Young players provide depth at DT

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Aug. 21 2007

If all goes as planned, the Rams will rotate four defensive tackles. "We're
much better inside than we were a year ago," defensive coordinator Jim Haslett
said.

Better, perhaps; younger, for sure. Of that group, only La'Roi Glover has been
in the NFL longer than one full season. The others are rookies Adam Carriker
and Clifton Ryan, plus Claude Wroten, heading into his second year.

Wroten's development after a so-so rookie season is key to the project, which
would provide more flexibility up front and give opponents a number of
different looks.

After seeing spot duty last year, Wroten has been busy. He's had the most live
preseason snaps among the tackles and has responded with two good games
according to coach Scott Linehan.

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Wroten bulked up and slimmed down in the offseason, and
is profiting from the guidance he's received from Glover, a 12-year veteran.

"He's a blessing," Wroten said. "It's a great situation to learn from a guy
like 'Glove' who ... knows the ins and outs of playing in the trenches. Looking
at what he does day in and day out has been really good for me."

Wroten, a third-round draft pick in 2006, was a strong pass-rusher at Louisiana
State, collecting 12 sacks and 34 quarterback pressures in two seasons. His
five tackles Saturday vs. San Diego included a sack.

The chink in Wroten's game is his run-stopping ability, which he reported is
progressing. The coaches will be happy if Wroten simply performs well enough to
limit the reps of Glover, 33, who they believe will be more effective in a
decreased role.

INJURY UPDATE

Brett Romberg, battling Andy McCollum for the starting center's job, sat out
practice Monday with a sore ankle. Romberg should be back on the field today,
Linehan said.

Also sidelined Monday were Jerome Carter (sprained foot), Richie Incognito
(ankle) and Todd Steussie (neck).

Dane Looker (back) and Dominique Thompson (ribs) returned to practice in
"no-contact" jerseys. Tim McGarigle (hamstring) also was back and did "most
everything," Linehan reported, in the 90-minute workout.

LEONARD SHINES

Rookie Brian Leonard already has shown that he can do what the Rams hoped when
they drafted him in the second round: effectively back up Steven Jackson at
running back.

"I don't have any question that (Leonard) can handle it," Linehan said. "I've
been really impressed with how comfortable he's been in that role. He's kind of
a slashing runner who gets the most out of what he's got. But what he's been
really good at is in the passing game and the protection side of things, which
is the part that rookies usually struggle in."

RAM-BLINGS

Because of the short week before Friday's game at Oakland, the team practiced
in full pads Monday. ... About 2,000 tickets remain for the Aug. 30 exhibition
against Kansas City at the Edward Jones Dome. All must be sold to avoid a
local-television blackout.

Glad to hear Tim McGarigle is better. I hope he continues to get stronger, makes the team, and does his thing: tackle!

I believe that was his major during studies at Northwestern. :<>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RamWraith

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Aug. 21 2007

If all goes as planned, the Rams will rotate four defensive tackles. "We're
much better inside than we were a year ago," defensive coordinator Jim Haslett
said.

Better, perhaps; younger, for sure. Of that group, only La'Roi Glover has been
in the NFL longer than one full season. The others are rookies Adam Carriker
and Clifton Ryan, plus Claude Wroten, heading into his second year.

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I certainly hope that Haslett isn't blowing smoke like he did last year before the season started. He was very high on Kennedy last year and look what happened.
In my opinion it's time for Haslett to stop pussy footin' around and get this defense were it needs to be.