May 22, 2013

Bowe makes bold prediction about the Chiefs

Just two days into OTAs and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is happy with what he is seeing from the new coaching staff, new quarterback and a new offensive scheme, which has Bowe thinking big.

Following the team’s second uptempo practice, Bowe predicts that not only will Jamaal Charles lead the NFL in rushing average, but that he will lead the league in receptions and touchdowns. That would be a complete turnaround from the offensive numbers we’ve been seeing from the Chiefs in recent years.

Andy Reid, or ‘Big Red,’ as Bowe refers to him, has been demanding a fast paced approach to the offense. Bowe says when they minimize the mistakes and tighten things up the offense is going to be fun to watch. He’s excited because he sees more vertical pass plays being called and his respects his new signal caller, Alex Smith, who commands attention in the huddle.

AUDIO Dwayne Bowe discusses day two of OTAs (3:15)

Chiefs sign draft pick, add another offensive coach

The Chiefs signed running back Knile Davis, who selected in the third round of the NFL Draft.   The Chiefs have now signed three of their eight draft picks. They previously signed sixth-round center Eric Kush and seventh-round linebacker Mike Catapano. In 2010 at Arkansas, Davis rushed for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns, but missed all of 2011 because of a broken ankle.  He saw limited action in 2012 dealing with a hamstring injury and he dealt with fumble issues.

The team also added former Nevada head coach Chris Ault as an offensive specialist.  Ault is known as the guru of the pistol offense, which features option plays. Colin Kaepernick was among the quarterbacks who played for Ault at Nevada.  Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as the San Francisco 49ers head coach.

Rams made a good move passing on troubled receiver Titus Young

The Rams drafted two wide receivers from West Virginia to help shore up that position, but before that, head coach Jeff Fisher was willing to give a look at former Detroit wide receiver Titus Young, who was kicked off the team for being a trouble maker.  Ten days after the Rams brought Young in, they released him. It turned out to be a smart move. Young was arrested in California for the third time in a week. This time for allegedly breaking into a home. According to the Detroit Free Press, the 23-year-old Young was arrested late Friday in San Clemente.

Young fought with deputies after a foot chase. He has been charged with attempted burglary, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. He was in custody on $75,000 bail.  Young also was arrested a week ago Sunday in Riverside County on suspicion of driving under the influence, then was arrested again the same day for trying to take his car from a tow yard.

Young was sent home multiple times during his tenure with the Lions for insubordination and once intentionally lined up wrong during a game against Green Bay because he thought he should have been getting the ball more.  The former second rounder was claimed off waivers by the Rams and then was ultimately released 10 days later.

Rams rookies set for mini camp (Google Hangout)

The St. Louis Rams will host a mini camp this weekend for rookies and it will be the first opportunity for this year’s draft class to come together. On this Google Hangout, I’m joined by Nick Wagoner, the senior writer for StLouisRams.com.

Nick gives us some insight on the what the team will accomplish this weekend, plus we recap the draft picks and break down how each pick will help the Rams. Key areas were addressed this year taking care of wide receiver, offensive line, and running back on the offensive side. Plus, linebacker, safety, and cornerback.

Former Rams OT Pace selected for College Football Hall of Fame

Orlando Pace, elected into College Football's Hall of Fame.

Orlando Pace, elected into College Football’s Hall of Fame.

Former St. Louis Rams first round draft pick and All-Pro left tackle Orlando Pace was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Pace was one of the most decorated offensive lineman in college football history, where he played at Ohio State from 1994-1996. Pace was a 1st team All-American in ’95 and ’96 and won the Outland Trophy in ’96. He was the first player to repeat as Lombardi Trophy winner and was named the 1996, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

Pace also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He is the 24th Buckeye to be inducted.

He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams first overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Rams for twelve years. Pace started all 16 regular season games eight times in his pro career, and blocked for three straight NFL MVPs (Kurt Warner in 1999, 2001; and Marshall Faulk in 2000). He was the cornerstone of a Rams offensive line that blocked for an offense that compiled more gross yards than any other team during his 12 years in St. Louis (50,770 in 12 seasons), finished second in completion percentage (61.8 percent) and fifth in touchdown passes (289) over that time. Under Pace’s protection, the Rams’ passing offense compiled more than 3,000 yards in all 12 of his NFL seasons, seven different quarterbacks eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark in a season, including three times surpassing the 4,000-yard mark, and also blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers. Pace started 154 consecutive games.