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NFC West Standings
| W | L | T | PF | PA | |
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Arizona
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10 | 6 | 0 | 375 | 325 |
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San Francisco
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8 | 8 | 0 | 330 | 281 |
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(updated 1.4.2010 at 3:48 AM CST)
TSTocracy - Feb. 10th
by 3k on Feb 9, 2010 8:00 PM CST
1 comment
It's a full-court press on the draft here at TST these days, and I for one love it. Few things make me happier than overanalyzing 7th round picks in my spare time. Still, I know that's not something most people care about. But what is?
I'm still working on my next mock draft, a 2-round expansion of the 1-round mock I dropped at the end of January. Until then, what's the most important discussion to you? Is it needs? Prospects? Statistical wizardry from Van? Weird prospect data from me (Have you heard about the hands on Carlton Mitchell, WR, S. Florida?)? Or are you getting burnt out on the draft already and you need some CBA or general Rams yakking to keep you going? Your civic duty as a Rams fan is to participate in this TSTocracy of ours...
1 comment | 0 recs
Charges dropped against Steven Jackson
by VanRam on Feb 9, 2010 4:49 PM CST
in News
5 comments
Good news for St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson. The Las Vegas police department will not pursue the domestic violence charges by the mother of his son, Supriya Harris.
LVPD said there was not enough evidence to pursue the case any further. They talked with Jackson and Harris before making that determination.
This is good news for the Rams too, since having your best player and fan favorite under investigation for domestic violence doesn't do much to help with ticket sales and generating fan interest in the team.
5 comments | 0 recs |
To QB or not to QB
by ram_rod on Feb 9, 2010 2:23 PM CST
in 2010 NFL Draft
22 comments
Van just took at look at how the Rams are supposedly passing up franchise QB's recently, an article which pointed to a letter written to Walterfootball.com. I wanted to take a look at their analysis of the God-Child (at least in Walter's eyes) Jimmy Clausen. Do the Rams pull the trigger this year on Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen? Do they snag someone on another team?
Walterfootball.com (WF from here on out) is quick to point this out:
The last time QB Dog Killer started a game was 2006. That season, he led the Falcons to a 7-9 record with a 52.6 completion percentage. He wasn't even a good quarterback three seasons ago. The Rams would have to be absolutely insane to trade for him.
His analysis seems sound. Vick was never an amazing (some could even make the argument that he was never a 'good' QB) quarterback. That, however, is besides the point. The Rams as an organization certainly know this and I doubt he would be considered a "long term" option. I think the fact that the Rams are looking at him (or aren't they?) shows that they aren't quite sold about the fact of drafting a QB with the first pick. That doesn't mean they won't ultimately fall in love with one of the prospects, but it certainly doesn't help Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford (well, maybe not so much Bradford) in the short term, as the Rams most likely wouldn't trade and draft a QB this year.
But is getting Vick so bad? I don't think he (or Jason Campbell, for that matter) are All-Pro's. Could they work for a year or two? Looking at the rookie stats of the three quarterbacks that were brought up in the recent letter show that they aren't much better then those two options:
Mark Sanchez: 53.8% Completion Percentage, 12 TD's, 20 INT's
Matt Ryan: 61.1% Completion Percentage, 16 TD's, 11 INT's
Jay Cutler: 59.1% Completion Percentage, 9 TD's, 5 INT's (5 games)
Compare those to Vick's last starting season and Campbell last year:
Jason Campbell: 64.5% Completion Percentage, 20 TD's, 15 INT's
Michael Vick: 52.6% Completion Percentage, 20 TD's, 13 INT's
Are those that bad? Surely, Vick wasn't very efficient, but he didn't turn the ball over much more then the rookies did. Jason Campbell was just as good, if not better then any of the players the Rams "should" have drafted. The numbers aren't eye-popping, but then again, the Rams probably aren't going to get eye-popping production from a QB any time soon. Both veterans seem perfectly capable of being a "in-between" guy that guides the team while the Rams find a future QB.
WF goes on to say:
But until the Rams throw away a high draft choice on an unproven guy with a 23-32 career record (Campbell) or a 33-year-old in the final stages of his prime (McNabb), this selection will be Clausen.
Which I'm not even going to talk about because it's an insanely stupid quote. Your making an argument to draft a unproven QB with the first pick and your saying the Rams would be throwing away a pick if they picked up an "unproven" player. Yeah, that's sound reasoning.
Both Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen have had good college careers, and they both are the top two QB's in the draft. But that doesn't mean they are worthy of such a high pick. It also doesn't mean they won't pan out and have a great NFL career. But like some veterans who have played nearly 60 games in the NFL, they are still "unproven" and would likely command much, much more money then Jason Campbell or Michael Vick.
Van pointed out how both Chris Long and Jason Smith have been steadily improving. It's no doubt that the Rams have had troubled drafts in the past, but people who had nothing to do with them shouldn't get blamed, as the e-mail suggests.
The Rams surely have troubles on offense (and defense). Drafting a QB (or picking a veteran instead) isn't a stupid move, but with so many holes, the Rams would be better to pick the best player in the draft, Ndamukong Suh. The Rams are a run first team. Instead of investing money in a rookie QB (who will most likely have very few offensive weapons to work with), the Rams would be much better off if they developed their defense and tried to add, say, a quick, nimble running back (CJ Spiller, I can only dream) and a good pass-catching tight end (Tony Scheffler? Pretty please?) to help a veteran QB like Jason Campbell produce slightly above average numbers, positioning the team for success while grooming a young QB to take over the reigns.
It isn't flashy, it probably isn't what fans want, but it sure is more logical then throwing 70 million dollars to a 22 year old QB and asking him to make miracles with a 1-15 team. That isn't to say the Rams won't do it, because who knows what they will see at the Pro Day's, the Combine or the numerous other slightly creepy evaluation periods.
The most important thing should be finding the best player available, and snagging him, QB or not.
22 comments | 0 recs |
Are the Rams moving Sam Bradford up their draft board?
by VanRam on Feb 9, 2010 1:56 PM CST
in 2010 NFL Draft
24 comments
Here's a little more insight for the discussion of whether or not the St. Louis Rams will be looking to draft a quarterback when Christmas in April arrives.
The issue of the Rams drafting a QB is inextricably linked to the discussion of no-so-consensus first overall pick Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions, who pick behind the Rams at our usual number two spot. This latest information comes from a post centered on the emerging meme of whether or not Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy is a better DT than Suh. Blah, blah, blah...expect lots more of that as the weeks go by. Now, let's get the grist of this post. From a post today at MLive.com, the online outlet for a consortium of Michigan newspapers:
In talking to a couple of well-informed folks from St. Louis last week at the Super Bowl, two interesting points came up.
The first is one that I've been talking about for awhile -- that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, once he proves his injured right shoulder is OK -- could move into that No. 1 spot. The Rams are desperate to replace Marc Bulger, who is not in the team's long-term plans.
That shouldn't be much of a surprise. Last year, Bradford, coming off his Heisman-winning campaign, would have been considered by many the top player available in the draft, certainly the top QB. He's throwing again and is said to be ahead of schedule on rehabbing from his shoulder injury. Bradford will not participate in drills at the Combine, but he is predicted to be ready to go for Pro Day at OU, which should happen sometime in March. Ok, now, back to the Rams and why the idea of drafting a QB isn't such a far out possibility.
The other interesting piece of information was that the Rams had considered drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the second overall pick last year. The Jets trading up to No. 5 and taking Sanchez was considered a reach so the Rams would've taken plenty of heat for taking Sanchez at No. 2 -- which is why they didn't. But after the rookie performance by Sanchez, it appears the Rams -- who took tackle Jason Smith -- made a mistake.
Remember, the Rams had some offers to trade down; the terms just weren't acceptable enough for GM Billy Devaney to pull the trigger. Supposedly, Devaney made a 2010 first round pick a precondition of any trade at last year's draft. Regardless, we kind of already knew that the Rams were interested in and considered drafting Mark Sanchez last year, but the notion that taking some heat for using the second pick was a reason never entered into the conversation. How much of a concern was it? I'm not surprised that the issue played into their decision, but I still tend to think that ultimately the team realized just how badly they needed to address the offensive line before they invested in another QB.
Either way, I think it's safe to assume that Devaney and his draft cadre will most certainly be seriously considering their options at QB and weighing that against the other options available to them in the draft.
24 comments | 0 recs |
Passing on the future
by VanRam on Feb 9, 2010 10:22 AM CST
in 2010 NFL Draft
35 comments
Alright, the Super Bowl's over and the hype is faded...let's get back to talking draft! Leading off this morning is a thought from a long-suffering fan of the St. Louis Rams, one that surfaced in a letter to the gang over at Walter Football, which they shared in their most recent mock draft. It's focused on the quarterback situation...
Walter, I am very upset by all the draft talk here in St. Louis. It seems like the Rams have already made the selection of Ndamukong Suh and I can't help but feel absolutely helpless and saddened by the whole thing.
We have passed on three franchise quarterbacks in the last four drafts. In 2006, we passed on Jay Cutler, in 2008, we passed on Matt Ryan, and in 2009, we passed on Mark Sanchez. If you look back at those three drafts, each pick we took a so-called safe pick.
In 2006, we took Tye Hill who was supposed to be a frachise shutdown corner with all the physical tools to succeed. In 2008, we opted to take Chris Long who was the for-sure pick of the top players in that draft. He was supposed to be what Suh is going to be, yet he hasn't been. And then comes the 2009 NFL Draft. Sanchez was there, and this team knew they needed a quarterback, yet they took the so-called "safe pick" in Jason Smith who now looks like he may have a severe concussion sydrome that may not allow him to ever live up to his potential.
All three picks were made because the Rams felt they were the safe pick, and all three picks have yet to pan out.
I disagree with a couple things the fan says. First, he overstates Smith's concussion issue. Smith was medically cleared to play at the end of December under the league's strict new rules governing how team's handle players with concussions. He did not play during the last week because he had been sitting out since suffering the concussion in week 11. That's not to say a concussion should be taken lightly and I understand the concern fans have about Smith's status, but he's officially ready to play again. As far as Smith panning out, he proved to be a fast learner and playing well when he was injured, the best tackle on the team for sure, and you could see the difference between Smith and Goldberg filling at on the right side. As far as the decision to choose Smith with the second overall pick, I still think it was the right move, though I might be singing a different song had Stafford still been on the board. The Rams needed a building block offensive tackle. The OL had been the team's crippling weakness for several seasons, and if you don't believe me on that just ask Marc Bulger what happened to his career. Smith was a better pick at the #2 spot, safe or not, than Sanchez, who for some reason seems to be getting way more love than Stafford (wonder if that has anything to do with the teams they play for).
Chris Long is starting to pan out. In fact, he really started to show what he's capable of in the second half of the season, and I think it's reasonable to expect more from him in 2010. That said, it was a pick. The Rams has OT Jake Long on top of their draft board, but Miami scooped him up with the first overall pick. I would have loved to see the Rams draft Matt Ryan, but at that point, Marc Bulger was just one season removed from a career year. He was coming off a bad 2007 season. At that point, however, it was still very reasonable to think that Bulger could still had some mileage left. Ultimately, the decision to not upgrade the OL sooner, helped get us to where we are today. Don't forget about the contract situations then either. That was still the Zygmunt era, and there was no reason to think that the Rams would pay Marc Bulger's hefty contract, in it's second year in 2008, AND the kind of money it would have taken to get a QB with the #2 pick. That would have consumed a plurality of the team's cap. Still, in a more perfect world, Matt Ryan would have been the better choice.
The team's draft decisions in 2006 exemplify the inept management that got the Rams to where they are today. It's still hard to ignore the decision to pass on Cutler. I wonder if the recent statements from Mike Martz about Cutler aren't a little bit of an "I told you so" from the draft room debate back in 2006? (It's just too easy to find the errors in judgement that plagued our drafts. Remember, in 2007 we could have had Darrelle Revis instead of Adam Carriker).
Nevertheless, I can't argue with the fan's frustration at the Rams continually passing on a franchise QB. I'm just not sure how we can justify going forward without a franchise quarterback on board. Maybe that signal caller wouldn't start in 2010, very reasonable to expect that he wouldn't, but he at least needs to be in place, learning the system and ready to take the helm so that the team can start competing as soon as possible. The more I think about it, the more I think that the Rams have to draft a quarterback this year, whether they use the first overall pick or trade down in the draft, the future has to start as soon as possible.
35 comments | 0 recs |
Rams planning roster cuts?
by VanRam on Feb 8, 2010 9:42 AM CST
50 comments
Still basking in your Super Bowl hangover? Well, guzzle some coffee find some greasy food and keep close to the interwebs today because it's the first day that teams can start releasing players. Will the St. Louis Rams release anyone? You can count on a few players getting their walking papers before March 5, but it may not happen today if the coaching staff is still reviewing the current Rams roster.
The bulk of the players released by the Rams aren't likely to earn much more than a shrug. People will be watching closely for what the Rams decide to do with March Bulger. At one point, it seemed like a sure bet that they would release him. Now, with the uncapped season limiting free agent options, I suspect they won't be in any hurry to send Bulger packing until they can get a sense of what they'll do to fill their need at quarterback. If this Michael Vick thing has any legs - and there's really nothing to suggest that it does, at the moment - something will have to happen before March 5.
Other than Bulger, the Rams just don't have many "known" candidates to be cut; Spagnuolo and Devaney cut just about all of the links to the previous regime last year. So the next big question is which free agents they'll try to retain, which includes Leonard Little, James Hall and, yes, even the recently-engaged Kyle Boller.
It will be just as interesting, if not more, to watch who gets their walking papers elsewhere around the league. Torry Holt is done in Jacksonville. The cuts will make the free agent market a little richer, maybe. Stay tuned.
50 comments | 0 recs |
Random Ramsdom: 2/8/2010
by ram_rod on Feb 8, 2010 1:37 AM CST
in Random Ramsdom
10 comments
- Will at Ramsherd finds some parallels between the Saints of now and the Rams of yester-decade.
- This one made me laugh...What does Saints CB Tracy Porter say helped him visualize the interception? Studying off of game film.
- Oh boy- more Vick to Rams talk, this time from Adam Schefter.
- The Rams defensive line won't see much more of a certain familiar blue-jersey opponent.
- Mocking The Draft takes a look at a possible draft QB option for the Rams in Jevan Snead.
10 comments | 0 recs |
Super Bowl XLIV open thread
by VanRam on Feb 7, 2010 4:00 PM CST
6 comments
I'm typing this while I'm waiting on the hot wings to finish, the first batch anyway. Dips secured. Chips nicely presented in serving tray. Beer, sweet nectar of the gods, on ice.
I don't start tailgating too early because it usually means I miss the game; I'll let you deduce the reasons why. But today's the Super Bowl, so I'm throwing this thread up a little ahead of time...just in case.
Hey, remember when the Rams almost beat the Saints this year? Yeah, that was awesome.
Here's a question to ponder. Why not have the Super Bowl on President's Day weekend? That way, lots of people have the following Monday off. It sure couldn't hurt productivity. If the NFL is going to keep pushing this game back, might as well stretch it out one more weekend.
SBN has an open thread for the game too. At least stop by and force everyone to recall who won this thing ten years ago.
Enjoy the day.
6 comments | 0 recs |
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