St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher wants to get the ball into the hands of WR Tavon Austin as much as possible, in any way that they can. "We're going to try to get the ball to him as often as we can, however we do that," Fisher said.
Huddle Up: Austin was widely regarded as the most explosive playmaker in this year's draft class, and the Rams traded up to get him, so it only makes sense that they want to get a return on their investment. Austin is already at or near the top of most rookie draft boards, and if he starts making plays all over the field in preseason his fantasy value will go through the roof.
Tavon Austin - WR
Posted 4/25/13 10:15pm et
The St. Louis Rams selected West Virginia WR Tavon Austin with the eighth-
overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Huddle Up: The Rams traded four picks, including a first- and second-rounder to move up 8
spots to select Austin, the electrifying slot receiver who fills an immediate need
with the off-season departure of Danny Amendola. In a draft dominated by
offensive linemen and defense, Austin was the only skill-position player selected
among the top 15.
Chris Long - DE
Posted 4/23/13 1:03pm et
St. Louis Rams DE Chris Long has restructured his contract, saving the team $4.5 million of cap space.
Huddle Up: Long, who has posted double-digit sack totals in each of the past 2 years and hasn't missed a start in the past 3 seasons, has been one of the shining lights in the otherwise dismal previous 5 years of the franchise.
Kellen Clemens - QB
Posted 4/16/13 12:41pm et
The St. Louis Rams re-signed free-agent QB Kellen Clemens to a one-year deal. It's believed to be for the minimum.
Huddle Up: Clemens, who has attempted 127 passes over the past 5 seasons, is back for a third year behind starter Sam Bradford.
Matthew Mulligan - TE
Posted 4/7/13 11:19pm et
The Green Bay Packers signed free-agent TE Matthew Mulligan (Rams) to a one-year contract Sunday, April 7, his agent confirmed.
Huddle Up: Key reserve TE Tom Crabtree is gone from the Pack's TE corps, but it's hard to predict much of anything from Mulligan who comes to the tundra with 14 career receptions in 4 NFL seasons.
Sam Bradford - QB
Posted 3/24/13 4:30pm et
St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford is expected to take more of a leadership role on offense in 2013, especially with RB Steven Jackson (Falcons) having moved on during the offseason. 'You know we saw it was coming (last season),' head coach Jeff Fisher said. 'Sam really took things over the second half of the season. We've got guys who can stand up and take charge and carry the torch. I'm not concerned about that. Sam, I was very impressed with how he handled things.'
Huddle Up: Fantasy-wise, Bradford hit career highs in 2012 with 3,702 yards and 21 TDs last season, but still only had 3 100-yard games and tied for 18th overall among QBs with 288 points (Huddle Performance scoring).
Chris Givens - WR
Posted 3/23/13 3:01pm et
St. Louis Rams WR Chris Givens will have a bigger role in 2013, as the team saw WRs Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson leave via free agency. Givens was more comfortable running short and intermediate routes as the season progressed last season, rather than just being a downfield threat. "He improved weekly," head coach Jeff Fisher said. "We were able to do more and more with him as he got more familiar. I think he knows that this is his opportunity."
Huddle Up: That the Rams haven't pushed to re-sign or replace Amendola and Gibson suggests they're ready to turn over more of the passing game to Givens and Brian Quick--or dip into a deep draft class for more receiver help. Givens proved his mettle as a deep threat last season; if he can add something in the short game as well, he could take over Amendola's role as the Rams' go-to receiver.
Isaiah Pead - RB
Posted 3/22/13 1:05am et
St. Louis Rams RB Isaiah Pead is expected to compete for the starting running back job during offseason workouts and training camp. Head coach Jeff Fisher said Pead will not be used as punt returner and would only be a kick returner if he is used as a returner at all.
Huddle Up: Pead, who rushed for only 54 yards on 10 carries as a rookie last season, figures to be competing with fellow 2nd-year back Daryl Richardson and likely a draft pick or 2 with Steven Jackson moving on to Atlanta.
Jake Long - OT
Posted 3/18/13 10:40am et
Free-agent OT Jake Long has agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $36 million with the St. Louis Rams, according to a league source.
Huddle Up: Long spent an extended period of time meeting with the Rams, then left before a deal was consummated. However, looks like the Rams kept at it and will plug Long it at left tackle to help keep Sam Bradford upright.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/15/13 1:35pm et
New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola received a $6 million signing bonus as part of his deal with the team. He will earn base salaries of $2 million (fully guaranteed) in 2013, $3 million ($2 million guaranteed) in 2014, $4 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016 and $6 million in 2017. There are also roster bonuses of $343,750 each year of the deal.
Huddle Up: The $10 million Amendola is guaranteed is the same amount New England offered Wes Welker; coincidence?
Brandon Gibson - WR
Posted 3/15/13 6:03pm et
The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent WR Brandon Gibson to an undisclosed deal.
Huddle Up: Gibson joins Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller, and holdover Brian Hartline in Miami's revamped receiving corps, likely towards the bottom of the pecking order so his fantasy value will be minimal.
Brandon Gibson - WR
Posted 3/14/13 2:00pm et
Free-agent WR Brandon Gibson (Rams) is meeting with the Miami
Dolphins Thursday, March 14.
Huddle Up: The Fins must be serious about this WR-upgrade thing as they've
signed Mike Wallace, re-signed Brian Hartline and still apparently
aren't done shopping. Gibson also is tentatively scheduled to visit
with the Titans this weekend as well.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/14/13 2:01pm et
New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola has missed 23 games since entering the league in 2009.
Huddle Up: This is the elephant in the room when it comes to the wideout, who only has played one full season -- his breakout 85-catch campaign in 2010.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 3/14/13 5:55pm et
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent RB Steven Jackson (Rams) to an undisclosed 3-year deal.
Huddle Up: Jackson was coveted by several teams, but he wasn't going to find a better fit than Atlanta, where he steps right in for the recently released Michael Turner as the team's No. 1 back. Jackson is a far superior pass catcher than Turner -- 407 career receptions to Turner's 70 -- and he allows the smallish Jacquizz Rodgers to maintain his role a third-down, change-of-pace back.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 3/13/13 12:07pm et
The Green Bay Packers have made contact with the representatives of free-agent RB Steven Jackson to express interest in him, according to an NFL source, but it doesn't appear they are close to signing him. The Packers want to sign Jackson at their price and will not engage in a bidding war with any other teams.
Huddle Up: The Falcons are also reportedly interested in Jackson, and either team would offer Jackson a shot at goal-line work and decent fantasy value. All Green Bay has to do is wait for Atlanta to sign someone else and Jackson may need to "settle" for Green Bay's offer.
Brandon Gibson - WR
Posted 3/13/13 12:07pm et
Free-agent WR Brandon Gibson will visit the New York Jets Wednesday, March 13.
Huddle Up: Gibson is among the more popular second-tier receivers available in free agency, a consolation prize or bargain option for teams who miss out on Mike Wallace, Greg Jennings, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/13/13 9:15pm et
The New England Patriots agreed to a five-year deal with free-agent WR Danny Amendola, according to a league source. The five-year, $31 million deal includes $10 million in guarantees.
Huddle Up: Wes who? The Patriots respond to losing Welker by bringing in a younger version--and paying him more. No more worries about Tom Brady lacking a slot receiver, and Amendola--if he can stay healthy--should step into some very nice PPR numbers.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 3/12/13 12:02pm et
The Green Bay Packers reportedly covet free-agent RB Steven Jackson (Rams), as they look to upgrade their run game this offseason.
Huddle Up: The Falcons, Steelers and Lions reportedly are all in the mix, too, among others, and Jackson will emerge as one of free-agency's big winners if this bidding war amps up even more.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/11/13 11:27am et
The St. Louis Rams are not expected to re-sign free-agent WR Danny Amendola. The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly interested in Amendola.
Huddle Up: Curious that the Rams are apparently bailing on Amendola, as their passing attach ran through him when he was healthy. Amendola would be an intriguing fit in Philly, a pure slot guy with Jeremy Maclin working outside and Desean Jackson in some sort of hybrid position in Chip Kelly's uptempo offense.
Brandon Gibson - WR
Posted 3/10/13 2:29pm et
The Miami Dolphins contacted the representatives for free-agent WR Brandon Gibson (Rams) to express their interest in him and the talks between the two sides are said to be serious. It is not known if their interest in Gibson would affect their pursuit of free-agent WR Mike Wallace (Steelers).
Huddle Up: This likely is an either/or situation with Gibson and Wallace as the Fins just inked WR Brian Hartline to a new deal as well.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/10/13 11:20pm et
The St. Louis Rams likely will allow free-agent WR Danny Amendola to test the free-agent market because he is looking for more than the team is willing to offer. Amendola is believed to be looking for a deal similar to the one Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline received, which was a five year deal worth $6.1 million per season.
Huddle Up: Amendola has led the Rams in receiving in 2 of the past 3 seasons, but, on the flip side, has missed 20 of the team's past 32 games due to injuries, making him a risky free-agent proposition.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 3/7/13 11:50pm et
St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson has decided to void the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Huddle Up: It was only a matter of if, not when, as Jackson wants to test the open market and try to hook up with a contending team.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 3/4/13 12:40pm et
There is a rumor the St. Louis Rams are considering using the transition tag on WR Danny Amendola as a tight end. That tag is worth $5.194 million.
Huddle Up: It would certainly be interesting to hear the Rams' case for labeling Amendola as a tight end. And unless it's an incredibly compelling case, all it winds up being is a slap in the face to Amendola to offer him a significantly smaller contract as a tight end.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 3/2/13 11:31pm et
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to consider St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson one of their top targets in free agency if he voids the final year of his contract.
Huddle Up: The release of Michael Turner creates an opening in the Atlanta backfield, one that Jacquizz Rodgers is unlikely to fill all by himself. Jackson still has a little left in the tank and would be a solid complement to Rodgers in a Falcons RBBC.
Jeff Fisher - HC
Posted 2/27/13 9:29pm et
St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said he thinks RB Isaiah Pead could be the lead back for the Rams and that is why he was drafted. RB Steven Jackson is expected to void his contract March 12 and test unrestricted free agency, even though there is a chance he could return to the team.
Huddle Up: Pead didn't stake much of a claim to the job last season; in fact, Darryl Richardson leap-frogged him on the depth chart. However, if Jackson does leave via free agency Pead will have another opportunity at the workload in St. Louis. He was intriguing last season prior to giving way to Richardson, and given those foibles he represents a fantasy value at this point.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 2/26/13 1:44pm et
With St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson set to void the final year of his deal and test the free-agent market, one of the early front-runner his services is the Atlanta Falcons. They are expected to part ways with veteran RB Michael Turner.
Huddle Up: Jackson would be a big upgrade over Turner as he adds another dimension as a pass-catcher. To wit: Jackson has 407 career receptions, while Turner has only 70, and both players entered the league in the same year (2004).
Brandon Gibson - WR
Posted 2/26/13 10:40pm et
The St. Louis Rams are interested in re-signing free-agent WR Brandon Gibson, but he will likely have a better opportunity and make more money elsewhere. The team is committed to their younger receivers, and he wouldn't likely be higher than No. 4 on the depth chart.
Huddle Up: Gibson hit career highs in yards (691) and TD catches (5) in 2012, and should latch on as a solid No. 2 wideout for some team next season.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 2/22/13 5:09pm et
St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead said the team will not be placing the franchise tag on impending free-agent Danny Amendola this offseason.
Huddle Up: The Rams have already indicated they won't break the bank to bring back Amendola, despite his obvious value to Sam Bradford and the St. Louis passing game. Amendola is in the upper group of a solid free agent wide receiver class, which may keep his price tag down a little bit, and wherever he lands he'll be a PPR stud.
Danny Amendola - WR
Posted 2/18/13 6:44pm et
The St. Louis Rams are interested in re-signing impending free-agent WR Danny Amendola but will not overpay for him because he has missed 20 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. The team likely will allow Amendola to test the free-agent market and see if they can match any offer he receives.
Huddle Up: Dangerous play for the Rams, who relied heavily on Amendola in their passing game. If Wes Welker leaves New England the Rams may be bidding against the Patriots and Broncos for Amendola's services, and those are tough battles to win.
Steven Jackson - RB
Posted 2/17/13 10:36pm et
Impending free-agent RB Steven Jackson (Rams) has until March 12 to decide whether or not to void the final year of his contract with the St. Louis Rams. It is almost universally expected within the organization that he will void the contract and explore the free-agent market.
Huddle Up: Jackson has provided the Rams with 7 straight 1,000-yard seasons, but at age 30, this likely will the RB's last big shot to cash in and sign with a contender such as the Falcons or Packers.
FREE EMAIL UPDATES
Our FREE email updates are packed with the player news and fantasy analysis you need!
Facebook 
Twitter 
Mobile
