Rams News Recap for March 26

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

RamBill

Legend
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
8,874
Rams News Items From March 26

More Ripple Than Splash for Rams So Far in Free Agency –PD
The Rams have moved at a glacial pace for much of this free-agency period. Coach Jeff Fisher is aware of the criticism. But he’s neither defensive nor apologetic about the lack of activity. Nor is he angry about having fewer salary cap dollars available this offseason.

Rams’ Williams is eager to start working with his new players –PD
Gregg Williams was clearly in his element Wednesday afternoon. Speaking before the monthly gathering of the National Football Foundation St. Louis-Tom Lombardo Chapter at Lombardo’s Airport Restaurant, the Rams’ new defensive coordinator spent better than an hour entertaining a large group of football coaches with stories about his career and answering questions about the 2014 Rams.

Scout vs. Scout: Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews? –Video

Potential Free-Agent Fits Remaining for Rams –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams finally dipped their toes into the free-agent waters Tuesday when they agreed to a one-year deal with defensive lineman Alex Carrington.

Gruden’s QB Camp: Johnny Manziel –Video

Morning Ram-blings: Sorting Top Safeties –Wagoner
As individual positions go, the St. Louis Rams might not have a bigger need on their defense than rangy, athletic safety. Technically, the Rams don’t have specific strong and free safety designations but if they did, the easier way to describe that need would be to say they need a true free safety.

Why Steven Jackson Didn’t Count for Compensation –Wagoner
When the NFL released compensatory picks on Monday afternoon, it listed five “lost” free agents counting toward the St. Louis Rams’ formula: cornerback Bradley Fletcher, center Robert Turner, receivers Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola and safety Craig Dahl.

Is Shaun Hill a good pickup for the Rams? –Radio Interview

Florio One-on-One With Jeff Fisher –Video

Jeff Fisher on Sportsmanship at the Owner’s Meetings –Video

Rams Finally Get Their Man in QB Hill –Wagoner
Two years after they first pursued him, the St. Louis Rams finally landed veteran quarterback Shaun Hill on Wednesday as he agreed to terms on a one-year deal as first reported by ESPN Insider Adam Caplan.

Ram Bytes: QB Shaun Hill is a Smart Signing
I really like the Rams’ signing of Shaun Hill as their veteran backup quarterback for 2014. He’s been one of the better No. 2 quarterbacks in the NFL since getting his first opportunity to start in a relief role for San Francisco in 2007.

Shaun Hill Joins Rams as Backup QB –PD
The Rams have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Detroit free-agent quarterback Shaun Hill. Although the team is still expected to select a quarterback somewhere in the upcoming draft, Hill gives the Rams a veteran backup behind starter Sam Bradford.

Kiper & McShay’s NFL Draft Lab: WRs, TEs –Video

Sando: Is Shaun Hill the backup QB for the Rams? –Radio Interview
 

RamBill

Legend
Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
8,874
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #2

Morning Ram-blings: On playoff expansion

By Nick Wagoner | ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/7091/morning-ram-blings-on-playoff-expansion

The discussion about the NFL playoffs expanding have been taking place for a while, so it was no surprise to see the subject pop up again at the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., this week.

It has long been assumed that any alterations to the postseason format would come in a couple of years, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell didn't completely rule out the possibility it could happen this year, according to a story from our Jeff Legwold.

"It's not out of the question, but we didn't make that decision at all," Goodell said. "We have more work to do. I wouldn't rule it out, but I wouldn't say that's the direction we're heading right now."

So while it still seems like a long shot that the playoffs will expand this year, it's interesting that the league is speaking of it more in terms of a timeline than whether or not it's going to happen.

For the St. Louis Rams, the sooner more spots become available, the better. That isn't to write off their chances of making the postseason this year but more a commentary on the difficulty of the NFC West division. As it stands right now, Seattle and San Francisco don't seem to be going anywhere and Arizona was one of the best teams in the league at the end of the year.

If you fall into the group that believes Seattle and San Francisco are likely playoff teams again -- and right now it's hard to see why they wouldn't unless injuries strike -- that means there's only one other spot for an NFC West team to land. Expanding the playoffs would at least increase the odds.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we offered a look at draft analyst Kevin Weidl's breakdown of the top two safeties in this year's class. ... Next, we took a closer look at the breakdown of picks the Rams have this year in this week's Buzz video. ... From there, we shifted gears to some notes from the free-agent trail as the Rams continue to look for more veteran help. ... Soon after, news came that the Rams did strike a deal with quarterback Shaun Hill and we provided some thoughts on that. ... Finally, we broke down the reasons running back Steven Jackson was not included in the NFL's formula for compensatory picks this year.

Elsewhere:

At stltoday.com, columnist Bernie Miklasz approves of Hill's signing.

Jim Thomas writes that the Rams are waiting for signals from other teams on the way the early part of the draft may go.

Thomas also has some information on Alex Carrington with thoughts from his former coordinator in Buffalo, Mike Pettine.

Pro Football Talk with an interesting nugget from Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who cites the absence of Rams tackle Jake Long in causing Miami's locker room to fall apart.

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter provides a closer look at three potential quarterback prospects for the Rams in the upcoming draft.