I'm not quite sure about the word "heroic" when it comes to sports. The term seems more readily reserved for soldiers serving their country, or firemen and police officers who save lives every day.

There are inspiring moments in sports, some even inspire Hollywood movies commemorating efforts in their "expansive" way. If "heroic" is applied to a player of sport - to me anyway - the definition can't be relegated to a few singular efforts or acts. It's about a body of work serving as proof that the player rose above an implicit challenge. He or she didn't just seize a day, they seized a career; a body of work...

The St. Louis Rams have been blessed with a player that defines "heroic" as it can be applied to sports. In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Rams selected a running back named Steven Rashad Jackson. He was given the jersey number "39", and told to step into the shadow, the legacy, of one of the most powerful offenses in NFL history as it slid into decline. The years that followed Jackson's draft with the 24th pick in the 2004 NFL draft have been marked with teammates moving on, coaches shown the door, and the game of football morphing into a "pass first" world. Throughout Steven Jackson's career, he has excelled in spite of the team around him...

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The Tennessee Titans and Jason Jones have entered the preliminary phase of contract discussions. According to Titans Insider, the team is making an effort to prevent their defensive lineman from slipping away in free agency. Re-signing Jones carries potential implications for the St. Louis Rams.

Jones is one of more than a dozen free agents from the Titans 2011 roster. He is also one of their top priorities to keep among that list of players. Jones, a natural three technique tackle, was moved to defensive end last season. He struggled in that role. Jones has indicated in the past that where the Titans want him to play may determine his future with the team.

The Rams need help in the middle of their defensive line. Justin Bannan, who signed a three-year, $8 million contract last year, gave the Rams a stout presence against the run, but the decline of Fred Robbins left the front four without a legitimate pass rusher in the middle.

Jones had an overall grade of -9.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2011, including a -10.9 rating as a pass rusher. In 2010, working in the middle as a three technique, Jones had an overall rating of 21.6 and a pass rush rating of 17.3. I'll offer my usual caveat that PFF's ratings are somewhat subjective, but offer a handy guide for individual performances. It's hard to overstate the difference in production for Jones between the two seasons and two spots on the defensive line.

On a side note, you have to vote for our own Tevin Broner (TST front page author T.Ram) in this sports broadcaster challenge thing.

I hope this week has been moving by swimmingly for you. That post Super Bowl glow should be fading by now, unless you are Bill Belichick? Of course, as fans of the Rams, the big show is normally catching a glimpse of the team on ESPN, showing a highlight of the opposing offense.

So let's make that better. How about two straight months of our very own community mock? Continue on to see the schedule.

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via www3.pictures.zimbio.com

Cliff Avril, a defensive end with the Detroit Lions is perhaps one of the most underrated Free Agents out there. As a standout for the Lions for the past four years, Cliff has recorded 30 sacks. His 6’3" 252 lbs frame is certainly stout enough to handle the role of a rushing or coverage linebacker. The Purdue product had a great college career, starting in 35 contests out of 49, 12 of those starts coming in at strong-side linebacker

One could make the case, and Avril has said himself, that he would be willing to play outside linebacker. He was the top performer at the combine in the 3-cone drill, which measures a player’s burst and ability to switch directions quickly. He also was a top performer in the vertical leap. Can anyone say batted passes? Cliff Avril entered the league the same year our own Chris Long came aboard, and he out performed him. In Cliff’s rookie year he tied for the rookie lead of 5 sacks, following on with 5.5, 8.5, and 11 sacks in 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively. He has also been a solid tackler on a defense dominated by Suh, with 23, 41, 33, and 36 tackle from 2008-2011.

His health is another high point having only missed 6 games over 4 years. Avril comes from a team who plays indoors, and he excels there, with 26 of his 36 tackles coming under a dome in 2011. Another awesome stat is that Avril has managed to lock up offenses where it counts, on 3rd and 4th down. In 2011 Avril had 26 tackles on 3rd and 4th downs, 12 of them solo, along with 4 of his sacks on those downs.

I'm old enough that when I see the letters "CB" used together to conjure up the song "Convoy" in my head. Of course, here it refers to cornerbacks, those pricey, oft-injured defenders tasked with locking down receivers. The release of Oakland Raiders CB Stanford Routt will have, is already having, a direct impact on the free agent market for CBs and potential ripples that will effect the St. Louis Rams.

Sort of like when the Rubber Duck decides to go a-huntin' bear. Or something like that ...

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Good morning!! Let's just skip the usual BS and get right to the links today. Also, sorry for the lack of links lately. The post Super Bowl and Pre Combine is a huge dead period for NFL news.

Rams down to 2 or 3 candidates for GM

According to Steve Wyche of NFL.com, the Rams have narrowed down their GM candidates to 2 or 3 finalist. Ryan had a recap of the possible finalist last night. It's safe to assume that the Rams will have a new GM in place very, very soon.

Chargers will try to resign Vincent Jackson

Jackson, who has been rumored to be of interested to the Rams, may not hit the free agent market after all. Michael Lombardi also says that VJax's preference is to stay in San Diego. He also said that the Chargers are unlikely to franchise him. He'll still likely hit the open market, but the Chargers will be just one of the many players for him.

Could Jerome Murphy have a big impact in 2012?

Now I know the Bleacher Report is usually shit, but Shane Gray is a very good quality writer covering the Rams. He actually takes the time to use correct spelling of all things and he also puts actual thought into his articles! Anyways, enough ripping on BR, read his excelling post about Murphy.

That's all for today!! Have a good one and GO RAMS!!

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For as long as I can remember, the tight end position has been an Achilles’ heel for the Rams. Why is it so difficult to find someone who can block, catch and … oh yeah, stay on the field? Every year the team makes an attempt to fill the void, yet results are never good.

Enter John Carlson, an NFC West rival who seems to possess all the tools of a typical "safety net" TE. During his first three years as a Seahawk, he became a regular "Red Zone" threat and a pain in defensive coordinators’ rear ends, accumulating over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns. Were it not for a season ending shoulder injury in last year’s preseason, his stats may be greater.

Carlson appeared to fade off in Pete Carroll’s first year with the team, although he did catch two touchdowns during Seattle’s upset romp of the Saints in the playoffs. One has to assume that the young TE doesn’t figure into Seattle’s long-term plans, having recently signed Zach Miller to a lucrative five-year deal. He may also be a miscast in Carroll’s enigmatic offensive, when you figure that Miller totaled only 233 yards and no touchdowns in all of 2011.

If Lance Kendricks is the future of the Rams TE’s, he needs some guidance to get there. And if Bajema and "UhOh" are indeed goners, the Rams need a proven blocker to line up off tackle.