This is it!

*theodus69* · #1 (**permalink**) -11-02-2005

Rams got to take this off season by the balls and put together a team that ranks at least 10th..yes 10th in Defense, then solidify the O-line. It's not a rebuild like I had first thought, more like a tune -up! We have young guys in the secondary........next year they will be better,providing some FA acquistions to make the front line force teams to react to quick!Alot of the probelm last year was no pressure and those young guys were left out there on a limb! We need a better than avg. LB and a better than avg.DT.This should be taken care of by march I would think. That way the draft will be much easier and possibly better than any Drafts of recent memory. I think Smoker should be thrown in the fire and be the back -up. If you really looked at the hits Bulger took last year.............Half of those next year put him out . We need a solid back -up. Let the Smoker clear! I know i'm not hitting on everything but that seems to me that those events could turn the team back to the land of OZ. Watch out for the flying monkeys.

*psycho9985* · #2 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

You guys keep forgetting.We could have the ravens defense and it would perform near the same.Gotta lose Marmie.What happened to K.I.S.S.He trying to develope a defense to be as complicated as Martz's offense.Thats why Our defense sucked in 2000,and thats why we got Lovie.To much f***ing Pressure on the Young guys.

*ZigZagRam* · #3 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

Lovie's defense wasn't much better. Larry Marmie is still working with Lovie's undersized players which is not a good thing when you're not running a Lovie style defense. Marmie instead runs a more traditional scheme with players that are around the average size for the position. Look at our linebackers, they're way undersized. Then look at our defensive tackles.

We're too small and Lovie's to blame for that. Give Marmie one more offseason to get the kind of players he wants.

*psycho9985* · #4 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

2001 def rocked even last years D the system made undersize guys xcell.Marmie cant do that.Look at his record in arizona

*ZigZagRam* · #5 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

Marmie couldn't get the players he wanted in Arizona. Why? Bill Bidwell. Plus it's hard for a defense to play strong when the offense can't move the ball more than 20 yards per drive.

**Nick** · #6 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZigZagRam

Give Marmie one more offseason to get the kind of players he wants.

My question then becomes, given the salary cap restraints, is it feasible for Marmie to get the exactly personnel line-up he wants in one offseason? Maybe not exact names, but player types?

*theodus69* · #7 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

If the Rams could get Pace signed ,Then restucture Faulk & Bruce,Would it be possible to get Hartwell,A reputable DT(whoever) and a DB Say woodsen( oakland is done w/him) in the free agency. That way they could concentrate on the Offense in the draft?It seems the Rams are missing a key guy in all phases of the defense,but it's just 3 guys! Is the possible or am I way out of line here? The O-linemen in the draft look pretty good if they are still around. the line is all that lacks this offense from becoming on top again.Help me here, What stradegy I'm I missing here?

**Nick** · #8 (**permalink**) -12-02-2005

Hartwell? Maybe. Hartwell AND Woodson? Not a chance; it'd be way too expensive. We'd be better off going for a guy like Ken Lucas, Gary Baxter, Anthony Henry, or Nick Harper, whose price tags will be somewhat lower but could compete for a starting job here. Guys like Woodson and Smoot are probably out of our price range, if we're going to go after Hartwell or Bell.

*theodus69* · #9 (**permalink**) -13-02-2005

All right.I still think major FA acquisitions will be the key to next year. Hope they can pull something out of the hat, If not, I see another frustrating season! :disappoin

*psycho9985* · #10 (**permalink**) -13-02-2005

Woodsons too old hes not going to command that much cash,and I dont Know if I'd want him :ramlogo:

**Nick** · #11 (**permalink**) -13-02-2005

I agree, theodus. Getting some high level free agents is going to be a big step in the right direction. We can't depend on rookies to step in and make an impact.

Psycho, Oakland's Charles Woodson is 28. I wouldn't exactly call that too old. I could see him getting a five year contract with a very nice bonus. Toward the end of that contract, if he's losing a step playing corner, you could move him to safety, ala Aeneas, and I'm sure he'd do well.

*psycho9985* · #12 (**permalink**) -13-02-2005

Ya ,I believe our draft will suck to a certain extent.Free agency is our ticket.I hate to be cynical, but last year and this year might mirror each other,and if you think woodsons the man I'll go along with you because A.W. is done. I'd like to keep Aeneas on as a coach for the secondary.The mans very smart and crafty.

**HUbison** · #13 (**permalink**) -14-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZigZagRam

Lovie's defense wasn't much better. Larry Marmie is still working with Lovie's undersized players which is not a good thing when you're not running a Lovie style defense. Marmie instead runs a more traditional scheme with players that are around the average size for the position. Look at our linebackers, they're way undersized. Then look at our defensive tackles.

We're too small and Lovie's to blame for that. Give Marmie one more offseason to get the kind of players he wants.

Actually, Marmie's defense requires the biggest defenders, especially in the run. Our defenders were taking on every block. No attempt to shed and redirect, but to plow through. That's a big man's game, not our guys.

The bulking process has begun though. All of our DTs put on extra weight in the last offseason and playing much closer to where they should be, especially Kennedy & Pickett.

I'm just not convinced that Marmie is going to make this defense better. Lovie turned around the 2000 debacle, but he had his problems too (Duncan can replace London, what was that Lovie?). The difference being that Lovie has had success in the past (Tampa Bay). Marmie has never had success. Last season was his best as a DC. Look it up. The 2004 Rams are the best defense Marmie has ever experienced. I hope we turn it around, but Marmie's shown nothing that would make me believe that.

*DJRamFan* · #14 (**permalink**) -14-02-2005

The defense began a downturn in 2003, Lovie's last season. Marmie just got stuck with the underachievers.

I've never understood the desire to take anything that came from Arizona.

*theodus69* · #15 (**permalink**) -14-02-2005

Actually, A recent article suggested that the downturn started in Lovie's 2nd season! :upset: