Rams head coach Jeff Fisher (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Hope were high amongst Rams fans.  The defense was looking dominant during training camp.  As I’ve asked before, which was the cause and what is the effect?

A) A really good Rams defense is making the offensive line look bad.

B) A really bad offensive line is making the defense look good.

C) They both have a lot of work to do.

The final 3-38 outcome of the first preseason game indicates option C.  But don’t go all “chicken little” and think the sky is falling.  It’s only the first game.  Stay calm people.  It’s only the first game.

So, the first play of the Colts’ QB Andrew Luck era starts with a short dump pass that running back Donald Brown took 67 yards to the end zone.  Fans from both sides were stunned as the Lucas Oil Stadium crowd all asked, “Peyton Manning,  who?” and the Rams fans were having vivid flashbacks to last season.  ”Same old, same old.”

@Ramsherd tweeted something that I commented about the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles “Dream Team” last year.  The same rings true this Sunday afternoon.

This team is still very much a collection of parts. It doesn’t know how to play together yet.

That’s what this preseason is for.  And my other favorite from the game comes from @JTPirate:

I will not make sweeping generalizations after one preseason game. I will not make sweeping generalizations after one preseason game.

Not everyone bombed but the team as a whole still has a great deal of gelling to do.

Coach Fisher did say he was going to see where the team stands – as state in my game preview.

Yeah we’re keeping things basic, simple, block and tackle. We’ll give them a chance to make plays but we want to see effort, speed and intensity. Especially the young guys, they don’t know what to expect and so the veterans can carry the torch for them. They’ll sit there and watch early and we’ll leave it up to them to finish the game.

» Continue reading “Rams At Colts Recap: Rams Still A Collection Of Parts”

Weeks of hard work installing new schemes and countless hours of training and practice will come to fruition Sunday for the Rams as they take on the new look Indianapolis Colts sans Peyton Manning.

While the national media will be googlie-eyed for Colts’ rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, Rams fans will be focused on their redesigned team.

What Head Coach Jeff Fisher said after practice on Friday:

We’re keeping things basic, simple, block and tackle. We’ll give them a chance to make plays but we want to see effort, speed and intensity. Especially the young guys, they don’t know what to expect and so the veterans can carry the torch for them. They’ll sit there and watch early and we’ll leave it up to them to finish the game.

Here are the few things I’ll be looking for.  Let’s start with the head ‘stache.

1) Coaches: Head Coach Jeff Fisher – After a surprise departure from the Tennessee Titans after a sixteen year tenure and taking a year off from the NFL, Fisher returns to a comfortable place – on the sidelines coaching a NFL team.  I expect him to be smooth yet strong and making his presence known just like his famous mustache.  There will be an extra little kick in his step as he coaches his first NFL game in over a year.

Linebackers Coach Blake Williams – For lack of a better title he’s really been the on-field defensive play caller through most of training camp and I’d be surprised if this changed somehow for the preseason.  For all intents and purposes the defensive coordinator-by-committee thing is over.  So let’s move on.

2) Quarterback Sam Bradford – He’s shown accuracy and ease with the new Schottenheimer system so far.  But we knew he’s a smart football player.  Question is can his ankle handle the scrambling and running for dear life he’s going to endure with a very questionable offensive line.  If I’m Schotty I get Bradford in and out quickly – maybe one series.  I’m more interested in seeing how the rookie Austin Davis handles a real game.

Bradford on how comfortable he is so far:

I feel good about where I’m at, where the offense is at right now. Obviously we still have a ways to go before we’re ready for the regular season, but that’s what camp’s for, that’s what these preseason games are for. Like I said earlier, I think it’ll be good for us to go out there and just see some different looks. Obviously playing against our defense every day, you kind of see the same looks. Looks repeat themselves. So, it’ll be nice to see something different, see how we adjust to those different things, you know, and learn.

3) Running back Isaiah Pead – With Steven Jackson seeing a series or two at the most, Pead should see a lot of snaps on Sunday.  If the offensive line holds and gives him a crack to wedge through look for him to have a good first game.  I think the Colts defense will be surprised when they see him run up close and personal.  Hello rude awakening.

4) Wide receiver Chris Givens – The Colts defense will be concentrating on more known factors Brandon Gibson and Steve Smith.  Greg Salas will also be targeted often as well as Danny Amendola.  Boy will they be in for a fun day as they watch Givens fly by them.  Bradford on the one wide receiver that has stood out.  See it’s not just me.

It’s hard to single out one guy, but I think Chris Givens has played really well over the past couple weeks. He’s smart, he understands what we’re doing. Rarely does he make a mental mistake. He always seems to be in the right position. I’ve definitely been impressed with what he’s been able to do throughout camp so far.

5) Tight end Mike McNeill – I’ve been pounding the table for Deangelo Peterson for weeks now but another tight end has been added to the mix.  McNeill has been in on quite a few two tight ends sets and saw some playing time with the first offense.  He’s shown good hands and quick feet for his six foot four inch, 235 pound frame.  Second year Lance Kendricks shouldn’t feel too comfortable.

6) The offensive line as a whole – Here’s hoping the sum is greater than the mix-and-match parts.  Stay healthy my friends and keep Bradford upright.  The last thing this line needs (or the whole team for that matter) is anyone getting hurt.  This is the Rams first team offensive line – most of the time:

LT: Quinn Ojinnaka – LG: Bryan Mattison – C: Robert Turner – RG: Harvey Dahl – RT: Barry Richardson.

What does Steven Jackson think about his new o-line?  Clearly the line is not where it should be – yet.  Tick tock goes the clock.  Center Scott Wells needs to get back on the field and pronto!

It hasn’t really taken a while to gel. Our offensive staff and (Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer has done a good job of installing the offense and making sure that we know all the rules, especially to the protections and the run game. Now, it’s just about getting those five guys to cohesively be on the same page without even having to communicate. Once you get your offensive line to that point, that’s when you know that we’re going to be able to win the line of scrimmage and be able to be productive as an offense.

7) Cornerback Janoris Jenkins - No one is talking about his checkered past and high off field risk so far.  He’s on the field opposite Cortland Finnegan with the first team.  No one should be shocked as he becomes the rookie shutdown corner I think he can be.

8) Defensive tackle Michael Brockers – I’ll be keeping my third eye on the resident cookie monster’s feet.  We’ve seen him in the backfield quite a few times during 11-on-11′s at training camp.  He needs to get on that first quick step against the Colts o-line.  Make your first introduction with Mr. Luck something he’ll never forget.

9) The outside linebacker position – It’s a no brainer that James Laurinaitis will be the Mike linebacker.  The other sides of him is still pretty much up for grabs.  Jo-Lonn Dunbar is my front runner for Will and Mario Haggan for the Sam linebacker.  Josh Hull, Justin Cole, Rocky McIntosh will also be in the mix.

10) Kicker Greg Zuerlein - If training camp is any indication of how well this kid is going to perform then we shouldn’t worry at all.  Greg the Leg has the distance and accuracy to prove why the Rams selected him the sixth round of this years draft.

Funny side note: Friday the kickers stayed after practice for the kids that came for Family Day.  During the autograph session long snapper Travis Tripucka teased Zuerlein about being nervous.  When asked why Zuerlein replied with his own question.  ”What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played in front of?” he said to Tripucka.  Tripucka replied, “Over 100,ooo.”  Could it be that Zuerlein has the first NFL game jitters for Sunday?  Guess the crowds at Nebraska – Omaha and Missouri Western football games weren’t as large.

Final thoughts: Nothing will be decided in terms of starting spots in just one game but throughout the entire preseason as the coaching staff begin their evaluation of players.  Honestly, I’m not expecting a win.  I want everyone to return to St. Louis injury free and looking forward to getting a clearer picture of how the team will look come week one of the regular season.

(Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Despite my disdain for mock drafts I’ve bitten the preverbal bullet and did what I could.  Ta da!  This is a mock draft submitted for @FantasyDouche‘s mock draft contest.

I went pretty straight laced for most of the first round.  I did not account for trades and other such unpredictables.  That’s why the actual draft takes place, eh?

Let me know what you guys think by leaving comments at the bottom.  Agree or disagree it’s a way to get some last second discussion going.

With the popular WR Justin Blackmon gone at #4 to Cleveland I went with Steven Jackson’s heir in waiting, Alabama RB Trent Richardson who is by far the highest rated running back in this year’s draft.

Remember the Rams still have 7 more picks in the draft after 1.6 (from WAS).  With the RB need filled the Rams can now go grab that WR, O-lineman, DT, OLB and maybe another CB.

» Continue reading “My First And Only 2012 Mock Draft”

SJ39, Pro Bowl alternate?

Pro Bowl Alternates

Running back Steven Jackson, defensive end Chris Long and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis were voted as alternates at their position for the Pro Bowl. None of the players knew what number alternate they are in the pecking order.

Said Spagnuolo, “To me, if you get recognized in this league at all in the conversation of Pro Bowl, I think is something we all ought to be proud of. The landscape, the way they have it now with the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, there’s a decent chance that one, two, three of those guys might find their way into the game.”

Not sure about the pecking order yet but in the RB position the only one who has a shot at the Super Bowl and therefore wouldn’t be on a plane to Hawaii is 49ers’ Frank Gore (2nd alternate).  Bears’ Matt Forte (1st alternate) is on IR but according to the Chicago Sun-Times Bears beat writer, Sean Jensen, Forte would be eligible to play in the Pro Bowl IF he passes his exit/end of season physical.  So there’s that.  As for the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy, his season is over so count on him to start the game.

At the defensive end position, Vikings’ Jared Allen and Eagles’ Jason Babin are slated to start with Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul at the first alternate.  And at inside/middle linebacker, 49ers’ Patrick Willis gets the nod with Bears’ Brian Urlacher as first alternate.

It will be interesting to see where the three Rams ranked in the voting.

Rams’ Cornerback Al Harris to Retire

“I just planted wrong,” Harris said. “It was just God’s way of telling me, it’s time. You turn the page. I had an awesome time. Thank God for Spags for giving me an opportunity to come help out. I just hope I left a positive impression on everybody.”

Harris suffered a season-ending ACL injury on the play. It proved to be a career-ending play as well, because Harris has decided to retire after 14 seasons and 194 regular-season games in the NFL.

Harris came into training camp and eased his way onto the field.  But it was in the locker room and off the field where he seemed to have the most impact.  He mentored and coached the never ending revolving door of players in the secondary and left an impression on Spags.

I am very close to Al. I’m touched that he was even a part of all this. I’m glad he was. He’s done so much more than what you guys even have seen on the field. What he’s done off the field and with these young guys, especially the defensive backs.

Another person who sang/tweeted praise for Harris is current ESPN business analyst and former Green Bay Packers Vice President, Andrew Brandt.

Brandt on Harris

What’s in the future for Al Harris now that his playing days are coming to an end?  Coaching, he says.  Coach Al Harris has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Trading Bradford to draft quarterback makes no sense for Rams

These rumblings were being heard over the past several weeks, but gained traction when Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden said recently if a new coach was hired by the Rams they would have to give serious consideration to finding a better quarterback than Bradford. Gruden, of course, specifically mentioned Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III of Baylor.

Okay, I’m not sure where this nonsense came from and why it keeps on going but it has to stop.  Leave it to Grudes to keep the momentum going just for the sake of getting his name and ridiculousness in the mix.

Let’s get one thing straight.  The Rams are not going to trade Sam Bradford.  You simply can’t label him a bust in a short two years and send him on his way.  He still has much to prove and will do so when he gets a healthier and consistent offensive line and some other receiving weapons to throw to.  I don’t think it would hurt to get an offensive coordinator who knows who to utilize the guys he has instead of shoving his system down everyone’s throat.  Know thy team, McDaniels.

Funny thing happened while watching Monday Night Football yesterday. If you missed it the excitement, apparently a transformer blew near Candlestick Park and all the lights went out at the stadium for a bit. The game was delayed not once but twice through the course of the evening.

Let the jokes commence.

The best and yet most heartening one was actually by ESPN’s Adam Schefter via his Twitter account.

“Why couldn’t this have happened during last Monday night’s Rams-Seahawks game?”

At first I laughed and then wanted to cry. It still amazes me how bad the Rams are this year. Hope for the best but expect the worst, they say. Boy were the wise wo/men ever so right.

But for every wise person there are the requisite number of the anti-wise. Or those who jump the gun and leap off the bandwagon as quickly as they hopped on.

“Losing for Luck” is a stupid idea

But Bradford needs help. Lots of help. The Rams’ goal heading into the offseason ought to be to accumulate as many picks as they can. If they can trade out of the top three picks, still end up with a game-breaking receiver (Justin Blackmon) and pick up more elite talent, they have to do it. And if it means conning folks to do it, do it. Please.

To those of you who think Rams QB Sam Bradford is a draft bust, “Snap out of it!” Yes, he’s regressed in his second year but it’s way too soon to slap him with the dreaded bust label a la JaMarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf.

Many great NFL QB’s have had slower starts to their careers do take some Zanax and save that seat on the bandwagon.

Rams likely to draft no worse than third

With two games left to play, it’s looking more and more like the Rams will draft no lower than No. 3. In fact, barring some unexpected success in the next two weekends by Indianapolis (1-13) and Minnesota (2-12), it looks as if the Rams indeed will be picking third in the draft next spring.

The Rams find themselves in a familiar place. Deja vu, anyone? And not in a good way. They shouldn’t and won’t “Suck for Luck” do where do the Rams land in the next couple of week’s?

As confusing as the playoff scenarios are for the teams on the opposite end of the winning spectrum the dash for top 3-5 draft picks are just as complicated. Jim Thomas does a good job of trying to simplify the formula.

Rams: “Back to the Future”

At any rate, I think you know what’s coming here; I’m going to use lines from the Back to the Future movies (at least the first two; three could’ve been awesome, but for some reason they decided to make it a weird Western period piece without much in the way of time travel, despite the fact that THE REASON THAT THE WHOLE SERIES IS COOL IS BECAUSE OF THE TIME TRAVEL! But hey, what do I know?) to try to explain the Rams’ lost season.

D.J. Gelner does it again by bringing you Rams news and analysis for you movie buffs at heart.

No matter what point in time you’d have to agree something has to change in the Rams organization – and in a positive direction. I think we’ve all seen enough back peddling this season.

Owner Stan Kroenke, who was in attendance at the game last week, probably has quite a few things on his Rams’ wish list. I know I do.