The rest of the 2014 grades

Going over the worst Rams blog on the Internet, I noticed among the million-and-six things I've left unfinished was the player grades for 2014. To save us some time, I've condensed them down to tweet-length for each player:

Hey, Blogger lets me add pictures again! (ESPN)

Cornerbacks
E.J. Gaines - B+. Most pleasant surprise on the roster, still-underrated 6th-rounder salvaged the season for the whole secondary.
Janoris Jenkins - D-. When he's defending someone, it's going to be a big play either way. In 2014, too often for the offensive team.
Trumaine Johnson - D-. Gave up maddening number of 1st downs in soft coverage. Game against NYG one of worst ever by a Rams DB.
Lamarcus Joyner - C-. Lost season due to injuries and repeat blown assignments but shows promise as blitzer and has nice closing speed.
Marcus Roberson - C-. Injuries forced RFA onto field late in season, but he didn't look completely lost. Has potential to stick in lineup.
Brandon McGee - I. Injured all season.

Looking ahead: I wanted to add a veteran. Gaines should bench TruJo. Rams coaches will depend on much more consistent pass rush.

AP

Safeties
T.J. McDonald - B. On verge of elite status. Blankets the best TEs, underrated run defender. Needs to play with better discipline.
Mark Barron - C+. Effective in the box, terrible in pass coverage. Rams paid too much for him.
Rodney McLeod - D+. Coaches are bigger fans than I am. Good in the slot, major liability on deep routes. Special teams plus-player.
Cody Davis - D. Only upside I see is on special teams.

Looking ahead: If pass rush is there, McLeod doesn't have to be great, but he does have to be better. Solid-enough group.

Oregon State University / Getty Images

Special teams
Johnny Hekker: A-. Rams' most clutch QB last season. Also punts, and was a Pro Bowl-worthy weapon there. Worth every penny of contract.
Greg Zuerlein: C-. Too inconsistent on long FG attempts and kickoffs. Fingers crossed he's over the '14 midseason meltdown.
Jake McQuaide: A-. Wasn't perfect, but he played hurt and didn't cause any missed kicks.
Daren Bates: A. Fisher cutting Ray Ray helped make Bates one of the NFL's best special teams specialists. Should be long-term fixture.
Tavon Austin: B-. Top ten in returns, Pro Bowl alternate but still too haphazard with decision-making and ball security.
Benny Cunningham: B-. Among NFC leaders. Showed some big-play ability but also had costly fumble against Giants.
Stedman Bailey: B. Not as many tackles as '14 but 90-yard fakeout TD against Seattle was the special teams play of the year.
Chase Reynolds: A. Field leader on special teams, leader in tackles and reliable playmaker.
Trey Watts: B. Surprisingly physical for size. Did excellent work at gunner.
Will Herring: C+. Steady veteran, big contrast to Ray Ray. Blocked well on returns.
Maurice Alexander: C. Made things happen in kick coverage, WHY WAS HE INACTIVE FOR NINE WEEKS?
Korey Toomer: D. No offense, JAG AFAIK.

Looking ahead: Rams should have one of the best special teams units in the NFL in '15. Solid young core, great coach.

USA Today

Coaching staff
Jeff Fisher: D-. Cannot have another poor start. Rams looked too unprepared too often. Too many penalties. Team finds too many ways to lose.
Brian Schottenheimer: D. Never surpassed mediocre at OC. Didn't/couldn't use players to do what they do best. Good luck at UGa.
Gregg Williams: F. 100+ blitzes before first sack. Soft coverages as bad as Tim Walton's. Took team's strength and made it weakness. F.
John Fassel: B. Downgraded for blocked kicks, but his unit was the most prepared and in the top half of most stats. Best coach on staff.
Frank Cignetti: B-. I was happy with Austin Davis' development, and he got as much as possible out of Hill. Decent choice for new OC.
Ben Sirmans: B. Rams continued to get a lot out of young RBs, who made big strides vs. blitz, grew as receivers and held on to ball well.
Ray Sherman: B+. Quick showed much growth, Bailey flashed and drops went way down. Britt became a team leader. Need more from Austin.
Rob Boras: D. Blocking TEs declined, no TE grew as a receiver. Will Cunningham or Bayer emerge next season?
Paul Boudreau: D-. Rams blew assignments, pass-pro was poor, rarely owned LOS in run game. Robinson s/h had one position.
Mike Waufle: C. Pass rush too inconsistent. No adjustments to free up Quinn. Still great at developing young players.
Frank Bush: C-. All he really had to do was coach Ogletree up. And why do Rams LBs bite so hard on every play fake?
Chuck Cecil: D-. Terrible schemes, Jenkins declines annually, TruJo basket case, McLeod always out of position, Gaines saved an F.

Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer

Officiating
A's for Brad Allen and, shock, Bill Vinovich. F's for Boger, Triplette, and Clete Blakeman, for farce vs. Dallas.

Ownership
Gee. Guess. F-minus-minus-to-infinity. A-plus-plus if goal is to become biggest bastard in STL history. Mission accomplished!

-$-