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Jets got it done with new coach, Rams didn't
Columnist Jeff Gordon
(E-mail a "Letter to Gordo")By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
01/04/2010
Thanks to a much-appreciated television blackout, most Rams fans didn’t see their team finish out with a 28-6 loss to the *****.
That was one of the most pathetic offensive performances in team history. It left fans begging for massive improvements on that side of the ball. ShopSTL Marketplace
But one of the TV games the fans COULD watch -– the Jets' 37-0 domination of the Bengals on Sunday night -– provided the blueprint for how the Rams will proceed in 2010.
First-year Jets coach Rex Ryan got his team into the playoffs with a dominating defense, a clock-eating ground game and a young quarterback managing a conservative offense.
That is the model Steve Spagnuolo set out to follow with the Rams. This regime will remain on the course for Year 2, seeking to build around defensive cornerstones Chris Long and James Laurinaitis and bulldozing running back Steven Jackson.
In the Jets victory, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez completed just eight passes before bowing out with the game in hand. Ryan’s team leaned on power back Thomas Jones (two touchdowns) grinding out yards and former Mizzou quarterback Brad Smith running the “wildcat” scheme.
Smith added an explosive element to the already strong New York ground game. He broke a 57-yard run up the middle and a 32-yard TD run around tackle.
“We just stay true to our identity,” Jets tackle Damien Woody told CBSSports.com. “We're going to do what we do. We're going to run the football. It's not like we came up with any trick plays. We're a running offense. We're not going to do anything different.”
Ryan is 1,000 times more colorful than Spagnuolo, but these coaches share the same beliefs. Both are defensive coaches. Both believe they can build championship teams with dominant defenses and powerful running attacks.
Rams fans pine for “The Greatest Show on Turf,” but that philosophy is not returning while the current regime is in charge.
Ryan succeeded with a young quarterback because his other pieces were in place. Once he convinced Sanchez to quit turning the ball over on every other possession, the Jets were able to finish well.
Sure, they ran into playoff-bound teams that rested starters the past few weeks. That was a huge break, the sort the Rams never got this season. But the Jets still deserve credit for bringing their coach’s vision to life in Year 1 of his tenure.
The Rams can follow this same course under Spagnuolo if the organization continues accumulating better personnel. The team must use their first overall pick to land bulwark defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, then set out to fill the following primary needs:
* Better outside linebackers to flank Laurinaitis, who was everything the Rams were hoping for this season.
* At least one big cornerback who excels in press coverage.
* Another pass-rushing defensive end to replace Leonard Little, who might be finished.
* Protection at offensive tackle, since Jason Smith faces an uncertain future due to post-concussion syndrome and Alex Barron is no more than a stopgap option.
* A viable No. 2 running back to spell Jackson and extend his career.
* A pass-catching tight end to make this West Coast offense work.
* A “go-to” wide receiver capable of earning the big first downs and finishing off scoring drives.
* Another young quarterback to develop into a game manager.
By the end of the season, a full third of the Rams lineup was injured. Most of those guys are coming back. Also returning are many younger players who gained valuable experience filling in -– including pleasant surprises like kicker return Danny Amendola and wide receiver Brandon Gibson.
When Billy Devaney mixes in another good draft class and an assortment of free agents, the Rams should bring a far more competitive group to training camp.
Their goal: Play the same style of football as they did in 2009, but play it better. This is not an exciting plan but. as the Jets proved this season, it can work.
Columnist Jeff Gordon
(E-mail a "Letter to Gordo")By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
01/04/2010
Thanks to a much-appreciated television blackout, most Rams fans didn’t see their team finish out with a 28-6 loss to the *****.
That was one of the most pathetic offensive performances in team history. It left fans begging for massive improvements on that side of the ball. ShopSTL Marketplace
But one of the TV games the fans COULD watch -– the Jets' 37-0 domination of the Bengals on Sunday night -– provided the blueprint for how the Rams will proceed in 2010.
First-year Jets coach Rex Ryan got his team into the playoffs with a dominating defense, a clock-eating ground game and a young quarterback managing a conservative offense.
That is the model Steve Spagnuolo set out to follow with the Rams. This regime will remain on the course for Year 2, seeking to build around defensive cornerstones Chris Long and James Laurinaitis and bulldozing running back Steven Jackson.
In the Jets victory, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez completed just eight passes before bowing out with the game in hand. Ryan’s team leaned on power back Thomas Jones (two touchdowns) grinding out yards and former Mizzou quarterback Brad Smith running the “wildcat” scheme.
Smith added an explosive element to the already strong New York ground game. He broke a 57-yard run up the middle and a 32-yard TD run around tackle.
“We just stay true to our identity,” Jets tackle Damien Woody told CBSSports.com. “We're going to do what we do. We're going to run the football. It's not like we came up with any trick plays. We're a running offense. We're not going to do anything different.”
Ryan is 1,000 times more colorful than Spagnuolo, but these coaches share the same beliefs. Both are defensive coaches. Both believe they can build championship teams with dominant defenses and powerful running attacks.
Rams fans pine for “The Greatest Show on Turf,” but that philosophy is not returning while the current regime is in charge.
Ryan succeeded with a young quarterback because his other pieces were in place. Once he convinced Sanchez to quit turning the ball over on every other possession, the Jets were able to finish well.
Sure, they ran into playoff-bound teams that rested starters the past few weeks. That was a huge break, the sort the Rams never got this season. But the Jets still deserve credit for bringing their coach’s vision to life in Year 1 of his tenure.
The Rams can follow this same course under Spagnuolo if the organization continues accumulating better personnel. The team must use their first overall pick to land bulwark defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, then set out to fill the following primary needs:
* Better outside linebackers to flank Laurinaitis, who was everything the Rams were hoping for this season.
* At least one big cornerback who excels in press coverage.
* Another pass-rushing defensive end to replace Leonard Little, who might be finished.
* Protection at offensive tackle, since Jason Smith faces an uncertain future due to post-concussion syndrome and Alex Barron is no more than a stopgap option.
* A viable No. 2 running back to spell Jackson and extend his career.
* A pass-catching tight end to make this West Coast offense work.
* A “go-to” wide receiver capable of earning the big first downs and finishing off scoring drives.
* Another young quarterback to develop into a game manager.
By the end of the season, a full third of the Rams lineup was injured. Most of those guys are coming back. Also returning are many younger players who gained valuable experience filling in -– including pleasant surprises like kicker return Danny Amendola and wide receiver Brandon Gibson.
When Billy Devaney mixes in another good draft class and an assortment of free agents, the Rams should bring a far more competitive group to training camp.
Their goal: Play the same style of football as they did in 2009, but play it better. This is not an exciting plan but. as the Jets proved this season, it can work.
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