by Joe Tailgate on June 19, 2009
in NFL News
- Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo bid an inspirational farewell to the players Tuesday but left them with a warning about training camp, which begins after rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans report July 29. “The first five days are definitely a bear, the way it’s laid out, the times of practices, the length of practices,” Spagnuolo said of his plans for workouts. “Typically, if you don’t come in shape and in the right frame of mind, you run the risk of getting injured and not being up to speed for what we want to do. After that, it doesn’t get that much easier, but it tends to thin out a little bit and they’re able to survive.”
- QB Marc Bulger told the media that he realizes that this season is probably his last chance as a starter for the Rams. “I understand we have to win,” Bulger told FOXSports.com after a recent offseason practice. “It’s not fair to our fans or the ownership. If we don’t, I know it starts with me. It’s probably my final chance.” After being a perennial Pro Bowler early in his career, Bulger has been a major disappointment over the last few years as the Rams have turned into one of the worst teams in the league.
- Bears MLB Brian Urlacher is still out with a groin injury. That’s not a huge concern in mid-June, but considering a hamstring injury in late July 2004 was an issue for the entire season, it’s something to monitor. Urlacher did some jogging on the side with Hunter Hillenmeyer, who missed the entire offseason program to recover from surgery to repair a sports hernia. ”Once you’ve gone through an entire offseason, a lot of players have sore muscles — no more than that,” coach Lovie Smith said. ”I’m putting Brian along with quite a few other players that we have right now. And we try to take precautions with the guys at this point of the season.”
- Packers first-round draft pick Clay Matthews was working at right outside linebacker with the second string defense on Wednesday. “We’ve been watching his reps because of the hamstring.” McCarthy said. “Last week they’re a little tentative, but this week was full go,” said Matthews. Matthews said he didn’t feel as if he fell behind, but he wasn’t sure when he would work with the starters. Jeremy Thompson has been in that role. “They haven’t told me,” said Matthews. “I’m sure once they feel comfortable enough to put me with the ones . . . Right now there’s players ahead of me that know what they’re doing.”
- Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he didn’t fault Vince Young for speaking out – reporters asked questions and Young answered them. “Anybody that is in a backup role right now is frustrated because they are not playing,” Fisher said. “It doesn’t just stop at Vince. Everybody wants to be a starter and we understand that. I wouldn’t classify it as frustration. He understands that he is in the situation that he is in and he just needs to keep working.” Young was defensive last season when asked about things like his demotion and whether he had quit on his teammates by initially refusing to re-enter the opener after being booed. Wednesday a much more collected Young said he’s learned a lot since then.
It was a tough decision to pick the Rams at # 32. But the turnover in the teams roster can make things difficult for first year head coach Steve Spagnuolo. They are heading in the right direction though. Bringing in C Jason Brown from the Ravens, drafting T Jason Smith out of Baylor, and signing FB Mike Karney after the Saints released him, shows they want to bulk up that line to keep Marc Bulger from getting pummeled. And of course this all helps out # 39 Steven Jackson. If only the guy can stay healthy for 16 games. SJ hasn’t played 16 games since 2006, which by no coincidence, is the last time the Rams were at .500 or better. (8-8)
On Defense, signing free agent S James Butler from the Giants, will help ease the transition into Spagnuolo’s new defense. 2nd round pick James Laurinaitis, will take over the middle and Will Witherspoon will move to the weak side. FS Oshiomogho Atogwe is a stud, and DE Chris Long should get better in season 2.
Offense
Marc Bulger returns as the starter after a rough 2008, part because of Jackson’s health, and part O-Line problems. Bulger has been sacked 124 times in 43 games over the last three seasons. T Alex Barron was moved to the left side when Orlando Pace was let go. And it may be too early to tell if the rookie will start at LT right away. With a healthy SJ and an improved line, that should ease the pressure on Marc. The problem is who will he be throwing the rock to. Torry Holt was released, so that leaves St. Louis with a young group of WRs. This position is a question mark. Will Donnie Avery improve enough to be a viable number 1 option for Bulger? He finished with a modest 674 yards receiving in ‘08 and only 3 TDs. Keenan Burton only had 13 grabs last season, Derek Stanley is coming off surgery, and newcomers Laurent Robinson and Tim Carter won’t exactly have you doing backflips of joy down your driveway. But that may be alright considering new OC Pat Shurmur came from a team (Eagles), that never had good WRs. Ever. Except for that short stint with Owens. Remember this guy…
A healthy Randy McMichael figures to be a key component in the West Coast-style offense that offensive coordinator Shurmur is installing. If he recovers well, he can be the veteran receiving presence the team needs.
Defense
New DC Ken Flajole has his hands full this year. Although everything we spoke about in the second paragraph may seem like good things, let’s not get too excited. The Rams have no real speed rusher to go get the opposing teams QB, and Leonard Little will be 35 in October. Aside from the safeties, Otogwe and Butler, the secondary is relatively young, inexperienced, and overall a liability. Alright, Jonathan Wade, and Ron Bartell are good, but after that…question marks. Unfortunately those guys are both under 6 feet. And we all know how tall Larry Fitzgerald and rooke Michael Crabtree are. Here’s a hint: Taller than 6 feet. Remember they have to deal with TJ Houshmandzadeh this year in Seattle as well. Who is by the way over 6 foot tall.
OK, so what does this all mean. To put it lightly. Nightmare, maybe not 2-14 nightmare, but perhaps 5 wins would be a miracle. They have a tough schedule. Right off the bat they play 2 road games. The very hostile 12th man in Seattle, then a trip to Washington, back home for Green Bay, and then back on the road to San Francisco. They do get to play 5 of their last 8 games at home.
Thanks for stopping by, come back tomorrow for team # 31…
# 1 <<<Back To Power Rankings>>> # 31 (Raiders)
