Rams WRs (1 Viewer)

[DansRams]

"I've watched football for "forever" and played FF just as long"....Well that makes all the diffference...I guess I'll listen to you"I've wanted a young guy to develop a thousand times and often mistakenly "...ooops maybe not

You split up a sentence where I point out a "been there done that" mistake I've made "a thousand times" and somehow took that as arrogance on my part?

Those actually were two different sentences and yes you did come accross as arrogant....sry if I missunderstood

 

[FUBAR]

As a casual observer, it seems to me that Gilyard can be a good #3, Avery a good #2 but I don't see either doing more than that. If he reaches his potential, Alexander could be the #1 guy and we'd see a pretty even split across - DA would just be the money guy while I don't see Gilyard or Avery taking a game over against top coverage but they will be a big part of the game plan.

However, my bet is they sign or draft someone, if they're willing to deal with whatever headache could come, I can see VJax as a Ram and make their passing game POTENTIALLY reminiscent of the Warner years. Of course they're unlikely to pass that much but the talent could be there.

 

[Bri]

Feel free to "fall in love" with this guy, but if you don't read about him getting first team reps next summer you have to strongly consider bailing.

I think you make some good points here, particularly with getting reps (or the lack thereof) being tied to success in the NFL. Also I agree that a first round choice will be given every opportunity to make it, while less patience is given to those taken in later rounds - almost with a direct correlation to where a player was drafted (some organizations like The Saints being an exception).However, I don't believe that a first round pick would necessarily be the kiss-of-death for DX with the Rams. Your examples are interesting, but Dez Bryant was drafted because of how disappointing Roy Williams has been for the Cowboys - so it is hardly surprising he was given a shot at starting over him. Yes, the Titans have been very patient with Britt, but what serious competion has he had? Same with Crabtree, a super talent who started two weeks after coming in, but he only had to beat out Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan and Jason Hill. Anyway, I think the people that like DX here are just recommending him as a sleeper pick that you can acquire fairly cheaply - not suggesting you mortgage the farm to get him. Yes, if Clayton comes back he may be 3rd string. If a free agent like Vincent Jackson is brought in, then he doesn't have much value at all. A first round WR would certainly throw a monkey wrench into his prospects but considering about 40-50% of those are complete busts, it might still work out for him.This is simply a player with high upside to take a flyer on. Will he ultimately succeed? Probably not - but I think he is worth trying to acquire with his asking price currently being devalued due to his injury history and all the uncertainty as to how the WR position will shake out with the Rams next year.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I didn't think too long and hard for examples. But one point I think Dan is trying to make is each player is unique and that's OK too. I left my last sentence in the post above.In my experience now is probably the time to grab guys like DX, but another key element that's missing (IMO) here is the overt praise from Spags. Where's the love that makes you feel the Rams are committed to this guy?Another keypoint-most teams keep four WRs and occasionally a 5th for KR/PR but that's usually a grrrr decision at the last roster cut date.Do you agree Clayton, Amendola and Avery are shoe-ins? That's three and most of these other scenarios push DX to a very tentative spot on the roster. Also (for dynasty purposes) if I find myself making excuses as to why a player will make a team I think it's time to step back and remember that opportunity means everything in FF. The injury for him is very significant. WRs are expected to make enormous strides from year 1 to year 2. Another thing, not to be glossed over, is this is also a player's first offseason and coaches, GMs etc are extremely judgemental. There's a ton of guys like Lendale that never overcame the harm he did during that offseason. I think it was Ernie Accorsi that called this the time the players turn into workers and punch a clock everyday. It simply can't be that it's just us millions of fans and the announcers that think it'd be so cool to catch passes from Bradford. I think we have to imagine they have something to attract free agent WRs with now. Ask Holt or Bruce to pickup a free agent at the airport and....I'd bet they have a good chance of reeling in a free agent or two now.

 

[Bri]

IMO Laurent never got better or improved since looking like a promising rookie and getting hurt. He might be a good example of this first offseason being so important.

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

I like them in this order:1. A 1st round draft pick2. Donnie Avery3. Mardy Gilyard4. Donario Alexander5. Mark Clayton6. Laurent Robinson

I would not be surprised to see Gilyard cut. He stinks.I dropped Avery from my roster as soon as I heard he was done for the year. I just don't think he has much of a spot on this team anymore, but I could be wrong about that. Also, Laurent Robinson will never be a viable fantasy starter unless a lot of injuries happen around him.1. Draft pick2. Alexander3. Amendola4. Clayton - would be above Amendola if he wasn't a FA

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

BTW...I believe you have Maclin as your current #15 wr....you know him, he's the guy who's own college coach described DX as the better player. Then again...what does a coach know...

Im not sure what coaches know, but Alexanders current coaches cut him, and assigned him to the practice squad(which means any team could have signed him and didnt) early in the season. They only brought him up when Clayton was IR'ed.

Has nothing to do with his talent, and everything to do with his injury history. They knew no one would sign him because just a week before they were the only ones who did sign him. I can see how you are confused, though, because I think the Rams FO handled this one pretty poorly. St. Louis is a Mizzou town so obviously people were excited to see the local college product, but the Rams rightly wanted him to spend a year on the PS not working his knee too much. Rams fans were literally told one week that DA would be on the PS the entire year to rest his knee, and the next week he was slipped into the line up where he subsequently aggravated the knee and missed quite a few weeks. He probably should have never seen a Sunday this year, but the NFL is about winning now and I guess the Rams decided to take the risk and let him loose after injuries piled up rather than pulling some scrub off the street.Also, it's semi important to note that DA has been used rather frustratingly this year. Very sporadic. Some weeks he won't even get a look, and then the next week he's all over the place. The 3 games the Rams have gotten him heavily involved - San Diego, Denver and SF last week - they have won.

 

[squistion]

Feel free to "fall in love" with this guy, but if you don't read about him getting first team reps next summer you have to strongly consider bailing.

I think you make some good points here, particularly with getting reps (or the lack thereof) being tied to success in the NFL. Also I agree that a first round choice will be given every opportunity to make it, while less patience is given to those taken in later rounds - almost with a direct correlation to where a player was drafted (some organizations like The Saints being an exception).However, I don't believe that a first round pick would necessarily be the kiss-of-death for DX with the Rams. Your examples are interesting, but Dez Bryant was drafted because of how disappointing Roy Williams has been for the Cowboys - so it is hardly surprising he was given a shot at starting over him. Yes, the Titans have been very patient with Britt, but what serious competion has he had? Same with Crabtree, a super talent who started two weeks after coming in, but he only had to beat out Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan and Jason Hill.

Anyway, I think the people that like DX here are just recommending him as a sleeper pick that you can acquire fairly cheaply - not suggesting you mortgage the farm to get him. Yes, if Clayton comes back he may be 3rd string. If a free agent like Vincent Jackson is brought in, then he doesn't have much value at all. A first round WR would certainly throw a monkey wrench into his prospects but considering about 40-50% of those are complete busts, it might still work out for him.

This is simply a player with high upside to take a flyer on. Will he ultimately succeed? Probably not - but I think he is worth trying to acquire with his asking price currently being devalued due to his injury history and all the uncertainty as to how the WR position will shake out with the Rams next year.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I didn't think too long and hard for examples. But one point I think Dan is trying to make is each player is unique and that's OK too. I left my last sentence in the post above.In my experience now is probably the time to grab guys like DX, but another key element that's missing (IMO) here is the overt praise from Spags. Where's the love that makes you feel the Rams are committed to this guy? Another keypoint-most teams keep four WRs and occasionally a 5th for KR/PR but that's usually a grrrr decision at the last roster cut date.

Do you agree Clayton, Amendola and Avery are shoe-ins? That's three and most of these other scenarios push DX to a very tentative spot on the roster. Also (for dynasty purposes) if I find myself making excuses as to why a player will make a team I think it's time to step back and remember that opportunity means everything in FF.

The injury for him is very significant. WRs are expected to make enormous strides from year 1 to year 2. Another thing, not to be glossed over, is this is also a player's first offseason and coaches, GMs etc are extremely judgemental. There's a ton of guys like Lendale that never overcame the harm he did during that offseason. I think it was Ernie Accorsi that called this the time the players turn into workers and punch a clock everyday.

It simply can't be that it's just us millions of fans and the announcers that think it'd be so cool to catch passes from Bradford. I think we have to imagine they have something to attract free agent WRs with now. Ask Holt or Bruce to pickup a free agent at the airport and....I'd bet they have a good chance of reeling in a free agent or two now.

To answer the first bolded part, no, I actually don't see any type of committment to DX by the Rams at this time, but from what little I have seen from the games he has been in, I think he has the talent to win out if he is given a legitimate shot to compete. Again, I am basing this on the upside for a player that can be had fairly cheaply.As far as Clayton is concerned, I not completely sold that he will either be resigned or will be healthy enough to compete by training camp if he is (disclaimer in that I have never thought much of him). Avery should be part of the mix, but I haven't seen enough to convince me he is actually starter material. I do see Amendola being the slot receiver, but not a player that DX would directly compete with.

And actually, I don't see his most recent injury as that significant - he came back much sooner than many had predicted. I think MOP had an excellent discussion earlier as to why he may not be as injury prone as generally believed, and his argument for that seems pretty valid to me.

 

[RustyFA2]

I personally think the Rams draft Michael Flloyd with their first round pick and he is the guy. Avery will have value if he can ever stay healthy. I think he will this year. e was the first WR drafted that year and has produced when healthy. People are falling in love with the numbers the guys are putting up this year but a healthy Avery and a rookie will be a big upgrade. I think that Clayton comes back and that is their top 3.

 

[duaneok66]

I find it interesting that about 62% of the folks polled thus far think that a guy dealing with major injury issues (Alexander, Clayton, Avery) will lead the team in receiving, while only 20% think that the leader will be a draft pick. It's especially confusing since this is a supposedly WR-rich draft.

 

[DansRams]

I find it interesting that about 62% of the folks polled thus far think that a guy dealing with major injury issues (Alexander, Clayton, Avery) will lead the team in receiving, while only 20% think that the leader will be a draft pick. It's especially confusing since this is a supposedly WR-rich draft.

For the record, I think it will be a drafted wr too....I'm hoping it is Blackmon. I chose DX 2nd as I can see those two (or dx+jones/floyd) as the starting wideouts next year.Additionally the Rams would be wise to work Gilyard in the slot with Amendola

 

[DansRams]

Some love...

The Rams are undefeated in the three games in which Danario Alexander has caught at least four passes. Analysis: "We feel good when he's on the field," a smiling offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. Alexander said his knee, surgically repaired five times, feels better than it has in a long time. He's coming off a season-high 43 snaps in Week 16, and he's expected to be heavily involved again this week at Seattle.

 

[simdog]

ouch....I doubt St. Louis will trust Alexander as their #1 receiver after tonight

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

ouch....I doubt St. Louis will trust Alexander as their #1 receiver after tonight

Anyone who thought they ever wanted to is misguided, but one poor performance by an undrafted rookie shouldn't define a guy's career path.

 

[King of the Jungle]

ouch....I doubt St. Louis will trust Alexander as their #1 receiver after tonight

Did he drop a few or what? (didn't see it)tx

 

[Bri]

ouch....I doubt St. Louis will trust Alexander as their #1 receiver after tonight

Did he drop a few or what? (didn't see it)tx

Bradford threw a zillion passes up close and rarely threw for any distance. Toward the end he was allowed to air it out and they were in comeback mode. DX dropped two that killed drives. One hit both his hands and was kinda tough but he should have had it. The other was a sweet over the shoulder deep pass that literally went through both his arms as if he never expected it to be that good a pass and/or lost concentration.Bradford would eventually make a dunderhead throw for an INT, so two goats here not just DX, but they were dramatic let downs due to when the passes were dropped.Better get to it DX. Work hard and try and make them forget the drops. Laurent Robinson has a wealth of potential and even more dropped passes. Since week 1 everyone was talking about adding WRs for Sam. It's been such a common thought that has been proven to be a glaring need over and over and over. Is DX going to turn out like Laurent? Or will he get it together and become an awesome player? This is exactly what I was talking about earlier-I do not think they will afford him the opportunity he needs to develop and find out which type of WR he'd become. They need productive WRs "yesterday" and it is oh so hard for people down on the depth chart to get meaningful practice reps with the 1st string.Everyone seems to have said they'll draft a WR or two.As I mentioned, it can't be just us that noticed-NFL WRs have to have noticed Sam and be interested in catching those sweet passes so they will probably attract a free agent or two too. Throw in Clayton and Avery and Amendola and....DX gets lost in the shuffle real quick.He had better get to it. This offseason is going to be super important to his NFL career.

 

[bulger2holt]

Rams need to go after Vincent Jackson and draft Julio Jones or Blackmon in rd 1. Those two would put Bradford in the pro bowl.