How the LA Rams brick house survived another huff and puff from NFL Rumors wolf

The LA Rams are no strangers to NFL rumors. Because their strategy has included successfully navigating trades for some of the biggest NFL stars in the past: Like Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, and even Matthew Stafford, the trade deadline acts like an annual alarm clock to wake up NFL insiders and fans to check out what the Rams and GM Les Snead are up to. Gambling is in Snead's DNA. No, not the foolish garden variety. Nothing like that.

Snead, for all of his boyish southern charm, is as shrewd as they come. He picks up every phone call inquiring about his players, or with the intent to discuss trading for a new veteran player, knowing what his final offer will be. If there is some interest, great. If there is no interest? Toodle-loo.

The Rams seem to be open to any trade offers, at least in terms of listening to them. After all, it's just data, more information to enter into their data analytics algorithm.

But that type of 'Okay, let's hear the offer,' does require a lot of instantly accessible information, a cool, calm, and collected demeanor, and a strong sense of self-confidence to know exactly where the line in any negotiation must be drawn. Rams GM Les Snead checks all of those boxes.

Unlike the lawyerly personna of Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman, who exudes an aura of negotiation from the moment he extends his hand and asks 'How are you?', Snead has a disarming manner of neighborly backyard barbecue in him. Unless you enter the conversation knowing exactly how smart Les Snead is, you can hold an hour long conversation with him and think he is just a good guy. But in reality, you've just shared your life history.

Don't read between the lines. While I am often in awe of the Rams general manager, and his ability to make the most impossible trades possible, I am not suggesting that he is perfect. In fact, it's his willingness to attempt bad deals that makes me so in awe of him. He has that riverboat's gabler streak of luck that completes deals that aid the team, but which also prevents inking deals that will not stand the scrutiny of 20/20 hindsight.

Confused? Here's what I mean: