles last season. Foles's seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in 11 games were not what a team with a playoff-caliber defense had in mind when they shipped Sam Bradford to Philly. The most ironic part of this marriage would be that the Redskins shipped a boatload of picks to the Rams to move up to the No. 2 spot in the 2012 draft to able to get Griffin, so him actually signing with the Rams would bring this story full circle.

Let’s face it. If there’s one thing Jeff Fisher has shown us, it’s that he’s not above trolling. When the Rams took the trip to Fed Ex field in December, 2014 Fisher utilized the pre-game festivities to send a friendly reminder the Redskins. Prior to kickoff, Fisher sent Janoris Jenkins, Michael Brockers, Zac Stacy, Stedman Bailey, Greg Robinson, and Alec Ogletree to midfield for the coin toss.

Would you put it past him to acquire Griffin, simply to put the nail in this trade coffin?


A few things on Griffin...


The Attitude

There was a lot of speculation/drama surrounding the Redskins, and much of it came from a deteriorating relationship between Griffin III and head coach Mike Shanahan, based on the manner in which each of them wanted the offense to run. Regardless of who was wrong or right in the matter, Griffin ultimately won out, and was dubbed a prima donna in the process. That’s nothing to brag about, and certainly didn’t earn him many fans outside the district.

That could be a concern for any NFL team. No one wants a "cancer" in the locker room.

The question I’d pose, though, is what if he utilized the 2015 season - one where he was sidelined, and all but publicly embarrassed - to mature? There’s certainly a chance he didn’t, and that’s a risk any team would take when acquiring him.

The alternative, however, is that he’s just a player hungry to get back to the game. One who’s envisions proving a point, and quieting the doubters, in 2016. Maybe he’s a guy who truly believes the sentiment of the letter he left in his now vacant locker in Landover.



The Knee

It should be noted that any team interested in signing Griffin III has probably already ripped the "read option" pages out of their playbook. Following these injuries in 2012, he made it very clear he was ready to be a full-time pocket passer. Can he be mobile when needed? I’m sure he can. He’ll never have the mobility he did prior to these injuries, but that’s not to say he can’t let loose if the protection starts to break down.

The knee injuries are bit of a concern, but it’s a risk the Rams - or any other team - must be willing to take. Beef up that offensive line!

The Cost

It remains to be seen what the going price for Griffin III will be once he hits the market, but the Rams would have the cash. As it stands, per Over the Cap, the Rams have the league’s 10th most cap space [$36+mil] for 2016, and there are several internal moves the team could make to free up more if needed.

The good news for potential buyers is that they’re not competing to get the 2012 rookie of the year winner, who took his team to the playoffs. They’re vying for a quarterback who played scout team safety.


POLL
Which QB Would Lead the Rams To the Most Wins In 2016?

2% Nick Foles
(13 votes)
11% Case Keenum
(57 votes)
7% Sean Mannion
(39 votes)
43% Robert Griffin III
(225 votes)
16% Jared Goff
(86 votes)
13% Carson Wentz
(69 votes)
7% Paxton Lynch
(39 votes)
528 votes total

[dieterbrock]

Will Gruden still remember the coin flip off Fish ran out there?
That would be a bing name splash in LA fashion and the back story could be a big Rams win if he stays healthy and has matured. imo

Gruden was OC for Cincinatti when that happened.
Past is the past. They either trade him or end up cutting him for nothing. If Rams offer is square, they take it.
I'd prefer Goff or Wentz, heck I could even warm up to Paxton Lynch. But if they don't go with a QB at 1, Id be happy with RGIII

[Elvis]

I'm sure Washington would see it as the joke being on us, after mocking them, we take their failure off their hands.

Of course, if we win with RGIII, the joke goes squarely back on Washington...

[Hacksaw]

Will Gruden still remember the coin flip off Fish ran out there?
That would be a bing name splash in LA fashion and the back story could be a big Rams win if he stays healthy and has matured. imo

Gruden was OC for Cincinatti when that happened.
Past is the past. They either trade him or end up cutting him for nothing. If Rams offer is square, they take it.
I'd prefer Goff or Wentz, heck I could even warm up to Paxton Lynch. But if they don't go with a QB at 1, Id be happy with RGIII

Pretty sure Gruden was the Redskins head coach on December 7, 2014.
A lot of baggage already with RGIII and he isn't playing much. His skills were/are a cut above though. His head ,, who knows? Like you I'd prefer we start fresh with a high pick. Earlier I was all in on Wentz and mostly still am, Goff though has some pretty attractive numbers. Bottom line is we need a QB, and everyone outside (and hopefully inside) Rams camp knows it.

[moklerman]

I say: "no thanks". Griffin was only good as a rookie because of his legs and because defenses weren't ready for him. Look what's happened since then. Plus, he wants to be a pocket passer. He doesn't want to run(get hurt). I don't see how the Rams taking on that kind of project is a good idea.

Sure, if he'd just been unhealthy because of his knee and was now ready to start running again then he'd be perfect for a Fisher run-centric offense. But that isn't what RGIII is or even wants to be.

[dieterbrock]

Will Gruden still remember the coin flip off Fish ran out there?
That would be a bing name splash in LA fashion and the back story could be a big Rams win if he stays healthy and has matured. imo

Gruden was OC for Cincinatti when that happened.
Past is the past. They either trade him or end up cutting him for nothing. If Rams offer is square, they take it.
I'd prefer Goff or Wentz, heck I could even warm up to Paxton Lynch. But if they don't go with a QB at 1, Id be happy with RGIII

Pretty sure Gruden was the Redskins head coach on December 7, 2014.
A lot of baggage already with RGIII and he isn't playing much. His skills were/are a cut above though. His head ,, who knows? Like you I'd prefer we start fresh with a high pick. Earlier I was all in on Wentz and mostly still am, Goff though has some pretty attractive numbers. Bottom line is we need a QB, and everyone outside (and hopefully inside) Rams camp knows it.

You're absolutely correct. My bad. Gruden was the coach

[Hacksaw]

Did the Rams just clear cap space to sign RG3 or Peyton Manning?(AP)

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen |
February 19, 2016 4:03 pm

It’s happening, right? This is the start of it. The Rams, fresh off its move to Los Angeles, announced on Friday they had cut Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Jared Cook from the team.

According to the team’s official statement:

“This is the time of year when all NFL teams are faced with difficult decisions regarding their veteran players,” Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. “Chris and James are the epitome of what it means to be a pro in this league and it’s been an honor to coach them both.”

Do the math and that equates to about $20 million in cap space that the Rams have just freed up — in other words, more than enough to make a number of key acquisitions this offseason. Convenient considering two of the names about to float onto the market: Robert Griffin III and Peyton Manning.

RG3 actually makes legitimate sense. He’s struggled since sustaining an ACL injury at the end of the 2012 season, but at 26, he’s certainly still young enough to deserve at least one more shot as a starter. It isn’t hard, either, to make the case that the Redskins compromised this part of RG3’s career by mishandling his recovery.

Yes, the Redskins snubbed him for Kirk Cousins before, but he actually came out of that situation looking pretty good. He stayed quiet and professional throughout — a quality that won’t go unnoticed by the teams looking at RG3. The Rams, for its part, will want some measure of success to celebrate its first season back in LA, and if RG3 recaptures anything close to his best form, he could ensure that for years to come.

The Rams should take a swing on RG3, but it’s not hard to see how they could be lured by another big name quarterback: Peyton Manning.

From a purely football perspective, it really doesn’t make any sense. Manning still has one of the best minds in the game, but at this point, that’s about it. He simply can’t throw the football like an NFL-caliber quarterback anymore, and if any sense of reason prevails he should thank his Broncos defense and ride off into the sunset like Jared Allen.

But he’s also a professional athlete, and it’s a short list of pro athletes who recognize the time to gracefully walk away. Pros are competitive. They’re winners, and besides, he did just win a Super Bowl after all. He might want to keep going because he thinks he can, and with Rams in need of both a quarterback and a high-profile name, they could easily pay him handsomely for the pleasure.

Only time will tell, of course. Maybe the team is just saving cap room to save cap room (Stan Kroenke does have a new house and stadium to pay for), or maybe the Rams are just cutting first and surveying its options. But all that just seems too much of a coincidence. The path has been set, and now the Rams are ready to accelerate down it.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/02/did-the ... 4c6876c5f9