Les Snead doesn’t care if the media and the public think he’s crazy risk-taker. His decade as Rams’ general manger is defined by his desire to mortgage Los Angeles’ future in order to grab the stars of the present.
Snead was even given a mug by his children. It sits on his desk at Rams’ training facility. It features his face, which is a well-known Twitter meme. This meme depicts how Snead must feel about draft picks.
However, that’s just one side of the story. According to the man who made the deals, it’s simply incorrect.
Snead stated that there are risks and that being bold is a good thing. “But being bold is more than just gambling.”
Snead believes that the Rams’ image is more amusing than irritating. He feels it’s a lazy mischaracterization about the planning and work that goes into his moves, and that this should be evident from his success.
Yes, the Rams are bold with their draft capital. Yes, he is more concerned about draft picks and veteran stars than any other GM.
The Rams were not built to last forever.
Snead stated, “The shallow story would have the free agents and the stars.” “And I get it. We are in the entertainment industry. That’s why I get it.
Sean McVay has been a great coach and Snead turned a long-standing losing team into a winner, with the chance to win its first Super Bowl title.
Snead’s favourite mantra sums up their combined approach to work: “Wake Up Sprinting.” Do not be afraid
Snead, even though he approached the season in the same way as a daily sprinter, flatly rejected the central thesis of many arguments about how the Rams reached the Super Bowl twice in four seasons.
He isn’t convinced that the Rams have placed all their chips in the middle of this season’s table. He patiently explains the Rams’ strong homegrown talent and player development successes, which continue despite his loss of many of his top draft picks.
But even his company has accepted the narrative. After the Rams acquired Von Miller and Odell Bettham Jr. midseason, their social-media team posted a tweet declaring that “We’re all In” — and the Rams lost three consecutive games.
Snead is a comedian.
Snead stated, “I was laughing with a few people who were asking me what we’re doing leading to the Super Bowl… it’s preparing the draft.” Without the draft and the young players, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
Because of the bold moves made by Snead, Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford are now all Rams. These three acquisitions resulted in the loss of four first-round picks, a second-rounder, two thirds, and a fourth round selection. To acquire Sony Michel, LA also gave up a fifth and sixth-round pick.
The Rams are able to do it thanks to their cost-effective contributors in other positions. Even though the Rams lost four of their defensive starters last season, they only had to replace them with internal candidates. They’re the Super Bowl’s No. 1 defense.
Snead stated that “We will always use whatever means are available to acquire players to aid us in being contenders.” “We will try to use our picks creatively, maybe in an innovative manner.”
Snead’s attitude is evident in the Rams’ upcoming draft. They will likely have eight picks in April. Five of those selections will be compensatory for players who left the team.
They currently have the back third-round pick as their highest pick. Los Angeles sold its first round pick to Detroit in exchange for Stafford. It also traded its second-, third-, and fourth-round picks for Denver for Miller. Houston received its fourth-rounder as an incentive to take Brandin Cooks contract. The sixth-round pick was sent to New England to Michel.
Snead, however, has a different perspective on the value of draft capital. The Rams are confident that they can win indefinitely thanks to McVay’s innovative and thorough scouting.
McVay & Snead have been together for five years and have forged a strong partnership that is based on mutual respect. McVay says it’s a great help that he doesn’t have any interest in coaching or being a personnel person.
McVay stated, “Both he’s and I don’t mind taking risks, even though it means putting ourselves out there for expectations.” “I am very grateful to be around people who don’t mind taking their chances and shooting their shots.
Snead assumed the management of the St. Louis 2-14 team in 2012 and has seen his approach to team building change with the Rams’ success. Snead built a solid foundation of draft picks, none more than Aaron Donald in 2014. After their return to Los Angeles in 2012, he added high-profile names to his signature style. He started with the bold trade to acquire Jared Goff in 2016.
Snead stated, “I have the gene that I really, truly appreciate learning and applying and evolving.”
Snead’s unique style has one consequence: Since Goff in 2016, the Rams have not made a first-round selection, and they won’t make another until 2024.
He smiled and said, “It really makes Thursday night not stressful at all.”
