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znModeratorRams’ defense step up in class vs. Luck, Colts
Jim Thomas
The top story so far this preseason has been the starting offense’s inability to get out of its own way. As for the work of the Rams’ first-team defense? So-so.
Entering Saturday’s 7 p.m. contest against Indianapolis at the Edward Jones Dome, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’s starting unit has given up 191 yards but just two field goals in five total series against Oakland and Tennessee.
But it took an end zone interception by cornerback Trumaine Johnson to end one drive against Oakland. And in Nashville, Tennessee running back Dexter McCluster dropped what should’ve been a touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota in the end zone, causing the Titans to settle for a field goal.
“We’ve got to get better on both sides of the ball, my brother,” defensive end William Hayes said after the Rams’ 27-14 loss to Tennessee. “We’re doing a lot of things that good football teams don’t do right now.
“I can’t speak for the offense, but defensively there’s just a lot of plays that we’re not making where we’re not really doing our jobs like we’re supposed to. We’ll get it fixed. I know up front, we’re not really being gap sound. Like I said, that’s something that’s easy to correct.”
There’s more of a veteran presence on the defense, even though the Rams don’t have a player over 30 years old (on either side of the ball). And when it comes to the front seven in particular, there are no excuse makers.
This unit knows when it plays well and knows when it doesn’t. And it has enough talent, savvy, and work ethic to fix things that go wrong.
“We’re not playing the way we should be right now,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “We still have a couple more weeks to improve, but those weeks fly by. You can’t take one day for granted.
“So hopefully guys after this (Tennessee) game realize what’s at stake. What’s our true potential. Hopefully guys just start playing the way we should. There were some positives, but I think at the end of the day we had too many negative plays, and that’s not the type of style the defense really wants to play.”
Tennessee got out of the gates quickly Sunday night with a 16-yard pass play and then an 18-yard run by Bishop Sankey on its first two plays.
On the Titans’ second possession, tight end Craig Stevens got loose for a 35-yard catch and run on a play where both Johnson and safety T.J. McDonald were in the vicinity but got caught looking in the backfield for the run.
Two plays later, Sankey broke loose for a 19-yard run. On one of the long Sankey runs, linebacker Alec Ogletree failed to fill the gap, giving Sankey a clear seam to get off the line of scrimmage.
A few yards downfield, linebacker James Laurinaitis was blocked out of the play by a Tennessee guard. Strong defensive line play versus the run keeps offensive linemen from getting those second-level blocks on linebackers and safeties.
At the end of the second drive, on the dropped TD pass, Ogletree strayed from his coverage area in zone defense, which left McCluster wide open.
After watching the Rams’ defensive starters yield 5.9 yards a carry in the first two preseason games (94 yards on 16 carries total), coach Jeff Fisher placed special emphasis on the run game in Tuesday’s practice.
“We got some things fixed,” Fisher said. “Again, we didn’t prepare an awful lot for (Tennessee’s) formations and things, and their run game. We did make adjustments, however, in the second half. I thought we made a lot of plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, which was good.”
The Titans had only 36 rushing yards on 13 carries in the second half and rushed for only 56 yards on 20 carries once the Rams’ first-team defense was done for the night in the second quarter.
Obviously, the Rams need to get that kind of play from their starting unit — not just the reserves — once the real games begin Sept. 13 against Seattle.
“Any time you’re not playing good football there’s a sense of urgency,” Hayes said. “I’m a realist. They (Tennessee) kind of did what they wanted to with us. And it wasn’t because they were just better than us. It was because we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do. So I think once we fix that, we’ll be fine. It’s small stuff that’s easily correctable.”
The starting defense steps up in class Saturday in facing quarterback Andrew Luck and the potent Indianapolis offense. Like the Rams, the Colts are 0-2 in the preseason and haven’t done much offensively in losses to Philadelphia and Chicago, scoring only 21 points total.
Luck has been on the field for only 4½ series, completing 10 of 15 passes for 114 yards. On the Colts’ only TD drive under his stewardship, Luck ran it in himself for a 5-yard score.
The Colts have had issues with their offensive line, but Luck is surrounded by a talented group of receivers and now has former San Francisco 49er Frank Gore to bolster the running game.
“He’s got a tremendously strong arm, quick release, sees the field,” Fisher said of Luck. “And then he’s mobile. He buys time in the pocket, scrambles around. … He’s the real deal. Don’t know how much he’s going to play, but it’ll be a good challenge for our defense.”
And another chance to step beyond the ranks of the so-so.
znModeratorRams vs. Colts: 5 things to watch
Jim Thomas
DAVIS’ LAST STAND?
It has become clear that Case Keenum is the QB of choice for the backup job behind Nick Foles. Austin Davis, who started eight games for the Rams last season, winning three, looks like the odd man out. Davis has played only two series so far — one in each preseason game behind the third-team line. Looks like the handwriting’s on the wall.
ON GUARD
Demetrius Rhaney started last week at center; it looks like he’ll start at left guard against the Colts with Rodger Saffold still sidelined by a shoulder injury. Rhaney had some rough moments vs. Tennessee but caught the coaches’ eyes with a strong performances in Oxnard, Calif., vs. the Cowboys. He played more guard than center in college.
CORNER MARKET
Janoris Jenkins, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Marcus Roberson are entrenched as the top four cornerbacks. But with E.J. Gaines out for the year, the battle is on for a fifth and possibly sixth cornerback spot on the 53-man roster. With Brandon McGee out with a foot injury, Imoan Claiborne could have the inside track.
OFFENSE, ANYONE?
In six preseason series, Foles and the first-team offense have managed a mere five first downs, 113 yards, and one measly field goal. Young offensive line notwithstanding, it’s time to get something going. The Rams have done some rudimentary game-planning and watched some film on Indianapolis; maybe that will help.
QUICK RETURNS
The starters on both sides of the ball could play the entire first half tonight. How much WR Brian Quick is on the field remains to be seen, but he should be out there. He was cleared for full-go practice this week and is expected to play his first game of any kind since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Game 7 last season vs. Kansas City.
znModeratorRams’ defense step up in class vs. Luck, Colts
By Jim Thomas
The top story so far this preseason has been the starting offense’s inability to get out of its own way. As for the work of the Rams’ first-team defense? So-so.
Entering Saturday’s 7 p.m. contest against Indianapolis at the Edward Jones Dome, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’s starting unit has given up 191 yards but just two field goals in five total series against Oakland and Tennessee.
But it took an end zone interception by cornerback Trumaine Johnson to end one drive against Oakland. And in Nashville, Tennessee running back Dexter McCluster dropped what should’ve been a touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota in the end zone, causing the Titans to settle for a field goal.
“We’ve got to get better on both sides of the ball, my brother,” defensive end William Hayes said after the Rams’ 27-14 loss to Tennessee. “We’re doing a lot of things that good football teams don’t do right now.
“I can’t speak for the offense, but defensively there’s just a lot of plays that we’re not making where we’re not really doing our jobs like we’re supposed to. We’ll get it fixed. I know up front, we’re not really being gap sound. Like I said, that’s something that’s easy to correct.”
There’s more of a veteran presence on the defense, even though the Rams don’t have a player over 30 years old (on either side of the ball). And when it comes to the front seven in particular, there are no excuse makers.
This unit knows when it plays well and knows when it doesn’t. And it has enough talent, savvy, and work ethic to fix things that go wrong.
“We’re not playing the way we should be right now,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “We still have a couple more weeks to improve, but those weeks fly by. You can’t take one day for granted.
“So hopefully guys after this (Tennessee) game realize what’s at stake. What’s our true potential. Hopefully guys just start playing the way we should. There were some positives, but I think at the end of the day we had too many negative plays, and that’s not the type of style the defense really wants to play.”
Tennessee got out of the gates quickly Sunday night with a 16-yard pass play and then an 18-yard run by Bishop Sankey on its first two plays.
On the Titans’ second possession, tight end Craig Stevens got loose for a 35-yard catch and run on a play where both Johnson and safety T.J. McDonald were in the vicinity but got caught looking in the backfield for the run.
Two plays later, Sankey broke loose for a 19-yard run. On one of the long Sankey runs, linebacker Alec Ogletree failed to fill the gap, giving Sankey a clear seam to get off the line of scrimmage.
A few yards downfield, linebacker James Laurinaitis was blocked out of the play by a Tennessee guard. Strong defensive line play versus the run keeps offensive linemen from getting those second-level blocks on linebackers and safeties.
At the end of the second drive, on the dropped TD pass, Ogletree strayed from his coverage area in zone defense, which left McCluster wide open.
After watching the Rams’ defensive starters yield 5.9 yards a carry in the first two preseason games (94 yards on 16 carries total), coach Jeff Fisher placed special emphasis on the run game in Tuesday’s practice.
“We got some things fixed,” Fisher said. “Again, we didn’t prepare an awful lot for (Tennessee’s) formations and things, and their run game. We did make adjustments, however, in the second half. I thought we made a lot of plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, which was good.”
The Titans had only 36 rushing yards on 13 carries in the second half and rushed for only 56 yards on 20 carries once the Rams’ first-team defense was done for the night in the second quarter.
Obviously, the Rams need to get that kind of play from their starting unit — not just the reserves — once the real games begin Sept. 13 against Seattle.
“Any time you’re not playing good football there’s a sense of urgency,” Hayes said. “I’m a realist. They (Tennessee) kind of did what they wanted to with us. And it wasn’t because they were just better than us. It was because we weren’t doing what we were supposed to do. So I think once we fix that, we’ll be fine. It’s small stuff that’s easily correctable.”
The starting defense steps up in class Saturday in facing quarterback Andrew Luck and the potent Indianapolis offense. Like the Rams, the Colts are 0-2 in the preseason and haven’t done much offensively in losses to Philadelphia and Chicago, scoring only 21 points total.
Luck has been on the field for only 4½ series, completing 10 of 15 passes for 114 yards. On the Colts’ only TD drive under his stewardship, Luck ran it in himself for a 5-yard score.
The Colts have had issues with their offensive line, but Luck is surrounded by a talented group of receivers and now has former San Francisco 49er Frank Gore to bolster the running game.
“He’s got a tremendously strong arm, quick release, sees the field,” Fisher said of Luck. “And then he’s mobile. He buys time in the pocket, scrambles around. … He’s the real deal. Don’t know how much he’s going to play, but it’ll be a good challenge for our defense.”
And another chance to step beyond the ranks of the so-so.
August 28, 2015 at 11:45 pm in reply to: Tucker and Cosell on the qbs week 2 … including of course Foles #29486znModeratorMarch 11, 2015
What are the Rams getting with Foles?
“I think ultimately Foles is a complementary quarterback. I think he’s a quarterback that needs the run game, that needs the offense to work effectively. They’ll have a good defense. I think Foles can be a quality NFL starting quarterback. He throws the ball well. He’s a big kid. He has some movement within the pocket. The key with Nick Foles is you have to define things for him. The longer he stays in the pocket, the worse he is and his arm strength declines…because he tends to throw off balance. So things need to be defined for him so the ball comes out. But I think there’s talent there. Frank Cignetti is a detailed, disciplined guy and he’s going to make sure that Nick Foles is going to do things the right way. I think that’s important for Nick. I think he needs to be coached hard with the fundamentals because I think the talent level is pretty hard.”
On Foles’ accuracy and toughness:
“I think the accuracy is good. It obviously declines the more there’s people around him. I think that’s a critical thing that needs to be worked on. I don’t think there’s a problem with his toughness at all, he’s a tough kid. He took shots in Philly. Some of them were his own doing, because he was a little slow getting the ball out. But I don’t think there’s any issue at all with toughness.”
znModeratorSame as last year the Rams did not gameplan the first 2 pre-season games. And without question, the Titans and Raiders absolutely DID gameplan. At least they did on offense.
I don’t see how you be so absolute about the idea that Tenn. gameplanned. After the Oakland game, the whole gameplanning thing was in the back of my mind as I watched the Tenn. game.
I didn’t see any evidence of gameplanning. I saw that the Rams were too small upfront without Brockers. They’re just too small to stop a running game consistently. John Lynch specifically talked about how the Titans were winning the battle at the los.
Remember that they also lost Kendall Langford. Without Langford & Brockers the DL looked too small to me. This team wasn’t good against the run last year, and they’re gonna be worse if Brockers misses time.
I also noticed a couple pass plays that highlighted a big loss for the Rams D–EJ Gaines’ injury.
The first one was a blitz that didn’t get to Mariotta fast and he was able to find Kendall Wright running free with Tru in coverage. (The Titans success here wasn’t evidence of gameplanning to me. It was poor defense and football 101. All Mariotta had to do was see the blitz and hit the open guy.)
The second play was when Donald flushed Mariotta out of the pocket and he was able to throw a nice pass to the tight end. I believe I noticed that Tru was in the vicinity, but it looked like he had lost track of the Titans’ receivers and was unable to defend the pass. It wasn’t a poor play on Tru’s part, but maybe a good cb is able to do something there.
The Rams WILL miss Gaines this year.
I’ve always believed that there are things you can tell about a team during the preseason. And for me, I am seeing some troubling things for this defense.
The Rams were not a top 5 defense last year, and from what I’ve seen so far they won’t be as good this year as they were last year.
Well we just saw different things. I saw a defense that was flat and missing assignments, and I saw them going up against an offense that built in a plan of attack based on informed knowledge of the Rams tendencies, scheme, and personnel on defense. They designed an attack for that defense without, at the same time, having to face a defense that in turn designed an attack for them. I say they gameplanned because of the plays they ran, and how they sequenced their plays. It’s just what I saw.
The only difference between this year and last year is Langford v. Donald, and I honestly don’t believe that one difference accounts for them suddenly as a group being smaller overall.
I don’t think the problem was size per se, I think that Westbrooks suddenly found out he is the next nose tackle up, and he has never played it before in a pro game. That was just his game to become the #2 NT.
We have seen good things from Johnson too. The problem in the secondary is the old one though from last year…players out of position giving up big pass plays. And of course they need to really fix that.
znModeratorRams-Colts: Five Things to Watch
Norm Sanders
http://www.bnd.com/sports/nfl/st-louis-rams/article32670546.html#storylink=cpy
The St. Louis Rams play their preseason home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome. Here are five key areas to watch as the home fans get their first live look at coach Jeff Fisher’s squad (7 p.m. kickoff; TV: Fox Channel 2; Radio: WXOS-FM 101.1):
1. Many coaches use the third preseason game as something of a dress rehearsal to unveil a little more of their offense and push some of their starters into the second quarter. Will Fisher follow the plan?
It’s doubtful. He likes to keep everything close to the vest and throughout the preseason has kept things on offense about as spicy as cold oatmeal and a glass of water. I would think the Rams may show a little more than they have, but don’t be too sure. It would be good to see a little more production from new quarterback Nick Foles, who has completed 6-of-12 passes for 87 yards and no TDs with one interception.
2. How are the training camp battles going? Has anyone done enough to push themselves up the depth chart?
Based on game production I’d say backup quarterback Case Keenum (19-for-33 in the preseason for 247 yards and one touchdown) has been impressive. He started games with the Houston Texans last season and was with the Rams briefly, and seems to have an edge on another veteran competing for the backup job, Austin Davis. In fairness, Davis hasn’t gotten much work with the first or second offensive units. There doesn’t seem to be much room at running back, receiver or the defensive line outside of the proven performers. That being said, there’s always hot competition for that final handful of roster spots when teams make the cut to get down to the 53-man roster.
3. With running back Todd Gurley cleared to return to active practice duty from ACL surgery rehab — he still won’t play in a preseason game — what type of impact could he have on the Rams this season?
The Rams didn’t draft the former Georgia star 10th overall to sit on the bench. Once he’s healthy and comfortable with the offense, expect to see the team ease him into things before giving him the full-time No. 1 job. One of the most impressive running backs in camp has been Trey Watts, an elusive speedburner who has to sit out the first four games of the season because he violated the NFL substance abuse policy. Isaiah Pead, coming off knee surgery, is another option.
4. One of the most-watched aspects of camp has been the development of the rookies on the offensive line and the battle at center. Where do things stand now?
There is no question that the Rams are starting high draft picks Rob Havenstein at right tackle and Jamon Brown at right guard. Barrett Jones remains the top option at center, apparently, over Tim Barnes. The third center in that battle, Demetrius Rhaney, has seen time at left guard during recent practices while Rodger Saffold (shoulder) has been out. Another rookie draft pick, Cody Wichmann, is expected to see his first action of the preseason after missing time with a calf injury.
5. Chris Givens caught an 80-yard TD pass from Case Keenum in the loss to Tennessee last Sunday. Could he still have an impact role in this offense?
It’s possible. Givens leads the Rams with five catches for 116 yards in the preseason. He and Tavon Austin are the quickest receivers and Rams’ fans remember Givens’ rookie season when he made an array of catches of 50 yards or more. However, Givens caught only 11 passes last season for 159 yards, including a 47-yard TD pass. That team lost emerging wideout Brian Quick to a shoulder injury and Givens didn’t step up then. This might be another good opportunity
znModeratorRobert Quinn Press Conference – 8/26
Defensive lineman Robert Quinn talks to several media members after Wednesday’s practice at Rams Park.
znModeratorThere are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”
― Aldous HuxleyHuxley is quoting Wm. Blake’s much more optimistic original:
“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern.”
― William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
znModeratorThis may sound wishy-washy but its how i see it — i agree
with both zn and rfl, in general.I mean, I think i see what zack is saying and it makes
sense, but i also have a stream of thoughts/feelings in wv-brain
that watch the play of the offense and defense so far, and
that stream is going…”Its Year FOUR, WTF?!..”w
vThe trick will be how they look across the next 4 weeks.
Venturi predicted they will come out strong, at least tomorrow.
I see signs of that already. When you get guys like Quinn talking in public about how the team has to step up, to me, that means he’s echoing the coaches.
And this is of course about the defense. We know an offense with a new coordinator, a new qb, and a new OL is going to struggle.
BTW I think it is completely telling that even Hekker and GZ looked bad against Tenn, and then you read that Dallas had the exact same issues last weekend, also in all 3 phases—offense, defense, special teams.
I don;t think they played well against the Titans but I just took that as a one-time thing.
..
August 28, 2015 at 3:48 pm in reply to: The Lawrence Philips mini-series (not literally, just a metaphor) #29462znModeratorLawrence Phillips to be prosecuted for death of cellmate
Lawrence Phillips, the former star running back, will be prosecuted for the death of his cellmate, a legal secretary with the Kern County (Calif.) District Attorney’s office told USA TODAY Sports Friday.
Criminal charges against Phillips in the death of Damion Soward – found dead in April inside the cell he shared with Phillips in Kern Valley State Prison – will be filed with the court next week, said Pam Marshall, legal secretary with the district attorney’s office. Marshall said she will be filing the criminal complaint and related paperwork.
Phillips, 40, who starred for the University of Nebraska in the 1990s before playing in the NFL, has not been available for comment. He is serving 31 years for driving his car into three teenagers and assaulting an ex-girlfriend.
Prison officials identified Phillips as the suspected killer when Soward’s body was found, triggering an investigation into the death. Marshall said the investigation is complete.
Andrea Bridges, who will be prosecuting the case, could not immediately be reached for comment.
In June, USA TODAY Sports published a series of letters he wrote to former coaches and a mentor that referred to run-ins he had with inmates with gang ties. Soward was a former gang member serving 82 years to life for first-degree murder.
August 28, 2015 at 3:01 pm in reply to: Rams learned from Bradford how to handle Gurley's knee #29446znModeratorWouldn’t they test for strength around the knee before he plays?
Apparently, they DID. What they didn;t know was how problematical that would be.
And this is not just the Rams. The surgeon (Andrews) is heavily involved in the whole process.
So this one looks like NO ONE knew how problematical it would be.
To test without having an accurate benchmark is worthless
And I don;t think that;s what happened. In the least.
I think what happened is that in the wake of Bradford and Long they raised the benchmarks and went into “err on the side of caution” mode. And I don’t just mean the Rams—I mean the entire NFL sports medicine industry, including Andrews.
If you listened to and read the sports medicine guys last summer, like the experts on rehab they had on 101, no one thought either guy was coming back too soon. They were full of assurances about the rehab process and how it had evolved over the years.
I think Long and SB took them by surprise. And I don’t just mean the Rams. It’s apparent now, they changed the benchmarks in the light of new discoveries.
And while that’s pretty clear, still, we’re making some assumptions about what actually happened based on an opinion piece from Turf Show Times written by a blogger who cites no sources.
.
August 28, 2015 at 12:51 pm in reply to: Rams learned from Bradford how to handle Gurley's knee #29444znModeratorWouldn’t they test for strength around the knee before he plays?
Apparently, they DID. What they didn;t know was how problematical that would be.
And this is not just the Rams. The surgeon (Andrews) is heavily involved in the whole process.
So this one looks like NO ONE knew how problematical it would be.
znModeratorI can understand the offense struggling a little bit. I can’t get the defense looking hopeless and lost. They said they didn’t have gap discipline, things like that. Clearly their tackling was sloppy. Do they work on that in camp? The defense has been together–should know their assignments, and should certainly do more than lunge at runners hoping they’ll drop.
I don’t even know for sure how much the Titans and Raiders actually gameplanned specifically for the Rams. I do know that they are not good teams and they looked great against this team.
I do believe the travelling affected some things. I get that.
But this team needs to look a LOT different this week.
We’ll see.
A lot of responses, PA. This is of course the optmistic view.
#1. Tackling is sloppy all over the league, and yes they work on it. On this one, it’s the new CBA. But I did not see playings “lunge at runners hoping they’d drop.” What I saw was players going for take-out hits instead of executing fundamental tackles efficiently.
#2. Gap discipline issues against the Titans, said Fisher, came from them not knowing what it was they were playing against (the disadvantage of not gameplanning). He said they adjusted during the game and that improved things. It’s not a matter of knowing their assignments, it’s a matter of the Titans deliberately doing things that threw them off balance, while they themselves didn’t have the equivalent on their side. They will look hopeless and lost if they are going up against a plan meant to attack specifically them, while they themselves don’t have an equivalent plan.
#3. The 1st did not play with any level of investment. But in my mind it’s hard to do that if you’re on the road for game one, stay on the road for 2 days of competitive scrimmages, come home, and go back on the road for the 3rd live encounter with another team in 9 days. In fact as I said, Dallas crashed and burned last weekend too (though they also have a couple of injuries). Here’s stuff on that: Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was livid about his team’s dismal performance in the 23-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. “It wasn’t very good on offense, it wasn’t very good on defense it wasn’t very good kicking game,” Garrett said. “It wasn’t good early, middle or late. It wasn’t a very good performance at all.” Garrett refused to blame the offensive problems on the absence of three starters on the offensive line and receiver Dez Bryant. … “No excuses. We’re going to evaluate the game,” Garrett said. “When you’re out there you have a responsibility to play to a certain level. Period. The standard we set is high and we’re looking for guys to play to that standard.”
#4. There is no question both the Titans and Raiders gameplanned for the Rams defense, at least. You can tell by the way the plays are designed. Those were both “attack the Rams D” set-ups.
And I think the Rams D has to step up, too. In fact Rams players have been saying that themselves. But then think about that. Has Donald done anything in 2 games? Do you believe he will be that way all year?
So anyway that’s my “just a different view” different view.
They of course have to play better.
.,
August 28, 2015 at 3:28 am in reply to: Wagoner: Rams still in no rush to choose starting center #29432znModeratorMy view of the OL shake-out.
They have 16.
CENTER
Barnes (C)
Jones (C)
Wang (C)GUARD
Saffold (G)
Bond (G)
Brown (G)
Wichman (G)SWINGMEN
Rhaney (C/G)
Reynolds (G/T)
Washington (G/T)TACKLE
Robinson (T)
Havenstein (T)
Baker (T)
Donnal (T)
Darrell Williams (T)
Battle (T)If they keep 10, IMO, that will leave out: Wang, Bond, Wichman, Baker, and probably one of the following: Washington, Donnal, Bond. Maybe Barnes if Jones makes it, or maybe he;s the starter and Jones is on the bench.
Of the P-S eligible guys, that’s really mostly just Donnal and Wichman.
Wichman won’t get picked up, IMO. He was injured and barely practiced.
Donnal COULD get picked up, but of the 160-220 or so OL who will get cut league wide, why would he stand out?
And of course, the Rams will look at other teams’s cuts too.
If they keep 10, I see this (just a guess that could change tomorrow):
Robinson Saffold Barnes Brown Havenstein; + Rhaney Jones Battle Williams Reynolds (with 2 guard back-ups: Rhaney and Reynolds).
An OL along those lines would be shakey at first, BUT, long term, could be one of the deepest the Rams have had since the old Robinson OL days. Probably not AS good as the Robinson OLs (which were among the best NFL OLs ever) but as deep or deeper.
Though you know? If Robinson reaches his projected ceiling (most likely not this year) and Brown comes through as advertized, it COULD start to bear comparisons with the Robinson OLs in terms of talent level and effectiveness. That’s also assuming Rhaney pans out longterm and Barnes is just a one-year placeholder in 2015.
..
.
znModeratorWell, the Foles/Bradford trade was a fascinating deal.
I have no idea how it will turn out (obviously, no-one does),
but I would have pulled the trigger on the trade.
I trust Foles knees more than Sam’But I think this is also a case where it’s potentially a win-win trade. Injuries aside…I know, that’s a big aside…Bradford strikes me as being more of a fit for what they are doing there, and Foles more of a fit for what the Rams are doing.
Though in Foles case “fit” doesn’t quite describe it. I don’t think the Rams have the kind of system demands the Eagles do, at least when it comes to the qb. So it’s more that they are willing to tailor what they do in the passing game around what Foles does best, instead of having a very specific set of system demands he might not fit.
For one, we know that Bradford is more of an “implement the system” guy and less of a pure improviser (though he can improvise some, as we know). I think that’s more in line with Kelly. It seems to me Foles is more likely than Bradford to bail on a play and try and make something happen off script—which isn’t a problem with the Rams offense, but probably was a problem for Kelly. And besides that, one thing I have gathered from reading about the Eagles is that they prize Bradford for his physical strengths, like the quick release and longball arm and quick decision making.
Some quotes to back that up:
http://articles.philly.com/2015-03-30/sports/60606982_1_chip-kelly-sam-bradford-brian-schottenheimer
Kelly knew the decisions Foles had made in his offense, and there were many times last season when he missed open receivers. The same could be said of Sanchez, but he wasn’t brought back to start.
“We’ve got guys open, and we didn’t put the ball on them in certain situations,” Kelly said.
…
Kelly pretty much abandoned his productive zone-read running plays last season with the immobile Foles and Sanchez. He said he wouldn’t use the option much with Bradford either. Many still believe Kelly, ideally, wants a dual-threat quarterback such as Marcus Mariota.
He’s going to come here with a lot of background in what we do,” said Shurmur, who moved on from St. Louis after that season to become the head coach in Cleveland the next season. “We’re going to be able to connect the dots very quickly.
“He’s a quick thinker, a quick, good-decision maker and he understands the importance of executing quickly. I think, for those reasons, he’ll be a good fit for us. He can make every throw. He’s proven that. Now we have to get him in and get him going.”
…
He’s going to understand what we’re doing. He did some of it at Oklahoma in that spread they ran. Sam was very successful there and we have high hopes for him here as well,” Shurmur said.
]
znModeratorrgiii is very immature right now.
Looks to me like that’s very deeply rooted, though. You can tell about kids like that by the time they’re in college. IMO it usually doesn’t get much better.
znModeratorBrown fighting for a spot in Rams’ crowded backfield
Jim Thomas
The runway is always crowded at running back for Jeff Fisher teams. The Rams coach stacks them up like airplanes at a busy airport, and this year is no different.
Rookie Malcolm Brown is doing his best to move up in the pecking order. In college, he finished No. 9 in career rushing for the Texas Longhorns with 2,678 yards but went undrafted in the spring.
He put his best foot forward Sunday night in Tennessee, leading the team with four receptions for 78 yards and rushing four times for 23 yards. Fifty-four of those receiving yards came on one play — a short pass from rookie quarterback Sean Mannion that Brown took down the left sideline for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
“It was exciting,” Brown said. “I caught the ball, two guys kind of hit me and slung me around, kind of forced the spin move a little bit, and it was a tightrope on the sidelines. I just kept on running.”
The Titans challenged the play, thinking Brown might have stepped out of bounds. But the original ruling was upheld, and preseason or not Brown had his first NFL touchdown. Yes, he kept the football.
Whether he gets the opportunity to add any regular-season footballs to his TD collection remains to be seen. A crowded Rams running back room includes No. 10 overall pick Todd Gurley, 2014 all-rookie selection Tre Mason, and established backup Benny Cunningham.
There’s also former second-round pick Isaiah Pead, special teams ace Chase Reynolds, and promising second-year man Trey Watts.
That’s a tough unit to crack, even with Gurley probably not playing at the start of the season as he returns from college knee surgery and Watts suspended for the first four games.
“Yeah, there’s still a ton in there (in the RB room),” Brown said. “But you’ve got to come in with the mindset of just trying to do what you can. Not try to overdo it. I’m thankful for the opportunity first of all.”
Whether it’s running, blocking, or catching passes, Brown feels he has the skill set to be an every-down back. It remains to be seen if he’ll get that chance in St. Louis.
“Coaches and owners make decisions on cutting guys and stuff like that,” he said. “So I don’t focus too much on that.”
With the first round of roster cuts coming after Saturday’s preseason game against Indianapolis, Brown is among several players hoping to become the next Rodney McLeod, London Fletcher, or Kurt Warner — that is, the next roster long shot to make the team.
Here’s a look at a few others:
WR BRADLEY MARQUEZ
Marquez tried his hand at pro baseball as an outfielder in the New York Mets’ system. Now, he’s giving pro football a whirl as an undrafted rookie out of Texas Tech.“The minor leagues is a lot different than the NFL training and the NFL preseason games,” Marquez said. “But there’s some similarities, especially with the first few pro games that I was actually in.“It’s kinda that same excitement and butterfly feeling, to get that live action and know what you’re actually doing — playing minor league pro ball as well as playing in this league.”
The Rams have five experienced wideouts on their roster in Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Chris Givens, and Brian Quick. Fisher may very well keep just five wide receivers given his overall run-oriented, conservative offensive approach.
So Marquez, who caught 65 passes for 821 yards and 10 TDs last season at Texas Tech, may have to persuade him to keep six. Marquez does have five catches in preseason play, sharing the team lead with four others.
But he realizes his ticket to the 53-man roster probably must come via strong special teams play. Fisher took note of his efforts in that area after the Tennessee game, saying: “Bradley Marquez is showing he’s got some skills to play in this league on teams.”
Until now, Marquez hadn’t played special teams on a regular basis since his sophomore year in college. He’s getting a refresher course.
“It’s kinda like riding a bike; I’m just getting used to what I used to know back then,” he said. “I’m gonna try to do whatever I can for this team, whatever I can do to help make this team better, and special teams is where it’s at right now.”
Marquez has studied the work of several Rams special teams veterans on the field and on film looking for ways he can improve his game.
“I’m just trying to find a little spot in there somewhere, wherever I can,” Marquez said. “And the more versatile I am, it will help me the most.”
S CHRISTIAN BRYANT
The Rams liked Bryant’s toughness and passion for the game when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2014 draft out of Ohio State.But he missed half of his final year with the Buckeyes because of a broken ankle, and even though he spent last season on the Rams’ practice squad, he didn’t really feel right physically until the start of the OTA practice period in early June.“Health-wise, I’m feeling great honestly,” Bryant said. “I’m feeling like I’m making strides, getting better every day out here.”
Bryant spent part of the offseason back in Columbus, where he earned his undergraduate degree in sociology. While he was on campus, he worked out with the Buckeyes’ athletic trainers and strength coaches.
When he went back home to Cleveland, he worked with personal trainer Tim Roberts on speed and strength.
“I honestly just attacked the offseason,” Bryant said. “I knew exactly what I needed to do because if I would’ve come out here this year still doing the same exact thing that I did last year, I wouldn’t have had a shot.”
The numbers game is daunting at safety with Mark Barron, Maurice Alexander, and Cody Davis the top three backups behind starters T.J. McDonald and McLeod. The Rams probably will keep no more than five safeties.
“I’m not too worried about that,” Bryant said. “You can just control what you can control. I come out here every day trying to get better as a player. Try to show the coaches that I know the scheme of the defense at almost every position. I’ve been staying in my playbook, so I’m pretty much covered on the play side.”
Bryant feels he’s knocked off the rust from his long layoff. Although he was penalized twice on special teams Sunday, he made his presence felt on defense against Tennessee with four tackles and a forced fumble.
“I’m out here getting contact,” Bryant said. “I’m making some plays. I’m showing people that I have the ability to play in this league.”
LB BRYCE HAGER
Highly productive at Baylor, Hager is trying to become the second generation Hager to play for Fisher. (His father Britt, also a former Ram, played for Fisher in Philadelphia in 1989-90 when Fisher was defensive coordinator there.)Hager has taken advantage of injuries to Daren Bates (knee) and Korey Toomer (ankle) to make a run at a backup linebacker job.“It’s allowed me to play a little bit more, get a little bit more reps,” Hager said. “So I think that’s helping and getting me used to the system a little bit.”
He has played 90 defensive snaps so far this preseason, more than any Rams player (offense or defense). He also leads the team in tackles, with 12 this preseason.
“I guess that’s what preseason’s for, just so you have the young guys play … and to see who can make the team,” Hager said.
As a backup linebacker, it’s all but a necessity to play multiple positions, and play special teams. After playing exclusively at middle linebacker in college, learning the weakside and strongside positions outside has been an adjustment for Hager.
“Going back and forth to positions, it’s kinda getting my head spinning,” Hager said. “Its starting to calm down a little bit.”
So the mental part of the game, particularly getting a feel for the outside linebacker spots, has meant a lot of time in the playbook and in the film room for Hager.
“Oh man, that’s all I’m doing,” he said
znModeratorJoe Lyons
RAM-BLINGS
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said the team will take a slightly different approach in Saturday’s 7 p.m. preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome.
“We’re going to allow them to look at the opponent, spend a little more time just kind of preparing them,” the coach said. “But that doesn’t mean to say we’re going to put a lot of new things in. … We’re just trying to get them a better feel for it.”
• Not practicing Thursday: cornerback Brandon McGee, linebackers Daren Bates and Korey Toomer, tackles Rodger Saffold and Andrew Donnal, tight end Brad Smelley and defensive tackles Nick Fairley and Doug Worthington. Starting defensive tackles Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald did not participate in team (11 on 11).
With Saffold out, Demetrius Rhaney continued to work at left guard. Rhaney, Barrett Jones and Tim Barnes have been rotating at the center spot. On Thursday, Mizzou product Barnes worked with the starters.
• Hall of Fame defensive back Aeneas Williams took in Thursday’s workout. Also on hand was former NFL QB Jeff Blake, the father of Rams WR Emory Blake.
znModeratorRams notes: Versatile Watts continues to impress
• By Joe LyonsSecond-year running back and special-team standout Trey Watts is working just like he did a year ago, trying to earn a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster.
But this year is different. In the offseason, Watts was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He can practice through camp and take part in preseason games but once the season starts, he won’t be able to rejoin the Rams until Oct. 5 in preparation for that Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay.
“I made a mistake and now I have to deal with it,” said Watts, 24. “I’m disappointed in myself because I feel like I let people down. I let my teammates down and I let my family down. But all I can do now is try to move forward. I can’t think about the suspension; on the football field, my focus has to be on football and right now, I’m just focused on pushing myself each day to become a better player.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa University, the 5-foot-9, 208-pound Watts has been one of the Rams’ more productive players through the first two preseason contests. After rushing for 16 yards and catching a pair of passes in an 18-3 loss at Oakland, he stepped up in the second half of Sunday’s 27-14 loss at Tennessee with 53 yards on six rushing attempts (8.8 per carry) and caught three passes for 46 yards, including 33 on a screen pass from Case Keenum just after halftime.
“I had a lot of fun,” said Watts, whose production has come largely against the other teams’ reserves. “Anytime you get an opportunity, you want to make the most of it because you never know how many touches, how many reps, you’re going to get. Every year, it’s a battle to make the 53-man roster, especially for someone in my position. There’s probably a little more pressure (because of the suspension), but I’m a guy who’s always thrived under pressure.
“My goal is to make it hard for the coaches. I want to impress them by showing that I know the ins and outs of the offense and that I can perform. I need to show them that I can come back after four weeks and help this football team.”
Watts flashed his versatility last year with the Rams, appearing in 14 games as rookie. He ran three times for 18 yards, caught seven passes for 30 yards and finished among the special teams leaders with nine tackles.
He credited his success against the Titans to his teammates.
“The offensive line, they really did a great job,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with pretty good athletic ability and quick feet, so I mainly just trust my eyes to find open space. On the screen, once I slipped by the blitzer, there was no one to cover me. Any time you’re running downfield with your offensive linemen, you definitely feel safe and protected.”
GIVENS GOES DEEP
With the Rams needing something — anything — to provide a spark Sunday in Nashville, fourth-year wideout Chris Givens delivered.
On a first down in the third quarter, Givens beat his man with a quick move at the line and then ran under a well-thrown pass from Keenum for an 80-yard touchdown, the Rams’ first TD of the preseason.
“Once I lined up and saw the coverage, my only thought was ‘catch it and run,’” Givens said. “I knew the play was there and Case put it right on the money. It felt good.”
Had to feel like old times for Givens, who set an NFL rookie record in 2012 with five consecutive games with at least one catch of 50-plus yards. That season, in 15 games and 12 starts, Givens had 42 catches, a team-leading 698 yards and three touchdowns.
Givens made 34 catches for 569 yards but did not score in 2013. Last year, he had just 11 receptions for 159 yards, including a 47-yard TD catch.
“I just want to go out and make plays,” he said. “I think we’re a team that will attack more vertically this year because we have a lot of guys with that ability.”
Once considered just a deep threat, Givens has worked hard to make himself a more complete receiver.
“Before, I was running either this route or that route, and the DBs knew it, too,” Givens said. “Now, we’re so far from that… Working at so many different spots, it keeps it more fun for me and can also open things up for the whole offense.”
znModeratorb]Strauss: Same old vanilla flavor from Fisher[/b]
Joe Strauss
With apologies to the transcendent but vastly underrated poet Robert Matthew Van Winkle, if it’s August then Jeff Fisher’s offense can best be described as “Ice Ice Baby.”
“Yo, 4th-and-three, let’s kick it.” Two weeks into the exhibition season and the Rams’ first-team offense has yet to crack the end zone.
For many teams this would raise anxiety levels only slightly.
For a team breaking in a new quarterback behind a renovated offensive line, this moves the needle like a Geiger counter atop a Bridgeton landfill.
“Ice, ice, baby.”
The Rams have been outscored 45-17 by the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans. Quarterback Nick Foles has attempted 12 passes, completed six and had one intercepted for a touchdown. Outscored 29-3 before halftime, Mayflower’s Team hasn’t exactly stoked ratings outside Earth City. This is either a sign of an approaching apocalypse or no more significant than Thursday giving way to Friday.
In his fourth season as the Rams’ lead ice cream man, Fisher’s flavor of the month for August is always vanilla.
Not French vanilla. Not Vanilla Dream. And certainly not Tutti Frutti.
So far the No. 1 offense has rushed for 40 yards on 14 carries — roughly three yards and a cloud of bust. But first-rounder Todd Gurley still wears the yellow beanie. The Rams’ feature-back-in-waiting is not to be touched during drills and is unlikely to run from scrimmage until well into September. Veteran left guard Rodger Saffold missed last weekend’s tilt with a sprained right shoulder and remains questionable for Saturday against Indianapolis. Saffold’s absence leaves two rookie starters, three auditioning centers, a second-year left tackle and redshirt Demetrius Rhaney, who has never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
If this concerns Fisher, he masks it with a poker face.
“To me, it’s our ability to run the football,” Fisher said, noting Wednesday’s practice with pads was committed primarily to the running game. “We’re continuing to improve in our offense, and that’s a big part of our offense. I’m not terribly concerned with where we are right now because of the quality of work we’ve had in practice.”
Fisher liked the way his travel-weary team practiced against the Dallas Cowboys last week in Oxnard before laying an egg in Music City.
Some in camp theorize the Oakland Raiders used Week 1 to ambush a team that embarrassed them 52-0 at Edward Jones Dome last regular season. Others remind that the Rams have so far refused to game plan but will change that this Saturday. Fisher was seen calling plays for the scout offense Thursday evening; the task usually falls to a coordinator.
Still, one gets the strong vibe that another loss won’t ruin Fisher’s Sunday.
“I don’t know what the stats are, but the Colts went five or six years in a row going 0-for-the-preseason and won the division every year,” he said.
Well, the Rams haven’t won their division or enjoyed a winning season since 2003. Typical rules may not apply.
Week 3 is supposedly about playing the starters at least a half, running some more intricate pass plays and reacting more nimbly to what the opposing defense presents.
In other words, Tre Mason should get more than 2.5 carries, Tavon Austin should make at least his second reception of camp and Jared Cook could be asked to make more than one token catch of three yards.
“You do a little more in Game 3,” Fisher said. “We’re just going to increase the number of reps for the starters and go from there. Some guys don’t need those reps. Some guys you need to protect. Some guys have had enough in their careers that they know what they need to do.”
The Rams gained 688 yards without a rushing touchdown in their two make-believe games. Opponents have mustered 696 yards, though quarterbacks have hung a 109.0 passer rating on a defense yet to record a sack. (Chris Long missed Oakland. Michael Brockers missed Tennessee.) The Raiders and Titans averaged 3.6 yards per rush. If the offense is cause for a red flag, the rush defense barely has been yellow.
Again, Fisher prefers his shots vanilla with a bland chaser.
“It’s about coming out of a game with balance,” said Fisher, whose preference is a 60-40 mix of run-pass. This won’t make highlight reels but in a perfect world it would shorten games so that a younger, less explosive, defense-first team might hold on or steal it at the end.
Fisher’s chief regret in three seasons here was deviating from his tried-and-true, ground-and-pound formula early in 2014. He allowed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer four weeks to unsuccessfully spread the field before interceding. Last season the Rams lost Sam Bradford to a repeat knee injury in a Week 3 exhibition. The Rams have employed a backup quarterback in 25 consecutive starts, making then unique within the league.
“We got a little off course with that offense (in 2014). We regrouped and recommitted to the run,” Fisher said of a season that finished 7-9. “Last year we were still a little stunned with the loss of Sam when we opened.”
Of course, there is much more and louder background noise than in Fisher’s first three seasons. Relocation talk abounds. The Rams committed a first-round draft pick to a rusher who may not influence their season until Week 4. Fans hoping for sizzle likely will have to satisfy themselves with meat and potatoes following this month’s vanilla extract.
One man’s patience could be tedium to a half-filled stadium. One man’s poetry is just another man’s noise.
znModeratorInsider: Time to panic about Colts’ offensive line?
We’re two games into the preseason. The Colts’ regular season doesn’t start for another three weeks.
With that said, is it too early to panic about the offensive line?
If you watched the early stages of the Colts’ 23-11 loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, you perhaps feel this is an appropriate time to sound the alarm.
Because if there’s one thing that should make all of Indianapolis nervous, it is the sight of quarterback Andrew Luck being driven into the ground.
That is a phenomenon seen too often in the first two series of the game. Luck was taken to the ground by defenders three times in the game’s first two possessions, limiting the Colts’ ability to stretch the field with all of their potent offensive weapons. To put it another way, defenders got to Luck three times in his first five dropbacks.
BOX SCORE: Bears 23, Colts 11
Signing 32-year old Todd Herremans to a one-year contract was the only meaningful offseason move by general manager Ryan Grigson to shore up what was widely seen as an average unit in 2014. And now, it might be time to ask whether it was enough.
“We’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback,” coach Chuck Pagano said afterward.
The starting line played three series fully intact. They settled down and had a much more impressive third and final series, with Luck leaving the game after engineering a 9-play, 89-yard drive that was capped by his own 5-yard touchdown scramble.
But equally memorable will be the two consecutive snaps right tackle Jack Mewhort turned in on the Colts’ first possession. Mewhort, playing a new position after starting at left guard as a rookie last season, was beaten soundly by an inside move from linebacker Pernell McPhee on the Colts’ second offensive play. In an instant, Luck was smothered by McPhee for the game’s first sack. Mewhort was then beaten by McPhee on the very next play, a third-and-14 from the Colts 17-yard line.
“It’s crippling when you go out there as a tackle and you give up a bad sack like that on the second play of the game,” Mewhort said. “Our emphasis has been on starting fast. … You can’t start fast when there’s a guy on top of the quarterback.”
Mewhort’s biggest challenge in switching from the interior of the offensive line to the outside is the speed and athleticism of the defenders he’ll face. Although he saw significant time at offensive tackle while at Ohio State, the level of edge rusher he’ll see in the NFL far exceeds anything he saw in the Big Ten.
Mewhort’s performance on Sunday raised questions about just how seamless the transition to offensive tackle will be. It also comes mere weeks after the Colts released veteran tackle Gosder Cherilus, who recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The position change “is going to play a hand in it, obviously,” Pagano said. “(McPhee) is a really good pass rusher. They paid him a lot of money. We know what a game-wrecker he can be.”
Added Mewhort: “Obviously, I’m having some growing pains. I’m just going out there every day and trying my hardest. I’ve made comments before that the pass rushers in the NFL are monsters, and I have to be ready to go against guys like that every week.”
After Mewhort’s rocky start, things got no better for the offensive line. On the Colts’ second possession, Herremans gave up a big hit on Luck up the middle, and Bears outside linebacker Jared Allen beat Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo for another pressure.
“It’s a tough defense with some werewolves over there,” Luck said. “Pernell McPhee, Jared Allen, those guys are premier pass rushers. They certainly do put a lot of pressure on you as an offense.”
But one of the most disconcerting aspects of the pass-protection failures was the fact that they came against basic, one-on-one pass rushes.
None of the pressures given up came against a stunt or twist. In none of the aforementioned instances were the Colts fooled by a creative blitz.
Rest assured those will be part of opponents’ repertoires in the regular season. That includes the Rex Ryan-coached Buffalo Bills, whom the Colts meet in their season opener on Sept. 13.
Defensively, the Colts offered a mixed bag. The starting unit gave up consistent yardage to the Bears offense, but they began the game with a three-and-out, then rallied after poor starts on their next two drives to limit Chicago to field goals.
znModeratorPractice Report 8/27: Preparing for Indianapolis
Myles Simmons
The Rams continued their work in preparation for the third preseason game against the Colts on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Jeff Fisher said after the session that while yesterday’s practice was focused on physicality and the run game, today’s was more about agility and quickness.
“It’s great work,” Fisher said. “We tried to get some time between yesterday’s physical practice and then today, and today was more of a speed practice and it was good. We didn’t have any issues.”
The third exhibition contest is traditionally the so-called “dress rehearsal” for teams around the league. While Fisher does not necessarily adhere to that philosophy, the head coach said Thursday the team has been doing a bit more preparation for Indianapolis.
“We’re going to allow them to look at the opponent, spend a little more time preparing them,” Fisher said. “That doesn’t mean to say that we’re going to put a lot of new things in. We’re going to play. But we’ll just kind of get them a better feel for it.”
It’s probably fair to expect the starters to play more in this game than they have so far in the preseason. Fisher said earlier this week that there is a chance they could play to halftime, but it depends on the number of snaps the units get.
“It’s so hard to measure because if you’re defense gives up a 10-play drive and it lasts for six or seven minutes, then you’re cutting reps away from your offense,” Fisher said. “It’s all about time as they kind of relate to reps. I don’t think it’s necessary for us right now to go through halftime and come back. Most of our guys have done that before.”
If there are players who may have their on-field time substantially increased, they could come along the offensive line. Fisher has said throughout camp that he’s been pleased with the work from Rob Havenstein and Jamon Brown at right tackle and right guard, respectively. And Fisher said today that they may get some extra snaps in order to more adequately prepare for Week 1.
“You’ll see JB and Rob play a little bit more. We need to get them some more live reps,” Fisher said. “But, again, I keep going back to the Dallas experience. Those were extra reps. But I think you’ll probably see them play most of the first half this week.”
Additionally, with Rodger Saffold temporarily sidelined with a shoulder injury, Demetrius Rhaney has been working at left guard. Rhaney has been one of the three players in competition to start at center, and according to Fisher, the Tennessee State product has done well shifting one slot to the left.
“The guard position, in his defense, is a little easier,” Fisher said. “There are a lot of things that go on with the center spot, and he’s handling that very well. But at the guard position, you just line up and play. And he’s done a good job there for us.”
Though the offensive line is not all settled just yet, Fisher said this time in practice presents good opportunities for players to get snaps where there may not be time to do so in the regular season.
“The expectation is that Rodger will be back,” Fisher said. “We’re moving people around so guys are getting a lot of valuable experience, especially Garrett [Reynolds]. Garrett is playing guard, playing tackle and all that. And same with Demetrius playing guard and center. So that’s really valuable experience for them.”
A LITTLE LUCK
It’s no secret that Andrew Luck is on the fast track to becoming an elite quarterback in the NFL. And while the Rams aren’t sure how much he’ll be in the game this week, Fisher said the quarterback will provide a good test for however many snaps he plays.
“He’s got a tremendously strong arm, quick release, sees the field, and then he’s mobile,” Fisher said. “He buys time in the pocket, scrambles around, and is really accurate on the run. He’s the complete package.”
But he’s not the only player who makes the Colts’ offense so effective.
“This week we have a great opponent in Indy who can light up a scoreboard in a heartbeat,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “I think guys know we have a challenge within ourselves. And they’ve got Frank Gore back there, so we know how he runs. They have a talented team. We just need to put our pieces together and play how we know we can.”
CUT DAYS ARE COMING
Finally, following the third preseason game, the Rams will have to reduce their current roster from 90 players to 75 by Sept. 1. Fisher acknowledged how it’s a difficult time for many, but he makes the effort to be as empathetic as possible with the process.
“I will talk to every single player. I’ve always done that,” Fisher said. “It’s difficult. It’s never easy, especially when you go to 75 because you’re trying to project what you’re going to do in the fourth preseason game. But we’ll get through the process.”
With many returning players, Fisher said he has an idea for the majority of spots for the 53-man roster. But there are still jobs to be earned over the next couple weeks, which the young players understand.
“We’ve had discussions with them with respect to how important the third preseason game is, and that we have some tough decision to make,” Fisher said. “Then we make our decisions and you go ahead and tell them the same thing in the fourth preseason game.”
August 27, 2015 at 11:23 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Rams still in no rush to choose starting center #29400znModeratorOffensive line questions starting to come into focus for Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks believe the current configuration along their unsettled offensive line could very well be the one they take into the regular season. But with competitions still on at three of the five spots and with the team still looking at veterans on the free-agent market, coach Pete Carroll isn’t quite ready to make a final decision.
And so the week began with Justin Britt still atop the depth chart at left guard, Drew Nowak at center and Garry Gilliam at right tackle — for now, at least.
“They’ve got a chance now,” Carroll said when asked if the current group will be the one who starts in Week 1. “…We’ll see if they can hold it together and hold off the other guys that are battling with them, but we feel good enough about it. We like the way that they mix together and they have a real chance, so we’ll keep that intact again this week and take it one week at a time.”
The Seahawks had already been rotating players at center and left guard when they shuffled things up even more last week, moving Britt from right tackle and replacing him with Gilliam. That came after an unimpressive performance from the previous group in the Seahawks’ preseason opener.
The new group improved considerably in pass protection Friday night against Kansas City, not allowing a sack during the two quarters in which the starters played. But Seattle still failed to score an offensive touchdown and ran for only 78 yards in a 14-13 loss.
Carroll, looking beyond the final numbers, liked what he saw.
“I was really happy to see the line play together and have success, communicate well,” he said. “Drew had a nice first start. He’s in the middle of it all. Justin Britt looked really comfortable at left guard, played really solid football. He filled up the space so nice. Garry, who had a great matchup with Justin Houston, fared pretty well over there. It was a really good first showing by the fellas.”
Along with sticking with the current group and continuing to mix and match with backups, another option for the Seahawks is to fill one of their unsettled spots with a veteran free agent.
The team met with left guard Evan Mathis over the weekend, but he left Seattle without signing a contract. Carroll said the meeting went “very well” but that “there’s a lot of issues that we have to take care of to get that in order.” Money would be one of them, as Seattle might not have the cap space to afford Mathis, a two-time Pro Bowler who was reportedly seeking a raise from the $5.5 million he was set to make in 2015 before his release from Philadelphia.
The team was also scheduled to meet with center Samson Satele on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.
“We’re going to keep competing to see who else is there and available as we try to make our choices,” Carroll said. “Really, we’re going one step at a time so you’ll see some guys’ names come up again today. We’re continuing to look. We want to know who’s available.”
August 27, 2015 at 10:30 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Rams still in no rush to choose starting center #29398znModeratorSeahawks’ Drew Nowak eyeing starting spot at center
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/drew-nowak-eyeing-starting-spot-at-center/
It was one fairly nondescript play in a decidedly nondescript game.
But to Seahawks center Drew Nowak, an incomplete pass on the third play of their 14-13 preseason loss to Kansas City on Friday meant everything.
The game was the first start of Nowak’s NFL career, a chance for him to show coaches he can be a legitimate option to take over for Max Unger as the team’s starter.
On the third play, a pass on third-and-seven, Nowak had to make the kind of decision greeting NFL centers dozens of times a game — whether to help in pass protection to the right or to the left. Nowak turned left at the snap and helped Justin Britt pancake Chiefs defensive end Mike Catapano.
“I smashed this guy on the ground, and I was like, ‘All right, I can do this,’ ” Nowak said Wednesday. “That one hit just kind of reaffirmed that, ‘OK, I can play.’ ”
Seahawks coaches evidently agreed, leaving Nowak with the starting unit this week as they prepare for a preseason game Saturday night at San Diego. Nowak had been alternating with veteran Lemuel Jeanpierre, whom coaches earlier said had an edge due to his experience.
But decisions such as the one Nowak made on that play have shown he is picking up the nuances of being an NFL center. He had not played center since high school but was moved there after signing with Jacksonville in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan, where he had played on the defensive line.
Seahawks offensive-line coach Tom Cable this week talked about a “great conversation” he had with quarterback Russell Wilson late in the game about how he worked with Nowak in setting up blocking assignments.
“He was really pleased,” Cable said of Wilson. “He was able to target some things, and Drew was already on it. So, big progress.”
Another showing like that against the Chargers, and Nowak could cement his spot as the starting center, stepping into the rather sizable shoes of Unger, the starter the past four years before being traded in March to New Orleans in the deal that brought tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle.
Nowak, though, said he is not awed by the prospect of replacing Unger.
“I mean, Max was great for Seattle, a great center in the league,” Nowak said. “I’m just a fortunate guy who is getting an opportunity. I don’t think it’s daunting, because I’ve always wanted this. I’ve always wanted this opportunity to be a starter, and hopefully when the season starts that’s where I’ll be.”
It’s his willingness to do whatever it takes that got Nowak into this position. Some injuries at Jacksonville to other players helped lead to his switch to the offensive line, initially playing guard. After seeing action in two games on special teams with the Jaguars in 2013 he was released in the cut-down to 53 before the 2014 season. He was signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad a few days later and spent the season learning, playing both guard and center.
He snaps left-handed, which is rare but has not been an issue according to all involved. Nowak said no one has asked him to switch to snapping right-handed.
The bigger transition has come in simply mastering the rest of the game. Seahawks coaches often cited Unger as particularly adept at setting the blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage and working with Wilson. Cable has praised Nowak’s physical abilities since the spring (though this week he talked about him needing to improve on staying low when blocking at the second level) and hinted that if the rest of his game catches up to that, he’d have a real shot at the starting job.
“It’s definitely been tough,” Nowak said of learning to call the blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage. “You have to be the field general for the front five and make sure everybody is on point and on time and everything. So it’s definitely been tough. But I feel like the more days I do it the quicker it comes, the better I play and the faster I will be able to be on the field.”
August 27, 2015 at 6:03 pm in reply to: Wagoner: Rams still in no rush to choose starting center #29392znModeratorfrom off the net
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GabesHorn
To me it depends on Barrett Jones’ play this week. It should be his chance to start. As a back surgery patient and longtime OL I really wonder if he can finally fulfill the dream we pictured when we thought we stole him in the 4th round. He still seems to get steamrolled when pass blocking. He played really well against 2nd and 3rd stringers last week getting to the second level and beyond with Watt eating big chunks. The back surgery just scares me as it will hit you again out of the blue during a long season and hopefully playoffs. Never faced a NFL season. GOD BLESS HIM…
Not knowing the plays called and who is making the best line calls as we don’t get to do film study. We are truly blind to what is really being done and helping the team the most as we just watch plays on TV. We are in the dark to the communications made that are so vital to true success of each play and what that specific center sees with his eyes while the “D” is still moving and trying to confuse him. Jones was known for his high I.Q. and ability to lead at Bama.
My eye says Barnes looks the best overall not being pushed back into Foles and he makes me think we should have used our 4th round pick this last year on one of 3 centers (taken 4th Rnd) after we took Andrew Donnal. (Will he make final cut?)The seahawks took one of those 3 centers right after the Donnal pick. If Barnes is our starter I think we are using one of our two second round picks next season on our next REAL STUD starting center. USC,Wisconsin,ND have the top rated centers going into this next season with the top 5 being SR’s but the top two are projected now as 1st or 2nd rounders and the Wisconsin kid is the only JR. but he is the only one at the 320lb weight I like in my centers facing Pro Nose Tackles. The others are just under 300lbs but always add muscle weight before combine days.
We all expected one of our 3 guys to show some real separation by now and Coach Paul would of already (If sure of a special guy) had pulled the string on getting our starter more reps with the other 4 starters going into the seahawk game and a Real Fast start this season knowing our first 5 games are blockbusters before the bye week. I feel Coach Fisher will get his full 5 year contract and probably an extension from Stan this season. Knowing Todd Gurley needs time and if the young OL were settled along with Foles being more comfortable and safer behind our front wall.
The center will be better than Wells was playing with 3 injuries last season but that is not enough for me when I want a stud center that has just one position (Not Fisher style) I know. If we are gonna be that Run First offense that throws from play action as the defense is looking run then Dangit give me a stud center to go with Greg Robinson , J. Brown , Havenstein and pray Saffold can finally solve his shoulder issues. Foles then may not have such happy feet. Just wish Center was given more IMPORTANCE to how Snead approached it when or if he thought about it one night drinking some fine Scotch. I’m very worried B. Jones looks good this week then his back issue raises its ugly head on a major hit or just a bad or funky twist that is a normal occurance. Who will we have kept for the back-up Center spot? Then what? Just call me concerned. Watch the Saints rock this season with that stud center for Brees. He’ll look revived again.
znModeratorSeveral Washington offensive linemen dislike RG3
Michael David Smith
As Robert Griffin III morphed from the rookie of the year in 2012 to a huge disappointment in 2013, questions started to be raised about whether his offensive line disliked him. At one point late in the 2013 season, it was observed that Washington’s offensive linemenhardly ever helped Griffin up after sacks, and reports out of the team’s locker room began to indicate that players were tired of Griffin’s refusal to take the blame when things went wrong.
Two years later, Griffin still doesn’t seem to be winning any friends in the locker room.
At today’s press conference, Griffin was asked about problems with the team’s pass protection. Although Griffin said he wouldn’t point fingers at his offensive linemen, he also didn’t put the blame on himself, even though many observers have pointed to Griffin’s lack of pocket awareness as a bigger problem than Washington’s offensive line.
According to Jason Reid of ESPN, Griffin sidestepping his own responsibility for making the line look worse than it played is exactly the kind of thing that causes him problems in the locker room. Reid wrote on Twitter after Griffin’s press conference that coaches say “several” offensive linemen dislike Griffin.
There seem to be two problems facing Griffin. The more important one is that he simply hasn’t played very well since suffering a severe knee injury at the end of his rookie season. But another problem is that he hasn’t shown that he has the leadership qualities that a quarterback needs. And until he starts playing better, it’s hard to see how he’ll be able to rally his teammates around him.
znModeratorI still like that song and I’m a few decades beyond 15.
I still like it too. I wasn’t disparaging it. (I guess I wasn’t clear about that.) In fact the inspiration for posting it was that my daughter had not heard it, so I pulled up that particular vid for her. I told her about how I just loved that song when I was that age (the year it came out).
In fact to this day that song embodies the wistful dreaming spirit of being a 15 year old boy. And the wistful dreaming 15 year old boy is still a big part of me.
The premise to the thread allows for this interpretation: “songs I liked then but not now.” But it allows for other interpretations too. Or it’s supposed to anyway.
znModeratorWestbrooks is the back-up NT. That to me is clearly an effort to keep him for next year while taking advantage of his presence this year. With both Sims and Hayes up for free agency next year, and with Long at 30 and counting, they will need Westbrooks at end eventually. But for now he’s either an inactive or they can’t keep him. Not with 4 DEs ahead of him for now.
It reminds me of Kirk Collins in 1980. They were crowded at corner, so they played him at back-up safety, even though he hated safety. He went along with it to make the team.
Sadly, though, when Collins finally got a chance to emerge at corner in 83, he developed cancer.
znModeratorRams working on the run game
I have already seen quips around the net where some posters basically say “well why weren’t they working on it before.”
znModeratorPractice Report 8/26: Wichmann Back on the Field
Myles Simmons
The biggest news of head coach Jeff Fisher’s press conference on Monday was running back Todd Gurley getting cleared for 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 practice. But Fisher also announced another rookie was able to go back to practice: offensive lineman Cody Wichmann.
A sixth-round pick out of Fresno State, Wichmann started 50 games as a Bulldog, twice earning All-Mountain West honors. But he suffered a calf injury back in the spring and had been sidelined since, having been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List at the start of training camp.
Now Wichmann is off of it and has made his way back onto the practice field, participating in all elements of the sessions over the past couple of days.
“It’s been really great — I feel great. No more sitting and watching all my buddies work their butts off,” Wichmann said. “Being out there the last couple of days, I feel comfortable with where I’m going on the field and I’m able to play fast. So I’m making up lost time — slowly but surely.”
Though he wasn’t able to perform the plays for the last few weeks, Wichmann said the mental reps were important as he learned the playbook.
“That was really important to me, to get in the playbook on my downtime and I think it’s helped out a lot,” Wichmann said. “I was watching the vets for almost two months and those guys are here for a reason. They’ve been in the league the years that they have been for a reason. So it was great to get those mental reps.”
The first-year lineman also said it’s been nice to have so many fellow rookies in his position group as they all acclimate to the league.
“We’re going to be close with everyone on the offensive line, but I think the rookies are really special,” Wichmann said. “We’re a tight-knit group. We’re always with each other on our off days and what not. There’s obviously a bunch of drafted guys, and you’ve got great talent in the undrafted guys, too. So there are a bunch of great guys and I hope we all make this team.”
The lineman added he thinks developing those off-field relationships should help on-field performance.
“I think chemistry is really important when it comes to a football team,” Wichmann said. “The closer you are off the field, the more you want to fight for them on the field. And being on the football field, you can actually stick up for them — you can fight for them.”
It’s been a process for Wichmann to get back to practicing, which the lineman said the coaches have been understanding about. But that doesn’t mean the rookie is being complacent.
“I’m not going to lower my standards,” Wichmann said. “I hold myself to high expectations, and I’m not trying to go out there to survive. I’m going out there to get better every day.
“Their feedback is reassuring,” Wichmann continued. “They’re just bringing me along. They understand that I’ve been out for a while. But I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t like to make excuses, so I’m just trying to do my best.”
And he’s definitely excited about the possibility of playing on Saturday night against the Colts.
“I traveled to both of the other games but obviously didn’t get any playing time,” Wichmann said. “So hopefully it’ll be my first experience playing in one of those games. And I’m really looking forward to it.”
ONE-ON-ONE WITH A SPECIAL GUEST
Sometimes it’s fun to throw in a changeup. That’s what we did here at stlouisrams.com on Wednesday, with Alec Cabacungan at Rams Park to watch practice.
Alec, 12, has been diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, which is a brittle bone disease. Earlier this year, Alec interviewed a few incoming rookies at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago, where he is also a patient. Plus, he’s appeared in a few commercials for the hospital, and clearly has a camera presence.
That was on display Wednesday afternoon, when our own Dani Klupenger handed over the microphone to have him do some interviews with linebacker James Laurniaitis and defensive lineman Robert Quinn.
Following his interview, Quinn went into the locker room with a football to gather the signatures of Nick Foles and Todd Gurley.
“Those are some of his favorite players, so I made sure I could at least put one of those smiles on his face,” Quinn said. “Who knows how much that could help pick up his day, or the impact that makes on his life?”
“It sounds simple, but a signature could put a smile on a kid’s face,” Quinn added.
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