5 Takeaways From Les Snead and Jeff Fisher’s Pre-Draft Presser

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher talks with quarterback

(8) and teammates prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jeff Fisher and Les Snead continue to stand by Sam Bradford

"(On the Johnny Manziel rumors and potentially trading QB Sam Bradford) Fisher: Johnny was probably one of a dozen quarterbacks that we worked out over this process. With respect to Sam, he’s our starter. As you guys know, that was the reason I took this job was for our owner and because of Sam, our quarterback. We have all the confidence in the world that he’ll be back. But, we also have the responsibility to continue to upgrade this roster as it would suggest. If the right guy is there to help in a back-up role to Sam, then we’ll make sure we’ve done our due diligence.” Dec 16, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) attempts a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports 2. As far as we know, the Rams were not shopping Bradford (On if they are shopping Bradford) FISHER: “No, we are not shopping Sam. On the road, I forget where we were last week, but we saw (on T.V.) that Johnny Manziel was sighted in St. Louis. I think it was one of the next things that they wanted to discuss or something like that, you know? The reality is the 30 visits were over and it’s not permissible to bring in players at that point. So, that kind of gives you an indication of the rumors and things like that.” (On if it is inconceivable that something could happen between today when Bradford is identified as the Rams’ quarterback and the team hasn’t shopped him to it’s Thursday and they could shop him) FISHER: “Well, anything can happen but, I think it’s highly unlikely. We’ve identified six to eight players that we think potentially could fit us at (No.) 2. And then, of course, we’ve gone on with the additional process at (No.) 13. That’s been the challenge for us upstairs is that we have two separate issues going on and we have to make sure we address – equally -each pick. You don’t get consumed with one and then get caught off guard with the other, so we’ve got a couple different scenarios.” August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The play was reviewed and ruled no touchdown. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports 3. Snead believes in his receivers that he’s draft and although the Rams could use a Watkins or Evans, the position isn’t a priority.   (On this year’s draft of receivers and if the position is a priority) SNEAD: “We’ve said it, I mean, I think we’ve said it 100 times. We’ve drafted receivers. I think they take more time to develop than others. You’ve got to go through that process to get those guys on the field. This year’s receiver class, pretty deep class. Again, I haven’t gone back and said this year’s got 14 starters, last year only had eight. But when you look at the board, I think teams that really want receivers, they’re looking at the board and going, ‘Wow, we’ve got a chance to get one.’ Especially in the first round, second round, that can help those teams win or be starters.”   (On what he likes about Sammy Watkins and if he is head and shoulders above the other receivers in this year’s class) SNEAD: “You know, he seems to be the poster child above the other guys, and hey, he’s proven that – run after the catch, ability to catch the ball, all those things. He’s got some development to do, like a lot of them, but I wouldn’t discount some of the others behind him. Whether it’s the Texas A&M (Mike Evans) guy because he go get rebounds…whoever is third and fourth, but Sammy, if he’s winning the horse race it’s for a reason, but he’s not up by two horse lengths.”   (On how the signing of WR Kenny Britt may impact the team’s approach to receivers in the draft and how Britt has looked to this point) FISHER: “We’re two weeks into the program and he’s done a great job. He’s healthy, he’s running and he’s having a blast. I think that helps. We’re trying to create as much competition as we can. Certainly Kenny has added to that. I think we brought him in here for a reason, that’s to make plays. But again, if the guy is there at that position at the right time, sometimes they’re hard to pass up.”  Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports 4. The Rams have a lot of opportunities and many scenarios in this draft.   (On what allows this to be a successful draft for the Rams) SNEAD: “You’ve got 12 picks; make the most of the opportunity. That could be using some of your picks to go up and get a guy. It could be trading a pick for a better pick in the future. It could be picking a better player there…you’re going to have picked people before, and you want to look at everybody and say, ‘If we pick this player, what’s his role on this team, the next two or three years,’ and try to make the best choice. So whether it’s using those picks to go get people you want or actually picking players, you just want them…I’d say just stack good decisions. Make them one at a time. Try to stack as many good decisions as possible and there will be a flywheel, there will be a snowball effect and guess what, it’ll turn into good things.’   (On if they’ve identified multiple players that are suitable for the No. 2 pick) SNEAD: “Hadn’t picked at (No.) 2 often. I think this year, definitely, there’s a lot of avenues we can go and we’re jacked about. But I think you’re right…you’re hitting on something there.  But, I haven’t picked at (No.) 2 often.”   (On if this year’s draft is wide open and up in the air compared to previous drafts as he’s seen throughout his years) SNEAD: “I think from a wide open, dramatic draft, I’ve mentioned, we don’t even know what Houston’s going to do yet. You’re starting to get a lot of different rumors. You don’t even know who’s going to be picking at (No.) 1 yet. Nobody knows who the first quarterback’s off the board yet. In that top whole (No.) 7 to (No.) 10, there’s a lot of things going on that I don’t even know in your mocks if you’ll get it right. So, I think that’s what’ll make it a little bit dramatic. It’ll be fun to watch.”   (On if there is more intrigue with the 13th pick because of the potential for a highly-rated player to fall) FISHER: “That’s what 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are doing. They’re going through all of their scenarios and mocks hoping that maybe somebody will get to them. We’re doing that as well. That’s what I said initially. To a certain extent, we have to kind of separate the two (picks), or start all over at three and then sit there and go right back to work on 13. If there’s a player that falls, if you like them, go get them.”   Nov 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns helmet lays on the ground before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports 5. Rams are still in search of a trade partner for the number two pick (On if they plan to continue their recent trend of first-round trades) SNEAD: “What’s Houston going to do?”   (On if anything is going on in terms of teams calling the Rams about trades) SNEAD: “Man, people are still flirting. Nobody’s asking me to the prom yet. I think this week it gets slightly more serious, but again I think with our pick at (No.) 2, hey just like we’re waiting on Houston to draw first blood, those teams somewhat have to wait on Houston as well. I think that’s why we’ve always said this stuff may really come down to they make the pick and you’ve got 10 minutes.”   (On if teams reveal to each other what player they’re targeting when discussing potential trades) SNEAD:“In my case, nobody really ever tells you the individual’s name. Every now and then, maybe.” FISHER: “It’s, ‘If our guy is there.’ That’s the conversation you have. So if your guy’s there or your guy’s not there, then you would come out or you would come up if your guy’s there. But not specific on who their guy is, no.”   (On if they can usually figure out who a potential trade partner is targeting) SNEAD: “It’s an educated guess. You’ve got a good feel for who you think they’re probably coming up for. But the – I guess you call it – ‘fail safe’ in that situation is you better be willing to lose certain players and know that you’re fine. If you go back there, you’re going to get a guy and you’re happy because they can come get the guy you really want here. So you’ve got to be willing to lose a few to make it a fail-safe situation.”  Apr 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher (left) and first round draft picks Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree and general manager Les Snead speak with the media at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports As you can tell, Fisher and Snead didn’t give up a whole lot, and each question had a general answer. We did find out a few things, but for the most part, we are still pretty clueless as to which direction the Rams will be going on Thursday. View the full press conference right here. (On if they are shopping Bradford) FISHER: “No, we are not shopping Sam. On the road, I forget where we were last week, but we saw (on T.V.) that Johnny Manziel was sighted in St. Louis. I think it was one of the next things that they wanted to discuss or something like that, you know? The reality is the 30 visits were over and it’s not permissible to bring in players at that point. So, that kind of gives you an indication of the rumors and things like that.” (On if it is inconceivable that something could happen between today when Bradford is identified as the Rams’ quarterback and the team hasn’t shopped him to it’s Thursday and they could shop him) FISHER: “Well, anything can happen but, I think it’s highly unlikely. We’ve identified six to eight players that we think potentially could fit us at (No.) 2. And then, of course, we’ve gone on with the additional process at (No.) 13. That’s been the challenge for us upstairs is that we have two separate issues going on and we have to make sure we address – equally -each pick. You don’t get consumed with one and then get caught off guard with the other, so we’ve got a couple different scenarios.” August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The play was reviewed and ruled no touchdown. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports 3. Snead believes in his receivers that he’s draft and although the Rams could use a Watkins or Evans, the position isn’t a priority.   (On this year’s draft of receivers and if the position is a priority) SNEAD: “We’ve said it, I mean, I think we’ve said it 100 times. We’ve drafted receivers. I think they take more time to develop than others. You’ve got to go through that process to get those guys on the field. This year’s receiver class, pretty deep class. Again, I haven’t gone back and said this year’s got 14 starters, last year only had eight. But when you look at the board, I think teams that really want receivers, they’re looking at the board and going, ‘Wow, we’ve got a chance to get one.’ Especially in the first round, second round, that can help those teams win or be starters.”   (On what he likes about Sammy Watkins and if he is head and shoulders above the other receivers in this year’s class) SNEAD: “You know, he seems to be the poster child above the other guys, and hey, he’s proven that – run after the catch, ability to catch the ball, all those things. He’s got some development to do, like a lot of them, but I wouldn’t discount some of the others behind him. Whether it’s the Texas A&M (Mike Evans) guy because he go get rebounds…whoever is third and fourth, but Sammy, if he’s winning the horse race it’s for a reason, but he’s not up by two horse lengths.”   (On how the signing of WR Kenny Britt may impact the team’s approach to receivers in the draft and how Britt has looked to this point) FISHER: “We’re two weeks into the program and he’s done a great job. He’s healthy, he’s running and he’s having a blast. I think that helps. We’re trying to create as much competition as we can. Certainly Kenny has added to that. I think we brought him in here for a reason, that’s to make plays. But again, if the guy is there at that position at the right time, sometimes they’re hard to pass up.”  Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports 4. The Rams have a lot of opportunities and many scenarios in this draft.   (On what allows this to be a successful draft for the Rams) SNEAD: “You’ve got 12 picks; make the most of the opportunity. That could be using some of your picks to go up and get a guy. It could be trading a pick for a better pick in the future. It could be picking a better player there…you’re going to have picked people before, and you want to look at everybody and say, ‘If we pick this player, what’s his role on this team, the next two or three years,’ and try to make the best choice. So whether it’s using those picks to go get people you want or actually picking players, you just want them…I’d say just stack good decisions. Make them one at a time. Try to stack as many good decisions as possible and there will be a flywheel, there will be a snowball effect and guess what, it’ll turn into good things.’   (On if they’ve identified multiple players that are suitable for the No. 2 pick) SNEAD: “Hadn’t picked at (No.) 2 often. I think this year, definitely, there’s a lot of avenues we can go and we’re jacked about. But I think you’re right…you’re hitting on something there.  But, I haven’t picked at (No.) 2 often.”   (On if this year’s draft is wide open and up in the air compared to previous drafts as he’s seen throughout his years) SNEAD: “I think from a wide open, dramatic draft, I’ve mentioned, we don’t even know what Houston’s going to do yet. You’re starting to get a lot of different rumors. You don’t even know who’s going to be picking at (No.) 1 yet. Nobody knows who the first quarterback’s off the board yet. In that top whole (No.) 7 to (No.) 10, there’s a lot of things going on that I don’t even know in your mocks if you’ll get it right. So, I think that’s what’ll make it a little bit dramatic. It’ll be fun to watch.”   (On if there is more intrigue with the 13th pick because of the potential for a highly-rated player to fall) FISHER: “That’s what 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are doing. They’re going through all of their scenarios and mocks hoping that maybe somebody will get to them. We’re doing that as well. That’s what I said initially. To a certain extent, we have to kind of separate the two (picks), or start all over at three and then sit there and go right back to work on 13. If there’s a player that falls, if you like them, go get them.”   Nov 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns helmet lays on the ground before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports 5. Rams are still in search of a trade partner for the number two pick (On if they plan to continue their recent trend of first-round trades) SNEAD: “What’s Houston going to do?”   (On if anything is going on in terms of teams calling the Rams about trades) SNEAD: “Man, people are still flirting. Nobody’s asking me to the prom yet. I think this week it gets slightly more serious, but again I think with our pick at (No.) 2, hey just like we’re waiting on Houston to draw first blood, those teams somewhat have to wait on Houston as well. I think that’s why we’ve always said this stuff may really come down to they make the pick and you’ve got 10 minutes.”   (On if teams reveal to each other what player they’re targeting when discussing potential trades) SNEAD:“In my case, nobody really ever tells you the individual’s name. Every now and then, maybe.” FISHER: “It’s, ‘If our guy is there.’ That’s the conversation you have. So if your guy’s there or your guy’s not there, then you would come out or you would come up if your guy’s there. But not specific on who their guy is, no.”   (On if they can usually figure out who a potential trade partner is targeting) SNEAD: “It’s an educated guess. You’ve got a good feel for who you think they’re probably coming up for. But the – I guess you call it – ‘fail safe’ in that situation is you better be willing to lose certain players and know that you’re fine. If you go back there, you’re going to get a guy and you’re happy because they can come get the guy you really want here. So you’ve got to be willing to lose a few to make it a fail-safe situation.”  Apr 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher (left) and first round draft picks Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree and general manager Les Snead speak with the media at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports As you can tell, Fisher and Snead didn’t give up a whole lot, and each question had a general answer. We did find out a few things, but for the most part, we are still pretty clueless as to which direction the Rams will be going on Thursday. View the full press conference right here.  (On if they plan to continue their recent trend of first-round trades)"