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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/stl/report
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is about 90 percent finished with his coaching staff and while nothing more will be announced officially by the team until the group is complete, here is the way things are shaping up following the additions of Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator, Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator and Dave McGinnis as assistant head coach.
On offense, Paul Boudreau will coach the offensive line and Ray Sherman is expected to coach the receivers. Henry Ellard and James Lofton had also been considered for that job, and at one point it was believed Sherman might coach running backs. Still to be determined are coaches for quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends, where Rob Boras is the only known candidate that has been interviewed.
On defense, Mike Waufle is set as line coach and Steve Jackson is believed to be a strong possibility to coach defensive backs. Blake Williams, the son of Gregg Williams, will be on the staff potentially as a defensive assistant concentrating on linebackers. McGinnis might also help with the linebackers.
The Williams duo won't be the only father-son combination on the team. Fisher's son Brandon might be an offensive assistant, while Boudreau's son might also be on the staff.
John Fassel, the son of former NFL coach Jim Fassel, will be the Rams' special teams coordinator. John Fassel has been with the Raiders the last four seasons.
There has been little word on who will head up the team's strength and conditioning. Fisher was denied permission to talk with the Titans' Steve Watterson for that role. It's possible Rock Gullickson could be retained.
Meanwhile, Tom McMahon, the special teams coordinator under Steve Spagnuolo, was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs.
On the general manager front, the Rams are hoping to have someone hired next week after the Super Bowl.
Over the last few days, the Rams have interviewed Brian Gaine (Dolphins director of player personnel), Steve Keim (Cardinals director of player personnel), Joey Clinkscales (Jets vice president of college scouting) and George Paton (Vikings director of player personnel).
Sunday, Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said two or three candidates had been added to the previous list that was revealed prior to the hiring of Fisher. Paton is one of those; any others aren't known.
Before Fisher was hired, Les Snead (Falcons director of player of personnel) and Ryan Grigson (Eagles director of player personnel) were interviewed. Grigson was subsequently hired by the Indianapolis Colts.
--Every positive step on the football side of the ledger is being overshadowed by the looming negotiations between the team and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) concerning the lease to play games in the Edward Jones Dome.
During the days after Fisher was hired as headcoach, the Rams announced they would play a "home" game in London for each of the next three years, the final one coinciding with what could be the expiration of the team's lease if no agreement is reached.
Then, it became known that Rams owner Stan Kroenke was bidding for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It once again raised eyebrows in St. Louis where a patient and passionate fan base wonders what Kroenke's end game might be.
Amid that atmosphere, the CVC decided to fire a questionable volley of its own, just five days before it is scheduled to deliver a proposal to the Rams in regards to the portion of the lease that requires the Dome to be in the first tier (25 percent) of NFL stadiums.
The CVC sent a statement to the media, saying, "Having the Rams play a game in London will elevate an awareness of St. Louis on the global stage, much as the Saint Louis Symphony's upcoming tour will do.
"That said, our lease with the Rams requires that the Rams play all their home games in the Edward Jones Dome. We immediately brought this to the Rams' attention and are awaiting their reply."
Several hours later, the Rams answered with a statement of their own, saying, "We think that playing in London is great for the Rams and great for St. Louis. We are in talks with the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, which is also the region's chief marketing group, about how to make the most of this opportunity.
"As the CVC said today, this will 'elevate an awareness of St. Louis on the global stage.' We look forward to having amicable and meaningful dialogue with the CVC on many issues and believe those conversations should remain between the parties."
While Kroenke has been criticized for saying little about his commitment to St. Louis, Demoff has been consistent in his message that the goal is to come to an agreement that is good for the Rams and the city. The CVC had been totally silent until Friday.
The Rams do have a difficult task in trying to convince anyone that losing a home game is "great for St. Louis." Conversely, the CVC's decision to go public with the issue and compare the Rams to the Symphony seems meant only to antagonize.
After all, what would the CVC plan to do to the Rams for violating the lease? Evict them?
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is about 90 percent finished with his coaching staff and while nothing more will be announced officially by the team until the group is complete, here is the way things are shaping up following the additions of Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator, Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator and Dave McGinnis as assistant head coach.
On offense, Paul Boudreau will coach the offensive line and Ray Sherman is expected to coach the receivers. Henry Ellard and James Lofton had also been considered for that job, and at one point it was believed Sherman might coach running backs. Still to be determined are coaches for quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends, where Rob Boras is the only known candidate that has been interviewed.
On defense, Mike Waufle is set as line coach and Steve Jackson is believed to be a strong possibility to coach defensive backs. Blake Williams, the son of Gregg Williams, will be on the staff potentially as a defensive assistant concentrating on linebackers. McGinnis might also help with the linebackers.
The Williams duo won't be the only father-son combination on the team. Fisher's son Brandon might be an offensive assistant, while Boudreau's son might also be on the staff.
John Fassel, the son of former NFL coach Jim Fassel, will be the Rams' special teams coordinator. John Fassel has been with the Raiders the last four seasons.
There has been little word on who will head up the team's strength and conditioning. Fisher was denied permission to talk with the Titans' Steve Watterson for that role. It's possible Rock Gullickson could be retained.
Meanwhile, Tom McMahon, the special teams coordinator under Steve Spagnuolo, was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs.
On the general manager front, the Rams are hoping to have someone hired next week after the Super Bowl.
Over the last few days, the Rams have interviewed Brian Gaine (Dolphins director of player personnel), Steve Keim (Cardinals director of player personnel), Joey Clinkscales (Jets vice president of college scouting) and George Paton (Vikings director of player personnel).
Sunday, Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said two or three candidates had been added to the previous list that was revealed prior to the hiring of Fisher. Paton is one of those; any others aren't known.
Before Fisher was hired, Les Snead (Falcons director of player of personnel) and Ryan Grigson (Eagles director of player personnel) were interviewed. Grigson was subsequently hired by the Indianapolis Colts.
--Every positive step on the football side of the ledger is being overshadowed by the looming negotiations between the team and the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) concerning the lease to play games in the Edward Jones Dome.
During the days after Fisher was hired as headcoach, the Rams announced they would play a "home" game in London for each of the next three years, the final one coinciding with what could be the expiration of the team's lease if no agreement is reached.
Then, it became known that Rams owner Stan Kroenke was bidding for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It once again raised eyebrows in St. Louis where a patient and passionate fan base wonders what Kroenke's end game might be.
Amid that atmosphere, the CVC decided to fire a questionable volley of its own, just five days before it is scheduled to deliver a proposal to the Rams in regards to the portion of the lease that requires the Dome to be in the first tier (25 percent) of NFL stadiums.
The CVC sent a statement to the media, saying, "Having the Rams play a game in London will elevate an awareness of St. Louis on the global stage, much as the Saint Louis Symphony's upcoming tour will do.
"That said, our lease with the Rams requires that the Rams play all their home games in the Edward Jones Dome. We immediately brought this to the Rams' attention and are awaiting their reply."
Several hours later, the Rams answered with a statement of their own, saying, "We think that playing in London is great for the Rams and great for St. Louis. We are in talks with the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, which is also the region's chief marketing group, about how to make the most of this opportunity.
"As the CVC said today, this will 'elevate an awareness of St. Louis on the global stage.' We look forward to having amicable and meaningful dialogue with the CVC on many issues and believe those conversations should remain between the parties."
While Kroenke has been criticized for saying little about his commitment to St. Louis, Demoff has been consistent in his message that the goal is to come to an agreement that is good for the Rams and the city. The CVC had been totally silent until Friday.
The Rams do have a difficult task in trying to convince anyone that losing a home game is "great for St. Louis." Conversely, the CVC's decision to go public with the issue and compare the Rams to the Symphony seems meant only to antagonize.
After all, what would the CVC plan to do to the Rams for violating the lease? Evict them?