By Bernie Miklasz
04/24/2008 1:59 pm
Good evening from Rams Park…
Earlier in the day I wrote that Rams fans should get used to the idea of LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey being the team’s No. 1 choice (and second overall) in Saturday’s NFL Draft.
I rated the chance of that happening at about 80 percent, but also offered reasons why it could turn in an opposite direction.
And I promised to update if anything changed, which is what I am doing now.
Dorsey is the No. 1 player on their board, so if the Rams follow their own ratings, Dorsey is the guy.
But I am told that there is a strong pocket of support at Rams Park for Virginia defensive end Chris Long… so for the Rams fans who want Long, keep the faith, because you still have a chance.
Among those who matter at Rams Park, Dorsey has more in his corner, so I guess it just comes down to who wins the civil internal debate between now and Saturday.
I still believe Dorsey is the favorite, but someone in authority at Rams Park clearly has been aggressively leaking Long’s name to members of the national media, as the intrigue continues to build.
I’ve made the case for Dorsey, but as I wrote in Thursday’s column, I wouldn’t knock the selection of Chris Long or Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. All have impressive physical attributes and are impressive people.
Still I find this to be a curious situation, considering that the Rams have ranked Dorsey No. 1.
Perhaps it comes down to the perception that the Rams need a DE more than a DT.
Still, a team stacking a board in a certain way after months of research and meetings, then tossing out their own ranking seems a little peculiar, but the Rams continue to be one of the most eccentric organizations in professional sports.
Who knows? When I asked two questions in Thursday’s news conference to try and determine who would have the final say in the draft room in the event that there’s a split in the opinions, I couldn’t get a straight answer from VP of Personnel Billy Devaney.
As I wrote earlier, three things could scotch the Dorsey-STL connection:
1. If the Rams had any last-minute second thoughts about Dorsey’s medical issues (namely a stress fracture of his lower leg). But on Thursday, Devaney reiterated the team’s confidence in Dorsey’s viability and reminded reporters that the team had done of thorough job of investigating Dorsey’s injury history. “We exhausted eveything,” Devaney said. “And we signed off on everything about Glenn Dorsey.” Coach
Scott Linehan added that the Rams wouldn’t have a problem in playing last year’s No. 1 pick, Adam Carriker, at defensive end if they had to. Linehan pointed out that Carriker was an All-American DE at Nebraska. Carriker took most of his Rams’ rookie snaps at DT, but did see time at DE down the stretch.
2. If Rams president John Shaw insisted that the team draft another player, namely Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. Shaw likes McFadden, but isn’t going to push for Devaney, the scouts and the coaches to go with McFadden over Dorsey.
3. Of course, the Rams could be blown away by a late offer for the No. 2 overall choice… but Devaney and coach
Scott Linehan each say the offer would have to be something extraordinary to get them to move off No. 2. Devaney said he’d especially be apprehensive about sliding down as far as No. 10, where New Orleans picks. The Saints have expressed interest in the Rams’ pick. But so far, nothing close has emerged that would give the Rams second thoughts about keeping the pick and opting for Dorsey.
The dream scenario of Atlanta giving the Rams a second-round pick to move up a spot (with the Rams sliding down to No. 3 overall) seems to be a longshot. But if Atlanta really wants Dorsey (and there are conflicting reports on that), then it makes sense for the Rams to float the notion that Dorsey is their guy, hoping to lure the Falcons into a serious trade discussion.
And now we can add a fourth reason to the list of why the Rams may draft Long instead of Dorsey: it could happen if those who want Long at Rams Park ultimately prevail in the debate. And no matter what the decision is, the Rams will present a united front after the decision is made.
If anything else changes, I’ll pass it along…
–B
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