April 17
Rams' VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney Talks Draft Plans
devaneyRams VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on the Roll Home on Team 1380 Thursday afternoon to talk about the Rams' Draft preparation.
"As of 2 hours ago the stacking of the board has finished," and the scouts, who have been here for the past 2 1/2 weeks can go home for awhile.
"There might be tweaking as we massage the middle of the draft, but as far as the first day, we are getting pretty locked in," Devaney said.
on what Dolphins will do?---They are trying to figure out best fit for their team. Billy isn't sure if they have locked on to their guy yet. We have to be prepared to go in a lot of different directions.
on Glenn Dorsey?---"We don't have any medical questions at all about Dorsey." He came in with the larger group this week, and Billy said he is a very special kid.
on Trading Pick?---We'll know by Wednesday or Thursday for sure of all possible scenarios we will go with. If we do get any calls about a trade, we will know how far we will go down and still be comfortable.
"We think that at the end of the day there will be some interest in that pick. We want to see how far back the teams are that are interested and if it will be worth it for us." They want to see if they are comfortable with the quality of guys that would be available. Billy said they can go a little lower than Kansas City's pick right now, and the Rams would be ok there.
on McFadden?----He was in with this past group of guys and he made a big hit in our building with the coaches and personnel staff and was very impressive.
"I think it would be exciting with the talent (McFadden) would bring," Devaney said.
excited at who will be available at #33?---I would say this draft doesn't have a great, dynamic player, but there are really good, explosive players through the second round. Billy said they need to come away with a good player in the second round.
is need at DE greater than DT?---Billy thinks what Dorsey brings to the table as an impact player and being able to start immediately, is a big plus. "If you have Carriker playing Nost Tackle and Dorsey playing other tackle it helps your linebackers, and the push from outside." It would make the team very strong according to Devaney.
Does LSU prepare kids for Draft better than other teams?---LSU kids are prepared but most of these college kids have been exposed to so much now, they don't come in wild eyed anymore. All the peripheral, football stuff isn't a big deal to them anymore and you don't have the learning curve like there used to be.
on Ryan Clady?----Rams really like Ryan Clady. Tackle may be strongest position in the first roung in draft this year.
on Will Franklin?---When he visited Rams Park, Henry Ellard put him through an extensive workout catching the ball and he did a great job. "At some point in the draft we are going to take a receiver and Franklin is in the mix."
on who ate most on their visit?---Gholston ate a 50 oz. steak the other night, and he might've been the first one finished eating. Everyone else was still eating, and (Gholston) started eating rolls.
OJ Atogwe Previews Season
Rams safety OJ Atogwe joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on the Roll Home on Team 1380 Thursday afternoon. Atogwe agreed with Randy that there is a pretty positive vibe around Rams park, and he said they know they aren't a 3-13 team.
"We know what we have and what we are capable of and we can do a lot better than last year," OJ said.
Atogwe thinks the Rams will build on the defensive side of the ball with their first pick since most of the top players in the draft are on defense.
OJ has no problems with the business side of how things are going. "I'm excited to come back and help us with a chance at a world championship."
He said there are always areas to improve in the game. He said he can improve by getting more sacks and causing more turnovers.
Everybody is excited about Al Saunders coming back, and the potential of the offense this season.
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April 16
Gosselin: Dorsey is Best Pick in Draft
Draft Expert Rick "Goose" Gosselin joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on Team 1380 Wednesday afternoon. Bernie called Gosselin the best Draft guy in the country after the interview because he always nails so many picks with his mock drafts. If someone predicts 8 to 12 first round picks it is considered very good, and Gosselin picked 14 last year and as many as 18 in previous drafts.
The Friday before the Draft each year, he also puts out his Top 100 list and he has been the best with the Top 100 every year since 1998. Last year he was right on with 86 of his top 100.
Goose said that he has been doing his research and has talked to 4 different NFL coaches before 7am this morning. He's not convinced that it's a done deal with the Dolphins and Jake Long because of the contract talks that are going on with Long's agent. If they don't take J Long, Gosselin said he thinks they would take Chris Long because Vernon Gholston has the same agent as Jake.
Gosselin said this year will be like the 1991 draft. There is no player deserving the #1 pick, and the 2 safest picks on the board are Jake and Chris Long. He said Dorsey has chance of being home run, and that nobody wants to trade up to #1 through #5 picks because of the money guaranteed to the top picks. He thought there could be a trade or two around picks 8, 9, or 10.
on Glenn Dorsey?---He is best player in Draft. He did not miss a game in college. He's a high motor guy with more energy and more talent than Chris Long. Rick said that LSU guys are money in the bank. They prepare their players better for the NFL than anyone else and that is why he is a safe pick.
on comparing them to guys in NFL?---Chris Long would be Patrick Kearney--both high motor, effort guys. Dorsey would be like Warren Sapp.
can Jake Long play LT?--He played LT at Michigan for 2 years, and Rick thinks the Rams should play him at LT if they pick him. He thinks Ryan Clady is strictly a LT.
on Gholston?---Vernon Gholston is best pass rusher in draft but this is not a great draft. He is not Simeon Rice, not going to be a HOF pass rusher.
McFadden best RB in Draft?---McFadden has great speed and is best back in Draft. Goose thinks Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall will go in top 15.
The guys also talked about which QBs are the best in the draft, and which WRs might be available for the Rams with their 3rd round pick.
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April 15
"In a few years everyone will be talking about Johnathan Stewart and not McFadden."--- Nolan Nawrocki
Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on Team 1380 Tuesday afternoon and he said that he thinks the Rams should trade with Miami to make sure they get Jake Long because he believes they need to be able to replace Orlando Pace and that way they can keep the offense healthy.
Nawrocki said that J Long's character is better than Ryan Clady's, and that there are questions about Clady's intelligence and being able to step into the league right away.
Nolan thinks Bill Parcells will take Jake Long even though he has a tendency of drafting defensive players. He said Vernon Gholston best fits his 3-4 defense, and Nolan thinks Parcells would take Gholston if he decides to go with defense with the first pick.
Nawrocki doesn't think the Rams should even think about Glenn Dorsey because they need depth on the outside more than on the inside. He said to help the team right away they need speed off the edge, and he would pick Gholston. Nolan sees on tape that Gholston does take some plays off, but he thinks he can be coached to play hard every play. He said Gholston has a lot more upside than Chris Long.
Nolan said there is more overall depth at the cornerback position in the draft, and he would draft a receiver in the 3rd or 4th round.
on whose Stock is rising?---Oregon running back Johnathan Stewart. Nolan said that he's the strongest, most physical back, and he can catch and block. He won't get out of the top 15.
comparing McFadden and Peterson?---Nolan said Adrian Peterson will be a much more established pro when he finishes his career than Darren McFadden because he is stronger and has more overall competitiveness. He said that McFadden runs with a more narrow base and can be knocked off his base more easily.
Nolan said, "Mark my words, in a few years everyone will be talking about Johnathan Stewart and not McFadden."
Rams' VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney Talks Draft Plans
devaneyRams VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on the Roll Home on Team 1380 Thursday afternoon to talk about the Rams' Draft preparation.
"As of 2 hours ago the stacking of the board has finished," and the scouts, who have been here for the past 2 1/2 weeks can go home for awhile.
"There might be tweaking as we massage the middle of the draft, but as far as the first day, we are getting pretty locked in," Devaney said.
on what Dolphins will do?---They are trying to figure out best fit for their team. Billy isn't sure if they have locked on to their guy yet. We have to be prepared to go in a lot of different directions.
on Glenn Dorsey?---"We don't have any medical questions at all about Dorsey." He came in with the larger group this week, and Billy said he is a very special kid.
on Trading Pick?---We'll know by Wednesday or Thursday for sure of all possible scenarios we will go with. If we do get any calls about a trade, we will know how far we will go down and still be comfortable.
"We think that at the end of the day there will be some interest in that pick. We want to see how far back the teams are that are interested and if it will be worth it for us." They want to see if they are comfortable with the quality of guys that would be available. Billy said they can go a little lower than Kansas City's pick right now, and the Rams would be ok there.
on McFadden?----He was in with this past group of guys and he made a big hit in our building with the coaches and personnel staff and was very impressive.
"I think it would be exciting with the talent (McFadden) would bring," Devaney said.
excited at who will be available at #33?---I would say this draft doesn't have a great, dynamic player, but there are really good, explosive players through the second round. Billy said they need to come away with a good player in the second round.
is need at DE greater than DT?---Billy thinks what Dorsey brings to the table as an impact player and being able to start immediately, is a big plus. "If you have Carriker playing Nost Tackle and Dorsey playing other tackle it helps your linebackers, and the push from outside." It would make the team very strong according to Devaney.
Does LSU prepare kids for Draft better than other teams?---LSU kids are prepared but most of these college kids have been exposed to so much now, they don't come in wild eyed anymore. All the peripheral, football stuff isn't a big deal to them anymore and you don't have the learning curve like there used to be.
on Ryan Clady?----Rams really like Ryan Clady. Tackle may be strongest position in the first roung in draft this year.
on Will Franklin?---When he visited Rams Park, Henry Ellard put him through an extensive workout catching the ball and he did a great job. "At some point in the draft we are going to take a receiver and Franklin is in the mix."
on who ate most on their visit?---Gholston ate a 50 oz. steak the other night, and he might've been the first one finished eating. Everyone else was still eating, and (Gholston) started eating rolls.
OJ Atogwe Previews Season
Rams safety OJ Atogwe joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on the Roll Home on Team 1380 Thursday afternoon. Atogwe agreed with Randy that there is a pretty positive vibe around Rams park, and he said they know they aren't a 3-13 team.
"We know what we have and what we are capable of and we can do a lot better than last year," OJ said.
Atogwe thinks the Rams will build on the defensive side of the ball with their first pick since most of the top players in the draft are on defense.
OJ has no problems with the business side of how things are going. "I'm excited to come back and help us with a chance at a world championship."
He said there are always areas to improve in the game. He said he can improve by getting more sacks and causing more turnovers.
Everybody is excited about Al Saunders coming back, and the potential of the offense this season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 16
Gosselin: Dorsey is Best Pick in Draft
Draft Expert Rick "Goose" Gosselin joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on Team 1380 Wednesday afternoon. Bernie called Gosselin the best Draft guy in the country after the interview because he always nails so many picks with his mock drafts. If someone predicts 8 to 12 first round picks it is considered very good, and Gosselin picked 14 last year and as many as 18 in previous drafts.
The Friday before the Draft each year, he also puts out his Top 100 list and he has been the best with the Top 100 every year since 1998. Last year he was right on with 86 of his top 100.
Goose said that he has been doing his research and has talked to 4 different NFL coaches before 7am this morning. He's not convinced that it's a done deal with the Dolphins and Jake Long because of the contract talks that are going on with Long's agent. If they don't take J Long, Gosselin said he thinks they would take Chris Long because Vernon Gholston has the same agent as Jake.
Gosselin said this year will be like the 1991 draft. There is no player deserving the #1 pick, and the 2 safest picks on the board are Jake and Chris Long. He said Dorsey has chance of being home run, and that nobody wants to trade up to #1 through #5 picks because of the money guaranteed to the top picks. He thought there could be a trade or two around picks 8, 9, or 10.
on Glenn Dorsey?---He is best player in Draft. He did not miss a game in college. He's a high motor guy with more energy and more talent than Chris Long. Rick said that LSU guys are money in the bank. They prepare their players better for the NFL than anyone else and that is why he is a safe pick.
on comparing them to guys in NFL?---Chris Long would be Patrick Kearney--both high motor, effort guys. Dorsey would be like Warren Sapp.
can Jake Long play LT?--He played LT at Michigan for 2 years, and Rick thinks the Rams should play him at LT if they pick him. He thinks Ryan Clady is strictly a LT.
on Gholston?---Vernon Gholston is best pass rusher in draft but this is not a great draft. He is not Simeon Rice, not going to be a HOF pass rusher.
McFadden best RB in Draft?---McFadden has great speed and is best back in Draft. Goose thinks Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall will go in top 15.
The guys also talked about which QBs are the best in the draft, and which WRs might be available for the Rams with their 3rd round pick.
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April 15
"In a few years everyone will be talking about Johnathan Stewart and not McFadden."--- Nolan Nawrocki
Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on Team 1380 Tuesday afternoon and he said that he thinks the Rams should trade with Miami to make sure they get Jake Long because he believes they need to be able to replace Orlando Pace and that way they can keep the offense healthy.
Nawrocki said that J Long's character is better than Ryan Clady's, and that there are questions about Clady's intelligence and being able to step into the league right away.
Nolan thinks Bill Parcells will take Jake Long even though he has a tendency of drafting defensive players. He said Vernon Gholston best fits his 3-4 defense, and Nolan thinks Parcells would take Gholston if he decides to go with defense with the first pick.
Nawrocki doesn't think the Rams should even think about Glenn Dorsey because they need depth on the outside more than on the inside. He said to help the team right away they need speed off the edge, and he would pick Gholston. Nolan sees on tape that Gholston does take some plays off, but he thinks he can be coached to play hard every play. He said Gholston has a lot more upside than Chris Long.
Nolan said there is more overall depth at the cornerback position in the draft, and he would draft a receiver in the 3rd or 4th round.
on whose Stock is rising?---Oregon running back Johnathan Stewart. Nolan said that he's the strongest, most physical back, and he can catch and block. He won't get out of the top 15.
comparing McFadden and Peterson?---Nolan said Adrian Peterson will be a much more established pro when he finishes his career than Darren McFadden because he is stronger and has more overall competitiveness. He said that McFadden runs with a more narrow base and can be knocked off his base more easily.
Nolan said, "Mark my words, in a few years everyone will be talking about Johnathan Stewart and not McFadden."