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

Welcome to Wednesday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes at Noon," the one-stop destination for all major Rams updates and other information of interest to Rams Nation. 

I encountered some technological issues, so my apologies for the delay in today's edition, but we will still get all of the major updates to you, as always.

Receivers Jerome Simpson (Bengals) and Jerricho Cotchery (Jets) to Visit Rams This Week

According to this report from Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, free-agent wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Jerricho Cotchery will visit Rams Park this week.

The 26-year-old Simpson stands 6'2" and weighs 190 pounds. He brings elite athleticism to the wideout position (as evidenced here) as well as some very concerning drug-related issues.  

According to Thomas' above-linked article, Simpson will work out for the Rams today.  

Simpson hauled in 50 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns last season and certainly has the talent to further develop, pending his legal issues. 

Jerricho Cotchery, 29, knows Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense well after sharing mutual time in the Big Apple while playing for the Jets. 

The 6'1", 200-pound receiver had just 16 catches last season with the Pittsburg Steelers, but averaged 78 receptions from 2006 through 2008 with the New York Jets. 

The addition of one or more of these wide receivers could potentially allow the Rams to look elsewhere early in the 2012 NFL Draft, perhaps at running back Trent Richardson over Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd (assuming all are available) at No. 6.  

QB Dennis Dixon to Visit Rams Park

According to this tweet from Adam Caplan, free agent quarterback Dennis Dixon will be throwing at Rams Park: 

"Adam Caplan‏ @caplannfl

During Jerricho Cotchery's workout today for the Rams, QB Dennis Dixon is scheduled to throw to the veteran WR, according to Dixon's agent.

"

Torry Holt Retires with St. Louis Rams

Torry Holt, a potential future NFL Hall of Fame selection, retired with the Rams today.  

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com takes a great look at the all-time great in this column, one certainly worth taking the time to enjoy.

In case you missed today's ceremony from Earth City, MO, please check it out here.  

St. Louis Rams 7-Round Early April Mock Draft 

Earlier today, I published my first NFL Mock Draft of April for St. Louis.  

In the mock, I present several links and reasons why the choice at No. 6 (if the Rams remain there) could legitimately come down to Richardon or Blackmon.  

I share why I believe, in that case, the Rams will select one over the other.  

Several new NFL first round mocks are up at cbssports.com and they are certainly worth taking a look at it.  

Steven Jackson One of Two Toughest For Patrick Willis to Tackle 

According to San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Patrick Willis as reported in this piece from Mike Sando for ESPN, Steven Jackson of the Rams is one of the toughest guys for him to bring down in the league. 

Jackson continues to produce at an elite level as he approaches age 29. Thus far, the Rams have added no help for Jackson in the backfield and they did not renew the contracts of Cadillac Williams or Jerious Norwood. 

Look for St. Louis to get help for Jackson via the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Morris Claiborne Scores a Four on NFL Wonderlic Test 

ESPN confirmed that former LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne scored a four out of a possible 50 on the NFL Wonderlic Test at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. 

These results could be of concern for teams drafting in the top-10, such as St. Louis, who could potentially have reservations in considering Claiborne at No. 6. 

Claiborne has been the consensus top cornerback prospect in this draft, at least up to this point. 

It is hard to predict exactly what impact, if any, this revelation will have upon where Claiborne is eventually selected. 

In the above-linked ESPN report, Mel Kiper, Jr. does not feel that these test results will negatively impact the stock of Claiborne going forward. 

Cortland Finnegan Talks About Nike's New Uniforms

Finally, new Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan talked about the new St. Louis uniforms yesterday with Howard Balzer of 101sports.com. You can listen to that piece here.  

As most of you probably know, the NFL unveiled the new Nike uniforms yesterday and you can take a look at a gallery of photos of the new digs here via kmov.com.

Have a great day as always, STL Rams Nation. 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams daily as a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter. Gray also owns and operates stlramscentral.com.