Author Archives: Brent Bakeman
2012 NFL draft: Forget No. 6, the 2nd round is key for Rams
The St. Louis Rams stunning and franchise-changing draft trade with the Washington Redskins has left a few simple choices with the No. 6 pick that they now own. Ideally Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State, will be available and the Rams pick up a valuable target for QB Sam Bradford. If not, then it means the five previous teams selecting before them did not pick up one of the following – allowing the presumption that Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III go one and two:
Torry Holt to retire as a Ram
Insiders are saying that one of the greatest receivers in St. Louis Rams history is temporarily leaving his job as an NFL Network Analyst to sign a one year contract with the St. Louis Rams; a contract he is expected to retire from within days of signing, allowing him to forever be a Ram.
The Rams begin free agency offensively – on defense
The first 24 hours of Free Agency have seen the St. Louis Rams nab one of the best cornerbacks in the league from the Titans, Jeff Fisher’s former pupil Cortland Finnegan. Finnegan, 28, is considered one of the best corners in the league and young enough to still have some years in him. Finnegan’s five-year contract is reportedly in the neighborhood of $50 million with $26.5 of that guaranteed.
Out of the ashes: The St. Louis Rams
As the players sun themselves in Cancun, the offseason for the St. Louis Rams is wide open. While those players order margaritas, new arrivals Jeff Fisher at head coach and general manager Les Snead are in the war room, juggling their options for April’s draft as well as shopping lists in the free agency market. Rams Nation exhaled deeply after the regular season and immediately turned to the front office, demanding to know what is next. The front office responded by bringing in a highly sought after head coach Fisher, whom then wooed Snead away from 13 years with the Atlanta Falcons, and the two in concert have a lot of resources and seem dedicated to bringing about desperately needed positive change to the Rams franchise.
Let’s start with free agency. Free agency for the Rams starts with the fact that they are $40 million under the cap; so Fisher and Snead have money to play with. It also begins with resigning Brandon Lloyd, who proved to be a valuable commodity for the Rams offense;Bradford’s favorite and most productive target when Bradford was healthy and throwing the ball. Other possibilities at WR include Vincent Jackson from the San Diego Chargers and DeSean Jackson from the Philadelphia Eagles; both are game changers but also both have ‘Den Mothers’ who would like to keep them – but then again , note that $40 million to play with.
In keeping with the Rams’ needs, Carl Nicks, OG for the Saints is potentially up for grabs at an expensive price tag – one the Saints may not be able to maintain after they signed OG Jahri Evans to a huge deal in 2010 – chances are they can’t keep both. Also out there is Demetrius Bell from Buffalo at OT who despite an injury last season could come back healthy and potentially be a blind side threat reducer. Both are players that again are not wanted to be let go by their current squads but given the restraints of salary caps and NFL regulations, as well as the Rams wealth in this area, the possibilities do exist.
And now for the draft. The Rams with the 2nd pick of the draft have a lot to play with – much depending on the results from the 2012 NFL Combine. Many believe that it would be foolish for the Rams to not trade that pick away, most likely to the Cleveland Browns for their No. 4 and No. 22 picks. Going back to the combine, and given a for gone conclusion that Andrew Luck will go first overall to the Indianapolis Colts, there are many teams – like The Browns – that would trade up for a chance at Heisman winner Robert Griffin III. As ESPN Draft Analyst Todd McShay put it:
“I would do it,” McShay said of the Browns trading their two first-round picks. “I wouldn’t do it for any other position, but I would do it for quarterback.”
If the Browns were to do this that leaves the Rams wit the easy ability to pick up USC LT Matt Kalil or Oklahoma WR Justin Blackmon with the 4th pick and then virtually have their way with the 22nd pick – perhaps Louisiana State CB Morris Claiborne if he is still available.
Bottom line is that both Snead and Fisher have already stated that they believe in Bradford at QB, despite last season. Which opens up this years draft and offseason as a playground for the Rams; if Fisher can tame the talent about to come in, the Rams could easily change the face of an emerging NFC West.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at BBakeman@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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The Fractured St. Louis Rams: What’s Next?
It is odd that the day after the St. Louis Rams closed out a 2-14 season losing to the NFC West Champion San Francisco 49ers, the Rams would find themselves as possibly the hottest prospect for the future in the NFL.
The Rams and their broken ways have secured them the 2nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft; a very valuable commodity that they can turn into multiple 1st round picks with a trade to any number of teams seeking to fill a specific high-caliber spot with a top pick, while garnering the Rams much-needed valued roster reloads. On top of this the Rams have cleaned house, getting rid of their head coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney. The next coach of the Rams, a coach they are so far aiming high for – names such as Jeff Fisher and John Gruden are being danced around – will have about $10 million under the salary cap to play with on the free agency market.
The Rams will be bringing back team leader RB Big Steve Jackson as well as the season wounded prodigy of last season Sam Bradford at QB, and with the potential flurry of top picks can add targets for Sam, and an improved line for Big Steve.
Let there be no doubt that from the NFL coaches mindset this could simply be a sweet gig. If the Rams bring in a coach, big name, experienced coach, that coach would land in a position of talent wealth – the talent in place as well as the talent they have the capability of landing. If properly managed this could be a serious boon for the Rams and that is not just being optimistic but rather realistic. Provided the Rams step up to the plate and place someone in charge who is dedicated and capable of success, the Rams can realistically be in the hunt by 2014 if not 2013.
The needs are apparent, Big Steve as well as Bradford need protection, and Big Steve is not getting any younger though is still going to rule for a number of years to come. This season the Rams had more than six different blocking combinations up front. Cadillac Williams’ position on the team has been questionable, despite moments of semi-brilliance, the Rams could look at investing in the future at the RB position. The defense is solid up front, despite ranking so low in rush defense they have a formidable D-line when healthy and solid linebacker corps. The secondary needs help big time, particularly at Corner, the Rams burned through 12 players in that position.
Though the 2011 season is in the books, players on flights to Cabo, and not much to happily reflect upon in the hearts of Rams fans, the future should be bright.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at BBakeman@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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‘With the 1st Pick of the 2012 NFL Draft the Rams Select…’
So the Indianapolis Colts have shown marbles and are on a two game win streak, beating the AFC South leading Texans and perhaps taking them out of the No. 1 draft choice position, a spot belonging to the St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, or Minnesota Vikings.
The only competing the Rams have done on the field this season is for that valued pick; performing far below expectations and finding a way to lose. The next two weeks have the Rams facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have clinched a wild card spot and will not be starting QB Roethlisberger, and division opponent San Francisco 49ers, who have clinched the NFC West. Despite the absence of Roethlisberger and the likelihood that the 49ers will sit many of their stars, given the Rams injuries and play of late there is a solid chance that the Rams lose their final two games of the 2011 season.
So at 2-14 on the season the Rams will at best – or worst depending on how you look at it – end up tied with the Colts and Vikings for the coveted No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Except, that through the mishmash of ranking computation, taking into account points for and points against, division wins, etc. the Rams are sandwiched between the Vikings with the No. 3 pick and the Colts with the No. 1 pick – if the draft were held today.
As far as the Vikings, they have the handicap, or edge, again depending on how you look at it, over the Rams as far as conference victories and so without a Rams win the Vikings will not have a shot at that No. 1 pick. With the Colts, they are currently in line for the potentially franchise altering and Peyton Manning turmoil creating pick. Despite the three teams having the same records this is again due to factoring in points for points against as well as conference wins; however it should be noted that the Colt’s are on a proverbial roll, having unexpectedly won their last two games compared to the Rams losing their last five and the Vikings losing their last six.
The Rams, as discussed, have two games that they at least on paper should lose – and again witnessing their play and heart on the field, as well as a scroll-like injury report REALLY should lose. The Colts in their final game are facing a questionable and beatable Jacksonville Jaguar squad, while the Vikings are at the Washington Redskins and then have the Chicago Bears at home. Not epic teams but potentially a victory with one of them, particularly Chicago.
Suffice it to say St. Louis finds itself in the favorable, yet inglorious position of securing the No. 1 pick of the 2012 Draft. And many still contend that adding Stanford’s Andrew Luck – or any other top QB would not be in the Rams best interests; the Rams Nation is not ready to give up on Sam Bradford. But to secure that top pick – a spot many teams are drooling over, could definitely make for a very valuable bargaining chip to pick up other 1st rounders in greater need.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at bbakeman@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Steven Jackson is Rams Sole Bright Spot, Key to Week 15 Victory
*Authors note; this article was written the Saturday night before the Bengals – Rams game.
As a St Louis Rams fan there is much to be humbled by at this point in the season, however in an attempt to demonstrate that there does maintain some amount of heart in this shattered club, I am predicting that the Rams (2-11) will beat the Bengals (7-6) Sunday in St. Louis.
The quarterback position is completely in the air for the Rams, though for now it looks like relatively untested and recently signed Kellen Clemens will be in charge of the Rams offense at quarterback, however Big Steven Jackson will power it, and he will also be the key to the offensive output of the Rams.
Back to point; Marshall Faulk, one of the greatest running backs in the NFL, will be honored during halftime as an inductee to the NFL Hall of Fame. My guess is that he will have words for the Rams in the locker room, and encouraging words to his former understudy and now the Rams all-time leading rusher, Big Steve Jackson.
No team can ignore the fight inside the guys in the yellow sport coats – they are proven, and the guys listening want to be one, and often that fight can exude from the retiree’s and inspire the new rank.
Steven Jackson is 105 yards from a 7th consecutive thousand yard season and two months ago eclipsed 10,000 yards from line of scrimmage. He has locked up a place in Ram’s history and probably NFL Hall Of Fame, and is genuinely one of the ‘good guys’ in the NFL. But he wins tomorrow because of inspiration and the fact that despite lackluster and ever-changing performance around him – he is that good, and keeps going.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at bbakeman@thepenaltyflagblog.com
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Sam Bradford: 1 And Done?
The angel atop the St. Louis Rams’ Christmas Tree of failure has got to be the devastation in the quarterback position. The starter Sam Bradford is out with a high ankle sprain, his backup A.J. Feeley has a broken thumb, and now the guy that will possibly be leading the team Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks is 3rd string Tom Brandstater. Seattle by the way has already crushed the Rams in St. Louis and Brandstater, who you’ve never heard of, has never played in a game for the Rams.
The main player here is Bradford, the talented QB coming off a stellar rookie season has suffered through sacks, injuries, a marginal receiving corps resulting in a horrid 2nd season as a pro. The injuries have left Sam out of a number of games, and injuries to his receivers have given him fewer targets in the games he has played in. None the less he ranks 32nd in the league for TD’s and has a QB rating of 72.4. A lot of excuses can be made for this hangover from his rookie season as the Rams offensive line has had their injuries and have not been doing Sam any protection favors. There are also some key losses to Rams receivers like the big loss of Danny Amendola. But the fact is that when on the field Sam has not been as sharp as last season and has far from lived up to expectations. That goes for the rest of the team as well as demonstrated in last weeks inability to score against the NFC West leading 49ers.
The hope would be that Bradford hasn’t eased up, thinking that with his success of last season maybe 2011 would be easy. Perhaps he was better prepared for his rookie season and felt that type of work wouldn’t be necessary to maintain play at that level. Rams fans everywhere need Sam to realize that this is more than a six month a year job.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. He can be contacted at bbakeman@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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With The 2nd Pick of The 2012 NFL Draft, The St. Louis Rams Take…
OK, we have seen the disintegration of the Rams this season, something nobody predicted, not the experts and certainly not me. The Rams were predicted in the preseason to run away with the NFC West by almost everyone – the exception perhaps being the San Francisco 49ers who now are busy with that and facing the Rams December 4th in San Fran.
It appears that the winless Indianapolis Colts are a strong contender to take the “Andrew Luck Sweepstakes,” but with just two wins, unexpected losses within conference, a sub-par Sam Bradford, injuries, and complete lack of run defense, the Rams stand a good chance at the 2nd pick. So the question is which bleeding limb do the Rams take care of with that 2nd pick?
Despite this season’s shadow of a performance compared to last by Sam Bradford he has still proven that he can play in the NFL. So with the 2nd pick the Ram’s should bypass Matt Barkley, who ranks 4th on USC’s career passing and total offense lists, and instead could look at his USC teammate OT Matt Kalil to potentially offer further protection for Bradford – much-needed – and open lanes for Steven Jackson, also much needed. Kalil, though starting only his 2nd season at USC is considered more athletic and technically sound than predecessors who have been drafted this high. Many have Barkley going 2nd in the draft with Kalil going 3rd, so the potential always exists to take Barkley and trade to a QB starved team for much more – but for this analysis we’ll play the cards straight.
Another limb is Bradford’s limited targets which could bring them to look at OSU’s Justin Blackmon, who although not the typical big, rangy receiver that NFL scouts generally look for these days, he is the 2010 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, with great speed and upper body strength, and is projected thus far by many to go 4th in the 2012 draft.
Speaking of Steven Jackson, who is not getting any younger but is still one of the premier backs in the league, the Rams could look to the future and a RB such as Alabama’s Trent Richardson. Many experts say that Richardson’s raw talent exceeds that of former teammate and Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram. Also a very successful receiver Richardson is a very well-rounded back playing with and against some of the finest talent in the country, certainly a good stepping stone to the NFL.
Outside of the top 5 – maybe 7 – picks in the 2012 draft, a couple of which are listed here, the Rams should take the highest pick they don’t need and not play the cards straight, trading with those who have needs that their draft picks can’t fill. This strategy has worked well, and occasionally not well but if there is anything the Rams need with the 2012 Draft it is a strategy. Otherwise head coach Steve Spagnuolo is looking at next season being his last.
Brent Bakeman is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag and can be contacted at BBakeman@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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