Los Rams aún pueden mirar en su espejo retrovisor los momentos inolvidables de la temporada 2018, especialmente haber ganado el campeonato de la NFC para llegar hasta el Super Bowl. Pero casi de inmediato se han tenido que poner a trabajar a nivel de oficina para preparar el camino a la campaña de 2019.
Se dice con frecuencia que en los deportes lo más difícil no es llegar a lo alto, sino mantenerse arriba. La sentencia no podría ser más real que en el caso de los Rams, un equipo que se ha posicionado para seguir peleando por el Trofeo Vince Lombardi, pero que ahora tiene ante sí el reto de una delicada maniobra para mejorar su plantel a pesar de los obstáculos que llegan acompañando a los éxitos.
En otras palabras, ganar en la NFL tiene un alto costo; no es solo gastar e invertir para atraer talento, algo que los Rams hicieron muy bien en 2017 y 2018, sino que cuando el desempeño es sobresaliente como en el caso del equipo de Sean McVay, los jugadores se cotizan y se hace más difícil retenerlos cuando llega el interés de otros equipos.
El año 2019 empieza de manera oficial en la NFL este 13 de marzo, que es la fecha en la que la agencia libre se pone en marcha. A continuación, una lista con los agentes libres más importantes de los Rams. Algunos de ellos no regresarán al equipo carnero porque su ciclo en el equipo simplemente ha terminado, y otros tal vez no lo hagan según sus pretensiones económicas o el interés que exista por ellos en el mercado.
Agentes libres sin restricciones
1. DL Ndamukong Suh
2. LG Rodger Saffold
3. FS Lamarcus Joyner
4. OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
5. RB C.J. Anderson
6. C John Sullivan
7. QB Sean Mannion
8. CB Sam Shields
9. OLB Matt Longacre
10. DL Ethan Westbrooks
(DL – Liniero defensivo, LG – Guardia izquierdo, OLB – Linebacker exterior, FS – Safety libre, RB – Corredor, C – Centro, QB – Quaterback, CB – Esquinero)
35.5
Los millones de dólares que tienen los Rams disponibles bajo el tope salarial (hasta el 5 de marzo) para realizar contrataciones
El coach McVay y el gerente general Les Snead encabezaron la delegación de los Rams en Indianapolis la semana pasada en el Scouting Combine de la NFL, que es la reunión anual de los mejores prospectos para realizar evaluaciones de habilidades, exámenes físicos y entrevistas.
Los Rams acudieron al Combine teniendo en mente sus principales necesidades en el Draft de la NFL, que se realizará del 25 al 27 de abril en Nashville, Tennessee.
Los Rams necesitan…
Línea ofensiva. Aunque el tackle izquierdo Andrew Whitworth decidió seguir en activo, los Rams se enfrentan a la posibilidad de perder a su confiable guardia izquierdo Rodger Saffold, quien seguramente recibirá jugosas ofertas como agente libre. Además, el centro John Sullivan se convirtió en agente libre al no ejercer el equipo la opción que tenía por el veterano. Brian Allen, de segundo año, es candidato automático a reemplazarlo.
Linebackers. Si ya de por sí el equipo buscaba talento en la posición de linebacker exterior, la inminente salida del linebacker interior Mark Barron obliga a los Rams a atender con urgencia este departamento. Cory Littleton brilló en su primera temporada como interior y el joven de segunda temporada Micah Kiser debe ser tomado en cuenta, pero al mismo tiempo un hombre de mayor experiencia sería muy valioso en el corazón de la defensa.
Defensivos profundos. Los Rams decidieron no hacer uso de la etiqueta de "jugador franquicia", una herramienta que sirve para retener a un jugador determinado por una temporada y con la cual aseguraron al safety libre LaMarcus Joyner en 2018. Joyner se encamina a ser agente libre el 13 de marzo. Además, Aqib Talib y Marcus Peters son veteranos que batallaron con lesiones la campaña anterior y sería saludable agregar velocidad en el banquillo.
Los Rams cuentan con siete selecciones en el Draft, y a diferencia de los últimos dos años, ahora sí tendrán selección en la primera ronda, aunque será una posición baja debido a que fueron uno de los mejores equipos de 2018.
| Ronda | No. |
|---|---|
| 1 | 31 |
| 3 | 94 |
| 3 | 99 |
| 4 | 133 |
| 5 | 169 |
| 6 | 203 |
| 7 | 251 |
Check out photos of Los Angeles Rams players at the NFL Combine through the years. (Credit: Associated Press)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jared Goff - 2016
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michael Brockers - 2012
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Aaron Donald - 2014
Todd Gurley - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Troy Hill - 2015
Aaron Donald - 2014
Cory Littleton - 2016
Michael Brockers - 2012
Rob Havenstein - 2015
Bryce Hager - 2015
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Jared Goff -2016
Cory Littleton - 2016
Troy Hill - 2015
Robert Woods - 2013
Cooper Kupp - 2017
Josh Reynolds - 2017
Malcolm Brown - 2015
Gerald Everett - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Cooper Kupp - 2017
John Johnson - 2017
Andrew Whitworth - 2006
University of Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs the 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Gerald Everett - 2017
Robert Woods - 2013
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oregon State University wide receiver Brandin Cooks at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser (LB24) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler participates in the broad jump during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen participates in the vertical jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee running back John Kelly (RB19) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe during the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Washington linebacker Cory Littleton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler sticks his tongue out while stretching before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo at the NFL scouting Combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee running back John Kelly runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU offensive lineman Joe Noteboom runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California receiver Robert Woods runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe, left, blocks North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Virginia linebacker Micah Kiser runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Images taken of Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers looks on at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods looks on at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp poses for a picture during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive back Nickell Robey runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California wide receiver Robert Woods poses for a portrait at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas running back Malcolm Brown runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
University of Pittsburg defensive tackle Aaron Donald runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Rob Havenstein runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks makes a catch as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Boston Colllege defensive back John Johnson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett, right, blocks Mississippi tight end Evan Engram as they run a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
California quarterback Jared Goff throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Boston College safety John Johnson competes in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Michigan defensive back David Long runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey is seen at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
University of Southern California linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. during the NFL Scouting Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on February 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson during the 2019 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday, March. 1, 2019. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Bobby Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Claramente, los Rams fueron al Combine con los ojos puestos en jugadores defensivos. Entre los prospectos a los que entrevistaron estuvieron el ala defensivo Montez Sweat, de Mississipi State, quien corrió las 40 yardas en 4.41 segundos, un récord para un liniero defensivo; el linebacker exterior Jachai Polite, de Florida, y el liniero defensivo Jerry Tillery, de Notre Dame.
"Pienso que lo que quieres es poder conocer a la persona, ver de qué están hechos… Obviamente están los rasgos y características atléticas, pero creo que la dureza mental y el carácter fuerte de jugadores que se hagan responsables y que se dejan dirigir, eso es importante para nosotros".
Sean McVay
Sobre lo que los Rams buscaban en el NFL Combine
En un Draft que se presenta repleto de talento defensivo, alguno de ellos tres que no hubiera sido electo aún u otro prospecto podría ser considerado por los Rams. Pero la operación tiene otras variables.
Si al empezar el periodo de la agencia libre el linebacker exterior Dante Fowler Jr. se muestra disponible e interesado en seguir con el equipo, tal vez con un contrato accesible, entonces la mira de los Rams para escoger en la primera ronda del Draft podría pasar a la zona de linebackers interiores, donde necesitan ayuda, a la de defensivos profundos si Joyner es firmado por otro club, o incluso a la línea ofensiva si Saffold se va a otro conjunto y algún prospecto que les guste mucho de pronto siguiera disponible con la selección global 31.
También es importante considerar que puede haber jugadores de categoría que quieren venir a Los Ángeles a un costo relativamente bajo atraídos por el carisma de McVay, la buena atmósfera del equipo y las posibilidades de pelear un campeonato, como fue el caso de Suh en 2018.
Muchas cosas pueden pasar, pero algo que es seguro es que los Rams tratarán de mejorar sus filas y será interesante ver cómo tratan de hacerlo.
