Snead moving forward (LA Times)
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By Gary Klein
He engineered two of the biggest trades in NFL draft history, one that netted the Rams a haul of picks for the No. 2 overall selection, another that cost the franchise a haul for the right to choose No. 1.
And along with embattled Rams Coach Jeff Fisher, he quietly received a two-year contract extension before this season, news that only surfaced this week.
On Tuesday, Rams General Manager Les Snead indicated that he viewed his extension as a mandate to move forward.
“We’re not satisfied and we have unfinished business,” Snead said in an ESPN radio interview, “and there’s work to do.”
Fisher and Snead were hired in early 2012, shortly after the Rams finished the 2011 season with a 2-14 record.
During the first four seasons of Fisher and Snead’s tenure, the Rams went 7-8-1, 7-9, 6-10 and 7-9. They are 4-8 going into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Coliseum.
Asked Tuesday what he thought of the job Snead has done, Fisher said, “I look at this being my responsibility, the win and loss record. We need to do a better job, from a personnel standpoint.”
The Rams have made no public comments about Fisher’s or Snead’s extensions, which came to light Sunday, a few hours before the Rams’ 26-10 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
And there is no guarantee that Snead or Fisher will be in their positions beyond this season, especially if the Rams perform poorly in the final four games.
Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer and vice president for football operations, on Tuesday declined to comment when asked about Snead’s extension. Demoff has for months declined to comment about Snead’s and Fisher’s contract situations, citing a policy of not discussing contracts publicly during the season.
Fisher said Tuesday that he and Snead have not had any issues and that they communicate well.
Apparently, however, not about their own contracts.
“I’m so busy here,” Fisher said after practice, “I was honestly unaware that he was extended. I’m just being honest with you. We’re just working here.
“I think that from [owner] Stan’s [Kroenke’s] standpoint, if that, in fact is the case, then Stan’s showing confidence in us.”
The Rams have drafted 43 players during Snead’s tenure. The majority of first-round picks have become stars or major contributors.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, chosen 13th overall in 2014, and Todd Gurley, selected 10th in 2015, were NFL’s defensive and offensive rookies of the year.
Defensive lineman Michael Brockers (2012), receiver Tavon Austin (2013) and linebacker Alec Ogletree (2013) are key players and have either signed extensions or are in line to do so.
Quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick this year, has started three games and is regarded as the foundation of the future.
Some first-round selections, however, have fallen short.
Offensive lineman Greg Robinson, chosen No. 2 overall in 2014, had started 38 consecutive games before the left tackle was benched two weeks ago against New Orleans. Robinson, who has struggled with penalties throughout his career, returned to the lineup last week against the Patriots.
The Rams also have been criticized by some for giving Austin a four-year, $42-million extension in August. Austin has 44 catches for 401 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Snead and the Rams also have had some success drafting in later rounds. In 2012, they selected cornerback Janoris Jenkins in the second, cornerback Trumaine Johnson the third.
In 2013, safety T.J. McDonald was a third-round pick. The following year, cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was chosen in the second round, safety Maurice Alexander the fourth and cornerback E.J. Gaines the sixth.
Last year, the Rams took offensive linemen Rob Havenstein (second round), Jamon Brown (third) and Cody Wichmann (sixth).
But the Rams also have missed in the higher rounds.
Receiver Brian Quick, who played at Appalachian State, has struggled to live up to his status as a second-round pick.
There also have been some unexpected issues: Receiver Stedman Bailey, a third-round pick in 2013, suffered gunshot wounds to the head in an incident near Miami in November 2015 and has not been medically cleared to return to the NFL. Running back Tre Mason, a third-round pick in 2014, is no longer on the roster after his arrest in March on drug and driving-related charges and other subsequent off-the-field incidents.
The Rams have not invested heavily in high-priced free agents during Snead’s tenure. Receiver Kenny Britt, who is earning about $4.5 million in the final year of his contract, was signed in 2014.
Snead helped orchestrate his two biggest deals before the 2012 and 2016 drafts.
In 2012, the Rams essentially traded the rights to draft quarterback Robert Griffin III to the Washington Redskins for draft picks that netted eight players, including Brockers, Jenkins, Ogletree and Robinson. (Jenkins signed a five-year, $62-million contract with the New York Giants in March).
Last April, the Rams gave the Tennessee Titans six picks to move up to No. 1. They swapped the No. 15 pick, two second-round picks and a third-round pick and included first- and third-round picks in next year’s draft. The Rams chose Goff over North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz.
Brockers, who signed a three-year, $33-million extension in September, said the Rams were drafting plenty of talent.
“I think we’re getting some great players,” Brockers said. “It’s just about executing the scheme.”
Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times
He engineered two of the biggest trades in NFL draft history, one that netted the Rams a haul of picks for the No. 2 overall selection, another that cost the franchise a haul for the right to choose No. 1.
And along with embattled Rams Coach Jeff Fisher, he quietly received a two-year contract extension before this season, news that only surfaced this week.
On Tuesday, Rams General Manager Les Snead indicated that he viewed his extension as a mandate to move forward.
“We’re not satisfied and we have unfinished business,” Snead said in an ESPN radio interview, “and there’s work to do.”
Fisher and Snead were hired in early 2012, shortly after the Rams finished the 2011 season with a 2-14 record.
During the first four seasons of Fisher and Snead’s tenure, the Rams went 7-8-1, 7-9, 6-10 and 7-9. They are 4-8 going into Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Coliseum.
Asked Tuesday what he thought of the job Snead has done, Fisher said, “I look at this being my responsibility, the win and loss record. We need to do a better job, from a personnel standpoint.”
The Rams have made no public comments about Fisher’s or Snead’s extensions, which came to light Sunday, a few hours before the Rams’ 26-10 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
And there is no guarantee that Snead or Fisher will be in their positions beyond this season, especially if the Rams perform poorly in the final four games.
Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer and vice president for football operations, on Tuesday declined to comment when asked about Snead’s extension. Demoff has for months declined to comment about Snead’s and Fisher’s contract situations, citing a policy of not discussing contracts publicly during the season.
Fisher said Tuesday that he and Snead have not had any issues and that they communicate well.
Apparently, however, not about their own contracts.
“I’m so busy here,” Fisher said after practice, “I was honestly unaware that he was extended. I’m just being honest with you. We’re just working here.
“I think that from [owner] Stan’s [Kroenke’s] standpoint, if that, in fact is the case, then Stan’s showing confidence in us.”
The Rams have drafted 43 players during Snead’s tenure. The majority of first-round picks have become stars or major contributors.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, chosen 13th overall in 2014, and Todd Gurley, selected 10th in 2015, were NFL’s defensive and offensive rookies of the year.
Defensive lineman Michael Brockers (2012), receiver Tavon Austin (2013) and linebacker Alec Ogletree (2013) are key players and have either signed extensions or are in line to do so.
Quarterback Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick this year, has started three games and is regarded as the foundation of the future.
Some first-round selections, however, have fallen short.
Offensive lineman Greg Robinson, chosen No. 2 overall in 2014, had started 38 consecutive games before the left tackle was benched two weeks ago against New Orleans. Robinson, who has struggled with penalties throughout his career, returned to the lineup last week against the Patriots.
The Rams also have been criticized by some for giving Austin a four-year, $42-million extension in August. Austin has 44 catches for 401 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Snead and the Rams also have had some success drafting in later rounds. In 2012, they selected cornerback Janoris Jenkins in the second, cornerback Trumaine Johnson the third.
In 2013, safety T.J. McDonald was a third-round pick. The following year, cornerback Lamarcus Joyner was chosen in the second round, safety Maurice Alexander the fourth and cornerback E.J. Gaines the sixth.
Last year, the Rams took offensive linemen Rob Havenstein (second round), Jamon Brown (third) and Cody Wichmann (sixth).
But the Rams also have missed in the higher rounds.
Receiver Brian Quick, who played at Appalachian State, has struggled to live up to his status as a second-round pick.
There also have been some unexpected issues: Receiver Stedman Bailey, a third-round pick in 2013, suffered gunshot wounds to the head in an incident near Miami in November 2015 and has not been medically cleared to return to the NFL. Running back Tre Mason, a third-round pick in 2014, is no longer on the roster after his arrest in March on drug and driving-related charges and other subsequent off-the-field incidents.
The Rams have not invested heavily in high-priced free agents during Snead’s tenure. Receiver Kenny Britt, who is earning about $4.5 million in the final year of his contract, was signed in 2014.
Snead helped orchestrate his two biggest deals before the 2012 and 2016 drafts.
In 2012, the Rams essentially traded the rights to draft quarterback Robert Griffin III to the Washington Redskins for draft picks that netted eight players, including Brockers, Jenkins, Ogletree and Robinson. (Jenkins signed a five-year, $62-million contract with the New York Giants in March).
Last April, the Rams gave the Tennessee Titans six picks to move up to No. 1. They swapped the No. 15 pick, two second-round picks and a third-round pick and included first- and third-round picks in next year’s draft. The Rams chose Goff over North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz.
Brockers, who signed a three-year, $33-million extension in September, said the Rams were drafting plenty of talent.
“I think we’re getting some great players,” Brockers said. “It’s just about executing the scheme.”
Copyright © 2016, Los Angeles Times
