Rams leaning toward Boller?

by VanRam on Dec 27, 2009 9:22 AM CST in 2009 St. Louis Rams regular season Comment 8 comments

All week it's looked as though the St. Louis Rams would start rookie QB Keith Null against the Cardinals, but now Fox Sports is reporting that the team is leaning toward starting Kyle Boller, citing concern over the leaky protection offered by the offensive line.

Last week, the offensive line, missing three starters, allowed three sacks against the Texans, who have just five more sacks on the season than the Rams. Arizona on the other hand has 38 sacks on the season, the fourth most in the league. So protecting Null from his own line is a valid concern, especially with LT Alex Barron lapsing into his old habits lately. Of course, it's kind of like avoiding sending your child out into the world for fear they'll get hornswaggled by someone calling themselves the "wallet inspector;" they have to learn to deal reality sometime.

Here's my two cents on why they should start Null. The Rams played with real passion last week, before ultimately being outmatched, but they were a much better team. Do not adjust the chemistry. There's more to it than just Null, but I think his play has been a big part of it. Formula's are complex and adjusting one seemingly little element of it throws the whole thing out of whack.

After the Null/Boller question, the next pressing issue will be what happens with CB Jonathan Wade. He was the starter along side Ron Bartell when the season began, but was quickly replaced by an emerging Bradley Fletcher. When Fletcher was injured Wade still sat, being replaced by a combination of Justin King and Quincy Butler. Now with Quincy Butler out for the season will Wade get some playing time or will King get more and Cord Parks, recently added to the roster, get more time in Wade's stead? Stay tuned for the battle of the third string cornerbacks!!

Some links....

Jason Brown could be Pro Bowl bound. The rosters will be announced Tuesday night.
Something for the Draft Suh fans, since 1980 every team that led the league in defense (per points allowed) has been to the playoffs, nine teams won the Super Bowl and two more went to the big game and lost.
The NY Times takes up the case for Suh.
Don't expect a miracle, but here's a note of hope about the current Rams team.

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Comments

Hmm...interesting if they start Boller today...

…maybe we’re afraid of potentially winning? I mean, at this point I think Null gives us a better shot to win than Boller. I guess Spags wants Suh pretty bad. Also, I’d looked in to that stat a while ago. It’s pretty crazy how accurate it has been for playoff success regarding how good the defense is. More often than not the team with the better defense will be in the mix. Hopefully we pull the trigger on Suh.

Go Rams! I still want a W! Let’s just hope the Bucs/Lions win as well.

"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 Dec 27, 2009 10:12 AM CST reply actions

I'm pretty sure Spags isn't thinking like that.

And if he was and we took an early lead, he could just take Null out, pretend he got hurt and put in Boller.

Can't think of a good sig

by Carneros on Dec 27, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

It's this simple:

We win 1 of the last 2 meaningless games, we lose Suh.

by edpjr on Dec 27, 2009 1:13 PM CST reply actions

unless detroit wins

if they win then we’re ok

I Want The Rams Back In LA....The More They Lose The More Of A Chance That It Will Happen....Sorry St Louis You Cant Keep A Team(Twice)...Rams Come Home....We'll Be Here For You When You Do

by JordansDad on Dec 27, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

Donnie Jones should definitly be a Pro-bowler as well

Why is patience a virtue and procrastination a sin...I mean whats wrong with patiently procrastionating?

by Go_Blues on Dec 27, 2009 1:18 PM CST reply actions

SJax not playing today.

Per the Post-Dispatch.

In a surprising development, running back Steven Jackson is not in uniform for the St. Louis Rams, who take on Arizona today. Because of back problems, Jackson hasn’t practiced in more than a month, but so far he’d played in all the games.

by Ghostrider520 on Dec 27, 2009 2:20 PM CST reply actions