MVN - Most Valuable Network

On the Clock

The Miami Dolphins have not only decided to draft OT Jake Long out of Michigan with the first overall pick, they have already signed him to a contract. The deal is for five years and is valued at $57.5 million, with $30 million of it guaranteed money.

The football community will be abuzz with discussion of the pick in the coming days, but for the St. Louis Rams, this means only one thing: they’re on the clock.

The Sheep have the second overall pick and will be the next team to pick someone in Saturday’s first round of the 2008 draft — unless somebody trades up.

Trade rumors have been scarce this offseason; the second pick wasn’t nearly as enticing this year as it would be other years, it seems. But New Orleans has recently revived the trade talk, intimating in highly ambiguous terms that they would like to move up the pecking order if possible. It seems the Saints are interested in keeping LSU standout Glenn Dorsey in Louisiana. And, if they make the Rams an offer in order to get him, the Rams may just accept.

Saints GM Mickey Loomis has been less than forthcoming about exactly what he would offer in a prospective deal, and it is highly possible that nothing will ever materialize and that the Rams will end up making the second overall pick. In fact, any trade would probably involve too much of a sacrifice on the Saints’ part, and it probably will not go through. But boy, it would be nice if it did. The Rams have pressing needs at all kinds of positions on both sides of the ball, and gaining a couple of picks and a player or two would be worth sacrificing either Glenn Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, or Chris Long.

Assuming that nothing happens, though — the most likely scenario — the Rams are now face-to-face with a situation that has been brewing for months. All three of the top defensive linemen in this year’s class are still available at #2. Only one will be coming to St. Louis in 2008. This discussion has been played out again and again over the last few weeks, but in case you missed it, feel free to check out Hal’s and my differing opinions on how the first pick should be used. Also be sure to read over Brett’s Draft Opus, in which he previews not only the Rams’ first pick but all their other picks as well. And, as always, for knowledgeable debate about your favorite Sheep, check out the board at stlouisramsx.com.

And, of course, keep your fingers crossed that the Rams don’t draft a tight end. Because we really just don’t need another one.

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In other divisional news, the Seattle Seahawks have released All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander. Although Alexander’s game was slipping in recent years due to recurrent injuries, he was a Ram killer in his prime. It is no exaggeration to say that he single-handedly decided more than one game in this heated NFC West rivalry. The Seahawks’ new backfield will consist of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm and is filed under Glenn Dorsey, 2008 NFL Draft, Vernon Gholston, 2008 Draft, Chris Long, 2008 NFL Off-Season, Miami Dolphins, stlouisramx.com, Seattle Seahawks, NFC West, New Orleans Saints, National Football League, Jake Long, Shaun Alexander, St. Louis Rams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.