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Well-Known Member
1. Boom or bust for Bradford?
I see this as a make or break year. Bradford is guaranteed $1.75M next year but there’s $12.265 on top of that which isn’t guaranteed. If he doesn’t look like a $10M+ QB why pay him that money? It would make more sense to trade him for a minor pick or cut him loose. I don’t see him as a $10M+ QB and I don’t see him taking a pay cut. He’s not a complete bust but he’s a $6M QB and I think this is his last year with the Rams.
2. Young guns: Can the wideouts progress quickly?
I loved what Givens produced. I thought he was great in pre-season games last year, as was Pettis. I would have had them and Amendola as my #1, #2, & #3 for the start of last year if Pettis hadn’t been suspended. I have no idea what the team saw in Gibson and I saw even less from Quick. From what I’ve heard Bailey is a more natural WR who should be able to produce as a rookie. Austin is supposedly raw and could struggle. In my eyes Quick didn’t compete for jump balls or hustle back on an interception late last season. I questioned his heart for the game whilst on ESPN last year. I hope I’m wrong but I think he starts at #5, (or #6 with Cook playing slot WR). A good WR corps in 2014 is more realistic due to the current inexperience.
3. Who replaces Steven Jackson?
No-one. I like Richardson but I’m not convinced he’s durable. I liked the move for Stacy based on the comments of people who watched him play in college. Pead improved late on and should stick as a last resort RB. I don’t think our #3/change-up RB is on the team yet.
4. Will Schotty open it up?
I’m a fan. I thought he got the best possible out of a bad Jets offense in 2011 and people forget that we had 2 very different offenses in 2012. We started as a power-run team with Jackson off-tackle/outside with a FB behind Mulligan as a power TE. We changed to a single-back passing offense with Richardson as a smash inside RB, Kendricks at TE and 3 WRS. We also had some nice variations with 2 TEs on the same side and 2 WRs on the other.
5. What about Kendricks?
He doesn’t look like a sub 4.6 runner. He has questionable hands. He’s weak/mediocre as a run blocker and he doesn’t play hard when the ball isn’t coming his way. What he can do is pass block, (at TE or in the backfield), and act as an emergency outlet. That he lost the starting job to Mulligan says much about him. What’s missing from the conversation is not how much time he takes from Cook but whether he beats out McNeil. McNeil played every down as if his life depended on it last year. He’s the least naturally gifted TE you’ll see but he was the pick of our TEs in pre-season last year. He was injured early on so he didn’t get many opportunities. That the Rams wanted to re-sign him before he could become a FA says something about him. He’s the TE I’m pulling for in camp. He’ll probably look awful now and have me shaking my head. Lol. Bottom line – Kendricks is cheap as a #2 or #3 TE.
6. What’s my line?
The great unknown! Three guys have talent and injury concerns. The RG is overpaid and on the down slope. He’ll probably be cut. Pick 2 from 5 at OG. The good news is we have good depth at back-up. We’ll end up releasing 2 OL who will make other teams rosters as back-ups. That doesn’t disguise the prognosis that we’re a bottom 12 starting unit with health issues.
7. What can we expect on defense?
Good things. The core is the base defense, 1st reserve on DL, & the Nickle DB. The best 10 from last year’s 13 return along with a 1st and 3rd round pick. Most teams have 1 weak player. If you could choose you’d probably have it at S with a young aggressive player.
8. How much impact by Ogletree?
His speed, range, and coverage skills should improve our team...and soon! He’s small and indications are that he won’t play behind Quinn where his size could be exposed by a DE who too often takes himself out of the play. Opponents will obviously try to create alignments where he has to move that side. If Hayes plays like he did last year he could take Quinn’s job. That would give Ogletree more security & greater freedom. I think we'll see opponents line up with a WR & TE on Quinn's side with a RB motioning that way to draw Ogletree. The best WR will stay to their QB's right with a lone RB in the backfield.
9. Set at safety?
The obvious weak spot, especially in base. In multi WR sets we might be stronger with Johnson coming in. Both he and Finnegan might see some action at S.
10. Is this the year for the return game?
A weakness for 2+ years. We should have depth at receiver with Cook also playing slot so let Austin loose as a KR. I’d settle for someone safe at PR though.
Just the concerns and grumblings of an old fart. Don't take these comments too seriously or get upset.
I see this as a make or break year. Bradford is guaranteed $1.75M next year but there’s $12.265 on top of that which isn’t guaranteed. If he doesn’t look like a $10M+ QB why pay him that money? It would make more sense to trade him for a minor pick or cut him loose. I don’t see him as a $10M+ QB and I don’t see him taking a pay cut. He’s not a complete bust but he’s a $6M QB and I think this is his last year with the Rams.
2. Young guns: Can the wideouts progress quickly?
I loved what Givens produced. I thought he was great in pre-season games last year, as was Pettis. I would have had them and Amendola as my #1, #2, & #3 for the start of last year if Pettis hadn’t been suspended. I have no idea what the team saw in Gibson and I saw even less from Quick. From what I’ve heard Bailey is a more natural WR who should be able to produce as a rookie. Austin is supposedly raw and could struggle. In my eyes Quick didn’t compete for jump balls or hustle back on an interception late last season. I questioned his heart for the game whilst on ESPN last year. I hope I’m wrong but I think he starts at #5, (or #6 with Cook playing slot WR). A good WR corps in 2014 is more realistic due to the current inexperience.
3. Who replaces Steven Jackson?
No-one. I like Richardson but I’m not convinced he’s durable. I liked the move for Stacy based on the comments of people who watched him play in college. Pead improved late on and should stick as a last resort RB. I don’t think our #3/change-up RB is on the team yet.
4. Will Schotty open it up?
I’m a fan. I thought he got the best possible out of a bad Jets offense in 2011 and people forget that we had 2 very different offenses in 2012. We started as a power-run team with Jackson off-tackle/outside with a FB behind Mulligan as a power TE. We changed to a single-back passing offense with Richardson as a smash inside RB, Kendricks at TE and 3 WRS. We also had some nice variations with 2 TEs on the same side and 2 WRs on the other.
5. What about Kendricks?
He doesn’t look like a sub 4.6 runner. He has questionable hands. He’s weak/mediocre as a run blocker and he doesn’t play hard when the ball isn’t coming his way. What he can do is pass block, (at TE or in the backfield), and act as an emergency outlet. That he lost the starting job to Mulligan says much about him. What’s missing from the conversation is not how much time he takes from Cook but whether he beats out McNeil. McNeil played every down as if his life depended on it last year. He’s the least naturally gifted TE you’ll see but he was the pick of our TEs in pre-season last year. He was injured early on so he didn’t get many opportunities. That the Rams wanted to re-sign him before he could become a FA says something about him. He’s the TE I’m pulling for in camp. He’ll probably look awful now and have me shaking my head. Lol. Bottom line – Kendricks is cheap as a #2 or #3 TE.
6. What’s my line?
The great unknown! Three guys have talent and injury concerns. The RG is overpaid and on the down slope. He’ll probably be cut. Pick 2 from 5 at OG. The good news is we have good depth at back-up. We’ll end up releasing 2 OL who will make other teams rosters as back-ups. That doesn’t disguise the prognosis that we’re a bottom 12 starting unit with health issues.
7. What can we expect on defense?
Good things. The core is the base defense, 1st reserve on DL, & the Nickle DB. The best 10 from last year’s 13 return along with a 1st and 3rd round pick. Most teams have 1 weak player. If you could choose you’d probably have it at S with a young aggressive player.
8. How much impact by Ogletree?
His speed, range, and coverage skills should improve our team...and soon! He’s small and indications are that he won’t play behind Quinn where his size could be exposed by a DE who too often takes himself out of the play. Opponents will obviously try to create alignments where he has to move that side. If Hayes plays like he did last year he could take Quinn’s job. That would give Ogletree more security & greater freedom. I think we'll see opponents line up with a WR & TE on Quinn's side with a RB motioning that way to draw Ogletree. The best WR will stay to their QB's right with a lone RB in the backfield.
9. Set at safety?
The obvious weak spot, especially in base. In multi WR sets we might be stronger with Johnson coming in. Both he and Finnegan might see some action at S.
10. Is this the year for the return game?
A weakness for 2+ years. We should have depth at receiver with Cook also playing slot so let Austin loose as a KR. I’d settle for someone safe at PR though.
Just the concerns and grumblings of an old fart. Don't take these comments too seriously or get upset.