Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
Home > Sports > Rams
 
Rodger Saffold pick serves notice to Alex Barron
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

If Alex Barron didn't hear the wake-up call early Friday evening, he wasn't listening. With the Rams drafting Indiana University offensive tackle Rodger Saffold with the first pick of the second round, Barron should be on notice.

It's quite possible that Saffold will spend the 2010 season backing up Barron and last year's No. 2 overall pick, Jason Smith, at the tackle position. Then again, when you're chosen No. 33 overall, as Saffold was Friday, you usually don't get redshirt seasons in the NFL. You're expected to compete for a starting job right away.

Barron, meanwhile, has yet to sign his one-year tender as a restricted free agent. And he has yet to participate in the Rams' offseason conditioning program, which began March 15. Sources familiar with Barron say he has been conducting his "personal boot camp" and working out on his own. But there's no way to know for sure at Rams Park.

When asked if the selection of Saffold will affect Barron's future with the team, coach Steve Spagnuolo said: "No. ... We're lucky in that we feel like we've got some young offensive linemen, some talented guys there that we can work with. I did feel at one point during the season last year that (the offensive line) was coming together. Now, we found out pretty quickly that (when) you get hurt in that area, it hurts your football team. So we gave ourselves some depth."


Barron plans to sign his tender and report to Rams Park in time for the start of OTAs (organized team activities) in mid-May. The Rams have yet to confirm it, but all indications are that Jason Smith will be switched to left tackle this season, which would mean Barron and Saffold could compete against each other at right tackle.

RAMS NIX TRADE OFFERS

The Rams got three trade offers Friday from teams seeking to trade up to the first pick of the second round. According to league sources, the Rams received offers from Baltimore at No. 43 overall, Carolina at No. 48 and Cincinnati at No. 54.

"But the offers were (not good)," said one source, who noted how far down the interested trade partners were in Round 2.

So the Rams decided to hold their ground and took Saffold to start the second day of the draft.

NO WIDE RECEIVERS

To the surprise of most observers, the Rams did not take a wide receiver in Rounds 2 or 3 on Friday. But Devaney was surprised when the question came up at the conclusion of Round 3.

"We didn't come into this saying, 'We have to get a receiver,' " Devaney said. "At the end of the day we think our receivers are going to be pretty good. Last year, they were young, there was a lot of guys learning on the fly. I guess people think that we're desperate to take a receiver. We certainly don't feel that way."

DAVID AND GOLIATH

Quarterback Sam Bradford reads the Bible story of David and Goliath before every game.

"That started before I played my first game at Oklahoma against North Texas," Bradford said. "It's just something that gives me confidence and reassures me going into a game. It lets me know that God's with me when I'm out there, that I'm not out there alone. It's a great feeling knowing that you've got someone who is on the field with you."

So which character does Bradford relate to more closely — David or Goliath?

"Well, David won, so I'd like to think of myself as David," Bradford said.

Write a letter to the editors | Subscribe to a newsletter | Subscribe to the newspaper
Read the latest sports stories | View all P-D stories from the last 7 days

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the STLtoday community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines. Basically, be civil, smart, on-topic and free from profanity. Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read! And remember: We may miss some, so we need your help to police these comments. Please identify the comment, the story and why you think it's objectionable. Read the commenting guidelines
 
yesterday's most emailed
the list classified ads
 

moreleft moreright
exclusive on STLtoday.com
  • Explore the history of the St. Louis Rams
  • mcgwire timeline
  • Kurt Warner, AP Interactive, NFL, NFL matchups, NFL stats, NFL injuries, NFL schedules, NFL tv coverage
  • Subscriber Services
  • fantasy sports
  • St. Louis Rams, Game Day slideshows, NFL, pro football, Stephen Jackson, Rams photos
  • musial, pujols, poster
  • card culture, St. Louis cardinals, baseball
  • Stan Musial, Hall of Famer, St. Louis Cardinals, MLB, Cardinals baseball, Stan the Man
  • Compare Cardinal MVPs
  • mike shannonism quiz
  • NHL