I don’t always know how rumors get started. But in the last 24, 36 hours, I received a sudden batch of inquiries about the Rams’ potential interest in former NY Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. I don’t know where the speculation originated. A web site? Something ginned up by ESPN, an agent, or one of the NY newspapers? Hard to say.

But I do know this: Rams GM Billy Devaney told me Tuesday morning that the Rams have “No interest,” in Burress. “None,” he said, for added emphasis.

I would have been shocked if the Rams flirted with Burress. Yes, they could use a wideout. But that’s really missing the point.

When new head coach Steve Spagnuolo was hired, he stressed the four pillars of his leadership, the four pillars that would rebuild the franchise: (1) Faith; (2) Character; (3) Core Values; (4) Team.

Does that sound like Plaxico Burress to you?

During his NFL career with Pittsburgh and the NY Giants, Burress has been suspended multiple times by his employers. He’s been fined multiple times. He’s held out in contract disputes. He’s had lawsuits filed against him; stuff involving cars. On two occasions, police were called to his home to check on domestic disturances. Last season he accidentally shot himself and was arrested for criminal possession of a handgun and has yet to go to trial on those charges.  A search of his residence led to the discovery of other weapons. And two months ago, he was pulled over in Florida and ticketed for four different moving violations. 

Other than that, Plax is right up there with, say, Kurt Warner.

Plax seems to have his own pillars: (1) Lawyers; (2) Guns; (3) Money …

(OK, I named only three pillars, not four, because that way I could break out the title of one of my favorite Warren Zevon songs. If you’d like, add ”Mayhem” as the fourth.)

We all make mistakes, including me. I was an irresponsible (DUI) knucklehead in the early 1990s.

But with Burress there’s a pattern of “mistakes” that doesn’t seem to end.  

Does this sound like a guy you want in your locker room to mentor all of those young Rams wideouts? And if you want to get mercenary about it and throw the character/legal issues aside, Burress is 32 and had a hard time staying healthy last season. What does he have left in the tank? The Rams recently parted ways with an aging WR, Torry Holt.

Spagnuolo was in NY the previous two years, running the Giants defense. He saw enough of Plaxico Burress…apparently enough to know that the aging and reckless WR is not a fit for a young, impressionable team that will be built, in large part, on the character of the players.

ALSO: Former Mizzou wide receiver William Franklin (Vashon High) was en route to Oakland yesterday, to join the Raiders as they begin OTAs. He apparently has signed with the Raiders but I don’t have formal confirmation of that. Franklin was drafted in the fourth round by the KC Chiefs in 2008. He was cut when the new GM-coach regime took over in Kansas City earlier this year. Detroit claimed Franklin on waivers but soon released him. Franklin passed along the word that he’s excited to be joining the Raiders and I should have a chance to catch up with him later this week.

ALSO: Spoke with Blues defenseman Erik Johnson. He’s at home in Minnesota this week. Today is a big day for Johnson; he expects to receive full medical clearance to resume all hockey-related activities (no conditions) after a successful rehab following knee surgery. The fired-up Johnson told me that the knee is 100 percent and that he does not feel limited in any way. And the strenuous training has led to an increase in size and strength. Good news all around. …

Check back later…

More blogs coming …

-Bernie