Rams News Recap: June 9

[RamBill]

Rams need big things from Saffold, Robinson on O-line this season –PD
If the Rams are going to get it done on the offensive line this season, the left side tandem of guard Rodger Saffold and tackle Greg Robinson must lead the way.

Too Slim, Too Trim: Rams Need Nick Fairley to Gain Weight –FSMW
Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley has entered team OTAs looking slim and trim, at least for a guy paid to terrorize quarterbacks.

Jeff Fisher Post OTA #5 Press Conference –Video

Rams’ Saffold Working his Way Back from Surgery –Latsch
Rodger Saffold is still limited during OTAs while recovering from surgery on his shoulder this offseason, but that hasn’t stopped the Rams’ offensive lineman from trying to set the tone during drills.

Rams: 5 Keys To Success
Can the St. Louis Rams finish with a winning record – and compete for a playoff berth – in 2015?

The 49ers’ Turmoil Could Open the Rams’ Path to the NFC West –Stalter
s that the sound of a door opening? With drastic changes on every front for the San Francisco 49ers, the path to the NFC West crown is looking just a bit easier to travel.

Rams QB Nick Foles Enjoying Working with Chris Weinke –Wagoner
The thorough renovation that took place on the St. Louis Rams depth chart and the quarterback room this offseason brought nothing but new faces save for the return of Austin Davis.

Rams LB Akeem Ayers Hopes to Put Defense Over the Top –Wagoner
From the outside, any defensive free agent hitting this year’s market looking for a better opportunity almost certainly shouldn’t have been interested in the St. Louis Rams.

Rams Going With Young Offensive Line –AP
St. Louis Rams rookie Rob Havenstein could not have picked a better spot to start his NFL career.

Rams Safety T.J. McDonald Working Toward Return –Wagoner
Some thoughts and observations from the St. Louis Rams’ third open organized team activity Tuesday.

How Will the Eagles Handle Sam Bradford Coming Off An ACL Tear? –Video

 

[RamBill]

Rams lacking a dominant offensive trio
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-louis-rams-lacking-a-dominant-offensive-trio

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In a recent piece on NFL.com, Dave Dameshek took the time to rank the top offensive "triplets" around the league. In this case, triplets refers to a combination of quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

It should probably come as no surprise that the trio selected for the St. Louis Rams didn't exactly register near the top of the list. In fact, the trio of quarterback Nick Foles, running back Todd Gurley and receiver Tavon Austin checked in at No. 28 out of 32 NFL teams.

One could argue that a better ranking of the Rams would include Kenny Britt or Brian Quick instead of Austin but either way, the Rams probably wouldn't have moved up the list much. Really, this trio is awfully difficult to judge.

Gurley has never played in an NFL game and nobody knows for sure when he will. Foles is coming off injury and has yet to take a snap in a game for the Rams. Austin is two underwhelming years into his career and to this point has only really succeeded as a punt returner.

That doesn't engender much confidence when compared to, say, the greatest Rams trio of all time (Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce), which NFL.com ranks as the sixth-greatest trio of all time. The Rams have the defense in place to contend in 2015 but if they could find a combination at the skill positions that would rank higher on this list next year, it would go a long way toward increasing the victory total.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Tuesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we started the day by looking at how close the Rams are to surpassing the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West division. ... Linebacker Akeem Ayers hopes to be the final piece to push the Rams' defense into consistent dominance. ... Foles offered his early impressions of new quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke. ... We closed the day with some thoughts and observations on the team's Tuesday OTA.

Elsewhere:

Former Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is back at work for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phil Sheridan writes.

ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando ranks the best and worst big-money contracts for quarterbacks in the league.

In his weekly mailbag, NFL senior writer John Clayton poses the theory that the San Francisco 49ers could look to trade quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

At 101sports.com, Bernie Miklasz explains why Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's relationship with the NFL is important to keeping football in St. Louis.

At stltoday.com, Miklasz offers an intriguing idea on what happens if that relationship isn't enough for the Rams to stay in St. Louis.