The St. Louis Rams’ would-be defensive coordinator reportedly helped out tornado victims early in the week. And even though audio tapes revealed him targeting specific San Francisco players for injuries before a playoff game last season, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and cornerback Carlos Rogers offered public support for him Wednesday.

Over time, these sorts of developments make it easier to envision Williams rehabilitating his image sufficiently for the NFL to strongly consider giving him another chance. We’re still early in that process, of course.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Baalke reached out to Williams, his former co-worker with the Washington Redskins. Baalke called Williams a friend and said, “I don’t view him any differently today than I did 20 days ago.”

Also from Barrows: Baalke cites Malcolm Gladwell in explaining why quick draft-related decisions often are the best ones. Of course, those quick decisions are made after years of research. They’re not hunches.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers will poll players before deciding whether to remain on the road between games against Minnesota and the Jets.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle passes along coach Jim Harbaugh’s comments on Randy Moss staying away from the team until April 30. The 49ers expect Moss to arrive in time for on-field work and football-related preparation. The team remains in the conditioning phase of its program.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune says the Bears have reached agreement with former 49ers guard Chilo Rachal, an unrestricted free agent. The 49ers had decided to move on from Rachal this offseason.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers insights into the Rams’ 2012 schedule. Miklasz: “A huge factor in schedule being so front-loaded with home games is the availability of the Dome. Because of other events booked into the convention center/stadium, several dates in the second half of the season were unavailable for scheduling Rams’ home games. That’s an issue. I’m sure this will be a point of negotiations in the discussions for a new lease agreement. Not that anyone realistically expects the rebuilding Rams to contend for a playoff spot this season, but to have a fighting chance they’ll have to rack some wins early, and take advantage of having three of four at home before traveling to London. Because the schedule turns against them pretty quickly.”

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the recently re-signed Kellen Clemens already knows the Rams’ offense from his days with Brian Schottenheimer and the New York Jets.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com offers updates from Rams minicamps, with this info on the offensive line: “Jeff Fisher confirmed Wednesday that as it stands, Rodger Saffold will continue to work on the left side with Jason Smith on the right. For now, the open left guard job is being filled by a combination of Robert Turner and Bryan Mattison. Quinn Ojinnaka has been considered as well. Not that any of that means much of anything this early in the game. Much more will be known following the final veteran minicamp in June when the Rams have a full roster.”

Also from Wagoner: Smith is back from his concussion.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the Cardinals cleared room under their salary cap by restructuring their contract with veteran center Lyle Sendlein. Urban: “Sendlein’s cap number was supposed to be $3.25 million, and the move shrinks that number to $1.975 million. Fellow lineman Daryn Colledge did the same kind of thing earlier in the offseason. The Cards have been snug against the cap most of the offseason.” Noted: The move means the cap number for Sendlein will rise for future seasons. The cap itself will not increase as much as once expected.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com rounds up various mock draft projections for Seattle, with the following thoughts from Nolan Nawrocki regarding cornerback Stephon Gilmore as one option: “Pete Carroll’s defense thrives on the size and physicality of its cornerbacks. Gilmore has the size desired to hem the line at a premium position of need, a prime reason why cornerbacks such as Gilmore and Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick could be drafted in the top 15.”

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.

The St. Louis Rams remain interested in free-agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson despite the four-year veteran’s legal problems, team sources told Pro Football Weekly.

Simpson was sentenced last Thursday to 15 days in jail and three years of probation on a felony drug-related charge.

The Rams brought Simpson in for a workout last week.

Though his legal saga is over, Simpson could face a four-game suspension from the NFL, league sources told Pro Football Weekly.

Simpson had 50 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns with the Cincinnati Bengals last season.

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.

Read More: Robert Quinn (DE – STL), St. Louis Rams

Last year the St. Louis Rams were pegged almost-right in the NFL Mock Draft. 2012 might see the same near-miss transference; if it does, what would that mean for the Rams and their omnipresent mock draft pick, Justin Blackmon?

In 2011 the Rams, sitting at No. 13, found themselves connected to Corey Liuget for most of the mock draft season—and they might have chosen him, except that a superior defensive prospect, Robert Quinn, eventually fell to them there. Quinn was strong in his first season with the Rams—though for whatever reason he didn’t play very much.

Justin Blackmon is the top prospect in his category, but the 2012 equivalent of this move comes in good news and bad news varieties for your correspondent. The good news would be if Matt Kalil were somehow still available at No. 6; an outstanding offensive lineman is the only thing that could help Sam Bradford even more than Blackmon would.

The bad news: Trent Richardson. He’s a better running back than Justin Blackmon is a wide receiver, but he’s still a running back. There are probably some great kickers out there, too.

More NFL Mock Draft coverage and analysis from SB Nation St. Louis:

While the sentiment across the NFL about the devaluation of running backs in the pro game is certainly true, it hasn’t kept Alabama’s Trent Richardson from being mentioned as a top-10 pick possibility in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. In fact, it’s looking unlikely that Richardson will fall out of the top six. 

According to Russ Lande of Sporting News, the St. Louis Rams have identified Richardson as their “first choice” in terms to the team’s No. 6 overall pick.

With former Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson on board and a roster not lacking of holes, the idea of the Rams taking Richardson might come off as a little surprising. 

It shouldn’t. 

Run-first coach Jeff Fisher is now at the controls in St. Louis, and he’s looking at a running back in Jackson who is approaching the age of 30 and has over 2,000 career carries.

Few running backs in recent history have taken on the age of 30 with much success, and it doesn’t help how many miles are currently on Jackson’s tires.

Only three running backs—LaDainian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones and Ricky Williams—are higher on the active career rushing attempts list. Once you factor in career catches, Jackson is well over 2,500 career touches in the NFL. 

The Rams have just one problem: Richardson might not be there when their pick comes up. And if St. Louis attempts to trade back in the draft and still get Richardson, a few other teams may come into play. 

Cleveland Browns (No. 4 overall)

No team in the NFL has a bigger hole at running back than the Browns and it appears (at least right now) that the front office is going to go ahead and build around quarterback Colt McCoy for 2012.

If that’s the case, there’s simply no bigger piece Cleveland could give McCoy than Richardson, a workhorse back with as much talent as any back in the last five or six drafts. Most mock drafts of late agree.

It’s far from set in stone, but Richardson looks like a good bet to land in Cleveland. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 5 overall)

New head coach Greg Schiano hasn’t seemed happy about the status of the running game he’s walking into for 2012. With LeGarrette Blount as the No. 1 back, he’s got plenty of reasons why.

The Bucs would have to think long and hard about taking Richardson at No. 5, as he’d help springboard a rushing attack that finished near the bottom of the NFL last season while relegating Blount to the bench.

The 5’11″, 225-pound Richardson could go well over 1,000 yards running behind guards Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks as a rookie.

Kansas City Chiefs (No. 11 overall)

Yes, the Chiefs added free-agent running back Peyton Hillis to the mix, but the front office might still have a hard time passing on Richardson if he got to No. 11.

Hillis was only given a one-year deal and the recovery of Jamaal Charles (ACL) will likely mean Kansas City eases him back into the fold. Richardson would ensure the Chiefs’ running game stays right where it needs to be for another shot at cracking the playoffs in 2012.

Cincinnati Bengals (No. 17/21 overall)

The Rams would be taking a big, big risk trading back any farther than No. 17, as the Bengals look like a team that pounce on Richardson if he’s available. While Cincinnati signed BenJarvus Green-Ellis this offseason, Richardson is the kind of back that could take the Bengals offense to another level.

Andy Dalton/A.J. Green/Richardson is a trio of offensive playmakers that few teams could beat in 2012 and beyond. 

Welcome to Monday’s St. Louis Rams “News and Notes at Noon,” the one-step home for all major Rams updates and other items of interest to Rams Nation. If you did indeed celebrate Easter or Resurrection Day yesterday, I hope you enjoyed it. If not, I hope you had a great day, too. 

Please forgive me, as today’s edition will be a bit briefer than normal.

I am fighting a severe migraine to the point that I can barely see the screen in trying to compile and produce this column today. It will, by necessity, be a nuts and bolts type piece today.  I apologize in advance for that and thank you for understanding.

Rams Line Up Pre-2012 NFL Draft Visit With Wide Receiver Michael Floyd 

According to Pro Football Talk, St. Louis has lined up a pre-draft visit with wide receiver Michael Floyd, who could go in the top 10 potentially. 

Floyd could theoretically be a target of the Rams at No. 6 or after a trade down, if one were to eventually occur.

Rams Line Up Visits From Cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Linebacker Mychal Kendricks, Too

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as reported here, St. Louis has lined up visits from both of these highly-athletic, early-round draft prospects. 

Jenkins could go in Round 1 or 2, and Kendricks could come off the board sometime after the conclusion of the first round. 

Peter King Predicts that Gregg Williams Could Indeed Coach Again in the NFL 

Peter King of Sports Illustrated predicts that Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams could return to the NFL in the future in spite of all that has occurred since Bountygate came forth. 

It will certainly be interesting to see it play out. 

2012 Quarterback Rankings 

Jason Smith ranks NFL QBs in this piece for nfl.com.  It is interesting to see the ranking of St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford and where he checks in among the other NFL signal-callers in the aforementioned article. 

I expect big things and a better Bradford in 2012, as I encourage you to read about in this detailed new slideshow out today. 

Taking a Look at NFC West Rosters 

Mike Sando of ESPN takes a look at the NFC West in this piece and how teams look at this time.  

Of course, rosters will change dramatically by the fall with the draft and the remainder of free agency still ahead. 

That is going to have to be all for today, Rams Nation.  I indeed apologize, but I am indeed getting very sick and cannot even see what I am doing and feel more than a bit disorientated. 

Have a great day, STL Rams Nation, and I appreciate your thoughts and/or prayers if you would be so kind. 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams daily as a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter. Gray also owns and operates stlramscentral.com. 

Welcome to Wednesday’s St. Louis Rams “News and Notes at Noon,” the one-stop spot for all major daily Rams headlines and other related information of interest. 

Magic Johnson Beats Out Stan Kroenke and Steve Kohen to Purchase the L.A. Dodgers

According to various reports including this one from ESPN, a group led by Magic Johnson will purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

As most of you know, Rams owner Stan Kroenke was bidding for the Dodgers. 

“Silent” Stan conducted a rare interview posted today by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and touched on various topics in the piece that can be read here. 

Could Rams Still Trade With the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft? 

According to an article by Mary Kay Cabot for Cleveland.com, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher says that the Browns are “a potential trade partner” at No. 4 for the Rams No. 6 selection.

This time of year, however, everything should be taken with a grain (or two) of salt.  Smokescreens are in abundance before the NFL Draft and this year will be no different. 

In my opinion, it is highly doubtful that St. Louis moves back up after attaining extra picks to move down in the trade with the Washington Redskins and the No. 2 overall pick and the expected selection of Robert Griffin III. 

St. Louis has a plethora of roster holes, and giving up picks to move up two spots seems very unlikely with that also taken into consideration.

Looking at Cornerback Prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft 

There are several terrific corner prospects available this year, including Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick, Steven Gilmore and others. 

In this clip, Tony Softli and Howard Balzer of 101Sports.com discuss this topic.  

Even though the Rams added prized free-agent Cortland Finnegan to solidify the defensive backfield, St. Louis could use additional help there, especially during this pass-happy era that the NFL is currently in. 

Thanks, as always, for checking in.  Have a great day, STL Rams Nation. 

Please watch for updates to today’s article later this afternoon. 

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.

Read More: Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Rams

Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten’s bid to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers—at more than $2 billion—reportedly went through late Tuesday night, ending a bizarre storyline in which it seemed as though Stan Kroenke, the St. Louis Rams’ new owner, already in hot water for violating the NFL’s cross-sport ownership rule, looked set to do it again. Magic and co. have saved St. Louis the hassle of freaking out about Kroenke’s perennially enigmatic behavior about then Rams’ future outside Southern California.

At least, today. Back when it seemed as though the Rams owner might win the bidding it emerged as a line of contrarian thought that having the Dodgers in Los Angeles might clearly and permanently constrain his ability to the Rams. At this point I’m not sure Stan Kroenke is convinced any rules apply to him, but surely Roger Goodell would have to make a move eventually, right? Right?

At this point, only one thing is certain—Dodgers fans will have Magic Johnson’s broad smile to look forward to from now on, instead of Kroenke’s inscrutable grin. Good for them.

The NFL has suspended Williams indefinitely following charges of bounty hunting when Williams was with New Orleans.

New Rams coach Jeff Fisher hired Williams before the allegations were made public.

And he says he had no idea that Williams was running a bounty program with the Saints.

Fisher says the punishment was warranted and the rams were cutting ties with Williams at least for this season.

Fisher says the team won’t hire a new defensive coordinator, a group of coaches including himself will handle the chore.

“This organization including myself had no idea when we hired Coach Williams, the potential for this to happen,” said Rams coach Jeff Fisher.  “I’ve often been asked behind the scenes, had you known about it would you have hired him, well of course not.”