The Rams this morning made the "bold kind of move that they needed for their reintroduction" to the L.A. area by trading up to acquire the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft from the Titans, according to Todd Harmonson of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. The team "had to show a skeptical fan base that they are serious about winning." Incumbent Rams QB Case Keenum could start the season for the team, but "every fans' eyes will be on their new prize," whether it is North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz or Cal QB Jared Goff (OCREGISTER.com, 4/14). ESPN Radio’s Jorge Sedano said, “If you’re the ownership there in Los Angeles with the Rams, you’re like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to compete in the marketplace.’” ESPN Radio’s Mike Golic: “Compete and make a splash. L.A. is the place to be seen and heard. You can’t just walk into a situation; you’ve got to kick the door down. Now the Rams are making their move and now they have the No. 1 pick in the draft. So that’s doing it L.A. style, without question” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 4/14). Sporting News’ Michael McCarthy wrote on Twitter, “Rams got fleeced. This is robbery. But they have to sell tickets and attract sponsors in LA.” ESPN’s Michael Smith: “Titans made out like bandits but if you're the Rams and you're faced with rollin out Case Keenum in your new city...” Pro Football Weekly's Arthur Arkush: “Curious how involved Stan Kroenke was in this decision. Think he felt good about unveiling his #Rams in L.A. with Keenum or Foles?”
GIVING THE MAMBA HIS DUE? NFL Network's Michael Silver on Twitter reports the Rams held off announcing the trade yesterday because coach Jeff Fisher "felt Wednesday belonged" to Lakers G Kobe Bryant, who played his last NBA game last night. Radio producer Andrew Perloff wrote, "Kind of funny that if there was ever a morning the NBA should own, it's this morning. Of course the NFL jumps in." Sirius XM's Ross Tucker: "NFL is hilarious. Didn't like that people were talking about NBA for 12 hours ... time to drop huge news." Sporting News' Bill Bender: "Well the NFL just hijacked the NBA's morning."
PUTTING SOME WIND BEHIND THEIR SAILS? The NFL regular-season schedule will be announced tonight, and PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Michael David Smith notes people will be looking at the Rams' slate, as the NFL "could use the schedule to help them build momentum in their new home." The position of games on the schedule "could serve as an attempt by the league office to help them get off to a good start." While indications show ticket sales are "strong for the Rams in Los Angeles," starting the season 0-5 is "going to kill a lot of the interest they have in their new hometown" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/14).
