SB Nation - Eric Moore

Predicting the St. Louis Rams final roster: defense & special teams

VanRam — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:03:21 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

St. Louis Rams rookie DT Darell Scott is part of a defensive line being asked to lead the Rams to better fortunes this season and beyond. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Continuing the prediction game, this morning seems like a natural fit to follow up on yesterday's post predicting the offensive roster by throwing out our predictions for the defensive side of the ball.

Predicting the defense is much trickier than the offense. The offense is wide open at backup running back, wide receiver depth, and offensive line depth - all important questions. However, on the other side of the ball there are some big unresolved issues at a couple of key starting spots, second starting CB & SLB, as well as depth issues, and that's not even touching on the expectations for key players like DT Adam Carriker, rookie MLB James Laurinaitis, etc. The preferences and stlye of the new coaching staff will go a long way toward dictating how the final roster looks, their preference for more physical corners for example.

So, let's jump right in.

DE: Chris Long, Leonard Little, James Hall, Victor Adeyanju
These guys seem like locks. I don't know about Eric Moore, but he's a useful role player that contributes on special teams. He could easily get bumped with a good camp from one of the undrafted free agent rookies, particularly former Kansas State DL Ian Campbell.

DT: Clifton Ryan, Adam Carriker, Darell Scott, Orien Harris
This is another position where I think we could see a fifth player, either here, DE, or both, the d-line is kind of Spagnuolo's thing, in case you haven't heard. If that's the case, I'd be watching Antwan Burton...and of course, Harris' spot on the roster is far from guaranteed just because they traded Brian Leonard for him.

LB: Will Witherspoon, James Laurinaitis, Quinton Culberson, Chris Draft, Larry Grant, David Vobora, Chris Chamberlain
Here's the question, do the Rams keep seven LBs and just 8 total DLs, or switch which unit has teh extra player? Grant and Vobora have both had spring's that pleased the coaches, but they'll have to battle it out in camp to earn spots on the roster. Much of the decision will come down to what Spagnuolo and Flajole want out of their linebackers and who fits that profiles. It's likely to be much different than what previous administrations wanted.

S: James Butler, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Todd Johnson, Craig Dahl
Dahl and Spagnuolo have a history, and I think he'll be on for ST play and depth at safety, where Spags has used him before. The rest are pretty cut and dried.

CB: Ron Bartell, Tye Hill, Bradley Fletcher, Justin King
This is a tough one to call too. After Bartell, some of the names in the mix are obvious, but who starts? Right now, the difference between the three guys behind Bartell is pretty minimal. Hill and Jonathan Wade might get a little boost because of their NFL experience. However, I think that a healthy King can have a strong camp and beat out Wade for the fourth spot, as long as he proves he can play press coverage. With Hill, given the ups and downs that have marked Hill's experience, is he really that far ahead of the rookies?

Special Teams

Pretty cut and dried here.

K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
LS: Chris Massey

If they can get good blocking and stopping from the rest of the ST players, the Rams could have a solid unit since they have two of the best legs in the league kicking for them.

Thoughts?

Rams sign six - Monday Twitterrata

VanRam — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:40:21 -0000

The Rams re-signed two useful role players today, OL Mark Setterstrom and DE Eric Moore.

Setterstrom made an impression when pressed into starting duty during the o-line injury outbreak of ought-six (2006 in non-grizzled prospector talk), but spent the bulk of the next two years sitting out with injuries. According to the PD article he participated in the first round of off-season conditioning programs today. DE Eric Moore has been an on-again, off-again practice special teamer.

The four other players - QB Jeff Otis, DB Marcus Brown, C Tim Mattran and TE Eric Butler - are practice squad fodder who will help round out the roster for training camp.

Missing from the workouts that started today was RB Steven Jackson, who's attending to some family matters before reporting. Not to worry, Jackson's been keeping in shape. According to his Twitter page, he ran 5 miles today...in 26 minutes.

If you like the Twitter thing, be sure to add Turf Show Times to your Twitter feed.

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, 15 Nov 2008 01:43:23 -0000

Well we've got a whole assortment of players out or questionable for both teams heading into Sunday's matchup. The biggest name would have to be Steven Jackson, the Rams running back. We'll get a chance to see a whole lot of Antonio Pittman and maybe throwback Travis Minor.

49ers
Probable: RB Frank Gore (neck)

Questionable: FS Mark Roman (groin)

Doubtful: OT Barry Sims (ankle), TE Delanie Walker (shoulder)

Out: WR Arnaz Battle (foot), S Dashon Goldson (knee), WR Josh Morgan (groin)

Rams
Probable: WR Derek Stanley (ankle), DT Adam Carriker (ankle), QB Trent Green (elbow), RB Antonio Pittman (hamstring)

Questionable: OT John Greco (knee)

Out: RB Steven Jackson (thigh), LB Chris Draft (foot), CB Tye Hill (knee), DE Eric Moore (spine)

Pittman was a full participant in practice all week so I'd imagine the listing of probable probably doesn't mean a whole lot. Of course hamstrings can be tricky so he'll be a guy to keep an eye on. I'd imagine as bad as things have been for the Rams, they really don't want to have to rely on Travis Minor.

I'm very curious to see how the 49ers handle the free safety position if Roman can't play. Goldson is the backup free safety, so with him being out, Keith Lewis could see a whole lot of playing time. I believe rookie DB Reggie Smith can play a little bit of safety, but I'd expect Keith Lewis to get more playing time first. Considering Roman's struggles, it might be nice to see some of the young guys get some more playing time, even if it's a guy like Reggie Smith ending up slightly out of position. We want to know what these guys bring to the table, so might as well throw them in the deep end.