OT at #2...not that simple

by VanRam on Apr 19, 2009 10:05 AM CDT in 2009 NFL draft Comment 12 comments

But give the Rams credit for recognizing their shortcomings. The club overhauled its front office, with GM Billy Devaney now in charge, and introduced Steve Spagnuolo as its head coach... That's a start. Now the guys at the top must straighten out their ballclub, and that won't be easy. Poor drafting left Devaney and Spagnuolo in the position of having to improve nearly every position, with offensive line the first priority.

That's Clark Judge from CBS Sports repeating the conventional wisdom that the Rams will draft an OT in the first round, with the second overall pick. Like it or not, the truth of the matter is that such a move would probably do the Rams a world of good, giving them an offensive line featuring a stud center in Jason Brown and a younger, beefed up presence at OT.

That's the easiest scenario to imagine for the Rams with their first round pick, leaving them to take the best defensive player available with the second round pick. But I still have some questions about taking an OT at #2.

In year deep with OTs (yes, beware the deep at a position label for a draft) insiders are whispering about potential second round tackles that could be as good as the guys taken among the top three. Why pay second overall pick money when you can get the same guy for second round pick money?
What about Alex Barron at LT? There's a bit of an unknown here, though he did alright filling in for Pace on the blind side in '07...holes everywhere else in the line keep us firmly focused on the forest rather than that particular tree. Even if Barron does do well at LT, the Rams still need to add an OT somewhere in the draft for several reasons, not the least of which is Barron's deal is up after this season. Anyway, if we're drafting the RT of the future, isn't the #2 pick a bit high for that?

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Don't forget...

that with the rule changes next year barron will only be a RFA

by Caruso on Apr 19, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

O-Line

Maybe I am just overconfident in our current personnell, but I think that the guys we have right now can get the job done. Barron’s penalties have gone down each year and he is a competent blocker. We have a third rounder from last year in Greco who looked good, if unspectacular, in his limited time last year. Incognito, like him or not, was proclaimed by Haslett to be our best lineman last year. Jacob Bell, if he is healthy, is one of the top guards in the league. So, spending our first pick on the line, especially in a draft proclaimed to be deep at the position (I know, I am wary of believing this, too) seems like a mistake.

Curry, on the other hand, would step into a spot that we 100% for sure need help. He could be a difference maker on defense.

October 26; the countdown has begun.

by Marmie is the best on Apr 19, 2009 11:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the interior of the line isn't the issue

Bell, Brown and Cogs are set at the inside 3, and to be honest, I really like that trio. It’s the tackles that are worrying. Suggesting Barron is a “competent blocker” is based more on hope than on production. I have hope too that he will be competent, but he certainly hasn’t shown competence with any regularity on the field. And Greco did look unspectacular. Both OTs are big question marks heading in to the season at this point; we shouldn’t have to debate this.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Apr 19, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whos been coaching Barron?

remember Linehan is the coach barron’s been taught by most if not all of his NFL career……..i would imagine Spags would get more out of him than his predecessors did

by JordansDad on Apr 20, 2009 1:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The OT position is a huge question mark right now.

Barron has one good season at LT under his belt, but there is no guarantee that he can repeat it. His work ethic and competitive fire have been under question since he arrived, and that doesn’t bode well for turning into an above-average LT long term, in my opinion.

I would be in favor of drafting Curry if he actually played MLB in college; as it is, he is immensly talented but forcing a position switch makes him a much larger question mark than the “big 2” OT’s, and Monroe specifically.

Adding an OT at No. 2 instantly turns the line from a question into a strength for years, as we would be set with a young, strong core.

Honestly though, I would be happy with Monroe, Smith, or Curry at No. 2. If Curry could make the switch to MLB smoothly, he could be a huge player; I just think that the Rams need to go with the safest choice here.

by ViperLjs on Apr 19, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Yes, vanRam.

The difference between 2nd round OTs and the top of the draft OTs is not $30 million.

If the second round OT isn’t ready for LT right away, play Barron there to evaluate him and have the rookie start at RT.

If you are going to draft an OT in the top of the draft and pay him the big bucks, he has to start right away at LT to justify your $$$.

Future Redbirds!
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by jroman on Apr 20, 2009 7:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

#2 pick

I just want the draft to come.I like Jason Smith for the pick just like picking Pace turned the team around, this could turn this team around. Jake Long in Miami made that OLine along with good coaching which I know we have now . Barron needs to stay at RT and I think new blood at LT is needed, a shot in the arm,defensive wise some one let me know what happened to James L. form Ohio State and the kid from Southern Cal. they both could be around in the second round pretty good MLBs.

by 39jackson on Apr 20, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Laurinaitis & Maualuga?

They’re still in the hunt; depending on how the chips fall, they’ll go anywhere from mid-1st to early 2nd. I’d like to wait until 3rd round, though, to pick up a MLB. This is a very deep draft for MLBs.

Jay Zygmunt, now that you have fired yourself, please have yourself hired by Seattle. Thanks.

by 3k on Apr 20, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Rams go T with with the #2 pick, I would LOVE to see Maualuga fall to the Rams in the second round and that value would make it impossible for them to pass on a MLB that could make a dramatic instant impact on the team. As though having two 1st round picks!

by kickasskeever on Apr 20, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is not falling to the 2nd

no need to contemplate…

Outfielders For Sale! This weeks special...GMJ - see Tony for details!

by gorams77 on Apr 20, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Way!

Ray M falls to the 2nd round, he’ll be gone as early as 11 and as late as 25(the very very worst case senario) and Lauranitis will be gone by 20 to 28……….so we’ll be very lucky if he’s there in the 2nd……..sorry to be the pessimist but just keepin it real

3k for Rams asst GM.....someone make it happen!

I have proof TackleBox IS Jim Haslett

by JordansDad on Apr 21, 2009 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

food for thought

if the browns and seahawks are so high on sanchez, shouldnt the rams trade down w/ the browns and maybe pick up another 2nd rd pick or so, and still be able to get smith or monroe at the 5 spot

by b0xhead77 on Apr 23, 2009 2:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs