The highly anticipated free agency period, arguably the craziest week in the NFL, is finally upon us. So get ready to hunker down in front of your computer and make sure your favorite Twitter app up and functioning properly. Once Tuesday, March 12, 3:00 p.m. CDT gets here you’re not going to want to miss a single tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and your favorite NFL team beat writer. (If you’re a Rams fan then you’re just waiting for Jim Thomas’ tweets.)

I think this new “legal tampering” window that the NFL instituted at midnight Saturday is laughable at best. Under the new guidelines teams are given permission to converse with certified agents of opposing teams free agents with the league’s blessings. BUT…

It is impermissible for a club to enter into an agreement of any kind, express or implied, oral or written, or promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements, assurances of intent or understandings of any kind concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to, or to be offered to, any prospective Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year.

I know the league isn’t so naive to think that discussions aren’t already going on behind closed doors and over the airwaves. Inquiries and dialogue, albeit informal, have been taking places for weeks. The NFL underwear Olympics (scouting combine) isn’t the only thing that takes place in Indianapolis in late February.

» Continue reading “Things I Think: St. Louis Rams Pre-Free Agency Edition”

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Smell that?  That’s the luscious and most intoxicating aroma of a Rams victory Monday.  It only happened twice last season so I can understand if taking a whiff of it is jolting.  But isn’t it great?

See that?  It’s the Edward Jones Dome being sold out for the season home opener filled with fans doning Fisher Staches and a slew of other Rams gear to honor their new head coach and their new look team.

Hear that?  That’s the sound of tens of thousands of Rams fans screaming, stomping, and cheering on their team.  The dome hasn’t rocked like that in a long time.  It was evident even when I was watching the game back the next day.  The fans were dialing it up when the Redskins were on offense.

Taste that?  It’s the sweet flavor of success and I’m hoping to be a repeat customer in the weeks to come.

The St. Louis Rams defeated the Bob Griffin lead Washington Redskins to 28-31.  Yes, you read that number correctly.  Your once bungling St. Louis Rams have scored 54 points in the past two games.  In fact, in 2011, it took the Spags-McDaniels lead squad until week 6 to score 49 points and week 7 to put up 56 points.

It’s only been two games but the Rams have come a long long way since Coach Fisher and Coach Schottenheimer have taken over this offense.  I like where this team is headed.

So let’s see how the Rams answered by Five Questions for week 2.

Q1) Which random pieces will make up what we like to call the Rams offensive line?

» Continue reading “Rams Defeat Redskins 28-31 On Fisher Stache Day”

Rams GM Les Snead and Turf Show Times’ Ryan Van Bibber (Personal Photo)

As I was saying yesterday the guys over at Turf Show Times arranged a rare opportunity for local Rams fans – a tweet up with the Rams front office.  A small group of us were able to pick the brains of Rams Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officier Kevin Demoff and the Rams General Manager Les Snead.

(A shorter but still stylin’ version of @LesSneadHair was also present.  See the above photo for visual evidence.)

I had been watching NFL Network’s coverage of other training camps Tuesday morning.  I noticed the New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints having practices together.  The Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs were also conducting a joint practice.   One thing I was able to ask Les Snead: Will the Rams think having a joint practice with another team?  Snead said he and Coach Fisher have discussed it and are considering it later in the preseason.  He did not specify whether he was referring to this year or in the future.  Personally, I’d love to see a practice with the Ravens just before the last preseason game on August 30 at the Edward Jones Dome.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Wednesday Edition”

QB Drills at 07/29/12 Rams Camp (Personal Photo)

Before heading out to Rams Camp I asked Rams fans who or what position they were interested in hearing about.  Most popular requests were Sam Bradford, WR’s, OLB, CB’s, and the O-line.  Less requested but equally as important are the special teams guys – kickers, kick return guys, and snappers.  No one asked for a punter preview which was disappointing because punters are (football) people, too.  Even the face of NFL Network, Rich Eisen, agrees.  (If you don’t know this about me already I’m a huge fan of Rich Eisen.  So this was a nice surprise.)

» Continue reading “Rams Training Camp Day One Notes”

Rams Mini-Camp June 2012 (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Here are some first hand observations from Rams mini-camp which was held June 14-16 in Earth City. (The weather pretty much held up the first couple of days. They were especially nice because Tuesday and Wednesday they took place late afternoon. Thursday’s practice was midday so the heat seemed a bit worse.)

From the first day of mini-camp: Tuesday

– DNP and/or limited action: Center Scott Wells (excused absence as well as what coach Jeff Fisher finally said was partly due to a knee scope; Wells is expected back healthy in time for training camp), cornerback Cortland Finnegan (who was seen leaving OTAs last week with a left hand injury), and tight ends Mike Hoomanawanui (did light workouts on the sidelines) and Lance Kendricks (left practice with an apparent hand injury, according to Rams writer Nick Wagoner).

– Undrafted free-agent rookie running back Nick Schweiger made his full-squad debut today as Dartmouth finally graduated its seniors over the weekend.

– Speaking of Schweiger, he and fellow rookie running back Isaiah Pead looked to be getting some extra reps as they both play catch-up after missing a good chunk of OTAs.

– Sam Bradford and wide receiver Greg Salas connected on what looked like a beautiful fingertip catch by Salas. The Hawaii product also showed some tight footwork during the catch.

–It looked like tackles Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold were getting some good work (not full contact) in this afternoon – a very good sign for Bradford.

» Continue reading “NOTES FROM RAMS JUNE 2012 MINI-CAMP”

Rams first round pick, DT Michael Brockers (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

You can’t always get what you want… But you can always get Michael Brockers.

This is not a knock on the Rams first round (14^th overall) pick by any means.  He’s a highly ranked defensive tackle and the Rams will be a better team for having him in the same defensive line as Chris Long.  Believe it or not the Rams had a need at that position.  Plus this pick goes along with Jeff Fisher’s philosophy of cultivating a strong defense.

The Rams missed out on getting a highly anticipated receiving threat by one pick.  Not once, but twice.  I know some Rams fans are furious over this.  Justin Blackmon gone to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the fifth pick and Michael Floyd taken by division rival Arizona Cardinals at 13.  All I’m saying is we don’t know what exactly transpired at Rams Park.  But now we do this Friday morning.

» Continue reading “I’m Okay With The Rams’ Michael Brockers Pick”

Stan Kroenke, Jeff Fisher, and Kevin Demoff (STLouisRams.com)

The biggest Rams news in terms of free agency has been the signing of cornerback Cortland Finnegan.  He is very familiar with new Rams head coach Jeff Fisher from their days together in Tennessee and was a huge reason why he chose the Rams when the opportunity presented itself.  Cue Peaches and Herb’s classic, “Reunited.”

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Finnegan, Robinson, & Dodgers”

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”

I wonder what Ram Man thinks about all this. (Personal Photo)

On January 20, 2012 Stan Kroenke and the NFL worked out this fantabulous deal where the St. Louis Rams will be playing one game a year in the UK’s Wembley Stadium for the next three seasons.  UK fans rejoiced as they were happy to see more live NFL games on their turf.

The Rams and the NFL are happy.  And the UK/European NFL fans seem happy.

So what’s the big problem?  The games they offered up to the league were three HOME games.  That left a very bad taste in the mouth of local fans and the St. Louis Conventions and Visitors Commission (CVC) who manage the Edward Jones Dome.

Statement from Rams owner Stan Kroenke:

We’ve seen first-hand the increased popularity of the NFL not only in London but throughout Europe.  To play a role in that growth over the next three years will be incredible and is a testament to the many good things happening not only in the NFL but also in the St. Louis Rams organization.

» Continue reading “But What About The Local Rams Fans?”

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”