The St. Louis Rams know all about the Johnny Manziel conversation out there. They might even be the ones helping to stoke the fire.
But they are not about to throw Sam Bradford under the bus in public.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that Bradford is "our starting quarterback." He went on to say the team is not shopping Bradford, which NFL Media's Michelle Beisner noted from St. Louis on Tuesday's "NFL Total Access Draft Preview."
"We have all the confidence in the world (Bradford) will be back," Fisher said.
That sounds great, but the Rams wouldn't draft a quarterback in the first round to be a long-term backup. Fisher had no other choice but to say what he did on Tuesday. It's more telling what he didn't say.
As Charley Casserly pointed out on NFL Network, Fisher didn't say that the Rams were not taking a quarterback in the first round. He didn't say that Bradford will definitely be his starter this year. He's the starter now, and they aren't shopping him now, but things can change.
The Rams will speak a lot louder on Thursday when they make their picks. I believe this entire Manziel-Rams connection has been just a smokescreen, but reasonable minds disagree.
*The "Around The League Podcast" Draft Preview Spectacular is all you need before draft day. *
