By: Skyler Carlin
The Los Angeles Rams have had a busy off-season already, and we haven’t even gotten to April yet.
The Rams began their offseason by trading for Marcus Peters and a 6th round pick from the Kansas City Chiefs, for a 4th round pick and a future 2nd round pick. Peters is coming off a season where he had 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and a touchdown. In his first 3 seasons, Peters has accumulated 19 interceptions, which is the most in the NFL in that span. Marcus Peters is definitely a vocal guy so he definitely brings a lot of fire to the Rams already stout defense. Yesterday, was officially the first day of the new league year for the NFL, so Peters officially was traded even though there was an agreed trade a few weeks back. Marcus Peters went on NFL Network to discuss the trade when it first happened:
The Rams then went on to place their franchise tag on free safety Lamarcus Joyner. Joyner had a great season this past year in Wade Phillips defense. Joyner came away with 3 interceptions, a touchdown and a forced fumble. Joyner is a smaller free safety than most standing at 5’8″, but he definitely packs a punch. The Rams franchise tag was going to be used on either Sammy Watkins (who is now formerly on the Rams) or Lamarcus Joyner. The Rams decided to place it on Joyner and obviously valued bulking up their secondary more than keeping Watkins on offense. Watkins went on to sign a 3 year, $48 million dollar deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s Adam Schefter reporting the news when it occurred.
And with the Rams placing their franchise tag on S Lamarcus Joyner, that means that WR Sammy Watkins now is a true free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2018
After the Rams placed their frachise tag on Joyner they started making more trades, this time they were dealing guys. The Rams traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins for a 4th and 6th round pick. Quinn has been on the Rams for 7 years, but the NFL is a business. The same thing goes for the Rams trading middle linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants for a 4th and 6th round pick as well. The Ogletree trade came as more of a surprise because he’s been the anchor in the Rams defense the past few seasons. Lamarcus Joyner was actually asked about the Ogletree trade:
Lamarcus Joyner on Ogletree’s trade: “I didn’t take it lightly. I played four seasons with Alec Ogletree. … It kind of stung.”
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) March 14, 2018
The Rams weren’t done turning this offseason into the movie Draft Day quite yet. The Rams then went on to make another splash by trading for Aqib Talib from the Denver Broncos for a 5th round pick. Talib is paired with his former AFC West opponent Marcus Peters to form a dangerous secondary in LA. Talib has played under Wade Phillips. So, he’s familiar with his scheme which should help him adjust faster. Talib is another guy that likes to talk, and there will be no shortage of entertaining interviews involving Talib and Peters. Here’s the press conference announcing the new duo to LA alongside Head Coach, Sean McVay and General Manager, Les Snead:
Did you think the Rams were done bolstering their secondary? You’d think so but they weren’t. The Rams decided to sign free agent Sam Shields who was retired during the 2017 season. Shields retired due to getting multiple concussions in his career but is set on coming back to the NFL. Shields on the Packers totaled 18 interceptions in 7 years with the team. Sam Shields talked about his comeback and how he saw the Rams as a great option because of the way the team was built.
https://youtu.be/gTV2tIxYml8
The Rams then went on to resign Nickell Robey-Coleman to a 3 year, $15.75 million dollar contract. Robey-Coleman was a nice addition coming from the Bills to the Rams defense last season having 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His name is very fitting as he was the Rams nickel corner during the season and now creates a trio of Peters, Talib, and Robey-Coleman. Opposing offenses are going to have a tough time throwing on the new look Rams. Here’s a look at how the Rams secondary graded last year:
Rams' Starting Secondary Overall Grades in 2017:
Joyner – 90.3
Talib – 86.2
JJIII – 85.8
Peters – 85.7
NRC – 84.9 https://t.co/HmrXRIayZO— Mike Cahill (@FB_Cahill) March 13, 2018
The Rams also resigned long snapper Jake McQuaide. While, also placing tenders on Matt Longacre and Sam Ficken. That concluded the action packed first day of free agency for the new look Los Angeles Rams.
ICYMI: In the Front Row caught up with Rams players Cameron Lynch, Kevin Peterson, and a few others at a charity event during Thanksgiving.
