St. Louis Rams practice notes: A new starting safety?
by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 23, 2011 2:59 PM CDT
in 2011 St. Louis Rams preseason
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PrintSome interesting early notes from the St. Louis Rams Tuesday practice session, which is still underway at Rams Park. It includes some positive injury news and a potential position switch. Since injuries were the talk of the town, er, Rams Nation yesterday, let's start there.
Danario Alexander is back on the field. Big deal, right? While it probably doesn't merit a banner headline in the New York Times, it's worth pointing out since the recipient of five knee surgeries missed practice yesterday to have an MRI on his knee. Mardy Gilyard is also practicing today after leaving the Titans' game early with a thigh bruise.
More notable is a potential depth chart move. Last year, Craig Dahl beat out James Butler for a starting safety job in training camp. Now, Dahl's grasp on a starting role might be tenuous as Darian Stewart is working in place of Dahl with the starters today at practice. Stewart is a little faster than Dahl, which helps him cover some more ground. I'm in the process of breaking down a play involving Stewart from the Titans game based on my conversation with Dahl earlier this month. Stewart took snaps with the defense throughout the entire game last week, as did Jermale Hines.
Also, Donnie Avery is taking some snaps with the first team.
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Avery = starter
Avery will be a starter over Gibson.
I would love to see hines start the season.let’s see wat the young boy can do
by dcole_worldrams on Aug 23, 2011 3:08 PM CDT reply actions
Start the season? Cut it out? And if it was up to me it would be sky walker & gibson! He has practiced week in & week out and has produced. Last time I checked, that counted for sum bt on a positive note I am truly happy for Darian Stewart who has took ahold the safety spot! Two new starting safeties is a great move! RAAMMMSSSS LEGHO!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 3:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Gibson is a camp warrior
but his skills don’t translate on gameday. DHB from the raiders has his nice days too, but that doesn’t make him any good
What has MSW done
To DESERVE a starting spot? I’m not saying he’s not good. Heck! I want him to succeed, but he hasn’t proven anything yet with the Rams.
by Scott Bundren on Aug 23, 2011 5:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yea put MSW in a reserve role and see how he does (like DX last yr)
Avery and Gibson to start with Amendola at slot…..MSW, DX<Pettis, and Salas make their way in the rotation and see who has the hot hand…….I hope we still have Clayton’s number…
"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill
I like Darian Stewart
Dahl is a solid run supporter and I don’t mind him starting, but his pass coverage hasn’t been up to snuff. I feel Stewart has the potential to be a much better all around safety. If nothing else, I would like to see Stewart in on passing plays, and Dahl in on running downs.
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
Its nice in tandem with the OLB switch
Leber and Poppinga are much better at stopping the run…aka will rely less on the safeties in the run game. That allows Spags to tilt a little more to pass coverage in the secondary, where Stewart > Dahl.
Danario is hurt and will be the cut WR, then he’s back, Gilyard in the doghouse, Gilyard back, Pettis dropping balls…. I have no idea which wide receivers they are going to cut
Y do we have to cut any of em? Put pettis on the practice squad and let salas stay! He seems to realize that what u do in practice MUST translate into the game… cut it out!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 3:27 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Players have to clear waivers before going to the practice squad.
No way Pettis gets through unclaimed.
Pettis is gone in a heartbeat
if he is put on the PS
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions
It's going to be an extremely heated argument about who makes the team when they
have to do final roster cuts. I think nobody wants to give up on Alexander, Avery or one of the rookies, but somebody might have to go. Glad I’m not making the decision.
You're really right-
These boards are gonna light up every time there is a big cut. Some pro-some against. It’s gonna be fun—AND IN THE BLUE CORNER YOU HAVE————-
hopefully
who makes the cut will have to move the chains with 20/30 yard receptions——-the season hangs in the balance
I have a feeling that my favorite one of them will be cut,
so it’s either expected news that DX is cut or it’s good news for me.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions
You cant really do that, especially with the condensed off season
If I were scouting for a team and I saw some other team send their 3rd round pick to the PS after less than two months of offseason training..I would sign to a contract immediately!
- And here's the Rams' 2010 season in a series. Incomplete pass, 18-yard run, incomplete pass, 7-yard run, 5-yard pass, 3-yard run, sack, incomplete pass, punt. Shoot me. - 3K
Damn I hate it when ur right & I’m sum what not right!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 3:38 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
hahaha! I am rarely right so I will take that as a compliment! :)
- And here's the Rams' 2010 season in a series. Incomplete pass, 18-yard run, incomplete pass, 7-yard run, 5-yard pass, 3-yard run, sack, incomplete pass, punt. Shoot me. - 3K
I dont think danario makes the cut
he cant stay healthy and wont make it through the season. Mardy makes the team due to his solid special teams play
My two favorite teams, the St. Louis Rams and whoever's playing the winers.
Did u guys see that gilyard hit on that mariani punt return! Man oh man I love that guy! Gilyard makes the team and outshines amendola this year there I fukiin said it! RAAMMMSSS LEGHO
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 3:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe ur not thinking about it but peep this: sum people know what amendola can do with the ball & yes it is sum what ok but after the catch I don’t see him makin anyone miss where as gilyard who Is faster & quicker than an amendola! Gilyard was drafted to replace amendola but he didn’t HIS ROOKIE YEAR! Not only will he play a significant role but salas will play a bigger role & nt jus a slot wide out
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 4:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I’d love to see Avery get some of those slot catches thrown his way, with his speed we could be talking more than a 6 yard per catch average.
Avery is made completely for the outside.
He wouldn’t last in the slot with his history of nagging injuries. Speed doesn’t = slot.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
gotta disagree, would love to see nickle back or LB match up. Speeds still speed across the field or down the field
Speed players sometimes play in the slot,
but if speed = slot, then Moss would have been inside while Welker was outside. You have to be able to catch in traffic as well as have the toughness and fearlessness that you’re going to get smashed as soon as you catch the ball. Quickness is more important than speed in the slot, in my opinion.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
Agreed, Moss was also 6’4 Averys an outside WR just saying slide him some run some out routes get the guy in space. Speed dosnt always mean go deep either
Negative! Salas is amendola’s replacement!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 4:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly
You said it yourself. Gilyard was to replace amendola, and failed. Now Salas is to replace Amendola, pretty much replacing Gilyard. :)
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
You're drinking my Kool-aid now Boy
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 23, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
disappointed
when we signed him last year he seemed to have the makings of a star
makings of a star?
He was drafted in the 4th round. He doesnt have star potential at all. He has quality potential, not even close to all star potential.
Show me proof on that
Ive seen about 60% thinking Gilyard is gone and 40% claiming for a second chance
Weeks ago,
just about about everyone on this site wanted him gone.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
was impressed with muir at dtackle
he played next to scott and outplayed him. Scott couldnt stay on his feet while muir held his ground and took on double teams and still managed to get in on some tackles, very stout against the run.
My two favorite teams, the St. Louis Rams and whoever's playing the winers.
Pretty sure this teams in shape, its not the FO or Spags job to keep us up to date whos starting or who our #1s are. As long as they but 11 guys at a time that will play hard & win some games (10 or more) than they are doing there job. Im pretty sure some of my favorites our in trouble but ill wear my big boy pants & cheer for whoever is playing. even Gilyard. Now thats funny!!
good
point -this team unfortunately will never win 10 games or i’ll eat my old dickerson jersey—8-8 at best
This team is going to win the division, bank on it. Get ready for some Dickerson
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Way to be positive, your a real RA RA guy. Bet you didnt think we d be one game away fromthe playoffs last year did ya???
we were
not a good team last year -we beat one winning team—yet i did love watching them play…
That wasn't the question.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
99
bet you didnt think Kurt warner Could lead the GSOT to the SB did ya?? Bottom line IMO we are a better team than took the field last year. upgraded the WR wether you think so or not, upgrade the line & even after Tennesse i think our Def will be better.
martz
robbed GSOT of at least 2 more super bowls a pompass ass …the great faulk against the patriots and he’s throwing all over the place…that game still bugs me!!!!
Who u tellin? No way the patriots hang with us if martz listens to pre game ritual and DOESN’T HAVE SEX BEFORE THE GAME! UGHH! Faulk barely touched the rock out of the back field…
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 4:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I knw broram but fellas hear me out cause I have a quick question for my brorams! Uhm marvin austin is out for the year as well as thomas the starting corner & prince so uhm what I’m asking is why can’t we start 2-0? I love the idea of playing the eagles early on & with the injuries we could sneek pass the G men!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 4:49 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
A 2-0 start against the eagles and giants would be awesome.
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
YOU
MUST BE ON CRACK—-WE DON’T EVEN HAVE ROUTES DOWN YET
THEY LOST THEIR BEST CORNER,
THEIR PROJECTED SECOND/NICKEL CORNER, THEIR BARRY COFIELD REPLACEMENT FOR THE YEAR AS WELL A UMENYIORA FOR A MONTH. THINK FOR ONCE.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
To be
On that kind of start our players have to be ready. Were not near as ready like were suposed to be. Were trying we have to coaches that have seen seccuss but now its building us from the foundation on up. We dont have player like the G-men or Eagles but we do have potential players that can become stars but it will take time.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 23, 2011 9:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The Giants
will be missing four projected starters against us. Four is a LOT.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh yeah, Maclin too.
I meant four on defense. Maclin was projected to be ready for the season though, but I’m not too sure.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
if
spags didn’t show his immaturity as a coach we would have beaten the 49ers/raiders /bucs and made the playoffs…hopefully he’ll improve …usually you get 3 years to become a winner in the nfl..this is year 3
Not sure where the blame would fall but i do feel we could have won a couple more games last year but to do that we probably would have but to much pressure on a rookie QB, with a line that is still growing together. You cant throw deep without time, try that an Sam the franchise would turn into Bulger, duck & chuck
liked bulger
wished we would have signed him as a backup
and
i’m still not sold on spags as a head coach he is 8-24 since he has been her granted he came into a mess…anything under 8-8 will be unacceptable withour upgrades (and for the record he wanted plaxico bad)
Again,
is Spags wanted Plaxico as bad as you claim, he probably would have gotten him. Did Spags personally tell you this?
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions
i
think that the 49er’s/bucs/raiders games were played conservatively —after we got leads we played to lose…..
i can't agree...
there were plays to be made that would have made the difference (OJs pass interference, JLs dropped interception and dropped passes for example).
"The only thing better than watching the Rams win is watching the Rams win with my wife."
the only coaching blunder
had to be the Detroit game
"The only thing better than watching the Rams win is watching the Rams win with my wife."
why do always bring up old shit? lets look forward to our future and lets be optimistic please! who cares abt last yr at this point! we cant change the outcome so leave it alone! dammit jswirb u make my blood pressure rise!
by kevio3000 on Aug 23, 2011 4:59 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Who in their right mind
would play to lose?
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
by douchiedude on Aug 23, 2011 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
so whats the deal with hoom?
how serious is the injury?
"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
NEVER
SEE MANY COMMENTS ON CADILLAC —WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE THINK OF HIM
I love cadillac & he’s looked by far the best at running back! To me he has a patience that I like about him & watchin s jack he could learn from cadillac & quit runnin on the backs of the line! Geez loueez I’m tired of seein that shit! Yes every back has a flaw!
by Boy Yottic on Aug 23, 2011 4:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I
THINK IF JACKSON CONTINUES HIS DOWNWARD NUMBERS CADILLAC WILL SPLIT DUTIES
downward numbers from.....
this preseason? last year?
I mean it’s obvious we can rely on Cadillac, and Norwood for that matter, a whole hell of a lot more than we could our backups last year.
My question is, when SJAX breaks of an 80 yarder sometime early this year, does the ‘SJAX sucks’ talk stop, or does EVERYONE think he’s really washed up?
All I remember hearing before the draft was ’let’s get our future RB,’ not ’let’s get the best guy out there, because we desperately need help at RB.’ It seems to me that people’s mentalities on his ability to get it done have changed after two preseason games, in which he’s played very little. Let’s face it, our O-Line was garbage (or were at least made to look so) a lot last game
SJAX is not washed up
still easily a top 5 RB in the NFL so Id say we are in great shape
+1
he ll keep SJ fresh and might even do a little more, love Norwoods big play ability too
I
THINK CADILLAC IS GONNA CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN WE KNOW..REMEMBER FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT BALL CONTROL AND KEEPING THE OTHER TEAM OFF THE FIELD….WE CANNOT AFFORD LONG STRETCHES OF 3 AND OUT
Knee has no additional damage
by Ram_Redemption on Aug 23, 2011 8:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I like
The new safety I think gilyard might stay bcuz he hasn’t been cut yet and he been doing decent in the pre-season. Gibsons been doing great so far that i’ve heard im hoping MSW becomes that 1# wideout we been looking for.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 23, 2011 9:28 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Post # 1000 about the mythical #1 wideout.
The coach said it, the posters said it, Sam said it, and McD said it-
In the McD system, the first read is the #1, from Hi to Lo. As different WR’s are rotated in, that first read can change as often as Sam see’s fit. Sam picks the first read after the snap. It could be anybody, even an eligible left tackle. So whats up with the Rams looking for a #1?
Because
Sam can through all his reads it dosen’t matter if dosen’t have a reliable target to throw to. Why would you want a rotation of wideouts in when you can have one to rely on that can open up our offense. Our run game is going to be good but were just missing a #1 wideout.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 23, 2011 10:19 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
We mean that guy who he knows he can turn to when things go bad
Right now, Kendricks looks like the guy Sam turns to
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 23, 2011 10:31 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Or SJax, or Williams, or Amendola, or UH HO, or OH NO, or Norwood
All those guys will be playing rotation this year, and all will be able to provide check-down service. Especially SJax and Williams. That’s why we took Williams and Norwood over some other backs. And what better check-down than Danny? It’s hard to find better. So perk up J-RAD2, aka jswird, aka Boy Yottic aka who the hell knows. Wouldn’t it just be better to get responses from other posters than to answer your own post with multiple Sig’s? You’re fooling no one.
I'm not talking a check down
I’m talking a go get it guy. Favre wasn’t checking down to Rice, Eli didn’t check down to Plax or Hakeem Nicks, and Peyton doesn’t check down to Dallas Clark. It’s that reciever who is your security blanket. When you are getting rushed hard, you can’t wait for Danny to find a hole in the zone, you need a guy who you can throw to even if he is covered
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 7:38 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
those are check downs if he is getting rushed hard
You never saw Warner just chucking it up under pressure. Eli sucks, Favre was a gunslinger (who I loved) and Peyton is well Peyton. Every QB will check down in those situations and we have great options for that in Amendola, SJAX, and Cadillac.
Avery certainly deserves
snaps with the first team, but this Stewart thing is big news! I expected something like this to come up by midseason…but man, this guy is developing at a rapid pace. Excited for Stewart, what a UDFA gem. Can’t believe he was on the Chop List LOL.
"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.
I love being right.
The first few times I saw Darian making plays for us last year I thought this kid had some upside. Let’s hope he fulfills it and makes a great FS.
I like Jermale Hines too as a rotational SS for us.
http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/
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