Grading the Rams cornerbacks

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 30, 2009 9:41 AM CDT in Game Planning

A quick look at some cornerback stats for the St. Louis Rams underscores just what losing Bradley Fletcher really means for this team.

Last week, the Colts threw at Fletcher 7 times and completed just two passes. The third round pick from Iowa spent most of his time last Sunday, before hyperextending his knee, covering Colts' WR Pierre Garcon, who caught a single 15-yard pass. Now, that might have looked a little different had the rookie been covering Reggie Wayne.

The Rams most senior CB Ron Bartell spent the day with Wayne and got beat on 5 of 7 throws for 70 yards. Manning completed a 27-yard TD pass to Dallas Clark against Bartell too, and for the most part the Rams secondary had trouble making the shift from the receiver to the ball, no easy task with Manning as it is. It's also important to consider the QB in judging cornerbacks. Peyton Manning is one of the best, but he's not infallible.

As for Quincy Butler, the Colts completed 1 of 3 passes thrown at him. Reggie Wayne made a 7-yard grab with 1 yard after the catch against Butler.

We don't know yet who'll be under center for the Lions, but Calvin Johnson can expect to see plenty of double coverage.

Housekeeping notes...

I'll have the weekly pick 'em poll and results from last week up today.
Turf Show Radio is on the air tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Central time.

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stafford will likley start

but CJ still might sit out i hope he doesnt

Just Remember matt... what would Daunte do??

by det32 on Oct 30, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

yeah thats what i hear

that would benefit us a whole lot because this secondary is falling apart with injury. Does detroit still have shaun mcdonald? Im just really hopeing are d line and o line show up sunday, key to success right thier.

by keeperskillz24 on Oct 30, 2009 10:16 AM CDT reply actions

No

Shaun plays for the Steelers now.

by severs28 on Oct 30, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Darn it!

A lot of talk is about our lack of talent in the secondary, but I think that we really don’t even know. As our rookies really start coming on line, the injuries start to force changes in coverage schemes, so that every week somebody looks bad trying to cover ground for someone else. Bummer!

by Knoxfan on Oct 30, 2009 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

Seriously, what's happened with Bartell?

He made HUGE strides last year and established himself…got PAID…now has seemingly taken a step back?

Bulger’s play declined after he got the dough, too. Do we pay Otogwe huge $$$ given this trend?

Jeff

by bigwood25 on Oct 30, 2009 12:40 PM CDT reply actions

Well he was playing much of the #2 spot

With Fakhir Brown covering down on the #1 CB role. It’s a slight positional adjustment, though not nearly as much as RT to LT or OLB to MLB. Giving Bartell some more consistent help at SS and the other CB spots would help. As for Atogwe, I would advocate signing him long term. His talent + his youth = deserves a long term contract. Of course if he leaves, we could always draft Eric Berry….

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Oct 30, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions