Wide Receiver Woes
by kevinramsfan on Oct 11, 2009 12:53 AM CDT
in 2009 regular season
8 comments
It's no secret the Rams passing game has suffered so far this season. Averaging an anemic 140 yds/g (30th in the league), the road gets no easier against the Vikings (who are 12th in the league in yds/g pass D). The loss of Laurent Robinson was a big blow for this team, as he was looking like he was turning into a nice little off-season pickup for the team. Now, it's up to second-year WRs Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton to pick up the slack. Thing is, they're both a little hamstrung. Literally. Burton and Avery are both listed as questionable to play against the Vikings, with Burton the most likely of the two to see extensive playing time. Ruvell Martin is also a little nicked up, and no one knows exactly what Danny Amendola can bring in the passing game.
That leaves undrafted practice-squad call up Nate Jones as the only fully healthy wide receiver on the team.
Just for a little background, Jones went undrafted in 2008 and spent some time on the Vikings practice squad last year. After a quiet first three years at Texas playing behind talents like Limas Sweed, Jones blew up his senior year. In 2007, he caught 70 balls for almost 800 yards and 5 touchdowns. More importantly, he averaged 11.4 yds per reception. He's pretty quick, too. I found one 40-yard dash time at 4.41 seconds. Now obviously there's probably a good reason he did not get drafted and was on the practice squad behind some pedestrian wide receivers. But, I think this guy could bring a change of pace that could benefit the uninspired play calling and execution in the passing game. Let's hope we don't have to go five wide! In any case, look for an improving Daniel Fells and Steven Jackson to have some balls come their way so there isn't too much pressure put on this banged-up group.
Other Stuff:
- The full injury report for the game. Kind of resembles a MASH unit, but I guess we're used to that by now.
- Nate Jones bio from the official Rams website.
- The line has gone up to Rams -10 1/2. That's probably because...
- Adrian Peterson is good. Really good. One of my knocks on fantasy football is that it causes conflicts-of-interest. AP is on my 4-0 team, and I'm playing a really good team this week, so I need him to do well. I guess it's a win-win...AP goes off, well that's just one step closer to Sam Bradford. AP doesn't go off, Rams have a good shot of winning. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Enjoy the game. GO RAMS.
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Devaney says
He is going to have some sort of announcement soon on the WR front
by dbcouver on Oct 11, 2009 1:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good.
But all of this makes me wonder: was Ronald Curry or Tim Carter really that bad that they couldn’t crack this lineup?
by kevinramsfan on Oct 11, 2009 1:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No, but.
at the time yes.
If that makes sense………
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
by Tackle Box on Oct 11, 2009 1:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Trade Possibly?
Cards got swept………..wow, i thought they would put up more of a fight………Albert who?
Rams Must Win In 2010.........2009 Is For Rebuilding, So Dont Expect Much
Chris Long Needs At Least 3 Years To Be A Great DE....Give Him A Chance
As Long As We Keep Losing, Dont Expect Any Respect From Anyone
by JordansDad on Oct 11, 2009 3:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is trading to win now realistic?
I understand why you would want to bring in a big name or a play maker to your troubled squad of receivers, but is it really better for your future when you have other question areas, or when your team is so young? Even if you can, who is even a possibility? Broncos seem intent on keeping Marshall, as the other Cards seem with Boldin. Seems like an awful lot to give away just to have someone for opposing defenses to double cover.
Why not take a risk on a free agent instead? Matt Jones had great numbers until his drug problems got in the way, and nothing is holding him back. You could go for a vet with a steal of a contract right now, like Harrison or Toomer, although I assume there are reasons they go unsigned.
Trade just seems illogical at this point. Do you really think it would turn your season around?
by Bro Namath on Oct 11, 2009 5:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No it would not.
I would only trade for someone that is young and has serious potential who is being blocked on their current roster. That’s why I liked the Ruvell Martin signing. He’s a big, physical receiver who was simply behind way too many people in Green Bay. I think Amendola has some talent too, but he’s probably more of a 4th/possession receiver type, but you need those guys on your roster too.
The vets you mention provide nothing other than a warm body to fill a roster slot this year and this year only (outside of Matt Jones, but I would rather do without him). Neither of the names you mentioned (Harrison, Toomer) are any better than a number 3 receiver on a decent team. If those guys rank any higher than 3 on your depth chart, you aren’t going to be any good.
The Rams need to do something though especially if anyone gets injured today. They started out the season extremely thin at WR and have had a lot of injuries already.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
by Tackle Box on Oct 11, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What we need to win....
Tougher Coaching.
A heathy Offensive Line
A Quarterback with some balls.
A pass rush.
And a Special Teams unit that will stop giving us lousey field position on both sides of the ball.
by ZamRam on Oct 11, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Offensive line health, not really
Offensive line needs to do their jobs by knowing and adjusting properly the assignments they are each given and to anticipate the defenses’ movements and adjustments. It is not as if the Rams have weaklings on their line, just brainless with a lack of ability to break-down defensive schemes. Often in life, there simply is just winners and losers with a bunch of “I don’t know how’ers” minced in between. To win at any level, the whole team must have players with heart and desire who work, work and work harder as the game gets longer.
Sadly, The Rams may also go defeated this year like Detroit last year.
by jlcdb70 on Oct 11, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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