The 5-2 New Orleans Saints are headed into town Sunday to face off with the Rams. Don’t think for one minute they will be merciful as evident in their 62-7 smack down of the equally winless Indianapolis Colts last week. The head coach Sean Payton will not show any compassion. So much for being saints, eh?

I cannot even begin to imagine that the score will be come 4:00pm Sunday afternoon. What’s your over/under on how many points the Saints will score on the Rams.

Someone from Connecticut told me there is a 50 point rule in high school football. If a team beats their opponent by 50 points then the coach of the winning team can’t coach the next week. That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. But this week that might have come in handy for the Rams. Sean Payton may not be on the sidelines to call all the plays but he’ll be surveying from the coaches’ booth.

Rams Offense

Looks like for a second week in a row back up QB A. J. Feeley will be leading the team. Sam Bradford, still nursing a bad high ankle sprain, will not be able to help his team on the field.

OT Jason Smith is out indefinitely with a concussion and neck injuries so veteran Adam Goldberg will start in his place.

This is just purely conjecture on my part but even if Bradford was well enough to play I would have kept him out of this one. Why let your franchise QB get pummeled in a game where you don’t really have much of a chance. Let him rest, recover, and then think about going against the Cardinals next week.

I fully expect RB Steven Jackson to have a good game and pretty much be the Rams offense. Just hard to see the Rams passing game doing more than the usual dink and dunk with some dump passes and screens – especially with WR Danario Alexander being doubtful with an injured hammy.

Look for WR Greg Salas and Brandon Lloyd to pick up some extra receptions with DX’s absence. Speaking of WR’s, Mark Clayton will most likely be out with a sore Achilles’ tendon. Maybe this could be a good opportunity to get Austin Pettis back into the WR rotation. Or it might be nice to see more of TE Lance Kendricks. Remember him?

Rams Defense

DT Darell Scott (concussion) and LB Brady Poppinga (calf) did not practice this week and will be out this Sunday. CB Justin King (groin) is questionable. And tell me if you’ve heard this one before: (newly signed) CB Brian Jackson was placed on IR – yes, you heard right. Yet another CB on IR. Rams expect DE C.J. Ah You (wrist) and CB Marquis Johnson (newly activated from the PUP) to return against the Saints.

QB Drew Brees and his arsenal of WR’s will be more than happy to pad their statistics and help their respective fantasy owners this week against the Rams secondary. (Too bad I don’t have any of them…) But the one to really keep an eye on is their TE Jimmy Graham.

As the Saints top receiver, Jimmy Graham, has 45 completions on 66 targets for 674 yards and 5 TD’s. The most telling stat though could be the 233 YAC though – that’s 1/3 of his total yards. Standing at 6′ 6″ he’s a match up nightmare for any of the Rams defensive players.

The Saints running game took a hit when their rookie RB Mark Ingram was ruled out of game with a heel injury. Look for the spryly RB Darren Sproles to take his place in the starting line up with a touch of the big guy Pierre Thomas to change things up.

Rams Special Teams

RB Darren Sproles is listed as both the Saints kick and punt returner. So with him taking over the starting running duties I’m not sure how much he’ll be involved in the return game. Then again he could be on Energizer Bunny mode and hurt the Rams from two facets of the game.

With all the red zone troubles the Rams continue to have they may be relying on the right foot of K Josh Brown again this Sunday – that’s assuming they can get into field goal range.

Who will win

No surprise here folks. The Saints beat the Rams in a not-so-close game: 45-10. Rams fall to 0-7.

See if you can figure out which long standing rivalry extends even to our writer here at Aerys.  The video clip below will clue you in.

PattyRams: Okay, Q2) What team would you like to see on Hard Knocks this season?

Colleen (Bears): DA BEARS.

Melissa (Lions): Wouldn’t it be wrong to not say the Lions?

Amanda (Packers): And this is supposed to be unbiased?

Brenda (Broncos): True story, but months ago – like January – I told my boyfriend I thought the Bucs would be great for Hard Knocks.

Lauren (Packers): Q2: Packers. Duh. But bias aside, if you listen to their audio from Super Bowl, they are HILARIOUS. And intense. And honest. And LOVE the game.

Colleen (Bears): Really, I think we’ve got a bad rap with a lot of the country. I’d love for the rest of the world to see how we work.

Brenda (Broncos): Now, I’ve shifted my supports for the 49ers.

Colleen (Bears): We’re a blue-collar team with some brilliant, yet unorthodox coaches.

Lauren (Packers): But if I had to be realistic….. and don’t gasp in shock…. I’d *love* to see the Bears.

Colleen (Bears): Plus, Lance Briggs on my TV more? Yes, please.

Patty (Rams): I’d love to see the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh. Rah, rah, Stanford! I mean, 49ers!

Kristine (Jets): Insert obligatory mention of Jets here.

Lauren (Packers): I like the Bears coaching style.

Kristen (Patriots): Patriots, first. But that won’t happen. So I’d really like to see the Saints, Packers or Bears.

Colleen (Bears): *gasps in shock*

Kristine (Jets): Pats would never.

Melissa (Lions): Aside from the Lions, I’d like to see the Saints. It would be interesting to watch the whole Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram scenario play out.

Colleen (Bears): I doubt the McCaskey’s would let the Bears go on it, though.

Lauren (Packers): Same with Pack, Colleen. Teddy Boy and McCarthy would shut that down quick.

Melissa (Lions): And, let’s be honest. Who wouldn’t want to see them partying on Bourbon street on their days off?

Kristine (Jets): I would love to see the Bucs, but they have already declined. So Packers are my next choice.

Patty (Rams): The Bucs would have been my second choice, too.  Josh Freeman and Mike Williams are my dynamic duo.

Brenda (Broncos): New Orleans would be entertaining, and I agree with Melissa, the Lions would be a fantastic selection.

Emily (Steelers): As much as I’d love to see the Steelers, I’d really like to see the Pack.

Kristine (Jets): New Orleans also declined already, unfortunately.

Lauren (Packers): With the Pack, though, you have to cover the city/fans/shareholders as much as the team. Because GB is just that.

Patty (Rams): Does anyone think Jerry World would work?

Kristine (Jets): Jerry would love it, I am sure.

Lauren (Packers): AHHHHH. No.

Kristen (Patriots): Cowboys did it a couple years ago.

Brenda (Broncos): I think the Broncos would be a sexy pick, with all the quarterback drama and return of John Elway. Lots of storylines for the Hard Knocks producers.

Lauren (Packers): DFW wouldn’t go for it.

Emily (Steelers): I wish they would go back and do the Bengals again. That would be such a wonderful train wreck.

Patty (Rams): But with Carson, T.O., and Ochocinco heading out I won’t have reason to get my popcorn ready.

Lauren (Packers): I lived there when the stadium was being built. He’s pretty hated.

Melissa (Lions): Haven’t the Cowboys done it twice already?

Colleen (Bears): I think we should make a swear jar for Aerys Huddle, but instead of swearing, anytime anyone says “shareholder” they put in a dollar.

Lauren (Packers): Love the Broncos idea. My boss is a HUGE broncos fan. So I’ve learned to love them by default.

Kristine (Jets): HAHAHA.

Patty (Rams): Did my own quick Hard Knocks poll and the Rams DE Chris Long writes back saying it’d be too much of a distraction.

Patty (Rams): For a young team like the Rams it’s probably best to keep things under wraps. Besides, I just can’t see Spagnuolo going for it.

Lauren (Packers): Even if they beat us in ’97. Tear.
Lauren (Packers): SHUT IT

Amanda (Packers): Cruel, Colleen.

Colleen (Bears): Hahaha.

Kristen (Patriots): Kind of cool to see the Giants (as much as I LOATHE them to my very core). They are a storied franchise with good ownership. Could be good t.v.

Patty (Rams): I had no idea the boys had already gone through it. My bad!

Brenda (Broncos): Denver would never go for it…at least that’s the word here. Still, an intriguing option.

Lauren (Packers): She’s just jealous because of this:

Kristine (Jets):

Amanda (Packers): Love Lauren!

Patty (Rams): Uh, dagger.

Kristine (Jets): According to this, Dallas has done it twice: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/05/which-team-would-you-like-to-see-on-hbos-hard-knocks/1

Colleen (Bears): Now that’s a low blow, stupid Raji.

Patty (Rams): You tell ‘em, Colleen!

Lauren (Packers): I do that dance when I score big at work.

Patty (Rams): I’ll have to go back and get the final tally but it sounds like Packers, Bears, Broncos, (Saints/Bucs declined), and 49ers?

Lauren (Packers): Like completing an awesome project.

Amanda (Packers): I am so going to try that next time.
Amanda (Packers): I usually just belt.

Patty (Rams): I hope we even HAVE a preseason for Hard Knocks…

Kristine (Jets): Umm…yeah…scary that we even have to hope for it

Which team is your front runner for Hard Knocks?  Please leave your vote in the comments section.

Aerys Huddle 3.3 – Free Agency is here.

Continuing my random draft thoughts, musings, and rants:

• The Vikings take Christian Ponder in the 1st round.  Does this really mean that Brett Favre is retired for good???  Has Peyton Manning sent that congratulatory letter to Favre yet?  Please, pretty please?  I would like a “Favre-watch” free summer.  I’m sure ESPN’s Ed Werder would sign off on that one, too.

• I was actually hoping to see the Pouncey twins reunite in Pittsburgh.  Imagine all the fun the two of them would have had fooling teammates.  I wonder if Maurkice would have hazed his rookie twin brother.  Guess we’ll have to wait until one of them gets traded to see what happens.

• The Indianapolis Colts selected two O-linemen to help protect their biggest investment, Peyton Manning.  6′ 7″, 311 lbs. Anthony Castonzo from Boston College and  6′ 4″ 317 lbs Ben Iljalana from Villanova.  They’re going to need to protect Peyton and his big ole noggin from getting knocked around.

• Technically, Peyton’s not a Colt since he’s a UFA but honestly where else would be go?  Can’t see Jim Irsay letting his franchise walk out the door because of salary issues.

• The Lions not only fortified their DL but also picked up some good talent on the offensive side as well.  Boise State WR Titus Young will be a solid compliment to Megatron and another target for QB Matthew Stafford.  They also got Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure to add to their talented young backfield with Jahvid Best.

• If Detroit can keep Stafford HEALTHY and injury free they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.  The NFC North is going to be a very competitive and fun division to keep tabs on.

• The Bengals on the other hand, are going through massive changes.  Or at least judging from Carson Palmer and Ochocinco it’s certainly looking that way.  My guess is Carson retires because Mike Brown refuses to trade him.  Ochocinco has already burned bridges with Marvin Lewis and has expressed some interest in coming to STL – not that the Rams should seriously consider 85.  No way!

• Will TCU QB Andy Dalton come into Cincy and be able to win the starting job?  Where does Jordan Palmer fit into all of this?  Maybe Jordan should hang up his cleats and focus on Rocksoftware, his booming software/app business with John Shahidi.

• I’m still not 100% certain about what took place between the Bears and Ravens during that trade gaff.  But it sounds like someone in the Bears organization dropped the ball big time.  Verbal apologies were made regarding the confirmation phone call that wasn’t made but the Ravens wanted more.

• The Ravens wanted a pick in return from the Bears.  The Bears refused such a demand and a BAD taste was left in the Ravens’ beak.  In the end I think the Ravens still got the guy they wanted but just one pick later.

• But it just wasn’t the Ravens who came away scorned.  Other teams will be weary of doing future business with the Bears and it could come back to haunt them.  Bad business karma.

• I watched the Mark Ingram interview over again and I began to get annoyed with Suzy Kolber.  Was she trying to pull a Barbara Walters on him by making him cry with that email from his father who happens to be in prison?  What won’t networks and reporters do for ratings these days.  Or were they trying to get in touch with the female audience by adding that human interest element into the draft coverage.  I’d love to hear who’s idea it was to do that to him.

• The next few days stories from the war rooms will start leaking out.  ”Bart Scott!” to read about how close teams got to making trades that never materialized.  Maybe they’ll answer some linger questions that Rams fans have regarding the draft picks.

• One thing that absolutely drove me nuts the past few months about the draft is all this talk about “value.”  ”Player X was a great value at that pick…”  or “Player Y was a steal at round x.”  Value of what?  A bargain compared to who?  Are they talking about how much talent they got from that pick?  Or maybe the value of how much they’re going to have to pay the player based on what round they were taken?  I’ve yet to see an article where someone addresses this notion of “value.”

• The UFL (United Football League) conducted their draft for the 2011 season last night.  A few players who slipped through the NFL draft were taken by the UFL.  The most noticeable name for me was Mark Herzlich.  It’s a shame that no one in the NFL had the vision to take Mark.

It’s a shame this draft was marred by the lockout.  Not only did it steal some of its thunder but it changed the dynamics of the draft.  It will be interesting to look back at this draft 3 or 4 years from now and realize its impact on the league.

via Ron Clements

The first day of the 2011 NFL draft was filled with all sorts of emotions.  Excitement from the anticipation of who we would pick, the anger as we watched the Commissioner walk down the stage with the pompous look on his face, and the sympathy I felt for Mark Ingram as we watched him cry as he was picked and talked about his father.

Although we didn’t get the potential big time WR I was hoping for I was quite content with getting DE Robert Quinn at the 14th spot.  Despite his off field history (NCAA suspension for receiving inappropriate gifts and his benign brain tumor) Spags and Devaney seem comfortable and confident that he is past both issues and is ready to move forward.

So rounds 2 and 3 were last night and I’m thinking, “Okay today’s the day we could get a WR, OLB, and possibly a back up RB.”  A variety of names have been floating around the STL media for weeks now and I was just getting familiar with all of them.  Then Marshall Faulk announces the 47th overall pick belonging to the Rams.

TE?  But it’s not Kyle Rudolph because MIN had just taken him.  Who’s Lance Kendricks???  Not even on my radar.  I’m not necessarily knocking the TE from Wisconsin per se but why at 47?  We have a barn full of TE’s and why here?  RB Mikel LeShoure, WR’s Torry Smith, Randall Cobb, and Greg Little were still on the board.  *Scratching head… Maybe McDaniels is trying to create his own version of the Patriot’s Hernandez-Gronkowski TE duo.  Let me do some more research on Kendricks and get back to you.  Hopefully, there’s some good news there.

Next, we had the 78th overall (Round 3, pick 15) pick.  Now your guess is as good as mine.

By the middle of the 3rd round Smith, Cobb, and Little were off the board so for a WR the Rams selected Boise State WR Austin Pettis.  This pick I was okay with.  Wish we could have gotten Greg Little because we could use a bigger threat down the field but Pettis is also capable of being that big WR measuring in at 6′ 3″ 209 lbs.  Austin Pettis an athletic player who can contribute to the team in a variety of way.  He’s a receiver but he can also throw, punt, and hold kicks.  He’ll be fighting for one of the later spots on the WR roster but his versatility as a special teams player land him on the team.

 

I’m starting a new feature here on The Pigskin Arch called the “Audibles”  -my own version of SI Peter King’s “10 Things I Think.”  When inspired, I’ll be airing my random thoughts, sharing tweets/comments, and just about anything that catches my eye.

• What’s that? Ah — Lock out?  Don’t talk about – Lock out?  You kidding me?  Lock out?”  That is all.  If I try and say anymore about it I will explode from frustration. 

 

• I think Steven Jackson means well but the team really needs to find a real #2 RB.  The Rams need a solid insurance policy for the RB position.  And this is not a snub on SJ as it is more common sense.  Don’t spend a first round pick on an RB but mid-round selection might not be a bad idea.  Names that are being tossed around are Alabama’s Mark Ingram, Illinois’ Mikel LeShoure, and SJ’s alma mater OSU’s Jaquizz Rodgers.

 

• When asked about his new OC during his phone interview with “Zach and the Coach’ SJ said,

“I haven’t sat down with Coach McDaniels yet.  The first thing that pops out is that we’ll probably be more of a spread offense using 4-5 receivers a lot more than we have the past couple of seasons.  Hopefully I’ll be utilized out of the back field a little more.  I know that’s what he typically does with his back and just to spread the wealth and the ball more than we have in the last few seasons.”  

• Does it bother anyone else that the new OC hasn’t met with the star offensive player of the team???  My understanding is McDaniels hasn’t met with Sam either.  I wonder if the Rams were one of the 5 teams that were caught breaking the silence rule.  I think the fines would be worth the rewards of getting some contact with the players.  Oh, did I just bend one of the Four Pillars?

 

• They’re looking all happy here during their reunion but SJ will be missing his buddy, Mike Karney, ON the field soon.

“Notably for myself, I won’t have a full back ahead of me there anymore.  Hopefully spreading the ball around and using the zone blocking scheme, we would run, will help out with the running game. “

SJ and Karney from @SJ39

• All these stories about what we think Billy Devaney will do during the draft is making my head spin.  One report says he’d be willing to trade up, another says he could trade down, and a third says he’d be content at 14.  So which is it?  All of the above?

 

• I’m disappointed that the Rams have their bye on week 5.  A little bit early in the season for my taste.  I’m sure the guys would have liked it more in the middle of the 16 game season.

 

• According to NFL.com, the Rams will travel 15,278 miles during the 2011-2012 season and have the 26th hardest schedule based on the opponent’s 2010 cumulative record.  But we all know last year’s records don’t mean much for the next season.  Hey, we went from 1-15 to 7-9!

 

• Ok, Derrick Mason can call the Commish a joke but Amani Toomer?  C’mon man! Saying Roger Goodell is “using his power… kind of a Gestapo-type situation,” you’ve crossed the line.  As Deion Sanders would say, H.O.P.! 

Mock, mock, mock. Mock ’til you drop. This mornings Rams headlines revolve around the upcoming draft. I’ll be glad when it’s finally here because all we’ve really done is posture what we think each team will do. It’s getting exhausting rehashing the same material. April 28th can’t come soon enough. But until then here’s more, wait for it… draft analysis!

1) So what is the overly fake-and-baked head coach of the Redskins going to do? Will he stay at 10, trade up, or trade down? Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com thinks they’ll move back to possibly get another pick. BleacherReport.com thinks they’ll trade up, making Julio Jones more likely to be around when the Rams pick at 14. Of course, I’m all for the later senario.

2) StLouis.SBNation.com: Taking a quick look at the RB’s for possibly in the mid to later rounds. Names being mentioned are Taiwan Jones (E Washington-wicked fast pro day), Mikel Leshoure (Illinois), and Mark Ingram (Alabama).

3) SportingNews.com: Jim Thomas does a concise wrap up of the Rams needs by position and gives grades on previous Rams drafts. At least it looks like the Rams have been heading in a positive direction.