Multiple media outlets report this morning that Rams head coach Scott Linehan was fired overnight. The Rams led Buffalo 14-6 at halftime yesterday but lost 31-14 to drop to 0-4 on the season, extend their current losing streak to 8, and drop their record since 2007 to 3-17. Linehan leaves the Rams as inarguably their worst head coach of the St. Louis era, with an 11-25 record. (I think Rich Brooks was 13-19.)
Dubiously, one of the people most responsible for the Rams' further downfall this season, Jim Haslett, was tabbed to replace Linehan as interim head coach. It feels better to think about Haslett's "promotion" as punishment for his awful defense, so that's the way I plan to think about it.
I'm working on this week's RamView now; it will probably be out this afternoon.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Look out below!
Reported in the Post-Dispatch this morning, Steven Jackson made it pretty clear on his radio show last night that the Rams' locker room is imploding. He suggested that several Rams players were not happy with Scott Linehan's move to bench Marc Bulger, and came out himself as one of those players. He called the move "the wrong decision", adding "He's our general... you don't pay someone $60-something million then sit him on the bench."
I like what Jackson said & I like that he stood up for his teammate. But even though the dismantling of this coaching staff is a fait accompli, Jackson shouldn't be publicly ripping on his head coach. Steven seems to be becoming what we call a "coach killer". He's got his big-ass contract. He fully knows the team depends very heavily on him to be successful. So he feels free to rip on whoever he wants knowing he's not likely to feel any ramifications. If Linehan would retaliate and bench Jackson for any amount of time Sunday, the fans would boo the roof right off the building. Jackson certainly picked his spot last night.
Bulger, meanwhile, doesn't want to play for Linehan any more according to team sources. He has not spoken to the press since his demotion, leaving tea leaves formed to spell "I'M PISSED OFF THE COACH IS SCAPEGOATING ME, OF ALL PEOPLE" that are pretty easy to read. Sure, this could be Marc trying to engineer a trade. Or since it comes from "team sources", it could be diabolical spin meant to keep Bulger buried in the press. More than likely, what it is is the truth, and Bulger's doing the right thing by staying away from the press. He got stabbed in the back and doesn't want to end up in a spot where he's publicly ripping his head coach. Difference in styles between Bulger and Jackson.
Orlando Pace, then, seems to have thrown a grenade into the whole mess with this quote reported in Bill Coats' blog:
"Hopefully I do my job so I don't get replaced."
What a wonderfully divisive quote. If taken in context, Pace is throwing his QB and his head coach under the bus.
The Rams' locker room is becoming a bigger mess than the Roman Senate chambers right around 3/15/-44.
And in perhaps the biggest shock of the week, St. Louis' version of the Colosseum is sold out for Sunday's game.
Guess nobody can pass up the chance to see a good car wreck.
I like what Jackson said & I like that he stood up for his teammate. But even though the dismantling of this coaching staff is a fait accompli, Jackson shouldn't be publicly ripping on his head coach. Steven seems to be becoming what we call a "coach killer". He's got his big-ass contract. He fully knows the team depends very heavily on him to be successful. So he feels free to rip on whoever he wants knowing he's not likely to feel any ramifications. If Linehan would retaliate and bench Jackson for any amount of time Sunday, the fans would boo the roof right off the building. Jackson certainly picked his spot last night.
Bulger, meanwhile, doesn't want to play for Linehan any more according to team sources. He has not spoken to the press since his demotion, leaving tea leaves formed to spell "I'M PISSED OFF THE COACH IS SCAPEGOATING ME, OF ALL PEOPLE" that are pretty easy to read. Sure, this could be Marc trying to engineer a trade. Or since it comes from "team sources", it could be diabolical spin meant to keep Bulger buried in the press. More than likely, what it is is the truth, and Bulger's doing the right thing by staying away from the press. He got stabbed in the back and doesn't want to end up in a spot where he's publicly ripping his head coach. Difference in styles between Bulger and Jackson.
Orlando Pace, then, seems to have thrown a grenade into the whole mess with this quote reported in Bill Coats' blog:
"Hopefully I do my job so I don't get replaced."
What a wonderfully divisive quote. If taken in context, Pace is throwing his QB and his head coach under the bus.
The Rams' locker room is becoming a bigger mess than the Roman Senate chambers right around 3/15/-44.
And in perhaps the biggest shock of the week, St. Louis' version of the Colosseum is sold out for Sunday's game.
Guess nobody can pass up the chance to see a good car wreck.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
More defensive shake-ups
Per Bill Coats from today's practice:
Cliff Ryan replaces Le'Roi Glover.
Victor Adeyanju replaces James Hall.
Chris Draft in for Quinton Culberson.
OK, but Corey Chavous continues to play????
AND TYE HILL IS BACK IN THE STARTING LINEUP?????
Those aren't exactly improvements.
Cliff Ryan replaces Le'Roi Glover.
Victor Adeyanju replaces James Hall.
Chris Draft in for Quinton Culberson.
OK, but Corey Chavous continues to play????
AND TYE HILL IS BACK IN THE STARTING LINEUP?????
Those aren't exactly improvements.
Fakhir Brown released
per stltoday.com. He is replaced on the roster by Jason Craft, who I believe is another Saint DB reject, and that's a team you don't really want to be scooping up DB rejects from.
I am fairly surprised by this move because all the Wise around here are always saying what a good cover back Brown is (even as he's getting torched constantly by big receivers and never EVER manages to TURN HIS HEAD and find the ball). Brown didn't work much of training camp due to a shoulder injury, but he also didn't seem to be anywhere near the biggest screwup the first two games. He was pretty rotten last week against Seattle, though.
One assumes Ricky Manning Jr FINALLY steps up into the starting lineup?
But what the hell, Brown's the one who gets CUT while Tye Hill will still be on the field? I'm guessing there's more behind two-time drug test loser Brown's release than on-the-field issues. It's too late, but at least it's a move to clean up the locker room, if that's what it is.
Or maybe it's a message to Jim Haslett, the guy who wanted to sign Brown in the first place.
Whether it's a defensive shakeup, a locker room cleanup, or a message to a complacent DC, I support whatever they're trying to do here, even if I'm a little surprised. It's not like Brown ever struck fear in the hearts of WRs around the league anyway, though it does leave the Ram secondary dreadfully thin.
I am fairly surprised by this move because all the Wise around here are always saying what a good cover back Brown is (even as he's getting torched constantly by big receivers and never EVER manages to TURN HIS HEAD and find the ball). Brown didn't work much of training camp due to a shoulder injury, but he also didn't seem to be anywhere near the biggest screwup the first two games. He was pretty rotten last week against Seattle, though.
One assumes Ricky Manning Jr FINALLY steps up into the starting lineup?
But what the hell, Brown's the one who gets CUT while Tye Hill will still be on the field? I'm guessing there's more behind two-time drug test loser Brown's release than on-the-field issues. It's too late, but at least it's a move to clean up the locker room, if that's what it is.
Or maybe it's a message to Jim Haslett, the guy who wanted to sign Brown in the first place.
Whether it's a defensive shakeup, a locker room cleanup, or a message to a complacent DC, I support whatever they're trying to do here, even if I'm a little surprised. It's not like Brown ever struck fear in the hearts of WRs around the league anyway, though it does leave the Ram secondary dreadfully thin.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Bulger'd better not be alone
Scott Linehan's been teasing lineup changes the last week and a half during this dismal streak, and he dropped the big one today by benching Marc Bulger. The thing is, Bulger should have a lot of company on the bench I don't know that he'll actually have.
* Corey Chavous can't cover or tackle anyone anymore at SS. Todd Johnson or Brannon Condren can at least tackle. Chavous should have been benched two weeks ago.
* Pisa Tinoisamoa has been terrible and there is no reason not to go ahead and try Chris Chamberlain at his spot. Chris Draft should see more playing time, too. My impression is that Quinton Culberson is struggling in pass coverage. I'd like to see more of a platoon working there.
* I don't know why Ricky Manning Jr. has not yet put Tye Hill's bust of a butt on the bench, but it needs to happen soon. Honestly, the Rams would be just as well off with Jonathan Wade if they want to go there.
* James Hall has no value to this team. I'd rather see Eric Moore get his snaps. He certainly shouldn't be taking any snaps away from Victor Adeyanju any more. Hall is a liability on every play he's in.
* I've been theorizing that the best way to light a fire under Richie Incognito's ass would be to give his starting job to John Greco. Maybe then Cogs would come back with a vengeance. Since Cogs is hurt now anyway, that point is moot. (Or as we say in Missouri, mute.)
* And could we get the bone stimulator hooked up to Brett Romberg or something? What is taking so long with his injury? I thought it was a short-term thing. LeCharles Bentley isn't looking too bad these days, you know?
* Dan Kreider has been highly disappointing at fullback. No reason that job can't be done by Brian Leonard or the Weil kid on the practice squad.
* Dante Hall is useless to this team. He LONG ago lost the speed needed for the way the team is trying to use him. I've been pounding all year that ANYBODY would be an improvement over Hall jogging up to the 19 yard line 6 times a game. Give Derrick Stanley, or Donnie Avery, or why not even Jonathan Wade, a shot at his return job.
* Avery needs to start and play all game, not come in as a change of pace for Dane Looker. Looker is getting so overused in this offense for his speed I almost wish he hadn't made the team.
Those are all the moves I've got for now. I agree Bulger has not performed remotely close to what you want out of a $60 million QB. I agree that benching him is one way of putting a spark under everybody else's butts. But he's not the player most worthy of benching (I'm looking at you, Corey Chavous), and he'd better not be the only starter who gets demoted this week.
* Corey Chavous can't cover or tackle anyone anymore at SS. Todd Johnson or Brannon Condren can at least tackle. Chavous should have been benched two weeks ago.
* Pisa Tinoisamoa has been terrible and there is no reason not to go ahead and try Chris Chamberlain at his spot. Chris Draft should see more playing time, too. My impression is that Quinton Culberson is struggling in pass coverage. I'd like to see more of a platoon working there.
* I don't know why Ricky Manning Jr. has not yet put Tye Hill's bust of a butt on the bench, but it needs to happen soon. Honestly, the Rams would be just as well off with Jonathan Wade if they want to go there.
* James Hall has no value to this team. I'd rather see Eric Moore get his snaps. He certainly shouldn't be taking any snaps away from Victor Adeyanju any more. Hall is a liability on every play he's in.
* I've been theorizing that the best way to light a fire under Richie Incognito's ass would be to give his starting job to John Greco. Maybe then Cogs would come back with a vengeance. Since Cogs is hurt now anyway, that point is moot. (Or as we say in Missouri, mute.)
* And could we get the bone stimulator hooked up to Brett Romberg or something? What is taking so long with his injury? I thought it was a short-term thing. LeCharles Bentley isn't looking too bad these days, you know?
* Dan Kreider has been highly disappointing at fullback. No reason that job can't be done by Brian Leonard or the Weil kid on the practice squad.
* Dante Hall is useless to this team. He LONG ago lost the speed needed for the way the team is trying to use him. I've been pounding all year that ANYBODY would be an improvement over Hall jogging up to the 19 yard line 6 times a game. Give Derrick Stanley, or Donnie Avery, or why not even Jonathan Wade, a shot at his return job.
* Avery needs to start and play all game, not come in as a change of pace for Dane Looker. Looker is getting so overused in this offense for his speed I almost wish he hadn't made the team.
Those are all the moves I've got for now. I agree Bulger has not performed remotely close to what you want out of a $60 million QB. I agree that benching him is one way of putting a spark under everybody else's butts. But he's not the player most worthy of benching (I'm looking at you, Corey Chavous), and he'd better not be the only starter who gets demoted this week.
Marc Bulger benched
Trent Green will start at QB for the Rams against Buffalo this Sunday.
Here's the official word from Jim Thomas at stltoday:
Rams bench Bulger
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/23/2008
The Rams have benched quarterback Marc Bulger and will replace him with Trent Green this week against Buffalo.
Bulger completed 18 of 31 passes for 184 yards and one interception last Sunday in a loss to Seattle.
He is rated 22nd in the league's passer rating system.
The team is 0-3 going into Sunday's home game against the 3-0 Bills.
Green, 38, last started in Week 5 of the 2007 season for the Miami Dolphins in a loss to the Houston Texans. He was 0-5 with Miami.
A native St. Louisan and Vianney High graduate, Green started for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001 until halfway through the 2006 season, when he was sidelined by injuries.
He was slated to be the Rams' starter in 1999 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final preseason game. Unheralded Kurt Warner took over and led the Rams on an improbable run to the Super Bowl championship.
Green also was the Washington Redskins' starter in 1998.
Bulger, 31, took over from Warner as the Rams' starter in 2002. After a stellar 2006 season in which he passed for more than 4,300 yards and 24 TDs with only eight interceptions, Bulger signed a $65 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in Rams history.
Playing for a 3-13 team, Bulger had his worst season in 2007 and missed four games because of injuries.
Sacks have taken a heavy toll on Bulger, who has been dropped 97 times in 31 starts from 2006 until now.
Bulger's entire 2008 base salary of $7 million is guaranteed, as is $3 million (of his $6.5 million base) in '09.
Here's the official word from Jim Thomas at stltoday:
Rams bench Bulger
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/23/2008
The Rams have benched quarterback Marc Bulger and will replace him with Trent Green this week against Buffalo.
Bulger completed 18 of 31 passes for 184 yards and one interception last Sunday in a loss to Seattle.
He is rated 22nd in the league's passer rating system.
The team is 0-3 going into Sunday's home game against the 3-0 Bills.
Green, 38, last started in Week 5 of the 2007 season for the Miami Dolphins in a loss to the Houston Texans. He was 0-5 with Miami.
A native St. Louisan and Vianney High graduate, Green started for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001 until halfway through the 2006 season, when he was sidelined by injuries.
He was slated to be the Rams' starter in 1999 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final preseason game. Unheralded Kurt Warner took over and led the Rams on an improbable run to the Super Bowl championship.
Green also was the Washington Redskins' starter in 1998.
Bulger, 31, took over from Warner as the Rams' starter in 2002. After a stellar 2006 season in which he passed for more than 4,300 yards and 24 TDs with only eight interceptions, Bulger signed a $65 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in Rams history.
Playing for a 3-13 team, Bulger had his worst season in 2007 and missed four games because of injuries.
Sacks have taken a heavy toll on Bulger, who has been dropped 97 times in 31 starts from 2006 until now.
Bulger's entire 2008 base salary of $7 million is guaranteed, as is $3 million (of his $6.5 million base) in '09.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Put a gag order on Josh Brown
From today's Jim Thomas article on Rams kicker/former Seahawk Josh Brown returning to face Seattle's fans Sunday:
...in a not-so-veiled shot at Rams fans from Sunday's 41-13 loss to the New York Giants, Brown added, "You
get booed at home, you get booed away, what's the difference? It's going to feel like a home game."
Boy, I tell you, that sucker better NEVER miss a field goal if he's going to bag on Rams fans when he's been a Ram FOR TWO GAMES.
Your team LOST 41-13! What were you expecting? Huzzahs and hosannas? Rose petals thrown at your feet? Songs and epic poems written in your honor?
How's about your team comes within FOUR TOUCHDOWNS of a fellow National Football League opponent before you whine about how you're getting treated by the fans?
I'm rooting for Seattle fans to boo Josh Brown's head off Sunday. Douchebag.
...in a not-so-veiled shot at Rams fans from Sunday's 41-13 loss to the New York Giants, Brown added, "You
get booed at home, you get booed away, what's the difference? It's going to feel like a home game."
Boy, I tell you, that sucker better NEVER miss a field goal if he's going to bag on Rams fans when he's been a Ram FOR TWO GAMES.
Your team LOST 41-13! What were you expecting? Huzzahs and hosannas? Rose petals thrown at your feet? Songs and epic poems written in your honor?
How's about your team comes within FOUR TOUCHDOWNS of a fellow National Football League opponent before you whine about how you're getting treated by the fans?
I'm rooting for Seattle fans to boo Josh Brown's head off Sunday. Douchebag.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Baskett TD
Got a better look at Hank Baskett's 90-yard TD from Sunday watching NFL Network last night, and now I think I understand what was going on.
My previous thought was that Fakhir Brown gave up the slot man to Corey Chavous and he wasn't supposed to. I wouldn't have been surprised if Brown, who missed all of training camp with a rotator cuff injury, might have made such an assignment error in his first game back. But I didn't know what was going on on the back side of the play.
From the top: Ron Bartell's lined up across from the slot man, Brown across from Baskett. Bartell blitzes. Correct move. Brown swings over to pick up the slot man and sits down in the short zone. Correct move. If McNabb goes to the slot man as his hot receiver, Brown has an excellent chance to break up the pass or pick it off. Baskett and the slot receiver both run upfield, though. Hell, the slot may have run the wrong route for all I know. But a Ram, I think OJ Atogwe, rotates over to pick up the slot man. On some of the replays, you can see OJ right on the slot man. (Obviously I didn't pick up on this last Sunday.) Corey Chavous' only responsibility all along was to stay with Baskett. But he didn't trust that the slot man would get picked up and left himself in "no man's land". McNabb goes to Baskett; Chavous is horribly out of position; 90-yard TD.
The Rams blew a similar coverage earlier in the game to surrender a 32-yard completion to Jason Avant. Same thing. Bartell lined up in front of him and blitzed. Pisa was supposed to provide support from the far side on that play but didn't get there. Chavous probably had that in mind when he blew the Baskett TD.
But the blame for that TD is completely Chavous'. My apologies to Brown that I guessed wrong. And to Jim Haslett that I didn't understand the coverage.
I do not apologize, however, for criticizing Haslett's use of blitzes on third-and-long on both plays. This is all avoided with straight defense.
My previous thought was that Fakhir Brown gave up the slot man to Corey Chavous and he wasn't supposed to. I wouldn't have been surprised if Brown, who missed all of training camp with a rotator cuff injury, might have made such an assignment error in his first game back. But I didn't know what was going on on the back side of the play.
From the top: Ron Bartell's lined up across from the slot man, Brown across from Baskett. Bartell blitzes. Correct move. Brown swings over to pick up the slot man and sits down in the short zone. Correct move. If McNabb goes to the slot man as his hot receiver, Brown has an excellent chance to break up the pass or pick it off. Baskett and the slot receiver both run upfield, though. Hell, the slot may have run the wrong route for all I know. But a Ram, I think OJ Atogwe, rotates over to pick up the slot man. On some of the replays, you can see OJ right on the slot man. (Obviously I didn't pick up on this last Sunday.) Corey Chavous' only responsibility all along was to stay with Baskett. But he didn't trust that the slot man would get picked up and left himself in "no man's land". McNabb goes to Baskett; Chavous is horribly out of position; 90-yard TD.
The Rams blew a similar coverage earlier in the game to surrender a 32-yard completion to Jason Avant. Same thing. Bartell lined up in front of him and blitzed. Pisa was supposed to provide support from the far side on that play but didn't get there. Chavous probably had that in mind when he blew the Baskett TD.
But the blame for that TD is completely Chavous'. My apologies to Brown that I guessed wrong. And to Jim Haslett that I didn't understand the coverage.
I do not apologize, however, for criticizing Haslett's use of blitzes on third-and-long on both plays. This is all avoided with straight defense.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Fallout from the Opening Day fiasco
RamView
* Injury report: Leonard Little has a strained hamstring and may miss the Giants game.
Orlando Pace had the wind knocked out of him and should be OK. (Phew.)
Donnie Avery will likely miss the Giants game due to a sprained knee.
And Drew Bennett, the Worst Free Agent Signing in Rams History, will be out (at least) a month after
getting his foot broken on his only catch Sunday.
* WR shuffle: Bennett's and Avery's injuries have forced some changes in the WR corps. It sounds like Dane Looker (remember him? He was almost cut in August) moves all the way up to WR2, though Keenan Burton should get time there as well. Burton is up for significantly increased playing time.
The Rams are also going to add a veteran receiver to fill out the WR group. Mr. Irrelevant David Vobora has already been cut to clear room for a new wideout. Myself, I'd promote Derek Stanley, but the Rams are trying out the likes of Joe Horn and Keenan McCardell. Yeah, let's not give the young guy a chance, what this offense needs is more slow, old guys.
And it gets better.
The favorite right now to become the newest Rams wide receiver is?
EDDIE FUCKING KENNISON.
Does this front office just have a completely tin ear, or what? Their brilliant idea to get the team ready and re-energize the fan base after Sunday's fiasco is to relive the glories of the Rich Brooks Era?
If Marc Bulger gets hurt against the Giants, can Tony Banks expect a call? Is June Henley still in game shape?
Idiots. Just promote Stanley.
* Defensive shakeup. These kind of things are always impossible for me to figure out on TV. Fakhir Brown started in Philly, but as the nickel back. Tye Hill and Ron Bartell were the starting corners. Hill's play then became so pathetic, Jim Haslett BENCHED him and moved Brown back to corner.
Hill's demotion is still in effect. Brown and Bartell are the starters for the Giants game, and Ricky Manning Jr. has better than a long shot at superseding Hill at nickel. Fuck, Tye Hill may not even be ACTIVE for next Sunday's game.
Another SPECTACULAR DRAFT BUST for the Linehan administration. Tye Hill and Claude Wroten wasn't a very good return for Jay Cutler, was it? At least my pick, Broderick Bunkley, IS PLAYING for the Eagles. I could never argue strongly for or against Antonio Cromartie because I didn't know enough about his knee.
Mark me down forever as a new adherent to Best Player Available, Regardless of Position. Every Round. What the Rams are doing now sure isn't working.
* Defensive snafus. The Rams insist the secondary wasn't confused throughout Sunday's game, that they were making physical mistakes. Haslett blamed the 90-yard Hank Baskett TD on Corey Chavous taking his eye off of Baskett.
The hell? The defensive call there was designed to let two WRs run free downfield to Chavous? I guess it could be that Chavous should have gone to Baskett down the sideline and expected help to come from OJ Atogwe on the other side of the field, but I'm sure shaky on why any of this high-speed shell game was a good gamble on third-and-long.
Just play straight defense!
More news or corrections here as they come up.
* Injury report: Leonard Little has a strained hamstring and may miss the Giants game.
Orlando Pace had the wind knocked out of him and should be OK. (Phew.)
Donnie Avery will likely miss the Giants game due to a sprained knee.
And Drew Bennett, the Worst Free Agent Signing in Rams History, will be out (at least) a month after
getting his foot broken on his only catch Sunday.
* WR shuffle: Bennett's and Avery's injuries have forced some changes in the WR corps. It sounds like Dane Looker (remember him? He was almost cut in August) moves all the way up to WR2, though Keenan Burton should get time there as well. Burton is up for significantly increased playing time.
The Rams are also going to add a veteran receiver to fill out the WR group. Mr. Irrelevant David Vobora has already been cut to clear room for a new wideout. Myself, I'd promote Derek Stanley, but the Rams are trying out the likes of Joe Horn and Keenan McCardell. Yeah, let's not give the young guy a chance, what this offense needs is more slow, old guys.
And it gets better.
The favorite right now to become the newest Rams wide receiver is?
EDDIE FUCKING KENNISON.
Does this front office just have a completely tin ear, or what? Their brilliant idea to get the team ready and re-energize the fan base after Sunday's fiasco is to relive the glories of the Rich Brooks Era?
If Marc Bulger gets hurt against the Giants, can Tony Banks expect a call? Is June Henley still in game shape?
Idiots. Just promote Stanley.
* Defensive shakeup. These kind of things are always impossible for me to figure out on TV. Fakhir Brown started in Philly, but as the nickel back. Tye Hill and Ron Bartell were the starting corners. Hill's play then became so pathetic, Jim Haslett BENCHED him and moved Brown back to corner.
Hill's demotion is still in effect. Brown and Bartell are the starters for the Giants game, and Ricky Manning Jr. has better than a long shot at superseding Hill at nickel. Fuck, Tye Hill may not even be ACTIVE for next Sunday's game.
Another SPECTACULAR DRAFT BUST for the Linehan administration. Tye Hill and Claude Wroten wasn't a very good return for Jay Cutler, was it? At least my pick, Broderick Bunkley, IS PLAYING for the Eagles. I could never argue strongly for or against Antonio Cromartie because I didn't know enough about his knee.
Mark me down forever as a new adherent to Best Player Available, Regardless of Position. Every Round. What the Rams are doing now sure isn't working.
* Defensive snafus. The Rams insist the secondary wasn't confused throughout Sunday's game, that they were making physical mistakes. Haslett blamed the 90-yard Hank Baskett TD on Corey Chavous taking his eye off of Baskett.
The hell? The defensive call there was designed to let two WRs run free downfield to Chavous? I guess it could be that Chavous should have gone to Baskett down the sideline and expected help to come from OJ Atogwe on the other side of the field, but I'm sure shaky on why any of this high-speed shell game was a good gamble on third-and-long.
Just play straight defense!
More news or corrections here as they come up.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Opening Day
The season officially starts tonight with the Redskins at the Giants, 6pm. I'm thinking Giants in a close one. Maybe the Skins can rough them up a little bit prior to their arrival here for the home opener.
As for the Rams' Opening Day:
- the Eggles are 7.5 point favorites.
- the only Ram out for the game for certain appears to be Donnie Avery. I'll mope over the wisdom of that particular pick another time, but if the Rams are this healthy for the Eggle game, it bodes well.
Miscellany:
- Tim McGarigle was the player cut to open up a roster spot for Gary Stills.
As for the Rams' Opening Day:
- the Eggles are 7.5 point favorites.
- the only Ram out for the game for certain appears to be Donnie Avery. I'll mope over the wisdom of that particular pick another time, but if the Rams are this healthy for the Eggle game, it bodes well.
Miscellany:
- Tim McGarigle was the player cut to open up a roster spot for Gary Stills.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ricky Manning Jr., Brannon Condren, Gary Stills
Info on the Rams' newest or impending members:
On the field, Ricky Manning Jr. has 14 career INTs in 5 seasons. In the '03 postseason he established himself as a big-time defensive playmaker. He ripped a ball away from Torry Holt in Carolina's playoff in at St. Louis and he picked off Donovan McNabb three times to help send the Panthers to Super owl XXXVIII. The Bears signed him to a $21 million offer sheet in 2006. While Carolina deliberated on hether to match, Manning, Maurice Jones-Drew and former UCLA player Tyler Ebell were arrested in L.A. for a brutal assault at a Denny's. It was Manning's second assault arrest; he got in a fight with two bodybuilders outside an L.A. bar in 2002. Though he steadfastly claims that Jones-Drew and Ebell did all the beating, Manning pled no contest to felony assault while charges were dismissed and dropped for the other two. Manning says he pled out to avoid the unpredictability of a trial, even though he believes videotape of the incident would exonerate him. Manning had a career high 5 INTs in 2006, but none last season, and he tumbled down Chicago's depth chart as a result, until they finally cut him last week.
Manning is probably veteran insurance against the high likelihood of Fakhir Brown and/or Tye Hill missing games due to injuries. Brown's injured right now, and the brittle Hill is probably due to pull, tear or snap something any day now. Manning's an upgrade over Jonathan Wade, Darius Vinnett(PS) or David Macklin (cut). But that's about it. I would be disappointed if Jim Haslett puts Manning on the field ahead of Ron Bartell. He looks like a good pickup for depth. As far as his knucklehead quotient, I wish I could say something better than "he's not Pac-Man Jones". There may be enough doubt around the Denny's incident to cut him an even break, I don't know. He gets so much as a parking ticket around here, I want him out.
Condren was drafted out of Troy by the Colts last year. Injuries kept him out of the Colts' safety rotation until the second half of last season, when he also played special teams. He's a very good athlete and a good tackler. He picked off a couple of ricochets for the Colts a couple of preseason games ago at Atlanta. Richard Owens was released to make roster room for him, but the most appropriate comparison would be to Classy Eric Bassey. Condren's advantage appears to be that he gives the Rams a backup strong safety behind Corey Chavous; with Bassey on the active roster instead, they'd have three free safeties and one strong.
Gary Stills' signing is still pending as I write. He is a career special teamer who represented the Chiefs in the Pro Bowl in 2003 as special teams specialist. Joining the Ravens in 2006, he set a team record for special teams tackles with 44, matching his career high from 2002. He followed that with only 15 tackles last season, though, and the 34-year-old was released by Baltimore in favor of younger special teams bangers like Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski.
This is pretty much a trend with the Rams: sign a special-teamer who played well for Kansas City but is likely past his prime. (See: Hall, Dante.) Then again, who on the Rams' coverage units now actually is any good? Maybe Todd Johnson? Chris Massey? My biggest hope for Stills is that if he's good enough at special teams, he'll become the coach.
On the field, Ricky Manning Jr. has 14 career INTs in 5 seasons. In the '03 postseason he established himself as a big-time defensive playmaker. He ripped a ball away from Torry Holt in Carolina's playoff in at St. Louis and he picked off Donovan McNabb three times to help send the Panthers to Super owl XXXVIII. The Bears signed him to a $21 million offer sheet in 2006. While Carolina deliberated on hether to match, Manning, Maurice Jones-Drew and former UCLA player Tyler Ebell were arrested in L.A. for a brutal assault at a Denny's. It was Manning's second assault arrest; he got in a fight with two bodybuilders outside an L.A. bar in 2002. Though he steadfastly claims that Jones-Drew and Ebell did all the beating, Manning pled no contest to felony assault while charges were dismissed and dropped for the other two. Manning says he pled out to avoid the unpredictability of a trial, even though he believes videotape of the incident would exonerate him. Manning had a career high 5 INTs in 2006, but none last season, and he tumbled down Chicago's depth chart as a result, until they finally cut him last week.
Manning is probably veteran insurance against the high likelihood of Fakhir Brown and/or Tye Hill missing games due to injuries. Brown's injured right now, and the brittle Hill is probably due to pull, tear or snap something any day now. Manning's an upgrade over Jonathan Wade, Darius Vinnett(PS) or David Macklin (cut). But that's about it. I would be disappointed if Jim Haslett puts Manning on the field ahead of Ron Bartell. He looks like a good pickup for depth. As far as his knucklehead quotient, I wish I could say something better than "he's not Pac-Man Jones". There may be enough doubt around the Denny's incident to cut him an even break, I don't know. He gets so much as a parking ticket around here, I want him out.
Condren was drafted out of Troy by the Colts last year. Injuries kept him out of the Colts' safety rotation until the second half of last season, when he also played special teams. He's a very good athlete and a good tackler. He picked off a couple of ricochets for the Colts a couple of preseason games ago at Atlanta. Richard Owens was released to make roster room for him, but the most appropriate comparison would be to Classy Eric Bassey. Condren's advantage appears to be that he gives the Rams a backup strong safety behind Corey Chavous; with Bassey on the active roster instead, they'd have three free safeties and one strong.
Gary Stills' signing is still pending as I write. He is a career special teamer who represented the Chiefs in the Pro Bowl in 2003 as special teams specialist. Joining the Ravens in 2006, he set a team record for special teams tackles with 44, matching his career high from 2002. He followed that with only 15 tackles last season, though, and the 34-year-old was released by Baltimore in favor of younger special teams bangers like Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski.
This is pretty much a trend with the Rams: sign a special-teamer who played well for Kansas City but is likely past his prime. (See: Hall, Dante.) Then again, who on the Rams' coverage units now actually is any good? Maybe Todd Johnson? Chris Massey? My biggest hope for Stills is that if he's good enough at special teams, he'll become the coach.
Final cuts
The Rams made the following moves to get to the 53-man roster limit.
Cut: WR Brandon Williams, WR Reche Caldwell, T Mark LeVoir (signed by New England), CB David Macklin, T Julius Wilson (signed by Tampa Bay), TE Richard Owens, QB Bruce Gradkowski, SS Jerome Carter, WR Marcus Hagans, WR Matt Caddell, LB Marcus Riley, TE Nick Cleaver, CB Cortney Grixby, CB Tanard Davis, C Donovan Raiola, DT Willie Williams and DT Henry Smith.
Practice Squad: WR Derek Stanley, RB Lance Ball, G Dustin Fry, DE CJ Ah You, CB Darius Vinnett, FB Nick Weil, LB Mark Magro, FS Eric Bassey. S Sebastian Sejean
That's 25 guys; technically, Owens and Bassey survived the first cut. Bassey was released to make room for CB Ricky Manning Jr. Owens was replaced by SS Brannon Condren from the Colts. The Rams are also on the verge of signing LB Gary Stills, who would be used as a special teams specialist. That would seem to doom either Tim McGarigle or one of the practice squad members, because I don't believe David Vobora would just be released. More on the new guys in a future post.
RamView went 20/23 on the cuts. I had Weil beating out Dan Kreider and had Owens and Eric Moore out in favor of keeping CBs Vinnett and Macklin. It surprised me that the Rams cut down to 4 CBs when to get to 53 but Manning brings them back up to 5. None of the cuts are really very surprising.
I'll be on top of any roster announcements through the week.
Cut: WR Brandon Williams, WR Reche Caldwell, T Mark LeVoir (signed by New England), CB David Macklin, T Julius Wilson (signed by Tampa Bay), TE Richard Owens, QB Bruce Gradkowski, SS Jerome Carter, WR Marcus Hagans, WR Matt Caddell, LB Marcus Riley, TE Nick Cleaver, CB Cortney Grixby, CB Tanard Davis, C Donovan Raiola, DT Willie Williams and DT Henry Smith.
Practice Squad: WR Derek Stanley, RB Lance Ball, G Dustin Fry, DE CJ Ah You, CB Darius Vinnett, FB Nick Weil, LB Mark Magro, FS Eric Bassey. S Sebastian Sejean
That's 25 guys; technically, Owens and Bassey survived the first cut. Bassey was released to make room for CB Ricky Manning Jr. Owens was replaced by SS Brannon Condren from the Colts. The Rams are also on the verge of signing LB Gary Stills, who would be used as a special teams specialist. That would seem to doom either Tim McGarigle or one of the practice squad members, because I don't believe David Vobora would just be released. More on the new guys in a future post.
RamView went 20/23 on the cuts. I had Weil beating out Dan Kreider and had Owens and Eric Moore out in favor of keeping CBs Vinnett and Macklin. It surprised me that the Rams cut down to 4 CBs when to get to 53 but Manning brings them back up to 5. None of the cuts are really very surprising.
I'll be on top of any roster announcements through the week.
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