SB Nation User Blog: Nbr1RamFan

Rams For Sale...This is no Joke!

Nbr1RamFan — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:24:57 -0000

Read for yourself, This just in this morning's Post-Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/rams

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/E76D1319278A6843862575C70010D605?OpenDocument

In Bernie Miklasz's column this morning Bernie, and I quote:

After inheriting control of the Rams in early 2008 from their late mother, Georgia Frontiere, Rosenbloom and Rodriguez have concentrated on reorganizing the football operation. And they've had to deal with complex estate-tax issues in the aftermath of their mother's death.

With substantial progress made in those areas, the timetable for a sale has moved up.

Two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the Post-Dispatch on Saturday that Rosenbloom and Rodriguez have retained the services of Goldman Sachs, the prominent investment banking firm.

The owners will ask Goldman Sachs to help facilitate the sale of the Rams by evaluating bids and soliciting potential buyers.

The sale price is unknown, but Forbes magazine's most recent estimate listed the Rams' value at $929 million.

Can't say that I'm flabbergasted, but Oh, Wow! The horns could be leaving St. Louis!

I hate to be the bearer of ill tidings but this is not good, not good.

Go Rams!

[Note by VanRam, 05/31/09 9:59 AM EDT ] Remember, the Rams are contractually obligated to remain in St. Louis through 2015, when they reach an out clause in their lease with the Ed Jones Dome. Could they move after that? It's very possible, but much will depend on who the buyer is. You have to remember too, that the economy is terrible, and coming up with roughly $600 million to buy Rosenbloom and his sister's 60% share might not be the most attractive option with so many investments dried up. Then again, people that play at that level financially can find a way if they want. I'm anxious to know if the CBA situation will hurt interest in purchasing the team too.

I Can Dream Can't I?

Nbr1RamFan — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:37:40 -0000

The more I read about our Offense the more I salivate over our new O-line, our rejuvenated quarterback, our corps of wide receivers and of course Stephen Jackson. Well, okay, maybe not salivate but I do get a bit excited over next season’s possibilities.

With Fleet-footed wide-outs going deep and tough-as-nails Action-Jackson busting through the middle or going around the edge churning up yardage I just imagine so many good things happening with the Rams' offense. I also see a lot more use of the play-action-pass if Jackson’s having a good year.

It all starts of course, with our new Offensive Line…do the Rams opponents play tight to keep Jackson from busting their chops and churning up the yardage or do they play back to cover the covey of speedy receivers that can go deep or across the middle? Will our new O-line be up to it, will they really be good enough to give the Rams those options? IMO it could very well happen.

IF certain things occur, like Barron having a break-out (contract) year, Bell and Brown playing at the high level they did with their previous teams, Incognito curbing his temper tantrums yet remaining physical and our number 1 draft choice taking off like Pace did when he first entered the league.

Just take a look at what a lot of sports pundits are suggesting will be our new O-line and their backups:

O-Line - Starter - Backup

--------------------------------------------------------

LT   - A. Barron - J. Greco

LG - J. Bell - J. Greco

C - J. Brown - M. Setterstrom

RG - Incognito - Setterstrom - Schuening

RT - J. Smith - A. Goldberg

Name   -  Age   -  Exp   -   Draft (Round)

---------------------------------------------------

Barron   -   26 -  5   -   1

Bell   -   28   -   6   -   5

Brown   -   26   -   5   -   4

Incognito   -   25   -   5   -   3

Smith   -   23   -   R             1

Greco   -   24   -   2   -   3

Setterstrom   -   25   -   4   -   7

Schuening   -   25   -   2              5

Goldberg             28      -   7   -   FA

Bell and Goldberg are the only “old guys” in the line and they’re only 28 yet aside from Jason Smith you have an average of 4.8 years of experience.

So if I make the assumption that we will have a decent Offensive Line that can open up holes for our running game as well as protect Bulger on passing plays then it should be an interesting season coming up.

I am left with only two questions though:

1 - Who will the Rams have to spell Jackson in the back field? Will we pick up a capable F/A or will one of our current running backs pick up the slack?

2 - How many WRs will the team carry into the regular season?

In his article “Rams won't look to Looker for help at WR” VanRam tells us they're likely to keep six wide-outs and I tend to agree. But could they also carry seven if only to have a special teams kick/punt returner?

Over the past three years the Rams have carried at least 6 WRs at one time on their roster:

In 2006 the Rams carried:

Isaac Bruce

Kevin Curtis

Torry Holt

Dane Looker

Shaun McDonald

Willie Ponder

In 2007 the Rams carried:

Drew Bennett

Isaac Bruce

Torry Holt

Dane Looker

Derek Stanley

Dante Hall

Marques Hagans

Travis Taylor

Brandon Williams

In 2008 the Rams carried:

Donnie Avery

Drew Bennett

Keenan Burton

Dante Hall

Torry Holt

Eddie Kennison

Dane Looker

Derek Stanley

I also think the first six receivers VanRam mentions will be the final six.

Of his "Somewhat less likely" group I think if Stanley can make a complete recovery from his injury he will continue to be an outstanding return man and just the other day I read a nice article by Nick Wagoner on Tim Carter called "Carter Gets Back to Business".

As for Brooks Foster, he has nice height at 6'3" and large hands but didn't he have knee surgery in the final game with Duke in his senior year? I’ve not heard anything about how he’s doing since then.

In any event, I like to speculate...I tend to ramble on...I’m tired of the doldrums, the dead space, the time before spring training and the pre-season games. I’m anxious for the season to begin and I can dream can’t I?

Aways the optimistic Rams fan.

Go Rams!

The Story of how Marc Bulger Became the NFL's Most Underappreciated QB

Nbr1RamFan — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:04:04 -0000

As VanRam said in his Random Ramsdom article, it's very quiet out there...this is the lull in the NFL year that died-in-the-wool NFL fans dread.

It doesn't have to be this way though. If one searches every nock and cranny one can find little tid-bits of NFL news and if one is really lucky he can find Rams news. Well, maybe calling it news is a stretch so maybe I'll label it "information".

this morning I ran across this article about Marc Bulger. I thought it was fairly interesting, besides, at this time of year who can be choosy.

I found the article at bleacherreport.com.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/174695-the-story-of-how-marc-bulger-became-the-nfls-most-underappreciated-qb

Go Rams!

Do You Know Who The "Old-Timers" On The Rams Team Are?

Nbr1RamFan — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:03:51 -0000

If any of the Pundits at this point don't think the Rams are rebuilding there are a few things they should consider...

One, the Rams have not been shy about casting off their old players right and left (true, that has helped build cap room but it also makes for a younger team).

Two, at present there are only 4 players on the team that are actually over the age of thirty.

If you add to that the players that will be 30 or over by the end of the season there are only eight of them and of those eight only three are starters, Little, Bulger and McMichael.

For what it's worth, and in case anyone was actually wondering, here's a list of thosse Rams players:

(Order: From oldest to youngest)

34 - Lenord Little -  next birthday Oct. 19, 2009    (12 yrs. exp.)
33 - Chris Draft  - next birthday Feb. 26, 2010    (11 yrs. exp.)
32 - James Hall  -  next birthday Feb. 4, 2010    (10 yrs. exp.)
32 - Marc Bulger - next birthday Apr. 5, 2010    (9 yrs. exp.)
30 - Todd Johnson - next birthday Dec. 18, 2009    (7 yrs. exp.)
30 - Josh Brown - next birthday Apr. 29, 2010    (7 yrs. exp.)
29 - Randy McMichael - next birthday Jun, 28    (8 yrs. exp.)
29 - Chris Massey - next birthday Aug. 21    (8 yrs. exp.)

That to me says we have a fairly young team especially given the fact that the Rams current roster strength is over 80 players.

Hopefully this youth along with the Rams new GM Billy Devaney, Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and the new coordinators, Shurmur and Flajole will produce a team that will be a playoff contender in the near future and for some years to come.

Go Rams!

Did This Rams acqusition slip by unnoticed?

Nbr1RamFan — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:32:34 -0000

The Rams signed SS Mark Rubin on April 28 just 2 days after this year's draft.

These are his measureables from Penn State's Pro day this past March:

Ht 6' 1¼"; Wt 222 lb.; 40 yard dash 4.59; 10-yd split 1.58; 20-yd split 2.67; 20-yd shuttle 4.26; 3-cone drill 6.78; Vertical jump 32 in.

If you're a Nittany Lion fan you already know this but if not, here's more information than you ever wanted to know about Mark Rubin's last two years at Penn St.:

In 2007, Rubin played in every game on both defense and special teams and earned the starting safety job the last five games. He ended the season with 32 tackles (17 solo), with one tackle for loss. Rubin had 8 tackles in the Nittany Lions' 24-17 Alamo Bowl victory over Texas A&M, helping hold the Aggies to 3 points over the final 49 minutes.

Rubin became the Nittany Lions' full-time starter in 2008. His best game came during Penn State's much-anticipated nationally-televised showdown with Ohio State. With Penn State trailing by three points with 10:38 to play, Rubin's tackle of Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor forced a momentum-changing fumble which was recovered by Penn State. The play was voted the week's Pontiac Game Changing Performance with an overwhelming 53 percent of the total votes. Rubin led the defense with a career-high 11 tackles in the victory, and was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. He ended the season with 60 tackles (30 solo), with one tackle for loss, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Overall, Rubin started 24 career games at Penn State.

So ya have to ask yourself, does this guy have the potential to work into the Rams safety rotation? Guess we'll find out during spring training or the pre-season games.

Go Rams!

Okay, who can give me the skinny on Tim Carter?

Nbr1RamFan — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:25:43 -0000

I know he played at Auburn as both a DB and a runner on the track team and that he was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2002 Draft. The only other things I can remember about the guy is that he did a pretty fast 40 at the NFL Combine and that this year he will turn 30. P-D Bill Coats reported that he has played for Cleveland and Houston and that he participated in the Rams mini-camp on a tryout basis and was signed by the Rams.

Story Here: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/around-the-horns/around-the-horns/2009/05/st-louis-rams-sign-veteran-wide-receiver

Does anyone have any more info on this guy? For being drafted in the 2nd round by the Giants I sure haven't heard a lot about him over the past seven years.

Go Rams!

Hypothetical question? Jason Smith's Contract puts Rams over Salery Cap

Nbr1RamFan — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:13:04 -0000

This is hypothetical but just "what if" the Rams can't come to terms with Jason Smith without putting them over their salery cap? Then what happens? We don't get to keep him?

I found this post on PFT here: ProFootballTalk

Salary Cap Space As Of April 22 posted by Mike Florio on ProFootballTalk.com:

Arizona Cardinals: $1.29 million.
Atlanta Falcons: $23.67 million.
Baltimore Ravens: $968,000.
Buffalo Bills: $11.82 million.
Carolina Panthers: $2.69 million.
Chicago Bears: $20.96 million.
Cincinnati Bengals: $16.26 million.
Cleveland Browns: $20.27 million.
Dallas Cowboys: $10.35 million.
Denver Broncos: $16.3 million.
Detroit Lions: $10.72 million.
Green Bay Packers: $27.89 million.
Houston Texans: $10.75 million.
Indianapolis Colts: $7.10 million.
Jacksonville Jaguars: $16.94 million.
Kansas City Chiefs: $32.3 million.
Miami Dolphins: $13.19 million.
Minnesota Vikings: $17.32 million.
New England Patriots: $4.67 million.
New Orleans Saints: $4.29 million.
New York Giants: $4.37 million.
New York Jets: $12.62 million.
Oakland Raiders: $9.33 million.
Philadelphia Eagles: $37.44 million.
Pittsburgh Steelers: $440,000.
San Diego Chargers: $8.56 million.
San Francisco 49ers: $26.11 million.
Seattle Seahawks: $7.41 million.

St. Louis Rams: $10.67 million.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $35.54 million.
Tennessee Titans: $13.05 million.
Washington Redskins: $5.96 million.

So does anyone know, what happens if a team can't come to terms with their number 1 pick in the draft because it wuld put them over their cap?

I hope someone out there has the answer.

Go Rams!

Who Are These Guys?

Nbr1RamFan — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:55:58 -0000

I recently went through the Rams Roster and came across a handful of players that I know very little about or nothing at all.

Does anyone have any good info on these guys?

Centers Tim Mattran and Cory Withrow
Quarterback Jeff Otis
Wide Receivers Travis Brown, Joel Filani, Nate Jones and Chad Lucas
Tignt Ends Eric Butler & Daniel Fells
Cornerbacks Marcus Brown and Quincy Butler
Linebacker Larry Grant and David Roach
Defensive Tackle Willie Williams

And what about Justin King? Since his injury in that preseason game with Tennessee and his stint on the IR last season I haven't heard a word about him. Didn't the Rams have some high hopes for this kid? Is he recovering or what???

Here's an old quote I dug up on him:

"He declared himself eligible for the 2008 NFL Draft following his junior season, King made a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.31-second time in the 40-yard dash was the fastest time for a defensive back, and second-fastest of all prospects, second only to running back Chris Johnson of East Carolina.

King was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a three-year contract with the Rams, only to suffer a torn ligament in his hallux in the first preseason game...He is reported to be out for the season."

So every time I hear about our defensive backs, and in particular the cornerback position I only see in print the mention of the usual suspects, Ron Bartell, Tye Hill and Jonathan Wade. What about Fakhir Brown? I know the Rams released him last year and then resigned him when Ricky Manning, Jr. was placed on injured reserve, but do they plan on keeping him around for the '09 season?

If Justin King rebounds from his injury the Rams would have five cornerbacks, three that are established CBs and two they could continue to coach into becoming decent backs. Hey, I'm open to any info you folks out there can provide.

Thanks and Go Rams!

Is Safety Craig Dahl Going To Be a Liability Or an Asset? Why Was He Signed?

Nbr1RamFan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:14:34 -0000

As we all know, on March 11 the Rams signed strong safety James Butler from the NY Giants. Just six days later on March 17 they signed Giants' free safety, Craig Dhal. It seems during free agency Steve Spagnuolo has been on a hiring spree of the safeties from the ranks of the Giants defense.

But I see a problem with Craig Dhal... in two consecutive seasons, 2007 and 2008, he has torn an ACL in each knee and ended up on the injured reserve list. A exclusive-rights free agent after last season, Dahl was not tendered an offer and became an unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason. That sounds to me like the Giants no longer wanted him.

From all the reoports I've been able to gather he's nothing special and appears to be a rather mediocre free safety with bad knees.

He played football at North Dakota State University and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007.

Here's a quote from BigBlueInteractive.com

"S CRAIG DAHL (to the St. Louis Rams): Dahl has had an unlucky go of it since signing with the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2007 NFL Draft. He has torn the ACL in both of his knees, clouding his NFL future. In 2007, seeing action in nine games, Dahl played surprisingly well in two starts before tearing his knee in the regular-season finale and being placed on Injured Reserve. He tore his other knee in a 2008 preseason game and spent the season on Injured Reserve. Before his injuries, Dahl combined decent size and athleticism. He is a better run than pass defender. Dahl is a good hitter and tackler. Smart."

You can see the whole report on their site:

http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/free-agency/free-agent-losses

So my question is, coming off two back-to-back seasons with two ACLs and bad knees why did Spag and Billy Devaney hire him? Does someone out there know something I don't know about this guy?

How Do You Pronounce Spagnuolo?

Nbr1RamFan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:43:44 -0000

I've heard it pronounced several different ways.

I've heard it pronounced "Spag-no-low", basically making the ‘u’ silent.

I've heard it pronounced "Span - yo - lo", making the 'g' silent.

And I've heard it pronounced "spag - new - o - lo", making nothing silent.

I’m thinking in Italian the 'g’ is silent like in "lasagna". Is that right? Somebody out there must be Italian that can help me out with this.

So how do you pronounce Spagnuolo?