Rams Team Building Strategy Will It Be Duplicated or a Rareity

[Mark Vader]

1 hour ago, 13 Second Prevent Defense said:

This is simply not true.   Have you heard the term "cap casualty", its not a myth.  The Saints have had to let good talent go several times over the years, as have all teams.  Last year they were in a terrible position, made a bunch of moves, lots of releases and restructures.  And now they are in the same position again this year.  They were not able to "sign all their guys".   For instance during their run, they had to let their All Pro Guard and TE go in one offseason as one example, moves they would have liked to not have had to do.

 

https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_7144f39e-8671-11eb-b0ae-4788896c6439.html#:~:text=The first move the Saints,was to restructure Brees' deal.&text=Brees' cap hit was originally,veteran minimum of %241.075 million.

Fair enough.

 

I still stand by the fact that we have a front office of people who are shrewd at making moves when it comes to the salary cap.

 

Some teams are better at it than others.

[bmur66]

It's great it worked out for them. What if it hadn't? 

[Matt_In_NH]

1 hour ago, Mark Vader said:

Fair enough.

 

I still stand by the fact that we have a front office of people who are shrewd at making moves when it comes to the salary cap.

 

Some teams are better at it than others.

Not going to pretend to be an expert but shrewd moves pretty much always equates to trading future cap space for current period cap space or guaranteeing money on contracts in future years making it harder to move on from players.   I have heard it said "The cap does not forget and the cap does not forgive".  The Saints current situation is proof of that.  Probably contributed to why Payton left too.

Edited February 14, 2022 by 13 Second Prevent Defense

[Mr. WEO]

isn't this really about whether you would rather be the Eagles or the Steelers?

[Virgil]

When they see the fallout, I don’t think teams will copy. 
 

They might not even be able to keep Stafford after next season. 

[LOVEMESOMEBILLS]

22 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

isn't this really about whether you would rather be the Eagles or the Steelers?

 

 Ah yes, we mustn't forget about the "great" poll. The one where you could only go back exactly 10 years, but not 13 years because it didn't fit the narrative. Or the one I love..... The example of the team that, you know, spent the last decade building to win now and in the future, but currently doesn't have a top 40 QB on their roster for 2022. I guess next year doesn't count as the future? 🤷‍♂️

 

 

[FilthyBeast]

42 minutes ago, bmur66 said:

It's great it worked out for them. What if it hadn't? 

 

It was a calculated roll of the dice by their organization, and if they had lost the criticism heaped on them would already be on overload through the media.

 

Remember at the end of the day only 1 team in every pro sports organization is truly successful when the season ends. But everything you do from the day the season ends is building up for that next chance at a championship and it's no coincidence the Rams made the big trade for Stafford last year after their season ended in the divisional round and before the NFL season was even over. They had a plan and executed on it and weren't going to 'stay the course' like some thing the Bills should do.

[Chicken Boo]

Every year the formula for winning a Super Bowl changes.  

 

There is no one way.  It's different for every team.  The Bills, in my opinion, could take the Rams way of doing things and be ultra successful with Josh Allen at QB, but the opportunity for the right acquisitions first has to present themselves.  

 

Beane seems to take a well-rounded approach as opposed to either or.  (Draft/free agency/trades)

[FilthyBeast]

Just now, Chicken Boo said:

Every year the formula for winning a Super Bowl changes.  

 

There is no one way.  It's different for every team.  The Bills, in my opinion, could take the Rams way of doing things and be ultra successful with Josh Allen at QB, but the opportunity for the right acquisitions first has to present themselves.  

 

Beane seems to take a well-rounded approach as opposed to either or.  (Draft/free agency/trades)

 

To be honest the overall formula hasn't changed much and if you look at most teams over the years who have won a championship it's been about the trenches, specifically the dline more times than not.

 

It was the difference last night with the Rams dline ultimately exposing the Bengals poor oline and last year in a major way with the Bucs against the Chiefs.

 

The only real anomaly in recent years was a few years ago in the 49ers/Chiefs SB. The 49ers were dominating that game defensively and had a 2 score lead in the 4th quarter until Mahomes chucked the ball downfield in a desperate play which changed everything. That game is probably the only example of a dominant defense that came up short in the SB in recent memory and ironically a similar outcome happened in the NFC Championship this year in a game the 49ers also should have won.

[Big Turk]

3 hours ago, corta765 said:

 

That is kinda where I am. The Rams are unique because the have the best DT, top 5 CB, great pass rusher Von Miller, and some good role players like Leonard Floyd. You can lack depth when your top guys are that good and elevate the other guys.

 

The Bills have the CB and Milano is a really good LB, but I do not think they could sellout the same way as their pass rush just isn't as dynamic. With that said I am all for trading a high draft pick this year for a Cam Jordan or top pass rusher. I just don't see Beane doing that yearly, he is wayyy too future driven.

 

They got it done, but they got a lot of help along the way. 49ers dropped a game ending INT that looked like it was thrown to the DB. Bengals took the lead then couldn't block to save their life.

 

It's not like they did all that and then ran roughshod over teams. If they faced the Bills they likely would have gotten smacked.

[Southern_Bills]

Rarity, they bet the house on last night and it worked. Fact is it usually doesn't, it costs the owner a pile of money to do it.

 

Then on top of it, the Rams will be average at best next year or the year after. It's not sustainable. 

 

I would prefer the Bills situation, of course winning a SB is part of it.

[Don Otreply]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

But my point is the Bills should take that approach… maybe Not as drastic as the Rams but more aggressive with better players in FA/traded at the expense of draft picks and cap if necessary.

It didn’t work out well because Brees’s arm fell off and Philly didn’t have a QB… neither is a problem for the Bills. 

Don’t get me wrong, I feel doing selective FA acquisitions/pick for a trade, Ala Diggs is good medicine, and Beane should pursue such opportunities when they present themselves. 

[MAJBobby]

I hope that it shakes the death grip these GMs have on all their Draft Picks. 
 

I have No issues flipping picks for proven players specially 2nd and Beyond. But I also understand the benefit of the cheap rookie contract as well. 
 

End of the day a successful draft is 3-4 starters. So what if you 2nd was used on a Rookie or an established player. That’s my opinion anyway. 
 

 

Edited February 14, 2022 by MAJBobby

[corta765]

33 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

They got it done, but they got a lot of help along the way. 49ers dropped a game ending INT that looked like it was thrown to the DB. Bengals took the lead then couldn't block to save their life.

 

It's not like they did all that and then ran roughshod over teams. If they faced the Bills they likely would have gotten smacked.

 

Lets be honest all of sports has luck attached. Norwood repossessions lack second or slips a little and maybe the kick is good. The NBA might be the only sport where a truly best team wins more frequently then not, the rest there are tons of factors at play. In general I think this NFL season had like 8-10 teams who if they won the SB you would've said "yea I am not surprised" and the Rams happened to get a little luck to be that team while playing well.

 

In regards to the Bills maybe they would've beat the Rams, but they couldn't take advantage of the opportunity in KC to just hold on for 13 seconds. This is not directed as you as much as this general notion that Buffalo beating KC meant we were going to the SB and winning. I just can't buy that when they couldn't beat KC, KC faltered themselves to a Bengals team that played far tougher then people thought, and the Rams required a late drive to get by CIN. I buy that Buffalo blew a potentially good opportunity, I don't buy that they would've 100% taken advantage. 

[dpberr]

I think from a cost perspective, going all in for a 1-3 year window will be less expensive than floating an "above average" team for a decade.  The GM and coach don't care - they will be gone by the time the team is terrible.  

 

For the Rams, the trophy will guarantee years of great ticket sales in a brand new stadium and lucrative TV and advertising deals, even when the team ultimately gets terrible.  For the owner, just sit back and watch the money be wheeled in while you make even more money by saving on expenses fielding a crap team that people, being the fools they are, will still spend gobs of money to watch.  

 

If you're the Bills, you want to get to the Super Bowl and win it the year before your new stadium opens so you have that peak interest.  From the Pegulas standpoint, who cares if you never win another one.  You want the team close to a championship, but not quite there yet while you're locking up all that public financing.  

 

A dark view of sports, but trust me, some highly paid consultant lays it out just like that.  

Edited February 14, 2022 by dpberr

[TheFunPolice]

People act like the Rams lit their draft picks on fire. They simply traded one asset for another. 

 

So they don't have picks, but they have stars. Stars can be traded to other teams for high picks if desired. 

 

The Rams could trade a player or two and recoup some high picks.

[Mark Vader]

4 hours ago, 13 Second Prevent Defense said:

Not going to pretend to be an expert but shrewd moves pretty much always equates to trading future cap space for current period cap space or guaranteeing money on contracts in future years making it harder to move on from players.   I have heard it said "The cap does not forget and the cap does not forgive".  The Saints current situation is proof of that.  Probably contributed to why Payton left too.

I'm confident in our team to avoid such circumstances from happening.

[Chaos]

The Chiefs have a high percentage of free agents too. Not sure the Rams are a novelty. 

[DCofNC]

I think some teams might be a little more willing to go to proven difference makers vs hoping picks turn out, if they are contenders.  The Bills came up short and may not have if they had taken similar risks to the Rams.  The Rams are basically going to have to blow their roster up, but they got the ring.  I’d make that trade.

[Coastie]

The formula for winning a SB has constants like an above average QB, decent defense, good coaching etc. But what can not be controlled is the variables. Injuries, officiating, outlier player performances (on either side). All you can do is give yourself the best chance and hope the variables fall your way. The Rams get a huge variable in that they played the what fourth best AFC team? You simply can not control everything.

[wakingfane]

Rams build is what McBeane preach against. The opposite of having a chance every year and never mortgaging your future

[QCity]

It's a statistical outlier. Kudos to them for pulling it off. You could make a good argument that the Rams were the 5th or 6th best team in the league and the stars aligned for them this year.

 

If you really want to mimic their success then a) draft another Aaron Donald and b) draft another Cooper Kupp. Good luck.

 

 

[BarleyNY]

8 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

But my point is the Bills should take that approach… maybe Not as drastic as the Rams but more aggressive with better players in FA/traded at the expense of draft picks and cap if necessary.

It didn’t work out well because Brees’s arm fell off and Philly didn’t have a QB… neither is a problem for the Bills. 

It’s not time for the Bills to do something like this.  I’m not saying that they shouldn’t make a move if they think they need to.  But they have a window that’ll be open a long time.  No need to screw things up for a few seasons for one shot. 

[Motor26]

I don’t really see the harm if the Bills were to go all in. They will still have Josh for another 6 years and then some I would assume. I just need to see one Bills super bowl victory in my life. 

[Big Blitz]

I mean isn't it what the Browns did?

 

Hunt

OBJ

Clowney

Hooper 

[DrPJax]

13 hours ago, corta765 said:

With the LA Rams winning the super bowl it brings up an interesting question as in sports in general whoever wins the title the rest of the league mimics to some extent the following season. The really interesting thing with the Rams is they in many ways put together a dream team and it actually worked. If you ever played Madden one of the fun things to do is just go all out with no regard to the cap or picks for the title. Now that is putting it loosely as even though the Rams don't have a 1st round pick until 2069 (I Kid), they are actually 2nd in total draft picks since 2017. So the Rams are using their 1st/2nd round picks for established talent, but they do have players they draft and develop. Kupp himself was a 3rd round pick (#69 no joke). With that said the Rams are not a perfect team as they do have some holes, but they basically bet that their talented players would cover those gaps and with Stafford as an upgrade at QB it could mask the flaws even greater. For a long time it has seemed that GM's value picks over anything and carefully planning their window. One of the things I appreciate with the Rams winning is it validates to some extent a just go for it and worry about the rest type strategy.

 

My question to you is if you think more GM's might be a bit more inclined to trade some future for immediate success or will the Rams stay an outlier?

I am old school, it wouldn’t feel as satisfying winning one like that after all they did was rent a bunch of talent for one year.  Those guys have no ties to the fans, community , or have any sense of culture or loyalty to each other or the organization. It just doesn’t feel like a part of the way the Bills mafia has been there , suffered with the team and stuck with them thru thick and much thin.  It’s a Hollywood type of team and all those guys will go their separate ways, having used the team as a way to just say hey I got my ring.  The Bills are more than just one SB title to me, they are part of my life for a long time and I like it meaning something to the players who understand what the Bills mean to a small community and also embracing the Bills past and their past players.
 

 

  Just throwing in guys like Miller or obj  as quick mercenaries doesn’t appeal to me. I like having Allen being a risk , one doubted by everyone outside if Buffalo , who has grown into a superstar but still is important to the community and now even his family is involved with Buffalo as his grandmother has a hospital wing named in her honor. The core of the team has been draft picks and free agents who weren’t fitting in or weren’t appreciated until they fit in together in the culture they have all now helped establish under Mcd. I don’t mind adding free agents who are going to stay for some time and add to the culture and community.  I don’t get that sense from that Rams team and there is nothing special to remember about that team. Really , who will think much of that group as time passes?
 

Winning a SB will be great , but it will be much more meaningful having gone thru things like 13 seconds together and then finally overcoming all of the Allen doubters and all the bad breaks to finally win one for the Bills mafia!  I know it’s sentimental stuff but I’ve put a lot of years into following the team and even people on here , and I hope we win it the old fashioned way ; building it from nothing and finally guys like Hyde and poyer , Josh , Gabe, Tre, Diggs , guys who want to be a part of that Bills culture, finally get rewarded. It will mean something more than just “ let’s buy a title “: ; that just doesn’t feel like a blue collar , hard work ethic type of team building and it just wouldn’t feel like it was anything more than just a gimmicky one trick year. I have been waiting a long time for a SB win , and I want it to feel worth that wait when it happens.  Yesterday it just felt like it was about a bunch of individuals who care about themselves and that doesn’t seem Billsy to me !  

[billieve420]

If Bills are in contention next year as we expect barring injuries. Hope the FO is aggressive come trade deadline if we need to make moves in push for the Super Bowl.

[GunnerBill]

The only lesson is there is more than one way to win in the NFL. 

 

You generally (though not absolutely always) need a top 10 Quarterback. After that there is a myriad of ways to put the rest of it together. But Superbowl winners normally have 4 to 6 elite level players. And then you need a bit of luck at the right time. 

[Buffalosouth]

With how much they moved on from their draft picks I think McVay could actually be done. Why stick around when you can't add cap friendly first round talent. They will not be a dynasty... or this will be a hot take exposed 

[QCity]

5 hours ago, Motor26 said:

I don’t really see the harm if the Bills were to go all in. They will still have Josh for another 6 years and then some I would assume. I just need to see one Bills super bowl victory in my life. 

 

Oh that's it? You just need one? You think everyone else here is planning on 4 or 5? 

[Norcalbillsfan]

Rams were 1 interception my grandma could have made away from losing to a Jimmy g led team. If they lose that game I think they get some shade about being a "dream team" and losing. But they won so everything is justified, they could have gave every single pick they had this year for Stafford and its all justified if you win.

For example I'm not for a Barkley trade but if the bills were to trade a first round pick for Barkley and they lose the afc championship game again, it's a bad trade and beane is in the hot seat, But the bills win a superbowl with barkley it's the greatest trade ever in bills history and beane is a genius. Gms have to be bold and put their neck out there and hope it pays off when the go for a "dream team" like the rams did.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Norcalbillsfan

[BarleyNY]

59 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

One shot? Last I looked the Rams have been perennial winners the last 4 seasons and just won the SB because they stayed aggressive rather than sitting on their hands like McBeane have done. 

Yes, the Rams had done well leading up to their last push.  As I mentioned, pushing hard at the end of a team’s window is typical.  The Rams are near the end of their window, the Bills are not.  Ask me again in 7 or 8 years and I’ll say “yes, we should mortgage the future and try to win it all (again) before Allen retires.”

 

And let’s be clear about two things:

1) I have no issue with the bills being aggressive in a targeted manner.  There is a difference between the kind of aggressive that cripples a team in the future and the kind that is part of sustainable team building.

2) The Rams won it all for a lot of reasons. One was their aggression in building their team.  Another was that they drafted Aaron Donald.  Another was luck.  SF dropped an easy INT or they aren’t even in the SB, Cincy was one play away from beating them and then there’s the luck of playing the Bengals rather than the Bills or Chiefs.  Heck, just being in the NFC is much better than being in the AFC these days.  So there’s no guarantee that trying to get over the top by making moves like trading a 2nd and 3rd for one season of a player like Von Miller is going to make the difference. 
 

My main point is that the Bills have too many competitive seasons ahead to hinder themselves in future seasons to make expensive, marginal improvements for one or two seasons. 

[zow2]

We have a really good team and have not had to mortgage future draft picks.  I'm all for making a smart move if it's there, on the table.  Sure,  pull the trigger for a position that can help get us over the top.  Don't need to sign some old has been, because he's a big name.  There's zero chance I would part with a 1st round pick unless it's for a QB, which we don't need.

[stuvian]

The Rams have been good for awhile. Adding Miller, Stafford and OBJ feels like a one and done although Stafford will be enough to continue selling tickets. I have read that salary cap wise this team will need to be blown up. I am reminded of the Toronto Raptors bringing in Kahwi Leonard on a one year rental.

[BarleyNY]

28 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I’m not suggesting they mortgage the future… I’m suggesting they be more aggressive like the Rams have been and not sit out FA while solely relying on the draft to find your elite talent…. And who’s to say Allen will be as good as he is now 7-8 years from now? 
 

A team with all the talent the Rams have AND Josh Allen is not losing.(assuming health is maintained) 

The Rams are definitely mortgaging their future. The way they spent picks and cap space to upgrade their roster is going to hurt them.  It was worth it because they won it all.  But there was no guarantee at the time that it would work.  They just tried to improve their odds a little bit while they were still in their window.  They can probably hold it together a little longer too if they want to.  

 

I am good with the Bills being aggressive though.  Just not screwing up future seasons aggressive. 

[corta765]

8 hours ago, DrPJax said:

I am old school, it wouldn’t feel as satisfying winning one like that after all they did was rent a bunch of talent for one year.  Those guys have no ties to the fans, community , or have any sense of culture or loyalty to each other or the organization. It just doesn’t feel like a part of the way the Bills mafia has been there , suffered with the team and stuck with them thru thick and much thin.  It’s a Hollywood type of team and all those guys will go their separate ways, having used the team as a way to just say hey I got my ring.  The Bills are more than just one SB title to me, they are part of my life for a long time and I like it meaning something to the players who understand what the Bills mean to a small community and also embracing the Bills past and their past players.
 

 

  Just throwing in guys like Miller or obj  as quick mercenaries doesn’t appeal to me. I like having Allen being a risk , one doubted by everyone outside if Buffalo , who has grown into a superstar but still is important to the community and now even his family is involved with Buffalo as his grandmother has a hospital wing named in her honor. The core of the team has been draft picks and free agents who weren’t fitting in or weren’t appreciated until they fit in together in the culture they have all now helped establish under Mcd. I don’t mind adding free agents who are going to stay for some time and add to the culture and community.  I don’t get that sense from that Rams team and there is nothing special to remember about that team. Really , who will think much of that group as time passes?
 

Winning a SB will be great , but it will be much more meaningful having gone thru things like 13 seconds together and then finally overcoming all of the Allen doubters and all the bad breaks to finally win one for the Bills mafia!  I know it’s sentimental stuff but I’ve put a lot of years into following the team and even people on here , and I hope we win it the old fashioned way ; building it from nothing and finally guys like Hyde and poyer , Josh , Gabe, Tre, Diggs , guys who want to be a part of that Bills culture, finally get rewarded. It will mean something more than just “ let’s buy a title “: ; that just doesn’t feel like a blue collar , hard work ethic type of team building and it just wouldn’t feel like it was anything more than just a gimmicky one trick year. I have been waiting a long time for a SB win , and I want it to feel worth that wait when it happens.  Yesterday it just felt like it was about a bunch of individuals who care about themselves and that doesn’t seem Billsy to me !  

 

I wouldn't say your old school as much as a true sports fan. This sentiment is common imo it hardcore markets like BUF/PIT/GB/KC where people bleed football. You are not just joining the team but the community itself and the expectation is you will embrace the community as the community will embrace you 100% day 1. Big markets like DAL/NYC/LA I would say have zero issue with constant shuffling the deck and really could care less on the community piece it is just win.

[SoTier]

22 hours ago, 13 Second Prevent Defense said:

What would the take be in the Bengals held on and won the game.  You should draft and sign mostly lower priced FA's and rarely trade your pics?  In short, the Rams went for it and it worked out for them.  But it did not have to.  Generally teams that have signed/traded for superstars have not had SB success.  I dont think there will be a huge movement towards this approach. However, with younger coaches and GM's I think we will see more player movement than in the past.  I dont expect the Bills to take this approach on scale the Rams did which I know will be disappointing to many.

 

I think the Bills need to be careful to not give too many moderate contracts to average-ish players.

 

Last year, Tampa Bay went "all in" to sign Tom Brady and it paid off.  This year, the Rams went "all in" to trade for Matthew Stafford.  Both teams had solid pieces behind them and then added some extra talent, most notably the Rams.   I think that's the lesson here: if you have a good team, going all in for a top QB is worth it.  I think that this pattern wouldn't be possible for most NFL teams to follow for a number of reasons.  Some teams already have top QBs.  Some teams in need of a top QB don't have the cap room to acquire one.  Bottom feeder teams lack too many supporting pieces for a top QB to help them become SB contenders.   Mostly though, the biggest impediment for following the pattern that the Bucs and Rams used to succeed is that truly top QBs seldom become available.

 

The only truly top level QB available at present is DeShaun Watson.  Maybe Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson might become available at some point, but that's iffy.   Most off seasons, there are no truly top level QBs available in FA or for trade.

 

 

[Nextmanup]

What the Rams did is nothing new, and sure it will be attempted more in the future.

 

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't work.

 

I admire teams that go all in in this manner...and I wish the Bills would aggressively pursue a "win now" mindset...not at the total expense of the future, but I wouldn't mind bringing in established vets in exchange for draft picks, etc.

 

Our window is wide open right now...so jump through the damned thing and let's get this over with! 

 

I've been waiting 50+ years for a championship.

 

 

 

 

[Thurman#1]

There just aren't that many Matt Staffords around and available.

[george c]

The Rams benefitted from pure luck…as in not facing the Bills or the Chiefs, where both would have demolished the Rams.

Save for Stafford, IMO, their approach of selling their early round draft choices for aging vets is a 5 year competitive death sentence. 
McVay is the luckiest guy on the planet this week.