Snead on Total Access & other places, including press conference

Five things we learned at Combine: Rams

By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16219/three-things-we-learned-at-combine-rams

INDIANAPOLIS — General manager Les Snead met with the media Wednesday at the NFL combine. Here’s what we learned about the St. Louis Rams:

1. In support of Bradford: As is often the case at Lucas Oil Stadium at this time of year, rumors begun churning about the Rams and quarterback Sam Bradford. One report indicated the Rams have given Bradford’s agent Tom Condon permission to seek a trade. While that has to happen for those discussions to take place, things aren’t always what they seem. In other words, the Rams aren’t shopping Bradford. The bottom line is the Rams want to reduce Bradford’s scheduled $16.58 million cap number and the easiest way for both parties to get a feel for Bradford’s market is for his agent to have conversations with other teams.

Snead made it clear the team has no intention of getting rid of Bradford and conversations about how best to keep him have started.

“We’ve had dialogue with Sam and his people,” Snead said. “Deleting him is not the answer.”

2. Barksdale likely to test the market: Free agency is less than a month away, which means that if you aren’t a player receiving the franchise tag, then you’re probably going to see what the market bears when the new league year starts March 10. All signs point to Rams right tackle Joe Barksdale being one of those players, even though he’s one potential free agent the Rams would like to keep.

“With Joe, that one, he was a starter, we’ve had some pretty serious dialogue with those guys,” Snead said. “A lot of times players once they get through, they get close, it’s good to test the market. And it’s not the worst thing for the team, either, because now no one is guessing. Hey, here’s the options. I think it makes the club, the player especially because he now knows reality versus make believe. And it helps the agent make the best decision.”

3. Keeping the other quarterbacks: The Rams also have two quarterbacks who technically aren’t under contract at the moment in Austin Davis and Shaun Hill. It seems unlikely both will be on the roster next season so long as all options are healthy, but Snead indicated it’s possible both could return.

“Austin is really technically not under contract but it’s not like he can go seek another job,” Snead said. “He’s the easy part of the equation. We are definitely chatting with Shaun’s people. We have been chatting with them.”

4. Long progressing, also under discussion: Like Bradford, offensive tackle Jake Long is coming off two ACL surgeries and carries a heavy price tag for 2015. His cap number is $10.5 million and the Rams could save $8 million by releasing him.

Snead said retaining Long wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Rams but, like with Bradford, dialogue is open between the Rams and Long’s representative, who happens to also be Condon.

“I do think as he rehabs if he can get back to Jake Long previous knee, he can help the team win,” Snead said.

5. Where Barron fits: In a question that was a bit out of left field, Snead was asked where he sees safety Mark Barron fitting in moving forward. Snead said that’s an ongoing process but the offseason should allow the team more time to figure out how best to deploy Barron.

Don’t be surprised if the Rams use the “big nickel” they used near the end of the season as more of their base defense in 2015. The alignment puts Barron on the field as a de facto but versatile linebacker while also keeping safeties Rodney McLeod and T.J. McDonald on the field.