TST Mailbag: Should the Rams draft a WR?

by Tevin Broner on Nov 18, 2011 8:00 AM CST in 2011 NFL regular season

Finally it's not Ram fans with bags on their face.

Like always, it's another week and another loss...Err, I mean win for the St. Louis Rams. They pulled out a victory against the Browns and the Rams old offensive coordinator. This was a game the Rams had to win. Although it wasn't convincing, they pulled away with a W.

So now let's get into your questions. We didn't have as many this week, but the questions you asked are good ones.

Peter Yanni Assuming Branding Lloyd comes back, along with a healthy Mark Clayton, Amendola, Salas, Pettis, and even Alexander is WR still a top priority in the draft? The team has a lot of other needs that need to be taken care of, such as the offensive line, CBs, OLBs, a back up RB, etc..

Tevin: The Rams do need a lot of talent. If the Rams can ink up Brandon Lloyd and Amendola, I don't see as pressing a need to get a WR in 1st round. However, it would be interesting to see what Bradford could do with an young WR, with elite potential. With the way the Rams WR corps always ends up injured, why not draft one?

Ross McCooey Even though it was ugly, do you think the team will now rally together after a hard fought win and proceed to win 2 or 3 in a row with some confidence?

Tevin: It could happen, I didn't see anything that showed me the Rams can beat the Seahawks though. The Seahawks will be riding high after beating the Ravens.

Kevin Fles Every year, ESPN & NFL Network air a show highlighting the all-time biggest NFL draft busts. (We're probably all familiar with the show)

Anyway, not if, (its not a question of, "if" anymore) but where will Jason Smith, number 2 overall pick in 2009; be placed on the list?? --Top 10?? Top 5?? Or top 3??

I think top 3. behind JaMarcus Russel and ahead of Ryan Leaf (another one of Devanny's picks).

--Also, what ramifications are there for Devaney who would have the honor of being GM and picking 2 out of the top 3 biggest draft busts of all time??

If there were an all-time GM Bust, would it be safe to say that Devaney would take the number one spot? Or is it possible there is a worse GM out there in the history of the National Football League?

thanks.

Tevin: I don't see how you could put Jason Smith on that list. He hasn't been good, in fact he's been below average much of his time in STL. Smith still has time to rebound, even if it means playing guard. He was a wasted 2nd pick, though. Looking at the 2009 draft you will see a lot of busts, B.J Raji, is the only player in the top 10 the Rams would have been right in drafting.

Scott Lingle How is Ron Bartell recovering? Will he be playing football next season?

Tevin: Honestly, I have no clue to either of the questions. The Rams wold be crazy not to acquire another CB, just in case, but I do like Josh Gordy.

Van: There's a slim chance Bartell could be back, but fractured necks usually mean the end of a career. Ask Rich Gannon.

Jerry Will What's the status of Mark Clayton and Danario Alexander ?

Tevin: Mark Clayton isn't 100%, but he got some playing time last Sunday, 10 or so snaps. Alexander, most likely won't play this week.

Better Than You why is there only excuses for these losers running the team. do you guys like to have a bad team? this is ridiculous

Tevin: I'm probably one of the only people who make excuses for the staff, I say give them another season, but that's just me.

Sergey Konyshev How many players will the Rams lose in, yet another, pointless game? I think the players should just wear sumo suits for the rest of the season.

Tevin: Pointless? The Rams are pretending to play this horrible. You think all these players are getting injuried, and this team is regressing? Ha, they are trying to get some more elite players so they can go on a Super Bowl run next season. Well, that is what I hope is happening.

Marty McKeown Name me 5 players who are not injured

Tevin: Good one. Off the top of my head, Tevin Broner, Brandon B, Ryan B, Joe M, Eric N, thats only because you asked for 5. Really the whole TST staff are the best players in the game.

Answering a previous question from Sean Sanchez, here is the link http://www.facebook.com/TurfShowTimes/posts/10150541644782589

Sean Sanchez I understand that, but Bradford used no-huddle a lot in college and he seems way more comfortable. There is a huge difference in his play when its used. He moves around in the pocket better and he goes through his reads better and cleaner. So far this year, that is about the only time he gets to a check down for positive yardage when other options are not available. Speaking of check down... Jackson needs to get more involved in the passing game. I know he has to stay back and contain a pass rush, but he is non existant out of the backfield in passing situations... Just a couple years ago he was one of the leading receivers on the team. How do you not utilize those hands more?

Tevin: I agree with you, the Rams should run the no huddle more, but I would say they aren't ready for it yet. I'm sure the Rams will do it more next season. It will take time for the coaches, players, and Sam to get the No Huddle thing down.

Also, it's like you said, who will block for Sam? After all the hits, the Rams can't risk it. Him fumbling, after the catch last game, didn't help matters each.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yes, we should get a WR and it should be in the first round.

Lloyd is the only receiver that can get open consistently. Clayton has made a catch yet but has only played in one game, so the jury is still out on him. Why would we not want to get more weapons for Bradford? That is my question. Especially if one fo the top two receivers is still on the board when we pick.

by crashoveride01 on Nov 18, 2011 8:22 AM CST reply actions

i think we should sign a WR

bradford is been abused enough and a rookie wont help much. lets resign lloyd and sign a good FA that will come in a help sam right away. draft a ot or D player in the 1st. lloyd num1/2 type FA salas pettis and 2 new WRs from fa or later in draft that are very fast and cheap

Rams Bulls and Mets allllllllll day also i do love white castle

by G unit Rams on Nov 18, 2011 8:28 AM CST reply actions

Pure and Simple.....YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I say we re-sign Lloyd, grab Blackmon/Jeffery and sign a FA wr and TE. DX will only play some plays in a game, Salles and Pettis will return, Danny boy will return. I dont see Gibson back and DX might not be back either, depending how much they value Curry. I think Clayton is auditioning the rest of the season for his job as a ram for next year.

by Tampa_Ram on Nov 18, 2011 8:38 AM CST reply actions

YES

If the draft were held today; unless something very strange happened, then yes I say take Blackmon. Imo I think a RB in round 2 should be considered. A potential offense example:
Sam Bradford
SJAX
Lamar Miller
Brandon Lloyd
Justin Blackmon
Danny Amendola
Lance Kendricks
Salas and Pettis

by ValdezY on Nov 18, 2011 8:44 AM CST reply actions

Is this a real question?

Yes we need a wr the question is in the draft or FA, I say in the draft and draft our wr of the future to develop with bradford, can’t be avoided for another year.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Nov 18, 2011 8:45 AM CST via mobile reply actions

yes

lloyd is 30 so even if we resign him i say we still need a #1 wr.

by hbwb on Nov 18, 2011 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Yes, we need WR help

Yes, we need CB help
Yes, we need OL help
Yes, we need OLB help
Yes, we need DL help

Other than that – we’re good to go

I should be working right now...

by gorams77 on Nov 18, 2011 9:17 AM CST reply actions

we could use some te help 2 lol

Rams Bulls and Mets allllllllll day also i do love white castle

by G unit Rams on Nov 18, 2011 9:23 AM CST up reply actions

IF you insist on getting a wide receiver...

(I still lean toward OT OR CB first) get Jeffery, not Blackmon. Okie State has had 4 1st round receivers come out. Hart Lee Dykes (BUST), Rashaun Woods (BUST), Dejuan Woods (Bust), Dez Bryant (late first round is about right). Blackmon is in an awesome system, but seriously watch him play and tell me if he is truly elite. The only wide outs I would waste a top 5 pick on need to be Larry Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson good. He is nowhere near AJ Green or Julio Jones from last year. He has showboated and cost his team touchdowns, has questionable ball security and got a DUI as a sophomore. I personally would try to make a move like Dallas did last year and try to either trade up into the late first round while keeping the original pick to address both needs, or better yet, trade down for even more picks and address several needs. Whatever the case, I wouldn’t waste a top 5 pick on Blackmon.

by David5264 on Nov 18, 2011 9:20 AM CST reply actions

WR is not our problem........

We keep putting down the WR core, I see 2 rooks that are way better than you all are giving credit…Maybe coaches are scared to play two rookies but Lloyd & Pettis outside with Salas and/or Amendola would wreck Havoc on Defenses AND allow us to stop searching for the ANSWER that we already have…….With the injuries don’t know who to put in the Slot, but Let’s run Lloyd & Pettis outside and figure the slot guy out for the Rest of this year (Gibson, Clayton, ????), but stop wasting time bringing in WRs that are not gonna help the TEAM because WR is not the PROBLEM….How about we BLOCK better, SAM look at other WRs( than the 1 he wants to throw the ball to on that play) better, SJ run peiople over at the LINE OF SCRIMMAGE better, SAM stop going down if a Defensive Guy BREATHES on him, call offensive plays that work, use tall WRs that can JUMP & Catch in the RedZone, COACHES call plays for the GUY that WORKs not the GUY you WANT to call a play for….COME ON WATCHING THE RAMS OFFENSIVE play calling hasbeen down right disgusting. And PEOPLE are getting PAID to make these SAME old DUMB decisions……PLEASE CHANGE so we at least look like we were in the NFKL this year….HELP, HELP, HELP us FANs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BlkSprmn

by sprmn4life on Nov 18, 2011 11:22 AM CST reply actions

Correction

OOOPs that should be" has been" not hasbeen. And NFL, not NFKL….typo

BlkSprmn

by sprmn4life on Nov 18, 2011 11:28 AM CST reply actions

I think your answer to the 1st question and your last comment show the big question when it comes to the 1st Rd pick

There is no doubt Sam needs weapons, but there is also no doubt he needs more protection, so that he has time to see the field, go through his progressions, wait for deep routes to develop, and then hit the open receiver. So, which then is more important? If he had more protection, would he be able to work better with the current WR corps? Or is the lack of WR ability to get open the problem, even if Sam had more time to throw? Perhaps it is a combination of the two.

Looking at the players who are projected to be available then, in FA and the draft, might make an answer more clear. The list of FA LTs is uninspiring, while the list of FA WRs is full of players who could come in an presumable instantly help the Rams. Dwayne Bowe is a name of interest to me, due to his propensity for TDs. He is only 27, but his contract demands would probably mean that the team couldn’t also sign Lloyd. If they could get Lloyd to give a discount AND play second fiddle to Bowe, the WR problem would be all but eliminated and this would free the team to address other needs in the draft.

As for the draft, is the bigger disparity between the top 2 LTs and 2 Rd or later LTs, or the top 2 WRs and 2nd Rd or later WRs? I wish I knew the answer, but I am leaning toward the former. If the team could sign Bowe, and maybe Lloyd, drafting an elite prospect like Kalil or Martin would make sense—although I cringe thinking that Jason Smith was once also an elite prospect.

In the end, the most important thing to remember is that whoever the Rams select, at whatever position, it is imperative that they select the right player. Missing on 1st RD picks is a travesty, as we all know with Smith. If Smith would have turned out to be the player the Rams expected when making him the 2nd pick, this dialogue and discussion would be moot. We all think we know who the pick should be, but at the end of the day, whether it is Blackmon, Jeffery, Kalil, Martin, Kirkpatrick or Claiborne, they MUST live up to their draft status, or we will all be having more of these discussions in the future.

by mcihaelT on Nov 18, 2011 11:36 AM CST reply actions