ChiefsPlanet - PFW:Rams split over defensive talent, seek to trade down

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/wwhi042208.htm

Rams split over defensive talent, seek to trade down

By Nolan Nawrocki
April 22, 2008


<table align="left"><tbody><tr><td>http://www.profootballweekly.com/NR/...3b/Tues200.jpg</td> </tr> <tr> <td>

Virginia DE Chris Long (left)
and LSU DT Glenn Dorsey

</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> With the Dolphins having agreed to terms with Michigan OT Jake Long, the Rams can now begin negotiating with their pick, and the way we hear it, they have narrowed their choices down to two selections — Virginia DE Chris Long and LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. The problem the Rams now face is a very clear division among the top decision makers. The way we hear it, newly appointed executive V.P. of player personnel Billy Devaney, in his first decision-making role, is leaning toward the safest selection, Chris Long.
However, the coaching staff, especially on defense, is not on board with the selection, according to multiple team sources. The way we hear it, the coaches think Dorsey is the best defensive player in the draft and have made their feelings well known in the draft room. In recent meetings, discussions have become so heated that a prominent member of the coaching staff was asked to leave the room after piping in with his opinion of the less desirable (in his opinion) Long.
At the heart of the debate is what the Rams’ defense needs most and where precisely Long would play in their defense. Their top need was clearly offensive tackle, but an argument could be made that the team is in more dire need of help off the edges, with Leonard Little approaching his mid-30s and James Hall struggling to stay healthy and produce.
For Jim Haslett’s 4-3 pressure defense to be effective, he needs speed coming off the edges, and Long does not provide great edge burst. Sources say Long is rated considerably lower than Dorsey on the Rams’ draft board, but team needs appear to be driving the Rams’ decision. Confounding the problem was the selection of DT Adam Carriker in the first round a year ago, not to mention all of the defensive tackles the Rams have drafted in recent years, including Jimmy Kennedy, Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett.
“The best spot to play Carriker is over the guard,” one evaluator said. “He can move outside on third downs, but he is best at the three-technique position. I don’t know how anyone could justify spending the second overall pick on another defensive tackle. If they do, the building is doomed. They will be known for all the defensive tackles they messed up in the 2000s. They should be trying to trade down.”
The Saints have made attempts to trade up, having contacted the Rams, Falcons and Chiefs, among others, and have already made lowball offers that could begin to escalate with the Dolphins off the clock. With Dorsey now available at No. 2, and Falcons first-year GM Thomas Dimitroff believed to have Dorsey stacked most highly on his draft board, the Saints could be forced to pull the trigger with St. Louis if they want to land the local standout. However, with very few potential suitors for the No. 2 overall pick, the Saints could hold their cards and potentially get away with exchanging little.
The other issue that could block a trade, the way we hear it, is that the Saints are looking to hold on to their second-round pick in the event they can swing a trade with the Giants for TE Jeremy Shockey.
As a result, the Saints are less likely to give up much, and the Rams could be forced to choose between Dorsey or Long, as much as a trade down would benefit their roster and allow them to acquire multiple picks to fill pressing needs on both lines, especially at offensive tackle.

The wild card, the way we hear it, with RB Steven Jackson struggling to stay healthy and a decision needed to be made on his future, is the Rams’ top-rated player, Darren McFadden, which could open the door for Jackson to be traded. Head coach Scott Linehan has made character a point of emphasis in the selection process, as has Devaney, which lessens the likelihood that the Arkansas back would be drafted second overall. However, if the Rams were to truly follow their board, McFadden would be playing in St. Louis next season.