http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29624&season=2008&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&week=REG7

Rams Team Overview (diff angle) and Defense:

 

9 pages, with an analysis of each player on the starting D:

I am more concerned about the Ram Defense than the offense.  I believe the Ram offense has the players in place to ‘dictate’ a game, once the passing game gets in sync—which could be 4-8 games. The Rams D does not have a physical demeanor, yet. I don’t think they will dictate any games this year.  Their best players, especially, have had this “lack of physicality” problem thus far in their career.. Bartell has Rod Woodson’s size, where is the hitting? Atogwe is bigger than many starting safeties, but doesn’t play with the body-sacrifice mentality or wrap up needed for excellence in the NFL And, I like both players, but it is very difficult for a coach to tell a 6+ Million guy to risk a concussion/injury…. The players have to “buy-in” to the system, before they risk themselves/injury. That is what made every Cower, Schottemhiemer and Parcell team special. They always had this physicality about them. Will Spag’s team?.

 

A scheme doesn’t always ‘fit’ the players the first year it is used. I do believe that Carriker, Ryan, Witherspoon and the corners (excepting Hill) seem like a natural fit for Spag’s scheme. Carriker and Ryan looked out of place in the 2 gap scheme. I don’t think either has the strength/bulk/intensity, or understanding of how to play in that system. They looked so bad in the Dolphin/Falcon games from 2008. The linebackers had no ‘protection’. Last year’s system didn’t suit them…despite many potentially good players on that defense (Atogwe, Witherspoon, Bartell, Carriker & Long), they were awful.

 

Spags system is based on penetrating the gaps. Carriker penetrated some as rookie….and much less last year. Ryan seems to have a good first step with some good size, to be able to succeed in this style of play too.. They are the core of the run D…so that is the main question in my book for 2009. Can they play the way need to?

 

A little Ram history about coaches coming in and trying to ‘change’ the personality of a team/players. George Allen was hired in 1978 to take over a very good Ram team that had 5 successive playoff seasons. George Allen was like “the original Dick Vermeil” in the NFL. He had a hard charging style, working 16 hour days, and was a no nonsense guy who demanded a lot. He had been a top 5 coach for the Redskins/Rams since 1967. He was hired to get the Rams to the Superbowl. He benched the Rams starting linebacker, Isaiah Robertson, who had made 6 pro bowls in 7 years, with a rookie (Brudzinksi) Well, George got fired before the season started! He didn’t go over well witht the players. The Rams D that year, by the way, had the 3rd

best per game points allowed average in NFL history. Spags inherits losers, and George Allen tried to bend winners to his system. Didn’t work…But, because of 2008 Ram softness, Spags has a much more difficult job than Allen.

 

Can Spags change the playing temperament/personality of the top 3-4 guys who make the big bucks? Carriker, Bell, Atogwe and Bartell have to play Steeler-like football now. They have to sacrifice their knees and shoulders. He may have to bench someone, and replace them with a mediocre player to let them know he is serious. Sometimes the coach has to take that risk. Will he have the guts to bench Barron for Goldberg when Barron gets knocked in to the backfield, again during a 3rd and 1 in the 3rd quarter of a close game?

Is Jacob Bell going to be used as an example? At least he has a good guy backing him up. Will he bench Laurenaitis, if he isn’t taking on guards/fullbacks? This is going to be his biggest ‘game day’ challenge, I believe.

 

Being physical “pays off”. During 99-2001, when the Saints and Bucs played the Rams wasn’t it amazing to see those 190 pound corners hammer the Rams receivers every play…they didn’t do that every game, but always when they played the Rams. Additionally, linebackers have to knock down guards, without worrying about separating their shoulders, or getting concussions…if a defense is going to play as a top 10 unit. We miss London Fletcher. Others teams like the Steelers, Giants, Redskins and Ravens always have the secondary guys sacrificing their bodies. I believe that Bartell, Atogwe, Witherspoon and the 2nd corner are going to have to step it up the ‘physical’

 category before we will be successful on defense.

 

A turnaround is difficult ‘over night’ with a new system based on having bigger especially when the holdover players are smaller players (Long, Little, Carriker). Because the defense reacts to the offense, to be successful in a new system, the new or hold over players needs to be very smart/savvy /physical or highly athletic players (1996 Carolina Panthers and 2001 Ram defenses fit the above mold). Sometimes ‘mentality’ will make a player play 20 lbs heavier. It is kind of weird to expect 2 new starters and 9 holdovers from the 31st ranked D to come in and stomp! Funny bounces, and interceptions and

 

fumbles at the right time change a teams fortunes fast. After years of everything going against the Rams, the odds say that they will have some good luck this year….and that will lead to confidence. Remember the first 5 games of the 2006 season?---some easy games, some good luck, and we were 4-1.

 

 

What can change the Rams:

Things (mentality/schemes) can change successively with smart, hard working people. In the NFL, things change fast when the heart of the team a.ka. the ‘big boys’, get it in gear. The heart of the team is usually the d-lineman, the linebackers and the O-Line. Once the heart of the team changes, so does the QB, Backs and ‘luck’. It always seems like leader-type guys get these guys to have immediate turn arounds…. Schottenheimer and Parcells turned around almost every franchises pretty quickly.--- geniuses like Bilecheck/Martz/Childress usually don’t get immediate turnarounds. Spags is the anti- Scott Linehan /Norv Turner-type.

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The Biggest Change that has to Happen:

The Rams defensive line has many unknown variables. These most important variables, are expressed in the following four questions:

1)Are Carriker and Ryan going to step up, and provide a ‘presence’ in the middle consistently on running downs and give some push on passing downs? 2)Will Little return to 2006 form on 3rd downs? 3)Will Chris Long & James

 Hall provide some threat of a pass rush on a consistent basis? 4)Will they have reasonable corner play from the 2nd/3rd guys? Carriker and Ryan are the

 biggest questions to me. I believe in them. But, I have to see it. If all these questions are answered in the affirmative, I believe there is a 80/20 that the Rams will have a top 12-15 defense. If not, they could be in the mid 20’s. (The Falcons made the playoffs with bottom 10 defense last year..) The line backers usually function as a result of the line, and the Rams corners, with Atogwe’s help will function as a result of consistent pressure….if Tye Hill gets back to where he can be, then we will really be smiling, I believe! And, the two young corners, King and Fletcher fit the Spag’s system better….so there is a good 2010 coming.

 

So, here it is player by player:

 

Defensive line overview:

Carriker is the key to the line in my opinion. His penetrating, good play will allow Ryan to succeed. Ryan is a good enough player, that if he only has to foucs on beating one blocker, he will mess up a lot of run blocking schemes. And if the two of them play well then the whole defense can fly. I suspect that Long will be a good run stopping end because he uses his hands well, and understands his success is based on technique; Victor A will start at the strong side end, similar to 2001 when the ex-Tampa Buc started at LE. And then Little can come in on passing downs, only. I suspect that the Rams line won’t get pushed around as much this year. The pass rush may occur more from schemes than talent in many games….though don’t count out Little and Long, and don’t assume anything, either. I do believe the Spag’s will get them stopping the run on first down! But, can they stop it on 2nd and 4?

 

Adam Carriker: Was very impressive as a rookie DT...but he may have regressed last year ---due to shoulder injury and being ‘unsettled’ and playing too much two gap? Most DT’s take a few years to mature—even Warren Sapp. As a rookie, Carriker could move back a center in to the back field (arms fully extended, then disengage),and he would confuse the running back or the coordination of the blocking scheme. I think he will similarly shoot gaps this year, under Spags system... With a good weakside linebacker and another strong DT, Carriker becomes the most important cog to the D’s ability to control the opponent. Carriker had enough quickness to shoot gaps, penetrate and disrupt when his shoulders were healthy as a rookie. Carriker then had surgery after hurting his should in the last game of his rookie year. He claims he couldn’t lift weights until the following training camp…which is too many months without heavy lifting. When a DT becomes a ‘penetrator’, rather than a two gapper, he usually carries that mentality in to his pass rushing. I don’t know if he will get more than 4-5 sacks, but he must collapse the pocket more than he did in 2008. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 6+ sacks. All that to say, I believe shoulders intact, that Carriker will be that 1st

round DT talent we saw in 2007. I think he stops the run relatively well, and pushed the pocket enough for fans to be happy, and for the defense to function in the top 12-17 range.

 

Clifton Ryan:  Every good defense has a “2nd” defensive tackle that only the

 true fans know about (Brad Culpepper next to Sapp, Larry Brooks next to Merlin Olsen/Mike Fanning, Ernie Holmes next to Mean Joe Green). I think Ryan has enough talent, drive, strength and some quicks to be a very good ‘2nd’ defensive tackle. He is almost strong enough to be a nose tackle on some

 downs; and he is almost quick enough to be a ‘3 technique’ tackle. He is hard working, has a good attitude, is coach able….But, he needs a surrounding cast. IF O-lineman are worried about Long and Carriker, then Ryan will have a lot of good clean up plays. For a 3rd year guy, he has had a lot of previous

experience. I think Spags will take advantage of that. I say that he has a very good year.

 

Chris Long: It is very tough to make an impact as a rookie. Remember Mario Williams was so-so as a rookie, and Grant Wistrom looked awful (to me) . Then they both made big jumps. I suspect the same from Long. Long is as tenacious and driven as Wistrom... Wistrom may be smarter, but Long carries more weight, and better change of direction skills. I think Long is better than Wistrom, and Wistrom had 11 sacks his 3rd year and 9 in his 4th year.. Grant played pass a lot, because teams had to score a lot against those Ram teams…I think that Long is capable of 9-12 sacks. However many sacks he gets, I do wonder if Long will be a consistent pressuring threat, like Leonard Little. I doubt he has the quickness to scare Left tackeles, but that is why technique is so important. Our ESPN buddy Jamie Dukes said that Long should play over Right tackles, and take advantage of his (decent) quickness…I think he is right. Long will be swallowed up by the best LT’s….just like Pace swallowed Wistrom every practice for 6 years.

 

Darell Scott (in rotation): He will ‘fill-in’ when the others are tired. Very important for the success of the defense. Apparently he played injured, and was emotionally confused during his last year when his coach left. He needs leadership and focus. Well, he has the perfect coach in Spags, to bring him along. He is strong, weighs 310+, and has some quickness. I think he fits in very well. Being a rookie, he may not contribute much until the 5-7th game or

 so….he fits Spag’s system for the future! He is the type of guy, who in his third year becomes a run stopping force, and weighs in at 330….but we have to wait.

Victor Adeyanju & James Hall: Victor is a perfect example of an utility lineman who without any leadership plays hard and does the best he knows, and then when he “busts out” everyone asks why he got better….it will be because of Spag’s leadership. He will have a career year. He is very powerful at the point of attack, but makes some mental errors that he shouldn’t---lack of discipline, he hasn’t been coached well. That will change under Spags. He will be awesome at the point of attack, and he will surprise in the passing game….Why? Because he will be ‘penetrating’ all the time, and when that happens, there is a more natural progression to getting around the tackle on 3rd and 1 to get a sack….Those downs when you don’t whether the

 opponent will pass or run turn in to sacks when you shoot the “gaps” all the time. This will change his mentality, and his sack totals. He will be a ‘cog’ in the team. James Hall is a talent, getting long in the tooth. He had a pretty good year (6.5 sacks), considering the awful D last year. He has strength, and enough quickness to be a very good pass rusher (as we saw). He also can play the run well. His lack of success, in general,  is a mystery to me…too many years in Detroit!

Leondard Little:  We all know what he can do…He needs to be limited to about 25 snaps a game…then I think we will see a ‘fresh’ Little surprise some Right tackles.

 

 

Line backer overview: (weakest unit!)

Of any unit, this is the toughest thing for me to figure out. I know Witherspoon is very able to return to his Carolina days of excellence. I believe he will, if he has the correct lineman in front of him. But Lurenaitis is an unknown commodity as it concerns taking on blockers and plugging the hole---seeing video of him has confirmed this reputation for not being a great tackler when he has to man up on a 230 pound guy coming at him…. Laurenaitis is ‘superior’ is his preparation for games; which is why he had 9 interceptions in college, which is stunningly good for a MLB. Preparation is what makes a slower, 13 year vet Ray Lewis in to an all-pro Ray Lewis. Ray still is one of the best---all because of his analysis of films. The strong side line backer in many defenses is a ‘grunt’; similar to the nose tackle, he has to be physical and make a sacrifice for the team. Maybe the Strong side linebacker only has to be adequate for overall success of the defense to be successful. The least important position on D, can be the strong side linebacker (because in many defenses he is a “plugger”, only. But, never the less, you need a mean, mean man at that position. I don’t think the Rams have that on the roster! And, I fear the Rams will have the worst strong side linebacker in football this year.

 

Will Witherspoon: I remember watching a Carolina playoff game after the 2005 season and I said to myself ‘man, why can’t the Rams get a guy like that’. I thought Pisa was lacking in some ways. Well they got Will, and then moved him to MLB. Big mistake as we all know. Will is a classic weak side linebacker who is at a pro bowl level right now. He still has the quickness, instinct, speed and enough toughness to be a pro bowler this year. His old linebacker coach is his new coordinator, so that is encouraging. Will was not made to take on blockers. If Rams coaches can allow him freedom to roam, we will be stunned at how in-adequate Pisa was the last years. (though Pisa was tough, and fast).

Witherspoon is good in coverage, good at messing up screens, can rush the passer and run like the wind….

 

James Laurenaitis: I am hoping that he will be similar to a Zach Thomas, who used his mind and heart to excel. I fear his lack of interior toughness and strong tackling will expose the Rams up the middle. He has good fundamentals, but appears to be lacking in upper body strength. I know that makes everyone uneasy/mad. OF course, I am hoping that Carriker and Ryan ‘protect’ him. I would have never guessed that Zach Thomas could succeed. SO, I know nothing about how a small linebacker can succeed in the middle. I know he is 240+ pounds on the roster, but he plays (from film) like he is 225. And, because he is in the middle, I wonder if Chris Draft doesn’t play a lot. Laurenaitis is a leader, and a good studier of film, and that might cover these weaknesses. I hope I am way wrong on his ability to stuff the run. Adam Archuleta was the best tackling linebacker in college, per one draft report…well that was college…..

 

Strong Side Linebacker:  Who wants it bad? I think desire will make the biggest impact on his decision. Similar to a strong safety who can’t run and cover, this position doesn’t always needs a person with talent for the overall defense to be successful. Remember Todd Collins, old and serviceable? And, for one year he was good. Todd Collins had almost nothing left in the tank in 1999, but played a great year for the Rans, doing what he was supposed to do…with toughness and discipline. I do remember Collins beating Walter Jones in the 4th quarter in a game in 2000, to force a fumble, that eventually

led to a Rams victory. However, he was a key member of the ‘over the hill’ defense that got kicked out of town. David Vabora graduated with a 3.41 GPA, which means he is a studier, and he is a hard worker…maybe….. I wouldn’t be surprised, if early on, he has the lead on this position in training camp. Larry Grant seems interesting in that he had six interceptions and blocked 12 kicks in college….so he makes some plays. Grant played with Laurenaitis at Ohio St. JL says he is ‘good’ and ‘smart’. Hmmmm, what should he say? Overall I want a guy to take on blockers and do the dirty work. Which these two hopefully have enough hunger and size to fill the bill. Me thinks not.

   

Defensive Backs: I would hate to say that our Right corner back (on the offense’s left) is the key to our pass defense. But, I think it may be. That position might be the weak link, because  I think Bartell, Butler , Atogwe and the 3rd corner will be solid enough (Justin King or Bradley Fletcher are tough

 1 on 1 guys, but inexperienced). And, I won’t be surprised if King beats out Tye Hill by mid-season. King looked very aggressive, fast, and had very ball skills (he was used at WR at Penn State). King is said to be inconsistent…but that comes with maturity. King has the right mentality.

 

Teams find the weak link fast. Everyone knows to pick on Tye Hill to see if he will respond. I think we will know by the end of exhibition season if Tye has his confidence back.

 

Atogwe are Bartell are very smart (outside of football world), and Butler is a savvy player. Therefore they will learn together, and learn Spag’s system well. Most defensive backs aren’t used to “learning complex systems” as compared to the O-lineman and WR’s. The historical exception are the free safety’s (Darren Sharpers, Ronnie Lotts, Nolan Cromwells). Butler, Atogwe and Bartell are at the top end of the learning spectrum. I do have to note one concern. Bartell and Atogwe have not played with intensity or “full passion”—you know, that Pittsburg Steeler kind of mentality, where even the corner back hits like a ton of bricks. If Spag’s gets them to that level of intensity, Atogwe will be in the Pro Bowl. They will be better this year than last. Butler is average, but physical, which is what the Rams need back there, in general….and what the Rams need at LB!

 

Ron Bartell:  I followed him closely, after he was drafted, comparing him to Jet corner Justin Miller drafter just after him. It was interesting to me that the Rams took the gamble on the small college player. Miller appeared to have a lot of skill, but Bartell had big measureables (210 lbs, plus 4.4 speed, plus smart). Now, we know Bartell is the superior player.  I didn’t know if Bartell would be another Jacoby Shepard or not. His scouting report said he was a ‘big corner’, who could ‘cut’ with the smaller, quicker receivers. I still think that is a lie, but I believe he is a highly effective cornerback, with good speed and good understanding of how to get it done. Remember James Hasty, who later in his career made the pro bowl at ages 32 and 34? Hasty wasn’t a 4.4 guy at the end of his career, but his savvy, positioning, knowledge of his opponents and his strength to ‘direct’ players at the line of scrimmage made him a pro bowler. Bartell is similar in his success, I believe---though not as good a press guy as Hasty. Bartell got a 31 on his wonderlic, if I remember correctly, which means he is pretty smart. Bartell doesn’t look so incredibly tight in coverage or anything all-pro to  my eyes, but his guy never seems to catch the ball. And, on 3rd down, Bartell always came through in 1 on 1

coverage. What more can you ask? Ok, I wish he hit like he weighed 205 lbs! His intensity should increase…again, leaders make every one inspired. Inspired people hit hard! Check out every Parcells team!

Tye Hill: When I think of Tye Hill, it reminds  me that I have never seen a cornerback lose confidence so completely and quickly since Robert Massey in 1989 (former Saints 2nd rounder). Massey was primarily covering Flipper Anderson of the Rams when Flipper got 336 receiving yards during a Ram late season OT victory against the Saints.. Before that, Massey was a good, aggressive rookie corner, with pretty good skills. In fact he had 2 interceptions in that game. After that game he wasn’t the same. He lost confidence and was traded after  to Phoenix after his 2nd season with the

 Saints…..huh, after 2 years?....... and then in his second year in Phoenix he made the pro bowl (after 1992). Surprise, surprise. The Saints gave up on him, yet he became a pro bowler 2 seasons later. How could this happen? It happens.. Do you remember how Leonard Little wasn’t going to make the roster in 2001, unless he became a defensive end? He had to gain like 30 pounds of muscle in the off-season. By the way, does anyone remember Leonard had 14 sacks as a junior in college (and 1,  as a senior, because he moved to Middle linebacker at Tennessee ). Leonard didn’t have the instincts or the learning to play linebacker. But, in a system where he didn’t have to play take on an offensive tackle, and he could just flow to the ball…using his strengths, he kicked-A. Well, believe me, if anyone could change Tye Hill, it is Spags. Spags is considerate enough, classy, intelligent and ‘hard’ enough to drive Tye to the level of excelling using the skills Tye has! Even that tiny body, and those bad hands.

 

What skills “translate” in to success for Tye? Hill wasn’t a “fast only” corner at Clemson. He had 21 passes defensed. That means he was getting his hands on the ball, in tight coverage, a lot. So, he had something going for him, that was continued in to his rookie year with the Rams. Not spectacular, but good. He needs confidence and technique. Turning your head in coverage is a discipline that I learned when I was 12, so I believe Tye can learn it….He may have intimidated against Bruce and Holt…maybe he will have an easy training camp this year…that will translate in to confident. Sounds stupid, eh? Faith, it is a pillar, believe! Tye hopefully moves to nickel back at mid season. Oh ya, can Tye tackle? He is tough, and tries hard, but 175 pounds can have only so much wallop.

 

Justin King (3rd corner): Justin King has the same kind of skills that

excellent corners like DeAngelo Hall/Ashante Samuel have. Fast, quick, aggressive, comes out of breaks fast and very good hands. King only had only two of experience at corner at Penn State, and he missed all last year. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year he is the Rams best corner. But, that is ‘projecting’ quite a bit. When you watch film on him at Penn State , you see a guy who doesn’t give ground, and he is very coordinated at breaking up balls (17 passes defensed in the Big 10). He too, graduated from college with a 3.0. So, he isn’t one of those dumb guys who doesn’t know what is going on. He will make strides, and be a very good 3rd corner this year. Remember 3rd

 corners don’t have the pressure that starters do. Much better than Jonathan Wade who has very little ball awareness, and no toughness (save the last game of the year in 2008). Wade shouldn’t make the team. People like King, who are injured in non contact situations usually have short careers. However, Incognito and Deon Branch are examples of two people who have overcome.

 

That being said, I wonder what will happen with him. If he ‘steps it up’ to the starting level this year, the Rams defense could be very tough against the pass. But, that is 40/60 at best. He has too little experience, especially after missing the whole season last year. He has a ‘tougher’ in your face attitude that I haven’t seen on a Ram corner since Dre Bly. He will excel in 2010.

Bradley Fletcher: Most teams by the 8th game will be using their DB 2nd/3rd/4th round draft picks in the nickel/dime package. I suspect that Fletcher will be used quite a bit the 2nd half of the season. The video I have seen on Fletcher is impressive: he can mirror, has enough speed, can turn his hips well enough that he doesn't lose a transition step and he has good size. When you see him in interviews he seems to be solid. I think King and Him will be excellent 2nd and 3rd corners next year. Corners don't have to think as much as the rest of team, though they do have to communicate. IF his skills are good as they seem to be on film, I have no question that he will contribute, and could play slot receivers. He does remind me of Todd Lyght, a little. I also think right now, King or Fletcher would be better than Tye Hill of last year....Jonathan Wade, I don't think he makes the team. They will bring back Jason Craft before that. Don’t forget that in 2001 the Giants had two rookies who in their 2nd year became great (Will Allen was one)…but you could see

 in their rookie year all the talent…then in year two, those Giant’s corners  were all over Bruce and Holt in that 2002 game. Fletcher and King, I think, have that kind of talent/awareness.

 

James Butler:

After watching the first half of his Super Bowl performance with the Giants a few weeks ago, I came away disappointed with Butler. Though I think he had like 8 tackles in the 2nd half…which I haven’t seen that yet.  He wraps up

 well, takes on pulling guards very well and has long, strong arms…great, good and good.. But, as for the rest of his performance, I found him to be a typical “in the box” safety....without the impressive Lynch like pop that our defense needs. He will be mediocre at best, in the passing game. Just my opinion. However, his ‘physicalness’ at the point of attack will be the best that the Rams have had at strong safety since 1999, Billy Jenkins (Archuleta got carried for extra yards all the time). Chavous didn’t have any of this, and was slow. We will be happier, this year.

 

When everything broke down for Tampa Bucs, many times John Lynch is what held the Defense together against the run. About 3-4 times a game, Lynch let the other Tampa 10 teammates know he would take on anyone; that is inspiring for a team. The Rams need that, desperately. Who will give that to them? Not Laurenaitis. It's gotta be Butler! Atogwe doesn’t really tackle properly, either. He tackles like a big corner. So, yes, I am happy the Rams got Butler, because we need a physical presence. But you can expect his work against tight ends and in the cover two to be lacking many times.

 

Oshi Atogwe: I am a fan of free safeties who: 1) tackle well (wrapping up), 2)who cover, and who 3)put their head in the pile the 3-4 times a game when it is really needed. I think Atogwe only has one of those three down at a pro bowl level. And, he is still pretty dang good! All that to say, he is smart, fast, very smart and leads (tied) the NFL in turnovers caused with 32 since 2006. I don't think Atogwe is tough...but so what, a lot of free safeties are not, and they get paid because they play the pass well, and understand how to direct the people around them. So, Atogwe, I predict, goes to the Pro Bowl, or is 1st alternate, if he takes to the Spags system as I suspect he will. The whole team will be better, and Atogwe will be his same excellent self, and he will have a career year. But, it might take him 3-4 games to get it going, because of the new system. I hope his tackling contributes to the defense. He many times lets me down with poor tackling technique. He has made $6million this year, without tackling well in the past…so, what will make him change? Oh well, not every D has a free safety like Ronnie Lott.

Donnie Jones: What punter in NFL history has hit for 50 yard average, and over 40 yards net in the same season? Only Donnie. I think that 50 yard average might have come because he didn't coffin corner so much last year. that will probably change...and his average will go down...but he is still the most powerful punter ever, as far as I am concerned. The Rams special team coverage units should be better with King, Fletcher, Tight End Billy Bajema, Larry Grant and the safeties. I suspect that Spags will inspire the whole team, and we will see it early on with the special teams.

 

Conclusion:

So, I have a lot of ‘disappointments” in the D. To summarize: They need to stop the run, when they know teams are running. They need to tackle well at linebacker and at safety. I am fearful this won’t change. They still can have a fairly good defense without these (2002 Rams D was ok, without these). But, then the pass rush is going to have to be great, and their running lanes discipline will have to be greater. All things are possible when you have a coach who is a motivator and a technician.

 

Marty Schott and  Joe Gibbs took very mediocre players and made them kick butt as a unit. Joe Gibbs was more concerned with the “fit” to the system, than the talent. So, If Butler, Laurenaitis and Fletcher are the “fit” for Spags, then since he is the ‘technician’ according to his former Giant players, then  we must trust him. He is a coach, and we just watch.

 

Ok, one more history point on the 80’s Ram defenses. They had a lot of mediocre linebackers with no talent…and some went to the pro bowl because the overall D was tough as nails, so they picked one of their linebackers (e.g. Mark Jerue). Why? Because they were tough, smart and the whole defense was held together by them in the 3rd down short passing game and in the

 running game. Toughness was their core strength.

Man, I want toughness….Will the Rams D provide this?

 

Hope you enjoyed.

 

PS: Quick note on “dictating” a game: Any offense (Rams this year, I hope) can dictate the game when they have a) accurate QB, b)cohesion with O line,  c) coordination in the passing or running game. That takes an accurate passer, great back and  a very good offensive line (Dallas-1990’s, KC Chiefs -2000’s). Those teams didn’t have 2nd WR’s who were very good …They

 caught 35-40 balls a year. I believe the Rams can get there because of the O line. The Rams Offense will have those three things (a, b and c above)------in time. I just don’t know if that will happen before week 8. Remember Dallas Offense wasn’t so great in numbers (yards or scoring), but they controlled the entire game by moving the chains….By the end of the season our offense will be great.  In enough time, for 9-7, mmmm I hope!

But the D….? Will they ever be ready in 2009....Only Spags and Carriker

can make it happen

 

Greco Vs. Bell

Bell started the game, and then came out after 2 series (3?), and Greco played the rest of the way....Here is what seems to be the truth:

 

Just my opinion…I didn’t know Bell was so weak, until I looked at him play after play. This is how I see him and Greco:

 

Teams find a weak guy and exploit him. It seems like when Jacob Bell plays, tackles push him off balance, and his shoulders are out of position (not square) all the time and therefore he has no power on most of his blocks;  and then when a running back changes direction toward  Jacob Bell’s space, Bell has done nothing to clear his man out of the way and the back gets no yards, or loses yards….versus when John Greco comes in, they don’t toss him around, at all. Huge difference to me. Honestly, I am not sure if I have ever seen such a huge disparity in theoretical strength required for the position and the actual strength the player has.

 

I have more hope for Tye Hill making a comeback, than JB being a good guard for the Rams….of course Bell says he is 15-20 pounds heavier…hmmm, sounds easy...just gain weight....

 

A center in NFL gets ‘help’ on straight ahead running plays, probably 90% of the time. Every O line coach assumes this, when diagramming plays. Only a few centers can take on a nose tackle and even managed a stand off. (Jason Brown is one!)  So, it is ok to be ‘weak’ at center.

 

But, being ‘weak’ at guard, well that is a big  problem…unless you work for the Colts or Mike Martz (semi joke,there)

 

Tom Nutten weighed about 280 ;lbs, which is why he got no push in the straight ahead run game, except for a few games. Nutten was a great pass blocker.  Those old 80’s 49er teams had small guards too, but their ‘angle’ block schemes invented by the their genius OL coach, McKittrick, allowed for smaller, quicker guards. Those guards were made for pass blocking, pulling and screens. Jacob Bell would have been very successful, like Nutten, in the Rams GSOT offense….or playing for the Colts Run-lite offense,  Bell would be a good fit too.

 

The moment Greco came replaced Bell against the 49ers (week 16), the Rams line look solidified and they didn’t get pushed around on his side…Sometimes your brain plays tricks…could there be such a difference between these guys? How could Bell be starting? AM I high? How did Bell even start for a power run team like Tennesee? I must be wrong about him.

 

So, I thought I would make a comparision between Greco and Bell…in light of the emphasis on power blocking, it becomes apparent to me that even with 15 pounds Bell will not be adequate….though Jason Brown will help him a lot this year, if he does start!

 

Pass Blocking

Greco, being a good tackle in college (similar to David Diehl while in College), doesn’t have good enough feet to play tackle at the NFL level. But, as a pass blocker, he handles the bull rush much better than Bell. And, Greco seems to have good enough feet, and strong arms/shoulders so that he can steer people out of the way.

 

Bell seems good with his feet, but bull rushes cause him trouble. And, he seems to battle with average players (making them look all-pro); and makes playing guard look very difficult because of his lack of strength. I think Bell is merely adequate in pass blocking. I would take Greco.

 

Run blocking

Bell is a little quicker than Greco, for sure. So, on screens Bell may be better. On sweeps, and going out to get linebackers when he is uncovered, Bell is pretty fast….but even linebackers can “take a shoulder” on him, and get through him to the running back.

 

Bell is awful at combination blocks, because he is so weak….and gets almost no movement, so that the center can’t release and get another linebacker, because he has to help Bell ‘hold’ the block. I can’t see Bell ever being able to be left alone with a defensive tackle in the run game. Even with help from the center, he can’t do much. Bell gives ground even when the DT is just sort of standing him up as he locates the runner. When Bell engages a linebacker, he is good, because he has pretty good feet. When the ball is run to the left side (his side), there is usually no ‘movement’ by Bell on his man. I truly believe the Rams don't run behind bell, unless there is an unusual defensive alignment.

 

On the other hand, when Greco comes in: the combo power blocks are there, the defensive tackles do not throw him around….it is an even match up. Greco also, even though near the size of Cogs, has no where near his strength…but Cogs has probably put on 15-20 lbs since he was a rookie. I expect Greco will get stronger…

 

Pass Blocking:

Greco is adequate, certainly not as ‘quick’ as Bell with his feet. Greco is a little stiff, but this year, I am sure he will ‘improve’ that. But, since Greco is 40 lbs heavier, almost everything he does has more strength and leverage, so unless the DT is going to ‘run around’ him, Greco has everything over Bell is this phase too.

 

Of course DT’s like Tommie Harris do ‘run around’ guards all the time…Tommie Harris might be handled better by Bell than Greco, but most other DT’s who are a bit slower would be better handled by Greco in the pass game… I think…Again the SF game, Bell looked like a joke.

 

Even smaller DT’s push Bell back in to Bulger (see 1st 2 series vs SF)

 

Conclusion:

I suspect Greco will “play a little faster” this year, especially being his 2nd year.

And, he will beat out Bell when the “pads” are on. Bell will have  a mysterious injury, and Greco will come in and never leave.  I am probably wrong, because Jim Haslett and Spags know more than me!…..but, my eyes see such a large discrepancy in play, when comparing these two.

 

In general:

Also, it looked like two different O-lines when I compare Patriot game, as compared to the end of the year games (SF and Atlanta)…More intensity in those first three Haslett games.

 

Oh ya, one other thing:

By the way, after reviewing three games,  Avery makes a lot of plays…especially for a rookie. He is a big leaguer. And, Avery gets ‘dinged up’a lot! Darby looks good as a back up…and he has a good physical attitude in blocking game (taking on P. Willis), and he seems pretty smooth catching the ball. He is a good 3rd down back prospect, I think.

Cogs the man, and a lot of myth:

 

I graded every play against the Patriots in 2008, based on his ‘assignment’. If the play was run to the left, but he held his man in check, then I gave him a “+”. If he pushed the guy off the ball 3’, then I gave him a “+”. IF he ‘met’ the linebacker, and held him in check and screened him off from the play, the he got a “+”. If his man didn’t collapse the pocket in to Bulger, he got a “+”. His negative plays were really not necessarily negative plays

 

He played aginst Vince Wolfork, who is a Pro Bowl DT because of his run game toughness. WOlfork has no pass rush. And Cogs wasn’t even challenged the whole game in the passing game...except for the 4th quarter. He made two bad decisions in the pass block sets, but they didn't cause a problem.

 

Only one game, against he Patriots but this is what I think about Cogs, from the game:

 

*Excellent at screens and pulling. Smooth pulls, with balance and relatively quick feet. One of the key things he does when he is in space is to ‘hold on to’ the player rather than “bounce” the linebacker with a shot. The “bounce” shots are never effective, because the linebacker bounces, and runs and tackles the running back. The fat guards ‘bounce’ because their feet are in the wrong position, and they lunge (and therefore ‘bounce’). I would say he plays very intelligently….which surprised me. And you, too?

* His pass sets looked good to me. He consistently played against a mediocre pass rusher, though.

* He moves his feet well, to re-position himself to ‘change the angle’ on the man he is blcoking

*His combo block where he doubles a man, and then goes to get the linebacker were excellent.

*His one on one run blocking against Wolfork was awesome! He gets a pop, every time. Only a few guards could play after play take it to WOlfork like Cogs did. One play Wolfork got a stalemate aginst Cogs, and really a running back could have run by Wolfork because Cogs had him engaged, though Cogs didn’t move him off the ball….that was the only negative play on the run in the entire first half. And, I wouldn’t call that negative.But, I appease you Cog bashers by giving him a negative. So, in the first half 11 “+’s and 1 “-“

 

And, 1 on1 means no combo help. Very few guards could take any DT weighing over 315 1 on 1….and be successful.

 

When you can have a guard take a DT one on one, you really open up for the center to go out and take a line backer, allowing for a longer run. Very important

 

*Negative plays: he made a great pull in the 4th quarter, but then sort of didn’t finish off getting to Bruschi. That is very common in the NFL for all guards. He had a ‘stand off’ against WOlfork, which really might have been a positive. Then he made 2 late/bad decisions on letting a guy run by him as he was looking to help someone else out. One pass play, he gave up after 4 seconds. IF these were the only negatives, this would put him in the top 3-4 at his position…if not the best. I haven’t analyzed Hutchinson play by play…but I can’t imagine much better. There was one play where he ran 7 yards forward, while Bulger was getting sacked…but, it wasn’t his man…interesting play…He played run one that one.

 

 

I have to say, I knew Cogs was good. But, this game was way beyond what I expected. Now, can he do this all year long…it takes a lot of emotional capacity to do this….and he hasn’t shown the ability to keep it together….IF he can, he is a much better player than Kevin Gogan, who went to pro bowls because he knocked people off the ball with ease.

 

In the run game I had 19 “+”, 2 “-“ and one stalemate.

In the pass game I had 29 ”+” and 4 “-“.

There were some uncountable plays based on different factors.

 

Now that I have watched this game…I dare anyone to say anything bad about his play in this game….and welcome your attempt!

 

Focusing on Jason Brown on every offensive snap while watching the ravens in the playoffs last year against the Titans, I had some observations about him:

 

I can say that Jason Brown would be my favorite center in the whole NFL. He is physical, as we can all guess. He is not going to be pushed around, at all. Additionally, He worked very well in coordinating blocks with the guards. He stays on his feet. He has good balance. He stayed on his blocks with enough intensity, and his arm-extension strength while in line blocking was very, very good. And, his shotgun snaps were tight spirals and they came back quick (without an arc). He engages well, with good quickness and strength after the snap, too. On pass blocking he seems pretty quick...for 330lbs. Against the bull rush, the Titans did push him back, but not in to the quarter back. I would say he anchors very well. Considering Albert Haynesworth, the best DT last year, was invisible to my eyes for most of the game, I think Brown worked very well with the guards.

 

On the last drive, it looked like the Titan DT had given up on some plays. I think he was worn down…as was Brown…but Brown kept going, while the Titan didn’t (#97). And, Brown was still knocking linebackers down (see 1:50) left in the game.

 

 

Haynesworth looked like an ordinary tackle against the middle of the Ravens line. Brown wasn’t one on one with him much. In fact the Ravens didn’t even double Haynesworth most plays. Haynesworth would have destroyed the Rams line last year because of a weak center and Bell doesn’t have enough ‘sand in the bucket’, as they say.

 

Brown did make a few mistakes, but to me, he grades out extremely well…especially considering he was playing on the road against the top 5 most physical team in the NFL. And, a couple times people shot the gap…again, nothing to worry about.

 

I suspect, if Jackson and Brown are healthy, that both will start in the Pro Bowl.

 

Cool play to watch: Haynesworth did a superman jump on to Brown’s and the Raven’s other guard’s back right at the snap (in the 4th quarter on the 1 yard line) and Brown and the guard didn’t miss a beat…driving him back 3 yards. Truly amazing play to watch between the D and from O line. Haynesworth is probably 340. You gotta see this play.

 

I would also say Brown is a ‘calm-aggressive’… which Incogs will respect. I think they are going to be great together.

 

My projections is this: Brown and Incognito about 10-12 times a game, while executing combination blocks in the run game against nose guards/DT will walk them back 3-4 yards….And, Jackson will get 4-6 yards most every time. A couple of those should be 20 yarders. Don’t get too happy, there are still 50 other plays the offense has to execute.

 

A few plays one on one, Brown got a stand off against Haynesworth. That alone would be a A+ for me. What center in the NFL can handle Haynesworth to a standoff without help…What guard?? A few, maybe.

 

Negatives: He lunged a few times, and looked lost a few plays. But, he was playing against the top ‘coordinated’ d-line in the NFL as far as I am concerned…any one would have looked bad some pass plays…but that is why he is a center, not a guard.

 

I assume Brown made all the line calls, and it seemed like they were good, because not too many mistakes against a great Titan D….on the Road!

 

The Rams don’t have to worry when playing against the 3-4 nose tackles anymore, as long as Brown is healthy and playing!

 

By the way, Joe Flacco will be a good QB this year, if he has any receivers.

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