Rams News Recap: June 9

[RamBill]

Slowed by injury a year ago, Rams’ Barrett Jones is ready to compete now –PD
Barrett Jones entered the National Football League as one of the most decorated offensive linemen in college football history.

Scott Wells Contract Gives Rams Cap Relief –Balzer
Last Thursday, Rams starting center Scott Wells had an excused absence from the team’s second OTA.

Stedman Bailey TD Catch in OTA’s

Kenny Britt Making Good Impression on the Rams –NFL.com
On the most recent edition of the Around The League Podcast, we noted that the St. Louis Rams have dumped a lot of resources into their receiving corps over the past few seasons.

Jeff Fisher in Favor of Developmental League –Wagoner
Discussions of the NFL adding a developmental league for the many young players, coaches, officials and executives who can’t get their foot in the door have picked up steam recently.

Kevin Demoff Talks Rams –Radio Interview

Tony Softli Talks Rams and OTA’s

Alec Ogletree Talks Rams –Radio Interview

Rams’ Scott Wells Reworks Contract –ESPN
Rams starting center Scott Wells, entering the third year of a four-year deal, redid his contract, according to a league source.

Fisher: With Donald Joining D-line, Rams Will ‘Be Hard to Deal with’ Up Front –FSMW
Jeff Fisher isn’t afraid to heap praise on rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald, even though it’s been only a few weeks since the NFL Draft and not even one full week since the start of Rams OTAs.

Rams Remain Confident in Jake Long’s Return –Wagoner
When it comes to the health of left tackle Jake Long, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher & Co. have consistently played the hits throughout the offseason.

Gordon’s Tipsheet: Rams Bereft of Proven Talent
If the folks at Pro Football Focus are correct, the Rams needed to reap an epic talent haul in the latest NFL Draft just to compete this season.

Morning Ram-blings: The Williams Effect –Wagoner
Before the NFL draft and free agency, the St. Louis Rams made what could turn out to be the most important addition of the offseason, hiring Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator.

Mike Jones Remembers “The Tackle” –Video

Rams DE Chris Long’s OTA Press Conference –Video

Rams DE Robert Quinn’s OTA Press Conference –Video

Rams Annual Charity Softball Game –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Best up front?
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/9131/morning-ram-blings-best-up-front

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Perhaps no team in the NFL has invested more in its defensive front seven than the St. Louis Rams.

Even after seemingly solidifying that group by using a first-round pick on linebacker Alec Ogletree in 2013, the Rams couldn't resist the temptation of defensive tackle Aaron Donald with their second first-round choice this year.

In the rough and tumble NFC West division, if you can't win up front then you have little chance of doing much damage. Fortunately for the Rams, they now have the pieces in place to be not only the best front seven in the NFC West but the NFL as a whole, at least according to Mike Tanier, of Sports on Earth.

It's no secret that the Rams employ one of the best defensive lines in the league led by ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long. That group isn't only talented but deep and Donald's addition adds a pass rushing element the interior previously lacked.

Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree were extremely productive in 2013 and though they have their limitations, should only be better as the defensive line continues to improve. The final piece of the front seven is linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who looks to return to his 2012 form after a down year in 2013.

In looking around the league, there are other teams better at linebacker and perhaps some with starting lines close to what the Rams are providing but in looking at the entire picture, including the depth on the defensive line, it's hard to argue with Tanier's ranking.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Monday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began the week with a look at how defensive coordinater Gregg Williams will impact the team in 2014. ... From there, we examined how far along left tackle Jake Long is in his rehab and how the Rams are dealing with his absence in the meantime. ... Finally, we examined coach Jeff Fisher's comments on the idea of an NFL developmental league.

Elsewhere:

Field Yates provided the news that center Scott Wells reworked his contract and will be playing on a more cap-friendly deal in 2014.

Columnist Jeffri Chadiha writes that if the NFL wants to send a message to Colts owner Jim Irsay, it'll take away draft picks.

Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. takes an early look at next year's quarterback class.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas examines the early work of receiver Kenny Britt.

The Associated Press discusses Fisher's history of unconventional decisions.

 

[Ramatik]

I thought the Chris Long video was funny at the end.


"Rookies man..."

 

[Boffo97]

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Perhaps no team in the NFL has invested more in its defensive front seven than the St. Louis Rams.

Even after seemingly solidifying that group by using a first-round pick on linebacker Alec Ogletree in 2013, the Rams couldn't resist the temptation of defensive tackle Aaron Donald with their second first-round choice this year.

Leading up to the draft, I talked a lot about not over-investing in one particular unit.... but when pick #13 came up, was there anyone else on the board even close to Donald in value?