[rams74]

I think in three years people will say it was a good move on the part of Atlanta. Cousins is signed on basically what is a two year deal. IMO Penix is probably the most underrated QB in this draft.

If the Rams get to and win another Lombardi this year IMO Stafford will hang it up and retire. Look at his contract. If he chooses to play in 2025 it's not like he will do so without guaranteed money. When he signed the contract he knew 2025 and 2026 were option years. It was good enough for him then so what has changed?

Stafford will be paid $50M with $37M still guaranteed. So in essence he will be earning an additional $13M by playing in 2025. I think he wants that additional $13M guaranteed. That IMO is a very bad bet considering his extensive injury history. That cannot and should not be ignored by either the management or fans.

Matt will have a choice to make. He can retire with his $37M still guaranteed or he can play one or two more seasons earning an additional $25 M over those two years. The other part of the equation will be Kroenke's decision as to whether or not to simply move on from Matt at the end of the year.

I honestly think the Rams will put off any decisions on their part dependent upon how Matt plays this year. If he's still playing at an elite level maybe they stay the course with Stafford at QB1 for one more year. If he misses multiple games like he did in 2022 then I think they will say thank you Matt but no thank you on additional guaranteed money. If he has another 2022 and he might because his arm issue is chronic, then the Rams must move on at QB1. Remember Stafford only started 9 games in 2022 and he missed another last year. So he's missed 10 games in the past two years. The Rams can't ignore that.

Why wait? Just cut him now.

Case Keenum is still around, we could get him back from Houston for a couple of 1s.

Let's go back to noodle-armed guys. I always loved that model.

[Dare]

McVay himself has said that the Rams are year to year with Stafford from now on. If he gets through a season healthy and his arm tendonitis hasn't flared up then they will keep him at QB1. McVay has changed his offense to a ball control scheme. As such it's far more QB friendly in terms of types of QBs that would be fits. They no longer live and die by deep strikes.

The Rams will move the ball with a ball control run game (i.e. move the chains) no longer needing a Gurley type homerun hitting RB. Their passing game is intermediate zone centric counting on YAC for big plays. Note he is no longer drafting small super fast WRs. Puka is the new prototype WR for this offense. That's why they extended Robinson and drafted Whittington who IMO has all the traits to be Nacua v 2.0, i.e. big, relatively fast 4.5, WRs that can carry the ball on jet sweeps and block.

Sean has learned he needs to control the clock as much as the score board, pressure the opposition by scoring frequently, playing field position and controlling the clock. That is McVay's new offense and Puka, Robinson and now Whittington reflect his change in passing and Williams and Corum the change in the run offense as well. Note how the OL was built as it should be from the inside out. The strength of the OL is the interior OL and no longer the OTs.

This is what Sean took away from the SB. This new team model is less dependent upon first round picks and finds it's strength on the second day and early third day players, making it far more sustainable.

Carson Beck, and possibily Riley Leonard if either comes out next year, particularly Beck he is a total fit for this offense. He would be worth moving up to grab as thus far he looks to have an elite arm, with accuracy and ability to play from the pocket. My point is there are QBs that fit this scheme in almost every draft.

[PARAM]

McVay himself has said that the Rams are year to year with Stafford from now on. If he gets through a season healthy and his arm tendonitis hasn't flared up then they will keep him at QB1. McVay has changed his offense to a ball control scheme. As such it's far more QB friendly in terms of types of QBs that would be fits. They no longer live and die by deep strikes.

The Rams will move the ball with a ball control run game (i.e. move the chains) no longer needing a Gurley type homerun hitting RB. Their passing game is intermediate zone centric counting on YAC for big plays. Note he is no longer drafting small super fast WRs. Puka is the new prototype WR for this offense. That's why they extended Robinson and drafted Whittington who IMO has all the traits to be Nacua v 2.0, i.e. big, relatively fast 4.5, WRs that can carry the ball on jet sweeps and block.

Sean has learned he needs to control the clock as much as the score board, pressure the opposition by scoring frequently, playing field position and controlling the clock. That is McVay's new offense and Puka, Robinson and now Whittington reflect his change in passing and Williams and Corum the change in the run offense as well. Note how the OL was built as it should be from the inside out. The strength of the OL is the interior OL and no longer the OTs.

This is what Sean took away from the SB. This new team model is less dependent upon first round picks and finds it's strength on the second day and early third day players, making it far more sustainable.

Carson Beck, and possibily Riley Leonard if either comes out next year, particularly Beck he is a total fit for this offense. He would be worth moving up to grab as thus far he looks to have an elite arm, with accuracy and ability to play from the pocket. My point is there are QBs that fit this scheme in almost every draft.

All that being said, you still need a non-noodle armed QB who can throw a dime or can anticipate better than a Case Keenum or a Carson Beck. The ball control/ground game offense works fine with a Baltimore (or SF) defense and a game managing QB but we don't have that......yet. And though there are good QBs coming out "who fit this scheme", they aren't experienced NFL QBs who have seen or done what Stafford has. As much as your argument makes sense, it loses steam when you indicate we could accomplish the same end without Stafford. QB is still the #1 most important position on the field. #Give #9 what he wants.

[actionjack]

Why wait? Just cut him now.

Case Keenum is still around, we could get him back from Houston for a couple of 1s.

Let's go back to noodle-armed guys. I always loved that model.

Bring back the original dead cat tosser Shaun Hill!!

[Elvis]

McVay himself has said that the Rams are year to year with Stafford from now on. If he gets through a season healthy and his arm tendonitis hasn't flared up then they will keep him at QB1. McVay has changed his offense to a ball control scheme. As such it's far more QB friendly in terms of types of QBs that would be fits. They no longer live and die by deep strikes.

Rams were #6 in yards per pass attempt last year, hardly a dink a dunk ball control offense.

McVay said he wants Stafford for as long as he's willing to play. Stafford wants more guaranteed money (for future seasons). Rams didn't draft a QB, sounds like Stafford might be hanging around for more than one season to me...

[ramsman34]

Don’t understand Dare’s position on Stafford at all. It’s ill informed IMO. Stafford’s tendinitis?? Ok, maybe. The Rams invested major capital in the OL and improved depth talent, add a bonafide blocking TE. Added draft picks at RB and blocking/possession WR. Invested everything else on defense in the hope of improving turnovers, field position, and the ability to get off the grass on 3rd down. Improved their kicker and hopefully STs performance. ALL of which is basically designed to help Stafford stay healthy and excel. Oh, and WIN

[ramsman34]

To add, watching the Rams v Lions playoff game. The Rams attacked the redzone issues with Parkinson, and having a healthy Davis and Hall provides big RZ targets. Adding Corum the Wolverine TD machine as well as Massively fortifying the interior OL bodes very well for our RZ run game. It was a big emphasis. And should pay off. Also, pass coverage should be very much improved. ESP when T White is fully recovered.

The rush is going to be the big mystery but they certainly tried hard to address it.

[PARAM]

To add, watching the Rams v Lions playoff game. The Rams attacked the redzone issues with Parkinson, and having a healthy Davis and Hall provides big RZ targets. Adding Corum the Wolverine TD machine as well as Massively fortifying the interior OL bodes very well for our RZ run game. It was a big emphasis. And should pay off. Also, pass coverage should be very much improved. ESP when T White is fully recovered.

The rush is going to be the big mystery but they certainly tried hard to address it.

What is the one thing that prevents many talented head coaches from achieving the Lombardi? The lack of a bonified franchise QB. If you don't have one, you're trying to find one. If you do have one, you try to keep him happy. Why in the hell would McSnead fuck with Stafford? He's the best chance they have at earning another Lombardi. Which is why they have been surrounding him with as much talent as possible. And not needing to find a franchise QB, allows them to find other gems. This team is being built solidly. Because they already have Stafford.

Exactly. And built solidly. AROUND Stafford. He is the centerpiece. The stick that stirs the drink.

They will lock him up and bring his contract to its current and future value.

[/zn/]

Redzone offense is a weird thing with McV and I think the new powerball offense with the new OL is meant to address that (along with keeping Stafford upright).

In 2024 the Rams OL ranked 8th for this stat: NFL Team Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only)

That's only the 2nd time they've ranked in the top 10 in the McVay era.

Here are all the previous years...the other exception was 2019. This is especially notable because usually the Rams rank high in Red Zone Scoring Attempts per Game
2022...14th
2021...16th
2020...19th
2019...6th
2018...18th
2017...17th

[Lancer]

Redzone offense is a weird thing with McV and I think the new powerball offense with the new OL is meant to address that (along with keeping Stafford upright).

In 2024 the Rams OL ranked 8th for this stat: NFL Team Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only)

That's only the 2nd time they've ranked in the top 10 in the McVay era.

Here are all the previous years...the other exception was 2019. This is especially notable because usually the Rams rank high in Red Zone Scoring Attempts per Game

2022...14th
2021...16th
2020...19th
2019...6th
2018...18th
2017...17th

This was always a criticism that revolved around his offensive preferences and one that stretches back to Washington-- productive offense, with periodic lulls & struggle in the red zone, comparatively.

I am happy to see esp. in the last 2-3 seasons, more of a visible effort to respond towards trends in league play.