May 19, 2013

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.

Rams visit with USC wide receiver, Ace Sanders (AUDIO/VIDEO)

Ace Sanders returns a punt during the Outback Bowl.  He was named the game's MVP.

Ace Sanders returns a punt during the Outback Bowl. He was named the game’s offensive MVP.

The St. Louis Rams are very thin at a couple of different positions, including the wide receiver spot. Currently, the Rams have just three active receivers on their roster–Brian Quick, Chris Givens and Austin Pettis. General Manager Les Snead knows he needs to add more weapons for quarterback Sam Bradford and may look to the draft to solve those issues.  The Rams could draft multiple receivers in next week’s NFL Draft.

In the past three years, those three active receivers I mentioned, along with Mardy Gilyard were all top 100 draft prospects, and with two first round picks in this year’s NFL Draft, Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com says look for the Rams to take a receiver with their #27 overall pick. The player he has penciled in is West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin.

Austin would give the Rams a fast, explosive playmaker the team desperately needs. The biggest drawback to Austin is his size…he’s only 5’7.

Wright thinks the Rams may be best served to wait until one of the later rounds to select a wide receiver that could fill holes and not be as risky of a pick as Austin in the first round. He brought up a name that Mizzou fans are familiar with…Ace Sanders from South Carolina. In the Tigers first SEC road game, Sanders burned the Tigers for a 23 yard touchdown catch and a 49 yard punt return that set up an earlier Gamecocks touchdown, during the Tigers 31-10 loss back on September 29. Watch Sanders’ punt return courtesy of GamecocksOnline.

Nick Wagoner, senior writer for the StLouisRams.com, admitted the Rams need depth at that position and while he didn’t name any particular players, he suggested the team may draft at least two wide receivers.

AUDIO Wright and Wagoner and the Rams draft options (1:45)

The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 25 and runs through Saturday.

Rams scoping out the state of South Carolina for upcoming NFL draft

Ace Sanders returns a punt against Georgia in a game last season.  Sanders could fill that role with St. Louis.

Ace Sanders returns a punt against Georgia in a game last season. Sanders could fill that role with St. Louis.

Story courtesy of Kevin McCrarey, South Carolina’s Sports Talk Network.

St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was in Columbia Wednesday to get a closer look at USC wide receiver Ace Sanders. Rams General Manager Les Snead was also on the trip along with a few other assistants, including offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.  Fisher confirmed he was in town to see Sanders, but did not elaborate on how the meeting went. Shortly after the meeting Sanders sent a satisfactory tweet:

Ace Sanders ‏@AceSanders1

“Think I did what I was supposed to do.”

Sanders was a first team All-SEC player last year and was the offensive MVP in the Outback Bowl.  Like a many teams, the Rams are making the rounds at a lot of different schools to get one last up close look at potential draft picks.

The Rams have tapped into the Palmetto State for quite a few players the past few years. Defensive back Darian Stewart and offensive lineman Rockevious Watkins, two former Gamecocks, were on the roster last year. During the offseason the team signed former Gamecock tight end Jared Cook to a huge free agent contract. Fisher coached Cook when the two were with the Titans.

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Draft expert thinks Chiefs made a mistake by trading for Smith

Just a week away from the NFL Draft, Scott Wright of DraftCountdown.com, is our guest to talk about the Chiefs, Rams and Missouri Tigers. Right off the bat, Wright goes on the attack, criticizing the Chiefs for giving up way too much for quarterback Alex Smith.

The Rams have many holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball, but have two, first round picks and Scott believes they’ll go after an offensive lineman and wide receiver.

Plus, Scott predicts Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson will most likely not be a top-ten pick, but will go in the first round. He’s also impressed with the size and strength of linebacker Zaviar Gooden, going in the third or fourth round.

As far as other draft hopefuls, T.J. Moe, Kip Edwards and Elvis Fisher…he expects all of them to go undrafted, but Moe and Edwards will enter camps as free agents. The injuries to Fisher could really scare off potential NFL suitors.

AUDIO Scott Wright interview (18:30)