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| Associated Press |
Robert
Quinn (57 tkl, 19 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 1 fumble return for TD):
A+
What
other grade can possibly go to the Rams’ best player? He nearly led
the league in sacks and set a (nod to Deacon Jones) St. Louis Rams
record in the process. He made the Cardinals’ and Saints’
starting LTs look so bad they got dumped or benched. Even
double-teaming wasn’t effective against Quinn as a pass-rusher;
he’d often burst through or hit a sick spin move and sprint by. He
gets the highest grade possible for being more than a one-dimensional
pass-rusher. That kind of player isn’t as physically strong as
Quinn proved this season and isn’t interested in stopping the run.
Quinn, though, was one of the league’s best run defenders this
season, too, certainly the Rams’. A complete player who changed
games with his presence, Robert Quinn just completed one of the best
individual seasons in Rams history.
Kendall Langford (49 tkl, 5 sacks): B
Got
off to a slow start and was a liability against the run until really
turning it on the second half of the season. Had strong run games
against Seattle and Tennessee and that seemed to feed the rest of his
season.
Michael Brockers (46 tkl, 5.5 sacks): B
A
career clearly on the upswing. Brockers drew loads of double-teaming
attention while still proving able to get after the QB. What's weird
is, some of his best games, where he's an absolute monster, came in
division games where the rest of the line was ineffective. How does
that work?
Chris Long (40 tkl, 8.5 sacks, 1 fumble return for TD): C-
Rams
sure have a lot invested in a guy who can't beat Eric Winston.
Blocked MUCH too easily by tight ends in the running game. Want to
know why this team could get gashed in the running game the way it
did at times? How about Long getting blocked by TE Jason Witten ALL
GAME in Dallas. Obviously, there's never going to be a problem with
Chris' motor, and he's an impressive bull-rusher who can really set
the table for his linemates when he gets it revved up. But I had
little patience for Long's inability to shed the damn tight end early
in the season, and it's hard to understand games where he disappears
even though Quinn or Michael Brockers are the one getting double-teamed. Long can't let opponents get away with that in 2014.
William Hayes (28 tkl, 5 sacks): B-
Nice
playmaker as a spot pass rusher but will wear down against the run if
he's needed to take significant snaps. The Rams have him in his ideal
role, and he's delivered very well at it.
Eugene Sims (27 tkl, 2 sacks, 1 safety): D+
Really
a lightweight against the run. Susceptible to bad penalties. Valued
role on special teams actually keeps his grade up.
Jermelle Cudjo (11 tkl): D
Made
some plays against the run but also committed some stupid penalties.
Matt Conrath (7 tkl, 1 sack): D-
Struggled with injuries again and was never an impact player. Right now I'd have to say the Rams will be in serious trouble next year if either starting DT gets hurt.
Gerald
Rivers: Incomplete
After
I doubted him in training camp and he made the main roster, I'm now
hoping Rivers doesn't turn out to be The One That Got Away, after
Jacksonville claimed him when the Rams tried to sneak him onto the
practice squad late in the season. Kid showed some excellent raw pass
rush skills and likely would have given Sims a run for a roster spot
this summer.
Looking ahead: Only thing that's going to beat this line next year is themselves, and hopefully not injuries, tight ends or Eric Winston. The DEs are all locked up, though Quinn's contract runs out after 2015 and may well be a point for offseason discussion. Another point will be the idea that the best player available when the Rams draft in MAY will be Jadeveon Clowney. It's fair to say DT depth is an issue, and I wouldn't say no to one anywhere if the BPA calculus works out.
-$-
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