Rams OT Jason Smith. 10/23/11 (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

With many NFL teams starting to roll out their first team depth charts it seems like the Rams are doing the exact opposite.  Especially when it comes to the offensive line.

Are the Rams trying to keep everyone else guessing or is it that they themselves are not sure who plugs up which gap?

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with competition and using that edge but at some point I’d like to see some of these moving segments come together to form a real line.

It’d also be nice to see that line hold so quarterback Sam Bradford doesn’t get a close up view of the playing surface compared to his first two years in the Rams backfield.

Jim Fadler’s Practice Report –Aug. 9

Jim Fadler (a.k.a. @jimirmsboy) has an excellent review of Thursday’s Rams Camp.  Here are his notes about the offensive line.

Focus of much angst and fury today in the local press. Honestly when I have focused on the line it has not by and large been on (Jason) Smith. What I have seen of him was a vast improvement over some of his previous pass blocking. He has always had a balance and footwork problem which (offensive line coach Paul) Boudreau interprets as attacking too much and not letting the play come to him.

(Barry) Richardson has talent but has always lacked discipline. In the past his play has been erratic and resembles our old friend Alex Barron in terms of penalties.

Joe Long took most of the reps at left tackle with Kevin Hughes and Rok(evious Watkins) at guards. Tim Barnes who whiffed badly several times in running plays played center and Ryan Mckee and Jose Valdez split reps at right tackle. The ones and twos got in there early but those guys took the majority of the reps.  Read more at Rams_News.com >>>>

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Friday Edition”

Get rid of Steven Jackson? Say what? (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

First there were rumors flying that the Rams could possibly trade Sam Bradford for Robert Griffin III before the megabuster trade went down with the Redskins.  Just as that was put to bed, SI’s Peter King stirs the pot again but this time with the other leader of the Rams as front and center.  Yeah, I’m talking about Steven Jackson.

As hype and love for Alabama’s RB Trent Richardson grows as the draft nears all sorts of scenarios are brought to light.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: SJax/TRich, Jeff Fisher And Bradford/Kloss”

Rams Training Camp circa 2011 (Personal Photo)

Just thought I’d post a picture of training camp because that was the highlight of my summer.  And it gives me something to look forward to this morning.  Yes, the draft is in 20 days…

Kentucky judge sentences Bengals’ Simpson to 15 days - Google/AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in jail and three years’ probation on a drug-related charge.

Simpson pleaded guilty March 1 to the felony charge resulting from about 2 pounds of marijuana shipped to his northern Kentucky home in September. He was indicted on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking, but the plea agreement changed the charge to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances, also a felony.

Simpson also will have to serve 200 hours of community service, undergo drug testing and pay a $7,500 fine plus court costs.

An update on a potential free agent the Rams took a look at just two days ago in St. Louis.  Bengals FA WR Jerome Simpson received his punishment.  It was expected to be as much as 60 days according to the AP report but was reduced based on testimonies on his behalf.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Jerome Simpson Sentenced and Steve Gleason Not Pleased”

Gregg Williams (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Just when you thought the Bounty scandal couldn’t get any worse than it already is, another heaping of bowel movements stunk up our Thursday morning as an audio file of Gregg Williams was released or “leaked” with really damning evidence.

Let’s just say Rex Ryan has nothing on Williams’ potty mouth. And the “shocking” part wasn’t the verbiage but the intent of the language used in his so-called motivational speech.

» Continue reading “Gregg Williams Audio Leaked: “Kill The Head.””

Not for the 2012 season he isn't... (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

I doubt the good Mr. Williams is smiling right now.  Unless the sound of indefinite suspension sounds like a glorious extended unpaid vacation.  I’m sure this is not how anyone envisioned the Rams 2012 off season starting – with their defensive coordinator being banned for an undetermined amount of time.  Is it me or are the Rams still jinxed?

As expected, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league emphatically crushed the guilty in the New Orleans for running a bounty program.  They sent a resounding message to the Saints organization as well as the rest of the league:

Do not mess around with the integrity of the game.  And whatever you do, do not lie to Roger Goodell.

» Continue reading “Gregg Williams Punished Severely In Bounty Fallout”

Former Saints DC Gregg Williams Bounty "Administrator" (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

(People have been asking for my take on the Bounty scandal so here it is. This is the column that I wrote last week for 101 ESPN before the punishment came down from the NFL. I’m currently “on vacation” right now but when I get back next week I’ll have my reaction on the league’s judgement.)

White Lies

Let’s all come clean and admit it. We all lie.

It may seem harmless and white-ish in nature depending on your perspective and intentions but we all do it.

My six year old lies about washing her hands before dinner or brushing her teeth before bedtime. My nine year old lies about finishing her homework so she can watch TV.

» Continue reading “Bounties… And Not The Harvest Kind”

Gregg Williams (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

The NFL has handed down suspensions for those involved in the Saints bounty scandal on Wednesday and it came down hard.

Per NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora the NFL has suspended Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams INDEFINITELY.

» Continue reading “BREAKING: Gregg Williams Suspended Indefinitely”

LB Brady Poppinga (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

It’s been two weeks since the Saints’ Bounty scandal nearly broke Twitter and a vein in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s forehead.  It’s also taken that long for a Rams player to really speak his mind about the matter.  And it was not kind.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that it came from linebacker Brady Poppinga.  Or at least I’m not.  I’m relieved someone finally had the cojones to speak up.  At the same time, I’m as disappointed it took so long.

Poppinga called the running of a bounty program “degrading,” “animalistic” and “repulsive” during a Thursday interview with FOXSports.com.

» Continue reading “LB Brady Poppinga Speaks Out About Bounty Scandal”

10/30/11 Saints at Rams (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

I wish I had kept the recording of last season’s Saints at Rams game.  I’d be looking at the Saints defensive series with a different eye now, wouldn’t you say?  For what’s it’s worth off hand it doesn’t look like a bounty incentive did much good since the Saints got their arses handed to them by then 0-6 Rams 31- 21.

Who knew how the clubs would be so intertwined 5 months ago.  Basically they’ve swapped  defensive coordinators by bringing in Gregg Williams and Steve Spagnuolo ending up in New Orleans.  The dichotomy of their two approaches to the game are startling.  Coach Bounty vs. Coach Four Pillars.

Unfortunately we probably won’t have the pleasure of seeing the duel play out – at least not in 2012.  The Rams are still waiting for the verdict to come down from the league.  And as Rams General Manager Les Snead said they are going to abide by whatever punishment Roger Goodell sees fit for the guilty Gregg Williams.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Rams On Football Gods’ Ish List?”

Gregg Williams, you're wanted in the Commissioner's office...

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday afternoon that Rams new DC Gregg Williams, the central figure in the Bounty “pay for performance” program investigation, has been called to the principal’s office.  Usually, that’s not a good sign.

According to NFL.com, Gregg Williams will be “meeting” with NFL general counsel Jeff Pash (Now, where in the world have I heard that name before…) along with representatives from NFL security Jeff Miller and Joe Hummel on Monday in New York where league offices are located.

They claim it’s more of a meeting rather than a hearing.  Sounds like they want to walk down memory lane with  Williams’ and how he went about things in the non-New Orleans locker rooms.

So far, former players from the Washington Redskins (Matt Bowen), the Tennessee Titans (Josh Evans) and New Orleans Saints (NFL investigation findings) have positively confirmed a bounty system.  Whereas reports from Jacksonville Jaguars (@taniaganuli March 2 tweet) have denied such happenings.

» Continue reading “Rams DC Gregg Williams To Meet With League Security”