Wednesday, May 30, 2012

RamView, 5/30

Finally have enough random items collected for a decent-sized post, so here they are:

* Pro Football Weekly takes a quick look at the Rams' position battles at LB, where Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Mario Haggan look like your new starters;

* Those of you who mocked the Spagnuolo regime for "drafting too many Boy Scouts" during this past draft should know the other way's not working very smoothly for Detroit right now, where Lions fans are probably wishing the team had just a Pillar or two;

* Ex-Rams transactions:
   - Phil Trautwein has been signed by San Diego;
   - Mike Sims-Walker had a recent tryout with the Texans;
   - Justin King had a recent tryout with the Colts.

Yes, that loud scraping sound you heard was the bottom of the barrel.

-$-

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Sammy Brown, OLB, Houston

Sammy Brown 6'2" 242
OLB, Houston

Rankings:
32nd-ranked outside linebacker by Pro Football Weekly. Graded slightly better than 50-50 to make an NFL roster or practice squad.

NFLDraftScout: 23rd-ranked OLB, #260 player overall, 7th-round to free agent grade. 



Biography/honors:
2011: First-team all-Conference USA. Started all 14 games at WLB. 93 tackles, led the nation with 30 tackles-for-loss and was one of the sack leaders with 13.5. 3 pass breakups. 
2010: Junior college transfer. Honorable mention all-Conference USA. Played in all 12 games and started 11 at WLB. 76 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss (led conference), 7.5 sacks, one pass breakup.

Major: sociology.

Injuries:
2011: played 5 games on a bad ankle.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine OLB averages in parentheses)
4.63 40 (4.73 average - Brown would have been third-fastest OLB)
1.57 10-yard split
37” vertical jump (34.5” average - Brown would have tied for third)
10'3" broad jump (9'9" average - Brown would have had third-best jump)
7.13 3-cone drill (7.16)
4.47 20-yard shuttle (4.30)
20 bench press (23 average - Brown would have been in bottom five)


Positives:
Disruptive force in the backfield with eye-popping production: 21 sacks and 50 tackles-for-loss in just two seasons. Pretty athletic stand-up pass rusher with elite lower-body explosion and long arms that allow him to play bigger than his size. Shows good footwork and uses his hands well. Good feel for getting to the QB. Good burst, first step and speed off the edge. Has good interior pass rush moves and a good swim move. Changes directions quickly. Good instincts as a run defender, solid tackler who can set the edge. Gets good depth dropping back in coverage. Had interest from the Eagles and Raiders. Came a long way in a short time and is a much more disciplined player now than when he started.

Negatives:
Short and plays small against the run. Had reputation for not going all-out on the field except when he thought he could make a highlight reel play. Also had reputation for slacking off in the weight room and not paying attention in the film room. Plays a little tight. Will slow his feet at times and make himself an easy target. Hasn't dropped into coverage much and plays too high when he does. Gets too high at point of contact and can get steam-rolled. Needs to improve his hand use - leads with his shoulder too often and can get washed out of the play. Played both years in major college ball as a 3-4 outside linebacker and will be best-suited in a 3-4 in the pros. Didn't face a high level of competition and will have to bulk up and play stronger at the point of attack if he's going to be more than a third-down specialist at the next level.

Compares to: Larry English.

Fun Facts: Some reasons for choosing a college may not be great but work out in the end. Sammy's first time on a plane was to go to Houston for an official campus visit, and he hated flying so much, he picked Houston to avoid having to fly to any other schools.

RamView: RamView's very intrigued by Sammy Brown, another player who easily seems like a draftable talent but wasn't drafted (or even invited to the Combine). Go figure. He played at a lower level of NCAA competition but had dominating production there (unlike Dontari Poe in the very same conference). Maybe he's considered undersized in the weird NFL world that can call 6'2" "short". He was considered lazy his junior year (which was still impressive), but put that behind him his senior year. I'm confident Brown learned his lesson in college, knows he'll have to work hard to make the NFL, and will. But, as puzzling as it is that Brown wasn't drafted, it's even more puzzling why the Rams were the team to sign him. Jeff Fisher runs a 4-3, always has run a 4-3, and Brown is clearly a 3-4 OLB. Brown definitely shows the athleticism to convert to a 4-3 WLB, which I imagine is what the Rams are banking on. But man, haven't you guys given yourselves enough projects to work on this summer?

Chance of making roster: 50%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, University of Houston athletics, National Football Post, Dallas News

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Rookie free agent profile: Scott Smith, DE, Texas Tech

Scott Smith 6'7" 262
DE, Texas Tech

Rankings:
49th-ranked defensive end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player who could be in an NFL training camp but will likely need time in a developmental league. Free agent grade.

NFLDraftScout: 53rd-ranked DE, #658 player overall, free agent grade. 

Biography/honors:
2011: Played in 8 games, starting 7. 37 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, one pass breakup.

Suspended the final eight games of 2010 and first four games of 2011 for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

2010: Junior college transfer. Played in four games, starting one. 14 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception. Dominated against Texas, with 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 2 tipped passes and an INT. One tip resulted in an 85-yard pick-six.

Major: undeclared.

Injuries: none reported.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine DE averages in parentheses)
4.90 40 (4.85)
1.80 10-yard split (1.62)
30.5” vertical jump (33”)
9'2" broad jump (9'6")
7.52 3-cone drill (7.18)
4.70 20-yard shuttle (4.39)
22 bench press (25)


Positives:
Excellent bull rusher, converts speed into power. Excellent tackler. Impressive initial burst and does a good job staying low for his size. Gets off the ball quickly and has an excellent first step. Disruptive player with a good motor. Breaks down well. Good punch. Good quickness and flashes potential as a pass-rusher. Good and hard-working in pursuit. Has played in 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. Has played on left and right side. Has frame to add size and strength without hurting his game. Shows the movement skills, hand use and ability to get off blocks to succeed as a pass rusher and a run defender. Main problem, lack of consistency with hands and playing too high, can be coached out of him.

Negatives:
Suspended as many games at Texas Tech as he played. Rail-thin. Stiff, has difficulty getting leverage and anchoring. Tends to play too high. Struggles to get off run blocks. Struggles to turn the corner with an advantage as a pass rusher. Poor body control and balance when on the move. Weak at the point of attack and has little chance of making a play against the run if he has to defeat a blocker. Needs to improve his pass rush moves and hand use. Lacks great closing speed. Needs development as a run defender. Lacks production and experience against a high level of competition.

Compares to: Hall Davis (Rams 5th-round pick, 2010).

Fun Facts: Fittingly, Scott is a graduate of St. Louis High School - not in Missouri, though, but in Kailua, Hawaii. Jagwires DT Tyson Alualu also went to St. Louis High.

RamView: I think I see what the Rams are thinking here: Smith was pretty productive in very limited exposure at the big-school level, showed up big in big games, and has upside, likeliest as a pass-rush specialist. Hopefully, he's already added bulk if he plans to last more than a minute in the NFL, and even then, he looks like a major project, and one in whom I can't say I see elite athletic skills.

Chance of making roster: 15%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, NFLDraftScout.com, Texas Tech athletics, Dallas Morning News, ESPN, National Football Post, DraftInsider.com, Russ Lande

Photo: Texas Tech University

Monday, May 21, 2012

Rams sign another blocking tight end

Looks like the Rams got the message from this and many other quarters that their tight ends were woefully inadequate as blockers last season. The latest addition to the Rams' ever-growing stable of blocking tight ends is Brody Eldridge, who was acquired on waivers last Friday after getting released by the Colts on Thursday.

Eldridge is 6'5", 265 lbs and is 25 years old. The Colts drafted him out of Oklahoma in the 5th round of the 2010 draft. His two-year career receiving totals: 14 catches for 74 yards. Mike Mayock ranked him and 49ers TE Nate Byham as the top blocking TEs in that year's draft.

Scouts Inc. ranks grades Eldridge at 53 out of 100, a good backup:

Eldridge is a good-sized tight end with average initial quickness and marginal downfield speed. He saw most of his action when the team went with two tight end formations and was used primarily for blocking. He shows good upper body strength once engaged in the block and will use his hands to control and steer opponents. He could use additional lower body strength as he matures in order to seal the corner off and to hold his ground more effectively. He catches the ball well enough when it is thrown within his frame but will struggle when having to extend to catch the ball thrown high or low. 

There's a lot of beef in Rams camp this year competing for what figures to be very few jobs at fullback and blocking tight end: Michael Hoomanawanui, Brit Miller, Matthew Mulligan, BEN GUIDUGLI, Cory Harkey, Mike McNeill, Todd Anderson and now Eldridge, and that's not considering DeAngelo Peterson or Jamie Childers in the blocking TE mix. It's a relief to see the front office recognizes the need.

Still not sure where the Rams stand vs. the roster limit. No one appears to have been cut recently.

-$-

Photo: NBC Sports

Friday, May 18, 2012

Rams report, 5/18: transactions

* The Rams have claimed offensive lineman Jose Valdez on waivers from the Vikings. Valdez is 6'6", 324 lbs and 25 years old. He went undrafted and unsigned out of Arkansas in 2009 until he was picked up late in the season by - guess who? - the Falcons. Looks like he's spent his pro time on theirs and the Vikings' practice squads. Reports say that he had very good training camps with the Falcons in '10 and '11, and obviously, Les Snead remembers him.

Scouting report: Pretty good technician with good size. Competitive, works hard, uses his hands well,  but lacks strength and athleticism. Can't change direction well. He was invited to the 2009 Combine and had some there touting him as a draft sleeper. Pro day results: 5.16 40, 16 benches (ouch), 4.64 short shuttle, 7.49 three-cone, 14 on the Wonderlic.

The Falcons were supposedly pretty high on Valdez as a guard prospect while they had him; he just could never crack the lineup. He becomes the latest entry in what's becoming an intriguing and wide-open race for the Rams' LG position.

* UDFA LB Derrick Choice of Stephen F. Austin has left the team. Head coach Jeff Fisher says Choice "decided he had enough football" and wants to either return to school or get his career started. Fisher says he respects Choice's decision and that he can walk away with his head up. Best of luck to Derrick, but you do realize you just submarined my goal of getting all the UDFA bios up before anybody had to leave the team, right? : )

* Draft picks Brian Quick, Isaiah Pead and Chris Givens, in Los Angeles for NFLPA rookie functions, aren't the only Rams currently missing from OTAs. Punter Johnny Hekker, TE Cory Harkey and Dartmouth UDFA RB Nick Schweiger are all unable to participate because of the stupid NFL rule that keeps rookies out of OTAs if their class hasn't graduated, which affects players from schools that go by the quarter system instead of semesters.

* There's also already an injury list at minicamp: BEN GUIDUGLI has a foot injury; Matt Daniels is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery that was not mentioned in any report I found about him; and, shockingly, Danario Alexander has already been sidelined, with a hamstring injury. DX, you are officially the Mr. Bill of football injuries. I hope you've been keeping an eye ahead to your post-football career. Seriously. He can't even make it through minicamp.

* RamView will be off this weekend to take a quick spin up to Chicago. No, I am not attending the NATO summit, but I'm sure I could offer some suggestions if anybody there wants me to. Back in on Monday.

-$-

Photo: University of Arkansas


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rams report, 5/17: rookies absent from OTAs

* The NFLPA isn't exactly helping the Rams get off the ground in 2012. The Rams are missing three rookies - Brian Quick, Isaiah Pead and Chris Givens - at this week's OTAs because they're at the NFLPA's Rookie Premiere weekend in Los Angeles. They're mandated by the league to be there, according to Jeff Fisher, who understandably isn't real happy about it, though there's nothing he can do about it.

The players are participating in community events today. However, I hope participation in tomorrow's event is not mandatory. I don't really need to be hearing that a Rams' second-round pick tore an Achilles trying to make a play in a flag football game. It is beyond idiotic that this event was scheduled during the already-limited amount of time teams have for OTAs and the NFL and the union should correct this scheduling conflict posthaste for future seasons.

* More importantly, news is out this morning that St. Louis has been awarded an expansion franchise in the Lingerie Football League that will open play in spring 2013. Tryouts will be on June 17th for the so-far unnamed team, which will play its home games in the (irony alert) St. Charles Family Arena.

Naturally, these teams don't have your normal sports nicknames. The league's got the Seattle Mist, Los Angeles Temptation (yay! St. Louis won't lose a team to L.A. in this league [or vice versa]), Chicago Bliss, Philadelphia Passion, Baltimore Charm and possibly my two favorite nicknames in sports history: the Orlando Fantasy and the Vegas Sin. RamView has only cruel jokes for the new team also announced today for Omaha, but votes for nicknaming St. Louis' new team the "Kiss" (if Gene Simmons doesn't object). Seems like there's a lot you could do with that logo. Some of it even clean!

So, let the "Mound City" jokes begin, and if anybody learns where to send the new team a resume for a scouting position, please pass that info along to RamView.

-$-

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Joe Long, OT, Wayne State


Joe Long 6'5.5" 307
T, Wayne State

Rankings:
30th-ranked offensive tackle by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as slightly better than 50-50 to make an NFL roster or practice squad. Free agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: 45th-ranked OT, #608 player overall, free agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Won Gene Upshaw Award as best lineman in NCAA Division II. First team Division II all-American. First team all-conference. Team captain. Started all 49 games of his career at left tackle. Wayne State averaged 200 rushing yards per game during his career and had a 1,000-yard rusher all four years. Started all 16 games at left tackle in 2011 and also blocked a field goal attempt. The 2011 line averaged under a sack per game allowed. Played in East-West Shrine Game at tackle and also long-snapped. 
2010: First team all-conference. Team captain. Started all 11 games at left tackle.
2009: Honorable mention all-conference. Started all 11 games at left tackle.
2008: Honorable mention all-conference. Started all 11 games at left tackle. Team rushed for 233 yards per game. 
2007: Redshirted.

Brother Jake is a four-time Pro Bowl tackle for the Dolphins and was the first pick overall in 2008.

Major: secondary education. Four-time all-conference academic team member.

Injuries: none reported.

Pro day results: (NFL Combine OT averages in parentheses)
(participated in Michigan's pro day)

5.46 40 (5.34 average - Long's time would have been bottom five)
1.83 10-yard split (1.79)
27.5” vertical jump (27.5”)
8'2" broad jump (8'5" average - Long would have been bottom five)
7.69 3-cone drill (7.81)
4.59 20-yard shuttle (4.82 average - Long tied with third-best time)
21 bench press (24)


Positives:
Has nice size and good "length" which gives him an advantage blocking on the edge. Powerful run-blocker with a ton of upside. Good technician, takes good angles to his blocks. Shuttle time shows excellent speed, explosiveness and change of direction for his position. Ultra-durable, rock-solid player. Has the athletic versatility to move inside to guard or even center and can also long-snap. Smart and hard working, was cited for his effort in the weight room. Tough and competitive team leader. Lions and Jets were also interested in signing him.

Negatives:
Nowhere near as athletic as his brother. Doesn't bend well, plays too upright and can't slide laterally well. Lacks explosiveness off the snap, has difficulty getting leverage. Doesn't get much pop with his blocks or a lot of push. Stiff and too slow to protect the corner well. Needs to get stronger.


Compares to: compares well to Cardinals 5th-round pick Senio Kelemete.

Fun Facts: Joe helped Wayne State get to the Division II championship game, where they lost 35-21 to Pittsburg State. To get that far, the Wildcats had to win four straight road playoff games, the last two over the defending national champion (Minnesota-Duluth) and an undefeated top seed (Winston-Salem State). Of course, already having the Beef O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl, the GoDaddy.com Bowl and the Belk (?) Bowl, Division I doesn't need any of this kind of excitement.


RamView: Though he might be better-suited in the pros at guard, the current Rams roster has Long listed as one of four tackles, with Kevin Hughes as a fifth guard/tackle. Training camp is where we'll find out if Long has the athleticism for tackle at the pro level after dominating at a much lower level of competition. His odds jump way up at first glance if he's really just competing with Hughes, Ryan McKee and Barry Richardson. Then again, the current roster lists Bryan Mattison as a defensive end, and there is bound to be some shuffling of o-linemen during camp. Still, Long's path to the roster is a little clearer than if he were converting to guard and had to enter that muddled picture, and he's got the versatility to be an attractive depth option. He may be this year's main roster dark horse and should have a decent chance at the practice squad.

Chance of making roster: 40%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, NFLDraftScout.com, Wayne State athletics, The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Wikipedia, National Football Post, The Grand Rapids Press, Walter Football, Rookiedraft.com, ESPN

Photo: Detroit Free Press

Rams report, 5/16: Rams sign Haggan & Richardson

* The Rams have added two veteran free agents to the roster who will be here for today's second day of OTAs: linebacker Mario Haggan and offensive tackle Barry Richardson. (Again, I don't know where the Rams are in relation to the 90-man roster limit. No releases corresponding to these signings have been announced.)

Haggan is 32, 6'3", 274 lbs. He's only started two years of his nine-year career but they were 2009-10 in Denver. He was demoted last year after the Broncos drafted Von Miller. He had 23 tackles and a pick-six last season. He forced five fumbles in two seasons as a starter and had a career-high 87 tackles and 5 sacks in 2010. He was the Broncos' special teams captain, and, per Rams GM Les Snead, is a good run defender. He can play all three LB positions but will be cast strictly as a strongside backer here (which means I reported incorrectly where Jo-Lonn Dunbar is going to play. He's the Will backer. Josh Hull was the Sam backer at yesterday's first OTA). RamView only rated Haggan the #19 OLB available in free agency, but that was based a lot on his light 2011 productivity. This actually looks like a very good signing for the Rams; it seems like Haggan can be an excellent "glue guy" for the Rams on defense and special teams. Quality depth for this late in the free-agent signing game.

Richardson is only 26 and comes in at 6'6", 319. He was a two-year starter in Kansas City at right tackle and has some upside as a run-blocker. Unfortunately, he was also ranked as one of the worst tackles in the league last season by Pro Football Focus, which is what landed him on RamView's "Gawd no" list for UFA OTs. There's some talk he may move inside to guard; the Rams' situation at LG is definitely unsettled at the moment. If Richardson makes the roster at tackle, we probably already know the 2012 season is deeply screwed.

* Ex-Rams news: Alex Barron got the job in Seattle; he has been added to their roster. Is it mean of me to hope the king of the false start makes it to Seattle's starting unit? Sure would help the Rams out a couple of games a year.

And proof the economy can not possibly as bad as many of us think: Larry Marmie can still find a job in the NFL. He has been hired as a pro scout by the Raiders.

-$-

Photo: Wikipedia

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Jamie Childers, TE, Coastal Carolina


Jamie Childers 6'4" 246
TE, Coastal Carolina


(Cut August 15th)

Rankings:
29th-ranked tight end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as having a chance to be in an NFL training camp. Priority free agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: 38th-ranked tight end, #675 player overall, free agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Played in 8 games, starting 5, playing both tight end and quarterback. 11 receptions for 233 yards (21.2 ypc) and 3 TDs. 15-for-38 passing for 209 yards, 2 TDs, no INTs. Also had 18 rushes for 41 yards (2.3 ypc). 
2010: Moved to tight end. Played in all 12 games, starting 6. 19 receptions for 218 yards (11.5 ypc) and a TD. Also rushed twice for 15 yards and was the backup quarterback.
2009: Played in 9 games and started 3 at quarterback. 27-for-53 (50.9%), 289 yards, 3 TDs, 6 interceptions. 49 rushes for 163 yards (3.3 ypc) and 3 TDs.
2008: Played in 6 games at quarterback. 6-for-17 (35.3%), 47 yards and an interception. Ran 22 times for 61 yards (2.8 ypc) and a TD. 
2007: Redshirted.

Major: finance.

Injuries:
2011: missed four games due to a knee injury. 
2008: missed all of spring football due to illness.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine TE averages in parentheses)
4.85 40 (4.74)
34” vertical jump (34”)
9'9" broad jump (9'10")
4.44 3-cone drill (4.34)
7.29 20-yard shuttle (7.08)
24 bench press (21)


These are the results of Coastal Carolina's pro day on March 27th. Jamie also worked out at Wofford's pro day (yes, Wofford has a pro day) on March 8th, and was better at almost everything there, but since he is putting on weight to play in the NFL, the later pro day times may be more representative.

Positives:
Freakishly gifted athletically. Has excellent size and deceptive speed and is a natural receiver. Needs additional bulk but has the frame for it. Catches well in traffic. Catches well outside his frame. Nice hands for plucking high passes. Adjusts pretty well to underthrown balls. Shows big-play ability. Smart player with upside. The Seahawks, Giants and Panthers were also interested in signing him.

Negatives:
Needs to get bigger and stronger. Can be jammed at the line and knocked off course. Doesn't create after the catch. Not a powerful blocker. Played at a low level of competition and is very inexperienced (30 career catches). Very raw and will need time to get coached up, get stronger and develop the instincts needed to play his position.

Compares to: (I think we knew this name was coming, didn't we?) Fendi Onobun.

Fun Facts: For a football team, the Rams sure are collecting a lot of good baseball players this offseason. Jamie batted .335 his senior year on a nationally-ranked team at Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, SC.


RamView: Childers is nowhere near the freakish athlete Fendi Onobun was, and though he's more polished as a player, he's still pretty much a ground-floor project. It also looks like the weight he's going to need to add to last as a pro is going to pull down the numbers that had several teams interested in picking him up based on his athleticism alone. At least the current Rams regime chose not to burn a draft pick on a developmental tight end like the last one did. Childers' ceiling for 2012 is likely the practice squad if he catches on quickly in training camp. And remembering the troubles the old regime had stashing Project Onobun on the roster, RamView thinks Project Childers is going to be a very brief experiment if he's not a pretty big success pretty quickly.

Chance of making roster: 25%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Coastal Carolina athletics, The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC), WCSC-TV (Charleston), WPDE-TV (Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC), YouTube, LinkedIn

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Rams report, 5/15: City cool to Rams' stadium plan

* 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.

-$-

Monday, May 14, 2012

Rams' extreme dome makeover plan

The Rams' counterproposal to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome to a "top-tier" facility was made public today by the Missouri Attorney General. A couple of key details so far:

- The proposed change to the roof of the Dome is to install an "operable roof panel", not to turn it into a fully-retractable roof. Part of the roof would be designed to slide open to let in more natural light. So Stan Kroenke's not really asking for a convertible; he's happy with a moon roof.

- But the Rams also want to demolish the entire east side of the Dome. I am a directionally-challenged person, but this appears to mean the Broadway Avenue side, which means they want to TEAR DOWN MY SEATS (section 414). East side would be the home sideline, the press box, all that. The new east section would be rebuilt with "enhanced seating, lobbies and entrances," and would be backed by a "glass curtain wall" that would let in more natural light. Sounds like something similar to Lucas Oil Field. I'm so directionally challenged I'm not even sure what side of the stadium we're looking at in the picture above, but I believe that is the east side, with Broadway running left to right in front of it.

- The plan also "re-configures existing seating to allow more flexibility for non-football events", which makes no sense. Why do the Rams care about ease of holding non-football events? Maybe this is a concession to the CVC.

- The Rams also want the flexibility to add 6,000 seats, which would qualify the Dome to host the Super Bowl. Good for the Rams; they're more forward-thinking than the city in this regard. However, the city shouldn't commit a dime to anything without a commitment from the NFL to put a Super Bowl in St. Louis post-renovation. The Dome is the only weather-neutral NFL venue constructed in the last 20 years that hasn't gotten to host a Super Bowl, which has been hosted in some real dumps in that time interval (I'm looking at you, Jacksonville). The seating shortage, if that's even a hard NFL requirement, isn't one they couldn't have waived just like they waived the weather requirements for the upcoming Super Bowl in New York City. They don't make their money from live attendance anyway.

Major details are not mentioned in the Rams proposal:
- They offer no estimate of what these Dome renovations would cost.
- They offer no indication what part of the renovation cost Stan Kroenke would be willing to pick up.
- I have to wonder a little where they're going to stick the 6,000 extra seats, but these would apparently be part of new platform areas behind the end zones. The re-designed east side would pick up extra seating, too, I'd imagine.
- And there's no indication what happens to the thousands of us getting our seats torn out. Will we all have seats to come back to? Will we get seats in the same place we have always had them? Is Kroenke going to jack the price through the (moon)roof for them?

Of course, the amount of worry over that stuff is proportional to my belief that these extensive changes are ever going to happen. So, no, I'm not real worried at the moment.

Updates as I gather them.

-$-

Rookie free agent profile: Noah Keller, LB, Ohio


Noah Keller 6'0.5" 242
LB, Ohio University

Rankings:
29th-ranked inside linebacker by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player who could make an NFL training camp but likely needs time in a developmental league.
NFLDraftScout: 13th-ranked ILB, #303 player overall, 7th-round/free-agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Three-time team captain. Started all 14 games. 116 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, one sack, 3 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups, one interception.
2010: Medically redshirted after three games. 26 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one blocked kick. Had been named to several preseason all-America teams.
2009: Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-America. Second team all-Mid American Conference. Started all 14 games. Led MAC in tackles. 155 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups, one interception.
2008: Second team all-Mid American Conference. Started 11 of 12 games, 10 at middle linebacker, one at strongside LB. 104 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, two pass breakups, one interception.
2007: Played in all 12 games. 37 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble.

Major: biology.

Injuries:
2011: Played through a shoulder sprain and hamstring problems.
2010:
Had surgery in January to repair a slight tear in the lateral meniscus of his left knee. Required surgery in October after tearing a tendon in his right big toe, causing him to miss all but three games.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine LB averages in parentheses)
4.63 40 (4.74 average - Keller would have been in the top five at the Combine)
1.59 10-yard split
37” vertical jump (34.25”)
10'0" broad jump (9'8.5")
DNP 3-cone drill (6.82)
4.44 20-yard shuttle (4.28 average - Keller would have been in bottom 3)
28 bench press (23 average - another top five performance)

Multiple sources have Keller's pro day 40 time as 4.56 and say he ran it during a downpour.

Positives:
Tackling machine with an excellent head for the game. Strong enough to play inside, quick and agile enough to play outside. 37-inch vertical. Has excellent instincts, which allows him to play fast. Reads and reacts well. Always moving to the ball. Breaks down well. Shows good footwork and use of leverage. Violent with his hands. Stacks and sheds well. Takes good angles. Good wrap-up tackler. Aggressive blitzer. Good pre-snap recognition and gets his teammates adjusted accordingly. Aggressive, smart, hardworking, like a coach on the field. Has ideal mentality for special teams and his football IQ makes up for his other shortcomings.

Negatives:
Limited athlete, undersized and short-armed. Lacks explosive burst and pursuit speed and won't run down many NFL ball carriers. Poor range sideline-to-sideline. Needs to have the play coming right at him. Has weight room strength but it doesn't translate to the field. Lacks hitting power and strength to take on and shed blockers. Has played very little at outside linebacker and has not done much pass rushing. Limited in pass coverage. Tight-hipped with a poor back-pedal. Doesn't get deep drops or change directions well. Major liability in the open field and will struggle to cover anybody. Durability may also be an issue.

Compares to: Tim McGarigle (Rams 7th-round pick, 2006).

Fun Facts: Noah does not lack a fallback plan if football doesn't pan out; there are several doctors in the Keller family and he's planning to go into medicine himself. Noah's a former Nebraska state shot put champion and his brother Zac was a teammate of Rams sixth-round pick Greg Zuerlein at Nebraska-Omaha.

RamView: Every team needs to have a few Noah Kellers, doesn't it? Just a football player. Can't question his head or his heart, and several of his pro day results wouldn't have been as good as they were if he didn't have good strength and explosiveness. He's really going to have to prove the NFL game isn't too fast for him, though, and his injury history is a concern. If he makes a misplay at this level, I'm not sure he has the elite athleticism needed to recover and still make the play. But a player with Keller's intangibles and college productivity certainly stands a chance of success in the Rams' 2012 cattle call for linebackers.

Chance of making roster: 40%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Ohio University athletics, ESPN, Kearney (Neb.) Hub, National Football Post, Sports Illustrated, The Ohio University Post, Nebraska-Omaha athletics

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Sunday, May 13, 2012

(Ex)Rams update, 5/13


 * A couple of players released on the 4th found jobs with new teams pretty quickly. Tackle Thomas Welch, in fact, was picked up by the Eagles the very next day. Cornerback Marquis Johnson took a little more than a week before reuniting with Steve Spagnuolo and the Saints. Johnson can make that roster, if he can ever stay healthy.


* The Washington Post reports on Alex Barron's attempt to land a job with the Seahawks. He was actually in their rookie minicamp this weekend as a tryout player.

-$-

Photo: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Friday, May 11, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Jamaar Jarrett, DE, Arizona State


Jamaar Jarrett 6'5" 265
DE, Arizona State

Rankings:
26th-ranked defensive end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as slightly better than 50-50 to make an NFL roster or practice squad. Priority free agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: 34th-ranked DE, #439 player overall, free-agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Started all 13 games. 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. Honorable mention all-Pac 12. 
2010: Played in 12 games, starting 6. 40 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks. Honorable mention all-Pac 10.
2009: Played in 10 games. 16 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, one pass knockdown.
2008: Played in 11 games. 9 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack.

Major: interdisciplinary studies in sociology and psychology.

Injuries:
2012: Did not run 3-cone drill at Combine due to a strained right hamstring.

NFL Combine stats: (defensive end averages in parentheses)
5.02 40 (4.85 average - Jarrett had a bottom-five time)
30” vertical jump (33” average - Jarrett's jump was worst by a DE at the Combine)
9'6" broad jump (9'6")
DNP 3-cone drill (7.18)
4.34 20-yard shuttle (4.39)
21 bench press (25 average - Jarrett in bottom five again)


Jarrett ran a 4.92 at ASU's pro day but had glacial times in the 3-cone (7.96) and 20-yard shuttle (4.76?) that would have been worst and 3rd-worst at the Combine. Bad hamstring? Bad stopwatch? Really can't say.

Positives: Has nice "length" and a quick first step. Good body control. Collapses inside to stop the run and shows ability to beat tackles with power. Good in pursuit with good range. Can make plays outside the box. Solid, wrap-up tackler. Has upside as a pass-rusher and possibly as an outside linebacker. Cited for his work in the offseason strength and conditioning program. Very coachable and plays with a good motor.

Negatives: Tested positive for marijuana use at the Combine. Had one of the poorest showings at the Combine at his position. Stiff, slow-footed, not explosive or exceptionally strong. Average-at-best agility and counter moves. Gets too stiff and too upright coming off the ball. Gets washed out at the point of attack. Needs to improve his hand use and doesn't always keep his feet moving. Has only been a part-time starter. Productivity dropped as a senior despite more starts. Has not demonstrated a professional approach to the game.

Then, there's my comments in RamBlog on Jarrett's performance at the Combine: Wow. Was out-of-balance every single drill and looked as fluid as a box of rocks. Poor balance, no smoothness at all. Practically fell down on drills that shouldn’t be challenges to one’s balance. He played like he’d either just come from a wine tasting, or had an inner-ear infection. Maybe both. 
 
In light of that, not very surprising to hear he tested positive for something.


Compares to: Eric Moore.

Fun Facts: He may not quite be Jason Pierre-Paul, but Jamaar can do a standing backflip in full pads.

RamView: RamView's only guess for Jamaar Jarrett is that the Rams could consider stashing him on the practice squad if he shows promise in camp. I really can't see the reason he was invited. Far from exceptional athletically, not a very remarkable college career, has great practice habits but not the personal judgment to match. Hard to see him anywhere but the back of the line during d-line drills. Jarrett had better get his act together quickly and make a very quick, very strong impression when he gets into camp.

Chance of making roster: 15%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Arizona State athletics

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Rams rookie free agent signings (updated)

Here's the list of undrafted rookie free agents the Rams are bringing to camp:
(corrected 5/16)

Todd Anderson, FB, Michigan State
Sammy Brown, LB, Houston
Jeremy Caldwell, CB, Eastern Kentucky  (left team July 23, own decision)
Jamie Childers, TE, Coastal Carolina  (cut August 15)
Derrick Choice, LB, Stephen F. Austin (left team, own decision)
Matt Conrath, DL, Virginia
Matt Daniels, S, Duke
Austin Davis, QB, Southern Mississippi
Cory Harkey, TE, UCLA
Michael Hay, OT, Syracuse (cut July 23)
T-Bob Hebert, OL, LSU
Johnny Hekker, P, Oregon State
Alex Hoffman-Ellis, LB, Washington State
Jamaar Jarrett, DE, Arizona State
Nick Johnson, WR, Henderson State
Noah Keller, LB, Ohio
Joe Long, OT, Wayne State
Rodney McLeod, S, Virginia
Calvin Middleton, RB, Jacksonville State
DeAngelo Peterson, TE, LSU
Quinton Pointer, S, UNLV
Nick Schweiger, RB, Dartmouth
Scott Smith, DE, Texas Tech
Travis Tripucka, LS, Massachusetts

My goal this year is to get every player's profile up before they get cut. Seems modest, I know, but it'd be a first for me. Should start getting them written this week. I'll start with Davis and Harkey, the two whose prospects I've already been enthusiastic about for a while. 

You can track the rookie free agent bios here or at the ramview.com draft index page. The Rams' draft class bios are already up there and won't be re-posted here.

-$-

Rookie free agent profile: Matt Daniels, SS, Duke


Matt Daniels 6'0" 211
SS, Duke

Rankings:
23rd-ranked strong safety by Pro Football Weekly. Graded originally as a player who should make an NFL training camp but has been upgraded to better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster. Free-agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: 9th-ranked SS, #263 player overall (right behind Austin Davis), 7th-round/free-agent grade. 

Biography/honors:
2011: Second team Walter Camp Foundation all-American. First team all-ACC. Started all 12 games at strong safety. Team captain and MVP. 126 tackles, 14 passes defended, 2 interceptions. Played in East-West Shrine Game.
2010: Started all 12 games at strong safety. 93 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 7 passes defended, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles.
2009: Started all 12 games at strong safety. 83 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, one-half sack, 5 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles. 
2008: Played in 10 games with one start at strong safety. 22 tackles, one interception.

Major: public policy studies. Three-time ACC all-academic team member.

Injuries:
2008: Missed most of one game and all of the following two due to a knee injury.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine SS averages in parentheses)
4.48 40 (4.62 average – Daniels would have been the fastest safety at the Combine)
1.50 10-yard split
35.5” vertical jump (34 3/4”)
10'4” broad jump (10'1”)
6.90 3-cone drill (6.99)
4.31 20-yard shuttle (4.27)
15 bench press (18)
 

Positives: Strong in-the-box safety and run supporter. Anticipates plays and finds the ball well. Takes good angles and closes to the ball with burst. Excellent all-around speed and closing speed. Textbook form tackler, strong and sure. Shows good feel for zone defense, good ball awareness, keeps his head up. Outstanding character, leadership and work ethic. Excellent production. High football IQ, can call signals and make adjustments on the fly. Projects as a traditional strong safety with deep zone responsibility on passing downs.

Negatives: High-hipped and very stiff. Poor hip turn and change of direction with almost robotic movement. Not smooth in his backpedal. Lacks explosiveness. Liability in man coverage. Poor hands - should have a lot more interceptions compared to his number of passes defended. Has some trouble getting off of blocks. Not suited to succeed on special teams. Weird tendency to flop to the ground when an opponent with the ball comes near him. No, wait a minute, that's the Duke basketball team.

Compares to: Gerald Sensabaugh.

Fun Facts: Among Matt's many academic awards: three ACC all-academic team honors, National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame University Scholar-Athlete Award, Duke Student-Athlete of the Year, and the Watkins Award, which goes to the top African-American high school student-athlete in the nation. Besides collecting academic awards, Matt also enjoys fishing and skeet shooting.

RamView: RamView mentioned during free agent previews that good in-the-box safeties fall out of the draft every year. Meet Matt Daniels. Faster than any safety in the draft? Rang up a ton of tackles and pass defenses against top college competition? Excellent tackler and run supporter? I can't be the first person to wonder why Daniels wasn't drafted. As it is, the Rams find a player who has a very good chance to walk directly on to the 53-man roster in the open backup safety position. If Daniels can affirmatively answer questions about his coverage skills and special teams ability in camp, he should have this nailed.

Chance of making roster: 55%.


Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Wikipedia, Duke University athletics, The Duke Chronicle

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Kroenke wants to raise the roof?


Details are beginning to leak out about the Rams' stadium demands to the St. Louis CVC. As we know, the terms of the city's stadium lease with the Rams require the Edward Jones Dome to be a "top-tier" facility. The CVC presented a $124 million upgrade plan earlier this year to fulfill that requirement; the Rams' counteroffer, which has been kept secret so far, was submitted May 1st. If the two parties don't have an agreement by June 1st, the matter goes into arbitration, where it will likely be tied up the rest of 2012.

The Rams and the CVC have agreed to keep the Rams' counteroffer under wraps, but because the state of Missouri is still paying part of the bill for the construction of the Dome, the state Attorney General says the negotiation falls under the state's sunshine laws and is going to make the Rams' demands public on Monday.

If the current leak is representative, the two sides are very, very far apart. Stan Kroenke reportedly wants a new, retractable roof on the Dome. This is despite the fact that engineers have already said it can't be done. The current structure won't support the weight of a retractable roof, and if any rain gets in, there's no way to drain the place. It could take as much as $300 million to retrofit the Dome into a convertible.

(Stan's a little old for a midlife crisis - why should the taxpayers have to buy him a $300M convertible? He can get a Lamborghini Aventador for under $400K!)

Joking aside, like everything else the Rams are doing these days, Kroenke's lifting a page from the Atlanta Falcons' playbook. Despite a recent renovation to the Georgia Dome, Arthur Blank's still not happy with its revenue-generating ability and wants a new stadium, even though the Georgia Dome's barely older than the Ed. The joint proposal with the city of Atlanta started out as a new open-air stadium next to the Georgia Dome, but when everyone decided that was ridiculous economically and every other way, it changed to a plan to tear the Georgia Dome down and replace it with a retractable-dome stadium. Finances, you ask? Atlanta's planning to put in $300 million that would come from hotel taxes, and are hoping Blank puts down the other $650 mil. Yeah, good luck with that.

We're heading toward the same scenario in St. Louis. Kroenke's request to convert the Ed into a retractable-roofed stadium is going to prove so unfeasible economically and architecturally, that it'll be agreed the only feasible way to keep the team beyond 2015 will be a completely new stadium. The region is probably eventually going to be tasked with putting up at least a half-billion dollars to keep the Rams in town, and I just don't see the economic ability or civic and political will here to make something like that happen. Which is wildly different than Atlanta, where Blank and the Falcons are highly popular and the hurdles toward their stadium deal don't appear to be too high at the moment.

What I'll be interested to see Monday, assuming it's in there somewhere, is how much Kroenke says he's willing to put up as he escalates the price of the "first-tier" requirement. If he plays it like the pure businessman everyone always says he is, don't look for the Rams' first home game in their next new stadium to be here in St. Louis.

I guess the arbitrator could always pick the CVC's plan with the new scoreboard and the beer garden, though.

-$-

Associated Press photo

Rookie free agent profile: Matt Conrath, DL, Virginia


Matt Conrath 6'7" 281
DL, Virginia

Rankings:
23rd-ranked defensive end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as slightly better than 50-50 to make an NFL roster. Late draftable grade.
NFLDraftScout: 26th-ranked at defensive tackle. #349 player overall, free-agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Started all 13 games, 12 at defensive tackle and defensive end in Virginia's bowl game. 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 pass knockdowns and 3 blocked kicks.
2010: Started 11 of 12 games. Moved to defensive tackle in 4-3 alignment. 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass knockdown.
2009: Started 10 games. 3-4 defensive end. 45 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass knockdowns and a blocked extra point.
2008: Started all 12 games. 3-4 defensive end. 35 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, a forced fumble, 4 pass knockdowns and a blocked FG. 
2007: Medical redshirt.

Major: adapted physical education.

Injuries:
2009: Missed two games due to a high ankle sprain.
2006:
(HS) Tore labrum in shoulder, requiring surgery, but played a full football season afterward.

Pro day stats: (NFL Combine DL averages in parentheses)
5.18 40 (4.98 average – 5.18 would have been bottom ten time)
1.71 10-yard split (1.67)
28.5” vertical jump (31”)
9'3” broad jump (9'2”)
7.29 3-cone drill (7.35)

4.60 20-yard shuttle (4.47)
17 bench press (27 average – worst DL bench count at Combine was 19)


Positives: Quick off the snap and quick to locate the ball. Good vision, instincts, effort and work ethic. Has a mean streak and fights well through trash. Athletic for his size, with good bend and fluid hips. Has good double moves and spin moves in pass rush. Often got good penetration pass rushing from tackle, and showed some pass-rush ability off the edge as well. Has excellent "length". Long-armed and terrific at blocking kicks and knocking down passes.

Negatives: Height really works against him. Hard to win at being the low man when you're as tall and lean-framed as he is. Struggles to get power and leverage. Plays too upright. Struggles to anchor. Relies too much on his upper body and needs to get stronger there anyway. Gets hung up on blocks, plays out of control. On the ground too often. Uses his hands well but needs to improve. Frame not at all suited for interior defensive line in the NFL; his center of gravity is just too high. Will have to be a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 strong-side DE, but may lack the agility needed to succeed on the outside. Needs to improve his pass-rush moves in any event.

Compares to: Calais Campbell.

Fun Facts: A torn labrum cut Matt's baseball career short in high school (St. Rita - Chicago), but didn't keep him away from football. He played with the injury his whole senior season, in which he made 16 sacks and St. Rita won the Illinois state championship.

RamView: It's an understatement to say there are a lot of openings on the Rams' 2012 roster; there's definitely one for Matt Conrath. There's little reason he can't stay even in camp with players like Darell Dorell Scott, Jermelle Cudjo, or Eugene Sims, at which point his ability to block kicks and knock down passes gives him a unique edge. (Which is why I'm happy to echo the Calais Campbell comparisons. Campbell ruined a game for the Rams last year; the Rams need their own guy like that.) If he can hold up against NFL offensive linemen, which is the big question, his job prospects here could be surprisingly upbeat.

Chance of making roster: 55%.


Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, University of Virginia athletics, Roanoke (Va.) Times

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Johnny Hekker, P, Oregon State


Johnny Hekker 6'5.5" 217
P, Oregon State

Rankings:
9th-ranked punter by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player with a chance to be in an NFL training camp. Free-agent grade.
NFLDraftScout: 9th-ranked punter, #598 player overall, free-agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2011: Four-year starter. Finished 15th in the nation in punting yards and Oregon State was 16th in net yards. 50 punts for a 44.0-yard average with a long of 65. 17 kicks over 50 yards. Had at least one 60-yard punt in six different games. 20 kicks downed inside the 20 vs. 6 touchbacks. None blocked. Outkicked third-round pick Bryan Anger in November OSU-Cal game. 
2010: 61 punts for a 41.7-yard average with a long of 74. 14 kicks over 50 yards. 25 kicks downed inside the 20 vs. 5 touchbacks. One kick blocked.
2009: Ray Guy Award semifinalist. Second team all-Pac-10. 51 punts for a 40.1-yard average with a long of 64. 12 kicks over 50 yards. 19 kicks downed inside the 20 vs. 7 touchbacks. None blocked.
2008: 59 punts for a 39.7-yard average with a long of 59. 9 kicks over 50 yards. 23 kicks downed inside the 20 vs. 7 touchbacks. One kick blocked.

Major: general science. Two-time Pac-10 all-academic team member.

Injuries: none reported.

Workout results: There is little-to-no reporting on Hekker's pro day results or his performance at the NFL Super Regional Combine in New York. He reportedly only punted a few times at pro day and hit the ceiling of OSU's indoor training facility once. At a specialists combine in Arizona in February, his non-situational punts ranged from 46 to 61 yards and averaged 4.5 seconds of hang time. He only downed one of three pooch punts inside the 10.

Positives: Four-year starter. Excellent all-around athlete who improved in every area every year. Kicks nice, deep spirals. Gets great hang time and doesn't often outkick his coverage. Can kick on the run rugby-style and has an Australian-style flip kick that dies when it hits the ground. Shows ability to get off a big punt quickly and to make big kicks with his back to the end zone. Has three years experience holding on placekicks. Was a high school quarterback, making him a legitimate threat on fakes. Has worked on kickoffs and could take over there in an emergency. His special teams coach at OSU, Bruce Read, coached special teams for three different NFL teams.

Negatives: Mishits some of his kicks because he gets too amped up trying to crush one. Had several nasty shanks in his college career and has had punts of 13, 10, and minus-4 yards. Needs improvement at pooch punting. Getoff time is a little slower than pro special teams coaches appear to prefer (1.35 vs. 1.3 seconds). His height may not help him there - if he officially measures over 6'5", he'll be the tallest punter in NFL history. Does not have the consistency needed of an NFL punter.

Compares to: Chas Henry.

Fun Facts: Johnny lost a full yard off his 2011 average thanks to this punt against Wisconsin, which traveled minus-4 yards. He lost 1.3 yards off his 2009 average thanks to two 6-yard punts attempted into 50-mph winds at the Las Vegas Bowl. He's a two-time Pac-10 All-Academic team member, is active in community service with Boys and Girls Club and Read Across America, and has helped build homes in Guatemala.

RamView: Good find by the Rams - Hekker improved every year in college, has a bigger leg than his statistics show, and they didn't need to use a draft pick to get him. He was reportedly new special teams coach John Fassel's choice all along, so it's time now for Fassel to prove his coaching chops. Hekker has potential to be a top 10 punter in the league if he develops consistency and avoids the shanks, which have the power to drive him out of the league quickly. Maybe Fassel, too. But the Rams have a promising starter here if everything goes well.

Chance of making roster: 90%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Oregon State athletics website, The Oregonian, Wikipedia, Corvallis (Ore.) Gazette-Times

Photo: Corvallis Gazette-Times

(Ex)Rams news, 5/9: Bell retires

Barely a month after signing a contract with the Bengals, former Ram guard Jacob Bell has announced his retirement. Bell cited lack of desire to play and concerns about his long-term health. The recent suicide of Junior Seau also affected his decision.

Jim Thomas interviewed Bell for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch shortly after his announcement. Bell doesn't indicate what his next move will be, but being just 31 years old, he should have plenty of time to figure it out. Best of luck.

-$-

Photo: St. Louis Rams

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Rookie free agent profile: Deangelo Peterson, TE, LSU


Deangelo Peterson 6'3" 243
TE, LSU

Rankings:
12th-ranked tight end by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player with a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster. 5th- to 6th-round grade.
NFLDraftScout: 9th-ranked TE, #191 player overall, 6th-round grade. 

Biography/honors:
2011: Played in 14 games, starting 3. 18 catches for 179 yards (9.9 ypc) and a TD.2010: Played in 10 games, starting 3. 16 catches for 198 yards (12.4 ypc).
2009: Converted to tight end full-time before the season and started 2 games, playing in all 13. 5 catches for 82 yards and 2 TDs.
2008: Appeared in all 13 games, mostly on special teams. 6 tackles.

Major: sports administration.

Injuries:
2010: missed three games due to an ankle injury.

NFL Combine stats: (position averages in parentheses)
4.76 40 (4.74)
1.59 10-yard split (1.63)
36” vertical jump (34” - Peterson tied for best jump)
10'1” broad jump (9'10”)
7.19 3-cone drill (7.08 – 3rd-worst time)
DNP
20-yard shuttle
18 bench press (21)


Positives: Athletic build, looks like a very big wide receiver. Good bulk. Worked hard in the weight room and added 40 lbs while at LSU. Good burst off the line and good speed downfield to create mismatches with linebackers. Smooth footwork, smooth movement skills, excellent change-of-direction. Tracks the ball well. Big-handed. Handles the ball securely and has some ability to create after the catch. Try-hard blocker best on the move. Durable player who lined up all over the field and can be a big-play threat.

Negatives: Undersized. Poor hands. Lets too many throws into his body, doesn't catch cleanly, has too many drops due to loss of concentration. This was apparent at the Combine, where he had multiple drops in the gauntlet runs and didn't catch balls cleanly in other drills. Needs work as a route-runner - rounds off his routes. Does not compete well for the ball in traffic. Does not have elite power and is probably as strong as he's going to get. Marginal in-line blocker who struggles to sustain blocks. Much more a receiver than a blocker. Needs to be prodded.

Compares to: Daniel Fells.

Fun Facts: It will do Mike Martz's heart good to know that Peterson's only carry at LSU was a 23-yard end-around on 4th-and-1. Not only that, it was the key play in LSU's 2010 upset over Alabama. 

RamView: This is only RamView's third rookie free agent preview this year, but I doubt anyone will be as easy to root for in training camp as Deangelo Peterson. Like Marshall Faulk, he grew up in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. He carried some of his family to safety when Hurricane Katrina took their home. He'll be the first member of his family to receive a college degree. He played three years at LSU as a receiving tight end in a run-oriented offense. Now Peterson's tasked with making an NFL team as a street free agent. I just wish his skillset was as good as the road he's traveled has been difficult. There's 3 or 4 TEs in camp already who are better blockers, so the shaky-handed receiving TE is going to have to steal a job as a downfield threat. Then again, who do the Rams have in that role other than (also shaky-handed) Lance Kendricks? Some scouting reports say Peterson has Fred Davis-like potential, and he's beaten worse odds in his life than it'd take to become a backup TE on a 2-14 team. Somebody call HBO's Hard Knocks before it's too late - they could be missing a great story here.

Chance of making roster: 45%.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, LSU athletics website, New Orleans Times-Picayune

Photo: Pro Football Weekly

(Ex)Rams news, 5/8

* Defensive tackle Gary Gibson has signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay. He played for the Rams the past three seasons. He won't be a starter with the Bucs but should give them some high-motor play off the bench. Best of luck.

* Anthony Hargrove says Gregg Williams and Joe Vitt told him to "play dumb" to NFL investigators looking into the bounty system in New Orleans. ESPN.com

Between this and the painkiller scandal, you have to wonder about our old friend and one-time interim coach Vitt, don't you?

* Where are they now? 2006 third-round draft pick Jon Alston's football career ended in 2010 after his fourth concussion. It took him six to eight months away from the game to shake the effects of the last one, and in this article, he talks about that and argues that players who have concussion side-effects serious enough to put them on the injured list should be required to sit out a full year. The article also mentions Alston's new career as owner of a film production company and as an "incredibly talented and ambitious young filmmaker."

-$-

Photo: NBC Sports