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Rumors continue to swirl around Rams
Columnist Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
02/23/2010
This Rams offseason has been waaay more entertaining than the past few regular seasons.
Developments on multiple fronts have fans jamming the STLtoday.com live chats and forums with Rams questions and comments.
This is a fascinating time in franchise history. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Illinois businessman Shahid Khan will buy the team this season and will begin working to secure its prosperous longterm future in St. Louis.
This looming regime change has put the football operation on the clock. It’s safe to assume than Khan isn’t buying this team so he can suffer on Sundays.
Billy Devaney, Steve Spagnuolo and Co. will have to convince the new owner that dramatic progress is forthcoming ASAP.
Khan understands that reduced ticket prices alone won’t revive local interest in this team. Fans will need to see major change before reinvesting money and emotion in this team.
The Rams have the first overall pick in the draft, first dibs on players that hit the waiver wire, lots of budget money to spend and glaring needs at almost every position.
As a result, about every other good NFL rumor involves the Rams. Around the league, everybody is talking about this team.
Will the Rams swap their first overall pick to Tampa Bay?
A popular rumor has the Rams getting quarterback Josh Johnson and a third-round pick (or a second-round pick, or second- and third-round picks) to move down to the No. 3 in the first round. Devaney has denied discussing this with Tampa Bay, but such a deal could make sense.
The Rams would probably make that trade to get extra draft picks. But Johnson doesn’t look like much of a trade chip. He flopped as a starter last season in Tampa Bay and would enter next season as the No. 3 guy behind Josh Freeman and a veteran TBA. Johnson would be an interesting guy to throw into a four-man competition here, but that’s about it.
Will the Rams try to pry Michael Vick out of Philadelphia?
That rumor really heated up during the Super Bowl. Trouble is, the Eagles could pay Vick his looming roster bonus, take all three of their quarterbacks to training camp and try to drive up potential trade pricing. Incumbent Donovan McNabb could head to Minnesota if Brett Favre retires again. Kolb would like assurances of playing time before agreeing to a new deal with the Eagles. Vick just wants to play, in Philly or anywhere else. Talk about intrigue!
What will become of quarterback Marc Bulger?
Technically he is still on this team, despite cleaning out his locker at Rams Park. He is not going to retire. Several teams would covet him as a back-up next season, including Tampa Bay -– where Greg Olson is offensive coordinator. You will recall that Olson worked with Bulger as Scott Linehan’s nominal offensive coordinator. Bulger could regroup from his beatings in St. Louis, help tutor Freeman and offer insurance if the kid needs to sit for a spell.
Will the Rams sign veteran linebacker Antonio Pierce?
Spagnuolo had him in New York and did big things with him. But . . . Pierce is on the mend from a disc injury. He seems past his athletic prime. The Rams have their middle linebacker. Pierce was the emotional leader of the Giants defense, but that unit collapsed last year. Pierce seems interested in the Rams, but why should that interest be mutual? This team needs to add players on their way up, not on their way down. The recent addition of tight end Derek Fine seemed to fit that bill.
Would the Rams make a play for back-up Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington?
Maybe. Quarterback coach Dick Curl worked with Pennington in New York, so there is a connection. Pennington is coming back from a shoulder injury and presumably eager to land a starting gig elsewhere. He can still manage a run-based offense, as he proved with the Dolphins. But does he have any arm left? Your cyber-correspondent isn’t in the pro-Vick camp, but Michael would offer way more than the battered Pennington at this point in his career.
Might the Rams front office fall in love with Oklahoma star Sam Bradford?
Spagnuolo seems inclined to use the top pick to bolster the interior of the defensive line. Free agency doesn’t appear to offer much on that front. But the Rams are still formulating draft plans, so there is time for the coaching staff to become smitten with a potential cornerstone-type quarterback. Our view is that drafting a quarterback at the top of this draft is way too risky for the Rams, but we’re guessing that Billy and Spags won’t come here for advice.
Could the Rams take a flyer on Tim Tebow?
Sure -– and it appears Tebow is working hard to improve his draft stock. Today’s Tipsheet has more on that. Unless he works his way into the first round, Tebow could definitely move into play for the Rams. Tim is a tough guy and a born leader. In a couple of years, he could become something. If the Rams put a veteran stopgap guy in place, taking Tim somewhere after the first round could be a worthwhile adventure.
All this issues and more fascinate Rams fans. After watching their team march to oblivion the past three years, fans crave change.
Move by move, week by week, the NFL’s worst team will take a new form. It will be interesting to see what the operation looks like when Khan finally gains full control -– and it will be REALLY interesting to see what happens after the owner controls the franchise.
Columnist Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
02/23/2010
This Rams offseason has been waaay more entertaining than the past few regular seasons.
Developments on multiple fronts have fans jamming the STLtoday.com live chats and forums with Rams questions and comments.
This is a fascinating time in franchise history. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Illinois businessman Shahid Khan will buy the team this season and will begin working to secure its prosperous longterm future in St. Louis.
This looming regime change has put the football operation on the clock. It’s safe to assume than Khan isn’t buying this team so he can suffer on Sundays.
Billy Devaney, Steve Spagnuolo and Co. will have to convince the new owner that dramatic progress is forthcoming ASAP.
Khan understands that reduced ticket prices alone won’t revive local interest in this team. Fans will need to see major change before reinvesting money and emotion in this team.
The Rams have the first overall pick in the draft, first dibs on players that hit the waiver wire, lots of budget money to spend and glaring needs at almost every position.
As a result, about every other good NFL rumor involves the Rams. Around the league, everybody is talking about this team.
Will the Rams swap their first overall pick to Tampa Bay?
A popular rumor has the Rams getting quarterback Josh Johnson and a third-round pick (or a second-round pick, or second- and third-round picks) to move down to the No. 3 in the first round. Devaney has denied discussing this with Tampa Bay, but such a deal could make sense.
The Rams would probably make that trade to get extra draft picks. But Johnson doesn’t look like much of a trade chip. He flopped as a starter last season in Tampa Bay and would enter next season as the No. 3 guy behind Josh Freeman and a veteran TBA. Johnson would be an interesting guy to throw into a four-man competition here, but that’s about it.
Will the Rams try to pry Michael Vick out of Philadelphia?
That rumor really heated up during the Super Bowl. Trouble is, the Eagles could pay Vick his looming roster bonus, take all three of their quarterbacks to training camp and try to drive up potential trade pricing. Incumbent Donovan McNabb could head to Minnesota if Brett Favre retires again. Kolb would like assurances of playing time before agreeing to a new deal with the Eagles. Vick just wants to play, in Philly or anywhere else. Talk about intrigue!
What will become of quarterback Marc Bulger?
Technically he is still on this team, despite cleaning out his locker at Rams Park. He is not going to retire. Several teams would covet him as a back-up next season, including Tampa Bay -– where Greg Olson is offensive coordinator. You will recall that Olson worked with Bulger as Scott Linehan’s nominal offensive coordinator. Bulger could regroup from his beatings in St. Louis, help tutor Freeman and offer insurance if the kid needs to sit for a spell.
Will the Rams sign veteran linebacker Antonio Pierce?
Spagnuolo had him in New York and did big things with him. But . . . Pierce is on the mend from a disc injury. He seems past his athletic prime. The Rams have their middle linebacker. Pierce was the emotional leader of the Giants defense, but that unit collapsed last year. Pierce seems interested in the Rams, but why should that interest be mutual? This team needs to add players on their way up, not on their way down. The recent addition of tight end Derek Fine seemed to fit that bill.
Would the Rams make a play for back-up Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington?
Maybe. Quarterback coach Dick Curl worked with Pennington in New York, so there is a connection. Pennington is coming back from a shoulder injury and presumably eager to land a starting gig elsewhere. He can still manage a run-based offense, as he proved with the Dolphins. But does he have any arm left? Your cyber-correspondent isn’t in the pro-Vick camp, but Michael would offer way more than the battered Pennington at this point in his career.
Might the Rams front office fall in love with Oklahoma star Sam Bradford?
Spagnuolo seems inclined to use the top pick to bolster the interior of the defensive line. Free agency doesn’t appear to offer much on that front. But the Rams are still formulating draft plans, so there is time for the coaching staff to become smitten with a potential cornerstone-type quarterback. Our view is that drafting a quarterback at the top of this draft is way too risky for the Rams, but we’re guessing that Billy and Spags won’t come here for advice.
Could the Rams take a flyer on Tim Tebow?
Sure -– and it appears Tebow is working hard to improve his draft stock. Today’s Tipsheet has more on that. Unless he works his way into the first round, Tebow could definitely move into play for the Rams. Tim is a tough guy and a born leader. In a couple of years, he could become something. If the Rams put a veteran stopgap guy in place, taking Tim somewhere after the first round could be a worthwhile adventure.
All this issues and more fascinate Rams fans. After watching their team march to oblivion the past three years, fans crave change.
Move by move, week by week, the NFL’s worst team will take a new form. It will be interesting to see what the operation looks like when Khan finally gains full control -– and it will be REALLY interesting to see what happens after the owner controls the franchise.
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