National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
To create nearly $8 million in salary cap space, the St. Louis Rams released seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Torry Holt today. Torry was one of the few remaining players from the Rams’ glory days — aka “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Ironically, one of the other remaining players, tackle Orlando Pace, was also released this week. That leaves only defensive end Leonard Little and quarterback Marc Bulger from the team that lost Super Bowl XXXVI to the Patriots. Owner Chip Rosenbloom said the decision wasn’t an easy one:
“The Rams will forever be grateful for the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The St. Louis Rams unloaded the foundation (literally) of their offensive line for the past 12 seasons today. To clear some much needed space under the salary cap ($6 million, in fact), left tackle Orlando Pace was released. Rams Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom made the following statement today:
“I can’t begin to thank Orlando for all he has meant to the Rams organization, since we selected him with the first overall pick in the 1997 draft. It is never easy to end a relationship that has had as much success as ours, but in the best interest …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The St. Louis Rams have hired former N.Y. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as their head coach. Coach Spags has certainly earned this opportunity. After spending eight seasons working with Jim Johnson on Philadelphia’s defense (defensive assistant, defensive backs coach and linebackers coach), he became the Giants’ defensive coordinator and spent the past two seasons impressing with his trademark creative blitz schemes. Of course, those very schemes helped the Giants win the Super Bowl last season, but New York finished 5th in total defense this season — most impressive considering Michael Strahan retired and Osi …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
With this afternoon’s surprising 34-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Rams are now — amazingly — a team to watch out for in the NFC. Just three weeks ago, the Rams were in total disarray at 0-4 and, without question, they were playing the worst football of any NFL team. After dismissing then-head coach Scott Linehan, the Rams named defensive coordinator Jim Haslett the interim head coach and he has not only submitted a strong bid to serve as the future head coach of the Rams, he has put his winning stamp …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
As expected/predicted, the St. Louis Rams fired head coach Scott Linehan today. Owner Chip Rosenbloom named defensive coordinator Jim Haslett the interim coach and released a statement saying coach Linehan’s firing was a very difficult decision to make:
“I have enormous respect for Scott Linehan as a person and believe under the right circumstances he will be regarded one day as a fine head coach. Unfortunately, the situation with the Rams as they exist today is no longer acceptable and we have to make a change. We do this with a heavy heart, and we thank …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
It’s been a busy week for the St. Louis Rams. In an attempt to shake-up the organization after an 0-3 start, the team released starting cornerback Fakhir Brown and then demoted quarterback Marc Bulger in favor of veteran backup Trent Green on Wednesday. Both were unusual moves, especially benching Marc. Running back Steven Jackson (arguably the Rams best player) was vocal about his displeasure on a St. Louis radio station last night, saying it was the “wrong decision” to bench Marc and that you don’t pay someone “$60-something million” and then sit him on the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The St. Louis Rams stink. And wide receiver Torry Holt blames the offensive line for his team’s pathetic 0-2 start to this 2008 season. Not only are the Rams struggling, they’re dead last statistically on both sides of the ball. But let’s focus on the offense for this particular post. Torry is one of the few remaining players from the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams that included Super Bowl glories and future Hall of Fame players like Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce. So he inherited great talent around him since he entered the …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will end his training camp holdout and report to the team tomorrow. Steven is entering the final year of a five-year, $7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004 but he turned down an offer from the Rams that would’ve put him among the highest paid at his position. Apparently, he wants to land a bigger-money deal before further exposing himself to the league’s harsh defensive elements. The Rams said they would not negotiate with Steven until he reported. So he’s reporting. No deal is …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Where have the past three weeks gone? Team are already breaking training camp and at Concordia University where the St. Louis Rams call home, running back Steven Jackson was a 20-day no-show. His unhappy, contract-related absence has amounted to more than $300,000 in fines thus far. And no evidence of any real progress in talks between the two sides has been made. The Rams suspended negotiations when Steven didn’t show up for camp. I’ve seen the very same situation before, of course, and it behooves the player to actually be on-location to get anything done. …read more

Getty Images
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The St. Louis Rams agreed to terms on a three-year deal with rookie wide receiver Keenan Burton yesterday. Keenan was a fourth round pick out of Kentucky. He’s expected to make an immediate impact for the Rams after a great college career where after 45 games, he finished fourth in Kentucky history in catches, third in receiving yards, second in touchdowns and third in all purpose yards. Injuries kept him from being drafted higher so durability is a concern. But VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney is optimistic:
“He fits the mold we …read more