Rams see positive results in Battle of the Backups

[RamWraith]

By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
Friday, Aug. 31 2007

St. Louis walks taller today. The Governor’s Cup is ours. The sacred trophy
belongs to Rams Nation.

The Chiefs returned home with bowed heads, losers of the traditional Battle of
the Backups. Sports fans on Missouri’s West Coast are lamenting their team’s
fate today. We’re guessing that many had to call in sick.

Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski captured the scene at the Edward Jones
Dome beautifully:

“Thursday evening, in front of several dozen interested fans, the
soon-to-be-cut St. Louis Rams beat the soon-to-be-cut Kansas City Chiefs 10-3.
The game was every bit as exciting as the score indicated. The Rams set the
mood right away by sending out an offense that did not have a single starter on
it. This was ticket money well spent.”

Yeah, well, I supposed a cynic could nit-pick about the actual caliber of play
as the Rams staged their final walk-through. But Scott Linehan was able to give
a lot of key, young defensive workers plenty of work.

He worked his back-up offensive players as well and finally got positive
results from the kick coverage teams.

The one negative note: The Rams lost tackle Todd Steussie, arguably their most
important back-up player, for half the season with a broken foot. This will
force the front office to shop for a replacement among the final cuts elsewhere
or via a minor trade.

Replacing Steussie from that remaining pile of spare tackles in camp would be,
um, well, risky.

But there were plenty of positive notes in this game, including:


• Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick starred in a showcase game. If the Rams are
serious about dealing him to another team seeking a back-up, then his trade
stock is up. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He
scrambled effectively, too, and showed his uncanny ability to make impromptu
plays.

Do the Rams really want to let this guy go?


• Veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte was especially sharp as well, which is why
Linehan believes he has the best one-two punch at the position. Like Marc
Bulger, Frerotte is a very accurate passer in this safety-first passing scheme.


• Receiver Marques Hagans was a playmaker, again. He looks capable of adding
youth and explosiveness to a veteran receiving corps. He also has the potential
to succeed Dante Hall as the team’s return specialist. There was plenty of
competition for that last receiving slot, but Hagans grabbed this job with both
hands.


• Veteran receiver Dane Looker got onto the field and reminded us he can still
play. A back injury marred his preseason, but the Rams need him to hold for
kicker Jeff Wilkins and occasionally fill in as the possession receiver.


• Young linebackers Jon Alston and Tim McGarigle (finally healthy!) made the
most of their playing time. McGarigle picked off a shovel pass at the goal line
to highlight his extremely active game. Alston also has the athleticism to
excel in coverage, as he continues to learn the position at the NFL level.


• Andy McCollum started and played well at center. If another team suffers an
injury at this position, the Rams will get a call. The team might fetch a draft
pick for him if the coaching staff elects to go with younger linemen as
back-ups.


• Aside from allowing one 55-yard run -– the Chiefs opened a nice hole for
Kolby Smith and no Ram filled it -– the front seven had a strong game against
the run. Rookie nose tackle Clifton Ryan had a standout play stuffing a
fourth-and-two attempt in the third quarter.

The Rams front office will still keep an eye out for another veteran defensive
tackle, to see if anybody interesting becomes available, but Ryan showed well
in this preseason.


• Back-up defensive ends Eric Moore and Trevor Johnson had active games,
combining for three sacks. Both were on the spot as the coaching staff
continues to sort through all these linemen to come up with its 53-man roster.


• Rookie running back Brian Leonard strengthened his position as a third-down
back by doing a nice job picking up blitzes. He isn’t the flashiest runner, but
he does a lot of things well. He will never be Steven Jackson, but he is as
versatile as advertised.


• Young cornerback Darius Vinnett made a head-turning player as the “gunner” in
kick coverage, putting an exclamation point on his strong preseason. The Rams
want to fill their final roster spots with impact special teams players -– and
this undrafted cornerback from Arkansas could be one of them.


• On the other hand, young cornerback Josh Lay made a couple of strong plays in
coverage. So the coaches will have a tough call there.

[RealRam]

Wraith, is it that you have a "red phone" direct Hotline installed in your computer to get these articles the minute they are made available?

No, seriously, great to have these news flash in!

No doubt, Hagans already occupies one of the 53. I hope Clifton Ryan is in, Tim McGarigle, Madison Hedgecock, and Aaron Walker. To me, these would be VERY positive results! Very positive oriented players for the 2007 Rams.

[RamWraith]

i DO MY BEST

[Keenum]

Thanks for the updates.
I think I get more hyped up on Hagans after every game.