Rams Draft Review By Brother Rick

Today's blog is written by special guest writer, Brother Rick....enjoy!

The three day draft extravaganza is over, and I am SO ready for football. Let's take a look at the Rams draft and see how they came out.

On the first two days of the draft, the Rams drafted two extremely productive wide receivers, brought in a hard-hitting safety, and found a linebacker that can hunt down the quarterbacks in San Francisco and Seattle. On the last day of the draft the Rams added a O-lineman, a cornerback and finally a running back.

Perfect, no. There’s no such thing.

But these choices filled needs and a purpose.

Let’s review:

Austin with the Commish

West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin, No. 8 overall: The best playmaker in the draft and the difference maker that the Rams and quarterback Sam Bradford were longing for.

He catches the football, runs the football, returns the football, disappears with the football and drives defenders crazy with sick video-game moves straight from the Madden football!

To question Austin’s short height misses the point as much as defenders miss him. His 5 foot 9 frame is among the reasons why Austin is so exciting; defensive players have a hard time seeing him. That makes it difficult to capture him. GRADE A

Kaepernick and Wilson best look out!

Georgia outside linebacker Alec “olgie” Ogletree, No. 30 overall: Oh, so Seattle and San Francisco switched and went to mobile quarterbacks that tear down the NFL’s pocket-passing tradition to go on a search and destroy mission to rip apart defenses?

Well, Fisher now has a fast, athletic outside linebacker capable of detaining Seattle’s Russell Wilson and San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick. The offensive game has changed, and defenses are evolving with it.

Ogletree has engaged in some off-field irregularities, so it’s probably a good idea to keep him from hanging around with Janoris Jenkins. Not to worry, Fisher will keep it all under control!

GRADE A

USC safety T.J. “old” McDonald, No. 71 overall: There’s been some criticism of the pick; McDonald didn’t play well for USC last season. His coverage skills are questionable, but I don’t think that’s why the Rams drafted him. Here’s what I know: McDonald is big, strong and nasty (LIKE YOUR FACE!)

Oh and McDonald was fifth in the nation in tackles last season.

McDonald also a two-time team captain for an iconic program, so he's a leader .

You go ahead and nit-pick and convince yourself that you know more than Jeff Fisher.

GRADE B

Hope to see a lot of this with Bailey and Austin together again!

West Virginia wide receiver Stedman “beetle” Bailey, No. 92 overall:

Austin and Bailey were remarkably productive for a power-conference program. Over the last two seasons they combined for 401 catches, 5,376 receiving yards, and 45 touchdowns. Bailey plays faster than his 40 time, and at 5-11 he wins a surprising number of jump balls. As Michael Irvin would say... “He is a PLAYMAKER” Last year he caught 114 passes for 1622 yards and 25-TWENTY FIVE!- touchdowns (which led the nation...by a lot!) All this for the cost of a #92 pick!

GRADE A




Alabama offensive lineman Barret Jones, No 113 overall

Jones has long arms (much better than Pugh's short arms) and played every position on the O-line for Alabama. He fits a major need for a team that can't seem to keep its lineman healthy. As decorated as he was at Alabama, this selection is a great fourth round pick. Many had him going in the second round!

GRADE A

Miami cornerback Brandon “Cherry” McGee, No. 149 overall

You can't have too many corners in the NFL and McGee is a 5'11” guy with quicks and speed. He should be a depth contributor as a DB with Finnegan, Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson the top three for the Rams. I would have rather gotten a running back or safety here, so this may be the Rams' only reach, but Jeff Fisher is pretty good with DB as Finnegan can tell you.

GRADE C

Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy “bonus running back”, No.160 overall

The Rams had to know they need a running back. Then they decided to trade back up into the fifth round (by giving away both their 6^th round picks) to draft Zac Stacy. He is a bowling ball with speed. (4.55 second 40 and 5'8” 216 lbs). Stacy seems like the guy for goalline situations, a short target with a low center of gravity. He's bigger than Ray Rice (hey man Ray Rice Ray Rice...Fuck Ray Rice)!

GRADE B

Overall I have really little to complain about. Would I have worked on getting a running back before Zac Stacy? Perhaps. Lacy was gone fairly early (went #61 to Green Bay), then I was hoping for UCLA Running Back Johnathan Franklin (went #125, again to Green Bay). Couldn't have gotten Lacy without giving up on Olgetree and Franklin would have cost them their O-lineman from Alabama. So it will be running back by committee this year for the Rams...that's seems to be the trend of the NFL so we shall see. But overall the Rams did a great job addressing their needs.

WR...check and double check

Outside Linebacker....check

Safety....check

O-lineman...check

Running Back...check

EXPERTS EVERYWHERE SAY THE RAMS HAD A GREAT DRAFT AND I CONCUR!

 

OVERALL GRADE A