St Louis Rams: Monday's News, Nuggets and Notes at Noon

Welcome to Monday's St. Louis Rams "News, Nuggets and Notes at Noon", the one-stop spot for all major Rams updates and other related tidbits from Rams nation and around the NFL. 

Unfortunately, we start with some bad news today, as new Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has been summoned to the league office today.

According to ESPN, Williams will meet with NFL security officials regarding his role and potential punishment coming in the aftermath of the "bounty-gate" investigation.

As most of you know, Williams and various people affiliated with the New Orleans Saints were found to be involved in a "pay for performance" bounty system from 2009 through 2011.  

Peter King of Sports Illustrated believes that the NFL will make an example of the New Orleans Saints and Gregg Williams.  King expects that Williams will receive at least an eight game suspension for his role in the aforementioned bounty program.

With all the potential issues and the stigma that keeping Williams could bring, one has to wonder if Williams will be able to keep his job in St. Louis.  This issue is looked at by the Turf Show Times here. 

For Howard Balzer's take on the situation from 101sports.com, click this. 

On one hand, Williams is close friends with St. Louis head coach Jeff Fisher and worked under Fisher in Tennessee.  Secondly, he was the hand-picked defensive coordinator chosen to implement Fisher's defense for the Rams.  Those things being said, Williams is no lock to remain in St. Louis. 

According to a trio of tweets from Tom Ackerman of KMOX, Rams Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Football Operations Kevin Demoff said the following:

"Tom Ackerman ‏ @Ackerman1120

Rams COO Kevin Demoff on KMOX: "We were not aware of the investigation (of Gregg Williams) when we hired him."

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Demoff went on to say this: 

"Tom Ackerman ‏ @Ackerman1120

Demoff: "Until the league determines the punishment, there's not a lot we can do as a club. We'll be supportive of the league."

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Finally, Demoff said the following on the matter:

"Tom Ackerman ‏ @Ackerman1120

Demoff: "It's a situation that is disheartening to learn about, something the NFL doesn't stand for and certainly the Rams don't stand for."

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In other Rams headlines, today is the final day that teams can franchise tag players.  According to Jim Thomas and his twitter account, the Rams are not expected to use a tag on free agent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd: 

"Jim Thomas‏ @jthom1 Follow

Franchise tags flying throughout NFL, but Rams haven't used theirs on WR Brandon Lloyd and aren't expected to do so. Monday is deadline.

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The Rams, however, are expected to continue negotiating a contract with Lloyd, according to this from Turf Show Times. 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as reported by cbsports.com, the Rams have added three assistant coaches: Dennard Wilson as a defensive assistant, Clyde Simmons as defensive line coach and Ben Sirmans as running backs coach.

As for the upcoming NFL Draft, Tony Softli of 101sports.com has released his top 32 prospects.  The former NFL executive rates quarterback Andrew Luck first, left tackle Matt Kali fifth, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox 14th and wide receiver Kendall Wright 21st, among others. 

With the draft in mind, I released my pre-Free Agency, post 2012 NFL Combine mock draft today.  This mock yields 10 total picks due to a trade of the No. 2 pick and two explosive wide receivers in the first two rounds.  

To look at the complete 7-round mock draft, I urge you to click here. 

Finally, ramsondemand.com put together a wonderful highlight video for Rams Nation and it is one you definitely want to take a look at.  

Have a great day, STL Rams fans.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter. 

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