Rams general manager Les Snead had a rather bold message for his doubters at the team's Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday.
The veteran executive donned a decidedly provocative shirt during the festivities, in an apparent reference to frequent criticisms of his willingness to surrender draft picks in trades to acquire the multitude of veteran stars who led the team in its Super Bowl run.
The long-sleeved white T-shirt was emblazoned with a close-up shot of Snead, with the words "f--k them picks" sprawled across the front.
Snead later gave a victory speech at Los Angeles Coliseum, and expounded on the meaning of his shirt, citing the late NFL legend John Madden as inspiration for his all-out approach to building a winner.
“Here’s what I know: The late John Madden said winning the Super Bowl was the highest of high,” Snead said. “So you know what? Our players, our coaches, [team owner] Stan [Kroenke] and his family, everyone in this organization who supports them on that mission, and everyone out there, you know what? We know what that highest high feels like today.
“So in honor of the shirt, F them picks — we’ll use them to go win more Super Bowls.”
In building the Rams into something of a superteam compromised of established stars, Snead coughed up a boatload of draft picks, including two first-rounders for Matthew Stafford; two first-rounders and a forth-rounder for Jalen Ramsey; a second- and third-rounder for Von Miller; and a fifth- and sixth-rounder for running back Sony Michel.
The flurry of moves left the Rams without a first- or second-round pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft, and just one in each of the third, fourth and fifth rounds.
The team does has five combined picks in the sixth and seventh rounds, though it can be difficult to restock the cupboard substantively from those rounds.
With several veteran contributors seeing their contracts expire in the offseason -- not to mention head coach Sean McVay, who, although technically under contract through the 2023 season, is reported to be mulling stepping away or perhaps transitioning to broadcast analysis -- some are predicting the Rams could very well be one-and-done as serious title contenders.
Was it all worth it for a Lombardi Trophy? Conventional wisdom usually says yes.
In any event, it's abundantly clear that there's little doubt in Snead's mind.
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