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  • #1

    This season

    In the light of how things have gone this season, I am at a loss for how people are approaching this current team.

    How do you grade anything on this team? Spags, BD, the WRs, the defense. The only grade I can see being appropriate is "incomplete".

    Jackson being traded? Seriously. Spag's loosing credibility? What! Null? He's what we thought he'd be.

    I don't think it's "fair" to grade this team, this coach or this front office right now on anything but effort. Nine months to turn over that previous roster and build a new organization simply is not long enough and stuff happens.

    Players on IR: Carriker, Otogwe, Ah You, Bassey, Burton, Robinson, Pittman, Moore, Massey, Gibson, Foster and Fletcher. And now possibly Bell.

    Dead money: Holt, Pace.

    There is a big off season coming up. Big draft too.

    There are never any guarantees of success. But really, at the minimum, two years is when we'll even begin to see the fruits of the changes this front office and coach have been trying to make. And they're going to require a heck of a lot more luck than they have had so far.

    In the meantime, I'd just like to see them maintain they're dignity. Dignity, from a 1-15 team?
    Semper Fi!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: This season

    You can't grade either the coach or the front office this year. Our team is decimated by injuries. How long does that list run now? We lost a ton of really good players, and we still have a few who are hobbled by injuries (Bartell, Smith, Jackson).

    We lost two of our really good receivers in Robinson and Burton. Burton was really catching on before he got hurt.

    For the most part yes, you can only put and incomplete for the grades.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: This season

      Three games left in this season and the Rams, by now, must have taken a good look themselves and no doubt can't possibly be pleased with their performance on the season.
      The Rams 2009 season Motto "53 playing as one" failed to be taken to heart by the team.
      Starting now and on through the off-season the Rams will have to rededicate themselves through all phases of the system. Strength and Conditining should be priority #1. Injuries have been a major issue wth this team all year, getting stronger and more in shape will help out, in a long campaign of a season.

      Marc Bulger.
      Rams fans have been divided into two camps ( Haters, Apologist) concerning the Rams $65 million dollar Quarterback. Its safe to say that all would love to see Marc return to his Pro Bowl form that he displayed earlier in his career. At this time and point, Bulger needs to dig down deep inside and put it all together to somehow live up to $65 million dollar expectations. Most of Bulger's problems are under his helmet, this off season will require Marc to do some Heavy soul searching and a "Check up from the Neck up" maybe needed to reavaluate his situation. This is Marc Bulger's last chance if the Rams choose to stick by him in 2010. That being said, hopefully the Rams can get Suh and one of the high profile QBs coming out of college, in next years draft.

      Steven Jackson.
      The Rams only constant playmaker this year. His name has been mentioned many times as a bargining chip, in a possible trade scenario. It probably would be best situation to keep SJ with the Rams and hopefully build up around him, as oppose to getting a few draft picks in a trade for him. It would be a beautiful thing to have Jackson and Bulger finally finding success together as Rams. That would be nice!

      Offensive Frontline.
      Alex Barron, Jacob Bell, Jason Brown, Ritchie Incognito, Jason Smith...Looks good on paper....Make it happen on the field!

      Thought McMike was the anwser to the Rams TE solution, but the team will need to evaluate this situation during the offseason.

      Rams will do alot to help themselves to a big name receiver, out of FA. Avery is not a true #1 and Burton can't stay healthy.

      DEFENSE!!!
      Chris Long is starting look like a keeper. James Laurinaitis is the Rams solid foundation at the linebacker position, he needs more pieces around him.
      Leonard Little is about at the end of the road with the Rams, it maybe time for he and the Rams to part ways.
      Ron Bartell and the rest of the Rams defensive backfield have looked less then impressive this year.
      A major reassessment will have to be done and a thorough evaluation will be needed at each defensive position. An upgrade in defensive schemes is a must and most importantly,the Rams must develope a better pass rush, a better way of stopping the run/pass, and tackling techniques must corrected.

      Spags.
      Would have expected more progress being made from our rookie head coach, coming from the Super Bowl success he had, leading the Giants as DC.
      Putting ones self in Spags shoes, only brings to the realization that there's much work to be done with this team. There are major holes evereywhere you look and the team as a whole has regressed even more than the Linehan/Hasslett lead teams.
      Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo definitely has his work cut out for him.

      The Saint Louis Rams.
      Not long ago this team, overnight, became the "Greatest Show on Turf", all throughout the 1990s, the Rams played less than appealing football and then all of a sudden, in 1999 they were the talk of the football world.
      Super Bowl Champions to begin this decade to Super Chumps to end it.
      What can these Rams Learn from the GSOT Rams?

      Dick Vermeil: Hard Work and Dedication

      Mike Martz: Innovation

      Kurt Warner: Spirit and Daring Belief

      Marshall Faulk: Star Power

      Isaac Bruce: Professionalism

      Torry Holt: Tenacity

      Orlando Pace: Strength

      Azzahir Hakim: Speed

      Ricky Proehl: Playmaker

      London Fletcher: Heart

      Kevin Carter: Determination

      Todd Lyte: Veteran Leadership

      Tony Horne: Explosiveness

      Jeff Wilkins: Money

      Mike Jones: Game Saver


      The most important thing that the 2009 Rams can learn from the 1999 Rams is that in order to be successful in the NFL your team must be as "53 PLAYING AS ONE!"

      THIS SEASON......WE'VE FAILED TO SEE IT!
      Last edited by dgr828; -12-15-2009, 12:12 PM.
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      • #4
        Re: This season

        I give Spags, the team, and the front office a grade of a D- for this season. All NFL teams has injured players and players on IR. The Broncos have injured players, players on IR, a new QB, a first year coach just like the Rams, but they have won 8 games, so would you give them a grade of incomplete also? The Browns have just as many players on IR as the Rams, a new head coach, and not as much talent but still manage to win 2 games including a victory over the superbowl champs so would you give them a grade of incomplete also?
        Last edited by mtah6245; -12-15-2009, 12:07 PM.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: This season

          Originally posted by mtah6245 View Post
          I give Spags, the team, and the front office a grade of a D- for this season. All NFL teams has injured players and players on IR. The Broncos have injured players, players on IR, a new QB, a first year coach just like the Rams, but they have won 8 games, so would you give them a grade of incomplete also? The Browns have just as many players on IR as the Rams, a new head coach, and not as much talent but still manage to win 2 games including a victory over the superbowl champs so would you give them a grade of incomplete also?
          Good on them. Yes I would.
          Semper Fi!

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: This season

            The Browns don't have a new head coach, they have a new to them head coach.

            The Broncos are loaded with talent...just because other teams have people on IR doesn't mean they have their best people on IR. The Rams have a majority of their arguably best talent sitting on the bench with injuries.
            "I've been saving the Universe for over a thousand years. I figure it owes me just this once."

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            • RamsInfiniti
              Describing all aspects of the Rams in four sentences or less ...
              by RamsInfiniti
              Let's talk about the Rams!

              Quarterbacks - Marc Bulger has all the tools to succeed in this WCO offense including the quick release and precision accuracy. However, his broken pinky could hinder him all season and his pocket presence must improve. He has to pay attention to work hard to avoid free blitzers as this new offensive line matures. Boller is a capable short-term backup and Null is in the experimental stages at this time.

              Grade: C+

              Running Backs - Steven Jackson is the complete package and will have to carry this team on his back the first half of the season: expect him to put up huge numbers both on the ground and in the passing game. Gado (minus his long run) and Darby didn't show alot this season, but both are capable runners, receivers, and blockers. Karney is a top-notch fullback who can catch the ball. What this group lacks is a burner.

              Grade: B-

              Wide Receivers - Avery and Robinson will prove to be a dynamic combo on the edges, that should get better and better as the season progresses. Burton must develop into a solid possession guy, who is not afraid to go over the middle. Stanley is a wild-card, who can be effective on short screens and slants. This unit is incomplete at this point.

              Grade: C

              Tight Ends - Can McMichael rebound and have success like he did in Miami? He better, because he is crucial to this offense's success. Fells has talent, both as a tight-end and HB, but needs to be more consistent. Bejema is a great blocker and showed surprising hands this offseason.

              Grade: B

              Offensive Line - A young, hungry group of offensive lineman that badly needs to find some cohesion based on a poor preseason performance, particularly in the run game. Brown and Incognito should solidify the right side of the line. Barron must play consistently from the left to allow Bulger to focus on pressure coming off the right as Smith learns the pro game. Left guard is a question mark.

              Grade: C+

              Defensive Line - This is the most intruiging group on the roster to me. Little is still a monster off the edge, and Long has consistently pressured the passer but is still inches away from becoming a sack master. Adeynaju and Hall should both prove to be effective hybrid lineman, both on the edge and rushing from the inside. Ryan, Hollis, Scott, and Gibson are a nice combination of youth and age inside, and this group played solid on the inside against the run in preseason.

              Grade: C+

              Linebackers - J.L. solidifies the middle of the D in way not seen since London Fletcher, but he must become a vocal leader. Draft and all the backups are solid, hard-working players. Witherspoon is the wild-card, and he must return to his 2007 form for this defense to become successful: he did not look good in preseason. Overall, this group lacks the fire and desire that more successful...
              -09-08-2009, 11:24 AM
            • dgr828
              Rams are a Mess
              by dgr828
              The Jury's still out on new Rams headcoach Steve Spagnuolo. I know it's early but Spags is still an unproven who will need to bring forth a major 'Stimulus Package' to jumpstart this failing RAMS economy.
              For the Rams and Spagnuolo to become successful, they must change the personna of this team. These are hard times and as an organization the right moves must be made. Is Spags the right man to make sweeping changes and turn this ship around? Is there such a thing as 'Hell week' in the NFL? You remember back in high school, the start of football season, the coach would put you through hell to work out the kinks before the upcoming season.
              The Rams need about month of HELL!!!

              THE MARC BULGER QUESTION?

              This is a new year, and nothing has changed, BULGER STILL SUX!!! Put another coach before him, it doesn't matter, the leadership that's need from the QB position is just not there. This guy has more excuses, ( The offensive doesn't protect him, The receiving corp is too young and inexperienced or Torry Holt is too old, the running game is never healthy, Steven Jackson's always hurt, the defense always has us playing from behind.) how much more can we take with a sorry team with a sorry playing quarterback?
              Marc can change his fortunes by rededicating himself, preparing during the offseason and make it his mission to guide this team successfully, in the right direction.
              -02-21-2009, 10:08 AM
            • AvengerRam_old
              The impact of injuries
              by AvengerRam_old
              There is little question that the Rams have been heavily hit by injuries this year.

              Just off the top of my head:

              Injured Reserve
              Brooks Foster
              Brad Fletcher
              Laurent Robinson
              Keenan Burton
              Adam Carriker
              O.J. Atogwe
              Gary Gibson
              Jacob Bell (probably will be placed)

              Missed Multiple Games
              Marc Bulger
              Richie Incognito
              Jason Smith
              James Butler

              Missed Time/Played Through Injuries
              Steven Jackson
              Donnie Avery
              Jason Brown
              Mike Karney
              Leonard Little
              Ron Bartell
              Kyle Boller
              Chris Long

              I think that, more than anything, these injuries have prevented the Rams from showing real progression. How can the offense succeed when there is a different starting 5 on the O line every week? How can a defense come together as a unit when parts are changed each game?

              Injuries are an NFL reality, and can't be used as an excuse. However, given that the Rams clearly did not have a weath of talent coming into this year, there really was no chance that this team could survive the number of injures suffered during this season.

              Let's hope our luck changes next year, and that the depth improves to allow the team to succeed despite normal attrition.
              -12-15-2009, 08:04 AM
            • r8rh8rmike
              How Did The Rams Get This Bad?
              by r8rh8rmike
              How did the Rams get this bad?

              Columnist Jeff Gordon
              By Jeff Gordon
              STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
              11/30/2009

              The Rams are 1-10 and racing toward 1-15, with little hope of actually winning another football game.

              If this team couldn’t beat the reeling Seahawks at home, then you can't expect it to beat anybody left on its schedule.

              The thoroughness of their futility is stunning. How did the Rams get THIS bad?

              Four predominant factors are to blame:

              1. To speed up the rebuilding process, the Rams football operation unloaded much of the remaining big-money veteran talent.

              From the end of last season into the middle of this season, the Rams cashiered tackle Orlando Pace, receiver Torry Holt, receiver Dane Looker, linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, defensive tackle La’Roi Glover, linebacker Chris Draft, cornerback Tye Hill, safety Corey Chavous, linebacker Will Witherspoon and others.

              True, many of those guys played their way off the team. But that is a LOT of veteran talent to lose in such a short period of time.

              2. Once again, the Rams suffered an inordinate number of costly injuries.

              The offensive line was coming together nicely this season, but tackle Jason Smith, guard Richie Incognito and center Jason Brown all went down. Once again, the Rams are forced to use a patchwork approach up front.

              Rookie cornerback Fletcher Bradley was emerging as a solid “press” coverage player, but he suffered a catastrophic knee injury. Quarterback Marc Bulger, receiver Keenan Burton, receiver Laurent Robinson, defensive tackle Adam Carriker, receiver Brooks Foster, defensive end C.J. Ah You . . . the list of casualties goes on and on, with new victims appearing on the injured list every week.

              3. The Rams lacked the depth to withstand all these losses.

              For a variety of reasons, this franchise failed to build and maintain a critical mass of talent in recent years. As the Greatest Show on Turf aged, the Rams failed to develop viable replacements.

              The Rams became stunningly deficient in almost every area. They didn’t have worthy prospects ready to replace all the departing veterans. And when injuries hit, general manager Billy Devaney was forced to fetch fill-ins off practice squads and off the street.

              As a result, this season has turned into an extended training camp with youngsters and fringe veterans coming and going at a dizzying rate.

              4. The Rams embarked on this massive rebuilding project with inexperienced leadership.

              From the top of the organization on down, the key leaders are learning on the job. Devaney, president Kevin Demoff, head coach Steve Spagnulo, offensive coordinator Pat Shumur and defensive coordinator Ken Flajole all possess more responsibility than they have ever had before.
              ...
              -12-01-2009, 11:45 PM
            • RamsInfiniti
              Report Card = Rams @ 49'ers
              by RamsInfiniti
              Here is the way I saw it:

              QUARTERBACK - Bulger passed for nearly 300 yards, but he had a typical erratic day that we've seen all season. Bulger can seemingly put together two or three consecutive good throws, only to follow with a horrible mistake. Bulger worked to get the ball out quickly today, but he often reacted to pressure that was not there. On two of the sacks, he had at least five seconds to throw, and failed to find an open receiver, or to throw it away. He just looks very confused at this point. He just barely missed Avery on a deep seam route in the first quarter - the ball was slightly underthrown, but the rookie has to find a way to make that play. The main problem I saw in Bulger again this week is predetermining his throws before the snap. It's hard to pinpoint how big an issue this really is, but some great camera angles in this game often showed wideouts sitting open in the flat, particularly on some third downs. It seems either Bulger throws to the flat too quickly before the routes develop, or he is absolutely deadset on throwing deep to Avery, often into double or triple coverage. A very shaky day but Bulger, a day when he had enough time to be dangerous. It should be noted that he made a nifty move and put his head down on a run to get a first down. No doubt the guy is tough, but he is just too big a mental case right now to be a success.

              GRADE: D-

              RUNNING BACKS: Superb effort by this group today. It's really hard to complain when your backup running back and a guy off the street manage to rack up 200 yards of offense. Pittman ran hard and seemingly regained his burst. He picked his holes wisely and showed an ability to get through the second line of defense very quickly, a trait we haven't seen from him in the past. He failed to haul in a potential TD pass early, but he was well covered. Darby continues to show that he can be a definitive option as the third-down back on this team. He picked up one blitz nicely, and ran very hard. Ignore the big five yard loss as that was not on him. Most impressively though, he caught 8 passes out of the backfield and showed an ability to make the defender miss. This is something we do not have with Travis Minor. I didn't see anything of value out of Kreider today, and we definitely need to upgrade that position. Regardless, Pittman and Darby caused significant damage against a 49'ers defense that has not been generous to running backs the past two weeks.

              GRADE: A

              WIDE RECEIVERS: Donnie Avery showed the entire arsenal today, making some yardage out of some smoke routes, cataching a couple intermediate routes, and making an awesome catch down the sideline for a big gain. He needs to make the play on that seam route that Bulger throws in the first quarter. He needs to work on positioning his body better, but overall, Avery showed how big a weapon he can be today. He seemingly has great hands, something that was questioned...
              -11-17-2008, 10:24 AM
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