Rams should take Domata Peko up on his offer to join team for 2019 season
By Dan Parzych
Adding Domata Peko seems like a low-risk move that could turn into a high reward for the Los Angeles Rams.
At this point in the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams seem pretty set on heading into training camp with the current players on their roster, although another addition or two before the end of next month wouldn’t come as a surprise at all.
Take a look at veteran Domata Peko for instance, who spent the previous two years with the Denver Broncos, but is still in search of a new team for the 2019 season with the start of training camp right around the corner.
From an experience perspective, Peko certainly seems capable of bringing a lot to the table based off his last 13 NFL seasons alone, but unfortunately the lack of interest from teams has been an issues for the 34-year-old nose tackle.
With that being said, Peko has been making headlines this week due to some of his recent comments made about believing he still has what it takes to play a few more years.
So how exactly does this relate to the Rams? Well, take a look at some of the comments made by Peko to TMZ Sports this week, courtesy of the folks at NFL.com, and it will all make sense.
"Asked whether he’d prefer lining up next to Rams all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald or Chargers pass-rushing standout Joey Bosa, Peko didn’t hesitate to go with the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.“I would like to be with Aaron Donald,” said Peko, who spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Cincinnati. “That would be dope.”Locking in on a sales pitch, he also had a message for Donald’s head coach, Sean McVay.“Coach McVay, your boy Domata Peko here ready to go, and I would love to come out here and represent L.A. and try to pursue that championship,” Peko said."
Remember last offseason when the Rams proved to be a team in win-now mode by adding any player that seemed capable of helping them accomplish their ultimate goal in winning the Super Bowl?
Losing to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53 was devastating for obvious reasons, but at least the win-now approach seemed to work out well for Los Angeles.
Does this mean the Rams should give Peko serious consideration? Despite some of the concerns with his age, if Peko believes he can still make an impact at his age, why not just give it a shot?
Peko’s veteran leadership alone to help mentor some of the younger players on defense would make this seem like a great move for Los Angeles, and increase their odds of living up to the hype once again to make another run at playing in the Super Bowl.
Playing for a serious contender at this stage of his career to help earn that first Super Bowl is a no brainer for a player like Peko, and here’s to hoping that Sean McVay takes the recent pitch seriously, because the move seems like it could result in a serious impact on defense.