Nice read as always. It's hard to ignore the gorilla in the room (of course the QB situation) but you made the key point which is that, QB be damned, this is the major stuff that had real Rams fans excited the last off-season (and had us so devastated after Minnesota and Kansas City).
Unless the Rams are going the way of the 2002 Bucs or 2000 Ravens (teams that were great with a subpar QB), the next step to greatness really is figuring out who the Rams signal caller will be. It kinda begins and ends with that statement. 3rd LB, G, C are practically afterthoughts in that conversation. It does feel like whatever QB is under center, they will have all the systems** and supporting cast they need in all phases of the game to succeed. This is the first time I've been able to say that in 10 years.
But until the question about QB is answered with something more than "and they'll have Bradford back", every discussion about the Rams will end with the question: "But who will play QB?"
I love the Mark Barron pickup. But who will play QB?
Donald is a beast. But who will play QB?
Tre Mason is the real real. But who will play QB?
Why are the Rams NOT on the cusp of greatness? Because we don't know who will play QB.
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** yeah, I know, Schotty's fan support is historically lukewarm at best, but even this seems to be improving.