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  • #1

    Bradley Fletcher

    Seems to me whenever he takes the field teams immediatly throw to him (usually deep) much like wade and hill in the past when they would take the field for 3 plays, give up 3 catches then right back to the bench.

    Am I off here? Is he actually playing well and Im nitpicking or is he only on the field because king and quincy butler, and wade are hurt (are they?)
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Bradley Fletcher

    he's actually done a solid job for the most part, but he'll give up some big plays now and then. dude's a rookie, what do you expect? he needs to be more aware of the situation and play hard on every play, sometimes he seems to not expect the ball to come his way because he has the guy pretty well covered, sometimes he gets fooled by better route-runners. time will tell if he ever becomes a good full-time starting corner, he's shown some good things and some bad things but like i said he's still a rookie.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Bradley Fletcher

      It's hard to judge any of the corners with an inconsistent push up front, but none of them have impressed me, including Fletcher. Like mp said however, he's a rookie and gets a pass for now.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Bradley Fletcher

        if we were just drafting for this season then theres no way we would have took him...he`s raw but has great physical attributes..if he wasnt raw he wouldnt have lasted to the third round.
        along with D-lineman Spags has a great record of schooling DB`s tho so the chances are good that he will become good-great in a year or two.

        as for his play this year..well..considering cornerback is most certainly the hardest position to play on defense and arguably one of the hardest if not the hardest along with QB to play on the entire team.. he has done what youd expect from a rookie 3rd round pick CB...some decent plays..some not so decent..but that is the life of a cornerback even if he was a 10 year vet..the margin of error is so small that even the greatest of players at the position make poor looking plays sometimes.

        also lack of pass rush means the same results as a QB not having good pass rush blocking ahead of him...some can make plays without it but if you do then youve made a really great play and whilst thats not impossible of a rookie CB or QB..its certainly not to be expected.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Bradley Fletcher

          That big pass hr gave up to Sidney rice he was in good coverage, but he made the rookie mistake and didn't keep hands on. For a rookie he is already getting reps over the vet wade which is impressive IMO. IMO the young guys get better every game he looked much more impresseive than he did in the Green bay game.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Bradley Fletcher

            I think Wade has played well. I think Fletcher struggled the first few weeks but has played well the last few games. There are several things a corner just can't do:

            1. prevent a perfect pass. For some reason people think that a CB should be able to defend every pass but even if you have perfect coverage, if a QB hits the receiver in stride with outstretched hands, no corner is stopping that.

            2. short quick routes if the CB isn't playing bump and run. It's not possible to defend if you are giving a cushion and often times that is the coaches call.

            3. if the QB is given 5+ seconds. Only pro-bowlers can cover that long.

            I think Wade, Fletcher and Bartell have done a very good job. King on the other hand hasn't impressed me at all.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Bradley Fletcher

              i agree with Rebel, except to state that even pro bowlers cant cover 5 plus seconds when there is no functional pass rush, which is a big part of the rams problems. The corners need a chance to develop, they are doing fine. We need MUCH better pass rush to have a functional pass defense. Thats not just a question of sacks, its a matter of getting in the qb's face, collapsing the pocket and upsetting the timing.

              ramming speed to all

              general counsel

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Bradley Fletcher

                he has shown some improvement.

                I don't think the secondary is a major concern.

                The pass Rush and lack of an "athlectic player in the front 7" is the issue.

                Our front 7 has no one that is "feared" or "freakish" in body structure.

                that has to change.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Bradley Fletcher

                  Originally posted by general counsel View Post
                  i agree with Rebel, except to state that even pro bowlers cant cover 5 plus seconds when there is no functional pass rush, which is a big part of the rams problems. The corners need a chance to develop, they are doing fine. We need MUCH better pass rush to have a functional pass defense. Thats not just a question of sacks, its a matter of getting in the qb's face, collapsing the pocket and upsetting the timing.

                  ramming speed to all

                  general counsel

                  I'd only argue that guys like Champ Bailey in his prime could still cover at 5 seconds! But yeah, pressure doesn't mean sacks. If you get an average QB moving out of the pocket because of pressure, their odds of completing a pass downfield drop considerably. They can throw the dump off passes but anything 10 yards downfield becomes THAT much more difficult. It's rare when our line can get QBs moving out of the pocket without a blitz. That has to change for there to be success.

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                  • MauiRam
                    Bradley Fletcher thrives in Rams’ 14th-ranked defense ..
                    by MauiRam
                    BY BILL COATS • Friday, December 10, 2010 12:10 am

                    At 6 feet and 198 pounds, Rams cornerback Bradley Fletcher was giving up 3 inches and 20 pounds last Sunday to Arizona's Pro Bowl wideout, Larry Fitzgerald. But that didn't stop Fletcher from muscling his way past Fitzgerald and into position to pick off a pass late in the third quarter.

                    The interception, a team-high third for Fletcher this year, led to a field goal in the Rams' 19-6 victory. Still, you won't see the reserved Fletcher hopping around the field in self-celebration. That's not his style.

                    "I'm just trying to make the plays that come my way," he said.

                    Despite a couple of glitches along the way, Fletcher is becoming a mainstay on a Rams defense that ranks 14th in the 32-team NFL after finishing 29th a year ago.

                    "He's one of those guys that goes a hundred miles an hour every single snap, all the time," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "It doesn't matter whether it's in practice or in the weight room or whatever."

                    A third-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2009, Fletcher by the fifth game of his rookie season had ousted veteran Jonathan Wade from the first-team lineup. Fletcher was making just his third start on Oct. 25, 2009, when he tumbled awkwardly to the Edward Jones Dome turf after breaking up a deep sideline pass from Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning intended for wide receiver Pierre Garçon.

                    Two knee ligaments were torn, and two operations were needed to repair the damage. The prognosis was that Fletcher wouldn't be back for at least a year.

                    But just like his uncompromising interception vs. Fitzgerald, Fletcher was having none of that.

                    Road to recovery

                    Fletcher was a constant presence in the training room at Rams Park, where he endured a grueling rehab regimen. It was tedious and painful, Fletcher acknowledged.

                    "It was a long process ... a lot of weights, a lot of treatment," he said.

                    By the second preseason game, vs. Cleveland on Aug. 21, Fletcher was ready to go, at least two months sooner than forecast.

                    And when the season opened Sept. 12 against the Cardinals, Fletcher was right back where he was before he was injured — with the first-team defense.

                    But Fletcher wasn't the same raw youngster. While he was sidelined, he attended meetings and studied film, trying to pick up as much as he could to better prepare himself for his second season.

                    "I was able to learn a lot from last year to this year, just knowing where your help's coming from and how we're doing some things on defense in our schemes," Fletcher said. "That's helping me out right now."

                    Fletcher is an enthusiastic student, veteran cornerback Ron Bartell emphasized.

                    "You get a lot of younger guys, they think...
                    -12-09-2010, 11:45 PM
                  • MauiRam
                    Bradley Fletcher ...
                    by MauiRam
                    Since it's the off-season, I thought if might be fun to check out some articles spotlighting our third rd pick ..


                    Bradley Fletcher keeps a low profile, and doesn’t say much—but does so in an articulate manner.
                    by Scott Dochterman

                    In many ways, Fletcher’s play at cornerback reflect his outward impression.

                    He’s confident, assertive, and talented. His personal drive, combined with physical skills and a solid work ethic have parlayed Fletcher into one of the fastest risers in this year’s NFL draft.

                    It also could land the former Iowa defensive back a spot in the first three rounds this weekend.

                    “He’s a guy that we kind of call one of the sleepers in this draft,” said Dan Shonka, general manager and national scout for Ourlads Scouting Service, LLC. “He’s got loose hips, he’s smooth in transition. We’re going to give a third- or fourth-round grade at the very worst. We think he should be a third-round guy.”

                    Fletcher, 22, has been one of Iowa’s most traveled players in recent weeks. He has met with multiple NFL teams, including the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. He said he’s worked on his speed and quickness since the end of Iowa’s football season, and the results are proven.

                    Fletcher ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at the NFL Combine in February. He shaved off a little more time at Iowa’s pro day last month, running it in 4.44 seconds. He’s a good-sized cornerback, slightly taller than six feet and weighing nearly 200 pounds.

                    Shonka grades Fletcher 14th among cornerbacks, but he’s the second-tallest among those players. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. lists Fletcher ninth among cornerbacks and has Jacksonville selecting him in the third round.

                    Fletcher’s draft stock soared with East-West Shrine Bowl in January. He recorded six tackles — including three solo — and he broke up one pass. His play and athletic ability launched him into the discussion as a potential man-to-man NFL cornerback.

                    “He was at least one of the best corners, if not the best corner there,” Shonka said. “He played really fast, he was impressive when he drives on the ball. The thing that was impressive about him at the combine was his ability to turn and run. That is supposed to correlate with your 40 time. A lot of guys didn’t run the drill real well, and Fletcher, his times were like 4.47, which obviously correlated with his 40 time.

                    “His back peddle turn and run was 4.46 and 4.46 which is outstanding. Plus he’s got long arms and can leap. His runs were real smooth in his turns. He’s very athletic.”

                    Fletcher started 17 games for Iowa, including all 13 his senior season. He recorded 152 tackles, including 60 last year. He had three interceptions last season and 10 pass breakups. He totaled five interceptions and 17 breakups in his Iowa career.

                    “You...
                    -06-09-2009, 08:55 AM
                  • r8rh8rmike
                    Rookie CB Bradley Fletcher Starting Again
                    by r8rh8rmike
                    Rookie CB Bradley Fletcher starting again
                    BY JIM THOMAS
                    ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
                    10/17/2009

                    When it comes to interacting with the media, Rams rookie cornerback Bradley Fletcher may be the quietest player on the team, to the point of being shy. Perhaps it's only fitting, then, that Fletcher quietly has moved into the starting lineup ahead of Jonathan Wade at right corner.

                    Beginning with the Green Bay game Sept. 27, Fletcher began rotating with Wade at cornerback, but with Wade still getting most of the work. Fletcher again came off the bench Oct. 4 in San Francisco, rotating in and out of the game with Wade.

                    But last Sunday against Minnesota, it was Fletcher — a third-round draft pick from Iowa — making his first NFL start.

                    "I was just happy to get an opportunity to get out on the field, and go ahead and play," Fletcher said.

                    Nervous?

                    "I was fine," Fletcher said. "It's just football. It's a good time."

                    Fletcher is scheduled to start again this week against Jacksonville, once again ahead of Wade, who was given the first crack at the vacancy created in the lineup when Tye Hill was dealt to Atlanta for a seventh-round draft pick Sept. 1.

                    "You roll with the punches," Wade said. "I just play. When they tell me to go left, I go left. They tell me to go right, I go right."

                    Even though Wade's role has diminished, coach Steve Spagnuolo indicated that the time-share will continue at that position. During the regular season, it's highly unusual for teams to rotate cornerbacks during a game. But Spagnuolo said he has done it before as an assistant coach.

                    "I think it's important to keep those guys playing, in my opinion," Spagnuolo said. "Everyone is an ankle turn away from being a starter in a game. So when and if maybe that happens, it's always nice to have some plays under your belt.

                    "I kind of like it. We've got tackles rotating. We've got defensive ends rotating. ... It's happened at linebacker. If you guys noticed, Paris (Lenon) and Larry Grant rotated a little bit (against Minnesota). It's good to have a lot of guys involved, I think."

                    Fletcher has suffered through some "rookie orientation" moments in his early work at cornerback. The first time he rotated in for Wade this season — against Green Bay — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers went right at him, completing a 46-yard pass to Donald Driver (despite a pass interference flag against Fletcher). On the next play, Rodgers completed a 12-yard completion on a slant pattern. Those plays set up Green Bay's first touchdown, giving the Packers a 16-0 lead en route to a 36-17 victory.

                    Against Minnesota, Brett Favre completed a 47-yard pass to Sidney Rice against Fletcher that set up a third-quarter Minnesota touchdown...
                    -10-17-2009, 07:44 PM
                  • RamsFan16
                    Bradley Fletcher, from a fan who has watched his entire career.
                    by RamsFan16
                    I see alot of you guys are questioning Fletcher, saying how he got the drunk driving incident and all these things. You don't know how he plays, haven't seen anything besides that DratGuys.com video or w/e it was on youtube.com.

                    Being a huge Iowa Hawkeye and Rams fan, I got to watch Fletcher his entire career. And during he continually worked his butt off, and it wasn't until about his mid Junior season when he got the chance to play. The reason being is that the guy in front of him Adam Shada was a huge coaches favorite, he was horrible but kept playing because the coaches loved him for his speed. But during his mid Junior season he got his shot when Shada was hurt, and as he played, I could tell he was going to be a player, and finished the season strong.

                    And last year during his senior season he played arguably better than Charles Godfrey did the season before (Godfrey starts as FS for Carolina). When you watch Fletcher play, you watch a guy who plays his - off, a kid who won't shy from a challenge or get intimidated. It doesn't matter if he's playing against Dane Looker, or Randy Moss. Fletcher will try and will play physical, tight defense on them. He's got really good instincts when the ball is in the air, and is a mirror of the receivers route. He's a very smart football player and is a damn good tackler for a cornerback, and hits like a safety. He's got better football speed than timed speed.

                    So in getting Fletcher, we're getting a big, physical, run stopping tackler who will also make plays on the ball in the air, and vary rarely gets beat, and if he does, he has good recovery speed, also is very hard worker. His attitude is nothing short of great. He did have that DUI in Iowa City, but cops are on players like white on rice in Iowa City for some reason. He actually has great character. He's soft spoken but can be a good leader. I said it before the offseason and I'll say it now, the only reason he isn't a 1st round pick is because he didnt' start 4 years or any crap like that, he has all the skills to have been a first rounder however.


                    I'm telling you guys right now, don't be surprised if he's starting Week 1 for us opposite Ron Bartell. And a backfield of || Fletcher | Atogwe | Butler | Bartell || is not only a big backfield, but a very physical one too. Physical football is coming back to St. Louis men and women, and it's going to be a very, very fun time.

                    His measurables are also better than those of Malcom Jenkins, the "Top Rated" Cornerback.

                    Bradley Fletcher: 40 time= 4.50
                    bench= 20
                    V.jump= 38.5


                    Malcolm Jenkins: 40 time= 4.54
                    bench= 15
                    V.jump= 33.0

                    Highlights/Interview video
                    CBS College Sports All-Access

                    A Pro day shot:
                    ...
                    -04-28-2009, 08:42 PM
                  • r8rh8rmike
                    Rams Rookie Roundup
                    by r8rh8rmike
                    Rams Rookie Roundup
                    Monday, January 18, 2010

                    By Nick Wagoner
                    Senior Writer

                    After an offseason roster overhaul, the 2009 Rams had a decidedly youthful feel to it.

                    As one of the three youngest rosters in the league, opportunities were abound for young players at every position to make a difference, especially members of the 2009 NFL Draft class.

                    And almost to a man, every member of that seven-man class made an impact on the field at some point or another.

                    Most general managers hope to find a couple of starters and some role players in each draft but at various times, five rookie Rams started games. Some made greater impacts than others but almost all showed some promise that they can and will make a bigger difference well into the coming years.

                    OT Jason Smith – First Round, No. 2 Overall

                    Entering the draft, the Rams had placed a high priority on bolstering the offensive line. They did it in a big way, adding the top rated tackle on the board in the form of Smith.

                    After a training camp spent learning the ropes, Smith emerged as the team’s starting right tackle in the season opener. Smith provided the Rams a physical presence on the right side and was one of those opening the hole for running back Steven Jackson’s game winning touchdown against Detroit.

                    Although he has been hampered by knee and head injuries, Smith has made progress in his time on the field and figures to be a bedrock for the offensive line for many years to come.

                    IN HIS WORDS: “Obviously the more you do something, the better you get at it,” Smith said. “As a team, we want to play hard, play physical and play together. I am just one piece of the puzzle. I just know that to go out and get better as an individual will help the team. I’m a guy that is always about we and not me.”

                    THEY SAID IT: “He’s doing a nice job,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “I listen for little things like in the huddle he is calling the down and distance. For a rookie to be aware of that every play, that’s impressive to me. He is vocal. He is a confident guy so we kind of hang our hat on that right now.”

                    MLB James Laurinaitis – Second Round, No. 35 Overall

                    Perhaps no rookie in the league, let alone on the team made a greater impact in year one than Laurinaitis.
                    Laurinaitis became the first rookie since Pisa Tinoisamoa to lead the team in tackles and Laurinaitis set a rookie franchise record for tackles in a season.

                    Laurinaitis moved into the starting lineup early in training camp and hasn’t vacated the position while playing through his share of bumps and bruises. He doesn’t figure to leave that role anytime soon and has established himself as a cornerstone player for the franchise.

                    IN HIS WORDS: “That’s one thing you will find out about me,” Laurinaitis said. “I am a perfectionist...
                    -01-18-2010, 11:59 AM
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