Jason Smith returns to practice; will he start this week?
by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 31, 2009 8:29 AM CST
in 2009 St. Louis Rams regular season
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PrintHere's a question for all of us armchair coaches out there. St. Louis Rams rookie OT Jason Smith was back at practice yesterday after an extended absence due to a concussion. Should the Rams play him this week for their season finale against the 49ers?
Stating the obvious, it's quite possible that Smith won't be ready to play. He's been out of action since week 11 and given that he was dealing with a concussion and therefore was limited in his activities Smith might not be up to speed and ready to start in this game. The second overall pick was limited in practice yesterday.
If the Rams really are going to have their best chance of scuttling the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, then having Smith in the lineup definitely ups their chances of doing that. The drop in performance up front has been noticeable without Smith in the lineup, though the line has done a decent enough job. With Smith back, the Rams could move Adam Goldberg back to guard and probably push rookie Roger Allen to the bench. That takes away the team's opportunity to evaluate the youngsters on the offensive line though.
Evaluations or not, having Smith in the lineup for the last game of the forgettable 2010 season gives fans something og a positive end note, finally getting to see their top draft pick back in action this year.
Really, it's too bad Smith has been out as long as has, because he could have started taking reps at left tackle, where he should be starting next season.
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What there to debate?
Shut him down. Theres nothing to gain in starting a concussed player, your #1 draft pick, in week 17 of a horrible season. You could destroy his career and blow a high level pick if he isn’t ready yet.
I doubt he is still concussed after how ever many weeks its been
But I agree, shut him down and give him a couple months to rest.
Can't think of a good sig
that's highly variable
not like a broken bone where you can pretty much count on 3-6 weeks.
by CoachConnors on Dec 31, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
It's a No Brainer Smith should sit out. So he'll probably play the whole game.
Same with Jax. Maybe we can eke out a 1-point win in this ultra-meaningless game and go a whopping 2-12 AND lose out on Suh. I wouldn’t put it past the Rams. As for the chances of Detroit winning, which would also give us the 1st pick, the Bears will feast on them.
I don't care about Suh
more than I hate the niners. I hate the Bay area. I hate their cheerleaders. I hate their fans. I hate Candlestick. I hate their fans. I hate Joe Montana. I hate Alex Smith. I hate their POS fans.
I already said earlier
If hes not cleared, sit him. If he can’t go, sit him. Don’t play him if he’s still at risk.
Maybe it's because I lived there for a couple years
Maybe it’s because I’m getting drunk, although I think thats just the beer talking.
Was raised that way
I hated them from the beginning. Then when I got older and found out that they resented us because we were stealing their water it just got worse.
I still suffer from PTSD
from a loss in 1989 that I had to watch in a room full of niner fans, one of which was supposed to be my buddy. I nearly went to prison that day.
Its the niners
If hes ready and cleared, play him. If we’re playing Jackson, play Smith too. If he’s at risk still, sit him. I wouldn’t compromise a guys future, but I wouldn’t sit Smith just for Suh. It’s the niners man. Beat them!!!!
Sit him.
Don’t risk his future for the last game of a lousy season. I don’t care who we are playing.
It's gonna be cool-
If we get Suh, and Smith comes back stronger and better—Can you just see those two dueling it out in camp? Only good can come of it!
I doubt an OT would be dueling it out with a DT
Smith would probably be going against an (improved?) Chris Long or whoever we get at the other DE (Osi?). I can’t help but think about a D-line with Long, Suh, Ryan, and Umenyiora. That’s scary. And then an O-line with Smith, Bell, Brown, not Cogs(probably Greco or Setterstrom), and not Barron (FA/Goldberg). Our line building projects could be close to completed next season is finish off the O-line. D-line looks very solid if we get Suh and Osi.
Can't think of a good sig
You can bet-
Spags will match those two up just for training and fun. I don’t think the Osi thing will happen. But the line still looks good.
no
not how it works. maybe he’ll work against Long. Maybe not very often either, if Long stays on the left DE
by CoachConnors on Dec 31, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
Sit him
Nothing to gain,
We already know what we have in him (he’s a very good player),
This weeks action won’t help him get up to speed for the rest of the season,
Increased risk of injury since he’s been out of commission for so long,
Maybe not ready to outperform someone who has already been active all this time,
gee, do I need to go on?
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