The St. Louis Rams have signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Trevor Laws to a one-year deal, according to St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter Jim Thomas.

Laws, 27, is the second free-agent defensive tackle the Rams have signed this offseason, after Kendall Langford. He will compete for playing time with Langford, Jermelle Cudjo, Gary Gibson and Darell Scott as the team attempts to strengthen its run defense, which was ranked as one of the worst in the NFL last season.

The defensive tackle tweeted this evening that “its time for me to take this show to STL.”

Pro Football Focus graded Laws as a negative player at the position last season in 351 plays. He is 6’1″, 305 lbs and serves as a commendable run stuffer.

He had a career-high 40 tackles this past season and 16 quarterback hurries. In four seasons (56 games) he has 86 tackles and five sacks.

The Rams have put an emphasis at defensive tackle this offseason after the release of Justin Bannan and Fred Robbins, who started in 2011. Bannan has since signed with the Denver Broncos, and Robbins is still a free agent.

The team could still be a candidate to draft another defensive tackle in this year’s draft to solidify and get younger at the position. Both Langford and Laws are in their 20s as Bannan and Robbins were in their 30s.

Laws was drafted in the second round (47th overall) out of Notre Dame in 2008.

Justin Gibson covers the St. Louis Rams for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.

Welcome to Monday’s St. Louis Rams “News and Notes at Noon” the one-stop destination for all major Rams updates, related information and the latest regarding NFL Free Agency and the 2012 NFL Draft. 

NFL Free Agency

As most of you know, the Rams have inked cornerback Cortland Finnegan, defensive tackle/end Kendall Langford and center Scott Wells to deals thus far. 

For a great interview from Turf Show Times on Cortland Finnegan, please see this.  Great insight is provided via August West of Music City Miracles, a site that covers the Tennessee Titans.  

As is all too obvious, St. Louis has struck out in its efforts to land a bona-fide wide receiving option for quarterback Sam Bradford and the offense.  Howard Balzer of 101sports.com takes a look at this issue in Sunday’s column.

According to a post from Ron Clements of cbssports.com, he cites the Newark Star-Ledger as reporting the Rams are to host free-agent tight end Matt Mulligan of the New York Jets, who specializes in blocking.

Brandon Lloyd, who came to the Rams via a trade with Denver during the 2011 season, agreed to terms with New England, according to this from boston.com, who cites the NFL Network.

2012 NFL Draft

With the draft just a little over a month away, draft talk continues to heat up ever the more.  

Earlier today, I analyzed various aspects, options and scenarios of what the Rams might do with the No. 6 overall pick.  I encourage you to take a look at that column here.  

Randy Karraker of 101sports.com also shared an article regarding potential draft scenarios for St. Louis.

Finally, Tony Softli (also of 101sports.com) posted his insight regarding the evaluation of quarterbacks and his list of top five quarterbacks available for the 2012 NFL Draft. 

St. Louis Rams in the Community

St. Louis Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff continued the organization’s continual increase in work within the community by participating in the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. 

Demoff joined with various corporate leaders, St. Louis mayor Francis Slay and others joining with 47 St. Louis public schools in a one-day literacy event earlier this month, as reported in this piece from stlouisrams.com.

In related news, the Rams recently traveled to tornado-ravaged Harrisburg, Illinois to assist in cleanup efforts and to spread goodwill and thoughtful care to that community.

Have a great day, STL Rams Nation. 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.

After a truly dismal 2011 season, the St. Louis Rams rang in the New Year by firing head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney. The team ended the season 2-14 and I think the whole situation could push the team to move to Los Angeles. We’re eager to get a team here, with two competing stadium projects (Farmers Field and Los Angeles Stadium at Grand Crossing) ready to start construction, once a team is named. In addition to their poor record and recent personnel changes, the Rams have issues with their stadium and I think it could all combine to form a “perfect storm” that could bring the team back to L.A.

The St. Louis arch.
morguefile.com/spiroll

The Rams poor results speak for themselves and I agree with the decision to make changes. Rams owner Stan Kroenke is a smart businessman and didn’t get to be a billionaire by making bad decisions. The team was 10-38 in the three seasons under Spagnuolo and Devaney. Devaney has been there a bit longer than Spagnuolo, and the team was 12-52 in his four years as GM. After a horrible 1-15 season in 2009, the Rams seemed to make a comeback in 2010, going 7-9 and finishing second in the NFC West. But then after coming into the season with high expectations, the bottom dropped out and here we are.

Now that the 2011 regular season is over, I think we will see another big announcement from the team very soon, and that announcement just may be the return of the Rams to Los Angeles. The Rams left Los Angeles due to stadium issues, but now we’re looking at a situation that would bring them into a brand new stadium. I’m sure this is an attractive proposition, given the Rams are having issues with their current stadium. The Rams have played in Edward Jones Stadium since their move from Los Angeles in 1995. Although not very old, the stadium needs upgrades and is not comparable to a brand new facility. They currently have a deal that forces St. Louis to come up with a viable stadium renovation plan by March 2015, or the team is able to accept an offer to move. The city must inform the team of the plan by February 2012, which is rapidly approaching. The Rams have not yet been presented a stadium plan from the city.

AEG, the developer of the Farmers Field NFL stadium, proposed for downtown Los Angeles, has confirmed the Rams as one of the five teams they’ve had formal discussions with. Rams owner Stan Kroenke (who also owns the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets) has done business with AEG in the past, and has even bought teams from them. He is also friends with AEG owner Philip Anschutz, which would seem to make the deal easier to put together. Mr. Kroenke was part of the successful effort in 1995 to bring the team to St. Louis and helped put together a deal that had the city pay $260 million to get the team to move there. But if he can make a large profit on the the move and create much higher revenue for the team by moving them, I think he will do it. And as an L.A. football fan, I know the city would welcome their return, more so than moving a team here from another city.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

More from this contributor:

Chargers move to L.A. looks more likely: Local’s look

What about the other Los Angeles NFL stadium proposal? Fan’s view

Farmers Field is Coming to Los Angeles: Local reaction

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

AFC EAST
New England Patriots
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
New York Jets
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
	   Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
	   Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
	   Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Cleveland Browns
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
	   Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Indianapolis Colts
	   Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
	   Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
San Diego Chargers
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   -- -- -- =
NFC EAST
New York Giants
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Philadelphia Eagles
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys
	   Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears
	   Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons
	   Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
	   Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Carolina Panthers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
	   Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
St. Louis Rams
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

The 2011 St. Louis Rams weren’t playing for a division title this season; they were playing for a chance at Andrew Luck. With a 2-14 record, they were close, but the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts will get that pick instead. The Rams may have been one of the worst teams in terms of producing fantasy points this season, but did see a couple players succeed. Who are the biggest surprise and disappointments, and which star can say they were the Rams 2011 fantasy MVP?

MVP – Steven Jackson

Jackson didn’t have the best season of his career, but he surpassed 1,000 yards for the seventh straight season. He finished the campaign with 1,145 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding 42 catches for 333 yards and an additional score. Jackson will continue to be a late first or early second round selection next season, but would benefit greatly from a more stabilized offensive system.

Biggest Surprise – Brandon Lloyd

When the Denver Broncos traded one of the best wide receivers from 2010, fantasy GMs had to wonder what was wrong. He averaged nearly five catches a game during the four games he was a Bronco this season, but failed to reach the end zone. In 11 games as a Ram, Lloyd made 51 catches for 683 yards with five touchdowns, becoming one of the top-two fantasy threats for the Rams.

Biggest Disappointment – Sam Bradford

The second year quarterback was expected to make the Rams contenders in the normally weak NFC West, but after playing in just 10 games this season, there had to be serious discussion about drafting Luck if they got the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After putting up more than 3,500 yards with 18 touchdowns, Bradford regressed in 2011, throwing for 2,164 yards and six touchdowns. There are going to be a couple of top quarterbacks in the draft that could pose a problem to Bradford ever becoming a star in the NFL. If the Rams can’t get Luck, maybe Robert Griffin III could be a solid fit for St. Louis.

For a closer look at All-Injury teams for all major fantasy positions and biggest stars and busts from each NFL team, click here.

More from this contributor:

LeSean McCoy is Top Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Backup Running Backs to make Splash in 2011

Don’t Give up on These Players too Early

Drafting Individual Defensive Players?

Top 2011 Fantasy Football Rookies

Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

ST. LOUIS — Sam Bradford ran in the pool and rode an exercise bicycle as the St. Louis Rams tried to nurse their quarterback back to health.

If Bradford can’t go Monday night at Seattle, the Rams (2-10) will likely be down to a player with zero NFL snaps because backup A.J. Feeley has all but ruled himself out with a broken thumb on his right hand.

“It’s pretty sore right now, it’s pretty swollen, it’s pretty tough to grip,” Feeley said.

Tom Brandstater, elevated from the practice squad last week, took snaps with the first string in an abbreviated practice that lasted about an hour Wednesday. The former Fresno State standout has been on the active roster for three games this year and a full season with Denver in 2009 after getting drafted in the sixth round.

Bradford lobbied to play before the 49ers game, but was held out to avoid further injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said it was too early to hazard a guess about Bradford’s status for this week.

The plan is for Bradford to practice as little as possible.

“His status is the same,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re trying to get it to Monday.”

Feeley said it would be at least a week before swelling subsides and he can attempt to grip the ball.

“If it’s a pain tolerance thing, I have no problem going through with it,” Feeley said. “But if it’s giving way every time I grip the all because the bone is shifting, it probably won’t work out.”

The Rams are stockpiling quarterbacks just in case, signing Kellen Clemens to the roster and Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad. The 28-year-old Clemens was released by the Texans on Monday after spending two weeks with that team.

Whoever’s taking the snaps will be working with a decimated line. Not long after guard Jacob Bell expressed optimism he might be able to recover from a torn MCL on his right knee and play the last two games, he joined tackles Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold on injured reserve.

Bell was the only lineman to start every game at the same position. He was hurt in the fourth quarter when the 49ers’ Ray McDonald landed on the leg.

Feeley also dislocated his left ring finger during the game, quickly yanking it back into place.

Safety Darian Stewart practiced after being cleared from a concussion that sidelined him last week.

In other roster juggling, cornerback Chris Smith was signed to the roster off the practice squad, cornerback Nate Ness was released and running back Chase Reynolds was signed to the practice squad for the third time.

ST. LOUIS — Sam Bradford ran in the pool and rode an exercise bicycle as the St. Louis Rams tried to nurse their quarterback back to health.

If Bradford can’t go Monday night in Seattle, the Rams (2-10) will likely be down to a player with zero NFL snaps because backup A.J. Feeley has all but ruled himself out with a broken thumb on his right hand.

“It’s pretty sore right now. It’s pretty swollen. It’s pretty tough to grip,” Feeley said.

Tom Brandstater, elevated from the practice squad last week, took snaps with the first string in an abbreviated practice that lasted about an hour Wednesday. The former Fresno State standout has been on the active roster for three games this year and a full season with Denver in 2009 after getting drafted in the sixth round.

Bradford, dealing with a bad ankle, lobbied to play before the 49ers game last weekend but was held out to avoid further injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said it was too early to hazard a guess about Bradford’s status for this week.

The plan is for Bradford to practice as little as possible.

“His status is the same,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re trying to get it to Monday.”

Feeley said it would be at least a week before swelling subsides and he can attempt to grip the ball.

“If it’s a pain-tolerance thing, I have no problem going through with it,” Feeley said. “But if it’s giving way every time I grip the ball because the bone is shifting, it probably won’t work out.”

The Rams are stockpiling quarterbacks just in case, signing Kellen Clemens to the roster and Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad. Clemens, 28, was released by the Texans on Monday after spending two weeks with that team.

Safety Darian Stewart practiced after being cleared from a concussion that sidelined him last week.

Archie Manning

changes mind

INDIANAPOLIS — Archie Manning figures Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck can coexist in Indianapolis after all.

One day after Archie Manning told an Indy radio show he didn’t think either quarterback wanted to be on the same team, he backtracked and said he thought the two could work together just fine — if the winless Colts get the No. 1 pick next spring and choose Luck.

“I’m sure they could,” Manning said. “Andrew is a great young man and we’ve enjoyed getting to know him. He and Peyton have a friendship, and I’m one of the few people out there that’s not really concerned about this deal. All good people respect each other, and I’m sure this will all shake out.”

The connection between the Mannings and the Lucks dates back almost three decades when Archie Manning and Luck’s father, Oliver, were teammates in Houston.

The two family patriarchs still communicate and their quarterback-playing sons have gotten to know one another, too. Andrew Luck has attended the Manning Passing Academy as both a pupil and a counselor, and after making up his mind to return to school last winter, the Stanford quarterback contacted Peyton Manning asking for advice about how to handle this season.

Notes

• Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman said his injured throwing shoulder is improving and he hopes to be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

• Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller practiced with a cast covering the injured right thumb that sidelined him a week ago.

• Mike Martz plans to return as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator next season. He dismissed a report that said he will be gone after the season.

• Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson returned to practice on a limited basis, another sign he’s making progress recovering from a concussion. Linebacker Erik Walden was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct-domestic abuse after a fight with his girlfriend.

• Jeff Garcia signed with the Houston Texans and will be their No. 3 quarterback behind rookie T.J. Yates and Jake Delhomme.

• The New York Giants placed offensive tackle Stacy Andrews on injured reserve with blood clots in both lungs and signed Tony Ugoh to fill the roster spot.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. LOUIS — Sam Bradford ran in the pool and rode an exercise bicycle as the St. Louis Rams tried to nurse their quarterback back to health.

If Bradford can’t go Monday night at Seattle, the Rams (2-10) will likely be down to a player with zero NFL snaps because backup A.J. Feeley has all but ruled himself out with a broken thumb on his right hand.

“It’s pretty sore right now, it’s pretty swollen, it’s pretty tough to grip,” Feeley said.

Tom Brandstater, elevated from the practice squad last week, took snaps with the first string in an abbreviated practice that lasted about an hour Wednesday. The former Fresno State standout has been on the active roster for three games this year and a full season with Denver in 2009 after getting drafted in the sixth round.

Bradford lobbied to play before the 49ers game, but was held out to avoid further injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said it was too early to hazard a guess about Bradford’s status for this week.

The plan is for Bradford to practice as little as possible.

“His status is the same,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re trying to get it to Monday.”

Feeley said it would be at least a week before swelling subsides and he can attempt to grip the ball.

“If it’s a pain tolerance thing, I have no problem going through with it,” Feeley said. “But if it’s giving way every time I grip the all because the bone is shifting, it probably won’t work out.”

The Rams are stockpiling quarterbacks just in case, signing Kellen Clemens to the roster and Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad. The 28-year-old Clemens was released by the Texans on Monday after spending two weeks with that team.

Whoever’s taking the snaps will be working with a decimated line. Not long after guard Jacob Bell expressed optimism he might be able to recover from a torn MCL on his right knee and play the last two games, he joined tackles Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold on injured reserve.

Bell was the only lineman to start every game at the same position. He was hurt in the fourth quarter when the 49ers’ Ray McDonald landed on the leg.

Feeley also dislocated his left ring finger during the game, quickly yanking it back into place.

Safety Darian Stewart practised after being cleared from a concussion that sidelined him last week.

In other roster juggling, cornerback Chris Smith was signed to the roster off the practice squad, cornerback Nate Ness was released and running back Chase Reynolds was signed to the practice squad for the third time.

“It’s pretty sore right now, it’s pretty swollen, it’s pretty tough to grip,” Feeley said.

Tom Brandstater, elevated from the practice squad last week, took snaps with the first string in an abbreviated practice that lasted about an hour Wednesday. The former Fresno State standout has been on the active roster for three games this year and a full season with Denver in 2009 after getting drafted in the sixth round.

Bradford lobbied to play before the 49ers game, but was held out to avoid further injury. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said it was too early to hazard a guess about Bradford’s status for this week.

The plan is for Bradford to practice as little as possible.

“His status is the same,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re trying to get it to Monday.”

Feeley said it would be at least a week before swelling subsides and he can attempt to grip the ball.

“If it’s a pain tolerance thing, I have no problem going through with it,” Feeley said. “But if it’s giving way every time I grip the all because the bone is shifting, it probably won’t work out.”

The Rams are stockpiling quarterbacks just in case, signing Kellen Clemens to the roster and Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad. The 28-year-old Clemens was released by the Texans on Monday after spending two weeks with that team.

Whoever’s taking the snaps will be working with a decimated line. Not long after guard Jacob Bell expressed optimism he might be able to recover from a torn MCL on his right knee and play the last two games, he joined tackles Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold on injured reserve.

Bell was the only lineman to start every game at the same position. He was hurt in the fourth quarter when the 49ers’ Ray McDonald landed on the leg.

Feeley also dislocated his left ring finger during the game, quickly yanking it back into place.

Safety Darian Stewart practiced after being cleared from a concussion that sidelined him last week.

In other roster juggling, cornerback Chris Smith was signed to the roster off the practice squad, cornerback Nate Ness was released and running back Chase Reynolds was signed to the practice squad for the third time.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS — Patrick Peterson tied an NFL record with his fourth punt return for a touchdown this season as the Arizona Cardinals beat the St. Louis Rams 23-20 Sunday before 56,029 fans at the Edward Jones Dome.

Arizona’s Beanie Wells ran for a career-high 228 yards and one touchdown against the NFL’s worst rush defense.

Well’s 53-yard run set up a 22-yard field goal by Jay Feely with 4:09 left that put the Cardinals back in front 23-20 after the Rams had tied the score.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo opted to punt on fourth-and-1 from the St. Louis 36 with 3:22 to go.

The Cardinals were able to run out the clock by converting two third downs into first downs.

The Rams dropped to 2-9. The Cardinals improved to 4-7.

Peterson, who burned the Rams with a game-winning 99-yard punt return in overtime earlier this month, fielded Donnie Jones’ punt and sprinted up the middle of the field in the third quarter.

He angled right toward the sideline after getting past Jones and then outran all pursuers.

Peterson joins Chicago’s Devin Hester (2007), Denver’s Rick Upchurch (1976) and Detroit’s Jack Christiansen (1951) as the only players with four punt returns in a season in NFL history.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford completed 17 of 31 passes for 203 and one touchdown.

Rams running back Steven Jackson had 17 carries for 64 yards.

The Rams converted a fumble by Wells into a touchdown as quarterback Sam Bradford threw a 16-yard pass to Brandon Lloyd in the end zone.

The touchdown tied the score at 20-20.

A 41-yard pass from John Skelton to Larry Fitzgerald on the opening drive of the second half set up a 37-yard field goal by Jay Feely as the Cardinals cut their deficit to 10-6.

Rookie tight end Lance Kendricks’ funble in Rams’ territory enabled the Cardinals to take the lead.

Kendricks fumbled after making a reception and Arizona’s Sam Ocho recovered the ball at the St. Louis

The turnover led to a 7-yard touchdown run by Wells that put the Cardinals ahead 13-10 with 5:54 left in the third quarter.

The Rams got a 48-yard field goal by Josh Brown early in the fourth quarter, but Brown was wide right on a 50-yard attempt less than two minutes later after an interception by James Laurinaitis on a Skelton pass that was tipped by Gary Gibson.

Miller propels Rams to halftime lead

Nick Miller’s 88-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter helped the St. Louis Rams to a 10-3 lead over the Arizona Cardinals at halftime.

Josh Brown kicked a 35-yard field goal with three seconds left in the second quarter to account for the rest of the Rams’ scoring.

Both teams had their opening drives stall.

Miller, making his first punt return for the Rams, turned the corner going to his left and raced 88 yards for a touchdown to put the Rams ahead 7-0 with 9:15 left in the first quarter.

The Rams got the ball back when Cardinals quarterback John Shelton overthrew intended receiver Larry Fitzgerald and cornerback Rod Hood intercepted it.

Hood returned the Arizona 31, but the Rams came away with no points as quarterback Sam Bradford fumbled as he was being sacked by Sam Acho. Paris Lenon recovered the loose ball.

A 71-yard run by Beanie Wells enabled the Cardinals to get on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal by Jay Feely.

The Rams had first-and-goal at the Arizona 3 with 43 seconds left in the first half, but they had to settle for a field goal after Jason Brown was called for a false start and Bradford was sacked for a nine-yard loss by Acho.

Alexander is inactive again

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danario Alexander will miss his fifth straight game due to a hamstring injury.

Alexander was among the Rams’ actives for their game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Also inactive were: linebackers Ben Leber and Josh Hull, running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, guard Bryan Mattison, tackle Mark LeVoir and defensive tackle Justin Bannon.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis (foot) and defensive end Chris Long (ankle) will suit up for the Rams after being listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.

John Skelton will start at quarterback for the Cardinals as Kevin Kolb (toe) was inactive.

Rams running back Steven Jackson looks for running room during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz.

Photo by The Associated Press.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Midway through the season, new St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is still waiting to see some results.

The Rams are averaging 12.5 points per game, next to worst in the NFL, and managed only three field goals in last week’s overtime loss at Arizona.

St. Louis (1-6) has scored just nine touchdowns this season to go along with 11 field goals headed into Sunday’s game at Cleveland (3-5). The Rams rank 30th in the NFL when it comes to scoring within the opponent’s 20-yard line.

“It’s very frustrating,” running back Steven Jackson said Thursday. “We move the ball pretty much on each and every drive and get into the red zone but we are unable to finish those drives that we’ve put together.

“It’s the same guys moving the ball down the field. It’s just when we get to the red zone, we keep having these mishaps which prevent us from putting up seven points.”

It wasn’t supposed to be that way when McDaniels was hired by coach Steve Spagnuolo.

McDaniels enjoyed great success as the offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots. In 2007, the Patriots set NFL records, scoring 75 touchdowns (67 on offense — 50 passing and 17 rushing) and 589 points. The next year, the Patriots went 11-5 behind quarterback Matt Cassel, who replaced the injured Tom Brady.

Denver hired him after that. At age 33, he was the youngest head coach in the NFL. He was fired after Denver lost 17 of his last 22 games, but McDaniels retained his reputation as an offensive guru.

When the Rams hired him, he was to the man who would lift Sam Bradford & Co. to a higher plane, and during the preseason, both parties said it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

It hasn’t happened. Instead, there have been far too many mistakes, dropped passes, bad protection, false starts and, worst of all, that lack of scoring. In Sunday’s 19-13 overtime loss at Arizona, the Rams’ offense mustered just three field goals to go with two safeties.

The Rams are gaining yards, with 383 against the Cardinals. Bradford threw for 255 and Jackson had 130, his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game of the season and 29th of his career.

Yet, the offense couldn’t gain a foot when it needed to with 1:40 left in regulation with the score knotted at 13-all. Arizona stopped Jackson for no gain on third at the Cardinals’ 33-yard line.

The Rams skipped a field goal try and chose to go for it on fourth down. McDaniels dialed up the same play to run.

“You got to believe in your guys,” McDaniels said. “Our guys knew what the play was before we even sent it in. They should have. They practice it well during the week. If we get that situation again, we’ll block it better, block it right and get the yard.”

The Cardinals took over on downs and went on to win with a 99-yard punt return in overtime.

The calls were good ones, McDaniels said.

“The concept there was to try and eliminate penetration,” McDaniels said. “To eliminate penetration, you have to stay tight at the line of scrimmage and avoid linebackers running through. We did that. What we didn’t do was get a guy on the ground. The guys did a lot well on both plays. We didn’t finish the play as well as we needed to.”

As the Rams endure another painful season, many St . Louis football fans have speculated on what the hapless Rams might do in the 2012 NFL draft.

The 2012 NFL draft will have little drama at the top. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is the surefire No. 1 selection. He is a seemingly flawless NFL prospect and one many hapless teams covet.

IF the Rams had the No. 1 pick, some have speculated that Luck is the better choice than Bradford for St. Louis’ future.  In another vein, some fans have wondered whether Bradford is a true “franchise” quarterback.

The answer is undoubtedly and unequivocally yes. Bradford is a great quarterback and the cornerstone of this team’s future.

Bradford left Oklahoma after an injury-plagued 2009 season. He did win the 2008 Heisman Trophy, but suffered a shoulder injury the following season, prematurely ending his junior year.

Some people forget Bradford’s process heading up to the draft that year. His injury was scrutinized and analyzed. He never complained during the process. He answered all questions truthfully and has shown that his shoulder was healed through two seasons.

He had a near flawless pro day that some people compared to the famous Troy Aikman pre-draft workout.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/370778-sam-bradford-amazes-scouts-at-pro-day

It seems a bit early to judge Bradford after two seasons. In fact, it seems too early to judge him after just one up-and-down, injury-ridden season.

Remember that Bradford was the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. It seemed that the Rams had plenty of momentum heading into the 2011 season after nearly making the playoffs a year ago.

Keep in mind he began this season under the tutelage of a new offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels and a new “west coast” system. Bradford and the offense did not have the offseason to perfect the new scheme due to the NFL labor stoppage.

Bradford is a franchise quarterback through and through. He has all the intangibles. He never speaks poorly of his teammates in the press. He seems to play with an even temperament no matter if things are going well or poorly. He is a great leader, and the Rams are lucky to have him at the most important position on their team.

The team has to continue to get better around Bradford going forward. Even with the addition of Brandon Lloyd from Denver, the receiving corps needs to be upgraded. The injuries to Danny Amendola and now Greg Salas haven’t helped Bradford’s situation, either.

Be patient St. Louis. You have a franchise quarterback. Andrew Luck might be a future star, but Sam Bradford is the right man for the job.

Are you ready for some (titanically terrible, eye-gougingly bad) football, NFL fans? Then be sure to tune in when the St. Louis Rams, sans Sam Bradford, try to build on their first win of the season, against the New Orleans Saints, against the equally-pitiful (with or without Kevin Kolb) Arizona Cardinals in a battle of backup quarterbacks.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… and then you’ll wonder why you’re not watching the other game that’s on.

That is, unless you’re a big proponent of semi-moderated train wrecks.

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

When: Sunday, November 6th at 4:15 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX (check your local listings)

Spread: Cardinals -3 (according to sportsbook.com)

Take the Rams to beat the spread. They’re riding high after earning their first win of the season and should be able to upend the Kolb-less Cards, even on the road.

Over/Under: 41 (according to sportsbook.com)

Go with the under on this one. These two teams combine for a measly 32.8 points per game and will be hard-pressed to top that number without their starting quarterbacks on the field.

Key Injuries:

As mentioned previously (several times), both teams will be sitting their top signal callers due to injury. Sam Bradford will miss his third-straight game for St. Louis with a high ankle sprain, while Kevin Kolb is expected to sit for Arizona while nursing an injured right toe.

Fantasy Big Plays:

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams: Jackson showed in Week 8 that he’s back at full force by piling up 159 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. With AJ Feeley still handling Bradford’s duties under center, Jackson figures to get plenty of carries against a Cards defense that’s solidly middle-of-the-pack against the run.

Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Like Jackson, Beanie Wells has been slowed by injuries this season but will see the ball early and often if/when John Skelton takes over for Kolb at quarterback. If Wells’ sore knee is good to go, look for him to rack up yardage aplenty against the NFL’s worst run defense.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, St. Louis Rams: As bad as the quarterbacking is sure to be in this game, they’re going to have to throw the ball to someone eventually. For the Rams, that someone figures to be Brandon Lloyd, who’s garnered 25 targets in just two games since Denver traded him to St. Louis. He’ll get those looks in bunches against an Arizona secondary that’s among the least effective in the league this season.

Keys to St. Louis Rams Win:

The plan for the Rams is (or ought to be) simple: feed the ball to Steven Jackson and let AJ Feeley manage the game with short passes on offense, and pressure whoever is under center for Arizona until the cows come home. If that was enough for St. Louis to beat New Orleans last week, then it should be more than sufficient to get Steve Spagnuolo’s squad its second win of the season against the lowly Cards.

Keys to Arizona Cardinals Win:

On the flip side, the Cards must first keep their fingers crossed that Kevin Kolb is healthy enough to play. If/when that doesn’t work out, the offensive line needs to provide some semblance of a pocket for John Skelton to keep him somewhat upright against a feisty Rams pass rush.

A healthy dose of a less-than-healthy Beanie Wells should help the Redbirds to control clock. Some help from dynamic rookie returner Patrick Peterson on special teams would go a long way toward helping Arizona win the battle for field position.

Prediction: Rams 15, Cardinals 12