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 Nick's Mailbag: Saturday
Saturday, February 23, 2008 Text Size Text Size Nick’s Mailbag – Robert Zemojtel Please tell me that the rams are going to sure up the OL through free agency and concentrate on the defense through the draft! Dorsey from LSU would be awesome! NW: As I wrote about yesterday, the offensive and defensive lines are, without question, the Rams top priority entering this offseason. The Rams have needs all across the offensive line and the defensive line needs anyone that can get after the passer. As I wrote on Friday, the Rams have little cap room so they are going to have to make some moves if they want to be active in free agency. It appears the best plan of action for now would be to sign an interior offensive lineman in free agency, draft a top defensive lineman in round one and grab a top offensive tackle in round two. Given the level of talent at those positions in free agency and the draft and the Rams’ limited cap space, that plan would make a lot of sense. As for Dorsey, the Rams are very high on him. Don Cummings Are the Rams looking for a new punter? Thanks for your time. NW: I know it was hard to notice last year because so many things were going wrong, Don, but punter Donnie Jones had the best season of any St. Louis Rams punter since the team moved to the city and set several franchise records along the way. The Rams have a lot of needs, but punter isn’t one of them. Finally. Rey Garcia How do the Rams plan to address the o-line through the combine and or free agency? NW: See above for a piece of this answer, but
the Rams have this as priority numero uno. Most likely, the team will look to
add a veteran for the interior of the line (preferably at center) in free agency
then pick up some help at tackle early in the draft and some developmental help
at guard in a later rounds. Though I wouldn’t personally be opposed to them
going defensive line in round one then spending say three of their next four
picks on offensive linemen with a receiver mixed in. Some names to keep an eye
on in free agency: Gus Alvarez Are there any free agents that are interested in the Rams? If so, who? NW: Every free agent is interested in the Rams so long as the check has the proper amount of zeros on it. Free agency has gotten so diluted by the inflated salary cap and the number of franchise tags being thrown around that there are very few quick fixes available. So, what will happen is just like in baseball. Players that aren’t worth mega millions will get monster contracts not based on what they’ve done or what they could do, but instead because they are the best of a bad lot. That’s why you hear Billy Devaney and Scott Linehan constantly talking about building through the draft and that’s why President John Shaw told me in December that the team’s top priority is improving draft day performance. John Hermann Nick, I have been a Rams
fan since 1973. I have seen many great victorious moments, but also experienced
some disappointments. It is obvious that the Rams need help on both sides of the
line. With the interior the issue, I sincerely hope the Rams focus on the
defense, preferably Chris Long (or Glenn Dorsey). I know Jake Long is
impressive, but the O-line could recover because of the extraordinary number of
injuries last season, even with an aging Pace. Do you agree? One other question:
What is your take on Lofton from
NW: John, it’s clear your years of being a fan have allowed you to build tremendous insight into what’s going on. I couldn’t agree with you more. There’s no doubt the team needs help on both lines, Linehan said as much on Friday. But I think we all saw just how much a tremendous pass rush from the front four can elevate a team. The Giants gave everyone the blueprint and reminded us all why a great defense will beat a great offense every time. Every indication I get is that the Rams will go defense with that first pick. Jake Long is not out of the question and a trade down brings a variety of things into play but if they stand pat, I think there’s an excellent chance Dorsey could be the guy. Devaney talked a bit about Chris Long on Friday (check out my feature later on Chris Long for some of Devaney’s thoughts on him) and while he loves the kid’s work ethic and motor, it doesn’t sound like he’s as high on him as Dorsey. However, I think Long is growing on the Rams and a good workout here this week could boost his stock even more. Again, it’s the season of misinformation, but I’m not sure the Rams value any defensive player more than Dorsey. As for Lofton, he is one of my favorite players in this draft and I have a strong feeling that he won’t be around in the later rounds. In fact, I have him projected to go in round one and I wouldn’t be surprised if he climbs into the middle third of that round. I watched Lofton work as a one man wrecking crew against my beloved Missouri Tigers twice this season and I’m convinced there isn’t a better inside ‘backer in the draft. If he’s around in round two, I’d give plenty of thought to adding him to the mix. Let’s play make believe for a moment. What if the Rams draft Chris Long in round one and Lofton is on the board in round two. You grab Lofton and you decide at that moment you want to go to a 3-4. Think about a front three of Long, Clifton Ryan in the middle and Adam Carriker with Pisa Tinoisamoa and Leonard Little as your outside ‘backers and Lofton and Witherspoon in the middle. That’s a versatile, strong and athletic group. Again, it’s far fetched, but it’s fun to think about on paper. Ed Reitz It seems to me that Peyton Hillis would be a great addition - outstanding blocker, better than average runner, great receiver...great work ethic and unselfish....What do you think? NW: I believe Hillis is the best fullback in the draft, but I’m not sure if he’s that hammer type of fullback that opens big holes for his running backs. He’s a good blocker and a versatile guy, but he’s also a little more of a runner than a blocker and is similar to Brian Leonard in a lot of ways. I wouldn’t be against grabbing him in the later rounds, but he’s not necessarily a major need. Donald Perkins Since the Rams have the second pick in the draft. It is almost certain that the value of the pick will cost the Rams. How do the dollars spent count toward the salary cap. Whether the selection is defensive or offensive line is the value the same. What was paid for Joe Thomas last year will cost the Rams more. Where do they get the money and does it mean that more veterans will be cut from the team? NW: Every team accounts for the dollars it will have to spend on draft picks before going into free agency so it knows how much it can spend on free agents and contract extensions. To get to your point, yes, it doesn’t matter if it’s an offensive lineman, defensive lineman or punter. The draft dollars are handed out based on a slotting system done by the agents. So, let’s say the No. 1 pick and the No. 3 pick are signed for a certain amount of money, the No. 2 pick will come in somewhere in between. Generally, quarterbacks command more money than other positions, but the fact remains that no agent worth his salt will allow a pick to make less money than someone drafted below him. As for cutting veterans from the team, as I wrote on Friday, there’s no doubt the team is going to have to make some moves in that vein to free up some dollars. Justin Me What's your take on OSU DE Vernon Gholston? Is it just me or doesn't he seem like a bigger, stronger, Leonard Little? NW: I know there is a growing sentiment out there for Gholston, but I still have my doubts. There’s no doubt that when he’s at his best, he’s the best pure pass rusher in the draft. He comes as the whole package in terms of measurables and athleticism, but I have watched quite a few of his games and his effort level seems to come and go. If you could put Chris Long’s motor into Gholston’s body, you would have a slam dunk No. 1 pick. I do like the fact that Gholston shows up for the big games, though. He was one of two guys to beat Jake Long for a sack. The other question is whether he’s an every down end in a 4-3 or a stand up, Terrell Suggs type in a 3-4. I’m not against Gholston; I just think he has more to prove before he becomes a surefire top pick. Jeff Freed Nick, what kind of safeties and inside linebackers look like they will be viable players coming out of round 2-4? NW: Unfortunately,
these two positions are fairly weak this year, Jeff. I would like to see the
Rams grab a safety to develop to replace Corey Chavous in a year, but I’m not
sure anyone in this draft has eventual starter potential. There are some guys
that could be solid depth and good special teams guys like LSU’s Craig Steltz,
but I don’t know that many of them have long range potential as starters.
Robert Andersson Hey, I think Gholston will provide more of a pass rush compared to Long and also be a solid every down DE. Is there anyway the Rams grab him at No. 2 or do we need a trade down? Would love a trade with Jets and have Vilma and Gholston next year but would like him with a trade for just an extra 2nd round pick, or no trade down at all. NW: I wouldn’t count on a trade such as the one proposed. The Rams will consider trade down options, but I’m not sure Vilma would be the answer and my understanding is that any discussions for making a deal for Vilma are premature. As for Gholston, he might be a better speed rusher than Chris Long, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best. Look at the top three pass rushers in the league last year. Patrick Kerney, Aaron Kampman and Jared Allen are outstanding at getting to the quarterback, but none qualify as typical speed edge rushers. A guy like Long gets after the quarterback with a relentless rush and outstanding technique. Kampman, Kerney, Allen and someone like Kyle Vanden Bosch have had similar success with that method. If the Rams decided Gholston is the guy, there’s no doubt a trade down would likely come first. Sean Boyer What are the odds of the rams trading Pace and Bruce to Cincy for Chad Johnson? NW: About as good as the odds of me starting at quarterback next season. Al Trinidad Have the Rams put the franchise tag on any player? I have been seeing a lot of teams declaring this but nothing about the Rams. NW: Al, the Rams have no unrestricted free agents worth tagging this season. The only one that would even draw consideration is linebacker Brandon Chillar and Chillar would be more likely to get a transition tag. Kyle Feltes Could the rams get a 2008 1st round pick for Orlando Pace? And if so, would they draft Chris Long with their first pick, and then pick up either Jake Long, Sedrick Ellis, or a top tier LB? NW: There’s no chance the Rams would get a No. 1 pick for a guy who has played nine games in the past two seasons. When healthy, Pace is still in the top tier of left tackles, but he hasn’t been healthy in two years. It’s not likely the team will have two first rounders this year unless they give up next year’s No. 1 and then some. Jon Black Since
NW: The same reason most teams would consider trading down from such a lofty position: needs. The Rams have plenty of needs across the board and a trade down opportunity would allow them to fill more of those needs and add talent across the board. The only way it’s crazy to make a trade is if you are moving so far down you take the top guys out of play. For instance, Mel Kiper Jr. believes there are six players a cut above the rest in this draft. If you move down beyond No. 6, you are taking yourself out of getting an impact player under Kiper’s scenario. Personally, I think they should stand pat at No. 2 because that ensures they get one of the best players in the draft, but you have to be open to improving your team and trade down scenarios could yield the best opportunity to do just that. Taylor Buck So I was looking at some mock drafts and found one that at first seems ridiculous, but possibly makes sense. It had the Rams taking Vernon Gholston the DE and passing on Dorsey and Long. Now that seems ridiculous, but Gholston is a lock for the top 10 and if he has a good combine his stock could shoot up. From what I gather he could be the "freak" of this years' combine putting up crazy speed and strength numbers. Plus this guy is definitely the pass-rushing end the Rams need and could be put to fill in at OLB when the Rams go 3-4, which sounds like Haslett loves. What do you think about this guy and if not at the 2 spot could they trade down to say the 5 and take him? Should they? NW: I spoke at length about Gholston above, but allow me to add something here. I am always wary of guys that are the “freaks” of the combine. There have been many tales of guys coming here, putting on a show and looking great in their skivvies but never becoming much in the NFL. Mike Mamula is just one example of that type of guy. Again, I think Gholston is a top 10 pick, but I don’t think he’s a No. 2 pick and I don’t know how well he fits what the Rams are doing. Chris Long does fit and seems to be growing on the Rams. It's painfully obvious that the Rams need a defensive end that can pass rush and a speedy wide receiver that can stretch the field. Is there anyone in the draft that fits the receiver need? NW: The receiver
position is one of the most curious in the draft. Nobody really stands out. The
guys with speed struggle with catching the ball and the guys that catch the ball
aren’t as fast. Take I think
Donald Perkins With the second pick in the draft the Rams should have a good chance to select either Jake or Chris Long. Considering the offensive line problems last year are the Rams leaning toward the offense line as their first priority in the draft. NW: I’m going to take the cop out answer and apologize for it, Donald. I think the offensive line and defensive line as it stands are the top priorities for this team. Now, if you ask me again in April, we will know what the Rams did in free agency and we can know what the top priority between the two would be for the draft. I tend to think as of now the Rams favor going defensive line with the first pick. That’s all for today. Thanks for all the great questions and be sure to keep firing away as I’ll be back for more tomorrow.
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