PITTSBURGH — Leave it to the Rams to send the NFL into a tizzy with the stunning decision to selectAlabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick overallThursday night.
Especially, knowing full well thatSimpson might not see the field until 2028and does nothing for their relentless Super Bowl-or-bust mentality.
From their own fans to their most ardent haters, the Rams knew the selection of Simpson would be met with everything from angry screams to sarcastic belly laughs.
But that doesn’t change the fact that theRams absolutely did the right thingThursday night.
By thinking long-term rather than locking themselves into the right now, they gave themselves a legitimate chance to extend their window of success rather than limit it.
The great organizations are always thinking three days, three weeks, three months, and three years down the line. It’s how they create sustained success rather than fleeting.
If Simpson is who they think he is — and there isn’t a chance in hell they select him at No. 13 without being convinced he has a chance to be special — he will eventually take the reins from Stafford, and whatever fall off the Rams experience will be subtle rather than dramatic.
That isn’t a bad thing; it’s a great thing. It’s a testament to the teamGM Les Snead and Sean McVayhave built over the years.
Knowing that, it allowed them to be creative and proactive in addressing the most important position on the field, and potentially ensuring that when Stafford eventually calls it a career, the Rams won’t fall off the cliff.
A lot of variables will play into that, not the least of which is Simpson maximizing his talent and McVay and his staff getting him to his ceiling. But there was no guarantee ther Rams would be in position to select a quarterback with that time of potential any time soon, and with a roster as stacked as any in the NFL, now was the time to take advantage of that opportunity.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
