With Robbins on board, are the Rams less likely to draft a DT first overall?
Does the addition of DT Fred Robbins automatically rule out the St. Louis Rams using their first overall pick on either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy. In a word, no. However, adding Robbins to the mix at DT does improve the Rams rotation at that position.
The Rams now have Adam Carriker, Clifton Ryan, Fred Robbins and Darrell Scott as their top four defensive tackles. Much of the DT's success depends on how Carriker plays this season, whether or not he can get that "Spagnuolo" bounce. Carriker's been a disappointment in the pass rushing department, the thing that got him drafted with the 14th pick in 2007. He was being made to compete for his starting job in the early days of the Spagnuolo regime last year, but then was forced out with an injury. Carriker's a better run defender than he gets credit for, but he suffered playing in front of a group of Rams linebackers that lacked a true presence in the middle. Still, like I said before, run defense doesn't get a 4-3 DT drafted early in the first round. He's got to improve. Ryan's a solid starter. Scott improved with more playing time during the season. Robbins and Scott are similar players, giving the Rams a couple of DTs that they don't necessarily have to use on every down, just situationally.
Robbins will be 33 when the season starts, and like everyone else on the Giants defense, he didn't perform as well as he had in previous seasons. He also underwent micro-fracture knee surgery during the 2009 offseason. Robbins still managed to play in all but one game last season. If he's healthy and Scott takes the next step, it helps the run defense. Now they need to add a WLB to really upgrade the team's work against the run.
Bottom line on Robbins: he's a better player (or at least has proven he can be) to have in the rotation than some of the depth we're used to having. Lack of depth has been killing the Rams in recent seasons, and Robbins at the very least bolsters their depth at a position where it's been seriously lacking in recent years.
So, does this preclude the Rams from drafting Suh or McCoy? Of course not, only a fool wouldn't still seriously consider them, especially if they're trying to maintain as much negotiating leverage as possible with the potential first overall picks. It's not like having one of those guys on the roster would hurt the defense.
Robbins also qualifies as some of that experience Spagnuolo wanted to get around the younger players this season.
Does it make it less likely that the Rams will draft Suh or McCoy? Maybe. Depending on how confident the Rams are about what they can get out of Carriker and Robbins ability to get something back as a rotational player, they could very well go into the draft confident about their top four defensive tackles. That would make finding a defensive end to play opposite Chris Long a bigger priority, something I'm not so sure isn't already more of a priority. That 33rd pick might very well be a place to grab talent at DE given how deep this draft is with defensive line talent.
Robbins or not, I still tend to think it's far more likely for the Rams to draft a QB with their first overall pick in the draft, unless they get a reasonable trade offer.
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Lets see now 1 QB and 1 DT
Now we don’t need any more help at tose 2 positions. No Suh, No Bradford, get a long snapper.
Exactly!
We have AJ Feeley and Fred Robbins!
I don’t understand why we would need Suh or Bradford now…I just, I don’t see it.
On that note, who are the top Long Snapper prospects this year?
"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 6, 2010 10:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Hmm...I think I might have heard of him?
But I don’t think I have. We’re kind of busy developing linebackers, wide receivers, and running backs.
"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.
Hey, at least he might be some help in the rotation.
They are very slowly upgrading the base of the team. A couple of key pickups yet in FA and a decent draft and we could have a better team in 2010. Do it again in 2011 and we might be starting to approach having a winning team. It’s a long way back from the deep hole our previous regime put us in.
I know I hope this works out
DT is a position you just can’t have enough talent in. I have to get as much mileage outta the long snapper thing as I can. My next favorite posotion is gonna be KOHFWD, Kick Off Holder For Windy Days.
Another antique on the D-Line to go with Little and Hall. What horse sh*t. Our management is pathetic.
Tell Em Ed!
he must be new to the forum and doesn’t know that edpjr calls it like it is, not like most people in this place who think everything the FO does is gold
Jake Locker in 2011
This move is so good...
on so many fronts. First they add good depth to a weak postion on defense. A run stuffer on top of that. Next they have insurance just in case they draft Suh or McCoy and they have a hard time cracking into the starting lineup this fall. This signing should also catch the eyes of the Redskins who are hoping the Rams draft a tackle with the first pick, now they will have to worry and consider trading draft spots with us to get Bradford. Of course now this gives the Rams the option of going QB in the first round, but doesn’t mean they’re off the hook with getting a DT in the draft. The ramifications of signing Robbins will pay higher dividends than his play on the field, and thats saying a lot since he’s a quality starter.

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