Rams review: quarterback
by VanRam on Jan 21, 2010 2:13 PM CST
in 2009 St. Louis Rams regular season
45 comments
The first year of the St. Louis Rams rebuilding project is in the books. Fans swallowed the early returns, a 1-15 season, with surprising amount of optimism due to their confidence in the vision of the franchise's new leadership. As the makeover continues and before roster gets any more reconfiguration, TST delves in for a look at the positions and players, grading their performance from the 2009 season and assessing their status for the next season. The review turns its eyes today to the quarterbacks. QB represents the last skill position on the offense we have left to cover, having put the receivers, tight ends and running backs under the microscope previously.
2009 Season: 9 games, 8 starts, 140 completions, 247 attempts, 56.7%, 1,469 yards, 5 TD, 6 INT, 14 sacks, 70.7 rating
Bulger's career continued its downward spiral this season, a glaring reminder that the human body can only take so much punishment. I feel kind of bad for the guy. This year, he actually had time in the pocket, thanks to the team's decision to finally bolster the offense line, but he had no weapons to work with, a new offensive system and most of his ability beaten out of him. It's easy to forget that Bulger was once a pretty good quarterback. And he had his moments this year, replacing Boller against the Vikings, the Jacksonville game, and a near upset of the undefeated New Orleans Saints.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013
Outlook: As first reported here at TST, word is that Bulger is leaning toward retirement. That's probably the best course for him at this point. I have a hard time imagining the situation in which he would have success. The possibility remains that he could return to the Rams for a renegotiated contract, mentoring whatever youngsters the Rams bring in at the position. I doubt either the team or Bulger would go for that.
Grade: D
2009 Season: 7 games, 4 starts, 98/176, 55.7%, 899 yards, 3 TD, 6 INT, 17 sacks, 61.2 rating
Kyle Boller used his 2009 season to remind everyone that he was, in fact, still Kyle Boller. This seemed like a good move when the Rams signed him after pursuit of Gus Frerotte didn't work out. Boller was young, had some tools and maybe just needed a fresh start. Nope. Boller still had the tools, but didn't show the head for the game.
Contract Status: Free agent
Outlook: Out of the league in 2010
Grade: F
2009 Season: 4 games, 4 starts, 73/119, 61.3%. 566 yards, 3 TD, 9 INT, 13 sacks, 49.9 rating
Null became a rallying cry, sort of a great white hope for Rams fans long disgruntled with the team's QB play. It was a rough debut, throwing 5 INTs in a blowout loss to the Titans. It wasn't all bad though. Null had poise and toughness, and showed some ability to read his receivers well. The completion percentage alone is impressive for a greenhorn from a Division II school. We all chortled as the coaches kept saying he wasn't ready. Uh, yeah, they were right.
Contract status: Signed through 2012
Outlook: Null has some ability, and I look forward to what he can do with some time and work in spring practices and camp this year. He needs to show that he can adjust to the NFL game. That said, I wouldn't pencil him in as the Rams starter.
Grade: D
The Rams need a QB, desperately, for the 2010 season and beyond. There will be, there should be, a healthy debate around who the Rams will select in the draft this year. They have an adequate developmental prospect in Null, so taking another QB beyond the first round just doesn't make much sense, especially since they could always wait a year for guys like Locker or Mallet. GM Billy Devaney could pursue a veteran, but the team can't afford to give up a pot full o' draft picks for Mike Vick. It's just not worth it with all the needs we have. The free agent market could be thin too, leaving the Rams with very few options, so they'd better do their homework on Clausen and Bradford, just in case. There's no bigger need for the Rams than QB going forward.
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I disagree, only with the intent
I don’t believe that the QB position is our biggest need for 2010. Consider this-even the best QB in the NFL can lose big-time with no defense.-Warner-. Defense sets the tone for the game.
Warner got to the Super Bowl three times and this year he got through the Wild Card round.
What exactly do you mean?
I am a Lions fan who has been on your site before.
When I saw the title I expected to read a post which would whitewash the QB situation and end with…“we can get by with a second or third round QB selection” or “Bulger has a few good years left.”
I was very surprised to read a no nonsense evaluation of the QBs that ended with an acknowledgement of how dire the need is to make a major improvement. Well said.
Your management may still select Suh ahead of a QB, but that will only be after a very thorough examination of Clausen and Bradford, and with the understanding that a QB will need to be taken very early in 2011.
Rams QB
I truly believe the Rams need to build their offensive and defensive line first and the improvements will come. Bradford scares me because of injuries and Clausen seems he would be diruptive in the locker room. Suh is the clear choice or a tarde down for more draft picks. I agree we beed a new qb but not with the first pick in the 2010 draft.
Chris
Van...
…I’ve been re-watching every game of the season and I have to disagree with the “Bulger had time” assessment of our O-Line. The first 3 games were brutal. It’s no wonder the guy got injured quickly. I can tell you with absolute certainty that those 3 games were as bad as the last two games of the season. When Bulger came back, the protection was better but by no means great.
He still took shots, and it isn’t a case of “the sack numbers are down so the O-Line must be kicking ass.” They kept him clean maybe 2-3 games this season. Every other game, he either got sacked or hit on many throws.
"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 Jan 21, 2010 3:22 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Are there any stats out there for how long he held the ball?
I know you could attribute the poor play by the QB to the receivers. But I’m curious if any stats exist per game that show how long the QBs held the ball.
by BruinHalo on Jan 21, 2010 4:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
About 3 minutes or until sacked, whichever comes first
Receiver QB timing—Receiver QB timing—they HAVE to play together long enough to get timing down. We didn’t have that in 2009.
Believe me, I'm watching the tape.
There is no way his holding the ball can take responsibility for the hits he took. At least not more than random blocking lapses. Our blocking was good at times, but there were many blown assignments that had Bulger/Boller/Null wide-eyed almost immediately following the snap. It’s really bad at times.
"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 Jan 21, 2010 4:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
How many times?
"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 Jan 22, 2010 8:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Because I'm on my 3rd view, and Bulger only played 9.
Early in the season, it was poor as can be.
"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 Jan 22, 2010 8:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
On Sam Bradford...
Before he got hurt, I would have given anything for the Rams to draft Sam Bradford. He has a special quality about him and he’s a damn good QB with a strong and extremely accurate arm. After the injury? I just don’t know. It just seems too risky for a #1 overall QB with that kind of injury. I simply hate Clausen. He has that Jeff George quality of unlikeableness about him. Plus, I don’t care what people say about his defense. He went 6-6! Don’t you think if Jimmy was so great he could WILL his team to another win or two. I know I’m being irrational but, to me, he is not a winner. He just seems like too much of a hot shot and not enough of a team guy. Just my two cents. I would be happy enough with Suh in the first and Colt McCoy in the second.
P.S.
I hate Keith Null. He looks like a punter.
by AmpLee on Jan 21, 2010 6:34 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
WHAT, WHAT, WHAT !!!!!!!!!! QB, WHAT!!!!!!!
Not even close to being our biggest need. Healthy players and talent are the biggest need – and this is multiplicit. Need in order – imo
#1. IMPACT DT or DE
#2. IMPACT OLB or DB
#3. IMPACT OT (we don’t know much about Smith, but Oher did awesome for Cleveland)
#4. QB (as I have said, the draft is weak for qb’s this year – so, I just would not draft a qb!)
#5. TE
#6. WR (only because I think the youngin’s we have only should get better)
a QB should be higher than that because they take longer to develope.
We need a good one sooner rather than later. Even if we need all the stuff you listed higher, if we are still stuck waiting for a young QB to develop it will be all for nothing.
Assuming that there is a better qb in the draft than the current roster of qb's
Yet, nope, not this year.
I am judging that the list I created for needs (which is a little different than what I would draft this year in a rich defenseive draft) is a “big if”? We could Have peyton back there and he would not be the same guy in a blue suit with an efficiency rating above 100. Nope, Peyton would want to be traded because he knows his stats would be nothing while he is lying on his back side. So, if a rookie is to be drafted, keep him clean or spoil his mindset and courage.
Spags and his 4 pillars
When it comes to Clausen, it will be important to see how sensitive Spags is about Jimmy’s character. When it comes to personality, I think Jimmy is very comparable to Phillip Rivers. Always talking s*** on the field to opposing players and coaches. Before, during, and after. It’s not something that I really care about, but Spags might have an issue with.
The ongoing mock draft mentioned elsewhere here
has the Rams getting Suh in round 1, DE Griffen in round 2, and QB Colt McCoy in round 3. I would be reasonably happy if the Rams could actually pull that off. Really help the defensive line, then get a QB for the future.
PLEASE!!!!!!!!
no qb in first round!!!!! I think we over paid Bulger, so why pay some chump out of school more? Sanchez SUCKS, so don’t think for a second he’s the reason their in the title game. Stafford looked good at times, but showed why it is important for the Rams to draft best player available out the draft and try to fill holes with FA. We will not contend next year so don’t waste another good QB getting shell shocked and needing 3 years to recover…JMO
QB is our #1 need
It’s just that we need so many things that we can’t pass up BPAs for a QB. So just because we need a QB worse than anything else doesn’t mean we go after one first round hell or high-water. We won’t be waiting to address other needs until we get a QB so it’s no big deal. I want the right QB not tjust the first pretty face that comes along.
Draft defense... patch the offense via free agency
You don’t need many points if you’re defense only gives up 10-14 pts a game, consistently gives the offense good field position, and provides the occasional score from turnovers. I say QB is the least of the Rams problems. Get that defense into great shape and you can put off getting a QB until next year. This draft is deep at DT and DE. The Rams biggest weakness on defense is their line. Get some premiere pass rushers (DT and DE) to collapse the pocket and a good outside linebacker to stuff the outside run and all the other positions (ILB, S, and CB) will immediately get better because of it. That means get Suh!!!!! The offense only needs to prevent turn-overs and let S-Jack (and hopefully Leon Washington) run like ponies.
Keep on keepin on believing in this guy. I've been convinced for a long time that you're satisfied being a loser.
And yes, i remember Bradshaw’s debut. First he had to beat out a guy named Terry Hanratty. But, Bradshaw was super talented and had proved it in college. LSU wasn’t it? He also had a coach that built an invincible team around him with guys like Harris, Blier, Swann, Stallworth, Greene, Ham, etc. The Rams have none of these type guys. And you do Bradshaw a disservice to make any comparison between him and Keith Null.
Ed, I believe if you will look it up
you will see Bradshaw went to Louisiana Tech, not LSU. Not quite the same big time college experience you were suggesting.
He was the 1st pick in the 1st round.
By the way, that was the draft where the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Larry Stegent, running back. He had been great at one time, but his knees were in terrible shape by the time he graduated and was drafted. Predictably, on the first play run in the first session of training camp, he took a pitch, tried to cut up field, and blew his knee out again. That was the end of his career. If you want to talk about bad draft picks, the Cardinals of those days set the standard. They drafted a QB in the first round who was blind in one eye (they knew it), they drafted a LB high in the first round who would have been a reach in the third round, they drafted LB John Barefield who always played with a quarter (a coin) in his ear. I could go on, but you get the idea. whenever the Cardinals first round pick came up, the broadcasters from ESPN covering the draft always got big smiles on their faces and braced themselves for the crazy pick to come. Then they all broke out in laughter when it was announced, and some almost fell off their chairs. Al Davis is nothing compared to the picks the Cardinals used to make.
I don't remember if they were around for Bradshaw,
but they definitely were there when the Cardinals took the other guys I mentioned. The first year I know the draft was coverd on TV was 1973 when the Cardinals took Dave Butz. The really crazy picks took place later in the 1970s, starting with them trading Butz to the Redskins for a first round pick and taking the QB from Missouri who was blind in one eye.
ESPN was launced Sept 7th 1979. And, it took awhile for most cable systems to pick it up.
Bradshaw’s last SB was Jan 1980 versus the Rams.
Bradshaw
Bradshaw was a stumbling bumbling fumbling type for his first few games. The sportscasters had a field day until his supporting cast solved that. Wonder how Null would have developed with that same cast? Maybe the Rams will be able to develop a cast like that. I hate losing, but I hate to lose faith in a QB with maybe a super future, with all his undeveloped tools, as it’s the cast that completes the whole.
I very much agree we should draft Suh and not a QB in the first round.
I’ll be surprised if either Quinn or Kolb are available, and you know I think Vick is a very bad idea. Pennington seems like the most realistic suggestion for QB to me. He could run the system for a couple of years, until Null or another young QB is ready.
Veteran QB
Make Mike Vick an offer or find a talented free agent. The Rams have enought draft picks to revamp the defence and add talent to bring new life to our team. I still believe that Steve Spagnuolo will bring positive change to the Rams. If the Rams can revamp the Defence with the draft this team will change for the better next tear.
by Junkbox on Jan 23, 2010 3:11 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Suh & a 2nd round QB
We’d be stupid not to take Suh (the best pick in the draft). McCoy, Pike, and Tebow will all be around in Round 2, maybe Bradford, if his injury starts scaring teams off. Spagnuolo will get this done. He’s a Defensive guy first and we got to stop teams to stay in the game.
Suh & a 2nd round QB round 2
Also, I don’t think Clausen is who they think he is. He reminds me of Ryan Leaf.
running back
I am starting to see that the running back Best from Cal is falling in early to late second round status. This guy is small, but has some serious talent on what I have seen of him. We have so many needs but this guy could be usefull at b/u rb, some recieving, and special teams. He seems to be underrated to me, anyone know why?
Null < Bradshaw
Please stop comparing him to Terry Bradshaw, he is no where near as good….
Null threw NINE interceptions in four games……. and only 3 TDs…..
I don’t give a crap about that CP if he is throwing it to the other team at least twice a game….
Null, with Bradshaw’s parts, I doubt would even have a winning record…
QB over SUH
The best player in years 1 and 2 will be SUH. Any QB we take or even trade for will not be better that SUH until year 3 if ever. SUH will be the franchise hero of the fans starting in August. Any QB we get will be BBQ’d by the fans. Do you want to here the fans screaming SUUUUUUUH, or BOOOOOOH for the next 2 years?
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