Rams News Recap for April 1

[RamBill]

Rams News Items From April 1

Recent Rams pickup arrested for probation violation –PD
After signing with the Rams a week ago, former Florida State cornerback Greg Reid made an unexpected pit stop before reporting to St. Louis. Namely, the Lowndes County (Ga.) jail.

Rams Add Big-Play Potential in Britt –Softli
On Monday, the St. Louis Rams continued their recent surge in free-agent activity by netting a potential big-play threat at wide receiver: Kenny Britt.

Jim Thomas Rams Chat Highlights: April 1

Sammy Watkins Joins Jim Rome –Video

Wagoner on Kenny Britt as #1 WR for the Rams? –Radio Interview

Three Questions: Receiver Kenny Britt –Wagoner
ESPN Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky has been there for all of it so who better to ask about Britt’s potential impact on the Rams?

Bernie’s Ram Bytes: Signing Britt is a Decent Low-Risk Gamble
Even though he has a scandal-filled past and has been on a steep downward trajectory in production, I’m OK with the Rams’ signing wide receiver Kenny Britt to a one-year contract.

Kenny Britt Addition Shouldn’t Change Draft Plans –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams agreed to terms with wide receiver Kenny Britt on a one-year deal Monday evening in an attempt to bolster a position that could use the help.

Gordon’s Tipsheet: Britt May Not Be Lost Cause
New Rams receiver Kenny Britt has been one of pro football’s most egregious underachievers. Dropped passes, clashes with his coaches, multiple run-ins with the law, a serious knee injury . . . Britt checked all the boxes while washing out for the Titans. The 30th overall pick of the draft became a classic NFL failure.

Morning Ram-blings: Stacy a Fantasy Stud? –Wagoner
Since it’s becoming more and more of a tradition to do NFL mock drafts months in advance of the real thing, is it ever too early to start projecting things for fantasy football? Of course not.

Jim Thomas Talks Kenny Britt Signing, Quick, and Hill –Radio Interview

Wagoner Talks Kenny Britt and the Draft –Radio Interview

 

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Morning Ram-blings: Finding Clowney's fit
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/7243/morning-ram-blings-finding-clowneys-fit

On ESPN Insider on Tuesday afternoon, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay took the top defensive linemen in this year's NFL draft and listed the teams Insider that would fit each player best in their projected draft range.

These days, it can be difficult to differentiate defensive linemen and where they might be best used. Some project better as ends in a 3-4, others are better suited to rush the passer off the edge in a 4-3. Tackles can be hard to define as well.

The Rams' base 4-3 defense is one that's a little easier to see how different pieces would fit. It's hard to imagine there's a team out there that wouldn't be able to find a way to use South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney but seeing where he could fit in St. Louis is especially simple.

McShay makes it clear that even though the Rams are loaded at the position, Clowney's scheme fit in the team's base defense is easy to picture.

"Clowney would be a perfect fit as a 4-3 defensive end with the Rams (picking No. 2) or Jaguars (No. 3)," McShay wrote. "St. Louis is loaded along the D-line, but Clowney is even more explosive than Robert Quinn was when he was coming out (better combine 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, and vertical and broad jumps)."

While the Rams are loaded with talent at defensive end, Clowney's fit in the defense itself can't be questioned. What's more worth monitoring is how they'd go about getting him on the field early in his career. As far as that goes, it's worth noting San Francisco's Aldon Smith posted 14 sacks on his way to Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 despite playing an average of 29 snaps per game.

Clowney's talent is certain to make him a tempting option for the Rams should he still be available when they pick No. 2 overall in May's draft, perhaps one too good for them to deny.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Tuesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we took a deeper look at where Rams running back Zac Stacy ranks as a potential fantasy star in 2014. ... Next, we discussed the reasons why the Rams' signing Kenny Britt should have no bearing on their draft plans when it comes to potentially taking a receiver. ... Finally, Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky and I discussed Britt's addition to the Rams and the chances of a return to prominence.

Elsewhere:

Newly-signed Rams cornerback Greg Reid was arrested for probation violation earlier this week, per ESPN's Jared Shanker.

At 101sports.com, Tony Softli offers his take on the Britt signing.

At stltoday.com, columnist Bernie Miklasz provides his look at Britt's addition.

Jim Thomas' take on the same move.

Thomas also participated in his weekly chat.