Rams minicamp offers draft prep
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: Rams minicamps run today through Saturday. What impact, if any, will player performances at this minicamp have on the Rams draft later this month? Will the coaches be more closely evaluating areas of need during this period?
JIM THOMAS
It’s one thing to watch a player on tape; quite another to see him in person. Even though the Rams aren’t in full pads over the weekend, watching the players drill and practice in five practices over three days will help coach Steve Spagnuolo and his staff evaluate the current roster. What happens here isn’t going to change how the Rams feel about their needs at offensive tackle and wide receiver, but it could have an impact on how they feel about some positions.
BRYAN BURWELL
Between the OTA’s and this first minicamp, the Rams coaches and front office will have plenty of time to evaluate the veteran talent. This will be the first critical looks in more competitive situations and it will definitely be an evaluation process that will provide plenty of answers about what direction to go in the draft.
BILL COATS
The biggest reason the Rams are having their extra minicamp (you get three instead of the usual two if you have a new coach) now is to further evaluate on-hand personnel in advance of the draft. So, these five practices over three days will have a major impact on their approach come April 25-26.
JEFF GORDON
The new staff is doubtlessly eager to assess young receivers Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, since they head the depth chart as we speak. Also, a guy who played hurt all last year, Adam Carriker, is an interesting player for the new staff. I’m sure he didn’t impress on tape. Offensive line coach Steve Loney is a holdover from the previous staff, so Steve Spagnuolo should already have the book on inconsistent starters Alex Barron and Jacob Bell. Overall, though, the Rams need help at almost every position. Nothing that happens at the minicamp will change that.
BONUS ROUND:
BERNIE MIKLASZ SHAREs HIS THOUGHTS ON MINICAMP
I want to see the young veterans step up and take control of this team. It’s their time to be the leaders of the new generation of Rams. Chip Rosenbloom, Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo have done their share, so far, to give this franchise a needed makeover. And now it’s the players’ turn. The talented young crew featuring guys such as Steven Jackson, O.J. Atogwe, Ron Bartell, Chris Long and Jacob Bell (to name a few) have to take ownership of the locker room. The same applies to the top free-agent recruits, Jason Brown and James Butler. In particular, I’m intrigued by how all of the changes will affect Steven Jackson. Torry Holt and Orlando Pace are gone, and Leonard Little is on the downside, so to a large extent the Rams are Steven Jackson’s team now. He’s The Franchise. He’s an immense talent. He’s a good person. He has a lively personality. I’d like to see him maximize his talent and persona to emerge as the Rams’ boldest and most constructive leader.


I am truly excited not just about next year as I am really just hoping for improvement but for the long term future. I wish the new coaching staff good luck.