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March-30th-2008, 07:09 AM
By Jim Thomas
03/30/2008
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/6B34EB6EAAD45F6F8625741B00180155?OpenDocument
LSU's Glenn Dorsey.
(Ed Reinke/AP)
Just when it looked as if the Rams' first-round draft possibilities were down to three options — offensive tackle (Michigan's Jake Long), defensive end (Virginia's Chris Long or Ohio State's Vernon Gholston) or a trade down — along comes Glenn Dorsey.
The defensive tackle from Louisiana State reasserted his status as an elite draft prospect during his pro day workout Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La. The Rams, among others, were impressed.
"I think he answered every question that people had on him — physically and mentally," said Billy Devaney, the Rams' executive vice president of player personnel. "It was really an impressive day for him physically."
Apparently, things went well for Dorsey on the medical front, too. LSU went out of its way to clear up any questions about Dorsey's injury history, which includes a knee problem last season and a stress fracture in 2006. LSU made its athletic trainer and team orthopedic doctor available. They also had medical reports on Dorsey available from five independent orthopedic doctors.
The Rams will have their own doctors examine Dorsey during his pre-draft visit to Rams Park April 13-14.
As for Dorsey's workout, he was said to be explosive in drills, showcasing his quick first step. His change of direction ability was impressive for someone his size.
All of which makes Dorsey a possibility for the Rams at No. 2 overall.
"He's in the mix," Devaney said.
Dorsey wouldn't give the Rams the edge rusher they need at defensive end, but some at Rams Park are convinced he could consistently push the pocket from the inside, putting up eight to 10 sacks per season.
ATOGWE UPDATE
As a restricted free agent, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe can negotiate with other teams until April 18. Unless he gets an offer from an outside club by then, the Rams retain exclusive contract rights.
"We've talked to a few other teams and kind of just put it out there a little bit," Atogwe said. "But nothing substantial has taken place. It's just all been real surface conversation."
The Rams tendered Atogwe at the first-round level of $2,017,000 in February. If Atogwe gets an outside offer and the Rams don't match, St. Louis gets a first-round draft pick from that team as compensation.
Ideally, the Rams want to extend Atogwe's contract beyond this season. Failing that, Atogwe will play for the $2,017,000 tender amount in '08.
"We had some preliminary talks (with the Rams)," Atogwe said. "We just kind of scratched the surface, and then everything has pretty much cooled off since then."
When asked if an extension was a priority, Atogwe said: "It's something that at first I was thinking about. Now I'm not really focusing on that. It's a situation where if I come back this season, I'm going to play out my one-year tender and go from there."
WORKOUT ROLL CALL
Some of the Rams' bigger names did not participate in the first week of the team's offseason conditioning program, among them quarterback Marc Bulger, wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Will Witherspoon and offensive tackle Alex Barron.
Several players informed Rams coaches they would be unable to attend the first week for a variety of reasons. Bulger, for instance, put in a couple of good weeks of work at Rams Park earlier this month but couldn't be in town for the official start of the offseason program.
Several other starters were on hand, including defensive end Leonard Little, offensive tackle Orlando Pace and defensive lineman Adam Carriker.
FRANKLIN VISIT
The Rams are intrigued enough with University of Missouri wide receiver Will Franklin that he will be among the draft prospects visiting Rams Park in mid-April. Franklin's stock has risen after impressive workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and Mizzou's pro day.
03/30/2008
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/6B34EB6EAAD45F6F8625741B00180155?OpenDocument
LSU's Glenn Dorsey.
(Ed Reinke/AP)
Just when it looked as if the Rams' first-round draft possibilities were down to three options — offensive tackle (Michigan's Jake Long), defensive end (Virginia's Chris Long or Ohio State's Vernon Gholston) or a trade down — along comes Glenn Dorsey.
The defensive tackle from Louisiana State reasserted his status as an elite draft prospect during his pro day workout Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La. The Rams, among others, were impressed.
"I think he answered every question that people had on him — physically and mentally," said Billy Devaney, the Rams' executive vice president of player personnel. "It was really an impressive day for him physically."
Apparently, things went well for Dorsey on the medical front, too. LSU went out of its way to clear up any questions about Dorsey's injury history, which includes a knee problem last season and a stress fracture in 2006. LSU made its athletic trainer and team orthopedic doctor available. They also had medical reports on Dorsey available from five independent orthopedic doctors.
The Rams will have their own doctors examine Dorsey during his pre-draft visit to Rams Park April 13-14.
As for Dorsey's workout, he was said to be explosive in drills, showcasing his quick first step. His change of direction ability was impressive for someone his size.
All of which makes Dorsey a possibility for the Rams at No. 2 overall.
"He's in the mix," Devaney said.
Dorsey wouldn't give the Rams the edge rusher they need at defensive end, but some at Rams Park are convinced he could consistently push the pocket from the inside, putting up eight to 10 sacks per season.
ATOGWE UPDATE
As a restricted free agent, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe can negotiate with other teams until April 18. Unless he gets an offer from an outside club by then, the Rams retain exclusive contract rights.
"We've talked to a few other teams and kind of just put it out there a little bit," Atogwe said. "But nothing substantial has taken place. It's just all been real surface conversation."
The Rams tendered Atogwe at the first-round level of $2,017,000 in February. If Atogwe gets an outside offer and the Rams don't match, St. Louis gets a first-round draft pick from that team as compensation.
Ideally, the Rams want to extend Atogwe's contract beyond this season. Failing that, Atogwe will play for the $2,017,000 tender amount in '08.
"We had some preliminary talks (with the Rams)," Atogwe said. "We just kind of scratched the surface, and then everything has pretty much cooled off since then."
When asked if an extension was a priority, Atogwe said: "It's something that at first I was thinking about. Now I'm not really focusing on that. It's a situation where if I come back this season, I'm going to play out my one-year tender and go from there."
WORKOUT ROLL CALL
Some of the Rams' bigger names did not participate in the first week of the team's offseason conditioning program, among them quarterback Marc Bulger, wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Will Witherspoon and offensive tackle Alex Barron.
Several players informed Rams coaches they would be unable to attend the first week for a variety of reasons. Bulger, for instance, put in a couple of good weeks of work at Rams Park earlier this month but couldn't be in town for the official start of the offseason program.
Several other starters were on hand, including defensive end Leonard Little, offensive tackle Orlando Pace and defensive lineman Adam Carriker.
FRANKLIN VISIT
The Rams are intrigued enough with University of Missouri wide receiver Will Franklin that he will be among the draft prospects visiting Rams Park in mid-April. Franklin's stock has risen after impressive workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and Mizzou's pro day.