Femi Fasoyinu

Rams minicamp kicks off today, June 12-14, and it marks the beginning of what will be a very important 2008 for the Rams. They need to rebound from a disastrous year, a year in which they went 3-13, basement dwellers in the NFC West. The team needs to develop an identity, which should help with the addition of 2nd overall pick, DE Chris Long.

Since the days of the Greatest Show on Turf, the Rams haven’t really had a true identity. However with the addition of Long, whose high character, hard working, and blue collar personality joins the team, the Rams have an opportunity to establish a new identity.

So as minicamp is underway, the number one thing the Rams have to do, to be competitive for the upcoming season is to integrate Long and the rest of their draft picks into their system as quickly as possible. With no big moves in free agency, this years draft class has to come in and make a noticeable contribute to the team.

Second round pick WR Donnie Avery has to bring the speed he was drafted for to keep defenses honest and off doubling Torry Holt. Long has to solidify the d-line and add some excitement and playmaking to the defense. Guards Roy Schuening and John Greco have to contribute to the o-line, add depth, and step up to play if need be.

But probably the number one most important thing for this Rams team to be successful in conjunction with the draft class is for the team to be healthy.

Last year was lost when offensive tackle Orlando Pace got hurt early last season. When Pace went down, so did the Rams year. So therefore it is imperative for everyone that is in camp to work hard, stay healthy and have fun. Because for the Rams to be successful in 08′ these three factors must come together for them to make a run in the NFC.

Femi Fasoyinu

As reported by the NFL Network’s Adam Shefter, the Rams have grabbbed QB Bruce Gradkowski off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccannerrs. The Bucs, who have a lot of QBs, placed Gradkowski on waivers, helping a conference rival by letting Gradkowski go to St. Louis. The Bears and Raiders also put in waiver requests.

Gradkowski, 25, a Pittsburgh native who played at the University of Toledo, will compete for a backup job behind Marc Bulger. I think this is a very good pickup for the Rams, as it will give them a young QB to develop and to push Trent Green, who is coming off a couple of concussion filled years, for the backup role.

But Rams fans tell me what you think. Do you see Gradkowski developing into a future starter? solid NFL backup? Can Scott Linehan and the coaching staff get him to play consistent football, to make the most out of his potential? Could there be a healthy QB battle in training camp for the backup role? Time will tell. Stay tuned.

Femi Fasoyinu

With the Atlanta Falcons signing on Tuesday of quarterback Matt Ryan, to a 6 yr/$72 million deal, $34.75 million of it guaranteed, now Ryan, the #3 overall pick and Jake Long, the #1 overall pick, are signed for the future.

However lost in the mix is the player sandwiched between both of them, the #2 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, defensive end Chris Long of the St. Louis Rams.

But with the NFL owners deciding to opt out of the current CBA, the chance for Long to make the amount of money that Ryan, Jake Long, as well as the #2 overall pick last year, Calvin Johnson, have made might have passed.

This is because, in short (a deeper explanation can be found in this article from foxsports.com here) rookie deals which are usually are for six years, are becoming phased out because of the labour uncertainty. What this means is the amount of money teams could have stretched in a sixth year are gone, leaving the player with less money.

So to combat this, the NFLPA wants players like Long, to accept five year deals, thus making them free agents a year earlier and opening up the possibility to get the big money deal later in their careers.

This is creating a new bargaining table for player agents and teams, one which becomes very murky as the NFL moves towards a possible uncapped year in 2010.

For Long and his camp, I see them looking nowhere else but to seek the aforementioned five year deal.

Comparing what Long could receive on a five-year deal to the amount that the #2 overall pick last year, Calvin Johnson received, a 6yr/$64 million dollar deal with $27.2 million guaranteed, Long could come in the 5yr/50-55 million dollar range, or even less.

Very interesting things are happening in terms of what could be the beginning of new economics in the NFL. Stay tuned for what could be not such a hot summer for those big money deals.