Rams News Recap For April 22

[RamBill]

‘Humbled’ Chris Givens Refocuses on Football –PD
A year ago at this time following a successful rookie season, Rams wide receiver Chris Givens described himself as cocky.

Rams Could Wheel and Deal in the Draft –Sports Xchange
When Jeff Fisher was hired as head coach and Les Snead as general manager of the St. Louis Rams two years ago, they owned the second overall pick in the draft and had a roster that needed a major overhaul after the team won just 15 of 80 games the previous five seasons.

Greg Robinson Headlines Offensive Line Class –StLouisRams.com
Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson is considered to have the highest upside of any offensive lineman in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Les Snead Inteview with Rich Eisen –Radio Interview

Jim Thomas Rams Chat Highlights: April 22

Lillibridge: Wouldn’t Surprise Me if Rams Draft QB in 1st Round –Radio Interview

Rams Bring Urgency to Offseason Program –Wagoner
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has said it. General manager Les Snead has said it. Chief operating officer Kevin Demoff has said it. The Rams even put it in their renewal letter to season-ticket holders.

Laurinaitis at Full Speed After Ankle Surgery –Wagoner
In a small departure from his usual offseason routine, St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis spent the few months since the end of the 2013 season right here in St. Louis.

Morning Ram-blings: The Top Needs
On Monday afternoon, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his team-by-team list of the top needs Insider for every team in the league in his latest Insider piece.

Todd McShay’s NFL Draft Minute: Johnny Manziel –Video

What are Texans thinking at No. 1? –Video

Game Plan for First ’3′ rounds of the NFL Draft –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Kiper's top 100
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/7705/morning-ram-blings-kipers-top-100

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his list of the top 100 prospects Insider on Tuesday.

It should be no surprise Kiper's top seven are the same he discussed a few weeks ago in his conference call with NFL Nation reporters. So as not to give away the farm of Kiper's list, I think this would be a good time to discuss the idea of value of players versus the need for the St. Louis Rams.

The four players most often connected to the Rams with the No. 2 overall pick are Auburn's Greg Robinson, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney, Clemson's Sammy Watkins and Texas A&M's Jake Matthews.

It's no surprise for anyone following Kiper's work to see that Clowney is at the top of his board. It's more interesting to note the ranking of the other three. Watkins is No. 2, Robinson is No. 4 and, most surprising, Matthews is No. 7. Kiper provides explanations on each player's ranking in the piece.

Now, it's worth noting those rankings in terms of the Rams for this reason: I've seen many fans and others question why the Rams "don't just trade down and draft Watkins, Robinson, Matthews, et. al?" The simple answer is because it'd be unwise to assume they are all going to fall into the team's lap. Depending on how far they move down, the Rams could take themselves out of the mix for one of those players, assuming they want one, of course.

To be clear, Kiper's board doesn't reflect the opinions of the Rams or any other teams but in many cases, the top of these boards are at least similar to how teams see it and then the opinions begin differing greatly when you get later in the round.

But the overall point is this: even if the Rams stay at No. 2 and take a Watkins or Robinson (assuming Clowney is gone), they'll be getting good value. This isn't the type of draft where there's a huge drop off from the top player to the rest. In fact, there are a few players worthy of being picked second. Heck, some think that players like Robinson and Buffalo's Khalil Mack are worthy of the first pick.

If the Rams can trade down and still get one, that's ideal. But there's nothing wrong with sitting where they are and taking one of the elite talents mentioned above.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Tuesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began the day with Mel Kiper Jr.'s thoughts on the Rams' four biggest needs. ... Next, we offered a little news on linebacker James Laurinaitis' offseason ankle surgery. ... We then continued the prospect profile series with a look at Florida State safety Terrence Brooks. ... Finally, we capped the day with a look at the sense of urgency from the players as they began the offseason program.

Elsewhere:

ESPN.com's Louis Riddick talks about the need for Rams quarterback Sam Bradford to break out in 2014.

At Stltoday.com, Jim Thomas provides his thoughts on the Rams' returning to work in the offseason program.

Thomas also participated in his weekly chat.

At TheMMQB.com, Peter King offers his thoughts on what the Rams should do with the No. 2 overall pick.

NFL.com reports the Rams are interested in Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. At No. 2? No chance. At No. 13? Perhaps but it would still seem a long shot.

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio discusses the Houston Texans' No. 1 pick with Houston Chronicle writer John McClain.

 

[RamBill]

Twitter Highlights: April 22

***Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks
Talking with personnel guys, they all have the same names in their top 5: Clowney, Mack, Watkins, Robinson & Matthews. Order 1-5 varies

***Gil Brandt ‏@Gil_Brandt
Les Snead does a great job of evaluating. he’s been present at all of Manziel’s workouts. Rams happy with starter.

***Albert Breer ‏@AlbertBreer
Biggest thing Clowney has to work on — Hands/Pad level. Stuff he could get away with before b/c of his athleticism.

What kind freak is Clowney? Vet exec: “The kid could’ve started in the NFL his freshman year (at South Carolina).”

***Tony Softli ‏@SoftliSTL
Tony Softli regards Central Florida’s Blake Bortles as the best quarterback in this draft

***ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk
Rams, Ravens line up visits with A.J. McCarron

***Jim Thomas @jthom1

Rams wrapping up pre-draft visits: Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman scheduled to visit Rams Park this week.

***St. Louis Rams @STLouisRams

Join Rams wideout Austin Pettis and @BarnesJewish for the 2014 Heart Walk on Saturday, May 10th

Robert Quinn spent eight life-changing days in Africa this offseason.

***Russell S. Baxter ‏@BaxFootballGuru

NFL 2013: NFC West sacks allowed: Rams (36), #Cardinals (41), #Seahawks (44), #49ers (49)

NFL 2013: Fewest sacks allowed: #Broncos (20), #Lions (23), #Bengals (29), #Bears & #Chargers (30), #Colts (32), #Cowboys (35), Rams (36)

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