Jimmy Clausen, remember him?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 31, 2010 9:27 AM CDT in 2010 NFL Draft

Unless his arm falls off between now and April 22, the speculation that the St. Louis Rams might not be able to sign QB Sam Bradford - who is still just one of the Rams' potential top picks in the draft - is not going to subside. Not when the Redskins are reportedly the other team with a keen interest in the former Oklahoma QB.

If the Redskins, or any other team for that matter, are willing to make a lucrative offer similar to what the Giants gave up for Eli Manning six years ago, then Rams GM Billy Devaney would have to listen. Of course, if they're truly convinced that Bradford is the guy they want, working out a contract shouldn't be an insurmountable obstacle, as long as Bradford is willing to play in St. Louis.

Trade or not, I don't believe the Rams can get out of the first round of this draft without a quarterback. In that case, it's worth getting to know Jimmy Clausen, the only other QB in this draft with unquestionable first round credentials.

There's probably no bigger Clausen supporter than Walter Football, where they compare him to Kurt Warner. To wit:

Warner and Clausen both exhibit the same three-quarter release, they get the ball out quickly, and are extremely decisive/intelligent quarterbacks. Clausen has a stronger arm.

That's high praise. Here's the scouting report from NFLDraftScout.com and Mocking the Draft. The scouting reports make it seem as though Clausen would definitely be able to run a West Coast offense, since, duh, that what he ran in college under Charlie Weis. The question I have is whether or not he has more of that total package, all around QB ceiling that many think Bradford does?

We'll know plenty more on Friday, April 9 when Clausen has his pro day in South Bend.

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just curious...

but what did the giants give up for Eli Manning?

by Danteslion on Mar 31, 2010 9:33 AM CDT reply actions

they swapped their #4 pick in 2004 (Phillip Rivers)

and their first rounder and 5th in 2005 (Merriman) and a 3rd round pick in 2004.

Turf Show Times

by Ryan Van Bibber on Mar 31, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Pretty sure....

To swap they gave SD their 1st rd pick (#4 – Rivers), their current 3rd rd pick, and their following year’s 1st rd and 5th rd pick.

Free Brandon Wood!

by gorams77 on Mar 31, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

And you could argue Rivers is better than Manning

Although, the Giants have a Super Bowl title so it’s a little harder to argue.

--Conquest Chronicles , SBNation's USC Trojans blog

by Joey Kaufman on Mar 31, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Jimmy what?! Jimmy who?!

Funny how last week last it was, “Sam’s a Ram” and this week is “Why would Sam want to play for a shitty team”. Name the last Top 5 QB that got drafted to a good team.

@Danteslion – NYG and SD swapped QBs and SD also got two draft picks, aka Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding.

by Boofer on Mar 31, 2010 9:40 AM CDT reply actions

so if im not mistaken....

the chargers got the 4th overall pick, the 2nd pick of the third round, the giants first round pick of the following year…well if the Redskins offer us something similar id have to take it maybe their 2nd round pick this year and 1st round next year? seeing as they dont have a third rounder this year…………..we would be guaranteed to have two picks in the top ten next year

by Danteslion on Mar 31, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

This swap

reminds me of the Falcons/Chargers deal in 2001, when the Chargers had the #1 pick and the Falcons picked 5th.

The Falcons traded their first round pick (5th selection in the draft), along with their third round pick in 2001, a second round pick in 2002 and WR/KR Tim Dwight to the Chargers for the number one pick.

by Le Ram on Mar 31, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

Troy Aikman-Cowboys sucked then

Peyton Manning-Colts Sucked then

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."

by Brandon Birkhead on Mar 31, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

why was there

none of this when Stafford was drafted by the Lions?

by gomer7 on Mar 31, 2010 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

because Snyder

wasn’t gunning for Stafford. I don’t buy into the bs about Bradford not being signable or him being a major hold-out risk for StL. It goes against everything he has put out image-wise. I think its alot of smoke and mirror tactics from the rather large Redskin media machine. I still say he’ll be St.Louis Sam

by AdamKane on Mar 31, 2010 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

A picture is worth a thousand....

Bradford is like pffft, why am I here.

Clausen – looks like he has a chip on his shoulder(this is a good thing – better than self-righteousness)

The draft mockers have Clausen dropping? interesting?

by jlcdb70 on Mar 31, 2010 10:56 AM CDT reply actions

Just change your screen name to "IHateSamBradfordandwillsayanythingtobashhim" already....

Free Brandon Wood!

by gorams77 on Mar 31, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

jlcdb70 can be annoying ...

… but he’s not the only one that thinks Sam Bradford is wrong to pick at #1. Try to separate what he says with how he says it. Don’t stoop to his level.

Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.

by Midasknight on Mar 31, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

That's ridiculous

If anything…I see Bradford analyzing the competition or studying the drills. Clausen looks like he’s scowling in disapproval.

Neither impressions from the picture are worth a nickel.

by Oski Bear on Mar 31, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

If anything...

I’d say Bradford just looks like he’s paying attention, and Jimmy’s got bitter beer face.

by Boofer on Mar 31, 2010 11:59 AM CDT reply actions

LOL

by Oski Bear on Mar 31, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

why do you people do this

If the Rams are’nt going to sign Bradford don’t draft him! Trading Bradford for Clausen is not the same as it was with Eli and Rivers. Both Manning and Rivers were good QB’s. Clausen is NOT. He is the next Brady Quinn. I knew Quinn was’nt going to be any good when he came out and I feel the same way about Clausen. Although the idea of the Rams taking Clausen and then having to watch him get the crap kicked out of him every week would be most entertaining and I’m sure I would get alot of laughs, but I’m looking for the Rams to actually improve as a team not take 5 steps backwards.

by johnny scuba on Mar 31, 2010 12:15 PM CDT reply actions

There has

to be something different about this year, never heard any of this garbage about Stafford and Detroit, and lets be honest, St. Louis may not be the nicest place to live, but it sure as hell beats Detroit. I would imagine this is something done by a team that wants Bradford to slip to them (ie Redskins), and Devaney isnt an idiot, so I would imagine hes going to take the guy he likes best whether or not it’s Bradford

by RamsFan7 on Mar 31, 2010 1:31 PM CDT reply actions

I like McCoy better

I like the news today about McCoy. I think he will be a much better QB than Clausen. It will be interesting to see what happens leading up to the draft. This is going to get crazy and at the end of the day Bulger will be cleaning out his locker and moving on which is ultimately what every Rams fan wants to see.

by AirCrimson on Mar 31, 2010 3:56 PM CDT reply actions