All Things Rams - Stafford Thread

[ghandi]

Sweet! I dont think anyone was thinking top 5 pick from the Rams when this trade was made. Amazing how fast things change in the NFL.

[Futureshock]

Sean McVay: Matthew Stafford not throwing in offseason affected 2022

Posted by Mike Florio on December 5, 2022, 5:11 PM EST

Getty Images

The Rams, at 3-9, are unofficially the worst defending Super Bowl champions in NFL history. It’s a title that includes something very good, but part of it is not good at all — especially with the next three games in non-flexed standalone windows.

There was no reason to believe the Rams would be this bad, based on the unbridled optimism of folks like coach Sean McVay. Now that the season has crashed and burned, McVay has become more willing to acknowledge the factors that contributed to the Rams winning 25 percent of their games, so far.

In a Monday press conference, McVay was asked whether quarterback Matthew Stafford not throwing in the 2022 offseason affected the team.

“I definitely think it had an impact because you talk about rapport, establishing a rapport, a rhythm, a comfort not only with, everybody wants to talk about he and Cooper [Kupp], but even just some of the newer pieces,” McVay said. “Yeah, otherwise I’d say, ‘Why the hell do we practice?’ I think it definitely had an impact without a doubt.”

That’s a far cry from the endless “everything is fine” vibe that McVay created during an offseason that saw no throwing by Stafford due to an elbow problem.

The decision to put Stafford on injured reserve, with the apparent expectation that he won’t play again this year, was motivated by a desire to ensure that Stafford won’t have a repeat of 2022.

“It’s more about having a healthy offseason,” McVay said within a longer answer as to Stafford’s current status.

It will also help that the Rams didn’t have the kind of year that resulted in the pilfering of the coaching staff by other teams. Asked whether the turnover in the coaching staff impacted the season, McVay gave a meandering answer that included multiple references to the limited downtime following a Super Bowl run, before he landed the plane.

“Ultimately to answer your original question, that is a factor,” McVay said. “I think the turnaround, the timing of it, but ultimately it falls on my leadership and for that I’ve learned and I will continue to learn from the mistakes and make sure we don’t repeat them.”

There are other factors, too. But the Rams likely won’t embrace those, at least not publicly. The invoice came due quickly on the all-in, “eff them picks” approach of the past couple of seasons. Yes, it delivered a championship. But there’s too much money invested in too few great players and not enough cheap, young, talented players to complement the stars and provide depth when they are injured.

With major, market-level contracts given to the likes of Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, and Aaron Donald (three of whom got new deals after the Super Bowl win), cap dollars had to be sacrificed elsewhere. The backup quarterback is John Wolford, for crying out loud. The offensive line became a mess this year once the injuries began to happen. Not surprisingly, the offense fell apart.

Yes, they have a Lombardi Trophy. They have swanky new rings to help take their minds off of the current mess. (McVay’s new mega-deal likely helps, too.) But they’ll have plenty of work to do to get back to high-end contender status. Especially since one of the rewards of having such a bad season — a high first-round draft pick — will be going to Detroit as the last installment of the “eff them picks” trade that not only brought Stafford to town but also offloaded Jared Goff‘s horrendous second contract.

[CGVT]

The Rams not having an offensive line worth a shit and no skill position players worth a shit affected 2022 a lot more than Stafford not throwing in the off season.

Jesus. That guy is a fucking tool

[froot loops]

This guy is the coach who thought John Wolford was better than Jared Goff.

[chemiclord]

Jim Harbaugh once made a comment about Ryan Day "being born on third base and thinking he hit a triple."

He probably could have just as easily been talking about Sean McVay.

[Futureshock]

The Rams not having an offensive line worth a shit and no skill position players worth a shit affected 2022 a lot more than Stafford not throwing in the off season.

Jesus. That guy is a fucking tool

Him and Snead dropping the ball and poo pooing the need for an even operable OL. Then he side jabs Stafford for the team's failings? I hope Matt retires and we really see what McVay is about.

[jaadam4]

The Rams not having an offensive line worth a shit and no skill position players worth a shit affected 2022 a lot more than Stafford not throwing in the off season.

Jesus. That guy is a fucking tool

This. That OL is terrible

[jaadam4]

Jim Harbaugh once made a comment about Ryan Day "being born on third base and thinking he hit a triple."

He probably could have just as easily been talking about Sean McVay.

I love Harbaugh but he’s an insane person when it comes to interviews. He’s so monotone and just weird in press conferences.

Besides that one. His delivery and timing of that was so perfect. I still watch that clip from time to time.

[Cody_Russell]

We’ll see what a combination of McVay and Mayfield can do for a month. Just remember… people say Mayfield is one of the worst starting QBs in the NFL this season. Rams are 0-3 with Wolford/ Perkins starting. 5 games remaining this season for the Rams.

[jaadam4]

I'd rather he went somewhere else but fuck it. He'll have to learn a new offense ASAP

[Forsh]

I figured the Rams would claim him. They can't play for draft pick and had no good QB. We'll see how he does. Prob won't play Thursday

[CGVT]

He has the same shitty O line and skill position players that Stafford had. I don't expect much, although he is a lot more mobile

[jaadam4]

He’s better than what they had. I’m only worried about that Denver game. I still can’t believe how bad the donkeys are. They got fleeced

[kreton]

Him and Snead dropping the ball and poo pooing the need for an even operable OL. Then he side jabs Stafford for the team's failings? I hope Matt retires and we really see what McVay is about.

I think Stafford gets 90 mil over the next 2 years or close to it. That is a lot to retire from.

[kreton]

He’s better than what they had. I’m only worried about that Denver game. I still can’t believe how bad the donkeys are. They got fleeced

Good thing is Denver has no reason to benefit from tanking so they should show up to play. Wilson is always capable of a good game. Not sure Mayfield is.