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Mediation is set, the 2011 NFL Draft is a couple weeks away...there is life around football again, and it feels oh so nice. The St. Louis Rams have been busy themselves working on draft prep, wrapping up player visits today. Let's get a good old Random Ramsdom going to get you all caught up this morning.
Counsel for the players in the antitrust suit/labor dispute met with Judge Arthur Boylan yesterday, the court appointed mediator, to bring him up to speed on their case. Today, counsel from the NFL meets with Boylan and the two sides sit down to begin the process tomorrow. Many are not optimistic over the outcome of mediation. I'm holding out a sliver of hope, based on the NFL's offer last week to return to mediation and still allow the players to continue their antitrust suit. That was a big give, but owners and players will have to make even bigger gives at the table.
WR Jamorris Warren drawing interest
The Rams are one of several teams interested in WR Jamorris Warren from Central Missouri State. An All-American, Warren runs a 4.4ish forty and had 109 catches with 1,400+ yards last year.
WR Raymond Webber, local kid done good
Speaking of small school wide receivers, Arkansas Pine Bluff's Raymond Webber set the world on fire with his senior season stats, coming close to breaking Jerry Rice's record. The PD has a longer look at Webber.
Two more names on the list for visits to Rams Park
Miami CB Brandon Harris and North Carolina S Da'Norris Searcy joined the list of 2011 NFL Draft prospects at Rams Park this week. Harris is almost certainly a first-round pick, at this point. Searcy is a mid-rounder who can also return kicks.
Give and take on Da’Quan Bowers’ knee
Reports surfaced yesterday of major red flags in the Clemson defensive end's medical recheck, problems that one personnel man feared would make it impossible for Bowers to play a full rookie season. Now, Bowers' agent is pushing back on those reports.
Tale of the tape: Green vs. Jones
Not that it matters much for the Rams...Doug Farrar breaks down two very different, very good receivers in A.J. Green and Julio Jones. The funny thing about reading this comparison is that Green sounds like he'd be a much better fit for the Rams offense...not that Jones would be a bad one though.
High-interest loans another downside of the NFL Lockout
Players from at least 16 NFL teams have turned to short-term, high-interest loans to stay afloat. Pay day loans, essentially. Some are attacking the loans as predatory. Interesting read.