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   With numerous roster spots to fill after the draft to reach the offseason limit of 90 players, the Rams got very busy signing undrafted free agents.

   The most recent addition of Lindenwood wide receiver Andrew Helmick brought to 29 the number of undrafted players the Rams have signed. The Rams currently have 88 players on the roster, including their seven draft choices.

   Of the 29 undrafted players, the Rams spent $75,600 in signing bonuses, with $60,000 of that going to five players. Tackle Braden Brown and safety Cody Davis each received $15,000 bonuses, while running back Benny Cunningham, and linebackers Phillip Steward and Jonathan Stewart each were paid $10,000... read more

For the second consecutive year, the Rams ended up being wheelers and dealers in the first round of the draft.

In 2012, the Rams first moved from the second overall pick to sixth in a trade with the Washington Redskins that netted them a second-round pick, plus first-round choices this year and in 2014.

They entered Thursday with picks at 16 and 22 in the first round and didn’t use either one. The fact they had the No. 22 choice from Washington emboldened them to trade up to eighth in the first round with Buffalo to select wide receiver Tavon Austin.

Doing that cost the Rams their second-round pick (46th overall) and seventh-round selection (222nd overall)... read more

Well, I held out long enough. You won’t see any Mock Draft 6.0 in this space. One is enough, but I profess to do it differently than many. After all, everyone loves to play general manager, so that’s the goal of this mock draft.

Rather than attempt to predict what a team will do, I prefer to say what each team should do. That does produce wild results, but then again, most mock drafts are far off anyway.

The one clear development is that I truly didn’t care much for what the choices were for the Rams when picks 16 and especially 22 arrived. It’s why I’m convinced the Rams will be doing everything in their power to trade down, perhaps with both selections in order to still get players they like while adding additional selections in later rounds... read more

The Rams now have $3.77 million of salary-cap space, which reflects the restructured contract for defensive end Chris Long and the one-year deal signed by guard Chris Williams.

The Williams contract, agreed to three weeks ago but submitted to the NFL Monday, is worth $1.376 million and includes a signing bonus of $451,154. (For those wondering, Rams executive Kevin Demoff likes to have bonuses be the same numbers frontward and backward.)

The Rams consider Williams mainly a guard, and he is expected to have the opportunity to compete with Shelley Smith and Rokevious Watkins for the starting job at left guard, although the Rams could add to their guard depth in the draft... read more

Finally. It has been assumed for some time the Rams would have to restructure at least one of their players with large cap numbers to clear room in order to potentially sign a veteran or two after the draft as well as their draft class.

So it was on Friday that defensive end Chris Long signed a new contract that converts $6 million of his guaranteed $13.25 million salary this year and makes it a roster bonus. Normally, a roster bonus fully counts against the cap in the year it is paid, but because the money is guaranteed it is prorated over the four years left on his contract.

The restructuring lowers Long’s cap charge by $4... read more

There were some raised eyebrows when Rams safety Darian Stewart was tendered as a restricted free agent at the beginning of the league year. The tender, $1.323 million, counted against the salary cap.

When Stewart signed on April 3, it was believed he had signed his tender. It turns out Stewart agreed to sign a deal for less money than the tender, apparently in exchange for guaranteed money in the form of a $300,000 signing bonus. His base salary is $700,000 and the deal includes $75,000 of incentives for interceptions, playing time and playoffs.

Stewart counts $1 million against the cap instead of $1... read more

Cortland Finnegan     15,000,000

 

Chris Long    13,250,000

 

Sam Bradford    12,595,000

 

James Laurinaitis   12,400,000

 

Scott Wells     6,500,000

 

   Kendall Langford       6,000,000

 

Jake Long     4,250,000

 

Jared Cook    4,000,000

 

Harvey Dahl    4,000,000

 

Robert Quinn    2,573,469

 

Jo-Lonn Dunbar    2,300,000

 

Michael Brockers    2,164,091

 

William Hayes    2,050,000

 

Rodger Saffold    1,460,000

 

Darian Stewart    1,323,000

 

Eugene Sims    1,226,988

 

Brian Quick    1,224,227

 

Janoris Jenkins    1,134,163

 

Lance Kendricks    1,152,555

 

Isaiah Pead      917,750

 

Jermelle Cudjo      730,000

 

Austin Pettis      724,569

 

Trumaine Johnson      696,794

 

Chris Givens      604,257

 

Josh Hull      583,889

 

Shelley Smith      575,000

 

Jake McQuaide      555,834

 

Joe Barksdale      555,000

 

Mike McNeill      555,000

 

Greg Zuerlein      512,205

 

Rokevious Watkins      452,825

 

Daryl Richardson      491,474

 

Brandon Washington      484,484

 

Matt Daniels      483,333

 

Johnny Hekker      483,333

 

Matt Conrath      482,000

 

Rodney McLeod      481,333

 

Sammy Brown      481,083

 

Terrance Ganaway      480,000

 

Austin Davis      480,000

 

Cory Harkey      480,000

 

Quinton Pointer      480,000

 

Jabara Williams      480,000

 

Ty Nsekhe      480,000

 

Tim Barnes      480,000

 

Mason Brodine      480,000

 

Chase Reynolds      405,000

 

Nick Johnson      405,000

 

Cameron Graham      405,000

 

Raymond Radway      405,000

                                                       

 

 

110,913,656

DEAD MONEY

 

Danario Alexander        8,889

 

Todd Anderson        2,000

 

Aaron Brown      51,675

 

Sammy Brown       4,667

 

Jeremy Caldwell       1,667

 

Cory Harkey       1,667

 

Michael Hay       1,334

 

T-Bob Hebert          334

 

Alex Hoffman-Ellis       2,000

 

Michael Hoomanawanui     53,878

 

Jamaar Jarrett       2,667

 

Noah Keller       2,667

 

Calvin Middleton         667

 

Quintin Mikell   6,000,000

 

Matthew Mulligan     100,000

 

Jerome Murphy     234,437

 

Deangelo Peterson        4,000

 

Quinton Pointer       1,667

 

Greg Salas    225,578

 

Nick Schweiger       1,667

 

Jason Smith  4,042,500

 

Scott Smith       2,667

       

10,746,628

There's no question in Jeff Fisher's mind the Rams have added an elite left tackle to their roster with the signing of Jake Long. He knows Long has to stay healthy for that to happen, but Long is out to prove his injuries are behind him and he can go back to being the dominant player he was during his first three seasons in Miami.

"It was definitely frustrating," Long said Thursday when asked about playing injured the last two seasons and missing six games. "The last couple years, I've had to battle through some injuries and it definitely wasn't ideal, but I think I battled through them well... read more

Tackle Jake Long has the opportunity to make a lot of money if he plays all the seasons on his four-year contract with the Rams. However, the team also has some safeguards in the contract in the event injuries continue and his performance suffers, as it did the last two seasons in Miami. Long missed a total of six games the last two seasons, including four in 2012.

As originally advertised, Long’s deal is worth $34 million in base terms over four years. However, while $20 million could end up being guaranteed, as of now only $12 million is fully guaranteed. In reality, this is a two-year, $16 million contract... read more

Former Rams center/guard Rob Turner earned the top figure in the NFL’s “Performance-Based Pay” program that compensates players for playing time based upon their salary levels. Turner received $248,067.

League-wide, approximately $110.72 million of Performance-Based Pay will be distributed to players for their performance during the 2012 season.

Players have been paid nearly $700 million cumulatively since the inception of the Performance-Based Pay program, which was implemented as part of the NFL’s 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association... read more

When running back Steven Jackson signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons last week, there were those that questioned whether a team should pay that much money to a running back that will be 30 years old in July. Especially in Green Bay, a team that had interest in Jackson, but indicated the contract was too rich for them.

As usual, however, the devil is in the details of NFL contracts. As reported after he signed, Jackson received $4 million guaranteed in the deal. However, there are no guarantees beyond 2013. Jackson received a $3.5 million signing bonus, while $500,000 of his $1... read more

NFL owners, executives and coaches are in Phoenix for the league meetings, and while there Sunday night the Rams completed a contract with Miami free-agent tackle Jake Long.

Initial reports say the deal is worth either $36 million or “up to” 36 million. That can be significant. When contract numbers are reported after agreements are consummated, the information comes from agents who want the deals to sound as high as possible.

Some agents will include incentives/performance bonuses in the total value, thus inflating the number. For consistency, the best way to report contracts is to simply include base terms like signing bonuses, roster bonuses, reporting bonuses and base salaries... read more

As is often the case in the reporting of contracts, the deal wide receiver Danny Amendola signed with the New England Patriots is not what was originally advertised.

Widely circulated as a five-year contract worth $31 million, the total value is actually $28.5 million and $2.5 million of that are per-game roster bonuses of $31,250 that are included in each of the five years of the deal.

If Amendola is able to play all 16 games in a season, his total take from the roster bonuses would be $500,000. In the last two seasons with the Rams, Amendola played a total of 12 games; one in 2011 and 11 last season... read more

Talks were ongoing Thursday between the Rams and Miami free-agent tackle Jake Long. Rams vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff tweeted a picture of himself dining with Long’s agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra at a St. Louis restaurant.

Long underwent a lengthy physical Wednesday after experiencing injuries to both knees, his shoulder, triceps, biceps and back during his seasons with the Dolphins.

It is believed Miami was still making a push to keep Long.

Meanwhile, there were rumors when free agency started that Rams left tackle Rodger Saffold would ask for a trade if Long was signed... read more

Rams coach Jeff Fisher has always had his eyes on tight end Jared Cook.

It began in 2009 when Cook was draft-eligible after his playing career at South Carolina. Then in Tennessee, the Titans wanted Cook so badly, they traded a second-round pick in 2010 for New England’s third-round pick in 2009 so they could select Cook.

“It was his production,” Fisher said Thursday when asked what he liked about Cook four years ago. “His size and his speed, his ability to stretch the field, the hand-eye coordination. He’s got giant hands. He makes the tough catches... read more

The contract figures for Rams tight end Jared Cook are official, and this is one instance where the numbers communicated by the agent were totally accurate.

The total value of the five-year deal is $35.1 million with $19 million guaranteed. The contract includes a $5 million signing bonus plus a $3 million fully guaranteed roster bonus to be paid on the third day of the 2014 league year.

His base salaries are $3 million in 2013 and 2014, $7 million in 2015 and 2016 and $7.1 million in 2017. The salaries in 2013 and 2014 are fully guaranteed as is $5 million of his 2015 base.

The signing bonus is prorated at $1 million per year, making his cap charges $4 million in 2013, $7 million in 2014, $8 million in 2015 and 2016 and $8... read more

The numbers are in for the three-year contract signed by Rams defensive end Williams Hayes. The total value is $10.25 million and includes a $3.75 million signing bonus.

His base salaries are $800,000 in 2012 guaranteed; $2.595 million in 2014, $1.2 million of which is guaranteed, and $3.105 million in 2015. The total guaranteed is $5.75 million.

There are also $600,000 in possible incentives each year and a $250,000 escalator in 2014 and 2015.

The five-year contract signed by tight end Jared Cook with the Rams is worth $35.1 million with $19 million in guarantees. His cap charge for 2013 is $4 million, according to reports. The specific Breakdown is not yet available. Also haven't yet seen the breakdown for defensive end William Hayes' three-year contract.

Meanwhile, the two-year contract Rams defensive tackle Jermelle Cudjo signed before the start of free agency is worth $1.805 million and includes a $350,000 signing bonus.

Cudjo was scheduled to become a restricted free agent, and to tender him would have cost the Rams $1... read more

Let the chaos ensue.

That was the essence of the official start of the 2013 NFL league year at 4 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday.

Within two hours, the Miami Dolphins struck quickly to upgrade their offense and defense, while the Indianapolis Colts reached agreement with five unrestricted free agents.

The biggest loser was the Baltimore Ravens, who within a 24-hour time period traded wide receiver Anquan Boldin to San Francisco and then lost linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe as free agents. Kruger signed with Cleveland, while Ellerbe surprisingly went to Miami. The Dolphins, as expected, signed former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace and later added linebacker Phillip Wheeler (Oakland)... read more

Call it the calm before the storm.

As the weekend came to a close, leaving reduced time before the beginning of the 2013 league year at 4 p.m. Eastern Tuesday, groundwork has been laid for possible deals with an expected onslaught Tuesday afternoon.

Perhaps the most notable news emerging Sunday was the speculation coming from Atlanta that tight end Tony Gonzalez is on the verge of returning to the Falcons rather than retiring.

Late in the season, and during the post-season, Gonzalez let it be known he was 95 percent sure the 2012 season was his last. However, the Falcons held out hope they could convince him to come back for another season... read more

Let the scrambling begin.

With free agency set to begin at 4 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday (March 12), an open negotiating period commenced at the stroke of midnight Friday.

Knowing that clandestine talks were usually held anyway in the past between teams and agents prior to the official start of the league year, the new guidelines were put into effect.

No contracts can be signed or agreed to and there can't be direct contact with players, but financial parameters can be set for those players that become unrestricted free agents Tuesday.

One player that won't be able to benefit from that is Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed because he doesn't have an agent... read more

To hear what Steven Jackson said on SiriusXM NFL Radio Thursday, it sounds like his career in St. Louis is probably over.

Jackson voided the final year of his contract with the Rams this week, officially making him an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday. Now, Jackson will seek a team that not only has a chance to win a championship, but one that wants him as the “bell cow.”

Said Jackson, “I’ve opted out of my position of being with the team and being comfortable because I want to continue to still be the bell cow. So that’s how I want teams to look at me... read more

In a move that is hardly surprising, running back Steven Jackson will elect to void the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent March 12.

Jackson was scheduled to be paid $7 million in 2013, but an agreement in September between Jackson and the team gave him the right to void the final year and be able to test the open market.

Despite the belief that Jackson is as good as gone, agent Eugene Parker acknowledged that the door isn’t closed to the possibility that Jackson could still end up re-signing with the team.

Coach Jeff Fisher said he remains confident and optimistic a way will be figured out for Jackson to return... read more

Last season, the Rams took a risk by selecting cornerback Janoris Jenkins in the second round of the draft. Jenkins produced in his rookie year, although he was benched in a game against San Francisco for missing curfew.

Now, the Rams have taken another leap of faith by claiming troubled wide receiver Titus Young on waivers from the Lions. No other teams claimed Young, who was waived Monday (Feb. 4) following a turbulent season in which he punched safety Louis Delmas during offseason workouts, purposely lined up in the wrong spot in a game against Green Bay when he tried to switch places with tight end Tony Scheffler because the play was designed to go to Scheffler... read more

The Rams and running back Steven Jackson made an adjustment in his contract Dec. 29 that moves the final year of signing bonus proration of $1.899 million from 2013 to the current league year. The 2013 league year begins March 12.

In the previous Sept. 8 renegotiation, the final year of his contract at $7 million would void if he was on the Rams roster five days after the Feb. 3 Super Bowl.

The most recent maneuver removes any roster requirement for the possible void and provides Jackson with sole control of the void. That allows the acceleration of the proration.

However, there is no actual savings against the 2013 cap because unused cap space from 2012 carries over to the following year... read more

The Rams have a chance to achieve something the franchise hasn’t done since 2003, the year before running back Steven Jackson was drafted: finish a season with a winning record.

Following a 28-13 victory over Tampa Bay, the team’s third straight road victory, the Rams learned they were eliminated from the playoffs because of Minnesota’s win over Houston.

However, as Jackson said, "We have a lot to play for, a winning season, undefeated in the division. It's something to build off of and go into the offseason feeling happy and strong and make it appealing to free agents as well... read more

The playoffs were a longshot anyway, and even though those hopes were virtually gone after a 36-22 loss to Minnesota Sunday, there is a lot to play for in the final two games of the season, beginning Sunday in Tampa Bay.

"We're going to play and play hard and finish up strong," coach Jeff Fisher said. "We're going to come back and practice and get ready to win the next ball game. So, that's our approach. We've got a good thing going in that locker room and we're going to continue with it."

The same theme was endorsed by quarterback Sam Bradford, who said the team will abide by "the same approach that we've had all year... read more

Forgive Rams running back Steven Jackson if there are a swirl of emotions during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

A win over Minnesota would keep alive the team's chances of making the playoffs, and would put them one victory away from having the first winning record in Jackson's nine seasons with the Rams.

There is also the challenge of competing against the league's leading rusher, Adrian Peterson, who has 1,101 yards in his last seven games and has a goal of topping the NFL's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards held by Rams Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.

And, there is the added element of it possibly being his last home game in a Rams uniform... read more

Only twice this season have the Rams allowed a running back to gain at least 100 yards in a game: Seattle's Marshawn Lynch (20-118) and New England's Stevan Ridley (15-127). In the last three games, their opponent's leading running back hasn't reached 60 yards and in those games, Beanie Wells, Frank Gore and C.J. Spiller have combined to rush for just 143 yards on 47 carries (3.0 yards per attempt).

Taking that one step further, in the last three games, all of the opponent's running backs have totaled 175 yards on 64 carries (2.7 average).

Six times this season, the Rams have allowed less than 100 yards on the ground, and in four of the games where they allowed more, the opposing quarterback enabled it to happen... read more

While most everyone wants to hear Rams coach Jeff Fisher and his players talk about the playoffs, mum's the word when it comes to any such discussion.

The Rams' 15-12 victory over Buffalo Sunday evened their record at 6-6-1, while providing a third straight win for the first time since the 2006 season and it was also the team's second consecutive win on the road.

It's understood that any hope of qualifying for the post-season is dependent on the Rams finishing with three straight wins, and that will be a significant challenge first with a home game this week against the Minnesota Vikings and two road games to follow at Tampa Bay and Seattle... read more

When the Rams played the 49ers to a 24-24 tie on Nov. 11, rookie wide receiver Chris Givens was on the sideline watching because of a curfew violation two nights before the game that landed him on the inactive list.

This week, the 49ers come to St. Louis and Givens will be on the field showing his array of skills. Now, more than a one-trick pony, Givens can account for yards deep, and his deep-play ability is forcing defenses to play him differently.

Sunday against Arizona, Givens had his first 100-yard game, while catching five passes for 115 yards. Targeted six times, the five receptions were for 13, 18, 22, 25 and 37 yards with the latter being a touchdown... read more

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said it best as he talked about his team's 31-17 win in Arizona Sunday.

"It seems like for weeks or forever we've been talking about turnovers," Fisher said. "We kept saying that they often times come in bunches, and they did today."

They sure did. After a drought that saw the Rams go five weeks without a takeaway and a victory, they feasted on rookie quarterback Ryan Lindley, intercepting four passes, including two returned for touchdowns by rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins. He is just the fourth rookie in history to have two such returns in a game and the first rams player ever to do it... read more

On the final offensive play for the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 4, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn stripped the ball on a sack of quarterback Kevin Kolb and defensive end William Hayes recovered, ending any hope of a comeback in a 17-3 Rams victory.

That play is notable for several reasons. It was the first forced fumble of the season for the Rams (in their fifth game) and it remains the only fumble recovery they have had this season. It is also the last turnover the Rams have caused this season.

The loss for Arizona started a six-game losing streak. The win for the Rams put them over ... read more

Consider me someone that is very confused. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Ray Anderson, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, is a bit confused, too.

You see, it was Anderson that put his words on record when the league moved quickly on Monday to suspend Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed for one game without pay after his hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in a game the night before.

While the suspension was imposed by Merton Hanks, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, it was Anderson that was quoted in the league release... read more

Six weeks ago, the Rams were over .500 for the first time since the 2006 season. Now, after a desultory 27-13 loss to the Jets following what appeared to be a promising tie with the 49ers, they are 0-4-1 in their last five games and reminding fans of the previous five seasons that produced an overall record of 15-65.

The offense sputtered to a halt after an opening 86-yard drive for a touchdown against the Jets, and they now head to Arizona with many wondering which are the real Rams: The team that totaled 458 yards on the road against San Francisco (367 in regulation), or the one that managed just 281 yards at home against the Jets... read more

Now that we are three days removed from Sunday’s mind-numbing 24-24 tie between the Rams and 49ers, it’s important to understand that it’s possible to express overwhelming disappointment that the Rams failed to win a game that was there for the taking, while still acknowledging that the team was in position to win for an obvious reason: they answered San Francisco’s physical play with their own and made enough plays to have a chance to win.

It’s obvious that if the Rams are to become a consistently good team, they have to find ways to win games like that... read more

In Week 8, when the 49ers were preparing to travel to Arizona for the Monday night game that week, our normal Friday gathering on The Sports Edge (2-3 p.m. on 590 the Fan KFNS) was discussing the weekly H-Bomb.

There was a consensus among co-host Jeff Vernetti and George Weber of Weber Chevrolet, who participates each week in the fun, that Arizona would be able to cover the 7-point spread. To be “H-Bomb eligible,” games have to feature a favorite of 6.5 points or more.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I have been awful in my H-Bomb picks this season. Be that as it may, I was surprised they both liked Arizona because I frankly didn’t see how the Cardinals would be able to score enough points to be close... read more

After their four days off, the Rams returned to the field Tuesday for a short practice to get begin preparations for the second half of the season.

With a 3-5 record, the Rams face five games on the road, including one against each team in the division. It all starts Sunday at 6-2 San Francisco, also coming off a bye. So far, the Rams have lost three "official" road games, plus the last game before the bye, a 45-7 pasting by the Patriots in London.

Concerning the bye after eight games, coach Jeff Fisher said, "I don't think you'll find a coach that is not happy with the timing of their bye week, regardless of where they fall... read more

I can’t explain how shocked I am that the NFL trading deadline passed Thursday afternoon and running back Steven Jackson remains a member of the St. Louis Rams.

Talk about much ado about nothing. Of course, that still doesn’t address what Jackson’s future will be, but that’s a story for another day. After all, the Rams still have eight games remaining in the season, and winning as many of those games as possible remains the focus of the team.

As Jackson said Thursday during his weekly talk with reporters, when asked if what happens in the final two months of the season will determine whether he is back with the Rams or ends up elsewhere, “I’m not quite sure on that... read more

As the season was beginning, the St. Louis Rams restructured the contract of running back Steven Jackson, a move that will likely make Jackson an unrestricted free agent after the season.

It was odd that almost one month after the new contract was filed with the league, the news was “leaked” to a national reporter on the day the Rams played the Cardinals (Oct. 4) in a nationally televised NFL Network game.

The reality is that when stories like this are revealed, the information usually comes from an agent. If that was the case with the Jackson story, it’s obvious it was done with the hope of getting maximum exposure and letting the NFL world know his career with the Rams could be winding down... read more

When they won two games in 2011, the Rams totaled just 193 points, an average of 12.1 per game.

In being 3-4 this season, heading to Sunday's game in London against the New England Patriots, the Rams have already scored 130 points, an average of 18.6 a game.

In fact, that 18.6 average is right about where the Rams were in 2010 when the team went 7-9. It averaged 18.1 points per game. The trend is easy to see: score more points, which leads to allowing fewer points, and there will be more winning. It’s borne out by the numbers from the last three seasons.

In 2009, the Rams scored 175 points (10... read more

There wasn’t much time for the Rams to do what is normally done after a typical game day in the NFL. That’s because about 28 hours after the 30-20 loss to the Packers, the team was on a plane to London to begin preparations for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

They arrived early Tuesday morning and were quickly at an NFL Play 60 event with about 500 kids. Wednesday morning, it was business as usual as much as possible with a practice at the Arsenal soccer club facilities. Making the transition easier was the fact that owner Stan Kroenke also owns Arsenal... read more

The Rams played a home game Sunday against Green Bay where it seemed half the building were Packers fans in a 30-20 loss. Now, the Rams head to London for a "home" game against the New England Patriots and another outstanding quarterback.

Tom Brady will be the opponent this week after Aaron Rodgers carved up the Rams for 342 yards on 30-of-37 passing with one of the incompletions a spike.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis could have been talking about Brady when he said of Rodgers, "I think what he does the best is that he's good at improv. He escapes to make the deep throws and maneuvers in the pocket... read more

With wide receiver Danny Amendola sidelined for at least another three games, there was understandable skepticism that the Rams' passing offense would be able to be productive with their leading pass-catcher unavailable.

 

Instead, on the road at Miami, quarterback Sam Bradford completed 26 of 39 passes for 315 yards, spreading the ball around to 10 different receivers. Of the 26 connections, 14 were to wide receivers.

 

Said coach Jeff Fisher, "Any time you have an injury, somebody steps up. In this case, we've got an entire group that has stepped up. They're interchangeable; the guys know the various positions and Sam's very comfortable... read more

Rams players voted running back Steven Jackson a captain this season, and he has often said he wants to retire a Ram. The question now is whether that will happen following a contract adjustment signed by Jackson on Sept. 8, one day before the start of the regular season.

While numerous reports Thursday evening said Jackson has the option of voiding the 2013 final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, my sources indicate the void is automatic if Jackson is on the Rams roster five days after the Super Bowl, which would be Feb. 8.

Certainly, there is the possibility that his contract could be renegotiated again before Feb... read more

If it was up to Michael Brockers, he would be on the field Sunday when the Rams play the Seattle Seahawks. But the Rams will make sure Brockers, who suffered a high ankle sprain, is ready just four weeks after the injury occurred on Aug. 30.

Perhaps impacting the decision is that the Rams will play two games in five days. Brockers' ability to stuff the inside against the run would be welcome against the Seahawks and running back Marshawn Lynch. Arizona, the opponent next Thursday, doesn't run the ball consistently, especially with power.

It's not out of the question that Brockers could see some snaps Sunday and then sit down until the Oct... read more

In five days starting Sunday, the Rams’ season could very well be defined. In a period of five days, the Rams will play two home games against division rivals Seattle and Arizona, currently two of the better defensive teams in the NFL.

No, that is not a misprint. The Seahawks and Cardinals, after three games, are two of the better defensive teams in football. Lost in the chaos of Monday’s night’s officiating debacle was just how good Seattle’s defense was against Green Bay. Heck, the Seahawks sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers eight times ... in the first half... read more

Every week in the NFL seemingly has a theme.

 

After the Rams’ Week 1 loss to Detroit, the debate was whether this was “the same ol’ Rams.” Some said it was, some said it wasn’t. The reality, clearly, is that one game is not enough to paint an entire picture.

 

Naturally, after the Week 2 win over Washington, it was thought to be a slam dunk that it wasn’t “the same ol’ Rams,” even though that game could have just as easily been lost as won.

 

So it was that the Rams laid an offensive egg in Chicago Sunday, losing 23-6, and gaining 160 yards in the process (2... read more

The Rams begin preparing in practice Wednesday for the game against the Bears this weekend, but the buzz still remains from Sunday’s win over Washington on several levels.

First, there is the ongoing debate over running back Steven Jackson’s groin injury. Second, is the incompetent officiating from the game and the way the game ended with a 15-yard penalty against Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan for throwing the ball at Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

Starting with Jackson, I’ll admit to a bit of skepticism regarding the reality of Jackson’s injury against the conspiracy theorists that are totally convinced Jackson was benched by coach Jeff Fisher for spiking the ball when he was upset there was no touchdown signaled on the play in question... read more

The five-year contract extension signed by Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis is worth a total of $42,219,960 and includes $23.62 million of guaranteed money. While his base salary of $620,000 remains the same for 2012, it is now guaranteed and Laurinaitis did receive a $2 million signing bonus.

The new money in the deal totals $41.5 million. He will also be paid $22 million in 2013 and 2014 in the form of a $1 million guaranteed salary in 2013, a $10 million salary in 2014, of which $9 million is guaranteed and an $11 million guaranteed roster bonus in 2013.

Here is the way the guarantees work:

*The $1 million 2013 salary was guaranteed for injury at the time he signed and becomes guaranteed for skill and cap when he is on the roster on the fifth day after the Super Bowl in February... read more

Paul Boudreau has his work cut out for him.

It was going to be hard enough anyway, but after the Rams' numerous roster moves over the weekend, the team's offensive line coach is now trying to piece together an offensive line that will have someone starting at left guard Sunday against Detroit that hasn't had any snaps with the first team this summer at that position.

Consider this: Throughout the offseason OTAs and minicamps, Bryan Mattison got virtually all of the reps with the first unit at left guard. That was partly because Ojinnaka saw time at left tackle with Rodger Saffold not having been cleared for practice as he recovered from a pectoral injury that landed him on injured reserve last season... read more

When Rams coach Jeff Fisher was asked about his priorities for the team’s final preseason game, his last comment was telling. Fisher said, “Probably most important, as everybody would say right now, is get through it healthy.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the result in Thursday night’s 31-17 victory over the Baltimore Scrubs, er, Ravens.

Late in the first quarter, defensive tackle Michael Brockers left the game with an ankle injury. Following the game, Brockers had a boot on his right lower leg and was scheduled for an MRI today. Brockers tweeted, “Not that bad but bad enough imma be in a boot... read more

It turns out the Rams won’t get any cap relief from the trade of tackle Jason Smith after all.

The agreement that was consummated between the Rams and Jets on the night of Aug. 27 that brought tackle Wayne Hunter to St. Louis wasn’t official until late Tuesday and wasn’t done by 3 p.m. Central in time to make it on the league personnel report.

That was party because both players had to travel to their new cities and take physicals. But it was also linked to an adjustment on Smith’s contract and the paperwork had to be completed before the deal was finalized... read more

The Jason Smith era, albeit short, ended Monday when the Rams reached agreement with the Jets on a tackle swap that will bring Wayne Hunter to St. Louis.

Smith was the second overall pick in the 2009 draft and was never on the field long enough to have any chance of establishing himself. He started five games as a rookie and played in eight, missing the remainder of the games first with a knee injury and then a concussion.

He did start 15 games in 2010 when the Rams were 7-9. However, he suffered another concussion and a neck injury against Dallas on Oct. 23 last season and missed the remainder of the year... read more

The numbers told the story in the Rams’ disappointing loss to the Cowboys Saturday night. The final score is irrelevant. The score at halftime (20-6) speaks to Dallas’ dominance in the first two quarters.

Cowboys quarterbacks Tony Romo and Kyle Orton combined to complete 18 of 25 passes for 297 yards (16.5 yards per completion) in the first half with a passer rating of 138.3. Coverage was bad and tackling was worse despite the Cowboys being without wide receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.

Meanwhile, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford managed just 6-of-17 passing for 64 yards and a 47... read more

With two games remaining in the preseason, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said the team's starters will not only play more next Saturday in Dallas, but will play into the second half of the final preseason game at home against Baltimore. That is a vastly different approach from most teams that sit their regulars for the last game.

Fisher said his philosophy is simple, while noting that “everybody’s clearly entitled to do what they want”: "If you do nothing or very little (in the final game), then you've done nothing or very little in a two-week span. To me, there's too much time off, so we're just going to continue to build... read more

Sam Bradford is growing weary with the questions. But there they came again Thursday after a report by Jason LaCanfora on cbssports.com claimed the quarterback might need surgery on the ankle he injured last season. The key word was “might,” but that didn’t stop the panic from spreading.

So it was that Bradford was asked after practice about the reports. He said, "That would be news to me. To be honest, I'm tired of talking about the ankle. Until it causes me to miss reps or miss time, it's a non-issue."

And he hasn’t missed any this summer. Granted, it’s only been three weeks, and he hasn’t yet gone through the grind of a complete game, but speculation of what might happen in at least five months is just that: speculation... read more

The streak is over.

Until Wednesday, the Rams had been the only team in the NFL not to make any roster moves since the start of training camp. Just before camp opened for the Rams, they waived guard Michael Hay and cornerback Jeremy Caldwell, and signed fullback Ovie Mughelli. Until Wednesday, they had been one under the league roster limit of 90 players.

However, with only 10 wide receivers in camp and two of them – Danario Alexander and Brandon Gibson – on the sideline, the Rams added two receivers with fresh legs to the roster and waived rookie tight end Jamie Childers... read more

NFL coaches can be a resilient group. No matter what happens on Sunday, as disappointed as they might be by a loss, they look for the bright spots, the silver linings to build on.

So it was that Rams coach Jeff Fisher met with the media Monday, the day after a 38-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and talked about the positives.

Said Fisher, “As I said, as I suspected, as I said yesterday after the ball game, I am quite sure we’re going to find some good things and we did. Good effort, tremendous effort for the most part, all three phases. Some things that need to be cleaned up, things that can get fixed, and we expect to be able to do that this week... read more

It’s only the second week of training camp, so it can be dangerous to read too much into changes in the lineup at practice.

However, it was eye-opening at Wednesday’s Rams practice when Barry Richardson worked with the starters at right tackle instead of Jason Smith, who wasn’t injured. Smith practiced with the second unit.

When coach Jeff Fisher was asked after practice about the play of Richardson this summer after being signed to a one-year contract in the offseason, he said, “The more familiar he becomes with our system, the better he is. There’s a lot of competition all over the roster and Barry’s created some competition at right tackle... read more

When he’s been on the field during the last two seasons, wide receiver Danario Alexander has shown he can be a big-play receiver. The problem, of course, is that he hasn’t been able to stay on the field.

Last season, he made the 53-man roster, but inexplicably was inactive for the season opener.

He played the next week and scored a touchdown against the Giants. However, the injury bug soon hit again, and it wasn’t his problem left knee. Instead, it was a hamstring injury that occurred against Dallas on Oct. 23 and kept him out for the next five games. In the 10 games Alexander played, he had 26 receptions for 431 yards and a 16... read more

It was a light day for the Rams on the practice field Wednesday, as about half the roster was on the field for a one-hour special teams practice in shoulder pads.

The full squad will have its first pads practice Thursday at 5:30 (closed to the public), so for a large part of the team it will have been two days between practices.

Afterward, coach Jeff Fisher said, “Clearly, special teams is a huge part of our game. We start most every practice session with the special teams group. I’m hoping to have maybe one more of these, but this was dedicated strictly to special teams... read more

The official contract numbers for Rams defensive end Chris Long are in, and his salary-cap figure of 2012 actually increased slightly because of a $250,000 escalator that was based on his 2011 play.

Previously, Long’s non-guaranteed base salary for 2012 was $10.06 million with a cap figure of $18,307, 500. Now, his base salary of $10.3 million is guaranteed and his cap charge is $18,547,500. The extra $8 million-plus against the cap is from signing bonuses in his original contract and a restructuring that was done last September.

The four-year extension he signed is worth $48... read more

It was another typical offseason for Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis, although in some ways it was atypical.

A workout warrior, Laurinaitis didn't particularly like the fact that new NFL rules delayed the start of the team's offseason program. He was still able to work out on his own, but he couldn't meet with coaches and start getting acclimated to the new defense.

Asked about Laurinaitis after Monday's practice, coach Jeff Fisher said, "He's a captain of the defense. He's a very talented player. He's intense; he's the kind of guy that you want at your middle linebacker position... read more

For several weeks, the Rams have acknowledged they were working to extend the contracts of defensive end Chris Long and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, as both were entering the final season of their rookie contracts.

The first shoe fell Sunday when the club announced they had reached agreement with Long about an hour before the team took the field for their first full-squad practice of training camp.

Terms are not known yet, but Jay Glazer of Fox Sports claimed the deal was “huge.” That’s not surprising considering Long was scheduled to be paid $10 million this season and carried a salary-cap figure of more than $18... read more

Rams rookies completed three days of practice Friday, and have the day off Saturday except for “light lifting” before the full squad takes the field for the first time Sunday at 3:30 pm. There will also be a conditioning test for the veterans Saturday.

Coach Jeff Fisher said the team is so “excited” that “we have vets inside watching practice through the windows, coming in early and lifting, so everybody is excited to get going.”

Prior to Friday’s practice, safety Craig Dahl and wide receivers Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson were doing running and conditioning on the practice field... read more

There were 31 players on the field Thursday afternoon for the second of three rookie practices before the veterans report Saturday and the first full-squad practice Sunday. The 31 included tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, who said part of his rehab plan from last season’s knee injury was to participate with the rookies.

Hoomanawanui was officially cleared by Dr. Matt Matava Tuesday, but Hoomanawanui said, “I cleared myself a couple weeks ago.”

In addition to his rehab, Hoomanawanui hired a personal trainer and used Metabolic Meals for his diet.

“I wanted no excuses when I got to camp,” he said... read more

The numbers are now in on the contract cornerback Janoris Jenkins signed with the Rams, and the reality is different from what his agent circulated at the time of the signing. In addition, there are indeed some significant protections in the contract for the Rams.

Initial reports had the total value of the deal worth more than $5 million with $3.1 million guaranteed. In actuality, the total value is $4,990,319. His signing bonus of $2,069,324 is lower than that of Tennessee Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers, the seventh pick in the 2011 second round, whose bonus was $2,082,924.

Most notable is that the four years of base salaries in Jenkins’ contract are all at the league minimum: $390,000; $480,000; $570,000 and $660,000... read more

The official and exact numbers for the contract cornerback Janoris Jenkins signed with the Rams aren’t known yet, but in an interview on KFNS Radio Wednesday, club executive Kevin Demoff intimated there were no protections for the team in the deal.

The terms of the contract have been estimated at more than $5 million with $3.1 million guaranteed. Included in that guarantee, sources said, is a $2.1 million signing bonus.

When asked about any protection the Rams have in guaranteed money, Demoff would not speak to specifics, but did say, “I don’t worry about protections... read more

As the Rams rookies reported for training camp Tuesday, the final two draft picks fell in line when cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (second round) and Trumaine Johnson (third) agreed to terms. The Post-Dispatch reported that Jenkins’ deal is worth “just over” $5 million with $3.1 million guaranteed. It was also reported that “according to league sources, Jenkins is believed to have the largest increase in percentage of guaranteed money (over the 2011 draft) of any second-rounder this year.”

It is not yet known if the Rams received any protection for the guaranteed money or if any of his signing bonus is deferred... read more

We are proud to announce that you have helped us raise a net of over $95,000 at this year's Casino Night! Proceeds support Wolfram syndrome research!     Athletes & Entertainers - Circle of Influence is the fund manager for the Jack & J.T. Snow Fund and helped support their fundraising and nonprofit efforts until their Scientific Research Foundation was formed. We enabled them to raise more than $200,000 in the past year and a half so that they could support their mission.  Are you an athlete or entertainer in need of the same type of support? Contact us today. T: 636... read more

Back in early February, the Rams won a minor bidding war for Canadian League tackle Jovan Olafioye, and then abruptly waived him for a failed physical without explanation.

Playing for the British Columbia Lions, Olafioye was named the runner-up as the league’s most outstanding lineman in 2011. He had numerous workouts for NFL teams and as many as 15 teams expressed varying degrees of interest.

The contract he signed with the Rams was for minimum base salaries, but a total of $85,000 of those salaries during the first two years would have been guaranteed.

With Olafioye now back with the Lions in training camp, the Vancouver Sun reported what it was that caused the Rams to release him: Hypertension/high blood pressure... read more

The rookies will be around for another week, but for all intents and purposes, the Rams' work is done for the offseason.

New coach Jeff Fisher and his staff spent the last two months getting offenses and defenses installed so training camp can be used to get ready to win games. That's the attitude Fisher has been pushing: the past doesn't matter; it's all about winning now.

When asked if the players are hungry to win, Fisher said, "No, not hungry to win, they expect to win. Everybody does. The past is the past, but we are looking forward with that expectation to win football games... read more

Wide receiver Brian Quick, the Rams’ first of three second-round picks, signed his four-year contract Wednesday that is worth $5,386,599 and includes a signing bonus of $2,357,528. Quick’s base salaries of $390,000 and $634,845 in 2012 and 2013 are guaranteed for both skill and injury, while $440,000 of his $876,690 base in 2014 is also guaranteed for skill and injury.

That brings the total guarantees in his deal to $3,822,373. His cap charge for this year is $979,382.

 

Rams Draft Picks

                                 Bonus          2012        2013      2014         2015       Total         2012 Cap

DT Michael Brockers     $5,365,092   390,000   822,818  1,255,636 1,688,454 9,522,000 1,731,273

WR Brian Quick            $2,357,528  390,000   634,845    876,690  1,124,536 5,386,599   979,382

CB Janoris Jenkins      

RB Isaiah Pead            $1,376,800   390,000   573,550    757,100   940,650  4,038,100  734,200

CB Trumaine Johnson

WR Chris Givens           $  497,028   390,000   480,000    570,000   660,000  2,597,028  514,257

G Rokevious Watkins    $  191,300   390,000   480,000    570,000   660,000  2,291,300  437,825

*K Greg Zuerlein          $  128,820   390,000   480,000    570,000   691,102  2,275,473  422,205

LB Aaron Brown            $   68,900   390,000   480,000    570,000   660,000  2,168,900  407,225

RB Daryl Richardson     $   45,896   390,000   480,000    570,000   660,000  2,145,896  401,474

   *Total includes $15,551 roster bonus for 2014

The Rams open a three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday, and it is expected that center Scott Wells will remain absent.

In the four OTAs open to the media since the first week, Wells not only hasn’t practiced but hasn’t even been watching. During the final OTA of the first week, Wells did not practice and was seen with his upper leg wrapped.

Coach Jeff Fisher has only said when asked about Wells that he had the day off. The team website reported that Wells has been “dealing with an injury issue” and that “he should be fine in time for training camp.”

Meanwhile, cornerback Cortland Finnegan left practice Friday with what appeared to be a hand or finger injury... read more

The signing last week of defensive tackle Michael Brockers left the Rams with just three of their 10 draft picks left to sign: wide receiver Brian Quick and cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson.

Brockers’ deal was for four seasons with an option for a fifth year and the four years total a guaranteed amount of $9,522,000. The deal includes a signing bonus of $5,365,092 and all four years of base salaries are guaranteed: $390,000 (league minimum) this year; $822,818 in 2013; $1,255,636 in 2014 and $1,688,454 in 2015.

His cap charge this year is $1,731,273 and the Rams have used 65... read more

As the Rams wrap up their OTA schedule and prepare for next week’s minicamp, they also have been busy signing draft picks in the last week. In fact, since Friday, the team has signed six of its 10 choices, leaving only defensive tackle Michael Brockers (first round), wide receiver Brian Quick (second) and  cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins (second) and Trumaine Johnson (third) unsigned.

Running back Isaiah Pead became the first of the team’s three second-round picks to sign, when he put his signature on a four-year deal Wednesday, his first day of participation in OTAs.

Pead’s four-year contract totals $4,038,100 and includes a signing bonus of $1,376,800... read more

  The Snowman Fund Upcoming Events!   For ticket information, please contact Athletes & Entertainers Circle of Influence at www.aecircleofinfluence.org or by calling (636) 777-7820   2nd Annual Sports Celebrity Casino Night Honorary Chair Coach Jeff Fisher This Saturday, June 9, 2012 VIP Reception with Celebrities at 6:30 | General Admission at 7:30

Rams Club in the Edward Jones Dome

Please join us for a "Vegas-style" Casino Night and live auction hosted by Steve Savard and D'Marco Farr, the current Rams broadcasters, while supporting the Jack and J... read more

The first two rookie contracts for the Rams are now known, and they are virtually identical to the contracts received by rookies in the 2011 draft.

In the last four days, the Rams have signed wide receiver Chris Givens (fourth round), guard Rokevious Watkins (fifth), linebacker Aaron Brown (seventh) and running back Daryl Richardson (seventh).

All players signed four-year contracts with Givens receiving $2,597,028 including a signing bonus of $490,028, while the total value of Watkins’ deal is $2,291,300 including a signing bonus of $191,300. The base salaries for the four years are the minimums of $390,000 this year; $480,000 in 2013; $570,000 in 2014 and $660,000 in 2015... read more

It’s essentially only a procedural move usually not exercised, and that was the case again this year for 172 unsigned unrestricted free agents as of June 1.

The free-agency signing period for unrestricted free agents technically lasts until July 22, and teams are able to tender their unsigned UFAs on June 1 if they want to have exclusive signing rights to those players after July 22.

Teams rarely exercise those tenders and that was the case again this year as none of the 172 players received tenders. That total includes several players that have previously announced their retirement... read more

Ever since Jeff Fisher was hired as the Rams' head coach in January, he has been unwavering in his support for quarterback Sam Bradford. Most recently, Fisher told Jim Rome, "The reason I came here is because of Sam. We've got a franchise quarterback here."

Repeating a theme he has said frequently this offseason, Fisher added, "You have to kind of delete last year, look back to the way he played his rookie year, under Pat Shurmur, who did a great job with him in this offense. We're very excited. Brian Schottenheimer's an outstanding coach and we've got a fabulous quarterbacks coach in Frank Cignetti... read more

Rookie wide receivers Brian Quick and Chris Givens have been back on the field this week after missing two OTAs last week because of the Rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles. Friday will end the second week of OTAs, which will be the sixth of the 10 OTAs allowed by the new collective bargaining agreement

Said coach Jeff Fisher, "They're up to speed. We have to watch their legs, but they both were in the (play)book and coaches spoke with them at night, so they're fine. By the end of the week, it will be almost as if they never left, but still when they're gone, you miss them. You miss some valuable opportunity... read more

Prior to this year’s draft, Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead were asked about the importance of free-agent signings that quickly takes place after the final pick in the draft is made.

Said Fisher, “It’s a very, very important process. There’s recruiting that goes on and it’s very, very competitive and it happens very fast. You take into consideration that 31 other teams are doing the same thing, so you have to have a lot of phones open and a lot of stuff going on. And you have to have a plan. We’ve already discussed it and we’ll be prepared... read more

Both linebacker Mario Haggan and tackle Barry Richardson, unrestricted free agents signed by the Rams this past week, signed one-year contracts.

Haggan's deal is for the veteran minimum base salary of $825,000 for his years of service, plus a $65,000 signing bonus. Because it is considered a qualifying contract, the salary-cap charge is only $605,000.

Richardson's one-year deal is worth $800,000 and includes another $220,000 in incentives. His base salary is $700,000 and he also received a signing bonus of $100,000. It is believed the incentives are for games started, and explains why the $220,000 also counts against the Rams' salary cap... read more

The Rams had their second OTA of the week Wednesday, whichw as open to the media. The Tuesday OTA was closed. There will also be an open OTA Friday. This year, as per terms of the new CBA, the total OTAs have been reduced from 14 to 10.

Some players didn't participate Wednesday because of injuries:

*Left tackle Rodger Saffold did not participate in the team portion of the May 16 practice. Saffold is returning from pectoral surgery, and coach Jeff Fisher said, "He's still not been officially cleared by the medical staff as a result of the pec injury. But, he's very, very close... read more

In time for OTAs, the Rams added veteran linebacker Mario Haggan and tackle Barry Richardson. Haggan becomes the oldest player on the team's roster at 32 and is a candidate to be the strong-side linebacker.

Richardson started all 16 games at right tackle for the Chiefs the last two seasons, but Kansas City only wanted him back as a swing tackle.

Said Richardson, "That would not be a good situation, going from starter to backup there."

Asked about the additions, coach Jeff Fisher said, "Barry just gives us an opportunity to line up a big man at the right tackle spot and gives us some depth there... read more

Coach Jeff Fisher loves what he has in first-round pick Michael Brockers.

Said Fisher, "Michael, he's a big man. At 322 pounds he's explosive, he's very instinctive. For not having played, for not being a four-year starter, he's very, very instinctive. He can play across the face of blocks, he pushes the pocket, he can collapse, he can get on an edge, he plays with effort. I mean, what else can you say? And there's so much more ahead of him. He's going to develop into a fine player.

"And he's an outstanding young man, great character guy, hard worker. He's the complete package, now... read more

To assess the first day of the Rams' draft, it's necessary to go deeper than to simply evaluate the selection of Louisiana State defensive tackle Michael Brockers in the first round.

What the Rams accomplished must be viewed from within the prism of where they were as the new league year approached in mid-March.

With the second choice in the first round, general manager Les Snead and coach Jeff Fisher knew they had a precious commodity because of the obvious knowledge that quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III would be first two picks in the draft.

In unprecedented fashion, the Rams were able to engineer a deal with Washington that was completed before the start of the league year and landed them with the sixth pick in the first round, a second-round choice (39th overall) as well as first-round picks in 2013 and 2014... read more

I was on with Joel Buchsbaum for a couple years on shows at KMOX in the early 1980s. The quirkiest thing that few people realize is his name was always pronounced name wrong as "BUSHbaum" instead of BUCHS (like BUCKS)baum. It's spelled Buchsbaum (not Buschbaum).

So, we were on together one Sunday evening with the host Bill Wilkerson, and Bill introduced Joel as he had for however number of years he had been on. For whatever reason, Joel picked that night to interrupt Bill and he said with his Brooklyn twang, "Hold it, Bill. It's BUCKSbaum, not BUSCHbaum. Wilkerson, without missing a beat, said, "Joel, it's been BUSCHbaum for this long and BUSCHbaum it's going to stay... read more

I came across this story today from JoeBucsFan.com. Many people here in St. Louis have great memories of Joel Buchsbaum and his appearances on KMOX Radio. This story appeared last year, but they have run it again and say they will do so going forward every year on the first day of the draft.

A little bit later, I will relate some classis Joel stories from my own personal experiences.

 

Joe’s going to go slightly personal here, a rare albeit tiny window into Joe’s background.

On this holiest of high football holidays, Joe got hooked on the draft as a kid from an alien-like voice that carried through the night air from a city Joe has to this day never visited and isn’t sure will ever get there... read more

When Les Snead came to the Rams as general manager, he had a lot of personnel evaluators to get to know. Wednesday, the day before the draft, Snead said the work the department has done has been impressive.

Said Snead, "The whole department; you know some of them because this is a small league. Some you don't. I think just like in any business, they have a job to do. They've been doing it, and the final presentation of their evaluation on the player, that's the best resume they could have. It's neat in that you don't know anybody. They're not really trying to tell either Jeff or I what we want to hear... read more

The speculation was fueled by a report on NFL Network that Rams running back Steven Jackson is unhappy with his contract, leading to even more chatter that Alabama running back Trent Richardson could be the team’s target in the first round Thursday night.

Of course, Jackson isn’t talking and the Rams says they have heard nothing from Jackson’s camp about improving or extending a deal that will pay him $7 million in each of the next two seasons.

So, is there smoke or just a smokescreen? Asked at a pre-draft press conference Wednesday about the rumors, coach Jeff Fisher said, “I think you stated it accurately: rumors... read more

Throughout the offseason, the expectation has been that, at some point, something would happen with Rams tackle Jason Smith’s contract.

It finally did Tuesday (April 17), the day the Rams’ first minicamp under coach Jeff Fisher opened. Smith participated at the minicamp, taking the reps at right tackle, and it was clear Fisher was subtly revealing more about Smith than initially realized when the coach said after being asked about him, “Yeah, he’s good. He’s been here, he’s been working. He’s been working very well inside and his condition level is excellent... read more

Quarterback Kellen Clemens was on the practice field for the Rams Wednesday on the second day of the team's two-day minicamp and was glad for the opportunity.

Because of Clemens' experience with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer when they were both with the Jets, Clemens is familiar with the offense being installed.

Clemens admitted it was difficult during the last month as he saw the Rams considering other quarterbacks, but he said, "You have to try not to think about that and hope you get the chance."

So it was that Clemens signed a one-year contract Tuesday worth $710,000 that includes a $10,000 signing bonus... read more

Rams coach Jeff Fisher went a little Bill Belichick on the media Tuesday when he was asked after practice if any players were held out totally because they were returning from surgery.

Fisher laughed and said, “You know, I’ll have an injury report for you on September 5.”

However, Fisher did reveal that defensive end William Hayes, recently signed as a free agent, had an offseason shoulder “procedure” and added, “He’s not quite 100 percent, but he will be there very quickly.” Hayes said he had issues with his labrum and rotator cuff but claimed not to be limited at all... read more

This is what Jeff Fisher has been waiting for, ever since he walked away from the Tennessee Titans after the 2010 season.

He knew he would be back. He knew he would be coaching on a football field again. He just didn’t know where.

Fisher obviously knows now. There he was Tuesday along with 59 players and numerous coaches on a sun-splashed day at Rams Park as the team held the first of two days of practices in an extra minicamp allowed because he is a new coach with the Rams. To be sure, it felt good.

“This is what’s fun,” Fisher said. “This is what I missed and this is where we all belong is out here getting better... read more

Last year, the Rams didn’t play their first division game until a brutal stretch of seven games had been played. This year’s schedule, announced Tuesday by the NFL, is different.

After opening the season with two of their first three games on the road against NFC North teams Detroit and Chicago with Washington sandwiched in between, the Rams will then play two division rivals with both at home.

The Seattle Seahawks visit St. Louis Sept. 30 and four days later in their only prime-time game of the season, the opponent will be the Arizona Cardinals on NFL Network Thursday night... read more

STORY UPDATED Monday night

When the 2012 NFL league year began on March 13, there were 41 restricted free agents (RFA). Those are players with three accrued seasons that were tendered by their team.

With four days remaining until the April 20 deadline for any of those players to receive an offer from another team, there are now just 13 unsigned RFAs after nine re-signed with their teams Monday.

Several teams were busy Monday as offseason programs opened for most teams that don’t have new head coaches. In addition to the nine RFAs that signed, 13 exclusive-rights free agents (ERFA) also re-signed... read more

As the Rams begin the third week of their offseason program, a voluntary minicamp has been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

On each day, players will practice for 75 minutes beginning at 11 a.m. This will be the first opportuinity for coach Jeff Fisher and his staff to see the team in live work. The Rams are permitted to have an extra minicamp because they have a new head coach.

Many eyes will be on returning injured players, especially tackle Jason Smith, who has started just 26 of a possible 48 games in his three years with the team. While speculation was rampant that Smith could be released or asked to take a pay cut before the start of the league year, he remains on the roster with a salary-cap charge of more than $13 million... read more

Posted by Mike Florio

On Monday’s ProFootballTalk Live, veteran NFL journalist Howard Balzer joined the show to discuss the Hall of Fame selection process.  Balzer, who currently writes for 101espn.com and The Sports Xchange, serves as one of the 44 voters.

He favors changes such as transparency in the voting, and he talked about the procedures for changing the bylaws and otherwise improving the selection process.

Read more...

By Howard Balzer, Lindyssports.com NFL analyst   The NFL world remains in a lather over “Bountygate,” which begs the question: Why do we simply attach the word “gate” to controversies like these? Are we still stuck on Watergate, which, of course, was the name of a hotel? That wasn’t a story about water, was it?   Oh, well, let’s move on.   The one important thing missed in all of this is that the bravado and locker-room culture that has been brought to light in the Saints’ situation is essentially not much different than what goes on in defensive locker rooms every week in the NFL... read more

By Howard Balzer, Lindyssports.com NFL analyst

The Twitter world exploded on the Sunday morning of the Combine with the stunning revelation that rocked the football word: Robert Griffin III is fast. That news had to make heads spin and eyes bug out. After all, who would have ever imagined that RG3 would run fast at In Indianapolis? There were tweets everywhere after Griffin first ran a 4.41 in the 40 and then followed it up with a 4.38. Later, the 4.41 was supposedly registered as "the official" time when in actuality there is no such thing as an "official" time. There were even breathless tweets that Gil Brandt timed Griffin at 4... read more