- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 35,623
- Name
- The Dude
Roger Hensley
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
After monitoring the Rams Talk debates and Jeff Gordon's live chats, we know which way the fans are leaning this week (R-G-3! R-G-3!). But what do our insiders think: Should the Rams have stayed right where they were (No. 2 overall pick) and drafted quarterback Robert Griffin III?
BRYAN BURWELL, Post-Dispatch columnist:
This is a silly, emotional conversation that can't possibly be evaluated until all the facts are in. The evidence is several years down the line, when we can look at what sort of NFL players Bradford, RG III and Michael Brockers become.
If Brockers becomes the monster, run-stuffing, Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, and Bradford becomes an above average QB, and the Rams make a big turnaround, then the decision to keep him and trade away the pick becomes an intelligent move. But one game into the career of RGIII is no time to question the success or failure of the move by Jeff Fisher and Les Snead.
JEFF GORDON, STLtoday.com columnist:
I am a giant RG III fan. He is a rare talent, combining serious mobility, a polished passing arm and real leadership ability. He fills the massive Redskins quarterback void. However . . . Sam Bradford has the tools to be a star NFL quarterback. The experience he has gained thus far, both good and bad, will prove very valuable. He should be a good fit for what Jeff Fisher wants to do here. So keeping Bradford and collecting the additional assets was the way to go.
DAN O'NEILL, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
No. The Rams did the right thing in trading down and getting extra picks. That's not to say Bobby G3 won't turn out to be a more dynamic quarterback than what they have, that's still to be determined. One game does not a career make.
The Rams needed as much help as they could get. With Michael Brockers hurt, it's unfair to make a judgment on what kind of player he is, or will be. Only time will tell whether the Rams did well with what the picks they got from the trade — but that's a different issue. They made the right move in making the trade.
JIM THOMAS, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
I have a lot of respect for RG III and his talents, but no, I wouldn't jettison Sam Bradford after two seasons in St. Louis.
BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch columnist:
I am a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, and after one regular-season game, I am recommending that The Hall suspend its rules, so that we immediately induct RG III into Canton.
My serious answer: Calm down. It's one game.
JOE STRAUSS, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
Fan sentiment should be irrelevant. The Rams committed to Bradford as their franchise 3 years ago. They'll rise and fall with him. What "should" the Rams have done re: RG3 doesn't speak to payroll implications in addition to the massive controversy which would have ensued. (Try getting another club to assume Bradford's contract.)
After reading and hearing the media apologia that followed Sam through 2011 and this training camp, I've come to believe that he is all that's right about the franchise. Either that, or many media types are fully invested with the outsized hype they attached to Bradford upon his arrival. Regardless, it's an untenable situation should the current regime ever wish to cut ties.
KATHLEEN NELSON, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
Fans are going nuts over a small sample size. Deep passes notwithstanding, Sam's performance Sunday was fine. Better to judge a couple years from now, when those extra No. 1 picks are in the house.
TOM TIMMERMANN, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
I suppose if the Rams thought they could get some massive deal for Bradford, getting a player or two more than they got in exchange for the draft pick, they could do it. But that seems like you're pushing the restart button all the way to zero, rather than with Bradford to, I don't know, 10 on a scale of 1 to 100. He's one of the few foundational players they've got, so they might as well keep him and build around him, rather than looking for 53 new players. Bradford looks to me to be a capable NFL quarterback. RG3 will be great, possibly even better, but the Rams can't go grabbing at every shiny thing they see.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
After monitoring the Rams Talk debates and Jeff Gordon's live chats, we know which way the fans are leaning this week (R-G-3! R-G-3!). But what do our insiders think: Should the Rams have stayed right where they were (No. 2 overall pick) and drafted quarterback Robert Griffin III?
BRYAN BURWELL, Post-Dispatch columnist:
This is a silly, emotional conversation that can't possibly be evaluated until all the facts are in. The evidence is several years down the line, when we can look at what sort of NFL players Bradford, RG III and Michael Brockers become.
If Brockers becomes the monster, run-stuffing, Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle, and Bradford becomes an above average QB, and the Rams make a big turnaround, then the decision to keep him and trade away the pick becomes an intelligent move. But one game into the career of RGIII is no time to question the success or failure of the move by Jeff Fisher and Les Snead.
JEFF GORDON, STLtoday.com columnist:
I am a giant RG III fan. He is a rare talent, combining serious mobility, a polished passing arm and real leadership ability. He fills the massive Redskins quarterback void. However . . . Sam Bradford has the tools to be a star NFL quarterback. The experience he has gained thus far, both good and bad, will prove very valuable. He should be a good fit for what Jeff Fisher wants to do here. So keeping Bradford and collecting the additional assets was the way to go.
DAN O'NEILL, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
No. The Rams did the right thing in trading down and getting extra picks. That's not to say Bobby G3 won't turn out to be a more dynamic quarterback than what they have, that's still to be determined. One game does not a career make.
The Rams needed as much help as they could get. With Michael Brockers hurt, it's unfair to make a judgment on what kind of player he is, or will be. Only time will tell whether the Rams did well with what the picks they got from the trade — but that's a different issue. They made the right move in making the trade.
JIM THOMAS, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
I have a lot of respect for RG III and his talents, but no, I wouldn't jettison Sam Bradford after two seasons in St. Louis.
BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch columnist:
I am a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, and after one regular-season game, I am recommending that The Hall suspend its rules, so that we immediately induct RG III into Canton.
My serious answer: Calm down. It's one game.
JOE STRAUSS, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
Fan sentiment should be irrelevant. The Rams committed to Bradford as their franchise 3 years ago. They'll rise and fall with him. What "should" the Rams have done re: RG3 doesn't speak to payroll implications in addition to the massive controversy which would have ensued. (Try getting another club to assume Bradford's contract.)
After reading and hearing the media apologia that followed Sam through 2011 and this training camp, I've come to believe that he is all that's right about the franchise. Either that, or many media types are fully invested with the outsized hype they attached to Bradford upon his arrival. Regardless, it's an untenable situation should the current regime ever wish to cut ties.
KATHLEEN NELSON, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
Fans are going nuts over a small sample size. Deep passes notwithstanding, Sam's performance Sunday was fine. Better to judge a couple years from now, when those extra No. 1 picks are in the house.
TOM TIMMERMANN, Post-Dispatch sportswriter:
I suppose if the Rams thought they could get some massive deal for Bradford, getting a player or two more than they got in exchange for the draft pick, they could do it. But that seems like you're pushing the restart button all the way to zero, rather than with Bradford to, I don't know, 10 on a scale of 1 to 100. He's one of the few foundational players they've got, so they might as well keep him and build around him, rather than looking for 53 new players. Bradford looks to me to be a capable NFL quarterback. RG3 will be great, possibly even better, but the Rams can't go grabbing at every shiny thing they see.
