Rams News Recap: Dec. 17

[RamBill]

Altered Roll Has Brockers Playing Nose Tackle –PD
By the numbers, this isn’t a season to remember for Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers. In fact, if the season ended today Brockers would have career lows in tackles (54) and sacks (two).

Bernie: Rams Move Unlikely for 2015
By now you’ve heard it, discussed it, and maybe even fretted over the question: Could Sunday’s contest against the New York Giants be the Rams’ final home game played in St. Louis?

Rams’ Special Teams Make their Mark –PD
With two games to play, Chase Reynolds leads the Rams with 16 tackles on special teams. But he is anything but comfortable.

Jeff Fisher: “Good News from a Health Standpoint” –Video

Jeff Fisher: “Brockers Has Had A Good Solid Year” –Video

Rodney McLeod: “We’ll get the job done on Sunday” –Video

NFL Network’s Rookie Grades: Rams DT Aaron Donald –Video

Rams Rookie CB Lamarcus Joyner Looks to “Bright Future” –Wagoner
St. Louis Rams defensive back Lamarcus Joyner has been a healthy scratch for the past few weeks after recovering from a groin injury that had forced him to the sidelines.

Bradford, at Right Cost, Would Benefit Rams in 2015 –Stalter
There was a moment in last Thursday’s 12-6 loss to the Cardinals that further stressed the Rams’ need to find better, more consistent production at the quarterback position.

On the Chargers, the Rams and Los Angeles –Wagoner
The San Diego Chargers announced Tuesday evening that they will remain in San Diego for the 2015 NFL season.

Morning Ram-blings: Ranking the Rookies –Wagoner
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. updated his rankings of the top rookies in the NFL last week and it contains a strong St. Louis Rams presence.

Behind the Scenes of Rams Play by Play –Video

Rams Need to Look at O-line Personnel –Video

Bernie on the Rams’ Future in St. Louis –Video

Todd McShay Releases First Mock Draft: Picks 1-5 –Video

Rams’ Top Three Draft Targets? –Audio

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: McShay's first mock
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/14778/morning-ram-blings-mcshays-first-mock

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The 2014 NFL season is nearly complete which means it's that time of year again when mock drafts begin popping up in all corners of cyberspace.

On Wednesday, it was ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay weighing in with his NFL Mock Draft version 1.0. As it stands, the St. Louis Rams would be picking No. 12 in the first round.

Clearly, that would take them out of the running for a top quarterback, the position that should be the team's top priority in the offseason. With that in mind, McShay moved on to what I would consider to be the Rams' second-biggest need: the offensive line. McShay sent Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers to the Rams with his pick.

McShay offered this explanation:

"Flowers is under the radar right now but he'll be well-known by April. His pad level is an issue, but he has a massive frame, moves well and is a finisher."

I'm not entirely sold the Rams would spend yet another first-round pick on an offensive tackle but there's a strong chance they will need to add to the line one way or another. If it's a tackle, that likely means that right tackle Joe Barksdale has moved on in free agency. Both sides have expressed some level of interest in Barksdale staying in St. Louis but much of that will depend on where the market goes.

Either way, bolstering the offensive line would be a solid move for the Rams.

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 Mel Kiper Jr.'s ranking of the rookies. ... In this week's Buzz Video, I discussed the chances of the Rams looking at some of their young offensive linemen in the final two weeks. ... From there, I offered some thoughts on what the San Diego Chargers' announcement that they're staying in San Diego in 2015 might mean for the Rams. ... Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner is adjusting to not playing. ... Center Scott Wells was the only Ram to miss practice Wednesday.

Elsewhere:

Our experts discuss this year's MVP race.

Here's John Clayton's weekly mailbag.

Matthew Berry reveals his Week 16 fantasy ranks.

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter discusses what the Rams should do at quarterback in 2015.

At stltoday.com, Bernie Miklasz discussed the Rams and Los Angeles situation.

Jim Thomas writes that offensive lineman Barrett Jones is hoping for better days ahead.