Leaders of the effort to build a new NFL stadium in St. Louis said Friday they remain optimistic about a plan they say would retain a team and help redevelop a blighted part of the city, according to the The Associated Press. Members of the St. Louis stadium task force made their case directly to league officials in New York on Wednesday and they emerged confident as ever that the plan is still on course. Of course, to get a new stadium greenlit, they’ll have to figure out how to fund it and there could be legal hurdles to overcome in order to use taxpayer money. Here’s a look at the West divisions..
- Meanwhile, commissioner Roger Goodell thinks the projects in Inglewood and Carson, California are “viable,” and have a “great deal of potential to be successful,” Barry Wilner of The Associated Press writes. Of course, the Rams, Raiders, and Chargers are all eyeing Los Angeles as a potential destination.
- Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times wonders if free agent running back Chris Polk could be a fit for the Seahawks. Coach Pete Carroll is familiar with the University of Washington product because he tried to recruit him to USC in 2007. The Seahawks don’t necessarily have an urgent need at running back, with last year’s trio of Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, and Christine Michael all due to return next season. But the Seahawks like to add competition, and Polk could be a viable competitor for a backup spot.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Rams might take a gamble on Nebraska’s Randy Gregory. Gregory, despite his off-field issues, is regarded as the draft’s best pass rusher, and that’s saying a lot given this year’s crop. “It’s a real good group,” said a veteran NFC scout. “They’re going to fly off the board.” The scout sees Gregory as “an Aldon Smith or Jason Pierre-Paul type” and heaped loads of praise upon him.