Random Ramsdom 9/4: Football is Back. That is All

Notables and Predictions for Rams in 2014:  ESPN 101

Oftentimes, people focus on specific St. Louis Rams opponents in attempting to diagnose the most difficult portion of the schedule. And while there is certainly some merit in doing so, each and every year teams that are expected to flourish eventually fail and clubs expected to flounder take flight.

Can Hill Save The Rams? |  Rolling Stone

You'd think it wouldn't be this hard for the St. Louis Rams to find a true franchise quarterback. After all, they've had plenty of opportunities in recent years: namely, a top-two pick in five of the last seven drafts. Can Shaun Hill Save them?

Practice Recap - 9/3 |  St. Louis Rams’ Official Site

The Rams got back to business on Wednesday, practicing for the season-opening matchup against the Vikings on September 7. Here’s what you need to know from the afternoon session.

Wait, So the No. 2 Overall Draft Pick Isn’t Starting? |  St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bernie Miklasz provides some thoughts on Greg Robinson; the Rams’ first draft pick in 2014, and 2nd overall.  He won’t be starting this Sunday.  Bernie thinks, for a team who consistently struggles to post better than .500 seasons, that player should be a Day 1 starter.

And, also from the Dispatch, Joe Lyons notes that Davin Joseph will get the nod as starter, as Rodger Saffold gets bumped to left guard.

2015 Super Bowl Odds |  CBS Sports

When we last checked in our 2015 Super Bowl Odds, the draft was over and we were sorting out where teams stood. It's time for one final portrait, before the season kicks off on Thursday with Seahawks-Packers.

Keenum Excited For Fresh Start With Rams |  CBS St. Louis

It’s been a busy few days for Case Keenum, the quarterback who was waived by the Houston Texans and then received a fresh start when he was claimed by the Rams.

Westbrooks on Making Rams’ Roster [Audio]

Vikings vs. Rams Preview |  Fox Sports

Losing his starting quarterback is anything but an ideal situation for Jeff Fisher, but the St. Louis Rams coach is taking it in stride - just as he did last season when the dilemma presented itself.

Rams’ Depth Chart Musings |  ESPN

Now that we are finally into Week 1 of the regular season, the St. Louis Rams released their unofficial depth chart Tuesday evening. It's always important to note the word unofficial but usually the chart at least provides a solid guidepost for what will come to be Sunday when the Rams open at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

Preseason Winners and Losers |  Ramblin’ Fan

Having waited since December 29th 2013, Rams fans now have less than a week to wait to see regular season football again. The draft, free agency, training camp and preseason are now all behind us, as we look ahead to the visit of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Many associated with the organisation have had some ups and downs over the last few months, however some clearly more than others.

State of the Rams as Week 1 Approaches |  St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The demise of Sam Bradford put a dark cloud over the 2014 Rams. Their hopes for a breakout season diminished when Bradford suffered another ACL injury.

Hill and Instant Upgrade Over Clemens | CBS Sports

But Shaun Hill, to me, is an upgrade. Shaun Hill – to a lot of people here – is an upgrade over what you had. You kind of had to expect you might lose Bradford. You hoped that you didn’t, but the possibility was out there that you might lose him again. So Shaun Hill being here, he’s a veteran, he’s a leader, he’s got a decent arm, and he’s got great command of the huddle and the offense. Brian Schottenheimer’s offense isn’t that complicated, and he knows it back to front. So there was some devastation, but that all went away after 24 hours.

Rams’ Still Confident Offense In Good Hands |  News Observer

The last time Shaun Hill got extensive playing time was in 2010, when Matthew Stafford went down in the Detroit Lions' opener. The veteran quarterback is set to replace another high-profile starter, stepping in for Sam Bradford with the St. Louis Rams.

Vikings at Rams - Betting Odds and Prediction |  Bleacher Report

The St. Louis Rams played in the toughest division in football last year and almost went .500.  That's not too bad for a team that went 2-14 just three seasons ago and still can't keep its supposed starting quarterback healthy.

St. Louis begins its effort this season to take that next step and return to the playoffs when it hosts the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome. But the Rams have struggled in season openers, especially at the sportsbook window.

Ultimate Rams’ Fan Quiz [2004-2013] |  Ramblin’ Fan

The ten seasons between the 2004 and 2013 will be remembered among St Louis Rams fans as a decade of futility. Memories of 1 and 2 win season, Scott Linehan and Steve Spagnuolo, of high-profile draft busts, of Steven Jackson’s best years, of conveyor belts of underperforming receivers / cornerbacks / linebackers [delete as appropriate], all combine to remind fans of the frustrations of this testing time. It is a chapter of misery that we hope to put behind us - starting this Sunday.

Rams’ QB Davis Ready if Called Upon |  ESPN

In the immediate aftermath of St. Louis Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford's second season-ending ACL tear in as many seasons, the reaction for most was sympathy.

Know the Enemy - St. Louis Rams |  Vikings Territory

The Vikings open the 2014 season with a much-anticipated matchup against the St. Louis Rams. The time to obsess only over our Vikings roster is over and we must now be aware of the teams that stand between us and the 2014 playoffs.

Five Good Questions With Turf Show Times |  Daily Norseman

We asked 3k over at Turf Show Times about that, and some other things. We hope you enjoy. If you're interested, I answered some questions for them over at TST. You can find that right here, if you're so inclined.

One Time Rivals, Davis and Keenum Team Up in St. Louis |  Fox Sports

The Rams' latest addition at quarterback has a lot in common with the player he'll be challenging for a backup spot.

Rankings the NFL’s Staring Quarterbacks 1-32 |  NFL.com

Our weekly Quarterback Index will track the progress of the young guns and the old guard throughout the season. We've set up a preseason rankings below as our 2014 baseline. The rankings are an attempt to capture where each quarterback stands in the larger picture right now.

Cowboys Won’t Sell Sam Practice Squad Jerseys |  Pro Football Talk

Former Rams’ 7th round draft pick - Michael Sam - signed with the Cowboys on Wednesday, as a member of their practice squad.  Unlike the Rams, who sold plenty [one of which my wife owns], the Cowboys won’t be putting Sam’s practice squad uni’s into production.

And...you know...if you’re not doing anything at 8:30p EST this evening...football’s back. It’s whatever.