Rams News Recap For April 14

[RamBill]

Rams News Items From April 14

Rams Offer $100K for Nailing ’14 slate –Wagoner
It’s not quite Warren Buffett and his billion dollar prize for a perfect NCAA tournament bracket but the St. Louis Rams are offering a lucrative reward for a guessing game of their own.

Jim Thomas Talks Rams Draft –Radio Interview

Notes on the Rams’ Preseason Schedule –Wagoner
When the groundbreaking, earth-shattering announcement of the 2014 NFL preseason schedule came out last week, I just so happened to be on vacation.

Rams Draft Rewind: 2013 –Wagoner
The NFL draft is still about a month away, leaving us with plenty of time to look ahead to what might happen. But it also gives us plenty of time to take a look back.

Why the Rams Should Explore the Trade Market for Sam Bradford –LaCanfora
I have a suggestion to make to the St. Louis Rams: Why not maybe see what Bradford might fetch via trade?

Rams Among Least Active in free agency –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams took their time wading into the free-agent market this year and with most of the shopping seemingly done and focus turning toward the draft, we can take stock of what the team did and didn’t get done in free agency.

Rams “In the Most Enviable Position in this Year’s Draft? — Rang Radio Interview

Wagoner: Do the Rams Know What They Have With Quick or Givens? –Radio Interview

Anonymous NFL Executive: Clowney Spoiled, Lazy –ESPN Video

Which Red Flags are Deal-Breakers for Prospects? –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: New trade partners?
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/7481/morning-ram-blings-new-trade-partners

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Considering that we have way too much time on our hands between now and the actual start of the NFL draft, we've long-since examined the six teams directly behind the St. Louis Rams in the draft order as potential trade partners.

We focused our attention on those teams, laying out the case for why they would or wouldn't be a fit for the Rams and the No. 2 overall pick. The premise being that the Rams probably wouldn't want to trade down much further than Minnesota at No. 8 so as not to miss out on the top tackles or wide receivers.

But there always exists the possibility of a team lower on the list making an offer that might be too good for the Rams to turn down.

Last week, rumors and speculation (the norm at this time of year) pointed to a new potential suitor further down the draft order. In this case, it's the Detroit Lions with rumors indicating that they would like to pursue Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins.

Lions reporter Michael Rothstein offered some good insight into why Detroit's apparently growing infatuation with Watkins is a risky game, especially if it means making a bold move from its spot at No. 10 all the way up to No. 2 for a shot at him. To complement that, ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder also provided some thoughts on the Lions' offseason plans.

Meanwhile, a team that has proved unafraid to make big moves doesn't appear to be a potential trade partner for the Rams. The Dallas Cowboys, who pulled off a draft-day deal with St. Louis in 2012 to move from No. 14 to No. 6, aren't likely to make another big move according to Cowboys reporter Calvin Watkins.

From the Rams' perspective, the idea of making a trade with a team as far down the order as Detroit doesn't seem like a wise one. While general manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher haven't hesitated to make bold moves, an eight-spot drop would almost certainly take them out of the mix for the draft's elite players. Perhaps Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan slips to that spot but a move to 10 would probably eliminate the team from landing Jadeveon Clowney, Jake Matthews, Greg Robinson, Watkins, Mike Evans or Khalil Mack.

That would be an easier pill to swallow if the Rams got a monster package close to what they got from Washington for the chance at Robert Griffin III but it's unlikely Detroit would be willing to approach that price. Making the move to simply pick up a second-round choice or thereabouts would be a waste of a chance at an elite player.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Monday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began with a look at how the Rams approach searching for small-school talent. ... Next, we completed our draft review series with a (way-too-early) look back at the 2013 draft class. ... From there, we examined the Rams' lack of activity in free agency and how it compared to other teams around the league. ... We closed the day with some belated thoughts on the team's preseason schedule.

Elsewhere:

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas reports that cornerback Greg Reid is now out of jail after violation of probation.

Stlouisrams.com takes a look at Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard.

Tony Softli of 101sports.com says the Rams hold the cards with the second pick in the draft.

At CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora wonders whether the Rams should pursue trading quarterback Sam Bradford.