If you're a St. Louis Rams fan, and want to get with other St. Louis Rams fans, you'll want to stick with us here at RamsLocker.com. Throughout the NFL schedule, you be able to follow the action and get all the up-to-date news and stats any Rams fan would need. With our updates and expert commentary, you'll be closer to the action than ever before, and that goes for whether you're a fantasy team owner looking to improve your place in your league's standings, or somebody betting on the games who needs the info to gain that extra edge. We also know that football gear is very important if you want to play the part, so we've got the ticket to point you in the right direction when it comes to great deals on all Rams' merchandise. Whatever it takes to make you feel like you're in the Edward Jones Dome, we've got it, at RamsLocker.com!
The Rams have released 30-year old CB Ronald Bartell. Bartell played in 1 game for the Rams last year and he had 1 tackle. Bartell played in 89 games in his seven years with the Rams and he had 311 tackles, 57 passes defensed, 8 interceptions (one returned for a TD), 2 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 10 tackles for a loss. The Rams wanted to move in a new direction at CB, so this move makes perfect sense.
The Rams have released 35-year old DE James Hall. Hall played in 15 games for the Rams last year and he had 50 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss and 2 passes defensed. Hall played in 76 games in his five years with the Rams and he had 243 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 30 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 5 passes defensed. This was kind of a surprising move for the Rams as Hall was cut for money reasons only as he played pretty well for them last year.
The Rams have waived 26-year old LB David Nixon. Nixon played in 8 games for the Rams last year and he had 6 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. Nixon has now played in 11 games in his first two years in the NFL and he has 16 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. The Rams shouldn’t miss Nixon too much, if at all, going forward.
The Rams have released 34-year old DT Fred Robbins. Robbins played in 15 games for the Rams last year and he had 29 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for a loss and 2 passes defensed. Robbins played in 31 games in his first two years with the Rams and he had 57 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 9 passes defensed. 32-year old Justin Bannan played in 15 games in his only season with the Rams last year and he had 31 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 4 tackles for a loss and 2 passes defensed. Add defensive tackle to the Rams’ off-season shopping list.
The Rams have released 28-year old G/C Jason Brown. Brown played in 14 games (all starts) for the Rams last year. He has now played in 46 games (all starts) for the Rams in his three years with the team. The Rams are purging salary in an attempt to be active in free agency, so add an interior offensive lineman to the shopping list.
The Rams have dealt the #2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to the Washington Redskins. In return, the Rams get the Redskins first round picks in 2012 (#6 overall), 2013 and 2014. They also netted the Redskins’ second round pick in this years’ draft. This is a massive haul for the Rams and it sets them up for consistent improvement over the next few years under new head coach Jeff Fisher. This was an offer the Rams couldn’t refuse.
The NFL has suspended 24-year old WR/PR/KR Nick Miller for the first four games of the 2012 NFL season due to him violating an unspecified league policy. Miller played in 6 games for the Rams last year and he caught 1 pass for 8 yards. Miller also returned 8 punts for 128 yards (16.0 avg) with 1 TD return and he also returned 2 kickoffs for 43 yards (21.5 avg) last year. Miller has now played in 17 games in his first three years in the NFL and he has caught 4 passes for 48 yards (12.0 avg). He has also returned 45 punts for 404 yards (9.0 avg) with 1 TD return and he has returned 8 kickoffs for 141 yards (17.6 avg) so far in his career. Miller has made it really tough on himself now as he will have a hard time keeping his job with the Rams.
UPDATE: (3/13/2012) – The Rams have released Nick Miller.
The St. Louis Rams didn’t do too well in the 2011 NFL Draft. Here is a look at how the rookies did in 2011:
The Rams took DE Robert Quinn in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Quinn played in 15 games for the Rams last year and he had 23 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 passes defensed and 1 tackle for a loss. He did show a nice upside as far as rushing the passer goes.
23-year old TE Lance Kendricks came to the Rams in the 2nd round. Kendricks played in 15 games for the Rams last year and he caught 28 passes for 352 yards (12.6 avg). He also carried the ball 1 time for -8 yards. The Rams hope that Kendricks is more productive in 2012.
23-year old WR Austin Pettis was a 3rd round pick in 2011. He played in 12 games for the Rams last year and he caught 27 passes for 256 yards (9.5 avg). He also returned 15 punts for 139 yards (9.3 avg) and 3 kickoffs for 62 yards (20.7 avg) last year. Pettis’ season ended on a 4-game NFL suspension due to testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.
23-year old WR Greg Salas was picked in the 4th round last April by the Rams. Salas played in six games for the Rams last year and he caught 27 passes for 264 yards (9.8 avg). He also carried the ball 1 time for 8 yards and he returned 2 punts for 29 yards (14.5 avg). His season ended really early due to a fractured left fibula.
24-year old safety Jermale Hines was picked in the 5th round. He was cut loose by the Rams before the season started. He wound up playing in 10 games combined with the Colts & Panthers in which he had six tackles.
24-year old safety Mikail Baker was a 7th round pick of the Rams. He was cut before the season started.
22-year old LB Jabara Williams was also picked in the 7th round by the Rams. He was cut loose after two games with the Rams in which he didn’t have any tackles. He hook on with the Bears, playing in 5 games for them in which he had 2 tackles.
23-year old CB Jonathan Nelson was a 7th round pick of the Rams. He played in 2 games with the Carolina Panthers last year and he had 9 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed.
GRADE FOR 2011: D
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: C
The Rams have signed 52-year old Jeff Fisher to serve as their new head coach. Fisher last coached in 2010 with the Tennessee Titans when they were 6-10. Fisher has a regular season of 142-120 (54.2%) in his first 17 years in his career as a head coach in the NFL. He is also 5-6 (45.5%) in the post-season in his career. In 1999, he got the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl by they lost 23-16 to the Rams. Fisher has won at least 10 games six out of his 17 years in charge. He has also finished exactly 8-8 five times in his career and he has been sub-.500 six times in his career. The Rams will definitely benefit from Fisher’s experience and ability to motivate his troops. This was a good move for the Rams.
The St. Louis Rams had to use four QBs in 2011 due to injuries. They hope that isn’t the case in 2012. 24-year old Sam Bradford took a step back due to the injuries at WR and his own injuries. The Rams were only 1-9 in games started by Bradford last year. He played in 10 games (all starts) for the Rams last year and he completed 191 of 357 passes (53.5%) for 2,164 yards with 6 TD passes and 6 INTs (70.5 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 18 times for 26 yards (1.4 ypc) last year. Bradford has now played in 26 games (all starts) in his first two years with the Rams and he has completed 545 of 947 passes (57.6%) for 5,676 yards with 24 TD passes and 21 INTs (74.2 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 45 times for 89 yards (2.0 ypc) with 1 TD run so far in his NFL career. The Rams are now 8-18 (30.8%) in games started at QB by Bradford. They hope he steps up in 2012.
34-year old A.J. Feeley started 3 games at QB before his season essentially ended due to injury. The Rams were 1-2 in Feeley’s three starts as he was under center when they shocked the Saints in St. Louis. Feeley played in 5 games (3 starts) for the Rams in 2011 and he completed 53 of 97 passes (54.6%) for 548 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs (66.0 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 3 times for 4 yards (1.3 ypc) last year. Feeley has now played in 28 games (18 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 425 of 762 passes (55.8%) for 4,618 yards with 28 TD passes and 31 INTs (69.1 QB Rating). He also has carried the ball 37 times for 49 yards (1.3 ypc) with 1 TD run in his NFL career so far. Feeley is 8-10 (44.4%) as a starting QB during his NFL career.
28-year old Kellen Clemens started the last three games of the year, all losses. Clemens played in 3 games (all starts) for the Rams last year and he completed 48 of 91 passes (52.7%) for 546 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 INT (73.8 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 6 times for 37 yards (6.2 ypc) with 1 TD run last year. Clemens has now played in 28 games (12 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 195 of 375 passes (52%) for 2,232 yards with 7 TD passes and 12 INTs (63.1 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 52 times for 165 yards (3.2 ypc) with 3 TD runs so far in his NFL career. Clemens is now 4-8 (33.3%) as a starting QB in the NFL.
27-year old Tom Brandstater played in the season finale for the Rams after Kellen Clemens was injured. He threw two incomplete passes in that game which was his NFL debut.