OK, so you may never have heard of Bernie Miklasz, the primary sports columnist of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Joe understands.

Miklasz is one of the premiere football writers in the country and quite possibly the ultimate multimedia journalist in the nation.

The man has his own column, his own PM drivetime radio show, his own sports forum where he regularly interacts with posters, his own blog, and if that isn’t enough, he is a regular co-host of both an hour-long pregame and postgame show for every St. Louis Cardinals game, “Cardinals Live,” seen on Fox Sports Midwest.

In between his many duties, Miklasz enjoys sounding off on Twitter.

In many respects, he is the pulse of the St. Louis sports scene, no matter the sport, no matter the time of year. Football, however, is Miklasz’s first love and is his strength.

Miklasz covered the old Baltimore Colts when the Mayflower vans moved the team out of town. He then covered the old putrid St. Louis Cardinals and penned one of the greatest series of sports exposes Joe has ever read, “A Futile Franchise.” 

When that team moved to Phoenix, Miklasz covered the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News before returning to St. Louis for his current gig as a columnist. Though football is his wheelhouse, he’s not afraid to go nose-to-nose with a future Hall of Fame manager to stick up for his co-workers, or discuss the NHL, college football or college basketball at length.

Joe first met Miklasz when Joe covered his first NFL training camp of the old Cardinals and Joe was still a young pup. Joe learned quite a bit, and got a lot of solid advice from Miklasz in those weeks, none more important than when Miklasz told Joe, “Always be aggressive.”

Miklasz was kind enough to give Joe some insight into what the Rams will do with the No. 1 pick overall. We all know that the Rams’ decision will directly affect what the Bucs will do at No. 3.

JoeBucsFan.com: Joe knows you recently wrote it appears the proverbial train rolling down the tracks is that the Rams will draft Sam Bradford, but how much of a lock it is? Gil Brandt said this past week on Sirius NFL Radio that he thought there was a 49 percent chance Bradford will be a Redskins quarterback. Is Brandt, who has many NFL connections, onto something? (Joe did read your various scenarios on how Bradford could wind up in Washington).

Bernie Miklasz: I think the Rams will choose Bradford. And if they do, he’ll sign. His agent has given the Rams no reason to believe that the kid wants to play elsewhere and will try and force a trade. I think the world of Gil Brandt. He is a good friend. But he’s heard the same rumors that we’ve all heard: the Redskins want Bradford and will try to trade up. It remains to be seen. And the Rams will ask for a lot in exchange for the pick. I think, frankly, the Redskins are floating this “Bradford doesn’t want to play for the Rams” junk to try and make the Rams’ execs nervous. But it isn’t working.

Joe: How involved is Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo in this decision? The common rule of thumb is that head coaches with defensive backgrounds would always choose defense over offense. Like the Bucs, the Rams have lots of holes. If the decision was Spagnuolo’s alone, would he still pick Bradford?

Bernie: GM Billy Devaney and coach Spagnuolo have an excellent relationship. They work closely together on all of these decisions, though Devaney has the final say. I talked to Spagnuolo about this a few weeks ago, and he assured me that if taking a QB makes the most sense, he’s on board with it. And I believe him. He’s been enthusiastic in his dealings and meetings with Bradford. He likes the kid a lot. He thinks Bradford is a character guy.

Joe: What is the general consensus in St. Louis with the fans? Are they pining for Bradford or do they want one of the two beastly Big XII defensive tackles, Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy?

Bernie: The early momentum was behind Suh, no question. But that was before anyone really knew what to make of Bradford, who at that time was rehabbing from the shoulder surgery. Bradford was off the radar because no one had a handle on his medicals, and his shoulder strength. So once Bradford reemerged — bigger and stronger — with positive medical evaluations and a clear demonstration that he can still zing the football, Rams fans began buzzing about him. I think the town is behind him if the Rams choose him. Even some of the Suh supporters have made it clear that they’d rather have Suh but would pull for the kid QB if the Rams go that way. This team needs so much help that you can make a strong case for just about any position.

Joe: A couple of months ago there was a wild rumor that the Bucs and Rams would flip picks, with the Rams also acquiring backup quarterback Josh Johnson, which at the time Rams general manager Billy Devaney shot down but didn’t rule out talking with Bucs general manager Mark Dominik at some point. The Bucs clearly covet either Suh or McCoy as Dominik has even brought in Big XII offensive guards for interviews, quizzing them about Suh and McCoy. Did you hear any whispers about the Rams and Bucs swapping picks as Bradford very likely would still be on the board at No. 3?

Bernie: That was a crazy one. I have no idea where it started. The Rams insist there’s nothing to it. But as a general principle, they are keeping the door wide open to any trade proposals. They need a bunch of players. They have to consider all options, no matter who calls or what’s being offered. They have to listen. But that particular trade, nada.

Joe: Not sure if you remember some wet-behind-the-ears reporter on a hot and muggy Charleston, Ill. summer you befriended at Mean Gene Stallings’ Cardinals camp? You remember the name of the watering hole where you pitied me and bought me shots of tequila? This scribe learned a lot those weeks and the experience and knowledge gleamed from you still pays off today. Thank you.

Bernie: Sure I remember. You had a lot of energy then and you have a lot of energy now. You were a good kid back then and you are a good guy now. I’m an old man of 51. Where did the years go? I’m thinking we probably had some beverages at Marty’s. But at times I’d do my sipping at the Holiday Inn. Or there was another place I liked, in the downtown part of Charleston. I can’t remember the name. It’s been 25 years. But I do remember making sure that you explored the wonders of tequila. Are you still experiencing a hangover? Congratulations on the Web site, Lee. You do a terrific job with it.

[Clarification: The name of the downtown Charleston, Ill. watering hole in question is “Uptown/Cellar.”]

Editor’s note: This story was written before the Donovan McNabb-Redskins trade was announced. Joe thinks it’s still relevant. McNabb’s contract expires after 2010 season. No quarterback coming out next year will be as coveted as Bradford and Washington surely won’t have the No. 4 pick next year to use as bait.