St. Louis Rams practice report: Changes at corner and linebacker
by Ryan Van Bibber on Aug 24, 2011 3:19 PM CDT
in 2011 St. Louis Rams preseason
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PrintThe St. Louis Rams have officially wrapped up the training camp portion of the preseason. Today marked the last practice open to fans, and it ended with players lining up to sign autographs. As far as the preseason schedule goes, week three is a big one, the dress rehearsal for the starting units. A few developments from today's practice to share.
Head coach Steve Spagnuolo says the starters will play the entire first half and maybe into the third quarter this week. Speaking of the starters, the coach confirmed that Ben Leber and Brady Poppinga will be the starting outside linebackers this week. Darian Stewart worked alongside Quintin Mikell as the defense's second starting safety this week. Am I the only one that's given up on the referring to the Rams' safeties as strong and free?
On offense, rookie WR Greg Salas spent some time with the starters in practice today. Not a big surprise, he looked solid, shaking off a dropped pass for three more catches, in his NFL debut last week.
Here's an interesting wrinkle from practice today. CB Ron Bartell played nickel with Bradley Fletcher and Al Harris on the outside against three-receiver sets today. I suggested Harris be moved up to the third corner spot over Justin King, and it looks like the Rams are at least toying with that idea. If Harris plays as well as he has in the preseason so far, this could be a solid cornerback grouping.
DT Fred Robbins will not play this week, sitting out with some back trouble that doesn't seem to be serious. Also out are TE Michael Hoomanawanui, CB Mikail Baker and DT Jermelle Cudjo are also out this week.
Danario Alexander was limited in practice today because they practiced indoors on the turf.
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I guess Bannan and Muir will need to step it up this week.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
Bartell is working back from injury
And Harris is still realllllly good, when healthy. I’d rather Fred sit out now, and not risk getting hurt. As long as we get a better idea of who we keep at WR, I’m happy with the results for this week. I hear SkyWalker is blowin it up in camp
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 3:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Blowin it up in camp as in he is self destructing or blowin it up as in he is kicking ass?
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
kickin ass
Sam Bradford to Austin Pettis
Kinda has a ring to it
by RG31 on Aug 24, 2011 3:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Blowin it up in camp as in he is self destructing or blowin it up as in he is kicking ass?
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
God damn double post, My computer is being extremely slow today,
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
As in he is one with the Force
The Chosen One, and some other Star Wars reference that implies he is really impressing everyone
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 3:34 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Him and Sam seem to have more chemistry than Sam has with any other WR
Kind of like Clayton and Sam
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 3:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
At least thats what I'm hearing
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 3:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Well that is good to hear,
I really hope that Sims-Walker rebounds this week. The trash talking on nfl.com in the game center is getting better.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
Your GF and me also have good chemistry
It’s just that she is sticking me in the friend zone.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
hahahaha
ouch
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
That's a chemical
Chemistry where you study chemicals. Gosh!
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 4:11 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I didn't see that
I heard it was way overhyped
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 4:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
It's the kind of movie where you need to see it from the begining and pay attention to everything.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
I thought it was
verrrrrry good. Had to watch it more than once to get a complete grasp of the ending, but it was really good.
"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.
Also I like that Leber and Poppinga are going to are going to be starting
Not Diggs. I would like to see Jabara quite a bit of playing time.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
by RAMpage28 on Aug 24, 2011 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
2nded
Jabara has been great. At least promote him to the 2nd team.
Something else that would be comforting
would be to see SJAX really have a solid outting, whether it be breaking a big one, getingt a few needed first downs, plowing through someone, and just averaging more than 3 ypc
Think we aren't gonna run much this week
Or in week 4, we know what Steven can do, we don’t know what wideouts are gonna make the cut. Plus, with Ho Oh down (again) we need to see what Fendi can do as the 2TE
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 3:40 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'll buy that
it’d just be nice to see us get something going on the ground with him. I think it goes without saying that there are more questions around our passing game (No, really?!?), so we may kind of force the issue. I’d like to see our first team operating efficiently, meaning able to move the ball on the ground, as well.
We’re two weeks away from the real deal. I don’t want to continue focusing on this passing game, only to realize that we’re going to be forced to throw it all week 1 because our ground game just can’t get going. That, to me, would spell disaster
Agreed...
Gotta see SJAX bust a few 10+ yarders…. A grab or two, etc.
by MarshallMarshallMarshall on Aug 24, 2011 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Kansas City is a run-first time that put up huge rush yardage last year. Last week, we got run over by the Titans without Chris Henry. This will be a good test of Rams run-D, if we can bounce back or if it will be a problem for us this year
Chris Henry? That bengals WR that fell out of the back of his pick-up truck his girlfriend was driving and died? I don't see what he has to do with anything,
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
Popinga and leber should been our starters from the getgo
atleast ita before the season. Good to hear MSW is clicking. Avery as our 2 and danny in the slot is money. Dx limited because we practiced on turf? One problem. We play om turf! Lol y is spags holdin on to em so tight? Jus shows u how talented he is wen healthy
by Ram_Redemption on Aug 24, 2011 3:56 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Gilyard should be cut or traded.
He just isn’t working out with us. Is it to soon to say that?
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
I agree 100% with you on pop and leber.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
lol
LE LA POOOOOOO!
Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.
You seem to be....
Forgetting about Gibson.
by MarshallMarshallMarshall on Aug 24, 2011 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I like
How it’s looking Stewart should make an impact for our D. I hope Zac Diles play 3rd quarter and show off. Glade to hear MSW doing his thing in pratice.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 24, 2011 4:03 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I forgot about diles. Diles and leber? God we got depth a OLB now,
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
I don't know how everyone is so high on Diles
We signed him, sure, but he was a late round pick, Texans fans found him useless according to the Texans SB site, and we haven’t seen much from him in the preseason. I would love to get the positive feeling all of you are but I just can’t understand it.
What SB nation says about stewart
Assets
Physical, and very active as a tackler and hitter. Does a nice job stepping up against the run, jars opponents, and can get into the backfield. Has solid fundamentals and makes good reads. Also a good special teams tackler.
Flaws
Not big for a strong safety type and has only average speed. Struggles in coverage situations and isn’t much of a threat to pick passes off.
Career Potential
Rotational safety & good special teams tackler.
I like Stewart my self but he will have to battle dahl who seemed to get better as the year went on. How well is he doing?
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
He has won the starting job it seems
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 4:08 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Well good for him. I just hope he doesn't lose it for his sakes.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
Considering he was a UDFA
And after one year has already won a starting job, I’m gonna go ahead and call. He’s our Jeff Saturday, I’m not overreacting in any way!
by King Sam Rules! on Aug 24, 2011 4:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I think
Stewart will probably get this battle win.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 24, 2011 4:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
SB Nation
Nailed it on him. It’s a toss-up between him and Dahl. Neither one really is a playmaker and are prone to different errors (missed tackles, coverage, etc.)
I was just looking a josh browns profile on SB nation
one of the flaws was that he wasn’t a power kicker. LOL.
2 men enter 1 man leaves. THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THUNDER DOME!
If analysis'
of players were always right….well, there wouldn’t be any draft busts, first of all.
"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 think....
He’s supposed to be faster than Dahl. I like Dahl as far as his tackling and he seems to be around the ball most of the time. Not as much as OJ, but… Hope that we are right and that Mikell is a better fit for our scheme than Atogwe was. He did have a knack.
by MarshallMarshallMarshall on Aug 24, 2011 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I got faith
In our team we should pull two wins out of our first five games.
(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams
by J-RAD2 on Aug 24, 2011 4:18 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I'm liking some of these decisions that Spags is leaning towards on the D
Darian Stewart has looked good and I think he’s earned the starting spot. Him and Mikell in the middle will make for one of the better safety tandems we have had in a few years.
Al Harris teamed up with Bartel and Fletcher will make for one of the best cornerback trios I can remember for a long time also.
I want to see more from the linebackers. After we were done with free agency, I figured N’ail Diggs was done as a Ram and our starters would be Leber, Laurinaitus and Diles. But I gotta say, I am liking what I am seeing from Jabara Williams and would like to see him get in some snaps with the starters and second unit. I think he might wind up being a steal a for us.
OK, I’ve brought up safeties, corners and linebackers. That leaves the D-Line. We have a good rotation going with James Hall, Chris Long, Robert Quinn and George Selvie on the outside and Fred Robbins, Justin Bannan, Daniel Muir and Gary Gibson on the inside. I really like the depth we have on this years team and see nothing but good things in our immediate future.
I'm suffering from an extreme case of laurinaitis!
I'm pretty sure,
even without seeing them play together yet, that JL, Leber and Poppinga is the best starting linebacker trio we’ve seen in awhile as well 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.
yeah probably lol
but that isnt saying much. i really hope lebs and poppinfresh live up to the hype because the thought of diggzy or kehl starting for us makes me queasy
"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
by Buck Nasty87 on Aug 24, 2011 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
That is interesting,
Bartell in the nickel spot. He’s still starting though, yes?
"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.
Maybe we're trying out
Bartell against the No. 1 no matter where they lineup?
Check out my card collecting blog at www.cccollecting.blogspot.com!
by loyal2therams on Aug 24, 2011 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I think...
Hines should make the team, but…
by MarshallMarshallMarshall on Aug 24, 2011 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
HUGE DT BATTLE vs. Chiefs
The single largest comment to me is, “Fred Robbins will not play.”
Combine that statement with the reports from Spags that Muir has been limited in practice this week because of a sore ankle. That leaves the Rams with only 4 healthy (?) DT’s for the Chiefs matchup, Brannon, Gibson, Scott, and Henderson.
For me this is one of the #1 battle’s for this Saturday’s game and here is my thinking.
I expect Muir will play but how much will probably be determined on how he feels Sat?
This might be the biggest opportunity for D. Scott to show the Rams coaches and organization what he brings to the football field. I expect him to recieve increased reps and a big part of the DT rotation, We’ll see how he produces.
Also, I cannot wait for the 3rd and long situations on D.
With Robbins out and Muir having a weakened ankle I expect Spags and Frajole to mix their pass rushing packages to include more of the DE’s (Spags trademark). Combinations of Long, Hall, Quinn, Selvie, Sims, Ah You and perhaps in the 4th qtr. Ambose and Charles (?) should be very entertaining to watch.
JMHO
GO RAMS !!!
games friday homie...
But you are dead on everything else
by teatech2 on Aug 25, 2011 2:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
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