Devaney on Rams trading pick

[TheRammer]

Devaney: Rams not discussing blockbuster draft trade with Bucs

NFL.com

St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney denied Internet reports that the team was discussing a trade to send the No. 1 overall draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for first- and third-round selections and quarterback Josh Johnson.




"I am being completely honest when I say I have not talked to anyone in Tampa Bay," Devaney said Monday during a chat with fans on the Rams' official Web site. "I'm not saying that won't happen at some point but to date there is absolutely nothing going on."
The Rams could be eyeing a quarterback to replace longtime starter Marc Bulger, who sparked rumors that he was heading out of town last week when he cleaned out his locker. The Rams refuted that at the time, and NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported Thursday that the team isn't in a hurry to make a decision on Bulger.
"There was nothing to Bulger cleaning out his locker," Devaney said during the chat Monday. "Once the season is over, there is a general cleaning of the locker room itself and everyone's locker is cleaned out. Marc is still part of this team."

[NJ Ramsfan1]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

Usually denials mean nothing- how many times have we heard someone in sports deny something only to later find out it was completely accurate? However, since Devaney emphatically stated 'he's being completely honest" about not speaking with Tampa, I believe him.

Doesn't mean the issue won't be visited down the road, however!

[tomahawk247]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I think Devaney is being honest in saying he hasnt had discussions with Tampa, because quite frankly its a long time away from the draft. We havent even had the combine yet, so definitely way too early to be discussing trades.
Im glad too, because i didnt like the deal that was proposed

Im also glad to see they are holding off on making a decision on Bulger. Due to the lack of options likely available in free agency or through trade, Bulger may turn out to be the best QB we can get.

[Ahmedrams81]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I was reading his chat on stlouisrams.com where he also said that he has never spoken with anyone from Tampa. I'm really curious to see what goes down with this number one pick.

[AlphaRam]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

So who in the Rams organization has been speaking with the Bucs?

[BigGameTH]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I actually thought Devaney's statement:
"We had really high grades on Jason before the combine. I can honestly say that I don't have any idea what his workout at the combine was like. We will not use the combine to change our grades on a player."

I had never heard that before. I always thought we put a decent amount of weight in the combine. It seems like Kiper and McShay move guys up and down quite a bit based on the combine, so I always imagined our guys doing the same.

[tomahawk247]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I actually thought Devaney's statement:
"We had really high grades on Jason before the combine. I can honestly say that I don't have any idea what his workout at the combine was like. We will not use the combine to change our grades on a player."

I had never heard that before. I always thought we put a decent amount of weight in the combine. It seems like Kiper and McShay move guys up and down quite a bit based on the combine, so I always imagined our guys doing the same.

I read that giong into the combine, most teams have their draft boards 90% set. Except the Raiders, who wait until after the combine and then sort by 40 time.

Im sure Devaney means that the Rams wont use the combine workout to change a grade on a player, but surely they change the grades change depending on the interviews and medicals. Or maybe the grades of the players stay the same, but if they have a bad interview or medical they get taken off the board altogether.

You only have to look at the history of combine workout wonders to see why its not a good idea to change your views on a player after the workout. Vernon Gholston put on a show at the combine, and rose up draft boards. But the Rams took the guy who had better tape and better football intelligence (and not a bad workout either) in Chris Long. Long has put up 9 sacks on a bad defense, and Gholston hasnt even managed a sack in a very good Jets front 7.

[Trevor]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

Hate rumors....

[HUbison]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I have to laugh. I actually think there are some who will be disappointed when the Rams actually do select Suh with the #1 pick.

[txramsfan]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

Heck, there is going to be more he said/he said leading up to the draft than the combined hot air from both the Democratic and Republican conventions in an election year.

[Ramzee]

Re: Devaney on Rams trading pick

I actually thought Devaney's statement:
"We had really high grades on Jason before the combine. I can honestly say that I don't have any idea what his workout at the combine was like. We will not use the combine to change our grades on a player."

I had never heard that before. I always thought we put a decent amount of weight in the combine. It seems like Kiper and McShay move guys up and down quite a bit based on the combine, so I always imagined our guys doing the same.

Bill Polian, GM of the Colts, has said before that all this draft stock up and down stuff is a creation of the media. That for the teams evaluating these prospects, it doesn't work like that.