Gordon - Rounds Two and Three

ROUND 2: Rams Parks pundits were concerned that Martz aggravated his back woes
while stretching for cornerback Ronald Bartell Jr. in the second round.

Most draft experts tabbed Bartell as a second-day selection. So, naturally, we’re wondering if Mad Mike has latched onto another Jacoby Shepherd.

True, Bartell has terrific size at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds. Yes, he played both
safety spots at Central Michigan during two seasons before transferring to
Howard University. He impressed Rams coaches with his maturity and willingness
to be coached.

But a second-round pick? We dunno.

“It’s hard to find big cornerbacks who can run like that and change
directions,” Martz argued. “He is a very intelligent young man. He’s going to
have to, from the skill standpoint, refine his skill. He’s certainly a good
enough athlete to run with our guys.”

Great. But can he play? We’ll find out soon enough.


ROUND 3: The Rams HAD to draft a safety capable of starting this season. There
was no option here, no choice.

So their third-round selection of Oshiomogho “O.J.” Atogwe of Stanford was, as
Martz put it, “value meets need.”

Atogwe earned the reputation as a hard hitter and a ball hawk at Stanford.
Unlike Bartell, who was drafted for his vast potential, Atogwe is a polished
defensive back.

“Over the years, this is a position we’ve been thin at,” Martz said. “The
safety position should be your strongest special teams position, and that has
not been the case here.”

With Adam Archuleta attempting to come back from a nagging back injury, it was
especially critical for the Rams to fortify their safety position.

“He is a very sound player,” Martz said of Atogwe. “There are no nicks on him.
He can play either safety. He is very active in the running game. He has a
number of picks. He’s physical. He’s had really good times in the 40.”

In other words, he should be a pleasing upgrade from the now-departed Rich
Coady. We’ll give Atogwe two thumbs up.


With their second pick in the third round, the Rams rolled their dice on
Nebraska offensive lineman Richie Incognito.

Sure, the lad has had some management control issues that have kept him in the
news. Yes, he will undergo knee surgery to repair an injury suffered during the
off-season. No, he will not be ready for the start of training camp.

But the Rams believe Incognito has the potential to start at either guard or
tackle, so are willing to work with his issues and await his recovery from
surgery.

“I think he’s exceptional,” Martz gushed. “He will captivate you. He will get
your attention. He is very, very physical. He is a very athletic offensive
lineman. He plays with an attitude.”

He lives with an attitude, too, which has made him a handful. But at 81st
overall, Incognito isn’t THAT big of a gamble. Given the age of Andy McCollum
and Adam Timmerman, the Rams need to stack up some younger offensive lineman
and see what happens.

How can anyone, especially a writer that follows the rams day to day, lack the objectivity to mention jacoby sheppard without mentioning pisa and travis fisher? From the way these guys write, you would think that the rams were the only team in the nfl that EVER made a draft pick that didnt work out as hoped.

Courage of your convictions baby! Pick the guys you think are best, it doesnt matter what other people think, what counts is results, and this management team has down pretty darn well over the last several years.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

Jacoby Sheppard
Draft Day: "Who? Oh my Lord, what a reach!"
Reality: A reach and a bust.

Travis Fisher:
Draft Day: "Another small school guy, another reach!"
Reality: A solid starting CB.

Pisa Tinoisamoa
Draft Day: "The Rams could have taken him later. Another reach!"
Reality: Very solid starter with upside. Has played better than many first rounders.

Tony Hargrove
Draft Day: "There they go again. Another project and another reach!"
Reality: Gained starting spot by end of rookie year and has big upside.

The Moral of the Story: Most of the time, the scouts, coaches and front office know more than the fans and the press.

Imagine that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NickSeiler

ROUND 2: Rams Parks pundits were concerned that Martz aggravated his back woes
while stretching for cornerback Ronald Bartell Jr. in the second round.

Most draft experts tabbed Bartell as a second-day selection. So, naturally, we’re wondering if Mad Mike has latched onto another Jacoby Shepherd.

True, Bartell has terrific size at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds. Yes, he played both
safety spots at Central Michigan during two seasons before transferring to
Howard University. He impressed Rams coaches with his maturity and willingness
to be coached.

But a second-round pick? We dunno.

“It’s hard to find big cornerbacks who can run like that and change
directions,” Martz argued. “He is a very intelligent young man. He’s going to
have to, from the skill standpoint, refine his skill. He’s certainly a good
enough athlete to run with our guys.”

Great. But can he play? We’ll find out soon enough.


ROUND 3: The Rams HAD to draft a safety capable of starting this season. There
was no option here, no choice.

So their third-round selection of Oshiomogho “O.J.” Atogwe of Stanford was, as
Martz put it, “value meets need.”

Atogwe earned the reputation as a hard hitter and a ball hawk at Stanford.
Unlike Bartell, who was drafted for his vast potential, Atogwe is a polished
defensive back.

“Over the years, this is a position we’ve been thin at,” Martz said. “The
safety position should be your strongest special teams position, and that has
not been the case here.”

With Adam Archuleta attempting to come back from a nagging back injury, it was
especially critical for the Rams to fortify their safety position.

“He is a very sound player,” Martz said of Atogwe. “There are no nicks on him.
He can play either safety. He is very active in the running game. He has a
number of picks. He’s physical. He’s had really good times in the 40.”

In other words, he should be a pleasing upgrade from the now-departed Rich
Coady. We’ll give Atogwe two thumbs up.


With their second pick in the third round, the Rams rolled their dice on
Nebraska offensive lineman Richie Incognito.

Sure, the lad has had some management control issues that have kept him in the
news. Yes, he will undergo knee surgery to repair an injury suffered during the
off-season. No, he will not be ready for the start of training camp.

But the Rams believe Incognito has the potential to start at either guard or
tackle, so are willing to work with his issues and await his recovery from
surgery.

“I think he’s exceptional,” Martz gushed. “He will captivate you. He will get
your attention. He is very, very physical. He is a very athletic offensive
lineman. He plays with an attitude.”

He lives with an attitude, too, which has made him a handful. But at 81st
overall, Incognito isn’t THAT big of a gamble. Given the age of Andy McCollum
and Adam Timmerman, the Rams need to stack up some younger offensive lineman
and see what happens.

---

What about Travis Daniels CB, from LSU? HE was available for BOTH 3rd sound picks and wound up being taken early in the fourth by Miami. He hepled RAndall Gay, who started for the Pats in the SB and played pretty good for a Rookie, when he was injured during the LSU's championship season of 2003, learn Saban's Pro Defense and the different packages and coverages. I would have taken him over the kid from Howard and Incognito. Hell, he has played vs pro level talent vs Oklahoma and the SEC schedule. Who does Howeird play?

Just wondering ....

When the rams picked barron at 19 he was the best player left on kippers board and on espn web site he criticize the pick they only become reaches if they dont pan out what about the so called good picks that dont make the grade couch QB Brown DT etc etc

The rams had a great draft