Shea, who worked with Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman last year before the draft, is now working with Bradford.
According to Shea, Bradford has been throwing in a controlled setting--about 30 to 40 passes of 25 to 30 yards in length, every other day.
And although he won't be throwing at the Combine, Bradford is expected to be given full clearance in about two weeks--and can then air it out and will be able to throw at the Oklahoma pro day and for any private team workouts.
This should mean good news for the Rams, as at the very least there should be some new potential trade partners. Bradford, who some believe would've been chosen #1 if he had entered the draft last year, will have the opportunity to show he's healthy and worthy of that consideration again.
So perhaps now a team like Washington (#4)--which is rumored to be interested in Bradford, would entertain the idea of trading up to #1 to be sure they get their man.
On a side note--Jason Campbell also joined me Saturday and said that he has met twice with Mike Shanahan, and has been reassured about being the QB for the Redskins. So, we'll see if that's the case or Bradford is in their plans.
Detroit (#2) no longer needs a QB, having drafted Stafford last year. Tampa Bay (#3) needs help at DT and figures to take whoever is there between Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy.
So, in at least one scenario, the Rams could drop down to #4 and still select a top DT and receive extra draft picks in the process.
Or, they could decide that Bradford is the franchise quarterback of the future and keep the pick for themselves.
Just one of many draft scenarios we can discuss over the next few weeks--who says football is over after the Super Bowl??
]]>McCardell was named wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins today--after spending 17 years playing the position in the National Football League, competing in 209 games, with 168 starts, and amassing 883 receptions for 11,373 yards, and 63 touchdowns. His reception total is 13th on the all-time list, while his receiving yardage total ranks 22nd.
Isaac Bruce has 1024 catches for 15,208 yards and 91 TDs in sixteen years.
But McCardell has more to his resume than just playing experience. After his playing career came to an end, McCardell began coaching by completing a Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship with the New York Giants during the team's 2009 training camp. He also recently coached the West's wide receivers in the 2010 East-West Shrine Game.
Isaac Bruce--who has yet to officially announce his retirement, is said to at least be on the call-list for Steve Spagnuolo as he searches for the Rams next wide receiver coach.
And while his work with younger receivers over the years--Holt, Hakim, Crabtree, Morgan--would lend to belief that Bruce could step right into the role as coach, it might be wise for both sides to try things out with a role in training camp.
Isaac has recently become a father--and much of his decision to play or retire hinges on the pull of staying at home with his wife and daughter.
The long hours required for coaching may be too much at this time for Bruce. But an abbreviated schedule lasting only through training camp may be better suited.
At the very least, if Bruce does indeed retire, his role as a mentor to Donnie Avery and the other young Rams wide receivers would be invaluable.
]]>"It's disheartening that I have to address any alleged allegations 10 months later, but I have read the accusations made by Supriya Harris, and they are untrue. The accusations are especially hurtful because those who truly know me know that those actions would be out of character for me.
Miss Harris is the mother of my son, a son that I love and that I willingly support emotionally and financially. I will address this matter thoroughly through the appropriate avenues, but not through the media."
Harris has filled out a voluntary complaint with Las Vegas police, accusing Jackson of beating her while pregnant with the couples child in March of 2009.
]]>In a complaint filed yesterday with Las Vegas police, Supriya Harris stated that she and Jackson got into an argument on March 8, 2009 which resulted in Jackson "forcibly grabbed my arm and flung me against the door. I was crying and trying to protect my stomach from the blows, as I was 9 months pregnant...I then looked down and realized the door handle had become lodged in my hip and I was bleeding heavily."
Harris also stated that she and Jackson went to the hospital afterwards, but prepared a story that she had fallen in the shower to explain the injuries.
101 ESPN has confirmed that Harris did visit St. Rose Hospital on March 8, 2009 for what was detailed as "an OB check".
The Rams have issued the following statement...
"We are aware of the situation involving Steven Jackson," said St. Louis Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. "We are in the process of gathering information. We are always concerned with issues involving our players."
TMZ reports Jackson and Harris are involved in a court case over child support payments.
More to come...
]]>[attachment:5751]
]]>Earlier this evening, it was announced that Vince Young will take over for Phillip Rivers.
Tom Brady and Larry Fitzgerald have also announced they will not play in the game. Matt Schaub takes Brady's spot and New York's Steve Smith gets the nod at wide receiver.
]]>The Rams need a wide receivers coach, Isaac Bruce may be retiring.
Isaac has put together a Hall of Fame career and certainly has the experience to share with the Rams young wide receiving corps.
In fact, Ike has even stated that he may be settling down in St. Louis when his playing days are over.
All the more reason to get excited, right??
No.
The very reason that would keep Isaac from returning as a player, could be the exact reason that he would turn down a coaching offer.
"Just being obedient to my family, my responsibilities away from football, that is my No. 1 thing. No, I would say that is the No. 2 thing. One would just be listening to the Lord and doing as he leads me."
Isaac Bruce is a family man.
Bruce married before leaving St. Louis, now he and his wife have recently become proud parents to a baby girl.
And like he's done on the field, Isaac is giving his all to being a dad--even changing diapers.
So if the lure of playing the game is unable to win out over playing with his little girl at home, it would seem unlikely that being a coach--with an even more demanding schedule, would be something Isaac would agree to.
However, Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams could be well-served to invite Isaac as a guest instructor to training camp and maybe a few practices at Rams Park this season.
]]>
And if it's up to Hall, he would like to return to the Rams...
[attachment:5618]
Hall was second on the team with 4.5 sacks and showed his versatility playing on the edge, inside, and even dropping into coverage from the defensive line.
A ten-year veteran of the NFL, Hall has been part of a losing season before--but the way the locker room dealt with the 15 losses is a big reason he would like to return...
[attachment:5617]
In addition, Hall provideds veteran leadership--which could be even more valuable should Leonard Little not return to the Rams.
]]>
Allen said that he believes the injury occured when he stepped back and landed on someone else's foot. He heard a pop and went down.
[attachment:5577]
The undrafted rookie out of Missouri Western had made his debut the previous week in Arizona after Mark Setterstrom tore a triceps tendon.
Setterstrom had surgery on the tendon this past Thursday and will be out of action at least two months.
]]>Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com/rookies until Wednesday at 6 pm ET to determine the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK. The PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK will be announced Wednesday evening on NFL.com/rookies.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida.
A closer look at the finalists:
This is Pepsi's eighth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the fifth year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
]]>-Another game where the team hung tough for most of the afternoon, only to see a couple of big plays put the score out of reach. Today it was 21 points in the 4th quarter.
-Another game where penalties brought back plays and hurt the Rams. How about Donnie Jones having to punt over THREE times due to yellow flags?? The first punt had SF starting at their own 27 yard line. By the time the do-overs were complete, it was 1st and 10 at the STL 48.
-Another game where the Rams were deep in the opponents territory, had a 4th and 1, and elected to kick a field goal. Yes, the score made it 7-6 with about ten minutes left in the game but that was only the third--and final time--the Rams even made it into the 49ers side of the field.
-Another game where a tight end burned the Rams defense. Vernon Davis 73 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown. Not only did he make the catch, he left James Butler in his tracks as he raced to the end zone.
-Another game where injuries forced the Rams to reshuffle--this time it was Roger Allen suffering a sprained knee, which resulted in Adam Goldberg moving to left guard and Phil Trautwein stepping in at right tackle. The offensive line was already having a tough time with pass protection, it got worse. All total eight sacks were allowed.
Donnie Avery was kept out of the second half with a concussion and Keith Null came out after being "shaken up".
Thirteen players were already on IR for the Rams, did we really expect them to get through this game without some more injuries popping up??
-Another game, where even in defeat, there were some individual performances that need to be recognized, courtesy of Rams PR research:
Steven Jackson rushed 20 times for 63 yards. The 63 yards gave him 1,416 for the year, best in the NFC. The 1,416 yards rank sixth in Rams history for a single season and are the second-most in his career.
Jackson also finished the season 2nd in the NFC with 1,738 total yards from scrimmage.
Donnie Jones recorded career highs with 11 punts for 551 yards. Jones placed two punts inside the 20. Jones finished the season with a career-high 34 punts inside the 20. The 34 punts inside the 20 are a Rams' single-season franchise record (since 1976), surpassing Dale Hatcher's 32 punts inside the 20 established in 1985.
Danny Amendola returned five kickoffs for 73 yards (22.2-yard average) and five punts for 73 yards (14.6-yard average). Amendola produced a career-long 56-yard punt return with 11:17 left in the third quarter. The 56-yard punt return was the longest by a Ram since Dante Hall returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown at Dallas (9/30/07).
Amendola finished the season with 66 kickoff returns for 1,618 yards, both franchise records and league-leading marks this season. Amendola added 31 punt returns for 360 yards. His 97 combined punt and kick returns and 1,978 total return yards are also franchise records. His 1,978 total return yards also lead the NFL.
Amendola's 24.5-yard kickoff return average is the fifth-highest single season total since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995. His 11.6-yard punt return average is the third-highest single season total since the Rams moved to St. Louis.
-Eventually, even when the groundhog retreats to his hole, the bad weather comes to an end. So has the season, and now let's hope the Draft and free agency can lead to better weather--and resuts for the Rams.
]]>But more so than any giveaway or discounted food item, the biggest treat for fans may be the chance to cheer "BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE" one more time.
In a teleconference earlier today, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary stated there "was a good possibility" that he would dress Bruce this Sunday.
Isaac has been inactive the last five weeks due to a combination of a bad ankle and the team's decision to go with Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan at wide receiver.
When asked if this will indeed be his final NFL game, Bruce shared that he is "75%" sure that will be the case--but didn't discount the pull of that remaining 25%.
[attachment:5556]
He also shared that he is healthy enough and capable of playing another season, but now that he is a father it lends to a different consideration.
According to Mike Maiocco of the Press Democrat, the young wide receivers that Bruce has been mentoring went to Singletary and lobbied for Bruce to play this week.
Singletary himself compliment Isaac on how he has accepted his role and been nothing but professional.
[attachment:5557]
This week could also see the return of Jason Smith--the Rams rookie was back on the practice field today and has been cleared from his concussion. Smith was limited, is taking things day-by-day, and is appreciative to be back working out with his teammates.
[attachment:5558]
It will be another week of wait-and-see at quarterback, as Steve Spagnuolo hasn't named Kyle Boller or Keith Null as his starter. Both split reps in practice.
With no three hour plane ride this weekend, Steven Jackson is expecting his back to be in good enough shape to play.
]]>
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson was named to the NFC's 2010 Pro Bowl team, the NFL announced today. Jackson will be invited to play in the Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-star game, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla. on Jan. 31
Jackson earned the Pro Bowl berth in a vote by NFL players, coaches and fans. This season, Jackson ranks second in the NFL and first in the NFC with 1,353 rushing yards. His 1,675 total yards from scrimmage rank fifth in the NFL and second in the NFC. He has added four rushing touchdowns. Jackson has played in 14 of 15 games for the Rams this season despite dealing with a back injury.
"I am humbled the fans, coaches, and my fellow players voted me to the Pro Bowl this year," said Jackson. "The coaches, offensive line, tight ends, fullbacks, wide receivers and quarterbacks worked hard to have a productive running game this season and this nomination is a testament to that hard work."
Jackson has rushed for 100 yards in a career-high seven games and has produced 100 or more total yards from scrimmage in 11 games. With a 116-yard rushing performance in Week 11 vs. Arizona (11/22), Jackson passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and became the only back in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons.
The Pro Bowl selection is the second for Jackson in his six-year career. Jackson earned an invitation to the 2007 Pro Bowl game after a career year in 2006. That season, Jackson rushed for a career-high 1,528 yards and produced 2,334 total yards from scrimmage, the fifth-highest single-season total in NFL history.
Stully's take: A well-deserved honor for Jackson who has earned respect from even his toughest critics this season. SJ39 has grown as a leader, more than just playing through the pain of herniated disc. Jackson has led by example since Day 1 since Steve Spagnuolo became the new Rams head coach.
Also great to see Jason Brown and Donnie Jones recognized as Pro Bowl alternates. Brown has been as-advertised since signing as a free agent during the offseason and Jones has again been one of the best punters in the league.
]]>