Random Ramsdom, 1/3: Stan Kroenke's Team

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 3, 2012 7:06 AM CST in St. Louis Rams news

Yesterday was a big one for the St. Louis Rams. The team took the first steps toward a new direction. While most of the chatter will now focus on who the team will bring in to fill the head coach and general manager jobs, it should be noted that this is now unquestionably Stan Kroenke's team. The owner is putting his stamp on the franchise after buying full control over it in 2010.

Let's get caught up on the news and what the chattering classes are saying about the news out at Rams Park.

Next Rams coach is likely to have experience - Rams owner Stan Kroenke indicated that he prefers to hire a head coach with some experience. Also, there's no formula for whether or not the Rams plan to hire a coach or GM first, despite reports otherwise.

Ax fell quickly on Spagnuolo and Devaney - Jim Thomas at the PD recaps the firings. More notably, Stan Kroenke speaks, pointing out the fact this is indeed a "results-oriented business."

Bernie Bytes: A look at the Rams' shakeup - Bernie Miklasz weighs-in on the firings of Spagnuolo and Devaney. Besides the obvious, that no team can allow a 10-38 record, Bernie points out the fact that Spagnuolo got distracted by so many non-football things, firing managers, trainers and worrying about control over parts of the building he didn't need to concern himself with.

Burwell: What's on Kroenke's mind? - Bryan Burwell isn't pleading for the Kroenke to retain Spagnuolo this morning, and I wonder if he'll ever speak of his argument that the Rams should have kept him? He does talk to Stan Kroenke, who explains his rationale.

Lovie Smith non-committal on Martz’s future - Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be on the hot seat right now. Head coach Lovie Smith refused to offer any kind of endorsement following the season's end.

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Comments

I know nothing of Stanford's Defense

but let me be the first to say that after last nights Fiesta Bowl, that us taking Blackmon at #2 would no longer be an issue with me.

Blackmon looked me right in the eye and said ‘DCRamFan, you’ve been hatin on me, and so I’m gonna score 3 TD’s in your face tonight.’ And he did…….please stand in our end zone several times next season, Justin

by DCRamFan on Jan 3, 2012 7:50 AM CST reply actions

And from what I understand...

he was hurt (some sort of leg infection) and hadn’t practiced much.

by victorian on Jan 3, 2012 8:15 AM CST up reply actions

I need Blackmon to fail a drug test for weed.

That way we get Kalil and then trade back up in the bottom of first round to get him lol

by Rcoon1307 on Jan 3, 2012 8:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

You, my friend

deserve an interview from Faulk and Vermeil

by DCRamFan on Jan 3, 2012 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

Stanford's defense isn't great but they aren't bad either.

Blackmon has that rare knack for being where the defenders ain’t. His big an physical enough to explode off the line and excellent at making the those quick catches on the perimeter and slants bust into big plays. One knock on him is he gets loose with the ball at times and gets stripped too often and he also has the ocassional dropped ball. He reminds me of DX but with out the knee problems.

The only real concern with him would be his top end speed but honestly his quickness off the ball and body control more than make up for this. I suspect his draft position is somewhere around 5 depending on the 40 time he post.

Picking him above Kali would be a slight reach but given the Rams need for a WR I think it is with in the realm of possibility.

The great thing is we’ll not be picking #2. Hopefully we swap with the Browns and get Blackmon at 4 and another first rounder to catch whatever top line prospect falls and there are enough of them that one will fall.

by Sggladden on Jan 3, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

I think stan is the owner the Ram's have needed for a long time and what he says

makes sense. I watched the fiesta bowel and it’s the only time I have wanted OSU to win and I have to say watching Blackmon was a thing of beauty I think he is the number one receiver that the Rams have been looking for.

by Freewheeler2 on Jan 3, 2012 8:02 AM CST reply actions

not that I place much stock in it

but he’s the #5 prospect on Kipers ‘Big Board’……….that sound right? Behind Luck, Kalil, Richardson, and Claiborne. I’m no college expert, but I would’ve thought he was ahead at least two of those guys, not to take anything away from them

by DCRamFan on Jan 3, 2012 8:07 AM CST up reply actions

I guess it's all in perspective but I just think he's what the Rams have been looking for

and as far as I am concerned he is better then Kalil and RG 3 is better then Luck

by Freewheeler2 on Jan 3, 2012 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

Blackmon is going to be a playmaker

We need to draft him with our first pick, I know Kalil is a bad ass but we need playmakers

by RenoRammin on Jan 3, 2012 8:15 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I'm with ya

but I’m also more prone to wanting to draft playmakers than lineman. That being said, Kalil is a beast, and if we don’t get him, I think it’s still fair to say we need some serious help either with our 2nd round pick, or via FA

by DCRamFan on Jan 3, 2012 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

burwell is a moron

damn it feels GREAT to have my team back. no more poss WRs first on the list lol

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

by G unit Rams on Jan 3, 2012 8:28 AM CST reply actions

Is this common knowledge?

‘Fisher’s agent is Marvin Demoff, the father of Kevin Demoff, Rams COO and Executive Vice President of Football Operations’

by DCRamFan on Jan 3, 2012 8:31 AM CST reply actions

Could we swap 1st rounders with someone

hot after RG3 and STILL get Blackmon?

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by VTramsFan on Jan 3, 2012 9:11 AM CST reply actions

Probably as it stands now...

the one team that concerns me is the Vikings picking at 3. I would suspect they would pick Kali or one of the other players currently rated above Blackmon but as we saw last year with AJ Green and Julio Jones a good WR can motivate teams to jump. The question is is it worth gambling the player that fits a critical need for several additional picks. I could see a senerio where we trade down to someone needing a QB and parlaying some of that to move back up to snatch Blackmon.

How much will teams be willing to give up for RG3? I’m guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 first round picks. Probably we’d end up moving a 2013 1st to move back up to ensure we get Blackmon so is one additional 1st round pick worth gambling the Vikings don’t draft Blackmon? IDK. It probably boils down to if we have other fallback options at WR and that market seems a little bare.

by Sggladden on Jan 3, 2012 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

Again

If you want Bradford to have a career you better protect him. Last time I checked Blackmon wasn’t blocking Justin or Aldon Smith, Danell Dockett ect. If things go like people think and McD ends up in KC and Lloyd follows I would say pursue Bowe heavily and draft Kalil with the #2. Again the draft is heavier in WR that OT. I still have never seen a WR cure QB sack issues especially of the likes we have. Lloyd may not be as big but certainly has a knack for getting seperation and getting open. He didn’t change the fact or QBs still got killed. I will say neither will Blackmon.

by RWRAMS28 on Jan 3, 2012 10:01 AM CST reply actions

IDK

Seems to be an awful lot of offensive line talent rated high on everyone’s draft board. I’m not too high on any of the other WRs outside of Blackmon.

I can guarantee you we’ll have a much easier time rebuilding the line later in the draft and via FA than to find an explosive WR.

No doubt the offensive line needs to be a huge priority but it’s one I believe I’d try and meet via FA.

by Sggladden on Jan 3, 2012 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

i believe we get a coach who knows football and that winning begins at the line of scrimmage.

if you have the line to give sam time a lot of receivers can do what is required, which is to say get open and catch the ball.

the owner sounds serious and will most likely get a coach who will not take all these dropped passes we have been suffering with for so long. we need a coach who demands accountability and for players to give their all. so then we do not necessarily need blackmon, (although i would love to have him) we need playmakers regardless of who they are.

by hbwb on Jan 3, 2012 10:33 AM CST reply actions