The Official St. Louis Rams 2010 Offseason Discussion Thread - Page 6

holt_bruce81 · 01-22-2010, 05:58 PM

Mike Mayock on Suh, McCoy and Clausen......

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf...g_suh_and.html

Quote:

Mike Mayock, the highly regarded draft analyst from the NFL Network, had a conference call today with the media and he made it clear that he believes defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) and Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) are the two best players available in the draft.

The Detroit Lions have the second overall pick in the draft and are likely to end up with either Suh and McCoy. Mayock said he believes the two players have different skills but are equally as valuable.

Mayock said Suh reminds him of a Kevin Williams (Minnesota Vikings) but might be even better. Mayock believes Suh is a little stronger in the run game while McCoy is a better pass rusher. However, the differences are small and both players offer the complete package.

I asked Mayock if there's any chance that a quarterback could move into that first overall pick and he said it was highly doubtful.

"I think it's a big reach,'' Mayock said. "The logical guy is (Oklahoma's Sam) Bradford. I'm not a big (Jimmy) Clausen fan. No way in the world in my mind -that's today, I've still got a lot more work to do on Bradford. Those two players (Suh and McCoy) just dwarf the quarterback issue.''

Recon_Six · 01-25-2010, 11:17 PM

There's just so much variance of opinion on Jimmy Clausen. Obviously QB is a more important position than DT, so the Rams don't necessarily have to think he's as good of a prospect as Suh for Clausen to be the pick. On the flip side, new head coaches generally have a lot more success when they come to a team where the players match the scheme the coach likes to implement. Since the Rams don't have nearly the defensive line that the Giants did, it's understandable why the defense didn't perform very well last season. Spags needs some legitimate talent on the defensive line for his scheme to work, and until he gets that, the defense is going to struggle. Getting a solid lineman in the first two or three rounds is our second biggest need behind getting a QB.

NGSeiler · 02-08-2010, 08:13 PM

Solid article about the Rams' options at the QB position...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...5?OpenDocument

PossumBoy9 · 02-10-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMAX12

news from espn.com
its rumored that a deal for vick could happen.
which would make suh the #1 pick

Why would acquiring Vick preclude the Rams from taking a QB at #1 overall or near the top?

JMAX12 · 02-11-2010, 10:14 AM

we shouldnt pick a qb at 1 anyways, if we get a qb through freeagency or trade it would be to draft Suh. and besides, there are manyyy qbs that have tons of potential and skills that are projected later in the draft

holt_bruce81 · 02-11-2010, 04:06 PM

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzon...-head-trainer/

Quote:

The St. Louis Rams have named Reggie Scott as their new head athletic trainer, replacing Jim Anderson who was fired last month.

Scott comes to the Rams from the Carolina Panthers where he was assistant athletic trainer to Ryan Vermillion.

“He’s a young guy with some juice who we think will be a good fit,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said.

One of the attractions of Scott, Spagnuolo said, is that he thought he would work well with young trainers James Lomax and Tyler Williams, who were retained by the Rams and whom Spagnuolo thinks highly of.

All told, Spagnuolo interviewed four candidates for the job. Still to be filled is an assistant athletic trainer’s job held previously by Dake Walden, who also was let go by Spagnuolo.

Good hiring I guess. Never really understood the firing of Jim Anderson.

NGSeiler · 02-16-2010, 08:52 AM

According to Howard Balzer's Twitter, Marc Bulger has cleaned out his locker at Rams Park...

http://twitter.com/HBalzer721

EDIT: Schefter has an update on his Twitter...

"Rams QB Marc Bulger did not clean out his locker. Rams equipment men did, just as they cleaned out everyone's locker at end of year."

NGSeiler · 02-17-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

The Philadelphia Eagles haven't initiated any talks to trade quarterback Michael Vick, and they might not this spring, but that doesn't preclude them from doing so at some point.

The Eagles have until the first week of the league year -- which begins March 5 -- to deal Vick before having to pay him a $1.5 million roster bonus. A deal before then might be unlikely because the Eagles haven't called other teams about Vick, according to league sources.

Sources from two teams who would be in the market for a quarterback said they don't expect Vick to be dealt until the preseason. That's when his value could be enhanced by strong preseason performances, a full offseason of work with his team and injuries/uncertainty at quarterback on other teams.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...s&confirm=true

NGSeiler · 02-19-2010, 04:34 PM

Quoting from Rotoworld since I can't link to the actual ESPN Insider article...

Quote:

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports that Rams scouts "are becoming increasingly convinced" that Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh is the best player in the draft.

Pasquarelli acknowledges that it's a "relatively close call" between Suh and Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy, but the Rams reportedly believe that Suh has the potential to make Chris Long and Adam Carriker better. Drafting Suh to play the "three technique" position next to NT Cliff Ryan might allow the Rams to move Carriker out to end on early downs, helping the team's run defense. Carriker, though, wouldn't be a big sack threat rushing off the edge.

holt_bruce81 · 02-19-2010, 10:07 PM

A dominating DT makes the whole defense better, not just two players. And I pray they don't move Carriker to DE, he'd be terrible IMO.

Morton · 02-20-2010, 08:44 PM

Here's the deal.

If the Rams draft Suh #1, and Chris Long finally matures into an upper tier pass-rusher (more likely with Suh in the line - elite players make other players around them better), and they grab Michael Vick from the Eagles... let's say we assume Steven Jackson is still putting up elite numbers next year ... The Rams have a legit dual running threat on offense, and a potentially top 10 defense if Suh and Long pan out. I don't know about the secondary, but the line should be really strong.

I could easily see a 10-6 or 11-5 season and a potential playoff appearance given this situation.

If they decide to draft Clausen or Bradford with the #1 spot, and pass on Suh, the defensive line will be average at best, and the rookie QB will undoutedly struggle his first year with no real decent wideouts to throw to. Another 1-15, 2-14 season. 6-10 at best, imho. Then again, two, three years from now, if that QB isn't a bust, you might get that 10-6/11-5 season later on down the road, BUT that is all dependant upon that QB not busting, and further drafting to solidify the team down the road.

If I were the GM, and I wanted to get people in the stadium by getting a winning season for the first time in a long while, I go the Vick/Suh route. The future potential of the Bradford/Clausen route undoubtedly has a higher potential ceiling, but it also has a serious potential to extend the record of losing seasons for even longer, much longer.

NGSeiler · 02-21-2010, 09:27 AM

I just don't see that quick of a turnaround happening, but especially if Vick is involved. I don't have very much faith in Vick as a legitimate starter in this league at this point.

KCJ58 · 02-21-2010, 12:44 PM

i don't get people connecting Vick to the Rams, he wouldn't fit our offense we would have to change it to fit in, I get that we need a QB, but Vick as our QB? he just spent the 2 last years in jail basically now we want him to be our starter just because he played a couple of down for the Eagles, if were gonna get a veteran QB to replace Bulger, please don't pick up Vick. I don't see him working in St. Louis, I'd rather pick up Chad Pennington or Jon Kinta for that matter than Vick

holt_bruce81 · 02-22-2010, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJ58

i don't get people connecting Vick to the Rams, he wouldn't fit our offense we would have to change it to fit in, I get that we need a QB, but Vick as our QB? he just spent the 2 last years in jail basically now we want him to be our starter just because he played a couple of down for the Eagles, if were gonna get a veteran QB to replace Bulger, please don't pick up Vick. I don't see him working in St. Louis, I'd rather pick up Chad Pennington or Jon Kinta for that matter than Vick

Devaney was with him in Atlanta. Spags is great friends with Andy Reid. Devaney visited Michael in prison. Rams want to be a run-1st offense and build things around Steven Jackson.

I mean do you really not get the connection?

NGSeiler · 02-26-2010, 04:20 PM

Some combine updates!

Here's a snippet of Devaney's presser at the combine. Link gets you the full article, and Wagoner's draft blog has more comments from Devaney:

Quote:

With a new rumor popping up every day and speculation swirling around the Rams’ choice at the top of the draft, it seems the focus has shifted to a debate of philosophy. Do the Rams go for one of the top two quarterbacks or do they opt for one of the two difference makers to plant in the middle of their defensive line for the next decade?

It’s a decision that’s still a ways off but the picture is at least starting to get some clarity. And while conventional knowledge says the quarterback will always win out over the defensive tackle or any position for that matter, Devaney says it’s not that simple if the tackles are considered the superior players.

“You can’t force the issue,” Devaney said. “At some point, we need to address the quarterback situation. We are still doing that. It’s on going. We have Marc still under contract; he’s still on the Rams. You have to go through free agency. We have to see what guys are going to be out there, the status of the draft class and then make a decision. If it gets down to it and we think the defensive tackles, these two kids are far and away the highest graded players and they are the best players in the draft, we can’t force it and say ‘Hey, we have got to get a quarterback’ and draft way down on your value. But that’s what we are trying to figure out right now.”

http://www.stlouisrams.com/article/78218/

Also of note are the following two Tweets. The first from National Football Post's Wes Bunting:

Quote:

Oklahoma TE Jermain Gresham says he's 100% and that he met with the entire Rams offensive coaching staff for a film session last night
22 minutes ago via web

...and the second from Greg Rosenthal:

Quote:

Rob Gronkowski said the Rams told him they were taking a tight end. He won't work out until late March.
3:11 PM Feb 25th via Seesmic

Thoughts on Gresham if he slips to the top of the second round? I think he'd be an outstanding pick there. The Rams may also be able to get a solid prospect at the top of the third as well, depending on how things shake out.

NGSeiler · 02-27-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Continuining the offseason roster process, the Rams are making one-year qualifying offers to all eight of their exclusive rights free agents: DE C.J. Ah You, CB Quincy Butler, RB Kenneth Darby, LB Larry Grant, WR Jordan Kent, OT Ryan McKee, S David Roach, and LB David Vobora.

http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzon...ve-rights-fas/

NGSeiler · 03-01-2010, 12:41 AM

Burwell's take on the Suh vs. Bradford debate that's probably going to rage on right up until the draft. He brings up some interesting points...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...0?OpenDocument

NGSeiler · 03-01-2010, 09:51 AM

Looks like Alex Barron is "officially" on the market...

Quote:

INDIANAPOLIS — The process of making tender offers to the Rams' 13 restricted
free agents has taken an unusual twist for offensive tackle Alex Barron, a move
that can only be interpreted as the club is dangling him as trade bait.

Under league rules, the Rams must pay Barron 110 percent of his 2009 salary, or
$2.73 million in 2010. That's a dollar amount that entitles the Rams to a
first-round draft pick as compensation if they decided not to match any outside
offer.

But here comes the curveball: Although they have to pay Barron at a first-round
level, they don't have to ask for first-round draft pick compensation.

And they're not.

According to multiple league sources, the Rams informed Barron's agents Sunday
night that they will be asking for only second-round draft pick compensation
when they turn their tender offers into the league office later this week.

In essence, the Rams are throwing out a fishing line to the rest of the league,
with Barron as the trade bait.

It's another deep year for offensive tackles in the draft. Early indications
point to Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft, moving to
left tackle next season. Some of the Rams' best right tackles since the team
moved to St. Louis were middle-round picks. Ryan Tucker was a fourth-rounder;
Fred Miller, a fifth-rounder.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...5?OpenDocument

rockio42 · 03-02-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGSeiler

Looks like Alex Barron is "officially" on the market...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...5?OpenDocument

good riddance, maybe this means a guy like Ducasse at the top of the 2nd or Vladheer in the 3rd

holt_bruce81 · 03-02-2010, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockio42

good riddance, maybe this means a guy like Ducasse at the top of the 2nd or Vladheer in the 3rd

Trade Barron who is a proven nfl player, a very SOLID tackle who you know will be in the starting line up every sunday.......and replace him with Ducasse or Vladheer? two players who need LOTS of work even to be a starter at the next level?

That makes complete sense.

rockio42 · 03-02-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holt_bruce81

Trade Barron who is a proven nfl player, a very SOLID tackle who you know will be in the starting line up every sunday.......and replace him with Ducasse or Vladheer? two players who need LOTS of work even to be a starter at the next level?

That makes complete sense.

I'm saying it'll be a good trade for a 3rd or 4th rounder considering we probably won't re-sign him and getting a young guy in their now is better long-term for the team

stlouisfan37 · 03-04-2010, 08:03 PM

So I have been doing a lot of research and reading lots of articles. Checked out the combine some. I have come to a few conclusions, based on what I hve read this year as well as players from the past...

1) I don't like Bruce Campbell. He tore it up at the combine, I know. He has the body of a huge TE and the speed and agility to go with it. I think this one is as much in my gut as it is with what everyone is saying about him not having 1st round tape to watch. It is also my opinion that guys with his body type and low body fat are not built to withstand the pounding on the line and I believe he will be very prone to injury.

A few other guys that are on my DO NOT DRAFT list: Dez Bryant (attitude), Carlos Dunlap (laziness), and Toby Gerhart (reminds me of Brian Leonard).

I'm gonna throw out a couple of ideas for the draft now...

1) Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma.
This was tough to call over Ndamakong Suh. My deciding factor? Despite a 2009 season that fell apart in Oklahoma, McCoy is much more accustomed to winning, and the Rams desperately need winners.

2) Daryl Washington, LB, TCU. Great lateral speed, instincts, can smell the ball a mile away. Would be a great playmaker beside Laurinitis. If he is not available then I like Maurice Pouncey, C, Florida; John Jerry, OG, from Ole Miss; or Charles Brown, OT, from USC.

3) Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU. I chose this guy for the Rams' 3rd round pick weeks ago and I'm sticking with it. I really like Pitta and I think he has the talent to catch 50 balls a year for 600 yards and half a dozen scores. He has deceptive speed and runs fluid routes. He is also better at blocking than given credit for and will be a great teammate. I also like Ed Dickson, TE, from Oregon. If both are gone take best available offensive lineman.

4) Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama. He's too small and he ran in the low 4.5's at the combine, which may allow him to slide to #97. I believe he will be a great nickel corner at the next level and will be an immediate impact player in the return game.

5) If we take Washington in 2nd: Matt Tenant, C, Boston College. Another lunchpail lineman from a long line of BC maulers. I also like Tony Washington, OT, Abilene Christian; and Marshall Newhouse, OT, from TCU; or Chris Scott, G/T, from Tennessee. If we take a lineman in the 2nd: George Selvie, OLB, S. Florida.

6) Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh. I think Stull is a sleeper and could be a stud down the road with proper grooming.

7) Jeremy Williams, WR, Tulane or Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green. Both are reliable receivers who will not burn anyone but catch everything and run good routes. I also like Pat Paschall, RB, N. Dakota St.

holt_bruce81 · 03-04-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlouisfan37

So I have been doing a lot of research and reading lots of articles. Checked out the combine some. I have come to a few conclusions, based on what I hve read this year as well as players from the past...

1) I don't like Bruce Campbell. He tore it up at the combine, I know. He has the body of a huge TE and the speed and agility to go with it. I think this one is as much in my gut as it is with what everyone is saying about him not having 1st round tape to watch. It is also my opinion that guys with his body type and low body fat are not built to withstand the pounding on the line and I believe he will be very prone to injury.

A few other guys that are on my DO NOT DRAFT list: Dez Bryant (attitude), Carlos Dunlap (laziness), and Toby Gerhart (reminds me of Brian Leonard).

I'm gonna throw out a couple of ideas for the draft now...

1) Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma.
This was tough to call over Ndamakong Suh. My deciding factor? Despite a 2009 season that fell apart in Oklahoma, McCoy is much more accustomed to winning, and the Rams desperately need winners.

2) Daryl Washington, LB, TCU. Great lateral speed, instincts, can smell the ball a mile away. Would be a great playmaker beside Laurinitis. If he is not available then I like Maurice Pouncey, C, Florida; John Jerry, OG, from Ole Miss; or Charles Brown, OT, from USC.

3) Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU. I chose this guy for the Rams' 3rd round pick weeks ago and I'm sticking with it. I really like Pitta and I think he has the talent to catch 50 balls a year for 600 yards and half a dozen scores. He has deceptive speed and runs fluid routes. He is also better at blocking than given credit for and will be a great teammate. I also like Ed Dickson, TE, from Oregon. If both are gone take best available offensive lineman.

4) Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama. He's too small and he ran in the low 4.5's at the combine, which may allow him to slide to #97. I believe he will be a great nickel corner at the next level and will be an immediate impact player in the return game.

5) If we take Washington in 2nd: Matt Tenant, C, Boston College. Another lunchpail lineman from a long line of BC maulers. I also like Tony Washington, OT, Abilene Christian; and Marshall Newhouse, OT, from TCU; or Chris Scott, G/T, from Tennessee. If we take a lineman in the 2nd: George Selvie, OLB, S. Florida.

6) Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh. I think Stull is a sleeper and could be a stud down the road with proper grooming.

7) Jeremy Williams, WR, Tulane or Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green. Both are reliable receivers who will not burn anyone but catch everything and run good routes. I also like Pat Paschall, RB, N. Dakota St.

Sam Bradford #1!!!!!!!!!!!

stlouisfan37 · 03-04-2010, 09:49 PM

I don't like Bradford enough to pass on such great DT's. I would be much more inclined to agree with you if we were talking about Jake Locker.

stlouisfan37 · 03-05-2010, 12:56 AM

Okay, so I have already expressed that I don't like the idea of taking Bradford at #1. I feel the same way about Clausen, or any QB in this draft class for that matter. However, I decided for the sake of argument, to go ahead and fill in what I would do with the rest of our draft if that were to happen.

2) Brian Price, DT, UCLA. There's no denying we need better play from the defensive line so we can get off the field once in a while. I would love it if Terrence Cody or Dan Williams would fall this far, but I don't think they will. Jared Odrick may be a pick here as well.

3) Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU. I really hope we take this guy. He should be available here in a draft that is deep with TE talent, and I think he would be a perfect fit.

4) George Selvie, DE, South Florida. No college prospect has ever reminded me more of Leonard Little. Let's just hope he is a safer driver.

5) Best lineman available. Possibilities include Tony Washington, OT, Abilene Christian; Matt Tenant, C, Boston College (I love BC interior linemen); Marshall Newhouse, OT, TCU; Doug Palmer, OG, East Carolina.

6) Donald Butler, ILB, Washington. This guy is a bit smallish for an ILB, but I believe he can play all three LB spots and has a non-stop motor. Would get a lot more attention if he were at a stronger program.

7) Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas. Could be a great complement to Steven Jackson.