Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Austin Pettis

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Stlvinnie

In the 3rd round with the 78th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the St. Louis Rams selected Austin Pettis who had 27 receptions for 256 yards. The Rams who really needed a #1 type WR seem to have reached here. The fact that they went with a TE in the 2nd round really seemed to cause this draft fall apart. I was very concerned over this selection simply by the fact that Pettis was not even the best wide receiver on Boise State. Pettis has good size at 6’3″ and 200+ pounds but he is far from the fastest guy on the field and has a terrible time trying to separate from NFL corners. I am not sure why the Rams selected Pettis it simply did not make much sense. NFL Draft Scout had Pettis projected as a 5th rounder and Walter Football had him as a 4th or 5th round selection. Pettis just did not seem to fill the need anyway you looked at it which made this a curious selection then and now. To top it off Pettis was suspended four games by the NFL on December 21, 2011 after violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. He will be eligible to play in Week 3 of the 2012 Regular Season if he is still on the Rams roster.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Greg Salas

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Greg Salas the Rams 4th round pick out of Hawaii had 27 receptions for 264 yards. Salas was another odd selection since he is considered by most as a slot receiver and the Rams already had Danny Amendola at that position. Salas along with Hendricks also had his best game against the Green Bay Packers has he collected 8 receptions for 77 yards. Prior to the 2011 Draft NFL.com said “Salas is a sub-package NFL receiver prospect who put up some big numbers in a wide-open college passing attack. Doesn’t possess a physical trait in the size or speed departments to be a mismatch at the next level”. Turns out that was a pretty good analysis of Salas as he was unable to separate from NFL corners on a consistent basis. The Rams probably should have went for a different position at this point in the draft. Again the selection of Hendricks in the 2nd round caused a serious snowball affect.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Jermale Hines

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stlvinnie

On a team with a lack of quality depth at safety the selection of Jermale Hines appeared to be a good one. Hines who lacks top speed should have at least been able to compete for a job along with Criag Dahl, James Butler and Darian Stewart. Hines could have helped the Rams get a little younger and faster but instead he was never given a shot and was waived on September 27. Hines lack of speed seems to make him fit for nickleback and a special teams duties. Hines was picked up by the Colts, later waived and then picked up by the Carolina Panthers and is currently on their practice squad. Hines played in ten games, five with both the Colts and Panthers and had six tackles.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Mikail Baker

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Mikail Baker was another player drafted by Steve Spagnuolo and the St. Louis Rams that suffered serious injuries during his college career. Baker is one of only a few players that you will find that played 6 years in college due to those injuries. This pattern continued in 2011 as Baker suffered a hamstring injury with the Rams and was released. Baker was never able to get on the field as a member of the Rams and currently is not on any NFL roster.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Jabara Williams

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Jabara Williams was a 7th round draft pick out of small Stephen F. Austin college. Williams was able to get into two games with the St. Louis Rams before being waived on October 26, 2011. Jabara was picked up the following day by the Chicago Bears. Williams played in five games for the Chicago Bears having two tackles. With the lack of talented linebackers on the Rams many fans were upset that the Rams did not try to develop Williams more, instead the Rams spent money on the likes of Brady Poppinga, Bryan Kehl & Na’il Diggs.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

Rams 2011 Draft A Look Back – Jonathan Nelson

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Jonathan Nelson was the St. Louis Rams last pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Nelson did not make the Rams roster to start the season but he did spend a small amount of time on the Rams practice squad before being released in early September. Nelson was picked up late in the season by the Carolina Panthers where he played well in two games with 9 tackles and an interception. Again why did the Rams who have many issues in the secondary not try to develop a young player.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

St. Louis Rams Hire Les Snead as GM

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Stlvinnie

The St. Louis Rams have hired Les Snead the Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel as their new General Manger taking over for Billy Devaney who was fired on January 2nd. Snead comes from the Atlanta Falcons where he spent the last 13 years, the last three as the club’s director of player personnel. Snead was originally interviewed by the Rams back in January before they even hired Jeff Fisher as their head coach.

With the NFL free agency period starting on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at 4:00 pm it was important that the Rams get their GM signed fairly soon. Les Snead should be a good fit with Fisher since Fisher will have a lot of decision power behind player personnel and will need a GM that is on the same page.

Jeff Fisher and the St. Louis Rams have again hired a member of their staff with a ton of experience. I am very excited about the new front office and staff of the St. Louis Rams. Out next steps are to upgrade and coach up the current talent.

Super Bowl XLVI Prediction

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Super Bowl XLVI

Well it is time for the last pick of another NFL season. Everyone knows I hate the Patriots so this is an easy one for me. I like the matchup of the three big Giants wide receivers against the young Patriots secondary. I also look for a big game from Justin Tuck. We would love it if you share your opinions, or your own predictions in the comment area of our St. Louis Rams Blog. All picks will be straight-up, not against the spread. Good Luck.

Super Bowl XLVI Prediction below:

New York Giants 31 – New England Patriots 28

Last Week – 2 – 0
2012 Playoffs (7-3)

Year-To-Date Results – 176 – 80 (69%)

Last year I was 162-94 (63%) on predictions.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

CVC Proposes $124 Upgrade To Rams

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Stlvinnie

CVC - Lets Make a Deal

CVC President Kitty Ratcliffe unveiled a $124 Million plan to keep the Rams in St. Louis. Improvements are to include upgraded concessions, an additional 1,500 club seats, and club lounge area. In addition to the new suites and club seats a new center scoreboard area including two 90×27 flat panels to rival those in Texas stadium would be added. Other details include removing steel panels to let in more natural light. Across from the stadium in Baer Park a 50,000 square ft. state of the art area with a beer garden, web access and a two tier connector bridge to suites inside the Edward Jones Dome would be constructed.

Kevin Demoff Executive Vice President of Football Operations & Chief Operating Officer with the Rams said we are in receipt of the CVC proposal. The lease provides certain terms, a timeline and a process for this matter. We are reviewing the proposal and look forward to responding accordingly.

Mayor Francis Slay says the city will play hard ball with the Rams and he will take a narrow view of what is being done at the dome. It needs to make sense to the business commission and the tax payers as well.

The Rams have until March 1st to accept or reject the CVC proposal, and until May 1st to make a counteroffer. The two sides would go into arbitration if a deal isn’t struck by June 15. Without an agreement, the Rams would be free to relocate after March 1, 2015.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com

2011 Draft A Look Back – Robert Quinn

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Stlvinnie

Robert Quinn

Robert Quinn played 15 games in his rookie season starting in one of them. Quinn had 23 tackles and 5 sacks over the course of the season playing his best game late in the season against the Seattle Seahawks. Overall Quinn had a nice rookie season however I wish he would have received more playing time ahead of James Hall. Quinn who missed his junior season after he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for lying to investigators about receiving travel accommodations and jewelry is still only 21 years of age and has an upside. It is hard to know if Quinn did not see the field a lot because of his ability or the coaching of Steve Spagnuolo. There were nine defensive ends drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and it is too early to know if Quinn was the correct selection for the Rams. Aldon Smith, J. J. Watt and Ryan Kerrigan all had tremendous years and Marcell Dareus should be more of a force for the Bills in 2012. For now we will have to watch and see if Jeff Fisher can develope Quinn into a consistant player and pass rushing threat.

By Stlvinnie – http://www.stlouisramfan.com