Paper thin depth has me pessimistic

[leoram]

We Ram fans have yet to witness a pre-season game and already the roller-coaster has begun. The high of acquiring a top notch coaching staff was expected to overcome a young roster with the youngest starting QB in the NFL. Then we witness Austin deal w injuries that mitigate his development as a deep threat while Thomas will miss the first four weeks and Reynolds is listed as fourth string so Gurley gets to be greeted with stacked boxes once again (SJax...does this sound familiar)? As Kupp and Woods give us hope that the ball will actually be caught more often than not, Hav and Brown are getting flipped because Goff may not see the time necessary to get the ball to them. While Donald will eventually get signed...the perceived strength of this team (D-line) lets go of Hayes and then Easley is injured, lost for the season, leaving us w Westbrooks and LTP taking starter reps in camp.

Seriously, give me ONE positional group that is deep enough now to suffer an injury to a starter and not suffer a significant downgrade with the "next man up"? (DB's maybe?) Now, how likely is it that such an injury won't occur?

While I truly believe this is a better team with far better coaching than what we suffered through the last several years, the likelihood of a playoff run is remote at best. While the starters could form a terrific nucleus for success, there are very few second stringers that inspire my confidence.

 

[Merlin]

If you want to be pessimistic do it. You might even be right.

I just see little reason to not have some hope. Every team has holes in the roster. The ones that win have guys step up and the sum becomes greater than the parts. So IMO you gotta have great scheme and coaching, and at least in that respect we are good now.

As to your question I'd say WR. Until I see Tavon killing it in this offense I'll say that losing him won't cripple this offense, in fact it's possible we see a more stable WR corps with him out. And I'll feel that way until he proves he can run good routes and be consistent catching the ball.

 

[OldSchool]

Turn about is fair play, give me one team that has proven starters or depth on their bench. The truth is no teams depth is as good on paper as you seem yo want the Rams to be. By and large teams don't have proven depth, they have young guys, usually UDFA as depth or veterans who have rarely if ever started. No team really knows the quality of their bench until they're thrust into the starting lineup because of injuries.

 

[HitStick]

Seriously, give me ONE positional group that is deep enough now to suffer an injury to a starter and not suffer a significant downgrade with the "next man up"? (DB's maybe?) Now, how likely is it that such an injury won't occur?

Show me one team in the NFL who has a back up that isn't a downgrade from their starter.

 

[Mikey Ram]

Yeah, I kind of think you might be a little premature in burying this team...I think I'll give this new staff a chance to do what they're paid to do before I throw in the towel...

 

[Loyal]

leo, that's why I'm calling for a 9-7 record instead of a 14-2 record...We're thin like stretch armstrong...
I can live with a Wild Card this year!

 

[Soul Surfer]

We are not thin everywhere but we are on the OL and the DL.
Unfortunately games are won in the trenches.

Luckily for us we have the best defensive coordinator in the league and easily one of the best offensive line coaches in Kromer.

 

[Ramrasta]

Show me one team in the NFL who has a back up that isn't a downgrade from their starter.

I think the Patriots are insanely deep, especially offensively. I'm not saying their backups are equal to their starters in talent but the drop off is not very severe.

With their QBs, obviously you have Tom Brady but Jimmy Grappolo and Jacoby Brissett both proved they could win games last season.

Their RB depth is ridiculous with Mike Gillislee, James White, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden.

Their WR corps is very solid with Brandon Cooks, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, and Chris Hogan. All those guys are starting caliber, Amendola even used to be our best receiver.

At TE, Gronk is impossible to fully replace but by bringing in Dwayne Allen, they have a #2 option that could easily be a #1.

That's a team that will be incredibly resilient offensively.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Seriously, give me ONE positional group that is deep enough now to suffer an injury to a starter and not suffer a significant downgrade with the "next man up"? (DB's maybe?) Now, how likely is it that such an injury won't occur?

On paper it looks like your right, BUT .. Yes, this is extremely pessimistic, especially since the team hasn't played in one pre-season game yet!
I'm not built this way! I'll wait until I see at least a couple of pre-season games before I start worrying! JMHO

 

[SteezyEndo]

I think the Patriots are insanely deep, especially offensively. I'm not saying their backups are equal to their starters in talent but the drop off is not very severe.

With their QBs, obviously you have Tom Brady but Jimmy Grappolo and Jacoby Brissett both proved they could win games last season.

Their RB depth is ridiculous with Mike Gillislee, James White, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden.

Their WR corps is very solid with Brandon Cooks, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, and Chris Hogan. All those guys are starting caliber, Amendola even used to be our best receiver.

At TE, Gronk is impossible to fully replace but by bringing in Dwayne Allen, they have a #2 option that could easily be a #1.

That's a team that will be incredibly resilient offensively.

Seriously offensively we need to be on that level, and in time we will, and it won't take no more than 3 seasons. I am hoping 2...I just cant wait til Saturday, and see what we will look like. Preseason needs to end before I make any rash opinions.

 

[Loyal]

Seriously offensively we need to be on that level, and in time we will, and it won't take no more than 3 seasons. I am hoping 2...I just cant wait til Saturday, and see what we will look like. Preseason needs to end before I make any rash opinions.

Me too...I may have seriously lowballed my Rams record prediction at 9-7....

 

[Zodi]

Seriously, give me ONE positional group that is deep enough now to suffer an injury to a starter and not suffer a significant downgrade with the "next man up"?

Name me one team where this is the case?

EDIT: HitStick and OldSchool beat me to it.

 

[Ram65]

While the starters could form a terrific nucleus for success, there are very few second stringers that inspire my confidence.

Didn't most think there was a depth problem to start with. The Rams made some solid moves to get the starting defense ready for the switch to the 3-4. The Barwin, Webster NRC signing and moving the safeties give the defense a shot in the arm. Even after losing Easley the D Line has some depth and could get more. There are lots of hungry younger players that are competing for rotation time and back up time. Wade's defense looks good to very good.

The offense has to find itself. Noticeable improvements with Goff, Gurley, Woods, Kupp, TEs and the new left side of the offensive should jump start the offense. Let's see what happens with Tavon, Thomas and Reynolds before throwing in the towel. The offensive line could jell sooner than expected and help keep defenses honest. McVay will get the most out of the offense. The Rams are still a more defensive minded team that also excels in special teams.

 

[JIMERAMS]

I stopped reading after losing Austin to injury was a big deal.

 

[A55VA6]

Depth is the main concern on this team, but we'll find out the kind of guys we have when they have to step up and fill those starting roles. Maybe we'll have a rookie/UDFA that comes out of nowhere and really shines.

 

[Corbin]

Ohhhhh fuck here we go....

 

[FrantikRam]

I think the Patriots are insanely deep, especially offensively. I'm not saying their backups are equal to their starters in talent but the drop off is not very severe.

With their QBs, obviously you have Tom Brady but Jimmy Grappolo and Jacoby Brissett both proved they could win games last season.

Their RB depth is ridiculous with Mike Gillislee, James White, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden.

Their WR corps is very solid with Brandon Cooks, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell, and Chris Hogan. All those guys are starting caliber, Amendola even used to be our best receiver.

At TE, Gronk is impossible to fully replace but by bringing in Dwayne Allen, they have a #2 option that could easily be a #1.

That's a team that will be incredibly resilient offensively.

Their offensive weapons are what amount to journeyman players, save for Cooks and Gronk. They have a great system and the best QB of all time, which makes everyone look a little better. We just need to build a system.

Depth is a myth in the NFL - every teams backups are roughly the same skill-wise, save for a few exceptions. The difference is the coaching and players at key positions.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Show me one team in the NFL who has a back up that isn't a downgrade from their starter.

Cleveland, Houston, and now Miami.

Some of these rookies will step up...definitely a couple of 2nd and 3rd year players...We won't know until they play...

https://withthefirstpick.com/2017/08/07/nfl-training-camps-los-angeles-rams-rookie-report/
NFL Training Camps: Los Angeles Rams Rookie Report

by Jon Doveo
The Los Angeles Rams 2017 NFL Draft results still felt the impact from their decision to trade up to land Jared Goff.
Despite not having a 1st round pick, the Los Angeles Rams did a solid job adding talent at positions of need. Their first pick, Gerald Everett, is a pass-catching tight end who will help Jared Goff move the football.

Everett is raw as a player, but features the skills needed to be a major factor in the passing game. His combination of long arms and quickness make him a matchup nightmare. The Rams lack elite talent at wide receiver and are obviously hoping Everett can fill the void from his tight end position.

Los Angeles didn’t neglect the wide receiver adding two intriguing options. Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds are both capable of making an immediate impact.

Kupp is a solid route runner who has a knack for finding open spots in the defense. He is seen as a strong fit in the slot, but also features enough size to work on the outside. The Rams need reliable targets to help Goff’s development.

Reynolds is more of a big-play threat who can stretch the field. He features a combination of length and quickness that helps him pick up big chunks of yardage. Reynolds is the type of receiver who also excels in contested situations.

He routinely attacks the ball at its highest point. His length and leaping ability helps him out jump many defensive backs.

The Rams added some depth in their secondary with John Johnson. He’s a versatile safety who should see action on special teams. It would be a shock if he worked his way into the starting lineup opposite Lamarcus Joyner.

Defensive tackle Tanzel Smart could also make an early impact. He’s a solid athlete who flashes the ability to penetrate the pocket. The Rams don’t have a ton of defensive line depth, especially after Dominique Easley’s injury, and could be counting on Smart to contribute.

 

[Merlin]

With their QBs, obviously you have Tom Brady but Jimmy Grappolo and Jacoby Brissett both proved they could win games last season.

There's a difference between a backup for a few games and a backup playing a full season. Even for the Patriots. Take Brady out for a full season and they're not going to win it all, not by a long shot.

Those guys win because of the team around them and the great staff that keeps them locked in and letting the talent around them lead the team to wins. They did not win because of Brissett, basically, they won with him.