The St. Louis Rams might finally have an answer on the ownership question in just 24 hours when the league's owners vote on whether or not to accept Stan Kroenke's bid to purchase the remaining 60 percent share of the team.
The NFL finance committee today recommended that the league approve Kroenke, a good sign that he's cleared the cross-sport ownership restrictions that once imperiled his takeover bid. Though I can see where some owners might vote against it, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which the league does not approve the billionaire's bid for ownership. Kroenke, with deep pockets and a commitment to winning, is exactly the kind of owner the league would/should want.
Once he is approved, his next task will be getting his house in order and jumping into the issue of the team's lease on the Dome. I'm still dubious that the team would move at that point, which has less to do with Kroenke's ties to the area than his ability as a businessman to get a stadium deal worked out in the St. Louis area.
Moving back to the field, the Rams wrap up training camp today and there are a few things to discuss.
The Rams made a roster move today, releasing LB Dominic Douglas and signing LB Devin Bishop. Douglas spent most of last season on the practice squad after being signed as an undrafted free agent last spring. He was bumped to the active roster in November last year, and saw action in four games, mostly as a special teamer. Bishop is probably a practice squad player for the Rams, who are surprisingly well apportioned at the linebacker position, but he could surprise. Check out this writeup from Mile High Report.
Spagnuolo wants the starters to get more work this week.
Sam Bradford made an interesting comment in this conversation with Mike Sando that reveals a little bit more about some of the incessant check downs that caused many to pull out their Pat Shurmur voodoo dolls a little prematurely. Discussing his comfort level with the offensive system, Bradford mentions how he learned to use the check down, rather than throw the ball away, when he couldn't find his two primary receivers during his early career at Oklahoma. He's finding himself more able to do the same thing with the Rams since his first exposure to the playbook during OTAs.
Speaking of backup running backs, word out of Washington is that two members of their all-mid decade backfield, Willie Parker and Larry Johnson, could end up getting cut as the rosters get winnowed down before the season starts. Johnson has had a terrible preseason and struggled in pass protection, not a surprise since the Chiefs used every ounce of productivity he had. Parker could be more of an interest to the Rams, but it's hard to say what he has left. Parker gets the start this week as the Redskins try to sort out the position.