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Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

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  • #1

    Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

    11.11.2009 1:16 pm
    2009 Rams’ draft do-over … who would you take?
    By Roger Hensley


    THE WATERCOOLER

    QUESTION: Hindsight is always 20/20 … but perhaps not so much with the 2009 NFL draft class. If you could go back in time and reselect the Rams No. 2 overall pick, who would you have selected based on the first-half performance of the rookies this season?

    JIM THOMAS
    I was intrigued by the prospect of LB Aaron Curry, but have no problem with OT Jason Smith. But James Laurinaitis has worked out fine at LB as a second-round pick. And I wonder if Sanchez truly is a franchise-type quarterback.

    BERNIE MIKLASZ
    Well, I’ll be consistent and stay with what I said at the time: QB Mark Sanchez. I didn’t have a problem with the choice of OT Jason Smith. I believe Smith will be a terrific offensive tackle in the NFL and anchor the offensive line for a long time. But Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo can’t fully implement their program until they install a quarterback who will be their long-term starter. Sanchez was the ideal fit for a West Coast offense. He’s certainly had some struggles during his rookie season, but that doesn’t mean much if you pay attention to history. Many Hall of Fame quarterbacks came out of the gate slowly as young NFL starters. The Rams could have used this season as a way to slowly ease a rookie QB into the offense to get him some work and experience. Instead, if they draft a QB in 2010, which is something we can expect, 2010 will be a developmental season for the rookie QB. In other words, the Rams will have wasted a year in beginning the inevitable process. And for those pining for Keith Null: internally he is not viewed as a long-term answer at QB for the Rams. Sorry.

    JEFF GORDON
    If the Rams had taken LB Aaron Curry, they probably wouldn’t have taken James Laurinaitis. But Curry’s early returns for Seattle were awesome. He looks like a home-run hitter on the defensive side, a game-changer. The Rams could have landed a tackle in the second round and possibly come out ahead. Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford have promise at QB, but both would be losing game after game here — and perhaps developing bad habits.

    KATHLEEN NELSON
    “Based on first-half performance?” Percy Harvin looks like a good pick. He’s made an immediate impact in the offense and on special teams with the Vikings; two kickoff returns for TDs, 369 receiving yards, 3 TD catches. Maybe it helps to have Brett Favre throwing to you, though. I’m not dissing Jason Smith, though. I think he could grow into an anchor on the offensive line. He just hasn’t been as fast out of the blocks or as visible as Harvin.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

    I think for now I would use that do-over to actually pick the same 2 players that we did with our first 2 picks. Laurinaitis is playing as well as Curry and for a lot less money. Jason Smith the jury is still out on as far as I'm concerned - he has not had Orlando Pace like impact right away (would be nice if every top 5 OT did - but that's not usually the case) but he hasn't yet shown himself to be the wrong pick either. So far I think for the first 2 picks OT & MLB were the right positions and Smith & Laurinaitis were the right players.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

      Before the draft I was advocating selecting Sanchez with the idea of trading him to a QB-hungry team for a mess of picks and such. If we did not get an offer that was sufficient, then I would have by all means kept Mr. Sanchez for our future QB. I agree with Bernie that he is tailor-made for the WCO and I believe he will only get better and better from here on out.

      Also, it turned out that Eben Britton WAS available when we picked in the 2nd round so we could have got our OT at that point. However,having said that, I still think that Jason Smith will develop into a dominanat player in the long run.

      WHAT SAY YE?

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

        Curry.... Could have had right tackle in the latter rounds. And for less money
        than a left tackle.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

          Mark Sanchez

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

            I like what the Rams did with their 1st two picks. I agree with Bernie's assessment of Jason Smith- he is a guy who's had a few rough spots early on, but he's shown enough to suggest he could be a guy who'll play at a high level for quite some time. Laurinaitis is a guy I hope to root for for the next 8-9 years, and the early returns on him are excellent.

            Unless the guy's Lawrence Taylor, taking an LB with the number two pick was not the way I'd have gone- and Laurinaitis' production should not have guys drooling over Aaron Curry. And I wasn't particularly high on Mark Sanchez at the time because I thought Bulger would have it together this year.

            But let's not go there....

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

              I don't think I would have changed anything about the 1st two picks either. I think both Smith and JL are long term building blocks for this team. No matter who was picked in those spots they weren't going to come in here and make this team a playoff contender in one year. I think they fit nicely into Spags long term plan to BUILD a winning franchise. Hopefully they can go out this year in the draft and get a couple of more successful pieces to the puzzle.
              sigpic

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              • #8
                Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                I don't know how Eugene Monroe is doing this year, as the only time I've watched him is when we played Jacksonville and he completely shut out Chris Long. I've noticed that Michael Oher has been playing pretty sharp so far. However, since Smith has been gone with an injury, it's unfair to judge him and certainly way too early to. I like the Laurinaitis pick, however, the only thing I wasn't too keen on him before the draft was that he's not very aggressive, doesn't hit very hard, and doesn't have much upside as Curry or the USC trio. But, the jury is still out. We'll see how they develop and play.

                I'm satisfied with these two picks.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                  Originally posted by NJ Ramsfan1 View Post
                  I like what the Rams did with their 1st two picks.
                  So do I. We needed a LT for the future and Jason Smith has the measurables as well as the hunger to succeed. He's a team first guy as well, willing to do whatever is asked of him. He's going to be a great player IMO.

                  And Laurinaitis? What's not to love? He's stepped right in and calls the plays for the defense, is a solid tackler, and a playmaker. His 56 tackles, 3 passes defended and 2 int's more than measure up to Curry's 44 tackles, 3 passes defended, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

                  I wouldn't change a thing.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                    Originally posted by r8rh8rmike View Post
                    So do I. We needed a LT for the future and Jason Smith has the measurables as well as the hunger to succeed. He's a team first guy as well, willing to do whatever is asked of him. He's going to be a great player IMO.

                    And Laurinaitis? What's not to love? He's stepped right in and calls the plays for the defense, is a solid tackler, and a playmaker. His 56 tackles, 3 passes defended and 2 int's more than measure up to Curry's 44 tackles, 3 passes defended, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

                    I wouldn't change a thing.
                    we all know I wasnt a fan of Smith at #2, and Im still not. When we draft for that specific position and that draft spot-- that person has to come in and make an immediate impact (IE Thomas/Long from the prior years at LT) IMO Last years LT selections werent the same calibre as the prior years, and I still stand by my Curry pick. (2 sacks!!! lol three at least some pass rush there)

                    Perhaps having the impact OLB of Curry lined to the outside of Clong would help to free up Long? dunno, but out LT of the future could have been looked this year, or have been attempted in rd 2 of '09.

                    Or I would have traded down to try to get 2 1st round picks-- and if that were the case, I would have taken Oher and Malaunga.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                      Originally posted by punahou View Post
                      we all know I wasnt a fan of Smith at #2, and Im still not. When we draft for that specific position and that draft spot-- that person has to come in and make an immediate impact (IE Thomas/Long from the prior years at LT) IMO Last years LT selections werent the same calibre as the prior years, and I still stand by my Curry pick. (2 sacks!!! lol three at least some pass rush there)

                      Perhaps having the impact OLB of Curry lined to the outside of Clong would help to free up Long? dunno, but out LT of the future could have been looked this year, or have been attempted in rd 2 of '09.

                      Or I would have traded down to try to get 2 1st round picks-- and if that were the case, I would have taken Oher and Malaunga.

                      Smith has come in and made an immediate impact at right tackle. Have you not seen the run blocking we are getting on that right side? Its ridiculous.
                      @EssexRam_

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                        I bet if you put this question to the Seahawks fans, they would have said that they wished they had gone for an O lineman or QB.. I really like what we did in the Draft, Smith really came out against the Lions, hes going to be GOOD and James is going to be a star in the middle for years....


                        steve:ram:
                        "The breakfast Club":helmet:

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Round Two: 2009 Rams Draft Do-Over...Who Would You Take?

                          You know, I was high on Monroe and thought we would take him, but I wouldn't change our picks, especially the Laurinaitis pick. There's no reason to question our picks at all so far. Smith has been competing at a high level, and Laurinaitis has immediately stepped in and anchored our defense.

                          Ask me again in 2 1/2 years, and I'll probably tell you the same thing.

                          Comment

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                          • RamsSB99
                            And with the first pick, the Rams should take …
                            by RamsSB99
                            STLToday
                            By Roger Hensley
                            4/24/2009

                            THE WATERCOOLER

                            QUESTION: After weeks of talking about it, the NFL draft finally begins tomorrow. Rather than predicting who the St. Louis Rams will take, I’d like you to put your GM hat on. If you were running the Rams draft, who would you take with the No. 2 pick and why?

                            JIM THOMAS
                            All signs point to the Rams taking a tackle. But Aaron Curry is the best player in the draft. The Wake Forest linebacker would bring attitude, leadership and charisma to a defense lacking in all of those areas. He’d be my pick.

                            BERNIE MIKLASZ
                            I would take USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, because he’s ideal to run the West Coast offense and he displays outstanding leadership qualities. He’s an ideal fit and the Rams can’t be sure they’ll have such an attractive option at QB in the 2010 Draft. In the end, though, the Rams will decide to make one more attempt at reviving Marc Bulger. And they’ll make the safer, more pragmatic choice by grabbing Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith.

                            BRYAN BURWELL
                            I would go offensive tackle, and I’d be happy with either Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe. I want to get massive up front to dominate games. I would probably go OT in second or third round, too. I want enormous folks whose entire families are big-boned too.

                            JEFF GORDON
                            Going against conventional wisdom, I would select Aaron Curry and stick him in the middle of that defense. The Rams have a woeful linebacker corps beyond Will Witherspoon. Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive-minded coach who knows how to maximize his talent on that side of the ball. Then I would take an offensive tackle with the second pick — and I would look to move up into the first round to get a little more quality there. There is risk in doing that, since the better tackles will leave the board. But it is a risk worth taking.

                            KATHLEEN NELSON
                            Eugene Monroe: I’ll confess that I haven’t watched film, but the scouts who have seem to give Monroe the edge as a pass blocker over Jason Smith. I’m sure either will develop into an anchor for the offensive line, but the recurring image of Marc Bulger on his back or side, writhing in pain, makes me think pass protection is a more urgent need. Just don’t expect either Monroe or Smith next year to be Orlando Pace in his prime.

                            GERRY FRALEY
                            USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, in a heartbeat. The Rams are not going to win with Marc Bulger. He has taken a horrific beating and is regressing. Bulger also lacks the aura of a big-time quarterback. No need to worry about that with Sanchez. He’s good and knows it, which is not all bad when it comes to a quarterback.
                            -04-24-2009, 04:33 PM
                          • RamDez
                            Rams need to show courage in the draft
                            by RamDez
                            Bernie Miklasz
                            ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
                            Thursday, Apr. 23 2009
                            The Rams' new management regime faces a crucial test in this weekend's NFL
                            draft. For the second consecutive year, the Rams have the No. 2 overall choice.
                            And here's the question: Will the franchise's football leaders buckle up and go
                            for what they really want, rather than opting to play it safe?

                            In 2008, the Rams circumvented risk by drafting Virginia defensive end Chris
                            Long at No. 2 overall, even though they had LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey
                            rated higher. Less than 48 hours before the draft, the Rams' board was adjusted
                            to make Long's grade roughly equal to Dorsey's.

                            The crew in the draft room also resisted team President John Shaw's urging to
                            take a close look at Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. The Rams stayed true
                            to Long and Atlanta grabbed Ryan with the No. 3 overall selection.

                            I had no problem with the Rams taking Long. He'll be a very good player in the
                            NFL. But I will always wonder if the Rams took Long for the wrong reasons.

                            When it comes time to make the big decision Saturday, I hope that Rams GM Billy
                            Devaney and associates follow the strength of their convictions rather than cop
                            out and settle for a noncontroversial choice.

                            The conventional wisdom is that the Rams must absolutely, positively draft an
                            offensive tackle — either Jason Smith (Baylor) or Eugene Monroe (Virginia).

                            Not so fast ...

                            Look, if Devaney, the scouts and the coaches truly believe that Smith or Monroe
                            is the second-best player in this draft then they should go with it. But don't
                            take an OT at No. 2 overall for the wrong reason.

                            You don't draft one of these guys just because Orlando Pace's time in St. Louis
                            came to a close. You don't draft Smith or Monroe because you are thin at the
                            position. And you certainly don't draft Smith or Monroe because you subscribe
                            to the misguided theory that it's imperative to use a premium pick to secure a
                            cornerstone left tackle.

                            True, the 1999 Rams (with Pace) and the 2000 Baltimore Ravens (Jonathan Ogden)
                            won Super Bowls with left tackles chosen among the top three overall.

                            But among more recent Super Bowl champions, only the 2006 Indianapolis Colts
                            had a starting offensive tackle (Tarik Glenn) who was drafted in the first
                            round.

                            Matt Light started for New England's three Super Bowl champions as well as
                            their 16-0 team in 2007; Light was a second-round draft pick, No. 48 overall.

                            The 2007 New York Giants' left tackle was a fifth-round draft pick, David
                            Diehl. The 2002 Tampa Bay Bucs started a third-round choice, Roman Oben, at LT.
                            The 2005 and 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowls with either Marvel Smith
                            (second...
                            -04-23-2009, 02:40 AM
                          • Bruce=GOAT
                            Draft last 3 years and its impact on the current team
                            by Bruce=GOAT
                            I am not exactly a draft guru like Mel Kiper Jr or Mike Mayock or Nick, but thinking back to tonights game really gets me thinking about the yearly draft and all the high picks the Rams have made that are key contributers today.

                            Going back the last 3 years look at what the Rams have added:
                            QB Sam Bradford--hands down ROY winner, broke records and took every snap
                            LT Rodger Saffold--Allowed only 2 sacks all season at the toughest pos on OL
                            RT Jason Smith--Solid anchor and run blocking beast at RT
                            DE Chris Long--Run stuffer, gets off the ball well and torments the QB
                            CB Bradley Fletcher--4 ints and a very solid corner and still young
                            WR Donnie Avery--Burner who will stretch the field when healthy
                            MLB James Lauriniatis--100 plus tackles and unquestionable leader on def

                            This shows what an amazing job the Rams have done in the draft recently. If you go back the past few years, the only real home run the Rams were able to hit was in 05 drafting Atogwe and Bartell in rounds 2,3 respectively. However, Alex Barron was the Rams 1st rounder that year and including him, no player drafted in 06, 07 are on the team today.
                            So in summation, the Rams have added solid bookend tackles, a franchise QB, an amazing MLB, a potential solid track-star WR, a great DE and solid CB in the last 3 years.

                            Kudos to the front office and Billy D!
                            -01-03-2011, 03:11 AM
                          • RamDez
                            Rams Have to Tackle This Draft
                            by RamDez
                            Rams Have to Tackle This Draft
                            By Howard Balzer
                            Friday, April 24, 2009


                            Everybody has an opinion. And nowhere is that more true than the NFL draft. In baseball, we second-guess the manager because we all think we could make decisions just as good as they do.


                            In football, we second-guess the talent evaluators because we read a draft book and believe we know as much about picking players as they do. At this time of year, people that have never watched a minute of game tape in their lives scream and yell at the TV set because they believe their team “reached” for someone they never should have picked.


                            Of course, what emboldens everyone is the inescapable fact that many players selected never live up to the expectations heaped upon them as a first-round pick. And somehow, that means the team picking that player made “a mistake.”


                            What is overlooked in the unending effort to assess blame is another inescapable fact: The player picked by your favorite team that flopped would have been picked by somebody else. The truth is some players have peaked in college, while others simply don’t have the passion for the game necessary to compete at a high level on a consistent basis.


                            So it is that the Rams are ready to draft this weekend, the first one with general manager Billy Devaney in charge and with Steve Spagnuolo as head coach. Once again, everyone has an opinion. Many say the Rams have to pick a tackle like Jason Smith because teams are built from the inside out. One of the guys saying the latter consistently has been Spagnuolo. Others want the Rams to select linebacker Aaron Curry. Still others point to wide receivers Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin, or quarterback Mark Sanchez.


                            What’s somewhat odd are the reasons being given for some of the opinions. There are those that say the Rams shouldn’t pick Smith or Eugene Monroe because they aren’t as good as Orlando Pace was when he was selected No. 1 overall in 1997. How that’s relevant escapes me. Using the same logic, the Rams shouldn’t take Curry because he isn’t as good as Ray Lewis or Lawrence Taylor, or Sanchez because he’s not Peyton Manning.


                            The reality is that teams can only select the players available. How they compare to other players in the past doesn’t matter. What’s also odd about the infatuation many have with Curry is that the fact he would be switching positions is being ignored. For several years, Rams fans have said the team should move Will Witherspoon from middle linebacker to the outside because he is better on the outside. Yet, somehow it supposedly makes sense to pick Curry second, pay him more than $20 million in guaranteed money, and put him in the middle, a position he didn’t play in college and where he won’t be as good as he would be on the outside.


                            The other reality is that NFL defenses simply don’t feature...
                            -04-24-2009, 12:54 PM
                          • RamDez
                            Quick hits
                            by RamDez
                            on Jason Smith
                            By Roger Hensley

                            Here’s what Post-Dispatch writers had to say about the Rams’ selection of Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft:
                            JIM THOMAS, Post-Dispatch football writer:
                            Although not the sexiest pick, taking Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith at No. 2 overall makes all the sense in the world for the Rams. Smith will be an instant starter and he has the kind of aggressive attitude that will eventually make him a leader on the line. The Rams couldn’t afford to wait till the second round for an OT; that was simply too big a risk given a tackle class that is thinner at the top than in recent years.
                            BRYAN BURWELL, Post-Dispatch sports columnist:
                            GM Billy Devaney worked hard to generate smokescreen that they wanted QB Mark Sanchez, but the reality is they made the only call that makes sense.
                            JEFF GORDON, STLtoday.com sports columnist:
                            How boring was this? The Rams tried to drum up interest in the second overall draft pick, but the trade-up was too pricey for even the biggest Mark Sanchez lovers. So Billy Devaney went ahead and drafted the tackle with the greatest athletic potential, Jason Smith. It’s hard to argue with, since Alex Barron and Adam Goldberg are currently the No. 1 tackles on this team. Just as Chis Long was the safest pick last year, Smith was the safest pick in this spot. It’s dull for the media, but best for the team.
                            BILL COATS, Post-Dispatch football writer:
                            I don’t like the pick, mainly because I’d never take a tackle No. 2 overall unless convinced that he was the next Orlando Pace. I would’ve preferred linebacker Aaron Curry. That move would’ve set the defense for new coach Steve Spagnuolo.
                            KATHLEEN NELSON, Post-Dispatch staff writer:
                            I like the pick because it’s safe. What’s wrong with being safe? Scouts seemed to think that Smith was the best run blocker in the draft, so Stephen Jackson should be happy. It also sends a good message to Marc Bulger that the team is willing to protect him, rather than bring in Mark Sanchez to challenge him right off the bat.
                            ________________________________________
                            MLB Laurinaitis a strong pick in second round
                            By Roger Hensley

                            THE WATERCOOLER
                            QUESTION: With the St. Louis Rams’ second pick (35th overall and No. 3 in Round 2), the team selected Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis. What are you thoughts on this selection?
                            JIM THOMAS
                            When North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks went off the board late in the first round, the team’s hopes of landing a wideout in Round 2 were scuttled. Although not a thumper, Laurinaitis is a nice consolation prize for a defense that needs all the help it can get.
                            BILL COATS
                            Very good pick. He’s a legitimate three-down linebacker, as opposed to USC’s Maualuga, and will fill a major need at middle linebacker.
                            BRYAN BURWELL
                            This second pick couldn’t have worked out any...
                            -04-26-2009, 01:31 AM
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