Ryan takes advantage of his chance

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/18/2007

With tackle Claude Wroten starting his four-game league suspension, rookie Clifton Ryan was being counted on to fill a larger role in the rotation on the defensive line Sunday.

Ryan did so. And then some.

"I thought he played about as good as you're going to play," Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. "The guy plays 18 plays, has eight tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Probably should've played him more."

Only linebacker Will Witherspoon had more stops (11) in the 17-16 loss to San Francisco.


One play clearly defined Ryan's big day.

With the ***** leading 14-13 early in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Ryan bore down on quarterback Alex Smith, dropping him for a loss but also stripping the ball away.

Then Ryan pounced on the fumble, giving the Rams possession at the *****' 41-yard line.

"He got the quadruple, whatever you call it — a tackle, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery," Haslett said. "That doesn't happen too often at nose tackle."

Four plays later, a 53-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal put the Rams on top 16-14.

"You know, I would give up all those big plays for us to come away with the victory," Ryan said. "I just want to thank the defensive staff for pushing me in practice every day. I thank them for giving me a chance to showcase my skills."

[Flaw]

This performance by Clifton is a real bright spot. Any solid play that we get from that D-line is going to really help us out.

I didn't know he forced that fumble and recovered it, but I certainly remember that play. My buddy tackled me in the aisle and we crushed his beer lol.

[MikeB1603]

I think this guy is the real deal. He seemed to be just as impressive in the preseason as he did against S.F. After years of bad draft picks on the D-line I think we may have found two starters in one year.

[Torry Holt]

Good point if Ryan made a good game, but it's just one game, in NFL to be great you have to be consistent. Remember first Fitzpatrick game, he was awesome but after that...
I really hope Ryan will be a good player for the Rams, but he needs to make a lot of play during many games.

[RealRam]

CR, so glad we have you in our Rams defense! :bash:

And BTW, this, from a rookie DT, is class:

You know, I would give up all those big plays for us to come away with the victory. I just want to thank the defensive staff for pushing me in practice every day. I thank them for giving me a chance to showcase my skills. -- C. Ryan

[Fat Pang]

I like this man's work.

I'll be looking forward to seeing how he does over the rest of the season.

[blood85]

Hopefully he continues to demonstrate improvement vs the Bucs.

[tomahawk247]

i dont see how he isnt up for rookie of the week, when Marcus Thomas from Denver is in there for getting one tackle and an interception

[Richbert88]

Ryans performance and Leonards addition last week probably were the catalyst for releasing Jackson from the practice squad.

Carriker and Ryan appear in the early going to be keepers. I hope we get to see a bit of Leonard against TB. "IF" he develops thru the year, might we be saying bah bye to Wroten?

[RealRam]

Carriker and Ryan appear in the early going to be keepers. I hope we get to see a bit of Leonard against TB. "IF" he develops thru the year, might we be saying bah-bye to Wroten?

Well, I for one sure do hope Wroten gets to pack his things to leave permanently. I'd much, much rather be willing to develop a more promising* and bigger Leonard.

And I agree, R88: AC and CR definitely seem like DT keepers!


*. - Based on my wishful thinking.

[RamsFan16]

Do I say.... Start him this week?

In 2 games this season Glover has 3 tackles total.

In 1 quarter this sesaon Ryan has 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR.

[RAMMAN68]

I got to see some of the defensive players after the game heading toward the Durry Inn. When Ryan came out he was signing some autographs, and I commented to him to keep up the good work. His response was "We still have a lot of work to do".

I really like his "Team" attitude.