* Not at all unexpectedly, the Rams' proposal, made public yesterday, to upgrade the Jones Dome is as dead on arrival as the St. Louis CVC's plan was with the Rams when it was offered in March. Jeff Rainford, a spokesman for the office of St. Louis mayor Francis Slay, pretty much poured cold water all over the idea yesterday afternoon.An unnamed construction firm hired by the city to determine a cost estimate of the Rams' renovation plan has given it a price tag in the $500 million - $700 million range. The firm also estimates the construction would take three years. Rainford said this would cost St. Louis businesses $500 million in convention business the city couldn't bring in because the Dome wouldn't be available to host anything.
I've mocked the St. Louis convention industry here before, but the National Rifle Association was just here and had by all accounts their biggest and most successful convention ever. So the city's point, though it's by definition political talk, is unusual political talk in that it may have some basis in reality.
That doesn't mean politics aren't at play here. The Rams believe the renovations can be completed in one year. Should we believe this is a three-year, $700-million project because a construction firm the city of St. Louis hired says so? On the other hand, when government estimates what something's going to cost, you can always count on it costing far more. (Update: actually, the estimate for the construction of the current Busch Stadium missed by less than 6%. My fears of a billion-dollar Dome renovation appear to be unjustified.)
Brian Burwell seems to believe the Rams' proposal is some kind of great civic statement and commitment to the city. Of course, he's been Stan Kroenke's propaganda writer for a while now. Burwell's statements about the Rams showing some vision for the city are fine but are pointless without the Rams offering to put up any percentage of the cost for that vision, which benefits them to a far greater percentage than it does the city.
Kudos to Kroenke if he's really committed to turning the Dome into a world-class facility. But, just like us fans who complain when our team decides not to spend big money to keep favorite players or sign high-profile free agents, it's sure easy when you're spending somebody else's money.
I still think this is going to be very similar to Atlanta. They were going to build the Falcons a new stadium adjacent to the Georgia Dome (even after that building had just been renovated), then decided it would be more cost-effective (and less silly) to tear their dome down and put up a new stadium. The Rams will end up getting a new stadium of their own... somewhere.
* The Rams have re-opened the Brian Schottenheimer Pipeline of Mediocrity and signed former Jets practice squad WR Michael Campbell. He's big, at 6'2", 205 and ran a 4.5 at his pro day last year. He led Temple in receiving in 2009 and 2010, and had 45 receptions for 724 yards and 6 TDs as a senior.
Sorry I have no idea where the Rams are in relation to the 90-man roster limit right now. I have not seen a corresponding move to cut a player yet. If they have to make one, I'll report it here.
* Ex-Rams back in the free agent market: Phil Trautwein, released by New Orleans; Kris Adams, released by Minnesota.
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