St. Louis Rams: Wednesday's News & Notes at Noon (Gregg Williams Suspended)

Welcome to Wednesday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes At Noon", the premiere destination for all major Rams updates and other related NFL information.

Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams Suspended Indefinitely, According To Report 

According to a report from Pro Football Talk citing league sources, Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will be suspended indefinitely and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has also been suspended for all of 2012, also via the above-linked report. 

If true, look for St. Louis to turn to assistant head coach Dave McGinnis to run the defense this season. 

It is unclear what the Rams will do going forward and it is uncertain what the future holds for Williams in St. Louis. 

Much more on this breaking news will be available here in the hours and days to come. 

St. Louis Rams Free Agency

Even after the signings of free agents Cortland Finnegan (cornerback), Kendall Langford (defensive tackle/end) and Scott Wells (center), the Rams still have plenty of holes to fill, as most of you are painfully aware.  

Rams beat writer Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch analyzes the aforementioned topic in this column and takes a position by position look at what holes St. Louis still needs to fill. 

Amidst Thomas' commentary he takes a look at the positions of backup quarterback, offensive guard, defensive tackle and wide receiver. 

Other positions that need fortification and/or enhancements via the ongoing NFL Free Agency period or the 2012 NFL Draft include outside linebacker, backup running back, tight end and cornerback. 

As for the above-mentioned quarterback position, Howard Balzer of 101sports.com breaks down the options available for a potential backup QB role in St. Louis.

I agree with Balzer in that, at this point, 2011 Rams backup Kellen Clemens (who played under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer with the New York Jets), could be the best option. 

Clemens was very solid last season when filling in for Bradford and also displayed good elusiveness and athleticism when pressured.  

Clemens is just 28 and could theoretically serve as an adequate backup in St. Louis for years to come.  

Update on St. Louis Tight End Michael Hoomanawanu

Ron Clements of cbssports.com reports that Rams tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, who landed on injured reserve last season and has frequently battled a variety of injuries during his two NFL seasons, is running again for the first time after tearing his ACL last November. 

Hoomanawanui has the size and ability to provide adept blocking (and has played some H-back for St. Louis, too).  He is also a terrific target in the passing game so a propensity to get open and break tackles after the catch. 

The key, as always for Big Mike, is to stay healthy. If so, he could provide the Rams with a great one-two punch via the tight end position with fellow TE Lance Kendricks, a 2011 second round pick.  

What Should The Rams Do About the Gaping Holes at Wide Receiver?

Roger Hensley of the aforementioned St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks Jeff Gordon, Bryan Burwell, and Mike Claiborne how and when they feel that St. Louis will address that position.

The answers and explanations are interesting and can be found here. 

The wide receiver position has been sub-par, as a whole, since the departures of Kevin Curtis, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. 

With free agent options dwindling rapidly, it looks very likely that any additions will be coming by way of the soon coming NFL Draft. 

Who Do You Want at No. 6 in the 2012 NFL Draft? 

In case you missed it, I asked Rams Nation who they want at No. 6 in the 2012 NFL Draft in my column today.  

Most of you probably saw the article, but on Sunday I analyzed the options available at No. 6 and shared my thoughts on the ever-popular matter.  

As for the voting criteria in the above-linked column, here are the criteria for voting that we are incorporating: 

-We are assuming (for the sake of the poll) that the top four consensus options would all be available when the Rams go on the clock (Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne, Matt Kalil and Trent Richardson.) 

-We are assuming there is no trade down to a later spot in round one on draft day.

-Finally, this is exclusively who you would pick at No. 6 and not who you believe St. Louis will select there. 

I am anxious to see the results of the poll.  I encourage you to go there via the link above and to encourage your friends from among Rams Nation to do the same. 

Please note, I will be publishing the poll results in a soon-coming column.

In that column, I will share one quote in my upcoming article for each player (Blackmon, Claiborne, Kalil and Richardson) from the comments section that best explains why you would choose the player of your choice at No. 6. 

Have a great day, STL Rams Nation.  Thanks, as always, for checking in.  

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.