Bartell starts slowly, recovers fast at CB

[RamWraith]

Rams Notes:
By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Aug. 15 2007

It wasn't exactly the debut Ron Bartell wanted as the Rams' first-team right
cornerback. But, coach Scott Linehan noted, "it wasn't awful," either.

Reacting a bit slowly, Bartell yielded a pair of 21-yard gains to Minnesota
wideout Bobby Wade in the first quarter Friday in the preseason opener. That
drive resulted in a field goal and a 3-0 Vikings lead.

But the Rams rallied, and so did Bartell. "He recovered and played really
well," Linehan said. "He made a couple of really nice plays and a couple of
really nice tackles. I think that's what you have to go through with a really
young corner."

The 13-10 Rams victory marked Bartell's first live action as the fill-in for
incumbent starter Fakhir Brown, who was suspended for the first four
regular-season games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

"It's unfortunate that it happened, but it happened. I look at it as an
opportunity," said Bartell, 6 feet 1 and 205 pounds. "I just need to step my
game up and make some plays."

Bartell, a second-round draft pick, started seven games at cornerback as a
rookie. Subsequently, he bounced around between corner and safety before
settling in as the nickel back last season.

He still covers the slot on passing downs, and either veteran Lenny Walls or
rookie Jonathan Wade enters and lines up outside. The double duty, Bartell
said, requires him to "put in a lot more study time. But I welcome the
challenge. The more you can do, the more important you are."

Despite Bartell's inauspicious start vs. the Vikings, Linehan is satisfied with
his progress in training camp. "He looks much more comfortable," Linehan said.
"I think he's made a lot of improvement playing every down at corner."

And Bartell is hoping that his four-game "audition" will result in a permanent
assignment in the starting lineup.

"I'm definitely looking to keep (the job); I'm not trying to give it back," he
said. "But I just really want to go in and play my best and let the chips fall
where they may. Whatever's going to happen is going to happen."

RAM-BLINGS

The Rams have added wide receiver Rasheed Marshall, a fifth-round draft choice
by San Francisco in 2005. He caught one pass as a rookie and was released at
the end of training camp last year. He was signed by Pittsburgh in January and
let go last week. Tight end Steve Buches, an undrafted rookie, was cut to
create a roster spot for Marshall. ... Two practices are planned for today,
with the morning session (9:20) open to the public.

[UtterBlitz]

See Linehan's behind Bartell....maybe some of you fans can give him a chance to develop during the preseason games. He has not played a lot and he has been tossed between positions a bit. He is saying the right things at least.

[81~BIG-GAME]

See Linehan's behind Bartell....maybe some of you fans can give him a chance to develop during the preseason games. He has not played a lot and he has been tossed between positions a bit. He is saying the right things at least.

The guy's young and will take time to develop but at least the Rams have settled for him being a CB and aren't moving him back and forward from safety that can only help him develop as a CB quicker. Pre-season is the best time to make mistakes and hopefully learn from them and they will make him more mentally strong entering the real blood and thunder come September. For a young player Pre-season is important to iron out any kinks in their game, and lets remember this is a player that hasn't seen too much game time so it's only natural he will have up's and down's along the way. Here's hoping to Bartell having a good season..

[SWFCRAM]

Can somebody just explain to me why we are still making roster moves to bring in more wide receivers? In the last few days we've attained the services of Fred Gibson and now Rasheed Marshall, when it looks to my untrained eye that we already have an interesting battle between Looker, Hagans, Stanley and Thompson. Is it just because of Thompson's injury?

[Keenum]

I think they are just bringing in WRs just to see what happens. Sometimes, a change of scenery can be huge for a player, and one of those guys could very well turn out to be the next Jerry Rice. It never hurts to bring in guys and see what they can do.
Let's hope Bartell learned from his mistakes Friday, fixes them, and has a solid game Saturday.

[RealRam]

That is correct, Keenum, good answer.

As for Bartell, I too agree with UtterBlitz in that our newly repositioned DB is 'saying the right things'. Indeed, he has the right attitude and may develop well during the preseason.

All the best to you Ronnie! :bash:

[laram0]

If our D-line plays better than last season eveyone will prosper. :r