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Rams brass embarks on private workout tour
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_8ac76102-f74a-5f89-be46-60af2b51f278.html
One of the last phases of the Rams' pre-draft process is now underway: the annual Rams Across America tour.
In each offseason since coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead joined the Rams in 2012, several team officials — Fisher and Snead included — have used the final week before the draft to check out a variety of prospects in private workouts.
Unlike the so-called "top 30" visits to team facilities, which by league rule ended April 27, NFL teams can conduct private workouts (at college campuses) through May 7 — the day before the draft.
Some of the information on private workouts is even leaked by the Rams — sort of a strategy of information overload where it's hard to know what's real and what's not in terms of the private workouts.
With that in mind, the team had private workouts scheduled this week with Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson and Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. ESPN reported Wednesday that the Rams were heading to Texas A&M to work out offensive tackle Jake Matthews, wide receiver Mike Evans, and quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The interest in Evans and Matthews is expected. Having Manziel throw to Evans is a surprise. But it looks like a move that's more ploy than plan, with the Rams trying to entice someone to move up to the No. 2 overall spot via trade and pick up extra picks in return.
There were also various reports that the team was also holding private workouts this week at Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama, and Tennessee. At Notre Dame, the Rams have known interest in offensive tackle/guard Zack Martin and defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt paid a "top 30" visit to Rams Park; Martin had a visit scheduled as well, but it was cancelled.
At Alabama, the Rams will be looking at quarterback A.J. McCarron, and possibly safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Kouandjio made a pre-draft visit to Rams Park earlier this month.
At Michigan, the Rams almost certainly would be working out Taylor Lewan, who along with Matthews and Robinson is considered a top offensive tackle.
Last year, the Rams had a late private workout at West Virginia that ended up with the team taking a pair of Mountaineers wide receivers — Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.
Two years ago, the Rams looked at nearly a half-dozen wide receivers in a whirlwind private workout tour on the final weekend before the draft and ended up taking Brian Quick of Appalachian State.
By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_8ac76102-f74a-5f89-be46-60af2b51f278.html
One of the last phases of the Rams' pre-draft process is now underway: the annual Rams Across America tour.
In each offseason since coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead joined the Rams in 2012, several team officials — Fisher and Snead included — have used the final week before the draft to check out a variety of prospects in private workouts.
Unlike the so-called "top 30" visits to team facilities, which by league rule ended April 27, NFL teams can conduct private workouts (at college campuses) through May 7 — the day before the draft.
Some of the information on private workouts is even leaked by the Rams — sort of a strategy of information overload where it's hard to know what's real and what's not in terms of the private workouts.
With that in mind, the team had private workouts scheduled this week with Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson and Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. ESPN reported Wednesday that the Rams were heading to Texas A&M to work out offensive tackle Jake Matthews, wide receiver Mike Evans, and quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The interest in Evans and Matthews is expected. Having Manziel throw to Evans is a surprise. But it looks like a move that's more ploy than plan, with the Rams trying to entice someone to move up to the No. 2 overall spot via trade and pick up extra picks in return.
There were also various reports that the team was also holding private workouts this week at Notre Dame, Michigan, Alabama, and Tennessee. At Notre Dame, the Rams have known interest in offensive tackle/guard Zack Martin and defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt paid a "top 30" visit to Rams Park; Martin had a visit scheduled as well, but it was cancelled.
At Alabama, the Rams will be looking at quarterback A.J. McCarron, and possibly safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Kouandjio made a pre-draft visit to Rams Park earlier this month.
At Michigan, the Rams almost certainly would be working out Taylor Lewan, who along with Matthews and Robinson is considered a top offensive tackle.
Last year, the Rams had a late private workout at West Virginia that ended up with the team taking a pair of Mountaineers wide receivers — Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.
Two years ago, the Rams looked at nearly a half-dozen wide receivers in a whirlwind private workout tour on the final weekend before the draft and ended up taking Brian Quick of Appalachian State.