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znModeratorFerguson Police Routinely Violate Rights of Blacks, Justice Dept. Finds
Source: Probe Of Ferguson Police Uncovers Racist Comment About ObamaFerguson Police Routinely Violate Rights of Blacks, Justice Dept. Finds
wASHINGTON — Ferguson, Mo., is a third white, but the crime statistics compiled in the city over the past two years seemed to suggest that only black people were breaking the law. They accounted for 85 percent of traffic stops, 90 percent of tickets and 93 percent of arrests. In cases like jaywalking, which often hinge on police discretion, blacks accounted for 95 percent of all arrests.
The racial disparity in those statistics was so stark that the Justice Department has concluded in a report scheduled for release on Wednesday that there was only one explanation: The Ferguson Police Department was routinely violating the constitutional rights of its black residents.
The report, based on a six-month investigation, provides a glimpse into the roots of the racial tensions that boiled over in Ferguson last summer after a black teenager, Michael Brown, was fatally shot by a white police officer, making it a worldwide flash point in the debate over race and policing in America. It describes a city where the police used force almost exclusively on blacks and regularly stopped people without probable cause. Racial bias is so ingrained, the report said, that Ferguson officials circulated racist jokes on their government email accounts.
According to a preliminary release, an investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division into the police department in Ferguson, Mo., found a pattern of racial bias between 2012 and 2014 violating the Constitution and federal law.
In a November 2008 email, a city official said Barack Obama would not be president long because “what black man holds a steady job for four years?” Another email included a cartoon depicting African-Americans as monkeys. A third described black women having abortions as a way to curb crime.
“There are serious problems here that cannot be explained away,” said a law enforcement official who has seen the report and spoke on the condition of anonymity because it had not been released yet.
Those findings reinforce what the city’s black residents have been saying publicly since the shooting in August, that the criminal justice system in Ferguson works differently for blacks and whites. A black motorist who is pulled over is twice as likely to be searched as a white motorist, even though searches of white drivers are more likely to turn up drugs or other contraband, the report found.
Minor, largely discretionary offenses such as disturbing the peace and jaywalking were brought almost exclusively against blacks. When whites were charged with these crimes, they were 68 percent more likely to have their cases dismissed, the Justice Department found.
“I’ve known it all my life about living out here,” Angel Goree, 39, who lives in the apartment complex where Mr. Brown was killed, said Tuesday by phone.
Many such statistics surfaced in the aftermath of Mr. Brown’s shooting, but the Justice Department report offers a more complete look at the data than ever before. Federal investigators conducted hundreds of interviews, reviewed 35,000 pages of police records and analyzed race data compiled for every police stop.
The report will most likely force Ferguson officials to either negotiate a settlement with the Justice Department or face being sued by it on charges of violating the Constitution. Under Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., the Justice Department has opened more than 20 such investigations into local police departments and issued tough findings against cities including Newark; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Cleveland.
But the Ferguson case has the highest profile of Mr. Holder’s tenure and is among the most closely watched since the Justice Department began such investigations in 1994, spurred by the police beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles and the riots that followed.
While much of the attention in Ferguson has been on Mr. Brown’s death, federal officials quickly concluded that the shooting was simply the spark that ignited years of pent-up tension and animosity in the area. The Justice Department is expected to issue a separate report Wednesday clearing the police officer, Darren Wilson, of civil rights violations in the shooting.
It is not clear what changes Ferguson could make that would head off a lawsuit.
The report calls for city officials to acknowledge that the police department’s tactics have caused widespread mistrust and violated civil rights. Ferguson officials have so far been reluctant to do so, particularly as relations between the city and Washington have grown strained.
Mr. Holder was openly critical of the way local officials handled the protests and the investigation into Mr. Brown’s death, and declared a need for “wholesale change” in the police department. Ferguson officials criticized Mr. Holder for a rush to judgment and saw federal officials as outsiders who did not understand their city.
Brian P. Fletcher, a former Ferguson mayor who is running for City Council in next month’s election, said he believed the report was unfair because the Justice Department relied on incomplete data. For example, he said, the racial disparity could be explained not by bias but by the large number of black people from surrounding towns who visit Ferguson to shop.
“I know to some degree we’re already on the right track because we’ve already modified our courts to make it fairer,” he said.
For Mr. Holder, the case has been deeply personal. He spoke about conversations he had as a boy with his father about what to do when stopped by the police. And he described his own experience as the victim of racial profiling. Such comments drew the ire of police groups who said Mr. Holder, the nation’s first black attorney general, was fueling anti-police sentiment in minority neighborhoods. Mr. Holder has stood by his remarks, which have since been echoed by James Comey, the F.B.I. director.
The report is due to be released in Mr. Holder’s final days in office. He announced his retirement last year and plans to leave as soon as the nominee to succeed him, Loretta E. Lynch, is confirmed in the Senate.
In pushing for police reforms, the Justice Department typically does not call for personnel changes, such as the firing of a police chief. Instead, it typically seek institutional changes, such as mandated training, efforts to diversify the police force and more outside oversight. In many cities, the two sides agree on a federal monitor to ensure the police department is complying.
Ms. Goree said she was skeptical that changes would be made without the city’s being sued.
“If the Justice Department doesn’t take it to the full extent of the law,” she said, “it’s not going to be one iota of a change.”
znModerator
Source: Probe Of Ferguson Police Uncovers Racist Comment About ObamaA federal civil rights investigation of the Ferguson, Mo., police force has concluded that the department violated the Constitution with discriminatory policing practices against African Americans, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the report.
The investigation, the source says, concluded that blacks were disproportionately targeted by the police and the justice system, which has led to a lack of trust in police and courts and to few partnerships for public safety.
The federal probe was launched last September, as the community was still reeling from the case of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed black man who was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The case led to days of violent protests; eventually, a grand jury declined to charge Wilson with a crime.
The full report will be released on Wednesday, but the source described two emails included in the report that were exchanged between police and local court employees.
One says Obama will not be president for long because “what black man holds a steady job for four years.” Another says a black woman in New Orleans was admitted to a hospital to end her pregnancy and then got a check two weeks later from “Crime Stoppers.”
As for data, the report found that blacks were disproportionately targeted by the police and the justice system.
Blacks make up 67 percent of the population in Ferguson. But they make up 85 percent of people subject to vehicle stops and 93 percent of those arrested. Blacks are twice as likely to be searched as whites, but less likely to have drugs or weapons.
The report found that 88 percent of times in which Ferguson police used force it was against blacks and all 14 cases of police dog bites involved blacks.
The report uncovered similar statistics in the courts system.
Blacks were 68 percent less likely to have cases dismissed by Ferguson municipal judges and disproportionately likely to be subject to arrest warrants. From October 2012 to October 2014, 96 percent of people arrested in traffic stops solely for an outstanding warrant were black.
Blacks accounted for 95 percent of jaywalking charges, 94 percent of failure-to-comply charges and 92 percent of all disturbing-the-peace charges.
znModeratorMorning Ram-blings: Free-agent primer
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16723/morning-ram-blings-free-agent-primer
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Teams can officially begin negotiating with free agents this weekend and begin signing them on March 10. Much will happen between now and then with some players re-signing and tender offers for restricted and exclusive rights free agents being handed out.
But as we head toward the start of the open market, now is as good a time as any to get all of your free-agent needs in one place. The following is a list of important links to keep bookmarked as free agency plows ahead.
ESPN analyst Bill Polian provides Insider with his free-agent grades Insider with a list of the best and brightest who could be available when the market opens.
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It is a rare thing to be able to find good value in NFL free agency. The main reason for this is that teams almost always try to keep their top players on their rosters, so if a guy gets to free agency there’s a good chance it’s because his team has made the determination that his future value will not equal the amount of money required to keep him.
And given that this player’s team knows him better than any other in the league, that can be a concern for teams considering signing the player before the evaluation process even begins.
However, that doesn’t mean that there are never values to be had (either because a team has too many good players to keep all of them, or other circumstances), or that even if a team has to overpay a little bit there aren’t quality players available who are capable of helping it win.
At right you will find my 14 tips for approaching free agency, which I expanded upon in an article last year. Below you will find my grades for this year’s free-agent class, with analysis included for every player who earned a B-minus grade or better. I explain my grading process throughout, but in short, A players are consistent difference-makers and B players are starters who can help their teams win.
Here is my Big Board of the best available free agents for the 2015 class.
(Note: Players are listed alphabetically within each grade, and players who were franchise-tagged or transition-tagged are included to show their relative place within the marketplace.)
A-plus
Players graded in the A range are defined as those whose talent, physical gifts, durability and production allow them to win their one-on-one battles with regularity and make a difference in winning each week. By definition, there are three-down players.Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
Simply put, Suh is the best defensive tackle in the NFL. If not double-teamed, he will win virtually every time.
A
Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys (Franchise tag)He has a rare combination of speed, power, athleticism and hands. He’s one of the most talented and most productive receivers in the league.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
He is the ideal slot receiver. He has great speed, separation quickness and hands, and he is very versatile, as Green Bay used him in a lot of different ways in 2014.
Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots (Franchise tag)
I don’t have a ton to say about the kickers on this list, but Gostkowski is very reliable and very consistent.
Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (Franchise tag)
He is an all-around top-echelon NFL pass-rusher. He possesses outstanding power, speed and pass-rush moves.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
He has great vision, acceleration in the hole and speed, and he’s also a very good finisher at the end of runs. The only concern is his durability going forward.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos (Franchise tag)
Demaryius Thomas
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Demaryius Thomas is one of the best receivers in the NFL today.
He is a solid No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. He has outstanding speed, burst, length and jumping ability, and reliable hands.A-minus
Jerry Hughes, DE, Buffalo BillsHe is an outstanding pass-rusher with great speed, rush techniques and the flexibility to “bore” to the passer. (“Bore” is the word I use to describe the ability of a pass-rusher to dip and drive past the blocker in order to get lower than him and gain leverage in getting to the quarterback.) He is less effective setting the edge against the run.
Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
He has outstanding size, quickness, agility, balance and strength, and he’s a very tough player. He is excellent against the run, and is better as a pass-rusher than people think.
Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots
His combination of physical characteristics and instincts makes him one of the best safeties in the league. He has good ball skills, anticipation and savvy, and he’s versatile enough to play man coverage on a slot receiver. His speed and tackling ability are both outstanding for a safety.
Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
He possesses outstanding first-step quickness, toughness, flexibility and speed to the passer. He isn’t the wide-bodied run-stopper that Knighton is, but he is an outstanding “movement” D-tackle.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jeremy Maclin
AP Photo/Michael Perez
After a big year in 2014, Jeremy Maclin will likely attract a great deal of free agent interest.
He is an outstanding route-runner with good separation quickness to go with excellent speed. He also has good hands.Pernell McPhee, OLB, Baltimore Ravens
He is a part-time player who is an outstanding speed-to-power rusher with natural pass-rush slipperiness. He’s a major contributor in nickel packages. The question with him is whether he can maintain his effectiveness if asked to play full time.
B-plus
Players graded in the B range are defined as those whose talent, durability and production allow them to be productive starters who contribute to winning in the NFL. By definition, these are starters.Mike Iupati, G, San Francisco 49ers
He ranks among the best run-blockers in the league. He possesses outstanding strength, leg drive, punch and aggressiveness. He is less effective in space when pass-blocking.
George Johnson, DE, Detroit Lions
He is an outstanding natural pass-rusher who has length, speed, power and slipperiness in getting to the quarterback.
Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders
His speed and burst are outstanding. But he lacks polish as a route-runner and as a receiver overall.
Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
His hands are inconsistent, but he is still very effective as a deep threat because of his excellent speed and burst.
Tramon Williams, CB, Green Bay Packers
Williams is getting older, but he still possesses great instincts, playmaking ability and a nose for the ball.
B
Akeem Ayers, OLB, New England PatriotsAkeem Ayers
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Linebacker Akeem Ayers has been a dependable part of a strong Patriots defense.
He didn’t fit in Tennessee but found a home as a designated pass-rusher in New England. He has the length and speed to do a good job in that role going forward.Bryan Bulaga, OT, Green Bay Packers
He is a solid all-around offensive tackle who is particularly well-suited to the Packers’ offensive scheme.
Charles Clay, TE, Miami Dolphins (Transition tag)
He is a very good receiving tight end with good speed, separation quickness, hands and moves after the catch. He struggles with inline blocking due to a lack of bulk. He can also play some fullback.
Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
His production was down this season because of a nagging ankle injury. He is a good route-runner with an outstanding catch radius and very good hands.
Brandon Flowers, CB, San Diego Chargers
He had a solid all-around season for San Diego after being acquired in the offseason. He is a valuable starter at a critical position.
Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens
He had a great year in former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s zone running scheme. (Kubiak is now the head coach of the Broncos.) He has good acceleration in the hole, vision as a runner and the ability to avoid defenders, but his size and durability going forward are a concern.
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
He had a solid all-around season for New Orleans. He has very good acceleration in the hole and finishes runs well. He has dealt with injuries throughout his NFL career.
John Kuhn, FB, Green Bay Packers
For teams that utilize a fullback, Kuhn is a top value. He’s a solid all-around fullback who can block, run and catch. He is a smart and versatile player.
Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
His problem since entering the league has been his durability. When he’s on the field, he shows outstanding speed, power and finishing ability as a runner.
Rolando McClain, ILB, Dallas Cowboys
Rolando McClain
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Rolando McClain rehabilitated his reputation in Dallas, but will teams be willing to give him big dollars?
He has the capability to be a three-down linebacker. He has size, speed, instincts and a strong punch. His off-field issues have been a concern previously.Julius Thomas, TE, Denver Broncos
He is a receiving tight end with very good speed, hands and separation skills. Nagging injuries have been a concern. Blocking is not his strong suit.
Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens
He is a solid, reliable kicker with very good range.
Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots
He has speed, separation quickness, the ability to avoid defenders as a runner, really good hands and is obviously smart enough to master varied alignments as part of New England’s pass package. He’s also a better runner from scrimmage than most give him credit for, despite his size. He would be a good addition to almost any team because of his versatility.
B-minus
Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland BrownsHe’s an outstanding receiving tight end with good speed, excellent separation quickness and moves, and he has very good hands. His past issues with concussions, however, are a concern for any team considering signing him.
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
His entire career Gore has been one of the most productive north-south power runners. He’s a winner whose toughness and leadership by example would be ideal for a contending team. He does have a long medical history and a lot of mileage, which are concerns.
Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers
Greg Hardy
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Teams will have to take into account Greg Hardy’s off-field headlines in assessing his value.
If you based this grade on his on-field ability, he’s an A. If you factor in his off-field issues, you might take him off your board entirely. The fact that he faces potential league discipline is an obvious concern. On the field, he is an outstanding natural pass-rusher with speed, power, slipperiness and good technique.Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants (Franchise tag)
He is an outstanding pass-rusher with very good length, first-step quickness and natural “bore.” He has been hampered by a back injury so far in his career, which has to be a concern going forward.
C-plus
Players graded in the C range are defined as those whose durability, talent and production allow them to contribute to winning as a role player or a backup. Players who are graded below the C line do not appear on this list and are defined as those who fill specific backup roles on a roster and are not considered long-term players.Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams
Antonio Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals
Byron Maxwell, CB, Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Mosley, DT, Detroit LionsC
Sam Acho, OLB, Arizona Cardinals
Mike Adams, S, Indianapolis Colts
Nate Allen, S, Philadelphia Eagles
Tyson Alualu, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Javier Arenas, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Joe Berger, C, Minnesota Vikings
Kroy Biermann, OLB, Atlanta Falcons
Alan Branch, DE, New England Patriots
Jasper Brinkley, ILB, Minnesota Vikings
Sergio Brown, S, Indianapolis Colts
Tarell Brown, CB, Oakland Raiders
Stevie Brown, S, New York Giants
Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions
Darius Butler, CB, Indianapolis Colts
Bruce Carter, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
Quinton Carter, S, Denver Broncos
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Daryn Colledge, G, Miami Dolphins
Willie Colon, G, New York Jets
Dan Connolly, G, New England Patriots
Chris Conte, S, Chicago Bears
Chris Cook, CB, San Francisco 49ers
Chris Culliver, CB, San Francisco 49ers
Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Brian de la Puente, C, Chicago Bears
Louis Delmas, S, Miami Dolphins
Quintin Demps, S, New York Giants
Ed Dickson, TE, Carolina Panthers
Justin Durant, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
Vladimir Ducasse, G, Minnesota Vikings
King Dunlap, OT, San Diego Chargers
Dwan Edwards, DT, Carolina Panthers
Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions
Bradley Fletcher, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Andre Fluellen, DT, Detroit Lions
Orlando Franklin, G, Denver Broncos
Doug Free, OT, Dallas Cowboys
Charles Godfrey, S, Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Goodwin, C, New Orleans Saints
Brandon Graham, OLB, Philadelphia Eagles
Shayne Graham, K, New Orleans Saints
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
David Harris, ILB, New York Jets
Ryan Harris, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Geno Hayes, OLB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mark Herzlich, ILB, New York Giants
Roy Helu Jr., RB, Washington Redskins
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Davon House, CB, Green Bay Packers
Brian Hoyer, QB, Cleveland Browns
Rodney Hudson, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Karl Klug, DT, Tennessee Titans
Dawan Landry, S, New York Jets
Jeffrey Linkenbach, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Dwight Lowery, S, Atlanta Falcons
Rey Maualuga, ILB, Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor Mays, S, Cincinnati Bengals
Brice McCain, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
Brandon Meriweather, S, Washington Redskins
Tony Moeaki, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Rahim Moore, S, Denver Broncos
Sterling Moore, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Derrick Morgan, DE, Tennessee Titans
Mike Nugent, K, Cincinnati Bengals
B.J. Raji, DE, Green Bay Packers
Cory Redding, DE, Indianapolis Colts
Brooks Reed, LB, Houston Texans
Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots
Patrick Robinson, CB, New Orleans Saints
Carlos Rogers, CB, Oakland Raiders
Antrel Rolle, S, New York Giants
Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers
Mark Sanchez, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Da’Norris Searcy, S, Buffalo Bills
George Selvie, DE, Dallas Cowboys
O’Brien Schofield, OLB, Seattle Seahawks
Lawrence Sidbury, OLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Cleveland Browns
Cecil Shorts, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Anthony Spencer, DE, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Buffalo Bills
Jacob Tamme, TE, Denver Broncos
Darryl Tapp, DE, Detroit Lions
Brandon Tate, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins
Cassius Vaughn, CB, Detroit Lions
Kevin Vickerson, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Leon Washington, RB, Tennessee Titans
Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Atlanta Falcons
D.J. Williams, ILB, Chicago Bears
Jimmy Wilson, S, Miami Dolphins
Kyle Wilson, CB, New York Jets
Stefen Wisniewski, C, Oakland Raiders
Jason Worilds, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Shareece Wright, CB, San Diego ChargersC-minus
Terrence Cody, DT, Baltimore Ravens
Letroy Guion, DT, Green Bay Packers
Colin McCarthy, OLB, Tennessee TitansSpecial veterans
These guys aren’t going to get big deals based on their age, but deserve special mention as players who were exceptionally productive during their careers. Some could potentially pay off in one-year deals with the right team.Matt Bryant, K, Atlanta Falcons
Jay Feely, K, Chicago Bears
Jim Leonhard, S, Cleveland Browns
Terence Newman, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Matt Prater, K, Detroit Lions
Ike Taylor, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Charles Tillman, CB, Chicago Bears
Osi Umenyiora, DE, Atlanta Falcons
Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Wes Welker, WR, Denver BroncosznModeratorCut Candidates: NFC West
By Nick Mensio
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/52544/59/cut-candidates-nfc-west
We’ve shifted into offseason mode here at Rotoworld. In a salary-cap league with non-guaranteed contracts like the NFL, the offseason is a time teams rid themselves of players not living up to their pay scale. Every year, handfuls among handfuls of players are asked to take pay cuts or simply released outright. Before free agency opens March 10, I’ll highlight names from each team who may be on the roster bubble. According to several reports, the salary cap is expected to rise to roughly $142 million in 2015. Terms to know are “cap number”, “cap savings”, “cash savings”, and “dead money”. Cap number is how much Player X will count against Team X’s salary cap. Cap savings is how much Team X will clear in salary-cap space by cutting Player X. Cash savings is how much Team X will save in terms of sheer cash, and it can be formulated by Player X’s base salary + bonuses. Dead money is how much Player X will count against Team X’s salary cap, even if he is released. I already took a look at the AFC East here, the AFC North here, the AFC South here, the AFC West here, the NFC East here, the NFC North here, and the NFC South here.
Mensio’s Note: For detailed salary cap and contract information, go check out OverTheCap.com. Salary figures and cap numbers are from them. I’d also like to give a shout-out to self-proclaimed salary cap enthusiast Andrew Cohen for answering several questions for me. Follow him on Twitter here.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
LE Chris Long
Cap number: $12.5M
Cap savings: $7.5M
Cash savings: $10M
Dead money: $5M
Much is made about Sam Bradford being overpaid, but Long is right up there on the Rams. After handing RE Robert Quinn a mega-extension this past year, the Rams have two of the four highest-paid 4-3 ends in the league. St. Louis loves its pass rush, but Long should be asked to take a pay cut. He missed 10 games last season with an ankle injury and managed just one sack. Long also turns 30 later this month. He’s never been an elite pass rusher, as he’s more of an effort-type player who relies on hard work and his quick jump off the snap. That tends to lead to a lot of offsides penalties. The Rams aren’t going to cut Long because his veteran leadership is valued in a young locker room. But if Long were to hit the open market, he wouldn’t command more than $5-6 million annually, and certainly wouldn’t come close to the $21.75M he’s due over the next two seasons.LT Jake Long
Cap number: $10.5M
Cap savings: $8M
Cash savings: $9.25M
Dead money: $2.5M
Why the Rams haven’t yet released Long is anybody’s guess, but his days should be numbered in St. Louis. Billed as damaged goods in the 2013 offseason, Long inked a four-year, $34M deal with the Rams. Both of his seasons in St. Louis ended on I.R. with back-to-back ACL tears. 2014 No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson has already been named the left tackle, but the Rams have said they may consider Long at right tackle or kick him inside to guard. Nobody’s buying it. The Rams would be better off giving Long’s money to a natural free-agent guard like Mike Iupati. Long has landed on season-ending I.R. each of the past four seasons. There isn’t much left in the tank.DT Kendall Langford
Cap number: $7M
Cap savings: $6M
Cash savings: $6M
Dead money: $1M
Langford was cut by the Rams last week. He was actually one of GM Les Snead’s better signings since taking over in St. Louis, but Langford lost his starting job to Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald and wasn’t worth the inflated salary. The Rams have expressed interest in bringing 29-year-old Langford back at a cheaper rate, but he’s likely to find a starting job elsewhere as a scheme-versatile lineman. He visited the tackle-needy Lions earlier this week.C Scott Wells
Cap number: $4.75M
Cap savings: $3.75M
Cash savings: $3.75M
Dead money: $1M
If Langford was one of the Rams’ better signings the past couple years, Wells has easily been one of the worst. He’s missed 13 starts since inking a four-year, $24M deal and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ worst center among 41 qualifiers last season. He just turned 34 in January and can’t cut it as a pass or run blocker anymore. The Rams are reportedly considering holding onto Wells for the time being because they have nothing behind him on the depth chart. Barrett Jones isn’t a legitimate starting option in the NFL despite what large sections of the Rams community wants to believe.WR Chris Givens
Cap number: $1.666M
Cap savings: $1.542M
Cash savings: $1.542M
Dead money: $124K
Givens led the Rams in receiving as a 2012 rookie with his 42-698-3 line to go along with five 50-plus-yard grabs. He was easily Sam Bradford’s favorite target. Most expected a second-year leap in 2013, but Givens was exposed as a one-trick pony deep threat. His targets then took a sharp hit this past season, as they plummeted from 77 in 2013 to just 17 in 2014. He only played 200 offensive snaps as the Rams’ No. 4/5 receiver.SLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Cap number: $1.346M
Cap savings: $1.346M
Cash savings: $1.346M
Dead money: $0
Dunbar was a nice find for the Rams prior to the 2012 season. He was nails against the run and brought a nastiness to the defense that it had been lacking for several years. But he drew a four-game suspension to open the 2013 season and was eventually released by the Rams before being re-signed after his ban. Dunbar was then arrested in Miami last summer and saw his snaps decline this past season with the Rams using more three-safety looks after the acquisition of Mark Barron. The Rams are rumored to be looking for linebacker help in the draft.RB Isaiah Pead
Cap number: $1.285M
Cap savings: $941K
Cash savings: $941K
Dead money: $344K
Pead is maybe the biggest bust of the Rams’ draft classes under Les Snead and Jeff Fisher. The 50th overall pick in 2012 received just 17 carries across his first two seasons and was never able to take control of the backfield. He then tore his ACL last summer and missed the entire 2014 campaign. Pead was viewed merely as a special teams player by the Rams before getting hurt. ACL injuries are much easier to come back from now more than ever. Pead is in dire need of a fresh start. He just turned 25 in December.ARIZONA CARDINALS
LE Darnell Dockett
Cap number: $9.8M
Cap savings: $6.8M
Cash savings: $6.8M
Dead money: $3M
Coming off a torn ACL that saw Dockett miss the entire 2014 season, the Cardinals asked the soon-to-be 34-year-old to take a pay cut down to $2.5M with the ability to earn another $1.5M available via incentives. Dockett balked at the offer and instead was released by Arizona last week. 2014 fifth-round DE Ed Stinson drew praise from coach Bruce Arians as a rookie, and the Cardinals also used a third-round pick last year on DE/OLB Kareem Martin. Dockett has lost juice as a pass rusher, but the team wants him back as a veteran leader. Dockett has drawn interest from the 49ers. He’d be lucky to get $5M on the open market.CB Jerraud Powers
Cap number: $5.35M
Cap savings: $4.35M
Cash savings: $4.35M
Dead money: $1M
With Antonio Cromartie a free agent, Powers will likely be back in the desert to play out the final year of his contract. He received positive marks in coverage last season as the Cardinals’ slot corner. But the Cardinals prefer bigger corners, and Powers stands just 5’9/190. Arizona is high on special teams ace CB Justin Bethel as a defensive player. Expect GM Steve Keim to eye cornerback help in free agency and the draft with it looking unlikely that Cromartie will be back opposite Patrick Peterson.C Lyle Sendlein
Cap number: $4.275M
Cap savings: $3.15M
Cash savings: $3.15M
Dead money: $1.125M
Sendlein graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second-worst center out of 41 qualifiers last season, finishing ahead of only the Rams’ Scott Wells. He received extremely poor marks both as a pass protector and run blocker. Entering the final year of his contract and due a $3M base salary as a soon-to-be 31-year-old, Sendlein is a prime candidate to be cut.WR/KR Ted Ginn
Cap number: $4M
Cap savings: $2.5M
Cash savings: $3.25M
Dead money: $1.5M
Cutting Ginn was Arizona’s first order of business this offseason. The 30-year-old (in April) played just 163 snaps on offense last season, catching zero touchdowns and dropping three passes. He’s still an effective return man, though he’s more dangerous on punts. It’s simple with Ginn; he’s a mere gadget deep threat on offense but brings big-play ability to the special teams unit. He’s just not worth a $4M cap hit. The Panthers and Browns are rumored to be interested in Ginn.LG Ted Larsen
Cap number: $2.435M
Cap savings: $2.2M
Cash savings: $2.2M
Dead money: $235K
Larsen won the Cardinals’ starting left guard job out of training camp, leaving 2013 No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Cooper to play just 189 offensive snaps as a sophomore. Larsen and RG Paul Fanaika were two of PFF’s bottom-11 guards in 2014 out of 78 qualifiers. It’s a position that needs to be upgraded this offseason, and seeing Cooper take that step and secure a starting job would be a nice jumping-off point. Larsen is a replacement-level talent who wasn’t re-signed by the lineman-needy Bucs as a free agent prior to last season. He’s best-suited for an interior reserve role.FS Rashad Johnson
Cap number: $2.233M
Cap savings: $1.9M
Cash savings: $1.9M
Dead money: $333K
Johnson played over 1,100 defensive snaps as the Cardinals’ starting free safety last season with the team being extremely cautious with Tyrann Mathieu coming off a torn ACL. Mathieu should be locked in at 100 percent heading into 2015 and ready to take over as an every-down player. Safety is one of Arizona’s deepest positions, with Johnson, Mathieu, SS Tony Jefferson, and 2014 first-rounder Deone Bucannon. Johnson is more of a special teams player than starting safety. The Cardinals will likely make a decision on Johnson before he’s due $550K in bonuses.ILB Lorenzo Alexander
Cap number: $2M
Cap savings: $1.55M
Cash savings: $1.55M
Dead money: $450K
Alexander missed all but three games in 2013 with a Lisfranc injury and played just 53 defensive snaps across 16 games last season. Signed to be a core special teams player, Alexander missed nearly as many tackles as he made while covering kicks. He also turns 32 in May. Alexander simply doesn’t bring much to the table and can be replaced by a minimum-salary player.TE John Carlson
Cap number: $1.65M
Cap savings: $1.6M
Cash savings: $1.6M
Dead money: $50K
Coach Bruce Arians needs his tight ends to be blockers. That’s not Carlson, as he was Pro Football Focus’ third-worst blocking tight end out of 67 qualifiers last season. He saw his snaps dip the final half of 2014 in favor of Darren Fells. Carlson also dropped seven of his 53 targets in the passing game. The former second-round pick turns 31 in May and has a lengthy concussion history. Arizona used a second-round pick on well-rounded TE Troy Niklas last spring.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
OLB Aldon Smith
Cap number: $9.754M
Cap savings: $9.754M
Cash savings: $9.754M
Dead money: $0
The 49ers are about $500K under the salary cap at the moment and need to clear some money somehow whether it’s in the form of releasing players or converting salaries into “signing” bonuses and kicking the can down the road. Smith is a long shot to be cut, but his past off-field issues and inflated salary make it that the 49ers will at least discuss it. When on the field, Smith is a nightmare edge rusher. Expect the 49ers to keep him and part ways with veteran OLB Ahmad Brooks to make room for second-year OLB Aaron Lynch. Smith will play out the final year of his contract and head toward free agency next offseason. If he can keep his head straight, Smith should command major dollars.ILB Patrick Willis
Cap number: $8.268M
Cap savings: $7.425M
Cash savings: $7.846M
Dead money: $844K
Willis is another long shot to be released. He’s the leader of the defense, but just turned 30 last month and has chronic toe issues. Willis missed the final 10 weeks of the season after needing surgery. He’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp, as is fellow ILB NaVorro Bowman (knee). ILB Chris Borland shined as a rookie in place of Willis last season and would likely be a starter for many other teams, but the 49ers will likely try to make another run in 2015 with their current veteran-laden defense.OLB Ahmad Brooks
Cap number: $7.055M
Cap savings: $1.509M
Cash savings: $7.3M
Dead money: $5.546M
Brooks is likely as good as gone. He was reportedly close to being traded prior to the trade deadline, then lashed out at then-DL coach Jim Tomsula, who is now the new head coach, prior to a November game. Brooks missed a couple team meetings throughout the season, leading to two separate benchings. Second-year OLB Aaron Lynch is ready to take over opposite Aldon Smith. Brooks turns 31 in 12 days. He could reunite with ex-49ers GM Scot McCloughan with the Redskins.TE Vernon Davis
Cap number: $6.968M
Cap savings: $4.9M
Cash savings: $4.95M
Dead money: $2.068M
Davis is coming off a career-worst season that saw him post an awful 26-245-2 receiving line across 14 starts. The downfall was swift after he caught 13 touchdowns in 2013. After his huge 2013 season, Davis sat out OTAs last spring in hope of a new contract. He didn’t get one and then went on to hit a wall as a 30-year-old. Now 31, Davis is clearly in the decline phase of his career. He’s entering the final year of his contract, but GM Trent Baalke said at the Combine that Davis will be back in San Francisco this season. We’ve seen coaches and GMs lie before, but chances appear slim that Davis will actually be cut. Look for Davis to become a bigger part of the red-zone offense this season.WR Stevie Johnson
Cap number: $6.025M
Cap savings: $6.025M
Cash savings: $6.025M
Dead money: $0
Acquired from the Bills last May, Johnson went on to post a 35-435-3 receiving line as the 49ers’ No. 3 receiver in their run-heavy offense. There was a report over the weekend that the 49ers had released Johnson, but it proved to be premature. The 49ers are talking with the 28-year-old about a pay cut. If he refuses, he’ll likely hit the streets. Johnson isn’t going to take the top off a defense, but he’s a crisp route-runner with a solid pair of mitts. With Michael Crabtree a free agent, the 49ers don’t have much of anything behind Anquan Boldin at receiver. Johnson isn’t worth $6M-plus.T/G Jonathan Martin
Cap number: $1.042M
Cap savings: $1.042M
Cash savings: $1.042M
Dead money: $0
Rescued from Miami via trade, Martin started nine games at right tackle for the 49ers last season. He was his same ineffective self that he proved to be with the Dolphins, getting destroyed in both the pass and run games. Martin is a minimum-salary player.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DT Brandon Mebane
Cap number: $5.7M
Cap savings: $5.5M
Cash savings: $5.5M
Dead money: $200K
The Seahawks don’t have many, if any, bad contracts. Mebane is probably overpaid, but he was one of the better defensive tackles in the league for the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks in 2013 before having his 2014 season cut short by a torn hamstring in Week 10. He’s expected to be healthy for minicamp. The Seahawks have an excessive amount of talent on the defensive line, and could use some extra cash to hand out a couple more contract extensions and sign a free agent or two. Mebane just turned 30 and is entering the final year of his contract.DT Tony McDaniel
Cap number: $3.625M
Cap savings: $3M
Cash savings: $3M
Dead money: $625K
Another part of the Seahawks’ defensive line rotation, McDaniel had a down season after being a big contributor on a one-year deal in 2013. He received a new two-year contract last offseason, but wasn’t very consistent. As mentioned above, the Seahawks have depth up front and could add to it this offseason. Seattle will make a call on McDaniel before he’s due a $500K roster bonus.TE Zach Miller
Cap number: $3.391M
Cap savings: $2.391M
Cash savings: $2.82M
Dead money: $1M
This will be the easy cut for GM John Schneider. Miller re-worked his deal last offseason to remain in Seattle. But he once again couldn’t stay healthy and played in just three games after needing two separate surgeries on his ankle. He’s played all 16 games in a season just once in the past six years. Due a $1.75M roster bonus, cutting Miller will be a no-brainer move. The Seahawks will move forward with Luke Willson and possibly target Jordan Cameron of Julius Thomas in free agency.znModeratorHi-lights (for me anyway):
Have the O0Line problems been personnel or coaching?
by Amp Lee 4:21 PMI think more personnel/injury related. Paul Boudreau is a highly-regarded line coach.
The Rams’ overall track record hasn’t been good when it comes to high-priced free agent linemen, and that goes all the way back to Jacob Bell and Jason Brown. Myself, I’d like to see them sign one veteran free agent, a younger player (preferably entering second contract) that doesn’t have an injury history – or not much of one anyway. Right now, the Rams still need cap room, but I’m sure there will be more cap-related moves between now and the start of free agency.
by jthomas 4:21 PM–
I think the rams are pretty happy with Brockers as the other starting DT.
by jthomas 4:30 PM–
For Jake Long, $4 million of his base salary is guaranteed if he’s still on the roster by the fifth day of the league year (March 14). So if the Rams are releasing him, they obviously must do so by then or lose $4 million in guaranteed money. Wells is due a roster bonus of $1 million if he’s on the team on the third day of the league year (March 12).
by jthomas 4:37 PM–
Hi Jim your take on Bradford 2015 Comeback Kid or another Rams bust.
by Ramster 4:38 PMIt’s all about staying healthy. If he stays healthy, I think he’ll be fine.
by jthomas 4:38 PM–
I take Mariotta at No. 10 over any other scenario. (But don’t think he’ll be there.) Without Britt, obviously you look long and hard at Cooper and White if one of them is there at 10. But if Barksdale’s gone, then you’re looking for a guard and a tackle.
by jthomas 5:44 PMznModeratorCould Marcus Mariota fall to the Rams?
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/16649/could-marcus-mariota-fall-to-the-rams
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The general consensus even before quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston declared for the NFL draft has been that both would be long gone before the St. Louis Rams make their pick at No. 10 in April.
Since both Mariota and Winston declared, there has been a slight shift — and to be clear, this is media perception not necessarily teams — in that thinking with a lot of draft pundits declaring Winston a sure thing to go No. 1 overall and Mariota potentially slipping.
In fact, NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft has Mariota not only slipping out of the top five but dropping all the way to No. 10. There, Jeremiah has the Rams pulling the trigger on the former Oregon Duck and Heisman Trophy winner.
Jeremiah writes that “the Rams can’t rely on Sam Bradford to stay healthy, and Mariota would be a great fit with their current offensive personnel.”
Adding one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft would seem like nothing short of a no-brainer for the Rams given their need at the position. We can’t say right now that they would absolutely do it if Mariota were to fall but one would think it would have to be a strong consideration. But the real question is whether Mariota would actually ever make it to No. 10?
Despite what many of the teams in front of the Rams are saying publicly, it’s hard to imagine that all of the teams in need of a quarterback in front of them would pass on Mariota. If we assume that Winston goes No. 1 to Tampa Bay then it would mean for Mariota to fall to St. Louis that Tennessee, Washington, the New York Jets and Chicago would all pass on Mariota in favor of help at other positions.
That doesn’t even include the possibility of another team (looking at you, Philadelphia) trading ahead of the Rams to land Mariota.
But in looking at the chances of all of those teams actually ignoring the most important position in the game, it’s hard to imagine that he slips.
This is a league in which the Titans once took Jake Locker one pick before Tyron Smith went to Dallas, Jacksonville traded up to No. 10 to take Blaine Gabbert with J.J. Watt going No. 11 to Houston and Minnesota drafting Christian Ponder with Robert Quinn still on the board. All of that happened in the 2011 draft.
That isn’t to say Mariota will struggle like any of those players, just that teams have consistently proved that their willing to take a quarterback over players who might be more highly-rated at other positions.
While some teams have likely learned their lesson from shoe horning a quarterback instead of taking the best player available, the financial risk of drafting a quarterback that doesn’t work out isn’t what it used to be. Which means it’s probably a safe bet that somebody is going to take Mariota before the Rams ever get a chance.
znModeratorJeff Fisher not in favor of changing extra point
By Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — As a member of the NFL’s competition committee, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher is often a go-to guy for media looking for answers about potential rule changes in the league.
That’s always abundantly clear at the NFL scouting combine and this year was no different. Fisher was asked about a variety of things that might be under consideration for the committee this year, including the possibility of moving the extra point from being snapped from the 2-yard line to the 15.
The NFL experimented with that change in the 2014 preseason with the idea being to make a play that had become a foregone conclusion something with a little more pressure involved.
In the first two weeks of exhibition games, teams attempted 141 extra points with kickers missing eight times for a percentage of 94.3 percent from the new distance. During the regular season, kickers also missed eight extra points, though those misses came on 1,230 attempts for a conversion rate of 99.3 percent.
So while the preseason experiment offered a much smaller sample size, it did come with a bit more variance in terms of makes and misses. It’s a variance that Fisher said in Indianapolis he’s not OK with and he made a solid analogy to illustrate his argument.
“Personally I don’t want to kick a 19-yard field goal to win a game, and then miss a 35-yard extra point in Green Bay when it’s 20 degrees to lose a game,” Fisher said. “So that’s my position. I think it would be too drastic of a change, me personally.”
Dean Blandino, the NFL’s head of officiating, previously said he expected the extra point to change in the “near future.” Those discussions figure to be ongoing but given the amount of concern around the league about things like the “completing the catch” rule and the matter of managing the inflation process of the balls, it’s possible the extra point conversation could take a backseat.
znModeratorNFC West free agency preview: Tough choices for Seahawks, 49ers
Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports
A snapshot of each team’s roster and considerations heading into free agency, which officially begins March 10 at 4 p.m. ET:
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Prominent free agents: OLB John Abraham, OLB Sam Acho, S Chris Clemons, CB Antonio Cromartie, DL Darnell Dockett (released), G Paul Fanaika, ILB Larry Foote, WR Ted Ginn (released), TE Rob Housler, DL Tommy Kelly, NT Dan Williams
Issues: Arizona has already addressed its cap challenges by redoing WR Larry Fitzgerald’s deal and discarding Dockett’s $6.8 million 2015 salary. But GM Steve Keim is facing a major rebuild of his defensive front seven, which is also still missing suspended ILB Daryl Washington.
Our advice: Given the challenges of finding effective space eaters, re-signing underrated Williams should probably be atop the priority list. Entice Dockett to return at a reduced rate, then Keim can worry about his linebackers and depth elsewhere. Perhaps he even makes a run at a mid-tier back like Justin Forsett.
ST. LOUIS RAMSProminent free agents: T Joe Barksdale, WR Kenny Britt, QB Shaun Hill, G Davin Joseph, TE Lance Kendricks, DT Kendall Langford (released)
Issues: They’re again hoping QB Sam Bradford will be healthy enough to vault them from tough regular-season matchup to tough playoff matchup. Barring that, the Rams need a better plan B QB, must replenish the O-line’s depth and could use help at wideout and corner.
Our advice: The quarterback market is thin in free agency and the draft. But Hill and Austin Davis weren’t sufficient replacements for Bradford, so making a strong bid for Mark Sanchez or Brian Hoyer this year seems sensible. It shouldn’t cost much to re-sign Britt, whose presence could allow for the patient development of another young receiver assuming one is drafted.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Prominent free agents: CB Chris Cook, CB Perrish Cox, WR Michael Crabtree, CB Chris Culliver, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Frank Gore, G Mike Iupati, QB Josh Johnson, WR Brandon Lloyd, ST/WR Kassim Osgood, ST/LB Dan Skuta
Issues: They’re facing a significant exodus of talent while hoping DL Justin Smith returns and ILBs Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman can recapture their star form in the aftermath of major injuries. The Niners will also be in the market for a backup to QB Colin Kaepernick yet again.
Our advice: Iupati is their best free agent, but GM Trent Baalke would probably be wise to allot his limited cap space elsewhere. Keeping the ascending Culliver to address one of the corner spots should probably take precedence. Keeping Gore’s heart and soul at the right price makes sense. But it’s time to part with Crabtree, who’s proven injury-prone but not elite.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Prominent free agents: OL James Carpenter, ST/LB Heath Farwell, QB Tarvaris Jackson, OL Lemuel Jeanpierre, S Jeron Johnson, CB Byron Maxwell, TE Tony Moeaki, DE O’Brien Schofield, DT D’Anthony Smith, LB Malcolm Smith, FB Will Tukuafu, DT Kevin Williams
Issues: GM John Schneider has a nice chunk of cap space, but he’ll need it and might even have to create more. It’s time to pay QB Russell Wilson while giving RB Marshawn Lynch a raise. MLB Bobby Wagner and LT Russell Okung could both hit free agency in 2016. Even restricted free agent WR Jermaine Kearse needs a bump but could also use more help in his position room.
Our advice: Let’s assume Wilson and Lynch get paid. Given that, Schneider knows he probably can’t afford Maxwell and should probably be targeting affordable help to replace him and add depth to a banged-up Legion of Boom. Jackson and Williams, if he wants to keep playing, are respected vets who should be kept at the right price. Wagner should get priority over Okung, though both may have to wait quite a while. Seattle may face tough decisions on vets like TE Zach Miller and DT Brandon Mebane to make the budget work.
znModeratorznModeratorWell, RFL, that was good. Very readable. And I agree. I think what’s possible is that they end up with 3 qbs with completely different styles, and they will adjust accordingly, instead of insisting on a mold. (As you say there’s a given n take there…some things you correct, some things you just enhance whether they’re correct or not.) I too like pragmatic offensive coaches who strategize around what they have instead of forcing a routine on all. That goes up to the coordinator level too of course. If you pulled up a game each from 3 Rams qbs over the last 2 years–Bradford, Clemens, Davis–my bet is you would see that the playcalling was built around what each one does. For example, Davis throwing to the deep middle to Cook. That was a Davis thing, and they worked it in as a crucial play in different series.
Partly related to this–I remember when Shurmur was first hired and the qb then was of course Bulger. At the time, the local sports media had this thing about Bulger throwing off his back foot. Shurmur said something so funny. First, he said, well technically what a coach sees there is that he can’t step up in the pocket. He then added that it was good Bulger had that ability (to throw off his back foot) because not every qb did. It was funny, because Shurmur was directly taking on a criticism and basically re-construing it. Shurmur was saying, that’s not Bulger, that’s the situation.
znModeratorJeremiah: Rams can’t pass on Marcus Mariota in 2015 draft
By Daniel Kim NFL.com
If you were the GM of the St. Louis Rams, who hold the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, which quarterback would you rather have for next season: a healthy Sam Bradford or Marcus Mariota?
That’s a question NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah addressed in his latest “Move the Sticks” podcast. And for Jeremiah, the scenario — while intriguing hypothetically — isn’t all that realistic, making his answer an easy one.
“I gave Sam Bradford a higher grade coming out than Marcus Mariota, and Sam when he’s been on the field has done some good things,” Jeremiah said of Bradford, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft. “But it’s a moot point. You can’t rely on Sam Bradford to stay healthy. Ability minus durability gives you nothing.
“If Marcus Mariota was there and I was the Rams, I’d turn in my card and be done with it.”
Bradford has missed 25 of the team’s last 32 games and is currently recovering from his second ACL surgery, and NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt lists quarterback as one of the Rams’ biggest draft needs. Still, head coach Jeff Fisher has been an open supporter of Bradford as the team’s starter next season.
Even if St. Louis sticks with Bradford, however, many believe the Rams need a young quarterback to build around for the future. Whether that quarterback is Mariota will depend, of course, on whether he will even be on the board when it’s the Rams’ turn to pick. Mariota is viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and three of NFL.com’s four mock drafts project him as the No. 6 pick by the New York Jets.
Jeremiah’s mock draft is the exception. He foresees the Bucs grabbing Jameis Winston at No. 1, the Jets grabbing cornerback Trae Waynes at No. 6, and the Rams grabbing Mariota at No. 10.
March 1, 2015 at 5:09 pm in reply to: Grayson, Hundley, Petty, Carden etc. … the qbs this year #19324znModeratorWalterFootball.com
2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Garrett Grayson
http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2015ggrayson.php
Garrett Grayson, 6-2/215
Strengths:
Field vision
Works through his progressions and reads the defense
Ability to thrive as a pocket passer
Strong arm
Can make all the NFL throws
Distributes the ball to a variety of weapons
Good on touch passes
Basis for good footwork
Athletic; can scramble and avoid sacks with his feet
Accurate in the short to intermediate part of the field
Improved throughout college
Quality mechanics
Quick release
Intelligent
Hard worker
Good character
IntangiblesWeaknesses:
Not ready to start
Needs to improve deep-ball accuracy
Can have bouts of poor decision-making
Needs to speed up his clock sometimes
Needs to improve footwork and get more comfortable under centerSummary:
The quarterback-needy nature of the NFL means there is always the potential for a quarterback to rise during the draft process. If one is going to do it in the 2015 NFL Draft, Grayson is the most likely prospect to have a big climb. There are a lot of teams that need quarterbacks, but there is a dearth of prospects to satisfy that need. Thus, Grayson could end up going higher than many expect.
Early in the 2014 season, a general manager told WalterFootball.com that they loved Grayson and thought he could end up being a quarterback to rise like Jimmy Garoppolo or Blake Bortles did in the 2014 NFL Draft. Grayson barely played as a freshman and sophomore, but he won the starting job as a junior in 2013 and had a breakout year under the guidance of Jim McElwain. Grayson completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,696 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He played well to close out the season especially.
Grayson was even better in 2014. He threw for over 400 yards in back-to-back games against Boise State and UC Davis. Grayson helped lead a comeback win over Boston College on the road. He had the most efficient passing game of any quarterback in the nation as he completed 18-of-21 passes for 390 yards with five touchdowns against Wyoming. The senior completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,006 yards with 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2014.
Grayson was the best quarterback at the Senior Bowl. He had a quality week of practice and made some beautiful throws, but also had some missed opportunities. It was a solid, but not great week. Grayson did interview well and illustrated to teams that he has a great attitude about developing as a backup and working to support a starting quarterback. It appeals to Grayson to go the Aaron Rodgers route and sit behind a great signal-caller for a few seasons. Grayson’s character receives good marks as he is viewed as a good teammate with leadership skills.
Not every team is on board with that general manager I cited about Grayson. Some don’t like him, but many do. What appeals to teams about Grayson the most is the ability to be a pocket passer. He can drop back, work through his progressions and deliver some accurate passes. Grayson does a nice job of avoiding the rush and keeping his eyes downfield. He also has a strong arm that can make all the throws. Grayson displays some good accuracy at times, but needs to get more consistent. He has some mobility to avoid sacks and make throws on the run.
Grayson needs to improve throwing the deep ball and getting his footwork down while working under center. He also needs to get better at hanging tough in the face of a pass rush and not letting it rattle him. Grayson needs to polish his overall game and land with a good quarterback coach who will work with him.
Grayson’s best course for the NFL would be best sitting for a year or two and developing before seeing the field. The best-case scenario for him would be to get drafted by a team like New Orleans and sit behind a great quarterback. However in the quarterback-needy NFL, Grayson could be forced to play sooner rather than later. He looks likely to be a second- or third-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Ryan Tannehill. Grayson is very similar to Jimmy Garoppolo as a prospect, but the latter hasn’t seen the field yet in the NFL. Of the starters in the NFL, the closest resemblance to Grayson could be Tannehill. Both are athletic passers who can function from the pocket, but struggle with deep-ball accuracy. Grayson has some mobility, but isn’t as athletic as Tannehill is. Tannehill was the eighth-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, while Grayson won’t go nearly that high. If Grayson becomes a starter though, I could see his game being similar to Tannehill.
NFL Matches: St. Louis, Houston, New York Jets, Carolina, San Francisco, Cleveland, Miami, Chicago, Tennessee, New Orleans
Given the demand for quarterbacks in the NFL, there shouldn’t be any shortage of teams hoping to land Grayson on the second-day of the 2015 NFL Draft. The Rams could have Grayson develop behind Sam Bradford in 2015, plus Grayson could be good insurance in case Bradford gets injured again. The Texans and the Jets will also consider Grayson as a possible competitor at the position to go with each team’s holdover signal-callers.
At the Senior Bowl, Grayson told WalterFootball.com that he met with Carolina and San Francisco, so perhaps those teams are looking at Grayson as a potential upgrade to their respective backup quarterback situations. The Panthers or the 49ers also might be able to develop him into trade bait.
znModeratorI’m not sure it’s the best time in the world to be a free agent wide receiver.
I don’t know if this will hold up or not. But, if there’s anything to it, it might mean Britt is fairly affordable.
znModeratorznModeratorI’m kinda hoping for a free agent Guard AND Center
AND two more OLine picks within the first three rounds.I too think that they will go Whole Hog, so to speak, on OL stuff this year.
This year’s draft, they say, is deep at guard.
…
znModeratorNote—there are some other big active 2015 threads chock full of draft nutrients, here and here:
Grayson, Hundley, Petty, Carden etc. … the qbs this year
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/grayson-hundley-petty-carden-bridge/Draft stuff after the combine
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/draft-stuff-after-the-combine/Mock Draft Roundup: Third Edition Posted 14 hours ago Myles Simmons
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/mock-draft-roundup-third-edition-posted-14-hours-ago-myles-simmons/Kevin White & other draft stuff
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/kevin-white/combine measurements
http://theramshuddle.com/topic/offensive-linemen-combine-measurements/znModeratorNote: fwiw, I was thinking this could be a “general stuff about drafts and drafting” thread as opposed to “the 2015 draft” threads.
znModeratorSo if Davis sold any of his share of the Raiders he would not be in control of the Raiders.
According to the NFL constitution, a principal or controlling owner must own at least 30% of a team.
I don’t know what that means in relation to the Raiders.
znModeratorif Bradford had been putting up 30 tds and 4000 yards per season, no one would be saying he’s a bad QB.
This is a big debate thing, because I think he’s capable of 30/4000 … if they had the right conditions. When I say that, people say, well see he needs the right conditions, that means he’s not that good. But to me, all but a handful in history do need that.
Like when the Baltimore OL fell apart in 2013, and Flacco threw for 22 TDs. They fix the OL in 2014, and he throws for 27. Same thing with Eli. OL collapses in 2013, and he throws 18 TDs. They fix it in 2014 and he throws for 30.
znModeratorIf there is one immutable truism on this board it is that Zooey has always been jealous of me and will never ignore a chance to knock me off my pedestal of honor in the Pantheon of Rams Huddle Posters.
I suspected that zooey would almost certainly confuse the rules about when FA’s can sign with the rules governing the signing of players that have been cut. Therefore I knew if I posted the statement “if I was the Rams GM, Blalock would already be signed” zooey would rise to the bait like the slimy hagfish of a man that he is.
And I was right. Almost on cue zooey posted some erroneous prattle in response to my brief but elegantly crafted comment (although the years of futility finally improved zooey’s judgement and he deleted the blabber before it could be seen).
Dance, puppet. Dance.
Remember, personal board wars are allowed here ONLY if the mods happen to favor one side in the conflict. Then, it’s have at em. Other than that, they are generally (and to a large extent) often discouraged.
znModeratorAnd I’m not sure about guys who got cut.
Guys who are cut can sign at any time. Like McCown with the Browns. Soon to be known as McCown’s Browns. And if they win, headlines will say “McCown’s Browns: Toast of the Town.” Of course if they lose they can say “McCown’s Browns Let Us Down (Frown).”
znModeratorNew Rams QB coach Weinke offers unique combination of skill and experience
Luke Thompson
FOX Sports MidwestST. LOUIS — The Rams’ new quarterbacks coach could provide just the right combination of energy and confidence needed to boost a floundering offense.
Chris Weinke offers coach Jeff Fisher and his staff a unique set of skill and experience, one cultivated through a long and winding road that included a six-year detour in minor league baseball. He won a Heisman and national championship as the quarterback at Florida State in 2000, and he already had future plans to coach before the end of a disappointing pro career in 2007.
“The first time I ever took a note playing quarterback in Pop Warner, I have that notebook,” Weinke says. “I have the notebook from every college meeting, every game plan and every note I ever took in the National Football League as a player.”
He took all of that information with him to Bradenton, Florida, where he became the first director of the IMG Football Academy in 2010. But even then, he says joining a staff in the NFL or major college football remained the ultimate goal.
After turning down multiple offers over the last couple years, Weinke found the perfect fit in St. Louis, where he finally arrived to get to work Wednesday afternoon. It wasn’t easy to leave the elite facilities and a top-level high school coaching job in Florida, but Weinke liked everything he saw from the Rams organization.
That started with Fisher, who made it a priority to find a former NFL quarterback for the job. Even though Weinke won just once in 18 games for the Panthers, his experience should be a valuable asset that makes his players more likely to listen.
“I did not have a stellar NFL career and I think I’m the first to admit it, but that’s why I think I’m a good football coach, because I had to learn how to deal with adversity,” Weinke says. “I know what that feels like, OK, and I want to make sure that I instill all those things that I learned throughout that process.”
He also spent three weeks in 2007 in San Francisco learning from 49ers quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti, the man he now replaces in St. Louis. Cignetti was promoted from Rams QB coach to offensive coordinator earlier this month, which means Weinke and Cignetti will be working together again.
That should create a comfortable and more familiar environment for quarterback Sam Bradford as he tries to come back from injury with his fourth different offensive coordinator in six seasons. Clearly, Fisher has made a point to make the adjustment as easy as possible.
Part of that process included Cignetti and Weinke both sitting down with Bradford prior to Fisher making the two hires official. Weinke says Bradford turned in the best Pro Day performance he’s ever seen, from a physical standpoint, and he’s eager to begin teaching.
“My whole goal is to get my quarterbacks to play fast, not in a hurry,” says Weinke, noting he spent three and a half hours at dinner with Bradford and Cignetti. “I started talking about the confidence I’m going to instill in our quarterbacks and what we’re going to be able to do and accomplish simply because we’re going to simplify the game, know where we’re throwing the football and have some fun with it.”
The Rams also expect to bring in a new quarterback either through free agency or the draft, and Weinke should be uniquely qualified to help make an evaluation. He worked with different kinds of quarterbacks at all levels from youth players to the pros, including Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Ryan Tannehill.
Weinke says that taught him each quarterback must be treated differently, and he’s not interested in completely overhauling anyone’s mechanics. Instead, his focus will be on making minor tweaks and helping them find the right rhythm and timing within the offense.
He’ll have to do a lot of studying to learn the Rams’ offense and the tendencies of their quarterbacks, although he does have a head start from his work evaluating virtually every pro prospect while he was at IMG. Weinke won’t provide any sort of magic to suddenly elevate this offense from the bottom third of the league to the top, and he’s fully aware of the importance of a strong supporting cast for any quarterback.
But it’s an interesting, outside-the-box hire in a league where most coaches either already have experience at similar positions or are simply moving up from a slightly lower tier. Weinke clearly possesses an innovative approach, and the number of quality quarterbacks who have sought him out for training suggests a high degree of success.
St. Louis will just have to hope it translates to the highest level.
znModeratornittany ram wrote:
Do you want to delete this, or did you just post it wrong? I can add-edit anything you want into the post. Up to you.
znModeratorI think Long and Laurinaitis are leaders by their example and how they go about their business. But they’re not the type to hold their teammates accountable or to challenge them to take the next step. They’re not vocal leaders who’ll call out those who make the same mistakes over and over again. They’re not the kind of leaders that will pull team together and convince them to play and fight for one another. Their type of leadership will only take a team like the Rams so far.
Jackson was that, I think.
znModeratorWell I think a Right Tackle
should be able to Elevate
the other four.w
vOkay. Got me there.
znModeratorLike for example i thot it was interesting when
you suggested that Barksdale played better when
he had a solid Healthy player next to him…To be fair, and in the interests of painstakingly overbearing exactitude, I was actually saying it’s hard for one healthy vet to play well on a line where the other 4 have problems. It wasn’t a “next to 1 guy” thing.
Though the fact that he was next to Joseph probably wasn’t a big help.
It’s the idea that the OL is a unit, and if the rest of the unit decays, it’s hard for one guy to remain effective. I mean, when a line has 2 injured starters playing and a green as Auburn grass rookie LOT, then, they shift everything they do, there’s less effectiveness all the way around, they move the help to assist other guys, and so on…he’s more exposed.
I know we’ve had this “4 guys v. next to 1” knockdown death match before. But I can’t help it. Come at me with that kind of hostile board war stuff, and I have no choice but to go nuclear.
znModeratorI am heavily on record (so to speak)as believing that attributing a W/L record to the qb is bogus. So I am on record about records.
You can use the record to say SOME things about a qb. Like, in the last coule of years the Packers won more with Rodgers than without him.
That just means you need a good qb, not that the record goes entirely to the qb.
In fact, I don’t believe records of themselves say anything. They’re questions to be answered, not answers in themselves. Like 2007, they went 3-13 after a promising emergence at the end of 2006. So–why the 3-13 record? We might all answer that differently…I would say Linehan was not a head coach and was in over his head, the defense struggled, and the OL got massacred by extensive injuries which meant the offense was going to be far less effective than it looked at the end of 2006.
Anyway. A team record is not a qb stat. We’ve all seen examples of teams winning with average at best qbs (2010 Jets), and we’ve all seen good qbs get buried on bad teams (2014 Saints).
znModeratorfrom off the net
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PaulButcher59
I figured he would re-sign with Denver, but its looking like he may not be re-signing with Denver after all.
Franklin has:
– Youth: Just turned 27 years old in December
– Size: 6`7 320lbs
– Versatility: 2011-2013@Right Tackle, 2014@Left Guard
– Reliability and good health – Started 63 out of a possible 64 games in his NFL career
Franklin could be immediately inserted at left guard next to Robinson and allow Saffold to move back to the right guard position the Rams apparently prefer him at.
At left guard last season, Franklin allowed just one sack, two additional QB hits, and 11 total pressure on Peyton Manning, making him the second-best statistical pass protecting guard when adjusting for snaps and weighing the types of pressure allowed.
In 2014, Franklin had PFF’s second-best Pass Blocking Efficiency rating among all guards, and he was first in that statistic at the tackle position back in 2013. His versatility would be great for the Rams, as they could always throw him back in at right tackle if it need be. Franklin has also been a consistently above average run blocker in his 4 year career. I believe if you put those pass blocking skills next to 2nd year left tackle Greg Robinson, it would be a great fit and they would compliment each other very well.
If the Rams were to land Franklin in free agency, this would all but guarantee the Rams look at the draft for a starting Center in the draft to come in and compete with what the Rams already have. Cam Erving would be a slam dunk at #41 in round 2 if he were still on the board.
znModeratorFrank Cignetti, Rams
Cignetti has never been a playcaller at the NFL level. He’s done it for nine seasons in college — four with Fresno State (2002-05), 2006 with North Carolina, 2008 with Cal, 2009-10 with Pitt and 2011 with Rutgers. The guy gets around.
There’s no doubt he’s Jeff Fisher’s kind of coordinator — in his last five years as a playcaller he’s been 46 pass/54 run. Collegiate backs have averaged anywhere from 24.7 to 32.7 carries per game. They’ve also take on a big dose of the receiving workload. This is great news for Tre Mason — assuming the Rams don’t pull a Zac Stacy on him and demote him after four games. Cignetti doesn’t have a good track record with tight ends, which could come back to bite Jared Cook in the behind (not that Cook has been a great tight end option for Fantasy anyway). The Rams receivers should pick up a few more opportunities, but that probably hinges on whether or not any of them step up.
Ay yi yi.
Fisher has been a balance guy with the Rams, not a run more than pass guy. For that matter, as I recall, Cignetti’s Fresno State teams passed a lot.
I believe it is possible they will throw to the backs more.
Will any of the receivers step up? Cause I mean so far, Britt, Quick, and Bailey simply have done nothing.
Just another example of the old adage–no sports writer, fantasy or otherwise, knows as much about all 32 teams as we do about the Rams. Thank goodness for (1) those sports writers who really do know their stuff and offer us good info and insight, and (2) dedicated, well-informed posters.
.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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jrry32
This is just my personal opinion but these are the guys I would pursue:
1. Clint Boling OG/RT Cincinnati (Value Estimation: $4-$6 million per year)
2. Derek Newton RT/OG Houston (Value Estimation: $4-$5 million per year)
3. Justin Blalock OG Atlanta (Value Estimation: $2-$3 million per year)
4. Rob Sims OG Detroit (Value Estimation: $2-$3 million per year)
5. Jermey Parnell OT Dallas (Value Estimation: $3-$5 million per year)Why these guys? I think all will be reasonably priced because they fall more into that mid tier of free agency. Blalock and Sims are both “bridge” players. They’re 30+ years old and would be brought on more as depth than anything but both are still solid, durable starters that are more than capable of starting if a rookie isn’t ready. Basically, they’re what Davin Joseph was supposed to be. Both are great fits for the power scheme.
Boling is still relatively young and is a steady, reliable starting OG. He can slide out to RT in a pinch but I’d be most comfortable with him at OG. If we’re signing him, he could operate as a 6th OL but he would also offer us a very steady starter at LG. Probably not the greatest scheme fit for us in that he’s not an overpowering drive blocker but more of a solid all around guy. But he played in a PBS in Cincy and was effective in it.
Jermey Parnell has been Dallas’s swing OT the past few years and thrived in that role. This year, he had to step in and start 6 games due to injuries to Free including both playoff games. He didn’t allow a sack in 6 games and the Dallas OL didn’t seem to miss a beat. I think he’s a guy who’s poised to get a starting job in FA. Really proved himself this year. Dallas runs a ZBS but Parnell has the size to play RT in a PBS. Not sure what type of contract he’ll get because he’s never been a full time starter but he’s one of those guys who could be a great value buy in FA because of that. Really good performance when he’s played the past two years.
Derek Newton is a bit of a different story from Parnell. He’s been a full time starter for the Texans but really struggled in Kubiak’s ZBS. The Texans brought in Boudreau’s assistant OL Coach from Atlanta as their new OL Coach under O’Brien and Newton thrived in his scheme. They now replaced that OL Coach with another. Newton has the size to play in a PBS and I think he fits best in a PBS. He’s a better run blocker than pass protector at RT and has some of the same issues that Barksdale has(i.e. really good run blocker but average pass protector) but I think he’ll be a bit cheaper and still has some upside because he’s an athletic kid that was quite raw coming out. Plus, Newton performed EXTREMELY well at OG this year when Houston needed him to step in. So he adds some versatility and could possibly even be considered as an OG convert.
Why not Rodney Hudson? I’ve been hearing rumors that he wants to be one of the highest paid centers in the league. That’s like $8 to $9 million a year. I’d rather get two of these guys than only one player. But if his price is more reasonable…like $7 to $7.5 million a year, I’d be good with him.
Why not Iupati? Seems like your typical signing that blows up in our face. Been getting more and more nicked up the past couple years, isn’t a good pass protector, and is about to get paid big money. These signings never work out for us. I’d stay away from him.
Why not Wisniewski? I’m not opposed to Wisniewski but I’ve been looking into him more and he seems like more of an average Center than anything. If I were to sign him, it would have to be at a reasonable price…like a similar price to what I’m estimating on Newton. That all said, I’m not as concerned about the Center position as some other Rams fans and I happen to like some of the Centers in this draft. Would rather fortify OG and OT before the draft…and improve depth.
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