Baker, 4th to Titans for LB Ernest Jones IV

[hawks85]

Knew nothing about this guy. I watched film and this guy is good. He's another scrappy fellow and will be a much better fit for Coach Mike's defense. I like how he doesn't over commit but instead reads and reacts.

 

[knownone]

Going by PFF, this kid has had one strong season, and he's been about as effective as Baker this season. He may be a better fit in our defense, but we'll see how much of an upgrade he is. Still, I like it. Baker wasn't the long-term solution; this kid is younger and has more upside.

That said, I wouldn't call this a splash or win-now move. Leonard Williams was a splash. He cost us a second and a fifth. While substantial, trading a rotational LB and a fourth doesn't move the needle as much.

 

[WmHBonney]

Knee issues? I have seen it mentioned on some Ram forums.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Trading away draft capital for players on expiring contracts who want to get paid is never good long-term roster building. Having an extra 4th doesn't make it less valuable, and I don't like that our FO tends to treat extra picks like spare cash burning a hole in their pockets. If you don't care about this season because you think we can't win the Super Bowl, and that's all that matters, then you should dislike this move.

Since this is clearly directed at me...wow. This is quite an absolutist stance from someone whose measured approach I've come to respect. We are talking about a 4th round pick here, not a 2nd or even a 3rd, so talking about Seasons™ seems like quite the mountain made out of a molehill. I could see this if it were a 2nd.

Like you said, the run defense is atrocious and Jerome Baker seems to have been recognized very quickly as a failed experiment. John is probably also gambling that he can do the same thing he did with Leonard Williams, bring a guy into a scheme fit and get him to commit long-term with a new contract. It's a gamble, but with a blue chip like Mike McDonald in your tray and a lot of defensive talent on the roster to pique Jones' interest, and with a 2025 draft that will do nothing to help us at linebacker, why not pull the trigger. John is CLEARLY planning to sign him long-term.

I am more of the "you get what you pay for" persuasion. Everyone wants a full Pro Bowl roster drafted from the 7th round and Michael Bennett-style FA pickups. I, on the other hand, am tired of DeMarcus Christmas, Freddie Swains, and Joey Hunts being perpetually expected to fill out rosters. Sometimes you just gotta shell out.

Also...

 

[Sperrydogg]

How is the FO different?

No Pete overseer

 

[bileever]

In fairness though you aren't taking into account the financial aspects of the deal. Baker is on a one year, $7-million deal while Ernest Jones is still on his rookie contract. Jones might've garnered a 5th or 6th if it was just him, but to take Jerome Baker and his contract off our hands, the deal was going to have to be sweeter. So, we give up a 4th as opposed to a 5th, if he becomes a long term answer at LB, and we have more cap flexibility this year to do another splash trade, is it really that bad of a deal?

Good point. I think you're right about that.

I do think Jones is a good player, and should improve the defense.

And trading Baker gives us more cap space?

 

[knownone]

Considering Baker's contract structure, Seattle probably won't save any money on this trade. Eighty percent of his contract value came from his signing bonus and upfront guarantees.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Sorry if anyone already posted this...

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

I see we also signed a LBer Josh Ross from Baltimore to our PS. Former Michigan player. Intrigued by that

 

[TeamoftheCentury]

Going by PFF, this kid has had one strong season, and he's been about as effective as Baker this season. He may be a better fit in our defense, but we'll see how much of an upgrade he is. Still, I like it. Baker wasn't the long-term solution; this kid is younger and has more upside.

That said, I wouldn't call this a splash or win-now move. Leonard Williams was a splash. He cost us a second and a fifth. While substantial, trading a rotational LB and a fourth doesn't move the needle as much.

Nah, man. You trying to ruin the vibe going on here? ; ) You don't have confidence MM and JS on this? H-e-dbl hockey sticks... I wouldn't be surprised Wagner had something to do with this. Lol

Nah, you're good. Stay positive. Had to do something after that atrocious tackling day vs. Giants.

Maybe not the splash of Williams, but dang... a significant need addressed. Let's see how it plays out. LW has got to be pleased.

 

[TeamoftheCentury]

Considering Baker's contract structure, Seattle probably won't save any money on this trade. Eighty percent of his contract value came from his signing bonus and upfront guarantees.

It's only money. Keep our focus on the prize!
Knownone is classy. Didn't overreact to my reply.

 

[knownone]

Nah, man. You trying to ruin the vibe going on here? You don't have confidence MM and JS on this? H-e-dbl hockey sticks... I wouldn't be surprised Wagner had something to do with this. Lol

Maybe not the splash of Williams, but dang... a significant need addressed. Let's see how it plays out. LW has got to be pleased.

Nah, man. I'm just not much of a reactionary. I see people posting his PFF grades from last season as evidence of his potential impact while failing to acknowledge that PFF also ranked him below Baker and Dodson in the offseason. Why? Because he graded out as an elite run-stopper and a liability in coverage.

That said, he could be pivotal in turning around the run defense. As I mentioned elsewhere, a marginal improvement in run defense could completely change our defensive trajectory.

Again, I liked the trade. I think/hope he's the piece that pushes this defense over the top. I'm just a little less bullish than most.

 

[knownone]

It's only money. Keep our focus on the prize!
Knownone is classy. Didn't overreact to my reply.

Follow the thread. I'm responding to the question of whether we'll save money or not.

 

[Chukarhawk]

Is Jones an upgrade? Don't know much about him.

holds the Rams single season record for tackles.

 

[seabowl]

holds the Rams single season record for tackles.

That’s great so why did the Rams give up on him? Even if it was for an injury, why wouldn’t they wait until he is better?

 

[Chukarhawk]

That’s great so why did the Rams give up on him? Even if it was for an injury, why wouldn’t they wait until he is better?

My guess is cap casualty. Dude is a bigtime downhill run stopper. crazy good signing. WOW.

 

[FrodosFinger]

Huge huge upgrade

 

[olyfan63]

Sorry if anyone already posted this...

Wow, are the defensive calls and scheme that similar between TN and SEA that EJ IV can step right in and perform?

 

[Sperrydogg]

Another cool wrinkle is that while he was with the Rams, he played alongside Bobby Wagner for a season and said it was a career changing experience for him (or something to that affect). Now, he gets to man the middle of the D that Bobby once led.

Really excited about this move. Dont get all of the skepticism. Our biggest liability on defense is not being able to stop the run. Jones addresses that weakness in a huge way in two ways - his sheer talent alone and by removing the piece only the D that was single handidly responsible for some of those big runs we surrender.

And remember Leonard William's comment about seeing some guys on D giving up and having the wrong attitude? Baker stood out more than anyone else as someone who would pretty frequently look like his head wasnt in the game and that he was playing undisciplined and at times, uninspired ball.

That part about playing the spot that Bobby once played is cool, might influence him in resigning here too

 

[Chukarhawk]

Wow, are the defensive calls and scheme that similar between TN and SEA that EJ IV can step right in and perform?

I think it's more along the lines that the other guy was so bad at his job this guy is an upgrade without knowing the system.