Rams-Niners: Report Card

[Nick]

Rams-Niners: Report Card
Post-Dispatch Sports Staff
Monday, Dec. 06 2004

Quarterback: B
Chandler came in cold for the injured Bulger, and at age 39 showed he still can
get it done.

Running backs: A-
There was no stage fright or hesitation for S. Jackson, just hard-nosed
running.

Receivers: B
On a day in which Bruce was almost an afterthought, Holt enjoyed his best game
of the season.

Offensive line: C
Run blocking was strong, but Rams couldn't exploit ***** secondary because of
pass-blocking woes.

Defensive line: A
In perhaps its best effort of the year, unit accounted for all 4 sacks and was
stout vs. the run.

Linebackers: B+
Exactly what got into Polley on Sunday? He was all over the field. How about
Thomas' hit on Barlow?

Secondary: A-
Butler is turning into a playmaker; Edwards seems to have stabilized things at
safety.

Special teams: B+
Two 52-yard FGs by Wilkins; 2 punts inside the 20 by Stemke; good kick
coverage.

Coaching: B
Some interesting adjustments were made on defense, including paying close
attention to Johnson at TE.

[Nick]

Re: Rams-Niners: Report Card

My version of this weekend's report card...

Rams-Niners: Report Card
Nick Seiler
Monday, Dec. 06 2004

Quarterback: C+
-Chandler's pass to a wide open Holt in the end zone was nice, but was one of the few highlights in what was a mediocre performance which could have been marred by four turnovers instead of two.

Running backs: A
-Jackson demonstrated why he was chosen by the Rams as their future star, averaging over four and a half carries against a moderately tough ***** run defense.

Receivers: B
-Holt had his best game of the season, but the receivers didn't have much of a chance to shine today.

Offensive line: C+
-Grant Williams continues to make me wonder how this guy got a roster spot to begin with. The rest of the line was adequate, but not spectacular.

Defensive line: A+
-Very strong performance today. Two sacks by Jackson, one by Lewis and Little, who made seven tackles on the day.

Linebackers: A-
-Pisa was strong as usual, Tommy Polley looked like a different player, and the hit by Robert Thomas was phenominal. Could have been better, but probably not by very much.

Secondary: B+
-Rattay only completed 10 passes and Butler had a nice interception, but the 52-yard completion to Lloyd leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Antuan Edwards looks very promising though.

Special teams: A-
-Wilkins continues to earn his paycheck (vastly below what he should be making, I'm sure) and the punting/kickoff coverage didn't allow anything very big.

Coaching: B+
-Whatever Martz and Marmie put in the team's Cheerios this morning should be fed to them on a daily basis. Martz gets credit for using his young weapon out of the backfield, and Marmie gets credit for his squad blitzing and keeping Barlow to a low run total. But again, it was the *****. So not too much credit.