Rams News

Asking price may be too high
for Rams to move up in draft
04/06 11:13 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff

The Rams have talked to Arizona and Chicago about moving up in the draft, but so far the asking price by both clubs is too high, according to coach Dick Vermeil. Way too high.
The Cardinals will pick third overall in the April 18 NFL draft. The Rams most likely would move there to nab Florida State defensive end Andre Wadsworth.
``Moving to the third spot looks like an improbability to me because of the asking price,'' Vermeil said.
One rumor making the rounds has Arizona asking for offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, plus a backup player to be negotiated, a third-round draft pick and the Rams' first-round pick (No. 6 overall).
As much as Wadsworth would help Arizona's defensive line, the Cardinals need help protecting young quarterback Jake Plummer. The Big Red finished last in the NFL in rushing offense a year ago, and gave up a league-high 78 sacks.
Gandy would help the offensive line, and the Cardinals would have a decent shot a taking Penn State running back Curtis Enis by sliding down to the Rams' No. 6 slot.
Then again, Chicago might take Enis at No. 5 overall or trade out of that spot to a team needing a running back, such as Jacksonville and New England. This explains why the Rams are talking to the Bears about switching draft spots from No. 6 to No. 5.
Vermeil wouldn't divulge specifics on Monday but did say Arizona and Chicago are asking for more than the Rams gave up a year ago to the Jets to move up from No. 6 to No. 1 overall to take Orlando Pace.
Besides flopping first-round draft picks, the Rams traded third-, fourth- and seventh-round picks to the Jets.
Vermeil said trade demands from the Bears, ``may be more negotiable than the No. 6 to No. 3'' Arizona trade. He said the Rams continue to be in contact with Chicago and Arizona.
``But realistically, right now I couldn't justify (a trade) from our initial conversations, because of what it would cost,'' Vermeil said.
Interestingly, Vermeil said no club has approached him about trading down from that No. 6 spot. Even if Wadsworth and Enis were gone by the time the Rams drafted at No. 6, Vermeil said he probably wouldn't trade down. Why not?
``Because there's some other good football players sitting right there that we'd like to have on our roster,'' Vermeil said. ``Right now, there's three or four defensive players right there -- at that time -- that I like.''
Vermeil wouldn't rule out taking an offensive lineman at No. 6, such as Florida State's Tra Thomas, although he did say: ``I wouldn't plan on it right now.''
Not only are the Rams weighing a lot of options, but also they are interviewing them. Potential top 10 picks Enis, Grant Wistrom (defensive end, Nebraska) and Greg Ellis (defensive end, North Carolina) visited Rams Park last week.
Wadsworth arrived in St. Louis late Monday afternoon and will complete his visit today. Two other potential top 10 picks, Thomas and Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes, are due in today.
Ramblings: Steve Bono's arrival in town for offseason conditioning has been left open-ended, Vermeil said. Bono has to tie up some loose ends and may not get to St. Louis until the team's minicamp April 24-26. Green Bay, by the way, will receive a seventh-round draft pick in 1999 as compensation for the veteran quarterback.
> Vermeil said he told University of Missouri running back Brock Olivo that the Rams will sign him as a free agent if he goes undrafted.
> Vermeil said the Rams are further away from signing free agent defensive end Clyde Simmons than they were a few days ago. He hinted that the team may wait until after the draft before deciding to pursue him further.

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