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

Welcome to Monday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes at Noon", a daily column that provides updates on all major Rams headlines of the day, whether it regards the 2012 NFL Draft, Free Agency, Rams player updates or any item of interest to Rams Nation. 

Rams Agree to Terms with Former New York Jets Offensive Guard Robert Turner

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as shared by Ron Clements of cbssports.com, the Rams have agreed to terms with guard Robert Turner, formerly of the New York Jets. 

Turner was an undrafted free agent in 2007 who played in college at the University of New Mexico before signing with the Jets. He had played his entire career there (2007-2011) until signing with St. Louis.

Last season, Turner landed on the injured reserve in September. 

The 27 year old Turner is 6'4", 308 pounds and is almost certainly a depth signing as he has only started two games during his five year NFL career. 

Turner is undoubtedly familiar with new Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense after spending several years with him in the Big Apple. 

Jeff Fisher Finally Gets to Meet Rams Players As They Kick Off The Offseason Program

According to an article from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, new Rams head coach Jeff Fisher was finally expected to meet all or most of his Rams roster earlier this morning. 

Thomas discussed both today's events (including the initiation of the offseason program) as well as the general schedule for the upcoming weeks and months at Rams Park.

How Will St. Louis Sign Its Rookies With Just $4.2 Million Salary Cap Space?

With the Rams just $4.2 million below the salary cap, as confirmed by Howard Balzer of 101sports.com in this column, it would appear that St. Louis could have trouble signing all of its draft picks.

Thankfully, Balzer breaks it all down beautifully in the above-linked piece and shows how St. Louis should be able to sign each of their eventual draft selections. 

Keep in mind also that the Rams could theoretically restructure a contract (like right tackle Jason Smith's) or put together a new deal (for a player like Chris Long), either of which could generate additional cap room for St. Louis in 2012. 

Top Wide Receivers in 2012 NFL Draft 

Former NFL executive and current contributor at 101sports.com Tony Softli presents his top five wide receiver prospects available in the 2012 draft, others to keep an eye on and the various criteria he utilizes to evaluate these players.  

Softli's top five is very interesting with a couple of surprising names (at least to some) earning the top spots.  

Did Kroenke Missing Out on the Dodgers Impact Whether the Rams Stay or Go? 

In a video submission for 101sports.com, various panelists discuss whether Rams owner Stan Kroenke's rejected bid for the Los Angeles Dodgers will ultimately have any impact on whether the Rams stay in the Gateway City or move to Los Angeles. 

The responses to the question are interesting and worth a listen.

The Rams have until May 1 to present their counteroffer to the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission regarding the organization's lease at the Edward Jones Dome, the franchise's home venue since the move to St. Louis in 1995. 

Rams Feel They Found Good Value in Acquiring Wide Receiver Steve Smith

According to a piece from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams feel they have added some strong value with the acquisition of 2009 Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. 

St. Louis signed Steve Smith to a one-year deal earlier in the NFL Free Agency period.

Smith suffered a severe injury in 2010 and underwent microfracture surgery to repair his left knee. 

Last season, Smith signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and grabbed 11 passes playing among a deep and talented wide receiver corps.

This year, he will have every opportunity to break into the lineup and should be healthier than he was in 2011 after having more time to recover.

As reported in Thomas' above-linked column, Jeff Fisher sees some great things in Smith: 

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First off, he's a very first-class young man. (He) overcame a difficult situation with his knee. The guy had an extraordinary workout, and has a chance to get back where he was in 2009.

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In 2009, Smith caught 107 passes for seven touchdowns and well over 1,000 receiving yards. If the 26 year old can bounce back to that form, the Rams will have certainly attained great value in signing Smith. 

St. Louis general manager Les Snead offered more on Smith (also from the aforementioned above-linked Thomas column): 

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From a knee standpoint, he looked well. I think going through an offseason conditioning program will get him back in shape. And the guy is a very smart football player, intelligent football player. (He) loves the game, (is) passionate about reviving his career. That's why we did it.

 

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ESPN NFL Blog Network Mock Draft

Mike Sando of ESPN presents the first ever NFL Blog Network Mock Draft in his column here. 

The exercise produced some interesting picks, including the selection of a certain wide receiver by St. Louis at No. 6. 

Speaking of the NFL Draft, my new column highlights how a trade for the rights to quarterback Ryan Tannehill into the top five could truly be a dream come true for the Rams. You can check that piece out here. 

Former St. Louis Punter Donnie Jones is Disappointed the Rams Let Him Go

Departed ex-Rams punter Donnie Jones is sorry that St. Louis let him go, as reported in this piece for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Jones had several fine seasons in the Gateway City before having what many would call an off-year in 2011.  

Jones has since signed with the Houston Texans and will compete in the AFC this fall after spending the last five seasons with the Rams. 

Jones is just 31 and should have several productive NFL campaigns ahead of him. 

Earlier in the offseason St. Louis signed punter Tom Malone, who could compete for the punting job besides lacking any in-game NFL experience.  

St. Louis obviously could look to land a punter via the NFL Free Agency period or in the later rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Will St. Louis Bring Back Sam Bradford Slowly in 2012? 

Ryan Van Bibber of Turf Show Times, for one, expects that to be the case as detailed in this piece.

Van Bibber, among other things, advocated that the Rams prioritize adding help at offensive line and running back over bolstering the WR corps.

Agreed or not, it in an interesting read.

Have a great day as always, STL Rams Nation.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. Check out the rest of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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