Robert Quinn, the St. Louis Rams' first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, has had more than his share of health concerns since emerging as one of the top pass-rushing prospects in college football, but it wasn't his brain tumor so much as his more pedestrianly balky knee that had the Rams worried going into training camp. Thursday Quinn passed his physical, allowing the Rams a look at their defensive line of the future in their abbreviated preseason.
Quinn, considered a steal at 13th overall, heads up the youth movement in the Rams' surprisingly accomplished defensive line of a year ago, anchored mainly by Steve Spagnuolo's gumption and a group of thirtysomethings. With Chris Long on the other end and Quinn expected to get significant playing time against the pass from the beginning fo the year, the Rams suddenly feature one of the best young pass-rushing tandems in football. At least in theory.