Bernie: Quick Takes On Rams At Halfway Point

[r8rh8rmike]

11.05.2009 11:45 pm
Quick Takes on Rams at the Halfway Point
By Bernie Miklasz


I’m taking a few days off, but before I zoom off, let’s take a look at the 1-7 Rams at the midway mark of their 2009 season.

Here are my opinions, and yours are certainly welcome in the comments section:

Best Player: Steven Jackson. Yes, an obvious choice. But it’s impressive the way SJ39 has been running through defensive walls. Through 8 games, Jackson is second in the NFL in rushing yards (784), second in rushing first downs (32), first in the NFL in runs of 10+ yards (25), second in the league in yards from scrimmage (970), second in most broken tackles, and second in yards gained after contact (461). His attitude has been tremendous. The only minus is the shortage of rushing touchdowns (only 1). There’s more than a few ordinary backs in the league with 5 or more rushing TDs. But here’s the problem: the Rams have had only six series where they’ve had a 1st down and goal to go; only four NFL teams have had fewer. The Rams have had only two series where they’ve had a 1st down and 5 yards or less to go for the TD. And the Rams are tied for 23rd in the league for most red-zone possessions. In other words, Jackson hasn’t gotten many opportunities to run the ball from in close. Jackson obviously lacks the breakaway capability of, say, Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, but that’s because Jackson is a power runner and not a speed back. And power backs roll up the TDs when they get the ball close to the goal line. And Jackson’s chances have been limited.

Worst Player: Lots to choose from, and I’m picking on a guy who is no longer with the team, but I never understood why WR Tim Carter was recalled to the roster after being cut in the preseason.

Most Surprising Player: That would be WR and return man Danny Amendola. He’s no superstar, but this was a nice pickup of a “street” free agent. The Rams have thrown the ball to Amendola 19 times and have completed 15 of the passes, which is an exceptional percentage. He knows how to get open. And I think tight end Billy Bajema has some talent and should be utilized more.

Most Disappointing Player: There’s a long line of candidates. And generally speaking, you have to possess real talent to be considered disappointing. So I’ve tried to stick with guys who have the ability to do better than they have. Marc Bulger continues to decline as an NFL QB. We expected more from TE Randy McMichael, who has dropped five passes. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe has a lot of skill, but isn’t coming up with the ball (picks, fumbles) nearly as much as he has in the past. He has one INT and only three pass defenses. CB Ron Bartell’s coverage has slipped, but he’s also been playing hurt. There’s second-year WR Donnie Avery, the only wideout on the roster who can burn a defense and change a game. But Avery has dropped five passes and can’t stay healthy. I cut him some slack for two reasons. There’s his (1) raw experience level; the dude had a lot to learn about being an NFL receiver and the adjustments are still coming. And (2) Avery could be making more plays, but according to STATS LLC, eight of the incompletions on balls directed at him this season were the result of poor throws by the QB. Avery has been getting open more often, but the Rams QBs can’t get him the ball. Some of you will cite rookie OT Jason Smith, but not me (more on that later.) I’d have to go with DE Chris Long, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft. Long has only one sack and a combined 6.5 quarterback hurries/knockdowns.

Best Rookie: The easy choice here is MLB James Laurinaitis. I wasn’t sure that the Rams tabbed the right MLB in the second round of the NFL draft, but Laurinaitis is playing up to the Rams’ expectations. He’s the team’s leading tackler and is improving in his pass coverage. If the Rams had some wide-load DTs who could tie up blockers and allow #55 to roam free without interior blockers in his grill all the time, he’d pile up an extraordinary number of tackles.

Most Disappointing Rookie: I reluctantly say Jason Smith — only because a 2-14 team should be receiving instant and positive impact from the No. 2 overall pick. But I add these caveats: (1) I don’t think Smith has done anything to shake the belief that he will be a great NFL offensive tackle; (2) I think coaching has been a factor in his slower-than-anticipated development. The big man has an abundant skill set, the right attitude, a hunger to learn and a mean-streak competitive demeanor. It’s all there. But in conrast to the way the coaches handled Laurinaitis — getting him ready to start immediately at MLB as soon as they drafted him — the staff took an oddly cautious, conservative approach with Smith. Given the Rams’ situation, it made no sense. Smith hasn’t started because the coaches opted to hold him back. And they also switched him from his natural position (LT) to RT. A minor knee injury slowed his progress. He’ll be oustanding as soon as he’s allowed to turn it loose and get the inevitable learning curve out of the way. The coaches finally have reached that point with Smith, even if some injury-related shuffling put him in the lineup. But he’s starting now. I just wish he’d be starting at left tackle.

Best “Old” Ram: That would be defensive end Leonard Little. I won’t be a phony here; I thought the combination of increasing age and wear caused by injuries had greatly reduced Little’s impact as a pass rusher. I doubted that he’d find that quickness that has made him one of the league’s best pass rushers for a time. But Little is flying around again. He has five sacks. He ranks second in the NFL with a combined 21.5 quarterback hurries/knockdowns; only Indy’s Dwight Freeney (25) has more.

Worst “Old” Ram: That would be QB Marc Bulger. Statistically he’s near the bottom of the league, and his red-zone passing has been abysmal. But more than that, Bulger sealed his rep among many fans and other observers when he acknowledged that he bailed out on a third-down scramble last week at Detroit to slide to safety out of concern that he’d take a hit and get hurt again. I don’t blame Bulger for worrying about his health; some of the league’s greatest-ever QBs (Roger Staubach, Steve Young, Troy Aikman) walked away from their careers earlier than expected because of health concerns. But that is precisely the point: when you’ve reached the stage in your career when you’re making decisions based on fear of injuries, then you shouldn’t be playing. Even more amazing: Rams coaches appear to be oblivious to this.

Top positives on rookie head coach Steve Spagnuolo: (1) a steady, positive leader who is secure enough in his approach that he refuses to play to the mob by displaying multiple personalities in a cheap attempt to show that he’s some tough-guy macho man. Spagnuolo is consistent, and he’s genuine, and he saves his tough talk for private meetings, and the players respect that. That’s why they play for him. (2) His decision to cultivate Laurinaitis and instantly develop him as a starter and a leader. Because of it, the Rams have a key building block in place. (3) Is working well with GM Billy Devaney in a dramatic shift from the stormy past, when key Rams’ leaders couldn’t build a team because they were too busy trying to tear each other down. To reconstruct a franchise, you need guys working together and coming up with a plan. It isn’t flashy or sexy and doesn’t sell tickets but it’s the only place to start.

Negatives or Concerns on Spagnuolo: (1) Game management; it’s to be expected because this is his first time through as a head coach; (2) did he assemble a good staff of assistants? Some folks I talk to in the NFL don’t think so. But keep in mind it’s a scramble to get guys hired; a bunch of new head coaches were rushing to fill staffs. Maybe Spagnuolo will make some changes for year two. (3) He must do a much better job of communicating his vision for Rams football to the public. Along these lines, Spagnuolo does lose some cred when he praises players who don’t deserve it. Again, he isn’t the type to trash players publicly, and that’s a style that has worked for successful coaches. We have no problem with the coach being discreet. But there’s no reason to offer unwarranted compliments, either — not when fans can see for themselves that an individual is playing poorly.

Best Free Agent Signing: Center Jason Brown is a helluva player, and he’s also one of the guys in the locker room who truly wants to do his part to transform a loser into a winner. And Devaney deserves some credit in this area; the Rams have put together a promising offensive line that has a chance to be very good, and soon.

Worst Free Agent Decision: There wasn’t much of an effort made to upgrade at wide receiver, a weak area, and the Rams are paying the price.

Most Underrated Player, Defense: DL James Hall.

Most Underrated Player, Offense: G Jacob Bell, who is playing much better than he did last season.

Not So Bold Prediction: The Rams’ next win, and their only other win, will come at home against Seattle on Nov. 29.

Jumping Way Ahead Because I Can’t Help It: The Rams’ biggest areas of need for 2010 are a physical wide receiver, defensive tackle, quarterback, outside linebacker.

I’m sure I could serve up some other categories, but my 5 Minutes expired a while back.

Thanks for reading. Talk with you soon.

-Bernie

[OldSchoolRamFan]

Not So Bold Prediction: The Rams’ next win, and their only other win, will come at home against Seattle on Nov. 29.

Really? Why even bother saying "not so bold." I'd rather see a "man up" prediction which does indicate boldness. This team is buying into Spags system. They are finding their identity behind the power running of Steven Jackson, which is being augmented by the finally beginning to develop cohesiveness of the offensive line. While we obviously have glaring weaknesses at some other skill positions, this team is very young and is gaining experience the hard way. Rather than fear to be bold, I on the other hand WILL make a bold prediction and say that this team will win 4 of the next 8 games, of which will include the Seahawks, Titans and *****. One other win will come against the Cards, Texans, or Bears. Contrary to the non-believers, every game (except arguably the Saints) remaining is a winnable game, and I refuse to say otherwise until the 4th quarter of each and every game is over.

[clarasDK]

really? Why even bother saying "not so bold." i'd rather see a "man up" prediction which does indicate boldness. This team is buying into spags system. They are finding their identity behind the power running of steven jackson, which is being augmented by the finally beginning to develop cohesiveness of the offensive line. While we obviously have glaring weaknesses at some other skill positions, this team is very young and is gaining experience the hard way. Rather than fear to be bold, i on the other hand will make a bold prediction and say that this team will win 4 of the next 8 games, of which will include the seahawks, titans and *****. One other win will come against the cards, texans, or bears. Contrary to the non-believers, every game (except arguably the saints) remaining is a winnable game, and i refuse to say otherwise until the 4th quarter of each and every game is over.

amen!

Go rams!

[RamOfDenmark]

Best “Old” Ram: That would be defensive end Leonard Little. I won’t be a phony here; I thought the combination of increasing age and wear caused by injuries had greatly reduced Little’s impact as a pass rusher. I doubted that he’d find that quickness that has made him one of the league’s best pass rushers for a time. But Little is flying around again. He has five sacks. He ranks second in the NFL with a combined 21.5 quarterback hurries/knockdowns; only Indy’s Dwight Freeney (25) has more.

Worst “Old” Ram: That would be QB Marc Bulger. Statistically he’s near the bottom of the league, and his red-zone passing has been abysmal. But more than that, Bulger sealed his rep among many fans and other observers when he acknowledged that he bailed out on a third-down scramble last week at Detroit to slide to safety out of concern that he’d take a hit and get hurt again.

Those are some great numbers for Little - I knew he had five sacks and I've noticed him bringing pressure lots of times. But I didn't know he was 2nd in the league in hurries/knockdowns - that's fantastic.

As for Marc Bulger and the infamous slide - did he "acknowledge that he bailed out" as Bernie says? The only thing I have read from Bulger on that matter is from the other thread we had here a couple of days ago (Link) where he said:

On Wednesday, in his first comments about the controversial slide, Bulger offered no apologies or mea culpas for the play. "I was close (to a first down)," Bulger said. "There's been times this year I've gone in head first and it's hurt me for a couple weeks. So I thought I had it, but I didn't."

Did he later contradict that with another statement or where exactly did Bernie get that from?

[r8rh8rmike]

Did he later contradict that with another statement or where exactly did Bernie get that from?

Let's just say that Bernie has never let facts get in the way of his version of reality.