O-Line Or Defense, Defense Or O-Line.....

[lakerams]

what do the Rams draft? and when?

and if the defense needs to be rebuilt like many of you suggest, then this will take several years. we can't get that done in one draft.

therefore, we may be looking at another season or two like this season.

your thoughts?

[HUbison]

1st round - OT - Barron, McNeil, or Brown, whoever is available.
2nd round and on - Defense, defense, defense

[lakerams]

the Rams need more than one O-lineman.

[HUbison]

the Rams need more than one O-lineman.

Yes, we do, but we need more help in the defense even more. I could see next year's O-line as, Pace, Tercero, McCollum, Timmerman, 1st round Rookie. Maybe get Turner in as McCollum or Timmerman wear down.

[tanus]

First, we need to resign Antuan Edwards.
Second, I'd like to see us get Ed Hartwell from the Ravens to play MLB.

I do think we need to get another OT. I don't think its a first round necessity based upon the fact that this draft has several good OT prospects and we may be able to get a good one in the second round. If this is the case, then I'd like to see us get a playmaker on D with our first rounder. either a LB or a CB would be a good choice. I also wouldn't be opposed to either trading up to land a marquee defensive player or trading down to acquire an extra pick and grab an OT.

I'm assuming Pace will be back next year at a reasonable contract so here is my projected starting lineup for the OL.

Pace, Tercero, Turner/McCollum, Timmerman, Turley/OT draft pick
backups: Turner/McCollum, Saipaia, Williams, FA, draft pick(s)

We need to pickup a blue-collar OL through Free Agency as well.

[tanus]

wow Hub, we think alike, hehe.

[HUbison]

wow Hub, we think alike, hehe.

Well, if nothing else, I feel better about my opinion. Now if Avenger or Adarian starting agreeing with us, then we should be worried.

[sprtsmac]

The key to the offseason is going to be Pace. The Rams must make a decision on him. Hopefully Pace will meet the Rams half way and they can get him signed. But if that is not the case I say we let him go and spend the money else where to make this a better team.

[Nick]

I do think we need to get another OT. I don't think its a first round necessity based upon the fact that this draft has several good OT prospects and we may be able to get a good one in the second round. If this is the case, then I'd like to see us get a playmaker on D with our first rounder. either a LB or a CB would be a good choice. I also wouldn't be opposed to either trading up to land a marquee defensive player or trading down to acquire an extra pick and grab an OT.

Great post, tanus. I think if Ahmad Brooks of Virginia comes out, that's exactly the kind of linebacker we could use. If somehow Derrick Johnson falls past New Orleans and is within reach, we should try and grab him. If there's a stud defender on the table when we pick, I say go after him and grab an offensive lineman in the second round.

We have to assume that a rookie offensive lineman, particularly at tackle, isn't going to have an immediate role on the offensive line based on our system. Even veterans like Turley and Wohlabaugh struggled at first with this system - imagine the problems a rookie might have! I think Turley's comments about trying to come back are optimistic, and we should definitely be looking at offensive tackles in the draft, but we shouldn't put all our eggs in the basket of a rookie lineman.

[rampete]

derrick johnson? personally, he reminds me a little too much of tommy polley...

he's a good tackler and is around the ball often, but is not stout against the run and tries to round around the blockers in almost every game i've seen the longhorns play this season...

i'd rather the rams go after a taller, more physical bump-and-go type DB like corey webster of lsu or carlos rogers of auburn...they're not the fastest but where has that gotten travis fisher...?

[psycho9985]

Give Bulger an offensive line.he'll kill any defence.W have good talent on def. We just need a real coordinator.lose Marmie,hes a french surrender monkey.

[UtterBlitz]

Wow we have a french surrender monkey running loose ..... lol....hehe

[Aries51]

Orlando Pace is one of the best Tackles in the league.but he has held this team hostage for a couple of years using the Postons as his henchmen,so this is still one of the Rams biggest ??? this off-season.Our offensive line is already mediocre with him,so can we afford to go into next season without him??

[majorram]

Pace has to sign long-term this time, we need his cap figure to drop, we need every dollar!!! but to me we cannot let him walk... he is still the best LT in football....and with our line, WELLL enough said....he is the building block!!!


steve :ramlogo:

[HUbison]

Give Bulger an offensive line.he'll kill any defence.W have good talent on def. We just need a real coordinator.lose Marmie,hes a french surrender monkey.

Marmie is a french surrender monkey. I gotta write that one down.