Breaking: Frerotte In, Bulger Out

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 3, 2007 11:44 AM CDT in News

Rams coach Scott Linehan is going with Gus Frerotte as his starting quarterback Sunday against Arizona and benching injured Pro Bowler Marc Bulger.

This is big news, and I suspect that Linehan finally saw something on the films that we've been seeing from our vantage point for two weeks: Bulger is playing hurt and not able to do what he does with 100%. For the record, I think Bulger's heart is in it - he's hardly been emotionless through this stretch - his body jsut hasn't healed to the level of his desire.

Thanks to jroman for catching this.

All kinds of news today.

Linehan will take over play calling duties from Olson, who will move up to the coaches booth during the games.

I suspect they'll be working together to an extent with Olson giving Linehan the eagle's eye scouting report. This should allow them to call plays in response to events on the field rather than following a map for their game plan. They should see some improvement with this.

Finally, McCollum will start at left guard, a position he owned during the 2003 season. This probably should have happened last week, but better late than never. McCollum has lots of experience with this team and knows the position. With Incognito back this week at RG and Romberg at center, the interior of the Rams o-line should be pretty solid.

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this is good

we are finally making some changes instead of making the same mistakes over and over again.
(not saying Frerotte is better than a healthy Bulger, but he is better than trotting out an injured and ineffective Bulger over and over again.)
heaven forbid i get my hopes up again.

by jroman on Oct 3, 2007 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

A very simple decision to bench an injured Bulger

that should have been made a couple of weeks ago. It seems that Linehan is his own worst enemy sometimes. What, is he channelling LaRussa nowadays? "Gotta get Bulger some more wins?"

As far as the play calling duties, I think that both Olson and Linehan are equally poor at running the wrong play at the wrong time at the wrong spot on the field.

It's a wash, Linehan is feeling the negative vibes from all sides and this is his way of showing his bosses that he has a handle on the situation. Hopefully this works out, I don't think he is a good head coach, but I do think he is trying hard to be at least mediocre in a tough situation. I feel that the poor guy is in over his head.

Gotta stop the run, dammit!

by Austin Idol on Oct 3, 2007 1:19 PM CDT reply actions

All good news

Plus with Wroten back next week and Tye Hill soon(?) we're right back in the playoff hunt. Seriously though, when Jackson comes back, assuming he's healthy, we should at LEAST be able to run a good hb draw. I agree with Vanram, the interior should be very solid. If we could scrape together a decent RT we could have a decent o-line. Right?!

by 636thestruggle on Oct 3, 2007 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

Where is Ryan Fitzpatrick when we need him?

Stupid move trading him for nothing. I would much rather him running the O than Gussie. Frerotte will not win a game. Guaranteed (more weight than an Isaac Bruce guarantee!). ;)

We need the fearsome foursome again.

by Downing Rules on Oct 3, 2007 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

I just realized

we only have two quarterbacks on the roster. Who's on the practice squad?

by Big Red on Oct 3, 2007 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

Nevermind

I just looked it up...Brock Berlin.

by Big Red on Oct 3, 2007 11:55 PM CDT up reply actions

We aren't very good.

Unfortunately, that just sums up our problems. Injuries killed the season, and I can write off the Carolina and Tampa game to them. But we gave SFO the win and basically were abused by Dallas. I'm just trying to justify if the injuries have such an extreme impact or if the first stringers just really aren't that good either.

by strugglemonkey on Oct 4, 2007 3:31 PM CDT reply actions