Fitting the System
by Eric Nagel on Apr 27, 2010 3:53 PM CDT
in 2010 St. Louis Rams offseason
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PrintIt's weird how some people seem to be loving this draft (Yahoo! Sports had a poll for the best draft, about 25% of the over 50,000 voters said it was the Rams, and PFT gave us an A), while others, especially around here, seem to be hating it. Personally, I have no idea why anyone would hate the draft the Rams had (besides picking Brandon...I mean Michael Hooma').
Why is this draft great? Because the sum is better then parts. Take a look after the jump:
First off, you have Sam Braford. Obviously, he's the franchise signal caller the Rams need (or so everyone hopes). He has a good arm and is very accurate. If he can transmit his success from college to the NFL, well, there is no doubt this pick is a home run.
Secondly, you have Rodger Saffold. He is a good prospect and wherever he goes, either RG or RT, he will most likely become a starter. I also don't understand why people don't believe the offensive line is a need. Obviously, the left half (+center) are taken care of. But on the right side, you have the old Hank Fraley, the penalty-prone Alex Barron, and the guy who can't play in more then 5 games a season because he's injured (Mark Setterstrom). I like Setts', but this half of the line is only...average at best. Complacency doesn't win you games.
In third, the Rams picked up Jerome Murphy. The Rams are hoping he is Bradley Fletcher 2, which is great. The Rams added a lot of secondary depth these last two years, and it's going to pay dividends. Bradley Fletcher and Jerome Murphy should be able to excel in Spags' system because they fit it well. Pundits always complain that college systems hide players flaws. That's not the case here. Likewise is Mardy Gillyard. He has great hands and has sneaky speed. He can't burn you, but he can stop on a dime and can run at full throttle by step 3.
Next, you have Fendi Onobun (I'm skipping Hooma' because that was a WTH? moment). Why do people think Onobun a blocking tight end? He's a workout warrior; you don't put a guy who's 6'4", 250lbs and runs with 4.4 speed on the line. He definitely a passing tight end and he's raw (that's an understatement) Don't be surprised however if he makes a splash this season- I sure won't. (Of course he could not even make the team, which in that case, don't laugh at me too much).
Finally, you have Hall Davis, Josh Hull and George Selvie. Selvie is a steal, there is no doubt about that. Josh Hull seems like he could be a special teams player and Hall Davis seems to have promise as well. Darrell Scott, Leger Douzable, Gary Gibson. These are all players on the defensive line that weren't drafted high (or at all), yet the Rams got them to play quite impressively given what expectations people had for them when they joined the team. I feel like that's the same case here.
The point is, the Rams drafted to their strengths. They selected players that would fit their system and players they know they can get more value from then where they were drafted. There are some question marks, some projects, that's obvious. But without seeing the Rams draft boards, you can't slam them for not picking players. Maybe they wanted them, but didn't have them graded as high as somebody took them? Red Flags? Medical issues?
The point is, the Rams had an impressive draft full of players that can fit into the Rams system. They have too many holes to fill in one draft, and reaching for players who aren't worth it doesn't constitute the "filling of a hole."
The Rams had a great draft.
Enjoy your Tuesday!
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I'll let you know in a couple seasons
I think it’s important to point out that Gilyard will likely play the slot. I don’t know who the better return man, but he’s a vast upgrade over Amendola in the slot (where Amendola saw a fairly significant amount of time last year). Anyone who has watched Wes Welker turn 2 yard passes into 8 yard gains the past couple years knows how much of a security blanket having a good player at your slot receiver position can be for a QB that needs to be bailed out.
A lot of people wanted a receiving TE. I wouldn’t have minded having one myself. Lots of receiving TEs that aren’t exceptional blockers line up at the slot. It’s a different type of matchup to cover Jason Witten than Wes Welker – but they both serve their QBs well and make them look good.
Hopefully Gilyard can have that kind of impact for the Rams. I have no idea whether he will or not, but it looks like he could be really valuable in that spot. We’ll know in about 2 years.
gilyard was an amazing kickoff returner
but he’s nothing more than average on punt returns. amendola was a great punt returner for us so i expect gilyard to return kickoffs and amendola stay on punt return duties.
by douchiedude on Apr 27, 2010 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions
good post
I agree with your analysis , this is a good draft, compared to the guys on the team now its a nice upgrade of talent
The Patriots usually do disciplined drafting for their system
They’ve had a couple of misses like everyone else, but they are all about getting good fits for the system, and you can’t argue with their success. The more I look at this draft, the more it makes sense.
But the draft never goes exactly how I want it, but, emotion aside,…
- They drafted a QB like I wanted them to, even if it wasn’t the exact guy I wanted.
- They drafted a guy to develop into the receiving Tight End that I kept harping on, even if it wasn’t the exact guy I wanted.
- They drafted a Cornerback for the secondary that I complained was week, even if it wasn’t the exact guy I wanted.
- They drafted a couple of DE’s, including a pass rushing specialist to pressure the QB, even if it wasn’t the exact guy I wanted.
- They stayed true to the team character they’re building: hard working, blue collar, bring it every down personality.
I love this style and when it comes together we will all be proud to be fans of the new beast-mode Rams.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Probably the most...
rational post I’ve seen since the draft. Let’s face it, you’re not going to agree with every pick, every time. The real question is can you make a case for the actions of the front office and it sounds like you can. Truthfully, I’m confused by rounds 3-7, but we’ll see how they do in FA.
This draft will be considered good if Bradford doesn't bust ...
… as it is, he’s a big risk. I understand (I think) why he was drafted, but that doesn’t mean it was smart. Desperate is a more appropriate word.
We’ve all beaten this to death. I don’t understand why people wanted Bradford but apparently he’s why so many people think this was a good draft for us.
For my money, I want a high floor with my top picks and draft for high ceilings with later round picks … but nobody wants to hear that. They just want Sam Bradford to be the second coming of Jesus. I just hope he’s a better QB than Suh is a DT. If he is, then the Bradford vs Suh argument is a wash.
The best pick of the draft was Saffold … and it isn’t even close. A starting caliber OT in the second round is always a great move. You can never have enough depth on your o-line and we certainly needed another starter.
The worst pick was Gilyard. That 4th round pick could have been far better spent addressing a need. We already have 5 or 6 #2/#3 WR’s. Even if he starts, how much of an upgrade would he be over an OLB or DT or speedy RB that we so desperately need? I know, since we are going to draft early next year as well, let’s draft one of the top QB’s again. :/
There are a few picks I liked, for sure, but mostly the draft was disheartening.
I hope you Pollyannas are right and this was a great draft. Time will tell.
I just feel like I got punched in the gut with this one.
Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.
We did upgrade OLB and DT!
We upgraded those positions by DRASTICALLY upgrading the offense.
I personally was blown away by the direction of the draft personally at first. How could they pass on Kindle who I thought was a god send in the second round and spent the last half of the first round looking to see if he got picked.
But what we ended up doing was build an offense that will be able to stay on the field for more than 15 minutes a game. By upgrading the right side of the line and drafting Bradford the Rams gave the defense time to rest during the games. They added additional pressure at the DE position with a real steal in Selvie, and although they didn’t get much better at LB if you look at Rams games last year they were often competitive in games until halftime at which point the D was so incredibly tired from having to play 25 minutes in the first half. Without that problem, the Rams D could be a solid 10pts a game stronger. Not to mention a drastic improvement on O.
by kickasskeever on Apr 27, 2010 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree. Our D held when it needed to last season to give the offense a chance to do its job. Our offense often failed to do its job. Hopefully the ‘these guys earn their jobs’ mantra will stick, and our new offense will push our old offense to get its act together and we’ll come out with some sort of watchable product that doesn’t include Barron killing several drives throughout the season, fumbles on either goal line, and meaningless touchdown dances.
Yeah, yeah, I’m an optimist.
THIS year's the year. I hope....
by bolstering the secondary the pass rush will be more effective
i agree absolutely on the offensive upgrade. for as bad as the defense seemed at times, the offense was terrible
Turf Show Times
by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 27, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Ram-on, remember we all root for the same team
but have different views on how we should get there. Calling someone a ‘sore loser’ does nothing but ignite dislike or argument toward you.
Well since you all so sensitive I wont do it again but lets be fair
I accept both your and coachconnors advice and I will do as you ask but please explain to me why you don’t do the same when midasknight got personal with a few things I posted or comments I made ,I was simply stating my opinion ,is that not my privilege to post as well ?if you like to play police man then do the job right or stay out of it.You cant take sides like that or it will be you that ignite dislike
Please stop
replying to people just to belittle their opinion or talk to them in derogtatory terms.
He wasn’t directing his comment towards you.
It is a privilige to post in this community.
by CoachConnors on Apr 28, 2010 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Your dead wrong on Gilyard
Mardy Gilyard wil be a dynamic and prolific play-maker for the Rams.First round talent (in my judgment) and a great value pick in the 4th round.
I like him too...
He has great hands and has sneaky speed. He can’t burn you, but he can stop on a dime and can run at full throttle by step 3.
The House of Spears reigns supreme
I'm not sold on Gilyard's hands
at all. I saw too many dropped passes and balls caught with his arms and chest in big games. That being said, when Cincy needed a play, it was ALWAYS Mardy who came up big.
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.
by 3k on Apr 27, 2010 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Concentration
I’ve checked out some of his catches and he sometimes trapped the ball, other times he was perfect hands, grabbing it out of the air like you want, and his palms and fingers were in exactly the right position. So he has the ability if he keeps his concentration. Seems to me the kid is “a little hyphy” as my kids say….kinda amped up. Sometimes guys just lose their concentration for a split second and that’s enough.
I think he’ll be a playmaker; he scored TD’s 4 different ways.Kick Return, Punt Return, Pass Reception and Rush. He knows how to zig zag, that’s for sure.
This guy may be where the FO said they would venture out on the Pillars a bit. Mardy was arrested in high school for attempting to sell and distribute marijuana, and lost his college scholarship because he got caught cheating. These things are where the ESPN/Scouts Inc. dropped his Character grade was a 3, although they didn’t go into detail on their page
I really hope he has his maturity level up where it needs to be now. I know he worked very hard to get back on track, and I respect that. Some guys get to the NFL, get money and a posse sort of forms around them. Not that they are bad people, but what brings them down is their associations. They just can’t tell their old homies “No.”
But I’m not worried. Every young man makes mistakes, me included. He came very close to flaming out (no pun intended) and climbed his way back, so hopefully that was his rock bottom.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
On the zigging and zagging
I said in some other thread he is a YAC monster, and that’s a huge quality for a slot receiver (arguably the most important). He’s got great lateral quickness and his jukes are sold well. I’m not dumping on his overall ability, but I think in terms of hands, I think he’s not top-tier. But hey, if he catches the ball on his chest before breaking off 30 yards through 3 defenders, I’m cool with that. Hell, I might get hyphy!
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.
by 3k on Apr 27, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Everyone knows the Bay slang apparently
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
I think you mean thizz face but it's all good
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/Rapbay/MacDreThizzelleWashingtonCoverSml.jpg
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
Was just gonna say
Thizzle Dance!
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions
*
*Coach Connors does not condone the use of ilicit drugs in any way, shape or form, kids!
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
looks like he reads his blocks well too
In the relatively small sample I’ve studied he knew just how to play off of them and where to go.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions
A Mardy Gilyard Moment
I’d have to say Gilyard’s hands are good but his concentration is inconsistant. I believe he knows the technical aspects of how to catch.
Check this out. Like 3K, I’ve seen him drop balls and trap it on his chest, but he uses the hands in this one so he at least has the ability when he wants to
http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2010/4/27/1447922/gilyard-smashes-kid-hugs-him
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Woulda been nice ...
…if his feet were in.
Yes, I actually wore a watermelon on my head during the Rams SuperBowl victory in 2000.
by Midasknight on Apr 27, 2010 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Still nice
From a technical hands POV (although I certainly do not mean this as a rebuttal to 3K’s estimation of his hands, because he’s right about drops and traps), and it was a classy gesture on Gilyard’s part to give the kid a little attention
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Good move to check on kid, shows his true colors
good character move… would’a been nice if the ball wasn’t thrown so far right and maybe a second earlier.
his hands separated him from Tate, IMO
the YAC thing is the new must have in NFL receivers, and damn important to a WC offense. There’s much unknown, but the Rams have a promising young group of receivers.
Turf Show Times
by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 27, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions
When I said great hands
I meant they were soft. I read a few scouting reports that said he had good hands too, but it’s not the same as watching it.
Stickum?
The House of Spears reigns supreme
"in terms of hands, I think he’s not top-tier"
Astute.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 28, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
i'm not sold on him either
he was really inconsistent during the senior bowl week. one day he is making big plays and the next he was dropping passes. i think he has potential to help us out a lot but i’m not sold on him just yet. his kickoff return skills should be an upgrade though and with amendola on punt returns, we have very good return men now.
by douchiedude on Apr 27, 2010 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions
His QB Tony Pike had a weak arm
Imagine Sam Bradford connecting darts to Gilyard.Rams fans have a treat comin.
Is he just a slot reciever, or is he going to be Bradford's version of Wes Welker
We won’t know until they play 2 years.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
me too
I wasn’t calling for a new slot WR in the draft. But we got one anyway. I think his inconsistancy is definitely something he needs to overcome.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions
+10000000000000000000
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Solid Draft
It may not be perfet or what everyone would have done if they were running the show, but this draft provides hope for a bright future and should also lead to an improved team next season. Thats really all you can ask
The poll only included
The Rams, Pats, Ravens, and for the life of me I can not remember the other one. IF you would of thrown in Seattle I believe the Rams wouldn’t of even got 10%
Why is patience a virtue and procrastination a sin...I mean whats wrong with patiently procrastionating?
The Raven's Ozzie Newsome is one of the best judges of talent in the NFL world
In a couple years from now, when we know how this draft turned out, if the Rams can compare to him they will have done very well.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
i don't hate the rams draft but ilike more this draft so i hope ill be wrong
2.- DT Brian Price
3.-OT Jareed Veldheer
4.-TE Dennis Pitta
5.-DE Austen Lane and CB Perrish Cox
6.-OLB/DE Arthur Moats and WR Dezmon Briscoe
7.-SAMES PICKS
agree with you bralidore
just because you’ve heard of these guys doesn’t mean they’ll fit in with the rams style. price would have been very nice but saffold was 10 times smarter… i can’t believe you would change that. i agree 200% about pitta though, i was REALLY hoping we would have picked him… hooma was a big WTF but i’m optimistic as hell about onubun.
by douchiedude on Apr 27, 2010 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
what is the rams style?=?
And some players i like what i see, some players i like what i read.
but i think the facts worth more than words in this case players stats
Rams style
I believe they are acquiring pieces to play a physical, hard hitting, press coverage, run stop oriented D.
I don’t think the offense is going to be drastically different than it has been, in that it’s run-centric. That will probably change as soon as possible, but maybe won’t be possible for a bit. Maybe I’m wrong, but with a young QB and TE’s that haven’t had a big history of receiving, a line that is probably better at run blocking, and no really tall WR’s, it seem to me it’d be hard not to be built on run first.
by CoachConnors on Apr 29, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
to finish...
the page cut me off….anyway, the Defense will be diffrent than a Cover-2 which is a deeper zone that tries to prevent the long ball, but is vulnerable in the seams in between the zones. It’s hard to push people around and impose your will when you’re dropping back into a zone. I think Spag’s D is going for “physical”, and “callenge the O”.
by CoachConnors on Apr 29, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Disagree on Price
Unsure of his ability to consistently eat up blockers. Most of the LBers on UCLA ended up tackling RBs 5-10yds downfield. Their LBs weren’t bad so much as the defensive line as a whole. Reggie Carter and the Bosworth brothers manned the LB.
I have faith in Spags.
Your draft is awesome but....
If you have ever done a fantasy draft you have to make certain assumptions who is going to be there and its fluid, in hindsight your draft would be great but they don’t work that way in real time
yes but....
i guess that you go/went to the draft with a long list with the players that you really want, plus if you’re the first for choose on almost every round.
Also as undrafted playes a like Oklahoma RB Chris Brown and LSU CB Chris Hawkins
I’m liking this draft more every day, only i don’t like the fact that we totaly neglected to get S-Jax some help
If practice makes perfect....
Yet nobodies perfect.....
Then why practice ???
WTF?
What do you call Sam Bradford, Mardy, two TEs, and Saffold? possibly very little 8-9 in the box. That’s how Spags helped out Jax.
This draft rides on Sam's performance
If he is a bust, it will be another bad draft, if he really is a franchise guy it will always be a good draft,
it’s all on his shoulders.
good point.
if holmgren and shanahan wanted bradford that badly, i’m pretty sold on him too haha. there were rumors that the eagles traded mcnabb to washington so that they wouldn’t trade up for bradford haha. most likely fake but good to hear right?
by douchiedude on Apr 27, 2010 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I appreciate your opinion
But I agree, if Bradford busts, and Suh becomes a pro-bowler, it’s gonna hurt. That said, I guess either player would have been a risk.
I also agree OL was a need, but I feel defense was a greater need especially at that point in the draft.
Yea Saffold slipped, and all that, and we need to protect Bradford, the $50m dollar man, I get it… but damn I donno if I can deal with anther year of 30 yard freakin ground gains week in and week out… it gets to a guy… sry, I wanted a DL or DE or OLB in the 2nd.. made more sense to me.
Drafting of TE’s was also a big “?”
Not sold on Gilyard… but hope he proves me wrong.
The biggest acquisition this year will be Westbrook, mark my words folks.
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
by VTramsFan on Apr 27, 2010 10:18 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Marked!
I’ll say Bradford will be the biggest, even if he only plays half the year.
If by acquisition you mean veteran pickups, Westy might have the category all to himself, at least among scorers.
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
murphy, onubun, bradford, saffold, selvie
those guys all have potential to be home run picks imo. bradford doesn’t really count though because he’s the first overall lol. everyone expects him to be a home run pick.
by douchiedude on Apr 27, 2010 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Correction: Drafting of 2 TE's
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
I think you might be a little worried about Amendola's touches this season too
with the drafting of gilyard and all :)
Per fas et nefas - Latin translation="By Any Means Necessary"
who? me?
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
AMENDOLA! (first one of the year baby)
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Hey Van
how bout a one time post draft turf show radio action brotha! I’m sure many of us would hop on and rant or rave
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
+1
been hearing calls for that…
Stop bitching.
by CoachConnors on Apr 27, 2010 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly....exactly...
block! building kick! exploooooooosion!
by mooseknuckles41 on Apr 28, 2010 3:31 AM CDT up reply actions
we're working on it
getting the specs nailed down to do it live from MO and Iraq.
Turf Show Times
by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 28, 2010 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I will be contributing my portion
entirely in Arabic…Inshallah.
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.
by 3k on Apr 28, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably too late to get my Farsi Rosetta Stone
by CoachConnors on Apr 28, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
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