Week 3 - Rams at Tampa Bay - Open Thread
by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 23, 2007 8:39 AM CDT
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PrintToday's game is about as must win as it gets in week 3, and particularly important considering the Rams next face a Cowboys team firing on all cylindars and a divisional match up with Arizona after that.
Tampa's the softest spot on the early schedule, and a playing on the road just might do this team a favor, getting them away from the spotlight and microscope of negative attention after a 0-2 start at home.
TB had a decent showing last week, beating the disappointing Saints, but got beat by Seattle hte week before. Their defensive line has done well against the run, but they've been unable to generate much of a pass rush, totaling only four sacks on the season so far. They'll be looking to rush this week on the Rams beat up front line, so getting the running game going early and often will be key to keeping Bulger's ribs from getting mashed up.
Setting up the run will also be important to spreading the Bucs defense out and taking advantage of a pass defense ranked 23rd in the league (18% DVOA). Tampa CB Brian Kelly should be back this week, which will boost ehir pass defense just a bit. Above all the Rams need points, lots and lots of points.
On the other side of the ball, if the defense plays like they did last week I'd be a pretty happy man. Tampa plays a fairly standard West Coast offense behind an invigorated Jeff Garcia. That also means that the backfield will get a lot more work than they did against a fairly inneffective Alex Smith. The linebackers' play will be important here, keeping them from completing over the middle and forcing our D to stay on the field too long. Tampa has allowed five sacks this season, but the Rams front is looking like their increasingly capable of penetrating and they'll want ot get little his first sack of the year.
Head over to Buc 'Em for some more insight from the Tampa Bay side of things.
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Big Props
by Ryan Van Bibber on Sep 23, 2007 12:57 PM CDT reply actions
sloppy half
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 23, 2007 1:31 PM CDT reply actions
or not.
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 23, 2007 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Can't blame
by Toddius396 on Sep 23, 2007 2:20 PM CDT reply actions
excuse me
WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 23, 2007 2:34 PM CDT reply actions
bulger fucking sucks.
by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 23, 2007 2:38 PM CDT reply actions
I agree..
Ergo, offensive execution as well as Olson's play calling are to blame for the 0-3 record. That awful play where Bulger just swings it out to the receiver who just stands on the line of scrimmage, catches the ball, and promptly gets tackled for loss/no gain drove me insane today. Bulger looked totally out of rhythm with every receiver except Holt. The interception intended for Bennett was Bulger's fault though, he under thew that badly. Steven Jackson did look better today, but was still pretty ineffective.
The one positive that I took away from the game was the Linehan all fired up about the performance on the field. Maybe that's what this team needs, an emotional jolt from an otherwise emotionless head coach.
And what the hell is up with Jeff Wilkins??
If we only had a quarterback...
And I'm not serious about the quarterback, but still....
I'm starting to get back on my podium from last year. Linehan has no business being a head coach. Period. Paragraph.
And I wasn't impressed by his little cheerleading act he put on. As far as I know, he was trying to impress his idol who was manning the sidelines across the field. Jon Gruden, one of the most overrated head coaches in the history of football.
I did notice that between Olsen and Linehan, they've successfully turned the offense into the Chicago Bears offense of 5 years ago. What the fuck with all the screens!?! Totally, unimaginative. And total garbage.
Give props to Haslett. Solid effort by the defense, altough I'm not sure why he told them they weren't allowed to tackle Earnest Graham. Personally, I think that was a bad strategey. But, nonetheless, good effort.
Seriously, is Olsen's play calling that much better than what Linehan can do? I doubt it is. Then again, Linehan has never been a head coach at any level before last year, so maybe it's best this way.
Anyone else wish we had Wisenhunt?
I do.
Jackson played well (saved by Holt), and Leonard looked like a bull. Not sure why Leonard vanished in the second half, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it. </sarcasm>
And I'm not even going to address Wilkins. He played like crap, although he possibly prevented Tampa Bay's first EVER kickoff return for a touchdown, so that's a positive. Anyway, Wilkins has saved their ass continually for about 3 years now, so I can't come down too hard on him today when, if perfect, still wouldn't have helped.
Final Point: Coach Linehan (and Greg Olsen too), you are now OFFICIALLY on the Hot Seat.
by Big Red on Sep 23, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions
You watch the previous two weeks
Sadly, it has. This was the most frustrating Rams game I have seen in many years. I can't take the 1 or 2 yard passes anymore. I can't take the flaws in the red zone anymore. I can't take Linehan anymore, I'm sorry.
I can't believe all I ever said to people this off year was, "If only we had a decent defense, we'd be in the Super Bowl." Never could I have ever imagined our defense being decent and our offense looking horrid.
Is there any reason to even watch this mess anymore if they don't believe changes need to be made? Apparently, Linehan has stepped up for Olsen saying the play calling is fine...Umm, ok.
Why have weapons at every offensive position and not even use them? The guy needs to be canned....asap.
by Option27 @ Turf Show Times on Sep 23, 2007 9:35 PM CDT reply actions
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