Rams Fantasy News

Sources: Raiders to hire Broncos DC Dennis Allen
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 12:17pm

The Oakland Raiders will hire Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach, according to league sources.

The two sides spent much of Tuesday night hammering out an agreement and the contract is agreed to in principle but has not been signed, sources said.

New general manager Reggie McKenzie decided on his new coach exactly two weeks after he was hired. He immediately fired Hue Jackson, who went 8-8 in his only season as coach, and began the search.

Allen, a relative unknown to fans, was a finalist for the Rams' coaching job, according to sources, and would have been under strong consideration had Jeff Fisher not opted for St. Louis.

Saturday, January 21, 2012, 1:28pm

The Rams have hired Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 1:14pm

Rams HC Jeff Fisher listed the tenets of his offensive philosophy: "It's a team that's going to run the football and protect the quarterback."

The lack of protection helped make 2011 a year to forget for Bradford, who was sacked 36 times and missed six games because of a high ankle sprain that has yet to heal completely. Bradford said the topic came up in that first meeting and again Tuesday morning, before Fisher was introduced officially.

"He said whoever he brings in here as offensive coordinator, that will be a top priority," Bradford said. "Anytime you can hear that and be reassured of that, it makes my job a lot easier."

Jeff Fisher named head coach of Rams
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 4:43am

Jeff Fisher was the most coveted name among teams seeking a new coach, and he was widely known to be the top choice of the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. Fisher took his time deciding between the two franchises before agreeing to terms with the Rams late last week and finalizing the contract Monday. When he was formally introduced as the Rams' coach Tuesday, Fisher said his decision was made easy.

"I had two factors," Fisher said. "One was a good owner. The other was a good quarterback."

That quarterback is former No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford, who struggled through injuries in what Fisher described as a "difficult" 2011 season. Bradford completed 53.5 percent of his passes for 2,164 yards in 10 games, with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Fisher said Bradford's rookie season, when he passed for 3,512 yards with 18 TDs and 15 interceptions, is a better indication of his future.

"I think he has a chance to be a top quarterback in the NFL very, very soon," Fisher said of Bradford.

Monday, January 16, 2012, 7:10pm

Gregg Williams has agreed to join Jeff Fisher's staff, leaving as the Saints defensive coordinator for the Rams.

Jeff Fisher chooses the Rams
Friday, January 13, 2012, 4:56pm

It wasn't quite as overwrought as LeBron James' decision on which team to abandon Cleveland for, but Jeff Fisher has finally chosen a coaching destination. He will take his talents to the St. Louis Rams.

Last week, Fisher interviewed with both the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, visiting both teams' facilities. Rumors of where he would land started to leak on Monday, but there was no definitive news until ESPN reported today that he is headed to St. Louis.

Monday, January 9, 2012, 1:56pm

While the Rams may be celebrating the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels after a horrible season of play-calling, his signing with the Patriots as an offensive assistant creates some interesting controversies. One team labeled his hiring with New England as a loophole in the coaching rules that allows him to go to another team during the playoffs. McDaniels knows the Broncos better than anyone. He put them together in 2009 and 2010 and ended up losing his job as coach in the process. Now he gets to go up against many of the players he selected in the draft and in free agency, including Tebow.

"That's going to be strange," Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas said. "He drafted me and Tim."

Knowing Bill Belichick is big on knowledge, though, the Patriots will have a significant advantage in preparation.

Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris fired
Monday, January 2, 2012, 1:56pm

The Buccaneers have announced that HC Raheem Morris has been fired. He had one year left on his contract.

To no surprise, Jay Glazer of FOX reports that the rest of the coaching staff will be fired, too.

Unlike Rams G.M. Billy Devaney, who was fired along with HC Steve Spagnuolo, G.M. Mark Dominik is expected to stay. Dominik received a new contract after the season.

Brandon Lloyd may follow OC Josh McDaniels
Friday, December 30, 2011, 1:29pm

Brandon Lloyd has been happy as a Ram and says he wants to return to St. Louis next season and beyond.

"I would like to stay here," he told the Post-Dispatch. "I've been well-received by the players, by the coaches, by the community. It's been overwhelming; an overwhelmingly warm reception. Coming back to Missouri and St. Louis. I would love to grow with Sam Bradford; that would be awesome. I've never had a true elite-level quarterback in my career."

But there's a catch for Lloyd, the Kansas City area native who's scheduled for unrestricted free agency after this season. If offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels leaves St. Louis, Lloyd would attempt to follow.

"I can't even lie about that," Lloyd said. "I'm tied to McDaniels. He uses me differently than other offensive coordinators used me in my entire career. He uses me as an every-play receiver. The short game, mid-range game, gimmick passes, deep balls.

"I do everything in this offense as opposed to other coordinators who would just run me off as the deep guy; run me off into double coverage and then say I'm not open. So I really like how Josh uses me within the offense. I'm extremely comfortable in the offense. So that is definitely going to be a. ...

At this point Lloyd paused and didn't finish the thought.

A consideration? A factor?

"Probably No. 1 (as a factor)," Lloyd replied. "Because I want to be successful, and I want to earn whatever money I'm making. I want to be used in ways where I feel comfortable and I can be successful. And Josh knows how to do that."

Saints expected to play starters fully
Thursday, December 29, 2011, 12:09pm

HC Sean Payton said the team is playing well, is healthy and needs continuity. "We're going into it full speed ahead."

Monday, December 26, 2011, 1:50pm

Coach Spagnuolo presser; Sam Bradford and AJ Feeley will be day-to-day, Chris Long had no set backs coming out of the Pittsburgh game.