SB Nation User Blog: VanRam

Saluting one of our own

VanRam — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:57:09 -0000

Some of our regulars here may be aware that TST's very own 3k is in the Army. And if you didn't know, now you do. Well, 3k is at some point soon, if he hasn't already, shipping off to one of the two major theaters of operations in the Middle East (I'm not sure about regulations for saying which one, so I'll skirt that issue). Regardless of where he'll be for the next year or so, I ask you to join me in extending 3k a heartfelt thanks, best wishes and a get your ass home safe.

We're lucky as hell to have 3k involved and contributing here at TST. He knows his stuff and has a real passion for the Rams and football in general, even for a guy from Texas with roots in Louisiana. Our community wouldn't be where it is today without him. He has assured me that he'll still be around during his overseas tour, and should be back in time to see a much better Rams team in 2010.

Thanks again 3k, take care of yourself and Godspeed.

(Note from 3k: Thanks for the love from everybody. I should be around the States for a little while before heading out; I just moved my wife and daughter to their home for the next year or so until I get back. I'm hoping I'll be able to continue to get to TST in my free time and continue to add to the best Web site (AP style...) for fans of the Rams and, by extension, the best network of sites for fans of the sporting world. So to everyone, readers, commenters, posters, well-wishers, haters, kids, fogies, and everyone in between, GO RAMS!!!)

More thoughts on Jason Campbell and the Rams

VanRam — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:58:31 -0000

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

I need a quarterback.

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My post earlier this week asking whether or not Redskins QB and free agent-to-be Jason Campbell would be a good fit for the St. Louis Rams, who are bound to be looking for a QB next season, didn't elicit much positive reaction from the fan community. Understandably so. One of the questions I asked about Campbell going forward was how his high sack rate, 9.9% this season, would impact him going forward. Over at Football Outsiders, Bill Barnwell, picked up my question and found pretty encouraging results. Check it out:

The resulting list includes a few scrubs (David Carr, Tim Couch) and a LOT of good quarterbacks.

It's a list that Campbell's numbers, so far this year, belong in. He has a 66.2 completion percentage, higher than any of the quarterbacks on the list, while his 7.36 yards per attempt place him eighth out of 18. If you prefer to use p-f-r's Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt, he ranks ninth. (On the other hand, his adjusted yards per attempt, which doesn't include the effects of sacks, would be 15th.)

Here is the list. Impressive to say the least. Theisman, Phil Simms, Elway, Moon, etc. Does it mean that Campbell is ready for the Hall of Fame? Absolutely not. It does indicate that he has skills and could be a solid option for a team that could surround him with the tools to succeed and the right motivational/coaching environment. Here's Barnwell's final statement from the post:

Looking at comparable seasons suggests that Campbell's performance this year is a positive indicator of his ability to play a successful quarterback going forward, perception be damned.

The Rams have lots of needs on their roster, to restate the obvious. One advantage of pickup like Campbell would be that it allows the Rams to compete a little faster. Take away the need to draft a QB in the first round right away. Use that high pick for a WR or DL, and pick up the other position in the second round. With talent at WR and a competent QB finally on the roster with Steven Jackson and a budding offensive line, the Rams instantly have the best offense we've seen since 2006, at least. On the other side of the ball, they can get a cornerstone DL in the first round or a guy in the second round that should instantly offer an upgrade over the current talent along the line. Remember too, that Spagnuolo's style has been taking mid-round guys and molding them, so don't be surprised is the Rams don't get help somewhere in the second round or later or even among the second tier group of free agents, i.e. not the $100 million contract guys. Same approach for the OLB spots. Figure out someway to beef up the CB spot, and you should have a very young, competitive defense. Then taking a QB can come a couple years down the road, holding the clipboard for Campbell for a season. That approach might have the Rams competing a little sooner, especially in the NFC West.

I know Campbell's not a marquee option, but it's definitely an option to consider. Of course, there's always Marc Bulger...

St. Louis Rams stock watch

VanRam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:44:50 -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.

Right now [Ndamukong] Suh is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 NFL Draft prospect in the nation. It's...

VanRam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:13:47 -0000

Right now [Ndamukong] Suh is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 NFL Draft prospect in the nation. It's now beginning to appear that he's above and beyond every other player.

Imagine the impact on the Rams defensive line...

Incognito out, Amendola in: Random Ramsdom, 11/10

VanRam — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:32:18 -0000

Feelin' kind of random today? Headlines are percolating as the St. Louis Rams gear up for a tough game against the New Orleans Saints this week, so let's shake off the bye week rust and jump right in.

RG Richie Incognito will be out. It's not official yet, but he's not practicing this week because of his foot injury. Adam Goldberg will start in his place. WR/KR Danny Amendola has recovered from his concussion and will play this week.

A couple of cornerbacks, Marcus Brown and Marquis Floyd, visited Rams Park yesterday. Neither has been inked yet, and S Anthony Smith's roster spot remains open. It seem like we could use the help at CB.

The NFL's schedule makers gave the 2-win Rams of '08 no breaks this year. New Orleans is the third undefeated team they'll face. That's the last, as of this week, elite team the Rams are scheduled to play, but 5-4 Houston comes to town in week 15 looking to keep their wild card shot alive. We've got two more games against the Cardinals as well.

New Orleans had a rough outing against the Panthers last week, having to fight their way back from a 14-point hole. Head coach Sean Payton doesn't seem ready to let that happen again.

Rams Gab takes a look at the New Orleans game this week.

Didn't get enough speculation with yesterday's Jason Campbell talk? How 'bout Tony Dungy suggesting Michael Vick for the Rams? His past aside, I'm going to give that a thumbs down based on Vick's stated desire to be a QB again. I want a guy who can run a passing game with more authority, sorry.

Donnie Avery, fantasy sleeper for week 10? Maybe. I'd feel a lot better about it if I knew Marc Bulger could throw.

Is Jason Campbell an option for the Rams at QB in 2010?

VanRam — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:17:28 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

Another ~~man's~~ team's treasure?

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With a bye week, Mondays can be a little tough. I forgot, but it has been a year (or more) since our last bye week. Anyway, we have plenty to talk about, and one of the most engaging conversations in the midst of a 1-7 season (we are on a winning streak) is the future of the St. Louis Rams.

The draft and quarterbacks have been on our minds lately, after watching Marc Bulger fail to live up to even the most modest expectations against the Lions last week (How bad did Hasselbeck look this week against those same Lions too? Not good for Seattle.) The first round of the draft is the most obvious source for a new franchise QB, but what about a young guy with some NFL experience...a guy who needs a change of scenery in a bad way? I present for your consideration - this is not an endorsement, just consideration - the now out of favor Jason Campbell.

Campbell's getting scapegoated in Washington, the lightening rod for a long-mismanaged team. Fair or not, that's made him a lame duck, and a sure-fire entrant into the Spring's free agent derby. Is he worth a shot for the Rams? Let's look a little deeper.

The former Auburn QB was drafted by the Redskins in 2005, a move the team didn't get much praise for after trading up to get him in the first round. He didn't play in '05, but he got into 7 games in '06 and started from there on out for Washington. Take a look at his top line stats from this year.

		Passing
	G	Rating	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	TD	INT	Sack	YdsL
2009	8	86.5	151	228	66.2	1677	7.4	9	8	25	148

And here are Campbell's stats from '07 and '08:

Season	Games	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	TD	INT	Sack	YdsL	Rating
2008	16	315	506	62.3%	3,245	6.4	13	6	38	266	84.3
2007	13	250	417	60.0%	2,700	6.5	12	11	21	110	77.6

Improved completion percentages, improved QB ratings...those aren't too be overlooked for a guy who's getting sacked at a rate that only Marc Bulger could appreciate. He also can run a little bit, saving fans from having to see another half-assed slide just short of a first down.

The Washington playcalling has been even more mysterious than our own; talk about a coaching staff hesitant to use the downfield pass. But, in theory, the Redskins and Jim Zorn run a very similar offense to the Rams. Need we bring up that whole coaching tree thing again? Spagnuolo and Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur are also highly familiar with Campbell, having seen every season from the QB during their days coaching in the NFC East.

The INT he threw that Tye Hill (d'oh!) returned for a TD went right to the hands of the impressive Fred Davis, who dropped it and gave Hill his ready-made INT.

Concerns I have about Campbell: 1) How does the high sack rate impact his future, 2) He'll turns 29 next season, a year younger than Kyle Boller, is that too old for a rebuilding team, and 3) Is he enough?

To be sure, Campbell's not going to be a sexy acquistion for whoever signs him. Expect grumbling. You have to wonder though if he couldn't step in behind a much improved Rams offensive line and run a somewhat familiar offense. This route frees up the Rams to take a WR or DL with their top pick in the draft. Campbell and Kyle Orton are the biggest, more proven names under-30 on the free agent list of QBs for 2010, so barring a trade, finding a QB via this route only gives the Rams a few options, since they don't need to be concerned with the older names on the list.

Thoughts?

Week 9 Open Thread

VanRam — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:19:57 -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.

Rams get ratings; TST joins Sprint's NFL Mobile Live

VanRam — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:44:11 -0000

One win will do wonders for your Nielsen ratings. The St. Louis Rams victory over the Lions last week drew a 17.8 percent market share in the STL metro, the best ratings all season for the Rams.

The Rams bested some tough competition. Check this out:

...drew a higher rating than any World Series game, all Cardinals regular-season contests and is about eight times greater than an average Blues telecast.

Maybe St. Louis is just one winning season away from becoming a "football city." Maybe. Nevertheless, for those wanting the Rams to stick around in the Gateway City, this comes as welcome news.

Sticking with the telecommunications theme, I should mention that Sprint, the NFL's official telecom sponsor, is now also sponsoring SBNation. You may have seen the company's skin on the site recently, tipping you off, and the little white box with magically scrolling updates from SBN sites is located on the right side of the page.

Those updates are featured prominently on Sprint's NFL Mobile Live feature, which if you haven't checked out you really should. Essentially, it's a live scoreboard, updates and in-game features ap for Sprint phones. All schilling aside, it's a nice little thing to have when you trot back into time at your grandparents house for Thanksgiving. You can even get radio broadcasts of the games.

Sprint has also partnered up with the NFL to give out 17 trips to this year's Super Bowl via their new Sprint Can't Miss Plays of the Week. You simply just click here and vote each week on what was the play of the week. Every time you vote, you are entered for a chance to win one of those 17 Super Bowl trip.

Ok, that's all the Sprint pitching you'll have to deal with.

Alright, it's almost college football time, so I have to go start thinking of excuses to avoid visiting family. later.

Race to the bottom: Which teams are contending for the #1 pick in the draft?

VanRam — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:41:55 -0000

by Carlos Osorio - AP

Which NFL team will have the first overall pick in the 2010 draft?

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It's a Saturday morning and the St. Louis Rams are off this week. With a full day of college football, it's a great time to look at the second half of the NFL season and see who's in contention for the top draft picks. Lots more can happen in 8 more games, and 3k's mock draft generated just as much discussion for his final NFL results as the picks. So, let's take a look at the teams at the bottom of the league and see who could end up with their choice of talent come draft time.

Included here is a look at the average DVOA of each team's remaining opponents and rank of future schedule based on that number from Football Outsiders. We're also looking at individual games of note for each team.

0- and 1- win teams

Team	Future Sched	Rank
Cleveland	-10.5%	27
Tennessee	-1.0%	19
Kansas City	-4.9%	24
Detroit	5.4%	10
Tampa Bay	14.3%	3
St. Louis	1.6%	15

It's not unthinkable that Tampa Bay could be the NFL's second winless team in two seasons. They still have to play New Orleans twice. Their remaining home games are against Green Bay, New Orleans, NY Jets and the Falcons. The weakest team they have remaining on the schedule is Seattle, but they're playing them at Qwest Field. Cleveland has games left against Detroit, Kansas City and Oakland, which should keep them out of contention for the #1 pick. To me, the Titans seem to be getting their act together, so a schedule against average opponents, and a game against the Rams, could net them a few more wins. The Rams have some nice homes games yet to play, and I like their chances against a Seahawks team reeling from injuries. Detroit could struggle too, but you have to think a healthy Stafford and Calvin Johson could do some damage to the Browns. I think KC can squeak out another win or two as well, maybe at home against the Bills and at Oakland.

2-win teams

Team	Future Sched	Rank
Oakland	3.2%	13
Washington	15.5%	2
Seattle	-12.1%	30

Don't be surprised is Washington doesn't win any more games this season. They have two more games against the Cowboys and one more each with the Eagles and Giants. Those are just their division games. They also still have to play New Orleans, Denver and Atlanta. Their softest game is at Oakland, but I think the Raiders will likely win that one too. Speaking of the Raiders, they have games left against the Browns and the Chiefs to go with their Washington game. All three of those are toss ups. Seattle should pick up a home win against the Lions this week, and a home game against Tampa Bay should put them at 4 wins and out of top three pick range.

All of this could easily change. An injury here or there or even a fluky bounce could give one of these teams an extra win or two. Right now, I think you'll see Tampa Bay, Detroit, Washington and St. Louis in the top four picks of the draft, in that order. Don't be surprised if the coin flip has something to say about draft order though with so many teams struggling this year.

TST: You Pick 'Em, week 9

VanRam — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:17:48 -0000

More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP

"9.5 point underdogs to the Seahawks!?!?!"

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The ballots, er, spreadsheets have been counted and the results are in for last week's You Pick 'Em contest.

We run two categories: winner and against the spread. The winner winners each picked 12 of 13 games. Things were tougher in the against the spread pool, with a three-way tie for first with 7 correct picks apiece.

This week's winners are:

WINNER
PCarn, 12
peteyweestro, 12

AGAINST THE SPREAD
mooseknuckles41, 7
james535, 7
BruinHalo, 7

Make you week 9 picks below the fold.