Rams New GM Hints At The Kind Of Players He Likes

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 16, 2012 8:00 AM CST in 2012 NFL offseason

Les Snead, the St. Louis Rams new general manager, dropped a hint about what kind of players he values in his introductory press conference. What Snead said will be music to fans' ears after watching the team struggle to score points season after season. It might even give you a clue about which prospects and free agents could be on the Rams' draft board as well as which current players might or might not be sticking around in 2012.

"I do think this is a league where you need to have urgency, you need to have passion and instincts from an intangible standpoint," Snead said. "I think you need to be competitive. I think you need to want to be a part of something bigger, you want to be a teammate."

That sounds fairly obvious, but it is a refreshing change from the old "four pillars" rhetoric. In the previous administration, intangibles like passion and instincts never had the rhetorical weight of the four pillars of faith, character, core values and team first. Sure, you don't need to be post-structuralist to fit passion and instinct into the four pillars, but terms like faith too often meant fealty to the system and scheme as opposed to finding good football players and ways to make them part of a productive team.

But I digress. The past is past. Snead's remarks after that were more telling in terms of the specific skills set he values in players.

"I think in this league though, it's an explosive league, it's a league that has space, so I think you have to find guys in a short area that are very, very explosive in that short area," Snead said.

It sounds so simple that it barely needs to be said, but the Rams' current roster is hardly overflowing with it.

As for which players that might mean the Rams will target in the draft, especially as they look at receivers and running backs, let me open that for discussion.

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Explosive Players In 2012 Draft

Offense:
WR Jarius Wright
WR Joe Adams
RB Isaiah Pead
RB Lamar Miller
WR Kendall Wright

Defense:
OLB Zach Brown
FS Janzen Jackson
CB Cliff Harris

by ValdezY on Feb 16, 2012 8:22 AM CST reply actions

No Blackmon? Rainey?Hillman?

I am time grown old, full of knowledge and whiskey.

by Tampa_Ram on Feb 16, 2012 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

Not Compared To These Offensive Players IMO

so I think you have to find guys in a short area that are very, very explosive in that short area," Snead said.

by ValdezY on Feb 17, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

Simple speed doesn't mean explosive per say

All of these players are explosive, but I would include Brockers and Floyd and such on that list.

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Feb 16, 2012 8:25 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Explosion To Me Is Difficult To Describe

I know it when I see it. Explosion is a complex of attributes that must include speed: Power,Burst, Quick Reaction, Suddeness, Impact on a large scale, Intimidation, and the ability to consistently bring about destruction.
Brockers and Flloyd have a few of these attributes but not all; especially not speed.

by ValdezY on Feb 17, 2012 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Can you say... Complete roster makeover?

by mcihaelT on Feb 16, 2012 8:37 AM CST reply actions

Yes I can

But look wat the roster, it needs it. Thanks Spags

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Feb 16, 2012 8:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yes Please!!!!

by LARams72 on Feb 16, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

WTF?

No four pillars? What da heck do they think we want? A winning football team or something??? GEEZ….

by Da Rams! on Feb 16, 2012 8:50 AM CST reply actions

Next they are gonna wanna get rid of Jason Smith and not overpay guys

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Feb 16, 2012 8:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

BOUT TIME

I’m actually quite enthused by this Snead guy.

I’ve been asking for nasty athletic players for a long time!

http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/

Follow @infemousss

by Infemous on Feb 16, 2012 8:53 AM CST reply actions

I don't see where you are all getting the athletic player thing from this.

What he said doesn’t sound all that different from the four pillars.

I have no doubt that he’ll bring in better athletes and players, but what you’re taking from that quote does not seem right.

Guidugli > Bajema

by Carneros on Feb 16, 2012 9:19 AM CST reply actions

+1000! I mean really, what the hell are half of u on? Way to content on “word play” & not willing to see how it unfolds before our eyes! Calm the hell down & see who is brought in & exiled!

by Boy Yottic on Feb 16, 2012 10:12 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

+1000! I mean really, what the hell are half of u on? Way to content on “word play” & not willing to see how it unfolds before our eyes! Calm the hell down & see who is brought in & exiled! Think I heard this same crap when we were introducing spags/devaney!

by Boy Yottic on Feb 16, 2012 10:12 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

lets just let him put his foot on the gas

And hope he don’t crash. I’ll go for the ride

*Drew Bress Will Never Forget The Day He Got Chris Longed!!!!

by Ramzman18 on Feb 16, 2012 9:34 AM CST via mobile reply actions

But blackmons cuts and rout running is better

Dear Mr.Chin. I wtch tape on him every night hoping we get hi.m in the draft plz draft him. Thank you that’ll be all

*Drew Bress Will Never Forget The Day He Got Chris Longed!!!!

by Ramzman18 on Feb 16, 2012 9:37 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Explosivness is nothing without.....

the ability to separate once you’re off the line. Kendall Wright has that ability, I am still curious where we could get him in the draft (I’d hate to reach for him too early). I would also be worried about his route running skills and hands; we don’t need anymore dropped passes.

-Jeff

by Jholtmeier on Feb 16, 2012 9:52 AM CST reply actions

Explosive is kendall wright and lamar miller and i love them both lets see if we can snatch one or both! Lets go young snead!

by kevio3000 on Feb 16, 2012 10:00 AM CST via Android app reply actions

Just because your fast doesnt mean your explosive

I’d rather have a guy that can run routes and get separation like blackmon. If a player get get open and get yards after that’s plenty explosive.

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good"
-Kid Cudi

by RG31 on Feb 16, 2012 10:57 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Blackmon isn't a good route runner

his best aspect is his large catch radius and good hands, it makes it so he doesn’t have to get that open to be open.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

I think you underrate his route running

Same way I kinda overrate him.

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good"
-Kid Cudi

by RG31 on Feb 16, 2012 11:12 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

No I don't think I am

Watching him I was always underwhelmed with his route running

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 11:20 AM CST up reply actions

Like once I think I saw some say all he does is run slants

But that’s not true, I’ve seen him go deep a lot and fight for the ball. I think the only thing you can knock him on is his system and speed. If he runs a low 4.4 I think that goes out the window as well. My whole thing on Kalil and blackmon is, if the FO thinks one or the other can be great for us and are absolutely sure, get whoever it is and move on. If not then trade down because I want blackmon in a rams uni but if Kalil turns out to be an superstar not much I can say and vise versa..

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good"
-Kid Cudi

by RG31 on Feb 16, 2012 11:25 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Going deep and fighting for a ball isn't an example of good route running

you don’t have to be a great route runner to be a great WR though look at TO and Randy Moss for example

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Also true

Can’t wait to see how he does at the combine..

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good"
-Kid Cudi

by RG31 on Feb 16, 2012 1:22 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Blackmon runs slant sand curls and drag routes....

At a collegiate level he better be able to run those….he isn’t a great route runner. OK St. Just runs simple routes.

by Rcoon1307 on Feb 16, 2012 12:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Exactly

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

To me, he is Aquan Boldin

with a bit better athleticism

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 16, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

Explosive?

How about Clairbourne? … and I REALLY want an ANGRY DT!!!

I also think we should take a flyer on Floyd. Fisher should be able to properly motivate him … or maybe Demoff can write a free 24/7 designated driver into his contract.

Alex Song - Krunk as Fuck!

by Midasknight on Feb 16, 2012 11:21 AM CST reply actions

Nice Rhetoric, but...

The Pillows sounded kind of good too (at first) back when other teams had guys getting arrested for various stuff and we didn’t – except for an occasional “vitamin juice” gone wrong.

I really don’t give a sh!t what he sez. What will he and Fisher be able to get accomplished under the limiitations imposed by cap space and Kroenke’s wallet. I’m not falling for anything this time based on speeches until I see what they can do (or at least try to do).

If they at least make an effort to get the right players, I’ll feel like they are doing the best they can under the constraints we find oursleves in. And that’s good enough for me.

Gabriel to Snow - TOUCHDOWN!

by ramdude on Feb 16, 2012 11:40 AM CST reply actions

Rhetoric is nice......

but at least Fisher and most of the coaches have a track record of success. Devaney’s downfall in my opinion was letting the coaches have too much say as to who should be on the roster. Hopefully, Fisher is a better judge of talent because he obviously has serious pull in the organization.
I wonder how much influence Snead will have? If he proves to be a good judge of talent, I’m sure that Fisher will listen to him.
Fortunately, Spags said that the Rams are going in the right direction as the door was swinging shut on his arse.

by Mister T on Feb 16, 2012 12:21 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

But the only success I care about is future success with the Rams. This will not be easy. I think we have certainly done some good things, but no crowns yet until they are earned. We’ve been on what appeared to be the start of something good for a long while. Here’s hoping it’s true this time.

Gabriel to Snow - TOUCHDOWN!

by ramdude on Feb 16, 2012 7:59 PM CST up reply actions