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Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football ... z1naZpZAR2
INDIANAPOLIS • The fact that the Tennessee franchise didn't select a first-round offensive lineman during Jeff Fisher's 16 full seasons there probably was more happenstance than rigid draft philosophy.
"I think it's the way it happened," Fisher said. "Brad Hopkins was selected a couple of years beforehand, and Coach (Mike) Munchak does an outstanding job of evaluating the offensive line, as did the staff."
Hopkins, drafted two years before Fisher took over as head coach, was the franchise's starting left tackle for the first 11 years of Fisher's tenure there. Munchak, now the Titans' head coach, was Fisher's offensive line coach.
Then again, Fisher also suggested there was some sentiment toward developing linemen rather than expending high draft picks for them.
[hil]"We just felt like over the years that we could get those guys in Round 2, 3 or 4 and develop 'em," Fisher said. "And we did so.[/hil] We've got an outstanding offensive line coach with us as well (in St. Louis), and we share some of the same philosophies. That doesn't mean to say we won't take an offensive lineman that high, though."
Veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who was here under Scott Linehan, has returned to the Rams under Fisher.
Backing up Bradford
With veterans Kellen Clemens and A.J. Feeley scheduled for unrestricted free agency March 13, the Rams are weighing their options for a backup quarterback.
"There may be some guys out there," Fisher said. "There's the potential for a trade for a guy. But we definitely need to consider that. [hil]I'm not expecting (Bradford) to be on the ground very much[/hil], but you need to have a backup."
Franchise tags coming
With one more week for teams to place the franchise tag on pending free agents, and more than two weeks to re-sign their own players before the start of free agency, the current free-agent lists may be a tease. At wide receiver, for example, there were reports over the weekend that Kansas City plans to franchise Dwayne Bowe and New England plans to tag Wes Welker.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football ... z1naZpZAR2
INDIANAPOLIS • The fact that the Tennessee franchise didn't select a first-round offensive lineman during Jeff Fisher's 16 full seasons there probably was more happenstance than rigid draft philosophy.
"I think it's the way it happened," Fisher said. "Brad Hopkins was selected a couple of years beforehand, and Coach (Mike) Munchak does an outstanding job of evaluating the offensive line, as did the staff."
Hopkins, drafted two years before Fisher took over as head coach, was the franchise's starting left tackle for the first 11 years of Fisher's tenure there. Munchak, now the Titans' head coach, was Fisher's offensive line coach.
Then again, Fisher also suggested there was some sentiment toward developing linemen rather than expending high draft picks for them.
[hil]"We just felt like over the years that we could get those guys in Round 2, 3 or 4 and develop 'em," Fisher said. "And we did so.[/hil] We've got an outstanding offensive line coach with us as well (in St. Louis), and we share some of the same philosophies. That doesn't mean to say we won't take an offensive lineman that high, though."
Veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who was here under Scott Linehan, has returned to the Rams under Fisher.
Backing up Bradford
With veterans Kellen Clemens and A.J. Feeley scheduled for unrestricted free agency March 13, the Rams are weighing their options for a backup quarterback.
"There may be some guys out there," Fisher said. "There's the potential for a trade for a guy. But we definitely need to consider that. [hil]I'm not expecting (Bradford) to be on the ground very much[/hil], but you need to have a backup."
Franchise tags coming
With one more week for teams to place the franchise tag on pending free agents, and more than two weeks to re-sign their own players before the start of free agency, the current free-agent lists may be a tease. At wide receiver, for example, there were reports over the weekend that Kansas City plans to franchise Dwayne Bowe and New England plans to tag Wes Welker.