The brunt of the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal suspensions have finally been handed out, and from the perspective of a St. Louis Rams fan it looks like their involvement in the whole strange thing—they hired a guy who will now never coach a down for them—could have been far, far worse. The Saints lost Jonathan Vilma for the entire 2012 season, and they’ll be without Will Smith for four games. Meanwhile, Anthony Hargrove, now of the Green Bay Packers, is out eight games, and Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita will miss three.

Considering all that punishment, the loss of a defensive coordinator who was apparently unable to defensive-coordinate without the assistance of cash incentives for ending Kurt Warner’s career doesn’t seem so bad, does it?

In one sense, the Rams’ involvement in the bounty scandal remains quintessentially Rammy: They managed to get themselves tied up in, and nearly brought down by, a situation that had nothing to do with them, either by absurd accident, complete obliviousness, or calculated risk. This is different in at least one sense, though: By only losing Gregg Williams, the Rams finally managed to avoid the worst of something, for once.

For more on the Saints bounty scandal and the Rams’ involvement in it, check out our Gregg WIlliams Bountygate stream, populated with all our updates and analysis on the subject. Related: No matter how widespread bounty programs are, the St. Louis Rams must fire Gregg Williams.

On Tuesday, April 17, the NFL released the 2012 NFL schedule with a few surprises for the St. Louis Rams. The team will play just three games in the Edward Jones Dome after October 21. If the Rams have any hope of reaching .500 next season, they will need to play winning football in September and October.

High profile game

There are plenty of big games on the Rams’ schedule this season, but there are none bigger than the Oct. 21 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Some fans will argue that all of the NFC West games are more important, and they are, but there is no greater measuring stick for the Rams than the 2010 Super Bowl champions. The Packers were the class of the NFC for most of 2011, and since they will likely be the best team to play in the Edward Jones Dome this season, this game is the one to look forward to in 2012.

No favors

The NFL didn’t do the Rams any favors this season. They have the league’s fourth most difficult 2012 schedule, which is going to hurt their efforts to improve upon the two wins they had last year. The big problem is that, out of their first three games, the Rams will face two playoff contenders on the road. They will also close 2012 with four out of six games on the road, including two trips east and a cross-country trip to finish the year against the rival Seattle Seahawks. Then again, at least the NFL didn’t schedule the Rams to run through the same gauntlet they faced to begin the 2011 season. That was one of the worst stretches I’ve ever seen a team face.

London

The Rams will have the chance to build their brand overseas in their Oct. 28 “home” game against the New England Patriots. While many Rams’ fans are unhappy about owner Stan Kroenke’s decision to move a home game to London, at least it could potentially benefit the franchise long-term. Hopefully, the team represents itself well in front of a London crowd that will likely favor them due to Kroenke’s involvement with Premier League club Arsenal.

2012 St. Louis Rams Schedule

All games are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Week 1: Sunday, September 9 – at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 2: Sunday, September 16 – vs. Washington Redskins, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 3: Sunday, September 23 – at Chicago Bears, 4:05 p.m., FOX

Week 4: Sunday, September 30 – vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 5: Thursday, October 4 – vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:20 p.m., NFLN

Week 6: Sunday, October 14 – at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 7: Sunday, October 21 – vs. Green Bay Packers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 8: Sunday, October 28 – vs. New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, November 11 – at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 11: Sunday, November 18 – vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m., CBS

Week 12: Sunday, November 25 – at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Week 13: Sunday, December 2 – vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 14: Sunday, December 9 – at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 15: Sunday, December 16 – vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 16: Sunday, December 23 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m., FOX

Week 17: Sunday, December 30 – at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m., FOX

Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.

It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the St. Louis Rams, who hired a new head coach in Jeff Fisher, saw new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams suspended indefinitely by the NFL for his incredibly distasteful role in the New Orleans Saints’ “player bounty” scandal and made a blockbuster trade by sending the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft to the Washington Redskins.

The two extra first-round picks the Rams received from Washington will certainly help the team build for the future, but the process of getting better in the present will begin for quarterback Sam Bradford and the Rams on September 9th with a tough tilt against the Detroit Lions. The Rams probably aren’t headed for playoff contention in 2012, but fans of the club are hungry for improvement after last year’s 2-14 debacle.

 

SCHEDULE

Week 1 9/9:  St. Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 2 9/16: Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams 4:05 EST, FOX

Week 3 9/23: St. Louis Rams vs. Chicago Bears 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 4 9/30: Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Rams 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 5 10/4: Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams 8:20 EST, NFL Network

Week 6 10/14: St. Louis Rams vs. Miami Dolphins 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 7 10/21: Green Bay Packers vs. St. Louis Rams 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 8 10/28: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams 1:00 EST, CBS

Week 9 BYE

Week 10 11/11: St. Louis Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers 4:15 EST, FOX

Week 11 11/18: New York Jets vs. St. Louis Rams  1:00 EST, CBS

Week 12 11/25 St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals 4:15 EST, FOX

Week 13 12/2: St. Louis Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 14 12/9: St. Louis Rams vs. Buffalo Bills 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 15 12/16: Minnesota Vikings vs. St. Louis Rams 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 16 12/23: St. Louis Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 EST, FOX

Week 17 12/30: St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks 4:15 EST, FOX

ANALYSIS

It isn’t going to be easy for the Rams to improve markedly on last season’s dismal record, as their 2012 opponents had an aggregate winning percentage of .523 last year, making their schedule the fourth most difficult in the NFL.

Nothing personifies this rather daunting slate more than the three games wrapped around the Rams’ Week 9 bye, as the team hosts the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots before traveling to meet the 49ers after a week off.

 

MOST PIVOTAL MATCHUP

There may well be no game that sets the tone more for the St. Louis Rams than their very first contest of the season. If Jeff Fisher’s new-look Rams can roll into the Motor City and pull off an upset or give the Lions all they can handle, that could do wonders for both the confidence of the players and the optimism of Rams fans across the land.

Breakdown: Jeff Fisher’s addition as coach raised the Rams’ profile, but not enough for the team to secure a Monday night game. A Thursday night home game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 4 will have to suffice in the prime-time department. That’s what happens when a team goes 15-65 over a five-year period.

The Rams open at Detroit, a rough test for them on just about every front, but they return home to face the Washington Redskins — and, probably, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III — in Week 2. Drawing Griffin early in the season, before he’s had much seasoning, seems like a welcome development. But with two of the first three games on the road — a trip to Chicago awaits in Week 3 — the Rams do faces challenges early.

The NFL gave the Rams a home game against Green Bay on Oct. 21 before the team heads to London. The bye week naturally falls one week later, but then it’s off to San Francisco for a tough test against the 49ers’ defense on Nov. 11.

Complaint department: The Rams play three of their final four games on the road on opposite coasts, including a Dec. 9 trip to Buffalo and road games against Tampa Bay and Seattle in the final two weeks of the regular season. A Dec. 16 home game against Minnesota interrupts the road trip, but this will be a tough closing stretch for the Rams. They play only three games in the Edward Jones Dome over the final 10 weeks of the season, counting their Week 9 bye. That’s the price of playing in London and getting a four-week stretch with three home games beginning in Week 2.

Heading overseas: Agreeing to play a game in London diminishes a favorable stretch of the schedule. The Rams have four home games during a five-game stretch beginning with a Week 4 game against Seattle, but the final game of that stretch falls against New England across the Atlantic. Being the “home” team against the Patriots in London renders no advantage.

Rams Regular-Season Schedule (All times ET)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Detroit, 1:00 PM

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, Washington, 4:05 PM

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Chicago, 1:00 PM

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, Seattle, 1:00 PM

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 4, Arizona, 8:20 PM

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, at Miami, 1:00 PM

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, Green Bay, 1:00 PM

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, New England, 1:00 PM

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, at San Francisco, 4:15 PM

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, NY Jets, 1:00 PM

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, at Arizona, 4:15 PM

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, San Francisco, 1:00 PM

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, Minnesota, 1:00 PM

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Seattle, 4:15 PM

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers offense lit up the NFL after leading the league in scoring with 560 total points.

And while most are familiar with the contributions of Rodgers and his offensive weapons, it’s easy to overlook the men up front on the offensive line, including the man who snapped Rodgers the ball on every play during every game in 2011.

Center Scott Wells started all 16 games for the Packers last season and was a vital part of an offensive line that produced one of the top offenses in the league. And as a result, Wells was elected to his first Pro Bowl.

On top of that, Wells also started all 16 games during the Packers’ 2010 Super Bowl winning season, and he has started 100 total regular games throughout his eight NFL seasons.

He has been a Packer for his entire career, but next season he’ll be wearing the horns on his helmet and snapping the ball to quarterback Sam Bradford.

As of Friday evening, the St. Louis Rams agreed to terms with Wells. The signing was confirmed by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Although the exact details have not been confirmed, it’s been estimated that Wells will make approximately $6 million to $7 million a year.

The Rams had a need for a center ever since cutting Jason Brown earlier in the week. Brown was due $5 million in base salary in 2012, which is likely far too lopsided for a player who has generally underperformed ever since being signed in free agency in 2009.

Not only will Wells be an upgrade over Brown, even at the age of 31, but he’ll also provide third-year passer Sam Bradford with invaluable insight that can only be gained after years of snapping the ball to great quarterbacks such as Rodgers and Brett Favre.

Wells will not only benefit Bradford, but his veteran presence will provide the younger linemen, such as Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, with the proper leadership necessary for them to succeed.

Wells is only the Rams second signing since the the beginning of free agency on Tuesday (the other was cornerback Cortland Finnegan), but regardless of their slow activity, they are making their dollars count with yet another solid acquisition.

The St. Louis Rams have agreed to terms with Pro Bowl center Scott Wells of the Green Bay Packers, according to the following tweet from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Jim Thomas‏ @jthom1 Follow

The 31 year old from Spring Hill, Tennessee has been a full-time starter in Green Bay for the last six seasons and will almost assuredly take over the starting center role for the Rams. 

Wells is known as a tough player who excels at making snap adjustments and in pass protection, according to this report from profootballweekly.com.  The Rams, as many of you know, struggled to protect Sam Bradford in 2011.

Wells will help to instill leadership while instantly upgrading St. Louis’ offensive line.

For the take from Mike Sando of ESPN on the aforementioned signing of Wells and his expected impact on the Rams, please look here.  

Most often, it is moves like these that go the furthest to improve a team through the free-agency period. In 1999, the Rams signed free agent right guard Adam Timmerman, also of the Packers.  

Timmerman went on to be one of the better guards in St. Louis history and one of the key players who kept the engine running for the Rams during the greatest show on turf era.

Hopefully, Wells will have a similar tenure as Timmerman in St. Louis, both in terms of individual and team success.

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.

There have been some significant changes since my previous edition of the 2012 St. Louis Rams mock draft. After viewing the entirety of the NFL Scouting Combine, some tweaks needed to be made. 

At this point, the pre-draft smokescreens, mind games and leverage ploys regarding the Rams highly-coveted No. 2 overall pick remain in effect. Teams are not yet going to offer their best package of picks in the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes.  

Do not panic, though. As draft day nears, that almost certainly will change.

The future of Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn is murky. Many, like Dan Marino, apparently are not quite sold on Flynn.  And why should they be?  After one big NFL game, it seems some have assumed he is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

According to the greenbaypressgazzette.com, Flynn is not likely to get the franchise tag after all.  It looks as if he could be headed to free agency.

If healthy, Peyton Manning will obviously be attractive to some teams.  However, neck injuries raise caution flags. In addition, Manning is 36 and it is impossible to foretell how many elite seasons, if any, he has left.

Even if both become highly targeted, teams are always looking to draft a potential franchise quarterback.  

Peter King of Sports Illustrated believes RG3 could be most aggressively pursued target at No. 2 since Ryan Leaf in 1998.  

So, as a ploy to try to lower the asking price, it is no surprise that the Cleveland Browns are making it known that they do not plan to part with the second of their two No. 1 picks (22nd overall), according to a report from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

In the end, whether it is Cleveland, Washington or another quarterback-hungry team, someone (and probably more than one someone) will budge and give the Rams a little more than they would like to in order to trade up to draft the Heisman winner from Baylor.  

The Rams will ultimately collect a king’s ransom for the No. 2 pick. 

So, without further delay, let’s jump in and look at the pre-free agency edition of the Rams 2012 mock draft. Selections are listed by round, with the position in that round in parentheses.

The St. Louis Rams will play that “home” game in London later this year after settling a lease dispute with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The deal announced late Tuesday allows the Rams to play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28. The lease had required the team to play all home games at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

In exchange, the Rams agreed to increase the number of football season weekends that the dome can be booked for other uses. The team will also pay temporary employees the wages they would have earned by working the game in St. Louis.

The Rams also want to play games in London in 2013 and 2014. No deal has been worked out on those games.

FINLEY STAYS WITH PACKERS: Tight end Jermichael Finley said he has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Finley posted a message on his Twitter account appearing to confirm reports that he has agreed to return to the team.

Finley wrote, “I could not be happier to have the privilege of being a Packer for the next 2 yrs. Glad to be back with my team & coaches for 1 common goal.”

WARD’S DUI CHARGES DROPPED: Prosecutors have dropped DUI charges against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward.

DeKalb County, Ga., Prosecutor Sonja N. Brown said that Ward pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was given a year on probation. She said he also was fined $2,000 and must do 80 hours of community service. He also must undergo alcohol evaluation.

The 35-year-old Super Bowl XL MVP was arrested last year after he failed to maintain his lane and hit a curb.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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

Starting Left Tackle: Orlando Pace, “The Big O”

Pace will be our left tackle,and would guard the blind side of Kurt Warner.

He was one of the greatest left tackles of all time and will be a Hall of Fame candidate when his time arrives.

Pace earned seven trips to Hawaii via pro bowl berths and was a three-time all-pro selection.

The Big O will hold down and anchor the left tackle spot for our Ultimate 53.

Starting Left Guard: Harvey Dahl

We are sliding the mean and nasty Harvey Dahl over to left guard to ensure that Pace stays plugged in and fired up at all times.

Dahl is particularly stout in the run game and is known around the NFL as one of the league’s dirtiest players.

With all the talent and finesse our team possesses at the skill position, the tough and mean Dahl helps to balance the scales an ensure that we are never labeled a finesse team, as the Greatest Show on Turf often was.

Starting Center: Andy McCollum

One of the “donut brothers,” McCollum will start under center for St. Louis.

A solid and consistent performer, he would be a steadying force on the line and amongst the offense. 

Starting Right Guard: Adam Timmerman

TImmerman, McCollum’s fellow donut brother, played right guard throughout his tenure with the St. Louis Rams. 

The 2001 pro bowler will retain his comfortable spot at this position.

Timmerman was a terrific right guard for the Rams after coming to St. Louis as a free agent acquisition out of Green Bay in 1999.

Starting Right Tackle: Jackie Slater

It was impossible to leave legendary Jackie Slater out of the lineup.

One of the league’s all time tackles, the legendary Ram finished his career in 1995 with St. Louis.

The seven time pro bowler and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee anchors the right side of the line and gives our Ultimate 53 Hall of Fame bookends at tackle.

Backup Left Tackle: Rodger Saffold

Saffold had a terrific rookie campaign in 2010. 

In 2011, he battled injuries most of the year before falling to the injured reserve list.

Saffold would likely never see the field considering the durability of Pace. If he did, he showed enough in 2010 to have confidence that he could adequately fill the bill for a game or two.

Backup Guard: Richie Incognito

Incognito has played well in Miami. 

Considering the veteran presence of this team and that Richie seems to be maturing now, he will provide valuable versatility, depth, and quality off the bench.  Incognito can also provide depth at center, which was another consideration in his landing a roster spot.

Backup Center: Jason Brown

Brown’s play has been inconsistent in St. Louis, but would be exceptional as a backup and for depth.

In addition, recent high dollar Rams offensive line free agents like Brown (and Jacob Bell) have played worse than expected since arriving in St. Louis after playing well at previous stops.

We feel that Brown would play better football under the tutelage the Ultimate 53 offensive line coach, who will be introduced later.

Backup Right Tackle: Ryan Tucker

Tucker would be exceptional as a backup on this team.

Tucker played solid football at right tackle for St. Louis starting throughout two of the Rams best years, 2000 and 2001, before heading to Cleveland in free agency.

By Steve von Horn

– Newsdesk contributor

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Dec 13, 2011 – Things are just terrible for the St. Louis Rams, who lost once again in Week 14 and fell to 2-11 overall. There has been very little to praise from any angle, and most fans are probably fine that at least the Rams avoided an embarrassing performance on the national stage. Even so, it’s another loss.

SB Nation’s Joel Thorman has released his Week 15 NFL Power Rankings, and the Rams still are firmly entrenched as the lowest-ranked NFC team, at No. 31:

Is this just a bad season for Sam Bradford? Is it injuries? Or is Sam Bradford bad? I didn’t think I’d be asking that question.    

Here are the top and bottom five teams in the NFL, according to SB Nation’s rankings:    

Top Five Teams

1. Green Bay Packers (13-0, LW: 1)

2. New Orleans Saints (10-3, LW: 2)

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-3, LW: 3)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3, LW: 5)          

5. New England Patriots (10-3, LW: 6)            

Bottom Five Teams

28. Cleveland Browns (4-9, LW: 27) 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9, LW: 29)

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-11, LW: 30)

31. St. Louis Rams (2-11, LW: 31)

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-13, LW: 32)      

Will the experts from around the web see it the same way? Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more Power Rankings Updates, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Read More: Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams

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ST. LOUIS — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

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