Underrated Rams: Random Ramsdom, 12/1

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 1, 2010 6:37 AM CST in St. Louis Rams news

It's that time of year when the week's seem really compressed, tucked between two major holiday times. Sometimes that's good, but it also makes the last month of the NFL season go by really fast. Let's check in with a heaping helping of news and comment.

Bernie Miklasz at the PD runs down the NFC West race with 5 games left to play. The St. Louis Rams are in the best spot considering their schedule, the way they're playing and injuries. Plenty of things can happen, but the Rams definitely control their own destiny.

It's unlikely you'll see the Rams in prime time this season. I doubt that's the case next year.

Underrated, yeah, that sums up the Rams and their players, to a degree. Several of those players also landed on the All-Underrarted team, as named by Doug Farrar over at the Shutdown Corner blog. RT Jason Smith made the All-Underrated Offense. Farrar points out that Smith has given up just two sacks despite Bradford's constant rollout to the right side. Given how effective Bradford is on those rollouts, it kind of makes you wonder if that's not part of the reason the Rams coaches left Smith on the right side.

James Hall and James Laurinaitis make the list for defense. Hall's pass rushing renaissance has been a big part of the Rams effectiveness on defense this year. And here's what Farrar says about Lauinaitis:

Laurinaitis may be on his way to being the best middle linebacker in the game. Coaches have raved about his intelligence since the Rams took him in the second round in 2009, and no 4-3 middle linebacker has done more this season to prevent successful plays.

Best middle linebacker in the game, and a steal of a deal in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Better drafts have already paid big dividends for the Rams...just think where they'd be if the franchise hadn't screwed up all those drafts.

The Rams need to feast on the hemorrhaging Cardinals this weekend. Nevertheless, dying animals can be dangerous. Take nothing for granted.

The Sporting News takes a look at just how much things have changed for the Cardinals and the Rams since that week 1 loss.

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Comments

No Imagination

Better drafts have already paid big dividends for the Rams…just think where they’d be if the franchise hadn’t screwed up all those drafts.

They would be without Sam the Ram. It may have been a dark time, but having Sam on the Rams now makes the future seem very bright

by JTPirate on Dec 1, 2010 6:48 AM CST reply actions

+1

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions

+1

Love sam and jl=beast

by markg1127 on Dec 1, 2010 7:36 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Time to give it up for Jason Smith

I was just thinking about some of those blocks he was making on rollouts. All of steven jackson’s successfull runs have been to the right side. And only two sacks allowed, both in week two against oakland. Talk about picking it up and starting to live towards his billing. Pass blocking from the tackles and from the line in general have been excellent. I count 8 sacks from Bradford running out of bounds 1/2 a yard short of the LOS, which he rarely does now.

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

by gomer7 on Dec 1, 2010 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Did you know

that SJax is 2nd in the league in rushing attempts?

And that Sam Bradford is 5th in the league in passing attempts?

by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 1, 2010 9:44 AM CST reply actions

1st downs

do crazy things. Maybe that’s why Bulger hated them.

You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In *St. Louis* his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well, *Steven Jackson* was the best.

by 3k on Dec 1, 2010 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

Not to mention

a defense getting more stops.

by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 1, 2010 10:06 AM CST up reply actions

If we're smart in this years draft

We need to solidify positions to unify the time line for DE, DT.. Hall, Robbins etc.. I can’t see us going another draft without addressing this.

Our defense is good, but it could get HORRIBLE fast without addressing DE, or DT

Tht’s the key for teams like New England… they keep a solids timeline through key positions.

Pooch punts should be illegal inside an opponents 38 yard line.

by VTramsFan on Dec 1, 2010 11:05 AM CST reply actions

I like us taking an OLB in the 1st, a WR in the 2nd and then a pass rushing DT.

Don’t you think we could use an OLB more than we could use a DT right now? I guess my feeling is that drafting for depth isn’t as important to the Rams, which have been sooo bad in the past as drafting for need. I don’t think we NEED a DE or DT right now, but we do need an OLB.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2010 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

I agree with VT. Robbins and Hall especially are playing VERY well but are at an age where they will decline sharply once they decline.

We have to be ready for that.

I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.

by Midasknight on Dec 1, 2010 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

I'm in favor of that...next year! We've still got some pretty gaping holes (OLB) that need filling IMO.

It ain’t gonna break my heart to draft a DT in the first though. In line with this, I think Selvie and Ah You are pretty good DE backups, which is why I think it can wait a year!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

I have not charted player positions but it seems to me that

Ah You mostly lines up at the RDT position when in the play.

by RBramfan on Dec 1, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

So does Selvie I think...but they're not "real" DTs.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2010 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

+ a trillion

We’ll regress without an influx of defensive talent. I remember the 99 rams defense was so tough and good. The very next year it was complete garbage and required a coplete overhaul. It got old quick.

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

by gomer7 on Dec 1, 2010 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

Laurinaitis

OK, I’m NOT saying he’s no good. But what is it about JL55 that makes him “on his way to being the best MLB in the game?” I don’t notice him being exceptional. But maybe you’re not supposed to notice MLBs? I think he’s probably above average. Maybe the 10th to 12th best MLB. He’s a sure tackler. He’s not the best on pass coverage. He’s a good run stuffer cause its tough to run up the gut on our defense.

I’m not saying he’s not approaching the best, but what is it that people notice that would make them say such a thing?

And I remember cringing when we took him over Rey Maualuga. I thought it was a mistake…turns out I’m glad to be wrong!

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 1, 2010 11:28 AM CST reply actions