SB Nation - James Butler

Breaking down the Rams defensive breakdown

VanRam — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:19:20 -0000

More photos » by L.G. Patterson - AP

Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) dives into the end zone for his first TD of the game. What happened to the Rams run defense in that game?

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Being a Luddite, I don't own a TiVO, and even if I did, I'm not sure watching the St. Louis Rams get eaten up by the Seahawks last Sunday would be worth the time or hard drive space. The NFL does keep short videos of game highlights on their site, cleverly inserting them into the play-by-play section for each game. Wanting answers for what happened in the running game, I went back and watched the videos of Forsett's 25- and 26-yard runs along with his two TDs. Here's what I noticed.

On Forsett's 25-yard run in the first quarter, Seattle is lined up in the basic I formation. On the snap, the blockers push to the offense's right, and the Rams front seven goes sliding that way too. As Forsett cuts left to an open field, OLB David Vobora goes wide around the Rams DE locked up with the Seattle blocker, coming in behind Forsett and is easily pushed aside by Forsett's lead blocker, after Forsett is into the second level. SS James Butler, playing back, comes in on Forsett, but is easily beaten when the running back cuts out wide toward the sideline.

The second long run by Seattle's running back came on their first drive of the fourth quarter, right after a Rams three-and-out and a Donnie Jones punt that put the ball on Seattle's 49-yard-line, ugh. Second-and-six, Seattle lines up in another I formation, this one with an extra blocker in the backfield. As soon as they snap the ball, Rams the Rams front four are engulfed by single blockers. That's not the problem, as Clifton Ryan gets off his man and starts sliding down toward his left side, where the Forsett is coming. As Ryan moves toward the hole where the ball is coming he's stopped when he runs into OLB Paris Lenon getting pushed back by the blocker he ran up and engaged at the line as soon as the ball was snapped. MLB James Laurinaitis obviously sees the Seattle runners coming and he moves over to stop them but is pushed aside by Forsett's lead blocker.

On Forsett's first TD, from the 3-yard line, Leonard Little sees him but gets moved off Forsett because he can't quite shake his blocker. Laurinaitis gets a quick hit from Seattle's right guard, gets off him with no problem but is far enough from the lane that he can't make the tackle in time. Clifton Ryan does get around his blocker and almost has Forsett, but it looks like he either didn't get around in time or missed the tackle. James Butler comes up behind Ryan and the Seattle LT but can't make the tackle because he's stuck behind Ryan and the blocker he sheds. A better angle, coming to the inside rather than around, and Butler would have tackled Forsett for no gain or even a loss.

Gap assignments gone awry? Substandard players getting faked out and overpowered? You decide. What should have happened here and how do you fix it?

The Bears don't have much going for them in the running game and a banged up offensive line - the same could have been and was said about the Seahawks - so the Rams have a chance to do it right this weekend. Stay tuned to see if they get it fixed.

Rams rebuild: What would you do?

VanRam — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:34:34 -0000

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis became franchise cornerstone in his rookie season. What else could the Rams have done to secure the future?

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It's week 12 and the St. Louis Rams are 1-9. On top of that, they've got some marquee players injured, making it tough sledding the rest of the season, er, tougher.

But then again, you knew this year would be tough. Sure, we all thought 5 wins was a reasonable projection, but tomorrow is one of the Rams mist winnable games and they could be without their best player, Steven Jackson. Breath. Focus on the fact that the Rams are rebuilding, and so far, despite what the record says, it's moving along with some encouraging signs. The offensive line is finally starting to come together and represents a big improvement over recent seasons (of course two starters are out this week, but the depth is good too). The defense, still struggling, has made huge strides up the middle by drafting MLB James Laurinaitis and signing SS James Butler in free agency.

This spring it's another draft, free agency, and a whole lot of dead money off the books. But before we start (continue) speculating about what the Rams could/should do in a few months, let's take a look back at what they did do. Like I said above, we knew this was going to be a rough year with a rebuilding team, but are there moves that GM Billy Devaney & Co. could have done better could have made to begin with that would have made a bigger impact on the reboot? Should they have sacrificed competing this year? Did they have any choice?

In the comments section, weigh-in with what moves you would have (or wouldn't have) made in the rebuilding process. Remember, be realistic. Yes, they could have signed Albert Haynesworth (kind of glad they didn't since he seems to be a bust in DC), but that's not realistic because that would have directed too many resources elsewhere.

Have at it GMs.

St. Louis Rams stock watch

VanRam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:47:39 -0000

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis has been among the team's most valuable players thins season.

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The St. Louis Rams are halfway through the first season of a major franchise overhaul. Eight games in, we know lots more than we did in August. Draft picks have played their way into the lineup, or out of it. Free agent pickups have figured into the equation, and we have a better idea about the future of the team's veterans. So, with apologies to Mike Sando, let's take a look at some of the more notable cases with a stock watch.

BUY

James Laurinaitis - The second round pick has reminded fans and casual observers alike why he was considered first round talent just a year ago. Playing for a 1-win team his name is already in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year. Middle linebacker was a massive hole in the Rams defense since the jettisoning of London Fletcher, but now it's probably the strongest position on the defense. The future looks good.

Steven Jackson - Before this year, Jackson was merely good. Now he's truly great. This season, he's emerged as a team leader, a veteran guiding a rebuilding franchise through the rough early phases of the project. Of course, his onfield contributions can't be overstated either. He's the reason the Rams have one win, and playing with a truly inferior offense, he's torching some of the league's best defenses. SJ39 is one of those stocks that the price of entry is really high, but worth every penny.

James Butler - On paper, the Rams defense hasn't been particularly impressive. However, Butler has been a big part of the reason why it at least looks more competent than it has in recent seasons, guiding the youngsters through the transition to Spagnuolo and Flajole's scheme.

Jason Smith - The second overall pick is starting to look like the best OT from this year's draft. He learns fast, and you don't see him make the same mistake twice. This kid has a bright future.

HOLD

Oshiomogho Atogwe - The ball hawk is having a rougher season than we would have expected. Why? It's hard to say. The cornerback situation is no worse than it has been in the recent past for the Rams. The transition in schemes may have had some impact. Could his contract situation be a distraction? He'll be the story to watch in the offseason. Do the Rams re-sign him? If they opt to use the RFA route, he's bound to be a holdout.

Donnie Avery - Maybe it's the QB, maybe it's the new offense, whatever it is, it's been a rough season for Donnie Avery. Once the Rams address their needs at WR, Avery can get back to his role as a downfield threat, and some work in the slot.

Ron Bartell - It doesn't look like Bartell is top CB material. Still, he's signed to a reasonable contract and with a legitimate #1 corner beside him, he'll be part of a great duo.

SELL

Marc Bulger - Like so many, I thought he still had something left in the tank. The Detroit game proved me wrong.

Alex Barron - Sure, he's had his moments. You cannot refute that Barron has talent. However, he continues to put himself in the doghouse by taking bad penalties and occasionally taking himself out of plays. A half-game benching and stern lecture helped for just one game. I sometimes wonder if we might not see him back in '10, but on the right side, playing under a RFA contract.

Randy McMichael - Boink. That's the sound of another pass bouncing off his cast iron hands. McMichael offers little at this point in his career that a replacement level TE doesn't bring to the table.

Chris Long - The second overall pick from a year ago has failed to impress in his sophomore season. I still harbor some hope Long will get it figured out. He seems to have talent, and his desire is unquestionable. More talent on the line could help and some intensive coaching up. We'll see.

Week 9 Open Thread

VanRam — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:43:11 -0000

More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP

No need for the bags this week.

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It's a bye week for the St. Louis Rams, time to assess, regroup, and get ready for a second half push. Hey, we're on a winning streak too. Here's a quick look at some links of note for your bye week needs.

Here's a Chris Long development story from the PD.
Former Rams S Anthony Smith, picked up from Green Bay, was claimed off waivers by the Jaguars. I kind of liked Smith's potential, but he was buried a bit with James Butler and Craig Dahl back from their injuries.
So Dave Checketts gets (and for a time Rush Limbaugh) gets all the attention for his group's interest in the Rams, but Carl Vogel, a long-time media executive and current board member for DISH Network and Shaw Communications (cable, etc.), is part of Checkett's SCP Worldwide group.
There's still plenty of fantasy action today, so here's recommendations for who to start and who sit.
Some big injury situations out there today. Calvin Johnson still not confirmed to play today, and we'd like to see his team beat the SeaChickens.

I'll leave this up as an open thread for today's games. We're rooting for the Lions to beat the SeaHags and the Titans to put the hurt on the 49ers. I'm indifferent about the Cardinals and Bears.

Avery playing; Hall not so much: Random Ramsdom, 10/24

VanRam — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:37:00 -0000

There's some good and not so good injury news to report with the St. Louis Rams set to take on the Indianapolis Colts in just over 24 hours. Let's jump right in.

Avery ready to play

Donnie Avery practiced and is ready to go this week. The Rams will obviously need him. Ron Bartell practiced and should play too. WR Ruvell Martin and DE James Hall are questionable and most likely out this week. I think it was Sando, but someone said that the Rams pass rush might not be much of a factor this week anyway, with or without Hall, as Manning is so good at getting the ball out in a hurry. Are you prepared for things to depend on our coverage?

James Butler and the system

The Rams are glad to have James Butler back this week, especially since they'll be playing in coverage most of the time. Will Butler help get the DBs in place? Does this reduce the number of big plays?

Focusing on pass protection

OTs Adam Goldberg, Alex Barron and Jason Smith will rotate this week, with Goldberg starting. Sando says the Rams are making a good move not exposing Smith in his first week back all along against a tough Colts defense. A fair point, but I'm not so sure Smith would give us a better line in place of Goldberg...or even Barron. It's interesting to note that Smith is expected to work more on the left side today. I wonder if they'll move Barron back to RT before the season ends?

Peter King's team most likely to move: Rams, Raiders, Chargers and Jags

The New York Times says the 49ers could be very likely to move too. The Bills? Not so much.

Donnie Avery misses Wednesday practice

VanRam — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:50:30 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

The St. Louis Rams will be thin on the defensive line this week as James Hall is expected to miss the team's week 7 game against the Colts.

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Some news on the St. Louis Rams injury front worthy of note...i.e. noteworthy.

WR Donnie Avery was on the sidelines for practice today. His hip was "too tight" during warmups. He expects to be on the practice field tomorrow. Stay tuned. If he practices tomorrow, there's a good chance he'll play this week. That's the good news.

Now the bad news. The Rams top defensive lineman, James Hall, is still sitting with a groin injury he suffered last week against the Jags, and is likely to miss the Colts game this week. As you might guess, that hurts the Rams hope of getting pressure on Peyton Manning, meaning they'll be working in coverage a lot. Coverage...against Manning. Yikes.

Speaking of coverage, the Rams do have some good news on that front. CB Ron Bartell is cleared after suffering a minor concussion. Joining him on the practice field today was SS James Butler, which comes at the right time on the heels of Will Witherspoon being traded.

Also, the small part of life that is not Rams related has interfered and Turf Show Radio is cancelled for tonight. We'll be back on the air next week.

Flipping through the Rams injury report

VanRam — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:58:58 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

There was nothing to dance about when Donnie Avery left the game last week.

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The St. Louis Rams came out of the Jacksonville game this week bruised and battered. For a time yesterday, the injury list looked a little too much like it has in recent seasons, with the few key players the Rams have sidelined.

WR Donnie Avery would have been the most costly name on the list, but it sounds like his hip injury is not serious. He's officially being called day to day right now. Wait and see what his status is when they start practicing later this week. For now at least, it looks like the Rams will have Avery in uniform.

CB Ron Bartell is dealing with a head injury and will have the battery of concussion tests this week. The cornerback will be extremely important this week against the Colts. After watching Bartell get burned a couple times last week, I wonder if he's still not dealing with some injury issues.

What could be the most important injury news of all for this week's game is word that SS James Butler could be back in the lineup. Craig Dahl served admirably, but it was obvious last week how much the Rams missed Butler. They were gashed on the run and Jax receivers picked up too many YAC on short throws to the middle.

How would you solve the Giants' problem at safety?

Ed Valentine — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:53 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

St. Louis Rams safety James Butler, left, returns a Cincinnati Bengals fumble 73 yards for a touchdown in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009.

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I have a question for you this morning, Big Blue View Nation. Actually, maybe several questions.

I know a lot of you spent a couple of seasons trying to run former New York Giant safety James Butler out of town, and were thrilled when Butler signed a free-agent contract to join Steve Spagnuolo with the St. Louis Rams.

After watching Butler's replacement, C.C. Brown, play completely inept football Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, how badly would you like to have Butler back in a Giant uniform? Like I said Monday, I think every Giants opponent the rest of the season will try to find Brown and throw the ball wherever he is supposed to be.

Butler is hardly Ed Reed, but I think it is inarguable that he is a better player than Brown.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2009 - James Butler	2	0	0	1	0	0	8	4	12

I ask today not just for the sake of asking. Today happens to be the NFL trade deadline. Butler has been shelved for a few weeks with a knee injury, but appears near returning to the Rams' secondary. If you were Giants General Manager Jerry Reese would you dial up the Rams and offer a late-round draft choice, say anywhere from the fifth to seventh round, to bring Butler back to the Giants? I would. In a heartbeat. And if I was the 0-6 Rams, I would say yes. In a heartbeat.

If you wouldn't do that, how would you approach trying to solve the Giants' problem at safety? And please, don't tell me you don't think they have one.

Coach Tom Coughlin was asked Monday about moving a cornerback -- probably Terrell Thomas or Aaron Ross -- to safety if Ross ever gets healthy. All TC would say about this is "I sure would like to get our whole roster back."

So, is that a move you would make? Probably Ross to safety if he ever gets back on the field. He has the size (6-foot, 197 pounds) to play it.

Would you just bench Brown and give former Green Bay safety Aaron Rouse a shot? If you can't bring back Butler this is actually the move I would favor. I don't know if Rouse is better than Brown. I do know he can't be worse.

Would you bring Sha'reef Rashad or Vince Anderson off the practice squad and see if one of them can do a better job than Brown?

Is there currently a free agent you would go after? Or another player you would try and trade for? And don't say Troy Polamalu. Be realistic about what the Giants could actually obtain., as well as the fact that very few trades actually happen on deadline day in the NFL.

Vote in the poll and let us know what you think the Giants should do.

Poll

How would you try to solve the Giants' problem at safety?

Trade for ex-Giant James Butler

83 votes

Trade for someone else. (Please drop a comment and let us know who and why)

84 votes

Bench C.C. Brown in favor of Aaron Rouse

213 votes

Move Aaron Ross or Terrell Thomas to safety (drop a comment and let us know which one)

239 votes

Bring Sha'reef Rashad or Vince Anderson off the practice squad and give one of them a chance

217 votes

Sign a free agent (let us know who)

39 votes

875 votes | Poll has closed

Bulger to start in week 6

VanRam — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:48:36 -0000

More photos » by Tony Avelar - AP

Marc Bulger will start for the Rams in week 6.

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The QB question has been answered. The St. Louis Rams will start QB Marc Bulger against Jacksonville in week 6. Kyle Boller has a concussion, a mild one, but Bulger will get the nod anyway, as long as he can practice injury-free this week.

OT Jason Smith is closer to a return, and some of the other lingering injuries players are dealing with seem to be moving in the right direction. SS James Butler is day to day. I'd really like to see this guy get back on the field, though Craig Dahl has done well filling in for Butler. CB Justin King might miss time with a bruise on his knee, or he might not.

Take a look at some of the positive things Spagnuolo commented on. One of them, offensive line play, was kind of an underrated plus this week. Alex Barron rebounded after his benching last week. I still don't see the Rams running through Jacob Bell much on the stat sheet, and that bothers me.

WR Tim Carter is back.

Rams 0, 49ers 35: It's officially ugly

VanRam — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:37:52 -0000

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Awww, buttafingers!

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Can you honestly look at this St. Louis Rams team and say they're getting better?

I don't think you can anymore.

It was the same old story right out of the gate for the Rams, except this one started with a penalty that killed a sweet kick return from Danny Amendola, now lost for untold weeks. Then again, would that return have been possible without the hold?

After that, they came out running Steven Jackson, but then a poor pass that Keenan Burton really should have had followed by an incomplete to Randy McMichael, who clearly reminds us all that his early career success was more of an illusion created by fantasy football than anything else. Three-and-out. If the Rams could change their name - maybe when they go to London - they could be the St. Louis, er, London Three-and-outs. Crickey, guvner!

As usual the defense came out strong, even without SS James Butler...and to a lesser extent SLB David Vobora. The offense looked like it might find its groove on the second possession. They converted a two penalty 2nd-and-20 and were starting to steamroll, or as close as this bunch can get to steamrolling. And then it all came craaaashing down when they brought Gado in for a 3rd-and-1. Josh Brown missed field goal - stop me if you've heard this one before. You could have turned it off, except the defense continued to play well, that the redoubts of optimism you maybe, just maybe, had surviving in some corner of your heart where the sun hasn't been obscured by years of garbage football held out, convincing you to leave it on...

...leave it on just long enough to see a punt return get a fluky fumble touchdown. Advantage 49ers.

It's all downhill from there. The 49ers used another 14 points from turnovers to put hand the Rams their worst loss of the season, a loss that reminded everyone of the Linehan era. This roster isn't totally bereft of talent, though some positions are really hurting, but I think it might be bottom of the barrel for brains.

They've got to make some changes to get through this season with the thinnest scrap of dignity. If they don't do something, they can't legitimately ask people to pay for tickets next year, not even if they bring in a Super Star team of Jesus and Buddha and Jet Li and Herman Zoroaster.

Some changes I'd like to see, and probably won't:

Alex Barron is done. Keep him as a backup; it might be enough to scare the crap out of him and make him take advantage if he gets an opportunity to play again, knowing that he'll be a free agent. At this point, who would sign him?
Make Jason Smith the starting LT. Some won't agree with me on this, but he's the best OT the Rams have, and is good enough at pass blocking already to be solid on the left side. Make Adam Goldberg the guy on the right. He's fine to finish out the season with. There's already been some whispers of Jacob Bell getting time at OT; I don't believe it. Greco hasn't played much OT in the NFL, so his penalty isn't as egregious as the others. Not to excuse it. That gives the Rams their best line, and start the future right now.
Promote Null over Boller. Bulger will be back at starting QB, as soon as he's healed. If you're going to lose, might as well get a guy who can throw a little better than one and isn't as old and banged up as the other. This will not happen. And I'm not even saying this because I think Null is the QB of the future; I just think he might be the best bet for this season.
He might be able to pass to Donnie Avery deep. Then again...
The Rams might be really, really bad in the WR department. I honestly think some of the play calling we're complaining about stems from a serious lack of confidence in the talent on this team. Yeah, they ran the hell out of Steven Jackson, but they have no other viable option to turn to. You can't make throws with this QB and even if you can, there's nobody to catch them. I don't see how you pass up the chance to draft a QB this year, unless Bradford has a shoulder that's making the good risk-assessors at Lloyd's of London nervous.

I'm going to go apologize to my family for not spending time with them for the past three hours. We'll have lots more post-mortem in the day ahead.