The RamCave
By Joe Torosian
A Thing That Shouldn’t Have Happened:
I understand the Rams paid very little to see if DeSean Jackson still has something left in the tank. There’s little risk, but Sean McVay and Les Snead have set the bar pretty high for their receivers. Not only do they have to catch and run the ball, but they also have to block—and stay on the field for an entire season. Jackson hasn’t played a full season since the start of Obama’s second term.
Also, I don’t like the idea of him taking snaps from Van Jefferson. And I don’t want to rely on Jackson if Cooper Kupp’s knee becomes a story again in 2021.
Things that did not disappoint me.
Troy Hill signing a 4-year/$24-million deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Note: Hill is 29, we got clicks out of him for five seasons, and it’s likely his best days are behind him. So, so long, farewell, to you, my friend…
Morgan Fox signing for 2-years/$8-million ($7-million guaranteed) with the Carolina Panthers.
Note: Fox was an undrafted free agent who came to the Rams in 2016. He’s never made more than a million in any season ($825,000 in 2020) and now gets his payday. Good for him, and it was time. He’ll remain productive as long as his role isn’t expanded.
Gerald Everett signing a 1-year/$6-million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Note: Rams fans have been in love with Everett’s potential for years, but now that potential was going to cost money.
Two things to think about: One, Everett was so good the team locked up Tyler Higbee before him. Two, he wasn’t the first tight-end signed in free agency. If he was star-ready, I think New England would have given him a jingle. Oh, and three, Seattle only gave him one year. I hope it goes well, but this is an easy goodbye.
Things I Understand:
Note: Michael Brockers getting sent to the Detroit Lions for a 7th round pick. It was a salary dump. And you can’t blame Brockers for not wanting to cut his pay. This is his last rodeo, and he needed the payday the Lions were offering in renegotiation.
I wanted him to stay. He’s a presence in the locker room, he works well with Aaron Donald. Was he great? No. I liken him to another defensive tackle the Rams took in the first round of the 1975 draft—Mike Fanning (Notre Dame). Fanning—along with Cody Jones—filled the space left behind by Merlin Olson’s retirement. He was solid playing between Fred Dryer and Jack Youngblood and next to Larry Brooks, but not spectacular. Brockers has been Mike Fanning for the last nine seasons.
(Interesting note about Fanning (1975-82)…after eight seasons he was dealt to the Detroit Lions. After nine seasons, Brockers was traded to the Detroit Lions. Both Fanning and Brockers recorded five sacks in their final campaign with the Rams.)
Johnny Johnson III signing a 3-year/$33.75-million ($24-million guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns.
Note: This is the one that hurts. But this is also the body blow the Rams were best able to absorb. With Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, and Nick Scott, LA has enough talented and affordable depth at safety to let a great player like Johnson walk. It sucks, but this is the NFL in 2021.
Leonard Floyd re-signed with the Rams, taking 4-years/$64-rocks ($32.5-million guaranteed).
Note: While the Rams have some (Gerald Everett-like) talent on the edge, they also have a known quantity in Floyd.
There was plenty of cheaper Edge-talent in free agency, but would they have been better? Les Snead has rolled sevens with Dante Fowler Jr. and Floyd, but would he have again? In this case, they had a guy they liked for a not-so-disastrous deal.
Like I said earlier this week, Floyd will be a Ram for the next two seasons, but year three is questionable…and when it comes to year four—2024—Floyd will be 32 and eligible for the Arizona Cardinals retirement program.
Things that need to Happen:
The Rams have to decide if they’re going to bring Austin Blythe back, need to consider a coverage linebacker in the middle of the field, and if they’re going to dance with somebody on their roster (David Long, Terrell Burgess) at the Nickel-corner to replace Hill.
Regarding Nickel-corner:
There are quite a few available (Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson), but they come with baggage and/or rapidly diminishing skills. Of course, it all boils down to the dough.
Everyone likes Adoree Jackson and the USC connection, but I don’t. He’s a bit soft for the NFL. However, if he’s dirt cheap, beautiful, plus he can return kicks. I’d rather see the Rams explore an in-house solution with Long and Burgess.
Regarding Center:
There are worse options than Blythe–and few better. But, because of money and the market, I think the Rams bring him back and snag someone in the draft.
Continuity along the line is important, and think about this: 36 centers in the NFL took the required number of snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus rankings. Blythe graded ninth overall, right behind Rodney Hudson. He’s also durable, playing in all 16 games and taking the second-most snaps (1,242) in the league.
Regarding Inside Linebacker:
At inside-linebacker, Kenny Young, Troy Reeder, and Micah Kiser are purely pedestrian.
Expect the Rams to find someone in the draft and take another long look at Travin Howard (7th Rd. 2018, TCU). Howard was expected to be a factor last season before injuring his knee.
Early on, LSU’s Jabril Cox was somebody that could have slid to the Rams at 57-overall in the draft…, but the media has gotten hold of Cox’s narrative and driven up his stock. My guess, now, is he goes mid to high second round. Another name to consider is Justin Hilliard out of Ohio State.
Joe T. is the author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” … “Temple City & The Company of The Ages” … “The Dead Bug Tales” … “The Dark Norm” & “FaithViews for Storm Riders”…all five available through Amazon.com.
www.JoeTorosian.com
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