Rams News Recap: Aug.12

[RamBill]

NFL looking for certainty in St. Louis –PD
As the potential return of the NFL to Los Angeles approaches its final stages, the key word for St. Louis in terms of keeping the Rams is “certainty.”

WR Chris Givens takes ‘smarter approach’ –PD
It has only been a few months, but new Rams quarterback Nick Foles already has made quite an impression on wide receiver Chris Givens.

Owners Split in Support of Rams, Raiders/Chargers for LA Move

Breaking down Rams quarterback Nick Foles’ contract extension –Wagoner
The numbers are in on quarterback Nick Foles’ two-year contract extension with the St. Louis Rams.

David Hunn: No Clarity on Rams’ Future After NFL Owners Meetings –Audio

Dave Peacock Talks about the NFL Owners Meetings –Audio

Roster Preview: Big Michael Brockers Will Continue To Be Counted On
The Rams are set at defensive tackle. The question is will Brockers be able to improve and become a better player?

2015 NFL Power Rankings: St. Louis Rams Crack the Top 20
NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison released his power rankings to begin the preseason and he’s got the St. Louis Rams ranked just inside the top 20…and in 3rd place in the NFC West.

Stan Kroenke headed toward cross-ownership resolution –Wagoner
In gaining approval to become owner of the St. Louis Rams in 2010, Stan Kroenke agreed to transfer ownership of his Denver-based major league sports franchises (the Nuggets and Avalanche) to his son Josh so as to comply with league rules on cross-ownership.

Rams Training Camp: On-Site Practice Report, Aug. 11
Here’s the conclusions Misone has drawn from Rams practices through the first two weeks of camp…

Inexperience Aside, Rams Say the O-Line Will be Ready
A rotating cast of characters has made the job of coordinating the Rams’ offensive line a difficult task in recent years, but that’s about to change.

Peacock: Region Controls NFL Destiny in St. Louis –PD
A leader of the local effort to build a new riverfront stadium insisted on Wednesday that the region is in charge of its own destiny and can keep a National Football League team in St. Louis regardless of Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s efforts to move to Los Angeles.

St. Louis might still stand in the way of Rams in Inglewood –Wagoner
In the many permutations of how the race to bring football back to Los Angeles could play out, one major factor in the middle of it all is what’s happening in the home markets of St. Louis, Oakland and San Diego.

Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan Weighs in on Rams’ Future –Wagoner
Were it not for the last-minute interference of Stan Kroenke, perhaps Tuesday’s owners meetings here might never have happened. In fact, it almost certainly wouldn’t have.

Nick Wagoner on the Obstacles Teams Face in the Relocation Efforts –Audio

Rams Camp Wired: T.J. McDonald Wears the GoPro Helmet Cam –Video

Robert Quinn Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover –Video

Sam Farmer Discusses NFL Teams Coming To Los Angeles –Video

Jim Thomas: Rams Confident They’ll Pull Off Los Angeles Move –Audio

Carmen Policy on Why Carson Project Beats Stan Kroenke’s Stadium Plan –Audio

Mortensen: Rams Could Be Favorite for L.A. –Audio

 

[RamBill]

Can Rams defense be league's best?
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/20287/can-rams-defense-be-the-leagues-best

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The expectations for the St. Louis Rams' defense in 2015 have already reached fever pitch. Well, they did Wednesday.

For much of the offseason, many -- present company included -- have wondered whether the Rams could finally take the next step to becoming a top-five defense. But TheMMQB.com's Andy Benoit took things up a notch Wednesday when he wrote that the Rams will not only be a top-five defense but the top defense in the entire NFL.

Benoit goes on to tick off the many key pieces to the defense and points to the young players like linebacker Alec Ogletree, safety T.J. McDonald and others who are entering their prime at the same time. To be clear, Benoit isn't necessarily saying the Rams defense will dominate the statistics to be ranked first but that it will be the group that performs the best to help the team stack victories.

"St. Louis's defense may not finish first in yards or points allowed this season—though it's sure to be much higher than near the middle, where it finished a year ago," Benoit wrote. "But in terms of creating team-wide success that contributes directly to victories, it will surpass Seattle as the league's best D. The Rams' foundation is built on big plays, and there will be enough of them to put this team in the playoffs for the first time since 2004."

It's high praise but it's also not entirely out of the question. Coordinator Gregg Williams is the Rams' best coach and the type of defensive mind capable of helping this group finally put it all together.

Talent has never been in question. Consistency has. It still seems like a long journey to the top for a defense that's underperformed relative to expectations in recent seasons. But there's no doubt the pieces are in place to make it happen. It's up to Williams to put those pieces together to make Benoit's prediction a reality.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... We started the day with the thoughts of the man who once nearly owned the Rams, Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, on the future of football in St. Louis. ... The Inglewood project is the most impressive of all of those being discussed but owners might have a tough decision when it comes time because St. Louis has made the most progress of the home markets. ... Rams owner Stan Kroenke is nearly free and clear from the cross-ownership issue that's followed him for the past four-plus years. ... Breaking down quarterback Nick Foles' contract.

Elsewhere:

Chris Mortensen discussed Los Angeles and the competition to get there on Mike and Mike.

Chargers reporter Eric Williams writes that San Diego is making it harder on the Chargers to get to Los Angeles.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon stopped by Chiefs training camp and talked about the pursuit of a stadium in St. Louis.

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter and Chris Duncan had a conversation about whether the Rams should re-sign cornerback Janoris Jenkins soon.

At stltoday.com, Dave Peacock says St. Louis controls its NFL destiny.