The Rams will turn on their pass rush in this game and help offset the speed of that WR corps. I am worried about Peterson, too, due to the injuries in the center of this defense. We will also miss Tru at CB. I do expect the Vikes to put up some numbers. On offense, the Rams will do well to try to control the clock. Yes, they’ll run some, but I think what makes me like Hill better than Clemens is that he’ll be able to burn defenses a little deeper. He looked efficient with the 1s when given the opportunity in preseason, and I expect some big plays out of the Rams’ receivers. Quick has to show up, for sure. I really feel like if Hill gets protection (I’m looking at you, Long), he’ll make some hay in the intermediate passing game.

I do expect a close game. Should be a nail biter.

Well, I understand fortifying the practice squad at positions where you’re weak. But, if the Rams see Sam as just a victim of the numbers, I hope they place him on the P.S. instead of someone like a second WR. I’m not sure why Emory Blake is a priority.

I don’t agree with Prisco’s analysis. Sam looks like a natural pass rusher, and he’s a hard worker who has room to improve. I would think an NFL team somewhere would have room for him.

I’ll just say that the Rams as an organization has done nothing but try to engage St. Louis fans and improve their product. I think that a public-private partnership is still possible for a new stadium, but that the details will be hidden right up until a plan is complete. I strongly believe that he has been looking at potential stadium sites around St. Louis. I believe that he has postured some to force local and state leaders to engage him in discussion about what it will take to build a premier stadium. He is definitely interested in staying here. And, at the same time, I think it’s always a possibility that he could move the franchise to L.A., but I don’t expect that to happen until after he’s exhausted all of his local options.

And, his decision will have nothing to do with the final record this year. Sorry, but except for a few franchises, when you lose horribly, your fan base erodes. And, this team has been so bad in the last decade, you’d think their fan base would have eroded to nothing. Instead, I see excitement for this team, more excitement than in years. If you replace that gawd-awful convention center stadium with a football stadium experience, fans here will start forking over some more money and showing up. The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team has 81 home games. I know that baseball here is king, but they’ve had down times when attendance dwindled. Now, they have a great organization that puts butts in the seats all season long. I know that a quality Rams’ football product and stadium experience can draw more fans throughout the region. I think that will happen if something can get worked out that doesn’t raise taxes too much.

The one thing hat concerns me is that STL has lost a lot of corporate business offices in recent years. The business climate is such that major corporations are not likely to participate in any type of plan. But, I figure that Kroenke is richer than just about anybody here and can afford to foot the entire private part of any bill for a new stadium experience. Plus, with the way he develops, the stadium would just be part of a larger complex. If he can get the right location, he could develop a regional destination that doesn’t just rely on 8 football games a year … and you just know that he’d book international soccer games and other attractions throughout the year. It’s quite possible that if he can get a good return on investment that there could be minimal public dollars involved, as long as the stadium deal wets SK’s beak quite nicely for any events that t hey can pull in.

Would you feel comfortable rolling with Austin Davis against Seattle and San Francisco? I can’t say that I would. Shaun Hill has experience, and that counts for a lot at the QB position.

Does Sam have another year on his contract after this year? I thought this was it. I’m confused.

Nothing we can do but hope that this team can still take step forward. I think it’s the uncertainty at QB for years to come that leaves me more unsettled. The Rams may very well pull it together this year, and Hill may provide a steady, veteran presence. … It gets more interesting next year.

Let’s rally around Shaun Hill and the league’s new rules, and play good football.

One other thing: On the Pead injury. That guy should have just hit the hole and carried the ball deep into GB territory. Instead, he did these sudden, jerky cuts that led to the injury that will likely end his career. Shame he did that, but it kind of fit into what I saw of him as a ball carrier. Never too sure of himself, a little clumsy in space, and not ready to be a serious NFL contributor.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Dak.

wv wrote:

Dak wrote:
I respect Holt’s opinions since he’s played WR at a high level. And, I understand his concern about Austin’s production. But, Austin is not going to ever be a Torry Holt 80-catch-a-year guy. He will be a quick strike guy, though, and if he can get you 10-12 TDs in this offense, he will be a monster contributor. I also thought that in the 2-minute drill at the end of the first half, he showed that he could get open for short sideline passes that he could keep the chains moving at times. I think he can still be a “go to” guy in certain situations, just not a traditional No. 1. And, I’m sure from Holt’s perspective, Tavon was picked too high not to be that No. 1 WR.

I have no idea what Torry is talking about.
Tavon has been ‘quiet in camp’ ?
I think Tavon will be a dangerous weapon
that defenses have to account for on every down –
assuming:
1 Tavon stops dropping passes, and
2 he can stay healthy.

Those are open questions.

But as we all know, he’s not a “WR”.
He’s an “X factor” player. He’s a little
of this and a little of that. Whatever
you wanna name it. A TD-maker, maybe.

w
v

Yeah, I’m going to judge him based on how many points he puts on the board. If he gets behind the offense, or has one man to beat, he will score … or at least set the offense up for a score. He could do this as a punt returner, as well. Just score, baby.

Bradford and a three-way tie for 2nd: Tavon, Quick and Britt. Oh, you wanted 3? Also, E.J. Gaines. I have a good feeling about him as a backup CB and potential safety down the road. Let’s see if he builds on a pretty good start last week.

I like the extra point moved back. Kickers should actively lobby for that, because it will make them more important. Otherwise, I could see them getting rid of the extra point altogether.

I hope we don’t have to find out if Hill is better than Clemens this season.

Yup. Size. That’s why Donald was around for the Rams. But, D’Marco says that his arms are really long for his body size. He has just about everything you need, just not all of the measurables. I thought he looked damn good, so I was happy to see him “fall” to 13. Actually, early on, the mocks had him lower in the 1st round.

Mackeyser wrote:

mwahahahahaha….

Let them continue to underestimate our Rams…

We will rally around Sam Bradford and we will play good football.

I think they do fine within their division this year. The Rams actually match up well with the ‘Hawks and even the Niners. I could see them going 3-3 within the division and have a winning record against non-divisional opponents.

I agree, Mac. I really like that the Rams moved up to get him. Donald and Joyner both look like great picks.