Ridiculously Premature Thoughts on the Rams' Draft Picks, Vol. 2

Categories: Rams
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The first picks are predictable, the latter are where the fun can be had.
I've already gone through the picks the Rams made in the early rounds of this year's draft, and I like what they did. The big question, of course, is Sam Bradford, who will likely make or break the Rams' draft pretty much alone, but the talent the Rams were able to bring in with their early round picks is very encouraging. 

The late rounds of the NFL draft are an interesting animal, and honestly I think I enjoy them even more than the early rounds. The big names all go early, of course, but the guys in the latter half of the draft are just more fun. They're project guys and small school guys and injury guys and two-sport guys. But therein lies the challenge and the creativity.

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Ridiculously Premature Thoughts on the Rams' Draft Picks, Vol. 1

Categories: Rams
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I've been told premature opinions aren't a big deal, and they happen to every guy sometimes, but I have a sneaking suspicion that's a lie.
I'll own up to it: last year I tried to do an actual report card on the Rams' draft. I gave actual letter grades to all the picks, in spite of the fact none of them had yet played a snap in the NFL, or even been to training camp. Why would I do such a ridiculous thing, you ask? Because everyone else does it, that's why! 

See, all the draft experts give out grades on the job various teams did drafting players. Never mind we won't actually know anything about how well a given draft turned out for at least a couple years; no, we need analysis and judgements now. 

Well, I'm not doing it this year. I'm not giving out grades which will only in the end prove both my hubris and poor understanding of the game of football. However, I will spout off a bunch of half-baked opinions about the Rams' draft picks. But no letter grades. That's my line in the sand. I am, after all, a man of principle. 

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Looking Ahead to Day Two of the Draft

Categories: Rams
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In the end, things probably worked out the way they had to in the first round of the draft. The Rams took their quarterback, and all we can hope for now is Sam Bradford turns out to be who they think he'll be. 

You know, you would think drafting a possible franchise quarterback would have been more exciting, but somehow it sort of wasn't. Having the first pick meant there was no drama in waiting, and it had been a foregone conclusion for weeks that Bradford was the guy. Kind of odd, really. 

So where do the Rams stand going into the second round? I'm glad you asked, because if you hadn't I would have felt bad about forcing you to read this column. 

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Rams Draft Sam Bradford No. 1; Mizzou's Sean Weatherspoon Goes in First Round

Categories: Sports
If you somehow haven't heard yet, the Rams yesterday picked Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford as the team's first pick (and No. 1 overall pick) in the NFL draft.

Mizzou linebacker Sean Weatherspoon also went in the first round yesterday as the No. 19 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons.

Congrats, 'Spoon. All that Van Halen really paid off.


Exclusive Video: Stan Kroenke Telling Bernie Miklasz Everything Will Be Okay

Categories: Sports
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Stan Kroenke
So, Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bernie Miklasz scored a rare interview yesterday with the reclusive Rams minority owner Stan Kroenke.

Apparently, word has reached Kroenke at his home in Denver that Rams fans don't trust him, think he's sabotaging the sale of the team, and wants to move the franchise to Los Angeles.

In his interview with Miklasz, Kroenke tried to assuage Rams fans that he has the city's best interests at heart. Still, he declined to go into many specifics -- including addressing a report that he has demanded a $50-million-plus ransom from Shahid Khan (the other man who's trying to purchase the team).

Reading between the lines, Kroenke essentially stated that he will (and can) do anything he wants with the Rams, thank you very much.

Following is an exclusive video clip of Kroenke explaining the extent and reach of his power. He uses the example of a "milkshake" to illustrate his point to a sniveling Miklasz.
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Dissecting the Rams Draft Deal Discussion

Categories: Rams, Sports
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The scene outside Rams Park, as protesters march against the injustice of giving $45 million to a completely unproven commodity.
Less than a week from the NFL draft, there's been plenty to talk about lately, particularly the revelations coming from the Cleveland Browns' front office regarding talks they've had regarding a potential deal with our very own Rams to move up to #1 in the draft. Which, of course, were then heavily doused with cold water by Mike Holmgren, Cleveland's emperor of football stuff. (That's an official title, by the way.) Nonetheless, speculation will continue to circulate heavily between now and Thursday night, when the draft officially get underway. 

So what are the Rams going to do with that first pick? Two words: not much. 

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Rethinking Steven Jackson

Categories: Rams
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For quite some time now, I've heard various people talk about trading Steven Jackson. No one in particular; just general talk that Jackson should be dealt while he has so much value. 

All along, whenever the subject has come up, I've been vehemently opposed. I don't care if the team is bad at the moment; you don't trade away a franchise back when you're trying to take steps toward respectability. Trading away the team's best player at this point would be completely asinine and would quite likely alienate even more of the fans whose posteriors you're attempting to fill your seats with. 

Well, I have an admission to make. Recent events have conspired to force me to reconsider my position. I'm not quite ready to say I've switched sides yet, but I do think the idea merits at least a little bit of discussion. 

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Steven Jackson Not Charged in Domestic Abuse Case

Categories: Rams
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The Las Vegas Police Department has decided there will be no charges filed against Steven Jackson as a result of accusations leveled against him by his former girlfriend, Supriya Harris. They cited a lack of evidence in the case and will not pursue any further action in the matter. 

I said when this story first surfaced that no matter the result, it's a bad deal for all involved. I stand by that. I also said at the time a man's reputation has been irrevocably harmed no matter the outcome. I stand by that, too. 

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A Black Eye for Steven Jackson

Categories: Rams
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The Rams certainly didn't need this. 

Steven Jackson has been accused of beating his former girlfriend, one Supriya Harris, when she was nine months pregnant. That's right. Nine months pregnant. As in, ready to pop any day pregnant. 

So, big strong football player, tossing his girlfriend around when she's less than two weeks away from giving birth. Apparently enraged enough his nephew had to intercede and stop the beating said big strong football player was putting on the woman. Not a particularly pleasant image, is it? 

No, this the Rams most definitely did not need. 

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The Problem With the Rams, Revealed at Last!

Categories: Rams
It was the trainer. 

Yep, you heard me. The trainer was the reason the Rams only won a single game in the 2009-2010 season. Not the impotent offense, not the porous defense, not the coaching, not the players. It was the trainer. 

After his first season as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, Steve Spagnuolo looks to return most of his staff for his sophomore campaign, with just that one really notable exception. And I for one am relieved. Something clearly needed to be done about the guy responsible for taping ankles. 
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You know what made this image possible? Good medicine ball work. And don't you ever forget it.

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