Rams News Recap: June 15

[RamBill]

Rams: Is Nick Foles Their Guy?
Nobody really raised too much of a fuss when the St. Louis Rams traded Sam Bradford.

Rams to Receive Social Media Training –PD
A new company will help the Rams think before they tweet. The Rams are partnering with the newly-launched Social Media Sports Management (SM2) company to educate and train players on using social media.

Joe Buck Celebrates a New Vision for the St. Louis Stadium Site –Video

Rams Want to Sign Nick Foles to Long-Term Extension –NFL.com
Nick Foles has yet to take a snap for the Rams, but the team is ready to do business with their new quarterback.

Akeem Ayers Brings Championship Mentality to Defense –Simmons
The Rams made a few significant roster moves at the start of the free agency period, headlined by the additions of quarterback Nick Foles and defensive lineman Nick Fairley.

Barrett Jones Says He’s Healthiest he’s Been Since NFL Arrival –Wagoner
For the first time since his arrival in the NFL in 2013, St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Barrett Jones is fully healthy.

Evan Mathis a Good Fit for Rams But Are They for Him? –Wagoner
Given the youth the St. Louis Rams are projected to start on their offensive line in 2015, there’s not an available solid, veteran option that hasn’t been mentioned as a possibility to sign with the team.

Exploring Tre Mason’s Drop in Value After Rams’ Offseason Moves
Over at Grantland.com, NFL writer Bill Barnwell offered up a list of five players who benefited from his team’s offseason moves and five players who should expect a drop off after an offseason of roster shuffling.

Bernie: Rams’ Move Wouldn’t Ensure Winning
Over the weekend someone emailed me a piece written by Michael Calhoun of the “Fansided” network of blogs. In discussing the St. Louis Rams’ possible relocation to Los Angeles after the 2015 season, Calhoun suggests a move could turn the team into winners.

Tavon Austin Looking to Make Impact with Rams –Latsch
Tavon Austin has heard that people think he is a bust. The Rams’ diminutive speedster, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2013 Draft, is determined to write a different story in his third NFL season.

Rams impressed with growth of safety Rodney McLeod –Wagoner
From undrafted rookie to special teams contributor to competing for a starting spot, St. Louis Rams safety Rodney McLeod has climbed the NFL ladder the hard way.

Six Reasons to Believe the Rams Will Stay in St. Louis –Karraker
The past week was a notable one in the NFL-to-Los-Angeles saga.

Gray: 5 Topics on Rams’ Future in St. Louis
The drama continues to unfold regarding the NFL in Los Angeles, the St. Louis Rams’ future and the related outlooks of the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders, respectively.

Cory Harkey: The Rams Most Under-Rated Player?
Heading into 2015, the St. Louis Rams are expecting great things from running backs Todd Gurley and Tre Mason. There are also hopes of a breakout season for wide receivers Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt and Stedman Bailey.

Could Bryce Hager Be The Heir to JL55?
The son of a former NFL linebacker himself, Baylor product and the Rams’ 2015 NFL Draft seventh-round pick Bryce Hager is trying to keep that legacy going.

Rams TE Jared Cook Talks OTA’s –Audio

Rams Pre-Training Camp Preview: Linebackers
The linebacker corp is one of the weaker corps in the NFL and one of the weaker units on the team, but they are a player or two away from being one of the stronger units.

Rams Mailbag: Taking a Look at What QB Nick Foles Could Command as a Free Agent

Nick Fairley Adds Depth to D-Line
Depth is a coveted trait in the NFL and when the Rams acquired defensive tackle Nick Fairley this offseason, that’s exactly what they added to an already stout defensive front.

Coach Fisher & Friends Celebrity Softball Game Highlights –Video

 

[OldSchool]

Found a couple more for your list.

http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2015/06/15/Sports-Facilities-and-Franchises/49ers.aspx

"On the NFL’s status with the L.A. market: “I think you’re going to see one -- if not two – teams in L.A. next season. "

"You’ve got the Inglewood site that is shovel ready. It’s much further ahead than any other site. ... Carson is a viable site, but Inglewood is ahead because you could literally start tomorrow.”

http://www.stlmag.com/news/sports/missouri-gov-jay-nixon’s-stadium-misdirection-play/

"Wow. What gives here? Why did Slay change his mind? Why would his city counselor go for the jugular to derail a stadium project that the mayor considers a top priority for the city?

The short answer: None of that is happening here. The entire lawsuit is as staged as pro wrestling. It’s stadium backer versus stadium backer, all designed to produce one outcome: to achieve a verdict in local circuit court that would remove any impediment to Nixon almost singlehandedly delivering $400 million in public funds to NFL owners as an incentive to keep St. Louis in its fold."

 

[RamBill]

Former Rams rank among NFL's top backup quarterbacks
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-rams-rank-among-nfls-top-backup-quarterbacks

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams went through a dramatic makeover in their quarterback room during the offseason. In Nick Foles, they have a new starter, and they also project to have a competition for the backup job.

It's a competition that figured to come down to a battle between incumbent Austin Davis and Case Keenum, with rookie Sean Mannion likely to stick as the third quarterback while he develops.

On Monday, ESPN senior NFL writer John Clayton ranked the top 10 backup quarterbacks in the league. The list didn't include Davis, Keenum or Mannion, but it wasn't short on former Rams quarterbacks.

Topping the list was Jets backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was an original seventh-round choice of the Rams in 2005. Of more recent vintage, Minnesota's Shaun Hill, who was the Rams' primary No. 2 last year, checked in at No. 7 and Kellen Clemens, who was the top backup for the Rams in 2013, appeared at No. 10.

The Rams allowed both Hill and Clemens to depart in free agency after they replaced and started for Sam Bradford in the past two seasons. Clemens went 4-5 in Bradford's place in 2013 and Hill was 3-5 in Bradford's stead last year.

While nobody would argue that the loss of Hill and Clemens was a huge blow to the Rams, they did prove to be at least capable backups. The problem with both came when they were asked to carry the load as starters. But so long as they remain in backup roles, both players are solid locker room presences with enough ability to win a few games when pressed into action.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Monday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we looked at Grantland's Bill Barnwell's piece on running back Tre Mason's dropping value. ... We then took a look at guard Evan Mathis' potential fit with the Rams and why it probably won't happen. ... Safety Rodney McLeod has become a valuable piece of the Rams defense and wants to keep it that way. ... Rams coach Jeff Fisher is fine with the extra point rule changes. ... Center Barrett Jones says he's the healthiest he has been since arriving in the NFL.

Elsewhere:

Former Rams defensive end Michael Sam's career has taken another turn as he left the Montreal Alouettes.

The Minnesota Vikings' new stadium naming rights sold for $220 million over 25 years for those keeping tabs on what a new stadium for the Rams might get.

Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington's probation was reduced.

At 101sports.com, Randy Karraker gives Rams fans in St. Louis six reasons the team could stay.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas writes that the Rams have partnered with a new company to educate players on thinking before tweeting.