This offseason the Rams went quantity quantity and…more quantity.

Most teams in the NFL go and find a true number one threat for their quarterback to throw to. The Rams decided against drafting a high upside receiver like Jon Baldwin in the draft this year, but did take Lance Kendricks, Austin Pettis, and Greg Salas in the second, third, and fourth rounds, respectively.

In the first preseason game, Lance Kendricks looked like he might be a slam dunk. The ultra athletic but unpolished tight end could become a dominant pass catcher. Salas and Pettis, however, will most likely take a back seat to the many other wide receivers on the roster for their rookie year.

The Rams have Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton returning from season ending injuries last year, along with Denario Alexander and Danny Amendola.

They’ve brought in Mike-Sims Walker from the Jacksonville Jaquars, to compete against the current incumbents. It was a wise move, considering new Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels ability to take average receivers and make them dominant (see Bradon Lloyd). Sims-Walker looked like he had the ability to turn into a number one receiver his sophomore year, but was maddeningly inconsistent last year. 

Sims-Walker could be the answer for the Rams. It is disappointing,however, to see that the Rams did not attempt to make a major acquisition for a truly proven wide out.

Is it enough? It’s definitely a start.   

The St Louis Rams have released former Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, according to the St Louis Rams official Twitter page.

This move shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Potts was an un-drafted free agent who came to the Rams as a long shot to beat out Thad Lewis for the third-string quarterback job. In the Rams’ opening preseason game, Potts received a transient amount of playing time and never even got to throw a single pass. 

With Lewis making good a few good plays during his playing time, it appears the Rams are comfortable with keeping the same exact set of quarterbacks that they had last season.

Potts will certainly receive an opportunity elsewhere, whether it be in the NFL, CFL or UFL. He has ideal size at 6’4″ and 218 lbs, and he possesses an arm that should attract plenty of teams. Mix in the fact that he threw for 3,726 yards and 35 touchdowns during his final college season, and I’m willing to bet some other NFL team will at least want to take a look. 

Replacing Potts on the roster will be wide receiver Jared Jenkins, an un-drafted rookie free agent out of  the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point who was initially with the team for one day last week before being cut. 

Jenkins joins a crowded wide receiver group that struggled in the preseason opener and is still without veterans Donnie Avery and, assuming they re-sign him soon, Mark Clayton. 

While this move is likely only for the purpose of adding depth, Jenkins does possess some desirable tools. He is 6’4” and 215 lbs, which would make him the second biggest receiver on the team behind only Danario Alexander. 

He has big-play capability with his blend of size and speed, but it is yet to see how those skills translate to the NFL.

By Dan Moore

– Managing Editor

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Aug 9, 2011 – Danario Alexander’s rookie year was the St. Louis Rams’ 2010 season in miniature: Flashes of incredible potential, lots of positives, but a worrying number of lost games. In 2011 fans are more excited about the Rams than ever, but Alexander’s stock—well, it hasn’t gone down so much as the volume has totally evaporated. A no-show at the team scrimmage ahead of preseason week one due to knee swelling, Danario’s all-important appendage is still a mystery going into game action. 

Part of the hush has been due to all the wide receivers the Rams have brought in in the meantime; Mark Clayton didn’t come back as expected, but Mike Sims-Walker popped up immediately after the NFL lockout to join rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis. The Rams will also have Donnie Avery—another scrimmage holdout—due back after a year on the sidelines and Mardy Gilyard looking to make the team after a totally different year on the sidelines. 

Alexander’s talent is undeniable, but it might be that with a number of other options on the horizon fans have grown tired of waiting to see what his knee can take on a week-to-week basis. For his sake—and the team’s, I think, in the long run—I hope the Rams don’t feel the same way. 

Read More: Mike Sims-Walker (WR – STL), Donnie Avery (WR – STL), Mardy Gilyard (WR – STL), Danario Alexander (WR – STL), Greg Salas (WR – STL), Austin Pettis (WR – STL), St. Louis Rams

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Read More: Mark Clayton (WR – STL), Donnie Avery (WR – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), St. Louis Rams

As the season drew to a close back in 2010 one thing seemed certain about the St. Louis Rams’ receiving corps, weak though it was: Mark Clayton would be back on it. Clayton had been Sam Bradford’s favorite target since being acquired in an emergency trade following Donnie Avery’s season-ending preseason blowout, and after he was lost for the year himself both sides seemed eager to talk and even more eager to say all the right things. Enter the NFL lockout, and month after month of free agency suspended animation.

Since Clayton and the Rams’ seemingly inevitable deal the Rams have drafted two wide receivers and a tight end, replaced their offensive coordinator, and heard great things about Donnie Avery, whose 40 times were perhaps the biggest news of the barren post-draft period for Rams fans. All of a sudden the Rams’ receivers aren’t much more of a sure thing than they were, but they are considerably greater in number. That makes it tough to see where Clayton will fit in.

We’ll know soon, of course. NFL free agency this year will be a kind of nightmarish miniaturized version of same, with all the rumors and sure things and left-field-signings coming in one three-day period of exclusive negotiation with a team’s free agents. it’s going to be wild, whether they sign him or not.

When the St. Louis Rams traded a sixth-round pick for Mark Clayton and a seventh-rounder shortly before the start of the 2010 regular season, there weren’t many people bursting at the seams with excitement. 

It wasn’t that all of us fans believed he wasn’t an improvement; the injury to starter Donnie Avery had set the talent level at receivers so far back that anyone who could produce at least average statistics would’ve been welcome with open arms.

To put it bluntly, Clayton brought no amount of excitement with him. He had already achieved the title of “bust” during his time in Baltimore, he didn’t possess any skills that suggested room for improvement and he only had a single year remaining on his contract.

So while he would make the Rams’ passing game a little better, he would be gone by season’s end, and around 2013 we’d all forget he even really existed.

Then a funny thing happened. 

Despite not being with the team at all in the preseason and having little more than a few practices with QB Sam Bradford under his belt, Clayton racked up 10 catches and 119 yards in Week 1. Although he looked the part of an effective downfield receiver, the most impressive point to take away from the game was the instant rapport he had with Bradford.

The following week against the Oakland Raiders he managed two catches, both of which went for touchdowns. He then followed that performance up with 85-yard and 72-yard outings against the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.

While he was still miles away from being considered a legitimate threat in the league, it appeared the Rams had pulled a rabbit out of their hat and found a crucial piece of their future.

So when Clayton went down with a knee injury in Detroit, it hurt all the more. Just a few weeks earlier, the Rams had seen their best receiver, Donnie Avery, go down to a torn ACL, and here they were in Week 5 looking on as Clayton suffered the same exact fate. It was brutal to take in, especially for Clayton himself, who finally appeared to be making something of himself in the NFL.

Now here we are, heading into the 2011 season with a big question lingering in the back of all of our minds: Was the beginning of 2010 just a small hot streak for Clayton, or will he actually continue to be an effective receiver moving forward?

There are a few factors that will go a long way in deciding Clayton’s future.

Will he return full strength from a severe knee injury? 

 Knee injuries are among the most difficult and frustrating injuries an athlete can experience. The likeliness of a re-injury far exceeds that of most other ailments, and they tend to take a step or two off the injured.

There is no telling how Clayton will return from his surgery. While his Twitter account and reports show promising signs, there is a large difference between offseason rehab and full-on contact drills.

Can the Rams re-sign him?

For those who point out that Clayton is an unrestricted free agent, do not worry too much. Both sides have shown plenty of intention to have Clayton in horns next season. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets, however, given the fact that since he is coming off a major injury and only four games’ worth of promise to go off.

Will he fit into Josh McDaniels’ system?

Yes. McDaniels has developed an offense that utilizes many receivers and has led to the (re)emergence of players such as Randy Moss and Brandon Lloyd. Clayton played in a spread offense in college and excelled.

McDaniels’ offense also has so many moving pieces that it keeps the defense from being able to lock onto any specific target, which will allow Clayton more wiggle room than he had last season. With Clayton’s reliable hands and big-play ability, he will be plenty of fun to watch in McDaniels’ offense.

Although there are plenty of complications that will go into deciding the success of Clayton’s return, I wouldn’t bet against him. He appeared to be reignited by the change of scenery, and he fit in beautifully with the team last season. 

If all goes to plan, Clayton should just be another pleasant piece of the puzzle for the young, rising Rams.

In 2010, the Rams selected Sam Bradford with the first overall pick, and—after having a stellar rookie season working with what most considered a below-average receiving corps—expectations are very high entering his sophomore season . 

The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year looks to have all the tools and the “it” factor that defines franchise quarterbacks. 

Veteran sportswriter Vic Carucci of NFL.com is one of many experts who believe Bradford will be the best of a group of standout young QBs that includes Atlanta’s Matt Ryan, the Jets’ Mark Sanchez, Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman, and the Ravens’ Joe Flacco. 

Comparing Bradfors to other young quarterbacks, Carucci says:

“…my pick is Sam Bradford. It isn’t just his talent, which is immense, or his tremendous football intelligence and instincts. It’s because Bradford managed to make all of his assets work to his and the Rams’ advantage as a rookie”.

Bradford had a strong rookie year despite injuries to multiple receivers, including season ending injuries to not one but two primary targets, Mark Clayton and Donnie Avery

As for Clayton, he and Bradford developed remarkable chemistry in a short time.  

Clayton told the Tulsa World that he hopes to re-sign with St. Louis. With the rapport they shared, you have to think Sam hopes for the same.

Before the lockout, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Rams and Clayton were close to a deal. 

Avery went down before the regular season even began, unfortunately. 

Like Clayton, Avery appeared to be developing some chemistry with Bradford. Due to his elite speed and the threat he provides on any given play of getting behind the defense, Avery, a former second-round pick and the Rams’ primary deep threat, would have helped reduce the number of eight-man fronts that Jackson faced in the running game while helping to open up routes underneath.

One has to wonder what Bradford might be able to accomplish with both of these men healthy and in the fold. 

The injuries didn’t end there, as the receiving corps battled through several other injuries to players including Michael Hoomanawanui and Denario Alexander. 

Both of the preceding players could be impactful in 2011. 

“Illinois Mike” showed himself to be a legitimate receiving target out of the tight end spot, particularly against zone coverages.  

DX, otherwise known as Denario Alexander, flashed the type of play-making ability that earned him All-American honors at Mizzou.  In big games versus San Francisco and Seattle, for example, Rams fans drooled at what might become of a truly healthy Alexander.

With a re-signed Clayton and a healthy Avery and Alexander, the Rams passing attack should instantly be better.

We haven’t even mentioned the NFC’s version of Wes Welker, the diminutive Danny Amendola. 

He led the team with 85 catches and should be a force in the slot.  Of note, however, was his league-low 8.1 yards per catch. 

Finally, the Rams added three pass catchers early in the draft. 

This group includes receiving tight end Lance Kendricks, Greg Salas, and Austin Pettis.

Kendricks, a second-round pick, was said to be particularly coveted by new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Austin Pettis and Greg Salas are both big, tall receivers who are said to have good hands. Perhaps they will be good red zone targets, considering their size and skill.  

If the Rams wideouts can maintain a more consistent level of health while possibly garnering some contributions from a rookie receiver or two, Bradford should have a terrific sophomore season (about which I will be writing more in the coming days, so be on the lookout for that).

The St. Louis Rams are back on the practice field, with the
player-organized workouts this time being held in the Phoenix area.
About 35 players took part in similar sessions two weeks ago at
Lindenwood University in St. Charles.

Team-organized activities are not permitted during the current
NFL lockout.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis told the NFL Network that invitees
included offensive skill-position players, plus linebackers and
secondary members on defense.

The group also is expected to study film and do classroom
work.

Wide receivers Donnie Avery and Brandon Gibson reported Thursday
via Twitter that the four-day workout period had begun. “I just
finished a great workout with the Rams here in Arizona. Thru for
today. Any good attractions I need to see while I’m down here?”
wrote Avery.

Gibson tweeted that he “just finished working out with the
team.”

The daily sessions are to wrap up Sunday.

Sure, every coach with a pulse would prefer to have too many receivers than not enough, but this is different.

The Rams enter the season with the following receivers: Mark Clayton, Donnie Avery, Danny Amendola, Danario Alexander, Mardy Gilyard, Greg Salas, Austin Pettis, Brandon Gibson, Dominique Curry and Brandon McRae.

A large majority of those players are young, up-and-coming receivers who playing time will be incredibly valuable for.

With Moss on the team, some of those players’ game experience would take a large hit (most likely Danario Alexander and Greg Salas), which would have the potential to harm the Rams in the immediate future. Rams fans saw what it’s like when inexperienced players play in games of high magnitude in last season’s finale in Seattle.

As long as Moss is on the team, regardless of how he plays, Steve Spagnuolo and Josh McDaniels would most likely feel obligated to play him simply because it is Randy Moss. I’m sure the Rams, like many teams before them, would rid themselves of Moss if the production was consistently mediocre. However as long as he was in a Ram uniform, he’d be starting and taking away valuable experience from a young player that is part of the Rams’ extended future.

By Dan Moore

– Managing Editor

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May 28, 2011 – Mardy Gilyard, the St. Louis Rams’ fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, found himself on the sidelines for much of his rookie year, even as the Rams’ wide receiver corps collapsed around him; he was reportedly unable to learn the playbook, and after a few attempts to get him into game-action early he’d vanished by the time the Rams made their ill-fated run for the NFC West title. With Josh McDaniels around there’s a new playbook to learn, and reports are coming in that Gilyard won’t be there to learn it—ESPN Radio reports he’s asked the Rams for a trade.

The Rams drafted two more wide receivers in the 2011 NFL Draft, and with Donnie Avery due back and a Mark Clayton deal in the offing it’s become increasingly clear that they aren’t holding their breath about Gilyard’s future with the club. It’s a rough turn of events for a career that began with so much promise, for a receiver drafted the same year as the club’s franchise quarterback. 

Read More: Mardy Gilyard (WR – STL), St. Louis Rams

Read More: Torry Holt (WR – NEP), St. Louis Rams

Former St. Louis Rams great Torry Holt seemed to lean toward retirement after a knee injury ended his 2010 season with the New England Patriots before it began, but now Holt, who is doing some volunteer coaching for the Rams during the NFL lockout phantom-workout, is saying he’ll keep his options open whenever the offseason finally begins, and that he hasn’t officially retired. Question: are the Rams interested in their temporary coach for some more contact-related activity?

Turf Show Times is skeptical. Holt would be a great story, and I’m not sure he would be the worst wide receiver on the Rams roster to get regular targets from Sam Bradford, but after the 2011 NFL Draft the Rams are up to their earholes in questionable wide receivers with both flaws and positives—Danario Alexander, Donnie Avery, and (probably) Mark Clayton with injuries, Mardy Gilyard, Austin Pettis, and Greg Salas with inexperience, Brandon Gibson and Laurent Robinson with, uh, roster spots. Torry Holt could play better than any of those guys, but he’s a tough bet to do something to distinguish himself from them.