Oh No, Not yet … Yes yet, Get over it
Posted: January 15th, 2016, 5:42 pm
River Mock 1.0
OK L.A., it's time for some mock bashing … its OK, i've got thick skin.
Those seeking a 2016 Franchise type QB may not be pleased as we've now, more than likely, finished the season out of the running for an elite available talent in the draft. Instead, we opt to trade a conditional 2017 (4'th round) pick and our 2016 6'th round pick for QB Johnny Manziel and the rights to (sort of RFA) WR Josh Gordon. Yeah, I said it, Johnny Football in Horns, in L.A.. If necessary, looking towards 2017 for our QB of the future thru the draft or free agency. Manziel is cheap both as a trade pick-up and his small CAP number, he also has two years left on his contract. Going this route also allows us to address several other important depth issues. I'm not his biggest fan, but he could be a temporary scheme fit while our young OL and potentially new WR's develop. And i'd go Manziel before RG3 (Kaep appears destined to remain a 49'er), he only has 9 NFL starts, can still be molded by a good QB coach, and with Gurley & Austin, presents an interesting problem for defenses. Keep in mind, Cleveland had no running game. Like the pick or not, Fisher has voiced an appreciation for Manziel, and he needn't be considered a long term solution.
This off-season would also mean saying goodbye to a couple popular Rams veterans in Chris Long & James Laurinaitis. Foles also needs to be traded or cut, just write this loss off now and be done with it. Since It all but appears Fisher will be returning, he'll need to shake things up some if he hopes to renew his contract following the 2016 season. Instead of paying big bucks in CAP and salary for some iffy veteran free agent QB, or gambling on another hopeful developmental QB in the draft, 2016 will see a full blown 3 man competition for starting QB between Manziel, Keenum & Mannion. Between the cuts and our already good CAP position, while being able to re-sign our own players entering free agency, we have enough left over to re-sign two important players who will become free agents following the 2016 season, Brockers & Ogletree.
It was a struggle for me to decide between cutting either Laurinaitis or Cook, figuring for this mock that with CLong already being cut, there may not be a willingness on Fisher's part for a third vet to hit the skids, so imo, replacing Laurinaitis' MLB position gives us more bang for the buck. Anyway, Cook is a FOJF.
While some may argue taking 2 DE's in the draft, a year where our offense so obviously struggled, if we wish to maintain our pass rush well into the future, best go with them in a pretty strong DE class. I believe adding a top college Center to an improving OL and an excellent rush attack with a year under its belt, also adding 3 new WR's, 2 being vets, our offense presents a much bigger threat. The QB situation still stands out, but it should be quite an improvement over Foles.
As for Saffold, I keep him one more year. He's a very versatile veteran with definite starting ability, and he's really not that costly, when healthy. I'd prefer him with a renegotiated contract in a swing role as an OT/OG off the bench, but doubtful that happens.
Trades :
We acquire Cleveland's Johhny Manziel & Josh Gordon for a 2017 conditional 4'th round pick and our 2016 6'th round pick.
2016 Draft :
1) DE - Emmanuel Ogbah, Ok.St.
2a) WR - Michael Thomas, Oh.St.
2b) C - Ryan Kelly, Al
3) MLB - Scooby Wright, Az
4a) DE - Anthony Zettel, Penn.St.
5) OT - Isaiah Battle, Sup.Draft
6) Traded to Cleveland
7) Traded to Houston for Case Keenum
Free Agent Acquisitions :
WR - Travis Benjamin or Alshon Jeffery (if not Franchised by Chicago)
Lost to Free Agency :
DE - Eugene Sims
C - Tim Barnes
WR's - Brian Quick, Wes Welker
CAP Casualty or Traded :
James Laurinaitis
Chris Long
Nick Foles
Retired :
Stedman Bailey
Re-signed :
Jenkins*
Tru
Hayes
Fairley
Barron
McLeod
Harkey
B.Cunningham
J.Cunningham
Reynolds
Davis
Zuerlein or UDFA
* If JJ must be sacrificed to sign the remainder of the above, i'm OK with it.
2016 O-Line :
LT - GRob
LG - Brown
C - Ryan Kelly
RG - Saffold
RT - Havenstein
53 Roster :
Offense :
QB - Manziel, Keenum, Mannion
RB - Gurley, Mason, Cunningham, Watts, Reynolds
TE - Cook, Kendricks, Harkey, J.Cunningham
WR - Travis Benjamin, Josh Gordon, Michael Thomas, Britt, Austin
OL - Ryan Kelly, Saffold, Havenstein, Brown, Robinson, Reynolds, Donnal, Williams, Rhaney, Wichmann (or Battle)
Defense :
DE - Emmanuel Ogbah, Anthony Zettel, Quinn, Hayes
DT - Donald, Brockers, Fairley, Westbrooks
LB - Scooby Wright, Ogletree, Akers, Hager, Bates
CB - Johnson, Jenkins, Gaines, Roberson, Joyner
S - McLeod, McDonald, Barron, Alexander, Davis
Special Teams :
Hekker, Zuerlein (or UDFA), McQuaid
Practice Squad :
DT - Trinca-Passet, Worthington
OG - Battle (or Wichmann)
DE - Matt Longacre
WR - Marquez, Isiah Ferguson
RB - Malcolm Brown
jmo.
OK, let me have it. :cry:
edited as I had reversed my 2a & 2b picks
OK L.A., it's time for some mock bashing … its OK, i've got thick skin.
Those seeking a 2016 Franchise type QB may not be pleased as we've now, more than likely, finished the season out of the running for an elite available talent in the draft. Instead, we opt to trade a conditional 2017 (4'th round) pick and our 2016 6'th round pick for QB Johnny Manziel and the rights to (sort of RFA) WR Josh Gordon. Yeah, I said it, Johnny Football in Horns, in L.A.. If necessary, looking towards 2017 for our QB of the future thru the draft or free agency. Manziel is cheap both as a trade pick-up and his small CAP number, he also has two years left on his contract. Going this route also allows us to address several other important depth issues. I'm not his biggest fan, but he could be a temporary scheme fit while our young OL and potentially new WR's develop. And i'd go Manziel before RG3 (Kaep appears destined to remain a 49'er), he only has 9 NFL starts, can still be molded by a good QB coach, and with Gurley & Austin, presents an interesting problem for defenses. Keep in mind, Cleveland had no running game. Like the pick or not, Fisher has voiced an appreciation for Manziel, and he needn't be considered a long term solution.
This off-season would also mean saying goodbye to a couple popular Rams veterans in Chris Long & James Laurinaitis. Foles also needs to be traded or cut, just write this loss off now and be done with it. Since It all but appears Fisher will be returning, he'll need to shake things up some if he hopes to renew his contract following the 2016 season. Instead of paying big bucks in CAP and salary for some iffy veteran free agent QB, or gambling on another hopeful developmental QB in the draft, 2016 will see a full blown 3 man competition for starting QB between Manziel, Keenum & Mannion. Between the cuts and our already good CAP position, while being able to re-sign our own players entering free agency, we have enough left over to re-sign two important players who will become free agents following the 2016 season, Brockers & Ogletree.
It was a struggle for me to decide between cutting either Laurinaitis or Cook, figuring for this mock that with CLong already being cut, there may not be a willingness on Fisher's part for a third vet to hit the skids, so imo, replacing Laurinaitis' MLB position gives us more bang for the buck. Anyway, Cook is a FOJF.
While some may argue taking 2 DE's in the draft, a year where our offense so obviously struggled, if we wish to maintain our pass rush well into the future, best go with them in a pretty strong DE class. I believe adding a top college Center to an improving OL and an excellent rush attack with a year under its belt, also adding 3 new WR's, 2 being vets, our offense presents a much bigger threat. The QB situation still stands out, but it should be quite an improvement over Foles.
As for Saffold, I keep him one more year. He's a very versatile veteran with definite starting ability, and he's really not that costly, when healthy. I'd prefer him with a renegotiated contract in a swing role as an OT/OG off the bench, but doubtful that happens.
Trades :
We acquire Cleveland's Johhny Manziel & Josh Gordon for a 2017 conditional 4'th round pick and our 2016 6'th round pick.
2016 Draft :
1) DE - Emmanuel Ogbah, Ok.St.
2a) WR - Michael Thomas, Oh.St.
2b) C - Ryan Kelly, Al
3) MLB - Scooby Wright, Az
4a) DE - Anthony Zettel, Penn.St.
5) OT - Isaiah Battle, Sup.Draft
6) Traded to Cleveland
7) Traded to Houston for Case Keenum
Free Agent Acquisitions :
WR - Travis Benjamin or Alshon Jeffery (if not Franchised by Chicago)
Lost to Free Agency :
DE - Eugene Sims
C - Tim Barnes
WR's - Brian Quick, Wes Welker
CAP Casualty or Traded :
James Laurinaitis
Chris Long
Nick Foles
Retired :
Stedman Bailey
Re-signed :
Jenkins*
Tru
Hayes
Fairley
Barron
McLeod
Harkey
B.Cunningham
J.Cunningham
Reynolds
Davis
Zuerlein or UDFA
* If JJ must be sacrificed to sign the remainder of the above, i'm OK with it.
2016 O-Line :
LT - GRob
LG - Brown
C - Ryan Kelly
RG - Saffold
RT - Havenstein
53 Roster :
Offense :
QB - Manziel, Keenum, Mannion
RB - Gurley, Mason, Cunningham, Watts, Reynolds
TE - Cook, Kendricks, Harkey, J.Cunningham
WR - Travis Benjamin, Josh Gordon, Michael Thomas, Britt, Austin
OL - Ryan Kelly, Saffold, Havenstein, Brown, Robinson, Reynolds, Donnal, Williams, Rhaney, Wichmann (or Battle)
Defense :
DE - Emmanuel Ogbah, Anthony Zettel, Quinn, Hayes
DT - Donald, Brockers, Fairley, Westbrooks
LB - Scooby Wright, Ogletree, Akers, Hager, Bates
CB - Johnson, Jenkins, Gaines, Roberson, Joyner
S - McLeod, McDonald, Barron, Alexander, Davis
Special Teams :
Hekker, Zuerlein (or UDFA), McQuaid
Practice Squad :
DT - Trinca-Passet, Worthington
OG - Battle (or Wichmann)
DE - Matt Longacre
WR - Marquez, Isiah Ferguson
RB - Malcolm Brown
jmo.
OK, let me have it. :cry:
edited as I had reversed my 2a & 2b picks