The guy no one has mentioned

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 1:07 PM CDT

Long, Laurinaitis, Bartell, Atogwe, and Hall have all received praise for their efforts this year, and deservedly so. But Craig Dahl has been a serious contributor to this defense this year. Corey Chavous seemed like a good guy, and probably was one of the more intelligent players in the NFL, but by the time he got to the Rams, he was just finished. Todd Johnson wasn't any better. Both of them reminded me of Jason Sehorn. But, Dahl has stepped up and been a great contributor this year, albeit quietly.

Quick, who led the Rams in tackles against the Panthers? If you guessed Dahl based on the first part of this article, you are correct. With 10 tackles, 7 solos, he led the Rams. While the stats list 0 tackles for loss, he had a couple that I remember for no gain, and were very close to being a tackle for loss. He had some great open field tackles. Tackles that strong safeties in years past would have missed. I do think that James Butler is better in pass coverage, but Dahl is such a solid tackler that he deserves to start.

When discussing the Rams turnaround this year, I think that Dahl is as important as anyone for two reasons; first, he legitimately has been a very good player for the Rams. Second, our strong safeties were so phenomenally bad that even average play would have been a great improvement. Fletcher has been solid this year, but just by being solid he has been a tremendous improvement over the garbage pile of CBs, who have lined up opposite of Bartell over the past couple years.

So, when giving credit for the defensive turnaround, remember that there may be no one more important for the change than #43.

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Second, our strong safeties were so phenomenally bad that even average play would have been a great improvement

Sounds like Bradford’s year too.

He’s a great young QB, and compared to how bad the QB play was last year, this is also a position of HUGE improvement. Just thought I’d toot KING SAM’s horn a little.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2010 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Agree to disagree

Bradford has been better than Bulger, but only slightly so. Dahl’s play is markedly better than the other safeties.

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't remember the EXACT numbers...

…but I posted in the offseason about QB stats. Last year our QBs had 11 TDs and 21 INTs for the whole year. And about 8 pick-6’s. QB play has been a night and day difference, although you’re already on the record for not giving Bradford much credit.

That’s OK, but I see things differently.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 1, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Not to mention that Bradford's

3rd down passer rating is officially above 100 now, that’s just incredible for a rookie… 75.9 passer rating and counting on the year, if he gets it to 80 with the talent around him, he better be hailed as the best rookie qb since Peyton Manning. Big Ben, Flacco and Matt Ryan all had great talent around them.

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 1, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Bradford

What he is accomplishing as a rookie is really phenomenal, but his play is pretty average relative to veteran players.

Nothing against him, he is just a rookie player. This post had absolutely nothing to do with Bradford, just the defense.

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

it is average compared to other players

but all pro compared to what our QBs got us last season. the defensive improvement is largely due to an improved offense doing a better job of keeping them off the field. also, when the offense jumps out of 14 point leads early in the game, it makes life alot easier on the defense. when your up by two scores late in the game, everyone knows the opponent is gonna pass. there are a lot of reasons why we are so much better, but i think sam bradford has contributed more to the success then craig dahl.

עם ישראל חי

by nodisrespect on Nov 1, 2010 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh I was just agreeing with Shea's comment.

That’s why I wrote a new comment based on this post.

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 1, 2010 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

this may be the most ludicrous comment I have seen posted in ages

If you can’t see the MARKED improvement between Bradford and Bulger you are either blind or actually Bulger/ his mom

by stlfan2004 on Nov 1, 2010 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Or

I am just objective instead of being blinded by the madness of crowds

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions

or, you are trying so hard to be objective

that you actually undervalue what our young man is doing. He has thrown 5 tds and 0 INT in the last three games. That is BETTER than average.

If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't come back, find it and kill it.

by gomer7 on Nov 1, 2010 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions

+9999999

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Nov 1, 2010 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

+1934235i0yuw9502u3433t3th4wg8t5hudtinfosjlfh8yue40

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 1, 2010 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

um....no offense but objective is defined by reporting accurate facts lacking of emotions

if you want to be objective look at how many touchdowns Bulger scored last year at this point and compare it to Bradford and how many touchdowns he has,,,, then get back to me….. last year we were the field goal champions of the world….. this year we at least get to look at a score board you can’t always divide by 3. Now unlike you I am actually objective when it comes to the QB’s. No Bulger wasn’t the worst quarterback in the history of football. Yes, his destruction fell hugely at the hands of our front office refusing to get him protection. No, Bradford is not the number one quarterback in the NFL. Yes he had a very off game last week all on his own (not counting in his recieving targets or protection) and YES BRADFORD IS PULLING MILES AHEAD OF LAST YEARS BULGER

by stlfan2004 on Nov 1, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions

actually

I mentioned dahl a lot. I am a big fan of him and think hes much more consistent than butler. That is why when butler got injured I was not the least bit worried because I know craig will fill in for him just fine. Also, every single special teams play I seem to notice 43.

by Buck Nasty87 on Nov 1, 2010 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

His special teams play is really good. To me, he is the best special teams tackler we have had since Trev Faulk

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

super solid on special teams

and to tell you the truth, I notice him when he is on defense as well. He is just a legit hard worker. Gotta love that.

by stlfan2004 on Nov 1, 2010 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

On passing downs they put Butler in

and play him deep. Dahl moves up into what looks almost like a LB position and is always threatening a blitz. He is usually in on the action on both defense and special teams. He, Butler and Robbins have all proved to be great pickups from the Giants.

by andyhawk on Nov 1, 2010 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

Not gonna lie,

Dockery has been a solid pickup after a slow start as well.

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 1, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I thought this past week was Dockery’s best game. May have been the receivers he was up against, but he still looked really good.

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 1, 2010 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Dahl had a touchdown saving tackle,

he’s awesome. The mix of Dahl and Butler is a perfect fit at strong safety for our defense. I wish Kevin Payne were healthy, our safety rotation would be very, very good.

Take the leash off of the offense pleeeeeeease.

Signed, Rams fan.

by douchiedude on Nov 1, 2010 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

this is true

Butler deep and Dahl playing bandit on obvious passing downs has been working great for us

If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't come back, find it and kill it.

by gomer7 on Nov 1, 2010 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Let me chime in

Dahl is Dannyesque… you get 110% no less.

Did I also mention he can tackle? He is a GREAT (not good) open field tackler.

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

by VTramsFan on Nov 2, 2010 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

Absolutely

He made some open field tackles this past Sunday that made me literally say, “Wow.” Haven’t said that too many times over the past few years about tackling

Remember the great 2004 and 2005 Rams teams...

by Marmie is the best on Nov 2, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions