When Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff penned an open letter to Season Ticket Members in March, the message was met with various interpretations – many of them pessimistic.
Understandably, the focus fell on the organization opting for “replenishing our draft capital and improving our long-term salary cap situation,” as opposed to continuing to exchange picks for proven players and structuring contacts in a way that fit all that veteran talent under a financial ceiling.
L.A.’s customary discipline in free agency suddenly felt like austerity. Bobby Wagner returned to Seattle. Leonard Floyd and Taylor Rapp signed with Buffalo. A’Shawn Robinson landed in New York. Jalen Ramsey was traded to Miami (in part, for a pick that was used to select outside linebacker Byron Young).
In short order, Project 2024 became a fixture in Rams parlance, with the anticipation that would be the year the Rams finally returned to the first day of the Draft and had a generous budget to deploy.
But this week, I went back and re-read Demoff’s memo, wanting to quote the sentiment that my mind had underscored in the spring, percolated throughout the summer, trumpeted after a Week 1 victory, and clung to tenaciously at 3-6 limping back from Lambeau Field:
“Let me be clear – our goal for 2023 is to win the NFC West and make a deep playoff run,” Demoff wrote. “Change doesn’t mean that we expect to take a step back.”
While the division is regrettably out of reach, I think we’d all agree that instead of taking a step back, the Rams took a quantum leap forward. And a deep playoff run is very much oRams (8-7) at Giants (5-10)
When: 10 a.m. PT Sunday
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
TV/Radio: Fox/New York (WFAN 660 AM)
Line: Rams by 6
Notable injury designation:
Rams:n the table.
They’ve overachieved through financial restraint, inspired drafting, shrewd signings and trades, exceptional player development, collaborative scheming, and the sheer force of their resolve.
Sunday in New York, the Rams can secure a winning season and move within one subsequent outcome of a playoff berth.
The promise of the New Year is still thrilling.
But suddenly, Project 2024 refers as much to January as it does to next season.
