Saturday, March 13, 2010
It’s been a little over four weeks since Illinois businessman Shahid Khan reached agreement to purchase 60 percent of the Rams from Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez for $450 million.
The passing time means Rams part owner Stan Kroenke is about halfway through his 60-day window for deciding on his next move.
Will Kroenke simply stay a 40-percent owner in the team? Will he sell his 40 percent to Khan? Or, will he exercise his right of first refusal and move to become sole owner of the team?
The latter appears unlikely. With the NFL’s annual meeting scheduled to begin next Sunday (March 21) in Orlando, league sources told Globe-Democrat,com there has been no indication that Kroenke is seeking to have the NFL make an exception or to change its cross-ownership rules that prohibit him from owning an NFL team while also owning teams in another market that has an NFL team.
Kroenke currently owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Kroenke could adhere to the rules by selling those teams, but if he was inclined to do that, he could have already bought the Rams.
Whatever Kroenke decides, nothing is expected in time for this meeting. While ownership will likely be updated on the potential sale, the league source added that “there is nothing on the agenda specific to the Rams’ sale.”
Comings and goings
One week of the league year has passed, and in the first wave of free agency the Rams’ priority has been adding veteran depth with players that are capable of starting.
Following the signings of quarterback A.J. Feeley and defensive tackle Fred Robbins, the Rams had visits from safety Brodney Pool, center Hank Fraley and linebacker Na’il Diggs.
Pool subsequently signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets worth $1.3 million.
Fraley and Diggs have not signed, but remain on the Rams’ radar. Fraley, who will be 33 in September, has started 123 NFL games, mostly at center, and was with the Eagles from 2001-2005. He was released by the Browns March 3, and started three games at right guard for the Browns last season. The Rams did not have a true backup for center Jason Brown last season, and if signed, Fraley could compete for the starting job at right guard.
Diggs was released by the Carolina Panthers March 5 and started 11 games on the strong side last season. Diggs, 31 in July, has played on both the strong and weak side during his career. Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole was Carolina’s linebackers coach before being hired by head coach Steve Spagnuolo last year.
Linebacker Paris Lenon, who started nine games for the Rams last season after being signed Sept. 16, is an unrestricted free agent and visited Arizona Friday.
Bradford’s delay
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford has pushed back his own personal Pro Day to March 29 from March 25, but it has nothing to do with concerns about being ready.
The NFL league meeting goes through March 24, and some team executives suggested to Bradford he delay it.
Bradford underwent surgery during the 2009 season to repair the AC joint in his throwing shoulder and has been working closely with Dr. James Andrews on his rehabilitation.
Bradford claimed recently he “passed with flying colors” all his medical checkups.
Simply noting
An NFL Network report said the Redskins, with Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator, have approached the Rams about acquiring defensive tackle Adam Carriker. When he was in the draft in 2007, Carriker was projected as a 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle. The Redskins appear to be switching to a 3-4 and because defensive end Andre Carter doesn’t fit that defense.
Washington is apparently attempting to interest the Rams in Carter, especially if James Hall and/or Leonard Little don’t re-sign.
Little did not visit New Orleans as expected this week, while Hall did, but no contract has yet to be signed. ... Reports in Dallas claim Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe is on the Cowboys’ radar ... In 2006, the Rams’ front office didn’t value nose tackle Ryan Pickett, who signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Packers. Pickett fulfilled the contract, and was designated Green Bay’s franchise player in February with a tender of $7.003 million. Pickett agreed to terms on a four-year, $28 million contract Friday.
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