Injury Watch
by Eric Nagel on Mar 2, 2010 7:04 PM CST
in 2010 St. Louis Rams offseason
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PrintThis time of the year is exciting. Bringing in new players, looking at scouting reports, playing arm-chair GM. It is probably one of the best times of year for a die-hard NFL fan. But with all the talk about who the Rams could bring in, it's still unclear what will happen to some of the players that didn't make it out of the 2009 season unscathed. Here are a look at some players that will be coming back and could factor into plans for the future:
1) Fletcher Bradley/Bradley Fletcher
For all intents and purposes, he's supposedly "ahead of schedule." This great and all, but with the severity of that injury, there are going to be quite a few things that he's going to be a little rusty at. He was developing well, and with the recent pseudo-release of Jonathan Wade, all signs point to go for his return as a starting CB. There really isn't anyone else on the roster worthy of starting (at least at this point), so putting a lot of faith into someone with a serious injury is somewhat a cause of concern. Hopefully he'll be able to bounce back like Steven Jackson instead of a post-mojo Austin Powers, aka Tye Hill.
This second case is more puzzling then the first. Unlike Bradley "Fletcher Bradley" Fletcher, it isn't really known what Adam Carriker can do. He's had a slew of injuries (much like Setterstrom) that's hampered just about everything he's tried to accomplish. With or without Suh, the defensive line situation was starting to look up. Chris Long had a good second half of the season, Darrell Scott looks like a good rotation DT and the Rams good results out of Leonard Little and James Hall even at their old age. I still think Carriker can become a good player, but some say he's out of position, (some don't). The question is clear: can Spagnuolo help salvage his career?
Robinson looked good in the preseason, and after he was injured, people expected him to come right back to the top of the depth charts when he was healthy. Unfortunately, he hasn't completed a full season since his rookie year (two years ago). The Rams need WR help regardless and it's not clear if he can help much considering the Rams have no idea who the QB will be next year. Personally, he's the one in the best position out of this group to make a good recovery.
4) Gary Gibson
I haven't heard his name come up too much recently, but when he was playing, he wasn't too bad. Like Darell Scott, he figures to be a good part of the rotation at DT. Whether or not the Rams choose to bring him back depends on their draft plans of course, but at the very least, he'd be a solid DT for depth and with the Rams recent injury problems, solid depth is a pretty nice thing to have.
5) Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford isn't on the team (yet). But I doubt any one players injury is more important to the Rams at this point. If his shoulder doesn't check out? Welcome Ndamukong Suh. If it does? Say hello to the next QB of the Rams. That's probably how it is going to shake out, so it's going to be very important that Bradford can do anything and everything he's called to do during and after his pro-day.
Any players I missed? Disagree? Sound off in the comments!
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what about Atogwe?
If I recall he did have surgery on his shoulder. Which could effect his play a little it’s something to keep an eye on. And also Jason Smith I did hear he was cleared to play the last few games but it was a coaching move to keep him out. I swear i wish the nfl was like madden just turn those nagging injuries off. Also Bulger’s health is something to look at kinda like how you put Bradford not on the team yet, well Bulgers not off the team yet either.
I thought about J. Smith
but Van said earlier that he had to go through the new concussion rules which are much stricter. I think that might have had a hand in why he was out for so long.
As far as Atogwe goes, I didn’t even think about him, you are right.
Bulger is a different story though; on the team or off the team, I don’t think what happens to him is going to matter. Only a fool would let him start again, for the team sakes and for Bulger’s own.
The House of Spears reigns supreme
Actually, at least he lasted 9 games this season...
Against NFL Defenses.
If you see here and here , I think it’s Sam Bradford who has the durability issues. At least if you want to be fair about it. By the way, it’s important to note that Bulger’s season was done in by the Cardinals’ Calais Campbell , who happens to be 6’8" , 290 pounds, an NFL Defensive End, and first aggravated by the Packers’ DE/LB Aaron Kampman , who happens to be 6’4", 265. Bradford’s was ended by a linebacker Coleby Clawson(BYU, 6’3" 234 Lbs), and finally, CORNER Aaron Williams(Texas, 6’1 190).
Just saying, let’s keep it fair. We’re touting a rookie like he’s actually done something in the NFL already, and quite honestly, we’d be giving him very little to work with next season, even less than Matt Stafford has.
"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.
Thanks for the link
It reminded me of why we need to keep Jackson. And that Bulger played that whole game anyway. We may not be able to afford Bulgers contract but at a lesser price? If he’d stay I’d keep him. It’s easy to forget what someone does for you when he’s not hurt.
How about
Jacob "Marshmallow" Bell. I think if he gets hurt this upcoming season his time is over. Greco looked nice filling in at G and I don’t think we would be missing much. He comes much cheaper as well
I thought he played OK this year
But he has been quite injury prone. I wonder how he’ll play with J. Smith on his side rather then Barron.
I’ve always thought O-Line players play better if they have harder workers surrounding them.
The House of Spears reigns supreme
Jacob Bell was one of our better players this year actually.
I think another year next to Brown (who is phenomenal by the way), and yes, Jason Smith, should do wonders for him. Of course, all things health permitting.
"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.
I disagree
I thought he was barely average. Got hurt in game 2 I think and they played just as well without him as they did with him. Watched him on film (ok, DVR) and he is not a physical pulling Guard. Just my opinion.
for example
in that preseason game when he pulled against the jets and Bart Scott put him on his keister.
by keeperskillz24 on Mar 3, 2010 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
That was horrendous on a lot of levels
He had very poor form and was much higher than he should have been — in the hole. Its one thing to to stand up too much, but he was pulling and was in the hole where all of America knew he would be meeting up with a LB in short order. No excuse for that.
I’d like to see our pulling Guards bring the wood, not get knocked out.
He also played soft when he was in. I watched him over and over and he was just soft, and I try not to say that too much because I think almost all these guys are tougher than I am. But there’s no mistaken what I was looking at, at least for the period I was looking.
Now, on another thread on here somewhere, maybe the injury watch one, some guys are saying they thought he played well…so there are a range of opinions on the guy, not just mine. But I believe me, lol
Aug 21, 2009...when I realized Jacob Bell was a marshmallow
http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2009/8/21/997420/three-questions-for-the-rams-vs#20018660
“I’ve started to think that.. …
Greco is an upgrade over Bell. I’m pretty disappointed Bell was so soft that Bart Scott was able to knock him out for a week. Not only should he have been underneath Scott as a point of good blocking with leverage, but he should’ve been tough enough to be back at practice. Somewhere else on this board, someone watched the line over a few games and noted how the Rams never ran directly behind Bell in games. I think that’s a telling stat. If Bell has the cajones to run block in this league, he needs to man up.
Yeah Jacob, I’m calling you out."
Jacob's true
colors to me really showed this season. He doesn’t have that mindset to attack defenders when blocking. You look at older offensive linemen in the nfl even though their body’s have taken a toll and are on their last leg they still have that lay somebody out mindset and attitude. I think if Alex Barron got pissed off more it would bring out his full potential but that’s just me. Jacob wasn’t the worst pass blocker but greco flat out beat him in just about every way you look at it. Jacob is just a left over from the Linehan era and the sooner he goes the better.
by keeperskillz24 on Mar 3, 2010 4:56 PM CST up reply actions
So we all agree
that for his ridiculous price tag he just isnt worth keeping another season especially when we can cut him for no penalty in an uncapped season. Just move goldberg inside and draft ciron black or jason fox in the later rounds or keep goldberg at RT and draft john jerry or roger saffold(sp?)
Greco is already
a first teamer now that incognito is gone. Bell will be on the bubble after this year just because he gets paid so much.
i agree with the bradford post
.
"Twin-headed infinite swirling vortex of grotesque suckitude known as Tony Clark and Eric Byrnes"
Bradford
All of the current talk about picking Bradford is bothersome to me. Let’s all wait until he has his pro-day and actually throws the ball. I totally understand the idea that this team needs a QB and that taking a DT that high with that money is a somewhat dubious position but this team should only consider Bradford if he is for sure 100% (in which case I am onside). It’s just too early to say the Rams need/will pick this guy. It is all fine and good that he acted like a first pick at the combine but if he can’t make the required throws on a consistent basis then the team can’t take him. By all accounts I have read he also doesn’t have the best “leadership” qualities….something similar to Bulger.
I still think you take the best prospect available – Suh.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Mar 3, 2010 7:53 AM CST reply actions
That's not what the Oklahoma players say,
and it’s not what he showed at the Combine. He may not be out there screaming at guys, but he has plenty of leadership. If you can give us links to reports that compare his leadership to that of Bulger, by name, please let us see them. Otherwise, let’s not try to put down a draft pick you don’t much like by trying to compare him to someone lots of folks on here don’t like.
I agree with you that no decisions will be made until after his pro day, and maybe not even then. They still have plenty of time to evaluate their possible picks, talk with their agents to sound them out about contract demands, see whether any trade possibilities develop, and generally work through everything. The draftniks all make it sound like the draft is tomorrow and they know what the Rams will do, but it isn’t. There are still seven weeks left, and plenty can happen during that time.
A little presumptous...
to think that the Rams will draft Bradford. Mind you, I think he’s the best QB on the board, but he may not even start until 2011. This team can’t afford to draft players that won’t start next season. And lets face it, starting a rookie QB with a mega contract behind that o-line would be suicide and a major waste of cap space once he goes on IR. Bradford is not worthy of the first overall pick. Suh is the best option for this team unless they can get a slew of picks for that position.
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