Mailbag: Impressions of Nick Foles+ Keenum or Davis for #2

[RamBill]

Impressions of Nick Foles; will Case Keenum or Austin Davis win backup job?
By Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...ll-case-keenum-or-austin-davis-win-backup-job

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams have finally dived into organized team activities. So yes, we finally have some actual football (such as it is in shorts and jerseys) to talk about.

As always, you can find me on Twitter @nwagoner and send me questions for the mailbag at any time. Please use hashtag #RamsMail.

Plenty to discuss this week. After an offensive line focus on Saturday, today we'll take a closer look at some quarterback questions.

Jonathan Hoffman @trinityjon
It's still early, but how would you compare Foles to Bradford? Delivery? Mechanics? Leadership? What can we expect?

@nwagoner: I don't want to make sweeping judgments on anyone this soon, but I've had a couple of takeaways from talking to Nick Foles and talking to his teammates about him. On the leadership front, I get the feeling he's going to bring a bit more in that regard than Sam Bradford did. Foles seems to have that ability to be a uniter. That's not to say Bradford didn't like or respect his teammates, just it's something Foles seems more comfortable doing. Even Kenny Britt has said he's had Foles notice when he might not be as enthusiastic as he should be and Foles has taken a minute to get him fired up. That's usually something Britt does, so to have someone do it for him tells you a little something. On the field stuff, I'd prefer to wait and see. He certainly looks the part, but he's going to have a little bit of a process to get used to going under center. He's had a couple of footwork hiccups in the early going though it's nothing that should be deemed as concerning at this point. On arm strength, Foles seems like he has enough but the ball doesn't come out of his hand as easily as it did Bradford's. Bradford was nicknamed "Big Easy" for a reason. He made throwing it anywhere he wanted look easy. Foles doesn't have that same ability, though I haven't seen a throw that he can't make yet.

Brawley Darbon @brawleydarbon
I knw u dont have a crystal ball, but gut feeling, who do you see as #Rams number 2 QB come September? Mannion or Davis?

@nwagoner: I wish I did have a crystal ball. Can I borrow yours? But the real question here isn't Sean Mannion or Austin Davis. It's Case Keenum or Davis. Mannion is going to stick around as the No. 3 quarterback and Foles is the starter, which leaves the No. 2 job up for competition. Coach Jeff Fisher has already said Davis and Keenum will likely battle it out for the backup job. Davis has an advantage in that he's been around longer, but the Rams traded for Keenum because they believe he can help. I tend to think given an offseason to get acclimated, this time Keenum sticks around.

Chris Bushnell @BrickBushnell
What are the chances the Rams implement some 5 DL formations this season?

@nwagoner: The defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams. There aren't many defensive formations you could propose to me that I would categorically rule out so long as that's the case.

Alex @AlexJMacArthur
What was the Rams thought process drafting an injured Sasser with Quick rehabbing and Tre McBride still available?

@nwagoner: Well, for starters, they didn't know Bud Sasser had the heart issue when they drafted him. Now, I've seen the arguments that they should have known or figured out a way to find out before he was drafted, but at this point it's really neither here nor there. But it's probably a safe bet that had they known the extent of Sasser's condition, they wouldn't have drafted him. I have no idea who they would have taken otherwise but this isn't like they drafted an injured player on purpose.

Steven Spaid @stevenspaid
Are the Rams negotiating extensions with any of their 2012 draft picks?

@nwagoner: I don't know the extent of the conversations they've had, but there have been a few preliminary chats that have taken place. Namely, with defensive tackle Michael Brockers. The Rams have already exercised his fifth-year option, so he's going to be around at least beyond this year but they'd like to get something done. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins could also be in that same boat, though it's unclear if that process has begun at the moment. Regardless, the Rams will have a lot of decisions to make on free agents after the season, so if they could get a couple of guys locked up before or early in the season, it would make life easier in what figures to be a hectic offseason. They re-signed end Robert Quinn before Week 2 last year and in the past have struck deals with end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis before the season, so there is some precedent for getting something done.

 

[RamBill]

Keenum enjoying second chance with Rams
By Nate Latsch

http://www.scout.com/nfl/rams/story/1552836-keenum-enjoying-second-chance-with-rams

ST. LOUIS — Case Keenum will be the first to admit it is a pretty crazy story, but the two-time former Houston Texans quarterback is back with the Rams again this offseason.

The University of Houston product was claimed by the Rams early last season after being released by the Houston Texans — to make room for another quarterback, Ryan Mallett, who was acquired in a trade — to join the mix after Sam Bradford’s season-ending injury left Shaun Hill and Austin Davis as the only quarterbacks on the roster.

Keenum was active for two games after Hill suffered an injury in the season opener, but did not appear in a game for St. Louis. After Hill returned, Keenum was released and added to the practice squad. But when the Texans were hit with a rash of injuries, they signed Keenum and he ended up starting two games for them at the end of the season and leading Houston to two victories.

But then the 27-year-old ended up back with the Rams this offseason after they traded a 2016 seventh-round pick to the Texans for him.

“I was very pleasantly surprised,” Keenum said after the team’s OTA session on Friday. “I think when the whole thing went down last year to go back to the Texans for an opportunity to play, it’s hard to pass that up. At the same time, I told Coach (Jeff) Fisher and all the guys that I really, really enjoyed my time here and learned a lot and just the atmosphere and the organization, the people, the team, the coaches, players — it was really special to me, the time here, and I loved it.

“To have the opportunity to come back and make it a little more permanent, as far as the offseason goes, and to go through the team building part of it rather than just get plucked and put on another team, it’s been good.”

Keenum is now one of four quarterbacks with the Rams this offseason, joining Nick Foles, Davis and third-round pick Sean Mannion.

On the same day the Rams executed the trade for Keenum, they made another, bigger deal — sending Bradford, the No. 1 0verall pick in 2010, to the Eagles for Foles and a swap of draft picks.

It was an interesting day, Keenum said.

“I knew I was getting traded,” he said. “The Texans and I talked about it. I talked to Coach Fisher. Then the news breaks about a quarterback trade. I was like, oh, cool. Then I was like, oh, not me. I was kind of a little side blip. But I was still really excited about myself and excited for Nick. It was kind of a funny little day. I was like, oh, wow.”

Keenum and Foles both grew up in Texas — Keenum is from Abilene, Foles from Austin — and were in the same draft class in 2012.

“I’ve known Nick for a while now,” Keenum said, “and so when I heard of that trade I was really excited to work with him and obviously he’s been really successful at what he has been able to do in Philly and it’s been good to get to know him as a football player, not just off the field.”

Keenum is expected to battle Davis in training camp for the No. 2 spot behind Foles, with Mannion expected to serve as the No. 3 so he can develop for the future.

Keenum and Davis both have experience starting games in the NFL.

Keenum has started 10 games over the past two seasons with the Texans. He was 0-8 in 2013 in Houston, but went 2-0 in 2014 when he completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 435 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and a QB rating of 72.2.

Davis, 26, had yet to play in an NFL game when the Rams acquired Keenum last fall, but he ended up playing in 10 and starting eight in 2014. He was 3-5 as a starter, but completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,001 yards, with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and a QB rating of 85.1.

Keenum will have more of an opportunity with the Rams this time around.

“It’s nice getting reps, not just scout team stuff,” he said. “Last year obviously during the season it’s kind of the ones and twos taking all the reps and everybody else kind of spreading time around.

“You build chemistry with guys during this time,” Keenum continued. “This is when you go talk to receivers — you make plays and then you go talk about it, what were you thinking, what’d you see. When you get plucked from one team and put on another right in the middle of the season, it’s tough to do that.”

Since Keenum and Foles were traded for on the same day, and Mannion drafted later in the offseason, that means three of the team’s four quarterbacks are all learning the offensive system at the same time.

“Now I’m going through the installs and the meetings and learning stuff right alongside everybody instead of learning a game plan and then trying to go back and learn stuff that those guys learned on Day 1,” Keenum said. “That’s been a big deal being here in the offseason rather than being plucked.”

Still, while Keenum is glad to be back in St. Louis, he recalls his second chance with the Texans fondly. He couldn’t pass it up.

He knew he had a chance to go back to Houston and start games. That the Texans won both of his starts made it all the more special.

“We obviously won the two games and if a few things go here and there we’re in the playoffs, we’re in the tournament,” Keenum said, “and it would have been another chapter to a pretty crazy story of just the back and forth. It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been pretty crazy, but I’m just enjoying it.”

 

[DaveFan'51]

I hope we at least get an opportunity to see what Keenum can do on the field this time around! I like what I've read about his abilities! Now I want to see them for myself!!

 

[JackDRams]

I hope we at least get an opportunity to see what Keenum can do on the field this time around!

I hope you mean preseason lol.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I hope you mean preseason lol.

Absoooluuutellly!

 

[jap]

Keenum? Davis? I would rather have Johnny Hekker as #2, and he gets no higher than #2 only because his premier job is all pro punting.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

What is still scary to me is that Keenum may be number 2 for the Rams when he couldn't even make the Texans squad.

 

[RhodyRams]

Keenum? Davis? I would rather have Johnny Hekker as #2, and he gets no higher than #2 only because his premier job is all pro punting.

the thing is...the RAMS O is going to be scoring so much,Hekker going to get bored sitting on the sidelines with nothing to do but practice his QB skills

 

[-X-]

Davis has an advantage in that he's been around longer, but the Rams traded for Keenum because they believe he can help. I tend to think given an offseason to get acclimated, this time Keenum sticks around.

I agree with this.

 

[den-the-coach]

What is still scary to me is that Keenum may be number 2 for the Rams when he couldn't even make the Texans squad.

Not so sure about that the Texans have three QB's in camp in Hoyer (Free Agent) Ryan Mallett (history with O'Brien) and 2014 4th round pick in Tom Savage. IMO, Keenum did what they wanted, but they knew that he was not their future.

IMO what Fisher saw was a guy that went out and put his team in position to win games something that Davis did not do towards the end. Believe I'm not high on Case, but IMO, Fisher liked him when he was with the Rams and then the fact that he went to Houston and won two games without much preparation got Jeff's attention.

 

[nighttrain]

Brawley Darbon @brawleydarbon
I knw u dont have a crystal ball, but gut feeling, who do you see as #Rams number 2 QB come September? Mannion or Davis?

@nwagoner: I wish I did have a crystal ball. Can I borrow yours? But the real question here isn't Sean Mannion or Austin Davis. It's Case Keenum or Davis. Mannion is going to stick around as the No. 3 quarterback and Foles is the starter, which leaves the No. 2 job up for competition. Coach Jeff Fisher has already said Davis and Keenum will likely battle it out for the backup job. Davis has an advantage in that he's been around longer, but the Rams traded for Keenum because they believe he can help. I tend to think given an offseason to get acclimated, this time Keenum sticks around.

I really don't ever want to see Davis throw another pass for the Rams.
train

 

[RamBill]

Is Nick Foles a more vocal leader than Sam Bradford? ESPN’s Nick Wagoner joins The Fast Lane to talk about that and other Rams topics.

Listen to Wagoner Talk Rams

 

[RamBill]

After a crazy 2014, Keenum is happy to be back with Rams
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_ea032dee-c388-5eb1-aa34-fcb3907ef5ff.html

Kimberly Keenum has this packing-and-moving thing down pat. Then again, the wife of Rams quarterback Case Keenum has had plenty of practice.

In less than a year, the young couple has moved from Houston to St. Louis, back to Houston and is now back in St. Louis after a March trade with the Texans that brought Keenum back to the Rams in exchange for a seventh-round draft choice in 2016.

“Hopefully, this time it’s a little more permanent,” Keenum said following a recent workout at Rams Park. “I felt like we did some good stuff last season. I like them and I think they like me. I’m glad they brought me back.”

Ironically, the Rams announced the deal to re-acquire Keenum on the same day as their blockbuster trade with Philadelphia that involved the swap of quarterbacks Nick Foles and Sam Bradford.

“I knew my deal was coming because I’d already talked about it with coach (Jeff) Fisher,” said Keenum, 27. “It was pretty funny, really. When the news broke about a quarterback trade, my first thought was, ‘Cool,’ and then, just a few seconds later, it was ‘Oh, wow.’”

Keenum, a Texas native who stands 6 foot 1 and weighs 205 pounds, was a prolific passer in the spread attack at the University of Houston. The three-time Conference USA offensive player of the year, Keenum is the only NCAA quarterback to throw for better than 5,000 yards in three seasons and holds NCAA career records for completions (1,546), passing yards (19,217), touchdowns (155) and 300-yard games (39).

Signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Keenum made his pro debut in the middle of the 2013, a week after the visiting Rams blew by the Texans 38-13. He made eight starts, all losses, while completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 1,760 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

Keenum was cut by the Texans at the end of training camp last season and claimed by the Rams. In St. Louis, he dressed for just one game but did not see action. He was inactive for six other contests before being cut in late October and re-signed to the practice squad.

With QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage out with injuries, the Texans signed Keenum off the Rams’ practice squad in mid-December. He ended up leading 9-7 Houston to victories over Baltimore (25-13) and Jacksonville (23-17) while completing 58.4 percent of his passes for 435 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

“If a few things had fallen just right, we could’ve ended up in the playoffs, made the tournament,” he said. “That would’ve added another chapter to what turned out to be a pretty crazy season for me.”

Keenum is excited about being back with the Rams and is relishing the opportunity to be with the club from the start of its offseason program.

“Last year, coming in right at the start of the season, I was trying to get a feel for that week’s game plan and, at the same time, trying to get a feel for what everybody else had been learning from Day 1,” he said. “But now, I’m going through the installs, just like everybody else. Now’s the time you build chemistry with the guys. You can talk to a receiver after a play, making sure that the two of you are seeing the same things out there.

“And it’s always nice to get regular reps, not just the scout-team reps.”

Fisher noted that Keenum never really got a chance to do much with the Rams last year.

“We really like Case,” the coach said shortly after the trade. “He was making progress, but didn’t get the opportunity from a practice standpoint because he was our third (QB).”

Fisher has said that Keenum and third-year pro Austin Davis would compete for the No. 2 job behind Foles. The Rams also selected Sean Mannion of Oregon State in the third round of the draft.

“We have a good quarterback room and that’s important,” Keenum said. “We’re all working together, supporting each other and trying to make the team better. Let’s face it, having four sets of eyes on the practice field or in the meeting room will always be better than one.”

RAM-BLINGS

Third-year safety T.J. McDonald has not participated in OTAs. Apparently, he suffered a leg injury.

“He’s coming off a little ordeal,” Fisher said. “He’ll be ready for camp. He had a little offseason issue.”

Others not participating Tuesday were receiver Damian Williams, defensive backs Mark Barron and Brandon McGee, offensive linemen Cody Wichmann and Steven Baker, tight end Alex Bayer and running back Todd Gurley, who continues to do rehab work on the side with the team trainers.

With both McDonald and Barron out, Maurice Alexander, the second-year pro from Eureka High, worked at safety with the starters.

The offense, which struggled last week, looked a bit sharper on Tuesday, but there were still way too many false starts and neutral-zone infractions.

• The Rams’ front office staff, players and cheerleaders will team with PHL, Inc., a local nonprofit, to resod the football field at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Herbert Hoover location Wednesday in the team’s seventh annual community improvement project.

 

[Alan]

nighttrain preaching to the choir:
I really don't ever want to see Davis throw another pass for the Rams.

Me too train but it has nothing to do with Davis and everything to do with our starter remaining healthy. Wouldn't that be nice for a change?

 

[hotanez]

After a crazy 2014, Keenum is happy to be back with

“And it’s always nice to get regular reps, not just the scout-team reps.”

Fisher noted that Keenum never really got a chance to do much with the Rams last year.



RAM-BLINGS

Third-year safety T.J. McDonald has not participated in OTAs. Apparently, he suffered a leg injury.

“He’s coming off a little ordeal,” Fisher said. “He’ll be ready for camp. He had a little offseason issue.”

Others not participating Tuesday were receiver Damian Williams, defensive backs Mark Barron and Brandon McGee, offensive linemen Cody Wichmann and Steven Baker, tight end Alex Bayer and running back Todd Gurley, who continues to do rehab work on the side with the team trainers.

With both McDonald and Barron out, Maurice Alexander, the second-year pro from Eureka High, worked at safety with the starters.

The offense, which struggled last week, looked a bit sharper on Tuesday, but there were still way too many false starts and neutral-zone infractions.

• The Rams’ front office staff, players and cheerleaders will team with PHL, Inc., a local nonprofit, to resod the football field at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis Herbert Hoover location Wednesday in the team’s seventh annual community improvement project.

Guy's like McGee, Wichmann, Baker and Bayer need to get going ASAP if they want to make the roster.

 

[den-the-coach]

Guy's like McGee, Wichmann, Baker and Bayer need to get going ASAP if they want to make the roster.

Bayer already made the roster last year so yes he needs to keep developing, but his ability to separate, get down field and actually catch the football gives him a leg up on the likes of Justice Cunningham and Brad Smelley.

 

[hotanez]

Bayer already made the roster last year so yes he needs to keep developing, but his ability to separate, get down field and actually catch the football gives him a leg up on the likes of Justice Cunningham and Brad Smelley.

Yes I know he did but there is no guarantee he makes it now. In my opinion he's on the bubble because of the skills you mentioned are his strength and we have enough of those type of players. If we are really going to be a physical running team than his blocking needs to improve.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yes I know he did but there is no guarantee he makes it now. In my opinion he's on the bubble because of the skills you mentioned are his strength and we have enough of those type of players. If we are really going to be a physical running team than his blocking needs to improve.

Great points sir, however, IMO, we have enough guys that can block like Harkey & Kendricks, IMO, what separates Bayer from the rest is his ability to get down field and his soft hands add the fact that he's the back-up long snapper and that improves his stock via special teams.

IMO Bayer is a better blocker than Cunningham is a receiver and I feel confident the Bowling Green alum will shine once again and as always JMHO.

 

[MrMotes]

I really don't ever want to see Davis throw another pass for the Rams.
train

Absolutely...

 

[hotanez]

Great points sir, however, IMO, we have enough guys that can block like Harkey & Kendricks, IMO, what separates Bayer from the rest is his ability to get down field and his soft hands add the fact that he's the back-up long snapper and that improves his stock via special teams.

IMO Bayer is a better blocker than Cunningham is a receiver and I feel confident the Bowling Green alum will shine once again and as always JMHO.

You may be right but the more time he misses the harder it will be for him to make the team. I know the Rams really like J Cunningham, enough that the put him on the roster so that another team wouldn't pick him from the practice squad

 

[den-the-coach]

I know the Rams really like J Cunningham, enough that the put him on the roster so that another team wouldn't pick him from the practice squad

And I know that Bayer beat out Cunningham for the final 53, but if Cunningham showcases a better ability to catch the football they might keep him I just don't think he will plus he can only run a 3 yard pattern and has no ability to split the seem which Bayer excels at an areat understated for a TE.