While it’s a travesty that SJ39 isn’t named, the list actually isn’t bad. Larry Fitzgerald is at the top, followed closely by Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, and Vernon Davis. I don’t have any huge problems here, although if I was making the list Willis would be far and away my number one overall. I think Laurinaitis is about where I expected him to be, and I was pleasantly surprised that Long is finally getting some recognition for how good of a player he has become. Maybe I’m crazy here, but Steven Jackson should be on the list over guys like Russell Okung (8) who was injured for much of his rookie season, and Mike Iupati (10) who is a guard, just to name a few. I’m going to put it in your hands. Check out the poll on the side of the page to rank where you think Jackson belongs in the scope of this division. We will see what the Rams nation thinks of SJ39 and if ESPN isn’t giving him the respect he deserves.

So I was looking around the net for some Rams news, and I stumbled upon a post at Pro Football Talk about Sam Bradford working with the second/third team offense at OTAs. Before I move to the actual point of my post, let me address the article by saying it was pretty ridiculous. This guy Evan Silva takes a few shots at Bradford, starting with the title “Bradford Still Can’t Crack Rams’ First Team”. Silva goes on to say that Sam is playing behind a guy who hasn’t thrown a pass since 2007 (AJ Feeley) and a guy who was 0-4 with nine interceptions last season (Keith Null). He also mentions that other first round picks like Trent Williams, Russell Okung, Tyson Alualu, and Eric Berry have already started working with the first team. Obviously, the quarterback position is completely different than any other spot on the field, and there is no reason to hurry Bradford’s progression in June. Second, the notion that Bradford isn’t good enough to play with the first team is ludicrous. It’s obvious this is his team, or we wouldn’t have went out an signed a journeyman career backup. This guy Silva either doesn’t know his stuff or he has a personal grudge against Sam or the Rams.

Now, moving on to my point. I was reading some of the comments by other readers on the article, and it is pretty much a long list of people bashing our Rams. I’m going to repost some of the better (or worse) ones, but I will also link to the article at the end of this post if anyone wants to read it (although I wouldn’t recommend checking out that crap).

Here is what some people think of our team, just so ya know.

“For now, though, he’s stuck throwing to backups on a team that has perhaps the worst backups in the league.” Dude, they have the worst EVERYTHING in the league. Somebody get that Head Coach(great D-Coach) some help. Again, who’s the GM of this debacle?”

“If the O-line is that bad, who do you want taking the majority of the ass-whoopin’s, AJ Feeley, Keith Null.(Who? Keith Null. Who? Keith Null. WHO? Exactly.), or your #1 overall pick?
Hell, see if TJ Rubley and Tony Banks wanna come in for some playing time, too.”

“The best way to prepare Bradford for the regular season would be to dump him blindfolded from the back of a pickup truck in rush hour traffic on I-70.” (My personal favorite)

“Not to mention some just awful first stringers. If they are relying on AJ Feeley as their starter they are in a world of trouble. Bradford isn’t going to want to be on a first unit where he is on his ass looking skyward for the 2010 season.”

“give this kid some time! He’ll be the best player on that horse crap team.”

I’m not saying all of these people are completely off base, but as a Rams fan it just hurts to read things like this and it makes me want the team to win even more this season to shut these people up.

PFT Garbage Article

6:34 The draft has begun and the Rams are officially on the clock…

6:37 The pick is in… The Rams select Sam Bradford! Not a surprise, but I’m just happy that it is finally official.

6:45 The Lions select Ndamukong Suh #2. Another no-brainer here with this pick.

6:51 The Bucs select Gerald McCoy#3. There haven’t been any surprises so far, but I expect that to change soon.

6:58 The Skins select Trent Williams #4. Another Big 12 guy with plenty of upside, but I would have liked Okung here.

7:04 Eric Berry on the phone, says he’s going to the Chiefs. A bit of a surprise this high, but he looks like the real deal.

7:13 Russell Okung to the Seahawks. They have to be ecstatic that he was available at 6. Potential franchise tackle.

7:20 Michael Smith says he thinks Browns will go with Joe Haden. This would be the biggest surprise so far if it happens.

7:23 Haden to Cleveland. They could have gotten him a bit later I think, but maybe nobody wanted to trade up.

7:28 Raiders didn’t waste much time. Rolando McClain goes to Oakland. Thought they might go tackle here, and this may be a bit high here as well. McClain is legit, though.

7:30 Bills go quick as well. CJ Spiller is the pick. I’m surprised again, with Lynch and Jackson already in town.

7:37 Jags go for Tyson Alualu at 10. Another reach, but the guys they liked are gone (Spiller, McClain)

7:38 First trade of the night. Broncos trade #11 pick to 49ers. Teams swap firsts and Den gets a 4th (113 overall) in return

7:43 Niners take Anthony Davis. They have liked him all along and didn’t want anyone else to get him.

7:45 Dolphins trade 12 to Chargers. Expect plenty more moves throughout the first round.

7:49 Chargers trade up to get Ryan Mathews. They needed a compliment to Sproles, so nice pick here.

7:50 Broncos move again, this time trade pick to Eagles. Pick has to be Earl Thomas here. Philly loves him (more…)