Ghosts of games past haunt the Rams

by VanRam on Nov 2, 2008 5:01 PM CST Comment 4 comments

After working hard over the last three games to erase plenty of bad memories, Rams fans saw a familiar sight on the field today. A tenuous early lead became lopsided laugher by the half, stop me if you've heard this one before.

The Rams aren't going to win a lot of games with this offense. Marc Bulger has lost himself, once again getting little help from an offensive line depleted after years of neglect. Having Steven Jackson back in the lineup for the Rams gave them a positive foundation heading into the game, but the line just couldn't open the holes for him and it was clear he wasn't 100%. Those two dropped passes he had just added to the meltdown on that side of the ball. How can Holt seriously feel like he's being cut out of the offense? His QB strikes out on most throws.

The defense will be a real strength of this team in the coming years. Right now, they're over their head, being asked to do too much with no help. In time of possession, the Rams offense was on the field just over 21 minutes; Warner and the Cardinals were out there for more than 38. Add to that, a constant advantage in field position thanks to the offense. (Can you imagine some of the scores this season without Donnie Jones punting?) I'm impressed with Chris Long. Like Jackson, Carriker and Little rushed back into the lineup without being 100%. Can't blame any of them, they're competitors, but with so many issues around them, playing banged up just exposes the team more. The secondary isn't good enough all around to run with an offense like the Cardinals.

A few things to think about:

What about Bulger? Should the Rams start Green next week? (Is putting a QB in play behind that o-line akin to manslaughter?) Should the Rams dump him in the offseason, find a stop gap an draft a QB? It's not unreasonable to think that Bugler can pull himself back together - Warner's a fine example of that. But is it best for that to happen elsewhere?
Play the young guys on the o-line? Good theory, but our biggest weakness seems to be at center. Let's trot out Romberg. Or, move Incognito to the middle, and put Greco in at RG. Let him start getting experience. He's NFL material and so much of our o-line isn't. I think with Bell, Incognito and Greco in the middle running lanes would be a little wider at least.
Clearly any ideas of contention are way off base. So what do the Rams start doing for next season? Who goes, who stays, what's the team's priority in the offseason market?

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Marc Bulger is a quality QB

but I think you guys really need to get some depth at the O-line, maybe draft heavy on the o-line. Scout the free agent market, big names or not, new blood, old blood, just try em all out until it works out.

Anyways, the Rams and Fins play in a few weeks, see you then!

y not if im wrong who will remember

by qbinfin on Apr 27, 2008 3:27 PM PDT

by DolfinPhan on Nov 2, 2008 10:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What about Bulger?

He needs to go…in the offseason…maybe. Normally when a starting QB has struggled the way that he has over the period that he has – the 2nd QB becomes the most popular person in town. Unfortunately for the Rams (IMO), the back ups of Green and Berlin do not inspire confidence to shout for them at the top of my lungs. Neither represent an upgrade nor the future of the position with the team so there is no point to bench Bulger this season.

I am a long time reader of HalosHeaven and BruinNation but new here so I am not sure what the overall feel of this blog is towards Marc but I am not a fan of his – never have been and never will be. Hell, I was calling for Smoker even when Marc was on his Pro Bowl run (not smart of me but just pointing out my dislike for the guy).

The more important question to me as I rule out the “keeping him, build around him, and hope he turns it around” option – is when do you release him? I think it goes hand in hand with when the next QB is drafted. Do you feel that you draft a QB and have them sit behind a vet for a year? If that is the case, then we are stuck with Marc through 09. Or throw the rook in 1st year and live with the growing pains? If so Marc gets his walking papers and I hope the door does hit him.

I personally am for living with the lumps (Flaaco and Ryan have looked good as this yrs rookie starters). Breaking down projected QBs for the 09 draft is probably better on a whole different post though.

Apologies for my first post being so long…

Outfielders For Sale! This weeks special...GMJ - see Tony for details!

by gorams77 on Nov 3, 2008 12:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Get used to having Bulger around

and you guys better be praying things get better for him, because he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. He is still under contract for a long period and the cap ramifications for the Rams will prevent them from removing him from the team this offseason by either trade or release.

And I think it’s painfully obvious the main issue on this team is the offensive line. And I’m not real sure why. I have a difficult time thinking they all suck, because there’s way too much talent there. So what is it? Does Leckey suck that much that he causes such a hole it’s too much for the others to compensate? I don’t know. But until that line improves, it doesn’t matter who the quarterback on the team is, they’re going to struggle.

When you can’t run the ball at all, you cause trouble for your quarterback. Jackson would have helped a little, but not nearly enough.

Of course, I think I counted at least 4 catches (3 that actually mattered) that would have moved the chains for Bulger but were completely dropped by his two most trusted hands. Jackson dropped a sure 1st down conversion and later dropped the touchdown pass that ultimately didn’t affect anything since they scored anyway. And Holt dropped two consecutive 1st down converting passes earlier in the game.

Catherine whispered into my ear, her breath rich with faraway spices, that she desire to make love. She wanted to try shinshi shinshi. Now, I'd been begging her to try shinshi shinshi for months. She'd refused on the grounds that it was unclean. Finally, she was willing to accept her lover's body in places no one had ever trespassed. Specifically, the ear canal.

by Tackle Box on Nov 3, 2008 6:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs