Rams awarded extra draft pick, in sixth round
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-awarded-extra-draft-pick-in-sixth-round/article_23d17a35-473b-5901-8799-877d5315b2f6.html
PHOENIX • Last year, the Rams were pleasantly surprised to receive three compensatory draft picks from the league. This year, the Rams expected to get only one extra pick — a sixth-rounder — and that’s exactly what they got.
The NFL awarded 32 compensatory picks Monday, with those being distributed from the end of the third round to the end of the seventh. New England, Kansas City and Cincinnati got the highest picks — each getting a third-round selection.
The complicated formula takes into account salary, playing time and postseason honors (if any) of free agents lost and gained by a team in their first season with their new club.
A year ago, the Rams lost quarterback Kellen Clemens, offensive guard Shelley Smith, safety Darian Stewart and guard/tackle Chris Williams in free agency.
Cornerback Cortland Finnegan didn’t count in the formula because he was a released player by the Rams as opposed to an unrestricted free agent.
Conversely, the Rams signed wide receiver Kenny Britt, defensive tackle Alex Carrington and quarterback Shaun Hill a year ago in free agency.
The net result of those transactions yielded the Rams an extra sixth-rounder, No. 215 overall. That leaves the team with six picks in this year’s draft: one pick each in Rounds 1-4, the sixth-round compensatory pick and a seventh-rounder.
Last year, the Rams used their three compensatory picks for quarterback Garrett Gilbert (Round 6, No. 214 overall); defensive end Michael Sam (Round 7, No. 249); and center Demetrius Rhaney (Round 7, No. 250).
Gilbert is now with New England, Sam is out of the league but trying to get back in as evidenced by his participation Sunday in the NFL Veterans Combine and Rhaney still is with the club after missing all of last season because of a knee injury.
STATUS QUO
All it takes is one phone call to change things, but as the NFL owners meetings began Monday, the Rams weren’t expecting any activity on the offensive line front in free agency.
The Rams need starters at center, guard and right tackle.
Joe Barksdale, the team’s starting right tackle the past two seasons, has yet to make a decision and doesn’t appear to have garnered a ton of interest during a free-agency period punctuated by his marriage and honeymoon.
Two outside free agents the Rams have expressed interest in are former Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski and former Atlanta Falcons guard Justin Blalock. Each has yet to make a decision.
NO BLACKOUTS
After featuring a relaxed television blackout policy in recent years, the NFL has suspended blackouts entirely for at least the coming season.
With teams in St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland perhaps leaving after the 2015 campaign for Los Angeles, and possibly facing a season with thousands and thousands of empty seats for home games, the no-blackout rule ensures that all home games in those markets will be on local television.
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Agamemnon
