Post subject: Bernie, Larry Marmies D looks just like Deadbirds D
I'm waiting for Kollar to develop a No. 1 draft choice who plays at an above-average level in the NFL.
The TV-radio boys like him because he hollers on the field and provides good sound. How wonderful.
I can't judge Marmie yet ... he didn't draft these players (underachieving DTS, undersized LBs, shortage of quality CBs) and he hasn't coached them for very long.
I came across something this week that I almost used in Saturday's "Bits" but didn't. Clark Judge of CBS Sportsline wrote of Marmie:
“The defense is in good hands with Marmie. He never gained the attention he should have in Arizona when his defenses played well despite a succession of injuries that robbed them of some of their top players. Marmie has to replace his best cornerback, Travis Fisher, but he has been down this road before. At Arizona in 2001, he lost two Pro Bowl players, including cornerback Aeneas Williams, and five linemen en route to starting 14 different combinations, yet his defense improved in almost every area -- including points -- from the previous year.”
Cheers,
Bernie
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Post subject: Did Martz really not know the score in the final 38 seconds?
I give him or anyone else credit for being awake at that hour at the end of a (yawn) meaningless preseason game.
I jump on Martz when he screws up reg-season, post-season games.
Preseason: I don't care.
Cheers
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Post subject: Rams RB situation
Jackson is an exciting talent.
Lamar Gordon looked very good as well in Oakland.
This is the best receiving corps they've ever had in STL.
O-line? Still concerned.
D-line? Don't trust it.
LB: a little undersized; too many mistakes (still).
CB: not enough. One guy who has proven he can cover an NFL WR.
Cheers,
Bernie
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BernieM wrote:
Marmie wasn't the most exciting choice as DC; Martz should have hired Dick Jauron instead.
But two things:
1. People around the NFL respect Marmie, recognizing that he didn't have much talent to work with in Arizona. They saw on film that he got his guys to play hard.
2. I commented on this BEFORE the season and it holds true now. I don't see how Marmie can be faulted at this point because he inherited a defense that has no run stoppers at DT, and undersized crew of LBs, and one legitimate NFL cornerback in J. Butler. (I don't count A. Williams because he plays safety and will likely stay there). The defense he inherited lost Wistrom and Young and then lost T. Fisher.
Marmie has to make it better the best that he can. But in the last seven games of 04', including the playoff game, this defense gave up an average of 5.4 yards per rush. And it hasn't been any better the first two games this season. That's a fatal flaw. Better personnel is the only real solution. I want to see if Marmie will get his guys to play hard every week. First week, yes. Second week, disappointing.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
About Pace ...
Pace's game was beneath his usual standards, which is to say he wasn't great, but he graded out highest among the Rams' linemen. (which isn't saying a lot). It's interesting because after reading the initial flurry of Pace-hostile posts here, I expected to go watch the tapes and see him beaten all day, manhandled, blowing assignments, etc.
In that context I was surprised by his performance, because it wasn't nearly as bad as advertised here. On the biggest play of the game I expected to see him getting bulled over or beaten straight up, and it didn't happen that way. Brady Smith got a terrific jump on the ball, and Pace had to scurry to get his feet moving. He managed to push Smith out a bit, but not enough. Smith didn't get a full-on clean shot on the QB but he made a fantastic play, swiping the ball loose. That said, it was Pace's responsibility and in scoring that play, Smith obviously got the win. Bulger could have helped by sliding to his left, but didn't. He couldn't step up, because the Falcons got inside penetration, as they did all day in overhwheling the Gs and C. Bulger, however, stood in place. Pace didn't quite steer his guy out of harm's way. Smith won.
Pace had a holding penalty that didn't have consequences because the Rams went on to score a TD. One time he had Kearney who surged and dived to get a piece of Bulger, but only after another Falcon got there first. Pace made some terrific blocks in that game, including a blitz pickup on a 23-yard completion to Holt. But I don't see the need to get into all that detail, because I'm not looking to convert anyone here. Believe as you wish.
For whatever Pace's flaws were, I don't see...-09-22-2004, 05:08 AM -
BernieM wrote:
Martz made the announcement today.
Groce (knee) is doubtful for Sunday and Garrett (foot) is iffy.
So the Rams are moving Aeneas back to cornerback, where he had all those Pro Bowl seasons.
Either Lucas or Cody will start at free safety, but they want to ready newcomer Kwamie Lassiter for the job.
Martz suggested that the move is temporary, because he expects Travis Fisher and Groce to be back in about three weeks.
Asked if AW still had the speed to play CB, Martz said yes, because his problems have been related to turf toe -- and the stopping and restarting required by the CB position. And Martz said Williams is no longer hurting with the toe.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
The reason the move is being made now are the injuries to Groce and Garrett.
In other words, what choice do they have?
I'd rather have AW lined up at CB to face Joe Horn than, say, Dwight Anderson. It could be moot because the Saints are loaded at WR. I taped their first two games, and addition to Horn, Stallworth and Pathon are playing WR at a high level. The Rams probably don't have the CBs to match up effectively with this group, even with AW. But he surely will help stop any bleeding, because he's physical and smart and knows all the tricks of the trade.
And again, the move is temporary until the wounded CBs get healthy.
Cheers,
Bernie-09-23-2004, 09:02 AM -
BernieM wrote:
Yes, I do believe that QBs are especially vulnerable in the Martz system.
That's the price for running a creative passing offense that often features empty backfields and skeletal protection for the QB. Bulger missed time with injury this season, and took some other beatings along the way. He was hurting in Atlanta the other night. I'm not sure what to say; this is the way things are done and we won't see a dramatic change. The approach has for the most part resulted in a high-scoring offense. But the potential cost is the health of the QB.
I'm not sure what Martz will do for a No. 2 QB in '05. Does he think Smoker will be ready? I tend to doubt it. Chandler won't be back. Maybe Jamie Martin sticks around. I just don't know.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
This was just a rehash -- granted at a louder, more contentious level.
I don't understand Turley. He has said he wants to be a Ram, and he has told Martz he plans to be a Ram, and that he will work hard to resume his career with the Rams.
If that's the case ... why keep dredging this up?
Why not let it die -- or at least fade -- to enhance any chance for peace between Martz and Turley?
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
As Jim Thomas just reported on STLtoday.com, the Rams new special teams coach is Bob Ligashesky ... he was a volunteer assistant on the same ASU staff that had Martz, Larry Marmie and current Rams tight ends coach Frank Falks.
The new guy's credibility already is questionable, even before he starts working.
I guess John Shaw plans to hibernate for the winter.
So much for making meaningful changes to this football organization.
Cheers,
Bernie-01-22-2005, 11:41 AM -
BernieM wrote:
Polley has played better since Marmie switched him to the TE side, but I wouldn't be tempted to overpay him to stay here.
This team needs to spend FA money on a legit middle linebacker to reinforce the run defense. They can move Thomas outside to replace Polley if need be, and Chillar has potential.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
I believe Little will be here.
The Rams are planning on it.
They'll stick by him if they need to (pending outcome of his legal issues).
I agree with you; I can see why they liked Hargrove.
Cheers,
Bernie
On Bob Stoops:
BernieM wrote:
That's a tough one to answer. I really don't know. I'd think his stock has dropped a little, but he's done such an excellent overall job at OU...I don't see why NFL teams would scratch him off their list (if he's on it) because of a couple of bad bowl games.
I wonder, though....will OU fans turn on him?
In a related comment, if I had to hire a college coach to coach an NFL team, I'd pick Iowa's Kirk Ferentz. He'll be a terrific NFL head coach if and when he wants the opportunity.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
I was almost as confused as the folks at Rams Park last offseason.
Though no one ever told me they planned to acquire Henson -- Martz did express enthusiasm for Henson, however -- there was definitely a pro-Warner movement underway, for two reasons:
1. Financial. He already was on the books and by cutting him the team would have to take a cap hit.
2. Martz soured on Bulger after the Carolina playoff loss, explaining his decision to kick the FG at the end of regulation by telling Rams execs that he didn't trust Bulger and feared an INT.
What changed?
1. Warner's sermon at the church in Houston the day before the Super Bowl.
2. After reviewing tapes and calming down, Martz realized that Bulger had played well overall, and that it would be hasty and foolish to give up on him, because he'd finally come to the point where he (bulger) could mentally master the offense.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
I haven't asked about the cap (sorry) ... but the Rams will take a bigger "Warner" hit in 2005 ... and if Faulk retires, that will be another big hit (I don't think he will retire but I don't know).
Jim Thomas told me that, other than those two things, it isn't so bad.
I wish I knew more. I apologize. I have always been weak on salary-cap issues.
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
From Jim Henzler of STATS Inc:
Worst Turnover Differential For Postseason Teams, Since 1933
Team Opp Diff
2004 Rams 39 15 -24
...-01-07-2005, 05:10 AM -
BernieM wrote:
Pace Haters,
I''m covering baseball today and wasn't in Atlanta. I TiVoed the Rams game and will look at it later.
Better yet, I'll watch a copy of the coach's film this week at Rams Park and take a look at the O-line play, including Pace.
If he played bad, then he played bad. We'll see.
But I surely have no intention of trusting the word of Haters. I'll see for myself.
Funny how the Haters were so silent after last week's game.They were waiting until it was safe to rip him.
Cheers.
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
Actually, I want to thank you guys for brightening my day.
Seriously.
The Cardinals baseball game was kind of dull. I wasn't in a particularlyy good mood. I was in the press-room area at Busch, watching a little of the Rams game -- literally one series. The Rams O-line was having a rough time of it. Grant Williams and Chris Dishman missed blocks. I didn't see any Pace mistakes -- and I'm not saying he didn't make any; just not during the small part of the game I saw (so far).
But I joked with my colleagues....I said, "You wait, all of this will be blamed on Pace. No matter what happens, it'll be Pace's fault. It'll be fun to see it on my forum and e-mails."
Sure enough....you guys are too good to be true. Thanks for the smile.
Cheers,
Bernie
On Pace:
BernieM wrote:
Bertrand Berry is a good NFL defensive end.
How many sacks did he have last season?
Cheers,
Bernie
BernieM wrote:
I predicted 8-8, or 9-7 if things went well.
I also predicted that they'd lose today -- and in fact, was right on target about how it would happen. I wrote that Vick would have a break-out game.
So I'm not sure why some of you are freaking out and acting like this loss today was some sort of unpredictable, unforseen disaster. Especially considering that the Rams defense hasn't stopped a running game for the last nine games, including the playoff loss to Carolina. They're giving up an average of just under 6 yards a carry in that stretch. Until they correct that -- if they can -- there will be some long Sundays.
It's the NFL. Green Bay goes to Carolina and whips the NFC Super Bowl team, and then comes home and gets wiped up at Lambeau by the freaking Bears.
Detroit is 2-0.
Kansas City is 0-2.
Denver goes to Jacksonville and scores what, 6 points?
Take a deep breath. As I wrote before the season, the Rams have experienced a talent drain. They're trying to make up for that on the fly. There will be some rough moments this season.
Again, it's truly bizarre -- the way St. Louis football fans have no perspective on this league and its ebb and flow,...-09-20-2004, 12:11 PM