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REPOSTED FROM WV ON huddle
Via bucky, via herd
==========================
Packers' Next Opponent: Rams
Rams could be returning to reality
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 16, 2012
Green Bay - The St. Louis Rams already have won more games than last season, are unbeaten at home and 5-1 against the spread.
Jeff Fisher gutted the roster of former coach Steve Spagnuolo in his first year, opened the season with the youngest team in the National Football League and, after five games, had the Rams (3-2) above .500 for the first time since November 2006.
Is Fisher going to be a shoo-in for NFL coach of the year?
Not so fast, at least according to an executive in personnel who expects the Rams' ship to begin sinking Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Edward Jones Dome.
"It's apparent they are a much improved team from a culture standpoint," the personnel man said. "It's progress, but I think the Rams will come back to earth and people will see that's still not a very good team at certain positions.
"They played really well early in the year. They beat Seattle. But from this point on the Rams will be consistently bad. They'll be 6-10."
Under Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett and Spagnuolo from 2007-'11, the Rams posted the worst winning percentage (.188) of any team in NFL history in a five-year span. Their average record was 3-13.
Against Green Bay, the Rams will be an underdog for the seventh straight game.
"The Rams' offense is struggling now to punch it in," another scout said, predicting a Green Bay victory by 27-17. "They can move the ball a little bit, but based on what I saw the other night the Packers will be too much."
The Packers are coming off a 42-24 drubbing of Houston after being upset in Indianapolis.
"Enough has happened so the Packers should have their focus back," one scout said. "If the quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) is on, there's no reason why he shouldn't throw five touchdown passes.
"You're indoors, you're on a fast track and they can take the crowd out of it early on with some success. The Packers' defense should have Sam Bradford running for his life, and their secondary can handle all the Rams' backup wide receivers. James Jones would be a starter on that team.
"It's another opportunity for the Packers to dominate, and they should dominate. As long as they don't play down to their competition."
The scout called it Green Bay, 35-14.
OFFENSE
SCHEME
Play-calling coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (Marty's son) had the same duties with the Jets from 2006-'11. Schottenheimer prefers double-TE sets to four WRs, frequently runs the ball to the perimeter and strives for balance (run rate is 43.3%). Sunday against Miami, the Rams' output of 476 yards was their highest since Christmas 2006. The Rams are tied for 14th in turnovers (eight), tied for 26th in points (18.3) and 28th in yards (308.7).
RECEIVERS
Danny Amendola, the Rams' version of Wes Welker, hurt his shoulder in Game 5 and could miss another month. Remaining is a cluster of No. 3 and No. 4 WRs. Rookie Chris Givens (5-11, 198) has used his 4.39-second speed in the 40 to blow by defenders on home-run balls. He's raw and not very tough but can be explosive after the catch. Brandon Gibson (6-0, 210), an off-and-on starter since '09, isn't fast (4.61) but has excellent hand-eye coordination and runs precise routes. Replacing Welker in the slot have been former Giant-Eagle Steve Smith (6-0, 195) and Austin Pettis (6-2½, 207), a third-round pick in 2011. Smith hasn't been the same since suffering a knee injury in 2010. Pettis lacks speed (4.59) but is confident and catches everything. Rookie Brian Quick (6-3½, 220), a second-round pick, is struggling with the playbook. TE Lance Kendricks (6-3, 243), a product of Milwaukee King, shifts constantly and is more of a receiver. TE Matthew Mulligan (6-4, 265) does an adequate job blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Position coach Paul Boudreau has worked wonders getting this ragtag outfit to be semi-competitive the last four games. Former Falcon RG Harvey Dahl (6-6, 305), a five-year starter, and C Rob Turner (6-3½, 308) are the only legitimate players. Dahl is tough, aggressive and nasty. However, he's a poor athlete and tends to stop his feet. Turner, who made two starts for the Jets from 2007-'11, is a prideful, resourceful and smart player. He just isn't very athletic and lacks strength as well. LT Wayne Hunter (6-5½, 318) and LG Quinn Ojinnaka (6-4½, 306) are with their fourth teams. Hunter, 31, is big, strong and short-tempered. He has slow hands, poor technique and gets beat wide all the time. Ojinnaka is constantly walked back to the QB because of strength deficiencies and has no answer for foes with a quick first step. He is near reject level. RT Barry Richardson (6-6½, 319) started the past two years for the Chiefs before they let him walk; the Rams gave him a $100,000 bonus in mid-May. He does have bulk and long arms, but he's slow afoot and isn't a battler.
QUARTERBACKS
Sam Bradford (6-4½, 228) is one of the game's top young quarterbacks despite his 11-21 starting record and career passer rating of 75.4 (81.3 this year). Bradford is bright (36 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), poised, tough and a strong leader. Despite having a terrible supporting cast other than Steven Jackson since arriving as the top pick in the 2010 draft, Bradford hasn't complained. He throws very well on the move and his deep-ball accuracy has been outstanding this year. He's also made a conscious effort to move more in the pocket and take off when openings present themselves. He already has 58 yards rushing after having had 89 in his first two years. A year ago Tuesday, Bradford suffered a high ankle sprain on the final play of a 24-3 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field that affected him all season. He is healthy now. Kellen Clemens (6-1½, 220), who is 4-8 with a career rating of 63.1, is No. 2. He's a dink-and-dunker who tends to wilt under pressure.
RUNNING BACKS
For the first time in his illustrious career RB Steven Jackson (6-1½, 236) is splitting time. His rookie counterpart, Daryl Richardson (5-10½, 196), is a seventh-round pick from Abilene Christian with 4.46 speed, explosion, good hands and a hard nose for his size. Blitz pickup is his weakness. Jackson, 29, might have lost half a step but remains a premier threat pounding inside, gliding off tackle and catching a variety of routes. FB Brit Miller (6-0, 253) is OK.
DEFENSE
SCHEME
Minus suspended coordinator Gregg Williams, coach Jeff Fisher is using LB coach Blake Williams, Gregg's 27-year-old son, to make the calls with aid from veteran assistants Dave McGinnis and Chuck Cecil. It's a 4-3 front with mostly zone coverage and more blitzing this month than last month. There are seven new starters for a unit that hasn't had a top-10 finish since '99. The Rams rank fifth in points (18.5), seventh in yards (311.5) and tied for 16th in takeaways (nine).
DEFENSIVE LINE
LE Chris Long (6-3, 276), the second pick in '08, has made significant strides the past two years and rates as a major threat. He's tenacious, strong, fairly explosive and smart (Wonderlic of 34). His array of pass-rush moves continues to expand. RE Robert Quinn (6-4, 265), the 14th pick in '11, uses 4.64 speed and a fast first step to fly off the edge. He also has the flexibility to dip under LTs. However, his overall game needs tightening and he gets belted against the run. LDT Kendall Langford (6-5½, 295), a Dolphins starter from 2008-'11, lacks burst to the QB but is solid at the point. Rookie RDT Michael Brockers (6-5, 322), the 14th pick, fell behind (ankle injury) but has been back since Sept. 30 and is settling in. Betrayed by fundamentals, he's just OK against double teams. As a rusher, he’s all power and does get push. Former Titan DE William Hayes (6-3, 272), who has eight career sacks, and DE Eugene Sims (6-4½, 250), a sixth-round pick in ’10, often play DT on passing downs. The speedy Sims can disrupt. NT Kellen Heard (6-6, 339) and DT Jermelle Cudjo (6-2, 311) have positives and augment a strong eight-man rotation.
LINEBACKERS
MLB James Laurinaitis (6-2, 247), a second-round pick in '09, has always led the team in tackles and runs the defense. He plays faster than he timed (4.77), holds his own in coverage, is relentless to the ball and really knows the game. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (6-0½, 237), a part-time starter in New Orleans, also plays every down and has been a pleasant surprise. He's fiery, a hard hitter and powerful for his size. He’s much better flowing than getting off blocks. Rocky McIntosh (6-2, 242) signed a minimum-salary deal in June to replace departed SLB Brady Poppinga. A starter from 2007-'11 for the Redskins, McIntosh isn't a playmaker but he is smart (Wonderlic of 31) and, at 29, still runs pretty well.
SECONDARY
Last year, the Rams started Josh Gordy, Justin King, Rod Hood and Al Harris at CB. The results were horrendous. They're all gone, replaced by former Titan Cortland Finnegan (5-9½, 188) and rookie Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 193), a second-round pick. Finnegan, 28, is Pro Bowl caliber because of his 4.4 speed, man-to-man skills, big-play capacity and rugged run support. He pushes and shoves and trash talks all the time and tries to get under the skin of opponents. On passing downs, he becomes a dangerous blitzer and knifing tackler from the slot. Jenkins has been compared to former Titan Pacman Jones because of his sensational talent, swagger and off-field problems. Jenkins isn't nearly as tough as Finnegan but probably has even more ability and can blanket some WRs. He closes fast and can really change directions. However, Jenkins guesses way too much, gives up long passes and compromises the defense with his lack of discipline. Nickel back Bradley Fletcher (6-0, 200), a third-round pick in ’09, runs 4.46, has a 40-inch vertical jump and started in '10. He lacks feel but holds his own in zones. Rookie dime back Trumaine Johnson (6-2, 204), a third-round pick, needs development. SS Quintin Mikell (5-10, 204), a former Eagle, and FS Craig Dahl (6-1½, 209), an off-and-on starter since '09, are a lot better playing run than pass. Mikell, 32, is tough, cagey and slow. Dahl is a limited hustler.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie K Greg Zuerlein, a sixth-round pick, made his first 15 FGs before missing his last three (52, 37, 66) in Miami. Counting exhibitions, he is 8 for 11 from 50-plus. His range is unreal. Lanky rookie P Johnny Hekker is OK. The return game, especially the erratic Jenkins on punts, is poor.
JUST PISSES ME OFF, JUST DOES
Via bucky, via herd
==========================
Packers' Next Opponent: Rams
Rams could be returning to reality
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 16, 2012
Green Bay - The St. Louis Rams already have won more games than last season, are unbeaten at home and 5-1 against the spread.
Jeff Fisher gutted the roster of former coach Steve Spagnuolo in his first year, opened the season with the youngest team in the National Football League and, after five games, had the Rams (3-2) above .500 for the first time since November 2006.
Is Fisher going to be a shoo-in for NFL coach of the year?
Not so fast, at least according to an executive in personnel who expects the Rams' ship to begin sinking Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Edward Jones Dome.
"It's apparent they are a much improved team from a culture standpoint," the personnel man said. "It's progress, but I think the Rams will come back to earth and people will see that's still not a very good team at certain positions.
"They played really well early in the year. They beat Seattle. But from this point on the Rams will be consistently bad. They'll be 6-10."
Under Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett and Spagnuolo from 2007-'11, the Rams posted the worst winning percentage (.188) of any team in NFL history in a five-year span. Their average record was 3-13.
Against Green Bay, the Rams will be an underdog for the seventh straight game.
"The Rams' offense is struggling now to punch it in," another scout said, predicting a Green Bay victory by 27-17. "They can move the ball a little bit, but based on what I saw the other night the Packers will be too much."
The Packers are coming off a 42-24 drubbing of Houston after being upset in Indianapolis.
"Enough has happened so the Packers should have their focus back," one scout said. "If the quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) is on, there's no reason why he shouldn't throw five touchdown passes.
"You're indoors, you're on a fast track and they can take the crowd out of it early on with some success. The Packers' defense should have Sam Bradford running for his life, and their secondary can handle all the Rams' backup wide receivers. James Jones would be a starter on that team.
"It's another opportunity for the Packers to dominate, and they should dominate. As long as they don't play down to their competition."
The scout called it Green Bay, 35-14.
OFFENSE
SCHEME
Play-calling coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (Marty's son) had the same duties with the Jets from 2006-'11. Schottenheimer prefers double-TE sets to four WRs, frequently runs the ball to the perimeter and strives for balance (run rate is 43.3%). Sunday against Miami, the Rams' output of 476 yards was their highest since Christmas 2006. The Rams are tied for 14th in turnovers (eight), tied for 26th in points (18.3) and 28th in yards (308.7).
RECEIVERS
Danny Amendola, the Rams' version of Wes Welker, hurt his shoulder in Game 5 and could miss another month. Remaining is a cluster of No. 3 and No. 4 WRs. Rookie Chris Givens (5-11, 198) has used his 4.39-second speed in the 40 to blow by defenders on home-run balls. He's raw and not very tough but can be explosive after the catch. Brandon Gibson (6-0, 210), an off-and-on starter since '09, isn't fast (4.61) but has excellent hand-eye coordination and runs precise routes. Replacing Welker in the slot have been former Giant-Eagle Steve Smith (6-0, 195) and Austin Pettis (6-2½, 207), a third-round pick in 2011. Smith hasn't been the same since suffering a knee injury in 2010. Pettis lacks speed (4.59) but is confident and catches everything. Rookie Brian Quick (6-3½, 220), a second-round pick, is struggling with the playbook. TE Lance Kendricks (6-3, 243), a product of Milwaukee King, shifts constantly and is more of a receiver. TE Matthew Mulligan (6-4, 265) does an adequate job blocking.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Position coach Paul Boudreau has worked wonders getting this ragtag outfit to be semi-competitive the last four games. Former Falcon RG Harvey Dahl (6-6, 305), a five-year starter, and C Rob Turner (6-3½, 308) are the only legitimate players. Dahl is tough, aggressive and nasty. However, he's a poor athlete and tends to stop his feet. Turner, who made two starts for the Jets from 2007-'11, is a prideful, resourceful and smart player. He just isn't very athletic and lacks strength as well. LT Wayne Hunter (6-5½, 318) and LG Quinn Ojinnaka (6-4½, 306) are with their fourth teams. Hunter, 31, is big, strong and short-tempered. He has slow hands, poor technique and gets beat wide all the time. Ojinnaka is constantly walked back to the QB because of strength deficiencies and has no answer for foes with a quick first step. He is near reject level. RT Barry Richardson (6-6½, 319) started the past two years for the Chiefs before they let him walk; the Rams gave him a $100,000 bonus in mid-May. He does have bulk and long arms, but he's slow afoot and isn't a battler.
QUARTERBACKS
Sam Bradford (6-4½, 228) is one of the game's top young quarterbacks despite his 11-21 starting record and career passer rating of 75.4 (81.3 this year). Bradford is bright (36 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), poised, tough and a strong leader. Despite having a terrible supporting cast other than Steven Jackson since arriving as the top pick in the 2010 draft, Bradford hasn't complained. He throws very well on the move and his deep-ball accuracy has been outstanding this year. He's also made a conscious effort to move more in the pocket and take off when openings present themselves. He already has 58 yards rushing after having had 89 in his first two years. A year ago Tuesday, Bradford suffered a high ankle sprain on the final play of a 24-3 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field that affected him all season. He is healthy now. Kellen Clemens (6-1½, 220), who is 4-8 with a career rating of 63.1, is No. 2. He's a dink-and-dunker who tends to wilt under pressure.
RUNNING BACKS
For the first time in his illustrious career RB Steven Jackson (6-1½, 236) is splitting time. His rookie counterpart, Daryl Richardson (5-10½, 196), is a seventh-round pick from Abilene Christian with 4.46 speed, explosion, good hands and a hard nose for his size. Blitz pickup is his weakness. Jackson, 29, might have lost half a step but remains a premier threat pounding inside, gliding off tackle and catching a variety of routes. FB Brit Miller (6-0, 253) is OK.
DEFENSE
SCHEME
Minus suspended coordinator Gregg Williams, coach Jeff Fisher is using LB coach Blake Williams, Gregg's 27-year-old son, to make the calls with aid from veteran assistants Dave McGinnis and Chuck Cecil. It's a 4-3 front with mostly zone coverage and more blitzing this month than last month. There are seven new starters for a unit that hasn't had a top-10 finish since '99. The Rams rank fifth in points (18.5), seventh in yards (311.5) and tied for 16th in takeaways (nine).
DEFENSIVE LINE
LE Chris Long (6-3, 276), the second pick in '08, has made significant strides the past two years and rates as a major threat. He's tenacious, strong, fairly explosive and smart (Wonderlic of 34). His array of pass-rush moves continues to expand. RE Robert Quinn (6-4, 265), the 14th pick in '11, uses 4.64 speed and a fast first step to fly off the edge. He also has the flexibility to dip under LTs. However, his overall game needs tightening and he gets belted against the run. LDT Kendall Langford (6-5½, 295), a Dolphins starter from 2008-'11, lacks burst to the QB but is solid at the point. Rookie RDT Michael Brockers (6-5, 322), the 14th pick, fell behind (ankle injury) but has been back since Sept. 30 and is settling in. Betrayed by fundamentals, he's just OK against double teams. As a rusher, he’s all power and does get push. Former Titan DE William Hayes (6-3, 272), who has eight career sacks, and DE Eugene Sims (6-4½, 250), a sixth-round pick in ’10, often play DT on passing downs. The speedy Sims can disrupt. NT Kellen Heard (6-6, 339) and DT Jermelle Cudjo (6-2, 311) have positives and augment a strong eight-man rotation.
LINEBACKERS
MLB James Laurinaitis (6-2, 247), a second-round pick in '09, has always led the team in tackles and runs the defense. He plays faster than he timed (4.77), holds his own in coverage, is relentless to the ball and really knows the game. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (6-0½, 237), a part-time starter in New Orleans, also plays every down and has been a pleasant surprise. He's fiery, a hard hitter and powerful for his size. He’s much better flowing than getting off blocks. Rocky McIntosh (6-2, 242) signed a minimum-salary deal in June to replace departed SLB Brady Poppinga. A starter from 2007-'11 for the Redskins, McIntosh isn't a playmaker but he is smart (Wonderlic of 31) and, at 29, still runs pretty well.
SECONDARY
Last year, the Rams started Josh Gordy, Justin King, Rod Hood and Al Harris at CB. The results were horrendous. They're all gone, replaced by former Titan Cortland Finnegan (5-9½, 188) and rookie Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 193), a second-round pick. Finnegan, 28, is Pro Bowl caliber because of his 4.4 speed, man-to-man skills, big-play capacity and rugged run support. He pushes and shoves and trash talks all the time and tries to get under the skin of opponents. On passing downs, he becomes a dangerous blitzer and knifing tackler from the slot. Jenkins has been compared to former Titan Pacman Jones because of his sensational talent, swagger and off-field problems. Jenkins isn't nearly as tough as Finnegan but probably has even more ability and can blanket some WRs. He closes fast and can really change directions. However, Jenkins guesses way too much, gives up long passes and compromises the defense with his lack of discipline. Nickel back Bradley Fletcher (6-0, 200), a third-round pick in ’09, runs 4.46, has a 40-inch vertical jump and started in '10. He lacks feel but holds his own in zones. Rookie dime back Trumaine Johnson (6-2, 204), a third-round pick, needs development. SS Quintin Mikell (5-10, 204), a former Eagle, and FS Craig Dahl (6-1½, 209), an off-and-on starter since '09, are a lot better playing run than pass. Mikell, 32, is tough, cagey and slow. Dahl is a limited hustler.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie K Greg Zuerlein, a sixth-round pick, made his first 15 FGs before missing his last three (52, 37, 66) in Miami. Counting exhibitions, he is 8 for 11 from 50-plus. His range is unreal. Lanky rookie P Johnny Hekker is OK. The return game, especially the erratic Jenkins on punts, is poor.
JUST PISSES ME OFF, JUST DOES
