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znModeratorLa’el Collins, OL, LSU: There is always a demand in the NFL marketplace for big, athletic offensive linemen with quick feet, explosive athletic attributes and a nasty demeanor. Thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Collins’ stock has been rising in the pre-draft season, thanks to a rock-solid week at the Senior Bowl and an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Evaluators view the 6-4 1/2, 305-pounder as a potential left tackle candidate who boasts the ability to snuff out elite pass rushers with his brute strength and physicality. Most importantly, Collins is athletic enough to mirror finesse edge rushers attempting to win with speed and quickness. With Collins also showcasing the versatility to play right tackle or move inside to either guard spot, the ex-LSU standout is an attractive O-line prospect capable of delivering a Zack Martin-like impact to a team in need of an upgrade along the offensive front.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-nfl-draft-preview-ol-lael-collins/
The Sports Quotient’s annual Draft Preview series returns! Over the course of the 10 weeks leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft, we will take a look at the top NFL prospects at each position. This seventh week, the focus is on offensive linemen. Our first O-line prospect is La’el Collins out of LSU.
College Career
Collins started for three years at LSU, the first at left guard in his sophomore year. He then switched to left tackle for his junior and senior seasons. He played in a total of 45 games for the Tigers, starting 39. He was a second-team All-Americans in his senior year, and he also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is awarded to the best offensive lineman in the SEC. He was also voted team captain and won his team’s most outstanding player award.
Official stats are not kept for offensive linemen, but LSU unofficially credited Collins with 222.5 knockdown blocks in his LSU career, an average of 4.94 per game and 5.7 per start.
Pros
At 6’5”, 305 pounds, Collins has a thick, strong frame. He has great upper-body strength and long arms. He is a gritty, powerful run blocker known as a finisher and a mean player. He can pass block well, too, but his hand movement needs serious work. Collins is familiar with the pro-style offense, and he can play either tackle or guard. Versatility is a major plus.
Cons
Collins’ aforementioned problem with his hands in pass protection is the main reason why most project him to play at right tackle, if not guard. Even though he did not play on the right side of the line in college, his has a very good chance ending up there, if drafted as a tackle. Collins’ footwork also needs improvement, and his balance needs work as well. His stance is too high, which makes him top-heavy, and he lunges too often.
Grade
The ever-present need for offensive linemen will likely lead to Collins going in the first round, and some have him in the top 10-15. His pass protection needs work, especially with his hand usage, but his run blocking abilities should lead a needy team to pick him early on. He should start right away, as a guard or right tackle.
Best Fit
Three teams stick out in the top half of the first round: the New York Giants, St. Louis Rams, and Cleveland Browns. Each team needs help on the right side of the line, and each team could use some offensive line versatility (as could any team, really). If I had to guess today, I would mock him to St. Louis at 10th overall.
March 31, 2015 at 9:33 pm in reply to: reporters on the trade (Wagoner, Thomas, Clayton, King, & many more) #21881znModerator..
Big overstuffed chat with only a few highlights (though zooey got a question in, maybe other huddle folk too). This, then are the highlights, such as they are.
..
I just can’t see the Rams even thinking about trading up unless Mariota falls to that sixth or seventh spot.
Fisher makes it sound like the team is set at RB, but he certainly likes collecting them and there certainly are some good ones that might be available late. Can’t rule it out.
Have been told Blalock is in no hurry to sign. Not sure on Wisniewski.
I think we’ll see at least one rookie filling out one of those holes as a starter.
The mantra around NFL observers seems to be that Robinson “struggled” this year. What was your assessment of Robinson’s performance?
by Jim in CT 3:50 PMDon’t know about any mantra, but I kinda saw what you saw. He got confused at times on who to pick up or who to pass off on stunts, loops, etc. Just the kind of things that he might be susceptible to as a rookie from a school that rarely passed the ball.
according to overthecap.com Chris Long will have a cap# of $14.25mil. Would the Rams keep him at that number, or do you think this will be the last year for Long on the Rams. If it is his last year then, who are the best 4-3 Ends in the draft that we might target?
by DAN IN DENVER 3:28 PMYeah, that’s his cap figure for 2016. The team could try to negotiate that down thru an extension because 2016 is the last year of Long’s contract. Or as you suggest, maybe the team would decide to move on. There are plenty of good edge rushers in this year’s draft including Randy Gregory, Shane Ray, Dante Fowler.
Neither Kroenke nor anyone in the organization has gone on record saying the team wants to move, but I know this for a fact. If the league would have allowed teams to file for relocation this year, they Rams would’ve done so.
on the same grounds as Cleveland did when Modell moved to Baltimore keeping the Rams name with St. Louis subject to sale if it is wanted badly enough in LA.How successful would that be given the fact that they were the LA Rams nearly a half-century before they became the St. Louis Rams.
do you get the sense that right now Kroenke would have the votes to get the Rams relocation passed?
by DAN IN DENVER 2:33 PMRight now? Don’t think so
I think all things being equal, the Chargers would rather stay in California. They are on much sounder financial footing than the Raiders. So the Raiders may be reduced to taking what they will get.I’ve been told that if the team relocates, many employees will have to re-apply for their jobs. Which I think would mean Kroenke would not pay relocation costs.
znModeratorPete Prisco: No Question Sam Bradford Is ‘Better Than Nick Foles’
March 31, 2015 5:34 PM
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — CBSSports’ Pete Prisco joined Josh Innes and Tony Bruno on Innes and Bruno on Tuesday afternoon. The conversation began with the other quarterback prospect making news, Jameis Winston.
Winston is the consensus number one pick on most experts’ boards and the Florida State prospect had his pro-day on Tuesday.
“It was good. It wasn’t great,” Prisco said of Winston’s pro-day performance. Some experts described the outing as “ho-hum,” which Prisco characterized as being too harsh of an assessment.
“I think sometimes we put too much stock into these things,” Prisco said of pro-days. He referenced the not-so-good pro-day performance of Teddy Bridgewater prior to last year’s draft and the fact that Bridgewater went on to have a productive first season in the NFL.
Prisco also broke down Marcus Mariota who is the quarterback prospect Eagles fans are a little more familiar with and who is expected to be the second quarterback to come off the board at the draft.
“He’s got a good arm. There is no question about that,” Prisco said of Mariota. “I just think in [Oregon’s] system at times, he was asked to do things that were easy.
“For every five NFL throws Jamies Winston made [Mariota] probably made two.”
Prisco was addressing the fact that Mariota may not have the NFL type throws on tape in the abundance that Winston does, but that may be a product of the fact that he was not asked to make those type of plays as often in his team’s offense.
“You’re going to have to wait a year or two,” Prisco said of when we’ll find out if Mariota can meet the demands of an NFL offense. “Unless somehow he ends up in Philadelphia, then I think he fits with what they want to do.”
Prisco went on to acknowledge the fact that Chip Kelly’s offense has had a similar effect in that it makes it easy for quarterbacks and offensive weapons to produce numbers, but he warned that in today’s NFL, opposing teams always figure things out.
“Right now I think Chip’s ahead of them,” Prisco said of his offense against opposing defenses. “But, they’re going to figure it out.”
The Eagles also announced the signing of Miles Austin on Tuesday. The 31-year-old wide receiver comes to the Eagles following the departure of Jeremy Maclin who just wrapped up his most successful season in the NFL.
“That’s a weird signing,” Prisco said of the Austin deal. “He’s not awful, but he’s nothing special and he’s not the answer to their problems.”
Prisco also critiqued the Eagles signing of cornerback Byron Maxwell. “Personally I wouldn’t have signed him for that money,” Prisco said of Maxwell’s reported 6-year, $63 million deal. “Byron Maxwell is the back up singer who is getting lead singer money and the question is can he sing when he gets to the front of the stage. I wonder about that.”
Prisco also supported the notion that the Eagles panicked to replace McCoy when they allocated free agent dollars to DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews when they could have added to the running back position in the draft.
Prisco gave some insight into the Eagles current starting quarterback, Sam Bradford. “He’s better than Nick Foles,” Prisco said. “I don’t think there is any question about that.”
“Sam Bradford might be one of the most competitive human-beings you’ll ever be around,” Prisco added. “If he’s the quarterback, and they don’t draft Mariota, I think Sam Bradford will be better for the Eagles in the long run than will Nick Foles.”
znModeratorRhaney did seem to have some promise.
He also had that transcript-story.
“….He lost his mother. He lost his grandmother and his great-grandmother on the same day. Then Demetrius Rhaney nearly lost his college dream because he lost his high school.
What he still had, though, were the contents of a little sandwich bag. And from that little bag came one of the most inspiring journeys to the doorstep of the NFL….”
w
vhe earned his degree in a year and a half. That was after earning his associates degree at Ellsworth. He is the first man in his family to graduate from college.
znModeratorwv wrote:
Well, Rhaney was, what? a 7th round, developmental pick
or somethin like that.He dont even count.
Unless he was more than that, and, counted.
In other words, there was some buzz about Rhaney. The camp reporters and the reporters noticed it, and the coaches mentioned it.
Compare that to Van Dyck, who was also a 7th round pick. Around him, there was…nothing. No buzz.
Buzz is not a guarantee. But, it stands out.
znModeratorWell, Rhaney was, what? a 7th round, developmental pick
or somethin like that.He dont even count.
Unless he was more than that, and, counted.
znModeratorIs there a link and time?
http://sports.live.stltoday.com/Event/Rams_chat_with_Jim_Thomas_84
znModeratorYeah, that’s the point I was trying to make.
Oh.
Well why did you make me misread you, then.
.
znModeratorIt is annoying how all of our O-lineman get injured despite how many miles they have on ‘em.
Or…don’t have on them.
Last year Barnes had 3 injuries. He was in his 4th year.
Jones got the back injury in his 2nd year.
Rhaney got IRed as a rookie. The other rookie, Robinson, had toe surgery after the season.
.
znModeratori really want two or even three
healthy, young, bucks. With no injury history.Cool. We can then start a pool on what order they get injured in, and how often.
.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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CoachO
I think if Barnes does end up coming back he will jump to the front of the line and if Jones can make it thru healthy I can see him being a swing guy. The back injury cost Jones any chance to compete for any substantial role last year. But that being said, he was behind Barnes in the backup Center role at the time of his injury. Jones will have to show he can make it thru an entire camp healthy, and show improvement both being stronger, and in his ability to play the position at a consistent level.
Look for Barnes to be re-signed within the next week. The Rams have made another offer to him, and to my knowledge, it’s down to the Rams and one other team vying for his services. Just a matter if this other team wants to beat the Rams offer. If and when Barnes is brought back, IMO, he will come in as the early front runner to win the Center job, assuming they don’t sign Wisniewski.
They tried to give Bond every chance to make this roster last year and IMO he just isn’t very bright. Physically he had everything you look for. But missed far too many assignments to be trusted. If they can get that fixed he would be a big plus but may be limited to RG. As to Washington…. I think they see him in a versatile role similar to what Person was last year. I’m not all that high on him. Never have been he just doesn’t have the footwork and for his size just doesn’t play physical.
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some follow-up…more detail on the same things
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CoachO
A couple of observations based on last year.
Travis Bond is pretty much a RIGHT Guard only. Other than taking a few snaps and Right Tackle in OTAs and a turn or two there during Training Camp, he took every other snap at RG. So, IMO, if he is indeed going to be in the mix, I would suggest looking at Saffold at LG (also more of a veteran presence next to Robinson).
Now, as far as Bond is concerned, I mentioned back then that he is one of the guys who really jumped out at me physically. He is BIG and strong. He is the type of guy who once he gets his hands on you, it’s over. The problem as they got further into the preseason, the more his mental mistakes and missed assignments became the defining issue.
That they brought him back last year and added him to the Practice Squad, hopefully is a sign that they think they can overcome some of those issues. They could do worse for an depth guy, but IMO, I believe he is limited in terms of being able to play only one position. At best, maybe two, if he can be an option at RT as well.
On another note, the one thing that stood out to me in last year’s camp, was for all the talk about how Barrett Jones had “re sculpted” his body, no one paid any attention to how much bigger Barnes was from his 2013 stint.
Barnes came into camp last year looking like an NFL Lineman. Everyone seems really quick to dismiss his signing, as they only see him as “the guy who couldn’t beat out Wells”. But suffice to say, if he had been healthy himself, he would have been playing. He is entering his 4th season as a Ram, and IMO, is now the front runner in the starting Center sweepstakes, barring a FA signing (Wisniewski?)
While in 2103, he got the opportunity to start the last 4 games of the season, he was not nearly physical enough. When he came to camp in 2014, he looked ready physically. He pinched a nerve in his neck around the second week of camp, and he toughed it out still taking all the reps. Then he hurt his shoulder, which did in fact cause him to miss almost a full week of practice. That’s when they were forced to work Mike Person it at Center just to be able to practice. Eventually Wells got back to the point he could participate, albeit at less than an optimal weight. But he was still the best option at that point.
Once the season got started, Barnes was active and participating on both Special Teams (FG/XP Unit, and Kickoff Return), as well as being the primary addition on the “Jumbo” (short yardage/goalline ) package. He got hurt in the first SF game, with pretty bad bruised ribs, and it lingered for the rest of the season.
The thing is, for me anyway, is most fans look at a player like Barnes, and only see the player he has been to this point in his career. While I understand that’s the only point of reference they have, Tim Barnes is the perfect example of a player who could DEVELOP into a very good NFL lineman, and he is right on schedule in both timing and experience to have that happen.
..
znModeratorts interesting that Fisher looked at his team
and all the bonehead mistakes and concluded
both the offense and defense needed ‘simplified’.You know that’s the Seattle approach. Seattle doesn’t do a lot of things on defense, but they do what they do well. It’s execution.
To me Fisher just named and addressed the biggest issue with all of 2014. Beyond the injuries, and the up and down back-up qbs, there were just endless big mistakes. It got so you can define any game by the key mistake it turned on—-the pick 6s on offense, the blown coverages on defense. For example, Dallas = a wide open Dez Bryant against a blown coverage. The list goes on.
When you reduce the volume of what they have to think about on the field, you increase focus on execution.
I think that will be the focus of 2014. Execution.
To reverse the old McKay joke, when asked what he thinks of his team’s execution, Fisher said, I am for them executing.
.
znModerator
Rams: Add to a strength with FairleyMichael Mountford | March 17, 2015
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/03/17/rams-add-to-a-strength-with-fairley/
PFF- Considering the production the Rams enjoyed from defensive tackle Aaron Donald in his rookie season, as well as the pass rushing threat posed by defensive end Robert Quinn, defensive line might not have seemed an immediate concern in St. Louis. However DT Michael Brockers, a former first round selection, hasn’t developed beyond average after three seasons in the league, and depth in the middle was a worry after the departure of Kendall Langford. The addition of Nick Fairley addresses any such concerns and could help give the Rams one of the most imposing defensive lines in the league.
Fairley has been frustratingly inconsistent for much of his young career, however, when at his best he can take over a game. After three seasons in the league Fairley had a cumulative +3.2 grade in run defense and +29.1 grade as a pass rusher, good marks that could have been so much better had Fairley not also had 10 games of -1.0 or worse in that same period.
Through the first eight weeks of the 2014 season (prior to suffering a season-ending injury), Fairley had begun to complement his impressive pass rushing skills with an improved stoutness against the run. At the time of his injury Fairley had a +5.7 run defense grade; he also had 22 total pressures, tied for fourth-most among tackles, and was third-best with a 10.0 Pass Rushing Productivity (PRP) score. Fairley’s career-low PRP score (6.4) came back in 2010, his rookie season. That compares favorably to Michael Brockers career-high PRP of 4.7.Michael Brockers should feature in the rotation on early downs, before giving way so that Donald and Fairley can be unleashed from the inside to wreak havoc on passing downs.
znModeratorYou and Invader are the same person. NO wait, maybe it is hands for Invader.
Arms on tackles = zn
Hands on qbs = invader
Neck width on DTs = wv
time from finding to photo-shopping to posting data = ag
znModeratorNotes from the Interview:
Now that NFL owners meetings are over, what’s next for the Rams?
“In a normal year, a team 95 percent of the time from here on out is spent on the draft. The Pro Days start to wane, you bring in the top 30 players (for draft visits). Picking 10th overall…it’s pretty good real estate. I’m really thinking this week we might see some clarification on the offensive line picture. Joe Barksdale is still on his honeymoon. We’re sitting here at the same spot as we were (on March 10). The Rams need a center, they need a starting right guard, and they need a starting right tackle.”
Latest on Los Angeles relocation situation:“We’re recalibrating on the LA-St. Louis front. I think what the St. Louis people are doing now are quietly trying to assemble that land. I do know this: They haven’t slowed down. And then you have that May 18 meeting in San Francisco, the leagues spring meetings, that’s kind of the next big milepost for when all the owners get together. We may have some presentations there…including possibly ones for (Dave Peacock and Bob Blitz).”
On Jeff Fisher saying plan is for Rams to draft a quarterback:“It’s good to hear it stated officially. Now, last year at this time…they dropped a lot of hints that they were going to (draft) a quarterback in the third, fourth round…That turned out to be Garrett Gilbert in the sixth round. It makes all the sense in the world to keep three QBs next year. All three on the roster now, they don’t have contracts next year. So why not bring in a young up and comer? The theory is you basically redshirt (a quarterback they draft).”
ESPN.com’s Todd McShay had a mock draft where the Rams trade up to No. 2 overall in the draft to select Marcus Mariotta. Thoughts?“I just don’t know what you want to give up to get up to that spot. The Rams do have that extra second pick next year…but yeah, I just can’t see that. Fisher said it at the owners meeting…take it with a grain of salt…it was highly unlikely they would trade up. If he falls (to the Jets at No. 6) I think a lot of teams would be interested in trading up.”
znModeratorLa’el Collins, OL, LSU: There is always a demand in the NFL marketplace for big, athletic offensive linemen with quick feet, explosive athletic attributes and a nasty demeanor. Thus, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Collins’ stock has been rising in the pre-draft season, thanks to a rock-solid week at the Senior Bowl and an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Evaluators view the 6-4 1/2, 305-pounder as a potential left tackle candidate who boasts the ability to snuff out elite pass rushers with his brute strength and physicality. Most importantly, Collins is athletic enough to mirror finesse edge rushers attempting to win with speed and quickness. With Collins also showcasing the versatility to play right tackle or move inside to either guard spot, the ex-LSU standout is an attractive O-line prospect capable of delivering a Zack Martin-like impact to a team in need of an upgrade along the offensive front.
How long are his arms?
..
March 30, 2015 at 10:55 pm in reply to: Who should start for 7 teams with shakiest QB situations #21824znModeratorI think Foles is unlikely to prove to be so limited that we won’t want to extend him.
Too bad that statement is really too long for a bumper sticker. Or a crowd sign for
games.
Less sophisticated variant: “go nick”
March 30, 2015 at 7:38 pm in reply to: Tim Barnes visiting Kansas City – He has now agreed to terms with Rams #21816znModeratorBarnes returns to Rams on one-year deal
By Jim Thomas
After paying a free-agent visit Monday to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tim Barnes has decided to stay put on the other side of the state. Barnes, a former University of Missouri player, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal that will keep him with the Rams.
It’s a one-year deal with a maximum value of $1 million; Barnes is expected to sign the deal Tuesday.
Barnes, 26, was not tendered by the Rams as a restricted free agent this offseason, making him the equivalent of an unrestricted free agent. But all along, the Rams kept the door open that he could re-sign with the team at a reduced rate.
Barnes, 6-4, 306, has played in 45 NFL games, mostly on special teams over three seasons with the Rams. But he did start four games at center to end the 2013 season in place of the injured Scott Wells against Arizona, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.
He spent most of the 2011 season on the Rams’ practice squad.
At worst, Barnes provides needed interior line depth. At best, he can compete for a starting job at center and possibly guard
March 30, 2015 at 6:54 pm in reply to: Tim Barnes visiting Kansas City – He has now agreed to terms with Rams #21813znModeratorBarnes returns to Rams on one-year deal
By Jim Thomas
After paying a free-agent visit Monday to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tim Barnes has decided to stay put on the other side of the state. Barnes, a former University of Missouri player, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal that will keep him with the Rams.
It’s a one-year deal with a maximum value of $1 million; Barnes is expected to sign the deal Tuesday.
Barnes, 26, was not tendered by the Rams as a restricted free agent this offseason, making him the equivalent of an unrestricted free agent. But all along, the Rams kept the door open that he could re-sign with the team at a reduced rate.
Barnes, 6-4, 306, has played in 45 NFL games, mostly on special teams over three seasons with the Rams. But he did start four games at center to end the 2013 season in place of the injured Scott Wells against Arizona, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.
He spent most of the 2011 season on the Rams’ practice squad.
At worst, Barnes provides needed interior line depth. At best, he can compete for a starting job at center and possibly guard.
March 30, 2015 at 5:07 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #21797znModeratorfrom off the net
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Prometheus Faulk
Titans tabling Barksdale talks. Titans GM says they’re waiting til after the draft.
Paul Kuharsky @PaulKuharskyNFL
Webster on @Midday180: Some market for Barksdale prior to draft. But teams focus on draft now, then new action after it. #Titans
Joseph Barksdale – T – Free Agent
http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/nfl/football
Titans GM Ruston Webster hints the team has tabled its interest in free agent OT Joseph Barksdale until after the draft.
Aside from the Rams, the Titans were the only team known to express interest in Barksdale following the start of free agency. The 27 year old simply has zero market, and will likely end up returning to the Rams on a team-friendly c
Source: Paul Kuharsky on twitter
March 30, 2015 at 4:21 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #21793znModeratorDoes this mean 32 teams are less
than impressed with Mr Barksdale ?w
vThe word is, he was asking too much.
There’s a whole slew of 2nd tier FAs, who have to wait and take less money than they tried to get at first…he’s one of them.
March 30, 2015 at 4:13 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #21790znModeratorfrom off the net
—
Prometheus Faulk
Titans tabling Barksdale talks. Titans GM says they’re waiting til after the draft.
Paul Kuharsky @PaulKuharskyNFL
Webster on @Midday180: Some market for Barksdale prior to draft. But teams focus on draft now, then new action after it. #Titans
znModeratorMock Draft Roundup: 9th Edition
By Myles Simmons
We’re officially one month away form the first round of the NFL draft on April 30, and the mocks are continuing to come on in. This week, we were able to find a potpourri of players from an array of respected analysts from around the league. One analyst even went as far as to project all seven rounds of the draft.
Charles Davis has been one of the more unique voices in his mocks when it comes to his Rams selections. In his first version released back on February 10, he had the team picking Jameis Winston. Then on February 25, he had St. Louis choosing Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. Now in his latest mock, he has the Rams taking Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
“Despite the trade of Sam Bradford that brings Nick Foles to town, landing a potential franchise QB at this spot is irresistible for Rams,” Davis writes.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher stated last week at the owners’ meetings in Phoenix that the Nick Foles trade does not necessarily change the team’s draft plans, so picking Mariota is not inconceivable. But with all the hype surrounding the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, it seems doubtful that he’d ever slip that far.
Mariota threw for 4,454 yards, 42 touchdowns, and only four interceptions last season. He also rushed for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns. He completed 66.8 percent of his passes in three years as a starter for the Ducks.
It’s been a while since wideout DeVante Parker has shown up in the roundups — he was last mocked to the Rams all the way back in the second edition by Bleacher Report’s Michael Schottey. And even here in the ninth, Parker seems to only be a placeholder.
ESPN’s Todd McShay writes that the Rams will select the Louisville wide receiver, but spends most of his section on the pick discussing reasons why St. Louis could trade up to take quarterback Marcus Mariota. (Insider subscription required — $$)
“They have the young talent currently on their roster to help them sustain the loss of draft picks that would come with a big move up the board,” McShay writes, adding that Mariota would bring a rushing element from the quarterback position that could be attractive to the coaching staff.
Basically, McShay has the Rams taking Parker to address what he sees as a need on the roster because his mock drafts don’t project trades. So, there you have it.
While Parker missed the first seven games of the 2014 season with a foot injury, he finished the year by catching 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns — good enough to garner second-team All-ACC honors. The 6-foot-3, 209-pound receiver finished his Louisville career with 156 receptions for 2,775 yards and 33 touchdowns.
In what’s become a fairly popular pick in recent weeks, NFL media’s Lance Zierlein projects the Rams will select wide receiver Amari Cooper at No. 10.
“The Rams could easily look at RT here,” Zierlein writes, “but passing on a touchdown-maker like Cooper in a division featuring Seattle could be tough.”
Interestingly enough, Zierlein also projects that quarterback Marcus Mariota will fall until No. 12, when the Browns pick him up — a scenario that seems fairly unlikely at this point.
Nevertheless, Cooper turned in a stellar 2014 season with Alabama, winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist for his accomplishments as well, finishing third behind Mariota and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon.
Bucky Brooks, also of NFL Media, has the Rams addressing their offensive line by picking Iowa’s Brandon Scherff.
“The Rams could use a WR1, but adding a rugged interior blocker with grit and toughness would help Jeff Fisher build an offensive line that could dominate opponents at the point of attack,” Brooks writes.
One of the featured offensive tackles in our #FutureInvestments series, Scherff has long been thought of as one of the top offensive linemen in this year’s class. He raked in plenty of awards following the 2014 season, as he won the Outland Trophy (awarded to the best interior lineman in the nation), the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year (a conference award from from the Big Ten), was named a unanimous All-American, and first-team All-Big Ten.
In the week’s most ambitious undertaking, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller projected every pick in the 2015 draft. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not sure how much stock you can put into anyone projecting that many picks, but it’s kind of fun to talk about.
As for his first-round pick, Miller goes fairly unconventional for the Rams and has them taking Washington cornerback Marcus Peters.
“There is a lot of talk about drafting the highest graded player on your board, and that’s exactly what the St. Louis Rams should do,” Miller writes, adding that lightning could maybe strike twice for St. Louis with another Defensive Rookie of the Year. “Peters isn’t an immediate need in St. Louis, but he could make the trio at cornerback (with Janoris Jenkins and E.J. Gaines) remarkably talented for a young group. With an elite defensive line, Akeem Ayers filling the hole at linebacker and offensive weapons in place, this is the right pick for the Rams.”
Peters was dismissed from Washington’s football program after multiple run-ins with the coaching staff. He is quite talented, though, allowing just 38.1 percent of passes against him to be completed in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, according to his nfl.com draft profile. He was also a second-team All-Pac 12 honoree in 2013.
As for the rest of Miller’s massive mock draft, you can check out all of his Rams picks below.
Round 2: Cameron Erving, C, FSU (More: #FutureInvestments)
Round 3: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina (More: #FutureInvestments)
Round 4: Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma (More: NFL.com draft profile)
Round 6: Rannell Hall, WR, Central Florida (More: NFL.com draft profile)
Round 7: Jeff Luc, ILB, CincinnatiMarch 30, 2015 at 2:17 pm in reply to: OL in free agency … Barksdale, Blalock, Wisniewski, etc. #21784znModeratorWhat about Stefen Wisniewski?
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17411/morning-ram-blings-what-about-wisniewski
EARTH CITY, Mo. — In their ongoing quest for help on the offensive line, the St. Louis Rams have often been connected to center Stefen Wisniewski, the free agent from the Oakland Raiders.
Wisniewski has taken visits to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks but has yet to sign a deal. There have also been rumors of a visit to St. Louis, Kansas City and Chicago. But the market hasn’t developed quickly.
That’s come as something of a surprise. While Wisniewski isn’t the same caliber of player like Rodney Hudson, who signed right out of the gate for the richest contract for a center in the league, he’s certainly good enough to have landed somewhere by now.
So, there had to be a reason he’s still available. That reason became clear last week. In a story about the Bears’ need for help on the offensive line (sound familiar?), Brad Biggs reported that Wisniewski is recovering from shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum last year. Wisniewski actually played through the injury, which likely ended up contributing to some of his struggles during the year.
Regardless, Wisniewski remains on the market and the story mentions that the asking price is around $4 million a year. A one- or two-year prove-it deal could be in the offing and if that’s the case, it would make sense for the Rams to get in the bidding when there’s an established comfort level with his shoulder.
znModeratorI too like C. Long but his cap number is 14,250,000. Age and wear and tear It would be wise from a business stand point to redo his contract or make a tough decision and cut him. He will be 31 next season entering year 8 w/ us..
His current cap hit is 12.5 M. http://overthecap.com/salary-cap/st-louis-rams/
He had his contract finagled a few times to create a bit of cap space, and you may have old numbers.
He goes to 14.25 M in 2016. That may mean he is gone after 2016. It MIGHT mean he is gone after 2015. If he is gone after 2015, it represents a 11.7+ cap savings. I suppose they balance that with how much he contributes. I would not bet on it either way right now, myself. (That is right now it seems just as possible that they will keep him in 2016 as it is that they will cut him after 2015).
And of course they still could take a DE this draft even if he is still with them in 2016.
Another factor? Hayes’s contract is done after this year. He has been injured several times, if that is a consideration.
March 30, 2015 at 1:24 pm in reply to: Keenum’s late-season success in Houston comes as no surprise to Rams coach #21776znModeratorWhy Rams brought Case Keenum back
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17418/why-rams-brought-case-keenum-back
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Of the many moves the St. Louis Rams made in a dizzying few days to open free agency, perhaps none was as strange as the team’s decision to trade a future draft pick for a quarterback that was on the team’s roster as recently as December of last year.
Lost amid the hoopla of the big trade the Rams made with the Philadelphia Eagles in which they sent Sam Bradford east in exchange for Nick Foles was the subsequent deal in which they sent the Houston Texans a seventh-round pick in 2016 for quarterback Case Keenum.
Yes, the same Keenum who came to the Rams on waivers at the end of training camp after the Texans released him. From there, Keenum was the backup to Shaun Hill and Austin Davis for the first couple of months of the season but when the Rams traded for safety Mark Barron on Oct. 28, they released Keenum to create a roster spot. Keenum then re-signed with the Rams on the practice squad, where he languished for most of the season.
Along the way, Keenum never really got much of a chance to prove himself in practice as Hill and Davis got most of the repetitions. But as Keenum stayed after practice to get extra work, the Rams took notice.
“We really liked Case and he was making progress,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. “He didn’t get the opportunity I think he would have liked from a practice standpoint because he was our third and usually the third doesn’t get [reps] but he’d stay out after every practice and worked.”
Meanwhile, back in Houston, the Texans were ravaged by injuries at quarterback as Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallett were lost for the season within weeks of each other. In search of a quarterback who knew the system and the team, Texans general manager Rick Smith turned to Keenum.
“But when Rick called, obviously they needed a quarterback and it became difficult on them and he knew the system and Case was really going back to an offensive system that you could plug [him] in and play right away,” Fisher said. “So the season is over and we gave them a call.”
While the Rams were busy re-configuring their quarterback depth, the Texans were doing the same. They re-signed Mallett and added veteran Brian Hoyer to compete for the starting job. That’s in addition to the return of second-year prospect Tom Savage. Keenum, an exclusive-rights free agent, didn’t have much of a future in Houston but might have drawn some interest had the Texans chosen not to tender him.
So the Rams called with the idea that Keenum would get a better opportunity over the course of a full offseason. According to Fisher, that’s exactly what the plan is.
“Austin is still in our plans,” Fisher said. “He’s still going to come in and compete. We’re going to let Austin and Case come in and compete for the that two [spot]. That’s our plan right now.”
znModeratorfrom off the net
—
TackleDummy
I went to the website [dcprosportsreport.com] which lists almost 300 mock drafts. I looked at the most recent ones (the ones that fit on one page of my printer) and checked who they had picked for the Rams at #10.
16 of them picked an offensive lineman. Scherff (6), L. Collins (5), Peat (3), Clemmings (1) and Ogbuehi (1)
9 of them picked a wide receiver: Cooper (4), White (4), and Parker (1)
There was also QB Marieta, CB Waynes, and OLB Beasley who got 1 vote each.
If one hour before the draft starts someone tells me who will be drafted #10 I would be willing to bet they would be wrong. And that includes Fisher and Snead. There is just too many things that can happen with the first nine positions of the draft for anyone to have a 50-50 chance at picking the #10 slot. But that said, I do find it interesting that there is a general thought process that the Rams will choose either an OL or a WR at 10, with OL coming out the favorite.
I also noted that all but one picked QB Winston for the first choice, most picked DT Williams #2 and picked OLB Fowler #3. Also, they had #4 going for a WR but it was somewhat split between White and Cooper. In addition almost everyone had Mariota going in the top 6.
March 30, 2015 at 11:18 am in reply to: Linemen in the 2015 draft … including 2 good Cosell podcasts #21766znModeratorThe Middle of the Line is as important to Foles
as the end of the line.Or it’s the end of the line for Foles.
znModeratorI had to edit it nonetheless. I said those are predictions when I meant those are not predictions.
.
I knew you were going to edit it
w
vTricked you. I never edited anything. I only said that so you would (predictably) say THAT.
It’s snowing here btw.
I learned something about woodpiles this year. And me, an old vet.
What you’re supposed to do is reduce the stack from one end to the other. Like this:
Original, all stacked in August:
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxHow you’re supposed to reduce it:
1.
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx <—-
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxx2.
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx <—-
xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxThe way I did it was to take layers off:
1.
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx2.
xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxProblem is, when you get down to THIS
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And it snows A LOT, you can’t get the ice and snow off the tarp covering the wood, not without a lot of work. The ice and snow were more than 3 feet deep on top of the wood.
Amateur mistake.
Won’t happen again.
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