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Rams have holes all over the field
By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
11/23/2009
Had Kurt Warner stayed on the field Sunday, the Cardinals would have clubbed the Rams by about 35 points.
This game would have ended the way the Colts game ended -– in utter humiliation for the home team.
For two quarters at the Edward Jones Dome, the Rams were feckless on offense and helpless on defense. The first half of their 21-13 loss underscored just how many holes the franchise must fill before it can contend again.
Let’s go down the list:
* Next quarterback. At best, Marc Bulger could fill an interim role while this team grooms the new guy. Will the Rams use the draft to fill this need? Can they salvage one of the many failed young veterans likely to become available? Could Keith Null develop into a candidate with a full offseason of work in this offense?
With many teams looking for long-range help at this position, it’ll be interesting to see what Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo do. I would keep Null, draft a quarterback after the first round and shop for a Ryan Fitzpatrick-type to manage the offense in the meantime.
* Run-stuffing defensive tackle. Spags hopes to build physical lines. The offensive wall has taken shape, thanks to free agent center Jason Brown, top pick Jason Smith at right tackle and veteran Adam Goldberg filling in everywhere.
But as we saw when Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells blew through big holes Sunday, the defensive side still needs much work. This team needs a behemoth to start next to hard-working Clifton Ryan.
* Outside linebackers. Busy rookie James Laurinaitis is definitely the right man for the middle, but his cohorts got swallowed up again Sunday. Arizona was on pace to gain 650 yards against the Rams when Warner got hurt.
Spags has developed some no-name OLBs in his career, so maybe he can fill this need without spending high picks or big free-agent dollars. With so much else to do, that would be a good thing.
* Pass rushing defensive end. Chris Long is developing nicely as an all-purpose DE on one side of the line, but the Rams could use a young speed rusher to succeed veterans Leonard Little and James Hall.
The Rams must add a young playmaker at that position to give the defense more bite.
* A big wide receiver. Donnie Avery is showing more potential as a speed guy. Once he masters the offense, Brandon Gibson could be a viable possession guy. Laurent Robinson was a decent possession receiver when he got hurt. Elusive Danny Amendola offers some potential in the slot.
But the Rams need a big red-zone target for finishing off drives. As we saw again Sunday, completing a fade-route pass with the current offensive cast is a near impossibility.
* Big cornerback. The demise of Bradley Fletcher left this team literally short at this position. This defense calls for a lot of “press” coverage, but Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin swatted away Rams cornerbacks like so many gnats Sunday.
Justin King and Jonathan Wade had no chance out there.
* Second feature back. Most NFL teams are moving toward a two-back system, backing their main running back with another back capable of excelling in all downs. Steven Jackson is a workhorse, but he could become even better with significant help.
Samkon Gado is a fine young man, but he is NOT the answer on third-and-1 when Jackson needs a breather. A strong second back would help wear down opposing rush defenses and create more downhill momentum.
* Third-down back. This team also needs to upgrade over Kenneth Darby. Jackson isn’t a great pass blocker, so the Rams need to add a running back capable of reading blitzes, picking up interlopers and releasing to the right spot to catch passes.
A skilled third-down back could give the team some more two-back options. It would be nice to send such a player in motion or line him up in the slot to give defenses one more weapon to defend against.
* Pass catching tight end. Randy McMichael appears to be done. Daniel Fells offers some potential and Billy Bajema is not a bad third guy, but a great offensive threat at this position would fit nicely into this offense.
The team found some key pieces this year while offloading a lot of dead weight. The Rams added some younger depth guys with some upside, creating the potential for a more competitive camp in 2010.
But as you can see, the Rams' shopping list is extensive. By all means available, Devaney and Co. must add impact players at multiple positions as soon as possible.
By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
11/23/2009
Had Kurt Warner stayed on the field Sunday, the Cardinals would have clubbed the Rams by about 35 points.
This game would have ended the way the Colts game ended -– in utter humiliation for the home team.
For two quarters at the Edward Jones Dome, the Rams were feckless on offense and helpless on defense. The first half of their 21-13 loss underscored just how many holes the franchise must fill before it can contend again.
Let’s go down the list:
* Next quarterback. At best, Marc Bulger could fill an interim role while this team grooms the new guy. Will the Rams use the draft to fill this need? Can they salvage one of the many failed young veterans likely to become available? Could Keith Null develop into a candidate with a full offseason of work in this offense?
With many teams looking for long-range help at this position, it’ll be interesting to see what Billy Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo do. I would keep Null, draft a quarterback after the first round and shop for a Ryan Fitzpatrick-type to manage the offense in the meantime.
* Run-stuffing defensive tackle. Spags hopes to build physical lines. The offensive wall has taken shape, thanks to free agent center Jason Brown, top pick Jason Smith at right tackle and veteran Adam Goldberg filling in everywhere.
But as we saw when Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells blew through big holes Sunday, the defensive side still needs much work. This team needs a behemoth to start next to hard-working Clifton Ryan.
* Outside linebackers. Busy rookie James Laurinaitis is definitely the right man for the middle, but his cohorts got swallowed up again Sunday. Arizona was on pace to gain 650 yards against the Rams when Warner got hurt.
Spags has developed some no-name OLBs in his career, so maybe he can fill this need without spending high picks or big free-agent dollars. With so much else to do, that would be a good thing.
* Pass rushing defensive end. Chris Long is developing nicely as an all-purpose DE on one side of the line, but the Rams could use a young speed rusher to succeed veterans Leonard Little and James Hall.
The Rams must add a young playmaker at that position to give the defense more bite.
* A big wide receiver. Donnie Avery is showing more potential as a speed guy. Once he masters the offense, Brandon Gibson could be a viable possession guy. Laurent Robinson was a decent possession receiver when he got hurt. Elusive Danny Amendola offers some potential in the slot.
But the Rams need a big red-zone target for finishing off drives. As we saw again Sunday, completing a fade-route pass with the current offensive cast is a near impossibility.
* Big cornerback. The demise of Bradley Fletcher left this team literally short at this position. This defense calls for a lot of “press” coverage, but Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin swatted away Rams cornerbacks like so many gnats Sunday.
Justin King and Jonathan Wade had no chance out there.
* Second feature back. Most NFL teams are moving toward a two-back system, backing their main running back with another back capable of excelling in all downs. Steven Jackson is a workhorse, but he could become even better with significant help.
Samkon Gado is a fine young man, but he is NOT the answer on third-and-1 when Jackson needs a breather. A strong second back would help wear down opposing rush defenses and create more downhill momentum.
* Third-down back. This team also needs to upgrade over Kenneth Darby. Jackson isn’t a great pass blocker, so the Rams need to add a running back capable of reading blitzes, picking up interlopers and releasing to the right spot to catch passes.
A skilled third-down back could give the team some more two-back options. It would be nice to send such a player in motion or line him up in the slot to give defenses one more weapon to defend against.
* Pass catching tight end. Randy McMichael appears to be done. Daniel Fells offers some potential and Billy Bajema is not a bad third guy, but a great offensive threat at this position would fit nicely into this offense.
The team found some key pieces this year while offloading a lot of dead weight. The Rams added some younger depth guys with some upside, creating the potential for a more competitive camp in 2010.
But as you can see, the Rams' shopping list is extensive. By all means available, Devaney and Co. must add impact players at multiple positions as soon as possible.
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