2011 St. Louis Rams Season Thread

[MrCrowesGarden]

I do not like the way this team has handled its receiving corps. The only guy they're keeping with any playmaking ability is a guy who can't catch the ball. Reaching for guys you like as possession receivers in the third and fourth rounds makes sense if you're going to pursue one of the top free agent wideouts (And the Rams had plenty of cap space to do so). This team had one big weakness that kept us out of the postseason last year, and against all odds they've managed to downgrade at the position.

You'll get no argument from me on Pettis, but I hardly think Salas was a reach in the 4th. He was considered a value pick by guys like McShay and Kiper and runs a respectable 40 time. A burner he is not, but he's also not a taller version of Amendola.

[AdmiralKird]

I'm pretty upset Avery won't be around. I'm glad they resigned Mark Clayton though, even if he can't play until week six. It's nice insurance against having DX on the roster. I would have flipped Avery for Salas anyday, but its McDaniel's playbook. Word on the street is Salas does great in practice but not in the games so far. Maybe when we actually get to see the new playbook in action we'll know why Salas is in there.

[Cronos]

Word on the street is Salas does great in practice but not in the games so far. Maybe when we actually get to see the new playbook in action we'll know why Salas is in there.

Everything I've read/heard makes it sound like Salas is pressing too much to make a play to ensure he sticks around. Now that he's made it past this round of cuts, maybe it will help him relax a bit and perform.

[AdmiralKird]

I just thought I'd bring this back from the 2010 thread

The only way I'd be happy if the Rams don't draft a WR would be if they sign one(Sidney Rice and Vincent Jackson, for example).

Avery, Clayton, Amendola are all second class receivers. Regardless of if they come back, there's still no top tier WR. If they don't draft a WR at #14 its gonna be a long ride to the #47 pick. They need a receiver with speed (who can catch), and no one knows how much speed Avery will retain after his surgery. You either have to take a WR with your first rounder in this draft, or be prepared to use it in next years draft. Thus, draft a WR, OLB, DE, CB. Sign Owen Daniels at TE. If Shurmur is going to be conservative get him a good TE. I don't think you have to worry about Jackson for another two years. He might regress a little in 2012, but I don't think he'll fall off a cliff like a speedy back. Get an aged RB off the FA list to backup Jackson for the next two years until the 2013 draft.

The Rams don't need a TE. They were getting average production from 3 TEs(Fells, Michael H. and Bajema). Bajema and Fells are FAs, IIRC, so drafting one in the middle of the draft wouldn't be a bad thing. I'd rather the Rams get a young RB(like Devine or Thomas), than one who has been in the league for a few years.

Plus, dont forget they drafted TE Fendi Onobun last year, who is a project, but physically could be a beast if he can learn the TE position.

I think the chances are better that Fendi gets a Olympic bobsledding gold than becomes a Pro Bowl TE. Just because Gates and Gonzalez played college BB ...

Well regardless if he ever figures it out or not, hes still one more TE that the Rams have on the roster and considering they used a draft pick for him just a year ago, I dont think they are going to give up and take another TE with Fells, Illinois Mike and Bajema already on the roster.

In other news, what the hell happened with Mardi Gilyard???

All the way to State!

[Freed Roger]

I won't doubt the judgement of coaches that saw these guys on daily basis. But I wonde how much of the Avery cut was due to finances? Because it seems odd that the Rams would keep Danario Alexander over Avery. Both injury prone players - but it seemed the potential from his speed would favor Avery.

I'll echo the sentiments that the Rams didn't improve WR position. This WR crew (essentially its the same) had trouble getting open last season- and teams loaded up on the inside. Kenricks at TE is a good development and could provide some coverage mismatches -but they will have to line him up outside if they are to keep D's from loading up.

[howski3318]

I won't doubt the judgement of coaches that saw these guys on daily basis. But I wonde how much of the Avery cut was due to finances? Because it seems odd that the Rams would keep Danario Alexander over Avery. Both injury prone players - but it seemed the potential from his speed would favor Avery.

I'll echo the sentiments that the Rams didn't improve WR position. This WR crew (essentially its the same) had trouble getting open last season- and teams loaded up on the inside. Kenricks at TE is a good development and could provide some coverage mismatches -but they will have to line him up outside if they are to keep D's from loading up.

It could also have to do with team control as Avery was in the last year of his contract while Alexander was not. Not to mention Alexander with healthy knees has the most playmaking ability out of the WR's.

[longhornbaseball]

Also the fact that McDaniels apparently likes big receivers, and Danario is the only one on the team over 6'3.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I won't doubt the judgement of coaches that saw these guys on daily basis. But I wonde how much of the Avery cut was due to finances? Because it seems odd that the Rams would keep Danario Alexander over Avery. Both injury prone players - but it seemed the potential from his speed would favor Avery.

I'll echo the sentiments that the Rams didn't improve WR position. This WR crew (essentially its the same) had trouble getting open last season- and teams loaded up on the inside. Kenricks at TE is a good development and could provide some coverage mismatches -but they will have to line him up outside if they are to keep D's from loading up.

Jim Thomas had an article this week where he said Avery went to the front office and requested a trade. They searched for one but couldn't find anyone interested (or more likely, willing to gamble that the Rams would cut him), so they released him, giving both sides a clean break.

[Freed Roger]

And when did 2 QB per roster become common? is the logic that if they are down to a 3rd QB - they are pretty much [expletive] anyway so if/when that occurred they could just find one off the trash heap?

Thaddeus Lewis looked pretty good IMO-sorry to lose him.

[lukethedrifter]

Thaddeus Lewis looked pretty good IMO-sorry to lose him.

Did they really think they could sneak him onto the taxi squad?