By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

The Rams have found a new radio home, the team announced late Tuesday.

Moving down the dial a couple of spots, the Rams struck an agreement with Bonneville St. Louis Radio Group to air all of the team’s games on the new Sports/Talk 101.1 FM beginning next season.

The agreement is a two-year deal that includes all of the radio broadcast rights for next season and 2010.

Sports/Talk 101.1 begins in its new format on Jan. 2 as the station transitions from music to an all sports talk format. The station will also be adopting the ESPN radio brand as the local affiliate.

“We are looking forward to partnering with ESPN, one of the great brands in sports,” Rams chief marketing officer Bob Reif said in a statement. “We have been exploring several potential radio partners, but ultimately chose Bonneville based in part on their great sports radio heritage, and the fact they presented a format that is most compatible with the Rams’ fan base. We are very confident in their ability to deliver a great product to our valued fans.”

The Rams had been on KLOU since 2000 with many of those games also appearing on the AM dial on 550 simultaneously.

But the move to the new station is viewed as an opportunity for the sides to come to a mutually beneficial relationship that will allow the Rams to be easy to find on a strong signal while allowing the new station to build a solid foundation.

Jason Barrett, the program director at the new station, says getting the Rams was one of Bonneville’s top goals.

“From the moment we decided to venture into this format, our goal was to secure play by play properties which would help us grow our audience numbers, attract advertisers and create separation from others who have attempted to do sports radio in this market,” Barrett said. “With the addition of the St. Louis Rams and NFL play by play, we believe we have taken a major step towards accomplishing that goal.”

As for the broadcasting team of play by play man Steve Savard, color analyst Jim Hanifan and contributors Malcolm Briggs and D’Marco Farr, Bonneville will make the decision on if they will continue in those roles.

The Rams have recommended continuity in that area and Barrett is open to that idea, it seems.

“I’ve always been impressed with the personnel and the production of Rams Radio, and I’m eager to work with the Rams radio crew to take the next step in the growth process of the game broadcasts and develop the product further,” Barrett said.

DRAFT PUZZLE CLEARS:  After last week’s games, the Rams can do no worse in this year’s NFL Draft than the third selection.

The question this Sunday comes down to whether the Rams will be second or third as the Kansas City Chiefs are in a dead heat with the Rams for that spot right now.

As it stands, the Rams and Chiefs are both 2-13. The tiebreaker for two teams tied in record is strength of schedule. But the Rams and Chiefs are actually tied in that regard and could potentially still be at the end of the weekend.

If the Rams win and the Chiefs lose, the Rams would pick third. If the Chiefs win and the Rams lose, the Rams would pick second for the second consecutive year.

With one week remaining, the Chiefs’ opponents (including this week’s game against Cincinnati) have a 128-111-1 record. The Rams’ opponents (including Atlanta) also have a 128-111-1 win-loss record.

The team whose opponents have a worse win-loss record will land the No. 2 pick.

If the teams are still tied after that tiebreaker is applied, a coin flip determines which team gets the higher pick in the first round with the selections alternating for the rest of the draft.

INJURY REPORT: The Rams had a long list on the injury report Wednesday.

Guard Jacob Bell (hamstring), cornerback Fakhir Brown (ankle), tight end Daniel Fells (knee) and defensive tackle La'Roi Glover (knee) did not participate. Of that group, Bell is the most questionable. If he can't go, John Greco would get the start in his place.

Cornerback Eric Bassey (hamstring), running back Steven Jackson (hamstring), tight end Joe Klopfenstein (knee), defensive end Leonard Little (hamstring) and receiver Dane Looker (hip) were limited participation.