TSN Rams Report
RT Kyle Turley's continued bashing of Coach Mike Martz has all but assured he has played his last downs with the team. Even assuming that he could pass a physical this summer and get his weight back up to the 290-300-pound range, Turley is likely to be a post-June 1 salary cap casualty. Turley is trying to rehab a herniated disc without further surgery, and his weight is down to about 240 pounds, which is not much more than his playing weight when he arrived at San Diego State as a freshman. Turley's pass blocking will be missed. Unheralded and inexperienced Blaine Saipaia didn't embarrass himself as the starter at right tackle. But his size and skill set make him more suitable for guard. The team is considering moving Saipaia to left guard and Scott Tercero to right tackle. Tercero has the footwork and athleticism to play right tackle, but the Rams need to bring in someone else at the position as well, be it via the draft or free agent market. Tercero may have the ability, but he has yet to display the durability needed to start in the NFL. He has had a series of injuries in two seasons with the Rams, including a season-ending shoulder injury this past season.
Although he had some rough moments, DeJuan Groce showed enough to the coaching staff that the third cornerback job will be his to lose next season. Groce isn't as fast as teammate Kevin Garrett, who also will compete for the spot. But he has much better instincts, plays more aggressively, and is a better tackler. But Groce also most show he can stay healthy, missing time with injuries to both knees in '04.
Kurt Schottenheimer brings an established resume, one that includes stints with three NFL clubs as a defensive coordinator, to the Rams as their new secondary coach. Schottenheimer also has plenty of experience running the mixed coverages that are the new staple of the St. Louis coverage scheme. Schottenheimer and special teams coach Bob Ligashesky are the only new additions to the staff, the least amount of turnover under Martz, who will be entering his sixth season as head coach.
Hard truth: Safeties are all but an endangered species at Rams Park these days. The team has only one safety under contract for 2005--Adam Archuleta. And further examination of the back injury that bothered him all season shows that he has two degenerative discs in his back. The condition won't require surgery but will lead to an offseason of aggressive rehab. Filling out the depth chart at this position is one of the team's top priorities, and it probably begins with re-signing free safety Antuan Edwards, who played decently but not great, after joining the club at midseason.
Draft buzz: Thanks to the early-September trade that sent RB Lamar Gordon to Miami for a third-rounder, the Rams have four first-day picks: a first, a second, and two third-round selections. They need to make these picks count on a roster that needs help at guard, tackle, defensive end, linebacker and safety. In the seven drafts since general manager Charley Armey joined the Rams, the club has taken only one offensive lineman--John St. Clair--on the first day. But that figures to change this April. And don't be surprised if the Rams take a running back somewhere along the way. In fact, expect it. Although Marshall Faulk is expected to return, he has a year or two left at the most. Even if
Steven Jackson is the future at running back a speedy change-of-pace back who can catch the ball and spell Jackson is almost a necessity.
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