Turf Show Times, a St. Louis Rams community

[Ndamukong] Suh and fellow defensive tackle Gerald McCoy were the headliners in mid-February when [Scouts Inc.'s Steve] Muench and NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang gathered here to discuss the Rams' options with the first overall choice. As I wrote then, there wasn't much doubt about it:

"Neither Rang nor Muench -- nor anyone else I've consulted -- has strongly projected anything other than Suh or McCoy for the Rams at No. 1. Both give Suh the slightest edge."

But when Rang released his latest mock draft Monday, Bradford was the top choice and increasingly the favorite. Muench, who previously said he would have "a very difficult time" taking Bradford first overall based on questions about his shoulder and Oklahoma's offensive scheme, now says he is "absolutely more comfortable" with Bradford at this stage.
The challenge now becomes separating perception from reality. How much has really changed?

Bulger has been part of the problem, but not enough to bench him.

Steven Jackson tripped on his way to what might have otherwise been a 66-yard touchdown run during the first quarter. Jackson has enjoyed big games against Seattle. He hasn't got much going so far in 2008.

The Rams were a mess last season amid an almost unfathomable number of injuries to their offensive line. They used 18 combinations on their offensive line in 2007. The thinking here is that St. Louis won't be nearly so unlucky that way this season, giving the Rams a better shot at keeping quarterback Marc Bulger healthy.