Rams report: Inside slant
April 22, 2006
The Sports Xchange
There has yet to be a formal announcement, but it appears running back Marshall Faulk will return for another season, even after undergoing minor surgeries recently on both his knees.
"I think he had some loose bodies that needed to be cleaned out," coach Scott Linehan said. "Nothing serious. The older you get, the more time it takes just to kind of get them back to 100%. You've got to manage them. You can't take every (practice) snap like you used to. And the offseason's different. It's like you've got to heal up first."
As for Faulk continuing to play, Linehan said, "I don't think it's changed. I know he's every positive about it. I still expect him back. I really do."
On a chat with ESPN.com, Faulk was asked about his knee and said, it was "doing pretty well. I haven't done a lot but am getting into rehab now, maybe a week or two away from the rigorous portion."
While Faulk was not cleared to participate in the pre-draft minicamp, he was also absent because of a personal matter.
Said Linehan, "I did talk to Marshall and he did have a conflict. He is the one person that is confirmed that has a conflict for this particular minicamp. Plus he is not cleared to do anything anyway, so I OK'd that." DRAFT
STRATEGY:
Had the Rams lost to the Dallas Cowboys on the final night of the regular season last January, they would be selecting eighth instead of 11th in the first round of the April 29 draft.
If that were the case, they would have a much better idea of what direction they will go with the choice, and it would give them a better chance of landing the impact player they want, like tight end Vernon Davis or linebacker A.J. Hawk.
Their presence at No. 11 is almost in no-man's land. While there are good players, there are questions whether the value they would get there is worthwhile.
It's why the Rams are considering an aggressive approach to a possible trade that would perhaps land them in the top five.
The unknown is what the price would be to get as high as they need. With numerous indications the ***** are targeting Davis in the sixth spot, the Rams would have to get to the fifth choice to land him.
But it's also not out of the question that the Rams are considering a bold move to wind up with defensive end Mario Williams.
If the Rams prove unsuccessful in moving up and let the draft come to them, which is their usual approach, there have been rumblings they will not rule out taking a quarterback if Jay Cutler slips to No. 11.
While
Marc Bulger is under contract for two more seasons, he has been affected by three shoulder injuries the last two seasons.
Still, it seems a longshot that Linehan would go in that direction in his first draft.
The logical strategy would be to trade down, obviously if a viable partner can be found. That could have a better chance of occurring if Cutler or even Vince Young hasn't been selected.
Should the Rams end up picking at No. 11, they could go in several directions. Their best hope there is that Texas defensive back Michael Huff is available, which assumes Davis and Hawk are off the board.
While there is debate whether Huff will wind up at cornerback or safety, the reality with the Rams is they need both, which could make him an ideal fit. Fans shudder at the notion the Rams could add a defensive tackle like Haloti Ngata or Brodrick Bunkley, only because Damione Lewis and Jimmy Kennedy were each 12th overall picks and didn't live to that billing.
Kennedy still has a chance, but Lewis signed with Carolina in the early days of free agency.
But the Rams need depth inside, making a first-round defensive tackle a possibility, along with a cornerback or linebacker.
No matter what happens in the first round, the Rams are expected to come out of the first day with three players from four potential positions:
tight end, linebacker, defensive lineman and defensive back.