Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Raiders' GM Begins The Purge

Is Harvey Unga the Rams' answer behind Steven Jackson?

The connection between the St. Louis Rams and BYU running back Harvey Unga seems to get more and more conspicuous each day. The Rams are said to be one of a handful of teams that are particularly keen on Unga. Will they make a move for him in the NFL Supplemental Draft set for this Thursday?

Unga told ESPN 101 in St. Louis today that teams have spelled out their vision for the big guy's NFL role. Personnel types see the 6'1" 244 lbs rusher as a running back. Here's more from Unga on what he can bring to the table for teams:

I can be the third-down back--and that can 3rd and short or 3rd and long, they think it'd be great to have a big guy like me even on a 3rd and long play where if they need to throw me the ball they know I'll catch it and make the best of it. There's a lot of different things I believe teams will be able to use me for.

The Rams really seem to be culling a stable of running backs with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, a must for the West Coast offense. As for backing up Steven Jackson, Unga's already been something of an unofficial understudy with the staff at BYU using film of SJ39 to educate Unga on how to play the game. 

Teams will gather 'round a laptop in a scaled down version of their draft rooms Thursday to submit their picks in the NFL Supplemental Draft. Unga could fetch a third round pick, according to Michael Lombardi at NFL.com. 

Third round, huh? On one hand that seems like a steep cost given this far from April 2011 when the Rams would have even more options available to them. On the other hand, this team could use an advance on its 2011 draft picks and Unga might be just as good as any player they could draft in the third round next spring.

Poll
Is BYU running back Harvey Unga worth the Rams 2011 third round pick in the NFL Supplemental Draft?
Yes
519 votes
No
330 votes

849 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 13 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

I like Unga as a 5th round pick

I voted “no” but the fact that there’s quite an amount of interest in him might force the Rams to spend a high pick on him. It’s not that i don’t want Unga here, i think he’d be a good addition. I just think there’s going to be better players available to pick in the 3rd round next April

by IrishRamsFan on Jul 13, 2010 6:14 AM CDT reply actions  

My sentiments exactly

I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.

by Midasknight on Jul 13, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

I'd go maybe 4th

Next April’s high 3rd round seems too high for a team with no room for error and still needing to pick up a few starters and lots of depth. And I’m not too big on drafting RBs in high rounds. Get a good O line and your RB just got a lot better.

But, I’d definitely put in a bid for this guy [or some other qualified RB. I haven’t seen this dude play any, so I’m just assuming he’s alright] since they definitely need the backup.

I’ll give him props for breaking BYU’s ‘morals’ code. Maybe that’s worth a higher-round pick?

by mullinsm on Jul 13, 2010 6:26 AM CDT reply actions  

6th at best

Watch the film on this guy. He runs like fullback. No way these moves work in the NFL. I would only spend a 6th on him if he is a fantastic blitz blocker – because that is what a 3rd down back does 70% of the time anyway in our offense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IslHdkd9pD8&feature=player_embedded

by 2cents on Jul 13, 2010 9:14 AM CDT reply actions  

3rd is pushing it

but this guy can play. The Rams should make the move and let him back up SJ this coming season. It will help Jackson to have another back dealing punishment to the opposing defenses.

by 110 South on Jul 13, 2010 9:23 AM CDT reply actions  

I'd prefer no higher than 4th...

but, as Van says, it might be worth it to get an advance on the 2011 draft and have another decent player to build around on the team. I might take a chance on him with a 3.

by tbell61 on Jul 13, 2010 10:46 AM CDT reply actions  

Rounds 1-3 should be utilized for starters, not BU RB's

With potentially needing WR, DL & OLB in next offseason, I would not use a 3rd here, maybe try with a 5th.

by RBramfan on Jul 13, 2010 11:00 AM CDT reply actions  

EXACTLY

A GM you are in the making.

by jlcdb70 on Jul 13, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions  

Who's that lady, who's ....that....lady....

who’s that UNGA, never heard of ya,! who’s that UNGA, never heard of ya……..

by jlcdb70 on Jul 13, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions  

BUT, don't you think Unga is better than Brian Leonard?

who was a second round pick (albeit a poor choice).

What about Unga compared to Toby Gerhardt who went in the 2nd round? Unga’s about a second slower on his 40 time, with an extra 13 lbs (listed as an inch taller too), but has very similar skills as a receiver and blocker.

Turf Show Times

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jul 13, 2010 2:20 PM CDT reply actions  

I agree that Unga is a 5th or 6th round pick.

If the Rams really think he can be a decent back-up, go with the 5th round pick.

One thing I’m not clear about with this draft. If two teams both indicate they want him in the same round, how do they decide which gets him? Do they base it on the 2009 season records, do they toss a coin, or how do they decide, because clearly the 2011 draft order will be different than it was this year?

by andyrose on Jul 13, 2010 4:14 PM CDT reply actions  

I believe the team with the worst record the previous season would get him, since that is really all you have to go by.

by tbell61 on Jul 13, 2010 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Partial suppel list

1 St. Louis
2 Detroit
3 Tampa Bay
4 Washington
5 Kansas City
6 Seattle
7 Cleveland
8 Oakland
9 Buffalo
10 Jacksonville

by Thomas W on Jul 13, 2010 7:00 PM CDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about St. Louis Rams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Marshall-faulk-1999_small
St. Louis Rams Free Agent Options: Cliff Avril
Sp-studio1_small
St. Louis Rams Free Agent Options: John Carlson
Small
In response to Douglas M
Jackson_medium_small
TST Community Mock 2012: Trades
Stewie_small
Why We Must Draft Blakmon

Recent FanPosts

Small
Rams 53 Man ROSTER - 2012 NFL Draft & Free Agency
Nuns_and_muslims_small
My best guess at a draft (not my dream, but a guess based on what I think I know)
Small
The Free Agent Wide Receivers
Images_small
The landscape is a changin'!
Torryholt_small
Plan A and Plan B + A Note On Blackmon
Small
well, you didnt ask for it (updated)
Small
You're the GM. Who do you draft?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Cover the web with Turf


Managers

71523_170793669601439_100000124211145_596632_5713708_n_small Ryan Van Bibber

Baby_drinking_becks_small 3k

Editors

Jackson_medium_small Eric Nagel

Peter_small VTramsFan

Bugs_bunny_pose_small Douglas M

Authors

Wildcat_small Tackle Box

Dsc03827_small CoachConnors

Mardygilyardsig_small Tevin T. Broner

Bradford_draft_small buckeyefan55

Tst_small T.Ram

Images_small Brick Top

Small EddieP

Profile_pic1_small Mike Dietrich