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WHAT THE RAMS WILL BE LOOKING FOR
BY HIPA.KANE (March 7)

SPEED & CHARACTER. A Ram football player tends to have a great work ethic and good strength/speed ratio, with a heavy emphasis on speed.

This is how the last three drafts have been--->Pace, McCleon, Tucker, Allen, Wistrom, Holcombe, Little, Williams, Hakim, Holt, Bly, Coady, Germaine, Spikes, Barnes.  Every one of these players except Williams was one of the fastest at his position in their drafts (though Williams has great size).

Every one of them was known for their work ethic!

Here's my guesses on the speed when drafted of the Rams players--->

*SS: Bush, 4.45; Carpenter, 4.5? This is extremely fast for a 220 lb. safety.

*FS: Lyle, 4.6; Coady, 4.48 Lyle makes up lack of speed with awareness. Coady is exceptionally fast.

*RCB: McCleon, 4.43; Bly, 4.5 Bly may be a step slow, but a is playmaker.

*LCB: Lyght, 4.41; Allen, 4.4 Lyght isn't as fast as when he was drafted.

*RLB: Collins, 4.7?; Little, 4.5 Collins once had speed...Little can fly.

*MLB: Fletcher, 4.45; Styles, 4.7. A MLB running 4.45 is unheard of!

*LLB: MJones, 4.6; Morton, 4.8?. MJ used to be a RB. A speedy back-up is needed.

*RDE: Wistrom, 4.67; Mitchell, 4.8? GW was the  fastest DE of his class. A speedy back-up is needed.

*RDT: Farr, 4.7?; Zgonina, 5.0. DF is probably the fastest, quickest DT in the game.

*LDT: Agnew, 4.9?; Hyder, 4.9? RA was a former #1 pick because of his speed. Hyder is well hyped.

*LDE: Carter, 4.75; Barnes, 4.85 KC is a fast All-Pro.

*OLT: Pace, 5.2; ? OP is fast for his size.

* OLG: Spikes, 5.0. Nutten, 5.-? CS was the second  fastest OL in his class.

*OC:  McCollum, 5.2?

*ORG: Timmerman, 5.2?

*ORT: Tucker, 4.98; Frohbieter, 5.2. Both are very fast for RT

*TE: Conwell, 4.5; Williams, 4.9. EC is exceptionally fast and strong.

*WR: Bruce, 4.4; Hakim, 4.38. Speedy.

*WR: Holt, 4.44; Proehl, 4.5.

*RB: Faulk, 4.4; Watson, 4.??

*FB: Holcombe, 4.55; Hodgins, 4.7

DRAFT STRATEGY & FREE AGENCY, 2000. First, each year the Rams sign a rookie free agent or two who wins a rooster spot in his first year and then a starting spot his second. If this trend is to continue watch JHodgins of SJSU  and TFrohbieter of ASU.

Second, as a rule, the Rams tend to draft and sign free agents to replace players lost or cut.

The Losses Are:

1. Charlie Clemons: He was the Rams blitz-backer & 3rd down specialist. I feel he will be replaced by a faster, potentially great player in LLittle. However, Clemons was also the back-up to MJones along with MMorton (a desperation signing last year). The Rams need an OLB with speed  (a huge criteria of Rams D!) who can cover backs to back up MJones. I think pick #31 will address this.

2. Jay Williams: All last training camp the Rams were without back-up DEs. Fortunately, neither starter got hurt. This season they have LBarnes in year two of molding him into a DE. The coaches were amazed at his potential, but he may not be ready yet, so I think the Rams will try hard for Duane Clemons of the Vikings or some quality FA yet to be cut. If the opportunity presents itself the Rams may draft a player here.

3. Billy Jenkins: The Rams addressed this position last year by signing DBush and drafting RCoady. I bet they try to sign an additional CB and figure to keep 4 safeties. They will probably draft a DB in the middle rounds.

4. Fred Miller: Jim Hanifan taught players tend to perform well in their career, so one can understand the Titans decision to pursue Miller. RTucker has been talked up since he came aboard, but he performed like the hype only in the NYG game. I am not one of  those totally in his camp, but I am a TFrohbieter fan, who I think will beat RT out for the RT spot. The Rams do need depth at OT, so I suspect they will draft one at #3 or #4.

5. Mike Gruttaduria: Ditto about Hanni players. A journey man center or guard will fit well in this spot, ie. a guy like Flannery  was. Look for such a player to be added in June. I am betting  that Nutten plays center and Spikes plays guard with McCullom at back-up.

6. Chris Thomas: The Rams have a #6 WR spot open. This would be good draft to pick up a speedy guy with potential.

7. Amp Lee and Justin Watson: Every year the Rams sign a free agent RB. Why they cut Amp Lee is beyond me. He was such nice security behind Faulk. I do not know what the Rams are going to do about backing up Faulk other than Holcombe. I hope they draft one of the speedsters out of college.

8. Many fans do not like the Rams DTs because all they do is stomp the run and sack the QB. They would rather have a big fat blob for teams to run over or past. Personally, I would like a great stud at DT, and have a rotation of Farr and Agnew, but that may not be from this draft. I am not sure about the Hyder Hype.

All the other positions have decent starters and back-ups.