As reported by Aaron Wilson at scout.com or FoxSports.com or MSN.com or something, word from Janoris Jenkins' agent is that negotiations with the Rams are going just fine. His representatives deny there was ever a promise made that Jenkins would hire a specific financial adviser, i.e. Jeff Fisher's personal money manager Lou Taylor. They also say that Jenkins has retained the Merrill Lynch financial adviser who helped get his child-support payments straightened out prior to the draft. Jenkins' agent also threw in that Jenkins has been a model citizen for the past year and a half and since getting to St. Louis, and fully expects to get a deal done soon.
From here, it looks like Jenkins has taken a responsible course in getting his financial affairs in order and has kept a professional with a reputable firm so things stay in order. If, as Jason Cole's report Friday seems to suggest, Fisher and the Rams don't trust him to the point that they're only happy baby-sitting him via Fisher's personal money manager, maybe they shouldn't have drafted him.
It's one of the rare times RamView agrees with an agent. Let's quit the posturing and get Jenkins under contract.
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Saturday, July 7, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Why the Rams haven't signed Janoris Jenkins yet
Jenkins worked with a financial adviser in Florida on his own prior to the draft to get his current child-support situation sorted out. He currently has four children with three women, and now has a fourth claiming he is also the father of her child. So you can see where Fisher is coming from. With significant off-the-field distractions, Jenkins could definitely use a full-time manager to keep his family and finances organized, and he can concentrate on covering receivers during the season. Taylor's role would be to handle Jenkins' child-support payments, put him on a budget, and maybe buy him a damn box of Trojans before he catches up with Antonio Cromartie.
But here comes the problem. The CBA doesn't allow teams to require a player to hire a financial adviser at all as a condition of their contract, let alone a specific person. Jenkins is said to be balking at Taylor's fee ($120,000 for four years). I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't like the budget plan drawn up for him, either. The Rams are said to be concerned that Jenkins has got a bunch of people in his ear and don't think he'll be managed effectively by his current mentor and adviser. You can kind of see the way the Rams are already afraid Jenkins will be headed.
But that doesn't mean that Fisher hasn't well overstepped by trying to tell Jenkins exactly where to put his money. Obviously I don't have all the details, but the Yahoo report says the adviser Jenkins worked with previously in Florida is with Merrill Lynch; why not try to work together with him instead of trying to cram Fisher's personal money manager down Jenkins' throat?
The Rams can only pay Jenkins; they can't tell him where and how to spend his money any more than your employer or mine can order us. It appears the Rams trust Jenkins' judgment so little, despite all those reassurances you heard out of Rams Park in the days after the draft, that they'd try to violate the CBA to try to make sure he stays in line. That was kind of the price of drafting him, though, wasn't it?
Maybe this is all a negotiating ploy on the Rams' part to make sure Jenkins hires somebody reputable. They have to, and should, drop the condition that Jenkins hire Taylor immediately. For his part, Jenkins needs to show the good judgment his team doesn't believe he has and get on board with a full-time money manager on his own.
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Photo: Associated Press
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Rookie free agent profile: Nick Johnson, WR, Henderson State
WR, Henderson State
Rankings: 109th-ranked wide receiver by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player who could make an NFL training camp but will likely need time in a developmental league.
NFLDraftScout: 140th-ranked WR, free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: Played in 10 games, starting 7. 35 receptions for 280 yards (8.0 ypc) and 3 TDs. Averaged 22.8 yards on 13 kick returns and 14.9 yards on 9 punt returns.
2010: Junior college transfer. Played in 11 games. 31 receptions for 470 yards (15.2 ypc) and a TD. Averaged 17.1 yards on 8 kick returns.
Uncle Sherman Cocroft played cornerback for 3 NFL teams from 1989-1994.
Major: not reported.
Injuries: none reported.
Pro day stats: (NFL Combine WR averages in parentheses)
(held at Ouachita Baptist. Ouachita Baptist has a pro day?)
4.41 40 (would have been in top 10 WRs at Combine, tying Chris Givens. WR average was 4.53)
1.57 10-yard split
36” vertical jump (36”)
10'0" broad jump (10'0")
6.86 3-cone drill (6.93)
3.92 20-yard shuttle (would have been fastest time at Combine. WR average was 4.17. Last year's fastest shuttle? Austin Pettis, 3.88.)
16 bench press (15)
Positives: Natural receiver with good speed and burst who runs well after the catch. Has some excellent after-the-catch moves. Effective on smoke routes and quick screens. Can go up and get it and will go over the middle. Has quickness and movement skills to be an effective slot receiver. Has run sub-4.4 in the 40. Couldn't be caught from behind at his level of competition. Picks up playbooks quickly. Shows elusiveness and ability to weave through traffic as a kick returner.
Negatives: Unimpressive production and only seven starts against a low level of competition. Wasn't even Henderson State's leading receiver. Seems to rely almost entirely on speed to get open. One-note receiver who will find the going a lot harder against pro-quality talent. Very pedestrian kick return numbers. And if he intends to return punts in the NFL, will have to be a lot smarter about catching in a crowd and will learn fast that you can't win on speed alone. Doesn't have that much experience as a receiver or a returner. Is a 49ers fan.
Compares to: Speedy wide receiver from Henderson State? Wish I could say Roy Green. I'll say Dolphins WR Clyde Gates, even though he was a 4th-round pick.
Fun Facts: A 49er fan since childhood, Nick even went so far as to make former 49er QB Jeff Garcia his agent. He'd better have a new favorite team now, though. Henderson State and Ouachita State are across the street from one another in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and have a rivalry dating back to 1895. Every year the visiting team walks to the home team's stadium.
RamView: Johnson put up excellent 40 times at one of the NFL Super Regional combines; I'm not sure what else attracted the Rams to him, or where exactly he fits in on the roster. They already have plenty of slot receivers. John Fassel at Oakland tended to prefer crazy-fast players returning kicks; maybe Johnson's getting a chance there despite very underwhelming college numbers. He looks very good after the catch; maybe that'll help him stand out in camp. But Johnson looks like just a long-shot stopwatch signing from here. No harm, no foul.
Chance of making roster: 10%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly, CBS Sports, NFLDraftScout, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Wikipedia, Henderson State athletics, YouTube
Photo: Henderson State athletics
Rookie free agent profile: Quinton Pointer, DB, UNLV
Quinton Pointer 5'9" 186
CB, UNLV
Rankings: 58th-ranked cornerback by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player who should make an NFL training camp.
NFLDraftScout: 42nd-ranked CB, #374 player overall, preferred free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: Team captain. Played in all 12 games, with 2 starts at corner and 6 at strong safety. 59 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and a blocked kick.
2010: Granted medical hardship waiver by NCAA.
2009: Started all 12 games. 72 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, one forced fumble, 4 pass breakups, no interceptions. Also returned 5 kickoffs for a 19.8-yard average.
2008: Started 11 games. 44 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions.
2007: Played in all 12 games, starting 8. 50 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, 2 pass breakups and 2 interceptions.
Major: recreation and leisure studies. How did I miss out on this when I was deciding on a college major?
Injuries:
2010: Missed season due to torn ACL. Original injury believed to have occurred during fall camp. 2009: Missed spring practice due to surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Original injury believed to have occurred in 2007.
2008: Dislocated elbow during fall camp and missed season opener. Wore a brace throughout the season.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine CB averages in parentheses)
4.42 40 (only three CBs at the Combine were faster. Average CB run was 4.57.)
1.50 10-yard split (fastest published time was Janoris Jenkins' 1.47)
39” vertical jump (would have been 2nd-best jump. Average was 34.5.)
10'8" broad jump (would have been top 5 of all DBs. DBs averaged 10'0”.)
7.22 3-cone drill (would have been a bottom-5 time. DBs averaged 6.92.)
4.13 20-yard shuttle (4.12 was average for CBs)
12 bench press (DBs averaged 15)
Positives: Fast, competitive and plays physical. Likes to hit. Breaks on the ball well. Makes up for his size with good instincts and aggressiveness. Pro day performance showed elite speed and explosiveness suggesting he's over his ACL injury from 2010. Hard-working, smart player who knows all his teammates' roles on every play. Contributes as a blitzer and a run supporter and can return kicks. Has the athletic ability and mindset to compete for a backup spot.
Negatives: Extensive injury history. Undersized. Already 24. Does not play as quick as his timed speed suggests. Doesn't have a good first step or initial burst. Plays too high and has poor balance. Doesn't turn and run well, doesn't mirror well and is pretty easy to fool with a fake. Chops his feet, doesn't change directions well and takes too long to regain top speed. Receivers routinely beat him vertically and he's slow to react to passes in front of him.
Compares to: a shorter Justin King (I am so sorry).
Fun Facts: You'd think someone who majored in recreation and leisure in Las Vegas would have an exotic hobby like skydiving or parasailing, wouldn't you? Maybe mountain climbing? Not Quinton, who says about all he does in his down time is watch TV and maybe play a little basketball. Geez, if Las Vegas only had more things to do there...
RamView: How appropriate that Quinton went to school in Las Vegas, where they chase long shots for a living, because making his living in the NFL looks like just that. I won't question his athletic ability, desire or smarts. Can the new coaching staff turn a player with Quinton's skills into a solid pro? It's not impossible. If somebody says they see a lot of Cortland Finnegan in him, I don't blame them. But you already know who I see. A player with elite physical ability but who is also oft-injured, doesn't turn and run with receivers well, gets beaten deep, doesn't react well to plays right in front of him... if the Rams really think they can coach up a player with Quinton's profile, they probably should have just kept Justin King. Making the road even tougher, the Rams have a pretty deep logjam at corner, and I don't see what in Quinton's profile translates to a good NFL safety. My apologies to Quinton, and may he prove me very wrong.
Chance of making roster: 5%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, UNLV athletics, National Football Post, New Era Scouting, Las Vegas Sun, NFLMocks.com
Photo: Pro Football Weekly
Eldridge suspended
Remember the Rams picking up former Colts and Oklahoma - he was not only Sam Bradford's college teammate, but also his roommate - blocking tight end Brody Eldridge a few weeks ago? Well, you may not have to for long. He has been found in violation of the NFL's ban on performance-enhancing drugs and has been suspended for the first four weeks of the regular season. Seems like Eldridge will have to have one heck of a camp to make up for not being able to take the field until October.
-$-
-$-
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Rookie free agent profile: Alex Hoffman-Ellis, LB, Washington State
OLB, Washington State
Rankings: 38th-ranked outside linebacker by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as 50-50 to make an NFL roster or practice squad.
NFLDraftScout: 18th-ranked OLB, #189 player overall, 5th-6th round grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: Second-team all-Pac 12. Started all 11 games as an outside linebacker. 88 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups and an interception he returned 67 yards for a TD. Selected for NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
2010: Started all 12 games at WLB. 81 tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, 2 sacks, 4 pass breakups, one forced fumble and 2 interceptions.
2009: Played in 11 games, with 8 starts at MLB and one at WLB. 84 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and an interception he returned 52 yards for a TD.
2008: Junior college transfer. Redshirted.
Major: not listed.
Injuries:
2009: Missed one game due to a staph infection.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine OLB averages in parentheses)
4.54 40 (4.73 average – Hoffman-Ellis would have been 2nd-fastest OLB at Combine)
1.57 10-yard split
36.5” vertical jump (34.5”)
9'11" broad jump (9'9")
7.09 3-cone drill (7.16)
4.33 20-yard shuttle (4.30)
36 bench press (23 average – Hoffman-Ellis would have led all linebackers at Combine and tied for third among all players)
Positives:
Strong and quick-footed with excellent straight-line speed. Runs and tackles well. Breaks down well, takes good angles, good wrap tackler with snap. Gets good depth in his drops and shows he can open up his hips. Productive college player despite limited experience. Has makeup to be an impact player on special teams.
Negatives:
Short and stocky with short arms. Inexperienced, only one year of high school football due to disciplinary and academic issues. Slow to read and react, has not developed good run instincts. Struggles to stack and shed. Gets stood up on contact and is easily washed out of plays inside. Lacks quickness to get through traffic or avoid second-level blockers. Inconsistent motor. Does not make many plays in pursuit. Stiff and doesn't break down well in space. Clumsy-footed and plays with poor balance. Not comfortable in zone coverage, has to think too much.
Compares to: Jon Alston, with apologies for the potential jinx.
Fun Facts: A superb all-around athlete, Alex lettered in four sports in high school, where he played middle linebacker, tight end and punter on the football team. He played on the gold medal U.S. national 15-16-year-old basketball team at the Maccabi International Games, and finished fifth in the state of California in the javelin in junior college.
RamView: “The Hoff” really has me scratching my head, for a couple of reasons. For one, how does one of the fastest, strongest, athletically-gifted LBs out there fall all the way out of the draft? The other is that so far in OTAs, the Rams have used him mostly in the middle. He has played all over, but seems better-suited for the weak side. He is a very intriguing player in any event. He's a well-regarded college player who made a lot of impact plays, despite a lack of experience compared to other players because of his high school misadventures. The main complaints I see about him – uncertainty, slow to read and react – are traits of a player who's still pretty raw, which good coaching and plenty of repetitions can fix. Hoffman-Ellis looks to me like the perfect example of a player who can be coached up and developed into an elite player. If he's fully dedicated in training camp, his athletic skill will eventually put him over the top. I would be rather surprised if he cannot at least make this year's practice squad, and from there, turn into something special.
Chance of making roster: 60%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, National Football Post, Scout.com, Washington State athletics
Photo: Pro Football Weekly
RamView, 7/1: Goodell loves L.A.?
Well, before Stan Kroenke starts firing up the moving vans, there are a few things that could be working in St. Louis' favor, at least for the moment. The most important is time. The Rams can't break the lease with the city until March 2015. Plenty of time for other qualified candidates to step up. Goodell also sounds intent on being as strict with the L.A. process as he has been with Gregg Williams. There'll be no Sooner-style land rushes here. Teams must prove they've made every possible attempt to stay where they are and Goodell also issued a reminder that the whole league decides on relocations, not one team. Relocations (still) (supposedly) have to be approved by a 3/4 vote of the league owners. (Not that it hasn't been worked around or ignored before)
The NFL also continues to pay lip service to the idea that it wants all 32 teams to stay right where they are, and that L.A. is intended as an expansion market. Of course, right there on the league's website, you've got an article that ends by saying fans in San Diego can't feel too comfortable. Strike two for partiality! As happy as I am that article didn't mention St. Louis, that's still another low moment for journalistic ethics on NFL.com.
As for St. Louis - this isn't the kick that could send the Rams down the slippery slope back to the West Coast, but it should be a wake-up call for those who haven't taken the idea of the Rams moving back seriously up until now. The commissioner has said so himself: Los Angeles is competition for cities of teams considering relocation, and the competition is very real.
* The NFL has also made its TV blackout rule 15% less stupid with a change to the policy that takes effect this season. The blackout can be lifted when a team sells 85% of tickets for a given game. Previously a team had to either sell out games entirely or get extensions and exemptions from the league. This is obviously an important rule to St. Louis, where the Rams have had to dodge many potential blackouts over the years. The NFL.com article didn't say if noon Thursday is still the deadline for Sunday games, or if that deadline can be extended as it has in the past.
The weekly magic number for lifting the TV blackout in St. Louis: 56,100 (85% of 66,000).
* Capping it off. The Rams are $3.6 million under the salary cap according to figures just released on NFL.com. Cap space for the rest of the league:
Jacksonville Jaguars: $25,115,885
Tennessee Titans: $19,970,080
Cleveland Browns: $17,774,764
Kansas City Chiefs: $16,548,048
Cincinnati Bengals: $16,309,693
Philadelphia Eagles: $15,879,570
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $15,740,231
Indianapolis Colts: $14,595,514
Green Bay Packers: $11,255,804
Denver Broncos: $10,878,461
New England Patriots: $10,873,988
Minnesota Vikings: $10,595,534
Carolina Panthers: $8,769,801
Seattle Seahawks: $7,470,071
Buffalo Bills: $7,382,319
Dallas Cowboys: $7,188,021
Washington Redskins: $6,970,162
New York Jets: $6,044,153
Arizona Cardinals: $4,552,576
Miami Dolphins: $4,458,211
Houston Texans: $4,053,256
Chicago Bears: $3,976,700
Detroit Lions: $3,775,829
Pittsburgh Steelers: $3,734,063
St. Louis Rams: $3,602,486
San Francisco 49ers: $3,394,599
New York Giants: $3,119,114
San Diego Chargers: $2,862,095
Atlanta Falcons: $2,834,873
New Orleans Saints: $2,272,081
Oakland Raiders: $1,347,040
Baltimore Ravens: $606,858
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