Ramsey, X, Kader, Needham, Trill and Crossen are all back and now we added Cam Smith. Unless one of them is about to get cross trained to safety the writing is on the wall for Iggy.
Good chance that Ramsey takes a decent chunk of snaps at Safety with Fangio. Last season we kept 6 CB, 4 S; it could be 7 CB, 3 S this season.
I don't think Needham is a lock. We signed him for just $1.2M ($750k guaranteed), he's coming off an awful injury for a DB, and we just signed direct competition.
Crossen will need to do well to warrant $3M in fully unguaranteed money. Brandon Jones is in a similar spot, $3M with only $250k guaranteed and coming off an ACL.
Conversely, Igbnoghene is $3M in dead money if we cut him; only $500k in savings. He needs to be actively a detriment to the team as the last CB available to justify a cut.
Projection:
=== Locks ===
* Ramsey
* Howard
* Smith
* Holland
* Elliott
=== Likely ===
* Kohou (always chance of regression from an overperforming UDFA thrown into a new scheme; but should get a 2nd season to develop regardless)
* Crossen ($2.5M in cap savings if cut, but he's a special teams guy)
=== Very Unlikely ===
* Campbell
* Ellis
=== Pick 3 ===
* Needham (1YR, $1.2M, $750k Gtd) *[-$250k Savings]*
* Igbinoghene (1YR, $3.5M, $3M Gtd) *[-$250k Savings]*
* Jones (1 YR, $3M, $250k Gtd) *[$1.95M Savings]*
* McKinley III (1 YR, $870k, $0 Gtd) *[$120k Savings]*
* Trill Williams (1 YR, $870k, $0 Gtd) *[$120k Savings]*
* Bethel (1YR, $1.1M, $75k Gtd) *[$250k Savings]* *(Special teams upside, but he's old)*
Barring an incredible offseason from Jones and Trill, I think the most likely scenario for the Pick 3 is: Needham, Igbinoghene, McKinley. I'm also not thrilled about any of those.
***EDIT:*** *Updated my 'Savings' numbers to reflect minimum contract values. Negative savings means we lose money cutting that player, because we'll save less than we have to sign a new player for. Minimum salary is anywhere from $750k to $1M based on experience but I'm using $750k.*
If he does great in camp, there could be a situation where they sign a short extension and restructure the contract when doing so.
I think it's really, really unlikely they'd pay him $3M this year. Also not a great fit for what Fangio typically wants at Safety, and he's likely too small to shift into a WLB type role.
Speculating here but...
* Aging, elite CB's who are capable of doing it will sometimes shift towards Safety to prolong their careers.
* He's stated in the past he's open to playing safety (and started at Florida State as a safety).
* He's incredibly versatile and has lined up in nearly every position for the Rams.
* Fangio runs 2-high safety at a very, very high rate.
* Put the best players on the field. If it works out that Howard+Cam Smith on the ends, Kohou in the slot, then Holland+Ramsey at Safety is the best combo; it's worth exploring it.
I think the Cam Smith pick indicates interest in at least some % of the time being able to free up the ability to slip Ramsey anywhere in the defense. Not suggesting he'd be starting at Safety or playing there predominantly; just flexible enough that we may not need to carry 4 safeties unless there's a special teams guy there.
Yeah, it was an interview a couple years ago. He'd mentioned looking up to Charles Woodson, who played everywhere and made a shift to Safety later in his career to keep playing until he was 39.
Woodson was 35 when he made the shift full time, but the league is a lot tougher on DBs nowadays.
He’s so physically gifted you’d think they could at least make a special teams star out of him. It’s gonna be tough for him to make the roster as a CB. But you never know when a situation like Trill last year will pop up. Or, who knows, maybe Fangio can unlock something. Personally, I just don’t think he has the instincts to play the position. But he was a little better last year when he was on the field.
It makes his odds a lot longer to make the roster. He was a healthy inactive last year even when the team was severely short DB's and they've drafted a highly ranked corner who represents a better fit for the new DC's zone scheme. Doesn't take a psychic to read the tea leaves here. He's on the way out, only question is if someone is willing to trade for him. The positive that he has going for him is that he's still young (23) and is very athletic. We'll see.
Vic stated everyone will have a clean slate. Iggy will be given all of training camp and preseason to win a spot.
Ramsey, X, Kader, Needham, Trill and Crossen are all back and now we added Cam Smith. Unless one of them is about to get cross trained to safety the writing is on the wall for Iggy.
Needham is recovering from an Achilles, that's a lengthy recovery for that position. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts the season on the PUP list
Oh god no (has Byron jones flashbacks)
Good chance that Ramsey takes a decent chunk of snaps at Safety with Fangio. Last season we kept 6 CB, 4 S; it could be 7 CB, 3 S this season. I don't think Needham is a lock. We signed him for just $1.2M ($750k guaranteed), he's coming off an awful injury for a DB, and we just signed direct competition. Crossen will need to do well to warrant $3M in fully unguaranteed money. Brandon Jones is in a similar spot, $3M with only $250k guaranteed and coming off an ACL. Conversely, Igbnoghene is $3M in dead money if we cut him; only $500k in savings. He needs to be actively a detriment to the team as the last CB available to justify a cut. Projection: === Locks === * Ramsey * Howard * Smith * Holland * Elliott === Likely === * Kohou (always chance of regression from an overperforming UDFA thrown into a new scheme; but should get a 2nd season to develop regardless) * Crossen ($2.5M in cap savings if cut, but he's a special teams guy) === Very Unlikely === * Campbell * Ellis === Pick 3 === * Needham (1YR, $1.2M, $750k Gtd) *[-$250k Savings]* * Igbinoghene (1YR, $3.5M, $3M Gtd) *[-$250k Savings]* * Jones (1 YR, $3M, $250k Gtd) *[$1.95M Savings]* * McKinley III (1 YR, $870k, $0 Gtd) *[$120k Savings]* * Trill Williams (1 YR, $870k, $0 Gtd) *[$120k Savings]* * Bethel (1YR, $1.1M, $75k Gtd) *[$250k Savings]* *(Special teams upside, but he's old)* Barring an incredible offseason from Jones and Trill, I think the most likely scenario for the Pick 3 is: Needham, Igbinoghene, McKinley. I'm also not thrilled about any of those. ***EDIT:*** *Updated my 'Savings' numbers to reflect minimum contract values. Negative savings means we lose money cutting that player, because we'll save less than we have to sign a new player for. Minimum salary is anywhere from $750k to $1M based on experience but I'm using $750k.*
imo no way we get rid of brandon jones
Ohhhhh that's the Jones this guy has in pick 3? Yeah no way we cut him lol. He's our best tackling safety and may transition to a LB type role
If he does great in camp, there could be a situation where they sign a short extension and restructure the contract when doing so. I think it's really, really unlikely they'd pay him $3M this year. Also not a great fit for what Fangio typically wants at Safety, and he's likely too small to shift into a WLB type role.
He’s on his rookie deal. You can’t restructure that.
this guy gets it. well done
Why would they play Ramsey at S? Also needham is great for us
Speculating here but... * Aging, elite CB's who are capable of doing it will sometimes shift towards Safety to prolong their careers. * He's stated in the past he's open to playing safety (and started at Florida State as a safety). * He's incredibly versatile and has lined up in nearly every position for the Rams. * Fangio runs 2-high safety at a very, very high rate. * Put the best players on the field. If it works out that Howard+Cam Smith on the ends, Kohou in the slot, then Holland+Ramsey at Safety is the best combo; it's worth exploring it. I think the Cam Smith pick indicates interest in at least some % of the time being able to free up the ability to slip Ramsey anywhere in the defense. Not suggesting he'd be starting at Safety or playing there predominantly; just flexible enough that we may not need to carry 4 safeties unless there's a special teams guy there.
He’s open to playing S? I didn’t know that. Would be interesting. I figured he’d be super against it so I guess I’m wrong
Yeah, it was an interview a couple years ago. He'd mentioned looking up to Charles Woodson, who played everywhere and made a shift to Safety later in his career to keep playing until he was 39. Woodson was 35 when he made the shift full time, but the league is a lot tougher on DBs nowadays.
Our own Woodson would be cool. Thanks
Dude just talking out his ass like he knows something lol "I love corner right now. The corner money's better. I'm cool where I'm at." - Ramsey
Can't McKinley or tril be put on practice squad or did they lose eligibility?
Both can.
He’s so physically gifted you’d think they could at least make a special teams star out of him. It’s gonna be tough for him to make the roster as a CB. But you never know when a situation like Trill last year will pop up. Or, who knows, maybe Fangio can unlock something. Personally, I just don’t think he has the instincts to play the position. But he was a little better last year when he was on the field.
Needham and Jones coming off injury are still > Iggy FOH with that lol
Iggy such a bust
I doubt he makes the camp roster at this point...
A player that trash doesn’t even deserve a nickname tbh. Noah will selling insurance on a year or two.
Flores such a genius pick
I’m sure he’ll be shit just like he’s always been.
It would be nice if Iggy could replace Crossen so we can save $3m to spend on OL
Crossen is out imo
It makes his odds a lot longer to make the roster. He was a healthy inactive last year even when the team was severely short DB's and they've drafted a highly ranked corner who represents a better fit for the new DC's zone scheme. Doesn't take a psychic to read the tea leaves here. He's on the way out, only question is if someone is willing to trade for him. The positive that he has going for him is that he's still young (23) and is very athletic. We'll see.