Rams Fantasy News

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 7:03pm

Jared Cook may be gone, but don’t try to tell Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains his tight end group has slipped.

He believes the opposite is the case, now that Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens and Taylor Thompon are the top three players at the position.

“This is probably the best group since Alge (Crumpler) and Bo Scaife,” said Loggains, who’s been with the Titans for eight years. “I feel really good about having three guys that can do a lot of different things. Also all three of them can be in-line blockers, point-of-attack blockers, and all of them have good speed.”

Crumpler and Scaife played together in 2008 and 2009 for the Titans.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, 8:05pm

As the spring ended, Austin Pettis and Chris Givens were working as the starting outside wide receivers, with first-round draft pick Austin the starting slot receiver, and Brian Quick the No. 4. Not that Quick has had a disappointing spring; it’s just that Pettis has been that impressive.

“(Quick’s) doing a lot better,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s stepped up this year. He’s just much more comfortable.”

Rams have "rerouted offense" through Sam Bradford
Thursday, June 13, 2013, 9:58am

With power back Steven Jackson gone to Atlanta, the Rams have rerouted their offense through QB Sam Bradford, loading up on speed at the skill positions and upgrading their line with tackle Jake Long's addition in free agency.

OC Brian Schottenheimer is back, marking the first time Bradford has had the same coordinator in successive NFL seasons, but so much else has changed.

"Totally different," Bradford said following practice Tuesday. "The speed that we have acquired and what we have on the outside now -- and even the inside -- it suits us more to spread it out and play more one-back this year."

Rams expected to use a "committee approach" at RB
Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 10:14am

Rookie running back Zac Stacy caught the ball well out of the backfield, including when he had to extend for passes outside his frame. Stacy is in position to get significant carries as a rookie fifth-round draft choice, but it's too early to know how the position will shake out. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expects a committee approach. Pass protection is one initial concern because Stacy, Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson are so young.

Monday, June 10, 2013, 2:14pm

“That offense really didn’t suit me,’’ Rams TE Jared Cook said of Tennessee's offense. “It didn’t fit me. That’s just how it is. Every team a player goes to, the fit is not perfect. Some guys have to move around to two or three teams before they find the perfect fit.’’

But Cook, who was also pursued by the Miami Dolphins, likes what he has seen so far in St. Louis. “I think I’m on an elevator going up,” he said in his first meeting with the local media.

“What we’re getting from Jared out there is what we expected,’’ HC Jeff Fisher said. “The ball’s going around, we’re matching him up, we’re creating mismatches, he’s making plays.

“Whether or not (he was underutilized with Tennessee), we feel like he can add a dimension to our offense that we don’t have.’’

Sunday, June 9, 2013, 6:47pm

Rams beat writer Tony Softli said that WR Brian Quick "put on a show [at OTAs]...catching 17 or 18 passes all over the field."

Sunday, June 9, 2013, 6:29pm

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is excited to see WR Chris Givens lining up in a variety of spots.

“I expect Chris to have a great year. He works extremely hard,’’ Bradford said. “Where last year he primarily played the ‘Z’ for us, now he’s also being asked to play inside. He’s being asked to go backside and play ‘X’. He’s a really, really smart football player; he understands our offense and I think by moving him to different spots in our offense, he’ll be able to run more routes.

“There’s only so many routes you can run from one position, but when you move him to two or three different spots, you can incorporate him in the whole offense.’’

Isaiah Pead suspended for Week 1
Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10:09am

Isaiah Pead's rookie season with the St. Louis Rams never got off the ground. His second season won't start on a promising note.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Pead will be suspended without pay for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.

Rapoport reports the team knew about Pead's violation for months, deeming it "minor," and continues to have high expectations for the running back.

Monday, May 27, 2013, 2:10pm

It’s clear from watching that the Rams intend to be more high octane offensively. QB Sam Bradford discussed that possibility yesterday and it seemed it was very likely given the weapons that were added during the offseason.

Tavon Austin taking handoffs in practice
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:50am

Tavon Austin, chosen No. 8 overall in the recent NFL draft, took a few handoffs midway through practice. At West Virginia last fall, in addition to catching 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, Austin rushed 72 times for 643 yards and three scores.

Sam Bradford and Jared Cook "seem to be clicking"
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:49am

Quarterback Sam Bradford and new tight end Jared Cook seem to be clicking. Signed as a free agent, the ex-Tennessee Titan should be a huge part of the new-look Rams' attack.

Friday, May 24, 2013, 10:09am

Rams TE Lance Kendricks not in OTAs. Had right knee scoped after swelling last month. WR Brian Quick sat out today; tight hamstring.

Schiano "not against" Mike Glennon winning QB job
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:14am

Buccaneers HC Greg Schiano said he believes QB Mike Glennon “can play quickly” if he is needed. “But our situation will be only if he’s needed,” he said. “Or if he wins the job. Look, I’m not against that. We have a starting quarterback. It’s not like we’re looking to find a starter. But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor. I knew that when he was coming out of high school. Now being able to work with him a little, you can see it on the practice field.”

“He has pocket presence, ability to feel the rush and move in the pocket,” Schiano said. “He can extend the play. Can he tuck the ball and run away from people? No. He is not going to be the guy who makes the 30 yard run. Can he tuck it and keep himself safe? Yes, he shows that he does that on college tape a lot. He takes off to run to get out of bounds.”

Rams to use Tavon Austin all over the field
Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 12:43pm

When the Rams traded up to take West Virginia’s Tavon Austin with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, the only question was what his primary role would be in St. Louis: Will he be their No. 1 receiver? Take handoffs out of the backfield? Handle punt and kickoff returns?

Rams coach Jeff Fisher would love the answer to be all of the above.

“We’re going to try to get the ball to him as often as we can, however we do that,” Fisher said.

The Rams see Austin as a uniquely talented player, a player who has such versatility that he could be the Rams’ leading receiver in one game, their leading rusher in another game, and score a touchdown on special teams in another game.

“He’s very talented. We drafted him because he’s got receiver skills, run skills, return skills. We think we can use him in all those areas,” Fisher said.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 3:57pm

At the moment, Rams WRs Brian Quick and Chris Givens project as the starting outside receivers, with Tavon Austin in the slot. The Rams could pair those three up in two tight end sets with Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks in what would be an empty backfield. Three- and four-receiver sets figure to see more use at the Edward Jones Dome than they have since the days of Mike Martz.

Cook alone could line up on the line, in the backfield, in the slot and out wide.

As for Austin, the possibilities are just as numerous. When asked Thursday if Austin will line up in the backfield as a ball-carrier, HC Jeff Fisher smiled and said: “Maybe. We’ll see.”

Actually, Austin let the cat out of the playbook earlier that night while on a conference call with St. Louis reporters.

“They showed me all the positions that I did when I played for Coach (Dana) Holgorsen,” Austin said, referring to the West Virginia head coach. “They’re going to use me in the backfield. Coach Fisher talked to me about special teams, and I’m definitely a slot receiver. So, they definitely have a plan for me.”