Rams report, 1/3

* Afternoon updates:
The Dolphins interviewed Jeff Fisher TODAY. He flew into Miami in a helicopter with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. Fisher interviews with the Rams later this week. Stan Kroenke better have some cool transportation options ready, though about all we have around here is the original Bigfoot monster truck. (PFW, ESPN)

A.J. Smith and Norv Turner are staying in San Diego. (ESPN)
Andy Reid is staying in Philadelphia (ESPN).
Several sources have reported that Mike Martz has resigned in Chicago. Wasn't his contract up anyway?
Also, Dallas says today they're not changing their current general manager. That would be Jerry Jones. (ESPN)
The Buccaneers will interview former Packers HC Mike Sherman. (PFW)

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* Transactions. The Rams have extended 2012 contracts to their practice squad players: DT Cornell Banks, C Tim Barnes, CB Kendric Burney, WR John Chiles, TE Demarco Cosby, DT John Henderson, OT Ryan McKee and RB Chase Reynolds.

* Coaching carousel. The Indianapolis Star reported today that the Colts have reached out to Jeff Fisher for their head coaching job even though they haven't fired Jim Caldwell yet. Historical note: Elvis' final concert before his (rumored) death was in Indianapolis.

Fisher remains the only known name on the Rams' candidate list at this moment. Interviews expected around the league:
Miami: Fisher, Todd Bowles, Bears ST coach Dave Taub
Tampa: former Rams corner and current Titans DC Jerry Gray.
Jacksonville has asked permission to talk to: Rod Chudzinski (Carolina), Bill O'Brien (New England), Mike McCoy (Denver), and for some reason, Brian Schottenheimer (Jets). All offensive coordinators. Chudzinski can flat-out develop QBs and tops RamView's list of coaching candidates without previous head coaching experience.

* Front office carousel. The Bears fired Jerry Angelo as their general manager today. Seems there will be plenty of "name" candidates out there for the Rams' GM job.

* Draft buzz. In a game RamView criminally failed to record last night, Oklahoma State beat Stanford, 41-38. Justin Blackmon caught 8 passes for 186 yards, scored 3 TDs, and repeated his intention to enter the 2012 draft (despite the very real possibility of becoming a Ram). His TDs were 43, 67 and 17 yards.

Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus has also declared for the draft. Mercilus has plenty going for him besides possibly the best last name ever for a DE. He led the nation in sacks this season with 16 and tied Simeon Rice's school record. He also set a conference record for forced fumbles, with 9, and led the conference in tackles-for-loss with 22.5. He won the Hendricks Award for best defensive end and was a consensus first-team All-America. Illinois lists him at 6'4", 265. Since college programs typically lie about that kind of thing, his size may be a concern in the NFL. I do know from watching him that the guy can speed rush, he can bull rush, and his motor never quits. DE may be at the bottom of the Rams' needs list this year, so I don't expect to see Mercilus in a Rams uniform. He'd be a great rotational DE, though.