Finally, this could have turned into a PR disaster at Rams Park if they fumbled a 3 day marathon contract process then Long re-signing with the Dolphins. If Jake Long can stay healthy, and that's a big "IF" the Rams have the best Left Tackle in the NFL and Bradford's blind spot in check for 4 years.
Now Snead and Fisher : Where is that game changing #1 WR? Cook will line more often then not in Amendola's slot position then TE. Year 4 of the Bradford era and still no elite WR and that is a joke.
Two first round picks with main needs at WR, Safety, Guard, and OLB. Ideally, we get a WR and Safety with the first 2 picks, then we can look at Guard, OLB, and RB IMO. If we believe in Richardson and Pead, then it is less of a need. If we pick up a good guard, then the line is set.
We are really close to being a playoff team, that is if our young players continue to develop. We need Bradford to take the next step next season.
Fischer has never been big on drafting linemen early and we did alright with retreads in there, but do we take a long look at Cooper or Warmack if they fall to 22? A move like that might even make the O-Line a strength of this team. Value likely isnt there still, but something certainly worth considering if they are there. Fluker wont last until our pick in the 2nd either.
Slot is covered with Cook, Kendricks, Pettis. Allen gives them the big play guy they need on the outside to go with Givens and Quick.
I feel like we have the outside covered. We have a flanker in Quick and a split-end in Givens. What we need is a quick shifty slot receiver. We don't have one on the roster currently. Pettis isn't shifty or quick and Cook is a TE who can lineup in the slot. Tavon Austin is by far the best pick at slot as he's explosive and quick. However if they don't take Austin in the 1st, I hope they take TJ Moe in the 6th/7th or Connon Vernon in the 4th/5th. Moe will be a matchup nightmare with how quick he is and Vernon's hands are elite.
I feel like we have the outside covered. We have a flanker in Quick and a split-end in Givens. What we need is a quick shifty slot receiver. We don't have one on the roster currently. Pettis isn't shifty or quick and Cook is a TE who can lineup in the slot. Tavon Austin is by far the best pick at slot as he's explosive and quick. However if they don't take Austin in the 1st, I hope they take TJ Moe in the 6th/7th or Connon Vernon in the 4th/5th. Moe will be a matchup nightmare with how quick he is and Vernon's hands are elite.
Cook, Kendricks, and Pettis are all much surer bets (not to mention there is three of them) and only the incredibly disappointing Brian Quick (to this point) on the flank.
I can understand people wanting Austin for kick returns and because he can run fast in a straight line wearing shorts, but how is a shifty slot WR with Cook, Kendricks, and Pettis a bigger need than a flank only manned by Quick?
We need a legit #1 target on the outside, it's not even debatable, it's been a need since Bruce and Holt left. Givens looks good, but who knows about Quick. At best I think they are both #2's, but we need a legit #1 for Bradford.
I think Quick is going to surprise a lot of people. He just needed to learn what an actual playbook is. There is no denying his talent. Really excited about him and Cook on the field at the same time. One is 6'3 220, the other is 6'5 248 and both can run and leap. Then throw in burner Qivens and Pettis who reminds me of Boldin, and also TE Kendricks and the Rams actually have a decent offense. I'm sure they will still draft a WR in rd 1. Hopefully Austin or Hopkins.
I think Quick is going to surprise a lot of people. He just needed to learn what an actual playbook is. There is no denying his talent. Really excited about him and Cook on the field at the same time. One is 6'3 220, the other is 6'5 248 and both can run and leap. Then throw in burner Qivens and Pettis who reminds me of Boldin, and also TE Kendricks and the Rams actually have a decent offense. I'm sure they will still draft a WR in rd 1. Hopefully Austin or Hopkins.
I think Quick could definitely break out, and the current regime has earned my trust on it, I just don't think we can bank on it. I'd rather have too many weapons than not enough too. If his production catches up with his talent, our offense could become really good next season.
Cook, Kendricks, and Pettis are all much surer bets (not to mention there is three of them) and only the incredibly disappointing Brian Quick (to this point) on the flank.
I can understand people wanting Austin for kick returns and because he can run fast in a straight line wearing shorts, but how is a shifty slot WR with Cook, Kendricks, and Pettis a bigger need than a flank only manned by Quick?
Kendricks is a TE, I'm not sure why you consider him to be a slot guy. Cook isn't shifty at all and isn't a true slot guy. He'll be more of a big play threat than a possession guy. Pettis is unathletic and has a terrible time getting separation. His best assets are his hands and height for the red zone. None of those guys has the skill set that Austin brings, which is a true slot receiver. Judging by what you write, I'm guessing you're just not an Austin fan because he's WAY more than a guy who runs fast in shorts.
Kendricks is a TE, I'm not sure why you consider him to be a slot guy. Cook isn't shifty at all and isn't a true slot guy. He'll be more of a big play threat than a possession guy. Pettis is unathletic and has a terrible time getting separation. His best assets are his hands and height for the red zone. None of those guys has the skill set that Austin brings, which is a true slot receiver. Judging by what you write, I'm guessing you're just not an Austin fan because he's WAY more than a guy who runs fast in shorts.
Kendricks is a TE, I'm not sure why you consider him to be a slot guy. Cook isn't shifty at all and isn't a true slot guy. He'll be more of a big play threat than a possession guy. Pettis is unathletic and has a terrible time getting separation. His best assets are his hands and height for the red zone. None of those guys has the skill set that Austin brings, which is a true slot receiver. Judging by what you write, I'm guessing you're just not an Austin fan because he's WAY more than a guy who runs fast in shorts.
I'm not not a fan of him, I just don't make him out to be something he's not, which I feel a lot of people are doing. If we were talking about picking him at #46, ok that's fine. But there are people around town saying he's a must at #16, which is crazy.
Some people were talking about Austin before the combine sure, but it's the fact that he ran the 40 time he did that he's stock has risen which is stupid IMO.
I'd love to have a kick returner of his ability don't get me wrong, but I'm not spending a first round pick on KR. And a guy who is 5'8, 174 (double check me on those numbers, if they aren't right, they are close) will always have questions about his longterm ability to be healthy.
In the end, it's a matter of personal preference. I prefer bigger outside WRs like AJ Green or Brandon Marshall while other guys like Percy Harvin. For me, give the potential of a guy like Allen or Hunter over the potential of a guy like Austin.
EDIT: realized I didn't address why I included Kendricks. Slot WRs work the middle of the field, they aren't outside threats. Kendricks, while not a slot guy, is a guy who did almost all of his damage up the middle of the field. Austin isn't attacking an area of the field that isn't already addressed by Kendricks, Cook, or Pettis.
I'm not not a fan of him, I just don't make him out to be something he's not, which I feel a lot of people are doing. If we were talking about picking him at #46, ok that's fine. But there are people around town saying he's a must at #16, which is crazy.
Some people were talking about Austin before the combine sure, but it's the fact that he ran the 40 time he did that he's stock has risen which is stupid IMO.
I'd love to have a kick returner of his ability don't get me wrong, but I'm not spending a first round pick on KR. And a guy who is 5'8, 174 (double check me on those numbers, if they aren't right, they are close) will always have questions about his longterm ability to be healthy.
In the end, it's a matter of personal preference. I prefer bigger outside WRs like AJ Green or Brandon Marshall while other guys like Percy Harvin. For me, give the potential of a guy like Allen or Hunter over the potential of a guy like Austin.
EDIT: realized I didn't address why I included Kendricks. Slot WRs work the middle of the field, they aren't outside threats. Kendricks, while not a slot guy, is a guy who did almost all of his damage up the middle of the field. Austin isn't attacking an area of the field that isn't already addressed by Kendricks, Cook, or Pettis.
Fair enough. I've been following Austin for the whole season, and have been high on him since October. I think he's exactly what the Rams have been lacking. Explosive playmaker who will be a matchup nightmare. He'll create space for the other receivers and should help our offense with his return game as well.
I disagree with the premise that you never draft slot guys in the 1st. If he's the best receiver in the draft, which I believe he is, you take him in the 1st.
Fair enough. I've been following Austin for the whole season, and have been high on him since October. I think he's exactly what the Rams have been lacking. Explosive playmaker who will be a matchup nightmare. He'll create space for the other receivers and should help our offense with his return game as well.
I disagree with the premise that you never draft slot guys in the 1st. If he's the best receiver in the draft, which I believe he is, you take him in the 1st.
Fair enough. I've been following Austin for the whole season, and have been high on him since October. I think he's exactly what the Rams have been lacking. Explosive playmaker who will be a matchup nightmare. He'll create space for the other receivers and should help our offense with his return game as well.
I disagree with the premise that you never draft slot guys in the 1st. If he's the best receiver in the draft, which I believe he is, you take him in the 1st.
And I didn't mean to insinuate that you only follow him since the combine if I did.
I don't disagree with the premise of taking the best WR first, whether he's a slot guy or not, but I'm struggling to remember a time that the best WR coming (IMO) was a slot guy.
Ultimately, I think the Rams are going to end up taking Austin. I've kind of resigned myself to that notion so hopefully he proves me wrong.
And I didn't mean to insinuate that you only follow him since the combine if I did.
I don't disagree with the premise of taking the best WR first, whether he's a slot guy or not, but I'm struggling to remember a time that the best WR coming (IMO) was a slot guy.
Ultimately, I think the Rams are going to end up taking Austin. I've kind of resigned myself to that notion so hopefully he proves me wrong.
I didn't take it that way, no worries. I was just separating myself from that crowd, as I understand what you are saying when you referred to fans who jump on board when a player runs a fast 40 time. I think a lot of Rams fans share your POV in regards Austin and WR's in this draft.
