Brandon Gibson emerges for the Rams

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 16, 2010 5:00 PM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Watching the St. Louis Rams play over the last several weeks, you've probably noticed a decline in the number of catches and even targets for WR Danny Amendola. It should be fairly obvious. Amendola had been the go-to receiver for Sam Bradford, and why not with his impressive 70 percent catch rate and the ability to work in a crowded short field.

Of course, that doesn't go unnoticed by opponents, and Amendola's catches have dropped off recently as teams cover him up, especially on third downs. Denver put their top corner, Champ Bailey, on Amendola for more plays than you might otherwise have expected. Here's what Pat Shurmur said about the situation today:

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said WR Brandon Gibson has been targeted more because teams have been keying on Danny Amendola. Gibson will continue to split time with WR Danario Alexander and the Rams will move Amendola around to "free him up."

Gibson deserves some credit for his play lately. His catch rate is now 60 percent, second best on the team of any receiver with a minimum of 8 catches. (Compare that to Laurent Robinson's 47 percent catch rate). On the Rams' three game road trip, Gibson has 13 catches in 19 targets, 68 percent, 148 yards.

Credit Sam Bradford some too. He's the kind of QB that makes his receivers better with his smart for the game and deadly accuracy.

Slowly, the receiver puzzle is coming together for the Rams. They have some solid possession guys on staff now, like Amendola and Gibson. The jury's still out on Danario Alexander, but early returns look good, even if he probably can't be counted on to stay healthy. The return of Donnie Avery next year gives them another weapon on the outside, with some real speed, and the possible return of free agent Mark Clayton adds experience. As we said yesterday in a discussion about the free agent WR situation, the Rams have some real thinking to do in filling out that spot on next year's roster.

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Comments

Woah that quote made me mad.

Why are Gibson and Alexander splitting? Shouldn’t it be Robinson and Alexander?

by Tevin T. Broner on Dec 16, 2010 5:03 PM CST reply actions

+1 million

by stlfan2004 on Dec 16, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

-1 million

If DX really is all that, shouldn’t it be Gibson and Alexander? Until Alexander proves he can be a consistent weapon in the NFL and stay healty, I think spotting him is the right thing to do.

Robinson has shown very little this year. I forget he’s on the team for long stretches of the game.

by Tini Ram on Dec 16, 2010 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

You agreed with us.

The way I read the quote is that Gibson some plays some and then Alexander takes reps from him. I was saying that Alexander should be taking time away from Robinson

by Tevin T. Broner on Dec 16, 2010 5:40 PM CST up reply actions

lol.....

yeah… I think Tini Ram must have just misunderstood what we were saying…

by stlfan2004 on Dec 16, 2010 6:23 PM CST up reply actions

We are saying the same thing

and yes I too forget Robinson is there…. until he looks over the wrong shoulder on a td pass

by stlfan2004 on Dec 16, 2010 6:25 PM CST up reply actions

additionally think about it this way

We both agree Robinson is forgetable most of the time. Yet the way Shurmer’s quote reads… Robinson isn’t splitting time with anyone… he is out their in every given set. Gibson is splitting time with Alexander and yet has a many more memorable catches/plays. That in itself says alot about Robinsons contribution to this team this year.

by stlfan2004 on Dec 16, 2010 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

I guess one thing to keep in mind

and btw I have no knowledge to prove this, but you have to wonder just how many practices Danario has gone through with the first team. He’s been rehabbing for so long, I mean really how many solid weeks of practices has he gotten with the first team? Robinson was at least around last year a bit, and although he was banged up a bit early this season, he wasn’t exactly trying to revive a dead knee like Alexander was.

Along with the set pitch count for Alexander for # of plays a game, I can’t help but think that the number of plays that Danario can be involved in are limited. Rookie WR’s have a hard enough time adjusting to the NFL game as it is, being injured and barely getting practices/reps makes it that much harder.

by jb22 on Dec 16, 2010 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

I stopped keeping up with it. But

I know that he was getting more playing time then most backups with the number 1’s before he got hurt. Also he always practiced as the other teams number 1 receiver in practice. In the past he said he had a good handle of the playbook.

However the Rams don’t like to play rookies that much their 1st season. Hell they didn’t want to start Bradford, just think how mad we would be if A.J was starting at QB. I think that they just don’t want him to get hurt and that they figure he has alot of upside why waste it now.

by Tevin T. Broner on Dec 16, 2010 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, but playing the role of the opposing #1 on the scout team

is a little different than running through the playbook with the 1’s, no? Plus plays are constantly updated and changed, Danario was in and out due to his knee. I’m just saying I wouldn’t be surprised if having Danario in might limit Shurmur’s play calling in some way.

I hear what you’re saying though. I’m sure the coaches s*** themselves everytime he gets tackled. It’s just that I get annoyed when after every game, every pissed off Ram fan (Bernie Miklasz) slams their table in a drunken stupor and demands to know why Danario didn’t have 12 catches for 169 and 2 TDs. Um..how about he’s a rookie? And like all rookie WR’s he needs to work on his route running?

by jb22 on Dec 16, 2010 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

lol true

I have no clue, all I know is that the coaches always say that they want to give him the ball more and Sam said he is our best deep threat.

Yeah I agree with you he does get alot of hype because of those two games. I feel like the coaches though we might as well save him for next year and let him steadily heal. Yeah he does need time to learn all the routes and stuff, but I’m sure Gibson is teaching him well lol.

by Tevin T. Broner on Dec 16, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions

Robinson is a complete joke.

He used to just hurt us by taking up a spot on the roster but he cost us a sure TD early in the game on Sunday. Gibson must have taken his dumb-dumb pills also when he broke free by 5 yards and then gave up on the route while watching Bradford’s pass sail over his head. Robinson has almost 3 years under his belt and it’s obvious that he shouldn’t be in the league. Gibson has almost two and has yet to show anything more than 3rd-4th receiver capabilities. Alexander should be on the field at all times regardless of his ethiopian leg. I am sick of watching these clowns make mistake after mistake. I don’t know how Bradford can deal with this crap. I have seen him shake his head and say things under his breath but, I would have choked them both. Damn you Mark Clayton!

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 16, 2010 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

What the hell?...

Are you trying to pull me out of hibernation? Van I usually enjoy your work but, what inspired you to write this gem? Was it Gibson’s stunning 67 yard performance vs. the Aints, his 44.7 yards per game average or his two TD’s that sparked this article? The only thing he has emerged from is the locker room on Sundays.

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 16, 2010 6:07 PM CST reply actions

he is writing it because Gibson has shown major progress this year

He was always spotted as a number 3-4 and although you are correct in the fact that he has had a couple of years in the NFL, he was not given continuous reps until it was basically a forced situation this year. Think about his first few games he played in this season when he couldn’t hold onto a ball to save his life. Now think about what he contrubutes currently. Like it or not, if he hadn’t had such progress we would be alot worse off. He is becoming much more reliable and deserves credit for it. Although our wr core being dessimated for this whole season was unfortunate, it did provide Gibson with enough in game experience do be an excellant depth guy for next year.

by stlfan2004 on Dec 16, 2010 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

He has started enough games to become a factor and he has not. 492 yards and 2 td’s is not showing anything at all. It’s blip in the lower half of starting WR’s in the NFL.

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 16, 2010 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

Everett, what have you brought to the table?

He has improved and does deserves credit for it. Jackson only has 4 td’s, but is praised night and day. Loosen up a little or become a Pats fan.

by STLfan1 on Dec 17, 2010 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

Jackson will also be top five in yards and is feared as one of the best and most punishing runners in the game.

He has been for years. Here is a good and stat backed point. Buff- Johnson & Evans, Cards- Fitzgerald & Breaston, Panthers- Smith & Gettis, Titans- Britt & Moss, KC- Bowe & Chambers…and these are the worst passing teams in the league. I would take any one of thier receivers over our two and I think you would too.

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 17, 2010 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

Well what happens when one of the stat proven wr's you listed above become put on IR?

The other one gets doubled with saftey coverage and the backup fails like our have. So what are you trying to prove?

by STLfan1 on Dec 18, 2010 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

Think of it this way

He is close to Amendola in yards, and he play against better corners most of the time.

by Tevin T. Broner on Dec 16, 2010 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

This mess is what I feared at the beginning of the season.

I thought there was value in giving a bunch of young guys the playing time to see if somebody would emerge, as say, Colston did in New Orleans, or Austin did in Dallas, as a definite starter, the kind of player we could plug in for years.

That hasn’t happened. Instead, we’re getting articles about how Brandon Gibson has “emerged” because he’s been pretty okay for a couple of games and our standards are so low. Nobody’s emerged, with the exception of Amendola, and he’s emerged as a slot receiver. We’ve got one “yes definitely” who isn’t really equipped to be a #1 or #2, and lots of maybes in Gibson, Clayton, Avery, and Alexander. We need to do better than that.

by Spielman on Dec 17, 2010 8:03 AM CST up reply actions

Colston and Austrin have other good wr's to take some heat to help open them up,

besides Danny who do the cb’s have to cover other than Gibson??

by STLfan1 on Dec 17, 2010 9:04 AM CST up reply actions

So...

Sure. That’s why I have him listed as a maybe.

by Spielman on Dec 17, 2010 10:37 AM CST up reply actions

This FO has only had 2 FA and drafts to fill more holes then the PGA tour

I do agree that we need to improve WR, I’m just not ready to call Gibson a bust. He just needs someone to complement him on the other side. That would also free Amendola in the slot. IMO Robinson is where the true problem lies…

It would also help if they would use DX to run deeper routes to open up the short routes and running lanes. When your a def and only have to protect 10yds or less with all 11 players every play, your job gets much easier.

willing to bet the house the FO will get a #1wr or something closer then wha we have this offseason.

by STLfan1 on Dec 18, 2010 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

+1 Spielman

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 17, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

Broner..

Look at it this way…He is a starter in the NFL and basically our number one. 492 yards would not be acceptable for most teams number two and sometimes number three. He is a joke. All players will improve but 492 yards and 2td’s still makes him one of the worst starting WR’s in the NFL.

Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.

by Everett 11 on Dec 16, 2010 8:42 PM CST reply actions

He wasn't even on the active roster the first two games.

Then he wasn’t playing much while Clayton was in there. Then it took him a little time to get used to live action and playing with Bradford while Amendola was getting all the throws. Just looking at his stats for this year as a whole, without considering these facts, doesn’t really tell the story.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had an article on Gibson today. They said one of the reasons he wasn’t active the first two games was because he wasn’t very good on special teams and the coaches wanted to send him a message. Apparently he got the message. In the last six games he has 32 catches for 331 yards. Extend that to a full 16 game season ahd he would have 85 catches for 883 yards. That looks pretty much like a solid starting wideout to me. He may not be Pro Bowl caliber at this point, but he certainly is doing a good job as a solid #2 WR. If we had a decent #1, which we don’t, I think we could do well with Gibson as the #2 and Amendola in the slot.

by andyhawk on Dec 17, 2010 11:55 AM CST up reply actions