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znModerator3. Kevin White vs. Amari Cooper: When West Virginia’s White ran his blistering 4.35 second 40-yard dash at the combine, it appeared that his combination of size, speed, athleticism and potential would make him a lock to be the first wideout off the board. Particularly when it appeared Alabama’s Amari Cooper ran a 4.42 in Indianapolis and didn’t cut the same imposing figure.
But distinguishing the pair by pure speed became even tougher when NFL teams got official unreleased data (the stuff that isn’t shared with the media) from combine workouts. In reality, both ran faster than the times released by the NFL Network. Cooper ran in the window of 4.35 to 4.38 seconds, and White was listed in the window of 4.32-4.35.
As time has gone on, Cooper’s tape has helped him immensely, as well as individual workouts. One highly regarded source in the scouting community raved about Cooper’s route-running in March, and said of his pass-catching ability: “You rarely ever hear the ball hit his hands.” The same evaluator told Yahoo Sports that White had a more unrefined game, but also had a higher ceiling for development. He also added that White’s game also revolved a lot around his own confidence: when he’s on (which is most of the time), he’s a terror for defenses. Conversely, he can have the occasional game where he doesn’t appear as aggressive as his size would suggest.
Most still appear to believe that White’s edge in measurables (2 inches taller than Cooper, with arms more than an inch longer) will make him the first wideout off the board. But that race is closer than most think, and personal workouts could tip the scales in Cooper’s favor
April 10, 2015 at 1:48 am in reply to: Jeremiah: Winston, Mariota only starting QBs in draft … + Rams & Mariota #22548znModeratorSmoke screens around Mariota make him NFL draft’s biggest domino
By Charles Robinson
Yahoo Sports
A highly respected NFL personnel man was mentally thumbing through Marcus Mariota comparisons this week when he found what seemed to be an appropriate box for the Oregon star.
Aaron Rodgers.
It sounded like a glowing comparison. But in what may be the only negative Rodgers analogy that still exits, this is what the personnel man said: “If [Mariota] doesn’t go in the top six picks, he could do an Aaron Rodgers,” he said.
This was a dark nod toward draft torture. Specifically, the 2005 first round, when Rodgers did a slow bake on national television as his draft position Plinko-ed from a potential No. 1 pick to the 24th selection.
Few believe this could happen to Mariota. Falling that hard?
“If he gets past the top six, it could be out of the top 10 to whatever point the Eagles trade up for him,” the personnel man said.
In the grand sense of anything-can-happen, this could be a realistic scenario. But in most quarters, it doesn’t fit with what many NFL sources have been saying about Mariota in recent days. Then again, the one absolute about Mariota right now is that there is no absolute about his destination later this month. While all signs point to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having zeroed in on Florida State’s Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick, far fewer have certainty about Mariota.
Indeed, various media reports have connected the Ducks’ star quarterback to five of the top seven teams in the draft, including Tampa Bay, the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Redskins, the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears. Two other franchises – the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles – have been forwarded as potential trade suitors for Mariota as well.
The public picture is so muddled over Mariota he could be connected with half the teams in the draft by the time the selection process kicks off. He’s this year’s biggest draft domino – one of the players whose uncertain position could change boards, either with a high selection or a slide.
But he’s also not alone. Along with Mariota, a handful of players still have evaluations that are all over the place. Here are a handful, along with some of the most recent pieces of information:
1. Jameis Winston: Admittedly, there is an overwhelming amount of hesitation having Winston on this list. Virtually every single NFL evaluator has said Winston is the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft. But as time has gone on, there has been a little grumbling about Winston’s raw workout numbers. As an overall athlete, he’s not as good as past No. 1 QBs such as Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford.
But aside from the obvious, one league source familiar with the inner workings of the Buccaneers offered two interesting observations this week.
First, general manager Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith won’t have the final say on drafting Winston. The source said the selection won’t happen without the approval of ownership. Second, the source said Darcie Glazer Kassewitz (the daughter of late owner Malcolm Glazer) is one of the voices in the Bucs’ front office whose opinion could influence the pick.
The source did not say Kassewitz was against drafting Winston. Nor did the source say Mariota or any other player was preferred at No. 1. But the source said that Kassewitz – who is the co-president of the Glazer Family Foundation – has raised some internal questions about the community relations impact of the pick.
That could mean little. But at the very least, an important person in the Glazer’s inner circle will be looking as much off the field as on it when it comes to the Winston selection.
2. Marcus Mariota: The scenarios linked to Mariota seem endless. In a way, he’s a perfect illustration of the misinformation and leverage that is such a huge part of the draft process. The Redskins, for example, have been leaking for weeks that they will seriously consider taking him at No. 5 overall, and also let it be known that there are plans to host him in the run-up to the draft. But that has also drawn a collective eye-roll from multiple league sources.
“They’re trying to create leverage to get someone to [trade] up” one AFC personnel source said.
What has been more interesting over the last month is the amount of resources the Tennessee Titans have devoted to Mariota. While most believed prior to the NFL scouting combine that Mariota didn’t fit head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s offensive system, several league sources said the Titans have done significant off-field vetting despite this belief. This has gone beyond the basics, which has included watching his workouts at the combine and pro day, scheduling a private workout and then flying Mariota to Nashville this week.
Whisenhunt also seemed candid at the owners’ meetings last month, suggesting with certainty that Mariota could make the transition to a pro-style system, and that Tennessee was genuinely intrigued by his talent. And at least one thing has continued to make the marriage between Whisenhunt and Mariota sensible: drafting him would very likely give the current coaching staff and front office a three-year lease on their jobs to develop a franchise quarterback. Drafting an edge rusher like Leonard Williams and going 4-12 would likely do the opposite.
April 10, 2015 at 1:15 am in reply to: Fisher: Rams to see 'lot more out of' Kenny Britt in '15 #22544znModeratori’ve got my doubts about britt although he was on his way to a breakout season before his injury. quick was too before he got injured.
Interesting addition to these thoughts…Quick is getting used to his 5th qb. Britt, his 3rd Rams qb.
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znModeratorWR Kevin White set to visit Bears, Rams, Jets and Giants
By Chase Goodbread
It was only a matter of time before Kevin White started piling up frequent flier miles.
The former West Virginia wide receiver could be a top-five pick in the NFL draft in three weeks, yet entered the week having not visited a single NFL team. But with his first visit, to the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, now behind him, White revealed a busy schedule of more upcoming trips.
The New York Jets, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and New York Giants are all arranging to host White, according to Ross Tucker of the NBC Sports Network. Between those and perhaps a few other visits or private workouts, White’s calendar for the next three weeks should be very full.
The Jets hold the No. 6 pick of the draft, but with the club’s uncertainty at the quarterback position, a wide receiver wouldn’t figure to be the right first-round move for Gang Green. By contrast, the Bears are in need of a wide receiver and White could be an ideal fit for an offense that could use another dynamic target to pair with Alshon Jeffery.
Presumably, quarterback Jay Cutler would approve. The Bears traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall and a seventh-round draft pick to the Jets for a fifth-round pick earlier this offseason.
White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper are expected to be the first two wide receivers chosen in the draft, with the first possibly going to the Oakland Raiders with the No. 4 pick.
znModeratorWow, lot of work there. If the draft followed that, we could get Collins, Humphries, Tomlinson, and Garcia.
Interesting draft.
April 10, 2015 at 12:09 am in reply to: Linemen in the 2015 draft … including 2 good Cosell podcasts #22487znModeratorfrom off the net
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jrry32
A.J. Cann OG/C South Carolina
Analysis: A.J. Cann is the best pure OG in this class but actually got a lot of work at Center at his Pro Day and was recruited out of high school as a Center. He would be an interesting developmental prospect at Center for down the line that can contribute immediately as a rookie at OG. As a LG, Cann is a brutish run blocker combining sound footwork with great power and leverage. He’s explosive out of his stance, consistently the low man, and drives his feet through contact. Cann has a mean streak and looks to bury guys in the run game. He’d immediately bolster our run game and his experience in South Carolina’s zone blocking scheme will help him at the next level because it bolstered his understanding of angles and positions and gave him a lot of experience blocking on the move.
As a pass protector, Cann has a few technical issues to clean up but should be able to hold his own until they’re cleaned up. Cann has the natural mirroring ability, anchor, power, and athleticism to develop into a very good pass protecting LG. He needs to improve his punch and hand placement in the passing game. His punch can be a bit weak because he doesn’t time it right and he has a tendency to allow his punches to land outside the chest-plate. Cann also needs to do a better job of sitting back in his stance as he’ll get caught leaning at times but his bend is not at all an issue so that should be something that will be easy to clean up. Cann also needs to do a better job of redirecting vs. quicker DTs especially on swim moves as he will sometimes stop moving his feet when getting spun on by a quick DT. Regardless, Cann’s technical issues are very fixable and nothing overly worrisome at this stage.
April 10, 2015 at 12:01 am in reply to: Grayson, Hundley, Petty, Carden etc. … the qbs this year #22486znModeratorfrom off the net
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jrry32
Garrett Grayson QB Colorado State
Analysis: Garrett Grayson does not have outstanding physical tools but he makes up for his average physical talent with great instincts, sound mechanics, and consistent ball placement. Grayson’s arm strength is middle of the pack and would likely be considered below average for a current NFL starter but it is adequate for the next level. Due to his polished footwork, he gets good zip on the majority of throws. Some of the deeper throws to the sideline can be tough for him. However, him and Nick Foles both are similar in terms of arm strength so Grayson’s arm is more than enough. Grayson really shines in ball placement. His polished footwork, throwing base, and upper body mechanics allow him to throw a very consistent ball. He is coming from a pro style offense so he’s used to throwing pro style routes and locates the football well especially on deep routes. Grayson also shows nice touch on the ball although he needs to do a better job of lofting it when trying to get over the LOS without a throwing lane as he had some issues in college with batted passes. Grayson also had a slight hitch in the back side of his throwing motion but has reportedly been working this off-season to clean that up.
Grayson’s poise under pressure, pocket presence, and pocket movement are some of the most impressive parts of his game. Grayson feels pressure and understands how to slide in the pocket to find and create space while still keeping his eyes down-field. Grayson also understands when to take a sack and protect the football. His OL was inconsistent so he dealt with quite a bit of pressure and has a lot of experience standing tall and making accurate throws with the knowledge that he’s about to get hit. He’s a very tough kid (played through an ankle injury during the season despite it visibly hobbling him in some games…and played well). Grayson also has flashed NFL caliber anticipation (seen him start his motion on quite a few NFL out routes before the WR has even began gearing down to make his break) although he needs to be more consistent with it, his timing, and his internal clock. Will throw late at times or hold onto the ball too long at times but this should improve with experience and coaching at the next level. Grayson has shown the ability to work through NFL style route combinations and progressions. He will hit the checkdown when nothing is there or throw it away when necessary. He’s a good decision maker that protects the ball. He needs to be more deceptive with his eyes as he will lock onto targets at times. Grayson also needs to be more consistent with his timing in moving through progressions. His mental processing speed looks great at times and at other times, he’s slow to come off his first read. But again, these are things that typically improve in the NFL. I like Grayson a lot as a prospect. I think he’s got the ability to develop into a starter for a team at the next level.
znModeratorDespite their high draft pick status, only eight of 45 (18%) linemen delivered an above average performance (marked in green in the table above) in their rookie season as graded by PFF.
Sobering numbers!
It suggests that what you want to do is find okay placeholders and delay as many rookies starting as possible.
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znModeratorA compactly built, light-footed pivot who elevated his draft standing after clocking sub-5.0 40 times at his pro-day workout. Has the size, power and agility to eventually compete for a starting job.
Rhaney sounds kind of like a find doesn’t he.
Could be. Why not.
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April 9, 2015 at 10:57 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #22476znModeratorbarksdale may be ordinary, but i think continuity can’t be underestimated in this case.
Yeah that’s really what lies behind my interest in Barksdale. Field three experienced starters who also know the system and each other. Robinson Saffold Barksdale.
So I hope they keep JB.
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znModeratorTaking a look at fifth-year options for 2012 first-round picks
by Michael David Smith on April 9, 2015
NFL teams are now deciding whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options on 2012 first-round draft picks. Here’s a rundown of where each team stands:
ALREADY PICKED UP
The Colts have announced the obvious, they will pick up the option and pay first overall pick Andrew Luck $16.2 million in 2016.
The Chargers have picked up the $7.8 million option on linebacker Melvin Ingram.
The Steelers have picked up the $8.1 million option on guard David DeCastro.
WILL BE PICKED UP
The Dolphins have made clear that they will pick up the $16.2 million option on quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Panthers will certainly pick up the $11.1 million option on linebacker Luke Kuechly.
The Bills will pick up the $11.1 million option on cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The Chiefs will pick up the $6.1 million option on defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
The Rams will pick up the $6.1 million option on defensive tackle Michael Brockers.
The Seahawks will likely pick up the $7.8 million option on linebacker Bruce Irvin.
The Titans will pick up the $7.3 million option on receiver Kendall Wright.
The Patriots will pick up their options on both of their 2012 first-round picks, a $7.8 million option on defensive end Chandler Jones and a $7.8 million option on linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
The Bengals will pick up the $8.1 million option on guard Kevin Zeitler.
The Vikings will pick up the $5.3 million option on safety Harrison Smith.
CLOSE CALLS
The most interesting decision on the board is whether Washington will pick up the $16.2 million option on Robert Griffin III. Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury, and given Griffin’s injury history, it seems unlikely that Washington would give him that kind of money with an injury guarantee.
The Vikings will probably pick up the $11.1 million option on left tackle Matt Kalil, although he was a disappointment last season and has had a knee injury, so that won’t be an easy decision.
The Cowboys will probably not pick up the $11.1 million option on cornerback Morris Claiborne, given that injuries have forced him to miss most of the last two seasons.
The Rams have a decision to make on safety Mark Barron, who was drafted by the Buccaneers but has since been traded to St. Louis. Barron probably hasn’t played well enough to justify an $8.3 million option.It’s anyone’s guess what Chip Kelly will decide to do with Fletcher Cox, the Eagles defensive end who would get $7.8 million in 2016 if his option is picked up.
The Bengals seem to like the talent of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, but they may decide that a $7.5 million option is too much for a player who has started only five games in three seasons.
Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd has played well, but well enough for a $7.3 million salary in 2016?
It’s unclear whether the Jets’ new decision makers see defensive end Quinton Coples as a good fit, so his $7.8 million option is up in the air.
Riley Reiff is the Lions’ starting left tackle, which would seem to make him a good bet to get his $8.1 million option picked up, although the team has said no decision has been made.
The Texans will have a tough time deciding whether to pick up the $7.8 million option on pass rusher Whitney Mercilus. With the likes of J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and Jadeveon Clowney in Houston, the Texans may decide that they can’t afford another big salary on the defensive line.
WON’T BE PICKED UP
The Bears aren’t likely to pick up the option on Shea McClellin, who has been a disappointment.
The Packers probably won’t pick up the option on Nick Perry, who has mostly been a backup in his three years in Green Bay.
Doug Martin looked like a star in the making during his rookie year in Tampa, but a lot has changed since then and the new brass doesn’t seem enamored with him. He’s a long shot to have his option picked up.
NO DECISION TO MAKE
Neither of the Browns’ 2012 first-round picks have fifth-year options to pick up: Trent Richardson was traded to the Colts, cut and signed by the Raiders, while Brandon Weeden was cut by the Browns and signed by the Cowboys.
The 49ers’ first-round pick, A.J. Jenkins, was a major disappointment and is now out of the NFL.
The Giants’ first-round pick, David Wilson, retired because of a neck injury.
The Jaguars’ first-round pick, Justin Blackmon had his contract put on hold when he was suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. It’s unclear when or if the Jaguars will get Blackmon back, but it will be at least another year before they would have a fifth-year option decision to make.
znModeratorRams open preseason at Oakland
By Jim Thomas
The Rams are going all AFC when it comes to their preseason schedule for 2015. They open their exhibition slate with games at Oakland and at Tennessee, followed by home games against Indianapolis and Kansas City in the Edward Jones Dome.
The dates of the Oakland, Indianapolis, and Kansas City contests have yet to be determined, but the game at Tennessee is a nationally televised game and is set for Sunday, Aug. 23.
It’s the first game for coach Jeff Fisher in Tennessee, where he coached the Titans for 14 seasons, since coming to the Rams in 2012.
Here’s the schedule breakdown:
Week 1 (Aug. 14-16): at Oakland
Week 2 (Aug. 23): at Tennessee
Week 3 (Aug. 28-30): Indianapolis
Week 4 (Sept. 3-4): Kansas City
The regular-season schedule will be released later this month.
April 9, 2015 at 4:10 pm in reply to: 101, 4/9 … Mariotta trade rumors including Bradford to Browns #22400znModeratorBrowns reportedly still weighing the risks and costs of quarterbacks Marcus Mariota or Sam Bradford
By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com
http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=43901
The Morning Kickoff …
Quarterback carousel: If you believe the Browns have one more quarterback move in their playbook, which one are you buying: Marcus Mariota or Sam Bradford?
Each carries enormous risk and huge investment.
One is a one-read, spread-option college quarterback who never called a play in a huddle.
The other is a snake-bitten NFL veteran who suffered ACL surgeries on his left knee twice in a 10-month span and has not played a full 16 games since the 2012 season, and is 18-30-1 as an NFL starter.
The Browns have added Josh McCown and Thad Lewis, and are poised to welcome back 2014 first-round draft pick Johnny Manziel from an undisclosed dependency treatment center. But national speculation persists that the Browns are plotting to add Mariota or Bradford and separate from Manziel.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire?
Let’s examine the possibilities.
Marcus Mariota
Overview: Similar to Manziel one year ago, opinions on Mariota are all over the map. On Wednesday, respected NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock elevated Mariota to the top spot in his quarterback rankings, ahead of consensus No. 1 Jameis Winston of Florida State. Another NFL Network analyst, Brian Baldinger, projects Mariota dropping all the way to No. 20 in his mock draft. Manziel has been scrutinized closely by the teams holding the top two selections in the April 30 draft – Tampa Bay and Tennessee. Other possible interested teams are Washington (No. 5), the N.Y. Jets (No. 6), St. Louis (No. 10), San Diego (No. 17) and Philadelphia (No. 20).
Browns connection: Mariota was tutored to prepare for the NFL Combine and pre-draft process by Kevin O’Connell, who was an independent quarterback coach before being hired to be Browns quarterbacks coach in February. After joining the Browns, O’Connell supervised Mariota’s orchestrated pro day workout in Eugene, OR, on March 13. Because of O’Connell’s close relationship and familiarity with Mariota, coach Mike Pettine indicated the Browns may not work out Mariota privately. At the combine, Mariota’s eyes lit up when asked about rejoining O’Connell in Cleveland. “That would be an awesome opportunity. I’d love to play for the Browns,” he said.
The cost: It has been presumed that the only way for the Browns to guarantee acquiring Mariota would be to trade for Tennessee’s No. 2 selection. The cost of moving up from No. 12 probably would be three No. 1s – the Browns’ two first-round picks this year and their pick in 2016 – and possibly a second-round pick. But trading up to No. 2 would be dependent on Tampa Bay officially choosing Winston with the No. 1 pick.
The cost would decrease substantially if Mariota slipped past Tennessee at No. 2. The next team of interest would be Washington at No. 5. So for the Browns to leap-frog the Redskins, they would have to trade with Oakland for the No. 4 pick. Using the outdated draft trade value chart as a guide, the Browns would have to give up picks No. 12 and No. 19 for the Raiders’ No. 4 and other considerations.
If somehow Mariota dropped to the No. 6 spot, and the Jets were interested in trading down for extra picks, the cost would be in the vicinity of the Browns’ No. 12 and No. 43 (second-round) picks.
The risk: Mariota is a slam dunk in terms of work ethic, off-field character and “face of the franchise.” But he is a projection as an NFL winner because of the non-traditional offensive system he played in at Oregon. Many believe the learning curve as a traditional NFL quarterback in the pocket will keep him off the field for the first year. Rushing him in could retard, if not ruin, his pro potential, some analysts say.
Probability scale (1 to 10 with 10 being the best chance): Four.Sam Bradford
Overview: Despite Bradford missing 25 games the past two seasons, Eagles coach Chip Kelly rocked the NFL on March 10 by trading quarterback Nick Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick. The blockbuster trade fueled speculation that Kelly’s ultimate goal was to “flip” Bradford for the purpose of winding up with Mariota, whom Kelly coached one year at Oregon and called “the best quarterback in the draft.” Kelly has denied it on the basis that he would never mortgage a draft to acquire one player – even one he loves.
Browns connection: At NFL owners meetings last month, Rams coach Jeff Fisher fairly confirmed reports that the Browns offered the No. 19 pick for Bradford. He said the Eagles’ trade offer appealed more because he wanted a veteran quarterback, Foles, to step in immediately as his starter. The Browns have persisted in pursuing Bradford, however. Kelly said on March 11 that he received a first-round offer for Bradford after acquiring him, but declined to identify the team. And this week, two Internet reports said the Browns talked to the Eagles about a swap for Bradford involving Manziel and a first-round pick.
The cost: On a video blog, Jason Cole of BleacherReport.com said the Eagles had no interest in Manziel. In order for Kelly to position himself to acquire Mariota, he would need at least the Browns’ No. 12 pick – and that still wouldn’t guarantee him the currency to land Mariota. Kelly probably would also want to recoup the 2016 second-round pick he gave to the Rams in the deal for Bradford.
The contract factor: Bradford has one more year left on his original rookie contract and is scheduled to make approximately $13 million in 2015. It has been reported that any team that trades for Bradford would want to negotiate a long-term deal; otherwise, Bradford could become a free agent in 2016. However, there has been no effort on the part of the Eagles or Bradford to secure a new deal. Both sides have incentive to wait. The Eagles want to make sure Bradford’s twice-repaired left knee can withstand 16 games. And Bradford wants to improve his value by posting big numbers in Kelly’s quarterback-friendly offense. Reports that Bradford wouldn’t be agreeable to signing a long-term deal with the Browns are not off base, but it’s for the same reason he won’t sign one with the Eagles. He wants to bet on himself for a possible bigger deal than he can get now.
The risk: Bradford’s injury history is a major concern. He had shoulder surgery in his final season at Oklahoma. In his second NFL season with the Rams, he missed six games with a high ankle sprain. He then missed nine games in 2013 with a torn left ACL and 16 in 2014 after tearing it again in a preseason game in Cleveland.
Probability scale (1 to 10 with 10 being the best chance): Two.
znModerator#Rams preseason opponents:
@ Raiders
@ Titans
vs Colts
vs ChiefsHey. So….the last governor’s cup.
znModeratorJim Thomas @jthom1
While Colts exercise 5th-year option on QB Andrew Luck, Rams have yet to decide whether to do so for DT Michael Brockers and S Mark Barron. Deadline to do so is May 3
znModeratorKiper mocks WR Perriman to Rams
By Nate Latsch
http://stl.scout.com/story/1535887-kiper-mocks-wr-perriman-to-rams?s=124
Breshad Perriman is one of the hot names among NFL Draft prospects after running blazing times in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. Now, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the UCF wide receiver landing in the top 10 in his latest mock draft.
The St. Louis Rams have been linked previously to the top two wide receivers in this draft, Alabama’s Amari Cooper and West Virginia’s Kevin White, but now Kiper, in his latest mock, has them selecting the speedster from Central Florida at No. 10.
The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder, whose father Brett played in the NFL for 10 seasons, has attracted a lot of attention over the past few weeks since his pro day at UCF.
There, Perriman reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.24 and 4.27 seconds, recorded a vertical leap of 36 ½ inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 7 inches along with 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Those numbers come after Perriman averaged 20.9 yards per catch during the 2013 season and had 50 receptions with a 20.9 yards-per-catch average and nine touchdowns in 2014. He has had some issues with dropped passes, but his speed and playmaking ability makes him one of the more intriguing players going into the 2015 Draft.
NFL.com has listed Kenny Britt and Josh Gordon as NFL comparisons for Perriman. Britt was the Rams’ top wide receiver last season and Gordon has been one of the NFL’s most productive players when he’s been able to take the field.
“Rare combination of size, top-end speed and suddenness that can be found in some of the best receivers in the game,” NFL.com wrote of Perriman. “Arrow is pointed way up on Perriman and he is one of the most discussed prospects in draft rooms around the league. His drops will drive teams crazy, but his physical traits and ability to hit the big play should warrant early consideration.”
Perriman is ranked by Scout.com as the 45th-best prospect in the 2015 Draft and the seventh-best wide receiver, behind Cooper, DeVante Parker, White, Jaelen Strong, Dorial Green-Beckham and Devin Smith. Those rankings were set before Perriman’s stock-rising pro day performance.
April 9, 2015 at 7:53 am in reply to: Snead and Fisher hide their hands as big day approaches #22389znModeratorSeven Options for the Rams’ Number 10 Draft Pick
By Anthony Stalter
http://www.101sports.com/2015/04/07/seven-options-for-the-rams-number-10-draft-pick/
With the 2015 NFL Draft less than a month away, let’s look at some scenarios facing the Rams at pick No. 10.
Scenario 1: Draft an offensive lineman
This might be the most probable outcome. The Rams have holes at left guard, center and right tackle. The team hasn’t shown a ton of urgency when it comes to addressing these holes in free agency, so perhaps the Rams will sign a veteran following the draft like they did a year ago with Davin Joseph. Thus, staying put and drafting the top offensive lineman on their board is logical.
Tackle Andrus Peat of Stanford perhaps makes the most sense. Iowa’s Brandon Scherff has been linked to the Rams in plenty of mocks, but the thought is that his best position in the pros is guard (and rightfully so when you watch his run-mauling tendencies and his issues in pass protection with edge rushers that can convert speed into power). I’ll never wrap my head around taking a guard in the top 10 because you can find capable starters in the middle rounds. The talent doesn’t drop off at guard as significantly as it does at tackle.
If Scherff’s best position is guard, I’d hope the Rams would search for better value at 10. Peat, La’el Collins and Ereck Flowers are the projected first-round tackles, although I’d argue that Collins will benefit from playing inside at the next level as well. Like Scherff, he’s a mauler in the run game but he has issues in space while spending too much time on the ground and not moving his feet quick enough to seal off the edge.
The more I re-watched LSU, the more enamored I became with Collins as a guard as opposed to a tackle.
With Peat, his technique speaks for itself. Defenders have trouble disengaging from him because of his size and length, and he does a nice job setting the edge. He’s one of the safer prospects in this year’s draft, although I’m not sure if his ceiling will go any higher despite being only 21. He doesn’t play with that same finish in the run game like Scherff, but he’s pro-ready, which might be attractive to a Rams team that will need to land starters in this year’s draft. Is he a top 10 pick? That’s debatable, although he’s being projected to go in the teens so it’s not as if the Rams would be vastly overreaching.
Scenario 2: Trade back
This is the scenario I prefer most when it comes to the Rams, who only have six picks in this year’s draft after trading a fourth and sixth to the Bucs in the Mark Barron deal. No disrespect to Peat, who I like as a mid-first rounder, but there isn’t a dynamic offensive line prospect in this year’s draft, and I’d hate to see the Rams reach.
If they could trade back, grab another second or third-round pick in the process, and get more appropriate value for whichever offensive lineman they snag, that would be the best-case scenario in my eyes. Hell, the Rams could address two holes along the offensive line and still have two more picks in the top 75 if things break the right way.
Scenario 3: Draft a wide receiver
For my money, Alabama’s Amari Cooper is the best prospect in this year’s draft class. He doesn’t have the size of West Virginia’s Kevin White, but he’s the most polished receiver I’ve seen come out in a long time and he has just as much speed (check out the footage from the scouting combine where Cooper and White run neck-in-neck).
From a route-running standpoint, there’s no receiver better than Cooper, and if he were there at No. 10, I’d love to see the Rams nab him. That said, I highly doubt he’ll be available, and the same goes for White. And even if they were available, the Rams seemingly love their current group of receivers and are unlikely to take a wideout in the first round.
Scenario 4: Draft a cornerback
I haven’t heard many people mention cornerback at No. 10 for the Rams, but with both Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson set to become free agents following the season, this is an interesting option.
Michigan State’s Trae Waynes is the consensus top cornerback in this year’s draft, but I’d argue Jalen Collins of LSU and Marcus Peters (despite his off-field history) of Washington are just as intriguing. Plus, this year’s class at cornerback is deep.
E.J. Gaines proved a year ago that he can start in the NFL and I’m sure the Rams still have plans for 2014 second-rounder LaMarcus Joyner. They could wait at corner and still find good value in the middle rounds. In fact, Collins underwent foot surgery in March and could slip into the second round and offer tremendous value. With his size and length, he’s exactly what Fisher has searched for in previous drafts.
Scenario 5: Take a quarterback.
The Rams could choose to take their quarterback of the future at No. 10 if Marcus Mariota were to fall, but there’s reason to believe that he’ll be selected with the second overall pick (by the Titans or by another team trading up).
And with Jameis Winston likely to come off the board at No. 1 to the Bucs, I don’t think the Rams will even have an opportunity to consider quarterback in the first round. There are no signal-callers behind Winston and Mariota that deserve consideration in the first.
Scenario 6: Trade up
I don’t see this happening, but Peter King and others have written about the Rams having an “all-in” mentality when it comes to this year’s draft.
Two problems with that sentiment: One, the Rams don’t have the resources (i.e. extra picks) to move up, and I don’t envision them trading next year’s top pick. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, the Rams aren’t one player away from a Super Bowl.
Parting with valuable mid-round picks in order to get land one player wouldn’t be sensible.
Scenario 7: Take an edge rusher
Based on how many people referred to me as an idiot last week when Chris Duncan and I broached this subject on “The Turn,” I gather that fans don’t even believe this is an option. It is.
Leonard Williams (who is versatile enough to play tackle or end, depending on the front), Dante Fowler, Vic Beasley and Randy Gregory (despite his failed drug test at the combine) are elite prospects. Many believe Missouri’s Shane Ray is a top 15 prospect as well.
Even though the Rams’ biggest strength is along the front seven, the Giants won two Super Bowls in five years because they understood you can never have enough pass-rushers. Plus, and I’ve vehemently argued this over the years, the draft is about selecting players, not positions.
Imagine if the Rams addressed a need at No. 13 last year over a player: They wouldn’t have wound up with Aaron Donald, who didn’t fill a need at defensive tackle, but wound up winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year title.
Chris Long won’t play forever. Injuries are a part of the game.
Pass rushers are like gold to NFL teams, and they can take a while to develop, so adding as many talented prospects as you can isn’t a horrible strategy (in fact it’s a winning one if you ask the Giants).
Now, are Williams, Fowler, Beasley or Gregory fits in Gregg Williams’ defense? That’s an argument for another time. But for now, I wouldn’t discount this scenario playing out on draft night if one of these top pass rushers were to fall.
April 9, 2015 at 12:24 am in reply to: How do people feel about Foles right now, before anything else happens? #22385znModerator8 seasons ago. Bulger in 2006 with Jackson and Davis in the backfield.
Rams were 6th in offensive yards that year.
10th in points. 10th in TDs.
4th in passing yards.
Bulger was 7th in qb rating, and 4th in passing TDs.
Holt was 4th in receptions and 8th in receiving yards and 3rd in receiving TDs.
Jackson was 8th in receptions.
But alas they were 23rd in defensive yards and 28th in points allowed.
Plus Linehan had to give up the playcalling and turn it over to Olson before they figured out they could run Jackson and it would actually help them win (they were 23rd in rushing attempts even though Jackson was averaging 4.4 a carry). As it was he ended up with 1528 yds and 13 TDs rushing.
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April 8, 2015 at 9:42 pm in reply to: Linemen in the 2015 draft … including 2 good Cosell podcasts #22378znModeratorThe Top 5 Interior Offensive Linemen in the 2015 NFL Draft
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/the-top-5-interior-offensive-linemen-in-the-2015-nfl-draft/
It wasn’t too long ago that guards and centers were never in the conversation when people talked about potential first round offensive linemen. With defensive coordinators continuing to put quality pass rushers inside on passing downs, the interior linemen have become more important and that shows in where they are now being drafted and the amount of money they are getting paid in free agency.
This year, at least one and perhaps two of my top interior linemen will go in the first round. I expect all five to be strong contributors as rookies.
1) Brandon Scherff – Iowa
Scherff has been a productive three year starter at left tackle for Iowa. He is a tough, physical player who plays with strength and power. He is also a good athlete with good speed for a lineman (5.07).
As a player, he is a smart technician with good hand use. Like most Iowa linemen, he has been well coached. He plays with bend and knows how to get and keep good position. He is a consistent run and pass blocker and has the strength and power to get movement. He is a consistent pass blocker who gets and keeps good position and can anchor.
On the downside, he may not be quite the athlete coaches want at left tackle. There are other linemen in this class who play better in space than Scherff.
Overall, this is a player who knows and understands the position. He can be productive at either guard or tackle spot once he gets to the NFL. I feel he is best suited to play inside at guard where he may have Pro Bowl potential. He is similar to Dallas guard Zack Martin who made the Pro Bowl last year as a rookie. At Notre Dame, Martin was a left tackle.
2) Cam Erving – Florida State
Erving was a two-and-a-half year starter at left tackle for Florida State. Just past midseason in 2014, he was moved to center and looked as if he had played the position his entire life!
Just for the record, Erving was a top prospect as a left tackle. He showed, quickness, strength, power, and range and looked like an early starter at that position. At center, he showed all those traits and more. He took over as the leader of the line and made all the line calls.
At 6’5 – 313 he has excellent size, to go along with rare length for a center (34 1/8” arms). As a player he is a strong run blocker and a very good pass blocker. He is explosive on contact in the run game and is able to get under his opponent and generate movement. In pass protection, he shows quick feet and the slide and recovery skills to mirror speed or power.
He needs some work with his hand usage. When at tackle, he needed to do a better job keeping his hands inside. He also played from a right-handed 3-point stance at tackle, which won’t work at the NFL level.
Erving has the skills to start at any of the five offensive line positions. That versatility will help him get on the field early. He is clearly the best center in this draft and will most likely be a late first round pick.
3) Tre Jackson – Florida State
Jackson is a three year starter at guard for Florida State. He almost came out last year, and if he did, he would have been a high draft choice. I actually felt Jackson looked better on tape in the 2013 season than he did in 2014. He looked too heavy this past season and didn’t move around as well. That was verified at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Jackson weighed 323 in Mobile and 330 at Indy.
Despite his size, Jackson moves around fairly well. He has adequate feet and very good balance. He is best as a run blocker where he shows he can consistently get movement. He looked better at getting to the second level in 2013 than he did in 2014 and will need to play in the 320 range this year for him to get that extra quickness back.
In pass protection, he shows a strong punch, and he never gets bull rushed. He uses his hands well and has good overall mirror skills.
Overall, like I mentioned above, Jackson needs to drop to around 320 to be most effective. He can play either guard position and should start as a rookie. I highly doubt he gets drafted in the first round, but he should be a solid second round choice.
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4) A.J. Cann – South Carolina
On tape, Cann looks to be as good an athlete as there is in this draft at the guard position. He is a four year starter and has been a very productive player for South Carolina. He has excellent size at 6’3 – 313 to go along with strength and power.
He is best as a run blocker, as he comes off the ball low and is explosive on contact. He is usually able to get movement and can get to the second level. In pass protection, he moves his feet well, plays with bend and can slide and recover. He needs to do a better job using his hands in pass pro and keep them inside on a more consistent basis.
He has all the natural physical traits to excel at the NFL level. He just needs to pay a bit more attention to detail on the little things. He should become a starter early in his career, and if he stays healthy, he can pay for a long time.
5) Ali Marpet – Hobart
This is my surprise selection for this group. Six weeks ago, I probably wouldn’t have listed him here. Division III players rarely get invited to the Senior Bowl, and when they do, they often look out of place. That wasn’t the case with Marpet. From the get go, he showed he belonged with the big boys. He was equal in size and was more athletic and stronger than many of his teammates.
Marpet has excellent size (6’4 – 307) and the frame to get bigger. He was one of the few offensive linemen to break 5.00 in the 40, running a 4.98. He was also among the best in the 20 yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. He did 30 reps on the bench and had 30.5” vertical jump. These are natural traits that few have.
Sure he is raw from a technique point of view, but that is easily corrected with coaching and Marpet takes well to coaching. While he played tackle at Hobart, he played guard at the Senior Bowl and may end up being a center at the NFL level. He is very intelligent and is a strong leader and that bodes well for the center position.
Marpet may not start as a rookie, but in two years, he may be a better player than many of the guys who are drafted ahead of him. He has some special qualities.
znModeratorItz no use trying to reason with me
on this eitherWell, consider the following perfectly logical reasons:
wait, phone. Right back.
znModeratorTen for No. 10: Amari Cooper
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17577/ten-for-no-10-amari-cooper
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.
For the purposes of this exercise, it’s a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won’t, but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there is a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we’re going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.
We’ve already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff.
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Why the Rams should consider him: Perhaps the most polished prospect in the draft, Cooper seems to be the rare player with very little bust potential. Already a crisp and seasoned route runner, Cooper did nothing but make plays in his time with the Crimson Tide. In 2014, he had 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns and was widely regarded as one of the best players in college football. The Rams managed to re-sign Kenny Britt and have a group of young receivers they insist they like moving forward, but Britt only signed a two-year deal and Brian Quick is coming off a major shoulder injury and due to be a free agent after the season. Cooper is good enough to become the No. 1 receiver the Rams have been missing since the days of Torry Holt.
Why they shouldn’t: Some might wonder why a team that doesn’t seem too concerned with building a dynamic passing game would spend the No. 10 overall pick on another wide receiver. Likewise, the Rams traded up to No. 8 to take Tavon Austin in 2013, and Austin hasn’t produced at the level of that choice yet. At this point, receiver looks more like a want than a need, though the argument to get a true difference-maker is hard to ignore. Cooper doesn’t have many holes in his game, but he is a shade under 6-foot-1 and that lack of height might make it more difficult for him to win the jump balls in the NFL that he did in college.
Chances he’s available at No. 10: Of the players we’ll go through on this list, Cooper and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota are the two that seem most likely to be gone. We went ahead and listed Cooper here because the Rams have shown interest and brought him in for a pre-draft visit. Also, there aren’t many teams in front of the Rams that have pressing receiver needs, but Cooper is a top-five talent so it’s still hard to imagine him tumbling all the way to No. 10. Jacksonville, Oakland, the New York Jets, Chicago and even the New York Giants could find a player like Cooper too good to pass up.
znModeratorConsider Sunday’s game against St. Louis a good progress report. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive whiz who sends pressure from everywhere. Davis joked that the Rams “brought the coach one play.”
If Davis and Iupati can form a wall against the Rams, they may break through the rookie wall just yet.
9ers won in overtime.
But Rams got 5 sacks.
znModeratorThere’s actually a rumor making the rounds that Bradford will be traded for Manziel. (Which sounds real dubious.)
Maybe Bradford gets traded to every single team in the NFL.
znModeratorThat was a bad one, that draft.
That’s one of the important things I think the Rams learned.
Namely, if you are the GM of the Rams, make sure you never have the 2nd pick of the 2009 draft.
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znModeratorI’m wondering if Blaylock would be a better signing than Barksdale at this point. If they are going to draft a Stud right tackle, and they have two candidates that could at least hold the fort at center, both being experienced in the system. It would be better for a rookie RT to have two guys next to him that know the system. Of course, this all depends on Blaylock not being Joseph 2.0.
Problem is, the draft is better at guard than tackle.
April 8, 2015 at 10:34 am in reply to: Linemen in the 2015 draft … including 2 good Cosell podcasts #22327znModerator—
RamBill sez: Greg Cosell joins Ross Tucker to break down the Offensive line prospects for the 2015 NFL Draft. Good detailed discussion with pro comparisons for many of the prospects.
Cosell starts at 2:00 in
[audio src="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RossTuckerFootballPodcast/~5/QV8Zmy1sbCM/rt040215.mp3" /]
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from off the net
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nn1badboy
It sounds to me like they have them rated
1. Scherff – solid but unspectacular may be LT or possibly RT or G
2. Peat – really big, solid LT nothing fancy
3. Collins – good player with pretty good feet, may be G or RT, possibly LT
4. Humphries – very good athlete who needs coaching, possible LT project
5. Erving – very good player with lots of versatility can possibly play any spot on OL
6. Fisher – good player who does the right things and will improve with coaching
7. Flowers – ok player, not great feet RT or inside move to G
8, Clemmings – good athlete, very mechanical developmental player, needs coachingznModeratorON STEVEN BAKER
The Giants like the 6-foot-8, 310-pound Baker enough to have signed him to a reserve/futures contract following those practice squad stints a season ago. Baker originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He was released by the Colts on Aug. 31 and joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad roster on Sept. 3.
So, what is it that the Giants see in Baker? Size and athleticism, that’s what.
Coming out of East Carolina, SI.com called Baker “a terrific athlete with the size and movement skills to play at the next level.” Strength was apparently a question for Baker, and he is considered a player who is limited to the right side.
Has Baker developed enough in two seasons of kicking around NFL training camps and practice squads to challenge for a roster spot? Considering that the Giants spent much of the offseason revamping their offensive line and adding veteran players for depth, Baker’s chances of becoming the backup to Justin Pugh seem slim. Yet, the Giants have seen enough to keep bringing him back for another look. So, keep an eye on his progress during training camp.
April 7, 2015 at 10:08 pm in reply to: How do people feel about Foles right now, before anything else happens? #22310znModeratorAverage in today’s NFL is better than what it used to be, and we ain’t had it in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME.
Well, yeah, they have.
It’s just that to have it, they had to have a running threat.
When they did, they did have that, in Bradford, in 2013.
But then maybe that’s a long time.
April 7, 2015 at 9:34 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #22309znModeratorRobinson is technically a rookie since he did not start, if correct, until week 8?
Well he started in week 4. Either way I don’t consider him technically a rookie since by the end of this summer, he will have gone through 2 training camps and already had a year and a half of de-rookie-izing.
Which is not to say he’s ready to peak.
Just that he’s not a rookie, technically or otherwise.
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znModerator–
highlights…IMO
Jim, Wiz and Joe both have visits with other teams. Where does that leave Justin? What are the chances we sign 2 of the 3?
by Rams314 2:21 PMBlalock is taking his time. Really taking his time. As for the Rams signing two of the three, that’s hard to say. I would’ve thought by now the Rams would have at least one of the three in the fold.
with 3 starting jobs up for grabs on the line, I don’t see how you can pass on taking an offensive lineman at No. 10 overall, particularly in this instance when you had the chance to take the very first O-lineman in the draft.
today’s news that Barksdale is visiting Tennessee on Thursday isn’t a good omen. As for Wisniewski, that’s a puzzler. The Rams continue to show interest in him, but it seems like he’s visiting everywhere but St. Louis.
apparently, Barksdale was asking for w-a-y more than the Rams were willing to pay.I think most analysts feel that taking Scherff at 10 would be a good value pick.
I’m sure the Rams will do what they can to retain Barksdale, but they’re not going to overpay. Sometimes players do get their feelings hurt when their current club doesn’t re-sign them right away. And maybe Barksdale feels that way. We’ll see how it plays out.
If the season started tomorrow, what would the starting OL look like?
by cook 3:45 PMThat’s a tough one. Greg Robinson at LT, Rodger Saffold at LG, Barrett Jones at C, let’s go with Tim Barnes at RG, and Garrett Reynolds at RT.
What, in your view, is Rams best path to rebuilding the Oline, at this point?
by bfulton 3:52 PMSign Blalock. Re-sign Barksdale. Draft.
What kind of year do you think Bradford will have?
by Tom 3:35 PMIf he stays healthy, I think he’ll have a good year.
Jim:any word on Quick. Do we draft a WR just in case
by Ram fan 46 3:47 PMRams hope to have him back by the start of training camp, but there are no guarantees there.
Are the Rams happy with Rodney their FS?
by TOM 2:20 PM
Yes, they appear to be. He was much-improved last season.how do rams plan to cover jimmy graham 2x a year? Olgetree? 3 slow safties?
by ESA 3:53 PM
They covered him pretty well in 2013 with basically the same defensive group.The secondary in my mind still remains a question mark. They gave up too many big plays again last year, and in my mind Jenkins and to some degree Johnson have yet to display the consistency needed at the cornerback position.
I’m not sure what their rookie salary cap is for 2015. With their current picks, I’d say in the $3-4M range.
I think the Rams can have a winning record if Foles stays healthy. Not sure if that would be enough to win the division but it should put them in playoff contention. I think if Fisher wins seven, he should be fine. I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, but Kroenke likes him a lot.
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