SB Nation - Fakhir Brown

Of pillars and paucity, part 2 of 2

3k — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:49:08 -0000

There is a difference between the sagas of Leonard Little (above) and Ray Lewis versus guys like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress and Brandon Marshall. (via cache.daylife.com)

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First, let me offer my apologies for being so late with this. I hate missing self-imposed deadlines, and I definitely did with this one. But the k is back, and I'm getting back into the groove with part 2 of my "role models gone wild" series.

In part 1, I argued that the addition of any of the Vick, Burress or Marshall trio would be a poor element to add to the team, mainly because they have a track record of behavior that suggests they would not make the most out of the opportunity.

There is a difference, however, between those three and athletes who get, and deserve, a second chance.

More after the jump.

Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. - Oscar Wilde

I've gone on record saying the characters the Rams add over the next few years as we rebuild ourselves into playoff contention needn't be squeaky clean. No, we cannot afford to bring in guys who exhibit consistent off-the-field problems that interrupt their lives to the degree that it affects their performance on the field as well as the franchise's health. We can, and should, bring in players who are talented whose quirks, misgivings and vices can be controlled to the point where they do not affect their professional outputs.

Consider Ray Lewis. Lewis is one of the most well-respected, feared linebackers in the history of professional football. Lewis is known as a consummate teammate and a ferociously dedicated laborer, a prime example of someone who overcomes a difficult adolescence and rises to highest tier of his sport. For a more profound read into Ray's travails, check out the WaPo's 2004 summation that does more justice to the man, and the story, of Ray Lewis. For the lazier of you (and those who are either under 13 or just got into football with the advent of Turf Show Times), Lewis was implicated in a double homicide in early 2000, nearly a year to the day before he was awarded the MVP trophy for his role in the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV victory over the Giants. How does this make him different than any of the 2009 trio of Vick-Marshall-Burress? That was the first incident in which Lewis was ever known to have been involved in (in the public) that was anything but positive.

And what about our own Leonard Little? One year and three months before he helped the Rams win their only Super Bowl Trophy in SB XXXIV, a drunk Little plowed into Susan Gutweiler, ending her life. Later to everyone's amazement, Little picked up a second DUI, although this arrest cost no lives. Despite his efforts, Little continues to be painted in a negative light, and I suppose that's his cross to bear. But let's compare a 2001 Leonard Little to our trio of today. The prime difference again is someone whose mistake, which is an understatement to say nothing else, was the sole blemish on a life that was otherwise relatively spotless in the public eye.

I'm not saying Lewis and Little are perfect; I don't know them, and I'm not trying to judge them. But what is obvious to me, and what I hope would be obvious to everyone else, is that there is a blatant difference between guys like Vick, Marshall and Burress who have repeatedly exhibited behaviors and extirpated what would have otherwise have been tremendous careers.

This is the difference between Fakhir Brown and Claude Wroten, people who have made mistakes and people who have made mistakes part of their lifestyles. I'm not defending Ray Lewis or Leonard Little in the least. What I'm doing is defending the age old maxim that people who make mistakes deserve a second chance, deserve a shot at redemption. People who squander those second chances (and there's a fair argument to be made that neither Vick nor Burress have received a "true" second chance, and that their previous transgressions were so minor in comparison to their more publicized misdeeds that to apply the term "second chance" to their pasts is unfair), I opine, don't deserve the same breaks as those have yet to receive them.

And with that, I'll let you guys jump on me. And strangely, I missed TST. Hit me up.

Chargers By The (Jersey) Numbers: #24

John (obviousman) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:21:59 -0000

Sorry if I can't give every San Diego Chargers player who has ever worn #24 their due, but I'm busy and there are a ton of them. Eighteen to be exact and it's not a group that's particularly strong in terms of talent or at least career performance. The full list and nominees are after the jump.

Anthony Anderson, S
Fakhir Brown, CB
Kern Carson, RB
Jesse Chatman, RB
Cletis Gordon, CB
Aaron Hayden, RB
Luther Hayes, WR
Keith Kinderman, RB
Lester Lyles, S
Miles McPherson, S
Glyn Milburn, WR/KR
Erric Pegram, RB
Kevin Scott, RB
Ken Taylor, CB
Ron Walker, RB
Joe Washington, RB

Runner-Up

via www.beckett.com

Stanley Richard, FS. "The Sheriff" was a good player who, not unlike most of his teammates, had a career year in 1994 to help the Chargers in their run to the Super Bowl. In that season he matched or exceeded his career highs in interceptions (4), touchdowns (2) and forced fumbles (1). That season he also collected 79 tackles and returned one of his interceptions for a 99 yard touchdown (the longest interception return of his career by more than 50 yards). Following the Super Bowl run, Richard signed with the Washington Redskins and continued to be what he was. He was a healthy, consistent free safety in both San Diego and Washington. That's a tough position to stay healthy and consistent.

The Winner

via www.beckett.com

Bob Howard, CB. Howard started playing college ball at Cal Poly SLO and was good enough to transfer and earn a starting spot at SDSU, a team that happened to be coached by Don Coryell. In 1967, the Chargers took Howard in the second round of the AFL/NFL Draft. He spent his first 8 seasons with the Bolts, intercepting 21 passes and recovering 9 fumbles during that time.

Similar to Stanley Richard, Bob Howard built a reputation for consistency. He stayed on the field and he delivered good numbers. Neither player made a Pro Bowl or won an MVP award. One player doesn't stand over all of the others that have worn #24. However, I'm giving this one to Howard because he spent twice as much time in San Diego as did Richard. Also, although it shouldn't count...the fact that he played for Coryell and at SDSU helped him a bit. Unfortunately, Howard died last year at the age of 63. He left behind his wife, Barbara, and his three children.

Your winner, and somebody who proved that consistency and hard work is just as good as talent, Bob Howard.

Out with the Old: Does Chavous' release portend more cuts?

VanRam — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:48:35 -0000

Only in pro sports do you look at the players on the roster over 30 and think 'old and in the way.' As a 30-something myself it seems strange anyway. ESPN's Mike Sando points out in this post that the Rams were the third oldest team in the league last season. Now younger and speedier in the secondary after the release of Corey Chavous, what becomes of the other elderly players on the team, the guys on the other side of that three decade horizon?

Using the list Sando provides of players over 30, we can surmise a few of the players likely to soon join Chavous in the NFL free agent job hunt.

First, the guys with a contract. You can pretty much forget about Bulger going anywhere, even though his name keeps popping up among those who wonder where the Jets might get a veteran QB to replace the veteran QB that disappointed them last season. The futures of Holt and Pace have been much discussed 'round here, with the conventional wisdom now seeing Holt elsewhere and Pace with a possibly restructured contract. DE Leonard Little is also a candidate to restructure his deal, but given the Rams new head coach Steve Spagnuolo's affinity for aggressive rushing defenses, cutting Little, who still has value in a part time QB chasing role, doesn't make much sense.

Sorry, haters, WR Drew Bennett probably isn't going anywhere given that the Rams have to pay him just as much to play elsewhere as to sit on the sidelines in St. Louis. And why not squeeze the last few ounces of productivity out of the guy? He might be just as motivated to prove himself and get one last contract after this season, somewhere else.

That takes care of the much discussed guys on the over-30 list, but what about the others? DE James Hall led the Rams in sacks last season with 6.5. He's two years younger than Little and cost a mere $1.4 million for 2009. Seems like depth worth keeping. Ditto TE Anthoy Becht, the Rams need a blocking TE, and I can't imagine they'll bother retaining Klopfenstein. (In fact, I'll go ahead and predict the Rams carry three TEs next season: Becht, McMichael, and Daniel Fells). S Todd Johnson replaced Chavous as the starting SS down the stretch last season, but he's still more of a solid backup than a true starter. Keep him, I say, at just $1.1 million, but the Rams still need to find a SS. LB Chris Draft is a decent depth guy, but the Rams really don't need another 23o lbs LB. Cutting Draft saves the Rams, a team in desperate need of larger LBs for the middle, upwards of $1.3 million in cap space. Why on earth would the Rams keep QB Trent Green when they can save $1.3 million by cutting him? Can he even play anymore? Somebody ought to be taking this guy out for a four star meal (I recommend Harvest if they eat in St. Louis) and convince him to retire.

That's the list of over-30 players under contract for next season. Sando also lists the guys over-30 who are free agents for 2009. WR/KR Dante Hall is no longer needed here. DT La'Roi Glover is expected to retire. We've talked about some of these guys before in our free agent assessments (offense and defense). The two most intriguing names on that list are CBs Fakhir Brown, who'd probably be a little pricey for the Rams if they pursue another CB, and Jason Craft, who might have some value as depth, but the team can certainly live without him.

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.

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.

DeAngelo Hall and the Rams pass defense

VanRam — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:05:57 -0000

It's not a scientific poll that accompanied our earlier post about recently released Raiders CB DeAngelo Hall, but it is notable that voters embraced the idea of the Rams making a move to add Hall to their roster.

Yesterday, Mike Sando noted in a post at his NFC West blog at ESPN, the Rams lead the league in allowing passes of 30 yards or more. You see the synergy here? Note the Raiders, as bad as they've been, aren't on that list (something that might have as much to do with the CB playing oposite Hall, Nnamdi Asomugha).

Would a CB trio of Hall, Fakhir Brown and Ron Bartell give the Rams an advantage? You'd think it would, but check out this stat (courtesy of the Honolulu Advertiser):

According to STATS, he [Hall] gave up 40 completions out of 66 passes thrown in his direction for 566 yards. That's the most yardage given up by any cornerback in the league this season.

Yikes. That doesn't tell the full story. Oakland's rush defense leaks like a paper roof, to the tune of 157.6 yard per game, throwing off the balance of things and forcing the DBs to play a little different.

With Hall, I had been led to believe that one of the issues he had with Oakland was the style of play, i.e. Hall not being a great man coverage guy and gaining his Pro Bowl stripes in Atlanta's zone scheme. Though it doesn't excuse his play in Oakland, it came on a pretty dysfunctional team. Funny enough though, the teams pursuing Hall all play man coverage, and friend of TST, Jason La Canfora at the Washington Post (the Skins are thought to be a favorite for Hall's services) thinks Hall's skills would translate to man coverage.

Would Hall work out with the Rams? The first thng to accept is that he's not a cure all for their problems. Hall is not a shut down corner, no matter what he thinks. That said, his ball skills make him an asset for a team that relies heavily on getting turnovers. A Rams nickle package featuring Brown, Bartell and Hall would no doubt cut down on some of those deep passes that teams have used so effectively against the Rams this season (Arizona passed for 30+ yards four times last week). If Hall played to form, he and Atogwe might be as productive as the Rams offense has been, at the very least those INTs would help the offense out with field position and force teams to think twice about which pass plays to use. Just as an example, think about this week's game against the Jets and Favre's propensity to throw the INT, with Hall and Atogwe the Rams could do some real damage.

One more thing to think about with Hall and the Rams... The Rams aren't competing for the playoffs this season, realistically, so to intice a guy like Hall to come here, they'd almost certainly have to give him a deal extending beyond this season. Is that a move you'd make? Personally, with the Rams needs at CB and almost nobody under contract for next season, I don't see why that would hurt.

The Rams aren't currently cited as one of the teams prusuing Hall, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Don't forget, Billy Devaney and Hall have a connection from their Atlanta days, where Devany worked as assistant GM during Hall's last two years with the team. Of course, that could work the opposite way too...

Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner Looks To Light Up His Former Team

cgolden — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:06 -0000

Not many teams have been able to slow down Kurt Warner and the passing attack of the Arizona Cardinals this season. Warner is putting up MVP-type numbers with six multiple TD games, three games of over 350 yards passing and only two games with multiple turnovers. Not only does Warner have three receivers on pace for over 1,000 yards, he's on pace for his best season since 2001 when he called St. Louis his home.

The Rams secondary is ranked a woeful 26th in passing yardage but they, much like the rest of the team, have played better since a rough start. The first two weeks of the season the Rams gave up a combined 674 yards and six touchdowns (zero interceptions) to the Giants and Eagles. To their credit though they've rebounded and have allowed just 216 yards allowed per game since while allowing four TDs and picking off six passes over the past five games. The Rams secondary has plenty of experience with an average starting age of 29 years old. The veteran of the group is former Cardinal, Corey Chavous who was never a great player but he's steady and can come up in the box and support the run. If the Cardinals can get him matched up on a receiver though, they'll have a big advantage. At the corners Tye Hill (26, 3rd season) and Fakhir Brown (31, 9th season) are both decent players but they'll be at a significant height disadvantage considering that both are under 6'0. Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (27, 4th season) is having the best year of the group with four of the team's six interceptions, including three in the past two games. He's also returned a fumble for a touchdown. He can play the deep middle and Warner will have to know where Atogwe is before he goes down field.

When you look at the Rams secondary and consider the fact that Fitzgerald and Boldin have had plenty of success against this familiar foe, it's hard to imagine them not having good games. Fitzgerald has been fabulous against the Rams with a TD in four straight games (8 total in 8 games) and he's averaged 87 yards per game (including three 100 yard games). Boldin's been equally impressive with 87 yards per game, with four 100 yard games, and four touchdowns in eight games. The Rams will have to have to play out of their minds to slow down Warner and company down. Agree/Disagree? What can the Rams do to slow Warner down and give him problems?

Rams will have to account for Williams and Williams

VanRam — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:11:34 -0000

As mentioned earlier, it's a good thing the Rams persauded CB Fakhir Brown to resign with the team.They'll need a cover corner as the Cowboys intend to play new addition WR Roy Williams. You still have to wonder how Williams and Brad Johnson will work together, but the Rams will still have to account for Williams who can be a big deep threat.

Brown's early season play left something to be desired, but that wasn't an accurate reflection of his actual ability. Last season he was the Rams top cover corner. Reunited with Haslett as head coach, we expect to see a different Brown this weekend, the one we saw prior to this season.

Upping the confusion factor, the Cowboys expect Safety Roy Williams back this week too.

Trade deadline hits the Rams after all

VanRam — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:18:45 -0000

As Haslett and the Rams hammer out the final details of the agreement that would automatically make him the team's head coach for 2009 if he wins six games, he can take some comfort in historical precedent.

According to this post from ESPN's Mike Sando, the average number of wins for teams that start the season 1-4 is 5.8, almost six. That's from the 44 teams that have had a 1-4 start since 2001. Only two made the playoffs.

--------

Looks like the NFL trade deadline had some impact on the Rams after all. The Cowboys traded a wagonload of draft picks for Detroit WR Roy Williams. Of course, Brad Johnson still has to throw the ball to him. It's a good thing the Rams brought back CB Fakhir Brown this week to bolster the coverage unit.

Hard to say what kind of impact Williams will have in the game this week since he'll have less than a week of practice to learn the playbook. There's a chance he won't even be active against the Rams. That's good thing. The Rams defense will have their hands full with Marion Barber and Jason Witten as it is.

Rams resign Fakhir Brown

VanRam — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:44:06 -0000

This is a good move. With Manning Jr. breaking his foot this week against the Redskins and Tye Hill banged up, the Rams need help at cornerback...like the one they mysteriously cut a few weeks back.The Rams did manage to play pretty well in coverage yesterday, limiting Santana Moss, the Skins' leader in receiving yards and TDs, to just 2 catches for 22 yards.

The move doesn't come as much of a surprise with talks having started two weeks ago. Welcome back Brown, now stay off the juice.