NFC West: James Hall
Aldon Smith's 14-sack rookie season and Bruce Irvin's recent first-round selection have obscured another young NFC West pass-rusher with great potential.
Not for long, perhaps.
The St. Louis Rams' Robert Quinn, chosen 14th overall in 2011, showed up Monday among 12 second-year players to watch in 2012, according to Mel Kiper Jr.
"I fully expected Quinn to have a so-so rookie season after sitting out his entire final season at North Carolina," Kiper wrote. "But now comfortable, he could easily double the 5.0 sacks he notched last year. Too much talent to keep down."
Kiper's list features only players coming off less noteworthy rookie seasons.
Quinn had five sacks while playing 52 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps last season. He'll move from a situational role to the starting lineup, a transition signaled by James Hall's release from the team.
Quinn made more of an impact as his rookie season progressed, including on special teams, where his athleticism made Quinn a threat to block punts. Quinn was once the special-teams player of the week in the NFC and later the Rams' special-teams player of the year. He also ranked second on the team with 14 quarterback hits.
Quinn was the only NFC West player to make Kiper's short list. I've put together a few candidates from the rest of the division:
Enjoy your Monday night.
Not for long, perhaps.
The St. Louis Rams' Robert Quinn, chosen 14th overall in 2011, showed up Monday among 12 second-year players to watch in 2012, according to Mel Kiper Jr.
"I fully expected Quinn to have a so-so rookie season after sitting out his entire final season at North Carolina," Kiper wrote. "But now comfortable, he could easily double the 5.0 sacks he notched last year. Too much talent to keep down."
Kiper's list features only players coming off less noteworthy rookie seasons.
Quinn had five sacks while playing 52 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps last season. He'll move from a situational role to the starting lineup, a transition signaled by James Hall's release from the team.
Quinn made more of an impact as his rookie season progressed, including on special teams, where his athleticism made Quinn a threat to block punts. Quinn was once the special-teams player of the week in the NFC and later the Rams' special-teams player of the year. He also ranked second on the team with 14 quarterback hits.
Quinn was the only NFC West player to make Kiper's short list. I've put together a few candidates from the rest of the division:
- Arizona Cardinals: Second-round choice Ryan Williams is the choice for now, with third-rounder Rob Housler also in the conversation. Both appear positioned to make significant strides. Williams, if healthy, will have additional chances to handle the ball. The Cardinals thought Williams was going to be a breakout player last season. A torn patella tendon ended his season. The team figured Housler would need a year of seasoning after making the transition from Florida Atlantic without the benefit of a regular NFL offseason.
- Seattle Seahawks: Receiver Kris Durham is one obvious candidate after missing all but three games last season with a torn labrum. He'll have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation this season. Four other 2011 picks became starters for Seattle (James Carpenter, John Moffitt, K.J. Wright and Richard Sherman). I removed them from consideration. That left Durham, Byron Maxwell, Pep Levingston and Malcolm Smith among choices still with the team.
- San Francisco 49ers: Daniel Kilgore's path to the starting job at right guard appeared clearer before tackle Alex Boone became a candidate for the spot. Kilgore, a fifth-round choice from Appalachian State, still might be the best candidate for a breakout season among the 49ers' choices (to the extent a guard can break out, that is). Second-round choice Colin Kaepernick would be a bolder projection. He likely will not play much unless Alex Smith struggles or suffers an injury. This assumes Chris Culliver, a regular contributor as a third-round choice, remains the third corner.
Enjoy your Monday night.
NFL rosters undergo massive changes each offseason. That has been particularly true in 2012 as limits increased from 80 to 90 players.
As much as I'd like to comply with requests to publish specific roster breakdowns for age and other factors, the changes require quite a bit of time to process.
A few trends are coming into focus regarding the NFC West already:
Enjoy your Friday. Hope to see you at the rescheduled NFC West chat. I'll publish a reminder later Friday.
As much as I'd like to comply with requests to publish specific roster breakdowns for age and other factors, the changes require quite a bit of time to process.
A few trends are coming into focus regarding the NFC West already:
- The St. Louis Rams keep getting younger. I'm projecting them to be the youngest team in the league by a relatively wide margin, pending a few missing dates of birth for undrafted rookies on other teams. Mario Haggan (32), Quintin Mikell (31), Scott Wells (31) and Harvey Dahl (30) are the oldest players on the team. Gone are Fred Robbins (35), James Hall (35), Justin Bannan (33), Ben Leber (33) and Josh Brown (33). The Rams have not re-signed any of their own unrestricted free agents, including A.J. Feeley (35), Tony Wragge (32) and Brady Poppinga (32). Al Harris, 37, is retiring.
- The Seattle Seahawks have quietly gotten older. They ranked among the one or two youngest teams in the NFL last season and could regain that status once roster cuts are made. For now, however, I'm projecting the Seahawks to rank just outside the 10 youngest teams. Seattle brought back Marcus Trufant (31), Leroy Hill (29) and Michael Robinson (29) while adding Alex Barron (29), Frank Omiyale (29), Deuce Lutui (29) and Barrett Ruud (29 this week).
- The Arizona Cardinals could get older on defense. Arizona has gotten younger overall, but re-signing Vonnie Holliday (36) and Clark Haggans (35) would probably move the Cardinals back among the 10 oldest teams. Some of Arizona's age is concentrated with its specialists, however. That is also true for the San Francisco 49ers. Sometimes age is a good thing at those positions.
- The 49ers are young up front on offense. I'm projecting San Francisco to take one of the two or three youngest offensive lines to camp. Parting with 30-year-old Adam Snyder in free agency affected the equation once the 49ers decided to let youngsters Alex Boone and Daniel Kilgore compete for the job at right guard.
Enjoy your Friday. Hope to see you at the rescheduled NFC West chat. I'll publish a reminder later Friday.
Twenty-one NFL players since 2008 have at least six penalties for roughing the passer, unnecessary roughness or unspecified personal fouls.
The leader on that list, cornerback Cortland Finnegan, signed with the St. Louis Rams early in the free-agent signing period. Another player on the list, defensive end William Hayes, reached agreement with the Rams on Friday.
Finnegan has 11 such penalties since 2008, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Hayes has six, including one for a 2011 hit on Matt Ryan that drew a $15,000 fine from the NFL.
This would normally be where the Rams could take a bow for adding players fitting defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' profile of aggressive, unapologetic defensive play. Fisher's teams in Tennessee regularly ranked among the league leaders in such penalties over the years, including when Williams was his coordinator there.
But with Williams serving an indefinite suspension for bounty-related transgressions committed with New Orleans, the Rams would be better off emphasizing their new defensive players' familiarity with Fisher's scheme.
Hayes, 26, started 11 games under Fisher in 2009. He played 45 percent of the defensive snaps for the Titans last season, starting one game and playing in 10. He has eight sacks in four NFL seasons, half of them during his rookie year.
Chris Long returns as the Rams' starting left end, with 2011 first-round choice Robert Quinn expected to start on the right side after the Rams released veteran James Hall. Hayes provides rotational depth, at least, and a direct connection to Fisher.
"Hayes is undersized with good initial quickness and acceleration off the edge," the Scouts Inc. profile reads, in part. "He needs to work on developing more counter moves and improving his strength to take on and shed blockers."
The leader on that list, cornerback Cortland Finnegan, signed with the St. Louis Rams early in the free-agent signing period. Another player on the list, defensive end William Hayes, reached agreement with the Rams on Friday.
Finnegan has 11 such penalties since 2008, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Hayes has six, including one for a 2011 hit on Matt Ryan that drew a $15,000 fine from the NFL.
This would normally be where the Rams could take a bow for adding players fitting defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' profile of aggressive, unapologetic defensive play. Fisher's teams in Tennessee regularly ranked among the league leaders in such penalties over the years, including when Williams was his coordinator there.
But with Williams serving an indefinite suspension for bounty-related transgressions committed with New Orleans, the Rams would be better off emphasizing their new defensive players' familiarity with Fisher's scheme.
Hayes, 26, started 11 games under Fisher in 2009. He played 45 percent of the defensive snaps for the Titans last season, starting one game and playing in 10. He has eight sacks in four NFL seasons, half of them during his rookie year.
Chris Long returns as the Rams' starting left end, with 2011 first-round choice Robert Quinn expected to start on the right side after the Rams released veteran James Hall. Hayes provides rotational depth, at least, and a direct connection to Fisher.
"Hayes is undersized with good initial quickness and acceleration off the edge," the Scouts Inc. profile
reads, in part. "He needs to work on developing more counter moves and improving his strength to take on and shed blockers."Young and old of West as free agency nears
March, 13, 2012
Mar 13
11:33
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
The Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams take two of the NFL's youngest rosters into the free-agent signing period Tuesday.
The first chart shows where teams in the division rank after subtracting from rosters those players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. ET. I also eliminated from consideration kickers, punters and long-snappers because age variations matter less at those positions.
Levi Brown, Justin Bannan, Jason Brown, Fred Robbins, James Hall and Ron Bartell were among the players I removed from rosters based on reports indicating their releases were imminent.
A relatively small difference in average across 50 or 60 players can give us a general feel for a roster. NFL careers can be short. Every year counts. That is why general managers and salary-cap analysts pay attention to where their teams stand in these areas.
The Rams have the youngest offensive players in the league. The Seahawks have the youngest defensive players by a wide margin. The 49ers have the oldest specialists, and their overall team age increased after adding 35-year-old receiver Randy Moss.
Last offseason, the Rams patched their roster with veterans signed to one-year deals. In retrospect, that reflected a team with less young depth than would have been ideal.
The Cardinals have the second-oldest offensive linemen in the NFL. That is not always bad. The New York Giants have the oldest offensive linemen on average; they just won a Super Bowl. AFC champion New England has the fourth-oldest players at the position.
Having an older line is tolerable and even preferable if that line has strong talent and has played together for years. But the combination of advanced age and below-average talent signals an inability to improve over time.
The Cardinals will presumably add younger linemen through the draft and possibly free agency.
The 49ers, though strong along the defensive line, have the fourth-oldest players at that position when we count Aldon Smith as an outside linebacker. That is one area the team could address for the future. Justin Smith, arguably the NFL's best defensive lineman, turns 33 before the season and has started 171 consecutive games, 92 more than any active defensive lineman in the NFL.
The chart below shows age ranks for teams by position and overall, counting specialists.
.
The first chart shows where teams in the division rank after subtracting from rosters those players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at 4 p.m. ET. I also eliminated from consideration kickers, punters and long-snappers because age variations matter less at those positions.
Levi Brown, Justin Bannan, Jason Brown, Fred Robbins, James Hall and Ron Bartell were among the players I removed from rosters based on reports indicating their releases were imminent.
A relatively small difference in average across 50 or 60 players can give us a general feel for a roster. NFL careers can be short. Every year counts. That is why general managers and salary-cap analysts pay attention to where their teams stand in these areas.
The Rams have the youngest offensive players in the league. The Seahawks have the youngest defensive players by a wide margin. The 49ers have the oldest specialists, and their overall team age increased after adding 35-year-old receiver Randy Moss.
Last offseason, the Rams patched their roster with veterans signed to one-year deals. In retrospect, that reflected a team with less young depth than would have been ideal.
The Cardinals have the second-oldest offensive linemen in the NFL. That is not always bad. The New York Giants have the oldest offensive linemen on average; they just won a Super Bowl. AFC champion New England has the fourth-oldest players at the position.
Having an older line is tolerable and even preferable if that line has strong talent and has played together for years. But the combination of advanced age and below-average talent signals an inability to improve over time.
The Cardinals will presumably add younger linemen through the draft and possibly free agency.
The 49ers, though strong along the defensive line, have the fourth-oldest players at that position when we count Aldon Smith as an outside linebacker. That is one area the team could address for the future. Justin Smith, arguably the NFL's best defensive lineman, turns 33 before the season and has started 171 consecutive games, 92 more than any active defensive lineman in the NFL.
The chart below shows age ranks for teams by position and overall, counting specialists.
.
The St. Louis Rams released or planned to release five starters Monday.
"Is this a signal they aren't trying to be competitive now?" a Rams fan named Rick asked. "They are going to do another full rebuild?"
The Rams were not competitive enough when Justin Bannan, Fred Robbins, Jason Brown, Ron Bartell and James Hall were on their roster. Robbins was very good two years ago. Bartell has serious injury concerns. Hall was a strong all-around defensive end for years, but with 2011 first-round pick Robert Quinn on the roster, Hall's age and salary likely worked against him.
As for the full rebuild part of Rick's question, yes, the Rams are undergoing one of those.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the five cuts will clear about $20 million in cap space, giving the team roughly $30 million of room heading into free agency. General manager Les Snead: "We will be active. Like I've mentioned before, we're going to try to be aggressive in acquiring players whatever the method ... we want to get the best players in."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers have demonstrated a willingness to take chances at wide receiver under Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke, as demonstrated by signing Braylon Edwards and Randy Moss over the past year. Maiocco: "Of course, the 49ers still have a need at wide receiver. Joshua Morgan is a free agent, and the 49ers want him back. Ted Ginn was a lot more valuable as a return man than as a wideout, so his return is anything but certain. Late in the season, the 49ers rolled the dice in a different way at the receiver position. After several key injuries, the 49ers decided not to address the position. Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams were the starters in the NFC Championship Game, with Brett Swain was the No. 3 wideout." Noted: The contracts with Edwards and Moss were low-risk deals.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Moss thinks he's gotten a bad rap in the media. Moss: "When it comes to world wide sports media, you know, I've gotten a bad rap. They've done their homework on me or they wouldn't have brought me in here. ... One thing I would like the sports world to understand is the love and passion I have for football."
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa-Press Democrat describes Moss as a one-dimensional player, and one the 49ers will have a hard time maximizing. Cohn: "Moss is a down-the-field receiver. Period. He does not run shallow crossing routes or underneath routes -- he avoids them. He's strictly a home-run hitter. To make use of Moss, the quarterback -- we're most likely talking Alex Smith here -- needs to throw the ball vertically, and the offensive coordinator must be willing to take long shots downfield. But that is not Smith's style, never has been. He is a meticulous, analytical player who likes to throw to receivers when he sees a nice, comfortable window accompanied by plenty of open space."
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers appear cocky going after Moss while ignoring Peyton Manning. Noted: Going after a wide receiver is far less disruptive than going after a quarterback. Manning would change every aspect of the offense, essentially forcing the team to part with Smith. Moss will be part of a rotation at the position, and he will not prevent the team from making other moves at his position.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on Mario Williams as a potential fit for Seattle in free agency. O'Neil: "The Seahawks have stated a desire to improve their pass rush, and Williams isn't just one of the top pass rushers available in the open market, he's one of the top pass rushers in the game. This isn't a great pass rusher in his 30s. This is a great pass rusher in his prime. He played outside linebacker for the Texans last season, demonstrating a versatility that could give Seattle's defensive coaches a license to scheme with a roster that includes both Williams and Chris Clemons."
Also from O'Neil: thoughts on Matt Flynn as a potential QB signing for the Seahawks.
Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along John Clayton's thoughts on Williams. Clayton: "If you're going to be going for Mario Williams, the best value is to put him on the line of scrimmage and have him rush as a 4-3 defensive end. That's the way the league goes. You don't see $15 million linebackers. ... I think that when you look at the value, he's going to be more valuable to a 4-3 team, and the two 4-3 teams that appear to have either the most money or the most interest are Atlanta and Seattle."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals are hoping for a quick resolution to Peyton Manning's situation. Somers: "The Cardinals would prefer the process to proceed as quickly as possible for a couple reasons. They owe quarterback Kevin Kolb a $7 million bonus if he is on the roster Saturday. They likely would release Kolb if they sign Manning. And the Cardinals are expected to start the league year Tuesday with little room under the NFL's $120.6 million salary cap. It will be difficult for them to re-sign their players, or those from other teams, without knowing if they are going to sign Manning."
Also from Somers: The Cardinals aren't worried about dire salary-cap characterizations regarding the team.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team expects to be less aggressive in free agency this offseason, in part because it perceives fewer needs.
"Is this a signal they aren't trying to be competitive now?" a Rams fan named Rick asked. "They are going to do another full rebuild?"
The Rams were not competitive enough when Justin Bannan, Fred Robbins, Jason Brown, Ron Bartell and James Hall were on their roster. Robbins was very good two years ago. Bartell has serious injury concerns. Hall was a strong all-around defensive end for years, but with 2011 first-round pick Robert Quinn on the roster, Hall's age and salary likely worked against him.
As for the full rebuild part of Rick's question, yes, the Rams are undergoing one of those.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the five cuts will clear about $20 million in cap space, giving the team roughly $30 million of room heading into free agency. General manager Les Snead: "We will be active. Like I've mentioned before, we're going to try to be aggressive in acquiring players whatever the method ... we want to get the best players in."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com says the 49ers have demonstrated a willingness to take chances at wide receiver under Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke, as demonstrated by signing Braylon Edwards and Randy Moss over the past year. Maiocco: "Of course, the 49ers still have a need at wide receiver. Joshua Morgan is a free agent, and the 49ers want him back. Ted Ginn was a lot more valuable as a return man than as a wideout, so his return is anything but certain. Late in the season, the 49ers rolled the dice in a different way at the receiver position. After several key injuries, the 49ers decided not to address the position. Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams were the starters in the NFC Championship Game, with Brett Swain was the No. 3 wideout." Noted: The contracts with Edwards and Moss were low-risk deals.
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says Moss thinks he's gotten a bad rap in the media. Moss: "When it comes to world wide sports media, you know, I've gotten a bad rap. They've done their homework on me or they wouldn't have brought me in here. ... One thing I would like the sports world to understand is the love and passion I have for football."
Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa-Press Democrat describes Moss as a one-dimensional player, and one the 49ers will have a hard time maximizing. Cohn: "Moss is a down-the-field receiver. Period. He does not run shallow crossing routes or underneath routes -- he avoids them. He's strictly a home-run hitter. To make use of Moss, the quarterback -- we're most likely talking Alex Smith here -- needs to throw the ball vertically, and the offensive coordinator must be willing to take long shots downfield. But that is not Smith's style, never has been. He is a meticulous, analytical player who likes to throw to receivers when he sees a nice, comfortable window accompanied by plenty of open space."
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers appear cocky going after Moss while ignoring Peyton Manning. Noted: Going after a wide receiver is far less disruptive than going after a quarterback. Manning would change every aspect of the offense, essentially forcing the team to part with Smith. Moss will be part of a rotation at the position, and he will not prevent the team from making other moves at his position.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times offers thoughts on Mario Williams as a potential fit for Seattle in free agency. O'Neil: "The Seahawks have stated a desire to improve their pass rush, and Williams isn't just one of the top pass rushers available in the open market, he's one of the top pass rushers in the game. This isn't a great pass rusher in his 30s. This is a great pass rusher in his prime. He played outside linebacker for the Texans last season, demonstrating a versatility that could give Seattle's defensive coaches a license to scheme with a roster that includes both Williams and Chris Clemons."
Also from O'Neil: thoughts on Matt Flynn as a potential QB signing for the Seahawks.
Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along John Clayton's thoughts on Williams. Clayton: "If you're going to be going for Mario Williams, the best value is to put him on the line of scrimmage and have him rush as a 4-3 defensive end. That's the way the league goes. You don't see $15 million linebackers. ... I think that when you look at the value, he's going to be more valuable to a 4-3 team, and the two 4-3 teams that appear to have either the most money or the most interest are Atlanta and Seattle."
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals are hoping for a quick resolution to Peyton Manning's situation. Somers: "The Cardinals would prefer the process to proceed as quickly as possible for a couple reasons. They owe quarterback Kevin Kolb a $7 million bonus if he is on the roster Saturday. They likely would release Kolb if they sign Manning. And the Cardinals are expected to start the league year Tuesday with little room under the NFL's $120.6 million salary cap. It will be difficult for them to re-sign their players, or those from other teams, without knowing if they are going to sign Manning."
Also from Somers: The Cardinals aren't worried about dire salary-cap characterizations regarding the team.
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the team expects to be less aggressive in free agency this offseason, in part because it perceives fewer needs.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Matt Flynn, Kevin Kolb, Randy Moss and the St. Louis Rams' recent trade with Washington were among the subjects Dave Grosby, Bob Stelton and I discussed Monday.
710ESPN Seattle has the audio.
I promoted Williams as a potential pass-rush solution for Seattle when Grosby, Stelton and I spoke during the combine. This time, we considered the other side of free agency, specifically that players reaching the market tend to come with question marks. If Williams met expectations as the No. 1 overall choice in his draft class, why would the Texans let him reach the market? Don't point to the salary cap, either. Teams can find ways to keep their very best players.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter says the Arizona Cardinals expect to release tackle Levi Brown, a move long anticipated in the absence of a contract restructuring. Also, the Rams plan to release defensive end James Hall and cornerback Ron Bartell, two players singled out earlier Monday.
710ESPN Seattle has the audio.
I promoted Williams as a potential pass-rush solution for Seattle when Grosby, Stelton and I spoke during the combine. This time, we considered the other side of free agency, specifically that players reaching the market tend to come with question marks. If Williams met expectations as the No. 1 overall choice in his draft class, why would the Texans let him reach the market? Don't point to the salary cap, either. Teams can find ways to keep their very best players.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter says the Arizona Cardinals expect to release tackle Levi Brown, a move long anticipated in the absence of a contract restructuring. Also, the Rams plan to release defensive end James Hall and cornerback Ron Bartell, two players singled out earlier Monday.
The St. Louis Rams went through last season as one of the five oldest teams in the NFL.
They are now one of the five youngest after parting with veterans Jason Brown, Justin Bannan and Fred Robbins. The new average, based on rosters I maintain for every team, also reflects subtracting more than 400 projected free agents around the league.
The moves will create about $9.5 million in salary-cap space, according to Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis. The Rams will get another $1.6 million in space, as will every other NFC West team, after the league took away cap space from Washington and Dallas for accounting tactics they used in 2010.
Defensive end James Hall (35), kicker Josh Brown (32), safety Quintin Mikell (31), guard Harvey Dahl (30) and cornerback Ron Bartell (30) are the only Rams players in their 30s with contracts for the 2012 season. Mikell and Dahl project as starters. It's tougher to say how Hall and Bartell might fit.
Robbins was outstanding for the Rams in 2010, the first of two seasons he spent with the team. He wasn't as effective last season -- the team struggled as a whole, of course -- and will turn 35 next month. Brown, 28, started each of the 46 games he played in three seasons for the Rams, but the coaching staff benched him last season. Bannan, a free-agent addition during camp last summer, started 14 games. He turns 33 in April.
The Rams are only getting started on their roster makeover. They added veteran seasoning to patch holes on their roster coming out of the lockout last offseason. The contracts for most of those players had no bearing on the salary cap beyond 2011.
Now, with additional draft choices acquired from Washington, the Rams are in position to stock their roster with younger players. They had fallen behind their division rivals in developing young talent.
They are now one of the five youngest after parting with veterans Jason Brown, Justin Bannan and Fred Robbins. The new average, based on rosters I maintain for every team, also reflects subtracting more than 400 projected free agents around the league.
The moves will create about $9.5 million in salary-cap space, according to Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis. The Rams will get another $1.6 million in space, as will every other NFC West team, after the league took away cap space from Washington and Dallas for accounting tactics they used in 2010.
Defensive end James Hall (35), kicker Josh Brown (32), safety Quintin Mikell (31), guard Harvey Dahl (30) and cornerback Ron Bartell (30) are the only Rams players in their 30s with contracts for the 2012 season. Mikell and Dahl project as starters. It's tougher to say how Hall and Bartell might fit.
Robbins was outstanding for the Rams in 2010, the first of two seasons he spent with the team. He wasn't as effective last season -- the team struggled as a whole, of course -- and will turn 35 next month. Brown, 28, started each of the 46 games he played in three seasons for the Rams, but the coaching staff benched him last season. Bannan, a free-agent addition during camp last summer, started 14 games. He turns 33 in April.
The Rams are only getting started on their roster makeover. They added veteran seasoning to patch holes on their roster coming out of the lockout last offseason. The contracts for most of those players had no bearing on the salary cap beyond 2011.
Now, with additional draft choices acquired from Washington, the Rams are in position to stock their roster with younger players. They had fallen behind their division rivals in developing young talent.
The facts: The St. Louis Rams finished the 2011 season with a 2-14 record after suffering a 34-27 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in the Edward Jones Dome.
The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.
The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.
- The Rams scored two rushing touchdowns, one by Kellen Clemens and the other by Cadillac Williams. The 49ers had allowed only one rushing touchdown all season previously.
- Clemens' 18-yard run gave the Rams a 7-0 lead. His touchdown pass to Brandon Lloyd in the fourth quarter pulled the Rams within striking distance. A low completion percentage and one interception left Clemens with a 67.4 NFL passer rating out of a possible 158.3, but Clemens' broader contributions -- his rushing touchdown, plus his strong play late in the game -- equated to the Rams' highest single-game Total QBR score of the season (64.9 out of 100).
- Lloyd finished with 100 yards receiving, his first game in triple digits since the Rams acquired him from Denver before the trading deadline.
- Veteran defensive end James Hall collected his sixth sack of the season.
- Josh Brown and the Rams' kickoff coverage team executed a successful onside kick late in the game, keeping alive the Rams' chances. Linebacker Bryan Kehl made the recovery with 4:45 remaining. Cadillac Williams then scored on a 1-yard run to get the Rams within a touchdown at 34-27.
- Brown also made both field goal attempts. Punter Donnie Jones had a 41.2-yard net average.
- Resting Sam Bradford allowed the Rams' franchise quarterback to avoid further injury in an ultimately meaningless game against a tough defense. Clemens suffered a leg injury late in the game. There was no sense in putting Bradford at risk. He missed the game with a high-ankle sprain.
Tough to learn from Rams' predicament
December, 18, 2011
12/18/11
12:42
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
The St. Louis Rams' injury situation should, in theory, clear the way for the team to evaluate young depth against Cincinnati in Week 15.
That will happen at defensive end, where rookie Robert Quinn is getting the start over injured and inactive veteran James Hall. Quinn has shown flashes of ability as a situational player this season. Taking a longer look at him across additional situations will help.
But in too many other cases, the Rams are playing out the season without learning much about the future. Injuries are one reason. Not having enough young depth is another reason.
Sam Bradford is inactive against the Bengals, but replacement Kellen Clemens is a stopgap, not a developmental player. The team had hoped to keep Thaddeus Lewis on is practice squad coming out camp, but Lewis signed with Cleveland. And without a regular offseason, the team decided to stick with veteran A.J. Feeley as its backup even though Feeley, now injured, did not know the new offense.
Left tackle Rodger Saffold is also out. His replacement Sunday, Adam Goldberg, is 31 years old. The team knows he projects as a backup guard and tackle. He isn't going to develop into more than that.
The team has suffered too many injuries at cornerback to even consider developing young players at that position. With Justin King out Sunday, Rod Hood gets the start. Hood is 30 years old and still coming back from a career-threatening knee injury. He did not play in 2010.
Some of the players St. Louis wanted to develop this season -- tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, receiver Greg Salas and tackle Jason Smith -- are on injured reserve.
As a result, the Rams are largely just playing out the final three games.
That will happen at defensive end, where rookie Robert Quinn is getting the start over injured and inactive veteran James Hall. Quinn has shown flashes of ability as a situational player this season. Taking a longer look at him across additional situations will help.
But in too many other cases, the Rams are playing out the season without learning much about the future. Injuries are one reason. Not having enough young depth is another reason.
Sam Bradford is inactive against the Bengals, but replacement Kellen Clemens is a stopgap, not a developmental player. The team had hoped to keep Thaddeus Lewis on is practice squad coming out camp, but Lewis signed with Cleveland. And without a regular offseason, the team decided to stick with veteran A.J. Feeley as its backup even though Feeley, now injured, did not know the new offense.
Left tackle Rodger Saffold is also out. His replacement Sunday, Adam Goldberg, is 31 years old. The team knows he projects as a backup guard and tackle. He isn't going to develop into more than that.
The team has suffered too many injuries at cornerback to even consider developing young players at that position. With Justin King out Sunday, Rod Hood gets the start. Hood is 30 years old and still coming back from a career-threatening knee injury. He did not play in 2010.
Some of the players St. Louis wanted to develop this season -- tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, receiver Greg Salas and tackle Jason Smith -- are on injured reserve.
As a result, the Rams are largely just playing out the final three games.
The latest NFC West chat covered a good mix of in-season and offseason questions/comments. I'll touch on some highlights here and conclude by following up with an additional thought or two:
Following up on that final question, Seattle actually faces tough matchups for McQuistan, its new let tackle, each week to finish the season. The Rams' James Hall has a sack in three of the team's past five games, including against the Seahawks. After facing Peppers and the Smiths (Justin and Aldon), the Seahawks close the season on the road against Arizona. The Cardinals' Calais Campbell and Sam Acho have been getting pressure from that side as well.
Mike Sando: The Cardinals have a decent shot at winning this game because their defense is playing better and should keep them competitive. Kevin Kolb borrowed a page from the Alex Smith playbook by taking a couple sacks instead of risking interceptions. He also protected the ball pretty well when hit. The 49ers have matched up well with Arizona, though. I'm favoring the 49ers to win the game.
Mike Sando: Great, perceptive question, Jordan. I think they would have -- and will -- find relief through reworking or eliminating Jason Smith's rookie deal. There is just no way the team will pay him $10 million next season, the price called for in the deal Smith signed as the second overall choice in 2009. The team actually reworked Chris Long's deal this year to help with cap considerations.
Mike Sando: The Saints have a very good shot at running the table to finish 13-3. That is where I would expect the 49ers to finish, but I think the 49ers have a tougher road, even with a one-game head start. They have the Steelers in a prime-time game. They visit Seattle on a shorter week. Tough place to play. Arizona has won four of its past five. Jim Harbaugh doesn't seem like the type to rest guys unless the team were in control during its Week 17 visit to the Rams, a possibility. The 49ers are unestablished as a playoff team. They need to keep getting better.
Mike Sando: The offensive line became better in the short term, I think, when Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan replaced James Carpenter and John Moffitt on the right side. The only drop there was in building for the future. Carpenter and Moffitt needed the work. Losing left tackle Russell Okung is totally different -- a bigger loss. This probably won't show up fully until the team plays the Bears and 49ers. Julius Peppers and Justin Smith are going to give Seattle problems.
Following up on that final question, Seattle actually faces tough matchups for McQuistan, its new let tackle, each week to finish the season. The Rams' James Hall has a sack in three of the team's past five games, including against the Seahawks. After facing Peppers and the Smiths (Justin and Aldon), the Seahawks close the season on the road against Arizona. The Cardinals' Calais Campbell and Sam Acho have been getting pressure from that side as well.
Around the NFC West: Puzzling recoveries
December, 7, 2011
12/07/11
9:11
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Two NFC West players have shaken off serious injuries that threatened their availability this season.
Arizona's Adrian Wilson suffered a torn biceps tendon near his elbow about a month before the regular season. He has started every game. Wilson no longer wears a protective wrap on his arm. He has played at a high level and seems to be getting better -- counter to any thoughts suggesting the biceps might not hold up over the course of a full season.
Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson is pulling off a similar feat. The torn right pectoral muscle he suffered Oct. 9 sidelined him for a week and seemed to diminish his play at times, but Jackson was at his best against Philadelphia last week despite having only four days between games. Like Wilson, Jackson seems to be getting better.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says even Jackson wasn't expecting this sort of recovery under the circumstances. Jackson: "It kind of surprised me. Earlier in the week I thought it was just [adrenaline] still in my system on Monday, but Tuesday came and it still felt good. On Wednesday it still felt pretty good. The coaches were a little surprised that I was throwing during the week, but it’s a feel -- if it feels good, I'm going to go out there and practice. They were surprised that it came this week on a short week, but it came and we were able to get out there and practice and get all of the looks in. That was good for us."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com looks at how the team is shuffling personnel on its offensive line and linebacker.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' depth continues to be tested.
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle breaks down Marshawn Lynch's 40-yard touchdown run against the Eagles.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Beanie Wells' tough running is counter to his reputation. Somers: "With 916 yards, Wells is on pace to rush for more than 1,200 yards, something only one other back (Edgerrin James, 2007) has accomplished during the team's history in Arizona. If maturing for an NFL running back means developing a willingness to play hurt, then Wells has matured, putting the team before himself. That's not always the case for professional athletes, and it's hard to blame them. Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston returned early from knee surgery last season and was praised for his toughness. But when the season was over, the Cardinals never made a serious bid to re-sign him, believing Breaston's knee was too big of a risk. He left for Kansas City." Noted: Wells has displayed two types of toughness. Being a physical runner is one part of the equation. Playing through injury is the other.
Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic checks in with Darnell Dockett, who says he's "closer to God" and in a different place spiritually. Dockett, whose mother was murdered years ago, says he would forgive the killer if the two ever met. Dockett: "I'm closer to God now in my life, and I just feel that for me to ask God to forgive me for all the things I've done in my life, I feel like I should be able to forgive somebody for whatever they've done. At the end of the day, I'm not going to dictate whether you go to heaven or hell. That's a question that you've got to answer. I believe in God, and you can't walk around here praying and ask to be blessed and to be protected when you're walking around with evil toward someone else."
Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks colleagues whether they think the Rams will win another game this season. Bryan Burwell: "With the Rams down to a third-string QB and an offensive line full of strangers, it’s difficult to imagine where the points will come from, which means I really don’t know where the victories will come from. We don’t know a lot about Tom Brandstater other than he’s a big guy (6-5) who has yet to throw an NFL pass. The Rams offense right now is nonexistent. It can’t score. If you can’t move the ball or score touchdowns, a 9-0 lead is insurmountable. 2-14 seems like a lock."
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Rams' quarterback situation after the team signed Matt Gutierriez to its practice squad. Noted: Gutierrez has played in New England and Kansas City, so he has experience in the offensive system the Rams are running.
Mike Rosenberg of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' stadium plan relies upon "record" loans. Rosenberg: "Critics and some analysts fear the stadium next to the Great America theme park won't whip up enough profit to pay off $850 million that the city's stadium authority will borrow to propel the plan into reality. If the economic assumptions fall short, the 49ers' new home could wind up bleeding red ink for decades, with interest payments pushing the project's total debt well beyond $1 billion. That's about triple the debt that voters were told the city's stadium authority would take on when they approved the project 18 months ago. ... But the deal, announced Friday, includes a fail-safe that experts say might be the first of its kind among NFL stadiums. Although the city's stadium authority is ultimately responsible for paying off the loans, the 49ers have vowed to make sure the debt is paid in case the stadium struggles."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com offers his player-by-player offensive review from the 49ers' game against the Rams. Noted: Left tackle Joe Staley gets high marks for his performance against James Hall. In the past, Staley has called Hall one of the more difficult defensive ends he faces, partly because Hall is a good power player.
Also from Maiocco: a defensive review. On Aldon Smith: "Played fewer than 20 snaps as part of the 49ers' nickel defense, but he made a huge impact on the game with two sacks and a fumble recovery.. ... On a third-and-13 in the first quarter, he dropped into coverage, avoided block attempt of left guard Jacob Bell and dropped receiver Nick Miller for an 8-yard loss to force a punt. ... Recovered fumble at the Rams 6-yard line in the second quarter. . . . Bull-rushed left tackle Adam Goldberg to drop A.J. Feeley for a 7-yard loss on a third-quarter sack. ... Beat backup right tackle Thomas Welch for sack on a fourth-and-12 in the fourth quarter."
Arizona's Adrian Wilson suffered a torn biceps tendon near his elbow about a month before the regular season. He has started every game. Wilson no longer wears a protective wrap on his arm. He has played at a high level and seems to be getting better -- counter to any thoughts suggesting the biceps might not hold up over the course of a full season.
Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson is pulling off a similar feat. The torn right pectoral muscle he suffered Oct. 9 sidelined him for a week and seemed to diminish his play at times, but Jackson was at his best against Philadelphia last week despite having only four days between games. Like Wilson, Jackson seems to be getting better.
Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says even Jackson wasn't expecting this sort of recovery under the circumstances. Jackson: "It kind of surprised me. Earlier in the week I thought it was just [adrenaline] still in my system on Monday, but Tuesday came and it still felt good. On Wednesday it still felt pretty good. The coaches were a little surprised that I was throwing during the week, but it’s a feel -- if it feels good, I'm going to go out there and practice. They were surprised that it came this week on a short week, but it came and we were able to get out there and practice and get all of the looks in. That was good for us."
Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com looks at how the team is shuffling personnel on its offensive line and linebacker.
Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks' depth continues to be tested.
Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle breaks down Marshawn Lynch's 40-yard touchdown run against the Eagles.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Beanie Wells' tough running is counter to his reputation. Somers: "With 916 yards, Wells is on pace to rush for more than 1,200 yards, something only one other back (Edgerrin James, 2007) has accomplished during the team's history in Arizona. If maturing for an NFL running back means developing a willingness to play hurt, then Wells has matured, putting the team before himself. That's not always the case for professional athletes, and it's hard to blame them. Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston returned early from knee surgery last season and was praised for his toughness. But when the season was over, the Cardinals never made a serious bid to re-sign him, believing Breaston's knee was too big of a risk. He left for Kansas City." Noted: Wells has displayed two types of toughness. Being a physical runner is one part of the equation. Playing through injury is the other.
Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic checks in with Darnell Dockett, who says he's "closer to God" and in a different place spiritually. Dockett, whose mother was murdered years ago, says he would forgive the killer if the two ever met. Dockett: "I'm closer to God now in my life, and I just feel that for me to ask God to forgive me for all the things I've done in my life, I feel like I should be able to forgive somebody for whatever they've done. At the end of the day, I'm not going to dictate whether you go to heaven or hell. That's a question that you've got to answer. I believe in God, and you can't walk around here praying and ask to be blessed and to be protected when you're walking around with evil toward someone else."
Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks colleagues whether they think the Rams will win another game this season. Bryan Burwell: "With the Rams down to a third-string QB and an offensive line full of strangers, it’s difficult to imagine where the points will come from, which means I really don’t know where the victories will come from. We don’t know a lot about Tom Brandstater other than he’s a big guy (6-5) who has yet to throw an NFL pass. The Rams offense right now is nonexistent. It can’t score. If you can’t move the ball or score touchdowns, a 9-0 lead is insurmountable. 2-14 seems like a lock."
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Rams' quarterback situation after the team signed Matt Gutierriez to its practice squad. Noted: Gutierrez has played in New England and Kansas City, so he has experience in the offensive system the Rams are running.
Mike Rosenberg of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' stadium plan relies upon "record" loans. Rosenberg: "Critics and some analysts fear the stadium next to the Great America theme park won't whip up enough profit to pay off $850 million that the city's stadium authority will borrow to propel the plan into reality. If the economic assumptions fall short, the 49ers' new home could wind up bleeding red ink for decades, with interest payments pushing the project's total debt well beyond $1 billion. That's about triple the debt that voters were told the city's stadium authority would take on when they approved the project 18 months ago. ... But the deal, announced Friday, includes a fail-safe that experts say might be the first of its kind among NFL stadiums. Although the city's stadium authority is ultimately responsible for paying off the loans, the 49ers have vowed to make sure the debt is paid in case the stadium struggles."
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com offers his player-by-player offensive review from the 49ers' game against the Rams. Noted: Left tackle Joe Staley gets high marks for his performance against James Hall. In the past, Staley has called Hall one of the more difficult defensive ends he faces, partly because Hall is a good power player.
Also from Maiocco: a defensive review. On Aldon Smith: "Played fewer than 20 snaps as part of the 49ers' nickel defense, but he made a huge impact on the game with two sacks and a fumble recovery.. ... On a third-and-13 in the first quarter, he dropped into coverage, avoided block attempt of left guard Jacob Bell and dropped receiver Nick Miller for an 8-yard loss to force a punt. ... Recovered fumble at the Rams 6-yard line in the second quarter. . . . Bull-rushed left tackle Adam Goldberg to drop A.J. Feeley for a 7-yard loss on a third-quarter sack. ... Beat backup right tackle Thomas Welch for sack on a fourth-and-12 in the fourth quarter."
Hope for Rams? Yes, but defense has issues
October, 28, 2011
10/28/11
10:20
AM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
The St. Louis Rams are not the first team to flop miserably amid expectations for improvement.
At 0-6 heading into a seemingly impossible matchup with New Orleans, the Rams have almost no shot at contending for the NFC West title this season.
Their best bet could be trying to emulate the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams flopped early last season despite elevated expectations. Both teams also recovered, and both have played well enough to post winning records heading into Week 8 this season.
The Lions opened 2-10 last season. The 49ers were 0-5. Both finished 6-10. They are a combined 10-3 this season (9-2 if we discard the game they played against one another).
The Rams still have two game against 1-5 Arizona, two against 2-4 Seattle and one against a Cleveland team that has gotten to 3-3 with victories over winless Miami and Indianapolis.
Sam Bradford's injury is complicating efforts to build on a 424-yard performance at Green Bay two weeks ago. I think the offense will improve and build momentum once he returns, particularly with Steven Jackson healthy and Brandon Lloyd in the lineup at wide receiver.
The problems on defense are what could drag down the Rams and possibly even precipitate sweeping organizational changes, in my view.
The inability of coach Steve Spagnuolo to coax better play from that side of the ball has been surprising. The problems go beyond injuries at cornerback. The inability to acquire and develop young defensive players for the future stands out when analyzing the roster.
As the chart shows, the Rams have allowed more rushing yards through six games than all but two teams since the 2000 season. Worse, they have very few ascending young players to develop on that side of the ball. James Butler and Craig Dahl are their backup safeties. Ben Leber, Josh Hull and Bryan Kehl are their backup linebackers. Darell Scott and Gary Gibson are their backup defensive tackles.
Of all the backups on defense, only rookie defensive end Robert Quinn projects as a potential front-line player for the future. That would be OK if the defense were playing at a high level and featured ascending young players. But starters James Hall, Fred Robbins, Justin Bannan, Brady Poppinga, Chris Chamberlain and Al Harris are either nearing the end or qualify as veteran stopgaps.
The prospects for sustained long-term improvement on defense appear limited as a result.
[+] Enlarge
Tim Heitman/US PresswireThe Rams have struggled to stop the run this season. Dallas' DeMarco Murray torched them for 253 yards on 25 carries.
Tim Heitman/US PresswireThe Rams have struggled to stop the run this season. Dallas' DeMarco Murray torched them for 253 yards on 25 carries.Their best bet could be trying to emulate the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams flopped early last season despite elevated expectations. Both teams also recovered, and both have played well enough to post winning records heading into Week 8 this season.
The Lions opened 2-10 last season. The 49ers were 0-5. Both finished 6-10. They are a combined 10-3 this season (9-2 if we discard the game they played against one another).
The Rams still have two game against 1-5 Arizona, two against 2-4 Seattle and one against a Cleveland team that has gotten to 3-3 with victories over winless Miami and Indianapolis.
Sam Bradford's injury is complicating efforts to build on a 424-yard performance at Green Bay two weeks ago. I think the offense will improve and build momentum once he returns, particularly with Steven Jackson healthy and Brandon Lloyd in the lineup at wide receiver.
The problems on defense are what could drag down the Rams and possibly even precipitate sweeping organizational changes, in my view.
The inability of coach Steve Spagnuolo to coax better play from that side of the ball has been surprising. The problems go beyond injuries at cornerback. The inability to acquire and develop young defensive players for the future stands out when analyzing the roster.
As the chart shows, the Rams have allowed more rushing yards through six games than all but two teams since the 2000 season. Worse, they have very few ascending young players to develop on that side of the ball. James Butler and Craig Dahl are their backup safeties. Ben Leber, Josh Hull and Bryan Kehl are their backup linebackers. Darell Scott and Gary Gibson are their backup defensive tackles.
Of all the backups on defense, only rookie defensive end Robert Quinn projects as a potential front-line player for the future. That would be OK if the defense were playing at a high level and featured ascending young players. But starters James Hall, Fred Robbins, Justin Bannan, Brady Poppinga, Chris Chamberlain and Al Harris are either nearing the end or qualify as veteran stopgaps.
The prospects for sustained long-term improvement on defense appear limited as a result.
Chat wrap: If the Seahawks could re-draft
October, 27, 2011
10/27/11
4:56
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
The NFC West has not yet been won, but it's trending toward the San Francisco 49ers enough for offseason questions to proliferate during the latest chat.
Niners fans are already asking about which players the team should re-sign, while other teams' fans are looking ahead to the draft. There were quite a few football-related questions, too, including these:
Thanks for keeping the conversation moving. Back in a bit. "You called it" item on the way before the day is through.
Niners fans are already asking about which players the team should re-sign, while other teams' fans are looking ahead to the draft. There were quite a few football-related questions, too, including these:
Mike Sando: I've been scratching my head on that one. The sketchy play on defense largely predates the cornerback issues. I think Fred Robbins has hit a wall, the outside linebackers have failed to meet expectations, James Hall has been just OK, teams are running away from Chris Long a little bit and the Rams don't have the personnel to contain the perimeter. The corner issues play into that last aspect, but are not enough to explain what is going wrong with the defense overall.
Mike Sando: Yeah, no question, but would they be any further along in their development as a team right now? Depends what you think of Sanchez. Is he THE guy or A guy? I'm a little skeptical still. Right now, you can make the case that Seattle is really a quarterback away from really contending. The team does not have many glaring holes elsewhere on the roster. The Seahawks could use maybe another linebacker, a pass-rusher, possibly a corner (depending on health issues). A running back to succeed Marshawn Lynch might help. Overall, though, a lot of the key pieces are there. They haven't found a quarterback to their liking yet. The one they get needs to be better than Sanchez, I think.
Mike Sando: How Kevin Kolb plays in the second half of the season will answer that question. If Kolb hasn't shown enough to that point, the Cardinals would have to consider the quarterback more strongly. If Kolb is looking good by then, or if the team has reason to expect great things from him, then see if there's a chance to leverage the choice into additional picks. It's clear the Cardinals have multiple needs -- left tackle and outside linebacker among them.
Mike Sando: It's a good thing for the 49ers that we cannot easily agree on the answer to that. NaVorro Bowman has stood out most unexpectedly, at least from my viewpoint. ... I've been impressed with the team's decision to re-sign Ray McDonald, start him at end, move Isaac Sopoaga to the nose and let Aubrayo Franklin walk. That combination of moves stands out to me as unconventional, but a case of the 49ers knowing better than outsiders knew.
Thanks for keeping the conversation moving. Back in a bit. "You called it" item on the way before the day is through.
The facts: The St. Louis Rams fell to 0-6 with a 34-7 road defeat to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7.
The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.
The upside: Even the worst defeats tend to feature a bright spot or two.
- Offensive lineman Jason Smith and defensive lineman Darell Scott escaped debilitating neck injuries and were able to join the team on its flight back to St. Louis following the game. Both had been carted off the field.
- The Rams lost no ground to Arizona or Seattle in the NFC West.
- Steven Jackson appeared fully recovered from his quadriceps injury. He showed good acceleration and speed during a 40-yard run, his longest since suffering the quadriceps injury during a 47-yarder in Week 1.
- Brandon Lloyd caught six passes for 74 yards during his Rams debut.
- The Rams downed three of Donnie Jones' punts inside the Dallas 20.
- Quintin Mikell forced a fumble, with teammate Al Harris recovering.
- The Rams matched the Cowboys in third-down conversion rate (38 percent).
- The Rams held the Cowboys to a field goal on the first of two Dallas possessions that began in St. Louis territory.
- James Hall and Gary Gibson collected sacks. Rookie Robert Quinn had a quarterback hit.
- The Rams allowed only one sack, a season low after allowing 15 over their previous three games.
- Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui played extensively and had a 27-yard reception.
- The Rams are nearly finished with the most difficult portion of their schedule. They're the only team in the NFL without a division game in the first eight weeks of this season. They play five division games in six weeks beginning in Week 9, with the lone non-division game against Cleveland.
Thoughts on the St. Louis Rams' 34-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7:
What it means: The Rams fell to 0-6 and could be headed for 0-7 with New Orleans visiting St. Louis in Week 8. They need to step down in class. They need to welcome back Sam Bradford from injury and get him synced up with new receiver Brandon Lloyd. And they need to figure out an alternative to the way they're playing run defense. The Rams are now within two defeats of their total for the 2010 season.
What I liked: The Rams hung tough early and trailed only 14-7 late in the first half. Steven Jackson had a 40-yard run. James Hall and Gary Gibson had sacks. Rookie Robert Quinn hit Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on an incomplete pass in the red zone. This game could have gotten out of hand earlier if the Rams didn't hold the Cowboys to a field goal on a drive that began at the St. Louis 30. The Rams allowed only one sack. Cornerback Al Harris seemed to bounce back from a rough game at Green Bay. Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards, reasonable stats for a player without a victory as a starter since 2004. Feeley wasn't the primary reason the Rams lost the game. Lloyd caught six passes for 74 yards.
What I didn't like: The run defense was generally abysmal again, allowing the Cowboys' DeMarco Murray to set a franchise single-game rushing record thanks to a 91-yard run. Murray rushed for 253 yards. The Cowboys rushed for more yards in this game (294) than any NFL team has gained in a game this season, even though they entered the game ranked 27th in rushing yards per game. The Rams ranked last in rushing yards allowed per game before Sunday, and that certainly will not change following this performance. This was the most rushing yards a Rams team has allowed in a game since 1981. It was the seventh most rushing yards a Rams team has allowed since at least 1940 (the team dates to 1937). That historical context shows the current Rams cannot blame their deficiencies against the run to their inability to sustain drives on offense. The Rams were often worse on offense while posting a 6-42 record from 2007 to 2009, but they never gave up this many yards on the ground. Just about every move the team made on defense this offseason was supposed to upgrade the run defense. The secondary has fallen apart through injuries, putting additional pressure on the front seven, but the Rams tackled horribly in this game.
Injury scare: The Rams lost right tackle Jason Smith to an apparent neck injury after Smith was injured making a tackle following a turnover. Smith left on a stretcher. His status was not immediately known, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said Smith suffered a strained neck and a blow to the head. Smith has had concussion problems in the past.
What's next: The Rams are home against the Saints.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
