The Rams got a jump on their offseason early by firing Jeff Fisher. Of course, there are plenty more steps to go before feeling good about their future.
Here would be my suggestions for each step of the way:
STEP ONE: THE HEAD COACHING SEARCH
Early reports seem to indicate that Stan Kroenke is willing to reach deep into his wallet for a new coach.
Early reports suggest that Stan Kroenke will throw money after big names like Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll, and Jon Gruden. Firing Fisher early may give them the opportunity to mess around and think big, but before long, other teams will be searching for new coaches, too. There will be a time — sooner than later — where you have to get more pragmatic and nab the best realistic candidate before he’s scooped up by someone else.
To me, the best realistic candidate is Atlanta’s offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Although he’s only 36 years old, he’s had 8 seasons of experience in that role, none better than this current season with the Falcons. Shanahan can offer a young QB like Jared Goff more than good coaching — he can offer him aid in the form of a good running game. The Shanahan/Kubiak zone-blocking system is generally effective and would help jumpstart Todd Gurley and the run game. That, in turn, should help Goff settle into the NFL.
STEP TWO: FILLING OUT THE STAFF
If the Rams do hire an offensive-minded head coach like Kyle Shanahan, then chances are he will continue to call plays. That means that they shouldn’t have to spend much on the “offensive coordinator.” Shanahan can hire an assistant with experience in his type of system — someone like current Jets’ WR coach (and former UCLA coach) Karl Dorrell. Dorrell can be a helpful lieutenant, without breaking the bank.
More of an investment should be made on defense, seeing as how the DC would have a larger role with an offensive coach like Shanahan. Shanahan has paired well with Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who’s done a solid job rebuilding the Falcons’ D. If Shanahan likes that style, he can hire Quinn lookalike / coach-a-like Gus Bradley, who’s a dead man walking in Jacksonville. Bradley may have failed with the Jaguars, but he’s a competent coordinator with experience and good energy. He’d fit well on a Rams 4-3 defense that needs tweaking more than an overhaul.
A Shanahan-Bradley pairing would be a nice complement, and wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. (not that Stan Kroenke cares about the price tag)
STEP THREE: FREE AGENCY
The Rams have four major free agents that they’ll need to consider re-signing: QB Case Keenum, WR Kenny Britt, CB Trumaine Johnson, and DB T.J. McDonald.
The decision to retain Johnson and McDonald should be the easiest of the bunch. The casual NFL fan may not know Trumaine Johnson, but Rams fans certainly do. The team slapped the $13 million franchise tag on him last offseason, effectively choosing him over fellow free agent corner Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins has played well for the Giants this year, but it wasn’t necessarily the wrong decision. Johnson’s tall and athletic, and worth an extension. More than anything, the Rams can’t allow two good corners to walk away in consecutive seasons. Johnson (and solid safety McDonald) should be re-signed.
On the other hand, I’d let Case Keenum walk away. Keenum played fairly well as a starter — at least, enough to make a nice salary as a backup QB next year. However, I don’t believe the Rams need to re-sign him for that price. 3rd stringer Sean Mannion will be entering his third year in the NFL and offers more longterm upside at the position. A coach like Shanahan can save some cap space by trusting Mannion as the backup and bringing in a cheap veteran who understands the system to serve as a 3rd QB / locker room aide.
To me, the decision about Kenny Britt’s the most difficult to make. The big-bodied Britt’s played well this season, collecting 937 yards and 5 TDs (on a reasonable 99 targets). That yards per target isn’t much different than his play in 2014 or 2015, suggesting it’s not a contract year fluke either.
However, Britt’s strong play may jack up his free agent price. He’ll be joined by two other WRs with similar size/profiles in Alshon Jeffery and Terrelle Pryor. Britt may cost the least of the three, but all three should fetch a solid sum in free agency.
Personally, I’d be wary about a huge contract for Britt. He has a history of injuries and a difficult personality to boot. All in all, he’s not someone I’d trust to be a good player past 30. The Rams have another free agent WR in Brian Quick, who’s basically a poor man’s version of Britt as a 6’3″ possession receiver. Quick’s not great, but his efficiency (503 yards on 63 targets) suggests that he can be a reasonable alternative at a fraction of the price.
STEP FOUR: THE DRAFT
Thanks to the Jared Goff trade, the Rams will lack a first round pick this year. That means each of their next few picks will be even more important.
WR will be a huge need for them, particularly if they let Kenny Britt walk as suggested. Presuming you enter 2017 with Brian Quick on the outside, and relegate the ineffective Tavon Austin to slot/spot duties, you’ll have a hole on the outside.
Given that, I’d recommend the Rams select the best available WR with their 2nd round pick, which is a high one. The homerun would be Western Michigan’s Corey Davis. He’s an absolute stud at 6’3″, with three seasons in a row of 1400 yards and 12 TDs. Right now he’s in that 2nd round range, although the NFL may get wise to him and select him in the top 20 instead.
If Davis is off the board, they can consider Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Ford. At 6’2″ 190, Ford is a lean vertical receiver with blazing speed. He’s led the Hokies in receiving two years running, cracking 1000 yards each season despite questionable QB play in 2015. Ford’s worst case scenario is being a complementary field stretcher (like Dallas’ Terrance Williams), but that style of receiver would still complement their team well.
After that, the Rams need to load up on offensive linemen, to help reinforce one of the weakest areas on their team. In fact, I’d recommend them over-doing it — drafting a lineman in Round 3, Round 4, and even Round 5.
That’s where a coach with a good system like Kyle Shanahan comes in handy. With the zone-blocking scheme, you don’t need super-human beasts on the line. Effective zone blockers can be lighter, so long as they’re smart and agile. The Rams may be able to pick up a couple of starters in the middle rounds: targeting players such as Temple tackle Dion Dawkins, West Virginia center Tyler Orlosky, and UNC’s guard Caleb Peterson. All three are currently ranked as 4th rounders on ESPN, but each could develop into starters for the Rams.
STEP FIVE: THAT’S ALL, FOLKS
If anyone’s read this far, I apologize for not coming up with bolder, “sexier” moves for the Rams to make. Instead, these are all relatively practical and prudent approaches to team building.
And that’s by design. Rams fans need to remember that Jared Goff will be entering his second season, after a disastrous rookie campaign. Expectations for the entire team need to be kept in check. The goal should be establishing the system, re-establishing the running game, re-stocking the line, and getting Goff comfortable as a starter. If the Rams can do that in 2017, then they can start thinking playoffs come 2018.
