Gibson Finally Seeing The Playing Time He Expected

[r8rh8rmike]

Gibson finally seeing the playing time he expected

BY BILL COATS
Thursday, October 21, 2010

With a solid rookie year on his résumé, Brandon Gibson figured to come into this season as a mainstay among the Rams' wide receivers. Instead, he found himself on the sideline watching when the regular season began.

Gibson had some injury problems in the preseason, but it was mainly his lack of prowess on special teams and some issues with blocking that lumped him in among the team's inactives for the first two games.

"It's hard watching," Gibson said. "But things happen. There was nothing I could really do about it."

Actually, he did do something about it. He focused on his special-teams assignments and worked on his blocking. By Week 3, he was back on the field and contributing.

"He battled through (sitting out). Of course, he was disappointed," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "We put some pressure on him to make sure that he would be a factor on special teams, because all the guys that are up on the (45-man game-day roster), we need everybody."

In the past four games, as the Rams went 3-1, Gibson totaled 11 catches for 150 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown grab against Seattle.

"I feel like I'm starting to get things rolling," he said.

The Rams acquired the 6-foot, 210-pound Gibson from Philadelphia a year ago in a trade-deadline deal for first-team linebacker Will Witherspoon. He got into 10 games with the Rams, with four starts, and amassed 34 catches for 348 yards and a TD.

long recognized

Although he said it's "really a group award," Rams defensive end Chris Long has been named the NFC defensive player of the week. Long had two sacks, two quarterback hits and a quarterback pressure in Sunday's 20-17 win over San Diego.

The Rams had seven sacks, their highest total in seven seasons, against the NFL's top-ranked offense. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, in 2008, was the last Rams defender to receive the honor.

injury report

Defensive tackle Clifton Ryan suffered another migraine headache and sat out practice Wednesday. Ryan has participated in some recent practices but hasn't suited up for a game since the season opener. Cornerback Ron Bartell (thigh), cornerback Justin King (hamstring) and safety Darian Stewart (hamstring) also were sidelined.

Linebackers Chris Chamberlain (toe), Na'il Diggs (knee) and David Vobora (hamstring) were limited, as were wide receiver Mardy Gilyard (hamstring) and cornerback Jerome Murphy (hamstring). After reporting some discomfort in his left knee on Monday, receiver Danario Alexander was a full participant Wednesday.

RAM-BLINGS

Defensive end James Hall's six sacks tie him for fourth in the NFL. The Rams' 17 sacks are the sixth most in the league. ... Tampa Bay, the Rams' opponent Sunday, has recorded only four sacks.

[richtree]

Lost in DX's steller performance was Gibson really battling and making the tough gritty plays as the short reciever and blocking.

I think Gibson and DX complimented each other nicely. If Gilyard can't start making progress (especially on Kick Offs) I can see him taking a seat for a long while.