Rams News Recap: June 17

[RamBill]

Could Dez Bryant be playing for the Rams in 2016?
It is no secret that the St. Louis Rams need offensive help. The Rams haven’t had an elite wide receiver since Torry Holt retired in 2008.

Rams’ Popularity in SoCal part of Reason why Cowboys Wanted to Practice
There might be a feeling of more to come when the St. Louis Rams practice against the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, California, in August, with the possibility of franchise relocating to Los Angeles in the future.

Todd Gurley May Not be Ready for Rams’ Season Opener
The Rams used the 10th overall draft pick on Georgia running back Todd Gurley, but are unsure if he will be ready for the season opener.

Greg Robinson Goes From Rookie to Leader in One NFL Season
The St. Louis Rams’ roster includes six rookie offensive linemen. Greg Robinson can relate. “Last year, I was the one asking the questions,” Robinson told espn.com.

Don’t Overlook Demetrius Rhaney in Rams’ Center Competition –Wagoner
From the outside, it would be easy to overlook Demetrius Rhaney’s candidacy to win the St. Louis Rams’ starting center job.

Akeem Ayers Calls Rams a Good Fit for Him –PD
Akeem Ayers spent half of his 2014 season with the Tennessee Titans, a team that would finish 2-14.

Frank Cignetti is Remodeling Rams’ Offense with a QB He Loves –FSMW
For those curious on how different the Rams’ offense will look this season under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, he’s got an analogy for you.

Would a Long-Term Extension for Nick Foles Be a Bad Idea?
Maybe it’s because it’s June and there’s not much real NFL news, or maybe it’s because the St. Louis Rams are actually interested, but rumors have emerged about a possible contract extension for Nick Foles.

5 Takeaways from Rams Day 8 of OTAs –Simmons
Aside from announcing the schedule for the Rams’ Bud Light Training Camp presented by Dr Pepper, St. Louis had head coach Jeff Fisher, offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, and quarterback Nick Foles address the media on Tuesday afternoon.

Rams Defense Seeking Fast Start, Consistency in 2015 –Wagoner
Heading toward the 2015 season, the St. Louis Rams defense is in the enviable position of retaining the scheme, the coaches and almost all of the players from last year.

Understanding Both Sides of Rams’ Desire to sign Nick Foles –Wagoner
When St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed Tuesday that the team is already interested in signing quarterback Nick Foles to a long-term contract despite him having never played a snap in a game for the Rams, the reactions were seemingly split down the middle.

Jeff Fisher: Training with Cowboys Not Related to Relocation –Wagoner
Rams coach Jeff Fisher insisted Tuesday that his team’s decision to scrimmage the Dallas Cowboys just north of his team’s potential future Los Angeles home has nothing to do with the possibility of relocation.

Cignetti Busy Putting Personal Touch on Rams’ Offense –AP
The Rams’ offense has a new look just about everywhere. There’s a new quarterback, new running back and a redone offensive line.

Will the Rams Lock up Nick Foles Before the Season? –Audio

Rams LB Alec Ogletree is Ready to Roll in 2015 –Video

Rams, QB Foles Discuss Long-Term Extension –Video

 

[RamBill]

Are Rams making mistake pinning hopes to Todd Gurley?
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...s-making-mistake-pinning-hopes-to-todd-gurley

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Nearly from the moment the St. Louis Rams used the No. 10 overall pick in this year's NFL draft on running back Todd Gurley, coach Jeff Fisher made it clear he envisions Gurley being the centerpiece of his offense moving forward.

Fisher has made a career of leaning on his running backs to power his offense. Think Eddie George and Chris Johnson in Tennessee. Fisher even acknowledged he views Gurley as his new George in St. Louis after George texted Fisher upon the Rams selecting Gurley.

But while it sounds good on paper and Fisher has had some success with players like George and Johnson carrying the load, Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders, says it's a mistake in today's NFL Insider.

Schatz's major point is that the NFL is a passing league and teams that commit exclusively to being a run-first team often can't come up with enough points to win consistently. But there are plenty of other arguments in the piece about why it's a risky proposition.

In one comparison, Schatz points to the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 when Adrian Peterson had his best season and yet the Vikings still only ranked 15th in Football Outsiders' DVOA ratings as an offense. That team went 10-6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

And Schatz is absolutely right that the Rams will need more from their receivers, offensive line and quarterback in order to be a good offense. But one thing that has to be factored into the equation is that while Fisher is leaning on Gurley as the centerpiece of his offense, he's not leaning on him to be the centerpiece of the team.

In fact, it's quite clear Fisher and the Rams view the defense as the group that will do most of the heavy lifting. That unit still has plenty of proving of its own to do, but the pieces of a dominant defense look to be in place. If that group lives up to expectations then it would go a long way toward helping a Gurley-led offense succeed and the Rams get back to a winning record for the first time in 11 years.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we opened the day with a look at how the latest happenings in San Diego could affect the Rams and Los Angeles. ... In this week's Buzz video, I looked ahead to some unanswered questions that have to be answered in training camp. ... The Rams defense is looking for a faster start and more consistency in 2015. ... We then tried to look at both sides of the Rams' desire to sign Nick Foles to a long-term contract. ... Center Demetrius Rhaney is an unknown to many but shouldn't be counted out in the battle for the starting job.

Elsewhere:

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter writes that the Rams aren't the only NFC West team with issues on the offensive line.

At FoxSportsMidwest.com, Elisabeth Meinecke offers an interesting look at the doctor who helps the Rams with some alternative methods.

At stltoday.com, Joe Lyons writes that cornerback E.J. Gaines is ready to build on his 2014 success.

Jim Thomas participated in his weekly chat.

At cbssports.com, three NFL writers build their perfect 53-man rosters with only one random Rams mention.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Rams LB Alec Ogletree is Ready to Roll in 2015 –Video

This is nice But, after listening to it, It makes me want to see Joyner on the Field "Hitting People"!