Rams News Recap: June 4

[RamBill]

Rams QB Sam Bradford Among Most Intriquing Players –LaCanfora

Monitoring Rams Returning from Injury –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams began organized team activities Tuesday and did so with what is mostly a healthy roster intact.

Jeff Fisher Talks Rams and OTA’s –Radio Interview

Gilbert Embracing Opportunity with Rams –Wagoner
n the months leading up to the NFL draft, St. Louis Rams decision-makers Les Snead and Jeff Fisher had repeatedly made it clear the team intended to select a quarterback.

Jake Long to start Rams training camp on PUP list? –NFL.com
While coach Jeff Fisher fully expects quarterback Sam Bradford to be back under center in Week 1, the St. Louis Rams aren’t quite as optimistic about left tackle Jake Long’s recovery from ACL surgery.

Fisher: Sam Bradford Will be Ready for Rams Opener –NFL.com
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has had no setback in regards to his surgically repaired knee since he predicted in January that he would be ready for the start of training camp.

Rams OTAs Day One Recap –St.LouisRams.com
While organized team activities typically are met with a certain degree of intrigue as the first full-scale practices of a new season, there was a reasonable consensus that Tuesday at Rams Park felt a bit different compared with other recent first-day outings.

Jeff Fisher Appears on NFL AM; Unveils Some Intriguing Tidbits –Cover32
St. Louis Rams head coach appeared on NFL AM this morning and had some interesting things to say regarding a few closely watched storylines.

Morning Ram-blings: Defense Rising? –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams have been consistent in their praise for new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and what he can do to elevate their defense to the next level.

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher Talks Rams —Video

Wagoner’s Rams Buzz: The Greg Williams Effect –Video

Sam Bradford, Jake Long Ready For OTAs? –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Quinn up next
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/8992/morning-ram-blings-quinn-up-next

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The on-going news cycle that is the NFC West Division has been mostly centered on the three teams closer to the West Coast, at least since the Rams made their big news by drafting defensive end Michael Sam in the seventh round.

On Wednesday afternoon, the San Francisco 49ers kept the streak alive by announcing a record-setting contract for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. According to reports from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the deal will be for six years and $110 million with $61 million guaranteed and even more in attainable incentives.

ESPN 49ers reporter Bill Williamson writes that the deal is wise for San Francisco as they lock up what Williamson believes is a top quarterback with the potential to become even better as the years go on.

The ripple effect of the deal around the rest of the division will be felt in the near future, particularly in Seattle and St. Louis. For the Seahawks, Kaepernick's contract is an obvious barometer for Seattle to re-sign quarterback Russell Wilson. That's a deal that will likely have to come in the next year or so.

Here in St. Louis, the dominoes falling on those contracts will be felt two-fold. First and foremost, the long-term presence of mobile quarterbacks like Kaepernick and Wilson makes securing star defensive end Robert Quinn the top priority. Quinn is the Rams' best player and is quickly becoming one of the best pass-rushers in the game.

The Rams have Quinn under control through the 2015 season but will probably need to begin working on a deal with him after this season. At the current rate, Quinn's deal could become the richest in team history when that time comes.

Beyond Quinn, the Rams also will have a decision to make on their own quarterback, Sam Bradford. Bradford also has two years left on his large rookie deal and the Rams are betting on him taking a step forward this season. Likewise, Bradford is betting on himself to earn a big deal.

If Bradford doesn't make that move in 2014 or has another injury, the Rams will have to strongly consider moving on to another option. But if he does, it's fair to expect Bradford's next deal to be a pricy proposition. Barring a stunningly productive season, Bradford's deal won't reach Kaepernick-level proportions but it could fall in line with players like Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler.

Aside from re-signing offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, the Rams didn't hand out any big contracts this offseason. If everything works out how they hope it does, they'll have two to get done in the near future.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began the day with a look at the potential for the Rams defense to take the next step in 2014. ... In this week's Buzz video, I discussed the importance of new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to the Rams' plans for this season. ... From there, we examined rookie quarterback Garrett Gilbert's opportunity in St. Louis. ... Finally, we closed the day with a look at some Rams returning from injury as organized team activities begin.

Elsewhere:

Schefter discusses the status of quarterback Sam Bradford and tackle Jake Long.

Good read from NFL Nation columnist Kevin Seifert on how a minor league would help the NFL on a number of levels.

At 101sports.com, you can hear yours truly discussing the Rams and the start of OTAs.

At stltoday.com, Joe Lyons writes that undrafted rookie cornerback Marcus Roberson is eager to impress the Rams.

Stlouisrams.com looks at the first day of OTAs.