With the second overall pick of the draft, they aren’t under quite as much scrutiny as the Miami Dolphins, who own the top choice. But it’s extremely close.

Theoretically, the Rams — who haven’t chosen this high since trading to No. 1 for Orlando Pace in 1997 — are in position to land the second-rated prospect of the entire college crop. In a year such as this, where there is no consensus No. 1, they could very well end up with a player that they (and many other teams) actually rated higher than the first one chosen.

They also could end up with the messiest of uncooked omelet facials.

Vic points out that Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, Rick Mirer, Robert Gallery and Charles Rodgers. There is no sure thing here for the Rams but that is just another reason to me to stay in the #2 spot and take what you believe is a quality choice. Between Chris Long, Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston and Darren McFadden the Rams should get a player that we will be watching for the next 10 years. This is a critical year, and we can not afford a Ryan Leaf!

 Is there really any doubt that the St. Louis Rams will select Jake Long from Michigan with thier #2 pick in the 2008 NFL draft? I will tell you, that there is no doubt. Here are the reasons why.

The Rams have the second overall pick in the draft so everyone will be available except for whoever the Miami Dolphins take. Let’s assume for the moment Bill Parcells thinks back to his New York Giants days and select Chris Long as his new Lawrence Taylor pass rushing specialist. That will leave the Rams with the following choices.

• Matt Ryan – A QB who is not even the top rated QB on some boards, and we already have Marc Bulger locked up to  long term $65 million dollar contract. Draft answer =NO
• Darren McFadden – A RB who has some characters issues, although I think his are over rated and he will be a nice player. However love him or hate him Steven Jackson is our man and not going anywhere. Those that complained about Steven all year, are those that will be screaming to get him in August come fantasy football time. This top 5 NFL Pro Bowl back will not be replaced or moved by the Rams. Draft answer = NO
• Glenn Dorsey – A DT that has already slipped to the number 9 pick in the WalterFootball latest mock draft. Can we really offer to use another first round pick on a DT. This smells of another LSU player with character issues, possible weight issues, and he already has weight issues. Draft answer = NO
• Sedrick Ellis or Vernon Gholston- On the bubble. Do the Rams reach for one of these two players with the #2 overall pick. They just can’t. You knew Gholston would be a work out wonder but was he really rated that high prior to that? Sedrick Ellis is a fine player, but he played on a loaded team and you have to wonder if he was just the product of great surrounding talent. Can you afford to reach or guess at #2. Draft answer =NO

So there you have it, with a new offensive coordinator, and a locked up QB, and Pro Bowl running back it is just common sense. Don’t make this more complicated then it is. You win with the big ugglies and that is Jake Long. Jake will keep Marc off his back, and open holes for Jackson. Just think once you pick up Jake Long you now have Pace, Barron, Long, Romberg, & Incognito. You can then play this many ways but the most important thing is you have a pillar on the o-line, and a future backup for Orlando Pace.