[RamWraith]

By Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/26/2008

If this were politics instead of football, the Glenn Dorsey or Chris Long decision would be too close to call.

Rams officials, personnel scouts and coaches have reviewed and debated the plusses and minuses of the LSU defensive tackle (Dorsey) and the Virginia defensive end (Long).

And as of late Friday night, there was no clear-cut choice leading into today's NFL draft.

At deadline, this is what I know:


— More than anything, the Rams would like to move out of the No. 2 spot, but can't find a viable trade partner. Why do the Rams want to move down? Simply: value for the dollar. The second overall pick will receive something in the neighborhood of $30 million in guaranteed money. In the best-case scenario, the Rams could move down a spot, or a few, and get Dorsey, Long or Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston — while saving millions in guaranteed dollars.

— The phones were quiet Friday. Atlanta, which has the No. 3 pick, hasn't tugged at the Rams' bait. Why? For the same reason the Rams want to get out of the No. 2 hole: the amount of money that must be invested in the choice, when a player of roughly equal value can be tabbed a little later but for a lot less money.

— Dorsey is the highest-rated player on their board, but not by a wide margin over Long.

— The Rams consider Dorsey to be the player of greater potential and believe he's the most disruptive force in the draft. But he also carries more risk because of medical concerns over his leg and back. They view Long as the slightly lesser talent — but he's considered the safer choice, and the pick that fills a more immediate need.

— The Rams will probably hold off on a final determination for as long as possible, hoping that a suitor makes a late run at that No. 2 spot.

— If the Rams stay at No. 2 and use the pick, Long is the slight favorite.

But it's too close to call.