So what is the BIGGEST NEED on this Team??

[Retroram52]

I wouldn't be so sure about that....Retro

Uhh, perhaps if you take a look at the salaries due these three, you might not make the comment you did.

 

[Retroram52]

If we are talking QB's and we don't take one in the first, there is one I think the Rams would be interested in in the later rounds. Zach Mettenberger is a big QB at 6'5 240lb and because he ended his season with a torn ACL, he may fall into rounds 3-5. If that is the case, there is a QB I'd take a chance on and develop him up over time with guys like Clemens and Quinn hanging around. We would not need to play him right away since we are sticking with Sammie and he be a great prospect to develop.

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

Here is my biggest problem with Clowney. All reports I have read talk about him taking numerous plays off every game... that is not something we need. And if he is not playing alot, he will pout. He got handled very well by BOTH Matthews and Robinson in the past...

This thread is about the biggest needs for the Rams, not who is a stud player (allegedly) and would look good on the sidelines for the Rams.

There is no question that the 2 biggest needs for the Rams are O line (upgrading here improves the offense tremendously) and the defensive backfield, especially Safety.

I think that no matter how many trades down are made that the Rams will come out of round 1 with either Matthews or Robinson with one pick and either Dix or Pryor with the other.
I know everyone likes the flash, but I have two words for those who want the flash that his Clowney: JUSTIN BLACKMON. Everyone (myself included) wanted this guy and said he would be the superstar we needed...instead, he has been NOTHING but trouble. I see that in Clowney once he gets his coin..

KSU

I agree that OT and S are the biggest needs THIS YEAR.

However, I think we can both agree that Fisher won't be taking an OT at #2, so who is worthy? Not a safety. But they could draft Clowney to replace Long in '15 when they can't afford to keep him AND sign Quinn to his new contract.

I agree that Matthews and either Dix or Pryor would be ideal for the first, it's just not going to happen with Fisher. So, that is why I am saying Clowney and a safety if there is no trade.

I am hoping for a trade that hopefully nets a future 1st to keep these multiple first rounders rolling. It really gives Snead and Co. the chance to keep maneuvering the draft board.

 

[RobToxin]

I think your biggest need is seasoning. Giving this team a bit more time to come together and gel.

That and finding a way to get out of that Murderer's Row of a division.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

so do you guys believe you are staying at #2 & not stock piling more future picks? (god you guys have to love the redskins LOL)

 

[zeke2829]

Uhh, perhaps if you take a look at the salaries due these three, you might not make the comment you did.

Retro
You have to look at the big picture, you mentioned the 3 we are cutting. You are not considering the the new inflated contracts. They are Bradford, C. Long, Lauranitas whose salarlies are all increasing. Heck you might as well add Jake Long to that list as well. His contract is inflated too.

In 2013 their CAP #'s:
Bradford- $12,595,000
Chris Long-$8,550,000
James Lauranitis-$12,400,000
Jake Long- $4,250,000
Total= $37,790,000

James Luauranitas salary actually went down, the only reason I included it is because he is the #3 highest paid on the team.

In 2014- their CAP #'s:
Bradford- $17,610,000
Chris Long- $14,900,000
James Lauranitis- $10,400,000
Jake Long- $9,250,000
total= $52,160,000

these 3 players salaries increased from 2013 to 2014 by $14,390,000

On the other hand we are cutting the 3 you mentioned (Dahl, Wells and Finnegan). they are scheduled to make.
in 2014
Finnegan-cap # $10,000,000- if we cut him we save $4,000,000 - dead money(we eat) $6,000,000
Dahl-cap # $10,000,000- if we cut him we save $4,000,000 - dead money(we eat) $0
Wells-cap # $6.500,000- if we cut him we save $4,500,000 - dead money(we eat) $2,000,000

so between the 3 guys you mentioned we save a total of $12,500,000 but we still suffer in $8,000,000 in dead money. Plus we have to sign all of our rookies which is right around $8,500,000 going by last year rookie scale. If you are wondering where I am getting these #s, go to "Over the CAP.com", it tells all about the CAP space and current contracts and restructures in depth.

 

[zeke2829]

here you go Retro

» Over the Cap- St. Louis Rams 2014 Salary Cap and Contracts

 

[zeke2829]

Quarterback...like a Johnny Manziel

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Johnny Manziel No. 1; Rams draft a QB - SBNation.com

Or an interior defensive lineman like...Jurrell Casey (Titans)

Casey is an "elite" interior pass rusher...he would solidify the line with the Rams bookend edge players... Opposition QB's would hate to face that pass rush.

Boy...if they do that everyone will be blindsided. I guess I have come to believe that Bradford is our guy for now(last chance). If we pick a Qb @ #2 he will be carrying a clipboard for a while. IMO we need help in other areas first and there are a lot of impact players sitting there staring us in the face.

 

[Retroram52]

here you go Retro

» Over the Cap- St. Louis Rams 2014 Salary Cap and Contracts

Did you factor in the 5 mil of roster bonus saved if two of the three are gone there Zeke? That puts us around 17.5 mil. If we can't sign Byrd for money from a part of that then I suppose we won't be signing anybody.

 

[zeke2829]

yes.... between the 3 you mentioned we are saving $12,500,000. This figure includes the prorated bonus and the roster bonuses that these 3 would have been paid if they were still on the roster. The bad news is by cutting these guys we create $8,000,000 in dead money that goes against the 2014 cap. check out the link...... the link does state that all of these number are estimates not real numbers. But they should be close.

 

[ksudodger]

At the end of the day, I am almost 100% sure there will be one, if not two trades. I think we will make a deal with Cleveland where we move from #2 to #4 and it nets us a 2nd and 3rd this year and a 1st next year (I do not think they will give us the other 1st this year, but who knows). I also think we will end up trading down from #13 to about #17 or #18 and netting another 3rd rounder this year...
So assume we pick at #4 and #18, I think we end up with Matthews and Pryor..

 

[ksudodger]

Link to Robinson ever handling anyone in pass protection? He is a guard. If the Rams draft him at #2, I'm going to make a thread where I think everyone involved should get fired.


Clayton, first of all, Robinson is now rated higher at OT than Matthews by almost EVERY draft expert. Without question he is a better run blocker than a pass blocker, but that is because Auburn ran the ball 60 times a game. IMO, Robinson will be a pro bowl caliber RIGHT tackle in the NFL as he is a road grader.. I like Matthews because I feel he can play either side with the same effectiveness.
I also believe 100% that we will trade down from #2 and thus making the choice of the OT more of a value....

 

[ksudodger]

But, honestly Clayton my gut feeling is that after a deal is made to drop from #2 to either #4 or #6 that probably nets an extra 2nd rounder that Fisher will go with one of the OLB at #4 or #6 and then S at #13 (or lower)... then look at OT and OG in the 2nd round.

Something like Barr,Pryor,Richardson,Jackson with the first four picks

 

[27mtrcougar]

But, honestly Clayton my gut feeling is that after a deal is made to drop from #2 to either #4 or #6 that probably nets an extra 2nd rounder that Fisher will go with one of the OLB at #4 or #6 and then S at #13 (or lower)... then look at OT and OG in the 2nd round.

Something like Barr,Pryor,Richardson,Jackson with the first four picks

Espn updated the player rankings.. Barr has really fallen like I thought he would 16th overall. Mack is 4th overall rated the same as Matthews. No problem with Mack at 2 with me.

 

[Vitamike]

If we are talking QB's and we don't take one in the first, there is one I think the Rams would be interested in in the later rounds. Zach Mettenberger is a big QB at 6'5 240lb and because he ended his season with a torn ACL, he may fall into rounds 3-5. If that is the case, there is a QB I'd take a chance on and develop him up over time with guys like Clemens and Quinn hanging around. We would not need to play him right away since we are sticking with Sammie and he be a great prospect to develop.

That's four retro, you know the Rams wont carry four QB's on their 53 man roster, hell they may not carry three.

 

[Retroram52]

That's four retro, you know the Rams wont carry four QB's on their 53 man roster, hell they may not carry three.

Yea Vita, I get that it is four QBs which one of them among Clemens, Quinn, and Mettenberger would spend the year on the practice squad. Quinn would be my guess or even Mettenberger to develop the guy the way we did with A. Davis is first year.

 

[ksudodger]

First of all Clemens and Quinn are BOTH free agents... So we will draft a QB and maybe bring another in. Austin Davis is NOT an NFL QB.

 

[SJ76]

The LT from Auburn is a beast run blocker, but can he handle pass protection in the NFL? Big question mark... Matthews is more polished and experienced but I want neither at #2.

I think we trade that pick.

 

[SJ76]

And Zach mettenburger blew out his knee too, so you now have 2 pocket QBs coming off injuries to knees?

Sounds like a national geographic special about young antelope limping in the plains of Africa, while getting picked off by lions in the NFC west.

 

[Retroram52]

KSUDodgers. Clemens ain't going anywhere as long as Shittenheimer is here. I KNOW he is a FA. He'll wait to the last minute and re-sign like he did last year and Quinn isn't going anywhere either because nobody wnats the guy except the Rams and he'll re-sign as well. Jeez. Don't you guys remember anything?

SJ76. If everyone is getting their undies in a bunch about a QB in the first round, I was providing an alternative to that scenario where we could easily pick up a guy like Mettenberger in the late rounds. Yea, I KNOW that he's blown out his knee. You take the guy because he is going to be a future player. You put him on the PS for a number of years and you see if he develops just like we did with Davis. Teams do it all the time. Yea, I know he's not probably ever going to make it and his career is proably done. WTH?

MUTigers states that Mettenberger is on crutches and we can't see him work-out at the combine. Jeez, like that is the only criteria a team uses to pick their damn draft selections. If a team is interested, the scouts have already watched this guy play many times and they have watched tons of tape-thus the scounting department.

This was in response to the thread that was bantering about the notion of taking a QB in the first round which probably will not happen unless they are deploying a smoke screen. I wonder at some of these responses.