Jrry32's Post-NFCCG Loss Rams Mock Offseason

[Merlin]

I think it was Snead who mentioned how the team's make up would change once Stafford leaves. How he said it, I took it as minus Stafford the team would have to look differnt to compete... which to me means with a young QB, it would be time to build a dominant defense to keep a young QB in the game and to survive his rookie mistakes.

And he's not wrong. But I think building the defense is in general a great idea for a McVay team because he has a knack for generating the offense he needs with his ability to scheme things up. So with a dominant defense he'd be extremely hard to knock out of the playoffs.

Also there is an inevitable connection between defense and run games. If you don't have the defense, it is very hard to fully invest in the run game as you are more concerned with falling behind on the scoreboard. So even for a QB of Stafford's quality, it would be nice to see him have a team around him that can run it and play a little field position during stretches of playoff games. And we have the players to do that on offense, just need that strong defense.

Anyway I've always been a defense first fan. I can handle losing a lot easier if my defense is strong. Just the way I am philosophically when I watch ball. Nothing against the offensive side. But I think if you pair McVay with a dominant defense you're gonna hoist more Lombardis. It's just a matter of time.

To the ILBs I gotta agree and it feels like this is a good draft for them to add some talent. I just really hope they focus on speed and tackling in space. My biggest complaint with this defensive front has been contain. So if you're gonna draft ILB try to affect that.

 

[DzRams]

And he's not wrong. But I think building the defense is in general a great idea for a McVay team because he has a knack for generating the offense he needs with his ability to scheme things up. So with a dominant defense he'd be extremely hard to knock out of the playoffs.

Also there is an inevitable connection between defense and run games. If you don't have the defense, it is very hard to fully invest in the run game as you are more concerned with falling behind on the scoreboard. So even for a QB of Stafford's quality, it would be nice to see him have a team around him that can run it and play a little field position during stretches of playoff games. And we have the players to do that on offense, just need that strong defense.

Anyway I've always been a defense first fan. I can handle losing a lot easier if my defense is strong. Just the way I am philosophically when I watch ball. Nothing against the offensive side. But I think if you pair McVay with a dominant defense you're gonna hoist more Lombardis. It's just a matter of time.

To the ILBs I gotta agree and it feels like this is a good draft for them to add some talent. I just really hope they focus on speed and tackling in space. My biggest complaint with this defensive front has been contain. So if you're gonna draft ILB try to affect that.

I prefer dominant defenses too. I may get more enjoyment from watching a dominant defense than offense.

However, we probably should accept that McVay is an offense first coach. He's always invested more resources on that side of the ball and likely always will. I suspect he would prefer a dominant offense and good enough defense.

 

[Merlin]

Offense first is not mutally exclusive with great defense. Great defense simply requires hitting on the right investments on that side of the ball.

We have one half of a great defense right now with our defensive front plus Lake. We need another NT up front, some real beef for the playoff run rotation. But mainly it's corners. Fix that and we will have an elite defense.

 

[PhillyRam]

Offense first is not mutally exclusive with great defense. Great defense simply requires hitting on the right investments on that side of the ball.

We have one half of a great defense right now with our defensive front plus Lake. We need another NT up front, some real beef for the playoff run rotation. But mainly it's corners. Fix that and we will have an elite defense.

Agree, and we can't expect the same kind of year out of Stafford next year. He might miss a few games, he might not be as efficient.

So in either case you will need the D to get you through those rough spots and certainly to win big games, which the defense failed to do down the stretch this year.

Letting Kirk Cousins look like a franchise QB. Allowing Bryce Young to play like a top 5 QB, seeing Caleb Williams throw for 400 yards in 10 deg weather. At least they came up with some big turnovers in that game. Then the Seattle coverage meltdowns.

So I fully expect FA and the draft to add significant pieces to the defense, but with Stafford back, I expect the addition of a potentially dynamic weapon to aid the offense.