Bradford done, how far do the Rams players fall?

[SmokingMonkey]

What are your guys' thoughts on the Rams Defense???

It worries me that their offense could struggle without Bradford, which would put their defense out on the field more during the games. Could really wear on them down the stretch.

Look at last year's stuff after Bradford got injured vs CAR. time of possession stats and play calling in particular. I'm expecting the same.

Any hype for Bradford fantasy wise, was just that, hype and potential. Nothing more, nothing less.
The game plan in STL isn't going to change much, if at all. Like Clayton said - go ahead and expect more intermediate routes and less deep balls, but the Rams didn't take all that many deep shots with Bradford to begin with.

Still a run-first team that leans on its defense. But as far as the defense goes - the injury to Trumaine Johnson is pretty big, imo. A questionable group in the secondary needs all of its starters healthy. No matter what, I'm still expecting a huge season for Alec Ogletree, as every team in the league looks for ways to stop Quinn.

 

[TREFF]

What are your guys' thoughts on the Rams Defense???

It worries me that their offense could struggle without Bradford, which would put their defense out on the field more during the games. Could really wear on them down the stretch.

They're the one positron I wouldn't downgrade too far. Very solid unit, and they even be better with a "hey we need to win the game by ourselves" mentality, at least early on

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Look at last year's stuff after Bradford got injured vs CAR. time of possession stats and play calling in particular. I'm expecting the same.

Still a run-first team that leans on its defense. But as far as the defense goes - the injury to Trumaine Johnson is pretty big, imo. A questionable group in the secondary needs all of its starters healthy. No matter what, I'm still expecting a huge season for Alec Ogletree, as every team in the league looks for ways to stop Quinn.

They're the one positron I wouldn't downgrade too far. Very solid unit, and they even be better with a "hey we need to win the game by ourselves" mentality, at least early on

I agree. The defense should still be good. Last season after Bradford went down they still scored double digit fantasy points in 7/9 games. Even posted highs of 18, 26 & 34 in standard formats.

I'll probably drop A. Smith (backup) for a backup defense just to be safe... What would you guys choose out of the Browns, Saints or Ravens?

I'm leaning on the Browns, but they have the same situation as the Rams... Good defense but questionable offense.

 

[Clayton]

But as far as the defense goes - the injury to Trumaine Johnson is pretty big, imo. A questionable group in the secondary needs all of its starters healthy.

Agreed, although theoretically Johnson will only miss 1/4 of the season.

Also, while the secondary could be bad and at the very least is unknown, its hard to imagine it worse than last year. They were so bad that this new rule change with DBs wouldnt have affected them at all

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Also, while the secondary could be bad and at the very least is unknown, its hard to imagine it worse than last year. They were so bad that this new rule change with DBs wouldnt have affected them at all

first off, as a Rams fan, all I can say is LOL - all too true there!

Secondly:

I'll probably drop A. Smith (backup) for a backup defense just to be safe... What would you guys choose out of the Browns, Saints or Ravens?

I'm probably higher than most on the Browns D this year, with the addition of Gilbert they should thwart any non-elite passing attack. I'd still say take the gamble on the Saints DST though.
If Cooks is touching the ball at all on KR/PR, super deadly. Cadet is no slouch back there for KR duties either - 26.5 avg when filling in for Sproles over the last 2 seasons.
Byrd joining that secondary should lead to a few more turnovers. And majority of the games, Brees will have his team in the lead, and the opponent will be one-dimensional, playing catch up.

 

[averagejoe]

One guy that gets forgotten about is Jared Cook. He was a 2013 trendy top 12 pick who actually did finish 12th in TE scoring. Cook is pretty much off everyone's draft board this year - even before the Bradford ACL injury. He could be a nice sleeper, particularly since the situation in the Gateway City is deja vu.

Ditto for the Rams' D/ST.

 

[Clayton]

One guy that gets forgotten about is Jared Cook. He was a 2013 trendy top 12 pick who actually did finish 12th in TE scoring. Cook is pretty much off everyone's draft board this year - even before the Bradford ACL injury. He could be a nice sleeper, particularly since the situation in the Gateway City is deja vu.

Ditto for the Rams' D/ST.

I'd be very comfortable drafting Jared Cook if the Rams indeed go with a veteran like Shaun Hill. Cook has to be used aggressively because he can't block so he is only useful to a team that has a QB who can read defenses. Bradford wasn't the best at reading defenses...kinda average at it. Hill seems like a guy with enough experience to have seen it all assuming that he can still play.

 

[Chef99]

Now there are rumors swirling that the Rams are trying to acquire Mark Sanchez. Make of this what you will.

 

[SteelersPride]

i heard sanchez and tebow.....

 

[averagejoe]

Was watching PTI when this came up and Sanchez was quoted as saying that the Rams have not contacted him or his agent. So it may be nothing more than a rumor.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

hot off the presses: the Rams are now connected in rumors with every backup QB that has a few starts under their belt.....

 

[Barilko]

It could also be that Bradford and Stacy didn't see eye to eye, and Fisher was making a show of support for his QB. Or Fisher could have been sending Stacy a wake up call. Hell, I've got too much invested in Stacy now, so I'll look at all the speculation. As far as Britt goes, he's the number one WR on the Rams and still has a boatload of talent when he can stay on the field. I think Hill can be serviceable enough to get the ball to him. The talk about sharing time is bothersome, but I don't think Cunningham is anything special, and from what I've read, Mason still has a lot to learn.

Shoot, I don't know, but I'll take the optimistic outlook: Stacy becomes the workhorse.

Yeah...that works for me.

me 2 doh pick 25 in A Go Stacy Go

 

[GNG]

What are your guys' thoughts on the Rams Defense???

It worries me that their offense could struggle without Bradford, which would put their defense out on the field more during the games. Could really wear on them down the stretch.

They might sign Ponder once the Vikings cut him.

 

[Chef99]

They might sign Ponder once the Vikings cut him.

In that case, Stacy would become a top 3 RB based on touches alone. :rollseyes: