Ryan will join Carriker in the lineup
BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS --
The St. Louis Rams will have two rookies starting on their defensive line on Sunday.
Adam Carriker will start at right defensive end in place of an injured James Hall, while Clifton Ryan will start in Carriker's former spot at nose tackle.
Rams coach Scott Linehan declared Hall as out for the Rams' game against the Atlanta Falcons at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Hall aggravated a high ankle sprain that has been nagging him for several weeks last Sunday.
"We want to get out best guys out there, and it's not unusual for him because he's played some there," Linehan said of Carriker playing defensive end. "He'll be the listed starter at defensive end, but he won't always be playing there. We'll move him around like we have. You'll see him inside some."
Carriker, the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of Nebraska, has played at four spots along the defensive line this season. He's strong enough to play inside and quick enough to play outside.
"It just depends on the point of the game, the score, what we're running, what we need," Carriker said. "It's kind of fun moving around because I get the chance to play a little bit of everything. I really enjoy that."
Carriker also enjoys playing defensive end, the position he played in college.
"I don't know if I like more, but it's maybe a little more familiar for me because I did it for five years in Nebraska," Carriker said.
Ryan's emergence as a nose tackle has enabled the Rams to exploit Carriker's versatility.
Ryan, a fifth-round round draft pick out of Michigan State, will be making his first NFL start.
"It's big accomplishment," said Ryan, who has 37 tackles and two sacks this season compared to 30 tackles and one sack for Carriker. "I appreciate the coaches showing faith in me by having me start on Sunday, but at the same time, I have realize what I'm in there for, and that's stop No. 28 and No. 32."
Ryan was referring to Atlanta running backs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, who have combined for 931 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season.
"They're a hell of a tandem, a hell of a 1-2 punch," Ryan said. "Warrick Dunn, he runs like a
Steven Jackson. He's not the big, but he runs with that same type of intensity, that same type of mentality. Then you have Jerious Norwood, a 4.3 (second in the 40-yard dash) guy who if he hits that corner, it's good-bye."
Rams notes
Coach Scott Linehan had hip hop music piped into the team's indoor facility during practice on Friday in effort to spark his team. Running back
Steven Jackson complained to the media last Sunday about no hip-hop music being played during games at the Edward Jones Dome.
"It was just something to change it up," Linehan said. "We're trying some new things. We were trying to change the routine somewhat. We want to be focused, but we want to be loose as well. You try new stuff. That's what you do when you are looking for answers." ...
Return specialist Dante Hall also has been ruled as out for the Falcons after aggravating his high ankle sprain last Sunday. Brandon Williams will return punts and kickoffs against the Falcons...
Williams was excused from practice on Friday because his girlfriend was in labor...
Cornerback Fahkir Brown has been listed as questionable against the Falcons due to a sore tailbone. Linehan said Brown was able to practice on a limited basis on Friday...
The Rams will wait until Sunday to decide whether C Brett Romberg (high ankle sprain and bone bruise) will be active. If Romberg suits up, Linehan said it would be as a backup.
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