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If money seems to be an issue with drafting a defensive player, wouldn't it make sense if that pick made the whole Defense better ? I feel it will.A Qb ,which i have cried for for a long time,doesn't seem the right pick right now. A pass rush is all this D is lacking am I right? With that the rest of the D gets better right now! With the building of the offense and the mentoring of a QB it seems like a longshot at best. At least a few years. I know our Superbowl run came out of the blue ,but i guess a quicker fix might be clouding my mind.
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Re: Question about Money
No you aren't right. This defense needs a DE, WLB, SLB, CB and DT. One player does not make a defense.
On offense the Rams will need an OT, #2 RB, TE and QB (maybe WR). You see, there are no quick fixes. -
Re: Question about Money
This is the sad truth. I know the best teams are built through the draft, but I keep hoping that we will at least plug a hole or 2 through free agency. Fingers are crossed, we will wait and see.Originally posted by RebelYell View PostComment
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I don't know about this. Even the Superbowl champions don't have pro bowlers at every position. It would be lovely to fill some of these needs very soon but the way rosters change and players progress in the NFL, the needs we'll have this year might not be those of next year.Originally posted by RebelYell View Post
Unfortunately, the Rams have done a really poor job of drafting since the turn of the century and the needs are accumulating. When you're in a position like this, you want to take the player who can have the greatest impact at his position and also impact the players around him. In this draft, there are, in my opinion, two players who can come in and do this for the Rams. One offers short term success, the other is certainly a project. Neither are guaranteed. I'm sure you've deduced I'm speaking of Sam Bradford and Ndamukong Suh.
It's a complete toss up as to who does more for the players around him. Bradford, certainly, brings a new face to the franchise and a new hope for both the offensive line and skill position players. With that said, his play and his development rests largely on the ability of these players to gel and produce at a high level week in and week out. If we do draft Bradford, he's not going to do a whole lot early.
Suh, on the other hand, fills less of a position of need. He would become a bona fide, integral part of our DT rotation and has the potential to alter the play of just about everybody on the defense. When you have someone putting that much pressure on the opposing QB, everybody else's jobs get easier. It's why the Patriots could get away with having Troy Brown in the secondary a few years ago with Wilfork and Seymour up front. Ditto for the Colts and their revolving door policy at CB. In the end, it doesn't matter who else you have as long as you have Dwight Freeney doing the business up front.
I think that Theodus is right here in suggesting that one player on defense certainly has the potential to make everybody else around him better. We could certainly use better players at the positions listed, but they're playing, at the moment, at such a level that I'd feel comfortable returning most of the starters we have, except at DE. A pass rush definitely isn't all we need, but it's what we need the most.
With regard to money, I don't think it matters. The #1 pick is going to get paid like the #1 pick regardless of what his last name is. The rest of the picks will be scaled accordingly. I think the Rams are smart enough to realise that if Suh is their guy, they should pick him regardless of contract.Comment
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Re: Question about Money
One person can make a BIG difference. just sayin'.Comment
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For a second there, I thought this was going to be a post about Jeff Wilkins for some reason.Comment
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Re: Question about Money
The statistics say we need a lot more than a pass rush:
25th in passing yards allowed
27th in rushing yards allowed
14th in passing TDs allowed
31st (tied) in rushing TDs allowed
30th in sacks
31st (tied) in interceptions
16th (tied) in forced fumblesComment
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Re: Question about Money
Originally posted by Goldenfleece View Post
although with a stong pass rush
you get more INT hurried throws = less receiptions
= less yardage more sacks etc...
However im all in on a franchise Qb
MARSHALL FAULK had a good point while speaking on the nfl network saying QB's who have had shoulder injuries often have reoccuring shoulder problems
anyway whoever it may be GO RAMS 2010 see ya there
:helmet::helmet::helmet::helmet::helmet::helmet:Comment
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Re: Question about Money
Still, those run defense numbers are worse than the pass defense numbers. Even with basically no pass rush, our run defense is still worse.Comment
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Doesn't a QB make the entire Offense better?Comment
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We are in much more need than just a pass rusher on D lol. We have too many problems to fix on this squad.Comment
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Re: Question about Money
we were that bad in the rush defense? I thought we gave up very few 100 rushers this year, then again , i'm sure i'm wrong apparently. This Suh fella is a freak. He will make a better impact than a QB.Comment
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Re: Question about Money
We have many holes to fill, hence this being a project. Who actually thinks it will be turned around in a year? We pick the best players we can this year, improve, then pick the best players available next year, improve , and so on
Suh is the best overall player available, i dont want Bradford (although i will support him if we pick him) It would be a no brainer for me
S-Jax is the face of the franchise, Bradford wont change that factComment
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Re: Question about Money
Still say if we have a pass rush the D isn't on the field forever and we get better right away.Comment
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Re: Question about Money
Why? So what if we have a pass rush, if our O is still going 3 and out then they D will still be on and eventually the D will tire out.Originally posted by theodus69 View PostComment
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Something struck me today when posting in another thread about the first overall pick this april and the impact either Bradford or Suh could have on the players around them. I made the case that both players have the potential to significantly impact the players around them in the long term, whilst Suh probably has the advantage of being able to do so almost from the first day of practise.
I started to wonder why that is and I think it comes down to something deeper than the well-stated grooming period for rookie QBs. Our situation is quite particular because of who we have on defense. We may well return all of our starters at every position except for Defensive End. (Obviously Bradley Fletcher will be plugged in at corner in an attempt to stop some of the bleeding from the position last season. For the purposes of this discussion, he doesn't count because he's already on the roster.) Whilst I would not be entirely comfortable with this (we'll need a DE ASAP if Little doesn't return) I am much more comfortable with returning our starters on defense than on offense.
In my opinion, a player like Suh can make these already established starters a whole lot better. It's a given that the play of the linebackers flanking Lauriniatis, which was heavily criticised last season, stands to see exponential levels of improvement with a better pass rush. And I say this completely aware that the incumbent starters may return to their positions in the first unit. We're not exactly missing a Defensive Tackle in particular, but we are lacking a pass rush in the worst way. Suh will go a long way to providing that, putting Chris Long, and everybody else up front for that matter, in a better position to make plays.
I can't say I can see the same thing on the offense. Despite our best efforts, our OL is still a mess. Jason Smith, Jason Brown and Jacob Bell are the building blocks and it looks like Alex Barron might be back. For argument's sake, I'll say that only two of the five positions are secure. I'm not convinced Bell won't have to fight to keep his job. We are devoid of a second runningback and our receiving corps is still under question. Lord knows who our starting Tight End will be.
My point is this: the immediate potential Sam Bradford could show as a member of the St. Louis Rams is mooted by the players around him, or the lack thereof. Not all needs can be filled in one offseason and if Bradford were the pick, I wouldn't expect him to start this season anyway. It just seems to me like the supporting cast on defense is much stronger than what we have on the other side of the ball.
I'm completely undecided as to who should be our pick. I was a huge advocate of Suh when the season ended but the arguments in favour of a QB are equally as strong. If we draft Bradford, it's going to be a good day to be a Detroit Lions fan. They got their guy last season. They have one of the best WR's to...-03-13-2010, 12:35 AM -
This is always a debateable subject, positions of need vs. best player available. Myself, I waiver from round to round each draft. This year, we are guaranteed a top 2 pick, most likely a first overall. So, what do we do with it? Well, this is where I decide to do a little bit of prognosticating - in two different directions.
As of this point, there is one name being mentioned as the best college player headed to the draft: Ndamukong Suh. That may change by the combine, but that's doubtful. His value right now is off the charts - kind of like having the Fridge William Perry's best years in a nice neat package with a dose of Nighttrain Lane as a garnish. Whether or not that will be how it turns out is still anyone's guess.
So what happens if we draft him and this is how he looks after camp?
We instantly have a respectable, feared defense. This season, we have seen Chris Long double teamed, James Lauraintis become a top-level MLB, and an aging DE in Little still viable. We have also seen some of the depth players (like Douzable and Scott) step up and make plays at times. Our run defense is OK, but not good enough. Our passing defense - well, to be honest, it sucks. With Long unable to get free on a regular basis, and the line being held back, as well as Little/Hall being covered, well, it's hard to keep those long passes from being completed against our secondary.
With Suh out front, as well as Long, hopefully Carriker, Ryan, and whoever, we force other teams to CHOOSE who they want to take a chance on double teaming. Long's ability to break free would be increased, leading to a lot more pressure and sacks, forcing our opponents to get rid of the ball faster, or turn it over. Suh would also have the chance to get to the QB, and this would result in a ripple effect. With Long AND Suh both being watched, the rest of the D line would have better opportunity to penetrate the O line, resulting in more hurried passes.
And the result of those hurried passes? A better performing secondary. That's right - when a QB is rushed on a pass, his accuracy drops. When his accuracy drops, the ball is NOT thrown "between the numbers", meaning more often than not, it's up for grabs.
Add to this the addition to our run blocking Suh would bring - teams would be forced to look at running to the outside more - something that makes me nervous, as I am not sure we can cover the outside without upgrades.
So, what do I see as a result? A huge improvement in our defense overall, since any QB with a second or more was shredding our D all of this season. Take that away, and we would have been winning several games in 2009.
What if we decide to trade away our first pick?
This is where it gets sticky. Depending on his value after the combine, we could get anywhere from an extra 2nd round pick to an existing player plus a late-round pick. For the sake of simplicity, let's use...-12-29-2009, 12:02 PM -
and the status of the team on the whole for the future.
I just cant seem to understand what does it take and how long is it gonna take for this team to at least be decent again. NOT THE BEST , but decently competitive EVERY game. Every year we rarely make any moves, and the ones we DO make dont impress anyone on the team or in the fanbase. And, Im starting to believe that the reason for that is not "Bill Bidwell " type cheapness, but rather because we have no god d*** money because of the decisions the previous regime made. I refuse to believe that we are the worst team in the NFL, and, more importantly, we are so bad that it is threatening our existence and ability to succeed again.
It almost seems as though no want wants to come to the Rams. They dont give us any coverage. It seems like everyone wants to keep the rams down. It might sound strange but its true. That the way I see it. But yet, they would much rather help out a 2 win team or a three or four win team or a perennial choker. I mean it cant be that bad. Why would you rather the Lions than the Rams? You dont want to be on a bad team? But the Lions are bad! SO are the redskins. raiders, browns, chiefs, and buccaneers. It seems like theres a scheme going on to keep the rams WINLESS. I really detest this behaviour from NFL teams. Seriously strange but true ( in my opinion anyway) . WHy else would no one want to come play for us in three years despite us not being the only bad team in the NFL.
To me, there are five things that this team DESPERATELY needs heading into next months draft. Two things REALLY stand out to me right now. I think we have released Atogwe, Little, and Barron. If we release
Barron- who is gonna step up and guard the QB blindside? Jason Smith?
Atogwe- who will help James Butler? Craig Dahl?
Little- since we released our best pass rusher, shouldnt we be thinking DE in rounds 3-4?
Those are just some stuff what come to mind. But here are the five most important needs of this team, in order of importance: -
1) QB- Not so sure what the A.J. Feely signing meant, but we need to have a new face of the franchise moving forward. Either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen Whether it should come from the first pick though is tough to decide on. ( See DT)
2) DT- I think this is another area where we need help because it has been said that we have been drafting DT's for a while now with no success. Well, Carriker was actually a 3-4 end in college, wasnt he? How does THAT lead to success trying to convert to a 4-3 end? its just not that easy ( i think )
3) DE- Leonard Little may not come back, so we need someone to put on the side of long as pass rushing, run stopping bookends on the line.
4) CB- I still feel like our corners are no threat.
5) LB- This unit is very,very thin in terms of depth.
And one more thing to all Ram haters...-03-05-2010, 03:13 PM -
drafting Sam Bradford and heading into this next season with Feeley starting. What if things dont go well with the O-line this year and the QB gets sacked and hurried alot and then the QB starts making poor decisions and stuff? Then the city will start saying " Well when are they gonna put in Bradford? then he comes in being expected to save the messy situation only to make himself look just as bad and then our multi million dollar franchise QB doesnt look so great and people start doubting.
How would you feel if that was the case?
Or, similarly, if we drafted Suh or G McCoy, and he is expected to come in and help out Long and Carriker, and our pressure on the opposing QB does not improve one bit from last year, how would you feel?-03-10-2010, 12:10 PM -
At this point in the season, it is well within the realm of possibility we'll be drafting in the top 5 again. We could even end up with the second overall pick for the third year in a row .. (If so that must be some kind of record) .. My question is this: Is there a player at ANY position worth the #1 or #2 overall pick in round one next year? (in terms of talent and the money said player would command)
As far as I can see, there are no Peyton Mannings, Jake Longs, or Calvin Johnsons asserting themselves as "can't miss" draft picks. If we do end up with say another #2 overall pick, would we even want it given the enormous amount of money involved? In a year with a weak draft class (I'm speaking of the top 5 in rd 1 only), few teams if any, would be interested in moving up .. Thoughts? :o-11-07-2009, 11:04 AM
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