SB Nation - Jason Craft

Defensive free agent list doesn't offer much either

VanRam — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:42:05 -0000

What about the best available free agents on defense? Like we mentioned this morning with the list of offensive free agents, it's slim pickens on this list too. As you can see, many of the players left out there are spare parts, cogs for existing machines rather than those being rebuilt. Few players fit the "ascending" label the Rams are looking for in acquiring free agents.

One name on the cornerback list is Jason Craft. Though he hardly fits the ascending label, he did prove to be a useful player last season, racking up 3 sacks in blitz packages. The Rams reached out to him this spring, but he hadn't responded as of late May...which makes you wonder if he lost interest or the Rams did.

Rams likely not done adding to their roster

VanRam — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:55:15 -0000

Fifty years ago, the beleaguered outpost waiting for the cavalry's inevitable arrival was a staple of the studio Westerns. The Rams are still waiting, still needing - beleaguered might be a stretch in this case - some additional help to round out a couple key positions on their roster. Though it's entirely possible Spagnuolo's bunch will make their stand with the players already in house, I'd be surprised if the Rams were done adding to their roster. The team won't be handing out any more big contracts, the kind you'd see in March, but when teams around the league start making the tough decisions to trim their rosters in the days before the season starts they'll most likely find a player or two to round out the team.

Wide receiver - Not so long ago, few fans would have batted an eye about the Rams parting ways with Dane Looker, but when concern about a lack of veterans at WR has dominated the conversation since the release of Torry Holt, concern about not re-signing Looker points to the degree that this need has sunk-in. The 49ers might be one team that's forced to part with some talent at WR when August rolls around. Two receivers that could be casualties by the Bay are Arnaz Battle and Dominique Zeigler. Battle, 29, is on the frail side, but is a good blocker, run some routes in traffic and return punts. Zeigler, just entering his third year, is an intriguing possibility, but not quite the veteran that some might be looking for. Anyway, those are just two examples of the kind of possibilities the Rams could find later in the year.

Running back - Specifically, a backup runner. Unless one of the guys on the roster already has a breakthrough camp this summer, the Rams will most likely pickup somebody to backup Steven Jackson. This report says the Patriots may have some tough decisions to make at RB.

Cornerback - I would have liked to see the Rams sign Rod Hood. I realize he's not exactly the second coming of Champ Bailey, I have more faith in him than I do Tye Hill or one of the other youngsters starting opposite Bartell. Sure, I hope like hell those guys emerge, but I'm too cynical to count on it. Jason Craft is one possibility, but there may be some other option come August/September.

Strongside LB - Right now they've got some combo of Chris Draft and Quinton Culberson to replace Tinoisamoa, with Larry Grant a dark horse candidate that the team reportedly likes. There are still some decent options out there for depth or starters and likely to be more as the summer heads toward fall.

It's a long time between now and when roster purges start in full, so a lot of story lines have to play out and the names will certainly change. Whoever does emerge, don't be surprised if a new name or two doesn't find a home with the Rams...not so much cavalry, but certainly needed reinforcements.

Hood signs with Browns

VanRam — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:18:15 -0000

Apparently, whatever the Rams were able to offer CB Rod Hood, it wasn't enough. It's being reported this morning that Hood will sign with the Cleveland Browns. According to the report, Hood picked the Browns over the Rams...either way, it's a clear indication that playing for a competitor wasn't his primary motivating factor in picking a new team.

It was reported last week that the Rams had offered Hood a contract, but the reality was that Hood met with Rams cap man Kevin Demoff who outlined what kind of money the Rams could offer the former Cardinal CB.

Hood would have been a nice pick up for the Rams who need an experienced player with more, um, certainty to play opposite Ron Bartell. Right now, the leading candidate for that job is Tye Hill, who'll battle it out with rookies Bradley Fletcher and Justin King (King missed all of last season after a foot injury in camp) and possibily Jonathan Wade.

The team is still making overtures to CB Jason Craft, who the team brought in late last September. Craft, according to Jim Thomas in an interview with ESPN 101, has been unresponsive to the Rams. Craft, 33, doesn't exactly fit the Rams' efforts to get younger, but he does offer something of a stop gap solution for the season.

Random Ramsdom 3/27: Rams free agent targets dwindling

VanRam — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:36:30 -0000

Before I jump into the meaty goodness of Rams links, I've got some community news to pass along. Let's jump right in...

It's a contest! We're looking for a logo/masthead type thing for our regular "Random Ramsdom" posts. If you fancy yourself a arteest, professional or otherwise, send us your entry. We'll pick the top three and then open it up to a vote. You can send them to me by clicking on the envelop icon next to my name in the page footer, very bottom of the page. The prize will be fame and recognition...and a t-shirt once we debut the TST rags later this spring.
Thanks for signing up for the community mock draft. As I said earlier, I'm cataloging the entrants and post details later today.

Now for the meat and potatoes

Yahoo! Sports has their Rams team report posted this morning. One of the key takeaways from the report is team's emphasis on character and how that will influence their draft plans. GM Billy Devaney:

I don’t care what they did, how minor, the least little infraction. If it had something to do with breaking the law, they’re going into the ‘Do Not Draft’ category.

The report also mentions one of the possible holdups in negotiating a deal with backup QB Gus Frerotte...his agent is Marvin Demoff, father of Rams contract guy Kevin Demoff. Imagine that Thanksgiving if there's a real wide gulf in contract demands - which I doubt.
In addition to Frerotte, the Rams will try to sign blocking TE Billy Bajema and bring back CB Jason Craft, who proved to be a nice pickup for the nickle spot. He even picked up 3 sacks last season as the Rams tried to mix things up on defense. That ought to do it for their free agent shopping, at least for the spring. I'll venture a guess right now that they'll add some depth when teams start pairing down their rosters closer to the season.
I talked Greatest Show on Turf with Football.com this week, putting a heavy emphasis on the future.
NFL.com's Steve Wyche sees Carolina as a very real possibility for Torry Holt.

2009 Rams free agents - defense

VanRam — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:54:19 -0000

Awhile back we took a look at the Rams players on offense that will be free agents this season, so with free agency just a few weeks away, it's a good time to review the Rams free agents on defense. There are some important names on this side of the ball. A new head coach who comes to the team as a successful defensive coordinator adds a little bit of an x-factor to the predictions game. Let's look at it from a fan perspective. What's likely to happen to this crop of free agent players?

Victor Adeyanju, DE, RFA - He made a good case this season to remain on the roster with a tireless work ethic and specialty for playing the run...if only he'd have had some support. As a restricted free agent, I can't imagine the Rams won't keep him. Plus, Spagnuolo's defense in NY had a bevy of ends he rotated in and out; Adeyanju seems to be a good fit for a rotation.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Victor Adeyanju	14	2.0	11	0	0	0	40	7	47

O.J. Atogwe, S - Atogwe's a ball hawking free safety who once again led the team in INTs (5), forced fumbles (6) and fumbles recovered (3). He needs to get better in coverage to be truly elite. The Rams have said they'll use the franchise or transition tag to keep Atogwe on the roster.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Oshiomogho Atogwe	16	0	0	5	91	0	75	7	82

Ron Bartell, CB - Bartell emerged as the Rams top CB - I don't mean that as a joke either - he was legit and the team has said they'd like to keep him on the roster by making him a reasonable offer. The question is will he accept or test the free agent waters, where teams always overpay? He's fond of Haslett, and might follow the former interim coach if he lands a gig elsewhere.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Ron Bartell	15	1.0	4	3	29	0	54	3	57

Fakhir Brown, CB - This was a weird saga, released from the team, then brought back...after Linehan got canned. Brown plays well enough in coverage, but if the team looks for a big free agent, they won't likely resign him.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Fakhir Brown	13	1.0	4	1	16	0	41	4	45

Jason Craft, CB - Craft did a nice job playing nickel and really made a name for himself when the defense brought in a CB on the blitz. He's worth keeping and should come at a reasonable rate.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - Jason Craft	15	3.0	22	1	16	0	51	4	55

La'Roi Glover, DT - Glover, by all accounts, seems set to retire after a great career. The guy just got too old and slow to handle offensive linemen anymore. (I'm not posting his stats since he's not coming back).

Ricky Manning, CB - Manning had some serviceable time with the Rams as a depth guy before hitting IR with a very serious broken leg and ankle. There's no need to bring him back...if he can even play again.

Eric Moore, DE - A depth guy at DE. He may come to camp, but easily replaceable.

The priorities are fairly obvious on this side of the ball: Atogwe, Bartell. The fate of players like Adeyanju and Craft, I think, depend on which direction Spagnuolo goes with the defense and who fits into that plan. I can't imagine he and his coaches don't already have some free agent targets identified, even as role players.

49ers-Rams: Final Injury Report

Fooch — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:00:10 -0000

It's a day late, but here's the final injury report for tomorrow's game. When you get to these last couple weeks of the season, it becomes a balancing act between getting PT for your guys and avoiding injuries that might carry well into the offseason.

Obviously I'm speaking about Frank Gore in particular. Gore has now gone two full weeks without truly touching the practice field. Apparently he's been moving around and trying to get some work in. However, without actually playing time on the practice field, I really don't expect to see him playing this Sunday.

I'd imagine everybody wants him to crack 1,000 yards. However, if you save him for the Redskins game, I think you could safely say he's healthy enough to avoid re-injury. You want to win both remaining games, but if you were going to pick one game to bench Gore, clearly it would be this week. He really does deserve to crack that 1,000 yard mark, but the smart play is sitting him this week and starting him next week (barring an aggravation of the injury).

The most important point in all of this? If you've got him on your fantasy team, find someone to fill in and plan on Gore NOT playing.

San Francisco 49ers
Probable - SS Michael Lewis (abdomen), KR/PR Allen Rossum (ankle), LT Joe Staley (ankle), WR Josh Morgan (head), FS Mark Roman (head), DE Ron Fields (foot)

Questionable - LB Ahmad Brooks (back), RB Frank Gore (ankle), OT Adam Snyder (ankle)

St. Louis Rams
Probable - K Josh Brown (groin), CB Jason Craft (back), DT La'Roi Glover (knee), G Jacob Bell (hamstring), CB Ron Bartell (back)

49ers-Rams Wednesday Injury Report

Fooch — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:04:31 -0000

These last two games are not exactly barn-burners in the grand scheme of things, but I'd like to see some of the injured youngsters get healthy and get on the field for some meaningful action before the season ends. Among those are guys like Dashon Goldson and Josh Morgan. As you'll notice from the participation report, things are looking up for those two.

San Francisco 49ers
Did Not Participate in Practice: LB Ahmad Brooks (back), RB Frank Gore (back), CB Walt Harris (coach's decision), S Michael Lewis (abdomen), OT Adam Snyder (ankle)

Full Participation in Practice: KR/PR Allen Rossum (ankle), OT Joe Staley (ankle)

St. Louis Rams
Did Not Participate in Practice: K Josh Brown (groin), P Donnie Jones (illness), LB Gary Stills (knee)

Limited Participation in Practice: CB Jason Craft (back), DT La'Roi Glover (knee)

I can't see how, barring a re-injury, Goldson and Morgan won't be available on Sunday. Morgan played this past week, but Goldson was inactive. Goldson is the one I'm more impatient about due in large part to the poor play of Mark Roman. If Goldson is going to become the free safety next year, we need know what he can do.

(Another) Tale of Two Halves

VanRam — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:42:00 -0000

Probably, it's best if we just move on from the disappointment we experienced Sunday; that game was the perfect epitaph to the season. But I just can't leave well enough alone, and there's something bothering me about the difference in the two halves the Rams played.

Looking at 3k's postgame report card, I noticed readers overwhelmingly picked the coaches as really boffing the second half of the game. Though, for me, something other than the use of Jackson stands out as the most painful example of the team's failure of leadership.

You didn't know much about Jason Craft until Sunday; he was just another replacement level player to fill in for a beleagured Rams secondary. Then, on defense, the Rams employed a three man front and a corner blitz from the nickle package with Craft on the line. Through the first half it worked like a charm. Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace was thrown off his game, the Seattle o-line too. Craft forced two fumbles and sacked Wallace in the midst of all that.

And then the second half started... I'll let taiko explain the frustration.

The coaching staff gets the gas face from me, for failing to counter the adjustments that Seattle was making. They put together a fine first half … really, pretty phenomenal. We acted like a real football team. But to see it unravel so quickly, and let Seattle back into it on the first drive of the second half, that was ugly.

So what was the difference? Well, just look at Jason Craft's second half. The Seahawks saw what was happening and started blocking Craft. Adjusting to the three man front couldn't have been that difficult since the week before they almost beat the Patriots and their 3-4 defense. And guess what happened in the second half? They ran, opened the field a bit, gained 247 total yards and scored on four of their five possessions of the second half, three field goals and a TD. (Don't discount the Rams offense's willingness to help the cause either.)

One team made adjustments and the other team didn't. Was there no strategy to get to the Seahawks once they inevitably started picking up Jason Craft and the 3-man fronts? How can that be? This is the kind of stuff that makes me wonder about the coaching situation here. I think Haslett's a stand up guy who genuinely wants to and knows how to win. In terms of the total package he's a huge upgrade at head coach compared to the Rams last four years, and he's definitely got a raw deal in terms of the players he has to work with. BUT, how can the Seahawks pick up the plays and make the right adjustments and the Rams not? How can this happen against an equally bad 2-win (now 3) team? It's hard to blame the players, lightheaded or not, for that kind of gaff.

Rams v. Cardinals grades

3k — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:42:15 -0000

Well, the season is heading towards a close. It feels like a crawl. Honestly, you can't tell me you're intrigued by the remaining games outside of the influence they have on the draft. Nevertheless, football was played. So 3k analyzes. Grades after the fold.

QB: B

Surprise, surprise, look between your eyes. Bulger played a decent game. 22 for 37 (almost 60%), a TD early (and an INT late), and some solid offensive management: Bulger actually played like an NFL QB today. In some respects, I wish he didn't. It would be easier for us to advance the "replace Bulger now" meme if he played poorly, but today, he controlled the O. He threw down the field, he limited risk, and he spread the ball around. Kudos.

HB: C-

I struggled with dipping Jackson into the D range, but he put in some solid work in the 1st half. Nevertheless, the fumbles were game-killers. Plus, a healthy SJ didn't get 20 carries or 5 receptions. Yes, the offensive TD was nice, but his skills demand more. The sad thing is that you can see the skills. It's not like one week he's on, one off; he's so talented, I get excited every play I expect him to get the ball... even with that stupid ass Wildcat stuff we tried (NOTE: 3k officially suggests that Wildcat formations be stricken from the St. Louis Rams playbook).

WR/TE: C+

Hard to grade this week. It was more a function of playcalling than anything else. Torry Holt finally got involved, Donnie Avery was a factor early, and Bulger did a solid job of spreading it around in the 2nd half. Nothing spectacular here, though. Move along, people. Nothing to see.

O-line: A-

Who are these masked men? Seriously. No sacks against the Dolphins and just 1 sack (split between Gerald Hayes and Adrian Wilson) this week? How would this season have played out if the O-line had played like this more consistently? I don't have much to say except that it confuses me as to what has happened to make this unit so successful.

D-line: C-

The most disappointing unit for me today. I harped on them during the game thread, and it took a Leonard Little injury to get the only sack of the game. Warner had too much time to check down from Boldin to Fitzgerald to Breaston too often. They get into the 'C' range for containing the run, but Arizona's running game has been pretty soft recently. Has DT surpassed LB or O-lineman as a need for next year's draft? The next three games could make it so if it isn't already.

LB: B

Pisa Tinoisammoa and Will Witherspoon want me to like them. An undersized OLB and a MLB who is meant to play on the outside: it's a labor of love. These two have more heart than most LBs in the league, so I want to like them. In the end, it's about talent and size, though. Credit to Quinton Culberson for his play too.

CB/S: B+

Warner had tons of time, the Arizona WR corps was healthy and...we held Warner to less than 300 yards and just 1 TD to Fitzgerald. Bartell was on his game, Jason Craft was great, and Atogwe and Fakhir Brown played their games. This game should be the last hurrah for Corey Chavous. Safety and DT have exploded up my board for the Rams. If the O-line continues to play this well, I could see us spot-picking in the draft next year. Atogwe is a great pass-defending safety. Taylor Mays (at USC) would be a great complement. With Little still making plays at DE and Chris Long (hoppefully) coming into his own next year, could we go at Terrence Cody (Alabama), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma), or B.J. Raji (Boston College) to shore up the D-line? In any case, the secondary played better than expected against MVP-candidate Kurt Warner.

ST: B+

Josh Brown and Donnie Jones continue to be great pick ups. Donnie Jones should be a lock for the Pro Bowl at this point. Derek Stanley showed life as a returner today, but he's only filling the gap until we can find a real return man. I thought that's why we had drafted Donnie Avery, but hey, it is what it is. Coverage duty was solid today too. I have to dock a couple grades for Stanley. I can't watch him return kicks or punts anymore.

Rams Win? Rams Win!

VanRam — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:34:22 -0000

This is a new Rams team. We haven't seen a Rams team play inspired football - for four quarters - in a long, long time.

Need proof that things have changed for the better? Look no further than the drive, the game winning drive. As soon as Washington's Clinton Portis pushed it for a TD, after just nine plays, I started to get that old familiar feeling, the same one you got in the last game when the Rams went into the half leading the Bills, the same that kept popping up again and again last season when the Rams would blow a lead. And let's face it, the way the offense played today, the odds of success weren't great. But they came right out, got a quick first down, and then converted a 3rd and 13 with a sweet pass to Donnie Avery, the kind of play we envisioned for the speedy second round draft choice since, well, the draft.

The Rams had the momentum. When was the last time you remember that happening before today?

The stupid Incognito penalty made me wince - but you can't fault them for finally having some intensity. It took some of the success percentage out of the field goal, but not enough to make you seriously worry - well, maybe... And the Rams pull out their first win of the season.

There was a lot to like today. The defense created and took advantage of turnovers, a must for underdogs, and used one to get a TD, giving the struggling offense a boost. The offense, which didn't impress much of the game, pulled it together for an impressive drive. And although the Skins made yards on the ground hard to come by, the Rams still got Steven Jackson the ball to stay alive. They looked lost at times, but I still have to give the offense credit for not turning over the ball. Bulger hasn't played in three weeks. And the line kept him off his back. Granted the Skins aren't the Giants when it comes to sacks, but Jason Taylor back in their lineup would have meant trouble for the line in the first four games of this season.

And the defense... left on the field for a lot of time in the first half, they made it game. LB Pisa Tinoisamoa looked like a new man, speeding around the field, making nice tackles and even picking up a sack. Chris Long had a nice game as well, still showing the occasional rookie mistake but coming right back to contribute, even jumping on a fumble. The reconfigured secondary allowed just 5 pass plays of 15 yards or more, the longest being a 28 pass to Cooley and a 29 yarder to Randle El. No getting snuck behind for a long completion into the end zone. Hell, Craft and Manning each had a sack on the day.

There's a lot more to say, but for now, let's savor the moment. We've earned it.

Poll

Game ball goes to:

Donnie Avery

40 votes

Pisa Tinoisamoa

11 votes

Steven Jackson

8 votes

OJ Atogwe

20 votes

Jason Craft

1 votes

Josh Brown

37 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed