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Random Ramsdom: February 9: St. Louis Rams - The Calm Before The Storm

It's pretty quiet in Ramsland this time of the year. The action will be heating up in the coming weeks, as the new league year (beginning March 10) draws nearer. The Rams will have many decisions to make regarding their salary cap situation, their own pending Free Agents, and possible Free Agent targets from other teams.

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Twitter Talk

Offseason playtime...I sure hope that knee is coming along fine and healing:

The oddsmaker's are banking on an improved Rams team next season:

The offseason has begun in earnest...quite the stash:

Oh well...one less option for the Rams' offensive line :)

A wasted pick if I've ever seen one:

Rams shouldn't have many salary cap problems: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

2015 NFL Salary Cap: How Will It Affect The St. Louis Rams?: Turf Show Times

ICYMI, this was my initial look at the Rams' salary cap situation entering the offseason. Little has changed in the interim. I've included Jim Thomas's analysis for comparative purposes. On Tuesday, I take an in-depth look at Sam Bradford's contract, and what it may look like after it's (possibly) renegotiated. Stay tuned.

Will the Rams finally finish over .500 in 2015?: Pro Football Talk

Mike Florio and the rest of the PFT crew discuss the Rams' chances of a winning season in 2015.

St. Louis Rams Offseason Priority List: Ramblin' Fan

No surprises here. Dealing with the OL and QB positions rank very high on the Rams' priority list this offseason. Can they accomplish everything they need to in one offseason?

How Far Will Marcus Mariota Fall Before The NFL Draft?: Grantland

The likelihood of QB Marcus Mariota falling to the Rams at Number 10 in the upcoming NFL draft isn't very high. Should the Rams select him if does fall to Number 10? If he falls to Number 5, should the Rams make an attempt to trade up for him?

Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: LB - Eric Kendricks - UCLA

NFP Prospect Focus: Andrus Peat and Donovan Smith: National Football Post

Greg Gabriel takes an in-depth look at a pair of offensive tackles who may be of interest to the Rams come draft-day in April.

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football

Charlie Campbell updates his three-round mock draft. The Rams select OT Brandon Scherff in the first round, followed by OLB Shaq Thompson and QB Garrett Grayson.

Dirt is turning in Inglewood; Stadium up next?: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Looks like the development project in L.A. is moving ahead full-bore:

"This is ‘Field of Dreams’ stuff. Build it and they will come."

Why Warner, Pace didn't make it: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bernie Miklasz was a participant in the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection meeting. He gives us an insiders look into the voting process, and explains why Kurt Warner and Orlando Pace didn't make it into the Hall in their first year of eligibility.

Stat Facts Of The Week: Bendability

Rank Team Yds Pts YPPA
1 Arizona 5891 299 19.70
2 Kansas City 5288 281 18.82
3 Houston 5571 307 18.15
4 Baltimore 5381 302 17.82
5 New England 5506 313 17.59
6 Cleveland 5857 337 17.38
7 Buffalo 4988 289 17.26
8 Detroit 4815 282 17.07
9 Seattle 4271 254 16.82
10 Cincinnati 5749 344 16.71
11 Dallas 5681 352 16.14
12 Minnesota 5515 343 16.08
13 Green Bay 5541 348 15.92
14 St. Louis 5626 354 15.89
15 San Diego 5412 348 15.55
16 Pittsburgh 5654 368 15.36
17 Atlanta 6372 417 15.28
18 San Francisco 5143 340 15.13
19 N.Y. Giants 6012 400 15.03
20 Philadelphia 6008 400 15.02
21 Indianapolis 5481 369 14.85
22 Miami 5494 373 14.73
23 Carolina 5437 374 14.54
24 Jacksonville 5932 412 14.40
25 Tampa Bay 5901 410 14.39
26 New Orleans 5866 409 14.34
27 Denver 4883 354 13.79
28 Tennessee 5968 438 13.63
29 Chicago 5591 411 13.60
30 N.Y. Jets 5235 401 13.05
31 Washington 5712 438 13.04
32 Oakland 5721 452 12.66

Think of Bendability as a way to quantify the phenomenon of the "bend but don’t break defense" while also measuring how well teams play in "situational football". The Bendability Index is not merely a defensive indicator. It is a team-wide measurement of ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard. It takes into account a variety of factors, including: Offensive proficiency, special teams, field position, red zone defense, and turnover differential. Teams that rank highly in Bendability are typically smart, efficient, well-coached teams.
Bendability = Yards allowed/Points Allowed = Yards Per Point Allowed (YPPA).

All stats and descriptions are courtesy of Cold Hard Football Facts.

St. Louis Rams Fans Being Ran Through The Wringer: insidestl.com

As Shane Gray notes, it's not easy being a Rams fan:

"In regard to both on and off field issues and circumstances, the list of negatives that Rams Nation has been dealt during the past decade plus seems almost endless."

A case for wide receiver at No. 10: Ramblin' Fan

Could the Rams draft DeVante Parker, Amari Cooper or Kevin White if one of them is available at No. 10?

Michael Sam applies for spot at NFL's first-ever veteran combine: CBS Sports

One year later, has Michael Sam been frozen out of the NFL?: SB Nation - Outsports

Since the NFL season ended, 25 defensive ends have been signed to reserve/futures contracts by NFL teams. Michael Sam hasn't even been on a practice squad since after Week 7 (with the Cowboys). Has Sam been frozen out of the NFL?

A closer look at the NFL Draft's No. 10 pick and the Rams: ESPN NFL Nation

The last time the Rams had the No. 10 pick in the draft was in 1993, where they selected RB Jerome Bettis. Can the Rams duplicate that quality result in the upcoming draft?

Will the Rams be aggressive in Free Agency?: 101 Sports

Explaining NFL Free Agent Designations: Over The Cap

The Rams have 14 players eligible for Free Agency on March 10. OTC breaks down the various Free Agent designations.

2015 NFL Draft: Bryce Petty Scouting Report: NFL Mocks

Could Baylor QB Bryce Petty be an option for the Rams in the middle rounds of the upcoming draft?

NFC West offseason: USA Today

Lorenzo Reyes takes a brief look at how the offseason is shaping up for the 4 teams in the NFC West.

St. Louis Rams: Talking points for silly season: Ramblin' Fan

Who will be cut? What will happen at QB? Are the Rams moving to L.A.? What will the Rams do with the Number 10 pick in the NFL draft?

On This Day In Sports History

1960 - The AFL and NFL agree verbally to a "no tampering" pact.

2002 - In the NFL Pro Bowl, the AFC defeats the NFC 38-30.

Are the Rams all in on Sam Bradford for 2015? And Foles Is Not Available: 101 Sports

Looking at Frank Cignetti's OC history: ESPN NFL Nation

Nick Wagoner examines Frank Cignetti's coaching career and his experience as an OC.

St. Louis Rams admit failure by settling for Frank Cignetti as OC: Bleacher Report

Should the hiring of Frank Cignetti Jr. as the Rams' offensive coordinator be considered a failure in any respect?

Stefen Wisniewski likely asking for mid-level center salary, looks headed for free agency: Silver and Black Pride

I believe the Rams should take a run at him in free agency. $3.5 million per year.

St. Louis Rams Current Roster And Depth Chart

C Scott Wells Barrett Jones Tim Barnes Demetrius Rhaney
RG Davin Joseph Brandon Washington
LG Rodger Saffold Travis Bond
RT Joe Barksdale Mike Person Steven Baker
LT Greg Robinson Jake Long
TE Lance Kendricks Cory Harkey Justice Cunningham Brad Smelley
TE Jared Cook Alex Bayer Mason Brodine
WR Kenny Britt Brian Quick Chris Givens Damian Williams
WR Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey Emory Blake Devon Wylie
RB Tre Mason Chase Reynolds Trey Watts
RB Benny Cunningham Zac Stacy Isaiah Pead
QB Sam Bradford Shaun Hill Austin Davis
PK Greg Zuerlein
P John Hekker Michael Palardy
LS Jake McQuaide
DT Aaron Donald Kendall Langford Doug Worthington
DT Michael Brockers Alex Carrington
DE Chris Long William Hayes
DE Robert Quinn Eugene Sims Ethan Westbrooks
MLB James Laurinaitis Daren Bates Marshall McFadden
OLB Alec Ogletree Korey Toomer
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Will Herring
CB Janoris Jenkins Marcus Roberson Brandon McGee
CB Trumaine Johnson E.J. Gaines Lamarcus Joyner
SS T.J. McDonald Mark Barron Maurice Alexander
FS Rodney McLeod Cody Davis Christian Bryant

St. Louis Rams Eligible Free Agents

Position Player FA Status
C Tim Barnes RFA
G Davin Joseph UFA
RT Joe Barksdale UFA
OL Brandon Washington ERFA
OL Mike Person UFA
WR Kenny Britt UFA
TE Lance Kendricks UFA
TE Cory Harkey ERFA
RB Chase Reynolds ERFA
QB Shaun Hill UFA
QB Austin Davis RFA
LB Will Herring UFA
DT Alex Carrington UFA
S Rodney McLeod RFA

Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: AC/DC - Highway To Hell

Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!