Just as we were beginning to warm up to the notion of the St. Louis Rams picking quarterback Sam Bradford with the first selection in the 2010 draft, John Czarnecki of FOX reports that, if the draft were held today, the Rams would take defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
And so the Rams have now been linked to McCoy, Bradford, and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
The Rams surely prefer it that way. At some point, they’re going to be negotiating a potential contract with one or more potential No. 1 picks. If they play it the right way, they can leverage one of them into taking a team-friendly deal — especially as to Bradford, who if he isn’t taken at No. 1 wouldn’t be taken until No. 4 at the earliest, barring a trade.
Meanwhile, some of you might be shocked by the notion that the Rams would take McCoy, who “only” bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times at the Scouting Combine. As we pointed out in Tuesday’s edition of PFT Daily, eventual Hall of Famer Warren Sapp managed six fewer reps than McCoy.
Sapp actually prefers McCoy to Suh, explaining via Twitter on Tuesday that McCoy is the better of the two defensive tackles, pointing out that there’s no bench press on the field and that speed overcomes strength “every day and twice on Sunday.”
In the end, it’s anyone’s guess as to what the Rams ultimately will do. But if their goal is (as it should be) to weave a strong sense of uncertainty into the process, they are succeeding.
or they could be trying to negotiate a cheaper contract w/ bradford’s agent
Why not take McCoy trsde him to Dalas and throw in a new leather face for Jerry
Smokescreen.
Sapp actually prefers McCoy to Suh, explaining via Twitter on Tuesday that McCoy is the better of the two defensive tackles, pointing out that there’s no bench press on the field and that speed overcomes strength “every day and twice on Sunday.”
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Where was the production then? He was fast in college too. I just don’t see eye poping production from McCoy. Not like Shu. I’m not saying McCoy’s not good, but I’m having my douts to why he’s projected so high.
True meaning of this article: The Rams will draft anyone BUT Gerald McCoy right now…
Between the Super Bowl and the Draft, this website might as well be renamed AsinineFootballTalk.com
Well what about tomorrow? Can we get a daily update on this exciting story?
He ran a faster 40. Great job. How many DT’s are running 40 yards on a given play that isn’t resulting in something really bad as it is?!
Suh put up better bench, he has been far more dominate and doesn’t sit out plays like McCoy.
Good job Rams, way to continue the trend of sucking at everything.
They should take Bradford and start rebuilding around him.
schooney says:
March 3, 2010 12:20 PM
Why not take McCoy trsde him to Dalas and throw in a new leather face for Jerry
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um, ok…well we see how ignorant some people are. This post has nothing to do with the cowboys. On the other hand, this guys sounds like he could be a Jay Ratlif clone, which is a good thing if st.louie take him
I won’t believe anything any team either leaks out or says openly between now and the draft.
I won’t think it’s necessarily wrong. I won’t think it’s right. It just is.
But I’ll still read every word of it.
Smoke signals coming from louie….
McCoy will be the Leinhardt, Rodgers or other hi potential draft piick that falls on DRAFT DAY.. i bet mcCoy goes around 20-25
Take a QB and you have something to build around on offense.
Take a DT and not only do you get his production, but you’ve just given your two high-pick DE’s a better chance at contributing, too.
St Louis is in a great spot to improve their team. You know the coach wants the DT. Not because he’s a defensive coach, but because he knows the DT will impact on day one, because of those already in place.
The GM wants to spend the money right… That’s QB or LT.
At some point they’ll take the over-rated Clausen out of consideration… Between Bradford, Okung, McCoy and Suh, it’s hard to imagine a “worst case” outcome. They’re all good.
Wow. Sounds like the Rams are actually doing something right.
Sapp was probably toked out when he was at the combine.
What are the chances that the Rams can get 2 guys named McCoy in the first 2 rounds, Gerald and Colt.
This actually does not refute Schefter’s prediction. He said after its all said and done Bradford will be the 1st pick, not now.
McCoy, Bradford, Suh…….
It really boils down to who’s career the Rams are going to destroy.
But looking on the bright side, whoever it is will fill a vault full of cash.
McCoy seemed like a pretty intelligent guy during some interviews, which may also make up for a few reps. His wonderlic may prove that was an act, but he made a good first impression.
taking McCoy is like Portland taking Sam Bowie first. That didn’t work out so well…….
@Superbowl
I will take that bet, anything you want to bet. Money, cars, boats my old lady to yours whatever you want to bet because there is no F#@king way McCoy falls to 20-25.
I would take Suh over McCoy but that doesn’t mean McCoy is a stiff. All of you that say so, have not looked at his numbers that closely compared to other DT not named Suh. Suh’s numbers are sick and the Rams would be insane to take McCoy over him. I feel that the Rams don’t want the top pick and are trying to get word out that they love all of these guys so someone else will pony up Picks in a mega trade up. The Rams are trying to sell there team, why waste all that up front money on the number 1 pick when you may not own the team in 6 months. They have a million holes and would be crazy if they take Bradford and his questionable shoulder at 1 when they could get him at 4 or Clausen after that, along with a few extra high picks. Take Suh or trade down. If they take Suh they should then trade there 2nd for McNabb and try and lock him up for a few years. Those 2 moves would result in creating a buzz for a franchise that has seen better days and maybe drive up the cost of the team a few million in the process. Not to mention you would pay Suh less then Bradford or any QB for that matter. Thus saving the up-front money. Sure McNabb may make that up but he would also give the team a proven franchise qb that would in turn make tha Rams more appealing to a buyer. Crap my boss just got back peace
To Rick
Doing that would officially take the Worst Team label off Detriot and apply it firmly to St Louis. Just in time for them to move to LA again.
Passing Suh will be a mistake that should automatically cost any GM his/her job.
Ask Colt McCoy who he liked facing more.
Sapp may have only benched 225 17X but it wasn’t because he was weak, it was because he had very poor work ethic, which he openly admits.
As far as 40 times go though, Sapp was exceptional and timed in the 4.7 range and that is what made him great. He was also tremendously strong, winning the strongest lineman challenge at least once.
If 40 times aren’t important, and I’m not saying they’re the most important thing in the world, let’s compare:
Sapp
Darrell Russell
Tommie Harris all ran 4.7
Haynesworth ran 4.8
Jay Ratliff ran 4.8 (and he was a late round pick)
and these were the 5 most dominant DTs of the past 10 years.
Glenn Dorsey 5.20
Amobi Okoye 5.03
Ryan Sims 5.1
Dwayne Robertson 5.00
These were 4 penetrating type DTs that were taken in the top 10 of the draft that ran poor 40 times…. and they were all busts!
The truth is that for most players, the 40 yard dash does show their athleticism. They have to explode from the start and use their athleticism the rest of the way to get a good time. Considering the best players in the NFL are usually the best athletes, why wouldn’t we try to find tests that show athleticism? Troy Williamson sucks because he can’t catch, not because he can’t run fast or get open, same with Heyward-Bey, if those two could learn to catch then they would be great… however, no matter how well a guy catches the ball, if he’s too slow, he’ll never even make the team (Freddie Barnes).
I dont get Sapps arguement that McCoy is faster….Suh and McCoy were even on speed with Suh actually having a better average….I’d think strength and speed far out weight either of the categories by themself.
I agree with Sasquach…..I am keeping my fingers crossed that the Rams take either one of the DT’s. Bradford will likely turn out to be a decent NFL QB, but not if he gets drafted by the Rams. That can’t protect the QB right now as the O-Line is not very good at pass protecting. How many times did Rams QB’s get sacked last year?
Take Suh or McCoy, try to get a QB like Vick (not ideal but probably good enough to get away from the pass rush on occassion) for as little money as possible. These moves save some money to spend on other holes in the team. They won’t fix them all in one year but it’s a start.
Bradford’ll make em the most money, and cost em the least with the hype over the 2 DT’s.
Ya Warren Speed always overcomes strength .
So I guess you think Manny Pacquiao would whoop Mike Tyson’s Ass in his prime?
No you dont and its not because Tyson is faster smarter, better trained, or more skilled its because hes stronger.
IMO a defensive tackle is suppose to be a clog. A guy who can hold his ground in the middle and stop anything from coming in or leaving his zone.
Maybe in the NFL that Sapp played in defensive tackles were expected to get to the qb but now a days teams dont want them to do that. Thats what they got the high paid ends and linebackers for.
Haynesworth isnt the highest paid tackle because hes fast and can get to the qb. Its because he jams up the middle.
Its obvious that you need strength to be able to lock up the line of scrimmage. Speed isnt going to stop 300 lb men from moving you out of the way.
Of course it helps but not as much as strength.
Just dont tell me Suh’s strength doesnt give him an advantage over McCoy.
I don’t think Sapp was referring to speed so much as he was quickness. A DT is paid to stop the run. If he gets off the snap quicker than the Center can get back into position then he requires the guard to also help and therefore does his job while also possibly stopping the runs up the middle. Unfortunately we’re relying on a admittedly not Rhodes Scholar for our definition of Speed vs. quickness.
McCoy would never get past the Tuna at 11 if he were to fall, which he won’t. They are looking at the 3rd best DT already because their current answer is either 40 yrs old or not working (solei). Skipping Suh would be St. Louis’s first mistake if they’re not going to pick a QB.
Well, if they are going to take Bradford, they better have a plan to build a better offensive line to protect him. His health is already questionable so he won’t stand a chance if the line is as bad as last years line was.