For April, it's been a marathon of football lately, and we've only got a few days to catch our breath before the next minicamp that starts on Friday. Starting with some more insight on the Rams salary cap, here's a few items of note to start your morning.
Rams beat writer for the Post-Dispatch, Jim Thomas, gave a ballpark figure for what second overall draft pick OT Jason Smith's cap hit will likely be this year in yesterday's online chat. He estimates that Smith contract will entail a similar cap hit to Chris Long's deal from last season, which counted $2.9 million against the cap.
In the same chat session, Thomas predicts, and I would assume it's an informed prediction, that Smith and the Rams should be able to reach a deal in a timely manner, enough to keep him from missing team activities. There's plenty more information over there, so be sure to give it a read.
Still in despair that the Rams didn't take a QB in the draft this year, a starting QB anyway? Don't worry. Here's one 2010 mock draft that predicts the Rams trading a fourth overall pick for the Lions first overall in order to take Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford. I don't see it.
Randomness...
- Jason Smith is the first Baylor player taken in the first round since 1996.
- This analysis from Pro Football Weekly says Smith, of all the OTs taken this draft, is the most likely to be playing in a Pro Bowl in three years.
- Did James Laurinaitis' consistently high levels of production at Ohio State actually make people forget about him?
- What's that on your nose? One pundit says the Rams should look into free agent WR Matt Jones.
- I want to hear some thoughts on this. Would Edgerrin James be a smart acquisition for the Rams? If he's willing to take a limited role, and the corresponding salary, he could have enough left to give and round out his case for the Hall of Fame. Thoughts?
Back at you later.