Rams News Recap: Jan. 15

[RamBill]

Bernie: Nothing Guaranteed with Rams
NFL executive vice president Eric Grubman was in town Thursday for meetings with Dave Peacock and Bob Blitz of the St. Louis stadium task force.

NFL Exec: St. Louis Must Build New Stadium to Keep NFL –PD
Local planners must build a new football stadium here, or St. Louis will not hold onto its franchise, a key National Football League executive said on Thursday.

Cardale Jones’ Return to School Leaves One Less QB Option for Rams –Wagoner
Despite plenty of speculation over the past 24 hours, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones decided to return to school next season. He announced that choice in a news conference Thursday.

Examining the Rams and Marcus Mariota –Wagoner
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota surprised no one Wednesday when he officially declared himself eligible for the 2015 NFL draft.

Rams Want to Talk to Adam Gase for Coordinator Job –PFT
He was up for some head coaching jobs, but Adam Gase might be the hottest property in the coordinator market soon.

Morning Ram-blings: Raising the Bar –Wagoner
We take a break from your regularly scheduled stadium, Los Angeles, etc., lead to the Ram-blings for something more football related.

Chris Long: “To say we’re close is very realistic” –Video

Kiper’s Top 5 Mock Draft –Video

Todd McShay Talks Mariota’s Draft Stock –Video

Rams Top Ten Plays of the Year: 2014

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Spagnuolo returns to New York
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ning-ram-blings-spagnuolo-returns-to-new-york

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The coaching carousel continued to spin Thursday and a couple of formerly prominent St. Louis Rams coaches landed in new (or old in one case) surroundings.

The New York Giants announced Thursday that former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is heading back to his old position as defensive coordinator. That's the same job he held when the Rams hired him for their head coaching position in 2009.

Also noted in that story is another coach with Rams ties. Tim Walton, who was the Rams defensive coordinator in 2013, will take over as the cornerbacks coach in New York.

Giants reporter Dan Graziano isn't sold that going back to the past is the best move for the future of the Giants.

I have no idea if Spagnuolo's return to New York will work for him and I think my colleague makes a lot of salient points in the discussion. It obviously didn't work for Spagnuolo as head coach in St. Louis but it's not like he suddenly forgot how to coach. Some coaches are just better off as coordinators and, like players, need to be in the right spot.

Maybe New York is the right time and place for Spagnuolo this time around.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Thursday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we opened the day with a look at the Rams' standards. ... We then examined how Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota might or might not fit in St. Louis. ... The Rams sought permission to speak to Adam Gase about their offensive coordinator position. .... Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones' decision to return to school leaves one less option for the Rams in this year's draft.

Elsewhere:

Niners reporter Paul Gutierrez offered live updates from the Jim Tomsula introductory news conference.

Some interesting comments by Chargers executive Mark Fabiani on the team's stadium efforts courtesy of Chargers reporter Eric Williams.

At 101sports.com, John Clayton tells The Fast Lane that Stan Kroenke's efforts to move the team could be blocked.

At stltoday.com, David Hunn has some interesting words from NFL executive Eric Grubman on the Rams' future in St. Louis.

Jim Thomas writes that guard Rodger Saffold underwent successful shoulder surgery.