Monday, February 6, 2012

Rams report, 2/6: all systems go for London

* London calling. Sorry for the utterly predictable title. Ticket sales for the Rams' proposed game against the Super Bowl loser Patriots in London's Wembley Stadium on October 28th had been suspended last week after the St. Louis CVC rose the issue of the game being a violation of the Rams' stadium lease. Since then, however, the CVC has agreed to add language to the lease agreement that would allow the Rams to play the London game each of the next three years, and general admission tickets for October's game are back on sale again.

Here's a link to the game at Ticketmaster UK. I was of the understanding that the Rams were going to have tickets and travel packages available for those of us in the States hoping to attend. At least this first year, that's the only way RamView's getting across the pond.

* The Rams have signed offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye (6'6", 325), reportedly to a two-year contract. Undrafted by the NFL out of North Carolina Central in 2009, the now 24-year-old was signed by the Detroit Lions as a rookie free agent. After getting cut there, he signed with the CFL's B.C. Lions and played there the past two seasons. He was a finalist for CFL Offensive Lineman of the Year last season and allowed no sacks for the Grey Cup champions. He had worked out for 15 NFL teams over the past six weeks. Rotoworld says there is "at least one report" that Olafioye's weight is up to 350. He played both tackle positions for B.C.

Olafioye was projected as a guard coming into the NFL. NFLDraftScout ranked him 68th in that year's guard class. At his pro day, he ran a 5.46 40, 5.00 shuttle, 7.92 cone drill, broad-jumped 8'8", vertical-jumped 21.5 inches and did 27 bench press reps. The NCCU website indicates he graduated with a degree in sports management.

Olafioye's 2009 pro day results are very close to those put up at the 2011 Combine by Lehigh guard Will Rackley, who gives up 3 inches and 10 pounds by comparison. Rackley played in the '11 Senior Bowl and Shrine Game. He was a third-round pick of the Jagwires and won a starting job at guard in training camp. He lost it in September but still ended up with 14 starts on a line that helped Maurice Jones-Drew to a league rushing title and team single-season record.

As a strong, young offensive lineman with some ability to pass-block, Olafioye should be immediately in the mix for offensive line depth in training camp. The Canadian league all-star is already at least a kilometer ahead of the likes of Kevin Hughes. Could be an interesting player to watch.

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