Rams News Recap: March 31

[RamBill]

St. Louis County Taxpayer money “not necessary” to fund new NFL Stadium –Video

Pete Prisco: No Question Sam Bradford Is ‘Better Than Nick Foles’
CBSSports’ Pete Prisco joined Josh Innes and Tony Bruno on Innes and Bruno on Tuesday afternoon. The conversation began with the other quarterback prospect making news, Jameis Winston.

Akeem Ayers to Compete for Starting LB Job –Wagoner
At last week’s NFL owners meetings, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher got his first opportunity to comment on how and where he sees newly signed linebacker Akeem Ayers fitting in with the team.

Rams Still Dangerously Thin Along Offensive Line –Stalter
It’s hard to knock Jeff Fisher and Les Snead for their approach to free agency this offseason.

Rams Bringing Back Center Tim Barnes –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams are bringing back one of their own offensive linemen, though it’s not the one many were hoping would be re-signing this week.

Morning Ram-blings: Jerry Jones Talks Inglewood Project –Wagoner
I meant to get this in the Ram-blings sooner but in case it slid under the radar, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune had a chance to catch up with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones last week in Arizona.

Is Nick Foles the Answer for the Rams at QB? –Video

Jameis Winston: Pro Day Recap –Video

Grading Jamis Winston’s Pro Day –Video

Kevin White: ‘I Bring More to the Table’ Than Amari Cooper –Video

Colin Kaepernick Impressing Kurt Warner With Progress –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: County out of stadium plan
Nick Wagoner, ESPN St. Louis Rams reporter

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17453/morning-ram-blings-county-out-of-stadium-plan

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- On Tuesday afternoon, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has removed St. Louis county from the proposed financing for the north riverfront stadium project.

According to the story, the county was originally supposed to account for $6 million a year in the financing plan. But Nixon had said in recent months that a public vote could be in play in the city and county though he still contends he has the ability to unilaterally extend the bonds on the current Edward Jones Dome to apply to a new venue.

Nixon released a statement via spokesman Scott Holste later Tuesday to the Post-Dispatch in which it was said that the two-man task force headed by local businessmen Dave Peacock and Bob Blitz (which now includes a number of consultants as well) is still making progress. The statement also made mention of the county's role coming as continued support the current dome and convention center.

The task force released a statement of its own via its website and on Twitter. Peacock had the following to say:

"We have studied numerous financing proposals over the past month and anticipate considering additional financing concepts in the weeks ahead," Peacock said in the statement. "In short, just as the stadium design has evolved over the past several months and will continue to progress, so too will the process to determine the appropriate financing plan to bring this project to life. We continue to build excellent momentum but what remains the same is the positive impact a new riverfront stadium will have on our economy, in the creation of jobs and ensuring that St. Louis remains an NFL city, today and always."

The funding for the proposed project has been and remains the most important piece of the puzzle. At last week's owners meetings, there were discussions about potentially moving the window to file for relocation up into the fall. That would coincide with the timeline Nixon proposed to have the financing in place. Clearly, though, the sooner such a plan would get in place, the better it would be for St. Louis' hopes.

But there's still no definitive proof that such a public financing plan will come to fruition and Tuesday's news did nothing to support the idea that it will.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Tuesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... The Ram-blings opened the day with a look at Jerry Jones' comments on the Inglewood stadium project. ... Center Tim Barnes re-signed with the Rams on Tuesday. ... Rams coach Jeff Fisher said linebacker Akeem Ayers will compete for a starting job.

Elsewhere:

This week's edition of NFL Nation TV.

ESPN NFL draft insider Todd McShay breaks down Jameis Winston's pro day.

ESPN.com ranks the top 20 athletes of the past 20 years.

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter wonders where the meaningful moves on the offensive line are.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas participated in his weekly chat.