SB Nation - David Vobora

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.

Meet Jordan Kent, the Rams newest wide receiver

VanRam — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:02:55 -0000

The St. Louis Rams made Jordan Kent the latest receiver to cycle through the roster yesterday. He's a big guy at 6'4" and hasn't played football since last season.

The Seahawks released him before the start of this season because of an ankle injury. Tampa Bay and Cleveland were also interested in Kent, but the Rams made the call yesterday. He'll join the team for practice today as part of the 53-man roster, nabbing that coveted 5th receiver spot...which should come with some sort of voodoo insurance policy since being a Rams receiver is now considered a high risk job.

Interesting tidbit about Kent: he's a former high school classmate of Rams LB David Vobora. Kent didn't play football in HS though.

Here's ESPN's Mike Sando:

The Seahawks spent two seasons working with Kent, a former record-setting track athlete at Oregon who needed considerable polish as a receiver.

Here's the scouting report from SBNation:

A supreme athlete with long frame. Former track star and basketball player who brings elite speed and leaping ability to the field.

A late bloomer. Still very raw in terms of technique. Doesn't have a lot of experience producing big numbers at any level.

That kind of makes him sounds like a real diamond in the rough. We'll see about that. The great thing about a team like the Rams this season is that it's a great place for guys to buff out the rough and let the diamond show through. And, yes, a 5th wide receiver merits more than one post for the Rams. Will he see any playing time? Eventually, but remember Spagnuolo seems strangely committed to keeping just 4 receivers active on Sundays.

Don't forget to tune into Turf Show Radio tonight at 7 p.m. Central, it'll be titillating.

Rams going with blue-collar outside linebackers

VanRam — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:17:40 -0000

Over at his NFC West blog, Mike Sando talks to Matt Williams from Scouts, Inc. about some of the issues surrounding the St. Louis Rams rebuild.

One of the things I found particularly interesting about it is Williams' take on Spagnuolo's approach to the defense. Here's a pretty elightening statement about Spag's history with linebacker and DLs in light of yesterday's Witherspoon trade:

If you look at the Giants' defenses, they never had a lot of money tied into linebackers. They were fourth- and fifth-round picks, journeymen. I don’t disagree with that, especially running a 4-3. That is the place you can get bargains. It wouldn't shock me if they took that money and got a killer defensive end, using the Giants' formula of, 'Let's beat your tail up front with our defensive line.' "

If they harvest a bunch of defensive linemen, I'm cool with that. It's a terrific formula. Defensive linemen are gold. I tend to think Steve Spagnuolo thinks that as well.

He's referring to getting a DE with the $6 million or so of cap space that Witherspoon would have cost the Rams in 2010. It would certainly seem that strategy is at play with Spags and Co. this season, since they've now jettisoned the Rams two most experienced and costly starting LBs in trading Witherspoon and releasing Pisa Tinoisamoa in the spring.

The Rams are using a journeyman in Paris Lenon this season, a seventh-round pick in David Vobora (once he returns after this week) and another seventh-round pick in Larry Grant to complement keystone MLB James Laurinaitis.

Rams trade Will Witherspoon to the Eagles

VanRam — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:51:10 -0000

More photos » by Bradley C Bower - AP

The St. Louis Rams acquired WR Brandon Gibson from the Eagles today.

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The St. Louis Rams made a big move at the NFL trade deadline, sending one of their top linebackers to the Philadelphia Eagles for a much-needed wide receiver and a 2010 draft pick.

Since coming to the Rams in 2006, LB Will Witherspoon had been miscast as the team's middle linebacker. This season, he was moved back to the weakside to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. The Rams linebackers have been much better this season thanks in part to the decision to move Witherspoon and the emergence of 2009 second round pick James Laurinaitis, the team's first true MLB since London Fletcher. Ironically enough, it sounds like the Eagles will move Spoon to the middle.

In exchange for Witherspoon the Rams get WR Brandon Gibson and a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft. It sounds like Gibson is not without talent. By all accounts he's said to have a great work ethic and dedicated to his team, i.e. he meets the "four pillars." To me, he seems like a decent enough complement to Avery's deep speed and Amendola in the slot. Could Gibson be the Laurent Robinson replacement the Rams need? He was a sixth round pick in this year's draft. I can't imagine that he won't suit up with the receiver depleted Rams.

I'm shocked by this move. Witherspoon has been among the Rams better defensive players in recent seasons. Of course, for a defense that's set records for their ineptness, that means nothing. Witherspoon will be 30 next season, and the Rams don't have many players left on the roster over 30, an intentional move on the part of the team's leadership. This leaves a hole on defense right now. Paris Lenon most likely takes over on the weakside once David Vobora returns after this week's game against the Colts.

Poll

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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.

49ers-Rams: A Q&A with Turf Show Times

Fooch — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:00:56 -0000

The 49ers host a struggling St. Louis Rams squad tomorrow in a must-win for the 49ers. The Rams are 0-3 but their head coach Steve Spagnuolo at least has them fighting. In preparation for tomorrow I thought I'd take a few minutes to chat with VanRam of Turf Show Times to get some of his thoughts on his beloved Rams.

NN: It seems like the Rams have been dealing with a lot of injuries. Can we expect to see Kyle Boller starting again this Sunday? What did he show last week that would have you excited or depressed heading into Sunday?

TST: Boller is definitely starting this week. Though he does have a stronger arm than Bulger, he is not as accurate, which may complicate downfield throws...if the Rams take any. Shurmur can script more rollouts into the playbook this week since Boller is more mobile than Bugler. The former Raven can also salvage a few plays with his ability to scramble.

NN: The Rams have struggled out of the gate and are the lowest scoring team in the league thus far. What do Rams point to as signs of optimism for now and looking long term?

TST: We're much better along our offensive line than we have been in the recent past, much better. On offense, I think most fans feel like with the addition of a receiver and a QB we'll have a competitive team for years to come...once we add those pieces. On the other side of ball, the addition of James Laurinaitis at MLB and surprisingly good play from our DBs has improved our defense, add the right player in the draft or free agency to bolster the DL, and we'll be set. In essence, we can finally see a real future.

NN: Is Donnie Avery dealing with the dreaded sophomore slump after a decent rookie season?

TST: That's certainly one way to look at his hands this season. I think too he's dealing with cornerbacks covering him tighter and more physically without Torry Holt. We're dying to see the Rams take some downfield shots with Avery, like the ones that put him on the map last year.

NN: What would be the biggest strength on defense that 49ers fans should pay attention to?

TST: We've actually gotten pretty good at stopping the run. Part of that has to with with the upgrades at linebacker like the addition of Laurinaitis and moving Witherspoon back to the weakside. Our DL, which has disappointed in the pass rush, has done a good job stopping the run. Now, this week that will be put to the test without SS James Butler and SLB David Vobora.

NN: With Jason Smith appearing to be out, what young talent should we keep an eye on this Sunday?

TST: James Laurinaitis has made a huge impact on this team, more than any rookie in a long time for this team.

Rams roster math

VanRam — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:39:22 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora has been suspended by the NFL, without pay, for the next four games for violating its policy on performance enhancing substances. The NFL made the announcement Tuesday, Sept. 29, and said Vobora's suspension begins immediately. He can return to the active roster Oct. 26. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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The St. Louis Rams have made a surprising amount of roster moves in the last 24 hours, out of unfortunate necessity. Let's do the math.

WR Laurent Robinson to Injured Reserve. WR Nate Jones promoted from the practice squad to replace him.

LB David Vobora suspended for four games for violating the league's PED policy. LB Dominic Douglas promoted from the practice squad to replace Vobora.

DT Hollis Thomas is released. And...

So there's another move to be made to fill up the 53-man roster.

DT Marlon Favorite was signed to the practice squad. Occam's Razor says Favorite or DT Leger Douzable will get Thomas' spot. Of course, there are other potential outcomes as well. Stay tuned.

[Note by VanRam, 09/30/09 12:59 PM EDT ] And we have our answer. DT Leger Douzable was promoted to the 53-man roster. Douzable was signed by the Giants last season, getting actived in December...filling the spot vacated by none other than Plaxico Burress. I don't know much about Douzable, but given his size, 6'4" 305 lbs, and reputation as a pass rusher at University of Central Florida, it might indicate that the Rams are making moves at DT with the intent to get more pressure on opposing QBs, something they've taken lots of criticism for this season. More pressure, consistently, up front should also help a secondary with an ailing Ron Bartell that got burned on a couple of big plays last week.

Rams lose Vobora...to suspension

VanRam — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:35:30 -0000

The news just keeps getting better for the St. Louis Rams.

Today the league announced that starting SLB David Vobora received a four game suspension for testing positive for a banned performance enhancing substance.

He claims he didn't know the supplement he took contained the banned substance...stop me if you've heard this one before. He does take responsibility for using the supplement that was not on the league's official list.

Stupid.

Rams lose top receiver Laurent Robinson for the season

VanRam — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:37:01 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Laurent Robinson is out for the season with a broken fibula.

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The St. Louis Rams got some bad news today, compounding the disappointment of an 0-3 start to the season.

Surprise stand-out wide receiver Laurent Robinson has a high ankle sprain AND a fractured fibula (lower leg). The injury will require surgery, and he'll be out for the season. The official site says they'll either have to add a WR or promote Nate Jones from the practice squad...or both.

Paging Donnie Avery, paging Donnie Avery the Rams need you to step up your game. Keenan Burton too. Of course, getting the ball downfield to both players will be key there.

Bulger might throw this week, and his status for this Sunday is unknown.

The other big injury news is SS James Butler, who'll be out for 2-4 weeks with Grade III MCL sprain, an injury that seems to be dogging the Rams this year. That's not as bad of a diagnosis as originally feared. Craig Dahl has filled in for an injured Butler before, during the Giants Super Bowl season in 2007 no less. Dahl was strong in replacement duty this week, but Butler plays a much more central role in the Rams defense than he did in the Giants defense, when he had a top-notch defenisve line in front of him. Against the run-happy 49ers Butler could really be missed.

The other troubling injury news is the hampered CB Ron Bartell. He's got a bruised thigh, a la Steven Jackson in 2008, and got burned a couple times because of it. He's day-to-day. Fortunately, the Rams don't play a pass-heavy team with top notch receivers next week, but I'd put Wade on the 49ers top man, which is Vernon Davis right now, though old friend Isaac Bruce will command some attention.

Gibson and Laurinaitis have minor injuries, the kind tough guys don't even talk about. The one to worry about is David Vobora. He has a concussion and will have to pass a baseline test before he can return. Vobora has been strong against the run, and a part of the reason the Rams are much better in that department this year. They'll need him this week, though SF might be without Frank Gore.

The good news: it sounds like RT Jason Smith could be back.

The Little Man with the Big Hands

John Morgan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:04:33 -0000

Steve Spagnuolo wanted to jam the outside receivers and flood the middle. He didn't count on tiny Deon Butler slapping Justin King away like a ho that couldn't pay. But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Seattle followed the first down with a stretch right out of a three receiver set. The line pushed the Rams off the ball, but for no apparent reason, a crease never formed. Julius Jones ran nearly four yards behind his front five, but before he could break through, the backside caught up and Will Witherspoon tackled him. It wasn't a flashy play, but it was encouraging.

The Seahawks next ran one of those red-zone specials. A play without a purpose until things get crammed and picking up three is an accomplishment. It started two wide, but T.J. Houshmandzadeh motioned from right wide to left tight. That drew St. Louis' linebackers and safeties left.

Matt Hasselbeck ran play action, Justin Griffith released into the flat, the line pulled left and Julius Jones submarined unblocked end, Leonard Little. It was the beginning of a nifty little designed pass, but it ended with a familiar flub. Hasselbeck reset and threw a pass to Griffith. The ball hit him as he was breaking, but hit his back shoulder, against his momentum. Griffith jumped, kicked, twisted and attempted to reroute, but the delay was too much and David Vobora closed and knocked him out after one.

Third and five has the feel of third in long in the red zone. The shallow safeties and typically stacked box means a run is inadvisable. A team can run, but they better be good at it, and they better be prepared to go for it if they fail to convert.

Seattle had played itself into third down again, and in the old school world of the NFL, that meant convert or kick. Spags and Knapp were about to engage in a battle of wits.

Steve Spagnuolo wanted to jam the outside receivers and flood the middle. Greg Knapp wanted to overload the first down marker and create a mismatch for John Carlson in the end zone. As is often the case in the mismatched chess match that is the NFL, scheme canceled out and talent prevailed.

Seattle sets three wide, tight end, shotgun with Justin Forsett to Hasselbeck's right. St. Louis sets in a 4-2 nickel with man coverage on the outside. Before the snap, Houshmandzadeh motions in to behind the center and then back out to the left slot. Nickelback Jonathan Wade does not show man cover. Then things get complicated.

St. Louis rushes three, but Will Witherspoon is ready to delay blitz if necessary. The corners are up to jam. Ron Bartell jams Nate Burleson on the right and Justin King attempts to jam Butler on the left. Right defensive tackle Clifton Ryan drops into cover and along with Jonathan Wade, the two blanket T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Housh is running a quick in that doubles as a pick to free John Carlson. It does, but it doesn't. Carlson is covered by James Laurinaitis. Houshmandzadeh gives Carlson separation, but the Rams have strong safety James Butler playing over top ready to double team.

Burleson hasn't escaped Bartell. Witherspoon stops his blitz when he sees Forsett leaking into the right flat. He doesn't pursue Forsett, but looms. A pass to Forsett is sure to be tackled short. Hasselbeck can't scramble with Witherspoon so close. Carlson and Houshmandzadeh are double teamed. That leaves King the small task of jamming Butler to break the play and likely force a throw away.

But he doesn't. Butler takes two choppy steps up and left. The move forces King's hips open as he attempts to get inside position and a chance to jam Butler out of bounds. Butler raises his right arm and takes a long, low, almost kneeling step with his left leg. King bites on the motion and begins sidestepping to shadow. Butler torques his waist and swats King's left shoulder pad, knocking him towards the sideline and helping Butler drive into a hard slant right. He's wide open and Matt knows it.

Hasselbeck finds Butler for seven and the first. Deon, I see slants in your future.

Two plays later, Bartell busts coverage and Seattle scores it first touchdown of the season. The drive was over. It hung by a highwire more than once, but it was bold, smart and it never hanged itself with safe plays.