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I like Davis, but like I said before, his arm is too weak, for my tastes anyway. The second interception turns in 7 points with a stronger arm.
AgamemnonAfter the game, 49ers OT Joe Staley said the Rams blitzed "like a (feces) ton." @ESPNStatsInfo has Rams down for 22 blitzes.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
Rams got home for three sacks on those blitzes and stopped Kaepernick for a 2-yard gain. He was 12-of-18 for 128 yards and a TD, too.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
From last night: How the Rams defense got it going and the minor tweak by Gregg Williams that sealed the win. … http://t.co/eQiItMmxiW
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13257/rams-defense-finally-comes-as-advertised
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Rams’ defense finally comes as advertised
By Nick WagonerSANTA CLARA, Calif. — Before the 2014 season began, much of the St. Louis Rams’ success was said to hinge on the week-to-week performance of new coordinator Gregg Williams’ defense.
After seven weeks of floundering in the same vat of mediocrity, Sunday’s 13-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers came on the backs of a defense, especially a front seven, that finally lived up to its billing.
“Coming into this hostile environment, it was going to have to be up front,” defensive tackle Michael Brockers said. “This team thinks they can bully people up and down the field. We were saying they weren’t going to do that to us.”
It was the Rams’ defense that did the vast majority of the bullying, with Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the receiving end. The oft-laughed-at hashtag #SackCity began to populate right away with six first-half sacks, the most in a first half by a Rams team since sacks became an official statistic. They finished with eight, led by a pair each from ends Robert Quinn and William Hayes, the first time the Rams had that many in a game since 2003.
Colin Kaepernick
The Rams defense had a huge day against the 49ers, especially in forcing a fumble on a goal-line stand in the closing seconds.
Those eight sacks were the most Kaepernick had suffered in his career, coming on seven drives, all of which ended with no points for the Niners. For a team that had all of six sacks in the first seven games, Sunday’s performance represented something much closer to the avalanche that Quinn said would follow the first snowflake (sack) just a few weeks ago.“To have six sacks throughout the first seven games and to have eight today is a heck of a pass rush, especially against a quarterback like Kaepernick who can get out of the pocket fast,” Quinn said.
Beyond the finally-in-rhythm pass rush, the Rams held Niners running back Frank Gore to 49 yards on 14 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per attempt. The Niners finished with 263 yards of offense and St. Louis found a way to get off the field consistently by holding the Niners to 3-of-12 on third down.
More important than all of that, the Rams found a way to get the stop to win the game when they absolutely had to have it. It’s something they couldn’t do in home games against Dallas and San Francisco. This time, it happened in most unusual fashion.
Given just three weeks between meetings with the 49ers, Williams and the Rams didn’t have much time to look for idiosyncrasies in San Francisco’s offense. With such a familiar opponent, adding unseen wrinkles can be difficult. But as Williams studied the Niners’ goal-line tendencies and compared them to his own, he recognized something in his group that could be exploited if he didn’t tweak it.
Williams saw a Niners’ offense that liked to attack a gap between the tackles that the Rams usually left open as they often favored a look that overloaded the defensive line to one side. But the Niners often would attack that gap with fullback Bruce Miller, leaving a guard head-to-head against a linebacker.
To combat that look, Williams tweaked things to allow the Rams to attack the A and B gaps, leaving a more balanced defensive line and asking the Niners to attack on the edge.
With San Francisco at the Rams’ 1 and only 9 seconds to play, Williams called for the changed look upfront.
“We really have three or four fronts in goal line that we have and go into every week, so it was just a great adjustment by Gregg and great instincts,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said.
The call worked to perfection as Kaepernick took the snap with the intent of going up over the top for the game-winning touchdown on a sneak. Sensing the sneak before the snap, Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar crashed over the top of the middle of the line with the idea that Kaepernick would have to go high with the sneak.
Kaepernick mishandled the snap, lost the ball and Laurinaitis smothered it to end the game.
“It feels great for the game to be on our shoulders and for us to win the game,” Dunbar said. “We haven’t been able to close those games in those types of situations and we have given up big plays, and we didn’t do that today. It feels good to do that and I think it’s something we can build on.”
Upon coming up with the ball, Laurinaitis quickly showed it to an official. In his hands was the Rams’ third victory of the season. It was a fitting bit of symbolism for a defense that was supposed to have games in its hands all along.
AgamemnonAt CB, the "time split" between Johnson/Roberson wasn't that even. Johnson played 52 snaps, Roberson had 16. Gaines led CBs with 62.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
On the DL, Quinn led the way with 57 snaps, Sims at 52, Donald with 47, Brockers had 36, Hayes at 32, Langford and Carrington with 22 each.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
In the new additions category: Mark Barron played 7 snaps and Damian Williams played five, all on special teams for both.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
AgamemnonAt WR, Kenny Britt led the way with 52 snaps. Bailey at 35, Austin at 32, Givens at 14.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
Oh and at RB, Trey Watts also had a snap (and a catch).
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
McDonald, Ogletree and Laurinaitis on the field for all 67 snaps on defense.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
Rodney McLeod played 65 snaps, pretty good for a guy who was questionable with a knee injury on Friday.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 3, 2014
Agamemnonhttp://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/niners-fumble-one-away-to-rams/article_8a11e301-e871-58cc-b708-6d7d15dab9d5.html?print=true&cid=print
Niners fumble one away to Rams
21 minutes ago • BY JIM THOMASSANTA CLARA, Calif. • No one saw this coming, certainly not the San Francisco 49ers. But on a day when the Rams’ pass rush returned with a vengeance and the Rams didn’t crumble in the second half, they pulled off an improbable upset, hanging on to defeat the 49ers 13-10 at Levi’s Stadium.
It came down to the next-to-last play Sunday, with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick fumbling on a quarterback sneak at the 1-yard line. The Rams recovered in the end zone for a touchback with 2 seconds left, and that was that.
One kneel-down later from the 20, and the Rams had registered their first victory in the Bay Area over San Francisco since 2007. They did it with eight sacks on defense, including two apiece by Robert Quinn and William Hayes. As the game progressed, Kaepernick looked more and more gun shy against the St. Louis pass rush.
Given up for dead a week ago, after another second-half meltdown led to a 34-7 loss in Kansas City, the Rams are now 3-5 at the midpoint of the season. San Francisco fell to 4-4.
After the teams traded first-quarter field goals, the second quarter started poorly for the Rams. First came an ill-advised throw by quarterback Austin Davis that resulted in an interception. And then came a San Francisco touchdown pass a few plays later to a wide-open Anquan Boldin on a busted coverage. All of that occurred early in the second quarter.
That kind of scenario has haunted the Rams basically all season. Boldin’s TD catch came on a throw by a scrambling Kaepernick and gave the 49ers a 10-3 lead with 11 minutes 57 seconds left in the first half.
Trumaine Johnson, seeing his first action of the regular season following a knee injury, had started that series on defense for the Rams. But he was replaced by Marcus Roberson on that play. Roberson’s eyes got caught watching Kaepernick scrambling for his life _ leaving Boldin wide open.
Why you would leave someone who had 896 career catches for 11,791 yards _ as was the case for Boldin entering Sunday’s game _ is anybody’s guess. But that’s what happened, leading to the TD.
But despite a terrible start by Davis, who threw two first-half interceptions and nearly threw a couple more, the Rams rallied to tie the game 10-10 at the half.
After a sack by Robert Quinn knocked the ball loose from Kaepernick at the 2-minute warning, Eugene Sims’ fumble recovery gave the Rams possession at the San Francisco 36. A screen pass from Davis to Benny Cunningham gained 17 yards and put the Rams in the red zone at the 19.
On the next play, Cunningham ran right into a run blitz, losing two yards. But on second-and-12 from the San Francisco 21, Davis found a wide-open Kenny Britt on a crossing route for a TD and a 10-10 tie with 1:04 left in the half.
The Rams’ pass rush showed up in a big way in the first half, dropping Kaepernick six times. That matched the Rams’ sack total in their first seven games combined. Quinn and William Hayes had two sacks apiece in the half. James Laurinaitis and Eugene Sims had a sack apiece.
It was Sims’ sack, the last of the opening half, that pushed Phil Dawson’s field goal attempt with 3 seconds left back to the 55-yard line. The kick was short, and then Tavon Austin _ stationed deep _ almost gave the 49ers a safety and a 12-10 lead to end the half.
Austin caught the ball a couple of yards deep, hesitated, and then started to return the missed field goal up the field. But Austin changed directions after running out to about the 2-yard line. He was tackled in the end zone.
Despite pleas from 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, it was ruled that Austin’s forward progress had carried him beyond the goal line. A booth review upheld that call, so there was no safety and the score remained 10-10 at the half.
The teams traded punts in a scoreless third quarter, then the Rams got a chance to take the lead midway through the fourth. After pinning the 49ers at their 6 after a Johnny Hekker punt and a personal foul penalty against San Francisco, the Rams forced a 3-and-out, aided by two false starts against the 49ers and a Michael Brockers sack of Kaepernick _ the team’s eighth of the day.
Offsetting penalties forced a re-kick by San Francisco punter Andy Lee. Then Lee, a three-time punter did the rarest of things. He shanked a punt; it traveled only 23 yards with the Rams taking over at the San Francisco 29 with 7:37 to play.
Three plays produced only eight yards, so out trotted Zuerlein to try a 39-yard field goal for the lead. Zuerlein, who missed a 38-yard field goal last week in Kansas City, made this 39-yarder, giving the Rams a 13-10 lead with 5:25 to play.
After an exchange of punts, the 49ers took over at their 12 with 3:11 to play. A 25-yard pass completion from Kaepernick to Stevie Johnson got the 49ers out of their hold. A missed tackle by Johnson added 16 yards to the completion.
With the aid of a defensive holding call against Lamarcus Joyner after a third-down pass fell incomplete, the ‘Niners were able to move the ball to the Rams’ 30, where they faced a third-and-5 with 51 seconds left to play.
But the ‘Niners never got into the end zone. On third-and-goal from the 1, Kaepernick fumbled his quarterback sneak, the Rams recovered in the end zone for a touchback with 2 seconds left.
The Rams took over at the 20, and after a kneel-down by Davis, the Rams had pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season.
Here are the updates posted during the game by Post-Dispatch football writer Joe Lyons:
In a fitting finish for a Rams defense turning in its best effort of the season, San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick was stuffed and fumbled on a third-and-goal play from the 1 in the game’s final seconds Sunday afternoon.
Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis came away with the loose ball in the end zone to cap an outstanding defensive effort for the Rams, who came away with a 13-10 victory in their first trip to Levi’s Stadlum.
The Rams are 3-5; San Francisco is now 4-4.
The Rams defense, which held the 49ers scoreless in the second half, also helped set up the go-ahead score as Greg Zuerlein booted a 39-yard field goal to give the visitors a 13-10 lead with 5:25 to play. It’s the Rams’ first lead of the day.
The field goal came after Andy Lee’s 23-yard punt from the 49er end zone. That San Francisco drive never got going because of 49er penalties and a Michael Brockers’ sack _ the Rams’ eighth of the day.
GAME TIED AT 10 WITH 15 MINUTES TO PLAY
In what has become a defensive struggle, the Rams and 49ers are still tied at 10 with 15 minutes to play.
The Rams, who entered the game with six sacks total, have sacked Colin Kaepernick seven times through three quarters.
Rams defensive end William Hayes, who has two of those sacks, was carted off from the sideline late in the thrid quarter.
RAMS, 49ERS TIED AT 10 AT THE HALF
The 49ers regained the lead early in the second quarter, converting after an Antoine Bethea interception. After Bethea came a leaping grab on an Austin Davis pass intended for Tavon Austin at the St. Louis 35, San Francisco needed three plays to go up 10-3. Rolling to his right, Colin Kaeperinick stopped and found Anquan Boldin wide open in the middle of the field. Boldin raced untouched to the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown with 11:57 to play in the first half.
The Rams responded just before halftime, taking advantage of their own turnover. Near midfield, defensive end Robert Quinn knocked the ball away from Kaeperinick _ on the fifth sack of the half for the Rams _ and Eugene Sims recovered at the San Francisco 36.
Two plays after a 17-yard gain on a screen pass from Davis to Benny Cunningham, Davis found Kenny Britt on a crossing pattern that resulted in a 21-yard touchdown that evened the score at 10 with 1:04 to play in the half.
The Rams may have caught a break in the half’s waning seconds. On a 55-yard field goal try by Phil Dawson as time expired, Tavon Austin made an ill-advised return attempt, leaving the end zone briefly before being tackled into the end zone by the 49ers’ Derek Carrier. The officials ruled in the Rams’ favor _ no safety.
Some quick halftime numbers:
• Davis rallied late in the half and has completed 7 of 15 passes for 74 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Britt has two catches for 32 yards and a score.
• The Rams have sacked Kaepernick six times.
• Kaepernick has completed 11 of 16 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Boldin has 51 yards and a TD on three catches. Frank Gore has just 26 yards on seven carries.
RAMS, 49ers TIED AT 3 AFTER ONE QUARTER
The 49ers, who rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat the Rams 30-17 at the Edward Jones Dome on Oct. 13, took the opening kickoff in the rematch and marched 64 yards on nine plays to take a 3-0 lead on 34-yard field goal from Phil Dawson.
The San Francisco drive was aided by three Rams’ penalties, including a 15-yard late hit infraction on defensive lineman Eugene Sims.
Later in the quarter, the Rams put together a solid 12-play drive capped by a 37-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein that evened the score at 3 with 1:20 to play in the period.
CB JENKINS INACTIVE AGAIN
SANTA CLARA, Calif. • Of the 13 Rams players listed on the injury report this week, only two will not dress against the 49ers.
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins (knee) will sit out his second consecutive game. And backup safety Cody Davis, who left the Kansas City game with concussion symptoms, also was on the pregame inactive list. Davis actually passed the concussion protocol tests during the week and practiced Friday.
But the Rams still decided to make him a a pregame inactive, in essence leaving room for newly-acquired safety Mark Barron to make his Rams debut.
Joining Jenkins and Davis on the inactive list for the Rams are: S Maurice Alexander, LB Korey Toomer, G/T Brandon Washington, TE Alex Bayer and DE Ethan Westbrooks.
That means three players listed as questionable on the Rams’ Friday injury report are all suiting up today: DT Aaron Donald (shoulder), S Rodney McLeod (knee), and LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe).
Also suiting up are C Scott Wells (elbow) and OG Rodger Saffold. In addition, CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) is suiting up for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the Rams third preseason game, Aug. 23 in Cleveland.
For San Francisco LB Patrick Willis and CB Tramaine Brock head the list of inactives. Both were limited through the week with toe injuries. Others 49er inactives are: QB Josh Johnson, WR Quinton Patton, G/C Dillon Farrell, TE/DT Demarcus Dobbs TE/DT, and DT Tank Carradine.
(Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.)
AgamemnonEven on a day when the Rams registered 8 sacks it was the patchwork offensive line that got the game ball.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 3, 2014
DE WIlliam Hayes (2 sacks) re-injured the same foot that was hurt last week vs. KC. Hayes unsure of the severity this time.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 3, 2014
AgamemnonNFL
Find this article at: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000421883/article/49ers-stunned-by-rams-after-late-kaepernick-fumble
49ers stunned by Rams after late Kaepernick fumbleBy Dan Hanzus
Around the NFL Writer
Published: Nov. 2, 2014 at 07:27 p.m.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2014 at 07:54 p.m.The San Francisco 49ers are a .500 team midway through the season after a stunning last-second turnover by Colin Kaepernick sealed a 13-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. Our takeaways:
1. The game was decided when Colin Kaepernick didn’t field the snap cleanly on a quarterback sneak with nine seconds to play. The quarterback appeared to briefly gain possession before diving into the scrum, where the ball became dislodged and was recovered by the Rams. After an official review, the call on the field stood.
2. The Rams entered Sunday with six sacks all season. They sacked Kaepernick eight times in this one, including six in the first 30 minutes. Robert Quinn led the way with a pair of takedowns.
3. Chris Borland earned his paycheck. The 49ers linebacker set a career high with 18 tackles (15 solo), the highest total for any player in the NFL this season.
4. Signs continue to point to Austin Davis not being the answer for the Rams. Davis threw for just 105 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and 44.6 passer rating. His 4.4 yards per attempt average was deep within The Gabbert Zone.
5. The 49ers fell to 2-2 in games at new Levi’s Stadium. They lost four games total in the final three seasons at Candlestick Park. If San Francisco ends up on the outside looking in come playoff time, chances are it will be this upset loss that stings the most.
The “Around The NFL Podcast” is available for download on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe. Agamemnonhttp://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/practice-report-rams-getting-healhier/article_f92934c5-7a00-52cd-ac9b-2bb179d676e9.html?print=true&cid=print
Practice Report: Rams getting healhier
10 hours ago • By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8197A slightly healthier Rams team took part in a full practice Thursday after what was a one-hour walk-through a day earlier.
“It was a great practice today,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “I think they really benefited from (Wednesday’s) schedule. “We got a lot of players back. Many more participated today.”
For openers, DE William Hayes (foot) and C Scott Wells (elbow) were full participation Thursday after not practicing at all during Wednesday’s walk-through.
S Rodney McLeod (knee) and LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe) were upgraded to limited participation after sitting out Wednesday.
CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), C Tim Barnes (shoulder), WR Kenny Britt (hip), CB Marcus Roberson (ankle), and DB Lamarcus Joyner (hip) were all upgraded to full participation Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
But for the second day in a row, LG Rodger Saffold (shoulder), CB Janoris Jenkins (knee), DT Aaron Donald (shoulder), and S Cody Davis (concussion) did not practice.
Both at center and in the secondary, the Rams went with several combinations of personnel in practice Thursday.
“I can’t say with precision who could play right now and who can’t,” Fisher said. “We may even have some pre-game warm-up decisions to make early Sunday.”
IN SAN FRAN. . . .
CB Tramaine Brock (toe) and Patrick Willis (toe) remained listed as limited Thursday by the 49ers. S Jimmie Ward (quad) was upgraded to full participation after being limited Wednesday.
In contrast to the Rams, who have 13 players listed on their injury report, San Francisco _ which is coming off a bye week _ has only four.
The fourth 49er, CB Chris Culliver (hamstring), has been full participation all week.
“Everybody’s dealing with injuries,” Fisher said. “We’ve probably got a little more than most. But you can’t consume yourself with that. We’re not going to be thinking about who’s hurt and who’s not at 1 o’clock (Pacific time) on Sunday.”
CHRIS LONG’S STATUS
According to league rules on injured reserve/designated for return status, DE Chris Long is eligible to be on the practice field right now following early September foot surgery. But he’s not ready to hit the field yet.
“He’s a little ways away, but we’re very encouraged where he’s at,” Fisher said. “As he is too. We just want to make sure. There’s two issues right now. The surgical procedure is not an issue for him right now.”
But because Long was in a cast and couldn’t put any weight on the foot for a while, there was some atrophy to the muscles in that leg. “So he has to get all his strength back,” Fisher said.
BARRON’S DAY
For newly-acquired safety Mark Barron, Thursday marked his first full day as a Ram, and really his first day of practice.
“He spent a lot of time here last night and this morning (in the meeting room),” Fisher said. “We worked him in (in practice), particularly because we got some guys that didn’t practice. He was on the field with the (starting) defense. He had a really good understanding of the defensive concepts. So it’s just a matter of relating what he’s used to and translating it into our terminology.”
END OF MOVES
CB Jemea Thomas cleared waivers Thursday and was added to the practice squad. And after clearing waivers Wednesday, QB Case Keenum was officially added to the practice squad.
All told, those moves capped a 48-hour period in which the Rams made 18 roster moves, be it cutting players, signing players to the active roster and practice squad, trading for Barron, or placing Jake Long and Brian Quick on injured reserve.
When asked if 18 moves was a personal best for Fisher during a game week, Fisher replied, “I wouldn’t call it ‘best.’ It was something that needed to get done. I appreciate all the help from Les (Snead) and Kevin (Demoff), and the staff, getting everything done.”
Agamemnonhttp://www.stlouisrams.com/team/roster.html
The Rams have their roster up to date, with numbers and everything, including the practice squad. AgamemnonUnder IR/designated return rules, DE Chris Long is eligible to return to practice now but isn't quite ready to practice, Fisher says.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 30, 2014
AgamemnonCB Jemea Thomas is added to the practice squad and was on field Thurs. _ the last of a whopping 18 roster moves team made over last 48 hours
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 30, 2014
AgamemnonIf Case Keenum and Jemea Thomas are added to the practice squad, that will probably be enough for this week.
CB Jemea Thomas has cleared waivers, and is expected to be added to Rams practice squad.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 30, 2014
AgamemnonS Mark Barron said he missed the call telling him he'd been traded so he found out from the media. Said he was shocked.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonAs expected, Case Keenum clears waivers, added to Rams practice squad.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonEight players listed as not practicing for Rams: DE William Hayes (foot), RG Rodger Saffold (shoulder), CB Janoris Jenkins (knee). . .
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
, , , ,DT Aaron Donald (shoulder), S Rodney McLeod (knee), LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe), C Scott Wells (elbow), S Cody Davis (concussion).
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
Five players listed as limited: CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), C/G Tim Barnes (shoulder), WR Kenny Britt (hip), CB Marcus Roberson (ankle). . .
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
. . . .S Lamarcus Joyner (hip).
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
Agamemnon2010 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Damian Williams
http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2010dwilliams.phpDamian Williams, 6-1/190
Wide Receiver
USC
Damian Williams Scouting Report
By Matt McGuireStrengths:
Good height with room to bulk
Very soft hands; rarely drops passes
Great body control
Catches ball at highest point
Excellent hand-eye coordination
Love his ball skills
Quick feet
Elite-level route runner
Deceptive speed
Changes directions quickly
Slippery fast
Does an outstanding job of changing speeds in/out of routes
Generates very solid Y.A.C.
Recognizes various coverages
Can find soft spots in zone
Eats up off-man cushion quickly, then separates
Gets two feet in on sideline catches; aware
Highly talented with great upside
Polished player
Operated in traditional West Coast offense
Plays with a lot of heart
Good character and reportedly great work ethicWeaknesses:
Quicker than fast; can he beat bump-and-run consistently?
Timed speed might go under microscope if not sub-4.5
Could be more physical at line of scrimmage
Inconsistent blocker
Has some wasted movements
Could shield corners better
Shoulder injury history must be checked intoSummary: Williams is the kind of wide receiver I love watching tape on. He is very polished and well ahead of the pack, meaning he could contribute immediately in the NFL. With Williams’ talent level and work ethic, he has a great foundation to be a star receiver in the NFL. Transferred from Arkansas to USC with high school teammate Mitch Mustain.
Player Comparison: Jimmy Smith. Smith was that very rare route-runner you just don’t find very often. Williams might be the best route-runner I have seen in four years of scouting.
AgamemnonOn Damian Williams, Fisher said his role will be to be backup returner and 5th wide receiver.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 29, 2014
On Mark Barron, Fisher said they believe he fits with scheme and team liked him in '12 draft. Said where he fits is a discussion for later.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 29, 2014
Barron arrived part of the way through the walkthrough. Fisher said it's possible he could play Sunday but nothing for certain.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonFisher said trade materialized very late in the day Tuesday, about an hour before trading deadline.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonFisher said the Rams would list 13 players on their injury report later today.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
S Mark Barron is on campus. He arrived about 1/2 hour into Wednesday's walk-through.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
Fisher wouldn't get into how or when Barron will be used. Said team is just trying to get him ready to play as quickly as possible.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonWR Kadron Boone released from practice squad.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
Rams Park resembling bus station with so many players coming and going in past two days.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) October 29, 2014
Agamemnonhttp://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-report/rams-promote-guard-washington-to–man-roster/article_484502ca-bab5-5b58-a494-c13e86539ee3.html?print=true&cid=print
Rams promote guard Washington to 53-man roster
2 hours ago • By Jim Thomas jthomas@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8197The Rams promoted offensive guard Brandon Washington from the practice squad on Wednesday filling the final opening on their 53-man roster. Washington 6-2, 318, takes the roster spot created by placing wide receiver Brian Quick on the injured reserve list with a season-ending shoulder injury.
Washington, 26, entered the league as a sixth-round draft choice by Philadelphia in 2012 out of the University of Miami (Fla.). He spent the entire 2012 season on the Rams’ practice squad. Last season, he spent 10 games on the Rams’ 53-man roster in two stints sandwiched around a six-week stay on the practice squad.
Washington finally got to play his first NFL game in the 2013 season finale at Seattle, playing 17 snaps at guard.
The team also added TE Justice Cunningham, WR Emory Blake, and OG Travis Bond to their practice squad, and confirmed the signing of OT Steven Baker to the practice squad. They still have one spot open on the practice squad, and it’s anticipated that that spot will go to QB Case Keenum if he clears waivers later this afternoon.
Cunningham and Bond were with the team in training camp but didn’t survive the final cut. Cunningham was waived injured with a high ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason finale. Blake was released from the practice squad Oct. 20, after showing up late for a team meeting.
AgamemnonI think the Rams just wanted to add a good player to the roster. In the short term, he can chase all the QBs that take off and run.
The True Impact of the Mark Barron Trade
By CharlesMartel
http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2014/10/29/7088361/the-true-impact-of-the-mark-barron-trade
Maybe not quite what you think…
Tweet (7) Share (1) Share 43 Comments Rec 2Naturally, I was just headed out the door, on my way to work, when the biggest news affecting the Rams this week broke.
Whatcha gonna do?
I hastily scanned some articles and tweets and then headed out sighing heavily to myself. Fortunately, work was mercifully slow and I had time to catch up a bit more and reflect on this bold move by the Rams front office.
Firstly, make no mistake- this is a good and potentially great move. All year long, the biggest problem the Rams Defense has had is containment on the outside (52 yards for Russell Wilson? A TD on another?). This is precisely where Barron excels. In the box, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Check this play from the game versus the Patriots-
Barron
That is exactly the kind of play the defense needs to be complete. Barron zeroes in on his assignment and even though he appears beat, the turbo kicks in and he is there. Vision, speed, power, focus. If he can routinely keep the edge locked down like that, he is a steal for only a 4th and 6th round draft pick. Playing him as a hybrid linebacker/strong safety should free up TJ McDonald and maybe Lemarcus Joyner to play free safety and give James Laurinaitis some help over the middle, another area of concern.
But what does this move mean in the larger context of the season?
This is not an acquisition meant to get the Rams over the hump this year. Instead this needs to be viewed as the first off season move of the 2015 season. Sure he will help and gain valuable experience with the scheme and the players while doing so, but this year is lost and everyone knows it. Even if the Rams won out, that would still be no guarantor of taking the division! Mark Barron is good…he ain’t THAT good. Peyton Manning isn’t that good…ok, maybe Peyton, but he is the only one. So, back on point, adding to an already talented secondary, Mark Barron is the first step in a playoff run in 2015.
Then, there is one more thing that this deal with Tampa means- Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams seats are nice and cool.
An owner planning on sacking his head coach and maybe cleaning house entirely, would not allow them to trade away any of next years picks. Doing so, would undermine any new coach he was thinking of bringing in and could even be a deal breaker with some coaches. Nope. All the talk about replacing Jeff Fisher needs to be shelved after this. Given that Les Snead and Gregg Williams were in on this deal also, the same applies to them. Shottenheimer on the other hand…well…release the speculation!
So that’s how it sits Ram fans, love it or hate it?
AgamemnonHearing if and when Rams add WR to active roster it will be Damian Williams, who was last with Miami.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 29, 2014
Jeff Fisher said that new safey Mark Barron is 1 1/2 hours away from showing up at Rams facility but still has "chance" to contribute SUN.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 29, 2014
AgamemnonRams did add one offensive lineman today, but it was to practice squad. …Offensive tackle Steven Baker.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 28, 2014
Here is the extra move. I guess we are just waiting on Keenum now. Agamemnon
