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Long-Time NFL Writer John McClain Talks Rams, Fisher and the Draft
Brendan Marks posted on April 29, 2015 14:26Houston Texans beat writer John McClain, who’s been covering the NFL for nearly 40 years, joined The Hollywood Casino Press Box on Wednesday to discuss the Rams and the upcoming NFL Draft.
We’ve transcribed the bigger talking points. Listen to the whle thing below:
Impression of the Rams’ drafts under Les Snead and Jeff Fisher:
“I like what they’ve done. But if you look at every playoff team, what do they have in common? They have a really good quarterback. And the Rams, if they get the Nick Foles from 2013…anything close to that, they’re going to be a different team. They’re in a position again to get an impact player in the first round, probably the second round. I like where the Rams are.”
With three straight losing seasons, do you think Jeff Fisher is on the hot seat?
“Only Stan Kroenke knows that, and he’s kind of tied up with other matters. I think any owner that is smart would analyze each year separately instead of saying ‘We’ve had three straight losing seasons.’ When your quarterback blows out his knee two years in a row…it’s bad luck. And when your starting quarterback goes down and you’re supposed to play multiple back-up quarterbacks…And this day and age it’s hard to develop good back-up quarterbacks because the good ones are going to be gone in four seasons. So I think Kroenke has been wise while they continue to build their offensive line and pass rush.”
More on Jeff Fisher, who McClain covered when Fisher was head coach of the Houston Oilers:
“Jeff Fisher is really smart. He’s co-chairman of the Competition Committee. And if you sit down with Fisher and analyze every position in the organization, he’s a really smart guy. Results are all that matters. If Nick Foles comes in and say he bombs out and they have a losing season, maybe Jeff will be on the hot seat. But I think Kroenke has been very wise to see why the Rams have lost.”
Do you believe receivers Amari Cooper or Kevin White may be available for the Rams at No. 10?
“In my mind…based on everyone I talked to in the NFL that I built up contacts with teams through the decades whom I trust, those are two of the top five prospects. I don’t see any way both would be available, possibly one, whoever Oakland passes up. They are better prospects than there is at tackle. Brandon Scherff is better at guard. Then it’s wide open at tackle. Andrus Peat from Stanford is the best left tackle, but he’s no sure thing to step in and start immediately. Say the Raiders take Amari Cooper at four, and Kevin White is there, I think the Rams would be all over Kevin White. I don’t know their board, but I’m guessing he’d be higher rated on their board than a tackle.”
On protecting quarterback Nick Foles:
“If you trade for Nick Foles and he’s your starting quarterback, before he can throw to a receiver, he’s got to be protected. If they have someone else they think they can plug in there, that’s great, but they’ve got to make sure he’s protected before they worry about wide receiver. I could see the Rams going offensive lineman thinking ‘We can get a wide receiver in the second, but there’s no guarantee we’re going to get a tackle as talented as this guy in the second round.'”
McClain talked much more about the Rams and Thursday’s draft. Listen to the whole segment here:
AgamemnonJason Cole talks Rams, NFL Draft and Shane Ray
John Sandner posted on April 30, 2015 08:02Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, joined Tim, Jim, and Doug on The RyanKelly Morning After to talk NFL Draft, Big Decisions for the Rams and Shane Ray:
Let’s start with the NFL Draft…
Do you think when it’s all said and done the Titans stay at #2?
I’d say it’s 50/50 right now. I think ultimately the guy that they want is Phillip Rivers. The Titans don’t want a lot of picks. Clearly, they want a quarterback.
Any idea what the Rams might do with the #10 pick?
I think it would be offensive line 1st priority, 2nd priority, 3rd priority, 4th priority, 5th priority, 6 priority, and 7th priority.
What is the best case offensive line scenario for the Rams?
Brandon Scherff, Ereck Flowers, Andrus Peat….the problems with all these guys really is they are projected to be very good, but NOT GREAT.
Outside of offensive line, where else should the Rams look to improve?
Wide receiver. Quarterback. It all depends on how much you believe in Foles.
There’s seemingly a lack of excitement here in St. Louis, thanks in part to Stan Kroenke and the Rams possible move to Los Angeles, thoughts?
Well, they created this mess and I ultimately think the Rams are still going to stay in St. Louis at the end of the day. Even though Stan Kroenke looks ready and willing to go. I think it’s still a flip of a coin. I think St. Louis can still offer Kroenke a good enough deal to stay in St. Louis.
Will the fans still support the Rams if Kroenke stays as owner?
Fans forgive, it’s what they do. It will work itself out as long as the team produces.
Is the 2nd or 3rd round too early for the Rams to select a quarterback?
No. They took a long look at Garrett Grayson. Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley….Hundley has size and pedigree, while Petty has experience throwing the ball around a lot at Baylor. The majority of guys have Petty or Grayson as the 3rd best quarterback in this draft. For the Rams, I’d say 3rd round is a safe bet for a quarterback for the Rams.
Will Nick Foles be a good fit for St. Louis?
Well, he regressed and got hurt last year. He’s still in that ‘Alex Smith’ group, the league average group of starters. You can build on Foles, especially when you have a defensive line like the Rams have. I think you have a chance to contend, he’s obviously not Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers.
Will Shane Ray drop in the draft thanks to his latest marijuana arrest?
I think the biggest concern is his foot injury. Some teams at the top don’t seem to care much about his foot injury or his recent marijuana situation. A lot of teams worry more about his decision to use marijuana less than 4 days before the draft.
But he’s a kid, right?
He’s a dumba**. I’m tired of the whole “he’s a 20-year old kid” excuse. This week is the biggest job placement of his life. Clearly making that decision is just not very smart. He’s still probably going to be a 1st round pick, but now it’s a difference of if he goes #5-10 or now #15-20, and that’s leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table. He’s probably the best or second best pass rusher behind Randy Gregory, but now this decision could cause teams to wonder about his impulse control.
AgamemnonHidden video released of conversation between Rams owner Kroenke and John McClane of Dave Peacock’s staff at the recent NFL owners meeting.
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This reply was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by . Reason: bbbb
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This reply was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by .
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
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