The Rams currently hold the first overall pick for the first time since 1997 (which as we all know, isn’t a bad thing in any way, shape or form) so they obviously are going to do everything they can to not mess up this opportunity.  Back in 1997, rather than picking up a big time skill position player, they went with the safest prospect in the draft with Orlando Pace, a solid offensive tackle out of Ohio State who had great size, very proven, and ultimately was set up for a solid NFL career.  Pace went on to become one of the best offensive lineman in the history of the Rams, so it only makes sense the Rams will look to invest their money in a solid player that they can have zero doubts regarding their ability to perform at the pro level.

Using that logic, there is only really one position that the Rams are most likely not evaluating for the first overall pick, that being running back.  The mix of Steven Jackson and the overall lack of a proven running back puts the position far off the Rams radar.  This of course leaves every single other position open for discussion.  However, there is not a doubt in my mind that the Rams will draft Suh with the first overall pick.  He was an absolute beast in college and a terror for everyone that attempted to guard him.  Most big time defensive tackles draw double teams, allowing the other defensive players to have an easier time getting into the backfield.  Suh on the other hand draws the double team and still makes the play.  Although quarterback is most likely this team’s biggest need, there isn’t really anyone in the draft that experts are considering good enough to use the first overall draft pick on.  All year I believed Sam Bradford to be that player, but now there is a severe question mark in the health department.  So as far as Claussen goes, I’m guessing there is a 90% chance that when the Rams take the first player off the board, Claussen will still be available.

So yeah, I believe they will go with Suh.  All signs are pointing towards it and it really is the only logical choice.  As far as the Clausen comment, Crocker wanted to know whether I believed the Rams would have interest in Claussen or not.

AWAY:

-Arizona Cardinals

-Seattle Seahawks

-San Francisco 49ers

-New Orleans Saints

-Tampa Bay Buccaneers

-Denver Broncos

-Oakland Raiders

-Detroit Lions

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HOME:

-Arizona Cardinals

-San Francisco 49ers

-Seattle Seahawks

-San Diego Chargers (ooo what I would give to go to this game)

-Atlanta Falcons

-Carolina Panthers

-Kansas City Chiefs

-Washington Redskins

There is the schedule.  Doesn’t seem like too tough of a year, although I am very dissapointed the game against the Chargers won’t be in San Diego.  Keep in mind those were not listed as Week 1, Week 2, etc.. as those details have not yet been set.

Now, I’m not trying to push the Rams to trade for Flacco or anything, but he is pivotal in proving my point.  We are not going to draft a quarterback who is going to post 300+ yards a game (at least not for a couple seasons), but we could draft a solid game manager who could greatly contribute immediately (see Flacco, Matt Ryan).  We need a quarterback who is dependable in the red zone and understands that he isn’t going to be making any big time plays with our current offense.  With that said, lets take a look at the possibilities for quarterback next season:

Marc Bulger: Bulger started to look like his old self last season before breaking his leg, but now rumors are circulating that he is considering retirement.  Also, with his giant contract still haunting the front office (not that they care about the team or anything) it appears that the Rams should be ready to move on.  He would be great to keep on to mentor a young quarterback of the future, but he just never really seemed like the kind of guy to attempt to take someone under his wing, or even speak for that matter.  However, if the Rams do not draft, or pick up a quarterback via free agency, Bulger could be our only option.

Kyle Boller: No

Keith Null: A rookie who was thrown into the fire far too early, Null could eventually develop into an okay quarterback, but it doesn’t appear he is much of a game manager.  Coming from a college that would give him the tag of “system quarterback”, he doesn’t appear to be ready to run an NFL style offense, especially one that sees the passing game taking a back seat to the running game.  I don’t see Null being the answer to the Rams problems, but if Bulger doesn’t return next season, Null may have to mature very fast.  He threw 9 interceptions in just 3 1/2 games, so obviously he has a lot of work to do.

Sam Bradford/Colt McCoy/Tim Tebow/All Other Quarterbacks In The Draft: Bradford was injured for virtually his whole senior season, but he is too good of a quarterback to ignore.  If he can come back completely healthy, the Rams should trade down and take him with a mid-first round pick.  If they decide to go the route of McCoy or Tebow, then waiting until the second or third round would be in their best interest.  I’ve grown up a die hard LSU fan, so I’ve seen a whole lot of Tebow over the last few years, and the guy knows how to win.  He is a solid game manger, and if he can develop his passing skills, I think he has a real shot at being a star in the NFL.  McCoy would be good, especially since he has the ability to scramble, something we haven’t seen a Rams quarterback do in awhile.  Any quarterback we get here will not be an immediate success, but Tebow, Bradford, and McCoy would be the Rams best bet.

Michael Vick: Just humor me.  Vick still can make big plays and with him starting to get back into the flow of things, he could be a real threat again.  There were reports that he wasn’t happy in Philadelphia and felt he was ready to be a starter again in the NFL.  If the Rams need something, it is publicity.  They are never talked about, they don’t really have a big time player to talk about outside of Steven Jackson.  The one anti-Vick to Rams argument I’ve heard is that their fan-base isn’t strong enough to support such a controversial player coming to town.  Well to be honest, their fan-base isn’t strong enough to support a barrage of losing seasons.  I may live on the West Coast, but at the beginning of the decade, I saw Rams stuff everywhere (that might have had something to do with the fact that I went to the same high school that Robert Thomas, former first round draft pick of the Rams, went to), but still, stores used to have everything Rams from a jersey to money clips.  Now, I actually am shocked when I see a Rams jersey in a crowd.  I’m in my freshman year at Cal State-Fullerton, and amongst the swarms of Patriots, Chargers, Raiders, and Steelers shirts, I have seen one Rams jersey.  These fans need something to get excited about again.  Vick could be the answer.

Dennis Dixon: Just something to consider.  Has the potential to be a big playmaker and showed poise in his one appearance this season against a very tough Ravens defense.  Just saying, it wouldn’t hurt to consider Dixon.

Any other suggestions?  Feel free to voice your opinions, such as “Bring Doug Flutie out of retirement”.  No seriously, don’t send me crap like that, I prefer real suggestions.  Bringing Jamarcus Russell back from the dead seems more plausible.

Checks Jamarcus Russell’s wikipedia page

He’s not dead?  Oh wait, I meant his career.  Jamarcus Russell’s CAREER.  My apologies.  Geaux LSU.  Oh and Go Rams too.