2012 NFL Draft: Did Jeff Fisher Drop A Hint About Rams' Draft Plans?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 19, 2012 12:18 PM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

Jeff Fisher must have seen some video from the St. Louis Rams disastrous 2011 season. That would have included a separate highlight reel of the Rams quarterbacks being abused behind a shaky offensive line. Fisher noted an emphasis on protecting the quarterback in his remarks at Tuesday's press conference, and it's hard not to consider those remarks in the context of what the Rams will do in the 2012 NFL Draft.

"It's a team that's going to run the football and protect the quarterback and play good defense and get the ball back," Fisher said on Tuesday.

Injuries forced the Rams to use a variety of offensive linemen. They lost both of their starting tackles, Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, neither of whom were playing well before injuries put them on IR. They need a tackle, and with the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, they have a chance to draft USC's Matt Kalil, considered the best OT prospect to come along since Jake Long in 2008.

Their second spot in the draft also figures to be prime real estate for teams looking to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Trading down offers the Rams the chance to pick up even more draft picks, something they could really use based on the holes throughout the roster. It would also take them out of the running for Matt Kalil.

Wherever they end up in the first round, if they trade down, there's likely to be a tackle prospect for the taking. Iowa's Riley Reiff is probably the second best, and a possible top ten player. Mike Adams of Ohio State could jump into the top 15 with a big week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl next week. Stanford's Jonathan Martin and Zebrie Sanders look like late first rounders.

Fisher's comment was really nothing more than a restatement of his basic principles for running an offense. Something else worth noting is that the Oilers/Titans never drafted an offensive lineman in the first round during Fisher's time there.

Looking back at the Titans' draft results while Fisher was there, they had a solid track record for finding good offensive linemen in the middle and late rounds of the draft. They drafted LT Michael Roos in the second round of the 2005 draft and David Stewart in the fourth round in 2006.

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you cant see me...but im smiling.

by Mark Jaramillo on Jan 19, 2012 12:23 PM CST reply actions

The more and more I think about it

the more and more I keep realizing how badly we need matt kalil.

by stuman89 on Jan 19, 2012 12:30 PM CST reply actions

its inevitable...

that o-line needs to be addressed and right away. that should be the 1st priority over any other position. and drafting kalil and maybe even decastro in the 1st. i would be exstatic with that.

by Mark Jaramillo on Jan 19, 2012 12:35 PM CST reply actions

those 2 plus Lamar Miller in the 2nd and grab D/V Jackson in FA.

by jmo53 on Jan 19, 2012 8:09 PM CST via Android app up reply actions

OL and more

I think we need to look at OL from an offense that was run-heavy and a premier program, like Stanford per se. Not saying we can attribute success to any one of them in particular but fact is they have history of being part a collective group that had success as a tough physical unit, and understand what is required to be successful at a high level…
Martin or Sanders after we trade down from 2 would make sense to me, plus we can land some WR help as well in the 1st round this way

"Do or Do not...there is no try" - YODA
"I can't wait to see that Smurf movie" - NOBODY

by GothamKnight on Jan 19, 2012 12:53 PM CST reply actions

the wisconsin badgers always were known for there huge physical lines as well...

my dream is to finally see steven jackson have the same success as marshall faulk did to highlight his career. a super bowl would be nice too! lol.

by Mark Jaramillo on Jan 19, 2012 12:58 PM CST reply actions

You want a great running game?

That also means we gotta have WRs who can get open down the field to keep the defense honest.

Although I’m OK with either pick.

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 19, 2012 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

aside from anquan boldin...

the ravens seemed to get by just fine with mediocre wr’s, and there running gm is there bread and butter. so again, im not on that “sexy” pick as the ultimate need for the rams. and to be honest pekka, if the rams did trade down and say drafted kalil? i would go one further, and drat another top 10 G, in the same round. theres wr’s to be had everywhere in this draft, i havent soured on the current wr core the rams have just yet in salas, amendola, and lettis. and if they resign brandon Lloyd? 2nd, 3rd round for wr.

by Mark Jaramillo on Jan 19, 2012 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

This

ravens still don’t have a great group. Just a decent group that can run the ball and defend

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 19, 2012 1:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Mark, I don't think the Rams can do both, trade down AND get Kalil unless

we could trade down and have the Vikings also trade down. And even then, he’s just too damn good a player to stay on the board to fall very far at all.

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s

by Nbr1RamFan on Jan 19, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Then you take martin or reiff

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 19, 2012 2:00 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Aside from Anquan?

I agree that IF our WRs can stay healthy, guys like Danny, Salad and Lettis can be pretty good. And if we can resign Lloyd, then that’ll also be a huge plus. But Blackmon with those guys would make our WRs really good.

I’m with you though that we could go either way and I’d be happy taking Kalil and an OG early in the draft as well. But I’ve thought for the past two years that defenses have not taken our WRs seriously, which allows them to crowd the line of scrimmage, which leads to pressure and sacks and the absence of a good running game. Having Blackmon with Lloyd AND Danny/Salad would force them to be honest, thereby opening up our running game, which could be very good.

Like WRs, there’s OL to be had in the 2nd and 3rd rounds too. The absence of a playmaker on offense hurts us a lot, which is why I’m thinking Blackmon. Dudes a stud.

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is where the Stanley Cup can be found.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Jan 19, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Jason Smith

Left a bad taste in every ones mouth,seems like there where around 3 or 4 other OTs that where rated just as high as Smith(at the time) If no one offers a good package than draft Kalil,hes a beast and will be a stud for a long time(and I hate USC)

by RAMIFICATION on Jan 19, 2012 1:03 PM CST reply actions

I wouldn't be shocked to see multiple trades to stockpile picks.

Trade with the Browns for their 2 fist rounders and what ever else, maybe move down again for another first and second. Trade with New England for their 2 first rounders. It is actually feasible (but not likely I admit) to have 4 first and 4 second round picks in this draft before it is all said and done. With Fisher’s success with late round players, it could turn into a goldmine.

by David5264 on Jan 19, 2012 1:08 PM CST reply actions

+1

"Do or Do not...there is no try" - YODA
"I can't wait to see that Smurf movie" - NOBODY

by GothamKnight on Jan 19, 2012 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

Would it be out of the question for us to trade down with the Browns and get Blackmon with the 4th pick

and get one of the above mentioned OT’s with the 22nd pick in the first round?

To me, that seems like the most ideal situation. What do you guys think?

What do you call a gay dinosaur?
Mega-sore-ass.

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by Horcrux7 on Jan 19, 2012 2:01 PM CST reply actions

agreed

by SooneRams Fan on Jan 19, 2012 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

I have a feeling that the Fish is going to take Kalil with the second pick...

If it was my choice? I’d trade down, grab ourselves a playmaker and an OT further down the draft. It’s very rare that a guy who’s no.1 in a chosen position is the only guy to make a telling contribution in the NFL.
Either way, I’m real excited to see what our new set-up does in the 2012 draft.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet - I'm gonna break your face..." The Champ

by JoolzMF on Jan 19, 2012 2:34 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Trade with the Browns

Take Blackmon at #4, the best OT or OG available at #22 and then a RB or DT with the first pick in Round 2, or maybe an OLB.

by Mister T on Jan 19, 2012 2:41 PM CST reply actions

I think o line is priority 1 for fisher

So I can’t see him taking the best guard or ot available after already padding up on lineman

by Ram_Redemption on Jan 19, 2012 4:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Mario Manningham is also a FA after this season.

What do you call a gay dinosaur?
Mega-sore-ass.

Follow @Renegade_1108

by Horcrux7 on Jan 19, 2012 2:45 PM CST reply actions

Hmmmm....

If we can pick up a WR via free agency, then maybe the Vikes would be afraid we’d pick Kalil. Then they’d want to trade picks with us (for some extra picks of course). Then Cleveland would still be afraid someone would want to swap with us for RG3 and also swap with us again for even more picks. We could trade down twice and still have the 4th pick. (I like dreaming)

by RAMbunctious on Jan 19, 2012 4:45 PM CST reply actions