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”

Rams Owner Stan Kroenke

It’s the start of a new era and a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the Rams organization and its fans.

The press conference announcing the Rams new head coach went pretty much as expected.  Except for one huge thing…

Kroenke won’t say Rams will stay here

So there’s a team in place that deals with all that. So we’ll see how that process sorts itself out. But it’s a thing that takes place over time.

We’ll see how that process works out.

And that last line is the kicker.  He didn’t say anything to reassure the fans in St. Louis that the team has intentions to make a permanent home here in the Lou.  It’s not a good sign, folks.  Not a good sign.

On the other hand, I do appreciate him not sugar coating things.  If the Rams do leave St. Louis because the stadium lease doesn’t get worked out at least we can’t blame Kroenke for lying.  He didn’t give fans a false sense of hope unlike someone who used to wear the number 5 for the St. Louis baseball Cardinals.  *cough, Pujols, cough.*

Like it or not Stan Kroenke did the right thing.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: What Kroenke Didn’t Say”

Jeff Fisher (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Isn’t it fitting that Jeff Fisher is walking on by in this picture.  Just like he’s expected to do to the Rams.  ”Hasta luego,” as he takes the head coaching job in Miami.

NFL Network’s insider Michael Lombardi talks about factors that give Miami the edge during his appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast this week.

I think Jeff Fisher’s plan is to go to the Miami Dolphins because it’s a structure in place that he knows, he feels comfortable that the team isn’t going to move, there’s no relocation problems, there’s not an issue with the lease.

I think he feels very comfortable with Steven Ross‘ committment to making the team the best it could possibly be.

Okay, I can understand most of his reasonings.  Fisher wants to roll right into something with a solid framework, one that he’s familiar with.  But doesn’t he crave to leave his own mark on an organization?  No one has yet to do that in Rams recent history.

Jeff Fisher has the opportunity to come into St. Louis and build his own network of people from the ground up.  He would have a big say in who the general manager would be and what the vision is for the future of this franchise.  Especially if he is double duties as Executive Vice President, a title he also held during his tenure in Tennessee.

» Continue reading “What’s Eating Jeff Fisher?”

Reunited? (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

No official word on Jeff Fisher’s decision as of right now.  But he is expected to announce his choice sometime today.  Which means NFL writers in St. Louis, Miami, and national pundits are on-call as they await word from Tennessee.  I hate that we’re all held hostage.  He could at least give us a two hour window or something just out of courtesy, right?  Jeff Fisher is the cable repair guy who promises to be at your house between 8am and 5pm.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Jeff Fisher, The Cable Guy?”

Spags and Devaney circa April 2011 (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

Black Monday brought about the firing of Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney.  I was hoping for a personal appearance from the big man, Rams owner Stan Kroenke, but he sent his right-hand man (?) Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Kevin Demoff, to be the messenger of bad news.  Kroenke did send along this statement:

 I would like to personally thank Steve and Billy for their dedication to the St. Louis Rams organization over the past several seasons.  This was a difficult decision for many reasons. We have tremendous respect for Steve and Billy as people and football professionals.

No one individual is to blame for this disappointing season and we all must hold ourselves accountable. However, we believe it’s in the best interest of the St. Louis Rams to make theses changes as we continue our quest to build a team that consistently competes for playoffs and championships. We wish Steve, Billy and their families the very best in the future and thank them again for their commitment to our organization and the city of St. Louis.

It reads like your standard “thanks for trying but it’s just not working out for us” see ya later pink slip.  All politically correct, of course.  It’s even harder to really get a sense of how Kroenke really feels due to the fact that he’s harder to catch than a fly with chopsticks, Karate Kid style.  We’ll just have to assume this is really him talking – or at least his speech writer.

Here’s a statement released by outgoing general manager, Billy Devaney.

I want to thank so many people for my time here in St. Louis. While certainly disappointed in our record, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything. This is truly a special place.

I thank old and new friends made. I thank Stan Kroenke, Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez and the entire Rams organization. I wish you all much success. I thank all Rams fans. You are really great, great fans.

To all in St. Louis, I’ll meet you further on up the road. Cheers!

Head Coach no more (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

In the cut throat world of the NFL only two numbers really matter.  In the three years under Spagnuolo those two numbers are 10 and 38 – glaring enough for Stan Kroenke not to take action.

Glazer could have at least spelled Spags' name correctly...

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, shall we?

Steve Spagnuolo arrived at Rams Park in January of 2009 as one of the hottest coaching candidates of the previous year.  He turned down a job with the Redskins in 2008 to stay another year as the defensive coordinator of the Giants.  But when the Rams and general manager Billy Devaney came calling in 2009 at the tune of 4 years, $11.5 million he couldn’t say no.

Hopes were high and expectations equally lofty as the Rams brought in their new leader.  Surely, Steve Spagnuolo can bring the Rams closer to the promise land.  After all, his blitz happy defensive squad had pulled off the biggest Super Bowl upset (at least in my book) in history when the Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.  He orchestrated the fall of the mighty Master Hoody so naturally he would be able to help the Rams rise up from the bottom of the NFL.

ESPN article from January 19, 2009:

Spagnuolo was one of five finalists for the job, along with Haslett, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and defensive coordinators Rex Ryan of Baltimore and Leslie Frazier of Minnesota. Garrett flew into St. Louis on Friday night, prompting speculation he would be the new coach. But he was only here for another interview and perhaps as a backup option in case Spagnuolo was hired elsewhere.

Note all the candidates are from defensive backgrounds whereas former Rams head coach Scott Linehan was of an offensive mind.  Clearly the Rams were going a certain direction.

We now find Jason Garrett (Dallas Cowboys), Rex Ryan (New York Jets) and Leslie Frazier (Minnesota Vikings) all head coaches in the league while Jim Haslett serves as Mike Shanahan’s defensive coordinator in Washington.  Interestingly enough, all four former candidates didn’t make the playoffs this season.

Billy Devaney on Spags during the honeymoon stage of the relationship, “We considered some very qualified and outstanding candidates for this position, but we kept coming back to Steve Spagnuolo.  There’s just a toughness about him.  He represented what we were looking for when this process began.”

Maybe Devaney didn’t realize it at the time but his wagon was hitched to Spags for better or for worse.  And clearly, it’s become worse.  We’ll have to see about Devaney’s own fate.

The 2009 season was, to put it mildly, a disaster.  They finished with a 1-15 record.  But it did land the Rams the first overall pick in the 2010 draft.  The Rams wisely chose QB Sam Bradford and with Bradford at the helm he led the 2010 team to a 7-9 record.  They just missed out on the playoffs by one game and once again hopes were high.

But 2011 didn’t turn out as all expected.  This season’s mantra was “Next man up.”  A rash of injuries landed key players and most of the Rams secondary on IR leaving ill-prepared substitutes to take their place.  Coupled with some ill-advised roster moves and ill-conceived play calling the regular season was pretty much over before it ever really began.

As I said yesterday, don’t expect Spags to be on the unemployment line too long though.  My guess is he will be packing his bags and will be well received in Philly under Andy Reid as his defensive coordinator.  Sorry, Juan Castillo your seat just got blazing.

For what it’s worth, in a strange twisted way I’ll miss listening to Spags on Mondays.  I personally wish him and his family the very best as he moves forward.  Good luck in Philadelphia, sir.

Hot off the Twitter timeline

Looks like we don’t have to wait until Black Monday.  ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is already reporting that head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney will indeed be shown the door.

I can already hear the roar and cheer from a slew of disgruntled Rams fans.  Personally, I’m conflicted but what’s about to be done will be done.

Don’t expect Spags to be on the unemployment line too long though.  My guess is he will be packing his bags and will be well received in Philly under Andy Reid as his defensive coordinator.  Sorry, Juan Castillo your seat just got really hot.

Two main questions remain: who will be taking their places and what will happen to OC Josh McDaniels (and apparently WR Brandon Lloyd).

Who are your picks if you’re Stan Kroenke?

We’ve reached the last game of the season, believe it or not.  Seemed like eons ago when the Rams faced off against the “dream team” Eagles in the home opener.  Such high hopes for the regular season after going undefeated in the preseason only to have eight players go down in that first game – most notably RB Steven Jackson, QB Sam Bradford,  and WR Danny Amendola.  The Rams’ season wouldn’t be the same after that.

Fast forward 15 games later only to find ourselves staring down the oh-so-wrong end of a 2-13 record.  If it’s about the journey and not the destination then it was a long path of frustration and futility.  For those who’ve suffered the most the season will mercifully come to an end tomorrow.

Don’t expect the 49ers to sit back and relax though.  They are still in the hunt for the second seed which bears the fruit of a first round bye during the playoffs.  A win in the Edward Jones Dome hands them a week off.  Or they can wish upon a star that the New Orleans Saints lose against the Carolina Panthers.  I don’t expect the latter to happen so the 49ers will do what they can to secure that two spot.

This may be a blessing in disguise for the Rams though.  They could land the coveted (?) number one overall pick in the 2012 draft (twice in three years) with another loss and a Colts win over the Jaguars.  After all, there has to be some positive in all the negative that the Rams have faced this season.  Jacksonville is 3.5 point favorites for those of you who are into the spread.  Go Colts!

Game stats from week 13: Rams at 49ers

What the Rams offense has to do

First and foremost, run the ball better.

In their first meeting back in week 13, the Rams were shut out at Candlestick.  Too bad the transformers didn’t shut down that day…  RB’s Steven Jackson (10 carries) and Jerious Norwood (11 carries) COMBINED for a whopping 19 rushing yards.  It might be safe to say we’ll see better numbers than that, right?

It will be good to see if QB Kellen Clemens bounce back from last week’s performance of 68 passing yards.  You know, baby steps FORWARD and not backwards.  Or this just could be the part of me that’s accepting of mediocrity.  Hey, I’m just trying to stay positive to the end.

Also, according to ProFootball Talk’s Gregg Rosenthal the Rams never advanced past the 49ers 45-yard line.  I’d like to see them at least do that once – just to say that some progress was made.

But like last time, it could be an uphill battle.

LB’s Aldon Smith (rookie out of Mizzou) and Larry Grant (former Ram – ahem…) will do their best to make it a repeat shut out game for the 49ers.  Not to mention, DE Justin Smith and CB Carlos Rogers.  ILB NaVorro Bowman is not a household name (yet) but he actually had the most solo tackles (6) in week 13.  Their other star LB Patrick Willis is listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury.

What the Rams defense needs to do

Hold RB Frank Gore to the 21 carries and 73 rushing yards just like they did in week 13.  I think this can be done again – at least for the first three quarters.  Depends on how much the defense is left on the field due to the lack on offensive on the Rams’ part.  Don’t count out their other RB Kendall Hunter.  He’ll be getting some time in so Gore can get rest.

The real struggle again will be keeping the passing game (insert scowls here) in check.  The 49ers’ WR trio of Michael Crabtree (96 yards), Kyle Williams (65 yards) and Ted Ginn Jr. (55 yards) gained over 200 yards on merely 10 total receptions.  Luckily, for the Rams it sounds like the latter duo of Williams (concussion) and Ginn Jr. (ankle) are listed as questionable for Sunday’s rematch.  So, that leaves WR Brett Swain, their beast of a TE, Vernon Davis as their main passing threats.

What the Rams special teams need to do

Oh, I don’t know…  Maybe get a field goal through the uprights???

I’m not sure what’s up with K Josh Brown but he better get his act together.  He’s only made two of his last five field goal attempts.  Last week against the Steelers he was 0 for 2.  I can almost understand the missed 52-yarder but the 20-yarder, I have no answer.

With their number one and two return men listed as questionable the 49ers may turn to RB Kendall Hunter to pull double duty.  He’s listed as the back up RB as well as the back up KR.  Regardless of who’s back there the Rams special teams need to limit the 20+ yard returns.  Special teams is all about field position, isn’t it?

Who will win

Honestly, I just want to see signs of life from the Rams.  Get points on the board some how and not get shut out on the last game of the season.  Overall, I’d like to see the younger players get some “meaningful” playing time.  I realize performance bonuses might be on the line but why not see what these guys can and cannot do.  In reality, the Rams have been in a talent re-evaluation mode for quite a while now.

The Rams will fight hard for the home crowd and for their own dignity.  But they will come up short again and with a Colt victory will clinch the first overall pick in the April draft.

Rams fall to the 49ers again 24-10, but this time put up at least one TD and one field goal.

Sobering stat: Only three teams have eaten the dreaded donut in 2011 – week 2 the Steelers blanked the Seahawks 24-0, week 8 the Bills shut out the Redskins 23-0, and our beloved Rams were kept out of the end zone twice.  The first time in week 13 by the 49ers and once again by the Steelers just this last week in Heinz Field.

*Thank you very much for a wonderful 2011 and here’s to an even better 2012.  Happy new years everyone.

SJ39, Pro Bowl alternate?

Pro Bowl Alternates

Running back Steven Jackson, defensive end Chris Long and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis were voted as alternates at their position for the Pro Bowl. None of the players knew what number alternate they are in the pecking order.

Said Spagnuolo, “To me, if you get recognized in this league at all in the conversation of Pro Bowl, I think is something we all ought to be proud of. The landscape, the way they have it now with the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, there’s a decent chance that one, two, three of those guys might find their way into the game.”

Not sure about the pecking order yet but in the RB position the only one who has a shot at the Super Bowl and therefore wouldn’t be on a plane to Hawaii is 49ers’ Frank Gore (2nd alternate).  Bears’ Matt Forte (1st alternate) is on IR but according to the Chicago Sun-Times Bears beat writer, Sean Jensen, Forte would be eligible to play in the Pro Bowl IF he passes his exit/end of season physical.  So there’s that.  As for the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy, his season is over so count on him to start the game.

At the defensive end position, Vikings’ Jared Allen and Eagles’ Jason Babin are slated to start with Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul at the first alternate.  And at inside/middle linebacker, 49ers’ Patrick Willis gets the nod with Bears’ Brian Urlacher as first alternate.

It will be interesting to see where the three Rams ranked in the voting.

Rams’ Cornerback Al Harris to Retire

“I just planted wrong,” Harris said. “It was just God’s way of telling me, it’s time. You turn the page. I had an awesome time. Thank God for Spags for giving me an opportunity to come help out. I just hope I left a positive impression on everybody.”

Harris suffered a season-ending ACL injury on the play. It proved to be a career-ending play as well, because Harris has decided to retire after 14 seasons and 194 regular-season games in the NFL.

Harris came into training camp and eased his way onto the field.  But it was in the locker room and off the field where he seemed to have the most impact.  He mentored and coached the never ending revolving door of players in the secondary and left an impression on Spags.

I am very close to Al. I’m touched that he was even a part of all this. I’m glad he was. He’s done so much more than what you guys even have seen on the field. What he’s done off the field and with these young guys, especially the defensive backs.

Another person who sang/tweeted praise for Harris is current ESPN business analyst and former Green Bay Packers Vice President, Andrew Brandt.

Brandt on Harris

What’s in the future for Al Harris now that his playing days are coming to an end?  Coaching, he says.  Coach Al Harris has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Trading Bradford to draft quarterback makes no sense for Rams

These rumblings were being heard over the past several weeks, but gained traction when Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden said recently if a new coach was hired by the Rams they would have to give serious consideration to finding a better quarterback than Bradford. Gruden, of course, specifically mentioned Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III of Baylor.

Okay, I’m not sure where this nonsense came from and why it keeps on going but it has to stop.  Leave it to Grudes to keep the momentum going just for the sake of getting his name and ridiculousness in the mix.

Let’s get one thing straight.  The Rams are not going to trade Sam Bradford.  You simply can’t label him a bust in a short two years and send him on his way.  He still has much to prove and will do so when he gets a healthier and consistent offensive line and some other receiving weapons to throw to.  I don’t think it would hurt to get an offensive coordinator who knows who to utilize the guys he has instead of shoving his system down everyone’s throat.  Know thy team, McDaniels.

Pro Bowl worthy, Steven Jackson

It was much of a surprise Rams RB Steven Jackson didn’t make the Pro Bowl roster.  But you can’t help be a little disappointed for him.  Especially, after all that he did for the team and for all he did despite the team.   If it’s any consolation to him he’s the no-brainer for the Rams MVP, at least in my book.

Burwell: Rams’ top need is for someone to be in charge

In the meantime, the more pressing need is for a football CEO in Rams Park. A few months ago, a veteran player asked me a rather interesting question that had been making the rounds in the locker room.

“Who’s in charge, Billy or ‘Spags’?”

I told him I really didn’t know.

“That’s OK,” said the player, “Neither do we.”

That’s a problem for an organization when the players aren’t sure where the buck stops.

Let’s hope Kroenke changes that as quickly as possible.

This was somewhat surprising.  If a veteran player has no idea where the buck stops then what are the younger players to think.  And I think Mr. Burwell makes a great point.  Who’s really in charge at Rams Park?  Mr. Kroenke will not make the same mistake twice so I’d imagine he will hire a czar-like figure to run his NFL franchise.  No more two-headed managers for the Rams, or at least that’s my hope.

Report: Rams to Fire Spagnuolo, Pursue Fisher

A lot of progress was made in Spagnuolo’s second season when the Rams fell one game short of making the playoffs for the first time since 2006.  Yet, many factors, including injuries plus lack of preparation due to the NFL lockout, played into a 0-6 start that has slowly evolved into a 2-13 record.  Tuesday, the 2011-12 Pro Bowl rosters were released without any Rams representation, which indicates that kind of season the team has had even though particular players including defensive end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis have been able to shine.

Looks like just about everyone under the sun and then some have already fired Spags and have him moving on – most likely back to Philly as their new DC.  While this is probably what will happen, as I’ve said before, no one knows yet.  I don’t think anyone should assume or speculate to know what Stan Kroenke is thinking.  The phrase “sources close to the situation” bother me to no end.

The Gruden to St. Louis talk is, for now, strictly speculative. Treat it as such. Acee’s a credible reporter, you can be sure he’s hearing that talk via informed sources. However, it’s by no means definitive, and as I said earlier, don’t rule out the possibility of agents or other using rumors to generate interest and bidding wars.