Can NFL teams replicate the LA Rams formula? It’s just not that simple

I won’t do that

The topic reminds me of a 1993 hit by the recording artist Meat Load, written by Jim Steinman, entitled I can do anything for love, but I won’t do that. It’s a song about not crossing certain lines, no matter how desperate the situation seems. That says a great deal about the LA Rams. In spite of the risk-taking, the confusing trades, the roster moves that seem to have no rhyme or reason, the team does in fact operate to a set of principles that many teams do not.

The Rams traded Robert Woods, yes. But the team went the extra distance to ensure his new team met with his approval. Did the Rams sacrifice some trade value by doing so? Perhaps. But it was the right thing to do.

The Rams front office stays on top of the roster. In fact, the team finds so much success due to the fact that the team is keenly working the bottom of the roster as well as fixing the starters and depth. The Rams found kicker Matt Gay from the waiver wire in 2020. In 2021, he was a Pro Bowler. The team found return specialist Brandon Powell from the waiver wire in 2021, and the team only lost one of ten games after he debuted for the team.

Rams roster reworked all season long

The Rams traded for RB Sony Michel, whose 800+ yards rushing helped the team win a number of close contests.  The team signed undrafted rookie A.J. Jackson, who was an emergency starter against the Minnesota Vikings and their tremendous pass rush. He passed that test with flying colors.

Trading first-round draft picks does nothing for any NFL team without a solid and fundamental plan in place. Other teams can spend draft picks like foreign currency. They can go through the same motions that the Rams have executed in the past. But if those other NFL teams are truly trying to replicate the LA Rams formula? It’s just not that simple.

Yes, the Rams added Stafford. But don’t forget that he was just one of a host of changes to the team’s roster and strategy. The Rams roster that won Super Bowl LVI had only a slight resemblance to the team that started the 2021 NFL season.  Duplicating that is never easy. But with a dozen or so teams now all attempting the same pattern and strategy? it’s nigh near impossible.