Linebackers and Steve Spagnuolo
by Eric Nagel on May 25, 2011 8:00 AM CDT
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Since the draft, some people, myself included, have wondered why the Rams were so hesitant to add a fresh set of legs at the outside linebacker position. Sure, they needed a lot of things, but on a defense that was so surprising last year, OLB was played with such horror that a former Mr. Irrelevant and a special teams ace were starting for us quite frequently. Not that I have anything against Vobora or Chamberlain, who definitely have their uses, but hey, we wouldn't be looking if the play at OLB was great.
So hit the jump and let's see if we can sort through this conundrum together.
So why oh why did the Rams not draft someone to help in an earlier round? Well, being someone who believes in Spagnuolo's defensive system (yes, I actually trust that the people who have invested their lives in football know something about it, so get over it), I thought I'd ask around and see if teams that he used to coach on (Giants) or teams where he learned the tools of his trade (Eagles) ever went all-out for a Marquee OLB either in the draft or FA, and what type of success they had on defense.
I asked JasonB over at Bleeding Green whether or not Jim Johnson's defense ever went for a OLB early, or if the scheme just ironed the weaknesses right out of the player. He wrote back to me, saying:
The Eagles never picked a first round LB and never really spent any money in free agency on outside linebackers in the past decade. So I would say JJ opted for system type players. They've often opted for smaller, faster OLBs who can cover more than rush the passer.
Now, whether that was smart or not is certainly up for debate. There were a lot of people here that disagreed.
Considering that, I took a look at the Eagles defense as far back as ESPN would let me, to the year 2002. They are ranked in terms of total yardage allowed and also by points allowed (per game). Here is what I found:
| Year | Rank: Yardage | Rank: Points/G |
| 2010 | 12th | 21st |
| 2009 | 12th | 19th |
| 2008 | 3rd | 4th |
| 2007 | 10th | 9th |
| 2006 | 15th | T-15th |
| 2005 | 23rd | 6th |
| 2004 | 10th | T-2nd |
| 2003 | 20th | 7th |
| 2002 | 4th | 2nd |
They averaged 12th in yards, 9th in points over the 9 year period, which is pretty good. Much better then the Rams have been. Of course, a ten year period is a pretty good time period to build up a defense, and I think you can see through the stats the 1) it takes awhile to rebuild a defense, and 2) Points and yardage given don't exactly correlate to each other. Let's also not forget the Eagles are pretty much annual contenders for the playoffs.
I then asked Ed Valentine over at Big Blue View the same question; was linebacker important to the system Spagnuolo ran there? Did they invest resources in that position? He hit me back saying:
Linebackers? You want to talk linebackers? With a Giants guy? I mean, you are talking about a team that has not drafted a quality linebacker since Jessie Armstead in 1993 -- in the 8th round, which no longer exists.
Scour Big Blue View for five minutes on any given day and you will see reams of complaints -- for years now -- about the Giants lack of attention to the linebacker position. Giants fans are excited that the teams drafted two linebackers this year -- even if it was in the sixth round. That tells you how much they have prioritized it.
The Giants have tended to try and sign veteran linebackers to plug holes -- like Antonio Pierce, Kawika Mitchell, LaVar Arrington, Keith Bulluck and others.As for Spags with the Giants I don't know that he had much draft influence. Coordinators in New York usually don't. I think the Giants, though, have tended to emphasize pass-rushing linemen and quality cover guys on defense. Spags was all about pressure in New York. Nowadays, they often take at least one linebacker off the field and play with extra safeties or corners.
Which seems sort of the same thing, except a little more drastic. 8th round? That's undrafted territory now (which is about where we've found half our outside linebackers regardless). Like the Eagles, let's look at the stats. I'm not going to throw up a decade worth of records, merely a couple of years before Spagnuolo came on board, and the few years he was DC:
| Year | Yards | Points/G |
| 2008 | 5th | 5th |
| 2007 | 7th | 17th |
| 2006 | 25th | 24th |
| 2005 | 24th | 14th |
I'm not going to put up averages here, it's pretty clear what a difference Spagnuolo made. But I think the thing that stands out about the Giants is how much of a parallel they are to the Rams. I think the Rams are at about where the Giants were in 2006- They've put some pieces together, and are starting to move forward. If you look at what Spagnuolo did with the Giants; he already had some pieces in place before he came in, so it was a lot easier to move forward. The Rams were void of pretty much all talent on both sides of the ball, so it's been a longer road then we've hoped for.
However, I think it is clear that if the Rams have the right system in place, one that attacks the QB and disrupts the offensive line, linebacker problems can be minimized. In addition to a physical secondary, which we are already seeing develop, the Rams problems at OLB could be minimized without adding any additional players. That's not to say help wouldn't be appreciated at those positions, you can see how fans of both the Eagles and Giants felt, but with the proper system in place, the Rams probably wouldn't get burned so often. Let's not forget that often it was the offenses ability to put points up that cost us games last year. While the defense wasn't perfect, it more often then not did just enough (or a little more) to give the Rams a chance to win games. Hopefully with the addition of a quicker, more vertical offense, the Rams will have a better chance this year of winning games.
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Good read!
Helps understand why OLB wasn’t high on Spags draft priority list, but hints at FA as the avenue he’ll go to address the position.
Nice post Tevin!
Definitely interesting to see.
I’d like to ask if PFF have any info on how Spagnuolo OLBs have graded throughout his career?
That’d really see how much of an impact his scheme has on minimizing LB usage or just getting the most out of guys who (dare I say it) have limited talent.
I’d love to see if Jabara Williams becomes a beast, he’s got the range that we so desperately needed in STL last year. Hopefully his instincts and angles don’t render it void.
Interesting thing to note, Spags worked with Jeremiah Trotter who came from the same no school Jabara Williams did, so it’ll be interesting to see if Williams can become a fraction of the solid LB Trotter was. From memory he was a solid run stopping OLB with limited athleticism? That correct?
Bradford to Onobun!
lol I know the picture threw you off huh?
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on May 25, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Do the Giants or Eagles have any good linebackers?
Great job Rod. I’m not too hung up on the outside linebackers, if we can get an athletic one who can cover we will be fine. Rome wasn’t built in a day, it took three days, Or months………….. Anyway I like what Spags is doing. Now we just need to get a good safety and we are all good.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
...
Do the Giants or Eagles have any good linebackers?
Nothing to really write home about. Both groups are simply serviceable. The Giants drafted Greg Jones and Jacquain Williams, and the Eagles drafted Greg Lloyd, Brian Rolle, and Casey Matthews. They all were drafted after the 3rd round, so I think the approach with both of these teams to hope to catch lightning in a bottle.
Wilpon thinks he's going to get Yankees money. He won't get it. Everything's been wrong with this team.
Fred Wilpon: Not a good owner. Really not a very good owner. Definitely not a superstar.
I'm the shmuck who gave him my contract of loyalty even though he's an idiot. And now, he's increased that idiocy by 65-70%
by BigBlueIntervention on May 27, 2011 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
No...no we don't
Us Eagles fans have been suffering from a infestation of Erine Sims lately. And while he has been impressive, we have a 7th round pick playing SAM for us named Mosie Foku, he’s been playing extremley well, but it just shows. This year selecting a LB in the 3rd shows improvement by Andy Reid.
"If Revis has an Island, Asomugha should have a continent." - #5
"Or if the rest of the defense if even decent then
our two Rookie safety’s don’t have to go all Ed Reed-Palamolu-Dawkins-super sayan badass mode to help us win." - W_E
Sending pics of your junk > dog killing > generally being a douche > sexual assault allegations > being on the Cowboys.
Great post, thanks. Love the line "OLB was played with such horror"
Here’s some interesting perspective from Ginats fan: “Spags was all about pressure in New York”
And you see that Spagnuolo filled MLB which is clearly the most important position on D from a leadership aspect, and arguably from a playing perspective. Devaney had Long and they went rush specialist DE with Selvie on the cheap, and now Quinn.
Took a LB off the field on passing downs and added CB or Safety?….this, to me, is problematic because I don’t think they have the bodies to do that. Murphy is obviously in that mold, he’s a tough player known for hitting and is at least as competent in the run game as pass defense.
But they lost a turnover generator in Atogwe, maybe because he didn’t fit (and I say he didn’t the role Spags S’s usually take) but they haven’t really filled the extra CB or S talent they need to run that system.
So after reading this — and it was great insight, I thank you — I am concerned about the CB/S position as much as the OLB. But this adds a great layer of context for the Murphy draft pick and I hope guys will pick up on that.
Jermale Hines the SS we drafted
was picked with the possibility of coming in in a LB type role on passing downs, which is interesting to say the least.
Bradford to Onobun!
And as the league gets more and more pass-focused on offense
I think what was once thought of as a nickel package will have to be thought of as the base package, probably a 4-2-5 setup for our defense. A lot of colleges in spread happy conferences have been moving to a 3-3-5 setup, with a third safety in the base package.
This is the most important post we've had on the Defense in a long time
After reading this again Ram_Rod, I have to tell you this article offers truly great insight into both what Spagnuolo has done and where the Rams are right now. Things change and systems and their creators adapt, but I think the context we can gather from this makes it actually an important piece. Recommended reading
I have something else scheduled to go up in about 15 minutes about the rookies
But you’ll notice a lot of the defensive players we drafted look exactly like Ed @ Big blue view described. They are smaller, faster, and athletic.
Whether or not they pan out, and that’s a big if with any lower round prospect, is not certain. But they definitely fit with what Spagnuolo is trying to do, and luckily the athleticism and hard hitting that mostly all of them are decent (or better at) would really benefit special teams.
"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam
This should be an influencial article for anyone with more than a passing interest in the Rams
The whole emphasis on the draft picks, how the FO drafted guys they saw as having the right talent for this system vs. reaching down to a lower rated guy to fill postion (lower rated on the Rams board, not Kiper’s), and the disappointment some guys felt when they didn’t reach to fill the perceived need….these views need to be re-evaluated.
We all want all stars at every position, but realistically if the Rams can achieve the same level of success the Giants and Eagles have had, no one should be disappointed, and this post shines a bright light on the blueprint for that success. Tha’s why I go so far as to call this article “important.”
by CoachConnors on May 25, 2011 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I like the picks
But, passing up on good DT’s was hard to swallow. But really there isn’t any good TE’s you can get during free agency.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on May 25, 2011 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
You're right about DT
I meant more the OLB than DT but….now that you bring up the TE vs DT question….perhaps with Spagnuolo’s affinity for mixing in more DE’s and sometimes going with unconventional D-lines, the DT spot somehow became a little less valued than in the traditional Defense? I don’t know…this is maybe something he’d need to answer…I do still think they drafted based much more on perceived talent and much less on posiiton.
by CoachConnors on May 25, 2011 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure how anyone can say Marvin Austin isn't more talented than Kendricks
sure the character stuff is a red flag, but damn, he is a top 10 calibre talent and his character must have been a massive no go for our team to pass on him. This isn’t a slight on Lance at ALL, I rate him highly but to hear from a source that we had Austin real high on our board and that we’d have taken him in the 2nd if available really makes me wonder how we ‘drafted BPA the entire way’
Bradford to Onobun!
from a source
What’s this conspiracy theory? The Rams had someone rated higher, but then they took someone else who was lower? And what is the theory on why they did that seemingly nonsensical thing?
I’ll be honest, I have real trouble believing things that don’t meet the smell test and are also from un-named “sources.”
by CoachConnors on May 25, 2011 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Mcdaniels looked at our team and said this won't cut it.
I mean Fells is average, and Big Mike is injury prone. Fendi hasn’t shown that he can be trusted yet. If the Kendricks pick works out, it could give Sam a great security blanket.
Is that great man formally known as Tevin T. Broner, also I'm on twitter T_bron
by Tevin Broner on May 25, 2011 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions
So the OC needed a new TE as inducement to come?
I wouldn’t doubt it. That kind of stuff happens all the time. And when it comes to TE specifically, that makes sense to me too.
Remember that little thing on the offense I was writing? I was going over some of my previous comments when you posted this. Allow me to share a trip down memory lane…
Dec 22, 2009
The Rams have a truly great HOF caliber RB, they have a very good C, presumably they drafted a very good LT, they drafted a WR highly and signed another in L Rob that’s just as good, decent depth at the G position…what’s missing? A TE with great hands, that’s what.
Feb 25, 2010
I think a top flight TE helps the QB considerably. I would just love to have a new QB be able to check down the a TE with great hands. I think it would be exponentially beneficial.
Mar 17, 2010
let’s look at the WR corp vs. the TE troops….honestly, which one has more potential? I keep reminding guys how important a 6’6" guy with great hands would be on 3rd and 5 for a young QB.
March 29, 2010
A big sure handed TE who is not very far away will help the QB tremendously.
Mar 30, 2010
I think TE is a huge need with the Rams
Apr 5, 2010
I think TE is extremely important to this team, right after QB on that side of the ball, and (I) would invest highly in one.
I think if they had a great hands TE, and a serious deep threat WR, the offense would be so balanced and effective, no one would even mention the words “true # 1”
Apr 29, 2011, after they drafted Kendricks:
I begged for a hands TE since 2009. I can be happy now?
…..but hey what do I know, Tev? I’m just an “apologist.”
by CoachConnors on May 26, 2011 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
I had a source, as did Van, obviously you can’t openly state who it was because they were leaking out knowledge from within the team, but yes, according to both Van and my source, there was a DT ranked higher on the board. Difference was that Austin was higher from my source and McClain from Van’s.
The theory behind it is McD threw his weight around and said he wanted that TE.
I’m not saying you have to believe me, and I may doubt my source too, but regardless, there’s more than one person saying Lance wasn’t the highest rated at that point.
Bradford to Onobun!
Well, again, I would not be at all surprised at that
If they decided a TE was a reasonable price to pay for getting the OC, that makes sense to me. Politics happen everywhere in life. Now you characterize it as threw his weight around, maybe that’s how it was, but it sounds like an inducement for him to come because I think I would have probably demanded the same thing. In other words, I can forgive them bypassing BPA to get BOCA.
by CoachConnors on May 26, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
And if it was
JmcD coming aboard with what they had, the understanding of the team’s state and agreeing to run it, and then the draft comes and he throws a tantrum and wants that TE or there’s going to be a shit throwing contest, and Devaney gave into that, then Devaney’s an idiot that is sowing the seeds of his own destruction. I doubt things went that way since they’ve been so consistant up till now, but who knows. I also think the two secret sources coming up with different names for the DT detracts from the credibility of both of them.
by CoachConnors on May 26, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
If Spags picks up a 5 yr vet from the Big Blue, we're in like flynn.
We sure need...another Dick Bass!
Go RAMs !!!
A look at Spags' 2008 SB depth chart
LE 92 M.Strahan
DT 96 B.Cofield
DT 98 F.Robbins
RE 72 O.Umenyiora/J.Tuck
SLB 53 R.Torbor
MLB 58 A.Pierce
WLB 55 K.Mitchell
LCB 31 A.Ross/S. Madison
RCB 23 C.Webster
SS 37 Ja.Butler
FS 28 G.Wilson
Clearly Spags is trying to re-create that roster. Butler and Robbins are already on board, as well as Dahl, who was a reserve. Spags clearly wants his guys for his system, and after drafting 2 safeties, I don’t see the Rams being active in the FA S market. As for CB, I am confident that Murphy will step it up and the trio of Fletcher, Bartell, and Murphy will compare favorably to Madison/Webster/Ross.
As for the rest of the roster, adding another familiar name—Cofield—will give Spags a D-line similar to one he employed with the Giants. Strahan didn’t really emerge until his 5th season, and Long’s trajectory looks similar. That season Spags often used 4 DEs on passing downs, and the Rams now have the personnel to do the same, with perhaps Hall and Selvie/Ah You moving inside. With Hall and Quinn taking the reps at RDE, like Osi and Tuck, and Long being the primary LDE, I think the D-Line will be a fun group to watch—especially if the team signs Cofield. With Gibson starting, the D-Line will be MUCH less intimidating.
As for OLB, I think Vobora certainly can be as good as Torbor, although that isn’t saying a whole lot. If anything, it gives credence to OLBs fitting a system, rather than being great individual players. However, Kawika Mitchell, while not great, was better than Grant. Grant is fine as a rotational LB, but should not be starting. The Giants picked up Mitchell as a FA before the 2007 season, and I think the Rams would do well to make a similar signing.
In sum, I think the defense is headed in the right direction. Considering the draft, it seems as though the offense is headed in the right direction as well, which will take some pressure off of the D. Signing Cofield makes sense, given the need and Spags’ MO. Add to that a veteran WLB on the cheap—Ben Leber or Thomas Howard—and the Rams D will be much improved.
Vobora isn't bad
I’d tend to think he’s the best starting caliber (I’m thinking of Chris Chamberlain here) OLB on the team. But like you said, that isn’t saying much. If FA ever begins after the lockout ends, there are some interesting options that the Rams can look at.
I’d really be interested in looking at Ernie Sims. He has some injury history, yes, but he’s athletic and a hammer when it comes to tackling. Of course, how do RFA’s work when players are traded? I have no idea. Let’s hope a new CBA comes in place so we can rejoice with the 4 year pros.
"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam
I agree about Vobora
I think he can be serviceable at worst at SLB. But as much as I do believe in Spags’ system, and his resulting undervaluing of the OLB position, Grant/Chamberlain should not be slated as starters. Sims would be a good signing, and Grant is good enough to be a spot starter should he get injured.
The prototypical OLB in this system..
Manny Lawson – OLB 6’5 245lbs. San Francisco 49ers, UFA, 4.4 40 yard, 26 yrs-old
2011 57 Tackles 2.5 Sacks 1 INT
I think one player who would absolutely be fantastic in our system would be Manny Lawson. I know he’s been a 34 OLB and at 6’5 240lbs. he isn’t exactly the prototype 43 OLB. But if you look at his skill set and his game, he is absolutely fantastic against the run, he is also very very good in coverage and has the ability to mirror TE’s and drop into coverage and break on the ball in the flats for such a big guy. He’s a ridiculous athlete, his combine 40 was something like 4.4, which is amazing for a guy his size. Lawson will not get the monster deal that elite 34 OLB’s get, because he isn’t a high sack guy, but isn’t that what we are looking for? A high effort, high motor, run stopping athlete who can run side line-to-side line? He wouldn’t play the weak side, he would be our “SAM” backer, but that’s what we need. He would line up over the TE and the TE would be his responsibility as well as most runs being to the right (strong) side of the center. He also played in nickel situations, so he’s a pure 3 down OLB, which is something that we could really use here. Other than Little Animal there isn’t a single real 3 down LB on our roster, not even Diggs who is really mediocre in coverage where his strengths lie in playing down hill when the play is in front of him where he can attack the ball carrier.
I would love to get some feedback on what you guys think of Manny Lawson in the Rams scheme. Remember, Mathias Kiwanuka played the “SAM” in Spags Giants defense. That’s how he was able to get his pass rushers all on the field at the same time, and Mathias was a solid 2 downer. Kiwanuka doesn’t have near the athletic ability and pure speed and agility that Lawson has, and Lawson has taken to playing OLB in the NFL very well after moved from DE in college.
Let me know what you guys think.
I can dig it
but I really don’t think this FO would make a big name signing like that.
Spags values big LBs, but maybe he’s a bit too big?
I’d love the signing, but it really seems unlikely in my eyes.
Bradford to Onobun!
I can agree, but...
I honestly think he’s more Spags and Billy D’s kinda guy. He’s a low profile player, who is a high character high effort player who plays through nagging injuries, is an impact player and gives Spags an extra wrinkle in his defense because of his pass rush potential. Also, I don’t really think it will take a ton a cash to bring him here. Maybe $10-15 mill guaranteed and a 5 year $20-25 mil contract. That would mean he would finish out his 20’s here and be gone by the time he was in his early 30’s.
I’m trying to think outside of BS I’m hearing all over the local media and national outlets like us signing Randy Moss, Reggie Bush, Sidney Rice etc.
My FA short list consists of:
Brandon Mebane – DT UFA Seattle Seahawks
Barry Coefield – DT UFA New York Giants
Manny Lawson – OLB UFA San Francisco 49ers
Thomas Davis – OLB UFA Carolina Panthers
Thomas Howard – OLB UFA Oakland Raiders
Rocky McIntosh – OLB UFA Washington Redskins
Eric Weddle – FS / SS UFA San Diego Chargers
Darren Sproles – RB UFA San Diego Chargers
Justin Blalock – OG RFA Atlanta Falcons
Harvey Dahl – OG UFA Atlanta Falcons
Davin Jospeh – OG UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I have a few others, but they are more 2nd tier guys and complement players. But this would be my short list. I definitely think it’s possible to sign more than 1 of these players as well. Remember we have O.J.‘s money off our books so that $8 million could go to 2 of these guys, but most importantly these guys with the exception of Harvey Dahl they are all under 30 years old. If I’m the Rams I don’t want to bring in a high priced big name. Reggie Bush is a brand name more than a player, he would do well here but your bringing in the name just as much as the player, and Sidney Rice is just going to cost major funds being that he is the #1 receiver on the market.
Yeah it makes perfect sense
but when does our FO do that? I get the impression that we’ll be enamoured with these guys and they sign some random person who doesn’t even appear to fit our scheme like… Fili Moala (just thought of him, no reason why lol – his contract hasn’t even expired yet has it?)
Regardless if you were GM the fans would love you, that shortlist looks excellent and right along the needs of this team. The only people I wouldn’t go for would be Sproles, Weddle, and the two Falcon Guards. Sproles and Weddle want too much money, and while Weddle is a very good player, I’d have given the money we’d have to pay to Weddle to OJ in a heartbeat.
The Falcons guards look unlikely to both go, and Blalock is a LG which is occupied by Bell. He doesn’t seem like the road grinder I’d want at RG but thats only from a patchy memory. Dahl would also ask for a big time deal and he’s over 30.
The Dline and LB suggestions are right on. We get one from each spot and I say we’re a top 15 D in the league.
I’d love Rice, but we have a stacked WR group of untapped potential, no need to go over covered ground. Also his injury history worries me a little bit, especially for the pay day his play deserves.
I’d love Bush but only for the right price. That glitz and glamour is something that I’d love to see in STL. Reggie is a brand without the ridiculous ego and media personality, in the spread scheme he’d be a real ace in the deck, like a joker role, lining up everywhere.
Bradford to Onobun!
Well actually Blalock......
can play both, sides and is a very nasty player, and after a so so sophomore year he really shined last year and became just as nasty as Dahl. He only plays the left side because Dahl is on the right. He’s strong enough at the point, and can be left on an island in pass protection, so he wouldn’t be a liable protecting Sam. I really like him a lot, plus he’s only 27 so we would get him in the prime of his career.
To me Dahl seems to fit what Spags wants as an offensive presence. I don’t like that he’s over 30 because how many years does he really have left? Plus you just know some team desperate for a RG who thinks they are 1 player away on their line will splurge and drop some serious cash on him. With Mankins and Nicks not on the market he’s the best guard on it so some one will over pay. So I can agree with you there.
Now, as for our FO. I’m starting to believe they are loosing up. I think that the Josh McDaniels was the first sign of that, and second was the Robert Quinn pick to an extent. He was obviously the best player on the board when they drafted him, but I think they didn’t get sooooo conservative that they saw past his immature mistake for what it was, just a stupid choice by a kid. I don’t think they make that pick 2 years ago, but because they have loosen the strings on the “4 Pillar” concept I they pulled the trigger.
Question: What do you think of Stephen Tulloch (MLB Tennessee UFA)? I know he plays MLB, but he has outstanding athleticism and is a fantastic leader, high effort player who is in the prime of his career. I know I’m really stretching it here, but this kid is a Spags kinda of player, everyone thinks he’ll go to Detroit to play for his old coach Jim Schwartz, but he and James would be fantastic together and would instantly gives us a Brian Urlacher / Lance Briggs combo. Haha I know it sounds like I’m day dreaming, but I’m trying to think of all the possibilities, because with the holes we have there really are so many possibilities. Tulloch would cost a lot, but bro, he’d be worth it.
Let me know.
well I'll trust you on Blalock
but again, being in his prime he may want some serious cream. This FO seldom do that.
If this FO is loosening up though, they should go ahead and pull the trigger.
I think with Quinn it was a mistake that wasn’t an indictment of character, just a real silly mistake with regards to even sillier NCAA rules. They saw the talent and his personality (real character guy) and said he fits 4 pillars.
Again Tulloch would be great in my eyes, he’s always around the ball, but I think it depends on if he would be open to moving to OLB. Some MLB (especially with his leadership ability) thrive on being the D’s QB and to take a ‘demotion’ may not be in his interests.
Bradford to Onobun!
Oh no I wasn't implying
That Quinn was a risky pick, he’s a fantastic pick, and he comes from a very close nit family. I just think 2 years ago 2009, the front office was ultra conservative with all their moves. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the Robert Quinn pick, I about shook my friend to death when we made the pick, I couldn’t contain myself I was so happy.
But I do see them loosing up a bit.
I’m really intrigued with what they will do come free agency, so far this regime has done the very opposite of the previous front offices. With Billy D and Spags as well as the awesome scouting department the Rams now have, you can see their plan in action, hell you can just see they have a plan. Something us Rams fans have been dying for the last 7 or 8 years. I can honestly say that I trust the front office now and that I beleive in them. Something I couldn’t say about the Linehan era and most deffinitely the Mike Martz era.
ITS TIME FOR WILLIAMS / HULL TO STEP IT UP
We still have FA so all is not lost. I also trust Spags & Flajole to come up with the winning combination. They are hoping for FA to start sooooonnn.
We sure need...another Dick Bass!
Go RAMs !!!
From my perspective (I am and Eagles fan just so there's no confusion)
Spag’s scheme and JJ’s scheme are essentially the same, Spag’s put his own personal marks on it as any man would do, which is to be expected. But to get back on topic..
The scheme pretty much relies on two things to work. (1) DL pressure, (2) 2 good CB’s.
Now for example, look at when the Eagles had Lito Sheppard (before he sucked) and Sheldon Brown, both very close to shutdown CB’s, and we had a DL that was extremely good at getting pressure.. we didn’t need flashy super great LB’s, we needed guys who could scrape and clean up the mistake pretty much.
Now what I saw when Spags was in NY is what Johnson did in Philly, it looked like they funneled everything to the MLB, the runs were contained and Pierce and in the good ole days Trotter made the tackles for the most part.. And I haven’t seen much of the Rams since I live in Florida, but from what I have seen Spag’s kinda does that with Laurenitis(apologize for the spelling).
As for OLB’s we typically made due with guys who weren’t super great. Dhani Jones, Shawn Barber, Chris Gocong.. From what I’ve seen is our SAM LB’s more of a run stopper and our WILL LB’s the quick athletic type, and all 3 typically cover depending on the play. Also I’ve noticed that the MIKE and WILL often times are the best blitzer’s.
This is my 2cent’s worth, I apologize if I’m intruding, Jason posted a link over here and I wanted to kinda share my thoughts. I actually like the Rams, I enjoy watching Bradford a lot and I remember when they were a great team, I kinda pull for them when it’s not against my Eagles because I see that you’ve got the pieces to be great, it’s just a matter of them growing…
Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...
Wild_Eagle!
Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.
-Awarded by Number5
by wild_eagle on May 28, 2011 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
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