The play of butler and fisher

[general counsel]

I thought fisher was outstanding yesterday and butler played well also. We are so weak at safety its scary, given that we have aeneas and archuleta. Injury or not, i just dont think archuleta is very good in pass coverage and aeneas, got bless him on his way to canton, is not the same player this year.

Fisher made two terrific plays. He was a big loss for us in the first part of the year. Did you guys see butlers coverage on the 50 yard completion? Lem Barney could not have covered any better than that. The throw by brady was extraordinary. he couldnt have put it in a better spot if he was standing three feet away from the receiver, rather than 50 yards downfield. Of course, as usual, we were not in bradys face.

I dont think cb is a need for us. The need is to get fisher signed long term. I still have hope that groce and garrett will mature.

The biggest needs are right tackle and linebacker. Our linebackers are very below average. We can kid ourselves all we want regarding the kids at linebacker, but we havent been the same since fletcher left. We need a trained killer out there.

general counsel

[HUbison]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

I dont think cb is a need for us.

Sorry, GC, but I have to disagree with you. Teams are finding Butler and throwing directly at him. Fisher is still rusty, but hopefully will improve if he can remain healthy. You are right about the safeties. Arch's coverage skills are deteriorating (which is unfathomable to me) and poor Aeneas just doesn't look like himself anymore. But none of that will matter as long as Butler is on the field. The QB finds Butler and throws to whatever receiver is nearest. That's all it is taking to beat our secondary right now.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

I look at CB as a position that should be bolstered, but is not necessarily a priority. Maybe worth one of the Rams' 3rd round picks next year. Fisher is fine, and Butler is good enough as long as the Rams have a decent pass rush (which, interestingly, was the one area yesterday that the Rams were decent in).


I think safety is a bigger concern. Aeneas is winding down a Hall of Fame career and an heir apparent will have to be brought in. Archuleta still needs to improve his coverage skills, but makes up for his weaknesses with his playmaking abilities.

[elAcky]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

What did Pitt do this offseason that changed everything (Big Ben is good but that defense... man that is awesome)... what did the panthers change that downgraded them so much... both have basically the same players... I really feel that if you look at the individuals on this team, everyone has had their moments and there is not one (except Williams) that is not worthy of an NFL roster spot... the problem is discipline and leadership.. its not about individual players necessarily. At the end of the day we have brought in good solid players and we have wrecked their careers Jamie Duncan/Turley etc..

I still beleive Butler and Fisher could be adequate if the rest of the team were consistent/disciplined on every play.. sure they would never be great.. but adequate.. Personally I think we can go a long way with the players we have if we can find the right system and motivation i.e. wholesale changes will not solve the problem and cause further cap issues. Ultimately motivation comes top down... so thats were the buck stops..

My opinion is that Martz has to let go and hire a 'proper' DC i.e. not throw a life line to one of his mates and keep the nucleas of players he has.

[HUbison]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Fisher is fine, and Butler is good enough as long as the Rams have a decent pass rush

I have to disagree, AV. Fisher may be fine eventually, but he looks awful rusty now. But again, he has shown in the past to be solid and will probably return to that. Butler on the other hand, is a safety valve for opposing QBs. He can always find the receiver Butler is covering. There's a reason that Butler is third in tackles. Pisa is 1st (he's a LB, he should be). Arch is 2nd (he's a blitzing SS that plays on the line and in the box, he should have a lot of tackles). Butler is 3rd (he's a corner, he's 3rd because QBs keep throwing at him). The passing game will continue to bleed until we can find a corner that at least appears to be a threat to opposing QBs.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Sorry, but if Troy Brown can play CB with a good pass rush making his job easier, I'm sure Butler can too.

[txramsfan]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Whoever is lined up against Butler is open before the dad gum ball is snapped. He's had a horrific year this year.

[Nick]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Butler's probably a nickel corner at most, IMO. I've not been impressed with him as a starter. Fisher can be a solid starter, but I think the Rams really need another young guy who can handle a team's primary receiver. Preferably someone a slight bit taller than 5-10.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

How about we trade up and get Antrell Rolle?


(I know... its way too early to be talking draft, but I thought I'd get a plug in for my favorite current Hurricane)

[Nick]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Who/what are we going to trade to get into the top five (because that's where I anticipate Rolle going)?

And I will shoot the first person who says Orlando Pace.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

I wasn't really serious, but since you asked, I'd trade the Rams first round choice, Robert Thomas and a 3rd round pick to get Rolle. He's going to be a great NFL player.

[Nick]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

So we trade a first and a third plus Thomas to get Rolle. Then we use our second on the best right tackle available, I take it? Not bad.

[HUbison]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

I wasn't really serious, but since you asked, I'd trade the Rams first round choice, Robert Thomas and a 3rd round pick to get Rolle. He's going to be a great NFL player.

Assuming we don't lose the rest of the season and get our own top 5 pick...dry heave...I would make that deal in a heartbeat, AV.

[Nick]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

My question is who would deal for Robert Thomas? We're in desperate need of a solid MLB and we benched him in favor of Faulk. Doesn't say much about Thomas.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: The play of butler and fisher

Again, its too early to be talking about this, but it is nice to know that the Rams will probably have six picks on the first day of the draft, as they have an extra #3 from the Dolphins for Lamar and will probably get a 4th round comp pick for losing Wistrom.