Phone rings, and that's good news for Culberson

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Sep. 05 2007

The Rams' on-the-bubble players spent Saturday — the day final NFL rosters had
to be set — hoping that their phones wouldn't ring. Players who are released
get calls from team officials; those who make the squad don't.

So, when linebacker Quinton Culberson's cell jumped to life, Culberson
answered it with some apprehension. But it turned out to be his family in
Jackson, Miss., with good news.

"They'd seen it on the Internet," he said. "They assured me I hadn't been cut."

As an undrafted rookie out of Mississippi State, Culberson beat long odds to
make the 53-man lineup. On the heels of his seven-tackle game against Kansas
City on Thursday, Culberson won out over Jon Alston, a third-round draftee last
year.

"It was not an easy task for him, but he earned it," Rams coach Scott Linehan
stressed. "That's what you're looking for, guys to come out of nowhere and make
your team and be one of the best 53."

In the spring, coaches quickly noticed that the 6-foot-1, 236-pound Culberson
always seemed to be around the ball. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett pointed
out that "even when he doesn't know what the hell he's doing, he makes a
tackle."

A strong start in training camp shoved Culberson firmly into contention. His
play leveled off a bit, but he finished strong.

"I feel like one of the lucky guys," he said. "I'm just happy I made this
team."

MCGARIGLE SURVIVES

Fellow linebacker Tim McGarigle also needed a strong showing vs. the Chiefs,
and delivered one: He had seven tackles, tying Culberson for the team high, and
made an interception near the goal line.

McGarigle, who missed most of camp and the first three exhibition games because
of a pulled hamstring, knew he was in a last-chance situation.

"The coaches said it was the bottom of the ninth and how we play in that game
will be judged on final cut day," he said. "I felt that I showed them what I
could do and that I'd be valuable to have on this team."

NO SELLOUT YET

About 1,000 tickets remain for the opener Sunday, at home against Carolina.
Under NFL rules, it must be a sellout by noon Thursday — 72 hours before
kickoff — for the game to be televised locally (KTVI, Channel 2).

Just under 2,800 seats are available for the Sept. 16 home game against San
Francisco.

INJURY UPDATES

Guard Richie Incognito returned to practice, although on a limited basis. He'd
been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain Aug. 18 vs. San Diego.

Claude Terrell took most of the reps with the first team Tuesday, but Milford
Brown also filled in.

Linebacker Will Witherspoon (illness) and wide receiver Drew Bennett (thigh)
sat out.

CAPTAINS PICKED

The Rams will have nine team captains this season. The players voted in Isaac
Bruce, Marc Bulger, Corey Chavous, La'Roi Glover, Torry Holt, Steven Jackson,
Pisa Tinoisamoa, Jeff Wilkins and Will Witherspoon.

That presents a problem: For the first time, team captains will wear a "C" on
their jersey. But only five lettered jerseys are permitted per game. "We'll
figure that out," Linehan assured.

RAM-BLINGS

Tight ends coach Judd Garrett returned to work Monday and was back at practice
Tuesday. His wife, Kathy, died Aug. 19 after a brief illness. ... Newly signed
running back Antonio Pittman is wearing No. 30. Players with new numbers are
cornerbacks Jonathan Wade (20), Josh Lay (37) and Darius Vinnett (41).

[mikhal5569]

I really hope selling out these games won't be a problem, this bad boy should have been sold out a while back.

[viper]

Culberson and McGarigle both look like the type of linebackers we have been lacking for a long time. They are both listed as MLB with McGarigle backing up Witherspoon and Culberson as the 3rd MLB.

If Witherspoon struggles to be the dominant run stopping force that Haslett believes he can be this season, maybe McGarigle or Culberson can step up and solidify the position. Moving Witherspoon to the outside. They both seem to be playmakers with a lot of upside.

[MauiRam]

Culberson and McGarigle both look like the type of linebackers we have been lacking for a long time. They are both listed as MLB with McGarigle backing up Witherspoon and Culberson as the 3rd MLB.

If Witherspoon struggles to be the dominant run stopping force that Haslett believes he can be this season, maybe McGarigle or Culberson can step up and solidify the position. Moving Witherspoon to the outside. They both seem to be playmakers with a lot of upside.

What a sweet surprise that would be !!! Go Timmy and Quinton !!!!!

[RealRam]

:\ Deepest sympathies for Coach Garrett. I appreciate his strenght.

[RAMMAN68]

Players with new numbers are
cornerbacks Jonathan Wade (20), Josh Lay (37) and Darius Vinnett (41).

Please tell me that Haggens isn't going to wear #15. He needs to be a big leaguer and wear an appropriate number for a WR.

[Drew]

Please tell me that Haggens isn't going to wear #15. He needs to be a big leaguer and wear an appropriate number for a WR.

i hear you and agree fully,im a traditionalist too but i guess with the `80`s being taken up by other WR`s,TE`s and Youngblood`s `85 seems like someone has to be the odd man out!

further to the original post,i thought Lay and Vinnett had been cut?