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Wagoner Chat Highlights
—My feelings on Watkins are clear. Yes, I believe he’s got No. 1 potential. Yes, I think he is special enough to contribute right away. My opinion doesn’t really matter, though. I think the Rams are interested in him but I get the sense they might be more interested in others as we sit here today.
—Barksdale? They can upgrade, in my opinion. Barksdale played pretty well last year but I still think they could do better and he’s UFA after this year. To my eyes, Smith struggled against bigger, more physical fronts and he gets caught leaning forward too much in pass protection. He’d be fine as a backup, though.
—Prediction for Free Agency? Just that the Rams won’t be very active. If they sign Saffold, that’ll likely be their “big move.” If they lose him, maybe they chase someone else who will get a sizable deal.
—I think Scott Wells returns and the Rams keep developing Barnes and Jones. Not to say they won’t go for another center but it might be in the draft if they do.
—I know the Verner/Rams connection is easy but I don’t see it happening. I just don’t think the Rams spend that kind of money on any FA. Also, while I know Verner played very well under Williams last year, let’s be clear about this: he’s not a physical, press corner that everyone seems to think Williams wants. Now, that doesn’t mean anything in terms of interest in him because Williams obviously knows how to use him but it’s worth keeping in mind.
—I don’t have major concerns about Watkins’ route running and the scouts I spoke with in Indy don’t either. Is he a finished product in that regard? No but you won’t find many WRs who are coming out of college. I don’t mind Lee, though the injuries and drops are a concern but I see Watkins on a level above him on a number of levels. I think you’re guy will still go in the top 15-20 and I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned into a very good NFL player.
—I don’t think Sam Bradford can be labeled a bust now or ever. But I guess that’s all on how you define a bust. A bust, to me, is someone who comes into the league and never does anything and is gone from the league before you even know it. Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell. Sam Bradford won Rookie of the Year. You can say that he was a miss in terms of being the No. 1 overall pick whenever you choose, I get that but he’s not a bust.
—I had a good chat with Stefania Bell, our injury expert here at ESPN in Bristol last week about Long. She says the Rams aren’t being as far fetched as some think in terms of Long’s possible opening day return. I’ll have more on it in a post soon but worth noting. But to answer your question, I agree that you have to consider the possibility he’ll miss time this year, much like you would with Wells at center. To me, this goes back to the importance of Saffold. If you have him, it lessens the load a bit because you basically have three starting caliber OTs on the roster.
—How Would Picking Watkins Reflect on Quick/WR’s? I don’t think it necessarily is a commentary on Quick so much as taking advantage of an opportunity to get a prospect better than any they have had on the roster. But your point is valid and the Rams have been pretty open about this being a big year for Quick. It’s absolutely fair to wonder where he fits in if they do add a top WR in the draft and how he could even reach the potential they say he has if he’s not getting the reps because of a new addition.
—Barr at #13? It’s possible but I still don’t see them spending a first rounder on a linebacker who might not be on the field all three downs.
—Free agents are a crapshoot in general but especially at WR. Other than Vincent Jackson, you haven’t seen many make it. As for the depth of receivers in the class, I get your point and I understand if the Rams waited to take one but as I’ve said and written many times, it’s not about just getting “A” receiver. It’s about getting “THE” receiver, the No. 1 guy that you believe can be a consistent 1,200 yard type the way Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce used to. That isn’t to say a guy drafted in the second or third round can’t become one of those guys but the odds are a little longer than they’d be with a guy like Watkins.
—Timetable on Wells/Dahl? There’s no official timetable. But logically, you’d make moves for cap space so you can spend it in free agency so you’d do something by 3/11. I expect the Rams to part ways with Dahl in the next few days. I think Wells probably sticks around in no small part because of the larger than expected cap increase.
—I don’t expect Finnegan back as a Ram next year.
Read The Rest Of The Chat Highlights
—My feelings on Watkins are clear. Yes, I believe he’s got No. 1 potential. Yes, I think he is special enough to contribute right away. My opinion doesn’t really matter, though. I think the Rams are interested in him but I get the sense they might be more interested in others as we sit here today.
—Barksdale? They can upgrade, in my opinion. Barksdale played pretty well last year but I still think they could do better and he’s UFA after this year. To my eyes, Smith struggled against bigger, more physical fronts and he gets caught leaning forward too much in pass protection. He’d be fine as a backup, though.
—Prediction for Free Agency? Just that the Rams won’t be very active. If they sign Saffold, that’ll likely be their “big move.” If they lose him, maybe they chase someone else who will get a sizable deal.
—I think Scott Wells returns and the Rams keep developing Barnes and Jones. Not to say they won’t go for another center but it might be in the draft if they do.
—I know the Verner/Rams connection is easy but I don’t see it happening. I just don’t think the Rams spend that kind of money on any FA. Also, while I know Verner played very well under Williams last year, let’s be clear about this: he’s not a physical, press corner that everyone seems to think Williams wants. Now, that doesn’t mean anything in terms of interest in him because Williams obviously knows how to use him but it’s worth keeping in mind.
—I don’t have major concerns about Watkins’ route running and the scouts I spoke with in Indy don’t either. Is he a finished product in that regard? No but you won’t find many WRs who are coming out of college. I don’t mind Lee, though the injuries and drops are a concern but I see Watkins on a level above him on a number of levels. I think you’re guy will still go in the top 15-20 and I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned into a very good NFL player.
—I don’t think Sam Bradford can be labeled a bust now or ever. But I guess that’s all on how you define a bust. A bust, to me, is someone who comes into the league and never does anything and is gone from the league before you even know it. Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell. Sam Bradford won Rookie of the Year. You can say that he was a miss in terms of being the No. 1 overall pick whenever you choose, I get that but he’s not a bust.
—I had a good chat with Stefania Bell, our injury expert here at ESPN in Bristol last week about Long. She says the Rams aren’t being as far fetched as some think in terms of Long’s possible opening day return. I’ll have more on it in a post soon but worth noting. But to answer your question, I agree that you have to consider the possibility he’ll miss time this year, much like you would with Wells at center. To me, this goes back to the importance of Saffold. If you have him, it lessens the load a bit because you basically have three starting caliber OTs on the roster.
—How Would Picking Watkins Reflect on Quick/WR’s? I don’t think it necessarily is a commentary on Quick so much as taking advantage of an opportunity to get a prospect better than any they have had on the roster. But your point is valid and the Rams have been pretty open about this being a big year for Quick. It’s absolutely fair to wonder where he fits in if they do add a top WR in the draft and how he could even reach the potential they say he has if he’s not getting the reps because of a new addition.
—Barr at #13? It’s possible but I still don’t see them spending a first rounder on a linebacker who might not be on the field all three downs.
—Free agents are a crapshoot in general but especially at WR. Other than Vincent Jackson, you haven’t seen many make it. As for the depth of receivers in the class, I get your point and I understand if the Rams waited to take one but as I’ve said and written many times, it’s not about just getting “A” receiver. It’s about getting “THE” receiver, the No. 1 guy that you believe can be a consistent 1,200 yard type the way Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce used to. That isn’t to say a guy drafted in the second or third round can’t become one of those guys but the odds are a little longer than they’d be with a guy like Watkins.
—Timetable on Wells/Dahl? There’s no official timetable. But logically, you’d make moves for cap space so you can spend it in free agency so you’d do something by 3/11. I expect the Rams to part ways with Dahl in the next few days. I think Wells probably sticks around in no small part because of the larger than expected cap increase.
—I don’t expect Finnegan back as a Ram next year.
Read The Rest Of The Chat Highlights
