St. Louis Rams stock watch

by Ryan Van Bibber on Nov 10, 2009 2:47 PM CST in 2009 St. Louis Rams regular season

The St. Louis Rams are halfway through the first season of a major franchise overhaul. Eight games in, we know lots more than we did in August. Draft picks have played their way into the lineup, or out of it. Free agent pickups have figured into the equation, and we have a better idea about the future of the team's veterans. So, with apologies to Mike Sando, let's take a look at some of the more notable cases with a stock watch.

BUY

James Laurinaitis - The second round pick has reminded fans and casual observers alike why he was considered first round talent just a year ago. Playing for a 1-win team his name is already in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year. Middle linebacker was a massive hole in the Rams defense since the jettisoning of London Fletcher, but now it's probably the strongest position on the defense. The future looks good.

Steven Jackson - Before this year, Jackson was merely good. Now he's truly great. This season, he's emerged as a team leader, a veteran guiding a rebuilding franchise through the rough early phases of the project. Of course, his onfield contributions can't be overstated either. He's the reason the Rams have one win, and playing with a truly inferior offense, he's torching some of the league's best defenses. SJ39 is one of those stocks that the price of entry is really high, but worth every penny.

James Butler - On paper, the Rams defense hasn't been particularly impressive. However, Butler has been a big part of the reason why it at least looks more competent than it has in recent seasons, guiding the youngsters through the transition to Spagnuolo and Flajole's scheme.

Jason Smith - The second overall pick is starting to look like the best OT from this year's draft. He learns fast, and you don't see him make the same mistake twice. This kid has a bright future.

HOLD

Oshiomogho Atogwe - The ball hawk is having a rougher season than we would have expected. Why? It's hard to say. The cornerback situation is no worse than it has been in the recent past for the Rams. The transition in schemes may have had some impact. Could his contract situation be a distraction? He'll be the story to watch in the offseason. Do the Rams re-sign him? If they opt to use the RFA route, he's bound to be a holdout.

Donnie Avery - Maybe it's the QB, maybe it's the new offense, whatever it is, it's been a rough season for Donnie Avery. Once the Rams address their needs at WR, Avery can get back to his role as a downfield threat, and some work in the slot.

Ron Bartell - It doesn't look like Bartell is top CB material. Still, he's signed to a reasonable contract and with a legitimate #1 corner beside him, he'll be part of a great duo.

SELL

Marc Bulger - Like so many, I thought he still had something left in the tank. The Detroit game proved me wrong.

Alex Barron - Sure, he's had his moments. You cannot refute that Barron has talent. However, he continues to put himself in the doghouse by taking bad penalties and occasionally taking himself out of plays. A half-game benching and stern lecture helped for just one game. I sometimes wonder if we might not see him back in '10, but on the right side, playing under a RFA contract.

Randy McMichael - Boink. That's the sound of another pass bouncing off his cast iron hands. McMichael offers little at this point in his career that a replacement level TE doesn't bring to the table.

Chris Long - The second overall pick from a year ago has failed to impress in his sophomore season. I still harbor some hope Long will get it figured out. He seems to have talent, and his desire is unquestionable. More talent on the line could help and some intensive coaching up. We'll see.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I agree but

I’m not giving up on Long just yet

Touchdown St.Louis Rams Won the SuperBowl

by WaZuP cReAtOr on Nov 10, 2009 2:57 PM CST reply actions

im starting to lose patience

But Long i will give him another year but you can only argue for him so much. Randy is just gone i cant see a reason to keep him around he was a part of linehans plan and is just didn’t work out. Barron should be let go but only if we find a solid replacement (Winston justice hopefully) because he still can play “decent”. And with bulger he is done not being able to take somewhat advantage of the lions just showed the struggle. But he has shown the same performances against better teams so I believe he’s makeing awful decisions for what ever the reason may be. And can someone tell the rams to put Null at the number 2 spot?

by keeperskillz24 on Nov 10, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions

Patrick Kerney...

…I know he wasn’t a #2 overall, but he is a first round DE Virginia Cavalier. With 8 games left this season, Chris Long has already tied Kerney’s first two years total of 5 sacks. Kerney then exploded for 12 sacks in his third year. He’s gone as high as 14.5. I think there’s precedent for expecting Long to blow up eventually. It’s a patience thing, so I’ll remain hopeful. I’m pretty sure he can have even better numbers than 14.5 someday. Let’s hope he turns into Jared Allen (or better).

"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."

"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."

-Kobe Bryant

A mantra for all athletes.

by TrojanRam on Nov 10, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

the Kerney comparison is what i'm hoping for

i’d like to see what happens with more talent around him and more time battling right tackles

Turf Show Times

by Ryan Van Bibber on Nov 10, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

Long

stretch for the two, but I have high hopes for him as well. Long just needs more time and extra coaching on how to get sacks…lol. He seems like he’s out of position most of the time which I believe he can be coached at more.

by RamsFan1979 on Nov 10, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

Couldn't agree more. A-1 recommendations.

We’re just going to have to accept that we’ve had years of bad draft picks; Barron, Hill, Carriker, Long, etc… I’m pleasantly surprised that Jason Smith is looking better. I had serious concerns about him too. Lauranitis was the catch of the year! I think Smith, Setts, Brown, Goldberg and Incognito have the makings of a very decent O-Line. Conversely, we’re hosed on the D-Line except for Ryan, Ah You and Gibson (IR). Stalwarts Little and Hall have been caught by Father Time. Carriker is kaput. Long always seems to be blocked out 10 yards away from the action. We need immediate help on the D-Line – that’s partly what’s screwing up the secondary. As I said many times before, just 2-3 more sacks this year and we could easily be 3-5.

by edpjr on Nov 10, 2009 4:53 PM CST reply actions

I agree too

you hit the nail on the head with a few players. Great job!

by RamsFan1979 on Nov 10, 2009 8:23 PM CST reply actions

I lost my ass--

On the Buy, Sell, & Hold options in the stock market. It’s painful to see that talk spill over to the Rams. Hope there’s no parity.

by Knoxfan on Nov 10, 2009 8:46 PM CST reply actions

Can I get a short sell

on Darell Scott?

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Nov 10, 2009 10:26 PM CST up reply actions