[ramsman34]

They played a lot better when the original 5 OL were GtG. Not great, but the offense could operate and move the ball. Havs went down and the shitstorm ensued.

A baddass OL is EVERYTHING. Need that for a 35 year old pocket passer and/or a green ass rookie.

#1 off-season priority. And it ain’t even close.

[/zn/]

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.

You need to work harder on reading well. And then on not being insulting on top of it.

I listed comparable players (elite 3-tech types) and how long they played. That's it. It's Alan Page who played 15 years. I said "probably" for AD playing 3 more, which wouldn't be until 2027--if AD plays 3 more years that would be 2026.

Those other players I listed played that long if not longer in some cases. Many comparable elite DTs did, sometimes longer.

[PARAM]

They are losing to mediocre teams.

They have 6 losses and 1 has been to a "mediocre team", Green Bay (with Rypien under center)

Philly 8-1
San Fran 5-3
Cincinnati 5-3 (including wins over the niners and Bills)
Pittsburgh 5-3 (including wins over the Browns and Ravens)
Dallas 5-3

Which of those teams do you consider "mediocre"? Right now each and every one are in the top 7 of their conference.....(read: playoff position). But it's possible you comfuse "mediocre" with 'not dominant'.

[ramsww]

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?

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.)

This board has to get over using the T-word every time someone suggests logic over wishful thinking. I thought many QBs would retire as a RAM from Roman Gabriel to Kurt Warner. Certainly NOT Joe Namath but the reality that the current troika will be gone or at least broken up by 2026 is not only conceivable, it’s historically predictable considering the NFL business climate in 2023. This year has had it’s moments and it’s still fun watching AD wreak havoc and Puka chase his records. Kupp & Higbee are slowing down, no argument. Stafford is taking another year of beatings and AD will play until it no longer interests him. He’s not hanging around past 2024 on a discounted package. Brady did it to collect Lombardi trophies. Rams will have to get their next one with new talent. It doesn’t mean the Rams can’t make the best out of Stafford, Kupp and ADs last years in LA.

[PARAM]

Funny Gabriel's name came up. I thought the Rams would never get rid of him but Hadl was too much to resist....until he wasn't. I liked Harris but when Ferragamo emerged on the scene, I thought 'this guy will be around for years and we'll win plenty'. I thought the same with Everett, Warner, Bulger, Bradford (so a guy can make a mistake from time to time) and finally Goff. But Stafford was too much to resist. But I had no such illusions with Stafford, when it comes to winning for a long time. Some had the opinion, "if we get 5 years out of #9, that'll be fine" and I agreed. But we're only in year 3 and he's missed more games (9) than he did the 10 years previous to coming to LA (8). So yeah, logic says he's nearing the end of a HOF career. And he might not make those 5 years, which if we have a remedial math education, goes only through 2025.

So what's the worry? We need to find his replacement. Truth is some are found in the first or second round of the draft (about 9 or 10 over the last 11 years, which isn't a good average if the belief is 'just draft one'). Some are developed. I like to believe McVay has talent similar to Martz when it comes to QBs but I'm not so sure he's on that level. For those wishing for Caleb or Maye, I think that's fantasy. I'd like to see what McVay could do with the kid from Michigan, McCarthy. He's been tutored by an ex-NFL QB and has the size, strength, speed and talent to develop into a very good NFL QB. In the right situation, which is the key factor in most QB's development. I think the Rams and McVay might be that "right situation".

[ramsww]

Funny Gabriel's name came up. I thought the Rams would never get rid of him but Hadl was too much to resist....until he wasn't. I liked Harris but when Ferragamo emerged on the scene, I thought 'this guy will be around for years and we'll win plenty'. I thought the same with Everett, Warner, Bulger, Bradford (so a guy can make a mistake from time to time) and finally Goff. But Stafford was too much to resist. But I had no such illusions with Stafford, when it comes to winning for a long time. Some had the opinion, "if we get 5 years out of #9, that'll be fine" and I agreed. But we're only in year 3 and he's missed more games (9) than he did the 10 years previous to coming to LA (8). So yeah, logic says he's nearing the end of a HOF career. And he might not make those 5 years, which if we have a remedial math education, goes only through 2025.

So what's the worry? We need to find his replacement. Truth is some are found in the first or second round of the draft (about 9 or 10 over the last 11 years, which isn't a good average if the belief is 'just draft one'). Some are developed. I like to believe McVay has talent similar to Martz when it comes to QBs but I'm not so sure he's on that level. For those wishing for Caleb or Maye, I think that's fantasy. I'd like to see what McVay could do with the kid from Michigan, McCarthy. He's been tutored by an ex-NFL QB and has the size, strength, speed and talent to develop into a very good NFL QB. In the right situation, which is the key factor in most QB's development. I think the Rams and McVay might be that "right situation".

I have to agree on McVay being a QB whisperer. More like an offensive innovator and that shows from his coaching tree as well. No Don Coryell but gifted nonetheless. Too many failed experiments for a QB guru.

BTW, I’d love to see a post in 2016 where somebody predicted “Someday the Rams will have had Goff, Wentz AND Stafford on their rosters”. Never happened I’m pretty sure. lol

[snackdaddy]

Unless someone is willing to trade from one of the top two spots I don't see us being in position to draft Williams or Maye. I see us finishing 5-12 and that won't get anywhere near the top two. I'd say go offensive line and edge with the first and second round. Then several DB's because I'm not seeing anything near blue chip talent with what we have now.

[PARAM]

Unless someone is willing to trade from one of the top two spots I don't see us being in position to draft Williams or Maye. I see us finishing 5-12 and that won't get anywhere near the top two. I'd say go offensive line and edge with the first and second round. Then several DB's because I'm not seeing anything near blue chip talent with what we have now.

I see us with 7 or 8 wins, drafting around #13 to #17. I have no idea who or what position they will target but at that slot, there's plenty of room to move down (or up) and get an impactful player. I enjoy the anticipation either way. And I equally enjoy the conviction and steadfast confidence by some fans concerning which way they should/will go, with half a season remaining.

[ramsman34]

LT over QB unless they land a top 3 pick

[snackdaddy]

I see us with 7 or 8 wins, drafting around #13 to #17. I have no idea who or what position they will target but at that slot, there's plenty of room to move down (or up) and get an impactful player. I enjoy the anticipation either way. And I equally enjoy the conviction and steadfast confidence by some fans concerning which way they should/will go, with half a season remaining.

The Pittsburgh and Green Bay games sealed it for me. Pittsburgh's offense is not very good. Green Bay's is worse. Both had their way with our defense in the second half.

One game was without Stafford so we couldn't expect much with the offense. The other was with Stafford and our offense wasn't very good that game either.

We'll have some decent offensive games but the defense is starting to show why they're expected to be among the worst. The bad teams tend to get exposed the further they get into the season.