Rams Sign former FSU CB Greg Reid

[Faceplant]

If he ran a legit 4.37, then speed most definitely is NOT an issue with this kid, haha. Top end maybe, but wow that is quick for a nickel CB in the slot.

 

[Alan]

Ramrasta talking shit about my man Veltung:
I don't have a problem giving this guy a chance. Maybe now we won't need to have Veltung returning our kicks.

Veltung cannot be replaced by a shrimp.

Just saying.

 

[rhinobean]

I would really rather add Dennard in the draft. I like Joyner but he and Reid are very similar. I think we need some size on the back end of our D.

Like to see the Rams trade up after a trade down in 1st. to get Dennard! He's the replacement for Finnegan!

 

[fearsomefour]

I don't think he has ever played free safety in his career (even HS), so he is most likely a nickel corner or bust on defense. At FSU his sophomore year he played CB opposite Xavier Rhodes (2013 1st Rd pick and current Minnesota Viking) and I only remember him losing a 1-on-1 jump ball once in his career (against Michael Floyd - 2012 1st Rd pick and current Arizona Cardinal 1000+ yd receiver) where he played the ball as perfect as possible and actually out-jumped the 6'2" Floyd to get both hands on the ball, but Floyd showed his strength and ripped it away. Here's a link to that play and you can see his ball skills/timing and leaping ability. He lands on his head and it knocks him out, but it shows he will give all he has to make a play, and when he fails it is not for lack of effort. That play really epitomizes Reid as a defender- great instincts and ball skills and timing that can put him in the right position to succeed. But if 5'8" and 6'2" both time it right, then 6'2" wins more often than not.

You basically hit on everything else. He definitely will have a following from FSU fans who watched him, so don't be surprised to see a few attending FSU fans in the stadium hold up the "5 fingers" symbol (for his jersey #5 or nickname "G5") when he goes back for a punt. If you have 10 minutes and want to get a good idea of his on-field demeanor, instincts, and field vision check out some of his youtube highlights (he has a lot, but here are links to his Freshman and Sophomore years and a short one of his Junior year at FSU). In high school he just dominated the biggest HS classification in Georgia, and was also voted Player of the Decade (for 2000-2010) by state coaches/media (including over current NFL'ers Eric Berry, Cameron Heyward, etc.).

Basically he has been very, very good at every level of competition thus far. NFL offenses will try to prey on his lack of height and top gear (like college offenses did), but he has mostly been able to win one-on-one jump balls despite this by using excellent timing and instincts. If he is plugged into a system that nullifies those weaknesses (ie. as a Nickel corner close to the line of scrimmage, minimizing the risk of jump balls vs. taller, stronger receivers) he could be excellent and a potential game-changer down the line.

Thanks for all the info.
The reality is the Rams need depth at CB. So if this guy ends up being the #5 emergency CB and contributes as a returned, so be it.
Nothing negative about this signing at all. Like an extra draft pick.

 

[jjab360]

Veltung cannot be replaced by a shrimp.

Just saying.

Eh? Since when does size matter for a returner?

Obviously, we have a pretty prime example to the contrary already on our team in TA, but he's just one example of many around the league.

 

[nighttrain]

All this guy is a early UDFA signing. At his peak a couple years ago before he tore his ACL he was at best a late round pick or more likely a UDFA. He's too small to play safety, and is even small for a nickle.
Let him come to camp and compete. You never know with a year on the PS he might be ready. I just don't see him pushing Tru or JJ day one of camp.

With possibilities.....
train

 

[The Bus]

a 4.5 40... is basically as fast as a 4.3 40... the boys quick.. I'm happy at this pick up, dennard still needs to be picked up and ill start to feel better with our secondarys..

 

[Ramrasta]

Veltung cannot be replaced by a shrimp.

Just saying.

I'm not saying Veltung is terrible but he just isn't an all-star. Reid was among the best of the best when it came to returning kicks and he was a promising CB. We could save a roster spot at KR/PR while adding depth in the secondary = killing two birds with one stone

 

[nighttrain]

Hey guys, signed up to give a first-hand take. The reason interest in Greg Reid picked up was due to FSU's Pro Day last week, where several scouts pegged him as the best corner there (over L. Joyner and T. Brooks). He was coming off a year of rehab and no team had seen him live yet. Last week was the first time with over 70 scouts and a half-dozen head coaches in attendance in Tallahassee.

I watched Reid from HS throughout college, and attended FSU while he was there. Greg has a competitive fire that is contagious to teammates and fans, and definitely has the swagger of a prize fighter. Pre-injury speaking, Reid (affectionately known as G5) was absolutely electric as a punt returner. Electric. So-so as a cornerback (again, based on 2012 play), but a dynamite return man. If he makes the 53-man squad it will most likely be as a punt return specialist and situational nickel-corner. Watch him return punts and you will see true fearlessness, as he has the pure instincts necessary to know when to field it or let it go, how to make the first guy miss, and where to run after that. He made huge returns when games were in the balance, and saved us literally hundreds of yards in field position by catching punts on the bounce or while running full speed to fair catch it before it bounces another 20 yards. That dependency alone is worthy of a job in the NFL, but his elite quickness (even for the NFL) allows him to pick up yardage on nearly every return, even when surrounded. He's gifted, a natural, any word you can conjure up where the perfect mental makeup meets the perfect tools necessary to succeed.

As a cornerback - it's a mixed bag. He's undersized and lacks the top end speed to hang with deep threats (4.5ish speed). But his quickness, ball skills, and instincts makes him a natural Nickel corner tasked with mirroring the slot. In run support he has a tendency to go for the big hit and not wrap up. In my opinion, it's his "Go Big or Go Home" mindset that causes this, and it shows with either a missed tackle or a forced fumble off a monster hit (See Marcus Lattimore @ the Chick-fil-a Bowl).

As a person, he was booted from FSU for multiple weed violations. He then tore his ACL and went undrafted. He basically hit rock bottom and finally realized he could do still live his dream if he straightened out and worked hard. All evidence points to him doing just that. He was and still is an FSU fan favorite. I hope this sheds some light on who G5 can be for the Rams, and I'll answer any questions if I can.

I think you covered it amigo, if Reid stays healthy I believe we just robbed a cookie jar
train

 

[Boston Ram]

If he is healthy and has his head on straight, he is a legit player and someone how would of been a high draft pick if he stayed the course.

 

[mr.stlouis]

You know we're a desperate bunch when one UDFA gets 90 replies!!

 

[Tron]

You know we're a desperate bunch when one UDFA gets 90 replies!!

We're Ram fans, what do you expect???

 

[mr.stlouis]

We're Ram fans, what do you expect???

Yeah, the next Ron Bartell is always right around the corner.

 

[Alan]

jjab360 with a persuasive argument:
Eh? Since when does size matter for a returner?

Obviously, we have a pretty prime example to the contrary already on our team in TA, but he's just one example of many around the league.

Your logic is unassailable and I'm changing my stance to "Veltung cannot be replaced by anyone". There, good to go now.

 

[Alan]

Ramrasta blind to his intangibles:
I'm not saying Veltung is terrible but he just isn't an all-star.

Veltung is chock full of intangibles. I'd go into more detail but as they're intangibles they're not, you know, tangible.
I want his jersey too. When it becomes available that is.

 

[A55VA6]

I heard this kid was a straight out playmaker before injuries and shit. Hopefully he can be something good for us.

 

[The Rammer]

Damn this dude could be a stunt double for the Munchkins in the old Wizard of OZ of OZ movie... :eek:

 

[RamBill]

Rams take a chance on CB Greg Reid
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/6998/rams-take-a-chance-on-cb-greg-reid

The St. Louis Rams finally signed an outside free agent, adding former Florida State cornerback/punt returner Greg Reid over the weekend.

Reid announced that he had signed with the team on his Facebook account Sunday, saying he was "proud to be in the Rams organization." ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed the move with a source Monday afternoon.

Of course, the addition of Reid isn't exactly the type of signing that should move the needle much for Rams fans waiting for the team to add a free agent of significance. Reid hasn't played in a game since 2011. Florida State dismissed Reid from the team in 2012 because of a violation of team rules and transferred to Valdosta State, a Division II school.

Reid suffered an ACL injury that prevented him from playing his senior season and required two surgeries since August 2012, the second of which came in May of last year. Nursing that injury, Reid has spent the past year-plus rehabilitating. Finally back to health, Reid participated in Florida State's pro day on March 18 and apparently did enough to impress scouts in attendance.

In comments to ESPN's Florida State/ACC reporter Jared Shanker, Reid was pleased with his performance.

“I was pleased to come out and show NFL coaches how I was doing and how far I’ve came,” Reid said. “I’m healthy and everything is going in the right track.”

The Rams have an obvious need for help at corner, particularly at nickel after releasing Cortland Finnegan and opting to let Quinton Pointer depart. Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are the starters with Brandon McGee the only other corner returning to the mix.

In an ideal world, Reid could come in and earn a place as a potential nickel corner with the ability to chip in as a punt returner behind Tavon Austin. In fact, Reid was dynamic as a returner in college and probably is more likely to make a difference in that regard in the NFL.

All told, it's hard to peg this signing as anything more than the Rams taking a flier on a player with some upside attempting to return from injury. If it works out, it's a nice find, but chances are Reid will have an uphill climb to make the roster.

 

[RamFan503]

Veltung is chock full of intangibles. I'd go into more detail but as they're intangibles they're not, you know, tangible.
I want his jersey too. When it becomes available that is.

What kind of compromising pictures does that kid have on you Alan? Are THEY tangible?

 

[Stranger]

It's what the ones who don't get thrown off the team are doing that worries me.

EXACTLY!!!

I figure ONLY the ones who threaten to expose the depth of corruption are the ones who get thrown off. The rest get away with just about anything they want, as long as they play along. Anyway, this is merely supposition on my part. I don't have any proof to back it up except for the fact that this is the way corporate america works in all other industry sectors.