The Official Rams 2011 Season Thread

[tfry]

I agree with Ramsfan...if we miss on a reciever in round 1 and Torrey Smith is there in round 2 he's our pick. High character guy that fits the Rams mold.

With that said, I don't see the point in drafting a receiver if we don't land Green or Jones. We have plenty of receivers that fit the young/developmental types. We need that game changing difference maker. Otherwise let's address other areas.

I'm alright with the Smith pick, but I wouldn't overlook DaQuan Bowers. Bowers is arguably the most talented DLineman in this draft. If his knee checks out then I would give him serious consideration.

Baldwin in round 2 doesn't work for me. He's got diva written all over him ala Kenny Britt. He's already had several run-ins with the media this offseason which should tell you something.

A TE in round 3 is terrible. McDaniels offense doesn't utilize the TE position in the passing game so why put such a priority on the position in the draft? OLB is arguably our greatest need and you can even make the case for a safety in the top 3 rounds. Guard and running back are also greater concerns.

If the Rams walked away with Smith, Baldwin, and Green, I'd rate this draft as a D+.

[NGSeiler]

There was a story on stltoday.com on Will Rackley, sounds like the Rams really like the kid.

I think he'd make a great Round Three option if he's still there. In fact, I recently did a mock that shook out like this for the Rams...

R1: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
R2: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
R3: Will Rackley, OG, Lehigh
R4: Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple
R5: Doug Hogue, OLB, Syracuse
R7: Jamie Harper, RB, Clemson
R7: Ollie Ogbu, DT, Penn State

The 2nd round selection was a tough call, Torrey Smith, Marvin Austin and Titus Young were all on the board. I have Titus ranked higher than a lot of people do, he's 3rd on my list for Receivers.

I have Smith higher, but I can see why some prefer Young. To me, he's just a bit too small and doesn't have the elite breakaway speed he'd need to earn that DeSean Jackson comparison that Mayock is so fond of. Plus, there appear to be some attitude concerns.

With that said, I don't see the point in drafting a receiver if we don't land Green or Jones. We have plenty of receivers that fit the young/developmental types. We need that game changing difference maker. Otherwise let's address other areas.

I don't know that I necessarily disagree with you, and I say that as a guy who has been harping on this team's lack of a legit #1 receiver for the better part of two offseasons. Obviously I want Green or Jones, and missing out on them would be disappointing, but if there's still some talent on the board in round two, it could still be worth it. After that, I'd tend to agree with you - it's questionable how much the Rams would be upgrading.

[holt_bruce81]

I like your Jamie Harper pick. He's a guy I've kind of forgotten about during this whole draft process.

I think Rams would go Torrey over Titus as well, I think they are graded about the same and Torrey's character would probably make him the selection. I just want a guy that can stretch a defense.

[Beano]

With that said, I don't see the point in drafting a receiver if we don't land Green or Jones. We have plenty of receivers that fit the young/developmental types. We need that game changing difference maker. Otherwise let's address other areas.

Over the last couple of weeks that's become my feeling on the matter as well.

I'm also not huge on any of the 2nd round receivers, I either think they're going to be solid pros and never much more than that (Hankerson, Smith although his small hands suggests drops) or I have some concerns about them (Baldwin's character, Young I just think is flat out overrated). I think Baldwin has way more talent than the rest of them, and on the field could easily be a steal, but (rightly with such a young offense) I think the FO will avoid him.

If we were going to take a receiver that wasn't Green/Jones, I'd rather take a punt on Little or Salas in the 3rd or later and fill a starters spot somewhere else. Either OG, OLB, DT etc. in the 2nd.

In other news, the schedule was released, what are peoples opinions. First 8 weeks of the season look particularly tough, assuming the season starts on time ofc. I don't seem to be able to talk myself into anything other than a 1-6 start. Feel free to convince me I'm being overly pessimistic.

[ramsfan2005813]

In other news, the schedule was released, what are peoples opinions. First 8 weeks of the season look particularly tough, assuming the season starts on time ofc. I don't seem to be able to talk myself into anything other than a 1-6 start. Feel free to convince me I'm being overly pessimistic.

I could see 2-5. Washington is definitely winnable with the change they are going through, that's probably the win you are counting. The Monday night game is the one I would point to as the other most possible win. Its the Rams first Monday night game in a while. Spags is returning to NY. I think they'll play with some major energy and be in it. But good news is the final 9 games. 6 in the division and two against the lower half of the AFC North, all winnable if team hasn't packed it in.

[tfry]

Beano I agree with your 1-6 record, however, I think we suprise one team with an upset. Either the Giants or Philly could be prime upset opportunities for us.

[NGSeiler]

With the 14th pick, the Rams take... Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina!

[Beano]

So Robert Quinn, who saw that coming?

Still not sure where I am with it.

[SuperPacker]

Im happy for you guys. In 5 years you are all gonna be estatic because this guy i A PASS RUSHER!!!

[ramsfan2005813]

So Robert Quinn, who saw that coming?

Still not sure where I am with it.

Have to say I was pulling for Amukamara, but certainly some true potential to work with for Spags with Quinn.

[NGSeiler]

I'm pretty happy with the pick. IMO, best combination of value and need on the board. Hopefully he and Long will be bookends on the DL for the next decade.

[freebirdsrams02]

I like the pick. Fairley probably would have been the pick if he was on the board. Quinn will give that big speed rush we need on passing downs.

[SuperPacker]

I'm pretty happy with the pick. IMO, best combination of value and need on the board. Hopefully he and Long will be bookends on the DL for the next decade.

HOPEFULLY!! Seriously, im more happy for the rams then most of you. This guy is an elite pass rusher. If it werent for him missing this last season he would of been a top 3 pick.

[Beano]

I'm more excited today than I was last night, I still have some major concerns about him though. I don't buy the guy is some freak pass rusher (11 sacks over a year is nice, but when 8 come in 3 games, I'd expect something nearer 15, especially against the competition he faced) and his combine numbers don't look that amazing from an athleticism point of view. In terms of value, I guess I can't argue with it and since I'm not a huge fan of Prince Amukamara I'm happier we went with Quinn, but I find it hard to be delighted with the pick.

So who do we like in the 2nd? With Baldwin gone I really don't want to us to take any of the receivers in the 2nd, if I had to take any receiver left, I'd want Greg Little but is the 2nd too high? I would actually quite happy if we went defense again, either at OLB/DT/S. I still want Bruce Carter, and if it has to be in the 2nd, I'm fine with it.

[tfry]

I have to admit I was doing my Nick Fairley celebration dance when the Vikes took Ponder. I never saw the Lions picking Fairley with Suh, Williams, and Hill already on board. When the Lions selected I almost passed out.

Quinn is a fantastic consolation prize however. Spags was hired because of the work he did with New York's dline. Up until this point we have done very little the give him the tools to succeed at those positions. The past two years have been directed towards upgrading our offense. To me, getting the weapons in place on defense is exciting knowing what coach can do with that talent.

There is a lot of quality talent still on the board in round 2. I'd like to see us grab the best DT, OLB, or G available. No need to take a WR at this point. None of them will be an improvement over Avery, Clayton, or Alexander.

Day 1 Grade: A