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

Welcome to Tuesday's St. Louis Rams "News and Notes at Noon," the one stop spot for all major Rams headlines and other items of interest relevant to Rams Nation. 

Mel Kiper, Jr. Expects Robert Quinn to Have a Breakout Season 

According to a piece from Mike Sando of ESPN, Mel Kiper, Jr. expects Rams sophomore Robert Quinn to be a sensation in 2012. 

Quinn was chosen with the No. 14 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The defensive end compiled five sacks while playing in just over 50 percent of the team's defensive snaps last season.  

Last season, Quinn backed up the now departed James Hall. This season, Quinn is expected to step into the starting lineup and remain on the field significantly more this year than last. 

NFL Team Preparations Occurring Now 

Former NFL executive Tony Softli offers his view of what league teams do this time of year in readying for the upcoming campaign in this submission at 101sports.com.

Softli details what NFL teams are generally doing this time of the year, and also shares the dates of every team's organized team activities and minicamp. 

In addition, Softli also shared the type of common themes he has heard from coaches over the years.

Mario Haggan Brings Leadership to Rams Linebackers

According to an article via Nick Wagoner for stlouisrams.com, free agent acquisition Mario Haggan (formerly of the Denver Broncos) will provide leadership to the St. Louis linebacker corps. 

In the above-linked piece, Haggan shared how he was shown exemplary leadership in the past and now wishes to expound what he has learned upon his young counterparts:

"

I had some great mentors like London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes when I came into the league. Those guys mentored me and kept me on the right path and helped me last a long time in this league. I think it’s only fitting for me to do something like that for the other guys because it was done so well for me.

"

In addition to providing good leadership, Haggan seems excited to do whatever it takes to help improve this defense: 

"

I’m willing to do it all. My whole career I have done inside, outside, I am willing to do whatever to help this team get to the next level. For me that is mainly stopping the run and earning the right to rush the passer and so whatever it is, we’ll do it.

"

If I had to project the Rams starting linebackers right now, they would be Jo-Lonn Dunbar, James Laurinaitis and the aforementioned Haggan.  

Rookie Safeties Excited About Opportunity in St. Louis 

A trio of safeties signed with St. Louis as undrafted rookie free agents, due in large part to what was viewed as a true opportunity to land an NFL roster spot.  

Stu Durando of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiled all three (Matt Daniels of Duke, Rodney McLeod of Virginia and Quinton Porter of UNLV) in this piece. 

The Rams only have three safeties under contract in Quintin Mikell, Darian Stewart and Craig Dahl, so the opportunity to earn a roster spot here is legitimate. 

Position Battles to Watch 

T. Ram of Turf Show Times took a look at various Rams position battles in this piece.  

Some of the positions that should see quite a battle for starting slots and/or roster spots include outside linebacker, left guard, cornerback and wide receiver.

Former St. Louis Rams Fullback Mike Karney on STL Rams Central Radio Tonight

Finally, please plan to join STL Rams Central Radio tonight at 8PM central time.  Guests will include former Rams and New Orleans Saints starting fullback Mike Karney.

Interactive calls will be welcomed and topics will include the recent Rams OTA's, the lease saga and position battles to keep an eye on, among other things. 

Have a great day as always, STL Rams Nation. 

Follow @ShaneGmoSTLRams

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. Gray also owns and operates stlramscentral.com.