New semi-private message board! Welcome to TheOriginalHerd.com HERD forum- the Grand Daddy of all Rams message boards and the home of Dedicated Rams Fans. Stop in and graze on the latest Rams news. This forum is HIGHLY MODERATED for maximum quality and content. E-Mail The Admins - Chatroom - Rams E-Zine http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/list.php?11Sat, 18 May 2013 15:23:36 +0200 Phorum 5.2.13 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,359023,359023#msg-359023 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,359023,359023#msg-359023Rams News Items From May 17

Get Caught Up With Any Rams Articles/Videos You May Have Missed

Rams Highlights from Jeff Gordon’s Chat--4 Running Back Questions

Rams Pressing Question Heading Into the Summer –Prisco

Bernie: In Sam Bradford We Trust –Video

Tony Softli Believes In Sam Bradford –Radio Interview

Coach Rick Venturi Talks Rams –Excellent Radio Interview

Rams Rookie Camp Part 3: Strength Training Orientation –Video

Draft Third Day Gems: Rams 5th Round Pick RB Zac Stacy –Norris

Fisher to Host Annual Charity Softball Game –Wagoner

NFLPA Rookie Premiere: Austin and Bailey Attend –NFL.com

Allow QB Sam Bradford to Make His Mark Now –Karraker]]> RamBill The Original HERDSat, 18 May 2013 08:34:27 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358987,358987#msg-358987 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358987,358987#msg-358987Notes From Coach Venturi --Good Stuff

**Austin and Cook really create match up problems for the defense.

**”I don’t know what there’s not to like about the Fisher/Snead regime” From the day those guys took over the team has gotten better every day. They have some elite talent guys on a team that was devoid of it.

**Ogletree: SLB or WLB? The best way for him to have an early impact is to be the WIL. He should be a 3 down LB. The Rams really have 3 run and hit LB’s.

**The Rams D is very salty…they have two things that lead to winning: great edge rushers and CB’s that can cover. Biggest concern: Stewart and McDonald in the back end. This is a fine defensive unit.

**With Austin and Givens you have lightening in a jar..and Cook is a nightmare. If Quick or Bailey can beat one on one coverage there’s a chance for big plays….it’s going to put it on Bradford.

**Sam got better last year at moving…he extended plays better…His strength is he doesn’t turn it over.. but Sam is not a risk taker..this year I’d like to see him be a little more risk/reward…get that ball down field and get it in those playmakers hands.
(9:34)

Listen to Coach Venturi]]> RamBill The Original HERDSat, 18 May 2013 02:14:07 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358983,358983#msg-358983 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358983,358983#msg-358983
[www.stlouisrams.com]]]> RamBill The Original HERDSat, 18 May 2013 01:40:49 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358948,358948#msg-358948 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358948,358948#msg-358948Allow Bradford to Make His Mark Now
By Randy Karraker on May 17th, 2013 @ 10:35am

[www.101sports.com]

It’s the time of year when people like to rank the NFL’s quarterbacks. CBSSports.com did a ranking, Football Outsiders had one recently and, of course, ESPN.com and the Mother Ship have theirs on the way. I’m not at all dismayed or bothered by the lower-teens ranking of the Rams’ Sam Bradford, because his numbers don’t reflect elite status yet.

Yes, his statistics over three years scream mediocre. What dismays me, however, is the number of St. Louisans who ostensibly should be the people that see Bradford the most, who insist that he’s a lower-tier player that has no chance to get better. Last season, he was the 18th-rated passer in the NFL. The wide receivers he was throwing to were rookie Chris Givens, Brandon Gibson, Steve Smith, Austin Pettis and, for about half the season, Danny Amendola.

The Rams’ starting offensive line on opening day in Detroit was, left to right, Rodger Saffold, Rokevious Watkins, Scott Wells, Harvey Dahl and Barry Richardson. That group was together for less than a half. In Week 2, the Rams had taken Quinn Ojinnaka off the scrap heap to play left guard in place of Watkins, and Robert Turner started for Wells at center. Then Safford got hurt, and in game three the Rams started their third line combination in three games. Watkins was out for the year, but the Rams finally got Saffold and Wells back on the field together for Week 12 against Arizona, and went 4-2 from there.

As every serious football fan knows, offensive success starts on the offensive line and ends in the hands of receivers. Unfortunately for the Rams and Bradford, the Rams didn’t get much started in the first half of last season. In the first 10 games, they averaged 17 points a game. In the last six, they averaged 21 per game. In the first 10 games, he was sacked an average of 2.5 times a game. In the last six, it was 1.5.

Not only are those numbers part of a bigger picture, but so are the receivers who emerged during the season. Givens didn’t play early and got better as the season went along. Tight end Lance Kendricks got better, and Pettis made 16 of his 30 catches and had his three best games among his last five.

So, to summarize, Bradford was throwing to a young, emerging receiving corps and was working behind a tattered offensive line. Once the line got together and developed some chemistry, it protected the quarterback better. The receivers matured, and the quarterback’s numbers improved. He averaged 224 yards in the first 10 games, 243 in the last six. He averaged 1.2 touchdowns in the first 10, 1.5 in the last six. And Bradford doesn’t lose games, throwing just 13 interceptions.

When the chips were down, Bradford came through. Four of the Rams’ seven wins were comebacks led by Bradford, as was their tie in San Francisco.

Yet we still get texts like this one: “Ok if Bradford has an average year, do the rams look at a QB high in the draft next year?” Should that be the goal? After spending three years providing Bradford a revolving door at offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, and finally adding some players around him, do you want to start over?

Here’s another one: “If Bradford keeps taking baby steps, we’ll have an Alex Smith situation in STL. Time to win or #HitTheBricks.” Certainly the Rams want to win, but to suggest they should replace him if he has another year like last year’s Super Bowl champion quarterback is a bit drastic (Bradford and Joe Flacco of Baltimore had virtually identical passing seasons). The potential free agents after next season are Jay Cutler, Rex Grossman, Chad Henne, Shaun Hill, Josh and Luke McCown, Seneca Wallace and Charlie Whitehurst. Do you see an upgrade over Bradford there? Do you want Mark Sanchez? He might be available. Perhaps there will be talented rookies, but let’s not get too sold on the idea of drafting another Russell Wilson. The Rams will not have a top-two pick in the draft, so getting an Andrew Luck or RGIII is not probable.

Another text to The Fast Lane: “I am a Bradford fan but if the rams don’t finish the year with a winning percentage we might be seeing Aaron Murray in a Rams jersey next year.” So, you’re going to judge a quarterback solely on the team’s winning percentage? If the Panthers have a second straight losing season, should they replace Cam Newton? If Pittsburgh doesn’t have a winning season for a second year in a row, should it cut Ben Roethlisberger? What if the defense doesn’t live up to the hype? What about injuries? I just can’t fathom my team acting in such an outrageous, egregious, preposterous manner.

I understand that the haters are a vocal minority. But as a longtime observer, I believe they need to be careful what they wish for. The alternative might not be that attractive.]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 22:09:10 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358867,358867#msg-358867 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358867,358867#msg-358867
Around the NFC West: QB conversation
By Mike Sando

[espn.go.com]

Good morning, NFC West.

We've spent more time this week discussing St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford than we've spent discussing his NFC West counterparts at the position. It's been a refreshing change, frankly, and the discussion has carried over elsewhere as well.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch generally defends Bradford in his "Breakfast with Bernie" video, while also acknowledging the high stakes in 2013.

D. Hawkins at Turf Show Times questions whether "make-or-break" seasons exist at all. They're often imaginary, but not always. Kevin Kolb's situation comes to mind. He just had his make-or-break season in Arizona, with "break" prevailing over "make" by several million dollars. The situation in St. Louis is different, and as we discussed here Wednesday, Bradford would have to play horrendously bad -- way worse than he has played to this point -- for anything drastic to happen after the 2013 season.

We'll continue this discussion through the blog, hopefully advancing it from time to time. I'll close by passing along one of the key variables when it comes to Bradford: the Rams' obvious belief in him. I've gathered the following quotes through offseason interview transcripts:

Jake Long, newly signed tackle: "Watched him from afar these last few years in the NFL, just a big fan of his. Big guy, strong guy, tough, has a rocket for an arm and I’m really excited to play for him. He’s a hell of a quarterback and young. He’s only going to get better and just a tough guy. I’ve heard a lot of great things about him."

Jared Cook, newly signed tight end: "He’s a great quarterback. He has a great arm, great accuracy. What more could you want?"

Tavon Austin, newly drafted receiver: "As soon as I came into the building, [Bradford] came in and met me and just said he was happy to meet with me. I said, 'No, I’m happy to meet with you.' He’s a taller quarterback. He’s a little bigger than (West Virginia quarterback) Geno (Smith). I’m just proud that I’m here and he took me in. I’m just ready to come now."

Coach Jeff Fisher on Austin's small stature: "It’s not [a problem] when you’re dealing with a quarterback like Sam. Sam’s got excellent vision, he’s got a quick trigger and he’s very accurate. That creates opportunities for a receiver with that kind of quickness and stature. A shorter quarterback’s going to have a little more difficult time getting the ball to him on time."

Stedman Bailey, newly drafted receiver: "I know that Sam Bradford is a very good quarterback and I’m looking forward to getting up there whenever we have to report and just working with him. I understand that he’s a young, great quarterback in this league. I feel that I can get with him and probably try to develop into his favorite target, just grow with him."

Barrett Jones, newly drafted center: "I know Sam Bradford, obviously, is a good, up-and-coming quarterback, but other than that I don’t have a ton. I’m excited. Ask me in a few weeks and I will have a lot of familiarity with them."]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 16:05:07 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358863,358863#msg-358863 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358863,358863#msg-358863Third Day Gems: Zac Stacy
By Josh Norris

[www.rotoworld.com]

Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has some new toys to play with this season in the form of Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Jared Cook and the (hopefully) improving Brian Quick. On top of that, the Rams attempted to upgrade the offensive line, an aspect of the team that has suffered due to injuries and a lack of talent. In total, I expect Schottenheimer to expand on his Air Coryell playbook and get creative.

These athletic targets will certainly help the passing game, but with Steven Jackson’s departure to Atlanta, a need for a runner who thrives between the tackles was created. Don’t get me wrong, Jackson could do much more and was one of the most consistent backs of the last decade, even on poor teams.

Last season, seventh-rounder Daryl Richardson appeared to do his best work on outside stretches, showing good speed once getting to the edge and beating defenders to the second level. Isaiah Pead admitted that his rookie season was “miserable,” but the talent is there as a runner and receiver. Enter fifth-round pick Zac Stacy out of Vanderbilt, a player I listed in my top-151 prospects pre-draft (at No. 96).

The Texans are often the team most associated with a zone blocking scheme, but the Rams feature this style much more than given credit for. In fairness, every team incorporates some zone tendencies, and I am not sure I would call it the backbone of the Rams’ running game, but it is certainly prevalent. Point blank, I love Zac Stacy’s fit in this system.

I won’t get too detailed with zone blocking (for that breakdown read this) but Stacy’s strengths match up quite well. The basic gist is this: rather than giving offensive linemen the responsibility of a certain defender, they are responsible to block a certain section of the defensive front. When defenses started lining linemen face up and slanting them hard in one direction, pre-snap blocking assignments became more difficult to reach and accomplish. To combat this, offensive lines started slanting, producing a good amount of double teams until that free lineman peeled off to attack the second level.

Bounce, Bang, Bend, Cut

Now to Stacy. The first trait I love about Stacy’s game is his decisiveness. This, along with vision and anticipation to set up second level blocks, is a vital skill to have behind a slanting offensive line. In a zone system, the terms bounce, bang, bend, and cut are used in occurrence with running lanes.

Bounce: If the defensive end takes a hard inside lane and exposes the edge, it could be wise for the ball carrier to take the play outside, although a runner who tends to consistently stretch runs east and west rather than getting upfield is extremely frustrating. Stacy understands his speed limitations on the edge, but I did see him take advantage of aggressive ends and bounce runs into open space with increased effectiveness. It wouldn’t be my first choice for him, but Stacy can take advantage of a defensive mistake.

Bang: This angle is usually the designed alley that, in a perfect world, would be open. On an outside zone against a four man front, this lane would show if the end is forced outside and the tackle is forced inside. The goal is then to free the guard or center to the second level to attack the linebacker. Stacy showed no problem attacking well blocked alleys, planting in one step with adequate explosion to get upfield immediately.

Bend: When the defensive tackle is able to scrap over top and cover the “bang” direction all is not lost. If the backside blockers can win their section and seal off defenders, the running back can show patience and bend his way inside, using his oppositions’ momentum against them. Patience and hesitation are two very different things, and the result and timing show it. Stacy’s acceleration isn’t great, but his strength and vision to see these second level lanes forming prove he can take advantage of the “bend.” He will almost certainly face a defender unaccounted for in this situation, but another trait of Stacy’s I love is his ability to work through first contact. That doesn’t mean he will make that defender miss in space, but he can certainly run through arm tackles thanks to his balance.

Cut: This takes the “bend” principle to the extreme. If the defensive front sniffs out the front side run and slants accordingly, a lane on the backside could appear. Once again, this is using the defense’s momentum against them. These large angles and cuts have to be made quickly, so it will be interesting to see if Stacy speed translates from the college level in these situations.

The Rams running game is more than these zone principles, but I wanted to highlight the sections that were out of the ordinary when evaluating runners and projecting them to the NFL.

I know I just listed a ton of positives and sound (overly?) optimistic about a fifth-round runner, but I am a fan of Stacy’s. He isn’t without his faults, however, namely in the form of long speed and dynamic traits. A team that has added speed and electric ability this offseason could be looking for something that matches that mindset in the backfield. Or, they could see a runner who displays great vision with blocks at the second level, strong cuts thanks to a well-built frame and low center, consistent tackle breaking ability when dealing with first contact, and a willingness to stick his nose in on pass protection. If so, Zac Stacy should be the answer.]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 16:04:30 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358849,358849#msg-358849 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358849,358849#msg-358849
Rams News Items From May 16

Get Caught Up With Any Rams Articles/Videos You May Have Missed

Jake Long and Harvey Dahl Among Kirwan’s Top Offensive Linemen –Kirwan

Long, Quinn, and Brockers Among Kirwan’s Top Defensive Linemen –Kirwan

Rams Michael Brockers Among NFL’s Best Players Under the Age of 23 –Prisco

Rams Announce Changes in Personnel Department –Wagoner

Rams Highlights from Mike Sando’s Chat –May 16

Rookie WR Emory Blake Hopes to Make Name for Himself –Wagoner

NFC Minicamp Storylines: Rams –NFL.com

Snead Completes Spring Makeover of Rams Scouting Department -PD

Rams QB Sam Bradford Starts Over With Young Cast –Gordon

On the Spot: Sam Bradford and Brian Schottenheimer –Sando

Sam Bradford and Eli Manning: Similar First 3 Years? –Sando

Tony Softli: Austin Even More Impressive Than On Film –Radio Interview

Which Team Should Be on Hard Knocks? The Rams?
]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 08:43:40 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358818,358818#msg-358818 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358818,358818#msg-358818Rams Announce Changes in Personnel Department
Posted by nickwagoner on May 16, 2013 – 9:21 PM

[blog.stlouisrams.com]

- With the 2013 NFL Draft finished and the scouting department looking ahead to next year, the Rams announced some major re-shuffling and changes in their scouting department on Thursday afternoon.

Below is the release from the team with all of the changes:

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Rams have added six new members to the team’s personnel department, and two additional personnel executives have been promoted, General Manager Les Snead announced Thursday.
“Our Player Personnel department has done an outstanding job teaming with our coaching and football operations staffs the past two player acquisition periods in 2012 and 2013, including unrestricted free agency, the draft and with waiver wire claims,” Snead said. “These promotions and additions will make us even stronger going forward as we finish our task of building a consistent winner in a rapid and tenacious manner.”

Taylor Morton, who spent last season as the team’s Director of College Scouting, was promoted to Director of Player Personnel. Morton joined the Rams in May of 2012. With extensive experience in both pro and college scouting, Morton spent 12 seasons as an area scout with the Atlanta Falcons responsible for both the southwest and southeast regions. Prior to becoming a college scout, Morton served in pro personnel as an advance scout for the Falcons’ opponents. Also, Morton has coaching experience after coaching eight years in the college ranks with stints at Auburn University, Hinds and Pearl River community colleges in Mississippi.

Brad Holmes will serve as the new Rams’ Director of College Scouting. Holmes joined the Rams’ personnel department in 2004. He served as the National Combine Scout, covering the Midwest area. He worked as an area scout responsible for the Southeast region for six seasons before Snead promoted him to national scout in 2012.
In addition, Snead has hired Ted Monago as a national scout. Monago joins the Rams after spending the last 12 years in the Chicago Bears personnel department. From 2001-2012, Monago served as an area scout for the Bears before being named as an executive scout in 2012 and was responsible for the Southeast conference. Prior to working in Chicago, he worked as an assistant coach at Williams & Mary, where he was responsible for outside linebackers and special teams.

The Rams have also added scouts Danton Barto, George Foster and John Zernhelt, and Snead hired Brian Hill as a scouting assistant and Barrett Trotter as football operations/scouting assistant.

Barto, Foster and Hill recently completed internships with the Rams before their promotions. Barto, who played at the University of Memphis and in the Arena and Canadian Football Leagues, is a former head coach in the Arena League.
Foster was a first round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2003 and played six NFL seasons with the Broncos and Detroit Lions. He also spent time with Cleveland and Indianapolis during his playing career.

Zernhelt has spent the last 36 seasons in coaching at both the professional and college levels. He coached tight ends with the Tennessee Titans from 2006-12, and he was the head coach at The Citadel in 2004.
Hill coached at Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio as a student and graduated in 2011. He held various football operations and scouting positions with the Browns, Chiefs and Titans prior to joining the Rams.
Trotter played quarterback at Auburn University and attended the Rams’ rookie minicamp in 2012 as an invited tryout player. Most recently, he worked as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State University.]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 02:19:45 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358816,358816#msg-358816 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358816,358816#msg-358816Some Rams Highlights–Sando Chat

**Rams take division/Bradford Breaks out?
I don’t think we can know how all the Rams’ young talent is going to progress this season. The foundation is firming up. I do think Sam Bradford will take a step forward, but I am not quite ready to bet on a “breakout” season, which to me would mean one in which Bradford became [arguably] one of the five or 10 best quarterbacks around.

**Michael Brockers is going to be a beast, it appears. I think that is one player we’re going to hear a lot more about in the future.

**Rams Rebuild?
I think that point was 2012. It was called a rebuild then. It has been widely acknowledged as a rebuild. Nine draft choices remain from the Steve Spagnuolo era: Austin Pettis, Sam Bradford, Jabara Williams, James Lauriniatis, Josh Hull, Rodger Saffold, Lance Kendricks, Eugene Sims and Robert Quinn.

**More Likely: 1000 yard WR or RB?
Receiver. I don’t see any of those backs getting enough carries for 1,000 yards. Looks like a committee approach. I could see Chris Givens or Tavon Austin getting to 1,000 yards more easily. And who knows what might happen with Brian Quick?

Read All Chat Highlights]]> RamBill The Original HERDFri, 17 May 2013 02:11:47 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358789,358789#msg-358789 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358789,358789#msg-358789Bradford starts over with young cast
• BY JEFF GORDON

[www.stltoday.com]

When quarterback Sam Bradford gets back to work in the Organized Team Activities, exactly zero established NFL playmakers will join in the fun at Rams Park.

That is two fewer proven weapons than Bradford had at his disposal last season. The Rams are hitting the restart button on offense.

So, no, this cannot be considered a “make-or-break” year for him.

The upcoming season is very important for him. It could be the pivotal year in his career, defining his future in the league. This is his chance to emerge as a true leader of young men.

After a solid rookie season, Bradford suffered through a miserable second season before bouncing back in Year 3. Basically he is back to Square One.

He is a promising young quarterback surrounded by other promising young skill players.

The offense could take off this year ... IF Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey pan out big, IF Jared Cook breaks out, IF Chris Givens and Lance Kendricks build on solid 2012 seasons, IF Brian Quick figures it out, IF the young trio of running backs can replace the hugely productive Steven Jackson and IF Bradford progresses.

Expectations are high, but again, we’re talking potential. It’s not like Bradford looks around his offensive meeting room and sees Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Ray Rice or Vernon Davis. He doesn’t see a Jackson or a Danny Amendola, either.

The good news: the Rams appear to be tailoring the offense to Bradford’s strengths.

The bad news: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer isn’t exactly Chip Kelly as a spread offense innovator. So it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

The big knock on Bradford is that he hasn’t lived up to his gigantic contract and the hype that comes with being the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Odds are he will never live up to that ridiculous deal, the last of its kind for young quarterbacks.

But that doesn’t mean the franchise should label him a bust, discard him after the season and start over with somebody’s back-up or another draft pick.

Another knock on Bradford is that he didn’t make players around him better. This baffles Tipsheet, since some players clearly grew while working with Sam.

Amendola arrived as an extra guy, pulled off the personnel pile to fill a roster spot. He left for a five-year, $31 million contract with the Patriots. Did playing with Bradford make him better? Of course it did.

Brandon Gibson arrived as an extra guy, acquired from the depths of the Eagles roster. He left for a three-year, $9.78 million contract in Miami. Did playing with Bradford make him better? Of course it did.

Kendricks made a quantum leap from his rookie season (28 catches, 352 yards, no touchdowns in 15 games) to last season (42 catches, 519 yards, four TDs in 16 games). That was the best season a Rams tight end had in, like, forever.

What the Rams need to see from Bradford (and the rest of their still-developing skill players) is serious growth, especially in critical game scenarios. Bradford made some progress there last season, but Jeff Fisher needs whole lot more of that moving forward.

ESPN.com’s Mike Sando had this sensible breakdown:

Bradford is set to collect $9 million in salary this season, $8 million of which is guaranteed. His deal counts about $12.6 million against the cap. The salary jumps to $14 million in 2014, with a $17.6 million scheduled cap hit. That's the type of money top quarterbacks earn. What, then, if Bradford is not one of them? What if he's merely decent or pretty good, but not someone worth nearly $18 million a year?

The Rams could release Bradford, but that wouldn't make much sense unless he played horrendously -- something he has never done to this point. Remember, too, that the team would need an obviously better option at the position. Good luck finding one of those.

More likely and a lot less dramatically, the Rams could buy another year for evaluation. They are building for the long term with their own draft choices and those acquired from the Washington Redskins last offseason. The Rams already have drafted eight players in the first and second rounds under the team-friendly rookie wage scale, tied with Cincinnati and New England for most in the NFL. That figure is scheduled to grow by three in 2014. Their window is still opening. Time is on their side.]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 22:52:08 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358781,358781#msg-358781 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358781,358781#msg-358781Mailbag: Sam Bradford and Eli Manning
By Mike Sando

[espn.go.com]

Via the NFC West mailbag, Ryan from Montreal sees parallels between Eli Manning and Sam Bradford through their first three seasons.

Both quarterbacks were drafted No. 1 overall in their classes. Both endured criticism during some rocky stretches. Both also flashed the talent that made them highly drafted players.

Eli Manning vs. Sam Bradford: 1st 3 Yrs.
QB Manning Bradford
Seasons 3 3
Games 41 42
W-L 20-19 15-26
Comp. 690 873
Att. 1,276 1,498
Pct. 54.1 58.3
Yards 8,049 9,378
YPA 6.3 6.3
TD-INT 54-44 45-34
NFL rating 73.2 77.3
Sacked 66 105
Total QBR -- 42.3
Source: ESPN Stats & Information

We know how the story has played out for Manning. He moved past the early struggles, becoming a top starting quarterback (most of the time) and winning two Super Bowls.

"I could be wrong," Ryan writes, "but I feel like some of the rhetoric Bradford is experiencing existed with Manning. Though Manning had a better record, a quick look at their stats reveals they are not too dissimilar."

Good idea, Ryan. The chart shows statistical similarities. We do not yet have Total QBR figures before 2008, but the traditional stats line up pretty closely in areas such as yards per pass attempt.

Manning did enjoy one tremendous advantage. The New York Giants organization has been among the most stable in the league. Manning has had the same head coach, Tom Coughlin, and offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride, for the duration of his career. Bradford has had two head coaches and three offensive coordinators in his first three seasons.

Manning and the Giants broke through with a Super Bowl victory in Manning's fourth season. Manning finished that 2007 regular season with 23 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. The ratio was 6-1 in the playoffs as the Giants won road games against Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay before upsetting New England in the Super Bowl.

The Giants went from 8-8 in Manning's third season to 10-6 in his fourth. Bradford and the Rams were 7-8-1 last season. Conventional wisdom says the Rams will be the third-best team in the NFC West. The 2007 Giants finished second to Philadelphia in the NFC East. Before that season, 16 of 16 ESPN analysts picked someone other than the Giants to win the NFC.]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 21:36:24 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358777,358777#msg-358777 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358777,358777#msg-358777Listen to Tony Softli Interview on Rookie Minicamp

Notes from Tony Softli’s Interview on 101ESPN Radio (7:03)

** Softli sees 4 potential starters from this draft class: Austin, Ogletree, McDonald, Bailey

**McDonald? Big fan of McDonald….handled the back end…very smooth…great
movement skills….bigger than I thought…loved everything about him.

**All players have to earn the jobs in training camp and no matter how good they’ve looked in minicamp.

**Ray Ray Armstrong has good shot to make team at OLB. Good athlete, good movement skills, will be core special teams guy.

**Cody Davis another guy with a good shot to make it.

** Both Austin and Bailey were very smooth and polished. Their athleticism and quickness in and out of breaks really stood out. On Austin: “I haven’t seen that type of quickness in a WR in my 15 years in the league. More impressive in person than on film.”

** Really looking forward to seeing the progress in the 2nd year guys. Wants to see their growth and progress…how much they have developed and grown over the offseason.]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 20:46:53 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358743,358743#msg-358743 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358743,358743#msg-358743
Would you want to see the Rams on Hard Knocks?

Watch Hard Knocks Discussion]]> RamBill The Original HERDSat, 18 May 2013 14:28:25 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358722,358722#msg-358722 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358722,358722#msg-358722Rams News Items From May 15

Get Caught Up With Any Rams Articles/Videos You May Have Missed

Undrafted Rookie Linebackers Try To Make Rams Roster –PD

Rookie Ray Ray Armstrong Hopes To ‘Hit the Lottery’ with Rams –Burwell Video

Number crunching a growing craze in the NFL: Rams Included –USAToday

A Word About the Rams and NFC West Draft Strategies –Sando

Rams Draft Picks Open Eyes at Earth City Minicamp–St.Louis American

Financial Advice For Rams WR Tavon Austin –ESPN Video

Trumaine Johnson Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge After DUI Arrest

Rams LB Alec Ogletree Among Criticized Rookies Primed to Shine –Brandt

Rams Rookie Camp Part 2 : The Equipment Room –Video

Rams Hit the Links to Help March of Dimes –Wagoner

Rams GM Les Snead on Rookie Minicamp –Radio Interview

Rams Rookie LB Phillip Steward Looks to Follow Familiar Blueprint –Wagoner

Catching Up With Former Rams QB Vince Ferragamo --Article

2013 Offensive Line Rankings: Rams #19 –Silva

Betting on Sam Bradford: Hype vs. Reality –Sando

Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2014 Big Board –Video
]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 08:29:07 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358709,358709#msg-358709 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358709,358709#msg-358709A word about NFC West draft strategies
By Mike Sando

[espn.go.com]

You might recall our March discussion from the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference regarding NFC West team-building strategies.

St. Louis Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff, addressing conference attendees, noted that his team expected to stock its roster with young, affordable talent.

2011-13 NFL Draft Picks: Rounds 1-2
Rank Team Picks
1 Rams 8
1 Bengals 8
1 Patriots 8
4 49ers 7
4 Chargers 7
4 Packers 7
4 Browns 7
4 Vikings 7
4 Broncos 7
4 Eagles 7
4 Lions 7
4 Bills 7
13 Jets 6
13 Steelers 6
13 Dolphins 6
13 Ravens 6
13 Giants 6
13 Bears 6
13 Buccaneers 6
13 Texans 6
13 Titans 6
22 Cardinals 5
22 Cowboys 5
22 Panthers 5
22 Jaguars 5
22 Colts 5
22 Chiefs 5
28 Seahawks 4
28 Falcons 4
28 Redskins 4
31 Saints 3
31 Raiders 3
Source: ESPN Stats & Information

"When we did the RG III trade a year ago, we looked out and said, 'In 2014, we will have 12 players who were first- or second-round picks under the new rookie wage scale,' " Demoff said at the conference. "Twelve of our best players will make less than $25 million combined in 2014, which meant on the remainder of our team, we could overpay a few guys in free agency, we could make a few mistakes here or there and we would have a pretty good nucleus."

The thinking is sound. And as the chart shows, the Rams have selected eight players in the first two rounds since the wage scale went into effect for 2011. That figure ranks tied for the NFL lead with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots.

The Rams' plan to have 12 such players on their roster in 2014 requires a slight revision. The team is scheduled to have 11 such players on its roster after trading its 2013 second-round choice to the Buffalo Bills in the move to acquire Tavon Austin with the eighth overall choice.

I find it interesting to see the Seattle Seahawks listed so low in the chart, with only four players selected in the first two rounds since 2011. They're known for building effectively through the draft, but they have selected players with only two first-round picks and two second-rounders under the new labor agreement.

Seattle has used a league-high 26 picks in the final five rounds during the period in question. Richard Sherman, K.J. Wright and Russell Wilson were among the players they selected with those choices.

Can a team beat the system by stockpiling later-round picks? I don't know if that's a sustainable strategy. It might not even be a strategy in this case. The trades Seattle made could have appealed to the team for unrelated reasons. Either way, it's pretty tough to question the Seahawks' drafting results.

Whatever the case, the contrast between Seattle and two of its division rivals, St. Louis and San Francisco, has been pronounced.

The 49ers have still managed to use 21 picks in the final five rounds over this span, allowing them to have it both ways, in some respects. The Rams have used 17 picks and the Arizona Cardinals 19 of them over the final five rounds since 2011.

Seattle traded its 2013 first-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings in the Percy Harvin deal. The Seahawks traded their 2011 second-rounder to Detroit with the 157th and 209th picks for the 75th, 107th, 154th and 205th choices. They took John Moffitt, Kris Durham, Sherman and Pep Levingston with those selections.

We'll think through this one a little more. First, though, a diversion courtesy of Sherman, who has outlived his fifth-round status on the field and on Facebook.]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 05:43:50 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358706,358706#msg-358706 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358706,358706#msg-358706
Number crunching a growing craze in the NFL
Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports9:17 p.m. EDT May 15, 2013

[www.usatoday.com]

Maybe Kevin Demoff doesn't have much of a choice. Seven years since earning his MBA, the St. Louis Rams chief operating officer runs a franchise that hasn't had a winning season in a decade and has 60-to-1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII.

Demoff is looking for an edge to accelerate the rebuilding.

Get a franchise quarterback? Check. Sam Bradford is preparing for his fourth season.

Hire a new coach? Check. Jeff Fisher, a proven winner, is changing the culture in his second year at the helm.

Develop an analytics department? Coming.

The Rams are among a growing number of NFL teams embracing the notion of incorporating advanced statistics into their football operations to supplement the make-or-break equations of the NFL: X's and O's, salary-cap dollars and W's and L's.

NFL team, meet Moneyball.

"There is so much more data out there than ever," says Demoff, 35, in his fifth year with the Rams. "So there's a hunger to evaluate it. Somewhere, there's a lot of secrets in the data. Maybe it's finding the next Russell Wilson or Jerry Rice. Or maybe it's the key to reducing a certain type of injury."

Within the last few months, new analytics departments in the NFL have been popping up like spring crab grass. The Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens have launched efforts to merge deeper data analysis into football decisions. And Buffalo Bills President Russ Brandon says starting an analytics department is on his agenda, too.

New Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid recently lured Mike Frazier from the Philadelphia Eagles as his statistical analysis coordinator, Frazier's second NFL job. Before his nine years with the Eagles, he had internships with Smith Barney and Wachovia Securities. Finance is not always the path to a key NFL front office job, but it's increasingly representative of a skill set being tapped to influence football moves.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are continuing an investment into analytics that has existed for nearly a decade, with full-time staffers employed in a department that falls under the coaching and scouting umbrella.

"Every team in the league is going to spend the next two or three years to see if they can build a better analytics department," Demoff says. "Everybody's trying to see if there's a silver bullet."

Eliminating guesswork

How are analytics most relevant in the NFL? It varies, depending on the philosophies of any given team's power brokers. Generally, they apply in:

The draft process, in sorting through biomechanical metrics to rank prospects.

Salary-cap management, to project, for instance, the long-term impact of contracts.

Game management, providing statistical probability for key decisions.

Free agency, to account for variables behind statistics.

"It's a lot more widely used than most people would advertise," Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff says. "It's been around for a long time. We use analytics to eliminate as much guesswork as we possibly can."

For generations, NFL teams analyzed the tendencies of opponents to, say, determine where they stood a better chance for success on a third-and-3 pass. For decades, they have timed prospects in the 40-yard dash, for instance, as part of scouting evaluations. And for years, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have flourished behind a cap management system that often has maximized the value of veteran free agents.

Such longstanding practices are why several NFL executives scoff at comparisons to Moneyball, the best-selling book published in 2003 and ensuing film that hailed Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane's use of advanced statistics to help build a winner despite limited cash.

But there's at least a philosophical correlation to Moneyball in the idea of getting more bang for the buck, always a factor in the salary-cap system of the NFL. And there's an undeniable evolution within the NFL, fueled by technology and a younger generation of GMs and top executives who are seemingly more open-minded than many of their tradition-steeped predecessors.

"It's becoming more about what you know, not who you know," says Paraag Marathe, chief operating officer for the San Francisco 49ers.

It's no wonder that 18 NFL teams — including already-established analytics-influenced operations such as the 49ers and Falcons — were represented at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston in March.

The tech-aggressive 49ers are hellbent on applying new methods. This year, the 49ers struck a deal with SAP Software Solutions to develop a revolutionary draft app, SAP Scouting, that allows information within a central database to be processed in real time.

If a scout visiting a pro day at, say, a Southeastern Conference school enters a 40-yard time of a running back while another scout is observing another running back at, say, a Big Ten school and has a 40 time to report, the information can be shared immediately. Furthermore, the 40 times can be stacked up against every other running back — or every other player — in the nation.

The same concept applies to any type of quantitative data for an infinite number of prospects, and data can be used throughout a player's career.

Marathe broke into the NFL while working as a financial analyst for Bain and Company, which late 49ers architect Bill Walsh contracted for a project to evaluate the value of draft slots — something like an exchange rate — before the 2001 draft. Later that year, Walsh hired Marathe, who began as a salary-cap researcher.

Now Marathe is the chief negotiator and administrator of the team's cap.

A glance at the 49ers' salary structure provides clues about why the team seems well-equipped to remain a consistent contender after advancing to the NFC title game and the Super Bowl, respectively, over the last two seasons. The 49ers' cap is largely balanced and manageable, without exorbitant cap numbers for key players.

Although all-pro inside linebacker Patrick Willis had a $17.76 million cap number last year, his contract was structured to lower the figure to $3.65 million in 2013. With the trade of backup quarterback Alex Smith ($9.75 million) to the Chiefs, the highest cap number on the books is tight end Vernon Davis' $8.74million.

It's unrealistic to think they can retain every productive veteran who becomes a free agent, but Marathe vouches for analytics as a tool that can be used for timing some contracts to stretch cap dollars and get maximum returns.

"We don't want to be the Florida Marlins of 1997 or 2003, when you win and then break up the team," Marathe says.

New ways of looking at stats

That Marathe referenced a Major League Baseball franchise brings other parallels to mind. In Moneyball, a key statistical distinction weighted on-base percentage with a higher value than the traditional measure of a batter's success, batting average.

In an NFL context, Browns CEO Joe Banner says analytics influenced him, for example, to read less into a player's sacks and more into an equation of sacks plus quarterback hurries as a starting point to incorporate other variables. Opponents' schemes, teammates and circumstances such as stunts and one-on-one matchups also factor in.

"That's the value of it," Banner says. "It's one thing to say a guy had nine sacks. How many times was he blocked by the tight end, rather than the right tackle?"

When he conducted the search for a Browns coach, which ultimately led to Rob Chudzinski's hiring, Banner says he discussed analytics with each candidate, wanting to gain a sense of how they would be incorporated into game planning, the draft and free agency.

Banner contends there were robust exchanges during interviews about methods to apply advanced statistics. He chuckled when asked to recall the mixed messages he received from Eagles coaches and other staff when he started emphasizing analytics around 2004 while serving as the team's president.

"Some people embraced it," Banner says. "Some people understood that it was an extension of quality control. And some thought it was a foreign object."

Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell sees analytics as a piece of the puzzle. Caldwell aims to build the old-fashioned way, through draft picks and the continuity of keeping the best talent that they can develop. Yet he embraces new tools.

The Jaguars have committed two full-time staffers to an analytics department headed by Tony Khan, the tech-savvy son of owner Shahid Khan and senior vice president.

"They are going to give us a lot of support to think outside the box," Caldwell said.

To that degree, Caldwell has had some experience.

Jones trade as an example

Caldwell, previously a personnel director with the Falcons, says a classic example of the impact of analytics occurred when Dimitroff swung the draft-day trade that netted big-play receiver Julio Jones with the sixth pick in 2011. Atlanta gave up a bundle to Cleveland to move up from the 27th slot: two first-round picks, a second-round pick and two fourth-round picks.

The analytics included statistical research weighing the risk of how high to take a receiver in the draft and whether blue-chip wideouts were more likely to become draft-day busts when compared to other positions. Dimitroff sought Jones to increase explosive plays that he felt his offense lacked.

"We knocked off statistic after statistic," Dimitroff says.

He says the offer didn't hinge on the first- and second-round picks dealt. "Everybody understands the first- and second-round picks," he says. "We needed to figure out the value of the other picks."

What did the research reveal? Less than 15% of fourth-round picks become starters.

In two seasons, Jones has blossomed into one of the NFL's budding stars on one of the league's most productive offenses. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth after the 2012 campaign.

Dimitroff knows that advanced metrics are hardly foolproof. Yet they can go a long way toward identifying which of the five linebacker prospects on the board has a better shot at succeeding in the Falcons system or what value to place on a veteran.

"In the end, you still have to make the call for the right reason," Dimitroff says.

COACHES VIEW: In games, backlash can outweigh odds

It's fourth-and-3, and you're at the opponent's 37-yard line.

Go for it? Try a 54-yard field goal?

According to the statistical model developed by Brian Burke, it's better to keep the offense on the field. The math suggests teams have a 56% chance of converting on fourth down in that situation vs. a 47% chance of making the field goal.

Burke, an ex-Navy pilot, has crunched the numbers to such a degree that he has computed the odds for decisions based on a wide range of situations that make up his Win Probability Model. He has written extensively about his findings since 2007 on his website, AdvancedNFLStats.com, and says he has consulted for three NFL teams.

Still, while many teams have become progressive in applying analytics in areas such as the salary cap, game management is a tougher sell.

Playing the odds might work on paper, but for coaches whose jobs can be on the line, the risks have an added dimension.
billick-1-15

Brian Billick, who won Super Bowl XXXV coaching the Baltimore Ravens and now works as an analyst for Fox Sports, recognizes the value mathematical equations can offer coaches with decision-making.

But he points out researchers don't deal with the risk. "If I go for it on fourth-and-3 from my own 20 and it doesn't work, I want that son of a (gun) standing next to me on the sideline when people are throwing things," Billick said.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio bristles when thinking of the second-guessing he endured when game-management decisions backfired during his tenure as Jacksonville Jaguars coach.

"You may have statistical probability on your side, but if it doesn't work, you're going to get ripped for not going by the book," Del Rio said. "The book is being rewritten all the time. There's an old book that we grew up with in the '70s and '80s. I don't think that book applies in the NFL anymore."]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 05:29:24 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358676,358676#msg-358676 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358676,358676#msg-358676
Watch Austin Advice Video]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 02:18:40 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358673,358673#msg-358673 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358673,358673#msg-358673www.stlouisrams.com]]]> RAMbeau The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 02:08:57 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358657,358657#msg-358657 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358657,358657#msg-358657Notes from Les Snead on with Randy K and D’Marco Farr--

**What are your impressions of what you have after the rookie minicamp? To see them in person..We feel like we made the right choice when it comes to the 1st rounders.

**A career is made on what you do after you’re drafted, not where you’re drafted.

**Ogletree? One of the reasons we drafted him is pursuit speed….especially with the division we are in.

**How much of a rush was it in the 1st round? It’s an intense moment. We had a scenario with 4 parts to it and it all worked out.

**Are you always thinking about the future? Can you ever feel satisfied? You can never sit and say ahhhh..we’ve made it. There is always the next week, the next game.

**Undrafted tryout players? How important? There’s always one or two players that are rookie minicamp tryouts that make a roster or a career. We had Brent Grimes in Atlanta and last year it was WR Nick Johnson who made our roster. (3:47)

Listen to Les Snead Radio Interview]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 01:06:10 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358635,358635#msg-358635 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358635,358635#msg-358635RAMS TO BEGIN ORGANIZED TEAM ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Rams will kick off their 2013 OTAs next week at the Rams Park, and the media is invited to attend select practices.

OTAs will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. and conclude at roughly 12:30 p.m. The first OTAs that are open to the media will be next Thursday and Friday (May 23 & 24). Reporters are also invited to attend OTAs on Tuesday, June 4; Thursday, June 6; Tuesday, June 11 and Thursday, June 13.

Local television cameras will have the opportunity to film certain portions of the practices. Head Coach Jeff Fisher will be available only on the first open practice of each week, and players will be available following each open OTA.


Below is the full schedule of OTAs that are open to the media:

Thursday, May 23
Coach Fisher, Players available

Friday, May 24
Players available

Tuesday, June 4
Coach Fisher, Players available

Thursday, June 6
Players available

Tuesday, June 11.
Coach Fisher, Players available

Thursday, June 13
Players available]]> Shaky The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 00:09:52 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358623,358623#msg-358623 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358623,358623#msg-358623Steward Looks to Follow Familiar Blueprint

Nick Wagoner Senior Writer

[www.stlouisrams.com]



Soon after the NFL Draft, the Rams signed a linebacker from the University of Houston with a rich history of production who once ranked among the nation’s leaders in a key defensive category.

Sound familiar? Well, if you followed the young career arc of Sammy Brown from 2012 then it should.

For the second-year in a row, the Rams dipped into the undrafted free agent pool for an accomplished linebacker who went undrafted despite impressive credentials.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of Brown is Phillip Steward, a 6’1, 235-pounder who was a first-team All Conference USA selection in 2012.

Steward is good friends with Brown and said he spoke to his friend in the lead up to the draft after he’d been projected to be a late-round pick or go undrafted like Brown before him.

“I talked to him and he told me going through the process not to put my head down if I don’t get drafted because he didn’t get drafted and he still made it,” Steward said. “So he reminded me not to get down and just to be ready because someone is going to bring you and you have to be ready to work.”

Steward apparently didn’t lack in the willingness to work area for the Cougars where he played in 52 games throughout his four-year career and proved to be a versatile player capable of rushing the passer or dropping into coverage with equal aplomb.

In 2011, while Brown was busy racking up a nation leading 30 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks, Steward handled the coverage duties. As Brown attacked quarterbacks, Steward found himself creating turnovers on a regular basis as his six interceptions led all of the country’s linebackers and was 11th nationally regardless of position.

With Brown gone last year, Steward stepped into an expanded role and flashed his pass rushing skills from the strong side linebacker position, posting 128 tackles, 12 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, three interceptions and five forced fumbles on his way to earning Houston’s Defensive MVP award.

It would seem that Steward would have a lot to offer to a team in need of help at linebacker.

“I create turnovers,” Steward said. “My junior year I led the NCAA in interceptions so I can create turnovers, get the ball back to the offense and give them more chances to score. I’m loud and I like to talk so once I get to know what I’m doing I’ll be communicating a lot. And I can bring leadership. I can talk on and off the field. I bring a lot to the table so I’m just ready to show what I’ve got.”

Undeterred, he met with his agent and formulated a plan in the event he would hit free agency. When the draft ended, Steward wasn’t lacking for options.

“I wanted to get drafted but if I didn’t get drafted, we still had our options,” Steward said. “We wanted a team that we felt like gave me a chance to make the roster and we came up with the Rams. Me and my agent talked and decided to come here and be a St. Louis Ram.”

Considering the Rams’ dearth of linebackers on the roster, Steward saw the fit in St. Louis as a rather obvious one. Entering the draft, the Rams had just James Laurinaitis, Josh Hull, Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Brown and Jabara Williams on the roster.

Most teams carry at least five or six linebackers and even after they used a first-round pick on Alec Ogletree; Steward saw an opportunity to go somewhere he could legitimately compete for a roster spot, even a place where he might be in direct competition with his friend Brown.

“I heard a lot from a lot of different teams,” Steward said. “I was sitting and waiting and then the draft ended and a lot of teams called me. Me and my agent talked it over and then at the end of the day, the Rams just had the best situation for me.”

Of course, the pull of the Rams was a bit stronger for Steward than just the chance to compete for a potential roster spot.

Growing up right in the sweet spot of the Greatest Show on Turf, the Missouri City, Tex. native found himself pulled to the Rams’ brand of high-octane football on both sides of the field.

Combining that with the ever-growing popularity of the Madden football video game series, Steward found himself becoming something of a Rams fan even in the middle of Texas.

“I used to follow the Rams,” Steward said. “They used to be my favorite team when they had Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk. I used to love them and play with them all the time on Madden.”

Upon arrival in St. Louis for last weekend’s rookie minicamp, Steward found himself a bit in awe of his new surroundings almost from the moment he walked into the building.

“When I first got here, I actually got in late, I walked in and I thought ‘Wow’ then I saw the Super Bowl trophy and I thought ‘This is for real,’” Steward said. “Then they gave me the helmet and I put it on and had to take some pictures for my mom so I thought ‘Man, I could really be a Ram.’ So that was exciting. Then you see the other guys taking pictures and stuff so you know everyone else is excited to be a Ram too. Hopefully I become a Ram.”

To do that, Steward is well aware of what he’s going to have to do over the next few months to accomplish what Brown did.

While Steward played on the outside almost exclusively at Houston, the Rams worked him at all three positions, including the inside, during his first weekend on the job.

For his part, Steward said the hardest part of the adjustment is learning the defense and being able to communicate it with confidence. He said there were times when he second-guessed himself and hesitated for fear of being wrong.

Brown didn’t offer much in the way of advice other than to tell Steward to go out and work hard, especially on special teams. As with most young linebackers trying to make their way in the league, Steward knows he’s going to have to make his name on special teams first.

“Coming in, you already know that,” Steward said. “You have to make sure you get in good with special teams. I heard that from a lot of people. I did that and I made sure I was first in every line so they can see me willing to help there.”]]> RamBill The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 23:04:54 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358621,358621#msg-358621 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358621,358621#msg-358621
2014 gives us Jones at C, and next year we have Long, Watkins, Jones, Shelly and a new RT......

How I think this can not be explained...just a feeling.....not something written in stone that I guarantee to happen....Take it our leave it......just an opinion.......]]> roman18 The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 03:25:04 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358614,358614#msg-358614 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358614,358614#msg-358614Posted 1 hour ago




By StLouisRams.com

aa
By Julia Faron
Special to Stlouisrams.com

Life after the NFL has been robust for former LA Rams’ quarterback Vince Ferragamo.

With his football career in the books, Ferragamo was drawn to a more laid back lifestyle that he could enjoy with his family and friends. The industry that fit the mold was the art of winemaking, beginning with growing the grapes, tending to them and harvesting them for production.

“I was drinking a lot of different types of wines and as I got more into it, I learned to appreciate all the different styles of wines that there are out there and the way people make wine, so that’s what got me into it,” Ferragamo said.

He turned that interest into a private-label wine company on the Tenuta di Ferragamo (Ferragamo Estate). In his personal vineyard, he harvests 1,200 lbs. of grapes, which in turn makes about 40 cases of wine.

“It’s just for family and friends,” Ferragamo said. “I donate some to local charities and there are a couple restaurants that want it, so maybe (someday I’ll sell it).”

The wine is a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend, created using a mid-way clone of those two grapes. The name of the wine is Caressa J., and comes from a combination of his three daughters’ names: Cara, Venessa, and Jenna.

“They all like wine and they drink it, they love it and help me with the harvest,” Ferragamo said. “We had a big planting party and had a bunch of friends over, it’s fun.”

After retiring from football following the 1986 season, Ferragamo dabbled in the financial arena and took an interest in real estate as a second livelihood. With a little research, he decided to open his own company, Touchdown Real Estate, and later Endzone Mortgage.

With the help of some of his financial advisors, Ferragamo experienced success in the real estate industry in Orange County, Calif., and the surrounding coastal beach area.

Ferragamo and his family also operate a foundation benefitting the Special Olympics and other need sports programs. His wife of 34 years, Jodi, pitches in on fundraising by hosting a fashion show to raise monies for breast cancer detection and hospital machinery.

Ferragamo spent the 1977 through 1984 seasons with the Rams, with the exception of the 1981 season which he spent with the CFL Montreal Alouettes. He took the Rams to the Super Bowl at the culmination of the 1979 season, the same year that he got his first NFL start.

“We were a good team then because we played as a team,” Ferragamo said. “There weren’t any individual stars, everybody just played as a team and that’s what makes a great team.”

To get to Super Bowl XIV, they had to take down Dallas – a team that had beaten the Rams by 24 points earlier in the season - and Tampa Bay, both on the road.

“We were able to beat the really good teams who had great speed, we could beat them with the deep ball because for some reason they didn’t really expect us to throw the ball like the way we did, so that’s what really gave us the edge in the big games,” Ferragamo said.

Though talented players are a necessity to win games especially in the NFL, Ferragamo credits the team’s success just as much to the camaraderie among players.

“You are always humble and play for each other,” Ferragamo said. “When you do that, that’s when you know you have a great team and a team you want to be around.”

In a record-setting game against Chicago on Dec. 26, 1982, Ferragamo threw for 509 yards (second-most in Rams history), three touchdowns and two interceptions. One of those picks came from Bears safety Jeff Fisher.

The stat brought a chuckle from Ferragamo but he carries no hard feelings towards the Rams head coach. In fact, he praised Fisher for his efforts in St. Louis.

“He’s a good communicator and he relates well to people – that’s like 90 percent of your job,” Ferragamo said. “He’s tough and you have to be tough to play football, but he also recognizes that it has to be fun and you have to have fun while you do it.”

Last season, the Rams celebrated their 75th anniversary and invited several alumni to the festivities in St. Louis for the San Francisco game.

“Jeff had us come in the locker and he wanted us to say hello to the entire team the Saturday before the game and have a fun, relaxed time,” Ferragamo said. “Tell a story about your favorite pet, favorite movie, what school you went to…fun little, crazy stuff - the guys really get into it.”

Ferragamo went on about that ‘reunion’ weekend and how much he enjoyed seeing his former teammates and being able to talk with the current players.

“I can tell you that it was a really good feeling to hear some of the other athletes that I played ball with saying, ‘Wow, it’s a like a whole hometown week, it’s nice to be welcomed back,’ I can’t tell you how great it was,” Ferragamo said.

Though the days of quarterbacking are over for Ferragamo, the memories they created continue to be cherished.

“Football has been a big part of my life, in all my years.”

[www.stlouisrams.com]]]> Shaky The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 17:26:21 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358610,358610#msg-358610 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358610,358610#msg-358610Betting on Sam Bradford: Hype vs. reality
By Mike Sando

[espn.go.com]

The 2013 narrative for St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is predictable. It is plausible. It is also probably overstating things for dramatic effect.

The narrative says the clock is ticking loudly for Bradford entering his fourth NFL season. It says Bradford faces a make-or-break season now that the Rams have surrounded him with young weapons. It suggests Bradford, with a contract scheduled to balloon in the absence of guaranteed money beyond 2013, could be vulnerable to release following the season if he doesn't finally break out.

The truth: Bradford faces an important and possibly pivotal 2013 season, but the team has options if Bradford's longer-term outlook remains ambiguous one year from now.

"To say this is a make-or-break season is rather strong," ESPN scout Matt Williamson said, "but it is certainly a 'prove it' season or a 'no more excuses' season."

Let us examine some of the dynamics, beginning with the contract.

Bradford is set to collect $9 million in salary this season, $8 million of which is guaranteed. His deal counts about $12.6 million against the cap. The salary jumps to $14 million in 2014, with a $17.6 million scheduled cap hit. That's the type of money top quarterbacks earn. What, then, if Bradford is not one of them? What if he's merely decent or pretty good, but not someone worth nearly $18 million a year?

The Rams could release Bradford, but that wouldn't make much sense unless he played horrendously -- something he has never done to this point. Remember, too, that the team would need an obviously better option at the position. Good luck finding one of those.

More likely and a lot less dramatically, the Rams could buy another year for evaluation. They are building for the long term with their own draft choices and those acquired from the Washington Redskins last offseason. The Rams already have drafted eight players in the first and second rounds under the team-friendly rookie wage scale, tied with Cincinnati and New England for most in the NFL. That figure is scheduled to grow by three in 2014. Their window is still opening. Time is on their side.

If there's no definitive verdict on Bradford in a year, the Rams could stay the course, or they could convert some of that $14 million base salary for 2014 into a signing bonus, keeping the cap hit relatively flat from 2013 into the next season. Bradford would still get his money. The team would get some relief.

The cap charge for 2015 would jump from $16.6 million into the $20 million range under such a scenario, deferring until then a decision on whether Bradford deserves what top quarterbacks command. One potential downside: raising the franchise-tag price for Bradford through an inflated cap figure in 2015.

Of course, all of this is premature from a Rams standpoint. The team likes Bradford now and expects more from him this season, the first one since Bradford's days at the University of Oklahoma that he will not be learning a new offense from a new coordinator. Speaking of those college days ...

"The Rams are tailoring things to resemble what he ran at Oklahoma, where he was so successful," Williamson said. "Three-wide and four-wide, shotgun formation, spread the field horizontally. It looks that way in St. Louis from the bodies they are bringing in."

Those bodies can move, and fast.

Eighth overall choice Tavon Austin and free-agent addition Jared Cook bring different types of speed to the offense.

Austin, at 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds, can accelerate and elude. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.

Cook, 6-5 and 248, is a straight-line threat at tight end. He has 4.5-second speed and posted a 41-inch vertical at the combine in 2009. Like Bradford, he's making big money more on potential than for what he has accomplished to this point.

The Rams' intentions seem clear.

"We've got exceptional speed on offense," coach Jeff Fisher said during the draft.

The evidence suggests Bradford is improving. His 2011 season was forgettable, but the Rams in general and Bradford in particular were unusually injured that season. Bradford went 7-9 as a starter in 2010, his rookie season. He went 7-8-1 last season, setting career highs for yardage (3,702), yards per attempt (6.7), touchdown passes (21), NFL passer rating (82.6) and Total QBR (51.6).

"He hasn't done enough yet to say I trust him no matter what like I do with Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson," Williamson said. "But if I was starting a team right now, I wouldn't be against starting it with Bradford. I would not say he is a bust. ... I still see why he was the first overall pick."

There is little not to like about Bradford except for the results. He throws the ball accurately and with authority. He proved sufficiently mobile last season as his health improved. His demeanor suggests he's sufficiently invested. Former teammates such as Steven Jackson have testified to Bradford's toughness.

Total QBR, Clutch-Weighted EPA, 4Q/OT
2012 QB QBR CW EPA
Tony Romo 71.2 +2.23
Sam Bradford 78.3 +2.22
Matthew Stafford 64.1 +2.01
Andrew Luck 75.5 +1.94
Russell Wilson 74.7 +1.93
Peyton Manning 89.5 +1.7
Robert Griffin III 72.1 +1.69
Matt Ryan 69.1 +1.66
Aaron Rodgers 76.4 +1.59
Colin Kaepernick 89.1 +1.44
Source: ESPN Stats & Information

And it's not like all the results have been negative.

Bradford made positive plays in critical situations last season, helping him rank fourth behind Peyton Manning, Kaepernick and Jay Cutler in Total QBR during fourth quarters and overtimes. The chart ranks quarterbacks last season by the total clutch-weighted expected points they added per game through rushing, passing, sacks, penalties and fumbles during fourth quarters and overtimes, adjusted for the importance of each situation.

What we haven't seen, to this point, is strong evidence Bradford can make those around him perform at a higher level. It's possible too many of the players around him to this point were irredeemable from a talent standpoint. A weak supporting cast has, by all accounts, dragged down Bradford.

To what extent can Bradford maximize Austin, Cook and others with obvious raw talent? The Rams should find some answers this season.

"It does feel like this is a make-or-break year for Bradford even though the Rams have options," Williamson said, "and if I were to bet, I bet he would make it."]]> RamBill The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 22:40:11 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358604,358604#msg-358604 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358604,358604#msg-3586042013 Offensive Line Rankings
By Evan Silva
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

[www.rotoworld.com]

You'll notice 2012 Run and Pass Block Rankings listed before each lineup projection. The first number is via Pro Football Focus. The second number is Football Outsiders' 2012 rating. While PFF and FO's data is relevant and valued, keep in mind the goal of this column is to project the effectiveness of 2013 NFL offensive lines, as opposed to rank them based solely upon what occurred last season.

The number in parentheses after each team name is that club's number of returning offensive line starters. The asterisk (*) denotes a new projected starter.

19. St. Louis Rams (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 25, 14
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 22, 13

LT: Jake Long*
LG: Rokevious Watkins*
C: Scott Wells
RG: Harvey Dahl
RT: Rodger Saffold
Super Sub: G/C Barrett Jones

Overview: The Rams invested the majority of their free-agent dollars and draft picks into playmakers, but signed Long to create space on the field for the new ball carriers and catchers. Assuming Long plays closer to 2008-2010 form than 2011-2012, St. Louis will have upgraded two line positions, as Saffold kicks to right tackle, replacing street free-agent Barry Richardson. The interior remains suspect with Dahl showing signs of decline at age 32 and 2012 free-agent pickup Wells having undergone two right knee surgeries since last June, in addition to suffering a fractured foot. Wells is also 32 years old. As a fifth-round rookie, Watkins lasted one game before a season-ending ankle injury. Fourth-round rookie swingman Jones is coming off a Lisfranc fracture. This should definitely be the best offensive line of Sam Bradford's career, but there's little reason to believe it's a top 12-15 group, even if the Rams get better luck in terms of health.



1. New England Patriots (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 2, 4
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 9, 5

LT: Nate Solder
LG: Logan Mankins
C: Ryan Wendell
RG: Marcus Cannon*
RT: Sebastian Vollmer
Super Sub: G/C Dan Connolly

Overview: The 49ers are better in run blocking, but New England gets a big enough edge in the pass-blocking phase to put position coach Dante Scarnecchia's unit over the top. Despite ranking fourth in the league in pass attempts last season, the Patriots allowed the fifth fewest sacks in football. Pass pro is pretty important in an increasingly pass-first NFL. The Pats didn't lose any key line members and could receive a youthful, physical injection if 2011 fifth-round steal Cannon unseats incumbent right guard Connolly. Cannon is a nimble 6-foot-5 and 360 pounds. Solder and Vollmer were both top-17 offensive tackles in Pro Football Focus' 2012 ratings, while Wendell was a top-five center. Mankins, 31, is gunning for his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

2. San Francisco 49ers (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 1, 1
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 7, 29

LT: Joe Staley
LG: Mike Iupati
C: Jonathan Goodwin
RG: Alex Boone
RT: Anthony Davis
Super Sub: G/T Adam Snyder

Overview: San Francisco fields the most physical front five in football, evidenced by its consensus No. 1 run-block ranking in 2012. Only the Vikings and Redskins paved the way for better team yards-per-carry averages than the 49ers' 5.06 clip. All five starters return with Snyder (83 career starts) back for versatile depth after a failed stint in Arizona. With onetime first-round disappointment Davis turning a corner -- and still improving at age 23 -- the 49ers range anywhere from rock solid to elite at each position. Iupati is the group's strongest member. The returning All-Pro is the best drive-blocking left guard in the NFL and hasn't missed a start in his career. Boone gave the unit a new dimension in his first season as a full-time player in 2012, converting from tackle and actually grading out higher than Iupati in Pro Football Focus' individual guard ratings.

3. Denver Broncos (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 20, 12
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 1, 2

LT: Ryan Clady
LG: Zane Beadles
C: J.D. Walton*
RG: Louis Vasquez*
RT: Orlando Franklin
Super Sub: G Chris Kuper

Overview: Peyton Manning's outstanding pocket management typically atones for up-front deficiencies, as was often the case in Indy behind O-Lines that would have been porous were anyone else playing quarterback. But Denver's front five was at the very least well above average last year and will get even better. Clady is the All-Pro mainstay and franchise player at age 26. Beadles and Walton both enter their fourth NFL seasons and are only 26 as well. (Walton missed all but four 2012 games and was replaced by Dan Koppen, who is currently a street free agent.) Franklin, 25, is rock solid in pass protection. Vasquez, 26, is another pass-blocker extraordinaire and adds mass to the unit at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds. If healthy after fracturing his right fibula, Kuper is an ideal interior reserve with 78 games of starting experience, seeing action at both guard spots.

4. New York Giants (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 4, 2
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 18, 3

LT: Will Beatty
LG: Justin Pugh*
C: David Baas
RG: Chris Snee
RT: James Brewer*
Super Sub: G/T David Diehl

Overview: The names aren't flashy, but this quietly was about as good an offensive line as there was in the league last season, and doesn't lose a single starter. As a team, the G-Men ranked seventh in in yards-per-carry average (4.55) despite several running back injuries, and allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL (20). Most critically, Beatty unseated Diehl on the blindside and emerged as an elite pass-blocking left tackle. Another consideration for Super Sub was guard Kevin Boothe, a returning starter who -- like Diehl -- I project to come off the bench, providing quality veteran depth. The assumptions here are mauling 2011 fourth-rounder Brewer beats out Diehl and 2013 first-rounder Pugh takes over at left guard, where he compares favorably to Andy Levitre. OT Brandon Mosley, 24, and OG Eric Herman, 23, are young reserve options with upside.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 17, 13
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 16, 6

LT: Donald Penn
LG: Carl Nicks
C: Jeremy Zuttah
RG: Davin Joseph*
RT: Demar Dotson
Super Sub: C/G Ted Larsen

Overview: While the Buccaneers' 2012 offensive line ratings were not particularly strong, keep in mind they only got seven combined games from Nicks and Joseph, who form quite possibly the NFL's premier guard duo east of San Francisco. Nicks earned consecutive Pro Bowl trips before arriving in Tampa Bay last offseason, including a 2011 All-Pro berth. Joseph is a brute power blocker. They're healthy now. Despite injuries to arguably their best two linemen, the Bucs still allowed the third fewest sacks in football (26) and ranked 11th in yards-per-carry average (4.42). Depth is somewhat concerning, but there aren't five better starting O-Lines in the league.

6. Cleveland Browns (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 14, 20
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 5, 12

LT: Joe Thomas
LG: Jason Pinkston
C: Alex Mack
RG: Shawn Lauvao
RT: Mitchell Schwartz
Super Sub: G/T John Greco

Overview: An immobile rookie quarterback and injured tailback didn't help Cleveland's rate stats last season, but this is one of the most promising young lines in the league. Perennial All-Pro left tackle Thomas is the group's elder statesman at age 28. Pinkston, 25, Mack, 27, and Lauvao, 25, form an athletic and physical interior. Pinkston and Lauvao are backed up by Greco, a 28-year-old who can play both guard positions and blocked effectively in ten 2012 spot starts. Last year's 37th overall draft pick Schwartz was a top-three pass-protecting right tackle as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus' ratings. If new coach Rob Chudzinski can work some Derek Anderson magic with Brandon Weeden, this Browns offense could take off in 2013.

7. Minnesota Vikings (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 3, 10
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 15, 16

LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Charlie Johnson
C: John Sullivan
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt
Super Sub: G/C/T Joe Berger

Overview: This is another young, rising O-Line. Kalil, 23, Sullivan, 27, and Loadholt, 27, are Minnesota's elite up-front pieces, while improvement can be expected in 24-year-old Fusco's second season as a starter. Johnson, 29, was the weak link last year. He'll face competition from underrated sixth-round pick Jeff Baca and journeyman Berger (27 career starts). In 2011, the Vikings trotted out one of the NFL's poorest offensive lines. The ascension of Fusco and addition of Kalil turned the unit around. It's now a top-ten unit. Christian Ponder is running out of excuses.

8. Baltimore Ravens (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 12, 6
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 17, 14

LT: Bryant McKinnie*
LG: Kelechi Osemele
C: Gino Gradkowski*
RG: Marshal Yanda
RT: Michael Oher
Super Sub: T/G Jah Reid

Overview: McKinnie is marked as a "new starter" because Oher spent last season at left tackle, with Osemele on the right and Reid at left guard. Bobbie Williams, who was cut in March, started eight games at guard. Center Matt Birk has retired, giving way to 2012 top-100 pick Gradkowski. McKinnie took over at left tackle in January and performed admirably, surrendering just four quarterback hits across four playoff games. Including postseasons, McKinnie has made 22 starts on Joe Flacco's blindside over the past two years. The Ravens are 17-5 in those games, and Flacco has a combined 35:13 TD-to-INT ratio with a 8.16 YPA. Baltimore's offensive line is not quite elite, but it's an upper-echelon run-blocking unit and strong in pass pro whenever McKinnie is in good enough physical condition to start. 23-year-old Osemele has the potential to be a truly special player after neutralizing both Vince Wilfork and Justin Smith in the playoffs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 27, 11
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 2, 28

LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Clint Boling
C: Kyle Cook*
RG: Kevin Zeitler
RT: Andre Smith
Super Sub: OT Anthony Collins

Overview: Outside of underwhelming center Cook, Cincinnati's front-five starters are rock solid and backed up by impressive depth. Collins is 27 years old with 18 career starts. He could start on many teams. G/T Travelle Wharton also received consideration for Super Sub. Wharton tore his ACL last year, but is healthy now and can play both left tackle and guard. Cook, returning from high ankle sprain surgery, will have to beat out incumbent seven-game starter Trevor Robinson. Whitworth and Smith each graded out as top-nine tackles in Pro Football Focus' 2012 ratings, while both Boling and Zeitler were top-25 guards, and now enter their second full seasons as starters. Despite this unit's modest run-blocking grades, it often made BenJarvus Green-Ellis look better than he is last year. The Bengals did allow the seventh most sacks in the league (46), though flatlining quarterback Andy Dalton deserves a lot of blame.

10. Tennessee Titans (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 16, 31
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 8, 19

LT: Michael Roos
LG: Andy Levitre*
C: Fernando Velasco
RG: Chance Warmack*
RT: David Stewart
Super Sub: OT Mike Otto

Overview: This is where ranking O-Lines gets tricky, because the Titans poured money (Levitre) and a top-ten pick (Warmack) into their most obvious up-front liabilities. The previous strength was tackle play, so it would seem the group has shored up its weaknesses. Theoretically, there is potential for Tennessee's line to leap into the top five. But Warmack is a rookie, Levitre is undersized and not a great run blocker, and right tackle Stewart has recovered more slowly than expected from a fractured right leg. The Titans indicated their concern by flirting with free agents Winston Justice and Eric Winston. Ultimately, a top-ten offensive line ranking is a positive and big jump from how Tennessee performed last year. Now they need Jake Locker to throw the football more accurately from the pocket and Chris Johnson to play harder on a down-to-down basis.


11. Kansas City Chiefs (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 8, 19
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 20, 27

LT: Branden Albert
LG: Jeff Allen
C: Rodney Hudson*
RG: Jon Asamoah
RT: Eric Fisher*
Super Sub: G/T Geoff Schwartz

Overview: Kansas City has pieces in place to field an impressive young line consisting of franchise player Albert, second-year guard Allen, third-year center Hudson, fourth-year right guard Asamoah, and No. 1 pick Fisher. Off the bench can come power blocker Schwartz and 2012 third-round pick Donald Stephenson, an athletically gifted tackle. While this group remains in heavy transition with plenty to prove, the player-by-player assembly rivals the league’s top offensive lines. The pass blocking should -- and needs to -- take a big step forward under historically pass-first coach Andy Reid as Fisher upgrades on Eric Winston and Allen improves in year two.

12. Houston Texans (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 13, 9
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 11, 9

LT: Duane Brown
LG: Wade Smith
C: Chris Myers
RG: Ben Jones
RT: Derek Newton
Super Sub: OT Ryan Harris

Overview: Although Houston's 2012 front five drew strong marks across the board and returns every starter, this is not quite a question mark-free line. Brown and Myers remain top-notch starters, but both Smith and Newton are coming off knee surgery. Smith is 32 and entering his decline. Newton was the Texans' biggest up-front liability last season, getting overpowered in the run game and playing a big role in Arian Foster's career-worst 4.06 YPC average. Newton will be pushed by Harris and 2013 third-rounder Brennan Williams. Line play is still a plus for this offense, but the group has weaknesses and can no longer be considered among the NFL's elite.

13. Washington Redskins (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 9, 7
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 19, 23

LT: Trent Williams
LG: Kory Lichtensteiger
C: Will Montgomery
RG: Chris Chester
RT: Tyler Polumbus
Super Sub: OT Tom Compton

Overview: All five starters return from a line that cleared the way for Washington to rank No. 5 in total offense. Critical to the Skins' 2012 run-blocking potency was durability, which is especially integral for the Shanahans' zone scheme because linemen move in unison. Williams, Lichtensteiger, Montgomery, and Chester all started 16-of-16 games. Polumbus started 15-of-16. So despite the fact that Lichtensteiger and Polumbus were not particularly effective individually, Washington still thrived with continuity. Some regression must be expected in that area. Depth pieces Compton (0 career starts), G/C Josh LeRibeus (0 career starts), and G/C Adam Gettis (0 career starts) are talented if untested reserves. While this offensive line is not a team weakness on the surface, the Skins still have a ways to go in pass pro and the depth is suspect at best.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 6, 28
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 26, 25

LT: Jason Peters*
LG: Evan Mathis
C: Jason Kelce*
RG: Todd Herremans
RT: Lane Johnson*
Super Sub: OG Danny Watkins

Overview: The Eagles rank in the top half of the NFL's offensive lines because they're loaded with up-front talent. They just couldn't stay healthy last year. All-Pro Peters tore his right Achilles' twice and didn't play a down. Kelce lasted two weeks before tearing two knee ligaments. Herremans missed eight games with a dislocated foot. Watkins has chronic ankle problems and is a bust. Mathis was the only healthy starting lineman last season, and he is now recovering from ankle surgery. No. 4 pick Johnson is a fantastic fit for Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense, and this line has top-five potential, but the unit warrants a conservative ranking due to so many injury concerns.

15. New Orleans Saints (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 5, 17
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 12, 7

LT: Charles Brown*
LG: Ben Grubbs
C: Brian De La Puente
RG: Jahri Evans
RT: Zach Strief
Super Sub: OT Terron Armstead

Overview: The Saints believe in building their line from the inside out, stacking the interior with plus guard and center play and willing to field replacement-level talents at tackle. Grubbs, four-time All-Pro Evans, and UDFA steal De La Puente are the linchpins of New Orleans' trench unit. Strief is a former seventh-round pick out of Northwestern. Brown was a 2010 second-rounder but has been incredibly fragile in the NFL, battling back, hip, hamstring, and knee injuries over his first three seasons. He'll be pushed by raw but athletically freakish third-round rookie Armstead. While New Orleans' lack of left tackle clarity lowers its 2013 projection, this will likely be a quality O-Line. Drew Brees' lightning-quick decision making and delivery mask exterior protection flaws.

16. New York Jets (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 11, 5
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 10, 30

LT: D'Brickashaw Ferguson
LG: Willie Colon*
C: Nick Mangold
RG: Brian Winters*
RT: Austin Howard
Super Sub: G Stephen Peterman

Overview: Effective line play went to waste last season as Mark Sanchez butt-fumbled away football games and Shonn Greene left enormous amounts of yards on the field. Gone are guards Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson, the former of whom remains on the street while the latter is competing for a job in Chicago. Colon-for-Slauson projects as a wash. Decorated wrestler and 50-game college starter Winters offers an impressive resume, but is a rookie. Ferguson and Mangold return as the nuts and bolts of the Jets' line, with improving power run-blocker Howard entering his second full season as a starter. While this front five has question marks, it projects as a plus run-blocking group for new feature back Chris Ivory. That's going to be vital, because the Jets must find ways to hide what inevitably will be one of the NFL's weakest passing attacks.

17. Indianapolis Colts (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 24, 26
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 31, 18

LT: Anthony Castonzo
LG: Donald Thomas*
C: Samson Satele
RG: Hugh Thornton*
RT: Gosder Cherilus*
Super Sub: G/C Mike McGlynn

Overview: Line play was Indianapolis' single biggest 2012 weakness, so second-year GM Ryan Grigson attacked the front five in both free agency and the draft. Grigson shelled out a combined $49 million in max contracts to Thomas and Cherilus, who graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 17 guard and No. 8 tackle, respectively. He then made 320-pound Thornton the 86th pick in the draft. Castonzo and Satele were already passable, if replacement-level starters, but this offensive line has experienced a major injection of talent. Ineffective and ousted incumbents G/T Joe Reitz (17 career starts), McGlynn (34 starts), and T/G Jeff Linkenbach (28 starts) now give the group an appearance of experienced, versatile depth. Easily a bottom-ten O-Line last season, the Colts suddenly look average at worst with a chance to creep into the top 15.

18. Green Bay Packers (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 29, 25
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 6, 31

LT: Bryan Bulaga
LG: Josh Sitton
C: Evan Dietrich-Smith*
RG: T.J. Lang
RT: Derek Sherrod*
Super Sub: T/G Marshall Newhouse

Overview: Coach Mike McCarthy implemented sweeping O-Line changes prior to OTAs, kicking former right-side starters Bulaga and Sitton over to the left, with Lang replacing Sitton at right guard and the right tackle job opened to a multi-player competition. Gone is 2012 free-agent bust Jeff Saturday, who was benched for Dietrich-Smith down the stretch last year. The aim of the Bulaga switch was to put Green Bay's most accomplished blocker on $130-million QB Aaron Rodgers' blindside. Incumbent starter Newhouse was a major liability, both in the run game and pass protection. The full effect of the up-front musical chairs is difficult to project, but benching Newhouse is addition by subtraction. The biggest camp battle will take place at right tackle between Newhouse, 2011 first-round pick Sherrod, Don Barclay, and rookie David Bakhtiari.


20. Seattle Seahawks (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 15, 3
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 13, 20

LT: Russell Okung
LG: James Carpenter
C: Max Unger
RG: J.R. Sweezy*
RT: Breno Giacomini
Super Sub: G John Moffitt

Overview: O-Line talent isn't a strength of the Seahawks, but they absolutely max out their players’ abilities via position coach Tom Cable's tutelage and clear holes in the run game with a zone-blocking scheme. Hard-luck injuries wrecked Seattle's 2012 up-front continuity, as Carpenter missed nine games due to a knee injury and concussion, Moffitt was limited to six starts by elbow and knee woes, and Sweezy was brought along slowly as a former college defensive tackle. This line isn't star studded, but it's good enough and doesn't have a single projected starter above age 27. Whereas the Redskins can expect injury regression, Seattle ought to get it the other way around. Cable will pull production from this unit, and it can get better simply by staying healthy.

21. Atlanta Falcons (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 26, 24
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 14, 8

LT: Sam Baker
LG: Justin Blalock
C: Peter Konz*
RG: Garrett Reynolds
RT: Lamar Holmes*
Super Sub: G/C/T Mike Johnson

Overview: Re-proving that passing-based teams can overcome shaky line play, the 2012 Falcons did well to rank top eight in yards and top seven in points despite a sub-average front five. While Michael Turner's eroding skills deserve lots of blame, Atlanta ranked 29th in yards per rush (3.70) as the passing attack carried the offense. Baker is just a guy at left tackle. Reynolds was a mediocre right guard before a November back injury sent him to I.R. The 55th pick in last April's draft, Konz struggled mightily as a rookie guard. Right tackle Tyson Clabo was arguably Atlanta's most effective lineman, and he got cut in April. The right-side reins will fall on 2012 third-rounder Holmes, who played all of seven snaps as a rookie. With Clabo gone and longtime center Todd McClure retiring, Atlanta is getting younger up front. Only time can tell whether they'll be better.


22. Buffalo Bills (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 22, 8
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 4, 10

LT: Cordy Glenn
LG: Chris Scott*
C: Eric Wood
RG: Kraig Urbik
RT: Chris Hairston*
Super Sub: G/T Sam Young

Overview: You'd never know it because of Ryan Fitzpatrick's annually lackluster production, but Buffalo fielded one of the league's most underrated lines during Chan Gailey's tenure. In Gailey's Pistol Spread, the Bills got the ball out quickly and ran efficiently, ranking fifth in yards per carry in 2011 (4.91) and fourth in 2012 (5.02). Gailey spread the field with four and five wideouts, creating advantageous run matchups. Unfortunately, Buffalo lost top lineman Andy Levitre this offseason, and how the remaining players will transition to rookie coach Doug Marrone's scheme remains to be seen. While Fitzpatrick was error prone and lacked starting-caliber arm talent, his quick release masked up-front flaws that may be exposed with painfully-raw rookie E.J. Manuel under center.

23. Carolina Panthers (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 10, 30
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 27, 21

LT: Jordan Gross

LG: Amini Silatolu
C: Ryan Kalil*
RG: Geoff Hangartner
RT: Byron Bell
Super Sub: T/G Garry Williams

Overview: Although Kalil has been Carolina's stalwart center since breaking into the starting lineup in 2008, he is listed as a "new starter" here because he missed all but five games last season with a Lisfranc fracture. Hangartner slid to center and guard Jeff Byers was forced onto the first string with largely disastrous results. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams slugged their way to a combined 4.03 YPC average while Cam Newton's sack rate rose from 6.3 to 6.9 percent of his dropbacks. Kalil's return will help the up-front cause, but Hangartner is still penciled in at right guard and Bell graded out 60th-of-80 qualifying tackles in Pro Football Focus' 2012 ratings. Cap-strapped Carolina didn't have financial means to address the line this offseason. The only notable reinforcement is fourth-round guard Edmund Kugbila, a project from Valdosta State.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 31, 27
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 21, 15

LT: Marcus Gilbert
LG: Ramon Foster
C: Maurkice Pouncey
RG: David DeCastro*
RT: Mike Adams
Super Sub: G/T Kelvin Beachum

Overview: After selecting DeCastro in last year's first round and Adams in the second, the Steelers were commonly billed as post-draft "winners" with the sudden potential to field one of the league's top young lines. Instead, DeCastro blew out his knee in the preseason and made three starts. Adams was beaten like a drum, coughing up seven sacks in ten games. The Steelers ranked 28th in YPC average (3.73) and Ben Roethlisberger got injured again. The offensive line remained their Achilles' heel. While a healthy dose of talent returns, this is a group to be viewed with skepticism until it makes tangible on-field strides. The unit is also starving for depth, as Beachum (five career starts) and swinging-gate Guy Whimper (22 starts) are the top reserves.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 21, 18
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 30, 22

LT: Eugene Monroe
LG: Will Rackley*
C: Brad Meester
RG: Uche Nwaneri
RT: Luke Joeckel*
Super Sub: G/C Mike Brewster

Overview: The presence of Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle Monroe, healthy return of 2011 rookie starter Rackley, and addition of Joeckel give Jacksonville's offensive line some credibility, even if it remains a probable bottom-ten unit. Longtime center Meester turned 36 in March and Nwaneri is recovering from knee surgery. Rackley missed all of last season with a severe high ankle sprain that required surgery. While this line should be better now, it's hard to forget that Jacksonville allowed the third most sacks in football (50) last season and ranked 24th in yards per rushing attempt (3.82). Still, there are reasons to believe this front five can at least be serviceable enough to give the Jags a puncher's chance of playing competitive offense, assuming they keep Maurice Jones-Drew healthy and somehow scrounge together passable quarterback play.

26. Detroit Lions (2)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 18, 15
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 3, 1

LT: Riley Reiff*
LG: Rob Sims
C: Dominic Raiola
RG: Larry Warford*
RT: Jason Fox*
Super Sub: T/G Corey Hilliard

Overview: Detroit's lofty 2012 pass-block grades from Football Outsiders and Pro Football Focus were largely attributable to tackle play. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who left for greener pastures in Indianapolis, was PFF's No. 5 pass-blocking tackle. Long-underappreciated left tackle Jeff Backus came in a respectable 26th. Replacing Cherilus will be the winner of a camp battle between Fox (26 NFL snaps) and journeyman Hilliard. The Lions preferred Reiff's short arms and average athleticism at guard, but will have to stick him at left tackle after Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson went before their pick at No. 5 overall. Raiola, 34, had to take a massive pay cut to stay in Detroit. Warford projects as a good player in time, but he's an unproven third-round rookie. Sims is the Lions' best lineman. This revamped front five is likely to struggle for consistency.

27. Dallas Cowboys (5)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 7, 22
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 25, 11

LT: Tyron Smith
LG: Nate Livings
C: Travis Frederick*
RG: Mackenzy Bernadeau
RT: Doug Free
Super Sub: OT Jermey Parnell

Overview: Game watchers know Tony Romo played last season under constant siege. Because Romo is such an extraordinary pocket manipulator with instinctive feel for the pass rush, Dallas managed to rank a middling 16th in the league in sacks allowed (36) despite genuinely poor line play. They were 30th in yards-per-carry average (3.56). Free is the most overpaid offensive lineman in football and could lose his job to Parnell, if he doesn't lose his roster spot altogether. Bernadeau has never been an effective blocker, forming one of the league's worst right sides. Smith is an immense talent, but was a disappointment in his first year on the blindside. Lone new face Frederick was an obvious reach in the first round. At best, this was a well below-average line in 2012 and there is little or no reason to think it made significant offseason gains.

28. Chicago Bears (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 19, 16
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 28, 24

LT: Jermon Bushrod*
LG: Matt Slauson*
C: Roberto Garza
RG: Kyle Long*
RT: J'Marcus Webb
Super Sub: T/G Gabe Carimi

Overview: After an abysmal year of line play, GM Phil Emery used his first-round pick (Long) and largest free-agent signing (Bushrod) to address the front five. The Bears need lots of help, because they're gearing up to play pass-first offense under rookie coach Marc Trestman. If the Bushrod addition works as planned, Chicago will upgrade two positions with the move, as 24-year-old Webb kicks to the other side. The team played 2012 musical chairs at right tackle, with Carimi and journeyman Jonathan Scott both failing. While the unit looks improved on paper, that’s not saying very much, and the Bears still lack a top-end starter at any of the five spots. This O-Line remains a work in progress.

29. Miami Dolphins (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 23, 21
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 24, 17

LT: Jonathan Martin
LG: Richie Incognito
C: Mike Pouncey
RG: Lance Louis*
RT: Tyson Clabo*
Super Sub: G/T John Jerry

Overview: GM Jeff Ireland poured offseason resources into linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, receiver, and tight end. Relatively speaking, he invested pennies into franchise QB Ryan Tannehill's protection after a below-average year of line play. The lone significant additions were Clabo and Louis, the former of whom hasn't played in a zone scheme like Miami's in nearly a decade. Louis is coming off a late-season ACL tear. While Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Brandon Gibson account for roughly $100 million in max-contractual worth, Louis and Clabo are owed just over $5 million. After whiffing on left tackle targets Jake Long, Branden Albert, and Bryant McKinnie, the Fins will settle for 2012 turnstile Martin on Tannehill's blindside. It's a high-risk projection. Martin got lit up in pass pro as a rookie. Head scratchingly, O-Line was the one part of Miami's roster Ireland allowed to get worse amid free-agency binge spending and stockpiling of draft picks acquired by trading away two of his best players (Brandon Marshall, Vontae Davis).

30. Oakland Raiders (4)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 30, 29
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 23, 4

LT: Jared Veldheer
LG: Lucas Nix*
C: Stefen Wisniewski
RG: Khalif Barnes
RT: Menelik Watson*
Super Sub: T/G Tony Bergstrom

Overview: The Raiders will undergo their second O-Line overhaul in as many seasons, transitioning from a zone to power scheme. Oakland ranked 27th in 2012 YPC average (3.78), unable to clear holes without committing holding penalties. Were the struggles due more to scheme or the blockers themselves? Suppose we'll find out this year. The best lineman -- by far -- is Veldheer, who pass blocked well enough to help Oakland allow just 27 sacks, tying New England for the NFL's fifth lowest total. That was despite the league's least mobile quarterback (Carson Palmer). Entrenched starters are Veldheer, Wisniewski, and probably second-round rookie Watson, a questionable fit for the new scheme because he's a finesse right tackle. Barnes, Nix, Bergstrom, and 2012 free-agent bust Mike Brisiel -- another poor scheme fit -- will vie for the other two positions. In all likelihood, Oakland's line play will continue to be a negative, even if it improves slightly this year.

31. Arizona Cardinals (3)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 32, 32
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 32, 26

LT: Levi Brown*
LG: Jonathan Cooper*
C: Lyle Sendlein
RG: Daryn Colledge
RT: Bobby Massie
Super Sub: G/T Nate Potter

Overview: The Cardinals fielded the NFL's worst 2012 O-Line, and it wasn't close. They couldn't pass or run block. New GM Steve Keim and coach Bruce Arians have a long way to go to make this front five competitive, but at least they're trying. Turnstile left tackle D'Anthony Batiste was not retained, and right guard liability Adam Snyder was cut. The Cards have pursued ex-Arians understudy Max Starks in free agency. While Cooper helps, he can't do it on his own. Back from his torn triceps, Brown ranked 75th-of-76 tackles in Pro Football Focus' 2011 pass-block ratings. Massie improved as his 2012 rookie year progressed, but he was 74th-of-80 tackles. Colledge and Sendlein are below-average starters. Potter is a viable swing lineman, but stretched mightily on the first team. It'll probably take another year for this unit to reach mediocrity.

32. San Diego Chargers (2)

2012 Run Block Rankings: 28, 23
2012 Pass Block Rankings: 29, 32

LT: King Dunlap*
LG: Chad Rinehart*
C: Nick Hardwick
RG: Jeromey Clary
RT: D.J. Fluker*
Super Sub: G/T Johnnie Troutman

Overview: The Chargers are a good sleeper for the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft because they can't protect their quarterback, and can't rush other teams' quarterbacks. GM Tom Telesco's first season is going to be a long one. Both projected starting tackles are heavy-footed waist benders who will get destroyed by Von Miller, Justin Houston, and Tamba Hali in the AFC West. The Chargers openly confirmed their concern in Dunlap by flirting with Bryant McKinnie and Max Starks. Hardwick, entering his age-32 season, graded out 31st-of-36 centers in Pro Football Focus' 2012 ratings. The club has moved annual pass-protection sieve Clary from right tackle to guard and will pray he plays better there. Journeyman Rinehart is on his third NFL team in six seasons. He'll compete with Troutman at left guard. The 2012 Chargers ranked 31st in yards-per-carry average (3.55) and coughed up the fourth most sacks in the NFL (49). Philip Rivers has absorbed hits to the point that he now sees ghosts in the pocket. Expect more of the same in 2013.]]> RamBill The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 22:28:45 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358580,358580#msg-358580 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358580,358580#msg-358580
Watch Kiper Talk About His Big Board for 2014]]> RamBill The Original HERDThu, 16 May 2013 02:04:14 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358514,358514#msg-358514 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358514,358514#msg-358514]]> Shaky The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 22:45:20 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358502,358502#msg-358502 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358502,358502#msg-358502
My point is, how this is accomplished. It's a byproduct of the entire team staring at the sidelines, all getting the play simultaneously. Statues in a half cocked position. And someone holding a poster of Nixon, or Obama, or Alfred E. Neuman. . and (for Gator) Pee Wee Herman. Those odd configurations were the play. Lord knows we wouldn't want the waste valuable time having the quarterback relay the call.

OK. . . I'm old. And, I find that annoying. Teeth Grating, in fact. I'm not sure it would work in the NFL anyway.

So what prompted this rant?. . . this. . . from NFL.com

8. The signaling system will be interesting to follow once the actual games start. Kelly gets the benefit of the direct coach-to-quarterback communication he didn't have in college. But Kelly didn't act like he was going to rely on that alone. In an effort to move as fast as possible, the other 10 guys were getting signals Monday from the sideline, which should streamline the process with everyone quickly getting cues directly from the coach, as opposed to waiting for a quarterback to relay them.

[www.nfl.com]]]> RAMbeau The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 21:24:10 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358474,358474#msg-358474 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358474,358474#msg-358474Rams News Items From May 14

Get Caught Up With Any Rams Articles/Videos You May Have Missed

Inside Rams Rookie Minicamp with Fisher and Players Interviews–Burwell Video

Nick Wagoner Mailbag Highlights--Good Stuff from May 14

2013 Offseason at a Glance: Rams-What went right? wrong? –Sando

Jeff Fisher on Rookie Minicamp –Radio Interview

Good Recap of the Rams Rookie Minicamp –Softli

Bradford’s Breakout Year? –Sando Video

A Run Through the NFC West 2013 Preseason Schedule –Sando

Teams Take Calculated Risks in the NFL Draft –AP

Rams Undrafted Free Agents to Keep an Eye On –KMOV.com

Fisher on Rams’ Prospects for 2013 “We’ll Have Some Tough Decisions.” –Video]]> RamBill The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 09:04:47 +0200 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358448,358448#msg-358448 http://www.ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?11,358448,358448#msg-358448Some Wagoner Mailbag Highlights

** Ogletree is getting his first look on the strong side. I think right now that’s where he’s going to start out. Personally, I don’t think it makes a huge difference. Dunbar has struggled some when asked to cover but Ogletree has the size and speed to cover TEs and running backs. The main thing is who is on the field all three downs? I’m guessing it will be Ogletree and Laurinaitis.

**Right now, I think Stewart (FS) and McDonald (SS) will get the first looks. But Daniels (SS) and McLeod (FS) will be in the mix for sure. As will some of the youngsters they’ve brought in, including Cody Davis, who is featured in a story on the home page right now if you want to read about him.

**Nobody is bigger than Brockers. Aside from Orlando Pace, he’s the most physically intimidating Ram I’ve covered since I’ve been doing this.

**Free Agents next year? Rodger Saffold and Jo-Lonn Dunbar are probably the biggest names. Eugene Sims is another key guy who is up after the year.

**Starting Lineups? Wagoner: As we sit here right now? And I reserve the right to change my mind but here’s the best guess: QB – Bradford RB – Pead WR – Givens WR – Quick WR – Austin TE – Cook LT – Long LG – Williams C – Wells RG – Dahl RT – Saffold Obviously, RB and LG are up for grabs the most. LG is really too hard to call. Williams, Smith or Watkins could all stake a claim, as could Jones, which makes this really an irrelevant exercise. Also, Kendricks and Cook could both start. Really, the starting 11 doesn’t matter because so much of it is scheme/package based anyway. DE – Long, Quinn DT – Langford, Brockers SLB – Ogletree MLB – Laurinaitis WLB – Dunbar CB – Jenkins, Finnegan S – Stewart, McDonald The safety spots will be up for grabs as well. This is simply a guess a long way out and it means nothing.

**Starting RB: I think Pead will get the first crack at it but I do think it’s pretty open. The more telling thing will be which back is on the field the most. Given his apparent ability to pass protect, it could be the rookie. In terms of carries, I think it’s going to be a legitimate time share. I think Pead is more built to handle a larger load but like I said, it will be by committee anyway. Remember, Pead came in way behind the curve last year. He’s got a chance to catch up this time.

**Cody Davis, FS or SS? He said he’s playing FS right now. Given his skill set, it’s the spot that makes the most sense for him.

**3 or 4 TE’s? I wouldn’t be surprised to see four. They carried that many at times last year and I think there’s a real chance they only carry 5 WRs since Cook is essentially an oversized WR anyway. Cook and Kendricks are set. Then you have Harkey, McNeill and some intriguing guys brought in like Lutzenkirchen. I’d think Harkey is in a good spot given his ability to block and perhaps fill the role Matthew Mulligan did last year.

**Bailey over Quick at WR? Way too early to tell that and though anything is possible, I don’t think it’s all that likely. The Rams have always liked Quick and his potential. That hasn’t changed. They expect him to be a factor this year.

**How did the rookies look? Let me say, it’s hard to make any sweeping judgments of players based on a two practice minicamp. And with so many tryout guys it’s even more difficult. I thought most guys were as advertised. Austin and Ogletree just jump out at you in terms of athleticism and speed, of that there is no doubt. I thought McDonald did a nice job in some of the coverage drills and Bailey really showed a strong ability to attack the ball in flight. Promising group.

**I don’t expect there to be a true FB on the roster. I suppose someone could shift that mindset but I think Kendricks is capable and I don’t expect this offense to utilize one much anyway.

Read Complete Wagoner Mailbag Highlights]]> RamBill The Original HERDWed, 15 May 2013 05:48:51 +0200