It’s roster cut Sunday.  And just as some of us were wondering why it was so quiet at Rams Park this came along: Rams full back Ovie Mughelli gave us a heads up that the cuts were indeed coming.

So much for the calm before the storm.

Then the tweets from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch started popping up.  It’s a tough day for many around the league…

(@jthom1)

These four players didn’t see a whole lot of playing time in the past few weeks.  It shouldn’t come as a surprise but it still has to be hard to swallow.  Especially for kicker Garrett Lindholm who probably knew coming into camp he didn’t have much of a chance.

Stay tuned as more cuts will be announced.

Monday, August 27, 2012

More names are rolling in.  Certain Rams fans are not going to be happy.

#1 K Garrett Lindholm

#17 WR Charles Gilbert

#19 WR Brandyn Harvey

#35 RB Nick Schweiger

#36 RB Calvin Middleton

#45 LS Travis Tripucka

#47 FB Todd Anderson

#53 LB Noah Keller

#54 LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis

#68 T Ryan McKee

#70 G/T Kevin Hughs

#77W DT John Gill

#81 TE Brody Eldridge - Suspended four games for violating the leagues PED policy.

#84 WR Danario Alexander – waived/injured.  Rams COULD potentially resign him if he clears waivers but with his injury history – mainly bad knees – this is very unlikely.  Sorry, I know many of you were pulling for him.

#99 DT Trevor Laws – Placed on injured reserve.

This brings the Rams roster to 75.  But the really hard cuts are yet to come as they get down to the final 53 by Friday, August 31st.

The Rams O-Line: #62 G Harvey Dahl, #59 C /G Robert Turner, #67 G Bryan Mattison  (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Right now these are the most important guys on the field in my book.  They are in charge of holding the pocket and protecting QB Sam Bradford from becoming another sack statistic in 2012.  But other than Harvey Dahl the other two are not projected starters.

Free agent center Scott Wells is finally able to participate in limited amounts at Thursday’s and according to offensive line coach Paul Boudreau he may see playing time in a couple of weeks.

Sam Bradford’s Cabin Fever

Sam Bradford swears he hasn’t heard the criticism that he’s become skittish in the pocket, mostly because he’s found a way to tune out the football media.

But that doesn’t mean he disagrees with the notion completely.

No, the St. Louis Rams’ third-year quarterback isn’t conceding happy feet or, as one ESPN analyst put it, “cabin fever.” What he will cop to is that last year he took too many hits. And that this summer, with new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s help, he’s taking the problem head on.  … Read more at NFL.com >>>>

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Friday Edition”

How do you start your work day?  If you’re a social media addict like me the first thing I do when my eyes open is lean over for my iPhone and check Twitter.

Seems like some Rams rookie prepare for their work day in a similar fashion.  They reach for their smart phones and tweet their morning salutations to Twitterverse.

Rams rookie WR Chris Givens always starts his day with a simple “#GodFirst.”

But today, not too long after his signature greeting he tweeted this reply to his fellow rookie but defensive teammate CB Janoris Jenkins.

I think we’re going to see a fun practice today.

As iron sharpens iron so shall Givens and Jenkins.  They will only get better as they challenge and battle each other.

Now onto Rams news and notes.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Wednesday Edition”

#24 RB Isaiah Pead and #79 Barry Richardson (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

It’s that way too familiar feeling as Rams fans wake up Monday morning.  I open up my laptop in the hopes that Sunday’s game didn’t really happen and that the game ended with a different outcome.

But as @Ramsherd said in his game recap, “At least it didn’t count.”

Aside from the scoreboard, which doesn’t count anyway, the game wasn’t all bad as an exhibition of some individual players and their skills. Unfortunately, this is an 11-on-11 game, and it’s plain to see that the Rams are still playing as a collection of parts, rather than a whole. Most of the game’s big breakdowns (even the ones involving my personal punching bag, Craig Dahl) didn’t fall on a single player. Breakdowns between players – missed assignments, missed handoffs, etc. – were much more prevalent.  … Read more at Ramsherd.com >>>>

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”

The two big reasons why the Rams don't have a GM right now? (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

(This started out as a “Why don’t the Rams have a GM?” post and as I was writing it turned into the “The Rams are in talks to hire Les Snead” post.  Have to love Twitter – or curse it!)

Yes, Jeff Fisher’s hiring as the St. Louis Rams head coach took some time.  Of course there’s nothing wrong with being thorough and doing one’s due diligence.  But at what point did the search for the vacant general manager position become an undesirable job?

Ideally the GM should be a “football personnel guy” with the history and knowledge of “football playing guys.”  Most of the interviewed candidates fit the bill – knowledge, talent and experience.

» Continue reading “Three’s Company: Rams In Talks To Hire Les Snead As GM”

You new St. Louis Rams head coah, Jeff Fisher.

Get to know his face and his ‘stache, Rams fans.  Looks like the Fisher King is here to stay – at least for the next five years barring a Spags like downward spiral.  Welcome to St. Louis, Coach Fisher.

Rams will introduce Fisher today - Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Before taking the podium for the first time at Rams Park, Fisher will sign a five-year contract believed to pay him around $7 million annually, easily making him the highest-paid coach in franchise history. But the No. 1 factor in deciding on the Rams, as Fisher told the Post-Dispatch in a brief interview Friday, was not his salary. It was non-economic issues.

I speculated at first Fisher would pull double duty as he did in Tennessee but Jim Thomas is reporting Fisher’s only official title will be head coach.  Then that’s a pretty (millions of) pennies for a head coach position, don’t you think?  $7 million would have been hard to swallow even with the addition of Executive Vice President title.  You can’t say Stan Kroenke has a tight wallet anymore, at least in terms of hiring coaches.

The lack of EVP at the end of Fisher’s name opens up some questions about the checks and balances structure in the front office.  Sounds like Coach Fisher will have equal footing with the general manager, whoever that will be.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Fisher’s Here, Hue As OC? and Adios Mad Mike”

Cardinals Lance Berkman and Steve Spagnuolo (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Is the Rams’ bad luck and negative joojoo to blame for the baseball Cardinals’ sudden downward spiral?  If I’m Tony La Russa I would have kept way the heck away from the Rams at all costs.  Now look where the Cardinals are – coming back to Busch Stadium a game down on the Rangers.

Okay, I’m trying to avoid the pain that has become trying to write about the Rams…  Can’t blame me for trying, right?  I mean week in and week out.  It’s finally starting to get to me.

Howard Balzer takes a look at how Rams are picking up the pieces and trying to move forward.  This includes injury updates from Monday’s practice.  It’s still quite the laundry list which isn’t helping the team.

Best line from the article is highlighted:

It’s another game we weren’t able to sustain drives. We couldn’t get any rhythm, leaving the defense on the field and when we would sustain drives, we weren’t coming out with points. It’s hard to overcome long drives and no points and/or turnovers and for whatever reason, it just keeps being the same old story.

Steven Jackson is probably having bad flashbacks just like the rest of Ramsnation.

Ramsherd has another great write up on Spags’ interview with D’Marco Farr.

DFarr asks one simple question: Are the players giving it all they’ve got?  Spags says yes, but it’s not what the rest of us are seeing.  The tape does lie.  Go back and watch the games…

I do. I’ve never questioned that, D’Marco. Now we go through some ups and downs but I truly believe, in the middle of these football games, they’re giving it everything they’ve got.

Jim Thomas just tells it like it is…

This just in (or not)…  The Rams running defense is horrible.

The most concerning part of the post is this:

Sam, in his mind, in his heart, he wanted to (play). But he knew that it wasn’t the right thing.  He’s kind of got it on shutdown right know. They put it in a firmer cast.

Doesn’t sound good for Bradford to play when they play New Orleans this weekend.

Wish I could be writing this post with a header containing “Victory Monday” but as you all know that’s not happening.  I only wish it was just the game that they lost yesterday afternoon.

I watched all these things unfold right before my eyes from section 440, Row QQ:

09/11/11 Eagles at Rams

1) Why in the world is the Rams first round pick DE Robert Quinn INACTIVE?  And WR Danario Alexander for that matter?

2) RB Steven Jackson runs in for a 47-yard TD only to come up limping with a quad injury.

3) A plethora of balls dropped by Rams WR’s – some coming at crucial 3rd down situations.

4) WR (and my WR in both fantasy football leagues) Danny Amendola dislocates his left elbow.

5) QB Sam Bradford injures a finger on his throwing hand in the fourth quarter

6) OT Jason Smith leaves the game with a high ankle strain.

7) Not to mention all the missed tackles all over the field.

OMG, it was never ending.

And this picture on the right, it was taken during pre-game warm ups but it could easily have been labeled “a look at the fourth quarter.”  Fans fled in droves with about 8 minutes remaining on the clock.

1) So many things went wrong yesterday.  It wasn’t just the fans that checked out of the game with half a quarter left.  Did the Rams throw in the towel or were they just going into the armadillo defensive position to protect themselves from further injury?

I think it’s pretty clear why Michael Vick is feared as much as he is – once he got out of the box he was almost uncatchable.  Someone check his calves for Vaseline.

2) Mike Sando gives his opinion on why Robert Quinn just watched from the sidelines.  Was he really not ready to play?  Then it begs me to wonder why take Quinn if you know he’s not going to be ready and able to make a contribution from the get go?  Not a great value out of your first pick.  Just sayin’.

3) Howard Balzer’s take on the game yesterday.  Same song, different verse.

So many story lines and not enough time to get them all into a post… Spags has a press conference at 2:00 p.m. today.  I know we’re all eagerly waiting to hear about the injuries.

Looks like I’m involuntarily getting an early start today.  But it’s all good.  Don’t we all need more hours in our workday to get things done?  I’m just getting a head start.  Plus, when was the last time you actually got to see a sunrise?  It’s highly underrated if you ask me.

It’s hump day which means the Rams will wrap up their short week of practice and prepare to head out to Jacksonville.

Coach Spags said yesterday everyone but injured TE Mike Hoomanawanui will be making the trip to face the Jaguars.  Hoomanawanui is nursing a strained calf muscle.

Thursday’s last preseason game will serve many functions as the coaching staff tries to figure out the final roster heading into the first regular season game against the “Dream Team” of Philadelphia.  27 won’t make it.  27!

Rams @ Chiefs 08/26/11

1) Mike Sando jots down his thoughts on Mardy Gilyard.  He thinks the Rams should give Gilyard a shot.

I think Mardy’s special teams plays give him an advantage when all other things are equal.  Two for the price of one deal, you know?

Although, he’ll be sharing that return field with Danny Amendola.  Amendola in a phone interview yesterday  on 101ESPN said, “I’m chomping at the bit to get back there.”

2) Steve Korte takes a look at the Rams first round pick, Robert Quinn, and how he’s coming along this preseason.

As with any rookie in his first season he’s got a long way to go.  And if the Chiefs’ game is any indication of what he’s capable of (multiple QB pressures, a sack, and a blocked field goal), the Rams have themselves a gem.

3) Here’s another great write up by Jim Thomas on free agent signing Mike Sims-Walker.  It’s always interesting to read some of the back story on each player.  Learned a couple of new things about MSW in this article.

Anyone else getting anxious about the Jaguars game?  For some reason, I am.  Maybe it’s because I know TOUGH cuts are coming after that game and I have a feeling some of my favorites may be on the chopping block.  Or maybe it’s because I know the regular season is just around the corner and we get to watch some real football.