08.25.2009 12:39 pm
What are Rams’ biggest concerns?
By Roger Hensley
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: If you were Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, after watching the first two preseason games what would be your biggest area(s) of concern?
JIM THOMAS
If you can’t stop the run, you will not win consistently in the NFL. As a defensive oriented coach, Spagnuolo had to be concerned about the run defense — or lack thereof — against Atlanta. Especially after all those live tackling drills and an entire preseason spent trying to establish an attitude.
BILL COATS
The first-team offense’s inability to score a touchdown so far. Even though that unit was missing several key players Friday vs. the Falcons, it still was in Atlanta territory four times and produced only a single field goal. The week before, the first unit delivered two field goals vs. the Jets. That’s a lot of wasted opportunity and certainly no recipe for success.
JEFF GORDON
Run defense. The offensive line wasn’t great in Week 2, either, but it was missing Jacob Bell and Alex Barron to start the game. The defense had the bulk of its front seven rotation healthy and it couldn’t even slow down the first-unit Atlanta running game. If this team doesn’t improve there, it is looking at double-digit losses again. A LOT of money has been spent on shoring up that D, so it’ll be interesting to watch what happens the next two weeks.
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
My biggest concern would be the defensive line and cornerback. I can give the offense a little bit of a break from the last game because they were without their starting QB and two first-team offensive linemen, but the defense was shredded by the Falcons. It’s important to note that the Falcons are a very strong offensive team and they’re going to do that kind of stuff to other teams in the regular season, but without a stout run defense it’s hard for me to see the team improving much. That starts on the line. As for corner, well, it may be time to move on from Tye Hill. If he doesn’t show something Thursday in Cincy this armchair QB would have to bump him down the depth chart a couple of spots.
What are Rams’ biggest concerns?
By Roger Hensley
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: If you were Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, after watching the first two preseason games what would be your biggest area(s) of concern?
JIM THOMAS
If you can’t stop the run, you will not win consistently in the NFL. As a defensive oriented coach, Spagnuolo had to be concerned about the run defense — or lack thereof — against Atlanta. Especially after all those live tackling drills and an entire preseason spent trying to establish an attitude.
BILL COATS
The first-team offense’s inability to score a touchdown so far. Even though that unit was missing several key players Friday vs. the Falcons, it still was in Atlanta territory four times and produced only a single field goal. The week before, the first unit delivered two field goals vs. the Jets. That’s a lot of wasted opportunity and certainly no recipe for success.
JEFF GORDON
Run defense. The offensive line wasn’t great in Week 2, either, but it was missing Jacob Bell and Alex Barron to start the game. The defense had the bulk of its front seven rotation healthy and it couldn’t even slow down the first-unit Atlanta running game. If this team doesn’t improve there, it is looking at double-digit losses again. A LOT of money has been spent on shoring up that D, so it’ll be interesting to watch what happens the next two weeks.
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
My biggest concern would be the defensive line and cornerback. I can give the offense a little bit of a break from the last game because they were without their starting QB and two first-team offensive linemen, but the defense was shredded by the Falcons. It’s important to note that the Falcons are a very strong offensive team and they’re going to do that kind of stuff to other teams in the regular season, but without a stout run defense it’s hard for me to see the team improving much. That starts on the line. As for corner, well, it may be time to move on from Tye Hill. If he doesn’t show something Thursday in Cincy this armchair QB would have to bump him down the depth chart a couple of spots.
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