Rams News Recap: August 6

[RamBill]

Rams Notebook: Rookie Reid is Happy to Be Playing Football Again –PD
When the Rams and New Orleans Saints kick off the preseason Friday night at the Edward Jones Dome, it will be a special night for the young players on both squads who are seeking to make an impression and take a major step toward earning a roster spot.

Bernie: It’s Time to Refocus Expectations About Bradford
We’ve been stewing over quarterbacks in our town since the Bidwill family moved the Chicago Cardinals here in 1960. Cardinal or Ram — you name him, and we’ve probably argued over him.

Zuerlein No Fan of Preseason Extra-Point Experiment –PD
Don’t be confused Friday when you see the ball snapped from the 15-yard line after touchdowns in the Rams’ exhibition opener, against visiting New Orleans.

Alex Carrington Finds Fit With Rams’ D-Line –Latsch
Asked about the transition from Buffalo, where he spent his first four seasons, to his new locale here in the Midwest, new Rams defensive lineman Alex Carrington first uses the word “fun.”

Bradford, Long, Wells Likely to Sit Friday –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams plan to take plenty of precaution with some of their key players returning from injury during the preseason.

Coach O’s Synopsis of the Roster: Defensive Line

Peter King Talks Rams After Visiting Training Camp — Radio Interview

Wired: Tavon Austin Helmet Cam at Rams FanFest –Video
Rams Day 11 Camp Report –Latsch
The Rams went through their final practice before the preseason opener against the Saints on Friday, but it was a special teams practice with no pads.

Gordon: Rams “D” Challenges the Offense to Respond
Under the old rules in the NFL’s more barbaric past, this Rams training camp would have been something to behold.

Rams Report: Team Works on Special Teams –PD
The Rams wrapped up a short special teams practice on Wednesday morning. It was more of a walk-through than anything else. No pads, which meant no hitting.

Wagoner’s Rams Camp Report: Day 11
A daily review of the hot topics coming out of St. Louis Rams training camp:

Morning Ram-blings: Worst to First? –Wagoner
The NFL is a league of constant change and, more so than any other professional league, one that has little carry over from one season to the next.

Coach Venturi on Bradford and the Rams –Radio Interview

Coach O’s Synopsis of the Rams Roster: WR, OL

Coach O’s Synopsis of the Rams Roster: QB’s, RB’s, TE’s

Jim Fadler’s Rams Camp Thoughts After 10 Practices

Burwell Talks With Rams Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey –Video

Rams RB Zac Stacy: “I’m ready to go” –Video

Jason LaCanfora Talks Rams After Visiting Training Camp –Radio Interview

Jim Thomas Rams Update –Radio Interview

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: QB prices soar
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/10255/morning-ram-blings-qb-prices-soar

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In a direct sense, the lucrative contract extension the Cincinnati Bengals handed to quarterback Andy Dalton this week has no bearing on the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams' quarterback situation with Sam Bradford really isn't all that similar to Dalton and the Bengals. While there might be a few statistical similarities, the Rams under Bradford haven't enjoyed anywhere near the success of the Bengals under Dalton. Now, there are plenty of reasons for that which we don't have to get into here, but there is something to take away from the Dalton contract when it comes to Bradford and other quarterbacks who are mostly unproven in the postseason.

Quarterback prices are soaring to the point where even mediocre or middle-of-the-road signal callers are landing big-money deals. ESPN columnist Jim Trotter explored the new market for quarterbacks and while Bradford is only mentioned in passing (pun unmercifully intended), Dalton's contract does have the potential to serve as a baseline for Bradford's next deal.

In reality, Dalton's contract doesn't look as rich as it was when the initial numbers were announced. With $35 million coming in the first three years, the Bengals will pay him the going rate for a mid-level quarterback without breaking the bank. If he continues to ascend and perform, Dalton can earn the rest of what's on the deal.

Quarterbacks who are even just functional starters have become such a valued and difficult-to-find commodity that the price has gone up. It's something akin to pitching in baseball where the aces make obscene amounts of money and average pitchers make mildly obscene amounts of money. Bradford isn't going to be able to do enough in 2014 to elevate to the level of an "ace" quarterback, but he could do enough to get on Dalton's level. Add in the fact that Bradford is coming off a huge rookie contract and it's easy to see where his next deal could land.

But once again, even having that discussion at this point doesn't mean much until Bradford proves worthy of such an extension.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we opened the day with a look at the Rams' chances of going from worst to first in the NFC West division. ... In this week's NFL Nation Buzz video, we looked at the Rams' approach to the preseason with Bradford. ... Speaking of which, Rams coach Jeff Fisher all but ruled Bradford out for Friday night's preseason opener along with left tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells. ... Finally, we closed the day with the usual practice report from the team's Wednesday special teams session.

Elsewhere:

Saints reporter Mike Triplett writes that quarterback Drew Brees hasn't been officially ruled out for Friday but did sit out practice again Wednesday.

At stltoday.com, Jeff Gordon discusses the challenge the offense gets facing the top defense every day.

Jim Thomas covers the approach of veteran quarterback Shaun Hill.

101sports.com offers a photo gallery from training camp for those that can't make it out to practice.

The Associated Press caught up with Rams receivers and West Virginia teammates Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.