A disgruntled fan on the brink
by PSKPSE on Mar 17, 2010 3:39 AM CDT
87 comments
Let me get this off my chest: if the Rams don’t draft Suh I’m leaving this franchise’s fan base. I’m never going to visit this site again. I might go on a tirade so vulgar and crude that I get banned. I can no longer root for a franchise that doesn’t remember how to win. I love football. I have since 1996 when my family and I would sit down and watch the Rams every Sunday until I went away to college. I started playing football when I was 11. A year later the Rams won the Super Bowl. I was hooked, a Rams fan for life. I’ve been reading this site for I believe 2 or maybe even 3 years now. Everday. Often twice. But if the Rams pick Bradford it just cements my fears, the franchise as a whole (both management and fans) have been blinded by the lights. In the glitz of beautiful offense many have been caught in the afterglow. . It is easy to understand why. Fans grew accustom to seeing 6 offensive pro-bowlers on the field every year, four to five of them being future HOFers, the best ever. The entire Rams franchise, fans included (maybe mostly), need to realize that it will NEVER happen again.
Donnie Avery is not Bruce or Holt. Smith is not Pace. Jackson (great he is) is not Marshall. He will never average over 5 yards per carry and over 10 yards per reception. And Bradford most certainly is not Warner. First and foremost, Warner shows no fear. His pocket presence, his ability to stare a D end in the face and hit the slant is what made him the best playoff QB of all time. Remember hearing about the Kill Kurt drill? Most QBs practiced 7 on 7, Kurt practiced 8 on 10 (7 on 7 + a center and 3 D-linemen). Bradford was sacked 25 times though out his entire college career, last year Keith Null (3rd on the Rams in total snaps) hit the ground with the ball 13 times. When ask what QB he would most like to hit Gerald McCoy said Sam Bradford. Why? Because of how protective the OK coaches were of him. He got jumped on for bumping the fragile QB once, not even enough to knock him down. Watch the tape of his two injuries this season. They were both caused by him getting thrown hard to the ground. Now I want you to think about all injuries caused by the Rams turf over the years. Now do some analysis. You got a 60+ million dollar tragedy waiting to happen. Haven’t we already done that before? Ohh yeah, Marc Bulger. Throw in the fact that he hasn’t seen a game since October of last year. How about him putting up all those number against tiny Big XII defensive backs who couldn’t stop anyone? What do you get? Just another in a long line of blown picks by the Rams. I am a firm believer that top quarterbacks benefit from sitting with rare exceptions. And a quaterback who hasn't proven he can get hit time and again isn't someone you take number 1 overall with. Particularly not if you aren't sure you can keep him on his feet. But what really really pisses me off are all the people out there who say that a DT can't even be as valuable as a QB. Trent Dillfer won a super bowl. How? His defense helped him play above his level just a another team I know.
Sadly, the quietly dominant defenses performances that were the 1999 and 2001 seasons has been completely forgotten. Mad props to anyone who came name me the Rams D coordinator in 1999, no cheating! That year the Rams allowed the 4th fewest points giving up the 7th fewest yards. Obviously that year we won the Super Bowl. The next year, after the coaching turnover, we still had the best offence, but also allowed the most points in the league while allowing opposing offenses to gain the 9th most yards. That year we lost in the playoffs to New Orleans by allowing them to score 31 points! Obviously offense only wasn’t going to get it done, so the savvy winning team went out and found Lovie Smith. With him at the helm of the defense we returned to the Super Bowl after allowing the 7th fewest points and 3rd fewest yards against. How did this defense succeed so much? Great D-line play (granted mostly from our D-ends). We pressured the QB like crazy, forcing bad passes, which allowed us to generate the most turnovers in the league as well (both 99 and 2001) despite our best CB being Dexter Mcleon (FYI a rookie pro-bowler in his first year with 6 picks, a second round pick in the 99 draft). Turnovers are the most helpful thing in football. A turnover in their half of the field is almost guaranteed points, something the Rams could use a bit more of. Imagine if the offense occasionally started a drive closer to the 50 than the 20. Needing to only go 20 yards for a FG is a lot easier than going 50, and these guys can use all the help they can get.
Remember Suh’s pick against Mizzou? He’s gonna do that again wouldn’t you rather have it happen for us (I’ve been hearing that argument a lot for Bradford, which is BS a argument for many reasons but I just wanted to throw it back)? Hell when was the last time the rams blocked a FG, because Suh has done that 4 times. He also broke up 10 passes, good enough for 34th in college football last season (Ron Bartell led the Rams with 9). My point being that Suh can do things at the defensive tackle position that no one else will be able to do in a long while and when he comes along you can’t pass him up. Suh isn’t your everyday D linemen go ahead and look at his stat line one more time. The man is a penetration machine, even against the double team he still drives opponents backwards. His double team take demanding presence takes pressure off a young and still improving Clifton Ryan (I guarantee a rise in tackles for loss). Same can be said for Chris Long. Think about it in terms of Xs and Os. Suh takes a guard and a center away and is still a threat. A guard against Ryan and a tackle against Long. Who does that leave wide open? All of our linebackers. Defenses then have to choose between getting a blocker on Animal Jr., double teaming Suh, leaving a TE isolated against a DE. Either way there are so many things to think about for opposing O-lines there is a good chance someone makes a mistake. Mistakes lead to penetration, penetration leads to turn overs, turn overs lead to better offense. And if the Rams fan base is too football stupid to understand that then I don’t want to be a part of it.
0 recs |
87 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I agree
with everything you said except the part about not being a fan if we pick Bradford. Been a fan since 70 and I’ve seen ‘em do some stupid things but I’ll always be a fan. I’ve been in the Suh camp since day one and the only reason I will except them not picking Suh is if we trade out for more picks. I keep coming back to this one question: Is Bradford a better QB than Suh is a DT. IMHO I don’t think so. BPA should be our draft plan. Only time will tell. GO RAMS!!
by johnniewarthawg on Mar 17, 2010 7:07 AM CDT reply actions
forgive me for ......
…..not being up to date in “text talk” but what does IMHO mean? I keep seeing that in these posts….
right
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 17, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
That's how i always interpret it but it can be the other way too.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I don't know how you can demean
Sam Bradford’s performance since it came against Big 12 teams, yet praise what Suh did while playing against Big 12 teams as well.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Tell it like it is, brother
I totally agree, as I have pointed these things out too. It’s like no one is listening. Bradford got hit by a college player. Can you imagine being hit every other play by the likes of Ray Lewis or any other NFL player ( especially with this offensive line ). The Rams need to start drafting the best players available and that starts with Suh. Unless they can get some fantastic offer, they need to stick with Suh.
Amen
+ asdfdafdsdfs
I think Spags is just posturing with this QB talk. You know he is defensive minded man and he won’t settle for Bradford acting like a pussycat after taking a few hits. I would also expect Carriker to go via a trade.
my anxiety with this off-season is...
the lack of confidence in our talent evaluators. once devaney hits it out of the park with a draft or a couple consecutive drafts all of us won’t be on pins and needles trying to figure out what is going on here. if devaney’s picks pan-out then maybe i’ll be confident that he knows what he’s doing, especially with the scars of the past 5 years and all of our blown picks. if we had competent scouts even dating back to when martz hijacked the draft board we wouldn’t be as pathetic as we are today.
Lauriniaitis panned out nicely. Jason Smith played very well until the head crack. WR Gibson came aboard and did well.
Just pointing out a couple of recent successes.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 17, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
So did Bradley Fletcher
as well as another pick-up named Danny Amendola.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Hollis was cut during the season...
he was given the opportunity & failed.
by RamsFan1979 on Mar 18, 2010 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't forget Laurent Robinson
and the 5th round pick we got from the Eagles along with Brandon Gibson.
And Darrell Scott
stood tall by the end of the season. The fact is that Devaney’s top 4 draft picks last year were starters at some time or another, though two of them lost significant time due to injury. Amendola, Gibson, Robinson, Lenon, and the plethora of DL that were picked out of nowhere all contributed at, or above, the level of the players they replaced. For crying out loud, they had a 7th round pick in Ogbannaya contribute last year.
Now, obviously these guys were able to get more time on the field because of the atrocious talent level on this team, but I’d have to say Devaney’s first year of supplying this team with talent has been just fine.
I'll be a fan no matter who they draft...
and I’ve been a fan since the LA days. So for everyone who wants to not be Rams fans anymore because you obviously know better….bye. I will support my team, like a real fan would.
if they draft bradford.....
ill still be a fan but i wont be happy about it….and ill be lying in the shadows waiting til bradford gets hurt and i can come on this site and rant and say i told you so….Suh is clearly the obvious choice i dont even care if bulger is our qb for another year as long as we have suh…we can get Keenum, Mallet, Locker next year hell even Luck is a better prospect than bradford is right now if any of those qbs had come out this year we would be talking about them with the number 1 pick and not bradford……this FO seems smart i think its very unlikely that they take bradford but we will see
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand
why so many folks feel the need to come on here and make outrageous statements in an attempt to support their position. If you like Suh best, and think that’s who the Rams should take, that’s great. I suspect he will be a very good player in the pros and could help the Rams. I would be happy if they took him. But there is just no reason to make outrageous and unsupported claims in an attempt to convince others the Rams shouldn’t take Bradford. They just weaken your argument. Can we all please lower the emotions a little?
by andyrose on Mar 17, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Double rec'd
Yeah andy I noticed that. People like Psk and edpjr are a little over dramatic
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
I was thinking the samething maybe everyone should just stop being fans unless the Rams draft a long snapper first in the draft thats how rediculous things like this are. Who cares who the rams draft as long as the FO beleives it is the best player.
by bobhugehands on Mar 18, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Losing isn't fun but..
Many younger fans haven’t had to deal with the "down"years until the last few with the Rams and yes it can be frustrating. But true fans can’t simply just turn off their love for a team no matter how rough it gets. Many of us older fans have dealt with decades of frustration in between the successes and that’s what makes it sweeter when we do rise back to the top. It will get better, it’s just not going to happen overnight.
PS: I would like to see us draft Suh and sign a stop-gap QB for the time-being.
My life's unique distinction is being one of the twenty sorry fans who bought Rams season tickets in Anaheim from '86 to '94!
by cuseguy on Mar 17, 2010 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
The frustrations on the field and in the FO are part of what makes it sweet when we do win, and we will win again. I too remember a lot of bad stretches, and they did suck. If we go through hard times and limit the revolving door as much as possible thereby becoming more familiar with the players we have, it will feel like it’s our team that won when it happens instead of a team of mercenaries. This is why I don’t think FA should be used for anything other than filling in holes, B’Us and the occassional position not easily filled through the draft.
BTW
Giunta was the DC. Part of the Vermeil crew.
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.
Wasn't he co-DC w/ one of Vermeil's "old coaches" crew?
I didn’t look, since that was called cheating, but I thought Giunta was partnered with somebody that year.
Don't start freaking out to soon PSKPSE
we can’t know what the FO is going to do and neither can the media/analyst/mock draft people or anyone else for that matter. all we’re hearing is someone else’s opinions and educated guessing. our FO did a pretty good job of building the start of a good foundation and i have faith that they will continue to do so. but man if they pick Sammy B, i sure hope we can keep him off his back.
Keep the Faith…Our Time Is Gonna Come
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
I can understand the new fans
I guess I can understand if the people that became Rams fans after or during the 99 season being disgruntled and wanting to freak out about the Rams current plight. What I don’t understand is the people who held through with the team when they were the loosingest team in the 90’s.
It is milk it may be spilled it may be delicious.
For the record
Sam Bradford’s injury was a freak accident. It had nothing to do with him being a frail QB. I talked to my friend who is not only an Athletic Trainer but also an OU fan(everyone has faults). He broke down the injury in terms that were beyond me, however the short of it was that it was a freak injury that had to do with the way he landed on his shoulder. He said that the only reason he got hurt the 2nd time was because of the time needed to heal with such an injury. Had the first event never happened, that 2nd injury more than likely would have only injured his pride. He said that he will come back to full strength. When I mentioned Dr. James Andrews was the one that was overseeing his care, he mentioned that Bradford will probably come back with a shoulder better than ever. He said that Dr. Andrews puts his patients through intense and effective strengthing programs.
My buddy knows his stuff, especially considering the amount of athletes and Volleyball players (lots of back and shoulder injuries) he deals with.
I am still holding my opinion until I see the guy through again.
I'm less worried about the injury
since I’ve read up on it. It’s not really that big of a deal, especially for someone his age. I want to see him throw at his Pro Day. Anyone else anxious for the draft? I really can’t wait to see how this shakes out. I’ll say this, no matter who our first pick is, I’m a fan for life.
Same here Broseph. I'm most anxious to see what the do with the 33rd pick more than anything else
BAY-BAY!!!(*fingers crossed*)
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
What do you mean by "the only reason he got hurt the 2nd time was because of the time needed to heal with such an injury."
Should he not have been playing yet?
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
he shouldnt have
but oklahoma was under so much pressure since their backup QB was so bad. That team last year if it had Bradford healthy was a top 10 team. I mean potentially 4 first rounders(Bradford,Mccoy,Williams and Gresham) with many other studs. They rushed him back in and got him hurt again.
Rays and Rams Baby
Yes. He should not have been playing!
He said they brought him back about 4 weeks too early. The only risk was if he were to fall on it again, then he would be in trouble. What is that? Murphy’s Law?
and i hope somebody saves this guy's message
for when Bradford becomes the face of our franchise.
Or….keep this comment if he…….busts….WHICH HE WONT!
…..
Rays and Rams Baby
You make edpjr's rant seem serene.
Bradford’s good. Suh’s good. McCoy’s good. While it’s no fun to be dead last in the league, it’s exciting to have the number 1 & 33 picks this year. But it would’ve been nice to make a significant FA acquisition too. Most of the guys we picked up so far are backup fodder.
Long Time Fan from Northern California
I am not sure which is worse, the losing or being a Rams fan in 49er country, either way I love the passion of PSKPSE as I felt the same way if the Rams had picked up Vick. This is a tough draft, we need a good QB,WR,OL,WLB, CB and DL. So the real question is will our defense get better with an average offense or will we win more games with an improved offense and the same defense. Although I agree that a great defense will win I think we need more help on the offense.
"If my aunt had a set of nuts, she'd be my uncle"
NorCal in the hizouse! CoachConnors, CaliRamMan, and Habte E, all reside in the land of milk and hunnies
Just be glad it’s the 49ers and not the Eagles or Bears or whatever, because with the Niners we can wear our jersies to the annual STL @ SF game without much harrassment. Freakin’ wimpy Niner fans.
I’m a Raider season ticket holder and opposing jersey wearers get the ocassional beat down. Well….its more than ocassional to be honest. Gotta keep your mouth shut when you’re pulling that in Oakland.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 18, 2010 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Although it's not the same with the raiders. I remember we went to a titans game with my cousin
Who happens to be a huge mcnair fan and they practically tore his jersey off
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
yeah, MUCH different crowd in Oakland
Gotta keep your mouth shut when you’re pulling that in Oakland. Be good natured and accept the smack that will be run your way all day, and defer to the home team. If you mouth off or respond aggressively you’re getting your ass kicked and then arrested.
I don’t know if its really any different in Philly or Chicago though.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 19, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
HAHA -Coach...
I’m not sure that intro is what I expected, but I like.
Anyhow i feel you on the being a rams fan in fortywhiner country. I get texts, phone calls every time we play. Even though, I may do the same thing if my team was kicking the crap out of a rival, I have to send a mass text stating that I will not be responding to any moron who sends me shit, when I know more about their team than they do.
As the great Tu-Pac said…Westside!!!
CaliRamMan
easy way to get away from the a-hole phone calls when our team is losing. when the Rams are losing and my phone rings, i answer, quickly say “F-U” and hang up before i get a response. no one calls on Sundays during the season anymore. and sorry but i don’t have an easy fix for the text messages or the co-workers on Monday mornings.
peace from the CenCalRamFan
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
What the hell are you guys talking about?
I was harassed endlessly when I made the trip up from L-A to SF to watch them “play football” last season? I need to sit with you guys next time!
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
being harrassed is one thing
being pummeled is quite a different story.
I go to whiner games, because the drive is not that far, no matter who they play. i always wear a Rams jersey and those fans talk mad shit. i’ve even had ice and food thrown at me (that was at a game vs The Rams). but i’m pretty funny and love to talk $hit and it never goes past that.
now raider games, i just wear a regular shirt for those games. you don’t want to push your luck too far. sometimes funny just gets you punched in the face.
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
sometimes
its better to be lowkey. I sit in relatively expensive seats but even those folks are ready to take home field advantage very seriously
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 19, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
so do you wear your Rams jersey to Raider games?
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
Why would I wear a Rams jersey to a game the Rams aren't playing in?
Keep in mind I grew up in LA when both teams were there, I now go to Oakland to see almost every Raider game, in the same exact seats, with largely the same people around me
But I am a Rams fan first. With a team in the NFC and a team in the AFC, I’ve never had to choose, but if they meet in the superbowl I will cheer for the Rams
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 22, 2010 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions
when they play each other in Oakland this year what do you wear?
And I’ve seen The Rams in Oakland about six or seven years ago (Pre-season). I had a lot of fun at that game. the fans around me were totally cool. they let me know when the raiders scored and I cheered, without making an a$$ of myself, when we scored. not even a hint of trouble through out the game. I didn’t wear Rams colors to the game or any of the games I’ve been to in Oakland.
The thing I’m trying to get at is, how safe would it be to go to a raiders game vs someone like KC or the Jets w/ a Rams jersey. I wouldn’t think it would be bad, seeing that The Rams and Raiders don’t see each other much. The Rams are the division rival of the team probably most raider fans hate (whinners). You know the old saying the enemy of my enemy is my friend or something like that. Would that apply here? Should a Ram fan in Oakland should be treated kindly, as long his this fan is respectfull, at least.
"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense
There are plenty of people in opposing jersies in Oakland
…every week, division opponents included. Its all about how you carry yourself. You’re right that if someone is respectful it’s not a big deal.
A lot is made about Raider fans, but I honestly doubt someone goes into Philly, wearing a Cowboys jersey, running their mouth, and doesn’t get socked. Same with Chicago. How about Cleveland? Do you go into Cleveland and talk shit? Probably not. Its the same thing in Oakland. And you’re right that it’s more intense with the Chiefs (and Broncos). You hear a lot of “Fuck the Chiefs!”, which in all honestly makes me smile. I know that’s not real classy but it’s true. These Chiefs fans know what they’re getting into, every knows who’s house it is.
That said, San Francisco is completely different. Hell you could run out there in your Rams jersey and piss on the 50 yard line and no one would raise a finger. If you did that in Oakland, you better hope the cops get to you first because you’re going to need a doctor. But what would you expect, right? Like I said – carry yourself a certain way and it’ll be fine.
I have been to the 49ers in my Rams jersey a few times and no one said one word. In Oakland you’ll at least hear it, no matter where you go, you will indeed hear large groups taunting you with “Raaaaaaaideeeerrrrs”. Everywhere you go. And when opposing jersey wearers have a little beer and decide they need to represent their team by mouthing off, they get a good beat down and then arrested. The police almost invariably arrest both guys and let the juries sort ’em out. I have seen quite a few good taser shows in the 4th Qtr.
I’m on good terms with all the usual suspects, I mean other season ticket holders in the seats around me, and could wear anything I wanted and it wouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t decided what I’ll wear that day, but it is a Raider home game and I’m paying good money to sit in great seats. I would sort of feel like I wasted my money to buy seats to every game and then switch it up by opponent.
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 22, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Every time!
The blind stares of a million pairs of eyes, lookin hard but won't realize, that they'll never see the C. And when I'm rollin by, you can't see me!
by CoachConnors on Mar 22, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm another NorCal Ram fan.
It sucks having the whiners and Raiders on TV here every weekend.
I agree with PSK except that I’ll always be a Ram fan. I’ll just have to go back into hibernation if Suh is not ours next year. I hope Devaney and Spags are just blowing smoke. I’m sure the St. Louis fans love Georgia for bringing the team to them but some of us long time fans have waited a long time for her ownership to end. I seem to recall her running Chip out of the GM spot many years ago after the old man died and I was sure hoping Chip would be able to remain in control, but maybe he did the next best thing and leave us with a great legacy with Devaney and Spags. Time will tell.
All of our anxiety is because of Suh. If there was no Suh we’d be talking about the 2nd pick. It would be obvious that we’d take a QB first. But Suh is one of those very special players. He very well could be the new Merlin Olsen. I used to love watching Merlin wreck havoc on opposing offenses. And Suh plays a position of great need to our team. We haven’t been able to stop the run for years now and I don’t care how good an offense you have, if you can’t stop the run you just won’t win, period. Also, I’m not so concerned about Bradfords injury. I’m more concerned with the fact that he didn’t play most of last year and our team is so early in the rebuilding process that we’re not ready for a “franchise” QB. I think we’ll win more games next year, and build a solid foundation for the future, by building the lines and linebacker corp in this years draft and get our QB next year.
Oh Shut Up
I have to read posts like this every other day on various forums and its getting old. Bradford or Suh. I will always be a Rams fan, I bleed blue and gold. Bradford had one freak accident and he’s all of a sudden a pussy frail wuss….Jesus Christ who doesn’t get injured from time to time. the guy has taken nasty shots and got up from them unphased and what people don’t pay attention to is how inflappable he is in the pocket. Great Accuracy, and can throw the intermediate routes on a rope, very smart, a leader, has a presence. all the things you want in a quarterback. You dont bank on a guy to be available in a subsequent draft. You get your guy then and there while he is available. At 6’4 236 pounds he is bigger now than most quarterbacks and 12 pounds heavier than he was when injured, I think he’ll be fine. before Bulger and the line went down Bulger was on pace to get sacked 29-30 times this season. Which is above league average. In his starts he was ranked 21st in pass attempt/sack ratio. 21st from worse to best.
Devaney has shown me every indication that he knows what he is doing and has brought some solid guys in here and really hasn’t made any bone head moves. Some guys didn’t pan out like Kyle Boller but it was certainly worth a shot given we have nothing else to work with.
Get ready to pack your bags PSK because Bradford is coming to the Lou and he’s gonna bring a few playmakers with him.
It amazes me how people tihnk our roster will beomce static and we’ll have the same defense as last year.
Like A: Our young players wont improve and..
B: we just won’t add ANYBODY…
Think with your head and not your chemical imbalances that cause you to rant so hard.
by Bralidore on Mar 18, 2010 2:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Lots of anxiety and emotion here because of Suh.
Obviously there’s the camp that wants QB, WR, TE, and RB with the first four picks. And hopefully our D improves with the addition of a few old backups and better play from the young guys, Carriker and Fletcher, we’re watching. I’m in the camp (maybe the only one) that’d like to see us with a new fearsome foursome and an O-line the likes of Dallas during the Aikman era. People will argue that our run defense wasn’t that bad or that we didn’t give up that many sacks last year, but the bottom line is that we only won 6 games the last 3 years and that is truely pitiful, and certainly can’t be blamed on Bulger alone. And I don’t think the addition of a bunch of playmakers on offense is going to get us to a .500 team at this point. Build a solid foundation and we’ll compete for the championship year after year like the Pats and Colts. Do you really think Bradford is so special that it’ll be a few years before his equal shows in the draft again? Rookie QB’s need time to learn. Do you really want our 1st pick to sit on the bench all year? Yeah, sooner or later we’ll need to develope that QB but with only 1 win last season (and Suh) I’d rather it be later.
#1 pick
I think the Rams have Suh at the top of their board. All the Bradford talk is mis-direction.
Why Rams need to draft Bradford #1
Here’s some intresting numbers comparing the bust rate of QB’s versus DT’s,
There were 33 quarterbacks selected in the top 16 of the NFL Draft since 1993…
Hits: 16
Busts: 10
OK: 2
TBA: 2
Defensive Tackles:
There were 33 defensive tackles selected in the top 16 of the NFL Draft since 1993…
Hits: 10
Busts: 20
OK: 2
TBA: 1
Now, let’s look at the hit and bust rates for each position:
Quarterback Hit Rate: 58.2%
Defensive Tackle Hit Rate: 38.9%
Quarterback Bust Rate: 40%
Defensive Tackle Bust Rate: 63%
I find it very interesting that according to this data, quarterbacks have higher success rates and lower bust rates than defensive tackles, yet defensive tackle is generally perceived to be the safer route.
It’s a small sample size, but the disparity is even larger in the top five. In that area, only one defensive tackle has panned out of five opportunities, whereas five of 10 quarterbacks have been “hits,” and only four of 10 quarterbacks have been busts.
Considering how important the quarterback is in relation to the defensive tackle, if a team is deciding between the two positions, the “risk” factor should not sway them away from taking a signal-caller. In fact, it’s actually riskier to take a defensive tackle."
Blah blah blah!
Statistics. Especially statistics studying the past as some sort of indication of how well a player will do are about as weak an argument as you can come up with. Because Jimmy Kennedy and people like him busted means Suh will? Just a pathetic argument that goes both ways. I don’t think Bradford will bust because of Ryan Leaf do I? Hell no. That’d be a disservice to my intelligence.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
Here's where you're going wrong.
Suh will succeed because he’s a guarantee lock to be a Hall of Fame Defensive Tackle.
Bradford will be a bust because Billy Devaney drafted Ryan Leaf.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
When did I say Suh is a lock HOFer?
Everyone looks like a lock HOFer in college. What I’m trying to say is no one knows before the draft, and the weakest argument one could bring is “because player x busted y years ago, player z will undoubtedly bust.”
That’s just silly and has essentially no merit. These are new players who have never even come in contact with those other guys that failed before them. Why the hell would we hold them up and compare them? For every failure there’s a success. Let’s dig back. Merlin Olsen was a first rounder. So was Joe Greene. Russell Maryland went first overall. Guess what? That means didly squat! Suh isn’t either of those guys. Lord knows who he’ll be in 3-4 years. I certainly don’t, but since we’re all going off of college gametape, yeah, I think Suh should be the pick. Sam isn’t Leaf or Alex Smith anymore than he is Manning or Brees. Sam Bradford will be Sam Bradford in 3-4 years, but no one can possibly know who that will be now. Either of these guys can be HOFers and they can just as easily be franchise-crippling busts.
Going off the tape, both of his play and the Rams’ play(which I’ve seen 3 times), I think Suh is the best fit as of now. That doesn’t mean I’m right, but it’s an opinion that I believe is grounded on the right stuff, not in the history of failures or successes in the past represented by statistics. If that were the case, the Giants would have lost to the Pats, Matt Schaub was better than Peyton Manning this season, and JIMMY CLAUSEN should be the pick. Have you seen HIS stats? Unreal.
Of course, all of that is absurd right?
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Mar 18, 2010 1:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
You need to re-read my comment
and try to figure out if any of it was in the slightest bit sarcastic…..
Also, consider who I am and ask yourself it I’d ever say anything like that and be serious about it.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
I think your off on this
Bust rate statistics paint a picture of the level of play in college, though it might not be as uniform as a lot say, it still holds some merit over an extended period. It’s probably not a good idea to apply to particular players but if you were thinking of 2 different positions it seems perfectly logical to me.
Statistics on other players have no merit on anyone
I agree with TrojanRam who, I believe, was just stating this. I think how other players have done in similar draft situations is used entirely too much as an argument for how this years prospects, (or any year for that matter), will do. To me, all those stats Thomas quoted mean squat.
I think NewMerlin nailed it when he said If there was no Suh, we’d be talking about our 2nd pick. It isn’t about Bradford at all. If not for Suh there would be no debate, except for between Clausen and Bradford.
I still think it should be considered
if someone came up to me and said you can have an apple or an orange, but all oranges have a 30% chance of food poisoning and all apples have a 70% chance of food poisoning, I would definitely take this into consideration. I don’t think this should be used to differentiate 2 great players instead of looking at their attributes, but I do think if we are unsure on who the better player is (I’d say I’m in this boat) I’d like to consider how similar situations were handled and which way their outcomes favored in the past.
One apple is pretty much like the rest
Smae with one orange. Lots of difference between specific players. Bad analogy. Think I’ll have a banana.
It seems there is a category missing
‘Reason for Bust’ , such as Carriker. Some consider him a bust, but he is playing out of position. Does that have to do w/Carriker’s ability, or lack there of, or w/the coach who drafted him and thought he could play a different position?
Can we also have more insight as to what a Hit is? A QB making the playoffs or beyond is a hit, anything else should be a bust. Or is there a different way for measuring success? Too much ambiguity w/that little statistical analysis.
If I'm wrong please let me know
But didn’t carriker have a sack safety when he was moved to DE against the seahawks
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
Not that I care about these things
But it would seem your numbers are a bit off. Now why would someone fabricate stats like these. Please note the common summary totals at the bottoms of this article, and the following comments:
In my opinion, the greatest indicator of the success of a player in the Nfl is his work ethic, intelligence, commitment to the game, talent potential and durability. Take all those into assesment when you draft a guy because its your best bet to getting a guy to work hard and maz himself out. If your lazy in college a lot of times that guy will be more or less lazy in the NFL. He could become better, but laziness is something that has to be trained and honed out fo someone and if you don’t have guys on another guy’s back than he will likely continue to be lazy unless he gets driven into the ground.
I'll agree with that
I’d ratherr have a high motor and moderate talent guy than a questionable motor and a high talent guy.
I think what Thomas was responding to
was the guys who are saying DT is a safer pick than QB. He was trying to show that isn’t necessarily true. I don’t know that he was going to the other extreme and saying the statistics show we should take a QB.
Do I think past statistics will tell us who to take? No. Do I think DT is always a safer pick than QB? No. Both of them are generalities that don’t take into account Suh and Bradford, their talents and their potential. This is such an unusual year, with some great talents at the top and no single standout clearly better than the rest, that making the right pick is gonna be tough. We just have to hope Devaney and Spags make the right call, but we won’t know until we see how it works out on the field in the future.
The prior FO proved that ANY position can become a bust...
Free Brandon Wood!
Who are you threatening?
I honestly can’t stand the “I’ll quit the team” sentiments. So, if Devaney devotes the entire rest of the draft and FA period to the defensive side of the ball but drafts Bradford with the first pick, you’re gone, huh? See ya. Don’t let the door hit ya, but leave the lights on for the rest of us.
From all accounts, Suh is going to be a terrific professional football player. I’d love to have him. From many accounts, Bradford has all the skills needed to be a terrific NFL QB, and things point to him having the intelligence and work ethic, as well.
I don’t know if Sam Bradford is the second coming of Johnny Unitas, but I know this team needs to distance itself from Marc Bulger and the like. The team clearly feels uncomfortable with allowing Null to take the reins, and A.J. Feely is not a long term option. They need a guy to grow with that’s reasonably close. This team couldn’t move the ball AT ALL last year, and they have to improve that.
It is much more likely that the Rams will find solid DL help in the later rounds of this draft, given its heralded depth. That’s certainly more likely than finding a franchise QB that can take over at some point next year. Tony Pike, Dan LeFevour, Tim Tebow, et al all require either a great deal of adjusting or simply don’t have the physical skills to be a standout.
Before you start throwing around criticisms of other people’s football intelligence, why don’t you answer whether or not this team is just one player away from being a playoff contender, huh? I’ll save you the suspense, it ISN’T. If you want to leave based on the selection of 1 F’IN PICK, then c’ya. I’ll judge Devaney based on the fact that last year’s draft provided 4 starters to go along with several waiver-wire selections that were major contributors. If this draft provides anything like that, then they’ll survive the grave mistake you think they’re making with Bradford.
Regardless of whether or not they flop this draft, that has little to do with my fanaticism for the team. I may be interested in seeing different people brought in, but I’m not really a bandwagon guy. I’m really proud of you for being a fan for 14 whole years, but you’re threats sound like those of a petulant child.
beautiful
very nicely said, a ridiculously over emotional post that insinuates that the Rams are “somehow” being intimidated or strong armed into liking Bradford over Suh, and doesn’t seem to want to believe or notice that perhaps its because Bradford fills a greater need at a position that is critical to long term team success and that isn’t nearly as deep as Defensive Tackle.
I hear the Whiners or looking for a few fans….
I feel so sorry for you
You must be the only person who’s not happy with being the worst team in the NFL. But you can’t say you’re a fan if you’re going to stop being a fan if we don’t draft the person you want. And I can’t say that I or anyone else would be that upset about losing you as a “fan”. Go root for the Colts or Saints with all the other fair-weathered fans.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Turf Show Times
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
