The Rams can no longer "boast" an all-Ohio State linebacker corps

[Rambos]

LB Kehl hopes to make most of chance

StoryDiscussionLB

By BILL COATS

Share Bryan Kehl is getting a chance with the St. Louis Rams that he never got in two seasons with the New York Giants.

On Oct. 31 against Carolina Kehl started at weakside linebacker, taking over the spot previously held by Larry Grant.

The start was Kehl's fourth in three NFL seasons. A fourth-round draft pick in 2008, Kehl (pronounced keel) spent two years in New York -- his first under then-Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo -- before being released after Week 1 this season.

The 6-foot-2, 237-pound Kehl, 26, was pleased to be let go. Kehl wasn't getting much of a chance to play on defense in NY and was becoming increasingly frustrated.

"I didn't really like my situation there. I had been talking to my agent since last year about trying to get out of there," he said. "I liked the organization. I loved being there; the facilities are awesome. But you want to get on the field.

"So when I got waived, I wasn't mad. I got all sorts of calls from people: ‘Oh, it's OK; keep your head up.' And I laughed. I said, ‘My head's up. I'm smiling. I'm happy.'"

Signed by the Rams on Sept. 15, Kehl became an immediate contributor on special teams. He also was worked in on the nickel package at linebacker before earning full-time duty on defense.

Now that he has the first-team job, Kehl is focused on keeping it.

"You definitely want to get to a point where you can be a known, dominating defensive player in the National Football League," he said. "And I'm definitely not there; far from it. But I believe that I can get there."

[sosa39rams]

I hope he got promoted because hes playing at a much higher level than expected, not because Larry Grant is underachieving.

[fliptalianstallion]

The guy's a speed demon for a linebacker, hope he can live up to his contributions and even play at a Pro Bowl level.

[bruce4life]

lets just hope he can play like Mike Jones or Todd Collins...

[RAMarkable]

Well if he's not from Ohio State then does anyone know where he' from?

Thanks.


WHAT SAY YE?

[DA84]

He's from BYU,

He was a strong tackler in college, and so far he's looking to be the same for the rams too.

[Dwight Frye]

lets just hope he can play like Mike Jones or Todd Collins...

or Roman Phifer, THE most underrated linebacker we ever had .... except for maybe Mr. Fletcher. Those guys never get any love.

Just sayin' ....

[Fettmaster]

I love the depth we're building at LB...