2009 is either the end or a new beginning for Bulger

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jun 4, 2009 10:59 AM CDT in 2009 Off-Season

ESPN's Jeffri Chadiha has a Marc Bulger "make-or-break season" feature article over the ESPN web site. It's worth a read, but Rams fans won't find any revelations that haven't been covered here and throughout the news and talk radio scene. The piece does do a nice job of recapping the debate that has swirled around Bulger for the last couple seasons.

How much heat Bulger deserves for the Rams failings recently can be argued. As the face of the team, the QB is a natural lightening rod for criticism, and Bulger has certainly earned his fair share. Factors like having to follow Kurt Warner and Bulger's guarded personality all figure into the discussion as well.

Speaking of which, lets open that up for discussion: how much or how little of Bulger's and the Rams struggles have to do with his approach, his personality? Remember how much better the Rams played in 2006 when Bulger publically lambasted some of his teammates for slacking? It was the most vocal we've maybe ever seen him, and the team responded. I know many of his detractors cite his leadership style, or lack thereof, as part of his problem.

Nevertheless, the new regime is committed to him. While that might be as much about salary concerns as anything else, it still means the Rams need Bulger to improve in oder to be successful in the near term. A post last week found some statistical reason for guarded optimism in Bulger's turnover efficiency, much improved last season from the year before and back to career norms, despite his ugly TD to INT ratio.

There are two things the team is doing to get some return out of their QB investment this year: installing a new offense seeks to limit the damage Bulger can inflict under center and a refurbishing the offensive line. Here's Chadiha summing up the team's thinking on the new offense:

What this team can do, however, is put Bulger in a position to play to his strengths. Spagnuolo said he's always respected Bulger's ability, especially the quarterback's penchant for getting rid of the ball quickly and managing the game well. Those traits will be vital in the West Coast offense that new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has installed.

The offensive line should be improved too. Jason Brown is a huge upgrade at center, which was the softest spot up front last year and really impacted what the Rams could do with the running game. At tackle, the Rams will miss Pace, even though he's past his Pro Bowl level play, but could have stability with Barron at left and Smith at right. (Midlly annoying is that the article refers to Jason Smith as the Rams LT. He will be, but just not yet). That means the rest is up to Bulger. We'll know for sure whether or not the Rams made the right decision soon enough. But don't let that stop you from a healthy debate...

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This Year for Bulger

I have written 3 or 4 articles about the Rams offense on www.ramsgab.com. In regards to your article, who is Bulger going to throw to? Avery and who else? A roster of 10 WRs and Avery is the only serviceable receiver. It looks so bad I would almost hire Vick and let him and Jackson run the ball all day. Mark Peterson

by mpeterson2003 on Jun 4, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

Avery

plus McMichael and Jackson. After them, you have to expect either Burton or Robinson will emerge as viable options.

I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.

by Tackle Box on Jun 4, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

i think

the WR situation, while that aspect of the offense won’t blow anyone away, will be fairly stable, “functional” is the word I think that fits. You won’t get as many of those big plays as you would with a Fitzgerald type and you certainly won’t have the dynamism of a Holt and Bruce on the field at the same time, but I think they’ll be functional enough being set up by the running game to play possession and move chains.

Turf Show Times

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jun 4, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

i agree well be ok

by james535 on Jun 6, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions

wr's/boogler

NFL WR is the most overrated position in professional sports (barely beating out a major league ‘closing’ pitcher). Avery, Burton, Laurent and company aren’t what worries me. They’re young, hungry and have nothing but upside. It’s Boogler’s complete and utter lack of any type of passion, confidence, killer instinct, or fire that keeps me up nights. He get’s frustrated easily, isn’t an obvious leader, and is kind of a crybaby. I didn’t mind these aspects of his personality when he was a ProBowler, but as of last year he was officially on-notice to man-the-eff-up and start throwing lazers again, or go play backup in Detroit.

by mooseknuckles41 on Jun 4, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't recall Bulger ever being a crybaby.

I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.

by Tackle Box on Jun 4, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm no Bulger fan.....

but this is totally off base. First of all, anyone whos’ job it is touch the ball needs skill to separate, catch in traffic, hold onto, and advance the ball. Some wide receivers in the league definitely take themselves too seriously, but the position is not overrated.

Bulger in my opinion needed to make more sound decisions, use check downs, etc. But his confidence matches his level of protection. Not just last year, but for 2-3 years now. He gets back up just fine from a sack though. If his lack of killer instinct and fire keep you up nights then the offense this year will surely cancel that effect out. I would agree with you though on do it or leave this year.

by dbcouver on Jun 5, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Leadership

Bulger doesn’t say much like Eli, but Eli Manning leads with his play,if your going to be that stone faced guy you have to lead with your play,as far as receivers these guys don’t have the brand names but guys can build a name for themselves again by their play like T.O. did as a 49er not a big name,small school but his big plays got him a good rep as a future star,and I think we have future stars all over this team.

by 39jackson on Jun 4, 2009 2:59 PM CDT reply actions

Food for thought

The Rams won 2 games last year with Bulger throwing for 2720 yds and 11 TDs. They had two receivers, in Holt & Avery, who caught more than 50 passes for more than 650 yds.
The Titans won 13 games last year behind Kerry Collins throwing for 2676 yds and 12 TDs. One receiver, Justin Gage, finished with 651 yds on just 34 receptions (19.1 ypc!); their other top receiver, TE Bo Scaife, caught 58 passes for 561 yds.

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Jun 4, 2009 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

Bulger's offseasons are the issue, I think

A guy can be a quiet leader, if people are willing to follow him. Likewise, a loudmouth would-be leader can be tuned out quickly. I don’t think it’s his on-field personality that has led to Bulger’s decline. I think it’s his commitment in the offseason.

Last year he looked shockingly unprepared and unathletic at the beginning of the season. He was misconnecting with Holt on routes that they’ve run hundreds of times before, showed generally poor timing and indecision, like he was waiting for the play to make sense to him. He literally looked like somebody’s grandmother lined up under center, weak and befuddled.

Of course I can’t say what he was doing or not doing. I’m not his shadow. And when he was benched in week 4, Holt and Jackson were vocally supportive of Bulger. Which may also have been a simple vote of no confidence in Green…

But regardless of line play, or other factors, he looked poorly prepared for the season. I’m a little encouraged by the fact that he’s being more vocal this offseason, and hope he’s putting double-overtimes in his practice sessions and workouts. I hope he feels the urgency, whether his demeanor shows it or not.

1909-2008: A Century of Suck

by taiko on Jun 5, 2009 9:43 AM CDT reply actions