Turf Show Times

St. Louis Rams Free Agent Options: Reggie Wayne

2012-02-11T18:05:00Z

Reggie Wayne is probably one of the most recognizable names in free agency, but hasn’t been mentioned much here at Turf Show Times. Besides being a pass catcher for the seeming guided missiles of Peyton Manning for the past decade plus, Reggie Wayne has been the measure of consistency for the Indianapolis Colts.

The 33 year old New Orleans Louisiana native is 6’ 0" and 198 lbs of pigskin snagging flesh and bone. Reggie Wayne is not the biggest receiver you will ever see, but he runs good routes and has those ever desired soft hands. (Insert joke of choice here.) So what has he done besides be the envy of every undersized receiver in the league?

During his 11 years in the league he has:

173 games played (If you are playing at home that is only 3 games missed due to injury) 862 receptions, 11, 708 yards, a 13.6 yard per catch average, 67.7 yards per game caught, 73 touchdowns, 156 catches of 20 or more yards, 30 catches of 40 or more yards, 618 catches that resulted in a 1st down, and only 8 fumbles. Like I said before, he is the measure of consistency. Even in a year where the Colts had two of the worst quarterbacks under center, Reggie Wayne had 76 catches for 960 yards.

As much as the Colts organization would love to have him back next year, he most likely will end up somewhere else before draft day. Why St. Louis? There is much chatter of Blackmon being the Rams number one pick, and if that is the case, why not bring in one of the most experienced and technically sound wide receivers in the NFL to mentor and counsel him? Even if the Rams go another direction in the draft, Sam Bradford needs a go to receiver opposite the hopefully re-signed Brandon Lloyd.

At the age of 33, Wayne will not command as much in the way of salary as Vincent Jackson. Granted Jackson has more upside by being 3 years younger, but this team’s rebuilding is not all about youth movement, as free agents like Tulloch, Finnegan, and others are names being bounced around at Rams headquarters.

Poll

What say you Rams fans?

2012 NFL Free Agency: Defensive Big Board

2012-02-11T16:57:23Z

Since the end of the 2011 season has wrapped up, attention now turns towards the combine, the draft, and free agency. Though a team cannot be built through free agency, it can be strengthen and holes can be quickly filled with proven players.

Today I wanted to focus on the best free agents on the defensive side of the ball. Though this class isn't as star studded as the offensive free agents, there are still some good young players who can help many teams tremendously.

The Rams have many needs on defense. Defensive tackle and outside linebacker are spots that must be addressed. Also, cornerback is a position that has uncertainty surrounding it. The top three corners, Bartell, Fletcher and Murphy are all coming off season ending injuries. The Rams could be interested in bringing in a more certain option.

After the jump, my defensive free agent big board.

DEs/Pass rushing OLBs

1. Mario Williams- He tore his pec and missed last season, but he is still one of the premier defensive players in the NFL.

2. Robert Matthis- he has been overshadowed by Dwight Freeny his whole career, but he still is a tremendous pass rusher. He is a player who depends on speed and explosiveness, and now at 30 years old, he will probably have to settle with a short term contract.

3. Anthony Spencer- Though he hasn't been a great pass rusher in his career, he is a very effective run stuffer from the 3-4 SLB spot.

4. Cliff Avril- Avril topped double digit sacks for the first time in his career last season with 11. At the young age of 25, he will get a good contract soon. One of our community members had a post earlier discussing why he thinks the Rams should be interested in him.

5. John Abraham- He isn't close to what he used to be at age 34, but he can still help a team in a specialized pass rusher role.

3-4 DEs/DTs

1. Calais Campbell- He is one of the best 5 techniques in the NFL. I don't see a way the Cardinals let him walk and they will probably use the franchise tag if it comes down to it.

2. Jason Jones- he is a good pass rusher from the inside. Being a former Titan, many have speculated that the Rams would be very interested in signing him. They may not get that chance. Ryan reported earlier that Jones and the Titans have enter preliminary discussions for a new contract.

3. Antonio Garay- The Chargers NT had a breakout year in 2010, but a bit of a disappointing year in 2011. At age 32, he can still be an effective run stuffer, but likely will have to play in a limited role.

4. Sione Pouha- he's in the same boat as Garay. He was a late bloomer, who at the age of 33 is looking for his first big contract.

5. Cory Redding- He is a solid 5 technique for the Ravens. At age 31 he still has a couple of years of good production left.

LBs

1. Curtis Lofton- he was fifth in the NFL in tackles in 2011. He is a great young player for the Falcons and it's unlikely they will let him hit the market.

2. D'Qwell Jackson- he was second in the NFL in tackles last season. At age 28 he still has a lot of football left in him.

3. Stephen Tulloch- A former Titan who left them to sign with Detroit for one season. He was very impressive for the surprising Lions. The Fisher connection can't be ignored when trying to gauge the Rams interested in his services. Another one of our great community members laid out a post about the Rams signing him.

4. Dan Connor- he is a player who can be very successful at either MLB or SLB in a 4-3 defense. Considering the other great LBs on the Panthers, it's likely he will be looking for a new team with a starting position.

5. David Hawthorne- he is a very solid OBL and at age 26, he is just entering the prime of his career.

CBs

1. Cortland Finnegan- His whole career has been overshadowed by his dirty tactics, mostly a fight that he had with Andre Johnson, but he has been a top ten corner for the majority of his career. Evan Silva said on Twitter, that the Rams will court Finnegan and might cut Ron Bartell if they sign him.

2. Standford Routt- The Raiders signed him to a 5 year 54 million dollar contract last August, but they just recently released him. He is already being courted by the Bills and the Titans and will be a very popular man over the next month or so.

3. Brent Grimes- he has quietly been a great corner over the last couple of season. He outplayed the Falcons big free agent signing of last offseason, Dunta Robinson and he will be looking for a contract in that same money range.

4. Carlos Rogers- he was All-Pro quality last season for the 49ers, but he was never impressive in Washington. At age 30 he will be looking for a long term deal, but I struggle seeing a team giving him one.

5. Brandon Carr- He is a young, 25 years old, tough physical corner. The Chiefs will be looking to do all they can to keep him in KC and may franchise him if they can't get a deal worked out.

Safeties

1. Dashon Goldson- He had a breakout year on the niners defense in 2011. I don't see a way they let him get to the open market and they will probably use the franchise tag if they have to.

2. LaRon Landry- he is one of the better safeties in the NFL, one problem though; he's always injured. Still at age 27 with all that talent, he will get a good deal.

3. Tyvon Branch- At only age 25, he has had three strait years with over 100 tackle at SS for the Raiders. He is great in run support, but average in coverage. The Raiders will be looking to retain him, but I don't think it's too the level of using a tag on him.

4. Michael Griffen- at his best he is a pro-bowl quality player. The problem is he can never stay at his best. He is a very inconsistent player, but with the talent he possess at age 27, he will get a good deal.

5. Thomas DeCoud- he is an above average safety at a relatively young age, 26. Not overly impressive but solid in run support and in coverage.

Thanks for reading. Be on the lookout for the FA Big Board offensive edition!!

2012 NFL Draft: Michael Floyd Expected Surprise At The Combine

2012-02-11T16:00:18Z

The debate about the top receivers in the 2012 NFL Draft figures to be more of the more heated discussions leading up to this year's event. One name in the mix among first rounders is Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd. After missing the Senior Bowl last month, he needs to make a big splash at the Combine later this month. And he might be primed to according to Tony Pauline of SI.com.

Floyd missed the Senior Bowl to recover from injuries sustained late in the season. He plans to to run at the Combine, and he might impress with the results. Per Pauline, Floyd's forty time should beat expectations. Some have Floyd running a 4.54 forty right now. If he were to get that number down to the upper 4.4s, his draft stock would catch fire.

The consensus top receiver now is Justin Blackmon. The Oklahoma State product is a very good receiver, but he is not on the same level as a last year's top receivers, A.J. Green and Julio Jones. That has pushed back on the predictions that Blackmon merits at top five pick, where some want the Rams to take him.

Floyd has the size and hands to win physical battles with defensive backs. He does not explode off the line, but he does know how to use his skills to work well against the press. He also has very quick feet to work his way through defenders. Floyd would be a nice fit for Schottenheimer's offense. He can work the slot or the outside, and he does a good job picking up yards after the catch on short passes.

If the Rams trade down and Floyd looks the part, he would almost certainly have to be in play for the pick.

Posting a surprise forty time will not be Floyd's only task in boosting his draft stock. He will have to satisfy concerns stemming from his alcohol arrests in college as well as his injury history.

For a complete scouting report, check out Mocking the Draft.

Dodgers Bids Due Feb. 23; Stan Kroenke Still In The Running

2012-02-11T15:14:18Z

Bidding for the Los Angeles Dodgers enters an important new phase this month. The second round of bids are due by Feb. 23, and those bids could go along way toward winnowing down the decision as to who will be the team's new owner. St. Louis Rams owner and all around sports mogul Stan Kroenke is still in the running.

Potential buyers will need to convince the Blackstone Group, the bank overseeing the sale of team, that they have the means to cough up the estimated $1.5 billion asking price for the team. Financial records will be thoroughly scrutinized in this phase of the process.

Kroenke should have little trouble making assurances about his finances. Both he and his wife are billionaires.

Simply having the money is only one requirement. Potential buyers will have to pass muster with Major League Baseball and win the approval of Frank McCourt.

The Fox Group, part of News Corp, is courting potential buyers with an eye on a minority stake in the team to procure a slice of the TV rights, worth billions of dollars. Television rights for the Dodgers could be among the most lucrative in pro sports. McCourt tried to keep the team by selling two decades of broadcast rights for some $20 billion. They may be worth more. Even the Padres fetched $20 million annually plus ad sales for their TV rights.

Rams Want George Paton For GM Job

2012-02-11T14:34:17Z

The St. Louis Rams may be close to finding their general manager. According to reports from the Post-Dispatch, Minnesota Vikings director of player personnel George Paton is leading a two-horse race with Atlanta's Les Snead.

Paton had a second interview with the Rams this last week. He will meet with Rams owner Stan Kroenke in the coming days, if he has not already. Paton has held his current position in the Vikings' front office for five years.

And what has Paton standing above the other candidates? His reputation for working with others has reportedly earned him an endorsement from new head coach and football czar in St. Louis, Jeff Fisher. His work as a personnel man in Minnesota speaks well of his ability too, despite the Vikings' miserable record.

Paton made the move to acquire Jared Allen. He also let the oft-injured, but super talented Sidney Rice walk away in free agency rather than tie up big bucks to keep him. That qualifies as making a tough decision, something he would likely have to do with the Rams as the new staff turns over some big contracts on the roster.

Arizona's Steve Keim had some inside the organization lobbying for him.

The same article also notes that Rich Snead will also join the Rams staff. TST was the first to report last week that Snead was likely to join the Rams as a pro scout.

St. Louis Rams Free Agent Options: Stephen Tulloch

2012-02-11T04:54:00Z

via media.sunherald.com

At 5’ 11" and 240 lbs, Stephen Tulloch is the "Pocket Hercules" of NFL linebackers. He was drafted by Jeff Fisher and the Titans in 2006, placing obvious connections to the Rams, and has enjoyed a steady incline in playing time ever since. In 2010, Fisher’s last year with the Titans, Tulloch became a full-time starter, amassing 160 total tackles on the year.

Last offseason Tulloch signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, rejoining former defensive coach, Jim Schwartz. Once again, he was a 16 game starter at middle linebacker. His stats on the year were nothing short of impressive, totaling 111 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions. Against New Orleans in the playoffs, he made 15 tackles, batted 2 passes and forced a pivotal Marques Colston fumble.

The Lions will likely do everything in their power to get Tulloch under contract long-term, but there is sure to be a bidding war for his services. Having just turned 27, he is only entering the prime of his career. The only concern about Tulloch and the Rams is fan-favorite, James Laurinaitis, who already has the middle of the field locked down. If Fisher believes that he has the ability to play on either the weak or strong side, then I expect the Rams to show interest. The Rams will begin 2012 with at least one new starting linebacker, and Stephen Tulloch may fit the bill.

Poll

Would Stephen Tulloch be a good free agent acquisition?

St. Louis Rams: The Players to Keep - Steven Jackson

2012-02-10T21:16:38Z

I'm not quite sure about the word "heroic" when it comes to sports. The term seems more readily reserved for soldiers serving their country, or firemen and police officers who save lives every day.

There are inspiring moments in sports, some even inspire Hollywood movies commemorating efforts in their "expansive" way. If "heroic" is applied to a player of sport - to me anyway - the definition can't be relegated to a few singular efforts or acts. It's about a body of work serving as proof that the player rose above an implicit challenge. He or she didn't just seize a day, they seized a career; a body of work...

The St. Louis Rams have been blessed with a player that defines "heroic" as it can be applied to sports. In the 2004 NFL Draft, the Rams selected a running back named Steven Rashad Jackson. He was given the jersey number "39", and told to step into the shadow, the legacy, of one of the most powerful offenses in NFL history as it slid into decline. The years that followed Jackson's draft with the 24th pick in the 2004 NFL draft have been marked with teammates moving on, coaches shown the door, and the game of football morphing into a "pass first" world. Throughout Steven Jackson's career, he has excelled in spite of the team around him...

Statistics and charts courtesy of one of my faaaaavorite NFL info sites - RotoWorld

Current Season Stats
Year			Rushing						Receiving						Fumb.	KO Ret		Punt Ret
Year	Team	G	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	100+	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	100+	TD	Lost	Yds	TD	Yds	TD
2011	STL	15	260	1145	76.3	4.4	4	5	42	333	22.2	7.9	0	1	1	0	0	0	0

Career Stats
Year			Rushing						Receiving						Fumb.	KO Ret		Punt Ret
Year	Team	G	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	100+	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	100+	TD	Lost	Yds	TD	Yds	TD
2004	STL	14	134	673	48.1	5.0	2	4	19	189	13.5	9.9	0	0	1	79	0	0	0
2005	STL	15	254	1046	69.7	4.1	2	8	43	320	21.3	7.4	0	2	3	0	0	0	0
2006	STL	16	346	1528	95.5	4.4	6	13	90	806	50.4	9.0	2	3	2	0	0	0	0
2007	STL	12	237	1002	83.5	4.2	2	5	38	271	22.6	7.1	0	1	2	0	0	0	0
2008	STL	12	254	1043	86.9	4.1	4	7	40	379	31.6	9.5	0	1	3	0	0	0	0
2009	STL	15	324	1416	94.4	4.4	7	4	51	322	21.5	6.3	0	0	2	0	0	0	0
2010	STL	16	330	1241	77.6	3.8	4	6	46	383	23.9	8.3	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
2011	STL	15	260	1145	76.3	4.4	4	5	42	333	22.2	7.9	0	1	1	0	0	0	0

In 2008, Jackson held out for a new contract, as his bargain basement 5 year - $7 million rookie contract wound down. He became the highest paid running back in the NFL at that time, signing a new six year contract in 2008 that at it's maximum could earn him $49.3 million over the life of the contract. The contract included $21 million in guarantees, some of which was covered in a $11.4 million signing bonus.

Steven Jackson has deserved every penny he been paid. The 2011 season for Jackson was marred by a freak injury in the Rams first game of the year. It turned out to be an omen of things to come for the Rams, as player after player fell to injuries that were at time bizarre, if not absurd. (See Cadillac Williams and Bradley Fletcher)

The 2012 season brings with it yet another change in coaching and front office regimes for Jackson and his Rams teammates. It also brings some new fiscal realities too. The Collective Bargaining Agreement signed after the 2011 NFL lockout has redefined player value, and not just for newly drafted players covered by the rookie salary cap. How it will all shake out will be interesting to see, with many seeing the new CBA as a boon for veteran players in free agency. Others are postulating that player value, at or near their career apogee, will be more closely watched than ever before as Salary Cap pressure builds, and ways to aleviate it are sought.

While everyone ruminates over this player or that, the cold hard facts are that in the St. Louis Rams current Salary Cap state, ($10 miliion +- under the CAP) the front office, ownership, and coaches will be examining virtually ever player on the team. They will look at obvious player with behemoth contracts that haven't performed. (see: Jason Smith) They will also be looking at Steven Jackson, and will try to establish some kind of cost to benefit ratio to establish his future or immediate worth.

Steven Jackson's contract

"8/21/2008: Signed a six-year, $44.805 million contract. The deal contains $20.5 million guaranteed, including an $11.395 million signing bonus. Another $4.495 million is available through incentives. He must average 1,200 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving over the first four years to void the final two seasons on his contract. 2011: $7.2 million, 2012-2013: $7 million (Voidable Years), 2014: Free Agent" - Via RotoWorld and the St. Louis Post Dispatch

The St. Louis Rams new head coach, Jeff Fisher, has a history of being a "Run First" kind of coach. His new offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, is said to be a "run oriented" guy too. If this were 2006, with Jackson coming off a great season, no one would even think about #39 as a possible fiscal casualty. Personally, I'd be appalled if Steven Jackson's career with the Rams ended based on a "penny here - penny there" mentality.

If you consider the highest paid running backs in the NFL today, Jackson's contract is so reasonable, that it borders on the ridiculous (See: Chris Johnson). Steven Jackson has value that transcends his statistics. His leadership on the team is second to none. If every Rams player had Jackson's work ethic, the St. Louis Rams headquarters would be littered with Lombardi Trophy-s. On a team with few shining lights, Steven Jackson has quietly been a beacon.

On game day at the Edward Jones Dome, as players are introduced, applause fills the air. When Steven Jackson appears through whatever simulated smoke or fireworks the Rams PR people dream up, you see someone that's different. Someone that inspires thoughts of the heroic...

2012 NFL Free Agents: Titans And DT Jason Jones Talking Contract

2012-02-10T19:43:15Z

The Tennessee Titans and Jason Jones have entered the preliminary phase of contract discussions. According to Titans Insider, the team is making an effort to prevent their defensive lineman from slipping away in free agency. Re-signing Jones carries potential implications for the St. Louis Rams.

Jones is one of more than a dozen free agents from the Titans 2011 roster. He is also one of their top priorities to keep among that list of players. Jones, a natural three technique tackle, was moved to defensive end last season. He struggled in that role. Jones has indicated in the past that where the Titans want him to play may determine his future with the team.

The Rams need help in the middle of their defensive line. Justin Bannan, who signed a three-year, $8 million contract last year, gave the Rams a stout presence against the run, but the decline of Fred Robbins left the front four without a legitimate pass rusher in the middle.

Jones had an overall grade of -9.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2011, including a -10.9 rating as a pass rusher. In 2010, working in the middle as a three technique, Jones had an overall rating of 21.6 and a pass rush rating of 17.3. I'll offer my usual caveat that PFF's ratings are somewhat subjective, but offer a handy guide for individual performances. It's hard to overstate the difference in production for Jones between the two seasons and two spots on the defensive line.

On a side note, you have to vote for our own Tevin Broner (TST front page author T.Ram) in this sports broadcaster challenge thing.