This could end up being a rock star class. Absolutely awesome potential here.

I can’t agree with Dan from MtD’s hyperbole.

Jason Smith may be a ten-year starter, and may turn out to be a good pick in the long term. But he still has to complete the learning curve from college to the pros, without the physique to dominate naturally, or the history of starting the position. He’s a project pick, not a week-one dominator.

Laurinitis may live up to the Brian Urlacher/ Lofa Tatupu comparisons, but both those players joined better defensive units than what the Rams have.

Even if the Rams hit on both players, they aren’t enough by themselves to make up the huge scoring differential to get us back to .500, which with the Cardinals and Niners improving, is the bare minimum to say you are a “contender.”

Bottom line, we still need to stack the defense with playmakers, especially at DT and CB, we could use a better change of pace runner than Pittman (Darby can still contribute), I’d still like to see a low-cost free agent WR, and we need a healthy dose of luck.

I don’t want to sound completely negative on these picks. The Rams are doing well by addressing what they feel they need, as opposed to what the fans want. They’re building for the long term, trying for the Pujols swing that produces consistent line drives, as opposed to the Andruw Jones all-or-nothing hope for a one-year miracle. (Otherwise known as the Detroit Lions draft strategy.)

I am still disappointed a bit that Curry fell to the Seahawks. But seeing the Rams have their choice — unbelievable — between Laurinaitis and Maualuga in the second helped ease my worry. The combination will probably serve the Rams better than Curry + third-tier offensive lineman taken with a high second-rnd pick.

Finally, I wonder if the decision to pick Smith over Curry came down to economics. Because Smith has a couple of question marks about his ability to complete his transition to LT, the Rams may be able to guarantee less of his salary than will be guaranteed for Curry. If the Rams had taken Curry at #2, it would have said that they had absolutely no doubts about him, and were willing to make a bold move, and may have had to pay more in eventual negotiations.

In three years we will have to compare the Rams pick with the Bengals pick. They picked Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga.

i really hope we dont take a CB or RB in the third…we can get those guys in the 4th or fifth

First option in the third would be WR, either barden or williams

i would say DT but there arent any guys left worth taking in the third

And the possibility of Michael Johnson does seem intriguing as the potential replacement for Little…

Michael Johnson or Ramses Barden….

hmm….

We need a VETERAN wide reciever. This nonsense of drafting some rookie is rubbish. We definably have a massive need at WR, but at this point, I don’t think any WR would be able to fill the type of hole we have. Obviously, Ramses Barden would be able to fill a need, and contribute possibly later on, but with so many young players (Stanley, Avery, Burton, Robinson) I honestly can’t think that yet ANOTHER inexperienced wide-out would make the Rams instantly better.

I definitely think another DE like Michael Johnson would be a great pickup. Victor isn’t much of a pass rusher, but Leonard Little is getting very old. I think it would be a great matchup. He doesn’t have to start immediately, but can enter a rotation and contribute, and can also learn from good coaches and players who understand the position well.

As far as trading for a WR, Edwards or Boldin…We don’t have any ammo in the draft that could pull of a deal (not like anyone does anymore), so we are either going to have to surrender players, or next years picks. The Cardinals/Browns won’t want our players, and if we are truly that bad, it’s not worth it to give up very high picks.

As far as comparing draft picks; that’s impossible. Players fail not only because they can’t cope with the NFL, but because the coaching and overall environment don’t train the players to make them better. I’m not saying Joey Harrington or David Carr could become the next Tom Brady, but let’s be honest. I’m sure they would have fared better if they didn’t play for horrible teams with no surrounding talent and coaches that couldn’t develop the players or team.

I’m sorry if I caused in malcontent today in the posting. I got a little out of hand with some of the debates and discussions that were going on. However, I think it is a bit ridiculous to think how dumb a team is for making a decision you did not like. They spend millions of dollars on scouting and the draft; it’s obviously a massive deal to the NFL. I’m sure if Devaney liked Rey Mauluga more then James “Leonidas” Laurianitis, he would have taken him. If he thought Curry would be better then Smith, he would have taken him. It obviously sucks that Seattle got Curry and the 49er’s got Crabtree. But you know why they picked high? Because they were HORRIBLE last year. Let’s not forget that. This is a team game. You can’t get angry because a team with so many needs to decides to fill one instead of another.

I know it’s silly to compare the Rams to the Dolphins and Falcons, but quick changes can happen with the right personnel moves. I’ll admit, I have had disagreements with our picks in the past. Hell, I was excited when the Rams picked Barron (and wanted them to draft DeSean Jackson last year, as well as Cromartie a few years back). But we have a GM who knows football, and let’s let him do the job. If he can’t do it, then we can get angry at him. These player’s haven’t even played a down yet, so let’s not bash them just yet.

as long as he’s good.
someone brought up a trade for braylon edwards; no way. I really don’t know how much cap space they’ll have for that fella. It’ll be an expensive trade for the rams both trade wise and monetary. I think they’ll just have to wait till next years draft/FA in order to get a WR and QB.
But i’m sure SJax was happy with the second pick overall