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Rams lose top receiver Laurent Robinson for the season

The St. Louis Rams got some bad news today, compounding the disappointment of an 0-3 start to the season.

Surprise stand-out wide receiver Laurent Robinson has a high ankle sprain AND a fractured fibula (lower leg). The injury will require surgery, and he'll be out for the season. The official site says they'll either have to add a WR or promote Nate Jones from the practice squad...or both.

Paging Donnie Avery, paging Donnie Avery the Rams need you to step up your game. Keenan Burton too. Of course, getting the ball downfield to both players will be key there.

Bulger might throw this week, and his status for this Sunday is unknown.

The other big injury news is SS James Butler, who'll be out for 2-4 weeks with Grade III MCL sprain, an injury that seems to be dogging the Rams this year. That's not as bad of a diagnosis as originally feared. Craig Dahl has filled in for an injured Butler before, during the Giants Super Bowl season in 2007 no less. Dahl was strong in replacement duty this week, but Butler plays a much more central role in the Rams defense than he did in the Giants defense, when he had a top-notch defenisve line in front of him. Against the run-happy 49ers Butler could really be missed.

The other troubling injury news is the hampered CB Ron Bartell. He's got a bruised thigh, a la Steven Jackson in 2008, and got burned a couple times because of it. He's day-to-day. Fortunately, the Rams don't play a pass-heavy team with top notch receivers next week, but I'd put Wade on the 49ers top man, which is Vernon Davis right now, though old friend Isaac Bruce will command some attention.

Gibson and Laurinaitis have minor injuries, the kind tough guys don't even talk about. The one to worry about is David Vobora. He has a concussion and will have to pass a baseline test before he can return. Vobora has been strong against the run, and a part of the reason the Rams are much better in that department this year. They'll need him this week, though SF might be without Frank Gore.

The good news: it sounds like RT Jason Smith could be back.

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And so the injuries begin

although one can argue we don’t we need receivers, we got SJAX (according to Shurmer that is)

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Sep 28, 2009 3:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Lets see yeah I know too many if's but...We should of kept Holt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the Rams going to do? Avery ribs and Burton starting because Robinson out for the season . The Rams are throwing alot to their TE’s! How about start first with Bring Ferrotte back as a back up, Sign Marvin Harrison(at least he’s a no. 1 receiver) and look for another receiver since Wade and Baskett were signed by someone else! Both of them could of by the rams but only had to fork out 1.5 mil. Now they have no one. Avery might have a broke rib or two. What now Burton and Amendola? Rams have to spend some money and not be a tight one! San Fran next then Minnesota if the Rams don’t watch out they could be 0-5 real soon!

by LUKESKYWALKERDUDE on Sep 28, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ugh.
We should of kept Holt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No. We shouldn’t have. There was no point to it and the team desperately needed the money.

Bring Ferrotte back as a back up.

Why?

Sign Marvin Harrison (at least he’s a no. 1 receiver)

No he isn’t and he hasn’t been for years. And if he was, he’d be an Indianapolis Colt right now.

Rams have to spend some money and not be a tight one!

Do you have any clue as to how football works? There’s a salary cap. We’re right up against it because Jay Zygmunt hamstrung the team with shitty contracts. This isn’t baseball.

if the Rams don’t watch out they could be 0-5 real soon!

So? Is 1-4 so much better than 0-5? Are Gus Frerotte and Marvin Harrison (and Hank Baskett or Bobby Wade) going to change anything? No.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Sep 29, 2009 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Robinson's injury has an obvious cost, Butler's has a hidden one.

Obviously the Rams are really receiver-poor. It makes me wonder if they’ll give Ronald Curry, Tim Carter, or last-WR-cut Sean Walker a call back, seeing as they practiced and played in the system. Either way, the Rams’ passing game could drop into oblivion, taking the rest of the offense with it, unless Avery steps up.

And while I agree that Craig Dahl did a good job in his playing time, it appeared to be a result of two factors — 1. The Rams appeared to be playing him deep, and bringing OJ Atogwe closer to the line of scrimmage where Butler usually lined up, and 2. A lot of plays by Green Bay got deep into the secondary, thanks to the amount of time that Rodgers had to throw, and the fact that our linebackers didn’t make that many tackles.

Butler was a key contributor to the Rams’ run defense, more so than Vobora in my opinion — though both will be missed. Atogwe is not the run defender that Butler is, but apparently he’s better than Dahl, which means we go from “very good” to “average” at both safety positions.

RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion

by taiko on Sep 28, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Which safety was it that blew the coverage on the Jennings play?

Spags was screaming at one of the safeties about coving Jennings deep and it never happened. I’m just not positive which guy (Dahl or Atogwe) who blew the coverage.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Sep 29, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hard to say -- maybe both of them?

If it’s the 53-yarder, shown here, it looks like both safeties bite on the playfake, and Jennings just burns up the middle. Both Atogwe and Dahl (I assume … can’t see his number) were late arriving.

RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion

by taiko on Sep 29, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

FMRWL...

F My Rams Watching Life.

And I’m traveling to San Fran from LA this weekend to see us play the Niners. Sad to know JButler, L-Rob, and Marc won’t be able to go. I knew that coming in, but the extent of butler/L-Rob’s injuries is devastating. And Avery might not play? Get this:

Our top QB to receiver threat is Kyle Boller to Keenan Burton. T_T

I try to be as optimistic as possible, but the only positive I see right now is that Steven might get even more carries now for my fantasy team…:(

by LARamsFan29 on Sep 28, 2009 5:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Did you not watch Sunday?

Because if you did, you’d have seen that Boller to Fells is a modern day Montana to Rice!

Ugh….God help us…..

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Sep 29, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I say we just call up Nate Jones

or we could start Keith Null and bring back Sean Walker since the two seem to like each other.

SHURMUR NEEDS TO GO, Avery needs to get it going.

by Carneros on Sep 28, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

This is going to be a fun season on TST

Let the tsunami of hate begin!

Your uncle molests collies.

by 3k on Sep 28, 2009 6:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The Browns are being called the worst team in the NFL

And I agree with that. For now.

I also agree with Taiko that Butler is a more valuable part of our run stopping than Vobora, but that’s not surprising, right? Some of us knew that would be the case when he came over for a variety of reasons, such as being familiar with the system, run stopping is a big part of the Strong Safety’s job, etc.

Another reason our D is having problems is inconsistant play from Chris Long. Sometimes he’s all motor and sometimes he’s manhandled by the other team’s mediocre Tight End. Either way, he’s not physically beating his opponent on as many downs as he needs to.

When the O-line can use their 5 guys to block the other 3 rushers besides Long, they’ll be able to get a Guard to the second level (on linebackers) and that’s an easy 7 yard gain. This is one way we’ll miss Butler in the run game.

And you know, if a team can run on you they won’t even bother to throw much.

I don’t want Long to turn into a bust — and yes it is too early to make that call — but he is a liability right now, from what I’ve seen. God I hate saying that. Our whole defense is in a bad spot if the DE’s aren’t controlling the edge or getting their hands on the QB.

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Sep 28, 2009 7:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with Coach

Our DE’s can’t continue to get manhandled. We aren’t getting any pressure on hte QB and are having trouble stopping the run especially outside. Spags needs to try and come up with some creative blitzes using our LB’s and safties. Long has a motor but doesn’t seem to have the strength to be a playmaker right now. Little has lost a step and always a play away from an injury. We need Butler so hopefully he’s not out too long. Our secondary has been a strong point so far which hasn’t been the case for years.

by ksmooth on Sep 28, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you guys think...

…that Spags just doesn’t believe our secondary is any good right now? As far as blitzing? Or do u think he just doesn’t believe in the guys up front being able to do it and get there quickly enough? Because I love Spags, I think he’s got the right demeanor/smarts and I know he’ll turn this around, but is he just holding them back in order to protect his guys? I say let it loose, and play like he’s got the NY Giants personel out there. Chances are we’ll get some turnovers by a jittery QB. I want to see Laurinaitis/Witherspoon blitz more. And J-Wade because he’s got serious burners (you can’t REALLY fault him for the double move TD by Driver, Rodgers just had WAYYYYYY too much time there).

by LARamsFan29 on Sep 28, 2009 8:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I've been wondering this also

I’m sure it’s not a lack of faith in the secondary, because Spags has them playing press coverage, which shows a LOT of faith in them. So, then, why isn’t he blitzing? I personally think he’s more worried about being disciplined against the run.

But I agree, the bedrock of this defense has to be pass rush, and whatever it takes to get it, we should try it.

RamsHerd.com - Graphic Rams Discussion

by taiko on Sep 29, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man Coverage = Big time faith

You got that right, when a coach let’s his CB’s play press/man, he believes in them. You don’t let inferior athletes even attempt to do that.

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Sep 29, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Paging Mr. Curry

The Rams need curry now. He worked well in the preseason as a possession receiver on 3rd downs. Larry Grant anyone? I know he’ll be ready for his old team…

by 81 Witness on Sep 28, 2009 11:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Preseason is preseason

I don’t put a whole lot of faith in the preseason, especially when you consider Curry was traded for and then replaced by the Lions before he came here. Curry has old legs due to injuries.

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Sep 29, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Would we have this problem...

If we drafted Desean Jackson over Avery right now. Just wondering.

by 81 Witness on Sep 28, 2009 11:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Probably yes

I’m betting we would, because Desean Jackson has a lot more talent around him…from the QB to the O-Line, to even Kevin Curtis garnering more attention than whoever plays WR opposite of Avery. Likewise, I don’t see how Desean Jackson could’ve come here and contributed like he has in Philly. (except for returns)

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Sep 29, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damn.

that sucks.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Sep 29, 2009 3:09 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow, on to the motor city morgue.

This year Rams will be lucky to get one win!

by jlcdb70 on Sep 29, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Tackle Box

Lets see first of all what would you do nothing? If you do nothing then you are giving up are you a pacifist? If we kept holt the contract could of been restructured but no one explained to Holt what they were trying to do. They could of worked with him to do a sign and trade three or four teams inquired about him. Lets see wise guy why not Ferrotte? Guess what Pennington is out for the season in Miami and who is Parcells looking at….what? Ferrotte? Your an idiot! Harrison not a No.1, on this team he is compared to what we have now. There are a few receivers out there the Rams could bring in.Curry he didnt do bad in pre season, Tyree , Toomer etc… Right now we have Burton, Amendola and Martin for WR’s . Nate Jones is suppose to be activated from Taxi Squad. And of course we have a salary cap. How many defensive lineman do we have compared to WR’s we have on the team? Hmmm??? Also yes I’d rather be 1-4 vs 0-5. Ask any real Ram fan! Do you want to be the Lions? Do you want to go 0-19? Right now we are at 0-13 from last season! With all your Intelligence what would you do? What do you think the Rams should do ? Rollover and wait till next season? Get a life! Oh and Boller to Fells is what Montana to Rice? Dude what are you Smoking?

by LUKESKYWALKERDUDE on Sep 29, 2009 11:16 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm the idiot.

Yet you thought I was serious when I made the Boller to Fells comment. Um….I think you just exposed yourself.

However, you’re looking for depth. So here goes.

If you do nothing then you are giving up are you a pacifist?

Um…no. When there are no moves to be made that make this team closer to winnning a SuperBowl, then I’d stay put with the roster as is for the most part. What benefit does bringing in Harrison provide? Seriously. He’d be a one year contract that (at best) helped the team to one or two more wins. And, personally, I don’t think he’d provide that type of help. Instead, I’d prefer to play Avery, Burton, Amendola and Ruvell Martin (did you not know he was on the roster?)

At quarterback, I’d play Kyle Boller until Keith Null was up to speed with the offense and then I’d put him in. Signing Gus Frerotte does NOTHING to help this team. Nothing. Keith Null might prove to be something valuable going forward (a cheap competent backup? that’s definitely worth it’s weight in gold).

If we kept Holt the contract could of been restructured….yada yada yada…

Um…once again…no. Did you forget that Holt asked to be traded? Did you forget that he felt he was no longer part of the plans (which he wasn’t)? Did you forget he bitched and whined right after the team won it’s first game because he didn’t get enough balls thrown to him even though he was dropping passes and had a hard time getting open?

I guess you did.

He didn’t want to be here and the team was getting rid of veteren players (all of them they could). He knew it and tried to sabotage any trade value he had by publically demanding a trade a week before the team had a deadline before his roster bonus kicked in. See, what he really wanted was to be released so he could have his pick of teams. Well, he got it since no one would trade for him since they knew the Rams had to cut him within the week and they could just sign him without giving anything up.

Lets see wise guy why not Ferrotte?

Well, the Dolphins are going with Chad Henne and might look towards a street FA QB to back him up. Hardly a ringing endorsement for Gus FREROTTE.

Your an idiot!

At least I know how to spell “you’re”.

Harrison not a No.1, on this team he is compared to what we have now.

I’m not 100% what this is supposed to say, but I think you’re saying Harrison is better than what we have now. Well, sorry to disappoint, but he’s not. If he were, he’d have a job somewhere. Or is Bill Parcells interested in him too?

There are a few receivers out there the Rams could bring in.Curry

And they probably will. Hardly a difference maker since he got beat out by the guys already on the roster. But, he’s familiar with the system, so he could come in and at least step in right away.

Tyree , Toomer etc

Tyree is bad. Period. Toomer is 35 and is probably going to retire since he can’t run anymore.

Right now we have Burton, Amendola and Martin for WR’s

And Donnie Avery.

While he’s played poorly this year, he played rather good last year. I’m willing to see if he can find the 2008 form. This team needs him to figure dit out and develop into a NFL receiver. Benching him destroys that.

How many defensive lineman do we have compared to WR’s we have on the team? Hmmm???

What?

Also yes I’d rather be 1-4 vs 0-5. Ask any real Ram fan! Do you want to be the Lions?

No. The Lions have 1 win out of their past 20 games. Why would I want to be the Lions?

With all your Intelligence what would you do? What do you think the Rams should do ? Rollover and wait till next season?

Depends on your definition of “rollover”. If you mean by playing young players to try and develop them into viable NFL players and not being totally concerned about the win-loss record but more concerned about player progression? Then, yeah i’d roll over.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Sep 29, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Avery being the main focus WR was not the plan

Wow, that’s a nice little thrown down you 2 are having. Go for it.

Let me just interject for a second about Avery and how he isn’t playing well right now.
Avery isn’t ready to be our lone capable WR, getting all the attention and any doubles the opponent would care to run at us, but then again he wasn’t ever supposed to be.

He was supposed to be part of a “ensemble cast” of reasonably capable pass catchers in a run heavy system. Unfortunately we can’t field much of an ensemble right now. Very few guys can be the one good WR on a team…even big names like Ochocinco, TO and Brandon Marshall struggle in that situation. On the other side, Andre Johnson has Owen Daniels, Marv Harrison had Reggie Wayne, who now has Dallas Clark….etc forever.

Most good WR’s don’t get it figured out until 3rd year. Avery just started his 2nd year and is out there with Burton, Amendola and Martin, none of whom are good enough to get the other team’s attention. I don’t think Avery is in a position to succeed right now.

I’m not surprised at all the Avery is struggling, almost every one would, and I really don’t see any reason why it would change until we get some other reliable hands running routes. Maybe if McMike could get more targets….who knows. This could be a long year for Donnie Avery.

Lived in LA during the Rams and Raiders days. Now based in NorCal, I am still a die hard Rams fan and Raiders season ticket holder.

by CoachConnors on Sep 29, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't think the criticism of Avery has been due to his ability.

Well, it shouldn’t be.

the negativity towards Avery is he found himself in the spotlight and then has had some major failures, many of which in winnable games and in critical moments.

Overall though, is Avery in a position to succeed? I think it depends on what you are considering “success”. If you’re looking at him being a number 1 receiver this season, then the answer is “no”. If you’re looking for him to develop into a viable receiver (I’m hoping for a number 2) next year and into the future, then I think you have to say “yes”. Especially when you consider the youth of this football team. The O-Line, the receivers, much of the defense is young and next year this team is going to be even younger.

Avery is being given the opportunity to be a be a pretty good vet on a young, talented team in 2010 and 2011. If he can make it through this season, struggle, and come out of it, then we’ll have a pretty valuable guy for years to come.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Sep 29, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tickle Box

How’d I expose myself when your the one making the comment Boller to"Fells is like Montana to Rice"! Give it a rest!
You are a pacifist if you do nothing ! Spags never said this is a rebuilding Team. Lets see with your not doing anything and letting the receivers progress themselves.We play 49ers, Vikings, Jaqs,Colts, lions,saints, Cardinals,seahawks,bears,titans,texans,Cardinals and 49ers. Lets see how many do we win? Plain and simple we need a veteran presence to bring along the receivers we have. We could of won Redskin game with a veteran receiver. Maybe Packers game too. According to you Avery is the second coming!
I’ve been a Rams fan since Roman Gabriel was the qb throwing to Snow. The Defense was the Fearsome Foursome. We do now have a really good defense mailny because of Spags but my god he should of hired an Offensive Coordinator with experience. I ask you and the other Rams fans what do you want from the Rams this year? Just let the receivers learn as we go with no veteran presence or trade or pick up a vet. that can show these guys how to run a route correctly and not drop the ball? We have a young oline and they are learning but we have vet. presence. We have some pretty good TE’s Great RB and pretty good QB when he has protection and a decent receiver to throw to thats open and that won’t drop a ball.
Tickle Box I’m a retired Man that would like to see the Rams win some games this year, they don’t need to go to the Superbowl just win a few! Oh before I forget we have 10 Defensive linemen and 4 receivers well most teams have 8 defensive linemen on avg you can check yahoo sports on there depth charts. Those 1 or 2 spots we could use another receiver. And going into the niners game Avery’s ribs are hurt So I don’t see him being very effective.
Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly!

by LUKESKYWALKERDUDE on Sep 30, 2009 6:40 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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