Just don’t remember it that way.
Steamed? Yes.
At Snead? Do not recall reading that.
Now, I would expect that the GM negotiated the trade-down; and I can believe Snead recommended it. However, Fisher had to OK it.
Fisher was hired in January, and Snead a month later. Fisher was the big hire. Snead was hired to work with him. Fisher made the final decisions. That was their first draft.
Maybe Fisher was angry but he had to sign off. I did a quick check but the only article I found was a Mike Silver article about the decision to select Maurice Alexander (the purpose of my original post).
It quoted Fisher as saying he would be ‘angry’ if they lost Alexander. Demoff asked ‘how angry’ and Fisher replied ‘Bobby Wagner angry’.
No mention of Snead or blame.
I agree with your research and source but not your interpretation. Some context:
The Rams initially had picks 33, 39, and 45 in the 2012 draft (after earlier trading their first rounder.). They used 33 on Brian Quick and 39 on Janoris Jenkins. They then traded down to No. 50, here as reported at the time by Bleacher Report:
"Round 2, Pick 45: Traded to Chicago Bears
The Rams picked up another fifth-round pick by moving back five spots. This is a great move, provided they don't lose out on a player they are targeting.
With the top offensive line prospects coming off the board before this pick, the Rams are either re-grouping or have a player in mind that will be available a bit later in Round 2."
The SeaHawks then took Wagner at 47, leaving the Rams to take Isaiah Pead at 50.
I doubt that Fisher was angry at himself over this, and have no doubt he was the one pushing for Wagner given his reaction and his greater involvement in the defense. Moreover, this is a typical Snead tactical draft day maneuver we have seen many times after Fisher left. Not least, while I agree Fisher signed off on picks, Snead as GM was more responsible for the actual execution of the draft. No one else on the RAMS could have advocated and executed the trade down.
But your inferences may vary.
I will say this, no matter who was responsible for that trade down: One instance of losing a player like Bobby Wagner to gain an extra fifth round pick IMO more than negates any potential advantage gained from lots of similar gambling on draft day maneuvers. It also illustrates a number of principles relevant, actually,
RIGHT NOW:
1. If you have a chance to draft an impact player do it.
2. Don't play Russian roulette to gain a late round pick at the risk of losing an outstanding player.
3. Trading down is not always a great idea or even a good idea. In fact it can be a truly bad idea.
4. Second round picks are far more valuable than late round picks.
5. A single correct second round pick, if you nail it on a true impact player, can be worth more than any number of late round picks.
I hope Snead doesn't screw around in this fashion today.
