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Draft nuggets: Rams had Martin rated No. 2 at OT behind Robinson
Print By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8197
Turns out there was no such thing as a Greg Robinson vs. Jake Matthews "debate" at Rams Park.
When it came to offensive linemen, the Rams liked Texas A&M's Matthews. Such was the case with Michigan's Taylor Lewan as well. But the Rams had a noticeably higher grade on Auburn's Robinson than either Matthews or Lewan.
So if they were going to take a tackle at No. 2 overall, it was going to be Robinson all the way. In fact, the team's second-ranked prospect at the position behind Robinson was Notre Dame's Zack Martin, a couple of team sources said late Thursday night.
The high regard for Martin explains why the Rams unsuccessfully tried to trade up with Baltimore at No. 17 overall for Martin. Martin, who can play tackle or guard, ended up going to Dallas at No. 16. Lewan went No. 11 overall to Tennessee, and Matthews ended up in Atlanta at No. 6.
The Rams didn't think Martin would get past the New York Giants at No. 12.
Some other takeaways from Day 1 of the draft at Rams Park:
* * * The Robinson-Orlando Pace comparisons are unfounded. Pace could pass-block coming out of Ohio State. It's still to be proven if Robinson can pass-block effectively at this level. But the Rams saw at least one good indication during their private workout with Robinson last week: his footwork.
The best pass blockers are light on their feet. Pace was so good at it, he almost seemed to be gliding at times. During Robinson's workout, Rams coaches couldn't hear his feet hit the ground as he smoothly shuffled through blocking drills.
* * *The Rams felt they left 10 sacks on the field last season on plays where defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long came around the edges but the opposing quarterback either escaped on foot or got the pass off by stepping up in the pocket.
That will be much harder to do this year with defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the middle on passing downs. At least that's the theory _ and a big reason why the Rams selected the Pitt Panther. The Rams didn't think they had a chance at him until Tampa Bay passed on Donald to take Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans at No. 7 overall.
The new Buccaneers' coach is Lovie Smith, and a disruptive interior pass rusher _ such as Warren Sapp _ has been a key component of Smith's defenses over the years.
New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he got so excited when the Rams picked Donald, he almost pulled a hamstring.
* * * The Rams' two first-rounders know each other, having worked out at the same performance institute _ API _ during pre-draft training.
* * * The Rams wouldn't have traded South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had he "fallen" to No. 2. The card would've been handed in very quickly to select Clowney.
* * * The Rams liked Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins a lot. But they had higher grades on Clowney and Robinson, and even told Watkins beforehand they weren't going to draft him.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_f686bf55-827c-5e4e-a1f0-907430be5c7d.html
Print By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8197
Turns out there was no such thing as a Greg Robinson vs. Jake Matthews "debate" at Rams Park.
When it came to offensive linemen, the Rams liked Texas A&M's Matthews. Such was the case with Michigan's Taylor Lewan as well. But the Rams had a noticeably higher grade on Auburn's Robinson than either Matthews or Lewan.
So if they were going to take a tackle at No. 2 overall, it was going to be Robinson all the way. In fact, the team's second-ranked prospect at the position behind Robinson was Notre Dame's Zack Martin, a couple of team sources said late Thursday night.
The high regard for Martin explains why the Rams unsuccessfully tried to trade up with Baltimore at No. 17 overall for Martin. Martin, who can play tackle or guard, ended up going to Dallas at No. 16. Lewan went No. 11 overall to Tennessee, and Matthews ended up in Atlanta at No. 6.
The Rams didn't think Martin would get past the New York Giants at No. 12.
Some other takeaways from Day 1 of the draft at Rams Park:
* * * The Robinson-Orlando Pace comparisons are unfounded. Pace could pass-block coming out of Ohio State. It's still to be proven if Robinson can pass-block effectively at this level. But the Rams saw at least one good indication during their private workout with Robinson last week: his footwork.
The best pass blockers are light on their feet. Pace was so good at it, he almost seemed to be gliding at times. During Robinson's workout, Rams coaches couldn't hear his feet hit the ground as he smoothly shuffled through blocking drills.
* * *The Rams felt they left 10 sacks on the field last season on plays where defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long came around the edges but the opposing quarterback either escaped on foot or got the pass off by stepping up in the pocket.
That will be much harder to do this year with defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the middle on passing downs. At least that's the theory _ and a big reason why the Rams selected the Pitt Panther. The Rams didn't think they had a chance at him until Tampa Bay passed on Donald to take Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans at No. 7 overall.
The new Buccaneers' coach is Lovie Smith, and a disruptive interior pass rusher _ such as Warren Sapp _ has been a key component of Smith's defenses over the years.
New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he got so excited when the Rams picked Donald, he almost pulled a hamstring.
* * * The Rams' two first-rounders know each other, having worked out at the same performance institute _ API _ during pre-draft training.
* * * The Rams wouldn't have traded South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had he "fallen" to No. 2. The card would've been handed in very quickly to select Clowney.
* * * The Rams liked Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins a lot. But they had higher grades on Clowney and Robinson, and even told Watkins beforehand they weren't going to draft him.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_f686bf55-827c-5e4e-a1f0-907430be5c7d.html
