Who Powered Through: Rams do-it-all safeties having a big impact

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 11, 2010 1:00 PM CST in Who Powered Through

Sometimes, when the posts pop into your head faster than you can spit them out, ideas get lost in the shuffle. Following the St. Louis Rams' road win over the Arizona Cardinals last week I wanted to get something up pointing out the outstanding game from the Rams' starting safeties, Oshiomogho Atogwe and Craig Dahl.

I really love the way Spagnuolo and defensive coordinator Ken Flajole use safeties. If you compared them to a chess piece, it's like having two queens, two pieces that can move freely across the board serving whatever role is asked of them. At the line, back deep, smothering an opposing receiver...Rams safeties can be found almost anywhere on the field at any given time.

Dahl's week 13 outing easily ranked as his best of the season. He had a defensive hat trick, with a crucial INT, a sack and a pass defended. Three of his seven tackles were for a loss of yards. Atogwe had a similar day, with a sack, six tackles with two for a loss and a PD.

Along with the cornerbacks, they held the Cardinals to an average gain of just 3.8 yards per pass play, with only 11 of 29 attempts completed.

For the season, Dahl and Atogwe have the second and third most tackles on the team.

Such a fine effort wasn't without cost. Both Dahl and Atogwe were limited in practice this week, with knee and shoulder injuries. Both should be ready to go against New Orleans tomorrow. Hats off to both these players, they've been an indispensable part of the Rams defensive resurgence this season.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

with nothing to lose and everything to gain

The Rams should dish out the most aggressive blitz package even seen in NFL history. With a strong front line we have a chance to rattle the cage of Brees. It won’t be easyt as he’ll be looking for his hot receivers but we can pull our safeties in to cover the corners as the HIT Saint receiv ers at the line we could disrupt their timing. We will probablt get burned deep but its worth the risk. Remember, nothing to lose. JMHO. We can win this game.

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Dec 11, 2010 3:09 PM CST via mobile reply actions

although Dahl has great work ethic and a great heart

we will be better served in the long run with someone that might not have as big a heart but twice the athletic ability. Dahl lacks speed and strength and playmaking ability. lets be honest with ourselves, Craig wouldnt start on 98% of the teams in the NFL.

by Damn,imaRamsfan on Dec 11, 2010 5:12 PM CST reply actions