(First in a series as RamView offers player grades for 2013 by position. No rhyme or reason to the order the positions will come out, just whatever I happen to get done.)
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| Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat |
Zac
Stacy (250-973 rush, 26-141 rec, 8 TD): B
No question, Stacy delivered big for the Rams his rookie season and was one of the steals of the draft. A worthy successor to Steven Jackson as a hard-nosed, no-quit, impossible-to-bring-down power runner. Decent at blitz pickup and grew as a receiver at the end of the season. The Rams could have made the playoffs with him in the lineup sooner. His grade's kept down by that and a lack of elite speed or acceleration. Hoping to see him bounce outside a little more next year.
No question, Stacy delivered big for the Rams his rookie season and was one of the steals of the draft. A worthy successor to Steven Jackson as a hard-nosed, no-quit, impossible-to-bring-down power runner. Decent at blitz pickup and grew as a receiver at the end of the season. The Rams could have made the playoffs with him in the lineup sooner. His grade's kept down by that and a lack of elite speed or acceleration. Hoping to see him bounce outside a little more next year.
Benny
Cunningham (47-261 rush, 6-59 rec, 1 TD): C-
Benny came a long way in a short time and filled in well when Stacy needed to be spelled. Like his running style and speed. Must correct ball-security issues and is terrible at blitz pickup, may not have size to do it.
Daryl Richardson (69-215 rush, 14-121 rec, ZERO TD): F
One of the Rams' most disappointing players in 2013, dropping from 4.8 ypc his rookie season to 3.1. Demonstrated none of the elusive inside running he did as a rookie. Used his blockers poorly and frequently just ran up their backs. A bad-handed liability as a receiver, infamously muffing away a screen pass for a TD in Atlanta. Early-season foot injury a significant variable, but if he's competing for anything here next year, it'll be with Cunningham to be the 3rd-down back at best. He is better at blitz pickup.
Isaiah Pead (7 carries, 11 rec, 99 total yards): F
Former second-round pick unable to beat out a 7th-round pick, a 5th-round pick or a rookie free agent on the depth chart. Seems to have the physical tools and plays with good enough effort, but mental part of the game seems too much for him. Was also in and out of Jeff Fisher's doghouse. A reset with another team could help him.
Benny came a long way in a short time and filled in well when Stacy needed to be spelled. Like his running style and speed. Must correct ball-security issues and is terrible at blitz pickup, may not have size to do it.
Daryl Richardson (69-215 rush, 14-121 rec, ZERO TD): F
One of the Rams' most disappointing players in 2013, dropping from 4.8 ypc his rookie season to 3.1. Demonstrated none of the elusive inside running he did as a rookie. Used his blockers poorly and frequently just ran up their backs. A bad-handed liability as a receiver, infamously muffing away a screen pass for a TD in Atlanta. Early-season foot injury a significant variable, but if he's competing for anything here next year, it'll be with Cunningham to be the 3rd-down back at best. He is better at blitz pickup.
Isaiah Pead (7 carries, 11 rec, 99 total yards): F
Former second-round pick unable to beat out a 7th-round pick, a 5th-round pick or a rookie free agent on the depth chart. Seems to have the physical tools and plays with good enough effort, but mental part of the game seems too much for him. Was also in and out of Jeff Fisher's doghouse. A reset with another team could help him.
Looking ahead: Stacy's obviously the incumbent starter. I would give Richardson the chance to compete with Cunningham. Cutting Pead would gain about a $half-million against the cap, and there's little reason to worry about going into the season with Chase Reynolds at RB4, as long as D-Rich rebounds. The Rams could give up on D-Rich and Pead right now and use the $million of cap room to sign a free agent RB, but that option seems doubtful.
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