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Random Ramsdom 12/12: Rams vs. Saints, Scott Wells Placed on IR, & 2014 Mock Drafts

The St. Louis Rams are hosting the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints in Week 15. They’ll be playing without veteran center Scott Wells. Will Tavon Austin [ankle] suit up?

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Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports


Rams Put Scott Wells On Injured Reserve, Ending His Season: SB Nation

The Rams will need to name a new starting center moving forward. On Wednesday, St. Louis placed current starting center Scott Wells on injured reserve with a fractured fibula, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas. St. Louis promoted guard Brandon Washington from the practice squad in a corresponding move. Have a gander at what Wells has - and will - cost the Rams, having played 19 games in his two seasons in St. Louis…[courtesy of Spotrac]. I bet you’re thinking "no way he’s a Ram in 2014," aren’t ya?



The Redskins Shut Down Robert Griffin III For The Remainder of 2013: NFL.com

Robert Griffin III spoke to the media Wednesday without much emotion, resigned to his surprising new role as the No. 3 quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Kirk Cousins will start for the next three weeks. [How] Will this impact the Rams’ draft pick?

And as a friendly reminder…

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The 2012 trade gave the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rams&amp;src=hash">#Rams</a> Brockers, Jenkins, Pead, Watkins, Ogletree, Bailey, &amp; Stacy. The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Redskins&amp;src=hash">#Redskins</a> got their Week 14 third-string QB</p>&mdash; Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoPlanB_/statuses/410823688150188033">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
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While South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is equipped with just about every physical tool needed to dominate in the NFL as a pass rusher, his mental toolbox might be missing a few pieces. Hear what a few NFL executives have to say about one of college football’s best.


Gil Brandt mentions nearly half of the NFL teams as he predicts which will be targeted quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL draft. The St. Louis Rams are definitely on his radar. But the last few words of their mention is telling. Is he right?


The New Orleans Saints clinch a playoff berth if they win against the Rams this week. There are also six other ways in which the Saints could slide into the postseason; including two tie scenarios. Let’s not make it easy on them…


"1. NFC West: It seems like the only time an NFC West team loses anymore is vs. a divisional opponent -- or if the Rams are playing or a combination of the two."

Week 15 Game Rankings: CBS Sports

Jason La Canfora covers each of the Week 15 match-ups and - for some reason - has decided to rank them in terms of sandwiches…with slider being the least interesting. Whether it’s "Why to Watch" or "What to Watch For" it all pretty much circles back to the draft for the Rams.

Kellen Clemens Taking Hard Knocks: Yahoo! Sports

It’s not often you see an article that actually states the Rams’ offense has "suffered" sans Sam Bradford. Well this one does. But this article’s not about Bradford; it’s about Clemens and his durability. He’s taken seven sacks over the past two weeks. His fellow players and coaches know how tough he is. Some of them apologized for letting it happen.


November and December are traditionally the months when St. Louis Rams' fans start looking toward the NFL draft -- a sad reality since the "Greatest Show on Turf" days. Thanks to the Washington Redskins' ineptitude, the Rams are in an excellent position to land an elite talent in the 2014 draft.


The St. Louis Rams had barely been officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday when linebacker James Laurinaitis approached rookie linebacker Alec Ogletree. Laurinaitis shared an important message about the importance of the team’s three remaining games with the young rookie, a message that certainly has made the rounds in other corners of the locker room.

Rams Still Sorting Through O-Line Options: ESPN

After the leg injury to center Scott Wells, the Rams plugged Tim Barnes in at center last week against Arizona. But it was actually the return of a healthy lineman that created more movement than the loss of Wells.


Both Sean Payton and Drew Brees stressed that neither trend [Saints road struggles] is on their minds as they prepare to play on the road against the St. Louis Rams (5-8) on Sunday. They both said the Rams have their attention because of how well they've played at times this year with a young team -- especially at home.


Using PFF’s grading system, it would appear that Jets’ defensive end - Sheldon Richardson - and Chargers wideout - Keenan Allen - all but have the ROTY awards locked up. Zac Stacy was a player to watch for a few weeks ago, but his name has dropped off the list. Tavon Austin’s name hasn’t been on the list at all. Should it be? Which Rams’ rookie has impressed you the most?

2014 Pro Bowl Prognostications: Monday Morning Quarterback

Remember last year when you could count the number of Rams’ players that were going to the Pro Bowl on one hand…err…no hands? Andy Benoit from MMQB takes a stab at which players will be heading to Hawaii. You’ll notice two Rams’ players on the front page…one of them is not going. I’m sure you can guess which one is. Does the Rams’ second Hawaii-bound player surprise you?


For the last four years, even the most casual of Rams followers could likely identify the team’s leading tackler. Since his rookie season in 2009, James Laurinaitis has held a stranglehold on that statistic, and in typical seasons, no one has even threatened that mantle. With the emergence of rookie LB Alec Ogletree, that has changed.


If Rob Ryan had spent any more time in St. Louis late last January, he might have had to pay taxes. He attended a Blues hockey game. He was given a key to the building at Rams Park. He attended at least one staff meeting involving Rams coaches. And then he backed out.


Rams defensive tackle Matt Conrath has learned not to read too much into coaching decisions. "That’s above my pay grade, I guess,’’ the second-year pro kidded. "When I’m told that I’m out there, I get myself ready to start flying around.’’


Tavon Austin did not practice Wednesday as the Rams began their on-field preparations for Sunday's game against the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints at the Edward Jones Dome. Austin hurt his ankle at the end of his 56-yard run on an end-around late in the third quarter Sunday in Arizona. A few others sat out, as well. Scott Wells was moved to IR. A practice squad player was promoted. And the Rams added Montana Linebacker Caleb McSurdy. Thanks to Ramrocker for providing us with a scouting report on Dirty McSurdy.


It is what it is…


Nathan Kearns highlights a few potential suitors for what looks to be a [minimally] Top 3 draft pick. As we’ve seen over the past couple of years, the draft is as exciting as ever, as team’s draft up to snag the player they hope will immediately change the fortune of their franchise. At this point, I’ve got to wonder if the 2012 swap [with the Redskins] is ever going to stop earning the Rams more draft picks.


Rams’ wideout, Tavon Austin, was most likely the odds-on favorite to win the OROTY award prior to the onset of the 2013 season. He’s shown glimpses of electric, game-changing play this year, but certainly hasn’t been as consistent, or as integral, as a few others. Tavon Ranks 9th on this list.

Normally, I’d place the newest Walter Football mock draft right about here, but as I looked at this morning, I realized that his "updated" mock still has the Rams picking 4th…and that, to me, isn’t accurate. So I scoured [meaning Googled and immediately found] a 2014 mock draft from Matt Miller over at Bleacher Report. He’s got the Rams at 2 and 10….and grabbing a couple of players from Texas A&M.

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