On "Pace" or not?

*AugustaRamFan* · #1 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

Two questions... How may games before doughnut boy is able to make a true contribution to the team? Granted, he is an upgrade, but how many games will it take?

and -Is OP good for the team in a larger sense and/or is it time for the Rams to go another direction??

#2 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

He is an immediate upgrade from anything else we have in week one. By week two, he should be really fine.

Meanwhile, i still dont see walter jones in seattles camp and if we have pace and they dont have jones for a while, that is a huge advantage for us. Jones will probably sign the tender and come in as well, but just pointing out that seattle is not in any better shape than we are regarding a key component to their offense.

In my opinion, we are all upset, rightfully so, over the extended nature of the pace holdout. I for one am going to take a deep breathe and as avenger says, focus on the fact that he is now going to play, which to me, gives us a legit shot at the title if we stay healthy and can stop the run. As to the future, there are legitimate points to discuss, but until i get some perspective, i am going to wait. I continue to hope that by some miracle we can get a long term deal done.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

*ramavenger* · #3 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

I think we all remember the oline last year at the beginning of the season.
Looking back at the first game should give you the answer. I wonder if the Rams have the balls to make pace only a sub the first game?

*AugustaRamFan* · #4 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

Ya - That might send bit of a message to OP. But the Poston boys will spin that into... "See OP, the Rams don't value your talent."...blah..blah...blah...

#5 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

Unless i am mistaken, arizona doesnt have anyone on their roster that reminds me of michael strahan. It is a major break that week one is against arizona, not a more formidable defense, given the adjustments that will come as the oline gets its act together.

general counsel

*Fargo Ram Fan* · #6 (**permalink**) -06-09-2004

"In my opinion, we are all upset, rightfully so, over the extended nature of the pace holdout. I for one am going to take a deep breathe and as avenger says, focus on the fact that he is now going to play, which to me, gives us a legit shot at the title if we stay healthy and can stop the run."

The Rams have something far LESS than a "legit shot at the title". The defense is about as stout as a slice of SWISS CHEESE. With the VERY SUSPECT DBs and virtually ZERO indication that they have improved one iota vs the run...and lets not forget that they brought in the much coveted Larry Marmie(Rain Mans 'good buddy') who previously steered the vaunted CARDINALS DEFENSE...I dont see how anyone with any kind of objectivity can declare this team has ANY kind of 'shot at the title'. The offense has as many weapons as anyone in the league...but this D is gonna be BRUTAL to watch.

#7 (**permalink**) -07-09-2004

AugustaRamFan
Great picture of Mack. Best pulling guard ever!

#8 (**permalink**) -07-09-2004

Sorry you feel that way Mr. Fargo. I agree we have questions on defense, but i think that you are overrated the competition. Tell me a team that doesnt have problems? In this salary cap era, everyone has weaknesses. My point is that if we stay healthy, we have as good a shot as anyone. I further agree,and have said so in dozens of posts, that stopping the run will be a key. Tell me about the vaunted seattle defense? How about the philly corners and their problems at defensive line? green bay and minny's defense? Can carolina do it again? Tell me who in the nfc scares you so much that you say that we have "no shot"

general counsel

*AugustaRamFan* · #9 (**permalink**) -09-09-2004

I dug this thread up from over on Page 4.

I did not get sufficient input on question 2. So herewe go again...

Is OP good for the Rams, in terms of the "team"? When should the Rams go in another direction?

It appears that the Franchise Tag process may begin to wear thin I (perhaps is wearing thin with OP and the Rams FO). I do agree with Avenger, at some point OP will have to sign a long term deal, just to protect his future. I do not know how much longer he can continue to sign the one year tender offers (Is there a limit as to how many years that you can tag a player?) without putting some form of long term compensation plan in place. It would seem to me that he is taking a lot of risk in terms of a potential career ending injury.

Again, it would appear that the Rams save $$$$ by not signing OP to a long term deal. They will pay him $7MM plus this year, maybe $8-9MM next year, and $10MM+ in 2006. All the while, no long term deal is in the making. And all the while no multi $MM signing bonus is being paid. (Maybe the Rams learned a valuable lesson w/r to Kurt Warner. As we all know KW was never the same after he signed the big payday contract.)

When does OP smarten up and realize he is not going to get a mega deal from the Rams, and when is the FO going to get smarter and trade the big guy?

How will this tale unfold??