5 Reasons Why Rams Fans Should Take it Easy on Marc Bulger
Throughout the years, Marc Bulger has been the center of criticism for many Rams fans. While Marc Bulger definetely was not without fault, he was not under the best of circumstances to rise as a great quarterback.
Consider these 5 things that he has had to deal with:
1. Abysmal Offensive Line
Marc, as many of you may know, has gotten sacked more times over the past few years then any other quarterback. Even though the offensive line has made tremendous strides towards improvement this year, Marc took so many hits over the earlier years that it no doubt hurt his game.
Marc Bulger goes down against the Seahawks via photos.upi.com
2. Front Office Mediocrity
The front office, over the years, has made very poor decisions that has prevented Marc from playing both with a truly strong team. Look at some of the 1st round picks the past 7 years, and tell me which of these players have truly become Pro-Bowl caliber players (other then Steven Jackson, of course.) I include this reason simply because Bulger would take criticism for bad teams, though the front office was not making the greatest decisions.
3. Coaches, Coaches, Coaches
Over the past 7 years, Marc Bulger has had 5 different head coaches: Mike Martz, Jim Vitt, Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett and now Steve Spagnuolo. Though two of these coaches were just interim coaches, this many coaching changes also means a lot of changes with coordinators. Who knows how many coaches Marc Bulger has had to work with. As seen with Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy, consistency with coaches pays off in the long run. There was none of that to be seen in Marc Bulger's time with the Rams after the end of the Mike Martz era. In addition to many coaches, there was conflict in the team about coaches, especially Scott Linehan. Steven Jackson was one of the players who was not exactly all for Scott Linehan.
4. Impossible Expectations
Everyone remembers who the quarterback was before Marc Bulger, right? Well I'm sorry, but Marc Bulger is not Kurt Warner, and as much of a Warner fan i am, i don't think the expectations for Marc were exactly fair. Criticize the front office for getting rid of Kurt Warner, and credit Marc for doing his best to keep the team competitive until 2005-2006.
5. Recievers
This one really only applies to last year and even more so this year. All was good the first few years when Bulger still had Bruce and Holt to throw too (along with Curtis and even Looker), who at the time were still definitely capable of putting up the numbers. But when the Rams started getting rid of these guys, they forgot that they no longer had the receivers to come in and play at the level required of this passing attack. Donnie Avery is a good receiver, but not a number one receiver (yet). This year, also, it is important to consider the number of receivers the Rams worked with this year, and how difficult it must have been for Marc to try and grow proper timing with these guys in very short time. Yet he has played well with Brandon Gibson despite the limited time the too have had to work on timing.
Yeah, Marc Bulger may not be able to truly lead our team anymore, injury or no injury. And yes, he has made mistakes over the years. But before we put all of the blame on him, consider those 5 things before you do so.
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I don't think #1 is accurate
Don’t think Bulger has been sacked the most of any qb the last few years.
yes it is
2003- Marc Bulger 37 sacks: 5th most in league
2004- Marc Bulger 41 sacks, t-4th most in league
2005- Marc Bulger 26 sacks (missed time), 16th most
2006- 49 sacks, 2nd most in league
2007- 37 sacks, 4th most in league
2008- 38 sacks, 4th most in league
if you do all of the math, he ends up having the most sacks over the past few years
http://www.nfl.com/players/benroethlisberger/profile?id=ROE750381
Big Ben takes more shots and still is able to produce. It almost looks like the problem was that we should have replaced Bulger earlier.
by loyal2therams on Nov 27, 2009 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
that's ben's game
He improvises out of the pocket, on the run, and he takes a few shots but he’s a big boy
Bulger is very immobile, and just like Martz’s offensive playbook, Marc cannot operate without a SOLID offensive line. I am a big fan of Bulger, but he is not a good fit for the West Coast Offense. While he does have the quick release that is necessary for the WCO, he’s not mobile enough for some of the roll out plays. His strengths are not accentuated in the WCO. It would be best for both sides if they went their separate ways.
Big Ben has only undergone the punishment for about 3 years...
…since 2003 (!) no QB has been sacked more. None. If he can get through 5 years+ of this rate of punishment and still produce, he is amazing physical specimen. Didn’t look too good after the shot he took last Sunday. That’s what Marc had to deal with, the concussions, rotator cuffs, wrists, legs, back, fingers, you name it. That is a tough SOB.
Also, a lot of Big Ben’s sacks, as mentioned, are because he scrambles to keep plays alive, therefore his O-Line isn’t nearly as bad as the sack count can make it out to be.
I think the other four reasons are just as important. Can you imagine having to learn/execute that many offensive schemes, having to go through that many receivers, having an unbelievably dysfunctional FO, the injuries on O-Line, his wideouts, backs, himself, while following a legend and great success in the Rams’ era? I mean, yeah, he could have said “F that, I’m still going to be elite(which he was for about 5 years),” but the shit (pardon my French) was going to take it’s toll. If ever a QB was set up to fail, it’s Marc. Now he’s finally getting some pieces, but the time/patience issue arises. It’s just fascinating how the guy just can’t win. He’s kept his compusure, never complained ever(except for when he called his teammates out, appropriately so), and has always been a class act to our fans. For those reasons, I love the guy as a St. Louis Ram. I just hope he lands somewhere structured, with talent, where he can excel again. I know the patience is pretty much dead here in STL. I understand that. I just wouldn’t be surprised if, in the right situation, he does really well. Maybe not Pro-Bowl 2002-2006 Marc, but winning level Marc.
But man, it’s fascinating to see this play out.
"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 28, 2009 12:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Bulger assessment is accurate.
As I have said in recent posts, Marc is not totally to blame. As a matter of fact if I had to blame anyone person it would be Mike Martz. Although I can only assume, I believe that he built up Bulger’s credibilty (back in 2002) to the extent that the “half ass” regime at that time ultimitly made the desision to let Warner go. To Marc’s defense, he was a young, accurate passer. With decent zip on the ball. “Young” beging the key factor in this equation. To “Mad Mike’s” defense, how was he to know that the formentioned “half asses” were going to dismantle Bulger’s weaponry. Although I do believe Martz ego had plenty do do with it.
As the years started to progress, (one bad decision after another), Marc was getting the crap kicked out of him. Hard to handle for any young Quarterback. In the begining he hung in there. And was even considered “tough”. But the fact of the matter is, he’s become soft. And he can no longer even be considered as a starter. Physically, probably more so even mentally….he’s done. Sad but true. Its happens to a lot of quarterbacks who get beat up.
bulger will get picked up this off season if the rams cut him
no question. Are there any #2 QB’s in the league better than Marc? He’s still better than a few #1’s too. If Cleveland decides to draft a QB again, they could bring in Marc on a 1 year deal while the rookie sits.
Sacks
Are not only the O-Lines fault. Bulger is also to blame for the number of sacks he takes. Anyone who has watched a significant amount of the Rams games over the last several years knows that Bulger consistently holds onto the ball too long before getting rid of it. Those sack totals can also be put on Bulger’s own head.
Bulger
shouldn’t have suffered through these past few years. It was hard to expect anything less from him after his pro bowl season though.
Bet
He ends up in San Fran, but besides there, don’t be surprised if Denver, Oakland, or even Washington are interested.

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