Rams' defense is mixed bag

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Jan. 05 2007

The defensive shortcomings were obvious for the 2006 Rams. Namely, porous run
defense and the lack of a consistent pass rush from anyone other than Leonard
Little.

But there was at least one silver lining for defensive coordinator Jim Haslett:
the development of several young players, particularly in the secondary.

"Obviously, we're disappointed we didn't make the playoffs and disappointed we
didn't rank a little higher in defense," Haslett said. "But I thought the young
guys — the O.J.s (Atogwe) and the Tye Hills of the world — really improved.
They're going to be good players in the future."

The Rams finished eighth in the NFL in pass defense, which ranks teams
according to fewest yards allowed. They were a respectable 13th in opponent's
completion percentage (59.0) and tied for 13th in interceptions (17). They
seemed to play their best pass defense over the second half of the season, when
they got younger in the secondary. Hill was elevated from the fifth defensive
back

in the nickel package to starter for the final seven games following Travis
Fisher's season-ending forearm injury. Similarly, second-year player Ron
Bartell came off the bench to man the nickel back spot for the final five games
of 2006.

Bartell had never played the nickel spot before, covering slot receivers. But
he finished with three interceptions to share the team lead with Atogwe, Hill
and Fakhir Brown.

"He's a guy that we're trying to find a spot for," Haslett said. "And I don't
know if that's his spot or not right now. He made some nice plays. ... But it's
a learning process. He did some things that weren't real clean (against
Minnesota). But he's a big kid, who can run. He's willing to learn, and he's
willing to be a good player."

Haslett thinks Hill has the potential to be "outstanding" at cornerback.
Atogwe, who answers to the "O.J." but prefers to be called by his given name —
Oshiomogho — was perhaps the team's most-improved player from start to finish.
Strong safety Corey Chavous and cornerback Brown were steady, consistent
starters. Backup safety Jerome Carter had some moments in the nickel and dime
packages before being slowed by a late-season ankle injury.

"So I think you have the nucleus of a secondary to be pretty good," Haslett
said. "You have a chance to build on something."

The issue at linebacker among media and fans seems to be whether to keep Will
Witherspoon in the middle or move him outside and sign more of a "thumper" in
the middle. But as far as Haslett is concerned, it's no issue.

"Will played that weakside linebacker spot in Carolina, so he wasn't a
'big-picture' guy," Haslett said. "He didn't see the whole thing. You don't
have to, when you're playing one side. Now, he has to be that guy. He's got to
be more of a leader.

"I thought he made great strides, and we still have a way to go with him. But I
think the more he stays in there, the more he sees, the better he gets. You
look for guys like that to play in the middle in this league, because he can
run sideline to sideline. He can cover receivers. He can run the middle of the
field. Athletically, he can do almost anything you want."

Witherspoon, at 6-feet-1 and 234 pounds, led the Rams in tackles with 136,
according to coaches' review of game film. He also had three sacks, 14
quarterback hurries, nine pass breakups, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

"Is he a thumper? No, because he's not 255 pounds," Haslett said.

But Haslett feels Witherspoon's assets in coverage, pursuit and speed far
outweigh any shortcomings in size. As for the linebacker unit as a whole, a
healthy Pisa Tinoisamoa obviously would be a plus in 2007. Tinoisamoa finished
with 47 tackles, easily a career low, after breaking both hands and suffering a
dislocated elbow.

"As long as he can stay healthy, you're going to be better on defense," Haslett
said. "But he's going to have to take care of himself. I don't know if he's not
drinking enough milk, or something."

The defensive line is the main area that needs the biggest personnel upgrade,
particularly after a season in which the Rams finished 31st in run defense and
30th in yards allowed per carry. Haslett wouldn't go into specifics on
personnel needs up front. But at minimum, the Rams need a space-eating,
run-stuffing nose tackle. And a pass-rushing complement to Little at end.
Little produced 13 sacks; the other Rams who played end got two more.

As for Haslett, it sounds as if he's intent on staying in St. Louis, although
he'll listen if any team looking for a head coach expresses interest.

"If it happens some day, and it's the right situation and the right time, then
there'd be interest," Haslett said. "But right now, I'm enjoying my time here.
... I think I'd like to spend time with the family, and see if we can improve
this team."

[Nick]

Bartell had never played the nickel spot before, covering slot receivers. But
he finished with three interceptions to share the team lead with Atogwe, Hill
and Fakhir Brown.

"He's a guy that we're trying to find a spot for," Haslett said. "And I don't
know if that's his spot or not right now."

Letter to Haslett: IT WORKS, SO LEAVE HIM THERE!!

The issue at linebacker among media and fans seems to be whether to keep Will
Witherspoon in the middle or move him outside and sign more of a "thumper" in
the middle. But as far as Haslett is concerned, it's no issue.

"Will played that weakside linebacker spot in Carolina, so he wasn't a
'big-picture' guy," Haslett said. "He didn't see the whole thing. You don't
have to, when you're playing one side. Now, he has to be that guy. He's got to
be more of a leader.

"I thought he made great strides, and we still have a way to go with him. But I
think the more he stays in there, the more he sees, the better he gets. You
look for guys like that to play in the middle in this league, because he can
run sideline to sideline. He can cover receivers. He can run the middle of the
field. Athletically, he can do almost anything you want."

Doesn't sound like Haslett has any interest in moving WW back outside.

[Rambos]

Haslett wouldn't go into specifics on
personnel needs up front. But at minimum, the Rams need a space-eating,
run-stuffing nose tackle. And a pass-rushing complement to Little at end.
Little produced 13 sacks; the other Rams who played end got two more.

We might see three new starters on the D line and the same LB's. Sounds like we are set in the secondary.

[laram0]

We started out the season with basically the same players on the offense side of the ball. They had to learn the Linehan way, a whole new system. Well the same can be said for the defense (the Haslett way) but what has made it tougher is all the new faces. Now they have 1 season under their belts and an entire offseason and preseason to get used to each other. Should be interesting in 2007.