Rams suffer minor injuries at practice; more notes from week 12

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 2, 2010 4:58 PM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Jerome Murphy of the St. Louis Rams suffered a tweaked hamstring at practice today.

Well, we spoke too soon about the St. Louis Rams' lack of injuries this season.

Rookie CB Jerome Murphy "tweaked" his hamstring at practice today. His status is up in the air for this week's game, but, according to the PD, he'll be replaced by Quincy Butler or Kevin Dockery if he can't play at Arizona. It's probably about a push. CB Justin King was limited, but sounds like he'll be a go this week.

FB Mike Karney did not practice today because of a groin injury. He was on the inactive list last week, and the Rams didn't run many (any?) two-back sets. The Rams haven't been using the lead blocker much lately...and they're not running the ball as well as they have in the recent past.

Some interesting tidbits from Pro Football Focus' re-refocused column about the Rams week 12 win over the Broncos.

Bradford threw two of his touchdown passes against the blitz.
They noted that most secondaries this season have struggled against Denver. Bradley Fletcher & Oshiomogho Atogwe had a solid day, but Ron Bartell struggled against Brandon Lloyd, as have most corners assigned to cover him this year.
Rodger Saffold had a perfect game in pass protection. Be sure to give the whole article a read.

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i'm a lot more comfortable with King in there opposed to Murphy

seriously whenever I see Murphy in the game I drop to my knees and start praying. I know he’s a rookie, but I have yet to see him do something impressive (not on special teams)

by jb22 on Dec 2, 2010 5:28 PM CST reply actions

he has an int and a few breakups, one on 3rd down i think

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Dec 3, 2010 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

Quick correction

Bartell struggled against Brandon Lloyd, not Eddie Royal. I think Murphy was covering Royal most of the day.

by Ramfan from Seattle on Dec 2, 2010 6:05 PM CST reply actions

Murphy

Jerome Murphy, at this point, is just a freak athlete from South Florida. He struggles in coverage at this point but he is a solid tackler, a big hitter, and a solid DB against the run. He just gets confused and is taking time to adjust to the NFL level of play and a new defensive system.
Spags loves to draft guys like this and coach them into solid players. Look at Bradley Fletcher. This guy was a nobody when we drafted him last year and now he is a solid starter for us. It will take a year but I fully expect Murphy to be a solid contributor…even if they move him to SS to replace Butler.

by Jigzsaw on Dec 2, 2010 6:42 PM CST reply actions

The other thing Spags seems to like...

…is big, physical corners. Both Murphy and Fletcher fit that mold, as does Bartell.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 2, 2010 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

yup

when we picked murphy i liked it, as i’d seen his name bandied about, had cool dreads and mayock said a system selection…

we like to play the jam and i thats what i like from cbs, so when he gets up to NFL speed i think he will be very good for many years to come

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Dec 3, 2010 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

Now there's four names that you're unlikely to hear another NFL team saying; "I gotta get me some of that."

Rookie CB Jerome Murphy “tweaked” his hamstring at practice today. His status is up in the air for this week’s game, but, according to the PD, he’ll be replaced by Quincy Butler or Kevin Dockery if he can’t play at Arizona. It’s probably about a push. CB Justin King…

by RamChop on Dec 2, 2010 9:57 PM CST reply actions

Saffold = money

Probably not the sexiest pick at the time but the guy has been terrific and he should only get better. Between him and Smith (much better as of late), this offense is going to kick much ass once the talent is there

by riotmute on Dec 2, 2010 11:48 PM CST reply actions

I have to agree

.. aside from the obvious (Bradford), I think the Saffold pick ranks right up there with the Laurinitis selection. Totla money, and makes Devaney and Co. look like pure genius.

We need one more strong draft to solidify our future through the next decade.

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

by VTramsFan on Dec 3, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

I think Smith is gonna be a problem child playing up to his draft status and contract. Much lower expectations.

With Brown, Bell, Saffold and Smith, our O-line should be moving some bodies out of the way for SJax to run wild. Ain’t happening. They are providing pretty good pass blocking though. But Sam deserves some credit cause he’s so mobile and can throw on the run.

by RamChop on Dec 3, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

For him to come in and start at LT is a HUGE boost!

He’s gotta be the best LT in the draft too…have you heard about any other LTs that have been solid and starting any games? I think Trent Williams in Washington has been a disaster so far, and same thing with the dude the Sh!thawks took.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Dec 3, 2010 6:03 PM CST up reply actions