Well, it's all but done. According to Adam Shefter this morning, now former St Louis Rams WR Brandon Lloyd has agreed to a contract with the New England Patriots apparently worth $12M over 3 years.

"I'm ready to work." he told CSN New England Saturday night. He also stated, "The time for talking is done. I couldn't be more excited".

Although this wasn't totally unexpected, this does hit the Rams pretty hard and puts the pressure on first year head coach Jeff Fisher and rookie GM Les Snead to find their franchise QB Sam Bradford some weapons which he has so desperately needed since coming to St Louis.

With the remaining free agent WR market somewhat bland after Mario Manningham signed with the 49ers, the Rams will have to look to the draft to acquire those weapons.

I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the ‘pay for performance’ program while I was with the Saints. It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again."

It's Friday and again we are in waiting mode. Jeff Fisher is supposed to have an answer for everyone today as to who he'd rather coach, Miami or St Louis, but it wouldn't surprise me if we hear that Monday would be the day. I hope not, but I would NOT be surprised.

Before I start into the article, I wanted to let you know about an excellent piece by a guest author here at TST who is a Dolphins fan giving his perspective as to why Fisher should choose the Dolphins.

Because of that, I wanted to give my two cents as to why he should choose the Rams over Miami. Once again, I like Jeff Fisher, but I won't be completely heart broken if he chooses South Beach. The only thing I would dislike about that would be the talented assistant coaches we would lose because it's been said he already has his assistant coaches locked in... and one could very well be the Saints DC Greg Williams.

Note from VT: It appears I'm taking a little heat.. check out this excellent piece from a fellow TST member JTPirate who is arguing against Fisher coming to the Lou. Please know that my post is one that explains why St Louis would be a wise choice for Fisher, NOT about how Fisher would be what's best for the Rams.

At any rate, after the jump i'll give you my take as to why the Fish man should choose the Lou...

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Good morning and welcome to another edition of Jeff Fisher mania. Yesterday there were rumors that Fisher was indeed close to selecting his choice, between the Dolphins and Rams. He also went duck hunting yesterday. Nothing can clear a man's head better than sitting in a duck bllind with a duck call.

Looks like he bagged some ducks!

That duck hunting trip may have swayed him toward the Rams as Tony Softli has confirmed reports that Jeff Fisher is meeting with Sam Bradford this afternoon. For what, we don't know. Perhaps he has made his choice and wants to talk to Sam before he 100% commits? Perhaps he hasn't decided but wants to meet Sam first before he jumps in with both feet?

Of course, Fisher is scheduled to be in St Louis today for a "look see" after meeting with Stan Kroenke in Denver last week.

Typically when a coach wants to meet with a specific player (particularly a cornerstone) it's usually pretty telling on how serious that coach is about coming to the team. Similar to a coach calling a player on draft day.

Could Fisher be announced as the next Rams head coach soon? We'll all know shortly i'm sure. Stay tuned and we'll let you know more as we hear it.

Small Update: Other reports coming in saying that Fisher will likely bring current NO DC Gregg Williams with him wherever he goes. Williams is in his last year of his contract as the Saints DC. The Rams did interview Cardinals DC Ray Horton friday, and said they were very impressed.

Another Update: Jay Glazer now reporting he'd be "shocked" if Fisher isn't the Rams new head coach within the next 48 hours.

Sound off below in what should be a good game!

You know it, you love it, how's about another heaping helping of Jeff Fisher to start your day before the playoff games?

Late yesterday it was reported by Howard Blazer that Jeff Fisher was close to picking the St Louis Rams as his team of choice to coach next season (and many more?).

With that news heating up the air waves, I wanted to talk a little bit about what this could mean for the Rams moving forward, and also about what Fisher will bring to an organization that has been desperate for an experienced Head Coach for quite some time.

Let's face it, the last two head coaches have had 0 head coaching experience. Yes, ZERO. Instead of experience, the Rams seemed to hold try outs. If the Rams land Fisher, Stan Kroenke would make a major statement on just how serious he is about revitalizing the Rams organization, point blank.

Other than Kroenke solidfying his status, what else would it mean to the Rams if they landed Fisher? What would be bring to the Rams?

Before We dive in, I want to say that I believe (while he is a damn good football coach) that Jeff Fisher is a bit overrated. By that, I mean that the media circus is ridiculous. He is a good football coach, not a god. He just happens to be the best available at this time. Am I ok with that? Hell yea! I think the guy would do an outstanding job.

OK with that said, after the jump we'll look at some of the things that Jeff Fisher would bring to the Rams.

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Before the season started, it was so easy to have high hopes. Yes, there were several reasons to be excited. For one, Sam Bradford was coming off from an impressive rookie campaign in a "dink and dunk" style offense that seemed to throttle his true talent. The Rams brought in Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator which seemed to make sense as this move would seemingly unleash Bradfford's inner beast ability.

The Rams defense also had improved last season, which helped the Rams come within one game of winning the NFC West. The drafting of Robert Quinn this season was also exciting as this would give Chris Long mush needed outside pass rush help, limiting double teams. Yes the Rams defense, while not addressing some holes, SHOULD have been better.

Another important note was one Steven Jackson was finally feeling himself and 100%. Not to mention, the Rams were also extremely active in free agency, signing a plethora of qualty free agents, including quality backup Cadillac Williams who showed some decent signs in the preseason. Yes, Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo were looking like geniuses while the 49ers sat on their duffs, as if they had not been notified the lockout was over.

Fast Forward to week 13. The Rams sit at 2-10 while the 49ers have clinched the NFC West at 10-2. My oh my how things have changed. It's pretty strange that the first play of the year pretty much told the entire tale of the season that was to be Steven Jackson injured himself on a non-contact 40+ yard TD run. Bitter sweet.

After the jump, let's take a look at the weirdness that was...

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As we all know, rookie WR Greg Salas is now lost for the season as the team reported he suffered a broken fubula in his left leg. This is hard to swallow for the Rams, as Salas appeared to be developing well as a reliable slot receiver.

I really hated to see this happen. Let's all pray for a speedy recovery for Greg.

Please feel free to leave a get well soon wish here in the comments.

WARNING: After the jump are pictures of how it happened.

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Just a week out from the Rams greatest victory in two NFL seasons, and arguably the best in head coach Steve Spagnuolo's tenure, the St Louis Rams lost to the Arizona Cardinals, a 1-6 team starting their backup quarterback... a game which many will admit has to be one of the most disappointing losses since the Rams lost at Seattle in week 17 last season for the division title.

The Rams for the most part had the game in control much of the game.. defensively. Offensively was another story. Sam Bradford was coming back after a high ankle sprain that had sidelined him for the past 2 weeks, and looked extremely rusty, unsettled, and indecisive at times.

Early in the game the Rams opened up the playbook and mixed the long ball with the run quite well, and even though the Rams didn't score a touchdown, they still walked away with 9 points, a lead, and the Cardinals somewhat on their heals.

The second half the Rams offensive play calling was conservative at best, and the Cardinals sensed this and bottled up the Rams, particularly against the run. Steven Jackson had a couple decent runs but in the end the Rams just could not get the ball down field, and had few attempts to do so.

Even still, the Rams defense rose to the occasion and scored 2 safeties which was fitting. Why? Because that gave the Rams 13 points.. and as many here know, a former member use to call that the "13 point death score". This week it took the defense to get them there.

Even still, the Rams had a chance to win the game with no time left in the fourth quarter with a walk off field goal by Josh Brown however, the FG was blocked sending the game to overtime. I think at that point most of Rams Nation knew what would be coming.

Supper was ready for me, and my wife asked me how much longer. I told her, "... the Rams are about to punt, so it won't be long." And I was right. Rookie Patrick Peterson took the punt to the house, putting the Rams and the entire fan base out of their misery.

And what's worse? Greg Salas is now likely done for the season with a broken fibula. I am almost speechless as to what this team has gone through this season, and at how poorly we've played as a team.

Today I still love the Rams, but I hate this season. I can't think of one worse, and that includes the Linehan era. What's next?

It's time once again for the TST staff to play 1 to 10 (10 being best chance, 1 being worst). Coming off an incredible victory, and no doubt the best one in Spagnuolo's tenure (I know, there haven't been a ton) the Rams head to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals.

This weeks topic: What are the chances 1-10 of the St Louis Rams Winning at the Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona Snapshot: The 1-6 Arizona Cardinals are a team that definitely has problems of their own. After starting off the season with a win at home against the Panthers, the Cardinals have rattled off 6 straight losses... some against formidable opponents (@WASH, @SEA, NYG, @MIN, BYE, PITT, @BAL). To top it off, they may now be without starting QB Kevin Kolb this week due to a turf toe injury. He is listed as day to day.

Looking Back At Last Week: Last week, the Cardinals let a 24-3 lead slip away at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, as they ended up losing the game 30-27... a true heart breaker. The Rams had a similar lead against the Saints at 24-0 in the third quarter, and let the Saints climb back into the game late at 24-14... but the Rams held on to win 31-21 thanks to a big pick 6 by SS Darian Stewart.

Each Team's QB Situation: The Rams may indeed once again start backup QB  A.J. Feeley in place of an injured Sam Bradford. Feeley did an OK job last week against the Saints. The Cardinals look to be starting the popular back up QB John Skelton in place of an injured Kevin Kolb. Yep, it's looking more and more like a backup QB battle. 

Questions To Ask: 

• Which Rams team will show up... the 3 and out offense, and the rushers dream defense, OR the total opposite which appeared last week (please god)?
• Will A. J. Feeley continue his acceptable play and not be an INT machine? 
• Will RB Steven Jackson continue to roll (heads), or better yet... 
• Will the Rams offensive line keep their play elevated to open holes for him, and also protect Feeley?
• More specifically, can Adam Goldberg continue to play well at RT?
• What question do you have (ask in comments below!)

Let's hear from TST Managers, Editors and Authors on this one after the jump... and please take the poll!

PS: Please submit your own rating and explanation in the comments below! 10 being the best chance, and 1 being the worst. If you've never commented before, give it a shot. Registration is free and fast... plus we don't bite, and I promise it will get addicting!

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OK so ESPN has released their Madden simulations for this week and the Saints beat the Rams 31-20. Is it me or does anyone else find it hard to believe we score 20 points this week?

Click Here To See The Full Stats and Report

The Rams have struggled on offense... as a matter of fact they have struggled in about every facet of the game. Scoring 20 points and losing by only 11 is quite the surprise. What's even more surprising is the Rams scored 20 with a Feeley interception.

How many points do you think the Rams will score?

After reviewing the Rams and packers game from last Sunday I noticed that Bradford and Saffold were actually injured on the same play. Sam Bradford's status is still uncertain with a high ankle sprain, and the same can be said for Saffold however there is a strong chance Rodger will still play.

Below is a snapshot of both of their injuries which happened on the same play just a couple feet from each other.

Dez Bryant told "Inside The Huddle" that he feels the Cowboys are unbeatable. If there ever was a time the Rams needed bulletin board material, it's now. This wasn't a knock on the Rams at all, but still, to come out and declare your team as unbeatable is not the most professional way to state that your team is very good.

In case you are interested, Bryants numbers this year are 14 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns. He's ranked 109th in the league in receptions and 70th in receiving yards.

Overall as a team, I think we can all admit the Cowboys are definitely a good football team, but unbeatable? I'm not sure about that one. The Cowboys are 2-3 with their 3 losses coming from a total of 11 points... two of those games were against the Lions and Patriots, two very good football teams.

Bryant stated that the Cowboys beat themselves. While that is true, I think you could say that about any football team. Look at the Rams for instance. Minus two big plays last week (definitely beat themselves on those with poor over the top coverage) and the game could have swung either way. Not that the Rams are as good as the packers but they played well enough to have a shot... if they didn't beat themselves.

All I know is they play these games for a reason. This is professional football and yes I'll bring out the "Any Given Sunday" line. Am I predicting a Rams win. No, but then again, I have a little class. Dez Bryant while confident, and a damn good WR, needs to curb the enthusiasm and speak with his play not his mouth. Because if he's not careful, perhaps Sunday the Cowboys may, "beat themselves."

With the Rams sitting at 0-5 and decimated by injuries, the thought of another high draft pick has entered many people's minds, fans and pundits alike. But is it possible that the Rams will pick #1 overall once again? That's an interesting thought and I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.

Admittedly, the Rams schedule gets quite a bit easier in the second half of the season as they finally get to play some inter-divisional games. But still, the way this season has gone, I don't think any of them are going to be viewed as easy by any stretch of the imagination.

So the question remains, if the Rams pick #1 overall, what do they do? The most obvious choice is to deal the pick and hopefully get a stockpile of picks in a draft that seems to be fairly deep at many skill positions. Lord know St Louis could use them as they have many holes they'd love to fill.

What is the other option? Mel Kiper asked a similar question on his Twitter feed today. Deal Bradford and draft Luck?? I suppose it isn't out of the question (not that I'd like to see it!) as I'm sure dealing Bradford would also allow the Rams to get a stockpile of picks, however, you have to ask yourself a question. Stan Kroenke is looking for results as Spagnuolo and Devaney will be heading into their 4th season next year, so would starting over with a new rookie QB be the answer?

Either way, if the Rams get the #1 overall pick they would be looking at a serious commodity. As Kiper stated, it is a dilemma, but only because of the decision that would have to be made. Several teams are drooling over Luck right now, and it could be one of those Ricky Williams scenarios... but then again on the other hand, there is no way the Rams could hold the pick and draft Luck as they wouldn't have the wallet to do so with Bradford already on the payroll... and you can bet your boots the other interested teams know that too.

Still you can't disagree that there would be an incredible bidding war going on for the pick. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season pans out against the weaker competition and finally a couple legit experienced WR's on the roster.

It's time once again for the TST staff to play 1 to 10 (10 being best chance, 1 being worst).

This weeks topic: What are the chances 1-10 that the Rams can beat the Cowboys?

Yes, this week the Rams travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys, and all looks to be a Dallas rout right? Not so fast. With the Rams adding Brandon Lloyd, and Mark Clayton recently coming off the PUP list and "maybe" being on the field, this may not be the "same old sorry --- Rams" you're used to seeing.

Last week, even though the Rams got blown out 24-3 in Green Bay, the Rams actually put forth their best effort to date, rendering the Packers scoreless in the second half. As a matter of fact, 21 of the 24 points came in the second quarter alone. The Rams also seemed to move the ball fairly well even though scoring was a whole other story. Not a surprise in 2011 thus far.

But Dallas is a team that Steven Jackson likes to prove a point to. When Jackson was drafted in 2004, the Cowboys had a chance to draft him before the Rams and did not do so. I think that always bothered him and he took it personally (just my opinion).

Jackson proved he could elevate his playing level in 2008 when the Rams upset the Cowboys 34-14 and the Rams rode the Jackson Express to the tune of 25 CAR 160 YDS and 3TD.. remember that? can he do it again?

Sidebar: Ahem, Speaking of upsets, here's a bold prediction from The Bleacher Report.

But we all will admit, the big hang up this week is the health of one Sam Bradford (Update: Word is Sam is starting!). This will be a tough read for TST brass to predict, but let's see what is said after the jump. Enjoy!

PS: Please submit your own rating and explanation in the comments below! 10 being the best chance, and 1 being the worst. If you've never commented before, give it a shot. Registration is free and fast... plus we don't bite, and I promise it will get addicting!

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Justin King was drafted by the Rams in the fourth round (101 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft and had extremely high hopes. Those hopes were crushed with a toe injury versus Tennessee in the preseason that kept him out his entire rookie season.

King came from Penn State and boasted an impressive combine as well, with a 40 time at 4.31... that's ridiculous speed. The problem is, all those skills have just simply not carried over to the NFL since his return from injury.

An interesting point came up in the game thread last week when Justin King tattooed someone (I can't remember who to be honest), but it was a hit I've seen him make time and time again. Versus Baltimore (in the picture above) King was pretty effective on the blitz as well, and actually forced a fumble against Flacco. If there ever was something King can do, is flat out hit you.

I quickly mentioned in the game thread last week that King can flat out hit people, it's too bad he was struggling in one on one coverage. Someone posted, "Make him a safety!". I guess I had never thought about that.

And let's not forget, he actually played on both sides of the ball in Penn State in 2005 as a RB so the kid knows how to run with the rock and make plays. Wouldn't it make sense to put this kid in a position to get more INT's and become a play maker?

OK now let's compare some numbers of one O.J. Atogwe to Justin King.

Size:

Atogwe - 5' 11" 205 lbs.
King - 5' 11" 197 lbs (I've seen him listed at 201 recently)

Speed - 40 Yard Dash:

Atogwe - 4.55
King - 4.31

Are the Rams trying to shove a round peg into a square hole? Clearly King has the size to play the S position, and enough speed to possibly excel.

I actually got the courage to ask Justin King if he had ever thought about the move...

PeterDunbar Peter Dunbar 

@ 

@theking1 have you ever played safety? You can hit WICKED man. Ever talk of a position switch? Just curious

 

theking1 Justin King 

@ 

@PeterDunbar naw never thought about it..but thanks

 

It doesn't sound like the idea has ever been passed around, and I think King prefers CB. At any rate, this presents an interesting conversation.. let's hear your thoughts in the comments below.

After hearing the bad news about Bradford's high ankle sprain, the Rams finally got a bit of good news this afternoon on Rodger Saffold and Cadillac Williams. Both of their MRI's came back negative according to Jim Thomas.

This is fantastic news to a team who has been absolutely decimated by injuries thus far this season. They are officially listed as day to day. Could they return this week? Hard telling but at least they won't be out long term.

What about Sam Bradford? The high ankle sprain has to be concerning, even though he is also listed as day-to-day. Let's hope Sam can battle through the injury, but then again, I'd hate to see him rushed back only to further injure himself. Yes, it could be a lot worse.

With the signing of Brandon Lloyd, and Mark Clayton returning off the PUP list, and the news of Cadillac and Saffold not missing major time, all in all this was a good day for the Rams.

As Van mentioned below, Mark Clayton may not be available for a the Dallas game (maybe more?) while he learns the new system, but with his photographic memory, and hunger to finally play game, I think the Rams will need to put him in a straight jacket to hold him out of the Saints game. That's just my opinion.