SB Nation - Jon Alston

State of the AFC West Week 9

Sam (sdsuaztec4) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:15:45 -0000

Well well well, here we are after week 9, a week I'd been looking forward to for awhile. I had a crazy day on Sunday which of course had a perfect ending. Last night's game was the proverbial "icing on the cake". The Chargers are now 1 game back at the halfway point of the season with 8 games to go. The Broncos still have the advantage with the 1 game lead and a win over the Chargers as a potential tiebreaker. As far as the schedules, of the 8 games remaining, 3 are easy division games (2 KC 1 OAK), but 4 are against tough teams (SD, NYG, INDY, PHI) and their game this week at Washington. On the other hand, the Chargers get the Browns and Titans, don't have to play Indy, but they only play the Chiefs one more time. As far as momentum, it is clearly on the side of the Chargers who have capped their three game winning streak with an emotional win at the Meadowlands. The Broncos on the other hand are riding a two-game losing streak that included two disappointing second halves. Oakland and KC are still out of the picture.

Jump the break for individual teams.

AFC West Standings

	W	L	PF	PA
Denver	6	2	150	124
San Diego	5	3	206	179
Oakland	2	6	78	201
Kansas City	1	7	126	205

(updated 11.10.2009 at 1:30 AM PST)

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders had a quiet bye week getting healthy and trying not to lose any football games. Running back Darren McFadden, wide receiver Chaz Schilens, left guard Robert Gallery and right tackle Cornell Green returned to practice Monday and are expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. So that's good news. Although Tom Cable won't be charged criminally, the NFL is evaluating the situation and sending out people to determine if Cable should attend anger management classes. The National League of Women (NOW) and other women's rights groups are calling for Cable's job. The Raiders next division match-up is this week's pillow-fight of the week in Oakland. Let the battle to determine the most dysfunctional team begin, too bad nobody will see it because it will likely be blacked out.

Oakland Raiders Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Cornell Green	calf	11/09/2009
Tony Stewart	chest	11/09/2009
Gerard Warren	toe	11/09/2009
Jon Alston	shoulder	11/09/2009
Ricky Brown	ankle	11/09/2009
Robert Gallery	fibula	11/09/2009
Tommy Kelly	elbow	11/09/2009
Chris Johnson	groin	11/09/2009
Chaz Schilens	foot	11/09/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
John Bowie	knee	09/30/2009
Oren O'Neal	ankle	10/14/2009

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs played a close game against the Jaguars which inevitably ended in another loss. As the Chiefs march toward another top 5 draft pick, the big story is still the rapid fall of Larry Johnson which ended in his release from the Chiefs. Although they will probably end up paying him a lot of money since I doubt anyone will pick him up, this gives Jamaal Charles more opportunity to play and gets rid of a clubhouse cancer. Chris Chambers seem to have rejuvenated their offense, at least for the moment, with two TD passes. The addition seems to have helped the Chiefs and the Chargers at the same time, and Chris will probably be happier too. As already mentioned, the Chiefs next division game is at Oakland which I'm sure will be terribly exciting.

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Jon McGraw	thigh	11/09/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Devard Darling	knee	09/01/2009
Jarrad Page	calf	11/04/2009
Jackie Battle	shoulder	10/14/2009
Colin Brown	undisclosed	09/05/2009

Denver Broncos: Will the real Broncos please stand up? Are they the 6-0 team or the 0-2 team? Are they the second-half juggernaut or the second-half duds? Is Kyle Orton the QB who threw one INT in 7 games or 3 INT's in one game? Are they a punishing opponents on the lines or the team that didn't get ONE rushing first-down against the Steelers? The answer is probably somewhere close to the middle. Teams are starting to key on the Broncos weakness and adjusting their game-plans as such. Kyle Orton looks nervous as opposed to the pillar of strength he looked like earlier in the season. Either way, the Broncos are much better than everyone thought but they still aren't an elite team. The Steelers were clearly the superior team last night, even at Mile High. The Broncos have lost some momentum going forward but they are still healthy and still have the advantage over the Chargers. Now is the time for Josh McDaniels to adjust to the adjustments that other teams are making. Going forward, we will see if the Broncos and McDaniels are studs or duds. The game at Washington this weekend may tell us a lot about the Broncos. Their next division match-up looks to be a huge game with playoff implications at Mile High against the Chargers.

Denver Broncos Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Ryan McBean	knee	11/10/2009
Peyton Hillis	other-excused	11/10/2009
David Bruton	groin	11/10/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Nick Greisen	knee	08/05/2009
J'Vonne Parker	knee	08/08/2009

San Diego Super Chargers: The Bolts are flying high after an emotional victory at the Meadowlands and gaining the momentum in the AFC West race if not the advantage. They are finally getting healthy, emotionally and physically, as well and it looks like All-Pro center Nick Hardwick will make his return to Qualcomm Stadium this weekend against the Eagles. The Chargers are still a little banged up at the linebacker position; SP95 was injured in the Giants game and Kevin Burnett and Tim Dobbins are still ailing. It looks like Phillips and Burnett will play this weekend while Dobbins will sit. LB Jyles Tucker is also most likely out this weekend. It looks like the Eagles are having the same problem the Chargers were earlier in the season: inability to keep anyone healthy. If Westbrook is out and the Eagles must depend on the passing game, the Chargers could win big with improved pass rush from Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. The Chargers are also only 2-2 this season and they need to improve their play at home. The game is already sold out so we know it will be loud this weekend. Our next division match-up is Week 11 at Mile High Stadium.

San Diego Chargers Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Tim Dobbins	knee	11/09/2009
Nick Hardwick	ankle	11/09/2009
Kevin Burnett	ankle	11/09/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Ryon Bingham	arm	09/05/2009
Jamal Williams	triceps	09/19/2009
Antwan Applewhite	hamstring	10/20/2009
Brandon Hughes	knee	09/02/2009

Philadelphia Eagles Injuries

Probable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Max Jean-Gilles	shoulder	11/09/2009

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Victor Abiamiri	knee	11/09/2009
Chris Gocong	other-excused	11/09/2009
Akeem Jordan	knee	11/10/2009
Brian Westbrook	ankle	11/09/2009
Quintin Demps	ankle	11/09/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Shawn Andrews	back	09/15/2009
Stewart Bradley	knee	09/01/2009
Omar Gaither	foot	10/22/2009
Cornelius Ingram	knee	09/01/2009
Fenuki Tupou	chest	09/05/2009

State of the AFC West Week 8

Sam (sdsuaztec4) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:59:14 -0000

Good afternoon BFTBers, it's your old pal 'tec. We have 3 of the 4 AFC West teams in action during week 8, including the one inter-division game between the Raiders and our Chargers. The Chiefs had their bye this week, and the Broncos traveled to the east coast to take on Joe Flacco and the Ravens. Of course, we beat the Raiders 24-16, the Chiefs managed not to lose during their bye, and the Broncos are undefeated no more as the Ravens solved the Broncos enigma with a 30-7 beat-down. Let's take a look at the current standings.

AFC West Standings

	W	L	PF	PA
Denver	6	1	140	96
San Diego	4	3	185	159
Oakland	2	6	78	201
Kansas City	1	6	105	181

(updated 11.3.2009 at 1:44 AM PST)

The Chargers are now 2 games back of the Broncos with 9 game to go. As we know, the remaining schedules for both teams favors the Chargers in terms of difficulty. The Chargers are 3-1 in division games (the one loss vs. Broncos) with 2 division games left (vs. Chiefs and @ Broncos). We travel to New York this week to face the Giants. The Broncos are 2-0 in division games with 4 left (vs. Chargers, @ Chiefs, vs. Chiefs, vs. Oakland). The Broncos stay at home to face the Steelers.

Read the rest after the hop!

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs spent the week on their bye after a beat-down by the hands of the Bolts. Of course, it was a pretty eventful week after all thanks to Larry Johnsongate. This has to be a huge distraction for a team that has already had a tough year. The good thing is that there is nowhere to go but up and perhaps suspending Johnson might bring him to his senses and allow the team to come together. (I doubt it). He will be suspended one week. In former Chargers news, it appears that WR Chris Chambers, cut by the Chargers on Monday, was claimed by the Chiefs today. It looks like Chris will play one more game at Qualcomm Stadium this season. The Chiefs travel to face the Jaguars this week. Their next division game is week 10 at the Raiders.

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries

Probable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Branden Albert	ankle	11/02/2009

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Jon McGraw	undisclosed	11/02/2009
Lance Long	concussion	11/02/2009

Doubtful

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Rudy Niswanger	knee	11/02/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Devard Darling	knee	09/01/2009
Jackie Battle	shoulder	10/14/2009
Colin Brown	undisclosed	09/05/2009

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are another terrible team with additional off the field issues, with ESPN's OTL reporting Head Coach Tom Cable's past nefarious exploits with his lady friends. It is up to the emperor of the Raiders Al Davis, whether he stays or goes, but the Raiders say they will be investigating the allegations. We will have to wait and see how much longer Cable lasts and continue the coaching carousel by the bay. Meanwhile, the actual football team (and I use the term lightly), is taking their bye this week. It is a good time for the team to rest up, as we saw last week they had major injuries, including Robert Gallery who is a big part of their offensive line. WR Chaz Schilens also remains out. It's not like it matters much, since nobody is watching the games; mostly because the poor attendance at the games are creating local blackouts. The Raiders next division game is week 10 vs. the Chiefs. Look at that injury list! Who do they think they are, the Chargers?

Oakland Raiders Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Cornell Green	calf	11/02/2009
Tony Stewart	chest	11/02/2009
Gerard Warren	toe	11/02/2009
Jon Alston	shoulder	11/02/2009
Ricky Brown	ankle	11/02/2009
Robert Gallery	fibula	11/02/2009
Tommy Kelly	elbow	11/02/2009
Chris Johnson	groin	11/02/2009
Chaz Schilens	foot	11/02/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
John Bowie	knee	09/30/2009
Oren O'Neal	ankle	10/14/2009

Denver Broncos: After a 6-0 start, the Broncos are undefeated no more after a 30-7 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos will face another tough team this week, a MNF meeting with the Steelers at home. The Ravens seemed to solve the mystery of beating the Broncos, so we should look at this game in preparing for our second match-up with the Broncos. The Broncos special teams continued to struggle, allowing another kick-off for a touchdown, but we already knew that was a weakness. The Ravens were able to pressure Kyle Orton early, and apparently that threw him off of his game, which spread to the rest of the team. The Broncos seemed to be off all day, not executing like they had been in the rest of their games. The Broncos crossed over into Baltimore territory only 3 times all game, and got into the red-zone only once. The Denver defense is good, but not that good, and eventually they are going to get scored on. The key seems to be being able to disrupt the offense which starts with pressuring the QB. Orton isn't going to make many mistakes, but he's not a world beater either. With the Broncos D giving up 30 points on Sunday, the Colts take over as the best defense in football. The Broncos next division game is week 11 at home vs. the Chargers. The Broncos remain ridiculously healthy.

Denver Broncos Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Renaldo Hill	leg	11/03/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Nick Greisen	knee	08/05/2009
J'Vonne Parker	knee	08/08/2009

San Diego Chargers: First of all, apparently LB James Holt has been promoted from the practice squad. Now, you're going to have to find out from someone else who that is, because I have no idea. Maybe that Sliderockmpc guy, he seems to be pretty sharp. Anyhow, we all know that the Chargers front office pulled off yet another team shakeup, releasing Chis Chambers, who has already been picked up within the division by the Chiefs. These shakeups seem to be working, notwithstanding a closer than expected victory over the Raiders. Like Coach Hoke says, there are no good losses and there are no bad wins. Let's focus on our game this weekend in New Jersey. I bet there's probably at least one person that didn't know we were playing in New Jersey on Sunday. Over their three losses in a row, I've seen two big things about the Giants. First, Eli is still being bothered by his foot, in which he has plantar fasciitis. From what I know, this is not an injury that one gets over easily. Padre fans know that Kyle Blanks got it and was forced to sit out the last part of the season. Eli has been more inaccurate than usual because of the injury, which has been compounded by the fact that the Giants have been unable to get a running game going during the losing streak. Second, the Giants running defense has struggled, especially with runners up the middle. I posted a stat earlier in the week, but during the losing streak the Giants have allowed something like 7.6 YPC up the middle. Unfortunately, both of these weaknesses don't exactly translate to the Chargers strengths. We also have struggled this year with running offense and defense. On the bright side, at least I think LT has shown some substantial progress lately, and Shawne and Shaun also seem to be about to step up their game in a serious way. The Chargers next division game is week 10 at the Broncos. Tim Dobbins is going to be out a few weeks, maybe he'll come back the same time as Nick Hardwick. I'm hoping Kevin Burnett is healthy enough to play on Sunday, but I haven't heard anything.

San Diego Chargers Injuries

Questionable

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Tim Dobbins	knee	11/02/2009
Nick Hardwick	ankle	11/02/2009

Doubtful

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Kevin Burnett	ankle	11/02/2009

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Ryon Bingham	arm	09/05/2009
Jamal Williams	triceps	09/19/2009
Antwan Applewhite	hamstring	10/20/2009
Brandon Hughes	knee	09/02/2009

GO CHARGERS!

Poll

Can the Chargers come back and win the division?

Yes

482 votes

No

155 votes

637 votes | Poll has closed

New York Jets Run Offense vs. Oakland Raiders Run Defense

John B — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:42 -0000

by Bill Kostroun - AP

View full size photo »

It looks like the Jets finally got their run game working last week. A potential matchup between Richard Seymour and Robert Turner if Damien Woody can't go is troublesome. On the other hand, undersized Jon Alston lining up on the right side is good for the Jets in their run game. So is the matchup between Tommy Kelly and Brandon Moore/Nick Mangold. Seymour is only one player. The Jets should be able to pound it on the right side and will pull Alan Faneca plenty. In a game where they'll likely treat Mark Sanchez with kid gloves, Ben Hartsock will replace Dustin Keller in the lineup perhaps more often than usual. The Raiders are not strong against the run. They give up 145 yards per game.

They'll surely pull their safeties up, but the Jets need to be able to run it effectively anyway. There's too much talent up front and in the backfield. Thomas Jones finally got on track a week ago. Leon Washington looks as dyanmic as ever. This is not a well coached defense. There should be plenty of opportunities to earn yardage after missed tackles. Against an undisciplined unit, I would throw a lot of the Seminole formation at them. That requires guys to stay patient and not overpursue. Washington can make them pay for not doing so.

I'm not sure whether the Jets will be able to execute. I know they should be able to execute. If they can't, it will be a major red flag for when the schedule gets tougher.

New York Jets Pass Offense vs. Oakland Raiders Pass Defense

John B — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:30 -0000

by Kathy Willens - AP

View full size photo »

After Mark Sanchez's meltdown last week, the Jets are going to try and run it a lot on the 28th ranked run defense. When they do throw it, though, somebody who has been quiet this year is going to need to step up. Jerricho Cotchery's status is up in the air. If he can't go, Braylon Edwards will have to deal all day with Nnamdi Asomugha. Aside from Darrelle Revis, there is no better corner in football. (Some might argue Asomugha is better than Revis, but you won't find any of those people residing on this site). There's a good chance the Raiders are going to be able to totally take Edwards away. Asomugha literally takes away half the field. Nobody ever throws the football near him.

That means Dustin Keller needs to step up and finally deliver a big game. Arguably no Jet has been more disappointing this season. He's got an edge in athleticism on Thomas Howard, Kirk Morrison, and Jon Alston, Oakland's linebackers (Alston may start for injured Ricky Brown).

David Clowney needs stretch the field. You can bet your life the Raiders are going to move safeties Tyvon Branch and Hiram Eugene down into the box and force a struggling rookie quarterback to beat them. He's fast enough to win one on one matchups with Chris Johnson if he can beat the physical corner's jams. It's time for him to pick up where he left off in Miami.

Also expect Leon Washington to play a major role in the passing game. Sanchez might be a bit gun shy after last week, and the coaching staff will probably want to give him safe calls, like getting the most explosive playmaker the ball in space.

Damien Woody's status is a concern. Oakland's defensive end rotation of Richard Seymour, Greg Ellis, Jay Richardson, and Trevor Scott have combined for 10 sacks this year. Is Woody healthy enough to play? Can he handle the rush? Can Robert Turner if Woody can't go? Can D'Brickashaw Ferguson handle Richard Seymour's finesse? The good news is the starting tackles for Oakland, Tommy Kelly and Gerard Warren, are easier to handle, which could allow the Jets to give Turner help. Lord knows the Jets don't want Sanchez pressured into bad decisions.

Weekly Raider Issue #8

KA1Z3R — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:24:41 -0000

via www.backgroundhq.com

Greetings Raiders faithful, and welcome to the special training camp edition of the Weekly Raider. Today we look at a player I believe needs to have a good showing in camp, of course random thoughts, and finally the featured fan. Enjoy and let's get ready for training camp.

-Weekly Raider: LB #55 Jon Alston-

via www.raiders.com

Jon Alston, a name that appeared frequently during minicamps and OTA, is a man on a mission. What's his mission? To solve the Raiders long-standing problem at strongside linebacker.

Previously a special teams stud, Alston has been putting on a show as the starting strongside linebacker in minicamps and OTA and did a good job at it. Bulking up his once 225 frame to a nice 235 definitely shows he's committed to getting more playing time than the few starts he had late last season. Known for being a speedy defender on kick and punt returns, that speed hasn't been lost with his added weight.

In minicamps, he's been great in the passing game, though I heard very little of him in the running game. Hell, I heard little about the running game at all. Alston's abilities in the passing game could mean a lot for this Oakland defense. If he can become a consistently good cover linebacker, that could free up Howard and Morrison to blitz if Marshall's scheme will allow it. Thus creating more pressure, thus leading to sacks, bad throws, and even interceptions. With Alston's speed, maybe he can even be used to blitz.

But the big thing and the determining factor of whether or not his starting role in minicamps will become permanent, is how well can Alston fare against the run? He as a very solid tackler on special teams, but that doesn't really mean much since a receiver or defensive back is much different than a 220+ pound running back barreling towards you. In regards to the running game, I'd like to see Alston put on a few more pounds. As you can see by the picture, ten extra pounds won't make much of a difference. 235 is still small for a strongside linebacker and also makes him the smallest of the starting linebackers. If he could get to about 245, I'd be very satisfied. Even if he loses a little bit of his speed, we need him to stop running backs more than we need him to cover them.

What competition lays behind him at SLB? Former starter Ricky Brown and Sam Williams. Williams I believe is here purely for some rotation and special teams. Brown however presents problems for Alston. Like Alston, Brown was a great special teams player who started working for some playing time. And also much like Alston, he started in minicamps and training camp to become the starter at SLB. The similarities don't stop there. Both are in the lower 6' range, and both weigh in at 235.

At this point, I have difficulty spotting a difference between the two. In their respective playing times last year, both had low tackle numbers, both were mediocre against the pass, and neither could do damage in the running game. But if Alston's pass defense skills continue to show through in camp, he'll have the edge over Brown. If he can be halfway decent against the run, Alston's in as the starter.

Whether or not Alston's starting as our SLB is a good thing or not is still a mystery. Though we won't have to wait very long to solve it.

-Random Thoughts: Early Upcoming NFL Season Predictions-

Around this time of year, you know the downtime before camp, I like to make some predicitons on how team's seasons will go. Or at least for the AFC. I'm here now to share these. This goes out to fans of every team in the AFC, see where your team is predicted at by me.

AFC East:

1. Patriots (12-4)- Brady's back, Taylor gives them a good running game if Brady isn't his usual self. Defense is still formidable, though secondary is incredibly weak.

2. Dolphins (9-7)- I know they won't take anybody by surprise this year, but they still have a great running game, Pennington is still one of the NFL's most accurate QB's, and an already stout Fins D just got an upgraded secondary.

3. Bills (7-9)- T.O. makes the Bills a relevant team in the NFL, but not a contending one. Lynch is back and healthy, the defense is looking to be a pretty good one, but the offensive line suffered a major blow by getting rid of one of the top OT's in the league in Jason Peters.

4. Jets (7-9)- Expect a top-10 defense from the Jets this year. Good D-Line, amazing linebackers, top-10 secondary. Throw in the best defensive minded coach in Rex Ryan and this defense will be stellar. But with a rookie QB, no receivers outside of Cotchery, and a still aging Thomas Jones, the Jets offense will struggle.

AFC North:

1. Steelers (13-3)- Still the best team in the NFL. Great all-around but that offensive line is still mediocre at best. I question how many more hits a battered Roethlisberger can take.

2. Ravens WC (10-6)- The Ravens got worse this offseason, and significantly so. No real receiving threats not named Todd Heap, a Chris McAllister-less secondary, a weakened linebacker corps, and the loss of the best defensive mind in the NFL. They get to the playoffs purely because of their running game and run defense.

3. Bengals (6-10)- The Bengals had a great draft and suddenly everyone has them as a potential 8-8 team. I don't see it. The defense is getting really good, but Palmer has lost a lot of his edge with so many injuries, Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him Ochocinco) is no longer a great receiver, they don't have a good running game, and their O-Line now revolves around a rookie OT who's better fit for the right side than the left.

4. Browns (2-14)- You're looking at your #1 picking team. How an already bad team makes themselves so significantly worse is beyond me.They lost two good linebackers from an already bad run defense (McGinest and Davis), they got rid of a top-10 TE, they didn't do anything to help a very old and battered Jamal Lewis, both Stallworth and Jurevicius are gone, they failed to get any receivers leaving Edwards the lone threat, so on and so forth. This team is so amazingly terrible, that if it wasn't for a great offensive line, I'd say they could go 0-16.

AFC South:

1. Colts (13-3)- The Colts are going to be an amazing team this year. Though Harrison's gone, Gonzales now gets his chance to shine, and shine he will. Their D-Line looks much improved with Moala and a highly acclaimed run stopping DT in Terrance Taylor added in the draft alongside two elite DE's. Brown and Addai look to be a good running back tandem as well that might actually give Indy a decent running offense. The weak linebacking corps is the only weakness to the Colts

2. Titans WC (11-5)- Despite the loss of Haynesworth, the Titans will still have an amazing defense. With the best safety tandem in the NFL, top-flight corner tandem, and an elite group of linebackers, Tennessee is still a top-10 D. The running game is still superb and is running behind a top-10 offensive line. With a much improved receiving corps, don't be surprised to see the Titans and Colts switch places.

3. Texans (8-8)- I have a hard time finding a reason why this team won't have a winning season, but two major problems stand in their way. Schaub's injury problem, and the secondary. Schaub can never stay healthy and when he's out the team struggles big time. Then there's the secondary. The only bright psot is Robinson, and one man a secondary does not make.

4. Jaguars (4-12)- The Jaguars got a much better offensivel ine, but they lost a key linebacker in Peterson and I have major doubts that Jones-Drew can carry the full workload for a run heavy Jags team. Still not receivers.

AFC West:

1. Chargers (10-6)- Good running back tandem, great passing game, great O-Line, outstanding defense though a questionable secondary. Norv Turner keeps them from being a 12-4 team.

2. Raiders (7-9)- Great running game, still questionable passing game and O-Line. Worst DT tandem in the NFL. Great pass defendng but not run stopping LB. Possibly the best corner trio in the league. Safety still questionable.

3. Broncos (5-11)- Way to many changes for this team to get everything right in one year. Next year they could be dangerous though.

4. Chiefs (2-14)- Exact same as Broncos except they have a much worse roster.

-Featured Fan: Saint-

via lazylaces.brinkster.net

Recent Draft History: St. Louis Rams

Jeremy Bolander — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:00:10 -0000

2008 Draft:

1 (2) Chris Long, DE STARTER

While Long's production may not be where many would like to see it, it is generally regarded as acceptable for defensive linemen to take a little time to develop, and in Chris' case, he does all the little things to make you comfortable with giving him that leeway. Reportedly a hard studier and film-room buff, he is a solid guy in practice and hustles on the field. The feeling, and it seems pretty accurate, is that he is well on his way to being a consistent, and possibly stellar, player.

2 (33) Donnie Avery, WR STARTER

Avery contributed immediately to the team, posting good numbers for a rookie WR and flashing some terrific instincts, body control and hands. The Rams liked his efforts enough to name him their rookie of the year, and he has a bright future ahead of him as the team improves around him

3 (65) John Greco, OT Backup

Greco came along slowly, but was moved ahead of G Incognito on the depth chart at the end of the season, where he was adequate. WIth Incognito likely to attempt an "attitude-readjustment" there will likely be a battle in camp for the starting RG spot. While Greco could win the spot in a darkhorse role, Cogs is certainly capable of hanging on to it, and Greco may end up learning to backup the C and LG in order to capitalize on his roster spot, and better position himself for an inevitable move into the starting lineup someday.

4 (107) Justin King, CB Backup

Sidelined by an injury in training camp, he looks to be healthy and ready to return. He will need to catch the coaches eye all over agian, but he was on his way to doing that once ,and he has the confidence to repeat it.

4 (128) Keenan Burton, WR Backup

Burton found himself in and out of the lineup with injuries and inconsistent play, but flashed the ability to play a possession role in a more spread out offense. Unfortunately, if he doesn't get more durable, playing over the middle will drop his value out of sight, and the Rams won't be willing to hang onto him.

5 (157) Roy Schuening, OG Backup

A promising prospect who is being developed very carefully by the Rams. May compete for a backup spot, but could likely end up on the practice squad in 09, with redundant interior depth ahead of him. He got off to a rough start, and the season finished with him not getting in on the "talent scouting" where the team played a lot of their depth in the final games, but in between reporst from the front office for him were favorable, so he seems to be doing the little things behind the scenes.

7 (228) Chris Chamberlain, SS/OLB Backup

After spending the season inactive he was able to get on the field towards the year, but didn't turn any heads while getting reps at OLB. his coverage skills appear to be solid, and he could provide key depth at the SAM position going forward.

7 (252) David Vobora, ILB Backup

Vobora didn't impress with plenty of playing time. He might be best suited to a move outside, as he is a tad undersized, but the Rams will likely try to upgrade the middle,a nd he will end up ahving his work cut out for him to keep a job.

2007 Draft:

1 (13) Adam Carriker, DT STARTER

Too small to be plugged in at NT, Carriker may shift to 34DE in the Rams new scheme, and the hope is that this could avert what looms as a "bust" scenario with Carriker. While DTs take some time to develop, Carriker has proven ineffective against the run, and so his development has been questioned. As a DE his skills may still be underutilized, but at least he would have less expected of him. if he can get his stock back up the Rams may decide that he is better suited going to another team.

2 (52) Brian Leonard, RB Backup

With only two games in two years at an impact position, Leonard may be looking at a ticket out of town, soon. He hasn't shown the ability to backup at RB reliably, and he isn't an effective FB, as evidenced by the FA FB signings. As a high #2, this pick isn't working out, and the disappointment is palpable.

3 (84) Jonathon Wade, CB

Wade was able to get provide a decent contribution as a rookie, but found himself being edged out for a starting spot in 2008. He did come in and replace Fakhir Brown a few times, adequately, and his progress has been noted by his coaches. He will likely be let to develop.

5 (139) Dustin Fry, C Backup/Cleveland

After making the PS and seeing a few actiavtions here and there, he was eventually cut in favor of other OL depth and eventually picked up by Cleveland, where he is signed to a practice squad contract.

5 (154) Clifton Ryan, NT Backup

closer to what the Rams need at NT, he has shown only limited ability to hold up to a double team. While he is not he runstopping answer the Rams are looking for, he still appears to be a solid member of the d-line rotation. With his contract coming up next year, the Rams will have to evaluate his long term viability in their new scheme.

6 (190) Ken Shackleford, OT Out of NFL

After doing nothing in St. Louis he was picked up and alter released by the Kansas City Chiefs, and remains unclaimed after a year.

7 (248) Keith Jackson, NT Out of NFL

Son of former probowler TE Keith Jackson Sr., this underwhelming prospect was out of St.Louis and then SD within a year and a half. He was never resigned by any teams.

7 (249) Derek Stanley, WR/KR Backup

Going into the final year of his contract, the odds are stacked against Stanley. With insignificant contributions on offense, and limited production in inconsistent STs roles, an ACL injury to close out 2008 came at exactly the wrong time. Inlikely to be 100% by training camp, Stanley and his agent should be looking at post 2009 plans.

2006 Draft:

1 (15) Tye Hill, CB Backup

Though he should have a starter's abiltiy, too many injuries ahve sidelined his potential and shattered his confidence. Under new coaching, he may get new life breathed into him, but it may also be too little too late.

2 (46) Joe Klopfenstein, TE Backup

Great talent but epic underachievement equals immense disappointment in this promising prospect. He could very well be the key to what ails the Rams offense, but inconsistency, injuries and an overall lack of "it" have made him a poster child for the Ram's struggles the past three years. He may still dig himselfout of this hole, but at this point, it isn't likely.

3 (68) Claude Wroten, DT Suspended

Another epic failure, but this time in the character department. Wroten never really provided any impact on the Dline in two years of rotating in and out, so his 2008 suspension for the entire season could hardly be said to have hurt the Rams,at least, no more than they were used to. He will be eligible for reinstatement May 30th, but that is likely to mean very little.

3 (77) Jon Alston, LB Backup/Oakland

A promising prospect who never managed to step in in St.Louis, he went to Oakland where he saw his share of deactivations, yet managed to impress the oakland front-office enough to earn a tender during his restricted free agency.

3 (93) Dominique Byrd, TE Out of NFL

Another low-character flyer that bit the Rams where it hurts, he saw himself at the center of infractions for DUI, and hten for criminal conduct and armed battery in a nightclub incident. Rams fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief when the housecleaning swept this one out.

4 (113) Victor Adenyaju, DE STARTER

A rare draft hit for the Rams pre-Devaney front office, Adenyaju provided solid run support depth and was a high-motor, high-character kind of guy. His high tender in 2009 shows that he is someone the team would like to hang onto if they can, and he could be a key free agent re-sign in the future.

5 (144) Marques Hagans, WR/KR Backup/Redskins

Haggans is the prototypical underacheiver, with just enough upside to stick around, but who never manages to step up when he needs to. After the Rams shipped him out after a lingering hamstring injury sidelined him, he was practice squad player for the Chiefs, Colts and now, Redskins.

7 (221) Tim McGarigle, LB Out of NFL

No real sticking power, he was released to make room fo rhis replacement, never a good sign.

7 (242) Mark Setterstrom, G Backup

While he has played well replacing injured players, he himself too often has been injured, including a recent knee injury that is questionable enough for the Rams not to tender him in restricted free agency. After the chips fall where they may, Setterstrom will need to prove he can overcome the latest injury to have a future in the NFL.

7 (243) Tony Palmer, G Out of NFL

After being underwhelming in STL, the Packers picked him up where he never seemed to pick up enough practice reps to get a shot at the lineup, missing practice time, and being deactivated too many times. After a neck injury sent him to IR, the packers waived him when he failed his physical.