Rams News Recap: Mar. 12

[RamBill]

Who Won Bradford for Foles Trade? – Analysts Weigh In
The Rams became the talk of the NFL Tuesday, when word broke they’d reached a deal to send quarterback Sam Bradford to Philadelphia in exchange for Eagles QB Nick Foles.

Rams Sign Patriots LB Ayers to Free-Agent Deal –PD
As Super Bowl-saving defensive plays go, it wasn’t quite “The Tackle” authored by Rams linebacker Mike Jones against Tennessee 15 years ago in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Ayers Ends Up Where So Many Other Former Titans Have –in St. Louis
Apparently Jeff Fisher has run out of guys who played for him with the Tennessee Titans to bring to St. Louis.

Rams Sign New England LB Ayers –PD
Looking to upgrade their linebacker corps, the Rams signed New England free-agent linebacker Akeem Ayers to a two-year contract Thursday night.

LB Akeem Ayers Joins Rams –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams landed their first outside free agent of the offseason Thursday night, signing former New England Patriots linebacker Akeem Ayers to a two-year deal a league source said is worth $6 million, $3 million of which is guaranteed.

A Scout’s Take on New Rams QB Nick Foles –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams will officially introduce quarterback Nick Foles to the media at a press conference set for noon ET Friday.

Why Rams Didn’t Carry Over Cap Space from 2014 –Wagoner
Over the past few weeks, I’ve received countless questions about why the St. Louis Rams were the only team not to carry over any salary cap space from 2014 to their 2015 cap space.

Rams visiting with DT Nick Fairley, LB Akeem Ayers –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams search for depth at defensive tackle has begun.

Morning Ram-blings: Former Rams at FA combine –Wagoner
The NFL is trying a different spin on the NFL scouting combine this year by adding a combine for players who have been in the league but are without a team.

Sam Bradford Will be Susceptible to Injury in Kelly’s System –Video

Clayton: Rams Tops At QB Flipping –Video

With Foles Coming In, Should Rams Still Draft a Quarterback? –Audio

Mike Martz Talks About the Bradford–Foles Trade –Audio

Schefter: Eagles’ Organization Believes In Bradford –Video

One-On-One with New Eagles QB Sam Bradford –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Return on QBs
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17010/morning-ram-blings-return-on-qbs

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams certainly haven't been shy about making deals that involve quarterbacks going elsewhere and getting draft pick compensation in return.

The 2012 trade with Washington that ultimately landed Robert Griffin III there is the ultimate example but Tuesday's big trade with Philadelphia is the latest to be added to that list. Even back in 2001, the Rams traded Trent Green to the Kansas City Chiefs for a first-round pick (and other considerations).

ESPN senior NFL writer John Clayton discussed how the Rams have made moves to get returns on their quarterbacks on Thursday.

Of course, the fact that the Rams have gotten positive returns on trading quarterbacks would be a better thing if they actually had a long-term franchise quarterback of their own. They traded the chance at Griffin because of their belief in Sam Bradford. And they traded Bradford because that belief finally evaporated.

The Green trade way back when obviously made plenty of sense because of Kurt Warner's presence. But it's been a long time since the Rams -- or many NFL teams for that matter -- have had that same sort of depth at the game's most important position.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Thursday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we opened the day with a look at the former Rams attending the veterans combine in Arizona later this month. ... Next, we caught up with a couple of free agents visiting the Rams and a few that aren't but might in the future. ... After many questions about the Rams not carrying 2014 cap space over, we offered a definitive answer. ... We closed the day with some thoughts from ESPN NFL scout Matt Williamson on Nick Foles.

Elsewhere:

There's some labor issues brewing on the Inglewood stadium plan, according to the Associated Press.

It might only be tangentially related to the Rams but a good read from new ESPN columnist Jason Reid on Marcus Mariota and the Redskins.

In case you missed anything on free agency Day 3, here's the daily link to our free agency blog.

At 101sports.com, Marc Lillibridge discussed the Rams' prospects for drafting a quarterback.

At stltoday.com, Bernie Miklasz writes that the Bradford trade was good for both sides.