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Rams plan to begin signing their draft class this week, per source.
Team always takes its time w/rookies.— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) June 6, 2016
AgamemnonFormer #49ers QB Dylan Thompson is signing with the Rams today. More QB depth for when Nick Foles departs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2016
AgamemnonPatriots DT Alan Branch disputes reports that Dominique Easley was a problem
Chris Mason Tuesday, April 19, 2016After Dominique Easley was released by the Patriots last week, reports surfaced from some anonymous sources saying Easley was an issue in the locker room.
Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch painted a different picture this afternoon on Herald Radio’s Fargo Street.
“I definitely don’t think he’s a locker room cancer,” Branch said. “There’s plenty of guys that have been labeled like that, and they may be extra in the locker room and all that, but when it comes to Dominique, when he’s in there and he’s talking, he’s always joking around. The guys respect him.”
Easley was flagged as an injury-risk when he came into the league, that’s why he fell to the Patriots at No. 29 in the 2014 draft. He had a pair of ACL tears at the University of Florida, and finished both of his seasons in Foxboro on injured reserve.
One of the reports attacked Easley’s effort in rehabbing from injury. Branch said Easley’s teammates were well aware of how hard he was working to get back on the field.
“This guy was jump-roping for over an hour on one leg, both legs, he was going back and forth. Doing extra work,” Branch said. “Most people had seen it on the team, I felt. He’s a tireless worker. He’s going to put the effort in to be a good player.”
Easley passed through waivers last week unclaimed. He remains a free agent.
Entering his 10th season in the NFL, Branch has seen a lot of defensive linemen come and go. In the film room, he believed Easley was ahead of his peers.
“I’ve seen a lot of young guys at this position in my career, and he was almost a step ahead of guys when it comes to, just preparation and wanting to be a great player and doing the things that he needed,” Branch said.
Bill Belichick is notoriously stern when it comes to punctuality, but Branch saw no red flags with that either.
“Every day we go in there, he’s not a guy that’s late,” Branch said. “He doesn’t come to the meetings late. He doesn’t cause distractions in the meetings either.”
Branch said the respect of Easley wasn’t limited to the defense, but expanded to both sides of the ball.
“The offensive and defensive line, because that’s where our wheelhouse is, people respect him on both ends,” Branch said. “I think he’s a great guy. I was surprised that someone actually put that out there, but from my perspective he’s a really good dude.”
AgamemnonAlthough I prefer the other approach, there isn’t that much difference. It is mostly that it didn’t work out, not that it was wrong.
AgamemnonRandolph turns heads at Tennessee’s Pro Day
Wes Rucker – Mar 30, 1:04 PM
Brian Randolph has no idea why people think he’s slow, but many people seem to think the former Tennessee safety is slow.
They shouldn’t think that anymore.
Randolph, who played in 53 games and started 47 times during his college career, helped his NFL Draft stock with a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at Wednesday’s annual Pro Timing Day in the Anderson Training Center.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Randolph showed his strength, too, with 31 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press — only defensive tackle Owen Williams (42) and offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson (32) had more — but his speed was the biggest thing on his mind heading into Wednesday. Mission accomplished.
“Man, they wanted to see speed, and I tried to tell ‘em,” Randolph said. “I don’t know where they got their numbers from, but it was a bunch of nonsense. People were saying 4.7. I was like, ‘Man, I could run a 4.7 in fifth grade.’ I’m glad I got to prove that wrong.
“I didn’t have no pressure. I was supposed to run a 4.7. I mean, I probably could have backpedaled a 4.7. There was no pressure. It was just fun.”
Randolph, who finished his Tennessee career with 310 tackles, eight interceptions, four forced fumbles and 13 pass breakups, said he also was pleased his 33-inch vertical leap and 4.28-second shuttle run times.
“People were saying I was un-athletic, too, so I wanted to prove ‘em wrong on that, too,” the Atlanta-area native said. “I believed my times did that.”
The always-confident, never-bashful Randolph called his shot Tuesday night, guaranteeing to GoVols247 and others that he would get 30-plus reps on the bench and run the 40 in the 4.4-second range.
“I was trying to get 37 (reps) for you, but I had to put it down,” Randolph said. “I didn’t want to get too tired. I had to run the 40. If that’s all we were doing today, I would have got 37 for y’all. I’ve always been strong. God blessed me with the strength of Samson. That’s why I don’t cut my hair no more.
“There ain’t nothing wrong with my shoulders. I’ve been smacking people for five years, and they’ve been holding up.”
Randolph said he hoped NFL teams learned a lesson last season when they passed over former Vols defensive back Justin Coleman in the draft and watched Coleman become a reliable contributor to the New England Patriots as a rookie.
“I hope the teams see they made a mistake with Justin Coleman,” Randolph said. “Hopefully he opened their eyes for me, too. I don’t think teams want to let another athlete from here fall through the cracks like he did.”
Randolph isn’t necessarily projected to be selected in the upcoming seven-round draft, but multiple sources around the Tennessee program and NFL have told GoVols247 that a late-round selection is possible.
The longtime anchor on Tennessee’s back line said he plans to play in the NFL for years, but he added with a smile that he also post-football plans, regardless.
Randolph has a management degree from Tennessee and played his final season as a graduate student, but he said with a smile that his post-football options are … well … limitless.
“I’m a bowler, I’m a dancer, I’m a singer. I do it all,” said Randolph, who unusual bowling style turned into an internet sensation during the Vols’ trip to Tampa for the Outback Bowl. “There’s golfing, too. I’m the best golfer.”
31 for Brian Randolph on the bench. They call him Hercules, he screams. pic.twitter.com/p5NpvefraX
— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) March 30, 2016
AgamemnonI don’t think it is all about Goff either. Down the road, in 4 or 5 years it might be. I agree, I think it will be mostly the same as last year with hopefully better execution by all. I do think they will add some spread stuff. That suits Goff and Keenum and a lot of the young players that come from spread offenses. That might translate to 5 more plays per game? 10 plays per game? out of the spread.
Agamemnon
I think Ogletree replacing Laurinaitis, is more about the process than anything. There is going to be roster turnover for many reasons, Salary Cap, Age, Injuries, Playing 16 games a year, etc. If you are a Ram and have 6 or more years of experience, you are a Grey Beard. 😉
AgamemnonRams have been unable to find a taker for Foles on trade market. Hanging on to him offers insurance against injury, possible deal later.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 1, 2016
Rams are looking at multiple candidates at free safety during these OTAs. Christian Bryant getting some work Wednesday.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 1, 2016
WR Stedman Bailey is attending the OTAs but just helping out with WRs and not playing. Fisher indicated more info on his status coming soon.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 1, 2016
OT Greg Robinson says he "came in a little heavy" but is planning to play at around 315-318 this year. Says he was as high as 321 last year.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 1, 2016
AgamemnonGood luck with that, Nick.
Ok, you guys convinced me. The Rams don’t want Foles there to screw up their other QBs. 😉
AgamemnonThey probably couldn’t handle everything I know. 😉
I would help the other guy up to his limits.
I doubt, that Warner telling somebody about QB, would make them into copies of himself.
AgamemnonIt seems to be a collection of all Rams related stuff. They lots of different tweets and story links from lots of different people and places.
Agamemnonhttp://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/32for32x160523#NFC%20W
Los Angeles Rams
Left tackle Greg Robinson
There are quite a few choices for the Rams here, but Robinson heads the list. The No. 2 overall pick in 2014 has been a disappointment in his first two seasons, but the Rams were encouraged by how he finished last season. It was always expected that Robinson would need some time to adjust, but the clock is ticking. The Rams will have to make a decision on whether to pick up his fifth-year option after this coming season and, more important, figure out whether they’ll need to invest in another blindside protector for prized rookie QB Jared Goff if Robinson doesn’t perform better. — Nick Wagoner
AgamemnonReynolds is a FA next year and Saffold has a cap hit of 6M+ next year, so maybe they are here or maybe not? They can keep the same group together, if they want. This group can be as large as the same 10 offensive linemen they had last year and they can keep all 10 for this year and the next 2 years.
AgamemnonJamon Brown, cause he hasn’t quite produced up to his hype. Andrew Donnal, cause I think will be a better Renyolds. Isaiah Battle, cause I think he moves better than the other oline. Saffold, cause maybe he is healthy this year. Robinson, cause it is about time. 😉
The others, Barnes, Reynolds, Williams, and Wichmann are OK. Havenstein might turn out to be the leader of the group. Rhaney, I like him least, maybe Wichmann can play center?
AgamemnonIt is official. The 49ers are dead.
“Do you think, maybe, I should have been a patriots fan?”
AgamemnonI would place Fisher close to 15, plus or minus. I see him as the Billie Devany of coaches. He is no better or worse than the majority of NFL coaches. I don’t see much difference between 15 and 22. They are, on the whole, the same animal. imo
AgamemnonI was just having a bit of fun. I like to revisit stuff and see how it looks from a distance. 😉
AgamemnonUndrafted Free Agents: Notable Los Angeles Rams Signees
by T.J. RandallNelson Spruce, WR (Colorado)
This was rather surprising as I saw Spruce falling in the 6th-7th round range, but I believe teams were scared away by his 4.69 40 yards dash. Regardless, the California native is one the most receivers in Pac-12 history as the conference’s all-time leader in receptions with 294. The Buffs’ offensive struggles in 2015 limited Spruce’s production (84 catches for 942 yards and three touchdowns) but he proceeded to finish as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, yards (3,347), and touchdowns (23). He holds or shares more than 38 school records.
Spruce’s production muddies his scouting report as it easy to get caught up his numbers. He is a good player at 6’1,” 206 pounds who uses precise route running, plus tracking ability, and desirable hand-eye coordination to snag passes: he has registered only three drops in his last 288 targets. After the catch, he is a shifty open field runner who can make defenders miss and maneuver through traffic across the middle. Spruce spent the majority of his time as an outside receiver, but flashed production during his time in the slot.
Paul McRoberts, WR (Southeast Missouri):
Throughout this draft process, McRoberts was a guy I was high on and felt he had 7th round value; thankfully, the Rams were still able to snag the nearly-hometown product. The St. Louis native was a standout prep football and basketball player. As a true freshman in 2012, he was the team’s third-leading receiver having caught 11 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in nine games; the following season, he was the top receiver with 44 catches for 646 yards and nine touchdowns. He repeated such honors in 2014 after catching 44 passes for 711 yards and nine touchdowns as a first-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection. Roberts hauled in 76 balls for 940 yards and nine touchdowns, breaking Southeast’s all-time career record in receiving touchdowns (29). He would repeat as a first team All-OVC honoree.
McRoberts is a two-time team captain and brings valued experience as a returner. His build (6’2″ 202, 33 1/2″ arms) will serve him well at the next level, creating a larger catch radius and the ability to win 50/50 balls. His tremendous leaping and timing ability create a receiver who can high point the ball better than most in this class, while looking to earn tough yards after the catch with his physicality. On the other side of the spectrum, McRoberts suffered a Lisfranc injury in 2014 that forced him to miss five games. He isn’t going to eat space off the LOS, and he needs to sustain blocks in the run game while learning to play the game at different speeds rather than just one that allows defenders to disrupt his plan.
Aaron Green, RB (TCU):
Green was ESPN’s 11th rated prospect and a U.S. Army All-American, originally signing with Nebraska. In his first season with the Cornhuskers, Green played in 12 games and ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns in 2011. However, he chose to transfer after the season and was held out of the 2012 campaign due to transfer rules. He ran for 232 yards in the 2013 season, his first with the Horned Frogs, before making his presence felt the following year where he led the way with 922 rushing yards and nine touchdowns; his numbers placed on the All-Big 12 second team. He played in all 13 games (10 starts) this past season as his 1,272 yards were seventh most in school history to go along with 11 touchdowns.
At 5’10,” 203 pounds with a 4.57 40, it’s easier to understand why he wasn’t drafted. He has limited power and functional strength and his feet slow through the hole as contact approaches. However, he does do some good things and has near home run potential who needs to put it together. Green possesses the short are burst to escape trouble and the elusiveness and one-cut ability to make defenders miss in the open field; his quick feet and burst allow him to beat defenders to the edge.
AgamemnonGiven his status from being less than 4 years in the league, what is his status, then, in 2017?
Is he (until/unless he signs for more) an unrestricted FA in 2017?
Or is he a RESTRICTED FA in 2017, with the Rams owning his rights?
RFA in 2017, from a previous post in this thread. Agamemnon
