Rams News: College coach says Aaron Donald hurt college football

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Penn State Football Coach James Franklin: Aaron Donald Hurts College Football (nittanycentral)

Aaron Donald is one of the best defensive players in NFL history, but Penn State Football coach James Franklin has had some harsh criticism for his impact on college football.

As the Nittany Lions opened spring practice, Franklin spoke to the media, discussing his programs’ quarterback situation, setting expectations for some key positions, and making some surprising comments in Donald’s direction.

I’m a big fan of Aaron Donald, Franklin told reporters. Aaron Donald took college football by storm.

Donald is likely destined to be a future First Ballot Hall of Famer, but his impact on how young players view the defensive line position has changed, in Franklin’s opinion, significantly.

Because every one of these kids thinks they’re Aaron Donald, Franklin revealed. Well, I’m going to lose weight, and I’m going to be stronger. Well, there’s an Aaron Donald, for 50 years, at his size, to be as messy, as fast, and as explosive as he is, the problem is, everyone thinks they’re the exception.

But you’re emotionally ready for it by now, right? Did other things like your taxes today and maybe put your phone down and shine when the sun finally shines? right? right? https://t.co/IoMIRjDaBA

Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 15, 2023

2023 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Eagles, Dolphins, Seahawks, Bears, 49ers among early winners (cbsspports)

Los Angeles Rams: D

Key additions: TE Hunter Long (Miami Dolphins, via trade), 2023 third-round pick (Miami Dolphins, via trade)

After years of going all-in in pursuit of a Super Bowl title, which they achieved in 2021 by winning Super Bowl LVI in their home stadium, the Rams are undergoing a teardown. General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay realized the need to rebuild the roster after the Rams slumped to a 5-12 finish in 2022, the worst by a defending Super Bowl Champion in NFL history. Their pillars quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald all suffered injuries that caused them to miss multiple games.

As a result, they allowed a talent exodus this offseason, with linebacker Bobby Wagner, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and kicker Matt Gay, among others, abandoning ship. The trade of Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a third round pick and 24-year-old tight end Hunter Long is a sad reminder of what can happen when the draft is ignored in exchange for prized veterans for five to six- year period. Los Angeles has until March 15 (Wednesday) to make up for the salary cap at the start of the new league year. At least they’ll get a first-round pick for the first time in eight years in 2024.

We agreed to a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2023

After the Gilmore deal and Slay’s release, the LA Rams trade appears to be better Jalen Ramsey (ramblinfan)

The NFL Free Agency Market is a volatile market. The price of players is driven by supply and demand, true. But the supply of veteran players at higher market prices is often traded against the influx of cheap rookie talent in the upcoming NFL Draft. A few years ago, a deep and talented rookie crop of quarterbacks drove the price of veteran quarterbacks to their cheapest levels in years.

This year, it’s a deep and talented rookie crop of cornerbacks that is driving the value of veteran defensive backs down. Ironically, the lack of elite quarterback talent in the 2023 NFL Draft is helping the value of veteran quarterbacks exceed projections.

No, I’m not suddenly excited about the Rams’ return from the Miami Dolphins. Time can be a great lens to add better perspective, but it will take a lot of time to prove to me that the Rams received even close to the value the Dolphins did in their trade. But I never felt like the Rams were fleeced. Now, it’s just a matter of the Rams trading away a star NFL player from the wrong position to get the best value. For now, that’s all there is to it.

Rams not soft on Bryce Perkins but interested in his return (nbcsports)

The Rams did not grant restricted free agent Bryce Perkins, making him a free agent. However, the Rams are interested in bringing Perkins back for a lower price, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports.

The tender cost the team $2.6 million.

Perkins made his career debut last season and completed 13 of 23 passes for 100 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Rams lost to the Chiefs 26-10.

He was 19-of-34 for 161 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the five games he saw action in the 2022 season.

We tendered ERFAs Michael Hoecht, Shaun Jolly + Christian Rozeboom.

Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 15, 2023

Seahawks’ offseason continues to be perfect after Jalen Ramsey trade (fansided)

The Los Angeles Rams have been a thorn in the side of the Seahawks since 2015. This was before Los Angeles was very good. But Seattle beat the Rams twice in 2022. The feeling is that Los Angeles is so banged up that they’re just a shell of the team they hoped to be.

But the Rams made so many moves this offseason to free up talent, the team they’ll be with at the end of 2022 could be better than the team the Seahawks face in 2023. Jalen Ramsey has reportedly been traded to the Dolphins . Ramsey is among the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Seattle receiver DK Metcalf seems to match up against Ramsey often when Seattle plays in Los Angeles but without Ramsey, Metcalf should have an easier time against the Rams. This means Seattle’s offense should have an easier time against LA as well.

The Seahawks’ offseason has been nearly perfect so far

But the Rams aren’t just letting go of Ramsey, they’re also letting go of linebacker Bobby Wagner and edge rusher Leonard Floyd. Wagner is a second-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2022. Jalen Ramsey is a Pro Bowler. Floyd has had at least 9 sacks in each of the past three seasons. That’s a lot of talent for the Rams to say goodbye to.

Meanwhile, both the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers the Seahawks other NFC West rivals will have questions at quarterback entering the 2023 season. Arizona’s Kyler Murray tore his ACL late in 2022 so who knows when he’ll be back? San Francisco has a lot of quarterbacks injured. Arizona also made a coaching change this offseason.

But the Seahawks re-signed quarterback Geno Smith, so the teams quarterback situation is set and stable. The Seahawks could re-sign Bobby Wagner as a free agent this offseason which would improve the defense. And since the Panthers and Bears made a trade in which Carolina would get the number 1 overall pick and likely select a quarterback, either defensive tackle Jalen Carter or edge rusher Will Anderson should fall to the Seahawks at pick number 5 overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

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