On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

[AvengerRam_old]

That's really it in a nutshell. March 25... the day of Sam Bradford's Pro Day workout. At that point, I'll be ready to choose.

Here's how I've broken it down.

First of all, as far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Clausen is NOT going to be my selection for the first pick overall. There have been too many QBs who have exhibitted personality "red flags" and then failed as pros. He has talent (and, I will acknowledge, is taller than I thought he was), but I would not consider investing the first pick on him.

The next debate is Suh vs. McCoy. I continue to hear that some evaluators like McCoy. Why? Because he's a better pass rusher? But Suh's peformance in college says otherwise. Because he's a better athlete? Well, that certainly didn't show at the Combine. If the Rams are going to go with a DT, for me its Suh (NOTE: If Spags were to ultimately disagree, I'd accept his judgment. In my opinion, though, its Suh hands down.)

So... its Suh or Bradford (big surprise, given the signature picture I've been sporting for a couple of weeks now).

In a perfect world, there would be some way of truly confirming Bradford's readiness. Alas, all we really have is a Pro Day workout. That will have to be enough. All I can do is wait and see if I read the words I'm looking for:

"Good velocity."

"Made all the throws."

"No lingering effects of surgery."

"Looked the part."

If the workout goes well, I know who I'd go with.

Take Bradford.

[DistantRam]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

I'm always intrigued whenever I see mention of Clausen's supposed personality issues. What are they, exactly?

[Nick]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

I'm always intrigued whenever I see mention of Clausen's supposed personality issues. What are they, exactly?

A while back, I tried to accumulate a couple of incidents that brought Clausen's maturity/attitude/personality into question...

http://www.clanram.com/forums/f85/mcshay-four-most-common-draft-mistakes-40051/#post331857

[ludairv]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

1ST BRADFORD 2ND BEST 3RD Muckleroy/ Graham (te miami)

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

He also announced his intention to attend Notre Dame at the College Football Hall of Fame after arriving in a Hummer limousine.

[DistantRam]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

A while back, I tried to accumulate a couple of incidents that brought Clausen's maturity/attitude/personality into question...

http://www.clanram.com/forums/f85/mc...51/#post331857

Thanks for the link, Nick. There's nothing on there which I haven't read elsewhere, though, and it looks to me as though McShay has some sort of vendetta against Clausen, as he never has anything positive to say about him.

So a young man rents a limousine to impress his friends. Shocking, isn't it? I've never heard of young men doing silly things. besides, it's not as if he killed someone.... He shows fire and passion in his games. We don't want that!

Let's not forget that Clausen posted some excellent numbers in his junior season while playing with a broken toe. That's all too often overlooked; indeed, McShay would probably make that a negative, too.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

So a young man rents a limousine to impress his friends. Shocking, isn't it? I've never heard of young men doing silly things. besides, it's not as if he killed someone....

I'm not suggesting that we send him to jail. I just don't want to pay him $50 million.

[RamsSB99]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

That's really it in a nutshell. March 25... the day of Sam Bradford's Pro Day workout. At that point, I'll be ready to choose.

Here's how I've broken it down.

First of all, as far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Clausen is NOT going to be my selection for the first pick overall. There have been too many QBs who have exhibitted personality "red flags" and then failed as pros. He has talent (and, I will acknowledge, is taller than I thought he was), but I would not consider investing the first pick on him.

The next debate is Suh vs. McCoy. I continue to hear that some evaluators like McCoy. Why? Because he's a better pass rusher? But Suh's peformance in college says otherwise. Because he's a better athlete? Well, that certainly didn't show at the Combine. If the Rams are going to go with a DT, for me its Suh (NOTE: If Spags were to ultimately disagree, I'd accept his judgment. In my opinion, though, its Suh hands down.)

So... its Suh or Bradford (big surprise, given the signature picture I've been sporting for a couple of weeks now).

In a perfect world, there would be some way of truly confirming Bradford's readiness. Alas, all we really have is a Pro Day workout. That will have to be enough. All I can do is wait and see if I read the words I'm looking for:

"Good velocity."

"Made all the throws."

"No lingering effects of surgery."

"Looked the part."

If the workout goes well, I know who I'd go with.

Take Bradford.

Avenger at the end of the season didn't you say something along the lines of you wanting Suh and that you would not change your mind after the season is over. I must admit I had second thoughts as well since the season has been over but I am still for Suh. So I am just curious what has changed you mind? I don't recall you putting an exception in for Bradfords health and he has not even played in a game since then.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

Avenger at the end of the season didn't you say something along the lines of you wanting Suh and that you would not change your mind after the season is over.

Well... not exactly.

I did say this:

I think Suh is the clear choice for the Rams. He is the kind of player that is so disruptive that he can elevate an entire defense. He also appears to be a good teammate and leader.

That has not changed. I would be perfectly happy if, in the end, the Rams select Suh with the first pick.

But I did also anticipate that I might waiver...

Its going to be an interesting offseason. There will be days when it might seem that Sam Bradford is the guy. Or maybe Jimmy Clausen. Or Gerald McCoy. Or Dez Bryant. Or maybe it will seem like a trade is in the works.

I guess that, since I posted all that, two things have changed:

(1) my confidence in Bradford has grown; and
(2) my confidence in the second tier QBs has diminished.

As a result, I now have Bradford closing in on Suh.

However it ends up, it will be a close call.

[sdobbers]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

I'll admit that I'm starting to like Bradford a little more (not that I didn't like him before, just liked Clausen more) and wouldn't be disappointed if we picked him. I'm just worried about putting him behind our offensive line....seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

I still think Clausen deserves another look...

[Drummerman1011]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

Clausen is not worth it at all. On top of the Hummer incident, during his high school championship game he had a problem as well as far as sportsmanship goes. I am from Sonoma County, CA. One of our high school teams Cardinal Newman made it to the title game against Jimmy Clausen's team. It was a miracle that they made it even that far.
The pre-game coin toss was happening with each of the team's captain's. Cardinal Newmans captains heard Clausen say this "Why the **** are we even playing these losers?". Then went on to almost choke and give the title game to Newman. The talent eventually won out on their side.
Jimmy Clausen may be a good QB, but he is a punk. He may say that his personality isn't like that at all, but it always has been. All the way back to his high school days as well.

[Rambunctious]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

Besides his pro day I also think Bradford's stock will rise or fall a little with how the 2nd tier pro days go.

If Colt, Pike, Lefavour and Tebow's pro days are impressive it may give the Rams a feeling that they can get Suh and still nab the future qb at 33.

[Bralidore(RAMMODE)]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

Ive heard Clausen was a punk as well. Even Demarco Farr said this when he met Clausen coming out fo highschool. What I havent heard however, is that he has been a punk recently. People grow up as they get older, and it seems Clausen has grown up considerably at Notre DAme. All these incidents I heard about are about Clausen coming out of highschool and as a freshman. Now all his teamates says hes a cool guy, and Ive not heard about any recent incidents that warrant a red flag. You can't expect a guy to walk on water and be Jesus in personality and demeanor. I've not once heard about him saying negative things or being negative around his own teammates. I like guys who come and give the middle finger to the other team on gameday.

We can be friends off the field, on the field however, you are my worst enemy and im gonna kick your arse all day.

That's how I always approached it. I also used to stare guys down with an angry face on. Nature of the game people.

That being said, there is no way I take Clausen number 1 overall. I'd take him at 20 or later though.

[39thebeast]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

When I look at the offseason Bradford is best possible option. Only legit Franchise QB available. Vick, McNabb, and other like them are old and cost valuable draft picks. Not alot of teams are putting young QBs we would want on the block. Its a consensus opinion after Bradford and Claussen there is no bonified starting QB material in this draft. If Bradford cements his status as a franchise QB I think he should be the pick and the Rams will select him

[ludairv]

Re: On March 25, my choice for the Rams will be...

yep i think so too, and with the right free agency moves and later round picks they can really form more of the Spags' vision....i have all the faith in the world for spags' eye for defensive talent , and i think it wil pay huge dividends in the later rounds....