Los Angeles Rams: Avoid a QB and Build Around Todd Gurley

I know its scary, but the Los Angeles Rams have been smart to remain quiet in free agency. Build a defense around Gurley and watch this team take off.

We’re tackling each team in the league, traveling alphabetically to debate their biggest offseason issues. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

The Los Angeles Rams have been eerily quiet this offseason despite what seemingly should have been a time to make huge waves and big splashes as they moved halfway across the country to their new home.

The Rams franchised Trumaine Johnson but lost both Rodney McLeod and Janoris Jenkins to other teams, weakening their secondary considerably. There was also much talk of what the Rams were going to do about their quarterback situation, and instead of confirming those suspicions, they did pretty much nothing.

I liked this team last year but can’t help but be pessimistic about its upcoming 2016. Case Keenum is the quarterback right now for the first season in Los Angeles. The defense will also be worse than it was a season ago despite the destruction that Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn will still cause up front.

I don’t mind the idea of building an offense around Todd Gurley, a good offensive line and some deep-threat receivers, but that puts a lot of weight on Gurley’s shoulders, and a QB who can throw accurately down the field isn’t a given. Even if the Rams do not ask their quarterback to make tons of reads and change plays and do all the things that the best QBs do, Keenum still doesn’t appear like a long-term answer. Obviously neither is Nick Foles since they benched the latter for Keenum last season.

In actuality, the best plan may be to add another defensive player and draft defense to try to get that unit back to an elite level. The Denver Broncos just proved a team can win with a dominating defense and a weapon or two on offense. I still think LA slots in third in the NFC West, but that’s because it is hard to trump Russell Wilson or Carson Palmer.

USA Today’s latest mock draft (via Nate Davis) has the Rams taking QB Paxton Lynch with their first pick. Pete Prisco and CBS Sports has the same thing. Maurice Jones-Drew on NFL.com has the Rams taking Connor Cook, an even bigger stretch as the 15th overall selection. Am I crazy or are none of these quarterbacks really franchise guys? Obviously no one actually knows, but this year especially, teams seem to be over-inflating the quarterback prospects. I would much rather see L.A. build upon a strength and actually get something out of their first-round pick in 2016.

Dec 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) picks up a first down against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Rams won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

I’m a bit perplexed by the LA Rams outlook for 2016, yet their offseason moves do make a lot of sense. Not only have the current crop of rookie quarterbacks entering the 2016 NFL Draft been grossly overinflated, but the crop of free agents were equally as pumped up to somewhat silly levels.

The Rams did not need a running back. This was one of the few positions where a lot of talent hit free agency, yet none of the guys previously available are better than Gurley, especially with age as a factor. Los Angeles did take a hit to its defense, losing players in free agency as you noted, but defense is the current strength of the 2016 Draft class. Its good business to not overpay for free agents when you can draft a cheaper rookie with more upside. On the surface the Rams lack of moves is troubling, but that’s only because they desperately need a reliable quarterback. Everything else is a bit of a wash.

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Rams’ fans can be upset that their team missed out on the defensive free agents, but they shouldn’t fault the front office for thinking big picture. One player is not elevating LA’s defense enough to stop Seattle and Arizona. The unit must improve from top to bottom. Staying out of bidding wars has now enabled Los Angeles to maneuver down the road. I implore the Rams to ignore the quarterbacks in round one of the draft and select a defensive standout to anchor their unit for years to come. Its likely one of those top signal callers will still be on the board in round two or three. Patience Los Angeles.

Its hard to justify the less is more mentality when every team wants to win now. But the Rams are in a unique position. They are moving to a new city, giving them several seasons of grace period to get good before their new stadium opens. Its more important for them to get young players as the face of the new Los Angeles Rams, then it is to attempt to compete for an NFC West title. The Rams can win a wildcard spot in 2016, but the division is still a longshot. The Seahawks and Cardinals will still be good, challenging Los Angeles to be its best.

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I haven’t given up on Nick Foles and there are still several other cheaper quarterbacks floating around free agency. Adding depth is a smart move, especially when these quarterbacks have everything to prove. But if Los Angeles remains quiet, its merely a sign of good things to come. I’m with you, re-load on defense and shield any weaknesses your starting quarterback may have.

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