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Key Resignings: I'm not sure the number of guys that will be eligible for FA but to reiterate what most everyone else has said, I'll give you some of the key returners.
1.) OJ Atogwe: Gotta have playmakers in the D-backfield and he's our number 1 guy back there. Almost regardless of the price, pay the man.
2.) Cliff Ryan: A rising star as far as DT are concerned and a player that will be a cornerstone in our return to building the fearsome foursome.
3.) Gary Gibson: Showed promise as a rotational player in the absence of Adam Carriker early in the season should be cheap to keep and depth on the D-line is a key to Spagnulo's approach.
4.) Craig Dahl: Played well enough to keep a back up job while James Butler was injured, makes a solid special teamer and did well as a situational blitzer.
5.) Mark Setterstrom: O-line will likely be an emphasis in FA and pre-season so keeping Setterstrom makes sense as he can start and perform at an NFL level already.
(I'm sure there are more that we'll keep, these are just the key mentionables)
Free Agency: The uncapped year could be a detriment to acquiring young FA's this team will need, but these are a few players that I'm hopefull the Rams will pull in.
Chris Gocong (OLB): The Rams will be on the prowl for a legitimate playmaker to help shore up long runs. Gocong comes from that Philly D that already shares the genes as Spagnulos' system, and is a pretty solid pass covering LB as well.
Aaron Kampman (DE/OLB): Had a rough season that ended in injury after the Pack switched to their 3-4 format, but could be on the way out. Packers have plenty of LB depth already with Chillar, Matthews, Hawk et. all.
Jerious Norwood (HB): Speedster to come in and spell our prized back SJ39. Hope to see him make it over because I'm sure the Rams would rather spend picks elsewhere.
Tony Scheffler (TE): McDaniels is casting off as many of his malcontents as he can, so hopefully the asking price won't be too steep to grab up a solid pass catching (not dropping) TE.
The Draft: Much has already been made about this years draft and it's only January. Plenty will happen in the coming weeks and months, but this is just an initial look at what could shake down.
Pick 1 (3rd): With the 3rd overall pick The Rams select QB Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame. I truly believe that Suh will be a great player, but I also believe that The Bucs will give almost anything to get to him, including both of their 2nd round picks. With 5 picks in the top 3 rounds, we could fast track some rebuilding and still make a few solid moves.
Pick 2 (33rd): Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri. The Rams steal a great player at the top of the 2nd from their hometown school and a guy who will start straight away. With a possible LB corps of J-Lau and Gocong, we've got a fierce gang.
Pick 3 (35th): Brandon Ghee CB Wake Forrest. I realize this won't be a popular pick amongst you fellow Rammers, but this kid has the size we're looking for and skills to play the spot well. He shut down another popular 2nd round option (Demariyus Thomas) and still plays the run well.
Pick 4 (44th): Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech. We'll need to add an offensive playmaker to help our new QB and this kid has all the potential and promise you can ask for in a rookie. His route running is questionable, but by all accounts is a dedicated student of the game and will improve in camp.
Pick 5 (65th) Arthur Jones DT Syracuse. He's been a big time player for the Orange and we might get a shot at him here because of a season ending knee injury. Reports are that it won't be a major deal to get healthy and he may be back on the field by mini camps. If he falls here, major steal.
Pick 6 (97th) Austen Lane DE Murray State. The premier defensive player from DII football this year. Lane was a force to be reckoned with and is definately worth a look here as a guy to come in and spell Aaron Kampman.
(A second possiblity I looked at here would be to trade our 4th and one of our 5ths for Osi, assuming we don't get Kampman in FA)
Pick 7 (129th) John Jerry OG Missippi. There could be a war waged for starter at RT during the preseason and Jerry is a guy that can play anywhere along the line. Given our run of line injury victims, that's a great attribute to have.
Pick 8 (152) Sam Maxwell OLB Kentucky. A guy who had shoulder surgery to end his season in Kentucky, but a player with real upside. Good size and speed, he also has a great nose for the ball with 6 picks his last year in college. Could make good depth and special teamer.
Pick 9 (161) Chris Scott OT Tennessee. Had a rough outing against Va Tech in their bowl game, but the UT line gave up the fewest sacks in the SEC. He'll play the senior bowl, so he could rise from this spot, but if he's here, he's worth a look for depth.
Pick 10 (193) Jeff Byers OG USC. Another guy for line depth. 2nd team all PAC 10 so he has credentials.
Pick 11 (211) Jordan Lake S Baylor. Special teamer, good eye for the ball, has pretty solid size and speed too.
There you have it. I may have went a little defensive heavy, but the D wins championships, no matter how many spread offenses we come up against. Let me know what you think, I might even try another a bit later down the line!
1.) OJ Atogwe: Gotta have playmakers in the D-backfield and he's our number 1 guy back there. Almost regardless of the price, pay the man.
2.) Cliff Ryan: A rising star as far as DT are concerned and a player that will be a cornerstone in our return to building the fearsome foursome.
3.) Gary Gibson: Showed promise as a rotational player in the absence of Adam Carriker early in the season should be cheap to keep and depth on the D-line is a key to Spagnulo's approach.
4.) Craig Dahl: Played well enough to keep a back up job while James Butler was injured, makes a solid special teamer and did well as a situational blitzer.
5.) Mark Setterstrom: O-line will likely be an emphasis in FA and pre-season so keeping Setterstrom makes sense as he can start and perform at an NFL level already.
(I'm sure there are more that we'll keep, these are just the key mentionables)
Free Agency: The uncapped year could be a detriment to acquiring young FA's this team will need, but these are a few players that I'm hopefull the Rams will pull in.
Chris Gocong (OLB): The Rams will be on the prowl for a legitimate playmaker to help shore up long runs. Gocong comes from that Philly D that already shares the genes as Spagnulos' system, and is a pretty solid pass covering LB as well.
Aaron Kampman (DE/OLB): Had a rough season that ended in injury after the Pack switched to their 3-4 format, but could be on the way out. Packers have plenty of LB depth already with Chillar, Matthews, Hawk et. all.
Jerious Norwood (HB): Speedster to come in and spell our prized back SJ39. Hope to see him make it over because I'm sure the Rams would rather spend picks elsewhere.
Tony Scheffler (TE): McDaniels is casting off as many of his malcontents as he can, so hopefully the asking price won't be too steep to grab up a solid pass catching (not dropping) TE.
The Draft: Much has already been made about this years draft and it's only January. Plenty will happen in the coming weeks and months, but this is just an initial look at what could shake down.
Pick 1 (3rd): With the 3rd overall pick The Rams select QB Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame. I truly believe that Suh will be a great player, but I also believe that The Bucs will give almost anything to get to him, including both of their 2nd round picks. With 5 picks in the top 3 rounds, we could fast track some rebuilding and still make a few solid moves.
Pick 2 (33rd): Sean Weatherspoon OLB Missouri. The Rams steal a great player at the top of the 2nd from their hometown school and a guy who will start straight away. With a possible LB corps of J-Lau and Gocong, we've got a fierce gang.
Pick 3 (35th): Brandon Ghee CB Wake Forrest. I realize this won't be a popular pick amongst you fellow Rammers, but this kid has the size we're looking for and skills to play the spot well. He shut down another popular 2nd round option (Demariyus Thomas) and still plays the run well.
Pick 4 (44th): Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech. We'll need to add an offensive playmaker to help our new QB and this kid has all the potential and promise you can ask for in a rookie. His route running is questionable, but by all accounts is a dedicated student of the game and will improve in camp.
Pick 5 (65th) Arthur Jones DT Syracuse. He's been a big time player for the Orange and we might get a shot at him here because of a season ending knee injury. Reports are that it won't be a major deal to get healthy and he may be back on the field by mini camps. If he falls here, major steal.
Pick 6 (97th) Austen Lane DE Murray State. The premier defensive player from DII football this year. Lane was a force to be reckoned with and is definately worth a look here as a guy to come in and spell Aaron Kampman.
(A second possiblity I looked at here would be to trade our 4th and one of our 5ths for Osi, assuming we don't get Kampman in FA)
Pick 7 (129th) John Jerry OG Missippi. There could be a war waged for starter at RT during the preseason and Jerry is a guy that can play anywhere along the line. Given our run of line injury victims, that's a great attribute to have.
Pick 8 (152) Sam Maxwell OLB Kentucky. A guy who had shoulder surgery to end his season in Kentucky, but a player with real upside. Good size and speed, he also has a great nose for the ball with 6 picks his last year in college. Could make good depth and special teamer.
Pick 9 (161) Chris Scott OT Tennessee. Had a rough outing against Va Tech in their bowl game, but the UT line gave up the fewest sacks in the SEC. He'll play the senior bowl, so he could rise from this spot, but if he's here, he's worth a look for depth.
Pick 10 (193) Jeff Byers OG USC. Another guy for line depth. 2nd team all PAC 10 so he has credentials.
Pick 11 (211) Jordan Lake S Baylor. Special teamer, good eye for the ball, has pretty solid size and speed too.
There you have it. I may have went a little defensive heavy, but the D wins championships, no matter how many spread offenses we come up against. Let me know what you think, I might even try another a bit later down the line!
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