Shaun Hill moves on to the St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams reached a contract agreement on Wednesday with veteran quarterback Shaun Hill to back up starter Sam Bradford. Hill's offseason home is a few hours away in Missouri.

The deal is for one year at $1.75 million with incentives elevating Hill's potential earnings to $2.5 million, NFL Media reported.

The 34-year-old Hill was the backup to quarterback Matthew Stafford with the Detroit Lions for the past four years after spending four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and four with the Minnesota Vikings.

Hill started 10 games in 2010 for the Lions. He appeared in two games the past two seasons and last threw a pass in a 2012 game against the Tennessee Titans, completing 10 of 13 for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Hill is more than capable to fill in for Bradford, if Bradford happens to miss any amount of time with injuries.

Who do the Lions turn to in case of emergency since the steady Hill has flown the coop? Who knows. The Lions definitely need to draft a developmental prospect at the position. Now they need a proven, reliable backup. With Josh McCown and Michael Vick off the market the Lions might want to focus their attention on Mark Sanchez or Josh Freeman, quarterbacks ironically drafted in the same year as Stafford. I'm not saying either would be the solution but it's better than what they have now.

Saints cut former No. 2 pick, Jason Smith

The New Orleans Saints released offensive tackle Jason Smith on Wednesday, coach Sean Payton announced.

That means the second pick in the 2009 NFL Draft is currently on the market. Smith was drafted by the St. Louis Rams after Matthew Stafford.

Smith came to the Saints after spending last season with the New York Jets as a backup and blocking tight end. He was brought in by the Saints to compete with for the starting left tackle job. Instead the Saints opted to go with Charles Brown and Terron Armstead.

There is a possibility that Smith will be picked up somewhere down the line, but you have to wonder why three teams have given up on him so quickly.

Ex- Rams GM, Billy Devaney, doesn't think too much of the Raiders' Alex Barron

Once upon a time, Billy Devaney was the general manager of the St. Louis Rams. The team compiled a 10-38 record during his tenure (2008-2011) and because of that performance he was fired.

Devaney is now one of the contributors on ESPN's NFL Insiders show. Earlier today on the show Devaney explained that he didn't think much of Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Alex Barron.

Barron was drafted by the previous GM in St. Louis and Devaney traded him away because he didn't believe that Barron had the heart to play football. He didn't stop there and said that Barron only played football for the money. 

“He’s got the skill to play. He does not have the heart to play football. He does not like anything about the game except getting paid,” Devaney said of Barron, who is currently the starting left tackle for the Raiders.

Memo to Devaney, that's why we have jobs so that we can get paid. I'm not defending Barron because the guy is blessed with a special skill set that many of us don't have. But maybe the guy knows he has a family to feed and really doesn't care to play but he knows he can earn a large paycheck to do so. Maybe he's just that bad. I don't know.

I know I go to work to get paid, not necessarily because I love my job. On the other hand many of us out here dream or have dreamed of playing any professional sport. I know it has to burn some fans up inside knowing that someone is playing just to get paid and not because he wants to help his team win or just loves the game.

Rams' Jeff Fisher upset with Bernie Kosar

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher isn't pleased with former Cleveland Browns signal caller Bernie Kosar. 

Kosar was critical of the Rams backup quarterback Kellen Clemens while he was serving as the Browns's color commentator during the team's first preseason game. The Rams fell behind early in a 27-19 loss and Kosar stated that  ''I can't stand watching him play'', while Clemens was in the game. He also had some other pointed comments about Rams players and coaches.

Clemens finished the game by completing 6 of 13 passes for 116 with a touchdown and two interceptions.

After the Rams' Saturday practice, Fisher let it be known that Kosar was out of bounds about what he said about Clemens.

"First off, let me say this: the Cleveland Browns' organization is a first class organization from top to bottom and it has been that for years and years and years," Fisher said. "I guess I'm a little disappointed. I feel bad for them that they had someone doing their broadcast feel the need to speak that way about players, specifically on our team and coaches for that matter.

"I'm just surprised that Bernie has such a lack of respect for players and this game. To be honest with you, I lost a lot of respect for him. It's highly unlikely he knew anything about our football team, but felt the need to make those comments. I don't think they were justified."

''Bernie's got his issues; they're well documented,'' Fisher said. ''Kellen played well, he played hard, he made plays.''

Translation: Bankruptcy and a porn star daughter.

If you ask any football fan they might've agreed with Kosar, but as the coach Fisher has to have his players' back or risk a possible mutiny when things get tough.

Titus Young looking to play defense?

Former Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young is a major headcase. After being jettisoned by the Detroit Lions and then the St. Louis Rams in a week's time, Young's  fledgling NFL career is on life support.

The former wide receiver sent an apologetic tweet to Detroit Lions fans Tuesday around 1 a.m. Then he deleted it.

That was weird, this might be stranger. The bio on his Twitter account says in part: “Looking to play defense #34 #21 #29 #22 any league.”

Have no idea what that could mean unless he thinks switching sides of the ball will revitalize his career. Good luck Titus because you were the one that sabotaged what looked like a promising career in your rookie season.

Rams' Rodger Saffold not answering Jeff Fisher's calls

Many thought it was a good signing when Jake Long decided to leave the Miami Dolphins for the St. Louis Rams. Current left tackle Rodger Saffold wasn't too pleased with the idea. With Long coming to St. Louis, that means Saffold probably moves to right tackle. Saffold wants to remain at left tackle.

Usually this means some kind of trade demand is coming. Saffold has went a step further by not returning coach Jeff Fisher's phone calls. Before anyone starts howling about if that was them they'd be fired from their job, remember this is the world of professional sports.

“Things are gonna work out,” Fisher said. “We’re confident they’ll get resolved.”

“We’ve been trying to reach Rodger, and he’s not returning calls right now,” Fisher said. “But we’ll get things settled, and Rodger’s a big part of our future and a big part of our plans on offense.”

Saffold hasn't responded in the most positive way. I'm sure Fisher would like to sell him on the idea of moving to right tackle or telling Saffold that there is an open competition.

That is very selfish if Rodger is crying like a baby over this. Jake Long has been to 4 pro bowls, Saffold how many have you and your agent been to, wait a second, zero, clear choice at left tackle, Long.The Rams are making an effort to win and Saffold needs to get on the bandwagon or go home. Or he comes to camp and outperforms Long and keeps the left tackle job.

Could there be a Haynesworth/Fisher reunion?

Jeff Fisher might want to think before he follows through with this idea. Signing free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Yes, the same Haynesworth who has washed out since leaving the Tennessee Titans in a contract year.

When asked by a reporter if there was any interest in Haynesworth, Fisher didn't completely dismiss the notion of having the big man sign with the Rams.


"There's some unrestricted free agents out there now that are not under contract that we've been talking about," Fisher said. "He's one of them. Whether we go ahead and do something, that remains to be seen."

Don't do it Jeff. Save yourself the headache. Haynesworth has battled back, weight, and knee problems, not to mention a bad attitude while washing out in Washington, New England, and Tampa Bay. Fisher might not want to entertain the thought of reuniting with Fat Albert. It could turn out to be the worse offseason signing this year.

Marshall Faulk won't cut Jeff Fisher any slack

Marshall Faulk is one of the greatest St. Louis Rams of all time. If there were a Mr. Ram, he might be it. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams and was the centerpiece of "The Greatest Show On Turf". During media day at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Faulk was made available to talk to media and he gave his thoughts on the state of the Rams and former head coach Mike Martz. To say the least Faulk isn't thrilled with the Rams and isn't willing to cut new coach Jeff Fisher any slack despite his track record with the Tennessee Titans.    

• Faulk on Fisher: No. 28 expects quick results and doesn't seem inclined to give Fisher the benefit of the doubt if the Rams' reconstruction takes longer than expected.

"We'll see. That's all I can say. We will see," Faulk said. "Jeff had a long and illustrious tenure in Tennessee and Houston. How long is (owner) Stan Kroenke going to wait? Will they give him all five years regardless of how bumpy it is? If Jeff hits three of those 8-8 seasons, what do you do? That's a lot of money to be mediocre. You've got to deliver."

• Faulk on Brian Schottenheimer: "I'm sorry, but can you tell me what Schottenheimer did with the Jets that would give confidence that he can be the one to turn this offense around and to get (quarterback) Sam Bradford going? He had better talent to work with in New York than he'll have right away in St. Louis. So we'll see what he can get done."

• Faulk on the future of the Rams' franchise: Is he worried that the team will move? "No, I'm not," he said.

• Does Faulk believe the Rams will stay in St. Louis? "I hope so. I hope that's the case. I would hate to see the city without the team," he said.

• Faulk on the retirement of Mike Martz, his former head coach in St. Louis: "I know that he has a lot to offer. It's bad that he takes a knock for being a passing guy, when you look at today's NFL. And what he did and how we did it — that's what everybody's doing right now."

• Faulk defending Martz's work as offensive coordinator in Chicago: "Martz was working with lesser talent than he's accustomed to working with. And I believe that (in the 2010 season) they were playing in the NFC championship, at home, against the Packers. With Caleb Hanie in the game after Jay Cutler went down. And they were in the game. If he didn't do a good job, they should have let him go then. Other than (running back) Matt Forte, there wasn't anyone that was fear inducing. I'm defending Mike because I can only imagine how hard it was to game plan with what he had. Look at what Green Bay put on the field offensively. Look at what Detroit put on the field offensively. And you have to play them twice a year? Do your best. And I believe he did his best."

Faulk shouldn't talk down about Fisher. He had a good run in Tennessee and almost beat the team Faulk played for in the Super Bowl. I can understand if the Rams hired anyone without a track record like Fisher's. Granted he could've done more in Tennessee, but some of those seasons the Titans overachieved. In my opinion, the Rams made the best hire this offseason.   The way it sounds is that Faulk would likje to have someone that coaches an offensive style of football with a lot of run and gun.    

Deon Grant Says He Wasn't Faking

After the St. Louis Rams filed a complaint with the NFL about the New York Giants faking injuries, the league sent out a memo basically stating that those caught faking an injury will be punished.

Giants safety Deon Grant says that if there's a problem he'll gladly address it. Grant was the main culprit along with teammate Jacquian Williams in the injurygate scandal. Grant isn't too happy about it and says he's too tough to fake an injury.

"I wanna ask a question: From the first time I touched the football field, how many games (have) I (missed)?" Grant said Wednesday, noting that he's played 162 out of 162 possible games since he came into the league back in 2001. "None, right? None. Now to this day I got two torn MCLs. I just had wrist surgery two years ago. I had a hole in my labrum and a torn rotator cuff. I (haven't) missed (any) games."


"I went out one play," Grant said. "I got banged up, and went right back in and finished the game -- (just like I have) every game for my career. My whole thing is when (do) you know (if) somebody faking an injury? ... I'm not no duck or no dummy. I'm not about to be going out there banging myself up like they do in the movies.




"You look at my knees now, do you see this knee (my right one), this knee is smaller than that one (my left one)? You see the bang up, right?"


Grant claimed he banged knees on the previous play and the Rams tried to line up while he was out of position. Besides going out of his way to prove how macho he is, he also implied that a teammate, maybe Justin Tuck told him to "just go down".

"And I was like, 'No,'" Grant said. "But as I was walking they lined up knowing I couldn't get back into my position because of the injury, so I went down. It just so happened Jacquain -- he was catching a cramp at the same time -- and he went down.

Grant had plenty to say. He said if the league wants to fine him he's ok. Just give him some money for the metal plates in his knees and the surgeries. He also doesn't care what the Rams think either.

"Like I just told (you), if you want me to be fined for that, how about (the league) give me money for playing on these torn MCLs, for me finishing the season with a torn rotator cuff and with a labrum that I got fixed before the season so I won't miss (any) games and sell my team out like that," Grant said.




"Give me some money for this metal plate and screws that I have in my hip that was a career-ending injury," he continued. "I can keep going on and on. Give me some money for finishing the season with a cast on, with a broken wrist and torn ligaments. Want me to keep going? Give me some money for me breaking my finger and it popping through my skin and the bone's just hanging out and I wrap it up and finish a preseason game or start a preseason game because the game hasn't even started -- I did that in warmups.


"I can go on and on and on. So if you want to talk about claims and all that other stuff, and all this toughness and softness, nobody's gonna try me first of all with the softness thing. But if you wanna talk about this whole toughness and all that, I got the injuries to speak for it.


"What was that down and distance when that happened?" Grant asked. "(Second-and-2) So they had, what, (three) plays to score right? So how you slowing somebody down?




"They already got down the field right? You got (three) plays, and I'm not even in the game the next play. You got (three) plays to score and that's what you're complaining about? C'mon."

We get it Deon. You're just way too tough to be faking. Personally I don't care one way or another. There will always be a team willing to bend the rules to get an edge. If he wasn't faking then oh well. Life goes on. We know football players are big and tough, I just don't care for someone to go out of their way to prove it.




 




   

Give Up The Ring

Former Tampa Bay Buc and St. Louis Ram defensive lineman, Chidi Ahanotu was ordered to give up his NFC Championship ring he won in 2002 with St. Louis.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Rice said that Ahanotu must give up the ring to help pay more than $130,000 in legal fees, that his ex-wife's lawyers says he owes. Ahanotu says that he gave the ring to his brother to settle up a $30,000 debt.

Ahanotu says the ring (pictured below) is worth only $500 and says the ring he has is a replica made of white gold instead of the manufacturers yellow gold. Why would he trade the ring in and devalue it, I'll never know. Ahanotu says he doesn't have the money.

"This court system is a farce," Ahanotu said. "This court wants a man to hand over his once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment to pay some damn attorney's fees? I could see if it was going to pay something for my children or my ex-wife.''

"At the time I'd been retired from the NFL for three years, and I hadn't made close to $100,000 up to that point," he said. "Since that time I still haven't made $100,000."


So you were retired, that doesn't mean you didn't have the money to pay for legal fees. Come on tough guy, get the money and saddle up. You played 11 years in the NFL and you don't have the money. I wish I was a business associate of yours, because somewhere along the lines of your playing days and retirement you were ripped off bad.

Judge Rice thinks Ahanotu is trying to defraud the system. In other words he's trying to pimp the system. Ahanotu will have to give up the ring or face going to jail.