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2015 First Round Projection
Last Updated: January 27, 2015 8:09 pm
Team Player POS School
1 Tampa Bay *Jameis Winston QB Florida State
2 Tennessee *Leonard Williams DE Southern California
3 Jacksonville *Randy Gregory DE Nebraska
4 Oakland *Amari Cooper WR Alabama
5 Washington *Shane Ray LB Missouri
6 NY Jets *Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
7 Chicago *Dante Fowler DE Florida
8 Atlanta Vic Beasley OLB Clemson
9 NY Giants Devante Parker WR Louisville
10 St. Louis Brandon Scherff G/T Iowa
11 Minnesota *Andrus Peat OT Stanford
12 Cleveland Kevin White WR West Virginia
13 New Orleans Bud Dupree OLB Kentucky
14 Miami *Landon Collins SS Alabama
15 San Francisco La’el Collins G/T LSU
16 Houston Danny Shelton DT Washington
17 San Diego *Trae Waynes CB Michigan State
18 Kansas City *Ereck Flowers G/T Miami
19 Cleveland (from Buffalo) *Eddie Goldman 5T Florida State
20 Philadelphia *Shaq Thompson LB Washington
21 Cincinnati *Malcom Brown DT Texas
22 Pittsburgh *Marcus Peters CB Washington
23 Detroit *Jordan Phillips DT Oklahoma
24 Arizona *Benardrick McKinney LB Mississippi Satte
25 Carolina Owamagbe Odighizuwa DE UCLA
26 Baltimore Mel Gordon RB Wisconsin
27 Dallas *P.J. Williams CB Florida State
28 Denver *Devin Funchess WR Michigan
29 Indianapolis Cameron Erving C/T Florida State
30 Green Bay Michael Bennett 5T Ohio State
31 New England *Dorial Green-Beckham WR Oklahoma
32 Seattle *Jaelen Strong WR Arizona Statehttp://gbnreport.com/2015-nfl-draft/2015-first-round-projection/
AgamemnonSenior Bowl 2015 final score: North wins as Ameer Abdullah, Kevin White impress
By James Brady
@JamesBradySBN on Jan 24 2015, 7:28p 2
Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY SportsRunning back Ameer Abdullah and cornerback Kevin White were among those who looked good in Saturday’s Senior Bowl.
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PinThe 2015 Senior Bowl took place on Saturday, and while the North took a solid win over the South squad, 34-13, the focus was obviously on the individual prospects and not the actual results of the game. We’re going to cover some of the players who stood out, positively or negatively, though it was a rather quiet game for the most part.
One of the biggest question marks coming into this game was the quarterback position in general. Very few people had anything positive to say about the quarterback play on display during Senior Bowl practices prior to the game. They were missing easy throws, throwing interceptions, dropping snaps and a whole lot more. As far as the actual game was concerned, there wasn’t a ton of that, but nobody really distinguished themselves, either.
There’s definite quarterback talent at the top of this draft class, but it’s not deep by any stretch of the imagination. There’s no chance that all of the guys who played — Bryan Bennett of Southeast Louisiani, Shane Carden of East Carolina, Garrett Grayson of Colorado State, Sean Mannion of Oregon State, Bryce Petty of Baylor and Blake Sims of Alabama — will be drafted.
Petty looked solid throwing the ball for the most part, completing nine of 13 passes for 123 yards, but he also threw an interception. Mannion tossed a touchdown, and threw for 50 yards on the day.
Tight end Ben Koyack of Notre Dame drew a lot of criticism from his poor blocking in practice, but he impressed as a receiver in the game. He caught a couple passes and had a touchdown reception to boost his stock, though little was said about his blocking in the game.
Running back Ameer Abdullah was also impressive catching and running the football. He had four receptions for 40 yards, with one of those receptions going 20 yards. He also managed 73 yards on the ground off of just seven carries, the first of which went for over 20 yards. He most definitely helped his stock and could wind up being a first-round pick in the draft, if a team wants to take a running back that early.
Tight end Clive Walford had a decent day. He caught one pass for 10 yards, but also had a drop on the day. He made up for it with a couple massive blocks though, and probably helped his stock in general.
Top offensive linemen Laken Tomlinson of Duke and La’el Collins of LSU were solid, as expected. They helped their stock by having games in which their names weren’t routinely called. On the other hand, T.J. Clemmings of Pitt, an offensive tackle, was up and down all game and got turned around on multiple plays.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kevin White of TCU was one of the most impressive players at practice, and was one of the most impressive players on the field on Saturday. White had a big interception and defended multiple passes on the day.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett had a strong week of practice, but had a mixed game. He didn’t do well in the running game, but generated some pressure and probably didn’t hurt his stock so much. Gabe Wright is another big defensive name. He’s got a ton of athletic talent, but has been labeled inconsistent. He had a solid game overall, but didn’t make any huge plays.
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/1/24/7885613/2015-senior-bowl-results-score
AgamemnonDiscussions underway. Agents for Rams WR Kenny Britt, a pending free agent, meet w/Rams in Mobile.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 23, 2015
March 7-10
Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of
players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2014
contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 10. However, a contract
cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 10.https://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/12-17-14-important-dates.pdf
On the 7th, other clubs can talk to URFAs. On the 10th, at 4:00 pm, they can announce the deal.
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AgamemnonBritt – Three Years, $15 Million
Barksdale – Three Years, $9.1 Million
Kendricks – Two Years, $4.6 MillionLet’s say that avgs. out to 10.3 for 2015.
Is that too hefty? Can they do that?
That is close to what I got. So, I think it is can be done without any trouble.
Agamemnonstltoday.com
Mannion in mix of top QBs at Senior Bowl
1 hour ago • By Jim ThomasMOBILE, ALA. • In this hurry-up, no-huddle, spread-the-field craze that has become college football, Sean Mannion knows what it’s like to take a snap under center followed by a seven-step drop.
The Oregon State quarterback actually played in a pro-style offense in college — surprise! — so as he works with the North squad at the Senior Bowl, he actually knows what it’s like to call a play in a huddle.
“We were mostly under center,” Mannion said of his time with the Beavers. “We were a totally pro-style scheme. I loved the system. I feel like I’m a great fit for it.”
All things being equal, that experience could ease his transition into the NFL and make it easier to play early.
“I guess in some ways it might,” he said. “At the same time, I’m trying to develop every area of my game. In terms of being pro-ready early that’s certainly the goal, that’s certainly what I want to do. It’s all about just day-to-day improving and not really looking too far ahead. I want to be a better player tomorrow than I am today.”
Mannion, 6-5, 227, threw the ball a ton for the Beavers, including a whopping 603 attempts during the 2013 season. A four-year starter, he finished as the Pac-12’s career leader in yards passing (13,600), breaking Matt Barkley’s record.
In a memorable 2013 season, Mannion set the Pac-12 record for single-season passing yards (4,662) and a school single-season mark for touchdown passes (37). But he had wide receiver Brandin Cooks then, and a healthy offensive line.
He had neither in 2014, a season in which his numbers dipped to 3,164 yards passing and 15 touchdowns.
Given a third-round grade by the NFL draft advisory board after his junior season, Mannion decided to return to Oregon State for his senior year. Cooks, by the way, went to New Orleans in the first round of the 2014 draft — No. 20 overall.
So after that so-so senior season, Mannion undoubtedly has been asked the question a thousand times: Does he regret not turning pro after the 2013 season?
Mannion started answering even before the question was finished.
“Not at all,” he replied. “No regrets whatsoever. I certainly feel now that I’m a far better quarterback than I was at the end of my junior year. I think an event like this is the perfect time to kind of use all those lessons that I learned by playing an extra year. I feel it’s really helping me now.”
They were lessons learned through adversity.
“There were challenges,” Mannion said. “But I tried to just take that on and tried to overcome that. I think being a four-year starter, being a captain, being a leader on the team, you really try to lift everyone else around you up when things might not be as easy.”
UCLA’s Brett Hundley, at this point considered the third-best QB behind Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and Florida State’s Jameis Winston, chose not to attend the Senior Bowl. As an underclassman, Winston is not eligible to participate here.
Mariota also came out early, but because he has earned his college degree he was in fact eligible to participate in Mobile. Senior Bowl officials tried to get Mariota to attend, but Mariota — apparently without an agent at this time — declined.
Which brings us back to Mannion, who for now is lumped in a group behind Mariota, Winston and Hundley. That group includes Baylor’s Bryce Petty, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson and East Carolina’s Shane Carden who, like Mannion, all are competing at the Senior Bowl this week.
Draft analyst Russ Lande, the former Rams scout, calls the 2015 QB class “the worst class I can remember. I don’t think there’s anybody that you can look at and say, ‘OK, this is your Andrew Luck. This is your Peyton Manning. Or Tom Brady even.’
“That is, a definite guy you want to stake a claim to in the first round. Everybody, whether it’s Winston or Mariota, they all have major questions. And I’m not even talking off the field. I’m just talking on the field, that make me wonder if they can really be successful quarterbacks.”
In terms of Mannion, one veteran NFC quarterbacks coach, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he’s not sure about his arm strength and pointed out that Mannion has a bit of a long delivery.
Neither is something you’d necessarily call a career killer, but they are traits that every quarterback-needy team will look at as they study Mannion, who’s from Pleasanton, Calif. Another thing to keep in mind in dissecting Mannion is that he threw 54 interceptions in college, which is a high number even for his high amount of attempts.
Does that speak to his decision-making or recognition? Did he have coaches who encouraged him to take chances? Unreliable receivers (other than Cooks)? Or did he simply throw more deep balls than safer dump-offs and short stuff?
In their search to bring in somebody “from outside the building” to compete with Sam Bradford — as coach Jeff Fisher said at his season-ending news conference — the Rams will seek answers to such questions.
For his part, Mannion wants to erase any doubts this week.
“I felt like this was a great opportunity for me to come out and show what I can do and compete with the other quarterbacks,” he said. “And frankly try to be the best guy. Be the best player here. That’s something I really am striving for.”
AgamemnonOG Tre Jackson S54 Florida State 6-3.7 323 Huge hands (11.1″); short arms (32.2″)
http://gbnreport.com/senior-bowl-rosters/
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AgamemnonPrint and Go Back ESPN.com: St. Louis Rams [Print without images]
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Five to watch for Rams at Senior Bowl
By Nick WagonerEARTH CITY, Mo. — It’s no secret the St. Louis Rams need to bolster their offensive line and find an intriguing young quarterback prospect in this offseason, and the NFL draft is clearly one avenue to accomplish both.
There are other needs, but those aren’t as pressing. This week’s Senior Bowl, the place where the Rams have found many of their prominent young players in recent years, provides a good chance to get an up close look at some of this year’s class.
Here are five players to keep an eye on this week in Mobile, Alabama. Practices run Tuesday through Thursday with the game at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on NFL Network.
OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh: ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently mocked Clemmings to the Rams with the No. 10 overall pick. He measured in at 6-foot-4, 307 pounds and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful prospects in the draft. Clemmings is a converted defensive end and has only two years of experience playing on the offensive line, which makes him more about potential than polish at this point. The Rams might need a tackle if Joe Barksdale departs in free agency, and they’ll definitely need a guard either way. Clemmings will get a chance this week to show he can hold up against top competition. Keep an eye on reports of how he fares in pass-rush drills, if he’s far away from consistency there, it could make him less appealing to pair with Greg Robinson, who is also still a work in progress.
OL La’el Collins, LSU: Given the potential for uncertainty with Barksdale and elsewhere on the line, Collins might make an ideal fit for the Rams because he already has proven he can play guard and tackle with equal aplomb. Collins was a three-year starter for the Tigers with one of those years at left guard and the past two as a left tackle. Collins measured in similar to Clemmings at 6-4, 308. He’s more polished, and his versatility could make him an interesting option for the Rams in the early rounds.
QB Sean Mannion, Oregon State: Really, all six of the quarterbacks here are worth watching since none in this year’s class stands out beyond the top two of Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. But we’ll go with Mannion here for the purposes of this exercise because he might be the most pro-ready of those in Mobile. Mannion holds almost every major passing record in Oregon State history and measured in at 6-5, 229 pounds, which makes him the prototype in terms of size. If Mannion can show the ability to fit in an NFL offense in Mobile, it certainly could boost his stock as he and the others battle to try to become the third-best quarterback prospect in the class.
OG Tre Jackson, Florida State: A true mauler on the inside, Jackson is listed at 6-4, 330 pounds. He isn’t likely to be a first-round pick but early projections view him as a later-round guy. He could be a great fit for the Rams in there if he continues to show well in Mobile. Jackson was a three-year starter at right guard and earned consensus All American honors for the Seminoles as a senior.
C Reese Dismukes, Auburn: Although he’s not considered the best center prospect in the draft, Dismukes was the best center in college last year when he won the Rimington Trophy awarded to the best center and was a first-team All American at the position. The Rams would probably be better served to find a free agent option for the middle if possible since they have young options such as Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones and Demetrius Rhaney in place. But center is a need and we can never count out the Rams’ affinity for former Tigers.
There are, of course, plenty of others to watch, and the Rams aren’t going to completely ignore defense. Rams fans, who are some players you’ll be paying closer attention to this week?
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15578/five-to-watch-for-rams-at-the-senior-bowl
AgamemnonNFL Draft Watch: 20 players we’ll be watching at the Senior Bowl
Eric EdholmHere are 20 players we’ll be keeping a close eye on this week as they face off against some of the best talent available for the 2015 NFL draft:
Baylor QB Bryce Petty — He might be the best talent down here, and Petty aims to use this week as his chance to move up in a draft class of quarterbacks that has been described as “Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and the rest.” Petty lacks ideal measurables, doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and comes from the Bears’ spread, one-read offense, the likes of which has produced a mixed bag of NFL passers. That said, he’s tough, quick-thinking and can thread the ball into tight windows. At 24 years old, his appeal is watered down, but Petty can help raise his stock if he shows to be the cream of the Mobile crop.
Auburn WR Sammie Coates — The fourth-year junior is eligible to play in the game based on a new allowance for underclassmen who have completed their degree. Coates physical appeal at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds with wheels. But he is regarded in scouting circles as a one-trick pony — a deep-ball specialist — who needs to refine his game. The practice sessions will show how refined his route-running is, and how well he fares against a decent (though not great) group of cornerbacks. It could be something of a make-or-break week for him. Drops were a problem in college.
USC CB Josh Shaw — The Trojans cornerback can really answer some questions with how he practices and how he interviews. If you remember, Shaw is the player who lied about saving his nephew from drowning, later admitting he jumped from a balcony after an argument with his girlfriend, suffering bilateral ankle injuries in the process. He was suspended from the team thereafter, getting on the field only at the end of the season — and some of his teammates were not thrilled that he was promoted over some players who spent the season practicing and playing. Shaw has limited senior tape and he will be grilled in interviews, but with decent size (6-1, 200 pounds) he could be tried at either corner or safety.
LSU OT La’El Collins — Is he the best prospect at the Senior Bowl? We shall see. The left tackle — he can also play guard, scouts feel — has the physical traits to play with power and quickness, and flashes some nastiness. The one-on-one drills tend to favor pass rushers, as they are performed in space without help, but offensive tackles who show the ability to stonewall them can really vault their stock. This is a big week for Collins.
UCLA DE Owamgabe Odighizuwa — The 6-3, 270-pound Odighizuwa could stand out after a strong finish to his season, capped with a strong bowl performance. He has several nicknames, including “OO” (although we favor “O2”) and could become as much of a household name as he can by winning those aforementioned pass-rush drills in practice. Odighizuwa translates power to speed and can hold his own against bigger tackles. He missed the entire 2013 season following hip surgery but had a terrific 2014 campaign and could carry that over this week as a versatile defender.
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Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers (Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports)
Arkansas DE Trey Flowers — Here’s another edge rusher to keep an eye on. Flowers has a chance to move up into the first-round discussion. He’s a better all-around defender than former teammate Chris Smith, who had an up-and-down week here a year ago, and Flowers’ relentless motor and stronger measurables should propel him to new heights.
Pitt OT T.J. Clemmings — Fighting with Collins for top honors among the offensive linemen could be Clemmings, who made the transition from defensive line to the offensive line but still maintains that defensive mentality as a road-grading run blocker. We expect him to maul a few people this week if his senior tape with the Panthers is any indication.
Miami (Fla.) LB Denzel Perryman — A year ago, Chris Borland and Christian Kirksey both had impressive weeks at inside linebacker, and Perryman looks to be this year’s star at the position. His nasty demeanor, instincts and range all should parlay well into the practice setting, even if he can’t fully lay out defenders every chance he gets. We think Perryman will win over scouts with his hard-nosed approach and leadership skills and could rise into the late-first, early-second-round range.
Miami (Ohio) CB Quinten Rollins — The other Miami features a fascinating defensive prospect of its own. Rollins is a player we’re absolutely fascinated to see among top-tier talent, as the former four-year starting point guard for the RedHawks made an incredible transition to football with a seven-interception season in 2014 and being named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in his one year on the gridiron. Want to be blown away? Watch Rollins’ standout performance in his second college football game at Michigan. With his 6-0, 203-pound frame — like Shaw — he also could project to safety.
Washington DT Danny Shelton — Big men (and Shelton most certainly is that at 6-1, 339 pounds) might not showcase as well as the smaller, quicker rushers in this environment, but Shelton has a chance to prove he’s a top-10 or top-15 pick with a week like the one Aaron Donald had here a year ago. Take note: Shelton and Donald are different players; the former won with quickness, and the latter is more massive and strong. But with defensive tackles in short supply, a big week here could vault Shelton up boards.
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Blake Sims (AP)Blake Sims (AP)
Alabama QB Blake Sims — A year ago, Mobile native A.J. McCarron had no interest in participating in this game, but Sims most certainly will. He’s not prototypical, with more of a running back’s build, but Sims did enough as a senior to entice some scouts — even if some like him, and others are less than impressed. Sims has some people to win over this week. If he throws and moves well, he can vault his stock in this shaky, top-heavy quarterback class, but there are lingering questions coming off a three-INT performance in the college football semifinal loss.
Minnesota RB David Cobb — Overlooked in a banner year for running backs in the Big Ten, Cobb doesn’t blow you away at first blush, but the more you watch, the more you see an NFL-caliber back who can contribute on first and second downs. Can he be that three-down performer? We shall see; the practice sessions will give him ample chances to stand tall as a receiver and pass protector in one-on-one drills. We know Cobb can run the rock, with his strong instincts, good size and tackle-breaking ability. He has some nice churn in his legs.
Florida State TE Nick O’Leary — There are nine tight ends in Mobile, and O’Leary is the biggest name of the bunch. Is he the best? The throwback, Chris Cooley-type receiver has made strides as a blocker and should be a willing participant on special teams. Does he have great physical skills? Maybe not, but he has separation ability and subtlety in his route running that will appeal more to certain teams who will be watching his chain-moving pass catcher.
Michigan State WR-CB Tony Lippett — Want to see how Lippett can impact a game … in all three phases? Turn on the bowl game win over Baylor in which he caught five passes for 74 yards as a receiver, had a 19-yard rush, made two tackles and broke up a pass as a cornerback and delivered a huge block on the Baylor kicker following a blocked field-goal attempt. The 6-3, 186-pound Lippett is expected to play receiver at the Senior Bowl but could be asked to pull some double duty by the Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff if they’re intrigued.
Auburn QB Nick Marshall — Can he be an NFL quarterback? The college tape suggests there’s work to do, but he’s physically gifted and has the requisite arm strength to make it in the right scheme. Could he be switched to receiver or some other position? Perhaps. But the athletic Marshall first will get a crack at QB here.
Auburn DT Gabe Wright — Marshall’s teammate and defensive counterpart enters the week as a mid-round prospect but will be sized up against a slew of other similarly skilled and graded players, such as Clemson DT Grady Jarrett, Iowa DT Carl Davis and Ohio State’s Michael Bennett. A good week for any of them could vault them into the early Day 2 range; a week of struggles would drop them into the Day 3 discussion. Wright can make plays in the backfield. Can he win against a decent but hardly mindblowing group of interior linemen? If so, he’ll help his cause.
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Colorado State offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)Colorado State offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
Colorado State OT Ty Sambrailo — Much like former teammate Weston Richburg a year ago, the Rams offensive lineman has a chance to solidify a second-round grade, and because Sambrailo has greater positional value as a tackle, he could rise into the late first-round range.
TCU CB Kevin White — The 5-9, 175-pound corner has some size limitations and could be pegged a nickel back by NFL scouts, but it would be recommended they turn on the tape of him erasing the much larger … Kevin White, his namesake receiver from West Virginia who could end up a high first-round pick. The Horned Frogs’ version won’t go that high but has some feistiness and competitiveness that should show up well here. Even if WVU’s White opted out of the game, preventing a White-on-White rematch.
Ohio State WR Devin Smith — The speedball receiver caught only 33 passes during the Buckeyes’ championship season but averaged a whopping 28.2 yards per catch and scored an incredible 12 touchdowns. Smith is nicely built at 6-1, 198-pounds but is smooth-muscled and might be a unitasker in the NFL unless he can display a full route tree. The quarterbacks here might not play the best to his skill set, but Smith can win people over by beating one-on-one coverage consistently. There’s always a need for deep speed.
Agamemnonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSiQVyACVfs
St. Louis Rams General Manager Les Snead breaks down the Reese’s Senior Bowl week. Agamemnonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywvVHRrHYso
Mike Mayock and Charles Davis name a couple players they’ll have their eyes on during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama. AgamemnonRams Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for St. Louis
By Steven Gerwel , Featured Columnist
Jan 18, 2015The St. Louis Rams, and the entire NFL for that matter, will be scrambling to re-sign their in-house free agents before the market opens on March 10—about one month after the Super Bowl.
Retaining local free agents is a vital part of maintaining the team’s core. Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff has mentioned in the past that the most important free agents are not the ones from other teams but rather the ones in his own building.
That doesn’t mean the Rams have to cave in and re-sign every familiar face; it just means that continuity and chemistry are important to a football team.
Over the next several weeks, Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead will study the list of St. Louis free agents and determine who’s worth hanging on to. It’s a difficult task, but it’s also vital for the future of the team.
This article will highlight several in-house unrestricted free agents who should be retained and make a prediction on the contract offer based on the current market.
WR Kenny Britt
Kenny Britt has always possessed the talent of a true No. 1 receiver, but he’s been incapable of putting it all together and playing with consistency.
Which in-house free agent is the most vital?
Kenny Britt Joe Barksdale Lance Kendricks Other Submit Vote vote to see resultsBritt was drafted by Fisher with the Tennessee Titans’ first-round pick in 2009. He immediately contributed with 701 yards and three scores as a rookie. In 2010, he posted career-high numbers with 775 yards and nine touchdowns.
It appeared Britt was going to break out in 2011. He posted more than 130 yards in each of his first two games, including three touchdown catches. In Week 3, his breakout campaign came to a halt with a season-ending knee injury.
A suspension for multiple off-field incidents hurt his 2012 season. In 2013, he was benched for uninspiring play and ended the year with just 96 yards.
Fisher, being the man who drafted Britt, was familiar with Britt’s abilities as a player and felt he could contribute to St. Louis’ offense. Despite Britt’s knee injury and off-the-field troubles, the Rams signed Britt to a one-year contract worth a modest $1.4 million.
Not only did Britt produce on the field with three touchdowns and 748 yards (his highest yards total since 2010), but he served as a veteran leader for St. Louis’ young receivers.
According the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams wide receiver coach Ray Sherman is quite pleased with Britt’s presence in the locker room.
“And I tell you what,” said Sherman. “(Britt) has been a joy to have. He’s a smart kid. He’s very conscientious. He wants to do the right thing. He studies. He prepares. And he’s like that when he’s in the classroom, and on the field. I mean I love what he brings to the table.”
For a team that has struggled to find a veteran presence at the receiver position since the departure of Torry Holt in 2009, how can the Rams possibly justify letting Britt walk?
For one, Britt is only 26 years old and is still developing as a player. There’s a realistic chance that he can break out and become the 1,000-yard receiver that the team’s been searching for.
Also, there’s not a good contingency plan in place. If Britt walks, there’s no guarantee the injured Brian Quick will bounce back and play at 100 percent. And while Stedman Bailey certainly has the potential to step up and become the No. 1 guy, it’s still risky to make that assumption.
There’s no way around it. Unless the Rams are confident they can snag Alabama’s Amari Cooper or Oklahoma’s Dorial Green-Beckham in the upcoming draft, they have to re-sign Britt.
The good news is that Britt is not a 1,000-yard guy, at least not yet, and his price tag will reflect that. He should land somewhere between the Riley Cooper and Wes Welker range—about $5 million per year on average.
If the Rams can ink him to a similar contract, he’ll remain with the team for the next several years.
Contract Prediction: Three Years, $15 Million
T Joe Barksdale
The Rams fielded one of the worst offensive lines in football this past year, and upgrades are inevitable this offseason.
One of the biggest question marks is right tackle Joe Barksdale, who apparently took a step backward after a very promising 2013 season.
There’s no question that Barksdale is at least partially responsible for his own decline, but he didn’t have much help. Veteran center Scott Wells and right guard Davin Joseph were total liabilities. Barksdale had almost zero help from the two spots to his left, and it showed.
Wells and Joseph will likely be gone in 2015, and the Rams will undoubtedly pursue guards and centers in free agency and the draft.
The Rams do not have the resources to replace three starters on the offensive line in a single offseason, so it’s both necessary and wise to give Barksdale another shot.
If Barksdale continues to struggle, he’ll be replaced a year from now. However, since he’s still only 26 years old, there’s a good chance he can rebound and get back to his former self.
The Rams will re-sign Barksdale this offseason. Thanks to his decline in play, the contract should be modest—somewhere between Tyson Clabo ($1.2 million on average) and Doug Free ($3.5 million).
Barksdale’s contract will likely contain lots of non-guaranteed money and incentives.
Contract Prediction: Three Years, $9.1 Million
TE Lance Kendricks
Tight end Lance Kendricks has not been St. Louis’ flashiest offensive weapon, but the former second-round draft pick has contributed in valuable and subtle ways.
In 2012, Kendricks established himself as a decent receiver with four touchdowns and 519 yards, which was surprisingly the highest single-season yards total by a tight end in St. Louis’ history (an accomplishment that was outdone by Jared Cook’s 671-yard campaign the following year).
Since the arrival of Cook, Kendricks has taken on the responsibilities of a wild card. He’s not a consistent part of St. Louis’ aerial game plan, but he’s a valuable run-blocker in his new fullback-tight end hybrid role.
He hasn’t been dismissed completely from the passing game. He contributed a career-high five touchdowns this past season and continues to be a valuable red-zone weapon, but his route running has certainly been limited.
The decision will have a lot to do with three-year veteran Cory Harkey. Harkey has been a solid contributor as the No. 3 tight end and is begging for a larger role. He’s a valuable receiver, but Kendricks likely has the edge as a run-blocker.
Undrafted rookies Alex Bayer and Justice Cunningham both made the final roster for St. Louis. If Harkey moves into the No. 2 role, either player is capable of replacing Harkey as the new No. 3 tight end.
The Rams certainly have the depth in place to move on from Kendricks if necessary, but it will simply depend on how much confidence Fisher has in Harkey.
If St. Louis retains Kendricks, his deal will likely be similar to Brandon Myers or Jacob Tamme—about $2.3 million per year.
Contract Prediction: Two Years, $4.6 Million
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2334132-rams-free-agency-projecting-contract-offers-for-st-louis
Britt – Three Years, $15 Million
Barksdale – Three Years, $9.1 Million
Kendricks – Two Years, $4.6 Million-
This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by .
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This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by .
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This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by .
AgamemnonJake Long = 8.0 million
Sam Bradford = 7.0 million (13.0 million > 6.0 million + incentives and an option year.)
Scott Wells = 3.7 million
——————————————-
= 18.7 millionSalary Cap 2015 = ~140 million – 134.6 million = 5.4 million
player cuts = 18.7
under S Cap = 5.4
Finnegan ? = 3.0
———————-est. = 27.1 million cap space
practice squad = ~1.5 million
injured reserve= ~5.0 million
Draft = ~5.0 million——————–
est. = 15.6 million cap space
——————————Restricted free agents. Below are the possible projected tenders.
Level 1: $1,503,000 (Right of First Refusal)
Level 2: $1,503,000 or 110% of 2014 salary (Original Round Pick)
Level 3: $2,296,000 or 110% of 2014 salary (Second Round Pick)
Level 4: $3,269,000 or 110% of 2014 salary (First Round Pick)Rodney McLeodS RFA Level 1: $1,503,000 (Right of First Refusal)
Austin Davis QB RFA Level 1: $1,503,000 (Right of First Refusal)
Tim Barnes C RFA Level 1: $1,503,000 (Right of First Refusal)
———————————————
= 4.5 millionExclusive Rights Free agents – The Patriots are scheduled to have six players eligible for exclusive rights free agency in 2015. Sealver Siliga’s tender offer will be $660,000. James Develin and Brian Tyms will be tendered at $585,000. Casey Walker will be tendered at $510,000. James Morris and Greg Orton will be tendered at $435,000.
Cory Harkey FB ERFA
Chase ReynoldsRB ERFA
B Washington G ERFA
———————————————–
= appx. 2.0 million – conflicting or bogus information so this is a guess.est. = 15.6 million cap space
rfa = -4.5
erfa = -2.0
——————————**** 2016 is the year we need to be ready for. Use some 2015 to extend players from the 2012 draft class and maybe some of the veterns that we be FAs in 2016.
est. = 9.1 million left for:Kenny Britt 3 yr(s) / $11,550,000
Joe Barksdale 4 yr(s) / $16,750,000
Shaun Hill 1 yr(s) / $1,750,000
Lance Kendricks 2 yr(s) / $3,000,000Here are my notes on the salary cap. You guys can sift through them if you want. Personally, I am not interested in explaining anything in my notes, cause nothing is written in stone. If they help, cool. 😉
AgamemnonWhat will happen to Bradford?
Rams cut him and move on.That is a lazy article, but then, I am too lazy to rebut it. 😉 The Rams will be ok. They will be able to keep the players they want to keep. They might even be able to sign one premium FA. Demoff does so good with the cap that I just don’t worry much about it anymore.
Agamemnonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8XqdVKvwLM
Published on Jan 15, 2015NFL Draft senior analyst Rob Rang looks at a few of the Senior Bowl participants to watch in terms of rising — or falling — draft stock.
Agamemnon
Andrew Siciliano, Charles Davis and Mike Mayock join “NFL Total Access” to recap the East-West Shrine Game and talk about key players and what to expect from the Senior Bowl. AgamemnonI hope the players are a lot less distracted
by all this LA talk than me.
Cause I’m hav’in a hard time thinking
about the usual football stuff — my brain
wants closure on the ‘move’ stuff.w
vGoogle “how futbol saved the seahawks.” 😉
AgamemnonNFL
Find this article at: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459590/article/devin-gardner-among-shrine-game-prospects-who-impressed
Devin Gardner among Shrine Game prospects who impressedBy Charles Davis
NFL Media analyst
Published: Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:43 p.m.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2015 at 01:20 p.m.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After getting an up-close look at players competing in practice this week for Saturday’s East-West Shrine Game, here are 10 players that grabbed my attention. I’ll be keeping a close eye on all of these players in Saturday’s game and beyond as the evaluation process unfolds leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft.
» Sources Tell Us: What we’re hearing about Shrine Game prospectsA quick note on some players that didn’t make list but definitely stood out — the West team’s linebackers have been the most impressive position group I’ve seen all week. Kansas’ Ben Heeney, Utah State’s Zach Vigil and Stanford’s A.J. Tarpley and James Vaughters are all terrific space players, and it’s not a surprise given the number of big-time aerial attacks that call the Pac-12 and Big 12 home. Now, on to the list.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network10 who caught Mayock’s eye
Jeremiah: 3 Shrine standouts
Davis: 7 making an impression
Mayock: 5 standout linemen
Who’s talking to who at practice?
Insider buzz at Shrine Game
Georgia Tech WR gets noticed
Michigan’s Gardner working at WR
East-West Shrine Game rosters
Photos: Shrine Game practices2015 NFL Draft coverage:
Draft order, needs for every team
CFB 24/7 Podcast: Prospect buzzBlake Bell, TE, Oklahoma
Bell is a fighter and he’s working extremely hard to improve as a blocker. He played quarterback for the Sooners before transitioning to tight end after the 2013 season, and he runs routes with the eyes of a quarterback — he knows what a QB is looking for downfield having played the position. Bell has a good frame at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, and it looks like he could add more weight if he wanted to. Of course, his bloodline also works in his favor. Bell’s father and uncle both played tight end in the NFL.
Da’Ron Brown, WR, Northern IllinoisI didn’t see Brown drop a ball this week. The 6-0, 196-pound pass-catcher ran good routes and defenders struggled to cover him. I think he’ll be able to play outside and in the slot, too.
Jamon Brown, G, LouisvilleWith a big, thick, strong body, Brown has really stood out during practice this week. The former Cardinal has played both tackle positions and guard, but I think he will fit best as a guard in the NFL.
Devin Gardner, WR, MichiganGardner is making the transition from quarterback to wide receiver and he’s been battling some leg issues this week, but he showed improvement with each day of practice here at the Shrine Game. I think he’s going to keep getting better, too — I would love to see where he’s at with his progress in a month. He’ll continue to refine his route running, and he’s a smart player who’s familiar with a pro-style offense. We’ll have to see how he develops, but I’ve heard from a lot of teams that are intrigued by him.
Taiwan Jones, ILB, Michigan StateJones looks like an old-school middle linebacker at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, but he can run. He has a suddenness to him that you might not expect from a guy his size. Jones definitely brings the thump with him.
In a weekly series, draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah polls five NFL personnel executives about college football’s top prospects.
Under-the-radar players in CFB title game
Which CFB Playoff team is most talented?
Who is Missouri DE Ray’s top NFL comp?
What is Cooper’s rank in 2014 draft?
Who will be the Chris Borland of 2015?
Who is Badger RB Gordon’s NFL comp?
Who is the most disappointing prospect?
Who boosted stock most this season?
Who does Mariota most remind you of?
Which NFL WRs are like Amari Cooper?
Who is top coach outside of Power 5?
Who does UGA RB Gurley remind you of?
Which team will win national title?Deon Long, WR, Maryland
He’s played much of his career in the shadow of the much more highly touted Terrapins wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, but Long might have been the best wide receiver I saw here this week. He’s very good out of his breaks and showed some toughness in his route running. He made a lot of contested catches, and certainly doesn’t lack any confidence.
Bobby McCain, CB MemphisI was really impressed with McCain’s footwork this week. He doesn’t have great size at 5-11, 190, but he’s really quick. He has the makings of a very good cover corner.
Wes Saxton, TE, South AlabamaSaxton fits the profile of what NFL teams are looking for in a tight end these days. He looks like a wide receiver playing tight end, and he runs like one, too. Saxton is a threat downfield, but he’s not going to help much as a blocker.
Tye Smith, CB, TowsonThe thing that stands out most about Smith is his competitiveness. The 6-foot, 185-pounder competes like crazy. Smith contests every throw his way and makes good plays on the ball.
Zach Zenner, RB, South Dakota StateZenner goes hard on every snap and in every drill. He kept making plays this week, whether it was catching the ball out of the backfield or running the ball on an inside drill. He’s not a big name, coming from South Dakota State, but I think a lot of teams will be intrigued by him.
Follow Charles Davis on Twitter @CFD22.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459590/article/devin-gardner-among-shrine-game-prospects-who-impressed AgamemnonSHRINE GAME Week
By Pigskin Paul Guillemette | January 13, 2015
0 CommentEAST-WEST SHRINE CLASSIC REPORTS
by Pigskin Paul Guillemette; GBN Associate Editor and Chief Scout
Wednesday AM/EAST PRACTICE
Sorry for the delay, but our Wednesday night podcast ate up all my ambition. So here we go playing catch-up.
Perhaps the nicest surprise package of the week is turning out to be TRE’ McBRIDE/WR/WM & MARY #3. This young man is as smooth as pudding. He has quickness & speed as well as the ability to cut on a dime enabling him to run precise routes. His hands have been almost flawless and no one DB has been able to control him on a regular basis. I have not been able to find a flaw in his play this week. He has nice size at 6’006/205 lbs., but fairly small hands at 9″. I have not perceived those hands to be any issue with the way he is securing the ball whether wide open or in a crowd.
JOHN MILLER/G/LOUISVILLE #70 has been rock solid with his practice work all three days. He has a strong build at 6’3/315, but is not soft or flabby. He also displays good footwork in a limited area. He uses his arms well to keep defenders off his body and stays on his feet. He has also shown the ability to burst off his initial block and get to the second level. I think he has NFL starting potential and could back up all 3 interior positions with his size and athleticism. He may be the most consistent OL for the East.
On the other hand the play of SEAN HICKEY/T/G/SYRACUSE #60 has been spotty and uninspired. He looks the part and has an NFL body at 6’056/308, with 32.68″ long arms and hands over 10″ wide. Several of us have noted that he may fit better inside at OG at the next level. But it’s hard to tell with his seeming lack of intensity and urgency to date. I felt he was deserving successor to PUGH/GIANTS, but he’s not measuring up at this point.
Another small school product who is making good use of his time at this venue is DERRICK LOTT/DT/CHATTANOOGA #91. He’s a solid looking athlete who stands 6’042/299. He can really push and throw people around with vine-like arms that measured 34.5″ on Monday morning. He also has a quick first step off the snap and pursues very well. He could well make a very nice 5-technique player or add a few more lbs. and handle things inside in a 4-3 scheme. He may post some monster numbers at the Combine, and after this week I cannot imagine how he does not get an invite to Indy.
I continue to be amazed at the talent that Charlie Strong had assembled at Louisville. THis squad is full of Louisville players and they are all making an impression with their practice work. JAMON BROWN/T #79 has been holding his own at an OT slot this week. He;s a bit sloppy in is habits and technique, but still gets the job done most of the time. He looks to me like he might be better suited for an OG slot in the NFL. He stands 6’043 and weighs 330 lbs. He has decent mobility for that size and has nice long arms at 33.5″. I saw him playing inside during several Louisville games last fall. He has enough going for him to perhaps be a late round pick in May.
Before we move on I would like to advise you that as I expected ERIC GALKO has been able to acquire the Monday weigh-in stats, which is hard to do for this event. THanks to Eric and here is the link to that information for you @ http://optimumscouting.com/draft/2015-shrine-game-weigh-results.html
WEDNESDAY PM/WEST PRACTICE
Based on overall college production and athletic ability the highest ranked RB at this venue is MALCOLM BROWN/Texas #28. BROWN is a nice combination of size and quickness. He’s primarily a one-cut and go runner, who shows quick feet and the ability to see holes pretty quickly. He’s also proving to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield. His weal point may be in pass protection, but he’s stout enough to handle it and has been getting extra instruction on blocking technique each practice. BROWN measured 5’115/223 and had 10″ hands which reinforces his receiving ability.He may bot have HR speed, but he looks like he can crank out some 10-20 yard runs with regularity.
JOSH SHAW/CB/SOUTHERN CAL #16 missed most of the 2014 season after a suspension for lying to his coaches about an off-field incident. But he has looked very smooth and confident this week. He’s not a man-cover battler, but is smooth enough to probably fit well in an NFL zone-oriented secondary. He has nice size 6’005/203, with arms just over 30″ long. He’s also getting a lot of practice on special teams units. He has some time over the next few months to get back into draft consideration, but interviews with him will be very important.
SAM CARTER/S/TCU #1 has been an interesting study this week. He is very active and vocal as the leader of the West defense. He’s calling out formations from his S slot and directing players around in coverages. I’ve heard him call out several warnings to teammates about upcoming play tendencies, and by and large his calls have been right on. He is also showing the athleticism to make plays of his own. At 5’116/216, with 10″ hands and 31 3/8″ arms he has the physical tools to play at the next level.
ZACH VIGIL/LB/UTAH STATE #51 is a more imposing player than I expected him to be. He weighed in at a solid 238 lbs. on a 6’2 frame. He moves around well and has a nose for the ball. He is good at dropping into coverage for about 120-yards, but beyond that he is chasing receivers not trying to locate the ball. He looks like an excellent specimen for Special Teams duty, which he might show up doing during the actual game. He is making plays here, just like he did during his college career.
TAIWAN JONES/LB/MICHIGAN STATE has been very solid in his practice play, earning multiple plaudits from his position coaches. For a guy who measures 6’024 and weighs 258 lbs. he covers a lot of ground. He has been excellent in short coverage and has really been striking some heavy blows. If he’s holding back a bit then I can’t wait to see how hard he hits on game day. Even though his frame looks ideal for an Inside slot in a 3-4 scheme, he’s practicing outside a lot and not looking out of place at all.
Just a quick note that TONY WASHINGTON/OLB/Oregon #19 made it into town after the NCAA title game Monday night. This will be a tough learning chore for WASHINGTON since he pretty much played DE for the Ducks, but will begin the transition process of learning to play standing up and dropping into coverage a lot, over the next 2 days. We’ll find out not only how athletic he is in space, but also how quickly he can learn some new tricks.
Tuesday/January 13th
AM/EAST PRACTICE
My first impression of the day was watching NFL scouts are about to be faced with an almost annual dilemma in recent years. Trying to evaluate the potential of a large, physically gifted WR from out of the GA TECH running attack. Actually, there may be two this year but the one at this game is DARREN WALLER, 6’6/240. He is not a TE. He gets his long legs cranking in a hurry and was beating CB downfield for several 20+-yard receptions of balls coming in over his shoulder or straight over the top of his head. That’s a tough ball to handle and his hands engulfed the ball, while in full stride. Most impressive in drill work, he was.
Another WR who made a favorable impression on me was DEON LONG/WR/MARYLAND #9. He was quicker in his moves and cuts than purely fast, but he was also sure handed and could make the catch with CB near or on him. He did some nice faking and gained a step on several opponents.
Unfortunately, I can’t say I was enraptured by any of the EAST QB, for the second day in a row. ANTHONY BOONE/QB/DUKE #7, was the most inaccurate to my eyes. He has a strong arm and can snap off some throws, but whether or not they end up as catchable for his receivers is another matter. He may be pressing, but the results are not encouraging right now.
An awful lot of folks seem to be impressed with DE/BUD DUPREE/Kentucky, who we will see next week in Mobile. I am not officially more in luv with his teammate and fellow DE/pass rusher ZA’DARIUS SMITH #94. I’d like to see SMITH gain a bit more weight than his current 265, but he has a solid body and is a more aggressive player than his ballyhooed teammate. He also has excellent quickness to his pass rush. THis morning he made an excellent, inside swim move, to beat his blocker badly to the inside. It was breathtaking. And even though a bit undersized he is not afraid to go head-t0-head with 300 lb. blockers.
I cannot speak for him in pass coverage quite yet, but I will tell that DAMIAN PARMS/S/FLORIDA ATLANTIC has a nose for the ball and a taste for contact. And when he hits, even in limited scrimmage work, the pads pop. He diagnosed and stuffed a reverse play during 11-on-11. In general, he has good reaction to ball movement in the backfield. I will be watching to determine if he has any cover skills. At 6’2/210, his physicality is unquestionable, now if only he can cover some.
I put the Pigskin Paul stop watch to work to get some hang time numbers on SPENCER ROTH/BAYLOR, who is considered to be in the Top 5 of Punting prospects. Once he got warmed up his final two punts were both a bit over 4-seconds. He ain’t no BRYAN ANGER who spoiled me 3 years ago with 5+second hang times, but if he is as good as advertised on his spin and placement within the 20, then he may be draftable. We may have to wait until game day for that information.
PM/WEST PRACTICE
The “team” leader on Offense for this squad is clearly RB/JOHN CROCKETT/NORTH DAKOTA STATE #23. He has been the most vocal cheer leader and high energy guy I have seen since ERIC WEDDLE/S/CHARGERS was dubbed the energizer bunny at the Senior Bowl some years back. CROCKETT refuses to go down when carrying the ball and is the first guy to free teammates after a good play with a body bump and cheers. H e might still be on a high from his team’s National Championship run.
During 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 today a standout receiver was TE/MYCOLE PRUITT/S. ILLINOIS #4. He was able to get open multiple times, made nice catches and got yards after catch on multiple occasions. He lined up inline as well as set back in an H-Back position off the line. He’s about 6’2/245, and moves very well, with good speed once in gear. In a weak TE class this is a great chance to show his wares.
It came as not much of a surprise to see A.J. TARPLEY/MLB/STANFORD #18 out there directing defensive traffic for his teammates during scrimmage work. First of all he is surrounded by former STANFORD teammates much of the time, and clearly he comes from a program that places very high value on it’s defensive performance. He’s also pretty mobile and hostile in his overall play.
DA’RON BROWN/WR/N.ILLINOIS caught my eye with his receiving work this Bowl season and is continuing on here in Florida. He made a very nice catch, high pointing the ball in quite a bit of traffic between 2 defenders in 11-on-11 today. CROCKETT got most excited after that catch and ran downfield to congratulate his teammate. BROWN is not a speedster, but has reliable hands and a good size on a solid frame. He looks to me like a nice late round WR prospect.
TRAVIS RACITI/DL/SAN JOSE STATE #93 is showing nicely in 11-on-11 work. He uses quickness to get past OT like TERRY POOLE, and might have had a couple of sacks or at the least QB Hurries if this were actual game action. He has good length, and size, 6’5/285. He looks like his pro future might lie as a DE in a 3-4 scheme. He works hard, but plays under control and trusts his eyes when in ball pursuit.
Time or a bit of relaxation and some sleep before another 80 mile drive to St. Pete for Shrine Wednesday. Quite often the middle of the week is the highlight time for practices as players have absorbed all the install work and are beginning to read and react freely on the field instead of thinking too much.
Good night from Florida at Shrine Week
http://gbnreport.com/shrine-game-week/
AgamemnonSegment 6 – Neil DeMause on the Rams stadium 1-16-15
Friday, January 16, 2015 11:55 AMNFL says Rams not moving, but also not staying without new stadium, so snap to it, mister
Posted on January 16, 2015 by Neil deMauseThe NFL has finally spoken about the St. Louis Rams stadium situation, and by “the NFL” I mean designated stadium grubber Eric Grubman, and by “spoken” I mean “issued ultimatums that without a new stadium, the Rams will move somewhere else, though the league doesn’t plan on them moving, because they expect to get a new stadium, capisce?”
League officials are not considering such a move [of the Rams to Los Angeles], Grubman said.
“We’re looking for a solution to the St. Louis Rams to be the St. Louis Rams, not for some other team to be the St. Louis Rams,” he said.
Is a stadium necessary for that solution?
“Yes,” Grubman said.
And a stadium, Grubman made clear, means a fully signed, sealed, and delivered stadium, not just a plan for one:
The NFL’s role, he said, is to help give the St. Louis effort “the best chance possible.”
The north riverfront proposal, he said, isn’t yet real.
“A real plan means that the steps are all actionable,” he said. “If you need authorities, you’ve assembled those authorities. If you need land, you’ve assembled that land.” …
“I don’t want to put any lines in the sand,” he said. “… But what we’ve talked about is we really ought to be assembling this plan this calendar year. Which doesn’t mean Dec. 31.”
So the NFL is clear: Unless a St. Louis stadium is approved this year, and not late this year, but not that there’s a firm deadline or anything, then the Rams are totally moving somewhere, but the league isn’t thinking about that. Yet.
Once again, this is a non-threat threat that it’s impossible to know whether to take seriously, because Grubman would be saying the exact same thing in each of several scenarios:
Rams owner Stan Kroenke wants to go to L.A., the league doesn’t want him to, and Grubman has been sent out to shake loose a St. Louis stadium offer that Kroenke can’t refuse so that both sides can go away happy.
Kroenke wants to go to L.A. and the league is fine with it, but Grubman has been sent to shake loose a St. Louis stadium because more options are always good, if only to turn up the heat on Inglewood voters to stop asking questions about the stadium plan there and just approve it in a referendum already.
Kroenke’s Inglewood stadium plan is a bluff, and Grubman is trying to make it an effective bluff by telling St. Louis, “We’ll pull the trigger, don’t test us.”Each of these is completely plausible, given what we know now. The only way to tell which is true will be if Missouri officials (or voters) reject stadium deal, and we’ll see whether Kroenke and Grubman really shoot the dog, or slink back to St. Louis with their tail between their legs, as we’ve seen happen before.
http://www.fieldofschemes.com/
Field of Schemes
How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit, Revised and Expanded Edition
Neil deMause and Joanna Caganpaperback
2008. 424 pp.
978-0-8032-6016-0
$22.95 tAuthor Web Site
Read an Excerpt (pdf)Field of Schemes is a play-by-play account of how the drive for new sports stadiums and arenas drains $2 billion a year from public treasuries for the sake of private profit. While the millionaires who own sports franchises have seen the value of their assets soar under this scheme, taxpayers, urban residents, and sports fans have all come out losers, forced to pay both higher taxes and higher ticket prices for seats that, thanks to the layers of luxury seating that typify new stadiums, usually offer a worse view of the action.
The stories in Field of Schemes, from Baltimore to Cleveland and Minneapolis to Seattle and dozens of places in between, tell of the sports-team owners who use their money and their political muscle to get their way, and of the stories of spirited local groups—like Detroit’s Tiger Stadium Fan Club and Boston’s Save Fenway Park!—that have fought to save the games we love and the public dollars our cities need.
This revised and expanded edition features the first comprehensive reporting on the recent stadium battles in Washington DC, New York City, and Boston as well as updates on how cities have fared with the first wave of new stadiums built in recent years.
Neil deMause is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes regularly for the Village Voice, Extra!, and Baseball Prospectus and runs the stadium-watch Web site fieldofschemes.com.
Joanna Cagan is a teacher and writer in New York City. She has written for numerous publications, including the Village Voice, the New York Times Magazine, and Interview.
http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/Field-of-Schemes,673388.aspx
AgamemnonAll righty then…………………………………………………………..
I like your posts. Keep posting your thoughts. The Rams, all thing considered, on a whole, have under preformed to my expectations. They have done enough things right that I don’t want the coaches changed, but they have disappointed me. I see no major changes coming until the Rams stadium/relocation stuff is settled. [adds all necessary qualifiers and adds imo]
AgamemnonThursday, January 15th
http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/audio/total-information-pm/eric-grubman-president-of-business-ventures-for-the-nfl/
Eric Grubman, President Of Business Ventures For The NFL
KMOX’s Tom Ackerman talks with Eric Grubman about stadium development in the NFL. Agamemnonyeah. i would. but you know what? i say that while also realizing that i’m most likely wrong. but i’d still do it anyway. i like him. it’d be a pure fan decision. not based on any sort of real football knowledge.
Did you read that he has big hands? 😉
Agamemnon -
This reply was modified 11 years, 1 month ago by
