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Think how much better it is to get picked 252nd in the NFL draft than 251st. The 251st player is just some guy struggling to make a roster. But the 252nd -- and last -- player chosen in the draft is Mr. Irrelevant.

This year's Mr. Irrelevant, former Idaho linebacker David Vobora, will try to make the St. Louis Rams' roster in a few weeks, but right now he's enjoying perks like a visit to the Playboy Mansion. He talks about it in an interview with the Idaho Statesman:

Q: Can you describe what your trip to the Playboy Mansion was like for those of us who probably won't ever get the chance to experience it for ourselves?

A: In the simplest terms - it was a slice of heaven. The mansion was awesome. We got to go for Hef's movie night. He likes on Friday nights to watch old black and white movies. The playmates toured us around. We got to see the famous grotto and spend some time at the mansion, which was beautiful. Everyone wants to go to the mansion for the girls, and we got to meet "The Girls Next Door" and take pictures with them. It was great to spend time with them and Hef.
Somewhere, 251st overall pick Kennard Cox is cursing the Bills for drafting him.

Mr. Irrelevant Visits the Playboy Mansion originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>David VoboraDavidVoboraMichael David SmithMon, 30 Jun 2008 15:12:00 EST The Holt Brothers Should Focus on the Nowhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-holt-brothers-should-focus-on-the-now/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-holt-brothers-should-focus-on-the-now/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-holt-brothers-should-focus-on-the-now/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Terrence Holt, Torry Holt's brother, insists Torry wasn't joking when he said he'd like to finish his career with his brother in Carolina when his contract with the Rams is up in two years. Yeah, no kidding.
I think more than joking, I think he was just realistic about where he's at in his contract and in his career," he said. "He has two years left on his deal, and I don't think he said anything out of the realm of what could happen.
Terrence goes on to defend Torry's talk of returning home -- both Holt brothers grew up in North Carolina and played at N.C. State -- by bringing up the brutal honesty and lack of loyalty that teams display. That's all well and good, when Torry's contract is up he's free to go anywhere he wants or say anything he wants about the Rams.

That isn't the issue. The issue is that Holt has a commitment to the Rams right now. And for all of the work he's put in for them, they've rewarded him handsomely. It's not right of him to continue to daydream about something two years down the line (who knows what can happen in that time?) when he's got a season to prepare for. Terrence especially notes that "He's actually been up here a few times and is beginning to fall in love with the area."

This all seems like far more than just cursory preparation. And I still think that if the Rams, and Holt in particular, are not successful this year, he's setting himself up for some hostility both in the locker room and the city itself.

The Holt Brothers Should Focus on the Now originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>terrenceholttorryholtTom MantzouranisWed, 04 Jun 2008 16:12:00 EST The Rams Give Promotions to the Undeserving, Just Like in the Real Worldhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-rams-give-promotions-to-the-undeserving-just-like-in-the-re/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-rams-give-promotions-to-the-undeserving-just-like-in-the-re/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/06/04/the-rams-give-promotions-to-the-undeserving-just-like-in-the-re/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last offseason, the Rams let slot receiver Kevin Curtis sign with Philadelphia but thought that they had covered their tracks by signing Drew Bennett (because, as we all know, white receivers are all exactly the same). That turned out to be, uh, not so smart -- Curtis had 1,110 yards and six touchdowns, Bennett had 375 and three.

Of course, the situations they were in played a part in that discrepancy -- it's naive to think Curtis would have had such a great season if he stayed in St. Louis -- but Bennett just isn't a very good player. He's still living off the reputation the briefly-prolific Billy Volek-Bennett connection produced, when the duo caught fire towards the end of the 2004 season, but you don't see anyone arguing for Volek as a legitimate starting quarterback. Other than that aberration, Bennett is an average third option who routinely sits near the bottom of the league in catch percentage.

Which is why it makes perfect sense that the Rams handed him a starting job this season. Actually, it's a promotion borne out of necessity, as the team doesn't have any other viable option opposite of Torry Holt. Bennett is saying all the right things about bouncing back, but I'm dubious. Sure, I expect the offense to be better, but with Holt's knee deteriorating the team doesn't have a receiver to draw attention from Bennett.

Maybe he doubles his numbers from last year, which is a step in the right direction, but falling in line with his career thus far -- serviceable, yet wholly overrated.

The Rams Give Promotions to the Undeserving, Just Like in the Real World originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>billyvolekdrewbennettkevincurtistorryholtTom MantzouranisWed, 04 Jun 2008 12:33:00 EST Chip Rosenbloom Says Rams Aren't for Sale, Probably Not His Decisionhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/chip-rosenbloom-says-rams-arent-for-sale-probably-not-his-deci/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/chip-rosenbloom-says-rams-arent-for-sale-probably-not-his-deci/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/22/chip-rosenbloom-says-rams-arent-for-sale-probably-not-his-deci/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chip Rosenbloom disputed a report by Michael Silver that the Rams are up for sale and maybe headed out of St. Louis, saying, "We are not shopping the team." It's in Rosenbloom's best interest currently to say that, but I believe him. Sort of.

Forgive me while I mince words. I don't believe Rosenbloom literally -- Silver is better than to pull a Tomase on this scoop. The new owners have at least looked for interested buyers. I just think they haven't found any.

First, there's all of this CBA uncertainty (you may not've heard about it, it's sort of flying under the radar). Forbes estimated the value of the Rams' franchise at $908 million. Though I'm sure peace will be brokered before all hell breaks loose, I'm also not willing to bet $908 million on it, and I don't think any potential buyers are either. That investment doesn't make sense when the league's fiscal forecast can be much different in a couple of years.

And besides a roster, coaching, and front office overturn that can happen as soon as '09, the team can opt out of its lease with the Edward Jones Dome in 2015 (not 2012) if it is not considered one of the top eight stadiums in the league (which it will not be). By that time, Los Angeles will probably be occupied, leaving upgrades to the Dome (at hundreds of millions of dollars) or a new stadium in St. Louis as the only viable options. That's a choice I'm not sure many owners are going to want for a team whose local support is already dwindling, especially if the economy hasn't turned itself around by then.

So no, I don't see the Rams being sold -- until these uncertainties crystallize, anyway. 'Til then, Rosenbloom's words are merely spin control.

Chip Rosenbloom Says Rams Aren't for Sale, Probably Not His Decision originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 22 May 2008 15:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chiprosenbloomTom MantzouranisThu, 22 May 2008 15:50:00 EST In With the Old: Return of the L.A. Rams?http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/20/in-with-the-old-return-of-the-l-a-rams/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/20/in-with-the-old-return-of-the-l-a-rams/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/20/in-with-the-old-return-of-the-l-a-rams/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Despite what we may have been led to believe, new St. Louis Rams owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez have put the team they inherited from Georgia Frontiere up for sale. The duo indicated that they were dedicated to keeping the team in the family, yet we're still months from their first training camp as owners and the sign is already up on the lawn.

A few parties have expressed interest in buying the team, including Eddie DeBartolo, who used to own the division rival 49ers. But there's an interesting "B" plot to all of this -- Los Angeles.

It's natural for relocation to be at least a passing issue whenever new ownership is up in the air, but with the development plans for a new stadium, a history between the team and city (it was Frontiere who moved the Rams from L.A. in the first place), and a team lease with the Edward Jones Dome that lasts only until 2012, any potential suitor is going to have to address his/her long term plans for the team.

This is actually good news for the team and its current owners -- by all accounts it was clear that Rosenbloom and Rodriguez were ill-prepared to run a team; having a proven owner like DeBartolo would be a great add. It's the fans in St. Louis, as is always the case, who are dealt the short straw, having to sit through this entire process wondering whether the expiration date on their team is 2012.

Of course, the league will probably collapse on itself like a dying star before then, anyway.

In With the Old: Return of the L.A. Rams? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 May 2008 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chiprosenbloomeddiedebartologeorgiafrontiereTom MantzouranisTue, 20 May 2008 12:03:00 EST How Long Before Torry Holt Goes Down the Tiki Barber Road?http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/15/how-long-before-torry-holt-goes-down-the-tiki-barber-road/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/15/how-long-before-torry-holt-goes-down-the-tiki-barber-road/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/15/how-long-before-torry-holt-goes-down-the-tiki-barber-road/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Torry Holt took a hardline stance when asked his impressions of Rams' rookie receiver Donnie Avery yesterday, which is fine -- this "prove it" stuff happens between veterans and rookies every year, and Holt has the career and locker room respect to be brash. But how much longer will Holt have that respect?

This is merely an opinion, but if Holt continues down the path he's on, I'm not sure his reputation in St. Louis is going to be regarded as lovingly as it currently is.

It seems unlikely that Holt will ever be the bad guy in St. Louis as it stands, considering his production and seemingly benevolent demeanor. But the same was thought of Tiki Barber years ago, and that didn't stop him from embarking on a degradation campaign.

The seeds were planted last year, when Holt blew up on Scott Linehan in an incident that seems to go far deeper than either side portrayed. This offseason, Holt has publicly daydreamed about a future playing in Carolina.

Hmmm, a team trying to rebound from a bad year dealing with distractions because one player couldn't get along with his coach and was playing with one foot out the door. Where have we heard that one before? I'm not saying anything definitive, and of course I can be proven very wrong this season. But the parallels are there, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least to see hostility continue to rise.

How Long Before Torry Holt Goes Down the Tiki Barber Road? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 12:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>donnieaveryscottlinehantikibarbertorryholtTom MantzouranisThu, 15 May 2008 12:36:00 EST Report: Matt Walsh Watched Rams' Walk- Through, Told Patriots' Coaches What He Sawhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-matt-walsh-watched-rams-walk-through-told-patriots-c/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-matt-walsh-watched-rams-walk-through-told-patriots-c/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/13/report-matt-walsh-watched-rams-walk-through-told-patriots-c/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Well, hold the phone. At NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's press conference following his meeting with ex-Patriots employee Matt Walsh, Goodell said there would be no new sanctions against the Patriots because "there was no Rams walk-through tape."

But afterward, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported that although Walsh didn't tape the Rams' walk-through, he attended it, watched what the Rams did and reported back to the team's coaching staff about what he saw.

Specifically, according to Paolantonio, Walsh told Brian Daboll, a Patriots assistant coach, about the way the Rams planned to align their tight end against the Patriots' defense, and that the Rams lined up in a kick return formation in which Marshall Faulk took the field.

If Paolantonio's report is accurate, Goodell should have mentioned it at his press conference -- and you can bet Senator Arlen Specter will mention it later today. As far as Goodell is concerned, this issue is over, but Paolantonio's report is just the kind of information Specter needs to keep Spygate alive.

Report: Matt Walsh Watched Rams' Walk- Through, Told Patriots' Coaches What He Saw originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 13:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Matt WalshMattWalshRoger GoodellRogerGoodellMichael David SmithTue, 13 May 2008 13:32:00 EST Rams' Steven Jackson Heads Into Contract Year, Says, 'I Expect to Be Rewarded'http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/rams-steven-jackson-heads-into-contract-year-says-i-expect-t/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/rams-steven-jackson-heads-into-contract-year-says-i-expect-t/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/rams-steven-jackson-heads-into-contract-year-says-i-expect-t/#commentsFiled under: ,

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is 24 years old, he has three straight 1,000-yard seasons, and he's heading into the final year of his contract. No surprise, he's thinking about a big payday coming soon.

He tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
"I think I've been a good person on and off the field," Jackson said Saturday at minicamp, "so I expect to be rewarded."
Jackson also says that St. Louis "is definitely where I want to be," and, "I'm pretty sure that we'll get something done."

However, as Mike Florio points out, teams that reward running backs for past performance, like the Seahawks with Shaun Alexander or the Chiefs with Larry Johnson, often find themselves wondering what they were thinking when that previously productive running back finally breaks down under the strain of getting tackled hundreds of times a season. Will the Rams reward Jackson?

I think his age works in his favor: He could get a five-year contract next off-season, and that would only take him to the age of 29. But NFL teams are so wary of giving big money to running backs that even a back as good as Jackson may find himself unable to get a big payday.

Rams' Steven Jackson Heads Into Contract Year, Says, 'I Expect to Be Rewarded' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 08:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Steven JacksonStevenJacksonMichael David SmithMon, 12 May 2008 08:26:00 EST Is Torry Holt Seriously Considering Leaving the St. Louis Rams?http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/is-torry-holt-seriously-considering-leaving-st-louis-soon/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/is-torry-holt-seriously-considering-leaving-st-louis-soon/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/12/is-torry-holt-seriously-considering-leaving-st-louis-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



There was some nervous laughter surrounding Torry Holt's recent comments about him becoming a Carolina Panther (see the video above ... the comments below). Holt was at a golf outing in North Carolina just after his brother Terrence signed with the Carolina Panthers.
"I wanted to send in my resignation to the the Rams and see if I could join him," the elder Holt joked. "I'm excited, but I'm also a little jealous because I've always wanted an opportunity to come back home."


Holt is from Greensboro, NC and was a star at NC State. There was some joking there, especially when the word "resignation" was thrown in.

However, it has to be a bit concerning to the Rams that Holt said this, especially as he enters the final two years of his contract. He's had a rocky relationship with head coach Scott Linehan and just witnessed the unceremonial exodus of fellow receiver Isaac Bruce this offseason.

Recent comments threw some more fuel on the fire ... especially since he name dropped the Panthers again.

"I have this year and next year, and hopefully I can finish those years out," Holt said at the conclusion of the day's minicamp practice. "Then, I'll see where I'm at. I'll see where I'm at physically. I'll see where I'm at emotionally, financially.

"And then, if they would like to do something here, I'll consider it. If not, then I'll have the option to go and explore and give my services somewhere else. So if that happens, Carolina will definitely be the first choice - no question about it. But I have '08 and '09 left to play, and that's what I plan on doing."


There it is again. While not saying he wants out, he is setting the table for if/when he does eventually leave. No doubt the Panthers would love to bring Holt in to play opposite Steve Smith. The NFL is full of players who long to return home to their roots to play for their local team.

The Rams are coming off a 3-13 season and aren't expected to contend in 2008. Sure, a guy like Holt would love to see his career end with the team he started with (and won a Super Bowl), but he just watched that same franchise shove fringe Hall Of Fame candidate Isaac Bruce off the plank. He may elect to leave on his own terms before the Rams decide for him.

Is Torry Holt Seriously Considering Leaving the St. Louis Rams? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 12 May 2008 00:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Isaac BruceIsaacBruceIssac BruceIssacBruceScott LinehanScottLinehanTorry HoltTorryHoltSportz AssassinMon, 12 May 2008 00:37:00 EST Matt Walsh Sends NFL 8 Tapes, Rams' Super Bowl Walkthrough Not Among Themhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/07/matt-walsh-sends-nfl-8-tapes-rams-super-bowl-walkthrough-not-a/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/07/matt-walsh-sends-nfl-8-tapes-rams-super-bowl-walkthrough-not-a/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/07/matt-walsh-sends-nfl-8-tapes-rams-super-bowl-walkthrough-not-a/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Greg Bishop of the New York Times reports that former New England Patriots employee Matt Walsh has sent the NFL eight videotapes showing the play-calling signals of five opponents in six games from 2000 to 2002. But Walsh does not have a tape of the St. Louis Rams' walk-through practice prior to the 2002 Super Bowl.

The most explosive accusation against the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick in the Spygate story was the Boston Herald's report that they taped the Rams' final practice before the Super Bowl. Walsh's lawyer said this about that:
"Mr. Walsh has never claimed to have a tape of the walk-through. Mr. Walsh has never been the source of any of the media speculation about such a tape. Mr. Walsh was not the source for the Feb. 2 Boston Herald article."
We can't say much without knowing the precise content of the eight tapes, but right now, this sounds like good news for the Patriots and Belichick. If all Walsh can show is what we already knew -- that the Patriots were taping opponents in violation of league rules -- the NFL is unlikely to tack on additional discipline.

Matt Walsh Sends NFL 8 Tapes, Rams' Super Bowl Walkthrough Not Among Them originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 07 May 2008 21:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill BelichickBillBelichickMatt WalshMattWalshMichael David SmithWed, 07 May 2008 21:03:00 EST Do You Forgive Leonard Little?http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/02/do-you-forgive-leonard-little/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/02/do-you-forgive-leonard-little/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/05/02/do-you-forgive-leonard-little/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For the past 10 years, I've hated Leonard Little. I've questioned why he was allowed to continue playing in the NFL. I've seen him as another (unprintable adjective) athlete who committed horror and got away with it. Sure enough, if it were Roger Goodell's NFL in 1998, he probably wouldn't be playing. Now, quite honestly, I'm not sure what I think.

Little has finally addressed for the first time what happened then, when he killed a woman while driving drunk, and the aftermath he's dealt with personally at a school in St. Louis.
"A few weeks later, I tried to kill myself," ... "I had gone back home to my mom's house outside Knoxville (Tenn.), and the first thing I did was just go down in her basement. It had no windows, just a bathroom, a sink and a television. I stayed in the dark for days. All I did was cry. I couldn't deal with what I'd done."
Little intentionally drives past the spot of the accident on the way to Edward Jones Dome to remind himself, and refuses to celebrate his birthday because it's also the anniversary of the worst day of his life ("What's there to celebrate? It's an annual reminder of what I did"). He tells the children at the school, "I killed someone and I constantly think about the hurt I caused that family. ... I made a bad decision, and it cost someone her life and ruined her family's lives. You don't want that burden on you."

This touches on two matters.

In a completely trivial way, this is a statement on Goodell's renegade style of discipline, the specter of which looms larger and larger over the NFL every day. By all means a productive member of society since (though he was acquitted of driving while intoxicated years later), Little is proof that for every Koren Robinson, Chris Henry, or Pacman Jones, there's someone who is capable of reclaiming virtue and using a horrible decision as a way to benefit others. For Goodell, throwing out the baby with the bathwater isn't a concern, but maybe it should be.

Far more meaningfully, this is about the concept of forgiveness. Some believe that when man admits to genuine guilt he should therefore be forgiven and admonished of that guilt. Others aren't so quick to turn the other cheek. As for me? I'm in the middle. As I said, I've hated Little for 10 years. What he did was horrible, and a family is forever shattered because of it. On the other hand, I think it's a credit to Little that he refuses to forgive himself or seek forgiveness from others. The punishment he's endured extends far beyond his 90-day stint in jail, and it's all self-imposed.

However you all feel on this incredibly divisive topic is well-informed by emotion, belief, and in some cases, sadly, personal experience. But by finally speaking from the heart, Little has made one thing abundantly clear -- Susan Gutweiler's family aren't the only ones waking up everyday with the unshakable feelings of heartache and pain. Leonard Little is guilty. Leonard Little is constantly blanketed with guilt. What do you choose to do with that?

Do You Forgive Leonard Little? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 May 2008 12:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chrishenrykorenrobinsonleonardlittlepacmanjonesTom MantzouranisFri, 02 May 2008 12:40:00 EST Herm Edwards is Putting John Shaw on His Christmas Card List This Yearhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/30/herm-edwards-is-putting-john-shaw-on-his-christmas-card-list-thi/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/30/herm-edwards-is-putting-john-shaw-on-his-christmas-card-list-thi/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/30/herm-edwards-is-putting-john-shaw-on-his-christmas-card-list-thi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For all intents and purposes, the Rams were going to use their second overall pick on Glenn Dorsey last weekend. All of the pre-draft hype indicated an interest and, though all of the zany behavior every April has me doubting everything everyone says, it was apparently genuine. All of the teams' scouts and coaches wanted Dorsey.

But team president John Shaw wanted Chris Long. So when he arrived at headquarters the Thursday before the draft, he decreed it so -- Long would be the pick. Even if Shaw was stepping down from his ivory tower to get involved in football matters that are better left to, you know, football people, I agree with him.

The best teams find a way to merge the two divergent draft philosophies -- need vs. best player available. Even if Dorsey was the Rams' top-rated player, they already have a good, young pair of tackles in Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan. On the outside? The ancient, brittle Leonard Little and the ancient, um, average (to be kind) James Hall. I know a push up the middle helps your ends, but the only thing that would help these ends at this point is the Career Kevorkian.

So it makes sense to draft Long. If the team wants to win now (ie, if Scott Linehan wants to provide his family hot food every night), they need to spread talent across as many positions as possible. What good is clogging the middle if teams can just attack the outside? Right?

Herm Edwards is Putting John Shaw on His Christmas Card List This Year originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>adamcarrikerchrislongcliftonryanglenndorseyhermedwardsjameshallleonardlittlescottlinehanTom MantzouranisWed, 30 Apr 2008 16:08:00 EST NFL Draft Grades: St. Louis Ramshttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/28/nfl-draft-grades-st-louis-rams/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/28/nfl-draft-grades-st-louis-rams/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/28/nfl-draft-grades-st-louis-rams/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

St. Louis Rams 2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1 (2): Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Round 2 (33): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Round 3 (65): John Greco, OT, Toledo
Round 4 (101): Justin King, CB, Penn State
Round 4 (128): Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky
Round 5 (157): Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
Round 7 (228): Chris Chamberlain, DB, Tulsa
Round 7 (252): David Vobora, OLB, Idaho

The Good: Long is as close to a sure thing as you get and the Rams addressed their greatest need instead of taking Glenn Dorsey. The team got a steal in King, who went about two rounds too late. Likewise, Greco and Schuening are both good values, and both are talented players. Not only did the Rams address their biggest problem, they found good players without spending first-day picks on them.

The Bad: Of course, that doesn't mean anything if the Rams waste those picks anyway. Taking Avery absolutely baffles me. He's fast, and will help in returns, but he's not Devin Hester. You can find a return man later, especially when you need every-down starting receivers and Devin Thomas and James Hardy are available. Even DeSean Jackson was there, and he's the same type of receiver as Avery except better in every way. This is even with the Titans taking Chris Johnson as the worst pick of the draft in my mind. Burton, who has potential, will outperform him.

The Grade: B. The team really improved their two weakest areas from last season -- pass rush and offensive line -- and added a very talented corner who at one point was considered a borderline first-rounder. Still, with the 33rd pick they could have fixed their third biggest need, and blew that opportunity considerably. That's a huge blemish if Torry Holt can't stay healthy this year.

Click here to read other Draft Grades.

NFL Draft Grades: St. Louis Rams originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chrischamberlainchrisjohnsonchrislongdavidvoboradeseanjacksondevinhesterdevinthomasdonnieaveryglenndorseyjameshardyjohngrecojustinkingkeenanburtonroyschueningtorryholtTom MantzouranisMon, 28 Apr 2008 17:19:00 EST The Rams Go Right Position, Wrong Player in the Second Round of the NFL Drafthttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/the-rams-go-right-position-wrong-player-in-the-second-round-of/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/the-rams-go-right-position-wrong-player-in-the-second-round-of/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/the-rams-go-right-position-wrong-player-in-the-second-round-of/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Rams absolutely needed a potential starter at wide receiver in this second round. With the fortune of getting to pick between every receiver in the damned thing, St. Louis dropped into the double digits of most pundits draft boards and got themselves a career third receiver and punt returner.

In the grand scheme of things, this isn't as shocking as last year's Ted Ginn selection, but I'm sort of baffled why the Rams took Donnie Avery when they could have gotten Devin Thomas or James Hardy -- legitimate starting receivers with the size to threaten in the red zone.

Don't get me wrong, Avery isn't bad at what he does. He's fast, he's got the deep-play ability, and his return skills will certainly be vital. But given the value on the board, the team's need, and the depth of players like Avery in this draft, it's kinda hard to see why the Rams selected him. He's not big, he's not a route-runner, and he has trouble dealing with physical corners. He's not an every-down receiver.

Things looked to be set up so well for the Rams to walk away from today with two immediate starters. Oh well, at least they got one.

The Rams Go Right Position, Wrong Player in the Second Round of the NFL Draft originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>devinthomasdonnieaveryjameshardytedginnTom MantzouranisSat, 26 Apr 2008 18:56:00 EST Chris Long Gives Jim Haslett Some Optionshttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-gives-jim-haslett-some-options/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-gives-jim-haslett-some-options/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-gives-jim-haslett-some-options/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With two blue chip prospects, both with great personality and character, I'd have to guess that the Rams' decision between Glenn Dorsey and Chris Long came down to Adam Carriker.

Last year's first-round selection came out of college with the option of playing end or tackle, and the Rams chose to play him inside last year. It was assumed whoever the pick was this year would determine whether Carriker stayed inside or moved out to end. With Long being the guy, Carriker will remain the nose tackle.

But not strictly. Long's ability to play a traditional end role or stand up as a pass rusher gives Rams' defensive coordinator Jim Haslett many more options for his rush schemes. The versatility of Long and Carriker will let the Rams shift their linemen and move both players around to disguise their blitzes, a problem for their vanilla rush, which only produced 31 sacks last year.

Chris Long Gives Jim Haslett Some Options originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>adamcarrikerchrislongglenndorseyTom MantzouranisSat, 26 Apr 2008 15:24:00 EST 2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginiahttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/2-st-louis-rams-chris-long-de-virginia/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/2-st-louis-rams-chris-long-de-virginia/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/2-st-louis-rams-chris-long-de-virginia/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Virginia defensive end Chris Long is such a versatile athlete that some draft analysts have said he could line up at all seven positions on a defensive front. That's probably overkill (could he really play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense?), but it's true that he's going to be easy to fit into a spot in the starting lineup as a rookie in St. Louis after the Rams took him with the second pick in the NFL draft today.

Long, who won a high school slam dunk contest in 2003, is a much better athlete than he gets credit for; although he wasn't a workout wonder at the combine like Ohio State's Vernon Gholston, he's fast and explosive. He had 14 sacks as a senior.

Trivia: Long was born with a sixth finger on his left hand, which was amputated. Maybe if it hadn't been he'd play offense; that seems like an advantage in catching the ball.

Previously on FanHouse:
The NFL Will Soon Decide Whether or Not to Screw the Rams
It'll Take More Than a Broken Leg to Keep the Rams from Drafting Glenn Dorsey
Darren McFadden Sits Atop the Rams' Draft Board -- Uh, So What?
FanHouse Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams Select OT Jake Long No. 2




2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chris LongChrisLongMichael David SmithSat, 26 Apr 2008 15:08:00 EST Ravens Could Trade for Rams' Pick, Take QB Matt Ryan No. 2 Overallhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/ravens-could-trade-for-rams-pick-take-qb-matt-ryan-no-2-overa/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/ravens-could-trade-for-rams-pick-take-qb-matt-ryan-no-2-overa/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/ravens-could-trade-for-rams-pick-take-qb-matt-ryan-no-2-overa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Just when we thought the St. Louis Rams were prepared to pick Virginia defensive end Chris Long second overall, and that the Atlanta Falcons would then take Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan third, and that the Baltimore Ravens were so desperate to get a quarterback that they could take Michigan's Chad Henne as high as 10th, something wacky happened.

Adam Schefter reported on NFL Network that the Ravens are now trying to trade up and take the Rams' pick, second overall, so that they can get Ryan. That would then create a chain reaction that would have the Falcons taking Glenn Dorsey third, and Long on the board far longer than anyone expected.

The trade might not happen because the Rams won't trade down unless the Ravens blow them away with an offer. But the mere possibility of it happening must have a whole lot of teams at the top of the draft scrambling, just when the draft boards appeared to be falling into place.

Ravens Could Trade for Rams' Pick, Take QB Matt Ryan No. 2 Overall originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chad HenneChadHenneChris LongChrisLongGlenn DorseyGlennDorseyMatt RyanMattRyanMichael David SmithSat, 26 Apr 2008 13:39:00 EST Chris Long Appears to Be the Rams' Pickhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-appears-to-be-the-rams-pick/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-appears-to-be-the-rams-pick/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/26/chris-long-appears-to-be-the-rams-pick/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

And yet again, the NFL has its thunder stolen.

With the suspense already removed from the first overall pick after the Dolphins agreed to terms with Jake Long, the cat is out of the bag on the second overall pick, as well. Pretty much every football insider on the planet is reporting that the Rams have decided on defensive end Chris Long.

In an interview on ESPN earlier this morning, Rams VP of personnel Billy Devaney admitted that the team had decided on their player last night, but that player has long been assumed to be Glenn Dorsey.

Long is the smart pick -- he fills the team's most substandard position and brings a multi-dimensionality to it. The pick also means that last year's first rounder, Adam Carriker, will remain at nose tackle instead of being moved outside to end.

As for the aftermath, this throws a wrench in the top 10. Atlanta is supposedly going to take Matt Ryan no matter what (at least that's the word right now), and after that the next team with a true need at tackle will be the Bengals at nine. Dorsey (and by proxy Sedrick Ellis) won't fall that far, but it'll be interesting to see how many teams try to trade up for the tackles seeing as how the drop makes their price more palatable.

Chris Long Appears to Be the Rams' Pick originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>adamcarrikerchrislongglenndorseyjakelongmattryansedrickellisTom MantzouranisSat, 26 Apr 2008 11:52:00 EST Saints Offer Jammal Brown to Rams as Part of Package to Get Glenn Dorseyhttp://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/25/saints-offer-jammal-brown-to-rams-as-part-of-package-to-get-glen/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/25/saints-offer-jammal-brown-to-rams-as-part-of-package-to-get-glen/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/25/saints-offer-jammal-brown-to-rams-as-part-of-package-to-get-glen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Saints want to trade up with the Rams and select LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with the second pick in tomorrow's draft, and they're offering one of their own veteran starters as part of a package: Offensive tackle Jammal Brown.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports reports that the Saints are willing to deal Brown, who started 15 game in 2007 and made the Pro Bowl in 2006, if it means they can get Dorsey, a local hero whom the Saints believe would immediately upgrade their defense. The Saints would likely also trade their own first-round pick, No. 10 overall.

For the Rams, it's a tempting offer because their offensive line was a mess last season. Brown would step into the starting lineup immediately. But does it really make sense for the Saints to give up a solid starter and move into a spot where they'll have to pay Dorsey about $30 million guaranteed? If the Saints do it, Dorsey had better be as good in the NFL as he was at LSU.

Saints Offer Jammal Brown to Rams as Part of Package to Get Glenn Dorsey originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Glenn DorseyGlennDorseyJammal BrownJammalBrownMichael David SmithFri, 25 Apr 2008 07:32:00 EST More Punishment From Roger Goodell on Spygate?http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/24/more-punishment-from-roger-goodell-on-spygate/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/24/more-punishment-from-roger-goodell-on-spygate/http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2008/04/24/more-punishment-from-roger-goodell-on-spygate/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In a meeting with AP Sports Editors today, NFL disciplinarian commissioner Roger Goodell claimed he is keeping an open mind about what ex-Patriot employee Matt Walsh might tell him about the Spygate video scandal. When asked about if there would be further punishment if it is shown that the Patriots taped the Rams walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl, he responded:
"Taping a walkthrough is much different from what I punished them for."
He has already severely sanctioned the Patriots, fining them $250,000 for taping the Jets opener and taking away one of their first round picks in 2008. Patriots coach Bill Belichick received a half-million dollar fine.

So, if Walsh has videotape evidence, what more punishment will the Patriots receive from the commish for taping a pre-Super Bowl walkthrough? There's really no predicting because Goodell seems to be making it up as he goes along.

I would think that the punishment the Patriots already received is deterrent enough from doing more bad stuff. I'm guessing Goodell wouldn't be pleased if it is proven that the Patriots hid stuff from him after the original investigation because well, it makes him look bad.

(This entry is dedicated to KGar to try to explain why Walsh talking matters to NFL fans, particularly Patriot fans).

More Punishment From Roger Goodell on Spygate? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill belichickBillBelichickpatriotgateroger goodellRogerGoodellspygateStephanie StradleyThu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST