Friday, January 18, 2013
If Ryan is hired in St. Louis
By Tim Kavanagh
Earlier this week, the buzz regarding the St. Louis Rams' vacancy at defensive coordinator was that some big names might be under consideration -- including recently fired HCs like Lovie Smith and Romeo Crennel. As it turns out, there's only one of them who remains in contention.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that only Rob Ryan still appears to be in the mix out of that group of well-known DC candidates. Sure enough, ESPN's Ed Werder reported Friday afternoon that Ryan is interviewing for the position.
It's not an automatic that he's hired -- Thomas adds that Fisher and his staff will consider a promotion for Chuck Cecil, and they may also be eyeing some candidates from the NCAA ranks -- but what will change if Ryan is tapped? Since he's run a 3-4 in recent NFL stops, many assume that this would be Ryan's preferred alignment in his next job. Since the Rams run a 4-3, would Ryan's hire mean a switch? Maybe, maybe not, as he's worked with a 4-3 defense in the past as well.
Whether it's Ryan or someone else, the Rams need to address their LB position this offseason. But at No. 16 overall in his first mock draft of the season, Mel Kiper Jr. sent them Texas S Kenny Vaccaro:
Mel Kiper Jr.
Mock Draft 1.0"The Rams have used the draft and free agency to strengthen the defense almost everywhere over the past couple of years. They made big strides at corner last offseason with the additions of Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins, and the pass rush is in place with the emerging Robert Quinn and steady Chris Long. Getting the best safety in the draft, a player who can both cover and step up against the run, will be one of those finishing touches."
