Predicting the St. Louis Rams final roster: defense & special teams
by VanRam on Jul 10, 2009 9:03 AM CDT
in Preseason
9 comments
Continuing the prediction game, this morning seems like a natural fit to follow up on yesterday's post predicting the offensive roster by throwing out our predictions for the defensive side of the ball.
Predicting the defense is much trickier than the offense. The offense is wide open at backup running back, wide receiver depth, and offensive line depth - all important questions. However, on the other side of the ball there are some big unresolved issues at a couple of key starting spots, second starting CB & SLB, as well as depth issues, and that's not even touching on the expectations for key players like DT Adam Carriker, rookie MLB James Laurinaitis, etc. The preferences and stlye of the new coaching staff will go a long way toward dictating how the final roster looks, their preference for more physical corners for example.
So, let's jump right in.
DE: Chris Long, Leonard Little, James Hall, Victor Adeyanju
These guys seem like locks. I don't know about Eric Moore, but he's a useful role player that contributes on special teams. He could easily get bumped with a good camp from one of the undrafted free agent rookies, particularly former Kansas State DL Ian Campbell.
DT: Clifton Ryan, Adam Carriker, Darell Scott, Orien Harris
This is another position where I think we could see a fifth player, either here, DE, or both, the d-line is kind of Spagnuolo's thing, in case you haven't heard. If that's the case, I'd be watching Antwan Burton...and of course, Harris' spot on the roster is far from guaranteed just because they traded Brian Leonard for him.
LB: Will Witherspoon, James Laurinaitis, Quinton Culberson, Chris Draft, Larry Grant, David Vobora, Chris Chamberlain
Here's the question, do the Rams keep seven LBs and just 8 total DLs, or switch which unit has teh extra player? Grant and Vobora have both had spring's that pleased the coaches, but they'll have to battle it out in camp to earn spots on the roster. Much of the decision will come down to what Spagnuolo and Flajole want out of their linebackers and who fits that profiles. It's likely to be much different than what previous administrations wanted.
S: James Butler, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Todd Johnson, Craig Dahl
Dahl and Spagnuolo have a history, and I think he'll be on for ST play and depth at safety, where Spags has used him before. The rest are pretty cut and dried.
CB: Ron Bartell, Tye Hill, Bradley Fletcher, Justin King
This is a tough one to call too. After Bartell, some of the names in the mix are obvious, but who starts? Right now, the difference between the three guys behind Bartell is pretty minimal. Hill and Jonathan Wade might get a little boost because of their NFL experience. However, I think that a healthy King can have a strong camp and beat out Wade for the fourth spot, as long as he proves he can play press coverage. With Hill, given the ups and downs that have marked Hill's experience, is he really that far ahead of the rookies?
Special Teams
Pretty cut and dried here.
K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
LS: Chris Massey
If they can get good blocking and stopping from the rest of the ST players, the Rams could have a solid unit since they have two of the best legs in the league kicking for them.
Thoughts?
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Defense
I love that we are getting younger and bigger. I think this will be a breakout year for Clifton Ryan and watch for Iowa rookie Bradley Fletcher.
Chris
by chrisrmsfn on Jul 10, 2009 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's hard to argue
with the list you’ve put together. It highlights our lack of quality players and depth at some of the positions on defense. Unless someone has a breakout camp, or they pick up a free agent, this pretty much has to be the roster.
by andyrose on Jul 10, 2009 10:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
When it comes to CBs my money is on...
Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher, Justin King and Jonathan Wade.
Other than his rookie season (2006) Tye Hill has been a disapointment and injury prone. This is definately his “make or brake” year. IMHO I don’t think he will make it past the pre-season.
Go Rams!
"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s
by Nbr1RamFan on Jul 10, 2009 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cornerbacks
Hopefully he can recover from surgery and regain his form, but I have to agree on Tye Hill. Unfortunately, that makes the depth there scary thin and young to boot.
I’m more excited about the linebacker situation. Now that Will Witherspoon is back in his natural OLB position he makes the defense better and frees up the MLB spot for James Laurinaitis. As for who takes over the on the other side, my vote is for Chris Draft to start the season. He is by far the most expereinced, but even more than that, he can help mentor the other younger guys like Culberson and Grant so that they might be able to step in down the road. I also think that Chamberlain and Vobora are talented enough to make the team and contribute on special teams and emergency spot duty.
by kevinramsfan on Jul 10, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Spags
Spags will know how to use Tye Hill he was the man at Clemson he’s got another SC guy on the team now and a good coach,but I understand health is a problem for Tye but the system didn’t fit his style I don’t think anyone was sure what they were doing,but like Gov. Sandford Tye Hill will be back.
by 39jackson on Jul 10, 2009 3:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The best thing going for our young CBs
is the front seven on our defense. If our D-line and LB corps are both as good as I think they will be and they are aggressive, which is a Spagnuolo trait, and they do a lot of blitzing in passing situations then our young cornerbacks should prosper. The next best thing to a sacked quarterback is a hurried quarterback.
And as far as our Linebackers are concerned… I love Chris Draft BUT he’s 33 and our oldest linebacker. However, he is very versatile and can play either ILB or OLB. So I think he would be much more valuable as a backup who can step in when needed. He can still be a mentor in the locker room and from the sideline and in the meantime our younsters can gain experience and build for the future and I don’t mean in 3 or 4 years I mean field an excellent defense in 1 or 2 years, but then, that’s just my opinion.
Go Rams!
"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s
by Nbr1RamFan on Jul 10, 2009 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What makes you think
the front 4 on defense will be very good?
Your uncle molests collies.
by 3k on Jul 10, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Special Teams
I hate to state the obvious here but Feild Position has been one of our biggest problems. (not to under score some of the sorry ass play on both sides of the ball over the last few years)
The three special teams players listed are all quality position players and would be an asset to any team.
BUT…
We need to start holding our opponents to minor gains (or better yet negative yardage)on kickoffs and punts.
And we need to start our offense beyond our own 20 yard line.
Give these young starter this advantage and they’ll prosper.
by ZamRam on Jul 11, 2009 6:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
tye hill
he’s good but i would really like to see Bfletcher, Bartell, OAtogwe, and JButler on the field because they’re all physical and will consistently make tackles*Bold phrase* (a flaw the rams have had for awhile, from b4 2000 IMO). d-line could b run stoppers, lb’s not filled with playmakers but prolly stop some big plays, but atogwe could have another good year with this group.
tye hill is prolly our best nickel corner and i dunno y but i would like to see him in the return game instead of stanley or whoever else we wanna put there. he played RB at some point so he has to have some moves.
by kinzav29 on Jul 11, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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