Rams keep getting caught in draft
Two more Rams draft picks fell by the wayside Friday, when safety Jerome Carter (4th round/2005) and wide receiver Marques Hagans (5th round/2006) were released. This continues a damaging trend involving the team’s draftees.
In the five drafts prior to this year’s, the Rams selected 47 players. Only 17 remain with the club. That number includes just one of 11 draftees in 2003 (Pisa Tinoisamoa) and one of seven in 2004 (Steven Jackson).
Those kinds of percentages are a major detriment in trying to build a winning franchise and provide stark evidence in understanding why the Rams haven’t put together a .500-plus record since 2003.
Player evaluation, both on the college and pro level, is a huge factor, and the Rams have been lacking in both areas. It’s Billy Devaney’s job to get that straightened out. If he can, the team will take a major step in the rebuilding process. It not, expect the L’s to keep piling up.
<><><>
>>Barring further problems this week, it’s possible the Rams will have everyone on the roster healthy enough to suit up Sept. 7 in Philly. CB Fakhir Brown (shoulder) is the biggest question mark. He hasn’t had any contact since going down in the first practice at training camp.
>>CB/S Ron Bartell earned high marks in the coaches’ grading system during the four preseason games, when he filled in for Brown. So did S Todd Johnson, who replaced Oshiomogho Atogwe (hamstring) in the staring lineup.
>>Linehan originally had planned to get rookie DE Chris Long six or eight snaps Thursday night in KC, but changed his mind after a thunderstorm drenched Arrowhead Stadium and delayed kickoff 90 minutes.
>>Linehan described the injury that T Orlando Pace suffered to his right shoulder Aug. 16 vs. San Diego as a strained biceps tendon. “It’s really not bothering him now,” Linehan reported Friday.
All for now . . .
It will take a long long time to overcome the poor draft record; now combine poor Free Agent signings and you get what we have. A poor football team that may not be as good as those Rich Brooks had. I think the Rams have a good chance of improving their draft position. I hope I’m wrong but I can easily see the Rams 0-8 with Linehan gone.