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Latest Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 11, 2012 5:42 p.m. - by Ron Clements - Falcons' Snead new Rams GM
Atlanta director of player personnel Les Snead agreed to become the new GM of the Rams on Saturday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. On Friday the Rams narrowed their GM search to two candidates -- Snead and Minnesota’s George Paton. The Vikings promoted Paton from director of player personnel to assistant GM. That left Snead as the top candidate for the Rams job. Falcons RapidReports
 Feb. 10, 2012 8:32 p.m. - by Ron Clements - Report: Rams release OT Olafioye
The Rams have released OT Jovan Olafioye, who has returned to the CFL’s B.C. Lions. The Rams signed Olafioye earlier in the week, but had a medical concern with Olafioye, according to Allan Maki of the Toronto Globe and Mail. Olafioye’s agent, Dan Vertlieb, said his client will return to the Lions “for another season after thoroughly addressing his status.” Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 2:38 p.m. - by Ron Clements - Laurinaitis returns from overseas, Bradford still abroad
Fresh off his first trip overseas, to Kuwait with QB Sam Bradford, LB James Laurinaitis said the Rams QB is currently in Thailand visiting a friend from college. By the time Bradford returns to the U.S. in a couple weeks, he will have literally traveled around the world this winter. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 1:59 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: Specialists
LS Jake McQuaide: A-minus. You never heard McQuaide’s name all season and that’s a good thing for a long snapper because it means he didn’t screw up. The undrafted rookie from Ohio State surprisingly supplanted 10-year veteran Chris Massey but held his own. P Donnie Jones: C. Jones had his worst season in five years with a 44.3-yard gross and 37-yard net average. He also had a punt blocked and two punts returned for TDs with nine touchbacks. His 105 punts were the most he’s ever had in his eight-year career. K Josh Brown: C-minus. The usually reliable Brown surprisingly struggled in 2011. He had a kick blocked and made just 75 percent (21-for-28) of his FGs. That percentage was his lowest since 2005 and last season was Brown’s first without a FG of 50 yards or more.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 1:51 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: S
S Quintin Mikell: B-plus. Mikell was one of the few free-agent pickups that actually panned out. He quickly became a team leader, both on and off the field. He finished with 91 tackles, second only to LB James Laurinaitis, and had a sack to go with five forced fumbles and two INTs. S Craig Dahl: D. A solid tackler, Dahl was a huge liability in coverage. One of the most congenial players on the team, Dahl was also kind to opposing TEs and WRs -- frequently giving up big plays. S Darian Stewart: B-minus. Stewart is a big hitter, but the undrafted second-year player still struggles in coverage and misses tackles. For the most part though, Stewart played well and was often cited by opposing coaches as a player to be wary of. S James Butler: D-minus. Why the Rams kept Butler over drafted rookies Jermale Hines or Jonathan Nelson is still puzzling and is part of the reason why both coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney were fired. Butler was non-existent for most of the season and will be lucky to land on an active roster in 2012.     Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 1:40 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: CBs
CB Ron Bartell: INC. Bartell, the team’s top corner, suffered a broken neck in the season opener and was done for the season. Bartell did not require surgery and is optimistic that he will be 100-percent ready for the 2012 season. CB Bradley Fletcher: C. Fletcher was playing well before a torn ACL following a collision with WR Mike Sims-Walker in practice ended his season after just four games. Fletcher also suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie in 2009. CB Al Harris: B. Forced into increased playing time because of injuries, the 37-year-old Harris was playing better than expected until suffering a torn ACL in the 13-12 win over Cleveland. Coming off leg injuries the previous two seasons, Harris wanted to prove he could still play and did. His latest injury prompted his retirement following 14 seasons. CB Josh Gordy : B. Signed off Green Bay’s practice squad early in the year, Gordy became the team’s best CB by attrition. The Rams lost their top four CBs to injury and Gordy took advantage of the opportunity. He struggled with top WRs at times, but also led the team with three INTs. CB Marquis Johnson: INC. Johnson began the season on the PUP list after his rookie season ended with shoulder and knee injuries. He had a very good 2011 debut in the upset win over the Saints. In three games, Johnson had four tackles and three passes defended. CB Rod Hood: C. After missing all of 2010 because of a torn ACL, Hood joined the Rams in late September. He was inactive for about a month before appearing in nine games. By the end of the season, Hood was holding his own and had an INT against the Cardinals on Nov. 27. CB Nate Ness: INC. Following a couple of stints on the practice squad, the Rams were forced to promote Ness to the active roster on Nov. 16. He was released a couple weeks later, but re-signed on Dec. 14. Ness appeared in four games, all on special teams, and did not record a tackle. He’s a young player with a good skill set to develop. CB Chris Smith: INC. Smith was waived/injured in training camp with a knee ailment, but brought back on Nov. 16 when the team signed the undrafted rookie to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on Dec. 7 and appeared in three of the final four games.                   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 11:28 a.m. - by Ron Clements - Report: Rams scout to join Titans coaching staff
Jonathan Gannon, a Rams scout for the past three seasons, has left St. Louis to become a defensive assistant/quality control coach for the Tennessee Titans, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 11:22 a.m. - by Ron Clements - Report: Fisher to retain two of Spagnuolo's assistants
Two of former head coach Steve Spagnuolo’s assistants are expected to be retained by new coach Jeff Fisher, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strength coach Rock Gullickson and offensive quality control coach Andy Sugarman will reportedly remain with the Rams. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 09, 2012 11:21 a.m. - by Ron Clements - Pittsburgh's Khan to interview for Rams GM
Omar Khan, the Steelers' business and football administration coordinator, is scheduled to interview Thursday for the Rams general manager position. Khan is known as a “capologist” and has also worked for the Saints and his alma mater, Tulane University. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:29 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Poppinga
LB Brady Poppinga: C. A locker room jokester and media favorite, Poppinga’s love of the game cannot be denied. The problem is he was an average player on a bad team. He played in 15 games in 2011 with 12 starts, but had just 51 tackles and a forced fumble. He does not have good speed and struggled to get off blocks.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:28 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Nixon
LB David Nixon: C. Nixon began the season with the Rams, was cut after training camp, and then brought back because of injuries. His highlight came when he stripped Browns WR Josh Cribbs following a punt that led to the eventual game-winning FG.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:27 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Kehl
LB Bryan Kehl: C. Kehl started just one game -- the upset victory over the Saints -- and never really stood out. He’s not great shedding blocks and is best used on special teams. He appeared in 14 games and accumulated 15 tackles.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:26 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Cole
LB Justin Cole: C. A midseason acquisition off Kansas City’s practice squad, Cole had just two tackles in four appearances. He primarily played special teams and does have some upside.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:25 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Hull
LB Josh Hull: C-minus. Another injury sidelined the second-year player. As a rookie, Hull tore his ACL after just one game. He appeared in 11 games last season, but then suffered an ankle injury that sent him to IR again. If Hull can get through an entire season, he could be a solid backup to James Laurinaitis. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:22 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Leber
LB Ben Leber: F. Leber was supposed to be one of the team’s big free-agent acquisitions. Instead, he was a colossal bust and was released in late November after playing in only seven games with three starts and 15 tackles. The team kept Leber in lieu of rookie Jabara Williams only to release the 10-year veteran two weeks later. Williams was quickly scooped up by Chicago.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:19 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Chamberlain
LB Chris Chamberlain: C. Chamberlain was solid on special teams and had his moments playing outside linebacker with two sacks and an INT. As a former seventh-round draft pick, Chamberlain is serviceable, but is not a starting-caliber LB. Unfortunately for the Rams, he had to start 13 games in 2011.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:15 p.m. - by Ron Clements - Players taken off of injured reserve
The Rams have removed 15 players from IR: OT Rodger Saffold, CB Marquis Johnson, OT Jason Smith, WR Mark Clayton, LB Josh Hull, CB Jerome Murphy, CB Bradley Fletcher, CB Brian Jackson, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, WR Greg Salas, WR Danny Amendola, CB Ron Bartell, DT Jermelle Cudjo, FB Brit Miller and OG Jacob Bell. The Rams also released practice squad WR John Chiles. Rams RapidReports
Tags:  Rams moves  
 Feb. 08, 2012 2:04 p.m. - by Ron Clements - 2011 Rams position grades: LB -- Laurinaitis
LB James Laurinaitis: B. Again the team leader in tackles, Laurinaitis was selected as Pro Bowl alternate and would have made the trip to Hawaii if the 49ers had gone to the Super Bowl. A self-proclaimed “football junkie,” Laurinaitis has an undeniable passion for the game and is one of the solid blocks on which to build a foundation.   Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:36 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis recalls Bears coaching fiasco in 1999
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis joked Wednesday about being the Bears head coach for six hours in 1999, although he “didn’t know it for three (hours).” McGinnis had laid out an impressive staff that would have included future head coaches Leslie Frazier, Ron Rivera, Greg Schiano and Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. When McGinnis and the Bears could not agree on a final contract, Chicago hired Dick Jauron as head coach. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:22 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis: Roster evaluation an ongoing process
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis said an evaluation of the current roster is an ongoing process. McGinnis, coach Jeff Fisher and the coordinators have begun evaluations, which will be finished once Fisher completes his coaching staff and receives input from those position coaches. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:21 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis impressed with LB Laurinaitis
The only Rams player assistant head coach Dave McGinnis has had the chance to meet so far has been MLB James Laurinaitis. “I’ve been a big fan of his since he was coming out from college,” McGinnis said. “He plays the game at that position like it’s meant to be played. When you talk to him, you can tell it’s vitally important to him.” Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:19 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis happy to be back in Missouri, where it all began
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis is a TCU alum and spent two years in Fort Worth as a graduate assistant before serving three seasons (1975-77) as a defensive assistant at the University of Missouri. McGinnis said he’s glad to be back in Missouri, where his coaching career really started out. "That's what jump-started me," McGinnis said. Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:13 p.m. - by Ron Clements - No hesitation by McGinnis to accept Fisher's offer
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis signed a one-year contract to stay in Tennessee for an eighth season last year, knowing that former Titans coach Jeff Fisher could emerge elsewhere. When Fisher was hired as the Rams head coach last month and called McGinnis to join him, McGinnis’ answer “was instantaneous.” Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:06 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis has a lot of admiration for Fisher
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis on head coach Jeff Fisher: “I admire the way that he does things. He’s a guy that’s just so spot-on with what he’s doing, in all aspects. He just gets it at every level. For a head coach, there are a lot of levels to be spot-on with.” Rams RapidReports
 Feb. 08, 2012 1:04 p.m. - by Ron Clements - McGinnis fills a position he's familiar with
Assistant head coach Dave McGinnis held a similar title in Tennessee last year. He was a senior assistant under first-year head coach Mike Munchak. That role was one McGinnis discussed with new Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Tennessee’s coach for the 17 years prior to Munchak. McGinnis was the Cardinals' head coach from 2000-2003. Rams RapidReports
 
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