My Thoughts On Rumored Rams Draft Picks

[Playmaker]

We've all seen them by now. The handful of names of players the Rams are interested in and/or the fans are interested in. Some I like. Others I am not too keen on. Here they are in alphabetical order with my personal opinions on them.

RB/WR/RS Tavon Austin (West Virginia)

What I Like
#1. His speed and quickness. No one on the Rams has what he has.

#2. Highly productive college player.

#3. Was a big time player in big time games.

What I Don't Like
#1. His size. Players his size don't get drafted in the first round.

#2. He played in the Big East/Big XII. Not college conferences known for their defense.

#3. The offense he played in at West Virginia is extremely gimmicky. More so than other college spread offenses.

Synopsis
I like Tavon Austin as a player. I do not like him as an every down WR. He doesn't have the size to withstand hits from NFL LB's and Safeties. Plus he will be a slot WR and slot WR's do not get drafted in the first round. Inside WR's come a dime a dozen. The best one's in the NFL, Wes Welker, Victor Cruz, and Danny Amendola were all undrafted. Players like Austin can be found in the middle rounds. We've seen it all too often. Last year alone the Colts drafted T.Y. Hilton was a late 3rd round pick. Bottom line is this. How many teams won Super Bowl's since the Rams won in 1999 with first round WR's starting for their team that they actually drafted? I can tell you how many, 3. Indianapolis 2006 (Harrison & Wayne), Steelers 2008 (Holmes), Giants 2011 (Nicks). I'll even throw you a bone and say Robert Meachem was a part time starter for the Saints in 2009. So that makes 4 of the past 13 Champions that started a first round WR that they drafted. How many of those were top 16 picks? None. Austin will be a better WR than Ted Ginn, but that is the player I'd compare Austin to. Ginn has been a major bust in the NFL as a WR and a disappointment as a Return Specialist. Fisher and Snead seem to have this type of stuff figured out.

Playmaker Judgement
I'd like to see the Rams wait until next year if they're going to take a WR in the first round. This years crop has too many question marks. Just like this years QB crop, each of the top WR's have glaring flaws. Next year Clemson's Sammy Watkins and USC's Marqise Hill will be draft eligible and both will be legit top 10 picks like AJ Green and Julio Jones in 2011. The Rams will have two first round picks to trade up to land one of these legit studs. NFL Comparison WR Ted Ginn (Carolina Panthers)

OG/C Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina)

What I Like
#1. Great Feet and extremely athletic. Can get to the second level and exceptional in space.

#2. Has experience at both guard spots and center. In a pinch could even play OT.

#3. Played in a Pro Style Offense under a former NFL Coach in College.

What I Don't Like
#1. Played at 290 lbs as a Senior. He did weight in at 311 lbs at the Combine, but can he play with that weight?

#2. Has a left shoulder issue that may become a problem in the long run.

#3. Needs to continue to work on his functional strength.

Synopsis
There is a lot to like about Cooper and very little not to like. Some people think Cooper would fit better in a Zone Blocking scheme, but I think he is that rare player that can fit in both a zone and power scheme. To me he is the prototypical All Pro Left Guard. Best pulling OG I've seen coming out in years. This guy is a day one starter in the NFL and his experience at Center is a bonus that Chance Warmack doesn't offer. I could only imagine Guard/Tackle traps coming off the left side with Cooper and Long to open holes for the Rams running game. Or Cooper out in space on screens and pulls. Only one College Offensive Guard has went in the top 10 picks since 2000, Leonard Davis from Texas. So chances are Cooper will be there for the Rams at #16. Now will they draft a Guard at #16? That remains to be seen. Remember this, Scott Wells has his contract fully guaranteed in 2013. But after 2013 I don't expect Wells to be a Ram (he'll be 33 after the 2013 season and has a series of serious knee issues) And Harvey Dahl could be cut with limited cap penalties and is coming off a late season injury that was serious. Rodger Saffold ad Harvey Dahl are both UFA's after the 2013 season as well. Rok Watkins would be a better ORG with his size than OLG. So Offensive Line is still an issue for the Rams.

Playmaker Judgement
Definitely worth a top 15 pick if you believe a Guard should be taken that high. He is a much better OG than Mike Iupati coming out of college. And Iupati is the only college Guard drafted in the top 20 of a draft since Leonard Davis in 2001. My NFL Comparison is Davin Joseph because of how well Joseph does in space and in pass pro.

OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama)

What I Like
#1. Mauling blocker in the run game. I've been reading that quite a few Scouts are saying he is the best run blocking OT to come out in decades.

#2. Outstanding Size and Strength. 36 3/4 in arms and 10 1/2 inch hands to go along with a 6'5 339 lb frame that has very good feet for a mauler.

#3. Plenty of tape against top edge rushers in the top conference in College Football, the SEC

What I Don't Like
#1. None of the Alabama Offensive Linemen have set the NFL on fire. Makes you wonder if it is the scheme/coaching more than the individuals.

#2. Is he a Offensive Right Tackle only? Can he play inside?

#3. Gives up a lot of secondary rush moves to defenders.

Synopsis
Fluker has tremendous upside if he can get with an Offensive Line Coach to work on some small things. I can not get over this kids measurements. If his gets his hands on you, two words GAME OVER. Fluker would definitely fit in an offense that possesses a power running scheme and then the passing game comes off of play action. An offense like the New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals, St.Louis Rams, or Arizona Cardinals. Would not fit in well with a pass happy team like Detroit, Green Bay, or New Orleans.

Playmaker Judgement
I'm 99.9% sure this guy will play ORT in the NFL. But I could see him kicking inside and being one of the leagues best ORG too. With him being a right side of the line player, He definitely should not be a top 20 pick. The left side, aka the blind side, is the more premium positions. I see Fluker as a player that goes somewhere between #20-#32. Definitely a first round pick. Jeff Fisher loves big OT's and Fluker is definitely a big physical presence. I would say his NFL Comparison is Minnesota Vikings ORT Phil Loadholt

RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)

What I Like
#1. Very good at reading his blocks and being patient for them to develop

#2. One of the better pass protecting RB's in the 2013 NFL Draft

#3. He finishes his runs. I don't know if he even know what out of bounds is

What I Don't Like
#1. Benefited greatly by one of the best College Football Offensive Lines ever in 2012 at Alabama

#2. Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson haven't set the NFL on fire after highly productive careers at Alabama

#3. Does not have the speed or quickness to get outside in the NFL

Synopsis
I am big on trends. When it comes to the NFL Draft one of the things that stay consistent with a trend is how a player from a certain school at a certain position under a certain coach does. Recently Alabama has a trend of having All American's on their Offense that just don't transition to the NFL. Nick Saban has been at Alabama since 2007. Since then he has produced numerous Offensive Players that have been drafted into the NFL. Yet only one, Julio Jones, has been a consistent high level NFL player. Lacy also comes after Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson and seems to be following the same path to the draft. Lacy has yet to work out for teams due to a hamstring and groin injury. Just like Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram when they were drafted. Lacy simply comes along at a time where RB's have become decreasingly devalued. Since 2001 only one team, the 2006 Colts with Joseph Addai, won a Super Bowl with a starting RB they took in the first round. That is one in twelve years.

Playmaker Judgement
I just do not believe in taking a RB in the first round. The way the NFL has gone with a committee approach, taking a RB in the first round is an ancient way of thinking. Up until 1999 the RB was always the best athlete on the field. But when the 1999 St.Louis Rams took the field the league changed. It became a passing league in 1999. And when that happened the RB as we knew it died. Lacy to me looks like just another big back. Nothing exceptionally special. He looks like another RB from Alabama that took around 14 rushing attempts per game. The perfect comparison in the NFL right now is Chicago Bears RB Michael Bush An in between the tackles big back that will take carries on the goal line. Will never be an every down RB due to his lack of explosiveness. But would be an ideal starter for a power running team, just doesn't have first round qualities.

LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia)

What I Like
#1. Excellent Athlete with good speed.

#2. Can Close Suddenly with terrific range

#3. Excellent In Pass Protection

What I Don't Like
#1. Wastes steps

#2. Character issues

#3. Over runs some plays

Synopsis
First and foremost teams that use a 4-3 Defensive Scheme have to figure out if Ogletree is a MLB or a WLB. I believe he can be a 4-3 MLB. But if 4-3 teams say he is a WLB, he likely will slide into the 2nd round. This guy is flat out the best playmaking LB in the entire draft. I wouldn't put him in the same category of athlete as Patrick Willis. But he is right below him. Ogletree is the type of LB that not only can go sideline to sideline, but can make tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Playmaker Judgement
I have a source close to the Rams Organization that has told me the Rams are looking at drafting a MLB early in the draft. James Laurinaitis ends up with a lot of tackles, but most are down field and very few are at or behind the line of scrimmage. The Rams are considering moving Laurinaitis to WLB where he'll have a DE and DT covering the OT and OG allowing him to make more plays. Ogletree is a much better block shedder than Laurinaitis. With Ogletree's size/speed combo, I say his NFL Comparison is New Orleans Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma.

WR/RS Cordarelle Patterson (Tennessee)

Things I Like
#1. Good size/speed combo.

#2. Is a true vertical threat

#3. Is a true outside WR

Things I Don't Like
#1. Only 1 year against FBS Competition

#2. A Body Catcher. Leaves his feet a lot to make routine catches

#3. Is not a day one starter in the NFL

Synopsis
Patterson's numbers in 4 games against out of conference opponents NC State, Georgia State, Akron, and Troy, 20 Receptions, 403 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving TD's, 18.4 YPC. That was an average of 5 Rec, 100.8 YPC, 0.5 Receiving TD, 18.4 YPC.
In Patterson's 8 games in conference (SEC) Patterson recorded only 26 Receptions 375 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving TD, 14.4 YPC. That was an average of 3.3 Rec, 46.9 Receiviing YPG, 0.375 Rec TD 14.4 YPC.

A total of 46 Receptions, 778 Receiving Yards, and 5 Receiving TD's. Not exactly overwhelming production. And factor in that Tennessee ended up 8th in all of FBS out of 124 programs in passing TD's with 35, and Patterson only pulled in 5, throws up a red flag. Now factor in that Patterson had 9 Receptions, 213 Receiving Yards, and a Receiving TD in just one game against lowly Troy Universityon November 3rd. In that one game against Troy Patterson accumulated 20% of his season receptions total, 27% of his season receiving yardage total, and 20% of his receiving TD total.

There are other red flags to throw up as well. He leaves his feet to make routine catches. That means he doesn't trust his hands. He also is a body catcher and was not jammed at the line of scrimmage often.

Playmaker Judgement
Cordarelle Patterson is going to need a "red shirt" year in the NFL. Similar to Brian Quick and DeMaryius Thomas in their rookie years where they saw very limited playing time despite being early round picks. Patterson will have to learn the pro game. He will have to gain strength and learn how to catch with his hands. Patterson's NFL Comparison is New England Patriots WR (and former Tennessee Volunteer) Donte Stallworth.

DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri)

What I Like
#1. Elite Burst and Suddenness off the ball

#2. Able to make plays on the opponents side of the line of scrimmage

#3. Uses hands very well

What I Don't Like
#1. Lacks strength, especially upper body.

#2. One year starter at Missouri

#3. Can struggle against the run

Synopsis
The first DT taken last year was Dontari Poe at #11 to the Kansas City Chiefs. I think this year at least two DT's go in the first 10 picks. Will Sheldon Richardson be one of them? That is the question. Richardson is scheme diverse. But like fellow Missouri Tiger Ziggy Hood, Richardson is better suited as a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme. I have a hunch that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking to jump into the back half of the top 10 to get Richardson. He would be the ideal 3-technique for new DC Monte Kiffen's defense.

Playmaker Prediction
If some way Richardson lasts to #16, he's the pick for the Rams. No ifs, and's, or but's about it. Brockers and Langford are bigger, more powerful DT's. But Richardson could be that quick penetrating DT this team has sorely missed for years. His NFL comparison is New York Giants DT Cullen Jenkins


S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)

What I Like
#1. Good Size

#2. Can come down and cover slot WR

#3. Big Hitter

What I Don't Like
#1. Not a Ball Hawk. Only 5 INT's in 32 starts in a pass happy conference

#2. Better in Man Coverage than playing in a Zone

#3. A bit stiff with marginal change of direction skills

Synopsis
The thing that really sicks out is the lack of INT's for Vaccaro in a pass happy conference, the Big XII. I've always said if you are not a ballhawking Safety, you should not be a first round pick. Texas has become the new Defensive Backs University putting out a line of good pro's like Seattle's FS Earl Thomas, Tennesse's FS Michael Griffin, NY Giants CB Aaron Ross, and Bill CB Aaron Williams among others. Vaccaro has maturity issues and would do well being on a defense with several strong veteran leaders.

Playmaker Judgement
I see Vaccaro as a tweener Safety in the NFL. His lack of ball skills will cause him to slide further than many thought he should go. Nothing is elite in regards to Vaccaro's skill set. His NFL Comparison is Detroit Lions Safety Louis Delmas


OG Chance Warmack (Alabama)

What I Like
#1. Mauler in the run game

#2. Prototypical OG size

#3. Dominated against top SEC DT's

What I Don't Like
#1. Marginal short area quickness

#2. Get's too high coming out of his stance at times

#3. Stamina. Seemed to wear down late in games.

Synopsis
Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper are polar opposites at OG. Where as Cooper has versatility to play several different positions due to his athleticism, Warmack is an OG only. Like I said with D.J. Fluker, I question Alabama Offensive Linemen that enter the NFL (since Nick Saban became Head Coach in 2007). I still think it has more to do about the scheme and coaching at Alabama than individual talent on the O-Line. Warmack is the prototypical NFL Power Guard. But that is all he is, an Offensive Guard.

Playmaker Judgement
I believe Warmack is a better OG than David DeCastro (Stanford) who was the first OG that went in the 2012 NFL Draft at #24 (Pittsburgh). Far too many teams are finding All Pro Guards in the middle rounds (Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Carl Nicks) which makes taking an OG in the first 20 picks in the NFL Draft questionable. Warmack will be one of the rare OG's to go in the top 20 of the draft. He might even be the safest pick in the entire draft His NFL Comparison is Tampa Bay Buccaneers OG Carl Nicks

 

[Rabid Ram]

Very well stated and good reasonable views on your part

 

[nighttrain]

Good read PMer
train

 

[Playmaker]

Thanks Rabid Ram and Night Train. I started working on this last Friday.

I think people, especially fans, are over rating Tavon Austin based off of his workout and how he was used in the West Virginia Offense. Even the most staunchest of Austin supporters will say he isn't an every down WR. If he isn't an every down player, he isn't a first round pick. People always over rate the WR position. Especially coming out of these spread offenses. Truth is there isn't a first round WR in this draft. Now that doesn't mean there won't be a WR taken in the first round. Heck, I think there might as many as three due to the lack of elite talent at every position other than OT and DT.

If I had to rate the players I mentioned, I'd say.

#1. DT Sheldon Richardson (Mizzou)
#2t. OG Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina)
#2t. OG Chance Warmack (Alabama)
#4. LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia)
#5. OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama)
#6. RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)
#6. WR Coradelle Patterson (Tennessee)
#7. S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
#8. WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia)

I like LSU Safety Eric Reid more than Vaccaro. I also like Oregon State's Markus Wheaton, California's Keenan Allen, Tennessee's Justin Hunter, Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton, Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins, Baylor's Terrance Williams, and even Washington State's Marquess Wilson more than Austin as a WR.

 

[brokeu91]

Great write-up

Agree with just about everything you wrote.

 

[Stranger]

Excellent! So much better than anything coming out of the PD.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Hell of a good post!

Nice work!

Interesting comments on JL. Makes some sense.

I think many of us liked Austin before the combine. I like the match up challenge he brings. He's our answer to the challenge of the running QB.



Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DR RAM]

I agree with some of what you said, and I disagree with some. I blatantly disagree with a few comments, and I totally agree on some, but I will keep those to myself. I do appreciate how much work you did here. Good job!

 

[Rabid Ram]

I agree with some of what you said, and I disagree with some. I blatantly disagree with a few comments, and I totally agree on some, but I will keep those to myself. I do appreciate how much work you did here. Good job!

Now what good is a forum if not for good chatter and debate

 

[jrry32]

Synopsis
I like Tavon Austin as a player. I do not like him as an every down WR. He doesn't have the size to withstand hits from NFL LB's and Safeties. Plus he will be a slot WR and slot WR's do not get drafted in the first round. Inside WR's come a dime a dozen. The best one's in the NFL, Wes Welker, Victor Cruz, and Danny Amendola were all undrafted. Players like Austin can be found in the middle rounds. We've seen it all too often. Last year alone the Colts drafted T.Y. Hilton was a late 3rd round pick. Bottom line is this. How many teams won Super Bowl's since the Rams won in 1999 with first round WR's starting for their team that they actually drafted? I can tell you how many, 3. Indianapolis 2006 (Harrison & Wayne), Steelers 2008 (Holmes), Giants 2011 (Nicks). I'll even throw you a bone and say Robert Meachem was a part time starter for the Saints in 2009. So that makes 4 of the past 13 Champions that started a first round WR that they drafted. How many of those were top 16 picks? None. Austin will be a better WR than Ted Ginn, but that is the player I'd compare Austin to. Ginn has been a major bust in the NFL as a WR and a disappointment as a Return Specialist. Fisher and Snead seem to have this type of stuff figured out.

There are a lot of things I personally would not agree on but I decided to focus on my cause of 2013, Tavon Austin. To list the issues I have with this statement:
1. Isn't the argument against drafting Guards in the 1st the same one you just took the time to make here...they will be available later? And yet you say both Guards should go in the top 20. Seems like the sword should cut both ways

2. If anything, T.Y. Hilton only gives credence to drafting Austin earlier. Look at the impact T.Y. Hilton made as a rookie and he was a lesser prospect than Austin. Yea, he went in the 3rd round...but Austin isn't. And frankly, T.Y. was criminally underrated. I spent a good year before he was drafted pointing that out. Lets also conveniently ignore that Percy Harvin was traded for a 1st, mid round pick and a 7th. So obviously NFL teams are starting to value these type of players higher. So we should pass on Austin because we might be able to find a player later? Can't you say the same for any other position and any other player? Doesn't seem like a legitimate argument against him.

3. He doesn't have the size to withstand hits? Does Wes Welker? How about DeSean Jackson? How about Mark Clayton of the Dolphins? How about Anthony Carter? How about Gary Clark? Sorry, that argument doesn't fly. Austin has never missed a game in his career. In fact, according to WVU's Coaches, he never missed a practice. But he doesn't have the size to take hits? Did he suddenly just get smaller?

4. And now we have the Super Bowl argument. I could just use the old cliche, correlation does not imply causation. Or I could question why you would advocate taking Lee or Watkins in the top 10 in 2014 after making this argument. Seems entirely hypocritical and contrary to the point you just made. So I'm not going to consider this a legitimate argument either.

5. My final point...why Ted Ginn? Why not DeSean Jackson? Why not Percy Harvin? Why choose the guy that busted?

I don't understand why the arguments against Austin always boil down to he's too small and he's a slot WR. Seems to me if the guy wasn't a 1st round WR, the arguments would be against his WR skills and athleticism. But they never are. That tells me that he's not lacking as a WR and he's sure as heck not lacking as an athlete. So the supposed negative is size...based on the belief that he can't stay healthy when it's never been an issue...and his NFL role...which will be up to the OC of the team that takes him. He has the ability to play Flanker. It's really up to the team who drafts him where they play him. If they play him in the slot, it's because they think getting the ball into his hands as much as possible is a priority.

Point of the matter is, Austin takes a lot of flak because we simply haven't seen a player quite like him in awhile. And that scares people. But would you rather be the team who comes out looking like a genius for taking that chance or the team who plays it safe and misses out?

If we had played it safe last year, we wouldn't have taken Janoris Jenkins. Playing it safe has its perks but if you want to build a great team, you need to take calculated risks. Austin is a calculated risk. His athleticism, football skill and football IQ greatly outweigh his risk(size). Get him on this team is what I say.

If you remember back in 2008, a lot of people thought Jeff Fisher was nuts for taking an undersized HB with 4.2 speed in the 1st round. They said it was a reach. Why would you take a HB who isn't big enough to be a bellcow back?

I think the Titans came out ahead on that one. Sometimes, you need to look past the template and recognize that there are exceptions and recognize where an exception might exist. Normally, 5'9" 175 WRs are not a player you want to draft in the 1st round. That said, a 5'9" 175 WR with Barry Sanders like moves in the open-field and 4.2 speed is anything but normal. Austin is worth the risk. Because if the guy becomes one of the ultimate mismatches and play-makers in the league...which he has more than enough potential to be...you came out way ahead. Especially if he can flip the field on special teams and be a major play-maker on offense. That, my friend, is how you win the draft.

That's how Seattle went from a questionable team to a Super Bowl contender...they took a shot and broke the mold...and the Russell Wilson pick is looking awfully brilliant right now.

 

[shaunpinney]

Firstly, great breakdown of the likely targets.

IMO: The Tavon Austin debate is going to go on and on, he IS a mercurial talent, there's no doubt about it, and in the right Offense he will be great, he won't be an every down WR (probably) but he won't be the only WR on the roster.

I can see how he fits in the Rams and he's the only WR I'd select in the 1st round, but there are other WRs in the draft in R2/3 which could be better fits / NFL prospects, I'm not going to repeat myself, as I've gone on and on about these on other threads.

But in all seriously I don't see Austin available at #16, let alone #22. And we're NOT going to trade up to get him, our roster needs 2 first round picks.

Am I the only one that has major concerns about Cordarelle Patterson? I find it uncomfortable watching him run....

 

[Playmaker]

1. Isn't the argument against drafting Guards in the 1st the same one you just took the time to make here...they will be available later? And yet you say both Guards should go in the top 20. Seems like the sword should cut both ways

2. If anything, T.Y. Hilton only gives credence to drafting Austin earlier. Look at the impact T.Y. Hilton made as a rookie and he was a lesser prospect than Austin. Yea, he went in the 3rd round...but Austin isn't. And frankly, T.Y. was criminally underrated. I spent a good year before he was drafted pointing that out. Lets also conveniently ignore that Percy Harvin was traded for a 1st, mid round pick and a 7th. So obviously NFL teams are starting to value these type of players higher. So we should pass on Austin because we might be able to find a player later? Can't you say the same for any other position and any other player? Doesn't seem like a legitimate argument against him.

3. He doesn't have the size to withstand hits? Does Wes Welker? How about DeSean Jackson? How about Mark Clayton of the Dolphins? How about Anthony Carter? How about Gary Clark? Sorry, that argument doesn't fly. Austin has never missed a game in his career. In fact, according to WVU's Coaches, he never missed a practice. But he doesn't have the size to take hits? Did he suddenly just get smaller?

4. And now we have the Super Bowl argument. I could just use the old cliche, correlation does not imply causation. Or I could question why you would advocate taking Lee or Watkins in the top 10 in 2014 after making this argument. Seems entirely hypocritical and contrary to the point you just made. So I'm not going to consider this a legitimate argument either.

5. My final point...why Ted Ginn? Why not DeSean Jackson? Why not Percy Harvin? Why choose the guy that busted?.

#1. It is simple. The two guards will be on the field in every offensive down in a game. Austin will not. Fans need to get past the GSOT days. This offense is not the GSOT. Our slot WR now is Jared Cook. This is not an offense that is going 4 and 5 WR and let it fly.

#2. Players like T.Y. Hilton, Randall Cobb, etc... are not first round picks because of their size. Like it or not size is an attribute in the NFL. These players are not used with premium picks because they will be hurt due to their lack of size. They can not be relied on as every down WR's. Their value is outside the first round where you have less money wrapped up in them for the short term.

#3. My point was slot WR's are not first round worthy. Too many of them that are playing at a high level were undrafted. So why waste a first round pick on one? (See RB)

4. I said "if the Rams are going to use a first round on a WR, I'd rather see them wait until next year when the two WR's (Watkins and Lee) will be in the draft" I'm not big on taking WR's in the first round. But if they do, take ne that is worth a first round. An all-around WR that will be out there in every situation.

#5. Why Ted Ginn and not Desean Jackson? Simple. Jackson plays outside the numbers. Ginn could not. Tavon Austin will never make a living playing outside the numbers. Jackson was a more polished WR as well when he came out.

Bottom line is this. Fisher and Snead do not talk out of both sides of their mouths. They do what they say they are going to do. And they have said they are building a tough, physical team and that begins from the inside out. We're not sure Rodger Saffold (hold out), Harvey Dahl (late season serious injury), or Scott Wells (another offseason knee injury) will play another down for the Rams. So the offensive line, like the defensive line and Corner Back in 2012, will be this teams top priority in this draft. Finish building up front this draft, and then next year they will go out and land their skill guys. And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

jrry32, I know I am right about Austin. Just like I was right about Auburn in 2010 when you and U Got Ram Right scoffed at me on RRF. Well.....I told you so.

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[iBruce]

... And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

jrry32, I know I am right about Austin. Just like I was right about Auburn in 2010 when you and U Got Ram Right scoffed at me on RRF. Well.....I told you so.

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I agreed with most of what you wrote, but we still need play makers on both O and D, and T. Austin is a play maker. And dumping Bradford? There's still teams that would give up their first round pick for Bradford. I'm pretty sure with a decent OL and another good WR that Bradford is going to have his 'breakout' year this year.

 

[Memento]

Thanks Rabid Ram and Night Train. I started working on this last Friday.

I think people, especially fans, are over rating Tavon Austin based off of his workout and how he was used in the West Virginia Offense. Even the most staunchest of Austin supporters will say he isn't an every down WR. If he isn't an every down player, he isn't a first round pick. People always over rate the WR position. Especially coming out of these spread offenses. Truth is there isn't a first round WR in this draft. Now that doesn't mean there won't be a WR taken in the first round. Heck, I think there might as many as three due to the lack of elite talent at every position other than OT and DT.

If I had to rate the players I mentioned, I'd say.

#1. DT Sheldon Richardson (Mizzou)
#2t. OG Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina)
#2t. OG Chance Warmack (Alabama)
#4. LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia)
#5. OT D.J. Fluker (Alabama)
#6. RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)
#6. WR Coradelle Patterson (Tennessee)
#7. S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
#8. WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia)

I like LSU Safety Eric Reid more than Vaccaro. I also like Oregon State's Markus Wheaton, California's Keenan Allen, Tennessee's Justin Hunter, Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton, Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins, Baylor's Terrance Williams, and even Washington State's Marquess Wilson more than Austin as a WR.

Highly, highly disagree with Richardson being the number one player. Way too many red flags character-wise. Horrible attitude. Total one-year wonder. Will likely quit when he gets his first paycheck. The one player I don't want Fisher and Snead to take. If I were a GM, he'd be off my board. Can't fix laziness and/or stupidity.

Also disagree on Ogletree. Soft player. Too many character issues to take a chance on in the first. He has athleticism and not much else. I have Jones, Brown, Greene, and Jenkins rated ahead of him as 4-3 outside linebackers.

Reid over Vaccaro baffles me. Patton and Wilson over Austin baffles me even more, and I'm not even a huge fan of Austin. There's a reason why Reid is a second-round prospect at best; he can't cover without a lot of help (i.e., Claiborne and Mathieu). Don't want another Craig Dahl.

Patton will also likely be a slot receiver at the next level, and Austin's clearly better at that than him. Wilson might not even be drafted; teams won't like the fact that he quit on his team when they needed him. Extremely selfish player with very little production to justify it.

 

[Stranger]

So the offensive line, like the defensive line and Corner Back in 2012, will be this teams top priority in this draft. Finish building up front this draft, and then next year they will go out and land their skill guys. And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

Huh? WTF????

 

[Faceplant]

jrry32, I know I am right about Austin. Just like I was right about Auburn in 2010 when you and U Got Ram Right scoffed at me on RRF. Well.....I told you so.

Sorry, you just lost a ton of credibility with me after that statement. NO ONE knows how Austin's talents will transfer to the NFL, much less some dude in a cubicle spouting off on a message board.

FWIW, I agree with jrry32 in regards to Austin. I have said many time that I do NOT think he can be lumped in with other players in his size range. Quite simply because he is more talented than any of them IMO. I fully expect him to succeed and become a "playmaker" at the next level. That said, I don't claim to KNOW that to be true. :roll:

 

[bluecoconuts]

So the offensive line, like the defensive line and Corner Back in 2012, will be this teams top priority in this draft. Finish building up front this draft, and then next year they will go out and land their skill guys. And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

Huh? WTF????

Yeah..... I don't get this..... Why would we dump Bradford? Who are we going to replace him with? That makes no sense at all....

 

[Rabid Ram]

Bottom line is this. Fisher and Snead do not talk out of both sides of their mouths. They do what they say they are going to do. And they have said they are building a tough, physical team and that begins from the inside out. We're not sure Rodger Saffold (hold out), Harvey Dahl (late season serious injury), or Scott Wells (another offseason knee injury) will play another down for the Rams. So the offensive line, like the defensive line and Corner Back in 2012, will be this teams top priority in this draft. Finish building up front this draft, and then next year they will go out and land their skill guys. And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

jrry32, I know I am right about Austin. Just like I was right about Auburn in 2010 when you and U Got Ram Right scoffed at me on RRF. Well.....I told you so.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.roopstigo.com/reader/auburns_vainted_title_victims_violations_and_vendettas_for_glory/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.roopstigo.com/reader/auburns ... for_glory/</a>[/quote]


First off you talk about Fisher not talking out of both sides of his mouth yet you say he will dump Bradford. Fishet came to the rams because of the qb situation here in st Louis over Miami.

Secondly this forum is a place for debate and friendly banter, not cocky reteric that starts back and forth arguing non condusive to the forum or anyone in it what ever happened on rff needs to STAY on rff please so we can all enjoy this environment together

 

[A55VA6]

Sorry but you're on crack Playmaker. haha

There's no way we dump Bradford. You realize we've had one of the worst O lines and WR corps in the league and Bradford has managed to actually put up decent numbers? Just imagine Bradford having the o-line and WR talent of those playoff teams.

 

[Playmaker]

So the offensive line, like the defensive line and Corner Back in 2012, will be this teams top priority in this draft. Finish building up front this draft, and then next year they will go out and land their skill guys. And that includes dumping Sam Bradford

Huh? WTF????

Yeah..... I don't get this..... Why would we dump Bradford? Who are we going to replace him with? That makes no sense at all....

Here is the deal gentlemen. Even the biggest Bradford Honks in the STL Media is starting to turn on Bradford. I can not tell you how many national shows I've seen and articles I've been reading that are saying the Rams are "stuck" with Bradford for 2013. And after that they can get rid of the contract and build a team.

Some people (Charlie Casserly, Mike Mayock, Michael Florio) have even said if the Rams like a QB enough at #16 or #22, they could take one there knowing they'll be off the hook for Bradford after 2013 (can cut him with lesser cap hit).

Here is the issue with Bradford, Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford in accordance to the new CBA. Their rookie contracts were so big that they will not be taking pay cuts in an extension. That means in Stafford's new deal with the Lions, he will likely make 15 million a year. Is Stafford a 15 million a year QB? No. Is Matt Ryan a 20 million a QB? No. Neither is Flacco and Bradford sure isn't.

There will be collusion among owners to build some sort of tier system similar to the NBA. Joe Flacco went from making 2 million a year to 20 million. That's too big of a jump in one contract and thus you see the Ravens lost so many players after the contract. Same thing happened to the Saints with Brees' new deal. These owners and GM's know the QB position is important. But giving so much money to one player kills a teams cap. When you have one player taking up let's say 20 million against the cap (roughly 10% of the cap) and you have 52 other players and only 100 million to do so, you can't build a quality, consistent team.

And I still say this about Fisher and Bradford. Yahoo Sports' Michael Silver is a close friend of Jeff Fisher. So close a friend that he was allowed in the Draft Room of the Rams last year to do an all-access piece for Yahoo Sports. Silver reported during the Fisher-Rams courtship in January of 2012 that Fisher was not sold on Sam Bradford as a difference making QB. Of course Fisher poo-pooed this once he was hired. But there was a meeting with Bradford before Fisher was hired. My people close to the Rams have told me Fisher and Snead knew when they took the job they'd be stuck with Bradford in 2012 and 2013 due to his guaranteed money, regardless of whether they thought he was any good or not. But after 2013 they could make the decision of whether they wanted to go forward with Bradford or let him go and go in a different direction. That is why they traded out of the #2 spot in 2012. They were stuck with Bradford due to the contract and guaranteed money tied to it in 2012 and 2013.

So Fisher and Snead said "we are going to trade the pick, build the roster in 2012 and 2013 and then get rid of that contract, the mediocre play at QB, and get someone that is a true difference maker in 2014. The two first round picks in 2014 will allow them to trade up to get a QB if they are too far back. This years draft will be spent finishing building the Offensive Line and the Defense. Then next year with the Bradford contract off the books, they can go into free agency to get a WR and get their QB in the Draft.