All Entries in the "USA Today Rams News" Category
Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies of cancer at 69
Merlin Olsen, who played for the Los Angeles Rams for 15 seasons from 1962-76 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, died early Thursday morning at the age of 69. Olsen, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009, filed a lawsuit in December against numerous companies, including NBC, who he alleged exposed him negligently to asbestos.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69 after fight with cancer
Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen has died at 69 after a bout with cancer. Olsen was a Pro Bowler 14 times in a 15-year career.
Who’s No. 1? Rating the top D-linemen in 2010 NFL draft class
The NFL has finally found the answer to the question: ‘Where’s the beef?’ It’s at the top of this year’s draft, where huge, talented defensive linemen dominate the list, including two of the first three players and 11 rated as first-round prospects, according to ratings by NFLDraftScout.com.
Monster D-tackles Suh, McCoy could emerge as NFL No. 1 pick
Should the St. Louis Rams select former Nebraska monster-truck defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or menacing, havoc-wreaking former Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy? That is the intriguing defensive tackle debate that could be facing the Rams, who are also considering McCoy’s Sooners teammate, top-rated quarterback Sam Bradford, with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 draft.
Michael Vick ‘confident’ he could be a ‘difference maker’ on St. Louis Rams
Michael Vick is not discouraging talk of him potentially landing in St. Louis as the team’s new quarterback.
NFL.com: Sam Bradford says he’s passed physicals ‘with flying colors’
Former Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford’s pro day is still more than two weeks away, but he sounds ready to go and ready to throw.
When asked about recent physicals on his surgically rebuilt throwing shoulder, Bradford tells NFL.com’s Gil Brandt he’s “passed with flying colors.â€
Bear market: Julius Peppers leads Chicago’s free-agent haul
Julius Peppers got his change of scenery even if he won’t be switching positions. The crown jewel of the NFL’s unrestricted free agent market, the veteran defensive end signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Friday. Chicago also added running back Chester Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.
Quarterback draft class: For now, questions fill the air
Red flags rivaling those posted at a riptide-threatened beach were raised by the 2010 quarterback class at the NFL scouting combine.
Draft talent runs deep: 2010 class could rival 1983
The first round of the 1983 NFL draft produced an unprecedented six Hall of Famers. Could the 2010 draft possibly be as bountiful?
D’Marco Farr: Rams QB Marc Bulger has ‘no charisma’ and ‘zero presence’
D’Marco Farr started on the defensive line for the St. Louis Rams’ 1999 Super Bowl team, and now he’s a radio analyst for the club, so he knows a thing or two about the inner workings of the franchise.
And he said on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access on Tuesday night that the Rams will have a new starting quarterback in 2010 because Marc Bulger lacked the chops to keep the job. Said Farr:
“I think that ship has sailed. I think Marc Bulger has played his last snap for the St. Louis Rams, and I’m co
Paper: Rams having ‘intense internal conversations’ about Donovan McNabb
Rams GM Billy Devaney said at the scouting combine that the franchise is currently focusing on DTs Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy and QBs Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen with the 2010 draft’s No. 1 overall pick.
Devaney also swore that St. Louis hasn’t talked to the Eagles about any of their players, though he was answering a question about the possibility of prying QB Michael Vick — the guy who wants to play for the Panthers — away.
But is Vick the Eagles QB Devaney really covets?
DT Gerald McCoy honored to be seen as possible No. 1 pick
Gerald McCoy knew he had a future in football when he tackled three players at once in a youth league.
Leadership questions dog QB Jimmy Clausen at the combine
It isn’t the type of buzz quarterback Jimmy Clausen hoped to create at Notre Dame.
QB Sam Bradford’s shoulder ‘checked out really well’ at combine
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford’s Under Armour jersey said “QB 1″ at the scouting combine today.
Purely coincidental since players’ numbers are issued alphabetically, but Bradford could very well be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 draft. St. Louis Rams GM Billy Devaney, who owns the pick, said as much and could be compelled to take Bradford if he checks out medically.
According to Bradford his throwing shoulder “checked out really well” yesterday, and he threw more than 100 passe
QB or no QB? In draft, Rams in search of new face for franchise
The St. Louis Rams own the first overall pick and a likely draft-day quarterback quandary. The consensus best prospects among evaluators of this draft class are defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma. But if healthy, former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is considered the top quarterback and the 1-15 Rams are a franchise without a face.
QB or no QB? In draft, Rams in search of new face for franchise
The St. Louis Rams own the first overall pick and a likely draft-day quarterback quandary. The consensus best prospects among evaluators of this draft class are defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma. But if healthy, former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is considered the top quarterback and the 1-15 Rams are a franchise without a face.
Rams GM Billy Devaney: ‘We can’t be poop-canning (Steven Jackson) out of the building’
INDIANAPOLIS — With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, an unsettled quarterback situation and six wins over the last three years, Rams GM Billy Devaney has a lot of questions to answer.
But he did answer one at the scouting combine Friday: RB Steven Jackson will remain a Ram.
“You know what, we need more players like Steven Jackson,” Devaney said of the team’s top commodity. “We can’t be poop-canning him out of the building. You know what I mean? We’ve got to get some guys like that in. No,
Idaho’s Mike Iupati could be most versatile find in NFL draft
Mike Iupati has become a projected first-round pick in the 2010 NFL draft largely thanks to the sacrifice and wisdom of his parents. The wisdom of NFL scouts will soon determine his professional fate. Widely considered the top prospect at guard he could also get a long look at the more valued left tackle position or even on defense.
Guarding QBs’ blind side could spur run on left tackles in draft
Left tackle has proven the right place to play atop the last few NFL drafts. Maybe with a boost from Baltimore Ravens left tackle Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Academy Award-nominated film, The Blind Side, left tackle is emerging as something of a glamour position.
Former Patriot Mosi Tatupu, father of Seahawks’ Lofa, dies
Mosi Tatupu, a fan favorite who played 13 seasons for the New England Patriots, has died. He was 54. Ashley O’Brien, a spokeswoman for Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass., said Tatupu was pronounced dead at the hospital Tuesday. She did not give a cause. Tatupu was chosen by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1978 draft out of Southern California. He stayed with the team until 1990.
Rams GM Billy Devaney denies team has talked to Bucs about No. 1 pick
Did you hear the one about the St. Louis Rams dealing the No. 1 overall draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 3 overall pick, a third-rounder and QB Josh Johnson?
Apparently that’s a new one on Rams GM Billy Devaney.
Rams drop ticket prices throughout Edward Jones Dome
The Rams have won six games since 2007, and their 1-15 2009 earned them the No. 1 draft pick and the hefty price tag that comes with it.
But the team will not pass those costs on to its fans.
St. Louis announced Monday that it will reduce ticket prices for approximately two-thirds of the seats in the Edward Jones Dome.
Arena Football League relaunches, targets big-city expansion
The Arena Football League, reborn under new leadership after folding last year, is already looking to add teams in Philadelphia, Southern California, Denver and Pittsburgh. Commissioner Jerry Kurz said on a conference call Wednesday that the league has had serious negotiations to place teams in those markets beginning with the 2011 season. The Philadelphia Soul won the last AFL title in 2008.
NFL’s franchise of the decade? 3 Super wins give it to Patriots
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat in his office recently and reflected on his team’s accomplishments to begin the millennium. “At the risk of sounding immodest,” he said, “I believe we are the team of the decade.”
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen rebuts rumor that he intends to sell team
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said rumors that he might sell the team he’s owned for more than a quarter-century are not true.
Torry Holt: Mike Martz could entice him to join Bears and Jay Cutler
 Just released by the Jaguars, seven-time Pro Bowl WR Torry Holt would like to wear Bears blue next season.
Rams finalize agreement to sell team to businessman Shahid Khan
There’s nothing unofficial anymore about the deal to sell the St. Louis Rams.
St. Louis Rams to be sold to Illinois businessman
Rumors that the St. Louis Rams were being sold have been rampant the past couple of years, raising concerns that the franchise would end its recent sad-sack run with a move out of town.
Paper: Rams owners agree to sell team to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan
The Rams’ ownership instability may be coming to an end.
Super Bowl veteran Adam Vinatieri watches from Colts sideline
The Indianapolis Colts’ Adam Vinatieri is not kicking. Literally and figuratively. Vinatieri, arguably the greatest money kicker of all time, had to watch Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, listed as inactive as Matt Stover handled kicking duties.
