(10-16-2019, 05:10 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: I'm just glad it's over. I personally, don't want to hear Ramsey's name anymore. He's not a Jag, so I don't care what happens to him. I'm just stoked about what we got in return. Having two first round picks in the next two years, means we can really turn things around, as long as we don't screw things up. This coming draft, we find Ramsey's replacement to pair with Bouye. The 2020 draft has a really talented CB class. With the other first round pick and our 2nd rounder, we can fix a very broken O-line. Then in 2021, we take stock of the QB situation. If Foles or Minshew end up looking really good, that's great. We can then address other areas, but if not, we have the ammunition to move up and draft a franchise QB. This is the most excited I've been in a long time, when it comes to looking at the future of the team.

I'll say this much:  Granted I'm far from a capologist, but given what I've read about the Rams' salary cap issues, I don't know how Ramsey gets that big dollar deal from them that he wants, which is okay for him if he stays healthy.  But if he suffers a serious injury, he may not get the deal he claimed to want when he backed the Brinks truck here.  .  Right now the Rams are having all kinds of problems on offense.  The offensive line is quite possibly among the worst in football outside of Miami.  Now that the Rams have given away their next two first round picks, chances are, to adequately fill those positions, they will need to do one or more of the following:

1.  sign free agents, which are typically expensive.  On mnay levels, free agency represents the best way to upgrade an offensive line for a team ostensibly looking to win now, as evidenced by the trades;


2.  make a trade for a vet like Trent Williams.  Williams would certainly upgrade their OL, except the Skins don't seem inclined to trade him away.  Even assuming they are interested, the Rams don't seem to have the draft capital to do it, because it would seem that the Skins could get a 1st round pick for him. But even assuming they could work out a trade for him, they'd still have to pay him.  He is expensive even with his current deal, and there is talk he wants another deal.  Either way, it would make an already shaky cap situation more dire.

3.  Spend their already reduced draft capital along the OL, which would impact their ability to address other positions of need that would return them to solid contention. 

Interesting if it turns out the best financial deal he could have gotten was by re-signing with us.  Also interesting if the cap situation along with the depleted OL precludes the Rams from winning-which is what Ramsey has said he wants to do.

As for the Jaguars, I think it'll be most interesting what happens at the QB position.

I believe what happens with Marrone, TC and Caldwell will be the first step in determining that.  The analysis that follows assumes TC, Caldwell and Marrone all stay for at least another year (though I could see a scenario where Marrone goes, or TC goes, or all of the above go).


Assuming all within the power structure remain, the remainder of this season is potentially a two season tryout for Foles and Minshew.

If one or both QBs play well, I think the early draft capital (2 of the 3 picks in the first two rounds) will be used to bolster the offense.  I think it would be an OL, a WR, and a CB, though if I had to guess based on Caldwell's history, WR would go in the 2nd round.  The remainder of the picks will address depth in the lines, at TE and in the secondary.  They will want to give Foles and or Minshew the best chance t be successful, and that happens with weapons and offensive linemen.

Conversely, if there is struggle at the QB position, depending on the talent available at the position, QB gets some consideration early.

But more likely, he real QB consideration would take place in '21.

If the QBs play well in 2020, the 2021 draft will go heavily defense.

If not, perhaps the brass (whether the current brass or a new brass) makes a play for Trevor Lawrence.

---