Quick hits from the coaching rumor mill:
* Jon Gruden told the Tampa Tribune today that he's "staying put" at ESPN. "I love my job and I'll be back at ESPN with the guys. I'm not going anywhere." The article did not address recent scathing comments directed at Gruden by former NFL head of officials Mike Pereira, but the MNF crew is covering the Outback Bowl for ESPN on Monday. Will be interesting to hear if Gruden has anything to say during the broadcast.
* The San Diego Union-Tribune says that the Chargers are "all but certain" to fire Norv Turner next week. I don't know what to think about Turner. He could be extremely useful to the Rams working with Sam Bradford. But I really don't want him within a 39-and-a-half-foot pole of the head coaching job.
* The Titans could be an unexpected participant in the annual offseason job fair. Penn State has reportedly targeted their head coach, Mike Munchak, to replace Joe Paterno. An ESPN.com article today reports Munchak's "heart is torn" between staying in Tennessee or returning to help his troubled alma mater.
-$-
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Rams 2012 free agents
Unrestricted:
TE Billy Bajema
G Jacob Bell
LB Chris Chamberlain
WR Mark Clayton
QB A.J. Feeley
T Adam Goldberg
P Donnie Jones
LB Bryan Kehl
WR Brandon Lloyd
RB Jerious Norwood
LB Brady Poppinga
KR Quinn Porter
RB Cadillac Williams
Wow, I don't know how many of these players would even be worth the effort to keep.
Lloyd says he's gone if Josh McDaniels is gone, which I have to admit I'm rooting for.
The best player after him on this list is probably Chamberlain.
Neither Bell nor Goldberg is starting quality. Poppinga doesn't really make enough plays.
Cadillac ran all right, but the Rams need to get younger at RB.
And I'm way over Donnie Jones.
Other low-hanging fruit:
Craig Dahl's contract is voidable for 2012; he's due for 1.2 million.
Jason Smith is due for $10 million in 2012; $12 million in 2013.
Restricted:
DE C.J. Ah You
WR Danny Amendola
FB Brit Miller
Exclusive Rights:
DT Jermelle Cudjo
ST Dominique Curry
S Darian Stewart
Stewart and Amendola are obviously keepers and could be worth extending longer deals to.
Stewart needs to get a heck of a lot better as a downfield tackler, though. Almost all the big runs against the Rams this season have been largely his fault.
Undisclosed:
QB Tom Brandstater
QB Kellen Clemens
LB Justin Cole
CB Josh Gordy
FB BEN GUIDUGLI
CB Rod Hood
T Kevin Hughes
DB Brian Jackson
CB Marquis Johnson
CB Justin King
T Mark LeVoir
G Brian Mattison
TE Mike McNeill
PR Nick Miller
DB Nate Ness
LB David Nixon
CB Chris Smith
TE Stephen SPACH
OL Thomas Welch
OL Tony Wragge
Rotoworld lacks details on these players' contracts, but I can't imagine any of them have deals past this season. There's a handful of keepers.
Gordy, Hood and Johnson would all be good to have as secondary depth.
Mattison's outplayed every other Rams guard but Harvey Dahl. He deserves a chance to start in '12.
I prefer Clemens at QB2 to Feeley.
And of course I'm eager to see GUIDUGLI in action tomorrow. This franchise has set the bar awful low, but I believe he's a player who could help out a lot next year at fullback.
More importantly than any of these players, Chris Long and James Laurinaitis are scheduled for free agency after the 2012 season. Whoever's the GM better make contract extensions for the Rams' two best defensive players his first order of business.
-$-
TE Billy Bajema
G Jacob Bell
LB Chris Chamberlain
WR Mark Clayton
QB A.J. Feeley
T Adam Goldberg
P Donnie Jones
LB Bryan Kehl
WR Brandon Lloyd
RB Jerious Norwood
LB Brady Poppinga
KR Quinn Porter
RB Cadillac Williams
Wow, I don't know how many of these players would even be worth the effort to keep.
Lloyd says he's gone if Josh McDaniels is gone, which I have to admit I'm rooting for.
The best player after him on this list is probably Chamberlain.
Neither Bell nor Goldberg is starting quality. Poppinga doesn't really make enough plays.
Cadillac ran all right, but the Rams need to get younger at RB.
And I'm way over Donnie Jones.
Other low-hanging fruit:
Craig Dahl's contract is voidable for 2012; he's due for 1.2 million.
Jason Smith is due for $10 million in 2012; $12 million in 2013.
Restricted:
DE C.J. Ah You
WR Danny Amendola
FB Brit Miller
Exclusive Rights:
DT Jermelle Cudjo
ST Dominique Curry
S Darian Stewart
Stewart and Amendola are obviously keepers and could be worth extending longer deals to.
Stewart needs to get a heck of a lot better as a downfield tackler, though. Almost all the big runs against the Rams this season have been largely his fault.
Undisclosed:
QB Tom Brandstater
QB Kellen Clemens
LB Justin Cole
CB Josh Gordy
FB BEN GUIDUGLI
CB Rod Hood
T Kevin Hughes
DB Brian Jackson
CB Marquis Johnson
CB Justin King
T Mark LeVoir
G Brian Mattison
TE Mike McNeill
PR Nick Miller
DB Nate Ness
LB David Nixon
CB Chris Smith
TE Stephen SPACH
OL Thomas Welch
OL Tony Wragge
Rotoworld lacks details on these players' contracts, but I can't imagine any of them have deals past this season. There's a handful of keepers.
Gordy, Hood and Johnson would all be good to have as secondary depth.
Mattison's outplayed every other Rams guard but Harvey Dahl. He deserves a chance to start in '12.
I prefer Clemens at QB2 to Feeley.
And of course I'm eager to see GUIDUGLI in action tomorrow. This franchise has set the bar awful low, but I believe he's a player who could help out a lot next year at fullback.
More importantly than any of these players, Chris Long and James Laurinaitis are scheduled for free agency after the 2012 season. Whoever's the GM better make contract extensions for the Rams' two best defensive players his first order of business.
-$-
Rams 2012 opponents
Time to start looking ahead:
Home:
Arizona (8-8)
San Francisco (13-3)
Seattle (7-9)
Green Bay (15-1)
Minnesota (3-13)
New England (13-3)
New York Jets (8-8)
Washington (5-11)
Away:
Arizona (8-8)
San Francisco (13-3)
Seattle (7-9)
Buffalo (5-11)
Chicago (8-8)
Detroit (10-6)
Miami (7-9)
Tampa Bay (4-12)
There's obviously little threat of the Rams having a prime-time game on any network next season. Also, with Green Bay playing here, we might as well just start calling this schedule 9 road games and 7 home games right now. Any chance we could get those Miami and Tampa Bay games in December for some juicy road-trip opportunities?
Is it too much to ask for a 5-11 record at worst out of this schedule? The home side of the slate is pretty damn tough, but there are also some soft-looking road opponents.
-$-
Home:
Arizona (8-8)
San Francisco (13-3)
Seattle (7-9)
Green Bay (15-1)
Minnesota (3-13)
New England (13-3)
New York Jets (8-8)
Washington (5-11)
Away:
Arizona (8-8)
San Francisco (13-3)
Seattle (7-9)
Buffalo (5-11)
Chicago (8-8)
Detroit (10-6)
Miami (7-9)
Tampa Bay (4-12)
There's obviously little threat of the Rams having a prime-time game on any network next season. Also, with Green Bay playing here, we might as well just start calling this schedule 9 road games and 7 home games right now. Any chance we could get those Miami and Tampa Bay games in December for some juicy road-trip opportunities?
Is it too much to ask for a 5-11 record at worst out of this schedule? The home side of the slate is pretty damn tough, but there are also some soft-looking road opponents.
-$-
College all-star schedule: NO CACTUS BOWL?
The regular season may be ending soon, but as we fans of the Rams have learned all too well in recent years, missing out on the playoffs doesn't mean there isn't meaningful football to watch. I speak of course of the college all-star games, which I'll do as much as humanly possible again to cover this year.
* The East-West Shrine Game will kick things off. NFL Network will have it at 3 Central on January 21st.
* The Senior Bowl is the following Sunday, January 28th at 3 Central. I expect NFL Network will again broadcast coverage of most of the practices leading up to the game.
* There's something called the Casino del Sol All-Star Game January 16th in Tucson. Only way to see it besides being there, though, is to have Fox Sports Arizona.
* Tragically, the Cactus Bowl is NOT BEING HELD in 2012 due to lack of sponsorship. Dammit, my favorite college all-star game going down the tubes?
* The Texas vs. the Nation game is also not being held in 2012 because the HIGH SCHOOL that hosts the event is having its practice fields and stadium re-done.
You know, it's bugged me a little that St. Louis has never stepped up over the years to host one of the 90 college bowl games. Not even an effort to host one of those, or one of these orphaned all-star games, or even to make up your own? With Mizzou in the SEC now, how about an annual SEC vs. Big 10 (or 12) all-star game? Or SEC West vs. SEC East, which would probably be better anyway? Do I have to think of everything?
* The NFL Combine opens February 23rd; I assume televised workouts would begin on Saturday the 25th.
* Also, everyone's homework Monday night is to watch ESPN starting around 7:30 Central for the Fiesta Bowl. Possible future Ram Justin Blackmon vs. possible future Ram Andrew Luck.
-$-
* The East-West Shrine Game will kick things off. NFL Network will have it at 3 Central on January 21st.
* The Senior Bowl is the following Sunday, January 28th at 3 Central. I expect NFL Network will again broadcast coverage of most of the practices leading up to the game.
* There's something called the Casino del Sol All-Star Game January 16th in Tucson. Only way to see it besides being there, though, is to have Fox Sports Arizona.
* Tragically, the Cactus Bowl is NOT BEING HELD in 2012 due to lack of sponsorship. Dammit, my favorite college all-star game going down the tubes?
* The Texas vs. the Nation game is also not being held in 2012 because the HIGH SCHOOL that hosts the event is having its practice fields and stadium re-done.
You know, it's bugged me a little that St. Louis has never stepped up over the years to host one of the 90 college bowl games. Not even an effort to host one of those, or one of these orphaned all-star games, or even to make up your own? With Mizzou in the SEC now, how about an annual SEC vs. Big 10 (or 12) all-star game? Or SEC West vs. SEC East, which would probably be better anyway? Do I have to think of everything?
* The NFL Combine opens February 23rd; I assume televised workouts would begin on Saturday the 25th.
* Also, everyone's homework Monday night is to watch ESPN starting around 7:30 Central for the Fiesta Bowl. Possible future Ram Justin Blackmon vs. possible future Ram Andrew Luck.
-$-
Friday, December 30, 2011
Chainsaw Jeff
Former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has become the hot name in Rams Nation these days as a potential replacement for Steve Spagnuolo. There's a lot of reason to support Fisher's candidacy:
* Winning percentage of .542.
* Made the playoffs 6 times and went to one Super Bowl; I'll bet you can guess which one.
* Only 3 seasons below 7 wins in 16 full seasons as head coach. This has already been spun, though, as "only 6 winning seasons in 16 years" by Howard Balzer and others because Fisher went 8-8 five times. OK, which do you prefer, the repeating 8-8 or the repeating threats to go 0-16?
* Defensive-minded, 4-3 coach. No coach can come to the Rams, with defensive pillars in Long, Quinn and Laurinaitis, and then say "let's go to a 3-4." 4-3 background should be one of the top requirements for the Rams' next head coach.
* Past history with the team. Yes, he was defensive coordinator for the Rams for one year. Twenty years ago. But lacking a real franchise identity to build a lasting program on, it's still an advantage for the Rams to be able to reach into their past for a head coach.
* Instant and infinite sideline swagger upgrade.
* Likely to run a Bradford-friendly offense (though he'll probably quickly run Steven Jackson into the ground). Note, though, that Fisher's two best QBs, Steve McNair and Vince Young, were not traditional dropback QBs, which I don't assume Baylor QB Robert Griffin is, either.
* Former defensive back. For whatever reason, a lot of the best head coaches were defensive backs as players. Tom Landry, Tony Dungy, Bill Cowher off the top of my head.
Fisher's agent, btw? Kevin Demoff's father. So if he wants the job, Fisher may already have the inside track for it here.
I'm sure there's more. I'll even add it when and if I think of it. But I have two very large reservations with Fisher.
* The Chainsaw Al factor. Chainsaw Al Dunlap was the guy in the 90s companies would hire to right their value to shareholders. Dunlap would come in and cannibalize the company, firing thousands of people and selling off valuable assets. Between that and shady-to-illegal accounting tactics, Dunlap got companies' stock prices, and therefore value, soaring upward. When Chainsaw Al came to your company, you knew it was going to become more valuable but the little people were going to pay a heavy price.
What is Jeff Fisher always credited with? Doing such a good job holding the Oilers-Titans franchise together while it moved, from Houston to Memphis to Nashville. As soon as they hit Nashville, the Titans were a Super Bowl-quality team. Wherever they're going and whoever's the head coach, the Rams are about to get a Dunlap-style gutting again. But if you are an owner who's moving your franchise, isn't Jeff Fisher the first guy you would interview if you intended to change head coaches? He's got L.A. Rams history, he's got history in Southern California as a USC graduate - isn't he straight out of central casting for the role of gutting the team in St. Louis and turning it into a winner for Los Angeles if Stan Kroenke decides to move the team? There is a ton of reason to think hello Fisher = goodbye Rams. Apologies to the Rams' abandoned California fans, but I'm not about to root for that. (You've already got Albert Pujols, what more could you want from St. Louis?)
* The asshole factor. Let's face it, Jeff Fisher is a dick. After losing Super Bowl XXXIV to the Rams, in the 2000 preseason, he went after them like it was the regular season. The teams scrimmaged that training camp, and Fisher had his players hitting, and a cheap shot put Trung Canidate out of action for a while. Then in the game, Fisher blitzed his head off and Eddie George had something like 15 carries in the first half as the Titans won in a blowout. Another year in a preseason game in St. Louis, Fisher calls a fake punt. Who does that kind of stuff?
In the 2009 regular season, the Rams came in with a 1-11 record and Keith Null at QB, but up 33-7 in the 4th quarter, Fisher's still got Chris Johnson in the game, he's still throwing deep, and he's going for it on 4th downs, en route to a 47-7 win. Spagnuolo appeared so pissed off at Fisher after that game he barely went through with the post-game handshake.
Again, who does that kind of stuff? As I put it at the time, an insecure little troll, a walking, talking, living, breathing, 5'11", 190 douchebag who never got over losing the Super Bowl to the Rams. (His own fault, btw. Titans passed way too much in the first half of that game. And with 10 seconds left and needing a TD to tie, why would you throw short of the end zone?)
Around here we think of Fisher's Titans as the team of Eddie George and Steve McNair and Jevon Kearse. But they're also the team of Pac-Man Jones. Of cheap-shot artist supreme Cortland Finnegan. Of Albert Haynesworth stomping on Andre Gurode's head. Fisher's former DC Chuck Cecil, also one of his best friends, was one of the most brutal cheap-shot artists of all time. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz is a Fisher protege; look what a bunch of thugs that team has turned into.
Call it what you like - karma, the Golden Rule, reaping what you sow - but I believe in all that. Jeff Fisher is a guy who deserves a comeuppance, not a cushy 5-year, $40 million or such contract from the team he couldn't beat when it mattered most. It hasn't worked here under Spagnuolo, but it sure did under Dick Vermeil, and I will always believe in a "Four Pillars" approach to building a team over a no-pillars approach. And I'd much rather battle for a man of Spagnuolo's personal character than for a dick like Fisher.
I started this by listing Fisher's qualifications. Hell, yeah, he's qualified. I can't blame Rams Nation's enthusiasm to possibly hire a head coach with those credentials. Present those qualities to me as "Candidate A", and I'd say, sure, let's interview him right away before anybody else can sign him.
But knowing it's Jeff Fisher, if I were the Rams' owner, I wouldn't want the guy as much as darkening my door. If Stan Kroenke prices wins at the expense of character, that'll tell us all a lot about the way he really operates.
-$-
So, no to Gruden, no to Fisher, which has Brian Billick now on top of my list. I'll see how many ways I can find to shit all over that idea, too.
-$$-
* Winning percentage of .542.
* Made the playoffs 6 times and went to one Super Bowl; I'll bet you can guess which one.
* Only 3 seasons below 7 wins in 16 full seasons as head coach. This has already been spun, though, as "only 6 winning seasons in 16 years" by Howard Balzer and others because Fisher went 8-8 five times. OK, which do you prefer, the repeating 8-8 or the repeating threats to go 0-16?
* Defensive-minded, 4-3 coach. No coach can come to the Rams, with defensive pillars in Long, Quinn and Laurinaitis, and then say "let's go to a 3-4." 4-3 background should be one of the top requirements for the Rams' next head coach.
* Past history with the team. Yes, he was defensive coordinator for the Rams for one year. Twenty years ago. But lacking a real franchise identity to build a lasting program on, it's still an advantage for the Rams to be able to reach into their past for a head coach.
* Instant and infinite sideline swagger upgrade.
* Likely to run a Bradford-friendly offense (though he'll probably quickly run Steven Jackson into the ground). Note, though, that Fisher's two best QBs, Steve McNair and Vince Young, were not traditional dropback QBs, which I don't assume Baylor QB Robert Griffin is, either.
* Former defensive back. For whatever reason, a lot of the best head coaches were defensive backs as players. Tom Landry, Tony Dungy, Bill Cowher off the top of my head.
Fisher's agent, btw? Kevin Demoff's father. So if he wants the job, Fisher may already have the inside track for it here.
I'm sure there's more. I'll even add it when and if I think of it. But I have two very large reservations with Fisher.
* The Chainsaw Al factor. Chainsaw Al Dunlap was the guy in the 90s companies would hire to right their value to shareholders. Dunlap would come in and cannibalize the company, firing thousands of people and selling off valuable assets. Between that and shady-to-illegal accounting tactics, Dunlap got companies' stock prices, and therefore value, soaring upward. When Chainsaw Al came to your company, you knew it was going to become more valuable but the little people were going to pay a heavy price.
What is Jeff Fisher always credited with? Doing such a good job holding the Oilers-Titans franchise together while it moved, from Houston to Memphis to Nashville. As soon as they hit Nashville, the Titans were a Super Bowl-quality team. Wherever they're going and whoever's the head coach, the Rams are about to get a Dunlap-style gutting again. But if you are an owner who's moving your franchise, isn't Jeff Fisher the first guy you would interview if you intended to change head coaches? He's got L.A. Rams history, he's got history in Southern California as a USC graduate - isn't he straight out of central casting for the role of gutting the team in St. Louis and turning it into a winner for Los Angeles if Stan Kroenke decides to move the team? There is a ton of reason to think hello Fisher = goodbye Rams. Apologies to the Rams' abandoned California fans, but I'm not about to root for that. (You've already got Albert Pujols, what more could you want from St. Louis?)
* The asshole factor. Let's face it, Jeff Fisher is a dick. After losing Super Bowl XXXIV to the Rams, in the 2000 preseason, he went after them like it was the regular season. The teams scrimmaged that training camp, and Fisher had his players hitting, and a cheap shot put Trung Canidate out of action for a while. Then in the game, Fisher blitzed his head off and Eddie George had something like 15 carries in the first half as the Titans won in a blowout. Another year in a preseason game in St. Louis, Fisher calls a fake punt. Who does that kind of stuff?
In the 2009 regular season, the Rams came in with a 1-11 record and Keith Null at QB, but up 33-7 in the 4th quarter, Fisher's still got Chris Johnson in the game, he's still throwing deep, and he's going for it on 4th downs, en route to a 47-7 win. Spagnuolo appeared so pissed off at Fisher after that game he barely went through with the post-game handshake.
Again, who does that kind of stuff? As I put it at the time, an insecure little troll, a walking, talking, living, breathing, 5'11", 190 douchebag who never got over losing the Super Bowl to the Rams. (His own fault, btw. Titans passed way too much in the first half of that game. And with 10 seconds left and needing a TD to tie, why would you throw short of the end zone?)
Around here we think of Fisher's Titans as the team of Eddie George and Steve McNair and Jevon Kearse. But they're also the team of Pac-Man Jones. Of cheap-shot artist supreme Cortland Finnegan. Of Albert Haynesworth stomping on Andre Gurode's head. Fisher's former DC Chuck Cecil, also one of his best friends, was one of the most brutal cheap-shot artists of all time. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz is a Fisher protege; look what a bunch of thugs that team has turned into.
Call it what you like - karma, the Golden Rule, reaping what you sow - but I believe in all that. Jeff Fisher is a guy who deserves a comeuppance, not a cushy 5-year, $40 million or such contract from the team he couldn't beat when it mattered most. It hasn't worked here under Spagnuolo, but it sure did under Dick Vermeil, and I will always believe in a "Four Pillars" approach to building a team over a no-pillars approach. And I'd much rather battle for a man of Spagnuolo's personal character than for a dick like Fisher.
I started this by listing Fisher's qualifications. Hell, yeah, he's qualified. I can't blame Rams Nation's enthusiasm to possibly hire a head coach with those credentials. Present those qualities to me as "Candidate A", and I'd say, sure, let's interview him right away before anybody else can sign him.
But knowing it's Jeff Fisher, if I were the Rams' owner, I wouldn't want the guy as much as darkening my door. If Stan Kroenke prices wins at the expense of character, that'll tell us all a lot about the way he really operates.
-$-
So, no to Gruden, no to Fisher, which has Brian Billick now on top of my list. I'll see how many ways I can find to shit all over that idea, too.
-$$-
Rams report, 12/30: Votes of confidence
* Interviewed on 101.1 ESPN today, Sam Bradford said he has faith in Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and far prefers running his offense to running the West Coast offense. So apparently Sam hates success? Another vote for McDaniels came, unsurprisingly, from wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who has basically told the Post-Dispatch that he's going wherever McDaniels ends up next season.
This'll add significant fuel to the fire for keeping Steve Spagnuolo, and McDaniels, in place for another season. That fire's being stoked the most, of course, by P-D writer Brian Burwell, who loves Spagnuolo so much he wanted Jim Haslett to keep the head coaching job after '08. Burwell shows every hallmark of a guy who's making sure to suck up to the coaches on their way out to curry favor from the new coaches coming in.
* The Rams have bought up the unsold tickets for Sunday's season finale against the 49ers in order to force the game on an unwilling St. Louis TV audience. You're stuck now!
* Rams Friday injury report:
Out: Justin King (shoulder, team too lazy to find a replacement player)
Doubtful: Sam Bradford (ankle), A.J. Feeley (thumb)
Questionable: Chris Long (ankle). As usual, has been limited all week.
Probable: Josh Gordy (oblique), Jerious Norwood (sick), Brady Poppinga (sick). Looks like that flu bug has spread to the offense. Both sick players were full practice participants, though.
Delanie Walker is out for San Francisco, with Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers, Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams all questionable.
* It wasn't f#cking holding: in what I'll read as a tacit admission the officiating sucked ass that week, Harvey Dahl was not fined or reprimanded by the league for dropping the F-bomb over Jerome Boger's field mike back on the 18th.
-$-
This'll add significant fuel to the fire for keeping Steve Spagnuolo, and McDaniels, in place for another season. That fire's being stoked the most, of course, by P-D writer Brian Burwell, who loves Spagnuolo so much he wanted Jim Haslett to keep the head coaching job after '08. Burwell shows every hallmark of a guy who's making sure to suck up to the coaches on their way out to curry favor from the new coaches coming in.
* The Rams have bought up the unsold tickets for Sunday's season finale against the 49ers in order to force the game on an unwilling St. Louis TV audience. You're stuck now!
* Rams Friday injury report:
Out: Justin King (shoulder, team too lazy to find a replacement player)
Doubtful: Sam Bradford (ankle), A.J. Feeley (thumb)
Questionable: Chris Long (ankle). As usual, has been limited all week.
Probable: Josh Gordy (oblique), Jerious Norwood (sick), Brady Poppinga (sick). Looks like that flu bug has spread to the offense. Both sick players were full practice participants, though.
Delanie Walker is out for San Francisco, with Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers, Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams all questionable.
* It wasn't f#cking holding: in what I'll read as a tacit admission the officiating sucked ass that week, Harvey Dahl was not fined or reprimanded by the league for dropping the F-bomb over Jerome Boger's field mike back on the 18th.
-$-
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Rams report, 12/28: black Sunday?
* Not shockingly, not enough tickets have been sold for the NFL to allow Sunday's season finale to be shown on local TV. The Rams have received a 24-hour extension, but if there are still too few tickets sold by noon tomorrow, the game will be blacked out locally. It will be the tenth Rams game blacked out in St. Louis if that happens.
Looks like I'll be recording the Red Zone channel.
* Al Harris has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL. His blown knee was one of the worst things to happen to the Rams this season. He played a physical style at corner that the Ram secondary has essentially been missing forever, and he was a great mentor to the many young CBs bouncing around Rams Park this season, like Josh Gordy. Harris says he wants to move into coaching, and I would love to have him back with the team next season in that capacity, but I figure he'll get plenty of attractive offers. Watch, he'll coach DBs for Spagnuolo with the Giants next season.
* Jeff Fisher currently has a 55% - 25% lead over Jon Gruden in a STLtoday online poll asking fans who they'd want as the Rams' next coach. It accompanies a roundtable article where Brian Burwell freaking idiotically, but consistently, insists again that Steve Spagnuolo shouldn't be fired.
RamView voted with the 20% who voted "neither". My desperation to find a head coach capable of winning more than 3 games a season around here blinded me to how much I freaking hate Jeff Fisher.
* Quote of the day, from former NFL head of officials Mike Pereira:
"I am not a fan of [Jon] Gruden's. Not today, not yesterday, not when I worked for the NFL and not when I was working on the field as a side judge. He was a loudmouth as a coach who constantly disrespected officials and he is a blowhard in the broadcast booth who spouts off when he doesn't know what he is talking about."
Gruden criticized officials during Monday night's Falcons-Saints game for their calls involving defenseless receivers. Replays showed the officials got the calls right and that Gruden was wrong. Mike Tirico even noted the correct application of the rule in the first instance.
I didn't see the game. Gruden may have been complaining as much about the rule itself as its enforcement. That's been a standard complaint this season. On the flip side, I find Pereira's broadside more than a little chickenhearted since there are no more MNF games this season for Gruden to defend himself. We fans are all going to love the controversy Pereira's, um, frankness, generates here, but I don't find blindsiding Gruden to be any more professional than Gruden not knowing the rule.
Another good reason to be against the Rams hiring Gruden, btw. Referees HATE him!
-$-
Unless something really big happens, I doubt there will be much reason to update the injury report today.
-$$-
Looks like I'll be recording the Red Zone channel.
* Al Harris has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL. His blown knee was one of the worst things to happen to the Rams this season. He played a physical style at corner that the Ram secondary has essentially been missing forever, and he was a great mentor to the many young CBs bouncing around Rams Park this season, like Josh Gordy. Harris says he wants to move into coaching, and I would love to have him back with the team next season in that capacity, but I figure he'll get plenty of attractive offers. Watch, he'll coach DBs for Spagnuolo with the Giants next season.
* Jeff Fisher currently has a 55% - 25% lead over Jon Gruden in a STLtoday online poll asking fans who they'd want as the Rams' next coach. It accompanies a roundtable article where Brian Burwell freaking idiotically, but consistently, insists again that Steve Spagnuolo shouldn't be fired.
RamView voted with the 20% who voted "neither". My desperation to find a head coach capable of winning more than 3 games a season around here blinded me to how much I freaking hate Jeff Fisher.
* Quote of the day, from former NFL head of officials Mike Pereira:
"I am not a fan of [Jon] Gruden's. Not today, not yesterday, not when I worked for the NFL and not when I was working on the field as a side judge. He was a loudmouth as a coach who constantly disrespected officials and he is a blowhard in the broadcast booth who spouts off when he doesn't know what he is talking about."
Gruden criticized officials during Monday night's Falcons-Saints game for their calls involving defenseless receivers. Replays showed the officials got the calls right and that Gruden was wrong. Mike Tirico even noted the correct application of the rule in the first instance.
I didn't see the game. Gruden may have been complaining as much about the rule itself as its enforcement. That's been a standard complaint this season. On the flip side, I find Pereira's broadside more than a little chickenhearted since there are no more MNF games this season for Gruden to defend himself. We fans are all going to love the controversy Pereira's, um, frankness, generates here, but I don't find blindsiding Gruden to be any more professional than Gruden not knowing the rule.
Another good reason to be against the Rams hiring Gruden, btw. Referees HATE him!
-$-
Unless something really big happens, I doubt there will be much reason to update the injury report today.
-$$-
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Rams report, 12/28: Pro Bowl honorable mentions
Not so shut out: Steven Jackson, Chris Long and James Laurinaitis are all "alternates" for the Pro Bowl this year after all. Today's STLtoday article did not specify if they are first alternates, second alternates, 95th alternates, or otherwise, so we still really have no idea if any Ram will get into the game yet. I have no idea why the NFL and the press feel such a need to keep the alternate selections secretive, vague and poorly reported, but they do.
Injuries:
Still out: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley. Though Bradford is trying to get into practice this week and in the game against the 49ers Sunday, his ankle is showing no progress.
Brady Poppinga was out sick. Probably caught it from Fred Robbins, who was limited due to sickness.
Chris Long and Josh Gordy were also limited due to longstanding injuries.
Justin King is out for Sunday due to a shoulder injury, and should be IR'ed, but hasn't been yet. It's a sign nobody at Rams Park cares any more that King will probably just be made a gameday inactive Sunday.
Today's big ex-Ram news:
Hall Davis had a tryout yesterday with the Raiders.
-$-
Injuries:
Still out: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley. Though Bradford is trying to get into practice this week and in the game against the 49ers Sunday, his ankle is showing no progress.
Brady Poppinga was out sick. Probably caught it from Fred Robbins, who was limited due to sickness.
Chris Long and Josh Gordy were also limited due to longstanding injuries.
Justin King is out for Sunday due to a shoulder injury, and should be IR'ed, but hasn't been yet. It's a sign nobody at Rams Park cares any more that King will probably just be made a gameday inactive Sunday.
Today's big ex-Ram news:
Hall Davis had a tryout yesterday with the Raiders.
-$-
GUIDUGLI! GUIDUGLI! GUIDUGLI!
Rams Nation the day we have long awaited is here at last...
BEN GUIDUGLI has been promoted from the practice squad. He's on the active roster for Sunday's game against the 49ers. The Rams will be doing the world a disservice if they don't turn this kid loose at fullback Sunday to knock some damn heads.
With the main roster full again, the Rams have also re-signed Ryan McKee and TE Demarco Cosby to the practice squad.
-$-
BEN GUIDUGLI has been promoted from the practice squad. He's on the active roster for Sunday's game against the 49ers. The Rams will be doing the world a disservice if they don't turn this kid loose at fullback Sunday to knock some damn heads.
With the main roster full again, the Rams have also re-signed Ryan McKee and TE Demarco Cosby to the practice squad.
-$-
Newt Gruden
It looks like the Rams' coaching search is going to bear resemblance to the Republican primary campaign. Every few days, somebody new takes the lead, which inspires everyone to take their first real close look at the candidate, which exposes a bunch of warts and knocks him back down into the pack.
Giving Jon Gruden the microscope treatment yesterday leaves RamView wanting somebody else. He put Oakland on the path to Super Bowl XXXVII, won that same game with the Buccaneers and got the Bucs into postseason a couple of other times. But he had a losing record with the Bucs after XXXVII, and neither his Raider run nor his Buc run ended well. He'll bring your team swagger, but he's also volatile. And then there's the whole RG3 flirt on MNF. I'd have to insist the Rams' next head coach be committed to building an offense around Sam Bradford.
Then there's Gruden's whole record with QBs. Is he really the QB guru ESPN poses him as by letting him hang out with all the QB draft prospects in the spring? I don't see where he's taken a young QB like Bradford to the next level, or even had the opportunity. The only place he was ever a QB coach was... SEMO. He made his mark as the Packers' WR coach under Humgrum, then as the Eagles' OC, before Donovan McNabb was drafted. His main QB there would have been Koy Detmer. His QBs as head coach have been Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Brian Griese. Hey, if he's the Dave Duncan to journeyman QBs, that's great. Does that match the Rams' needs well enough?
I'd also have to fear that Gruden is more than just a bit of a weasel coach, as TMQ puts it. Why would he sign a 5-year extension with ESPN only to jump back into coaching before it ever kicked in? Didn't he owe it to ESPN to at least delay his decision until February or so? Would have given him plenty of time to kick the NFL coaching tires if he wanted to. Picture this situation: Gruden coaches here in 2012, the Rams go 4-12, and in the offseason, the Notre Dame job opens up. Where do you think Chucky's going? I'll be honest; I don't trust the guy.
Further mucking up the Gruden candidacy is the latest report by Jason LaCanfora for NFL Network. On Total Access last night, he said he had spoken to people close to Gruden who say he has no intention of returning to coaching, not this year, anyway. They claim he's "married" to the ESPN job. Of course, he did have a fling on the side with the University of Miami last year...
So Gruden stumbles backward in RamView's coaching horse race. This is going to happen a lot. Someone's going to be linked to the Rams, they sound great, then we find a bunch of reasons not to want that person as HC. I'm about to do the same thing to Jeff Fisher.
Lots of rumors, arguments and counterarguments are going to be flying around. Hitch on and enjoy the ride as long as possible.
Also, if Gruden = Newt, who would be Ron Paul? Would Dennis Green be an insane enough analogy?
-$-
Giving Jon Gruden the microscope treatment yesterday leaves RamView wanting somebody else. He put Oakland on the path to Super Bowl XXXVII, won that same game with the Buccaneers and got the Bucs into postseason a couple of other times. But he had a losing record with the Bucs after XXXVII, and neither his Raider run nor his Buc run ended well. He'll bring your team swagger, but he's also volatile. And then there's the whole RG3 flirt on MNF. I'd have to insist the Rams' next head coach be committed to building an offense around Sam Bradford.
Then there's Gruden's whole record with QBs. Is he really the QB guru ESPN poses him as by letting him hang out with all the QB draft prospects in the spring? I don't see where he's taken a young QB like Bradford to the next level, or even had the opportunity. The only place he was ever a QB coach was... SEMO. He made his mark as the Packers' WR coach under Humgrum, then as the Eagles' OC, before Donovan McNabb was drafted. His main QB there would have been Koy Detmer. His QBs as head coach have been Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Brian Griese. Hey, if he's the Dave Duncan to journeyman QBs, that's great. Does that match the Rams' needs well enough?
I'd also have to fear that Gruden is more than just a bit of a weasel coach, as TMQ puts it. Why would he sign a 5-year extension with ESPN only to jump back into coaching before it ever kicked in? Didn't he owe it to ESPN to at least delay his decision until February or so? Would have given him plenty of time to kick the NFL coaching tires if he wanted to. Picture this situation: Gruden coaches here in 2012, the Rams go 4-12, and in the offseason, the Notre Dame job opens up. Where do you think Chucky's going? I'll be honest; I don't trust the guy.
Further mucking up the Gruden candidacy is the latest report by Jason LaCanfora for NFL Network. On Total Access last night, he said he had spoken to people close to Gruden who say he has no intention of returning to coaching, not this year, anyway. They claim he's "married" to the ESPN job. Of course, he did have a fling on the side with the University of Miami last year...
So Gruden stumbles backward in RamView's coaching horse race. This is going to happen a lot. Someone's going to be linked to the Rams, they sound great, then we find a bunch of reasons not to want that person as HC. I'm about to do the same thing to Jeff Fisher.
Lots of rumors, arguments and counterarguments are going to be flying around. Hitch on and enjoy the ride as long as possible.
Also, if Gruden = Newt, who would be Ron Paul? Would Dennis Green be an insane enough analogy?
-$-
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Rams shut out again
The Steelers shut the Rams out Christmas Eve, and they were shut out of the Pro Bowl today. Not shockingly, there are no Rams on the NFC's Pro Bowl roster. Steven Jackson and Chris Long at least deserve recognition as alternates, but I've seen no word the Rams even got any of those. Marshawn Lynch appears poised to claim the starting spot won by Matt Forte.
The closest the Rams will come to being represented in Hawaii this season is by whichever cheerleader they pick from each team every year, or by Jackie Slater's son Matthew, who's the AFC's special teams player. How did the Rams not know about Matthew, btw?
Also, I understand Patrick Peterson will go to the Pro Bowl his rookie year as the NFC's punt returner. You know how running backs sometimes invite their offensive linemen to come to Hawaii for helping them get to the Pro Bowl? I wonder if Peterson will invite Steve Spagnuolo and a Rams special teamer or two.
-$-
The closest the Rams will come to being represented in Hawaii this season is by whichever cheerleader they pick from each team every year, or by Jackie Slater's son Matthew, who's the AFC's special teams player. How did the Rams not know about Matthew, btw?
Also, I understand Patrick Peterson will go to the Pro Bowl his rookie year as the NFC's punt returner. You know how running backs sometimes invite their offensive linemen to come to Hawaii for helping them get to the Pro Bowl? I wonder if Peterson will invite Steve Spagnuolo and a Rams special teamer or two.
-$-
Rams update, 12/27: a farewell to King
* Justin King's season is officially over due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery.
Let me start by first tipping my hat to Justin. He fought off his reputation as a fragile player this season. He was the one CB on the training camp roster to make it this deep into the season, and he played through several different injuries. Whoever has Justin next year has a guy who's shown he has some toughness at his core.
I say whoever, however, hoping like hell King's not back with the Rams in 2012. I'm not sure there's a living human being he can cover. Need proof? Pro Football Focus ranks King the WORST cover corner in the NFL this season. Supposedly a speed guy, he's easy to whip with deep speed (See: Smith, Torrey). He's easily fooled on WR screens and end-arounds. Gets out of position very easily. Far too soft in zone defense. How many times this year did he just let receivers catch first downs right in front of him? OK, but not high impact, in run support.
There's little evidence Justin King belongs in this league or should have a job in it next season, but best of luck to him in his recovery and with his future prospects. (Hey, it was just Christmas, after all.)
I have completely lost count, but assuming King is officially IR'ed, I believe it will make him the ELEVENTH cornerback to have been IR'ed by the Rams this season.
Other injuries:
- Sam Bradford and A.J. Feeley are still considered day-to-day, with Steve Spagnuolo leaving the lunatic idea open of either playing against San Francisco Sunday. The 49ers still need to lock up the #2 seed, so they'll be playing their starters. What they should be doing is thanking the Rams. If not for the Rams' unimaginable win earlier this year over the Saints, the 49ers would probably be stuck playing in the first round.
- Chris Long and Josh Gordy played Sunday, may be limited in practice this week, but aren't expected to miss the finale. Fred Robbins is sick but should still make practice tomorrow.
Transactions:
More brilliant roster ingenuity by the Rams' front office:
The Rams did not fill Austin Pettis' roster spot after his suspension and actually played a man short Sunday, only fielding a 52-man roster. Because they did that, they actually had to cut Ryan McKee from the practice squad. You can't keep third-year practice squad players there if you don't keep a full roster. So now the Rams are a man short on the main roster AND the PS.
Howard Balzer, who explained all this originally at 101sports.com, speculated that McKee could be brought back this week.
Ex-Rams activity:
- The Panthers called Rams 2011 7th-round draft pick Jonathan Nelson up from their practice squad. I believe he started in their 48-16 win over the Bucs. Nice cut, Billy!
- The Cowboys called Chauncey Washington up from their PS due to Felix Jones' injury. He saw action against the Eagles Sunday.
- Daniel Muir had a tryout with the Packers.
Anything else interesting to add, I'll get it in here.
-$-
Let me start by first tipping my hat to Justin. He fought off his reputation as a fragile player this season. He was the one CB on the training camp roster to make it this deep into the season, and he played through several different injuries. Whoever has Justin next year has a guy who's shown he has some toughness at his core.
I say whoever, however, hoping like hell King's not back with the Rams in 2012. I'm not sure there's a living human being he can cover. Need proof? Pro Football Focus ranks King the WORST cover corner in the NFL this season. Supposedly a speed guy, he's easy to whip with deep speed (See: Smith, Torrey). He's easily fooled on WR screens and end-arounds. Gets out of position very easily. Far too soft in zone defense. How many times this year did he just let receivers catch first downs right in front of him? OK, but not high impact, in run support.
There's little evidence Justin King belongs in this league or should have a job in it next season, but best of luck to him in his recovery and with his future prospects. (Hey, it was just Christmas, after all.)
I have completely lost count, but assuming King is officially IR'ed, I believe it will make him the ELEVENTH cornerback to have been IR'ed by the Rams this season.
Other injuries:
- Sam Bradford and A.J. Feeley are still considered day-to-day, with Steve Spagnuolo leaving the lunatic idea open of either playing against San Francisco Sunday. The 49ers still need to lock up the #2 seed, so they'll be playing their starters. What they should be doing is thanking the Rams. If not for the Rams' unimaginable win earlier this year over the Saints, the 49ers would probably be stuck playing in the first round.
- Chris Long and Josh Gordy played Sunday, may be limited in practice this week, but aren't expected to miss the finale. Fred Robbins is sick but should still make practice tomorrow.
Transactions:
More brilliant roster ingenuity by the Rams' front office:
The Rams did not fill Austin Pettis' roster spot after his suspension and actually played a man short Sunday, only fielding a 52-man roster. Because they did that, they actually had to cut Ryan McKee from the practice squad. You can't keep third-year practice squad players there if you don't keep a full roster. So now the Rams are a man short on the main roster AND the PS.
Howard Balzer, who explained all this originally at 101sports.com, speculated that McKee could be brought back this week.
Ex-Rams activity:
- The Panthers called Rams 2011 7th-round draft pick Jonathan Nelson up from their practice squad. I believe he started in their 48-16 win over the Bucs. Nice cut, Billy!
- The Cowboys called Chauncey Washington up from their PS due to Felix Jones' injury. He saw action against the Eagles Sunday.
- Daniel Muir had a tryout with the Packers.
Anything else interesting to add, I'll get it in here.
-$-
Coaching carousel 12/27: the return of Chucky?
The merry-go-round gets a hard spin this morning:
* The San Diego Tribune reports that Jon Gruden has decided to return to coaching in 2012, and that ESPN already knows not to expect him to go through with the 5-year contract extension he just signed there.
Stirring the pot further, beat writer Kevin Acee says that Stan Kroenke will go after Gruden, and Chargers GM A.J. Smith, who's widely expected to be under the axe in San Diego. I love how no local reporter has any clue anything is going on, but the beat writer in SAN DIEGO knows. (Bernie Miklasz speculated the rumors are coming from... John Shaw, who is believed to be counseling Kroenke through this process. Oh Lord.) Acee further says that Steve Spagnuolo would be considered a lock to re-join the Eagles' staff as defensive coordinator.
Gruden would certainly be a game-changer. I didn't have him on the list because of the ESPN deal, but he'd have to be right at the top of anybody's list. #1, he's got experience, and I've gotten really tired of breaking in guys who have no head coaching experience anywhere. #2, he's got the Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers (oops, had to fix that). #3, he'd bring the organization some badly-needed swagger. The Rams haven't had any since Martz. #4, he's a highly regarded offensive mind. #5, he's got a great record developing QBs. #6, there's a chance you get his brother Jay on the staff, one of the up-and-coming coaching candidates in his own right as Cincinnati's OC.
Gruden would not be an uncontroversial pick. I'd want to vet several things out. He's a very combustible personality. The Rams have needed an ass-kicker for about 6 years, but is Gruden too volatile? I'd want to know a lot more about what went wrong in Tampa Bay than I do now. I'd also like a straightforward answer about his remarks on MNF a couple of weeks ago. Now that you're in the Rams' shoes, are you still serious about kicking the tires with Robert Griffin? (Or Andrew Luck?)
Gruden will certainly be sought after by Miami, and my guess is that their owner, like the Angels' owner with Albert Pujols, has money burning holes in his pockets and will be willing to drop a ridiculous deal. ESPN's rumormongers Schefter and Mortensen Saturday morning also teased a "stealth candidate" in Jacksonville. I had thought Mike Martz because of Shahid Khan's ties to St. Louis, but Gruden makes a lot of sense in that context.
More carousel:
* On NBC Sunday night, Peter King called the Rams' job the best one of those likely to become available, because of Sam Bradford, the possibility of having the first pick next year, and - who around here ever reported this? - the most available cap room of any team for 2013. (P.S. to Stan: let's keep Kevin Demoff.)
* ESPN Saturday morning called Andy Reid safe with the Eagles' job. The main reason I mention Reid is because he was the top name on my list. Don't know what that says about my list. Right now, the top of my list is a neck-and-neck-and-neck race between usual suspects Gruden, Brian Billick and Jeff Fisher. Jason LaCanfora has the Rams going after Fisher, who has connections to A.J. Smith.
* ESPN also reported that the chances are good that the Chiefs will just stick with interim head coach Romeo Crennel after this season, because the team has responded so well to him. /sarcasm/Yay, the Rams can keep Josh McDaniels!/sarcasm/
-$-
* The San Diego Tribune reports that Jon Gruden has decided to return to coaching in 2012, and that ESPN already knows not to expect him to go through with the 5-year contract extension he just signed there.
Stirring the pot further, beat writer Kevin Acee says that Stan Kroenke will go after Gruden, and Chargers GM A.J. Smith, who's widely expected to be under the axe in San Diego. I love how no local reporter has any clue anything is going on, but the beat writer in SAN DIEGO knows. (Bernie Miklasz speculated the rumors are coming from... John Shaw, who is believed to be counseling Kroenke through this process. Oh Lord.) Acee further says that Steve Spagnuolo would be considered a lock to re-join the Eagles' staff as defensive coordinator.
Gruden would certainly be a game-changer. I didn't have him on the list because of the ESPN deal, but he'd have to be right at the top of anybody's list. #1, he's got experience, and I've gotten really tired of breaking in guys who have no head coaching experience anywhere. #2, he's got the Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers (oops, had to fix that). #3, he'd bring the organization some badly-needed swagger. The Rams haven't had any since Martz. #4, he's a highly regarded offensive mind. #5, he's got a great record developing QBs. #6, there's a chance you get his brother Jay on the staff, one of the up-and-coming coaching candidates in his own right as Cincinnati's OC.
Gruden would not be an uncontroversial pick. I'd want to vet several things out. He's a very combustible personality. The Rams have needed an ass-kicker for about 6 years, but is Gruden too volatile? I'd want to know a lot more about what went wrong in Tampa Bay than I do now. I'd also like a straightforward answer about his remarks on MNF a couple of weeks ago. Now that you're in the Rams' shoes, are you still serious about kicking the tires with Robert Griffin? (Or Andrew Luck?)
Gruden will certainly be sought after by Miami, and my guess is that their owner, like the Angels' owner with Albert Pujols, has money burning holes in his pockets and will be willing to drop a ridiculous deal. ESPN's rumormongers Schefter and Mortensen Saturday morning also teased a "stealth candidate" in Jacksonville. I had thought Mike Martz because of Shahid Khan's ties to St. Louis, but Gruden makes a lot of sense in that context.
More carousel:
* On NBC Sunday night, Peter King called the Rams' job the best one of those likely to become available, because of Sam Bradford, the possibility of having the first pick next year, and - who around here ever reported this? - the most available cap room of any team for 2013. (P.S. to Stan: let's keep Kevin Demoff.)
* ESPN Saturday morning called Andy Reid safe with the Eagles' job. The main reason I mention Reid is because he was the top name on my list. Don't know what that says about my list. Right now, the top of my list is a neck-and-neck-and-neck race between usual suspects Gruden, Brian Billick and Jeff Fisher. Jason LaCanfora has the Rams going after Fisher, who has connections to A.J. Smith.
* ESPN also reported that the chances are good that the Chiefs will just stick with interim head coach Romeo Crennel after this season, because the team has responded so well to him. /sarcasm/Yay, the Rams can keep Josh McDaniels!/sarcasm/
-$-
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Pettis suspended for 4 games
Austin Pettis has been found in violation of the NFL rules against performance-enhancing substances and has been suspended for the next 4 games. That's the last 2 games this year and the first 2 regular season games next year. I believe he will be allowed to participate fully in preseason games (whoever's training camp he'll be in. If any).
Seriously, Pettis' 2011 performance has been enhanced? Now it looks like the Rams really wouldn't have missed him if they had cut him in training camp.
One piece of advice for Pettis: get in touch with David Vobora's lawyer. He ended up making money out of getting suspended.
I imagine that makes one Nick Miller the Rams' new slot receiver. You could go three-wide with Brandon Lloyd, Danario Alexander and Brandon Gibson... or just go one-wide with Lloyd, those are about the same thing.
What a miserable, fucked-up pile of a season.
-$-
Seriously, Pettis' 2011 performance has been enhanced? Now it looks like the Rams really wouldn't have missed him if they had cut him in training camp.
One piece of advice for Pettis: get in touch with David Vobora's lawyer. He ended up making money out of getting suspended.
I imagine that makes one Nick Miller the Rams' new slot receiver. You could go three-wide with Brandon Lloyd, Danario Alexander and Brandon Gibson... or just go one-wide with Lloyd, those are about the same thing.
What a miserable, fucked-up pile of a season.
-$-
Wednesday update
* Injury report.
The injury list from yesterday almost did not change at all. Only difference was that Brandon Lloyd returned. Sam Bradford watched from the sideline. Josh Gordy was still limited. I'm going to assume at this point that Mark LeVoir and Quinn Porter have returned to practice. Either that, or no one cares enough to report about them.
* (Mock) draft news.
The first mock drafts are up on ESPN.com, and Todd McShay has the Rams, at #2, selecting.... USC tackle Matt Kalil. McShay doesn't believe Justin Blackmon is an elite wide receiver and doesn't have him going off the board until ninth, still the first WR selected.
Mel Kiper also ranks Kalil #2 overall behind Stanford QB Andrew Luck. He ranked Blackmon 5th, calling him a better prospect than Dez Bryant a couple of years ago.
It's anybody's guess who McShay would project to the Rams if they were to draft third behind Minnesota and the Vikings took Kalil. He currently has Minnesota taking LSU CB Morris Claiborne, with Alabama RB Trent Richardson going 4th.
-$-
The injury list from yesterday almost did not change at all. Only difference was that Brandon Lloyd returned. Sam Bradford watched from the sideline. Josh Gordy was still limited. I'm going to assume at this point that Mark LeVoir and Quinn Porter have returned to practice. Either that, or no one cares enough to report about them.
* (Mock) draft news.
The first mock drafts are up on ESPN.com, and Todd McShay has the Rams, at #2, selecting.... USC tackle Matt Kalil. McShay doesn't believe Justin Blackmon is an elite wide receiver and doesn't have him going off the board until ninth, still the first WR selected.
Mel Kiper also ranks Kalil #2 overall behind Stanford QB Andrew Luck. He ranked Blackmon 5th, calling him a better prospect than Dez Bryant a couple of years ago.
It's anybody's guess who McShay would project to the Rams if they were to draft third behind Minnesota and the Vikings took Kalil. He currently has Minnesota taking LSU CB Morris Claiborne, with Alabama RB Trent Richardson going 4th.
-$-
Rams report, 12/21
* Injuries.
- Sam Bradford (ankle) did not practice Tuesday. He is out of the walking boot but had not yet really tested his ankle. He has not given up on playing again this season since the Rams are too stupid to put him on injured reserve.
- A.J. Feeley (thumb) is almost certainly out for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh. He is still unable to squeeze the ball.
- Chris Long (ankle) and Brandon Lloyd (sick) did not participate. No reason to suspect they will not play Saturday.
- Josh Gordy (oblique) was limited to walkthroughs. Justin King (shoulder) did not practice. Their status for Saturday could be more in doubt.
- No news on Mark LeVoir or Quinn Porter.
- An overdue update, and good news, on Ron Bartell, whose season ended very early this year due to broken bones in his neck. He's now out of the neck brace, he didn't require surgery, and he should be good to go for next year.
* Transactions.
Josh Hull (high ankle sprain) was placed on injured reserve. I lost count. He's either the 16th or 17th player now on the Rams' I.R.
The Rams filled the roster spot by signing TE Mike McNeill off of the Colts' practice squad. McNeill is an area native who went to Kirkwood High School and then to Nebraska. The Rams were believed to have been interested in him in this past April's draft.
With the Rams completely lacking a fullback, RamView is a little perturbed the Rams didn't just promote from within...
FREE GUIDUGLI!
*Ex-Rams news.
- Even though he played well after the Patriots lost Andre Carter for the season, Eric Moore has been cut. Pats seem to be going to more of a full-time 3-4 look instead of mixing fronts.
- The Redskins waived Dominique Byrd and then added Schuylar Oordt to their practice squad.
- Eric Young added back to the Chargers' PS. I should go back and count; Young must have been cut double-digit times this season, all by San Diego.
-$-
- Sam Bradford (ankle) did not practice Tuesday. He is out of the walking boot but had not yet really tested his ankle. He has not given up on playing again this season since the Rams are too stupid to put him on injured reserve.
- A.J. Feeley (thumb) is almost certainly out for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh. He is still unable to squeeze the ball.
- Chris Long (ankle) and Brandon Lloyd (sick) did not participate. No reason to suspect they will not play Saturday.
- Josh Gordy (oblique) was limited to walkthroughs. Justin King (shoulder) did not practice. Their status for Saturday could be more in doubt.
- No news on Mark LeVoir or Quinn Porter.
- An overdue update, and good news, on Ron Bartell, whose season ended very early this year due to broken bones in his neck. He's now out of the neck brace, he didn't require surgery, and he should be good to go for next year.
* Transactions.
Josh Hull (high ankle sprain) was placed on injured reserve. I lost count. He's either the 16th or 17th player now on the Rams' I.R.
The Rams filled the roster spot by signing TE Mike McNeill off of the Colts' practice squad. McNeill is an area native who went to Kirkwood High School and then to Nebraska. The Rams were believed to have been interested in him in this past April's draft.
With the Rams completely lacking a fullback, RamView is a little perturbed the Rams didn't just promote from within...
FREE GUIDUGLI!
*Ex-Rams news.
- Even though he played well after the Patriots lost Andre Carter for the season, Eric Moore has been cut. Pats seem to be going to more of a full-time 3-4 look instead of mixing fronts.
- The Redskins waived Dominique Byrd and then added Schuylar Oordt to their practice squad.
- Eric Young added back to the Chargers' PS. I should go back and count; Young must have been cut double-digit times this season, all by San Diego.
-$-
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Rams offense after 14 weeks
Jim Thomas' article this morning about this year's Rams' near-record futility on offense reminded me that I haven't done a rankings post in a long time. So here's where the Ram offense stands in the NFL after 14 games...
Scoring offense: Back in DEAD DEAD LAST, nearly two points a game behind the Chiefs in 31st place. The Rams average 11.9 pathetic points a game. As Thomas wrote this morning, they are on pace to score 190 points this season. That would be only the second time since World War II that the Rams have failed to crack 200 points. The other time? Steve Spagnuolo's first season, 2009, 175 points.
And when Thomas says the Rams are "on pace", that's not accounting for their last two opponents, Pittsburgh and San Francisco, being the top two scoring defenses in the NFL. The Rams may score negative points between now and the rest of the season.
Put it this way. The Rams are at 166 points, the Chiefs at 192. The Rams won't pass the Chiefs if Kansas City takes the rest of the year off. The 2011 Rams will be lucky to pass the 2009 Rams.
More fun stats: (first one from Thomas)
The 1982 Rams scored 200 points. Despite only playing NINE games that year because of the NFL strike.
The 1999 and 2000 Rams scored their 166th point in week 5. The 2000 Rams had 160 points after 4 weeks. The slowpoke 2001 team took till week 6.
Touchdowns: Logically, the Rams are also dead last in the league in TDs, with 15. As Bernie Miklasz pointed out earlier this week, LeSean McCoy of the Eggles has 20 this season by himself. (Most of those fuckers against my fantasy football team.) Rob Gronkowski, with 16, also has scored more TDs this season than the entire Ram offense.
Total yards: 30th (285.3). They may end up getting passed by the Colts, but the Jagwires are nearly 30 yards behind.
Third-down conversion: LAST in the league at 26.9%.
Red zone TD%: 30th in the league at 35.7%.
Passing
Yards: 27th with 185.9. 145 yards per game worse than the Saints. Again, they'll be no worse than 30th here. The Broncos are over 25 yards behind, the Jagwires nearly 50.
Team passer rating: 30th at 71.3, in real danger of being passed by the Colts at 71.2. 31st is safe, the Jagwires are 9+ points back.
Sacks: The Rams have allowed a LEAGUE-WORST 49 sacks, 2 ahead of Arizona.
Interceptions: One bright spot: the Rams' 8 INTs are third-best in the league, behind only San Francisco and Green Bay.
TDs: LAST in the league in passing TDs with 8. The Jagwires are next with 11. Aaron Rodgers has 40.
Yards per attempt: Tied for 29th at 6.0. Jagwires are last again, 5.4.
Sam Bradford will finish 2011 - I do assume he's finished - with a passer rating of 70.5, 30th in the league, despite throwing only 6 INTs. He's behind terrible QBs like Rex Grossman (71.4), Christian Ponder (72.3) and Colt McCoy (74.6). Tarvaris Jackson stands at 79.2. Tim Tebow's a terrible thrower, right? 83.6. Matt Moore has an 88.7 off the bench for Miami, 12th in the league. 2011 Rookies: Cam Newton 82.3, Andy Dalton 81.0. Former Ram Ryan Fitzpatrick, 80.8. I'll quit going on now. Sam Bradford's second season has been an utter disaster.
Rushing
Yards: 26th, 99.4 yards per game. Who was expecting the Titans and Giants to be running 31st and 32nd at this point of the season?
Per carry: 4.0 is good for a tie for 20th.
TDs: Way down in 29th with only 5. The Browns and Chiefs have 4.
Steven Jackson sits at 15th in the league in rushing, 34 yards short of his seventh straight 1000-yard season.
Brandon Lloyd, not surprisingly, is the Rams' leading receiver with 42 catches. That's 72nd-best in the league. Stupidly, though, that doesn't include his 19 catches in Denver, which would move him up to 26th. Pro-rated for his production with the Rams, he'd be tied with Larry Fitzgerald for 23rd.
Lloyd's 554 yards with the Rams rank him 66th in the league. Add his Denver production, he'd be 24th. Pro-rate his Rams production and he'd be 22nd.
Josh Brown's 79% FG accuracy rate is near the bottom of the league, 25th if you weed out players with very few attempts. I have no trouble McQuaideing Brown after this season, though he does have another year left on his contract.
Nobody has more punts this year than Donnie Jones' 92. But his gross average, 44.2, is only 22nd in the league, and his net of 36.5 is a horrifying 29th, after you take out punters with very few attempts. The Rams are one of only four teams to have given up 2 or more punt return TDs. Carolina is worst in the league with 3, but since they'll likely be kicking RIGHT TO Antonio Brown and Ted Ginn the next two weeks, the Rams have got a shot at passing them. Jones is a free agent after this season and I see little reason not to McQuaide him, too. The Rams can get just as crappy performances out of special teams a whole lot cheaper.
While we're at it, let's think about McQuaideing Jake McQuaide himself. Funny how the Rams junked Chris Massey in training camp when he's the special teams player they should have kept.
Defensive stats when I get time.
-$-
Scoring offense: Back in DEAD DEAD LAST, nearly two points a game behind the Chiefs in 31st place. The Rams average 11.9 pathetic points a game. As Thomas wrote this morning, they are on pace to score 190 points this season. That would be only the second time since World War II that the Rams have failed to crack 200 points. The other time? Steve Spagnuolo's first season, 2009, 175 points.
And when Thomas says the Rams are "on pace", that's not accounting for their last two opponents, Pittsburgh and San Francisco, being the top two scoring defenses in the NFL. The Rams may score negative points between now and the rest of the season.
Put it this way. The Rams are at 166 points, the Chiefs at 192. The Rams won't pass the Chiefs if Kansas City takes the rest of the year off. The 2011 Rams will be lucky to pass the 2009 Rams.
More fun stats: (first one from Thomas)
The 1982 Rams scored 200 points. Despite only playing NINE games that year because of the NFL strike.
The 1999 and 2000 Rams scored their 166th point in week 5. The 2000 Rams had 160 points after 4 weeks. The slowpoke 2001 team took till week 6.
Touchdowns: Logically, the Rams are also dead last in the league in TDs, with 15. As Bernie Miklasz pointed out earlier this week, LeSean McCoy of the Eggles has 20 this season by himself. (Most of those fuckers against my fantasy football team.) Rob Gronkowski, with 16, also has scored more TDs this season than the entire Ram offense.
Total yards: 30th (285.3). They may end up getting passed by the Colts, but the Jagwires are nearly 30 yards behind.
Third-down conversion: LAST in the league at 26.9%.
Red zone TD%: 30th in the league at 35.7%.
Passing
Yards: 27th with 185.9. 145 yards per game worse than the Saints. Again, they'll be no worse than 30th here. The Broncos are over 25 yards behind, the Jagwires nearly 50.
Team passer rating: 30th at 71.3, in real danger of being passed by the Colts at 71.2. 31st is safe, the Jagwires are 9+ points back.
Sacks: The Rams have allowed a LEAGUE-WORST 49 sacks, 2 ahead of Arizona.
Interceptions: One bright spot: the Rams' 8 INTs are third-best in the league, behind only San Francisco and Green Bay.
TDs: LAST in the league in passing TDs with 8. The Jagwires are next with 11. Aaron Rodgers has 40.
Yards per attempt: Tied for 29th at 6.0. Jagwires are last again, 5.4.
Sam Bradford will finish 2011 - I do assume he's finished - with a passer rating of 70.5, 30th in the league, despite throwing only 6 INTs. He's behind terrible QBs like Rex Grossman (71.4), Christian Ponder (72.3) and Colt McCoy (74.6). Tarvaris Jackson stands at 79.2. Tim Tebow's a terrible thrower, right? 83.6. Matt Moore has an 88.7 off the bench for Miami, 12th in the league. 2011 Rookies: Cam Newton 82.3, Andy Dalton 81.0. Former Ram Ryan Fitzpatrick, 80.8. I'll quit going on now. Sam Bradford's second season has been an utter disaster.
Rushing
Yards: 26th, 99.4 yards per game. Who was expecting the Titans and Giants to be running 31st and 32nd at this point of the season?
Per carry: 4.0 is good for a tie for 20th.
TDs: Way down in 29th with only 5. The Browns and Chiefs have 4.
Steven Jackson sits at 15th in the league in rushing, 34 yards short of his seventh straight 1000-yard season.
Brandon Lloyd, not surprisingly, is the Rams' leading receiver with 42 catches. That's 72nd-best in the league. Stupidly, though, that doesn't include his 19 catches in Denver, which would move him up to 26th. Pro-rated for his production with the Rams, he'd be tied with Larry Fitzgerald for 23rd.
Lloyd's 554 yards with the Rams rank him 66th in the league. Add his Denver production, he'd be 24th. Pro-rate his Rams production and he'd be 22nd.
Josh Brown's 79% FG accuracy rate is near the bottom of the league, 25th if you weed out players with very few attempts. I have no trouble McQuaideing Brown after this season, though he does have another year left on his contract.
Nobody has more punts this year than Donnie Jones' 92. But his gross average, 44.2, is only 22nd in the league, and his net of 36.5 is a horrifying 29th, after you take out punters with very few attempts. The Rams are one of only four teams to have given up 2 or more punt return TDs. Carolina is worst in the league with 3, but since they'll likely be kicking RIGHT TO Antonio Brown and Ted Ginn the next two weeks, the Rams have got a shot at passing them. Jones is a free agent after this season and I see little reason not to McQuaide him, too. The Rams can get just as crappy performances out of special teams a whole lot cheaper.
While we're at it, let's think about McQuaideing Jake McQuaide himself. Funny how the Rams junked Chris Massey in training camp when he's the special teams player they should have kept.
Defensive stats when I get time.
-$-
Rams report, 12/20
* Injuries.
All of the Rams' probables from Friday played Sunday against Cincinnati. The questionables who did not play: James Hall (pectoral), Justin King (shoulder) and Quinn Porter (oblique). Hall should be able to play Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Only injury I'm aware of from the Bengals game is Josh Hull, who had a high ankle sprain and will probably be put on injured reserve, ending his season.
Sure, let's not risk it with the backup middle linebacker, but leave the possibility of playing Sam Bradford open. At this moment, Bradford's (ANKLE) and A.J. Feeley's (thumb) statuses have not changed from last week. Nothing heard yet on Mark LeVoir, who missed Sunday's game due to a groin injury.
* Things only I may care about.
This is the Rams' current practice squad. I haven't updated it in a while:
DT Cornell Banks
C Tim Barnes
CB Kendric Burney
WR John Chiles
TE BEN GUIDUGLI
DT John Henderson
T Ryan McKee
RB Chase Reynolds
* Ex-Rams news:
- Very sad news for former Ram Chris Johnson, who has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list by the Raiders. His sister was killed, and his mother wounded, in a shooting in Fort Worth a couple of weeks ago. The father of his sister's child was charged with murder. Johnson's mother is expected to survive. The child was unharmed.
Johnson had missed most of this season due to an infection that set in after he had a sports hernia operation during training camp. He had returned, and played extensively, in Oakland's loss to Miami three days before receiving this terrible news. Condolences and prayers to Chris Johnson and family.
Less tragic ex-Rams news:
- The Vikings signed Gentleman Kris Adams to their PS;
- Kevin Payne had a tryout with the Cowboys but was not signed;
- Eric Young was dropped from the Chargers' PS AGAIN and has now taken the lead from Mortty Ivy for most meaningless mentions in this blog;
- Bryant Browning injured his wrist in practice Friday and Carolina has put him on IR. The Panthers report that Browning is the 16th player they have IR'ed this season, which is a team record. ProFootballWeekly.com similarly lists 16 players on IR for the Rams. The Panthers are 5-9 this season, the Rams are 2-12.
* Coaching carousel.
I'll just mention for now this PFW article which speculates on the current class of head coaching candidates. It mentions the Rams, as a team with a young QB in place and some veteran talent to develop, as a potentially desirable situation for Brian Billick. The Bucs and Jagwires were similarly mentioned. Billick would have RamView's seal of approval if that came to be, but my guess is he will ask for too much money and/or too much power to actually end up here.
The article may have dubious value because it says Scott Linehan's star has faded recently because the Lions have faded from their torrid start. Um, since when the hell does Scott Linehan have a "star"?
-$-
All of the Rams' probables from Friday played Sunday against Cincinnati. The questionables who did not play: James Hall (pectoral), Justin King (shoulder) and Quinn Porter (oblique). Hall should be able to play Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Only injury I'm aware of from the Bengals game is Josh Hull, who had a high ankle sprain and will probably be put on injured reserve, ending his season.
Sure, let's not risk it with the backup middle linebacker, but leave the possibility of playing Sam Bradford open. At this moment, Bradford's (ANKLE) and A.J. Feeley's (thumb) statuses have not changed from last week. Nothing heard yet on Mark LeVoir, who missed Sunday's game due to a groin injury.
* Things only I may care about.
This is the Rams' current practice squad. I haven't updated it in a while:
DT Cornell Banks
C Tim Barnes
CB Kendric Burney
WR John Chiles
TE BEN GUIDUGLI
DT John Henderson
T Ryan McKee
RB Chase Reynolds
* Ex-Rams news:
- Very sad news for former Ram Chris Johnson, who has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list by the Raiders. His sister was killed, and his mother wounded, in a shooting in Fort Worth a couple of weeks ago. The father of his sister's child was charged with murder. Johnson's mother is expected to survive. The child was unharmed.
Johnson had missed most of this season due to an infection that set in after he had a sports hernia operation during training camp. He had returned, and played extensively, in Oakland's loss to Miami three days before receiving this terrible news. Condolences and prayers to Chris Johnson and family.
Less tragic ex-Rams news:
- The Vikings signed Gentleman Kris Adams to their PS;
- Kevin Payne had a tryout with the Cowboys but was not signed;
- Eric Young was dropped from the Chargers' PS AGAIN and has now taken the lead from Mortty Ivy for most meaningless mentions in this blog;
- Bryant Browning injured his wrist in practice Friday and Carolina has put him on IR. The Panthers report that Browning is the 16th player they have IR'ed this season, which is a team record. ProFootballWeekly.com similarly lists 16 players on IR for the Rams. The Panthers are 5-9 this season, the Rams are 2-12.
* Coaching carousel.
I'll just mention for now this PFW article which speculates on the current class of head coaching candidates. It mentions the Rams, as a team with a young QB in place and some veteran talent to develop, as a potentially desirable situation for Brian Billick. The Bucs and Jagwires were similarly mentioned. Billick would have RamView's seal of approval if that came to be, but my guess is he will ask for too much money and/or too much power to actually end up here.
The article may have dubious value because it says Scott Linehan's star has faded recently because the Lions have faded from their torrid start. Um, since when the hell does Scott Linehan have a "star"?
-$-
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday injury report
Doubtful
Sam Bradford
Mark Levoir
Questionable
James Hall
Justin King
Chris Long
Quinn Porter
Fred Robbins
Probable
Criag Dahl
Josh Gordy
Eugene Sims
Stephen Spach
Out
A.J. Feeley
Bradford is still wearing the protective boot. He, Levoir, Hall and King did not practice today. Long was limited.
---------------------------------------------
The Bengals are 6.5-point favorites Sunday.
---------------------------------------------
And a quick coaching carousel note: Brian Billick has expressed interest in the Dolphins job.
-$-
Sam Bradford
Mark Levoir
Questionable
James Hall
Justin King
Chris Long
Quinn Porter
Fred Robbins
Probable
Criag Dahl
Josh Gordy
Eugene Sims
Stephen Spach
Out
A.J. Feeley
Bradford is still wearing the protective boot. He, Levoir, Hall and King did not practice today. Long was limited.
---------------------------------------------
The Bengals are 6.5-point favorites Sunday.
---------------------------------------------
And a quick coaching carousel note: Brian Billick has expressed interest in the Dolphins job.
-$-
Rams report, 12/16
* Thursday injury report:
Did not participate: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley. Bradford's ankle sprain has regressed. He is back to needing the protective boot, and with the shortened week, seems extremely unlikely to play Sunday against the Bengals. Look for Kellen Clemens behind center. Also not practicing: James Hall, Justin King, Chris Long and Mark LeVoir. King has a sore shoulder.
Limited: Craig Dahl, Josh Gordy, Quinn Porter, Fred Robbins, Eugene Sims, Steven Spach. I assume that means Spach has already cleared concussion testing.
* Draft news:
Another brave young college student has decided to risk the chance of becoming a Ram. USC tackle Matt Kalil has announced he'll enter the 2012 Draft. Let the get-playmakers vs. build-from-the-lines-out debate begin! Kalil and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon are certainly strong candidates to be selected by the Rams with what figures to be the 2nd or 3rd pick overall next April.
* Coaching carousel:
Though he was a golden boy just last season as a rookie head coach, reports say that the Buccaneers were going to fire head coach Raheem Morris on Monday, but changed their minds because they couldn't find "a suitable interim candidate." Meaning they think their whole coaching staff sucks?
The Bucs went from 3-13 in 2009 to 10-6 in Morris' first season in 2010, but did not go to the playoffs because they weren't in the NFC West. The 2011 Bucs are 4-9, have lost 7 in a row, and Morris is widely believed to be gone if they don't get another win this season. The Bucs pride themselves on defense and Morris is a defensive-minded coach, but they're one of the worst run defenses in the league, they've killed themselves with turnovers. and have given up 35 points or more in 4 of their last 5 losses, including a 41-14 humiliation to the 4-10 Jagwires, who lost in Atlanta last night by that very same score.
And there are people COUGHBrian BurwellCOUGH who think we're being impatient around here to want a head coaching change for the Rams? The Bucs are planning to dump a coach who's won more games in two years than the Rams have won in three!
Even if Morris does hang on, expect Bucs OC Greg Olson to be wished the best in his future endeavors. And no, I'm not real interested in having him back here. Unless you want Steven Jackson getting ten carries a game like Olson's idiotically done with LaGarrette Blount half this season.
The Rams got permission from the Bucs to interview Morris during their 2009 coaching search, when Morris was the Bucs' DC, but that interview never happened. Watching major coaching flameouts by Josh McDaniels and apparently Morris now, both still just 35, it's starting to look like a bad idea to hire a head coach too young. Unless you're the Steelers.
-$-
Did not participate: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley. Bradford's ankle sprain has regressed. He is back to needing the protective boot, and with the shortened week, seems extremely unlikely to play Sunday against the Bengals. Look for Kellen Clemens behind center. Also not practicing: James Hall, Justin King, Chris Long and Mark LeVoir. King has a sore shoulder.
Limited: Craig Dahl, Josh Gordy, Quinn Porter, Fred Robbins, Eugene Sims, Steven Spach. I assume that means Spach has already cleared concussion testing.
* Draft news:
Another brave young college student has decided to risk the chance of becoming a Ram. USC tackle Matt Kalil has announced he'll enter the 2012 Draft. Let the get-playmakers vs. build-from-the-lines-out debate begin! Kalil and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon are certainly strong candidates to be selected by the Rams with what figures to be the 2nd or 3rd pick overall next April.
* Coaching carousel:
Though he was a golden boy just last season as a rookie head coach, reports say that the Buccaneers were going to fire head coach Raheem Morris on Monday, but changed their minds because they couldn't find "a suitable interim candidate." Meaning they think their whole coaching staff sucks?
The Bucs went from 3-13 in 2009 to 10-6 in Morris' first season in 2010, but did not go to the playoffs because they weren't in the NFC West. The 2011 Bucs are 4-9, have lost 7 in a row, and Morris is widely believed to be gone if they don't get another win this season. The Bucs pride themselves on defense and Morris is a defensive-minded coach, but they're one of the worst run defenses in the league, they've killed themselves with turnovers. and have given up 35 points or more in 4 of their last 5 losses, including a 41-14 humiliation to the 4-10 Jagwires, who lost in Atlanta last night by that very same score.
And there are people COUGHBrian BurwellCOUGH who think we're being impatient around here to want a head coaching change for the Rams? The Bucs are planning to dump a coach who's won more games in two years than the Rams have won in three!
Even if Morris does hang on, expect Bucs OC Greg Olson to be wished the best in his future endeavors. And no, I'm not real interested in having him back here. Unless you want Steven Jackson getting ten carries a game like Olson's idiotically done with LaGarrette Blount half this season.
The Rams got permission from the Bucs to interview Morris during their 2009 coaching search, when Morris was the Bucs' DC, but that interview never happened. Watching major coaching flameouts by Josh McDaniels and apparently Morris now, both still just 35, it's starting to look like a bad idea to hire a head coach too young. Unless you're the Steelers.
-$-
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Rams quick report, 12/15
* Quick injury report from practice yesterday:
Did not participate: Bradford, C.Dahl, Feeley, Gordy, Hall, LeVoir, Long, Sims, Spach.
Limited: Porter, Robbins.
* Transactions:
Brit Miller placed on IR.
Nate Ness recalled from practice squad.
-$-
Did not participate: Bradford, C.Dahl, Feeley, Gordy, Hall, LeVoir, Long, Sims, Spach.
Limited: Porter, Robbins.
* Transactions:
Brit Miller placed on IR.
Nate Ness recalled from practice squad.
-$-
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Rams report, 12/14
* Injuries.
- Sam Bradford and Chris Long's injured ankles were both "very sore" after Monday night's 30-13 loss to Seattle and they were scheduled to have treatment yesterday. Odds seem very good that both will be held out of practice Wednesday.
I ask again why Spagnuolo continues to whistle past the graveyard with Bradford. Sam himself has said he can't step into his throws and that his passes are basically all arm. This is a player who had major shoulder surgery two years ago. We remember that, don't we? I have a great idea - let's have Sam throw with bad technique in meaningless games the rest of the season and put a lot of stress on that shoulder. Oh, and while we're at it, let's make sure we expose the immobile Bradford on Christmas Eve to James Harrison, all pissed off after being suspended for a week. The Rams' present can't be any worse with Kellen Clemens behind center, but Spagnuolo seems to have no hesitation in playing Russian roulette with the team's future. Judgment this poor should have gotten him fired already.
- Mark LeVoir had a groin injury Monday night and had to be replaced by Adam Goldberg. LeVoir's chances don't sound promising for Cincinnati on Sunday.
- Josh Gordy has an oblique injury, a/k/a pulled abdominal muscle. He's day-to-day but was also described by Nick Wagoner as in doubt for this week.
- James Hall is day-to-day with a pectoral injury. What the hell is it with the pectoral injuries this year?
- Craig Dahl has a lower ankle sprain but isn't expected to miss much time if any.
- Stephen Spach had a minor calf injury Monday night and also a concussion. He'll have to pass tests before he can return to practice. This could be a faster process for Spach over other players since he can do Vulcan mind melds.
- Brit Miller's knee injury - he hurt it during practice last weekend - has not improved, and he appears to be heading toward I.R.
I have two words for you. BEN. GUIDUGLI.
- A.J. Feeley's broken thumb has not improved much, either. Still not sure why he hasn't been IR'ed.
- The injured players Steve Spagnuolo thought had the best chance of returning were Fred Robbins (back) and Quinn Porter (abdominal).
Updates from today's practice as I see them.
* Other items of interest:
- Congratulations to Shahid Khan; the Jacksonville Jagwires are all his after he got unanimous approval from the league's owners today to buy the team. That'll be $750 million, please. Paper or plastic?
- The Bears reportedly contacted Marc Bulger about making a comeback to try to salvage their playoff run. Bulger has opted to stay retired, however.
- The Miami Herald seems very sure that Bill Cowher is not going to have interest in the open Dolphins head coaching job. And with the assertion that Cowher will not want to "start from the ground up with a team that isn't playoff-ready," Rams Nation might want to just put his name on the wish list in pencil.
- The NFL has renewed its TV contracts with Fox, CBS and NBC through the 2022 season. Monday Night Football was renewed on ESPN through 2021 earlier this year.
The new contract will mean - oh, joy - more Thursday night games, mostly on NFL Network. The Thanksgiving prime time game, though, is switching to NBC.
-$-
- Sam Bradford and Chris Long's injured ankles were both "very sore" after Monday night's 30-13 loss to Seattle and they were scheduled to have treatment yesterday. Odds seem very good that both will be held out of practice Wednesday.
I ask again why Spagnuolo continues to whistle past the graveyard with Bradford. Sam himself has said he can't step into his throws and that his passes are basically all arm. This is a player who had major shoulder surgery two years ago. We remember that, don't we? I have a great idea - let's have Sam throw with bad technique in meaningless games the rest of the season and put a lot of stress on that shoulder. Oh, and while we're at it, let's make sure we expose the immobile Bradford on Christmas Eve to James Harrison, all pissed off after being suspended for a week. The Rams' present can't be any worse with Kellen Clemens behind center, but Spagnuolo seems to have no hesitation in playing Russian roulette with the team's future. Judgment this poor should have gotten him fired already.
- Mark LeVoir had a groin injury Monday night and had to be replaced by Adam Goldberg. LeVoir's chances don't sound promising for Cincinnati on Sunday.
- Josh Gordy has an oblique injury, a/k/a pulled abdominal muscle. He's day-to-day but was also described by Nick Wagoner as in doubt for this week.
- James Hall is day-to-day with a pectoral injury. What the hell is it with the pectoral injuries this year?
- Craig Dahl has a lower ankle sprain but isn't expected to miss much time if any.
- Stephen Spach had a minor calf injury Monday night and also a concussion. He'll have to pass tests before he can return to practice. This could be a faster process for Spach over other players since he can do Vulcan mind melds.
- Brit Miller's knee injury - he hurt it during practice last weekend - has not improved, and he appears to be heading toward I.R.
I have two words for you. BEN. GUIDUGLI.
- A.J. Feeley's broken thumb has not improved much, either. Still not sure why he hasn't been IR'ed.
- The injured players Steve Spagnuolo thought had the best chance of returning were Fred Robbins (back) and Quinn Porter (abdominal).
Updates from today's practice as I see them.
* Other items of interest:
- Congratulations to Shahid Khan; the Jacksonville Jagwires are all his after he got unanimous approval from the league's owners today to buy the team. That'll be $750 million, please. Paper or plastic?
- The Bears reportedly contacted Marc Bulger about making a comeback to try to salvage their playoff run. Bulger has opted to stay retired, however.
- The Miami Herald seems very sure that Bill Cowher is not going to have interest in the open Dolphins head coaching job. And with the assertion that Cowher will not want to "start from the ground up with a team that isn't playoff-ready," Rams Nation might want to just put his name on the wish list in pencil.
- The NFL has renewed its TV contracts with Fox, CBS and NBC through the 2022 season. Monday Night Football was renewed on ESPN through 2021 earlier this year.
The new contract will mean - oh, joy - more Thursday night games, mostly on NFL Network. The Thanksgiving prime time game, though, is switching to NBC.
-$-
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bradford to start
I don't know how good an idea this is, but Jim Thomas is reporting that Sam Bradford will start for the Rams tonight. I guess I have to wonder how much butt-covering Steve Spagnuolo is trying to do here. He's seen two head coaches with better career records than him and better records than him this year get fired today after getting blown out yesterday. And you have to note that the Chiefs weren't really concerned about cutting Todd Haley any slack for injuries (Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry, Matt Cassell, Tony Moeaki, etc.) or the lockout, which are exhibits 1a and 1b of the case for taking it easy on Spagnuolo. In fact, Haley was criticized for how he significantly changed Chiefs' practices after the lockout to focus much more on conditioning.
Could this be Spagnuolo's last game as Rams head coach?
Will Bradford survive the night?
Important things to watch.
-$-
Could this be Spagnuolo's last game as Rams head coach?
Will Bradford survive the night?
Important things to watch.
-$-
Coaching carousel, 12/12 (Sparano whacked)
The second domino (after Jack del Rio) has toppled in the annual NFL coaching derby. As many anticipated and hoped for, the latest coach fired worked for an NFL team in Missouri. The coach, though, is Todd Haley of the Chiefs. Romeo Crennel will serve as interim head coach.
Now is the part where things get weird. Even though the Rams' offensive performance this year should make him toxic to other teams, the first name popping up on K.C. coaching radar is Josh McDaniels, who they went after (as did the Rams) three years ago before he went to Denver. Boy, you would just have to LOVE that hire if you're a Chiefs fan. Update: ESPN.com has Crennel on the early short list.
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Domino #3 just fell this afternoon as a third head coach whose team has a better record than the Rams this year has also lost his job, Tony Soprano with the Dolphins. The Dolphins were 4-9 and lost ugly to Philadelphia yesterday, 26-10, after having won four games in five weeks. Guess Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to make sure to whack Soprano before THAT happened again. (Yes, I know it's really "Sparano".)
Todd Bowles will be the interim head coach. Bowles was a rumored candidate for the Rams' HC job in '09 but I don't believe he ever actually interviewed. Early names on the Miami short list: Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher. There's been little secret that Ross a) has been itching to get rid of Soprano and b) wants to make a big splash when he hires his replacement. Ross and new Jagwires owner Shahid Khan are likely to make it tough for Stan Kroenke to lure an established coaching name for the Rams should he decide to go that route.
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RamView may never actually get time to put together a list of preferred head coaching candidates for the 2012 season, but Haley is not high on it, and McDaniels is even lower. I consider either to be "seriously, just keep Spags if you're going to hire this guy" status. I think Sparano would be a bit of an improvement but would be so close to a sideways move I doubt hiring him would be worth the effort. Think I've had enough defensive-minded coaches who led blown offenses for the time being.
-$-
Now is the part where things get weird. Even though the Rams' offensive performance this year should make him toxic to other teams, the first name popping up on K.C. coaching radar is Josh McDaniels, who they went after (as did the Rams) three years ago before he went to Denver. Boy, you would just have to LOVE that hire if you're a Chiefs fan. Update: ESPN.com has Crennel on the early short list.
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Domino #3 just fell this afternoon as a third head coach whose team has a better record than the Rams this year has also lost his job, Tony Soprano with the Dolphins. The Dolphins were 4-9 and lost ugly to Philadelphia yesterday, 26-10, after having won four games in five weeks. Guess Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to make sure to whack Soprano before THAT happened again. (Yes, I know it's really "Sparano".)
Todd Bowles will be the interim head coach. Bowles was a rumored candidate for the Rams' HC job in '09 but I don't believe he ever actually interviewed. Early names on the Miami short list: Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher. There's been little secret that Ross a) has been itching to get rid of Soprano and b) wants to make a big splash when he hires his replacement. Ross and new Jagwires owner Shahid Khan are likely to make it tough for Stan Kroenke to lure an established coaching name for the Rams should he decide to go that route.
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RamView may never actually get time to put together a list of preferred head coaching candidates for the 2012 season, but Haley is not high on it, and McDaniels is even lower. I consider either to be "seriously, just keep Spags if you're going to hire this guy" status. I think Sparano would be a bit of an improvement but would be so close to a sideways move I doubt hiring him would be worth the effort. Think I've had enough defensive-minded coaches who led blown offenses for the time being.
-$-
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Rams report, 12/11-12
* This week's bad idea. Hey, let's rush Sam Bradford back into playing Monday night. Or, almost as dumb, let's press practice squad QB Tom Brandstater into his first career start but stop giving him practice reps with the starters. Bradford and Kellen Clemens split reps with the starting unit yesterday. Nick Wagoner reports that Bradford is "headed toward" playing against Seattle, but the Rams will have Brandstater and Clemens ready to go.
Or, they could have focused completely on having one of the backups ready instead of risking having a $50 million QB with a bum ankle behind a shaky-at-best offensive line run an offense that has sucked all season anyway. You're 2-10, people. It's over. Dean Wormer dropped the big one. Shut Bradford down.
Reports say that Bradford was moving well in practice but coach Steve Spagnuolo was not ready to name a starter. Clemens has apparently picked the Rams' system up very quickly from having to imitate the Patriots' offense on the Jets' scout team twice a season. Well, that sure makes you feel good about the Rams' struggles to run their own offense all year.
Update: no word as of noon Monday on whom the Rams plan to start at QB.
* Out for Monday night: A.J. Feeley (thumb), Quinn Porter (abdomen). Why not IR Feeley?
Update: Brit Miller (knee) has now been ruled out for Monday night as well. Oh no, who will blow critical blocks for Steven Jackson on 3rd-and-short now?
* Limited yesterday:
Chris Long (ankle), expected to play
Fred Robbins (back), questionable
* 'Tis only a flesh wound:
Mark LeVoir (pectoral) and Eugene Sims (ankle) were upgraded to full participation Friday and yesterday respectively. Both are probable for Monday night. Lance Kendricks was excused from Saturday's practice for personal reasons but shouldn't miss the game.
The Seahawks don't appear to have any significant injuries, beyond players they have already IR'ed like Sidney Rice and 60% of their starting offensive line, that is. They are 10-point favorites.
* We can work it out:
- The Rams worked out defensive tackle Guy Miller Friday. Miller is 6'3, 302 and played at Colorado State. He was in training camp this year with the Texans.
* Transactions:
- The Matt Gutierrez era in St. Louis was over before it began. He has been cut in favor of defensive tackle Cornell Banks, who was just cut from the Bengals' PS. (Brain dump? The Rams play the Bengals in a week.) Banks played college ball at Fresno State.
* 49er finers:
- Jerious Norwood was fined $7,500 for a chop block in last week's loss to San Francisco. 49er OLB Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,000 for hitting A.J. Feeley in the head.
* Ex-Rams transactions:
- Fendi Onobun joined the Jagwires practice squad. That's reported as his fifth different team this season.
- Mortty Ivy was promoted to the Steelers' main roster.
- The Patriots re-signed Eric Moore.
- Not to be outdone, Eric Young was cut from the Chargers' PS to achieve his one-millionth status update in this blog.
-$-
Or, they could have focused completely on having one of the backups ready instead of risking having a $50 million QB with a bum ankle behind a shaky-at-best offensive line run an offense that has sucked all season anyway. You're 2-10, people. It's over. Dean Wormer dropped the big one. Shut Bradford down.
Reports say that Bradford was moving well in practice but coach Steve Spagnuolo was not ready to name a starter. Clemens has apparently picked the Rams' system up very quickly from having to imitate the Patriots' offense on the Jets' scout team twice a season. Well, that sure makes you feel good about the Rams' struggles to run their own offense all year.
Update: no word as of noon Monday on whom the Rams plan to start at QB.
* Out for Monday night: A.J. Feeley (thumb), Quinn Porter (abdomen). Why not IR Feeley?
Update: Brit Miller (knee) has now been ruled out for Monday night as well. Oh no, who will blow critical blocks for Steven Jackson on 3rd-and-short now?
* Limited yesterday:
Chris Long (ankle), expected to play
Fred Robbins (back), questionable
* 'Tis only a flesh wound:
Mark LeVoir (pectoral) and Eugene Sims (ankle) were upgraded to full participation Friday and yesterday respectively. Both are probable for Monday night. Lance Kendricks was excused from Saturday's practice for personal reasons but shouldn't miss the game.
The Seahawks don't appear to have any significant injuries, beyond players they have already IR'ed like Sidney Rice and 60% of their starting offensive line, that is. They are 10-point favorites.
* We can work it out:
- The Rams worked out defensive tackle Guy Miller Friday. Miller is 6'3, 302 and played at Colorado State. He was in training camp this year with the Texans.
* Transactions:
- The Matt Gutierrez era in St. Louis was over before it began. He has been cut in favor of defensive tackle Cornell Banks, who was just cut from the Bengals' PS. (Brain dump? The Rams play the Bengals in a week.) Banks played college ball at Fresno State.
* 49er finers:
- Jerious Norwood was fined $7,500 for a chop block in last week's loss to San Francisco. 49er OLB Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,000 for hitting A.J. Feeley in the head.
* Ex-Rams transactions:
- Fendi Onobun joined the Jagwires practice squad. That's reported as his fifth different team this season.
- Mortty Ivy was promoted to the Steelers' main roster.
- The Patriots re-signed Eric Moore.
- Not to be outdone, Eric Young was cut from the Chargers' PS to achieve his one-millionth status update in this blog.
-$-
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Rams report, 12/8-9
* Transactions. Jacob Bell has been placed on injured reserve. Cornerback Chris Smith has been called up from the practice squad. He's expected to play mostly on special teams. Smith's spot on the practice squad went to returning RB Chase Reynolds.
The Rams had punter Tom Malone in for a tryout on Tuesday. This was reportedly with an eye toward signing him as a reserve/future free agent after the season.
* Injuries.
Did not practice Wednesday:
Sam Bradford (ankle)
A.J. Feeley (thumb)
Chris Long (ankle)
Quinn Porter (oblique)
Fred Robbins (back)
Darian Stewart (concussion) has passed the impact test and returned to practice. Mark LeVoir (pectoral) also returned to practice, but his status is still up in the air until the team practices in pads. Wednesday was just a walkthrough since the Rams play Monday night. There's still no gambling line on the game, though it may be due to lack of interest as much as uncertainty at QB for the Rams. Tom Brandstater took all the snaps Wednesday. (And the team immediately decided it better sign Kellen Clemens. Not a strong vote of confidence.)
Thursday afternoon update: LeVoir and Eugene Sims (ankle) were limited. The five DNPs from yesterday also did not practice. Kellen Clemens did not make it to St. Louis in time to practice. Brandstater again took all the snaps, such as they were. The Rams have apparently gotten so gun-shy about injuries that today's practice was also very light.
* Draft news.
The very real chance of becoming a Ram is not enough to scare Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon out of entering the 2012 draft. He has told ESPN.com that he is pretty sure the upcoming Fiesta Bowl will be his last college game. "...it's just time...It's that time to go. I came back last year to win a Big 12 championship, set us up for a BCS bowl and I think we did that."
* Ex-Rams news.
Jacksonville waived Fendi Onobun. Huh, I know a certain team that could use a tight end.
Houston signed Matt Turk.
Miami signed CB Marcus Brown to their practice squad.
Washington re-signed Dominique Byrd to replace Fred Davis, who's suspended for the rest of the season for marijuana use. Now there's a desperation move. Byrd probably signed with Washington to find out where Davis gets his weed.
Daniel Muir had a tryout with the Lions.
Renardo Foster had a tryout with the Giants.
* Ex-Cardinals news.
Another take at the Albert Pujols deal. Angels owner Artie Moreno is an idiot, obviously with more money than he knows what to do with. $250 million for a player who's going to be 37 before the contract is half over? Idiot. I don't blame the Cardinals for not offering that kind of money. As a red-blooded Cardinals fan but also a red-blooded capitalist, I don't blame Albert on the surface for taking the money. But Albert is a phony and a hypocrite who lied here publicly for at least two years that he wasn't all about the money in order to prop up his image. That's what makes me mad. I don't disrespect Pujols for making a business decision. I disrespect him for being a liar.
Albert and the Angels and southern California should be a perfect marriage.
-$-
The Rams had punter Tom Malone in for a tryout on Tuesday. This was reportedly with an eye toward signing him as a reserve/future free agent after the season.
* Injuries.
Did not practice Wednesday:
Sam Bradford (ankle)
A.J. Feeley (thumb)
Chris Long (ankle)
Quinn Porter (oblique)
Fred Robbins (back)
Darian Stewart (concussion) has passed the impact test and returned to practice. Mark LeVoir (pectoral) also returned to practice, but his status is still up in the air until the team practices in pads. Wednesday was just a walkthrough since the Rams play Monday night. There's still no gambling line on the game, though it may be due to lack of interest as much as uncertainty at QB for the Rams. Tom Brandstater took all the snaps Wednesday. (And the team immediately decided it better sign Kellen Clemens. Not a strong vote of confidence.)
Thursday afternoon update: LeVoir and Eugene Sims (ankle) were limited. The five DNPs from yesterday also did not practice. Kellen Clemens did not make it to St. Louis in time to practice. Brandstater again took all the snaps, such as they were. The Rams have apparently gotten so gun-shy about injuries that today's practice was also very light.
* Draft news.
The very real chance of becoming a Ram is not enough to scare Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon out of entering the 2012 draft. He has told ESPN.com that he is pretty sure the upcoming Fiesta Bowl will be his last college game. "...it's just time...It's that time to go. I came back last year to win a Big 12 championship, set us up for a BCS bowl and I think we did that."
* Ex-Rams news.
Jacksonville waived Fendi Onobun. Huh, I know a certain team that could use a tight end.
Houston signed Matt Turk.
Miami signed CB Marcus Brown to their practice squad.
Washington re-signed Dominique Byrd to replace Fred Davis, who's suspended for the rest of the season for marijuana use. Now there's a desperation move. Byrd probably signed with Washington to find out where Davis gets his weed.
Daniel Muir had a tryout with the Lions.
Renardo Foster had a tryout with the Giants.
* Ex-Cardinals news.
Another take at the Albert Pujols deal. Angels owner Artie Moreno is an idiot, obviously with more money than he knows what to do with. $250 million for a player who's going to be 37 before the contract is half over? Idiot. I don't blame the Cardinals for not offering that kind of money. As a red-blooded Cardinals fan but also a red-blooded capitalist, I don't blame Albert on the surface for taking the money. But Albert is a phony and a hypocrite who lied here publicly for at least two years that he wasn't all about the money in order to prop up his image. That's what makes me mad. I don't disrespect Pujols for making a business decision. I disrespect him for being a liar.
Albert and the Angels and southern California should be a perfect marriage.
-$-
Rams add FIFTH QB
Shockingly, this isn't the biggest news in St. Louis right now, but the Rams have signed former Jets QB Kellen Clemens, who was with the Texans last week. He gets the roster spot vacated when Nate Ness was cut. Matt Gutierrez stays on the practice squad.
What a great fucking morning to be a St. Louis sports fan. Albert Pujols turns out to be a money-grubbing douchebag, and the Rams get the brilliant idea to sign a QB who was cut by a team that KEPT Jake Delhomme.
Well, Clemens is a successful baseball name; maybe Kellen can play first base.
-$-
What a great fucking morning to be a St. Louis sports fan. Albert Pujols turns out to be a money-grubbing douchebag, and the Rams get the brilliant idea to sign a QB who was cut by a team that KEPT Jake Delhomme.
Well, Clemens is a successful baseball name; maybe Kellen can play first base.
-$-
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Rams add 4th QB
The Rams tipped their hand that neither Sam Bradford nor A.J. Feeley will be playing Monday night by signing QB Matt Gutierrez to the practice squad Tuesday. Gutierrez was the third-string QB on New England's 18-1 team in 2007. So you know who he played for.
The good news is that Gutierrez has a career QB rating over 104. The bad news is that it's on two passes. The last pass he threw in the NFL was week 7 of 2009 as a Chief. My notes say I saw Gutierrez in a couple of games during the 2007 Preseason Challenge. Played a lot out of the shotgun, decent accuracy, can and will scramble when he has to.
Gutierrez played college ball at Idaho State after transferring from Michigan. He was on the roster of the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL in 2010, apparently backing up Jeff Garcia, who oddly enough was also signed yesterday, by the Texans. He had brief training camp stays this year with the Bears and Redskins, and if the Rams gig falls through, apparently has a job lined up with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.
The Rams cut Nate Ness from the main roster in case they need to call Gutierrez up. Gutierrez took the open practice squad position left after the Rams put Tom Brandstater on the main roster last weekend.
-$-
The good news is that Gutierrez has a career QB rating over 104. The bad news is that it's on two passes. The last pass he threw in the NFL was week 7 of 2009 as a Chief. My notes say I saw Gutierrez in a couple of games during the 2007 Preseason Challenge. Played a lot out of the shotgun, decent accuracy, can and will scramble when he has to.
Gutierrez played college ball at Idaho State after transferring from Michigan. He was on the roster of the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL in 2010, apparently backing up Jeff Garcia, who oddly enough was also signed yesterday, by the Texans. He had brief training camp stays this year with the Bears and Redskins, and if the Rams gig falls through, apparently has a job lined up with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.
The Rams cut Nate Ness from the main roster in case they need to call Gutierrez up. Gutierrez took the open practice squad position left after the Rams put Tom Brandstater on the main roster last weekend.
-$-
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Rams update, 12/6
In case you thought the 2-10 Rams weren't screwed enough already:
- Jacob Bell, out for rest of season. Has a strained knee from that failed wham play from the 4th quarter Sunday. Say what you will about Bell, but that looked really painful. It's a 4-week injury, and with 4 games left in 2011 for the Rams, Bell may have taken his last snap here. He'll be a free agent after the season. I can't see bringing Bell back as a starter next year. The Rams need to become significantly more physical at guard and center. But they also need to improve the depth of their o-line rotation so they don't end up relying on practice squad guys like this year. Having Bell as a backup with a veteran minimum deal wouldn't bother me, but neither would letting him go.
The Rams appear to have little clue what their offensive line's going to look like Monday night. This is further complicated by a rib injury to Adam Goldberg. He had been scheduled for an MRI.
- A.J. Feeley, fractured thumb. Are you ready for the Tom Brandstater Era? Feeley suffered the fracture when his hand hit a helmet sometime during the game Sunday. So Feeley's status is up in the air, as is Sam Bradford's, with his injured ankle.
Given that the Rams could be trying to protect the QB in Seattle with Thomas Welch and Kevin Hughes, it would be nuts to put an injured Bradford behind center. The Rams should consider a Tim Tebow game plan where they run 35-40 times and pass maybe 5.
- Players considered limited status: Craig Dahl (knee), Goldberg (ribs), Donnie Jones (ankle), Eugene Sims (ankle). Fred Robbins' back is sore again but he is considered day-to-day. Chris Long's ankle will probably continue to keep him limited in practice but won't keep him out of games. Fingers are crossed that Darian Stewart (concussion) will be cleared this week. Mark LeVoir (pectoral) is also supposedly day-to-day again this week. Who thought we'd be using the phrase, "Good thing Mark LeVoir is healthy!" this season?
Last, Gary Gibson is having problems with ulcers. And he doesn't even have to watch this garbage! Doesn't appear he'll miss any practice time.
Alumni news:
Jacksonville waived Mike Sims-Walker from injured reserve.
Indianapolis picked up Zac Diles after he was cut by Tampa Bay.
-$-
- Jacob Bell, out for rest of season. Has a strained knee from that failed wham play from the 4th quarter Sunday. Say what you will about Bell, but that looked really painful. It's a 4-week injury, and with 4 games left in 2011 for the Rams, Bell may have taken his last snap here. He'll be a free agent after the season. I can't see bringing Bell back as a starter next year. The Rams need to become significantly more physical at guard and center. But they also need to improve the depth of their o-line rotation so they don't end up relying on practice squad guys like this year. Having Bell as a backup with a veteran minimum deal wouldn't bother me, but neither would letting him go.
The Rams appear to have little clue what their offensive line's going to look like Monday night. This is further complicated by a rib injury to Adam Goldberg. He had been scheduled for an MRI.
- A.J. Feeley, fractured thumb. Are you ready for the Tom Brandstater Era? Feeley suffered the fracture when his hand hit a helmet sometime during the game Sunday. So Feeley's status is up in the air, as is Sam Bradford's, with his injured ankle.
Given that the Rams could be trying to protect the QB in Seattle with Thomas Welch and Kevin Hughes, it would be nuts to put an injured Bradford behind center. The Rams should consider a Tim Tebow game plan where they run 35-40 times and pass maybe 5.
- Players considered limited status: Craig Dahl (knee), Goldberg (ribs), Donnie Jones (ankle), Eugene Sims (ankle). Fred Robbins' back is sore again but he is considered day-to-day. Chris Long's ankle will probably continue to keep him limited in practice but won't keep him out of games. Fingers are crossed that Darian Stewart (concussion) will be cleared this week. Mark LeVoir (pectoral) is also supposedly day-to-day again this week. Who thought we'd be using the phrase, "Good thing Mark LeVoir is healthy!" this season?
Last, Gary Gibson is having problems with ulcers. And he doesn't even have to watch this garbage! Doesn't appear he'll miss any practice time.
Alumni news:
Jacksonville waived Mike Sims-Walker from injured reserve.
Indianapolis picked up Zac Diles after he was cut by Tampa Bay.
-$-
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Rams update, 12/3
And the going gets tougher...
- Darian Stewart is out for tomorrow's game. He has not been cleared for contact due to concussion but may take the impact test Monday. This is a pretty serious blow for the Ram defense; Stewart is one of their best tacklers and run defenders (last week notwithstanding), and a key part of the Rams' success this season stopping tight ends. Bad to lose him the week you have to play against Frank Gore and an offense that loves to throw to the TE. Also, his replacement is Craig Dahl. Adjusted prediction for tomorrow: 49ers 30-10.
- Sam Bradford barely practiced at all Friday due to a sprained ankle. He is very generously listed as questionable for tomorrow. His injury's serious enough the Rams re-acquired Tom Brandstater. Expect A.J. Feeley to start.
- Also questionable: Chris Long (ankle), Justin Bannan (shoulder). Sounds like Steve Spagnuolo is encouraged about Bannan's chance of playing.
- Probable: Chris Chamberlain (hamstring), Dominique Curry (hamstring), Justin King (ankle), Donnie Jones (ankle), Brit Miller (hamstring).
- Out: Josh Hull (hamstring), Mark LeVoir (pectoral).
Transactions: The Rams released Eddie Jones from the practice squad Friday in order to re-sign Brandstater. They then cut free-agent bust Ben Leber from the main roster to have Brandstater available for tomorrow's game. The PS spot is still open at last word.
What can I say about Leber, don't believe scouting reports? He showed none of the strength, speed, range, pop, power, tackling or ability to shed blockers he was praised for in scouting reports I perused when the Rams signed him in August. I did at least note his age (32) and declining tackle count, things Billy Devaney might want to make sure he checks if he's still around here signing free agents next summer.
Ex-Ram moves:
- Roger Allen and Bryant Browning were called up to Carolina's main roster. Allen had been a free agent; Browning had been on the practice squad.
- Mortty Ivy returned to Pittsburgh's practice squad after a couple of weeks of unemployment. And yes, that was the millionth Mortty Ivy update in this blog. And yes, Eric Young is right behind him.
-$-
- Darian Stewart is out for tomorrow's game. He has not been cleared for contact due to concussion but may take the impact test Monday. This is a pretty serious blow for the Ram defense; Stewart is one of their best tacklers and run defenders (last week notwithstanding), and a key part of the Rams' success this season stopping tight ends. Bad to lose him the week you have to play against Frank Gore and an offense that loves to throw to the TE. Also, his replacement is Craig Dahl. Adjusted prediction for tomorrow: 49ers 30-10.
- Sam Bradford barely practiced at all Friday due to a sprained ankle. He is very generously listed as questionable for tomorrow. His injury's serious enough the Rams re-acquired Tom Brandstater. Expect A.J. Feeley to start.
- Also questionable: Chris Long (ankle), Justin Bannan (shoulder). Sounds like Steve Spagnuolo is encouraged about Bannan's chance of playing.
- Probable: Chris Chamberlain (hamstring), Dominique Curry (hamstring), Justin King (ankle), Donnie Jones (ankle), Brit Miller (hamstring).
- Out: Josh Hull (hamstring), Mark LeVoir (pectoral).
Transactions: The Rams released Eddie Jones from the practice squad Friday in order to re-sign Brandstater. They then cut free-agent bust Ben Leber from the main roster to have Brandstater available for tomorrow's game. The PS spot is still open at last word.
What can I say about Leber, don't believe scouting reports? He showed none of the strength, speed, range, pop, power, tackling or ability to shed blockers he was praised for in scouting reports I perused when the Rams signed him in August. I did at least note his age (32) and declining tackle count, things Billy Devaney might want to make sure he checks if he's still around here signing free agents next summer.
Ex-Ram moves:
- Roger Allen and Bryant Browning were called up to Carolina's main roster. Allen had been a free agent; Browning had been on the practice squad.
- Mortty Ivy returned to Pittsburgh's practice squad after a couple of weeks of unemployment. And yes, that was the millionth Mortty Ivy update in this blog. And yes, Eric Young is right behind him.
-$-
Thursday, December 1, 2011
12/1 injury update
Sam Bradford's ongoing ankle problem has worsened to the point that he was kept out of practice Thursday. It sounds about 50/50 right now that he's going to miss another start this season.
Chris Long was also held out of practice with an ongoing ankle problem but there's no doubt he's playing Sunday.
Darian Stewart was cleared to practice but has not been cleared for contact due to concussion. Final decision is likely tomorrow. He appears to be following the path of the Rams' other "minor" concussions this season, so I will guess he's a go.
Three players described as day-to-day after the loss Sunday have remained out of practice all week, which does not sound very day-to-day to me. Justin Bannan, Josh Hull, Mark LeVoir. Donnie Jones was limited in practice due to an ankle injury he suffered trying to chase Patrick Peterson.
If regular season practices are like training camp practices, how the heck can you "limit" a punter? They do nothing anyway.
-$-
Chris Long was also held out of practice with an ongoing ankle problem but there's no doubt he's playing Sunday.
Darian Stewart was cleared to practice but has not been cleared for contact due to concussion. Final decision is likely tomorrow. He appears to be following the path of the Rams' other "minor" concussions this season, so I will guess he's a go.
Three players described as day-to-day after the loss Sunday have remained out of practice all week, which does not sound very day-to-day to me. Justin Bannan, Josh Hull, Mark LeVoir. Donnie Jones was limited in practice due to an ankle injury he suffered trying to chase Patrick Peterson.
If regular season practices are like training camp practices, how the heck can you "limit" a punter? They do nothing anyway.
-$-
Rams report, 12/1
Injury report
Did not practice Wednesday:
Justin Bannan (shoulder)
Josh Hull (hamstring)
Mark LeVoir (pectoral)
Darian Stewart (concussion)
Stewart has yet to be cleared to return to practice. Donnie Jones was excused for personal business.
Limited:
Sam Bradford (ankle)
Chris Chamberlain (hamstring)
Dominique Curry (shoulder)
Justin King (ankle)
Chris Long (ankle)
Brit Miller (hamstring)
Bradford took about half the snaps Wednesday.
It shouldn't be news that someone is a full participant, but Danario Alexander was not listed on yesterday's injury report, and there is rampant optimism that he will play in San Francisco Sunday. So who knows, the Rams may only lose 27-13 instead of 27-6.
Alumni report
Travon Bellamy signed to Redskins practice squad.
The Colts stole Jermale Hines from a practice squad for the second time this year, this time Carolina's.
Chauncey Washington signed to Cowboys practice squad.
Coaching carousel
Mike Martz, whose contract with the Bears expires at the end of this season, has expressed interest in the head coaching job at Arizona State. God knows he used to draft enough players from there. Jim Mora Jr. has expressed interest there and in the UCLA job.
I have a feeling Bernie Miklasz is going to start up a Martz bandwagon sometime soon, judging from positive comments made in a recent column about Mike's time here. It'd be this year's version of the Michael Vick for QB campaign. Bernie's bored and wants to stir up some controversy. That does not mean Martz is not on my list, however.
I fear for the moment Rob Ryan will be a popular candidate around here, though it will be based on his biker hairdo and his ability to be a good quote more than previous record, coaching experience or philosophy. Rob Ryan is not high on my current list, but I'll give him due diligence.
Is Coach Eric Taylor available?
-$-
Did not practice Wednesday:
Justin Bannan (shoulder)
Josh Hull (hamstring)
Mark LeVoir (pectoral)
Darian Stewart (concussion)
Stewart has yet to be cleared to return to practice. Donnie Jones was excused for personal business.
Limited:
Sam Bradford (ankle)
Chris Chamberlain (hamstring)
Dominique Curry (shoulder)
Justin King (ankle)
Chris Long (ankle)
Brit Miller (hamstring)
Bradford took about half the snaps Wednesday.
It shouldn't be news that someone is a full participant, but Danario Alexander was not listed on yesterday's injury report, and there is rampant optimism that he will play in San Francisco Sunday. So who knows, the Rams may only lose 27-13 instead of 27-6.
Alumni report
Travon Bellamy signed to Redskins practice squad.
The Colts stole Jermale Hines from a practice squad for the second time this year, this time Carolina's.
Chauncey Washington signed to Cowboys practice squad.
Coaching carousel
Mike Martz, whose contract with the Bears expires at the end of this season, has expressed interest in the head coaching job at Arizona State. God knows he used to draft enough players from there. Jim Mora Jr. has expressed interest there and in the UCLA job.
I have a feeling Bernie Miklasz is going to start up a Martz bandwagon sometime soon, judging from positive comments made in a recent column about Mike's time here. It'd be this year's version of the Michael Vick for QB campaign. Bernie's bored and wants to stir up some controversy. That does not mean Martz is not on my list, however.
I fear for the moment Rob Ryan will be a popular candidate around here, though it will be based on his biker hairdo and his ability to be a good quote more than previous record, coaching experience or philosophy. Rob Ryan is not high on my current list, but I'll give him due diligence.
Is Coach Eric Taylor available?
-$-
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Rams report, 11/30
* Big dogs. The bad news: the Rams are 13.5-point underdogs to the 49ers on Sunday. The good news: they're not even the biggest underdogs of the week. The Patriots are 20.5-point favorites over the Colts.
* Flea market. Rams transactions: what team would be hard-up enough to take a player from the practice squad of a 2-9 team? Yes, the 0-11 Colts, to whom the Rams have lost practice squad LB Scott Lutrus. The Rams replaced Lutrus with LB Eddie Jones. They also cut David Gilreath from the PS and replaced him with WR John Chiles. Both new practice squadders are former Texas Longhorns.
The Rams had one of their former linemen, Roger Allen, in on Tuesday for a tryout. He was released by the Saints over the weekend. They also tried out WRs Wesley Lyons and Owen Spencer.
Ex-Rams transactions: Chris Massey has landed a job with the Bears, who waived their long snapper. Also, the Chargers waived Eric Young again, and the Seahawks waived David Vobora injured. Guess he won't get to smack-talk the Rams' special teams before kickoffs like he was here in St. Louis.
In other long snapper news, Cleveland cut Ryan Pontbriand, who helped the Rams beat the Browns by snapping the ball off a teammate's leg on the missed (or blocked) game-winning FG attempt. Pontbriand caused a FG miss in their loss to Cincinnati this week by rolling the snap on the ground.
* Congratulations to Steve Spagnuolo on his part in creating a Hall-of-Famer. Patrick Peterson. The shoes Peterson wore in Sunday's game are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to commemorate his 4 punt return TDs of 80 yards or more in one season. TWO AGAINST THE RAMS.
-$-
* Flea market. Rams transactions: what team would be hard-up enough to take a player from the practice squad of a 2-9 team? Yes, the 0-11 Colts, to whom the Rams have lost practice squad LB Scott Lutrus. The Rams replaced Lutrus with LB Eddie Jones. They also cut David Gilreath from the PS and replaced him with WR John Chiles. Both new practice squadders are former Texas Longhorns.
The Rams had one of their former linemen, Roger Allen, in on Tuesday for a tryout. He was released by the Saints over the weekend. They also tried out WRs Wesley Lyons and Owen Spencer.
Ex-Rams transactions: Chris Massey has landed a job with the Bears, who waived their long snapper. Also, the Chargers waived Eric Young again, and the Seahawks waived David Vobora injured. Guess he won't get to smack-talk the Rams' special teams before kickoffs like he was here in St. Louis.
In other long snapper news, Cleveland cut Ryan Pontbriand, who helped the Rams beat the Browns by snapping the ball off a teammate's leg on the missed (or blocked) game-winning FG attempt. Pontbriand caused a FG miss in their loss to Cincinnati this week by rolling the snap on the ground.
* Congratulations to Steve Spagnuolo on his part in creating a Hall-of-Famer. Patrick Peterson. The shoes Peterson wore in Sunday's game are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to commemorate his 4 punt return TDs of 80 yards or more in one season. TWO AGAINST THE RAMS.
-$-
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Shahid Khan buying Jagwires
Big doings in Jacksonville today... they have fired head coach Jack Del Rio (yes, I am building a list of coaching candidates to replace Steve Spagnuolo; no, Jack Del Rio will not be very high on that list), and Wayne Weaver has reportedly agreed to sell the team to Shahid Khan. Khan, you'll remember, attempted to buy the Rams last summer, but then-minority owner Stan Kroenke exercised his option to buy the rest of the team.
Khan got pretty touchy-feely coverage around here last summer because he presented himself as a fan of the team and a Rams season-ticket holder, and the Rams' stability was going to be questionable until the Rosenblooms were able to sell it. So he was the white knight. I doubt he can convince many in Florida that he's practically a local and has always been a fan of the team.
I mention this because this is the second time Khan has made a play for an NFL franchise strongly considered a candidate to move to Los Angeles. I hope he keeps the Jags in Jacksonville, otherwise, we'll always wonder what he really had planned for the Rams.
I also hope Stan Kroenke isn't sitting behind a desk somewhere this morning saying - Shit, I'd better beat Khan to the west coast!
Update: Khan said in his official statement that he is fully committed to delivering Jacksonville its first Super Bowl championship, and that he "can't think of a better place to be."
Again, I hope he keeps the team where it is, but if he can't think of a better place to be, he's not thinking very hard.
-$-
Khan got pretty touchy-feely coverage around here last summer because he presented himself as a fan of the team and a Rams season-ticket holder, and the Rams' stability was going to be questionable until the Rosenblooms were able to sell it. So he was the white knight. I doubt he can convince many in Florida that he's practically a local and has always been a fan of the team.
I mention this because this is the second time Khan has made a play for an NFL franchise strongly considered a candidate to move to Los Angeles. I hope he keeps the Jags in Jacksonville, otherwise, we'll always wonder what he really had planned for the Rams.
I also hope Stan Kroenke isn't sitting behind a desk somewhere this morning saying - Shit, I'd better beat Khan to the west coast!
Update: Khan said in his official statement that he is fully committed to delivering Jacksonville its first Super Bowl championship, and that he "can't think of a better place to be."
Again, I hope he keeps the team where it is, but if he can't think of a better place to be, he's not thinking very hard.
-$-
Monday, November 28, 2011
Rams update, 11/28
* RamView: recap for the latest Rams debacle: Link
The main website is back up to date again after about a month of neglect.
* Injuries: light injury report coming out of the Arizona game, mostly nicks and tweaks.
- Sam Bradford slightly re-aggravated his sprained ankle but it isn't said to be serious.
- Darian Stewart has a concussion, which he must have gotten on B. Wells' 52-yard run in the 4th. He will have to be monitored.
- Dominque Curry slightly dislocated a shoulder but played through it.
- Day-to-day: Justin Bannan (upgraded, shoulder), Chris Chamberlain (hamstring), Josh Hull (upgraded, hamstring), Donnie Jones (ankle), Mark LeVoir (upgraded, pectoral), Britt Miller (hamstring).
If LeVoir can go, I wonder if you don't put him at LT and move Adam Goldberg inside to get Jason Brown the hell off the field.
- I guess Danario Alexander (hamstring) is improving; he's deemed likelier to return to practice this week. Most of the rest of the Rams listed on the last report played through the Arizona game. Only guy up in the air from my standpoint is Cadillac Williams.
-$-
The main website is back up to date again after about a month of neglect.
* Injuries: light injury report coming out of the Arizona game, mostly nicks and tweaks.
- Sam Bradford slightly re-aggravated his sprained ankle but it isn't said to be serious.
- Darian Stewart has a concussion, which he must have gotten on B. Wells' 52-yard run in the 4th. He will have to be monitored.
- Dominque Curry slightly dislocated a shoulder but played through it.
- Day-to-day: Justin Bannan (upgraded, shoulder), Chris Chamberlain (hamstring), Josh Hull (upgraded, hamstring), Donnie Jones (ankle), Mark LeVoir (upgraded, pectoral), Britt Miller (hamstring).
If LeVoir can go, I wonder if you don't put him at LT and move Adam Goldberg inside to get Jason Brown the hell off the field.
- I guess Danario Alexander (hamstring) is improving; he's deemed likelier to return to practice this week. Most of the rest of the Rams listed on the last report played through the Arizona game. Only guy up in the air from my standpoint is Cadillac Williams.
-$-
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Rams update, 11/26
* Transactions:
- Jason Smith to IR; see related post. His roster spot goes not to Rams practice squadder Ryan McKee, but to offensive lineman Bryan Mattison from Baltimore's PS. That's three PS guys in reserve should any of the Rams' o-linemen get injured the rest of the season. And Mattison's a converted defensive lineman.
* Injuries:
- Justin Bannan is out for Sunday. Josh Hull and Mark LeVoir have been previously ruled out.
- Danario Alexander sounds very doubtful. He and Austin Pettis are considered gametime decisions, but Pettis sounds much more likely to actually play. Pettis was a full participant Friday. We may still end up with Nick Miller getting playing time at receiver and punt returner. Brilliant.
- James Laurinaitis should be good to go.
- Chris Long and Cadillac Williams were limited Friday. I imagine Long is very likely to play and the Rams are just keeping him off his injured ankle. Unsure of Williams' actual status, guessing questionable at best.
- Lance Kendricks and Justin King were full participants Friday, so I assume they're good to go.
Arizona: Kevin Kolb is questionable. I just watched Arizona's game in San Francisco last week, where John Skelton melted down so badly he was replaced for the 4th quarter by Richard Bartel, who was almost as bad. Starting to look like Kolb will be the guy on Sunday.
* Fine day for a Seahawk:
- Kam Chancellor was fined $40,000 for hitting Kendricks in the head late in last week's game. Russell Okung was fined $7,500 for an unnecessary roughness penalty.
-$-
- Jason Smith to IR; see related post. His roster spot goes not to Rams practice squadder Ryan McKee, but to offensive lineman Bryan Mattison from Baltimore's PS. That's three PS guys in reserve should any of the Rams' o-linemen get injured the rest of the season. And Mattison's a converted defensive lineman.
* Injuries:
- Justin Bannan is out for Sunday. Josh Hull and Mark LeVoir have been previously ruled out.
- Danario Alexander sounds very doubtful. He and Austin Pettis are considered gametime decisions, but Pettis sounds much more likely to actually play. Pettis was a full participant Friday. We may still end up with Nick Miller getting playing time at receiver and punt returner. Brilliant.
- James Laurinaitis should be good to go.
- Chris Long and Cadillac Williams were limited Friday. I imagine Long is very likely to play and the Rams are just keeping him off his injured ankle. Unsure of Williams' actual status, guessing questionable at best.
- Lance Kendricks and Justin King were full participants Friday, so I assume they're good to go.
Arizona: Kevin Kolb is questionable. I just watched Arizona's game in San Francisco last week, where John Skelton melted down so badly he was replaced for the 4th quarter by Richard Bartel, who was almost as bad. Starting to look like Kolb will be the guy on Sunday.
* Fine day for a Seahawk:
- Kam Chancellor was fined $40,000 for hitting Kendricks in the head late in last week's game. Russell Okung was fined $7,500 for an unnecessary roughness penalty.
-$-
Friday, November 25, 2011
Jason Smith: career post mortem
No day at Rams Park would be complete without someone going onto injured reserve. Today's honoree was Jason Smith, who hasn't made progress after suffering a concussion against Dallas four weeks ago. The Rams are taking the prudent course and shutting him down for the season. Speaking of prudent courses, they're on the hook for $10 million to Smith next season. Therefore, after just three seasons, we've probably seen the last of the Rams' 2009 first-round pick, the second pick overall, in a Rams uniform. And given he's just suffered his second season-ending concussion in three years, I would hope for his safety we've seen the last of him in an NFL uniform.
Jason Smith turns out to be a spectacular draft bust. Billy Devaney picked him as the left tackle of the future, the keystone of the plan to build the Rams around the lines. Injuries kept him from settling in there effectively his rookie year, then Rodger Saffold, a second round pick, outplayed him for the position and evicted him to right tackle the next training camp. Smith showed ability as a run blocker there but tended to struggle as a pass protector unless the play called for the ball to come out quickly. Could he have become a better player? Who knows? His injuries never let him stay on the field long enough to develop.
Was Devaney the only person mistaken about Smith? Not at all. Did you hear Mel Kiper or Mike Mayock call Smith a bad pick at the time? No. Pro Football Weekly ranked Smith right where the Rams took him. #2 player overall, #1 tackle. (Only thumbs-down I can find was from Charlie Casserly, who said there was no top 10-quality tackle in the '09 draft. Nice call.) Scouting reports on Smith showed no significant injury history, and, opposite to his actual career, suggested the system he played at Baylor would suit him well as a pro pass-blocker but would lead him to struggle as a run-blocker.
Should the Rams have taken a different tackle? Maybe. Now, they surely wouldn't have taken the running joke that was Andre Smith. But Michael Oher or Eugene Monroe were certainly in play. But just like Smith, Oher couldn't hack it at LT in Baltimore and is back at RT for the Ravens. And go off the Scouts Inc. reports from ESPN.com Insider - Oher, Monroe and Smith all grade out about the same as pros. Maybe the secret is not to over-rely on Combine bench press performance. Smith appeared to gain his edge at the Combine in the weight room, benching 33 times to 23 for Monroe, 21 for Oher.
Should the Rams have addressed a different need? Many, including me, thought their worst need going into the '09 draft was run defense. And I did pretty brilliantly suggest that Brian Orakpo was the best athlete in that year's draft. But with Chris Long and James Hall playing effectively, you weren't going to spend a high pick on a pass rusher. Then my brilliance pretty well stops, because like most who wanted to address defense that year, I would have gone with Aaron Curry, who was just as bad a bust for Seattle as Smith is here. He was traded to Oakland earlier this season for a bag of dirty jockstraps. The Rams did a far better job addressing their run defense in the second round by drafting James Laurinaitis, who wouldn't have become a Ram had they drafted Curry. Had the Rams agreed they needed to address run defense at #2 overall, would they have avoided the Curry trap? Would they have made B.J. Raji the #2 pick with marijuana rumors swirling around him? I can't imagine it.
I recall Bernie Miklasz being peeved that the Rams didn't draft Mark Sanchez. Hard to say today that the Rams would be a lot better off with him, though, watching him flounder this year with the Jets. Could have made Ndamukong Suh a Ram in 2010, though.
Late addition: I don't know how I forgot the very strong Michael Crabtree contingent, but that went down in flames when he "shrunk" two inches at the Combine and showed up with a broken foot. And judging from his lack of elite production at San Francisco, the Rams made a good move not trusting $60 mil on a player they weren't even going to get to see work out before that year's draft.
We can call Jason Smith a bust for the Rams. I think that's fair. He's a blown pick that will wind up setting the franchise back 2 to 3 years. Everybody who wants to fire Billy Devaney - I'm solidly on the fence - will point to how poorly Smith ultimately worked out here.
All that's fair for criticism, if there was an obvious way the Rams could have avoided the problem. Somebody show me a realistic way Devaney could have avoided it and I'll call him a dummy. For now, I can only call Devaney, the Rams, and Jason Smith himself, extremely unlucky.
-$-
Jason Smith turns out to be a spectacular draft bust. Billy Devaney picked him as the left tackle of the future, the keystone of the plan to build the Rams around the lines. Injuries kept him from settling in there effectively his rookie year, then Rodger Saffold, a second round pick, outplayed him for the position and evicted him to right tackle the next training camp. Smith showed ability as a run blocker there but tended to struggle as a pass protector unless the play called for the ball to come out quickly. Could he have become a better player? Who knows? His injuries never let him stay on the field long enough to develop.
Was Devaney the only person mistaken about Smith? Not at all. Did you hear Mel Kiper or Mike Mayock call Smith a bad pick at the time? No. Pro Football Weekly ranked Smith right where the Rams took him. #2 player overall, #1 tackle. (Only thumbs-down I can find was from Charlie Casserly, who said there was no top 10-quality tackle in the '09 draft. Nice call.) Scouting reports on Smith showed no significant injury history, and, opposite to his actual career, suggested the system he played at Baylor would suit him well as a pro pass-blocker but would lead him to struggle as a run-blocker.
Should the Rams have taken a different tackle? Maybe. Now, they surely wouldn't have taken the running joke that was Andre Smith. But Michael Oher or Eugene Monroe were certainly in play. But just like Smith, Oher couldn't hack it at LT in Baltimore and is back at RT for the Ravens. And go off the Scouts Inc. reports from ESPN.com Insider - Oher, Monroe and Smith all grade out about the same as pros. Maybe the secret is not to over-rely on Combine bench press performance. Smith appeared to gain his edge at the Combine in the weight room, benching 33 times to 23 for Monroe, 21 for Oher.
Should the Rams have addressed a different need? Many, including me, thought their worst need going into the '09 draft was run defense. And I did pretty brilliantly suggest that Brian Orakpo was the best athlete in that year's draft. But with Chris Long and James Hall playing effectively, you weren't going to spend a high pick on a pass rusher. Then my brilliance pretty well stops, because like most who wanted to address defense that year, I would have gone with Aaron Curry, who was just as bad a bust for Seattle as Smith is here. He was traded to Oakland earlier this season for a bag of dirty jockstraps. The Rams did a far better job addressing their run defense in the second round by drafting James Laurinaitis, who wouldn't have become a Ram had they drafted Curry. Had the Rams agreed they needed to address run defense at #2 overall, would they have avoided the Curry trap? Would they have made B.J. Raji the #2 pick with marijuana rumors swirling around him? I can't imagine it.
I recall Bernie Miklasz being peeved that the Rams didn't draft Mark Sanchez. Hard to say today that the Rams would be a lot better off with him, though, watching him flounder this year with the Jets. Could have made Ndamukong Suh a Ram in 2010, though.
Late addition: I don't know how I forgot the very strong Michael Crabtree contingent, but that went down in flames when he "shrunk" two inches at the Combine and showed up with a broken foot. And judging from his lack of elite production at San Francisco, the Rams made a good move not trusting $60 mil on a player they weren't even going to get to see work out before that year's draft.
We can call Jason Smith a bust for the Rams. I think that's fair. He's a blown pick that will wind up setting the franchise back 2 to 3 years. Everybody who wants to fire Billy Devaney - I'm solidly on the fence - will point to how poorly Smith ultimately worked out here.
All that's fair for criticism, if there was an obvious way the Rams could have avoided the problem. Somebody show me a realistic way Devaney could have avoided it and I'll call him a dummy. For now, I can only call Devaney, the Rams, and Jason Smith himself, extremely unlucky.
-$-
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Rams report, 11/24
* Clayton to IR. Mark Clayton gave it a game effort but his legs just weren't ready to return to the full-time wear-and-tear of the NFL season. He had a lot of knee pain at Wednesday's practice and was limited. It's been determined since that he needs to have both knees scoped. His season's over. Nick Miller was re-signed to the main roster to replace Clayton.
* Offensive line shuffle. With no depth left on their offensive line but practice squad players, the Rams are re-shuffling the offensive line so they can get their best players on the field. The new-look line: Adam Goldberg at left tackle, Jacob Bell at left guard, Tony Wragge at center, Jason Brown at right guard, Harvey Dahl at right tackle.
My first question - why wasn't something like this done last week instead of leaving complete scrub Kevin Hughes out there? Brown was active.Why not bring him off the bench and kick Bell outside? Very little shuffling needed there. Steve Loney couldn't think of that when the Rams needed something to bail them out of the fire? Another reason Loney needs to go.
I like the new alignment much better than leaving Sam Bradford at the mercies of practice squadders like Hughes or new acquisition Thomas Welch. Dahl has tackle experience, Goldberg has left tackle experience. Brown's a lot stronger weak link, if you will, than a total scrub, and who knows, maybe a couple of weeks on the bench will bring new urgency to his game.
* Full injury report (Wednesday):
Limited: Danario Alexander (hamstring), Lance Kendricks (concussion), Justin King (knee/ankle), Chris Long (ankle), Austin Pettis (knee), Cadillac Williams (calf)
Not practicing: Justin Bannan (shoulder), Josh Hull (hamstring), Mark LeVoir (pectoral), Jason Smith (concussion). James Laurinaitis also did not practice, but the good news is that the MRI on his injured foot did not show any serious damage.
* Blame Bud Light, not me, but ha, ha, if I'm stuck watching the Cardinals-Rams dog on Sunday, so should everyone around here on TV, and y'all are, now that Bud Light and the Rams have bought up enough tickets to qualify the game for sellout status. KTVI, noon, Sunday. Enjoy.
* Tryouts: The Rams had defensive tackle Kade Weston and cornerback Morgan Trent in for tryouts Tuesday but did not sign either player.
* Cuts: The Rams waived RB Eddie Wide from IR Tuesday, which I assume means he's healthy enough to play but the team didn't have an opening for him.
* Alumni report: Kris Adams had a tryout with Seattle.
Phil Trautwein was added to New Orleans' PS.
* Statistic of the week: Steve Spagnuolo needs one win to tie Scott Linehan for career coaching wins. Also Josh McDaniels.
-$-
* Offensive line shuffle. With no depth left on their offensive line but practice squad players, the Rams are re-shuffling the offensive line so they can get their best players on the field. The new-look line: Adam Goldberg at left tackle, Jacob Bell at left guard, Tony Wragge at center, Jason Brown at right guard, Harvey Dahl at right tackle.
My first question - why wasn't something like this done last week instead of leaving complete scrub Kevin Hughes out there? Brown was active.Why not bring him off the bench and kick Bell outside? Very little shuffling needed there. Steve Loney couldn't think of that when the Rams needed something to bail them out of the fire? Another reason Loney needs to go.
I like the new alignment much better than leaving Sam Bradford at the mercies of practice squadders like Hughes or new acquisition Thomas Welch. Dahl has tackle experience, Goldberg has left tackle experience. Brown's a lot stronger weak link, if you will, than a total scrub, and who knows, maybe a couple of weeks on the bench will bring new urgency to his game.
* Full injury report (Wednesday):
Limited: Danario Alexander (hamstring), Lance Kendricks (concussion), Justin King (knee/ankle), Chris Long (ankle), Austin Pettis (knee), Cadillac Williams (calf)
Not practicing: Justin Bannan (shoulder), Josh Hull (hamstring), Mark LeVoir (pectoral), Jason Smith (concussion). James Laurinaitis also did not practice, but the good news is that the MRI on his injured foot did not show any serious damage.
* Blame Bud Light, not me, but ha, ha, if I'm stuck watching the Cardinals-Rams dog on Sunday, so should everyone around here on TV, and y'all are, now that Bud Light and the Rams have bought up enough tickets to qualify the game for sellout status. KTVI, noon, Sunday. Enjoy.
* Tryouts: The Rams had defensive tackle Kade Weston and cornerback Morgan Trent in for tryouts Tuesday but did not sign either player.
* Cuts: The Rams waived RB Eddie Wide from IR Tuesday, which I assume means he's healthy enough to play but the team didn't have an opening for him.
* Alumni report: Kris Adams had a tryout with Seattle.
Phil Trautwein was added to New Orleans' PS.
* Statistic of the week: Steve Spagnuolo needs one win to tie Scott Linehan for career coaching wins. Also Josh McDaniels.
-$-
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Another cornerback down
Make it an even ten cornerbacks to have hit the Rams' injured reserve list this season. Marquis Johnson, reported as having an abdominal injury after Sunday's game, turns out to have a lacerated spleen. It's supposed to get better with just rest, but Johnson's season is over.
Good Lord, they've had cornerbacks with blown knees, a broken neck, a broken ankle, a torn spleen, corners injured by their own teammates, corners injured in training camp, corners injured at the team scrimmage.... Forget Deadliest Catch, the most dangerous job in America is playing cornerback for the Rams.
Transactions:
Johnson's spot on the Rams roster will be taken by tackle Thomas Welch, who tried out here last week but had to be signed off of Buffalo's practice squad. The practice squad position that opened when Kevin Hughes was promoted will be filled by rookie cornerback Kendric Burney. Best of luck to him; he'll need it.
-$-
Good Lord, they've had cornerbacks with blown knees, a broken neck, a broken ankle, a torn spleen, corners injured by their own teammates, corners injured in training camp, corners injured at the team scrimmage.... Forget Deadliest Catch, the most dangerous job in America is playing cornerback for the Rams.
Transactions:
Johnson's spot on the Rams roster will be taken by tackle Thomas Welch, who tried out here last week but had to be signed off of Buffalo's practice squad. The practice squad position that opened when Kevin Hughes was promoted will be filled by rookie cornerback Kendric Burney. Best of luck to him; he'll need it.
-$-
Hall of Fame update
Former Rams Jerome Bettis, Kevin Greene and Aeneas Williams were all selected again this year as semifinalists for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Also on the list are former St. Louis Cardinals head coach and offensive innovator Don Coryell and safety Steve Atwater, who attended high school in St. Louis.
3 of last year's semifinalists - Ray Guy, Lester Hayes and Art Modell - did not repeat this year.
8 candidates were not semifinalists last year: Atwater, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenberg, Bill Parcells, Donnie Shell, Will Shields, Steve Tasker and Ron Wolf. The voters continue to taint the process by making semifinalists out of Paul Tagliabue and Edward DeBartolo Jr. again this year.
Bettis would seem to have a strong chance at induction this year; the fifth-leading rusher of all time was a finalist last year. The semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists in January, then up to five will be selected on Super Bowl weekend for the Hall of Fame. (These are just the modern-day players; they can be joined in the Class of 2012 by one or both of the Seniors Committee selections, Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel.)
My guesses today for the final 5: Bettis, Parcells, four-time finalist Cris Carter, #4 all-time rusher Curtis Martin and 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf.
-$-
3 of last year's semifinalists - Ray Guy, Lester Hayes and Art Modell - did not repeat this year.
8 candidates were not semifinalists last year: Atwater, Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenberg, Bill Parcells, Donnie Shell, Will Shields, Steve Tasker and Ron Wolf. The voters continue to taint the process by making semifinalists out of Paul Tagliabue and Edward DeBartolo Jr. again this year.
Bettis would seem to have a strong chance at induction this year; the fifth-leading rusher of all time was a finalist last year. The semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists in January, then up to five will be selected on Super Bowl weekend for the Hall of Fame. (These are just the modern-day players; they can be joined in the Class of 2012 by one or both of the Seniors Committee selections, Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel.)
My guesses today for the final 5: Bettis, Parcells, four-time finalist Cris Carter, #4 all-time rusher Curtis Martin and 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Willie Roaf.
-$-
HoF semifinalists to be announced today
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's list of semifinalists for the induction class of 2012 will be announced on NFL Network sometime after 4:00 this afternoon. They will narrow the list from 105 preliminary modern-era nominees to 25.
Former Rams on the preliminary list:
Jerome Bettis
Bud Carson
Stephen Davis (first time eligible)
Henry Ellard
Kevin Greene
Chuck Knox
Eddie Kotal (Rams scout from 1947 - 1961)
Clark Shaughnessy (head coach 1948 - 1949)
Dick Vermeil
Aeneas Williams
Bettis was a finalist last year. Greene and Williams were semifinalists, as was late Cardinals coach Don Coryell.
If all of last year's semifinalists qualify again, and the voters keep the unsavory candidacies of Paul Tagliabue, Eddie DeBartolo and Art Modell alive, there will be four semifinal openings. (Note I am uncertain when, or how, a candidate runs out of eligibility.) The key first-time eligibles for 2012 are Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells, Marty Schottenheimer, Tiki Barber, Keyshawn Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, Will Shields and Rod Smith.
Parcells and Shields should be locks to make the final 25, and are locks to be inducted into the Hall. I'd guess Parcells makes it on his first year of (re)eligibility. Shields deserves to, but might have to queue for a couple of years behind other offensive line candidates.
Greene should continue to be a semifinalist at the very least. Third all-time in sacks, and they're starting to induct guys behind him on that list like Richard Dent. And I cannot tell you why the hell Rickey Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame and Greene isn't.
Cowher's candidacy is clouded by rumors he'll be back coaching in the league next season. Schottenheimer's 200 wins are more than any eligible coach, but if the lack of Super Bowl rings keeps Chuck Knox out of the top 25 with 186 wins, and Dan Reeves with 190, I'm not feeling it for Marty. We all love Vermeil, but I don't know if 120 career wins will ever be enough to put him over the top.
I can't see putting Smith or Johnson in the top 25 if Ellard can't get there. Ellard easily has more career receiving yards than either, and has as many receptions as Johnson. It might be telling that the Hall of Fame website didn't even list Smith among the notable new eligibles. Boo to them for that, but no new WRs this year unless it's Ellard.
Bledsoe's 8th all-time in career passing yards and is an interesting case for those of us expecting Kurt Warner to walk in in a couple of years with the same number of Pro Bowls (4) and 12,000 fewer career yards. And heck, yes, Warner is walking right into the Hall in a couple of years. Bledsoe's .500 career record (.655 for Warner) makes him look a lot more like Jim Hart, though, and Jim isn't going to make the Hall. Sorry, but no.
Barber and Eddie George have very similar career statistics, and George couldn't crack the top 25 last year. Plus Barber is a gigantic jerk. So no.
I threw support to Roger Craig earlier, but I didn't have to, he was a semifinalist last year. Two former semifinalists I'd like to see get back in: Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby and special teamer Steve Tasker of the Bills, a 7-time Pro Bowler.
If I really had my druthers, I'd rip out the St. Louis-hating, not particularly distinctive or innovative commissioner Tagliabue, federal criminal and serial salary cap-violator DeBartolo, and Modell for the mortal sin of moving the Browns out of Cleveland. I'd replace them with Henry Ellard, Sam Mills and Gil Brandt.
-$-
Former Rams on the preliminary list:
Jerome Bettis
Bud Carson
Stephen Davis (first time eligible)
Henry Ellard
Kevin Greene
Chuck Knox
Eddie Kotal (Rams scout from 1947 - 1961)
Clark Shaughnessy (head coach 1948 - 1949)
Dick Vermeil
Aeneas Williams
Bettis was a finalist last year. Greene and Williams were semifinalists, as was late Cardinals coach Don Coryell.
If all of last year's semifinalists qualify again, and the voters keep the unsavory candidacies of Paul Tagliabue, Eddie DeBartolo and Art Modell alive, there will be four semifinal openings. (Note I am uncertain when, or how, a candidate runs out of eligibility.) The key first-time eligibles for 2012 are Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells, Marty Schottenheimer, Tiki Barber, Keyshawn Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, Will Shields and Rod Smith.
Parcells and Shields should be locks to make the final 25, and are locks to be inducted into the Hall. I'd guess Parcells makes it on his first year of (re)eligibility. Shields deserves to, but might have to queue for a couple of years behind other offensive line candidates.
Greene should continue to be a semifinalist at the very least. Third all-time in sacks, and they're starting to induct guys behind him on that list like Richard Dent. And I cannot tell you why the hell Rickey Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame and Greene isn't.
Cowher's candidacy is clouded by rumors he'll be back coaching in the league next season. Schottenheimer's 200 wins are more than any eligible coach, but if the lack of Super Bowl rings keeps Chuck Knox out of the top 25 with 186 wins, and Dan Reeves with 190, I'm not feeling it for Marty. We all love Vermeil, but I don't know if 120 career wins will ever be enough to put him over the top.
I can't see putting Smith or Johnson in the top 25 if Ellard can't get there. Ellard easily has more career receiving yards than either, and has as many receptions as Johnson. It might be telling that the Hall of Fame website didn't even list Smith among the notable new eligibles. Boo to them for that, but no new WRs this year unless it's Ellard.
Bledsoe's 8th all-time in career passing yards and is an interesting case for those of us expecting Kurt Warner to walk in in a couple of years with the same number of Pro Bowls (4) and 12,000 fewer career yards. And heck, yes, Warner is walking right into the Hall in a couple of years. Bledsoe's .500 career record (.655 for Warner) makes him look a lot more like Jim Hart, though, and Jim isn't going to make the Hall. Sorry, but no.
Barber and Eddie George have very similar career statistics, and George couldn't crack the top 25 last year. Plus Barber is a gigantic jerk. So no.
I threw support to Roger Craig earlier, but I didn't have to, he was a semifinalist last year. Two former semifinalists I'd like to see get back in: Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby and special teamer Steve Tasker of the Bills, a 7-time Pro Bowler.
If I really had my druthers, I'd rip out the St. Louis-hating, not particularly distinctive or innovative commissioner Tagliabue, federal criminal and serial salary cap-violator DeBartolo, and Modell for the mortal sin of moving the Browns out of Cleveland. I'd replace them with Henry Ellard, Sam Mills and Gil Brandt.
-$-
Another long injury report, 11/22
Here's where the Rams stand heading into the week of practice for the Arizona game next Sunday:
The biggest names on the list right now are Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. Long got his ankle rolled up on by Robert Quinn during a sack against Seattle Sunday. He played the whole game with the injury, though, and he's considered day-to-day. Laurinaitis has a sore foot and will get an MRI on it as a precautionary measure.
If Laurinaitis is unable to play, and with Josh Hull already considered out for the Arizona game after re-aggravating his hamstring injury, I'm unsure who the Rams would line up at MLB. I would lean toward Brady Poppinga for his run defense, but a quick Google search reveals that Bryan Kehl played some MLB for Steve Spagnuolo with the Giants in '08 after Antonio Pierce got hurt.
Let's just do the rest by position.
DT: Justin Bannan injured a shoulder during Sunday's game that was still very sore yesterday, so he will be sent off for an MRI.
LB: Bryan Kehl played Sunday and came out OK, take him off the injury list.
CB: Marquis Johnson was hospitalized overnight due to what's reported as an abdominal contusion, likely suffered on Justin Forsett's TD run. And good grief, that could actually be anything. Don't mess around with internal injuries. Justin King is day-to-day with a sprained ankle and swelling in his knee. A MRI didn't show anything serious.
OL: Mark LeVoir will be out 2 to 4 weeks due to a sprained pec injured early in the Seattle game. It'll be a big surprise if current street free agent Renardo Foster isn't the Rams' LT Sunday, unless he hasn't been able to stay in shape. Actually, I'm a little surprised Ryan McKee didn't get the call-up from the PS instead of Kevin Hughes. A little more experience, a little better feel for the speed of the game. Jason Smith may have to be placed on IR. He is still not recovered enough from his concussion to pass an exertion test, and the Rams need the roster spot. Rodger Saffold had surgery on his torn pectoral yesterday and will hopefully be back at it in 4-5 months.
WR: Austin Pettis and Mark Clayton will be limited in practice due to sore knees. Danario Alexander still has tightness in his hamstring and doesn't look very optimistic for Sunday. Brandon Gibson played through a groin injury Sunday, take him off the injury list for now.
TE: Mild concussion for Lance Kendricks after that hit from Kam Chancellor late in the Seattle game. Could be back as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Got a little lucky with that one.
RB: Not sure of Cadillac Williams' status with the calf injury. Jerious Norwood was not active Sunday but was reportedly a healthy scratch.
Arizona: There is no line on Sunday's game yet, but early reports are that the Cardinals will start John Skelton again at QB; Kevin Kolb's foot is responding much more slowly than hoped. Honestly, the Rams will be worse off with Skelton starting, he looks like he's gaining confidence.
Transactions
Just to get it officially listed, Kevin Hughes was activated from the practice squad Saturday to fill the spot opened when Saffold went on IR. Hughes' practice squad slot was still open at last report.
Alumni report
Jimmy Kennedy (Giants) reinstated from four-week league illegal substance suspension.
Jermale Hines added to Carolina PS.
Jonathan Wade cut by Miami.
Eric Young cut again by San Diego.
-$-
The biggest names on the list right now are Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. Long got his ankle rolled up on by Robert Quinn during a sack against Seattle Sunday. He played the whole game with the injury, though, and he's considered day-to-day. Laurinaitis has a sore foot and will get an MRI on it as a precautionary measure.
If Laurinaitis is unable to play, and with Josh Hull already considered out for the Arizona game after re-aggravating his hamstring injury, I'm unsure who the Rams would line up at MLB. I would lean toward Brady Poppinga for his run defense, but a quick Google search reveals that Bryan Kehl played some MLB for Steve Spagnuolo with the Giants in '08 after Antonio Pierce got hurt.
Let's just do the rest by position.
DT: Justin Bannan injured a shoulder during Sunday's game that was still very sore yesterday, so he will be sent off for an MRI.
LB: Bryan Kehl played Sunday and came out OK, take him off the injury list.
CB: Marquis Johnson was hospitalized overnight due to what's reported as an abdominal contusion, likely suffered on Justin Forsett's TD run. And good grief, that could actually be anything. Don't mess around with internal injuries. Justin King is day-to-day with a sprained ankle and swelling in his knee. A MRI didn't show anything serious.
OL: Mark LeVoir will be out 2 to 4 weeks due to a sprained pec injured early in the Seattle game. It'll be a big surprise if current street free agent Renardo Foster isn't the Rams' LT Sunday, unless he hasn't been able to stay in shape. Actually, I'm a little surprised Ryan McKee didn't get the call-up from the PS instead of Kevin Hughes. A little more experience, a little better feel for the speed of the game. Jason Smith may have to be placed on IR. He is still not recovered enough from his concussion to pass an exertion test, and the Rams need the roster spot. Rodger Saffold had surgery on his torn pectoral yesterday and will hopefully be back at it in 4-5 months.
WR: Austin Pettis and Mark Clayton will be limited in practice due to sore knees. Danario Alexander still has tightness in his hamstring and doesn't look very optimistic for Sunday. Brandon Gibson played through a groin injury Sunday, take him off the injury list for now.
TE: Mild concussion for Lance Kendricks after that hit from Kam Chancellor late in the Seattle game. Could be back as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Got a little lucky with that one.
RB: Not sure of Cadillac Williams' status with the calf injury. Jerious Norwood was not active Sunday but was reportedly a healthy scratch.
Arizona: There is no line on Sunday's game yet, but early reports are that the Cardinals will start John Skelton again at QB; Kevin Kolb's foot is responding much more slowly than hoped. Honestly, the Rams will be worse off with Skelton starting, he looks like he's gaining confidence.
Transactions
Just to get it officially listed, Kevin Hughes was activated from the practice squad Saturday to fill the spot opened when Saffold went on IR. Hughes' practice squad slot was still open at last report.
Alumni report
Jimmy Kennedy (Giants) reinstated from four-week league illegal substance suspension.
Jermale Hines added to Carolina PS.
Jonathan Wade cut by Miami.
Eric Young cut again by San Diego.
-$-
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saffold out for season
Rodger Saffold is going to need season-ending surgery to repair the pectoral he tore while weightlifting after practice yesterday.
So that'll be Mark LeVoir Charlie Clemons beats approximately 40 times tomorrow. Let's get a call in to Renardo Foster's agent, shall we?
I hate this season.
-$-
So that'll be Mark LeVoir Charlie Clemons beats approximately 40 times tomorrow. Let's get a call in to Renardo Foster's agent, shall we?
I hate this season.
-$-
Friday, November 18, 2011
2nd injury update, 11/18
This year's Rams team gets so many injuries it really isn't enough to update them once a day. For instance, after Friday's practice, Rodger Saffold strained a pectoral muscle lifting weights. For the love of God. Unknown if he'll play Sunday till the MRI comes back.
Justin King is another maybe for Sunday. He did not practice today, but his ankle sprain is not a high ankle sprain and he could be all right to go. I'd leave him out this week, the best thing he's got going for him is his speed, which he won't have less than a week after spraining the ankle.
Out for Sunday: Danario Alexander, Jason Smith, Cadillac Williams.
Should play Sunday: Brandon Gibson, Josh Hull, Bryan Kehl, Lance Kendricks, Jerious Norwood.
-$-
Justin King is another maybe for Sunday. He did not practice today, but his ankle sprain is not a high ankle sprain and he could be all right to go. I'd leave him out this week, the best thing he's got going for him is his speed, which he won't have less than a week after spraining the ankle.
Out for Sunday: Danario Alexander, Jason Smith, Cadillac Williams.
Should play Sunday: Brandon Gibson, Josh Hull, Bryan Kehl, Lance Kendricks, Jerious Norwood.
-$-
Seattle game sells out
Somehow enough tickets have been sold for Sunday's matchup between the 3-6 Seahawks and the 2-7 Rams to avoid a TV blackout. (Not that I'm expecting to see more than half the stadium actually filled.) Game will be on KTVI-2 at 3:05 p.m.
Figuring there was no chance for a sellout, I was planning to record the Red Zone channel during the game hoping I'd get a few plays to review when I get back home, and at least have something to file in my Rams video collection (which I was too stupid to start until 2006). In the past, if a game didn't sell out, I'd just record that week's "Rams Weekly" on KTVI, but the Rams apparently suck so much they quit doing that show in the middle of this season! (At least, it hasn't been on since the bye week.)
Sunday is Military Appreciation Day at the Dome, so I'll bet a lot of the previously-surplus tickets for Sunday are going to men and women in uniform. The more the merrier...
-$-
Figuring there was no chance for a sellout, I was planning to record the Red Zone channel during the game hoping I'd get a few plays to review when I get back home, and at least have something to file in my Rams video collection (which I was too stupid to start until 2006). In the past, if a game didn't sell out, I'd just record that week's "Rams Weekly" on KTVI, but the Rams apparently suck so much they quit doing that show in the middle of this season! (At least, it hasn't been on since the bye week.)
Sunday is Military Appreciation Day at the Dome, so I'll bet a lot of the previously-surplus tickets for Sunday are going to men and women in uniform. The more the merrier...
-$-
Injury update, 11/18
* Nothing definitive on Justin King's ankle injury yet, with Jim Thomas reporting this morning that he "turned" it. Nick Wagoner made it sound a lot less serious than originally thought, so we'll see.
Out for Sunday:
Jason Smith (concussion)
Danario Alexander (hamstring) - still can't go full-speed
Cadillac Williams (calf) - doesn't look good for Sunday
Better news:
Rodger Saffold (head) split reps yesterday and should get the start Sunday.
Darian Stewart (neck) was upgraded to full practice participation, along with Eugene Sims (shoulder), according to Wagoner.
Lance Kendricks (foot) is moving well and is on schedule to play.
Jerious Norwood (hamstring) got a lot of work yesterday and should be active. In fact, he'll be the #2 RB with Cadillac still up on blocks.
Brandon Gibson (groin) was upgraded to limited participation. Also limited: Josh Hull and Bryan Kehl.
Seattle:
Sidney Rice was a full participant in practice Thursday, per KFFL.
-$-
Out for Sunday:
Jason Smith (concussion)
Danario Alexander (hamstring) - still can't go full-speed
Cadillac Williams (calf) - doesn't look good for Sunday
Better news:
Rodger Saffold (head) split reps yesterday and should get the start Sunday.
Darian Stewart (neck) was upgraded to full practice participation, along with Eugene Sims (shoulder), according to Wagoner.
Lance Kendricks (foot) is moving well and is on schedule to play.
Jerious Norwood (hamstring) got a lot of work yesterday and should be active. In fact, he'll be the #2 RB with Cadillac still up on blocks.
Brandon Gibson (groin) was upgraded to limited participation. Also limited: Josh Hull and Bryan Kehl.
Seattle:
Sidney Rice was a full participant in practice Thursday, per KFFL.
-$-
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Rams report, 11/17
Injuries: ESPN 101 is apparently reporting that Justin King suffered a "significant injury" near the end of Thursday's practice. I apologize for jinxing Justin, who's had a bad injury history up to this season but has played this year with a variety of injuries and deserved a toughness award. He looked like the one Rams corner who was going to survive the 2011 season.
Additional reporting on ESPN 101 says it's an ankle injury.
If King becomes the tenth DB to hit the Rams' IR this season, and why we weren't asking this around injured DB #3 or 4, what the hell are they doing wrong at Rams Park? Is there something wrong with the practice turf? Is there something about the drills they run? Are they overworking the DBs somehow in practice or otherwise? Do they practice indoors too much? Not enough? Is there something wrong with their weight training? Is is a coincidence the Rams also have so many injured receivers? Yes, some of the injury plague on this year's team has been freak, unavoidable, in-game stuff, like Amendola or Salas or Hoomanawanui. But come on. Possibly ten players seriously injured at one position and another string of players injured at the position they practice against? There's bad luck, and there's ridiculous. Nobody has this much bad luck. Something else has to be wrong.
The rest of the team: (to be updated)
Did not participate: Brandon Gibson (groin), Jason Smith (concussion), Cadillac Williams (calf)
Limited: Danario Alexander (hamstring), Josh Hull (hamstring), Bryan Kehl (ankle), Lance Kendricks (foot), Jerious Norwood (hamstring), Rodger Saffold (head), Eugene Sims (shoulder), Darian Stewart (neck)
From listening to a radio report from Jim Thomas during lunch, Kendricks' chances of playing Sunday don't sound very good. Great, TEs have been eating the Seahawks alive the last couple of weeks, and the Rams? Don't have any.
It sounds like Sam Bradford's getting all the snaps at practice again, though, so at least we can take him off the injury report.
Not wanting to feel left out, the Seahawks will be down two starting offensive linemen for Sunday and the rest of the season. Their whole right side is out with knee injuries, with John Moffitt injured in their win over Baltimore, and James Carpenter tearing an ACL in practice yesterday.
I'd bet the under for Sunday's game.
Transactions: It was in fact Chris Smith who got the spot on the practice squad opened up when Nate Ness was promoted.
Alumni report: Jonathan Nelson has joined the Panthers' practice squad.
-$-
Additional reporting on ESPN 101 says it's an ankle injury.
If King becomes the tenth DB to hit the Rams' IR this season, and why we weren't asking this around injured DB #3 or 4, what the hell are they doing wrong at Rams Park? Is there something wrong with the practice turf? Is there something about the drills they run? Are they overworking the DBs somehow in practice or otherwise? Do they practice indoors too much? Not enough? Is there something wrong with their weight training? Is is a coincidence the Rams also have so many injured receivers? Yes, some of the injury plague on this year's team has been freak, unavoidable, in-game stuff, like Amendola or Salas or Hoomanawanui. But come on. Possibly ten players seriously injured at one position and another string of players injured at the position they practice against? There's bad luck, and there's ridiculous. Nobody has this much bad luck. Something else has to be wrong.
The rest of the team: (to be updated)
Did not participate: Brandon Gibson (groin), Jason Smith (concussion), Cadillac Williams (calf)
Limited: Danario Alexander (hamstring), Josh Hull (hamstring), Bryan Kehl (ankle), Lance Kendricks (foot), Jerious Norwood (hamstring), Rodger Saffold (head), Eugene Sims (shoulder), Darian Stewart (neck)
From listening to a radio report from Jim Thomas during lunch, Kendricks' chances of playing Sunday don't sound very good. Great, TEs have been eating the Seahawks alive the last couple of weeks, and the Rams? Don't have any.
It sounds like Sam Bradford's getting all the snaps at practice again, though, so at least we can take him off the injury report.
Not wanting to feel left out, the Seahawks will be down two starting offensive linemen for Sunday and the rest of the season. Their whole right side is out with knee injuries, with John Moffitt injured in their win over Baltimore, and James Carpenter tearing an ACL in practice yesterday.
I'd bet the under for Sunday's game.
Transactions: It was in fact Chris Smith who got the spot on the practice squad opened up when Nate Ness was promoted.
Alumni report: Jonathan Nelson has joined the Panthers' practice squad.
-$-
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