Mid-Term grades
Verfasst: 08.11.2006, 09:51Going by the numbers, not a lot has changed By Jim Thomas ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/08/2006
There's a new coaching staff and a roster that has had 50 percent turnover since the start of the 2005 season. Nonetheless, the Rams are in the same spot at the midpoint of Scott Linehan's first season as head coach: 4-4.
That's the same record as the team had midway through the 2004 season, too.
Between the 2005 and 2006 squads, the numbers in several areas are so close, it's scary. For example, the 2005 Rams passed for 2,301 yards in their first eight games; the 2006 Rams are at 2,300.
Surprisingly, the Rams have rushed for fewer yards this season (805) than last season (831) despite the greater emphasis placed by Linehan on running the football.
But the most disappointing aspect of the 2006 Rams has been run defense. Despite all the time and money spent rebuilding the defense, the Rams actually are worse against the run this season than they were midway through 2005. The Rams are yielding 5.0 yards per carry and allowing 141.3 yards per game.
If those numbers don't improve markedly, it will be a long November and December.
Quarterbacks
After a slow start, Marc Bulger has made an impressive transition to Linehan's offense and is poised for a career year. He's on pace for 4,600 yards passing, which would be the second-highest total in franchise history, and 26 touchdown passes, which would be sixth-best. Most impressive is his interception total (one). Entering this season, Bulger averaged 1.2 interceptions per game. Despite being smarter with the football, Bulger still is getting the ball downfield. The Rams are averaging 12.4 yards per reception, a half-yard better than last season at this time. There are times when Bulger hangs on to the football too long, and that has contributed to his high sack total (24).
Grade: A-
Running backs
No longer running in the shadow of Marshall Faulk,
Steven Jackson is flourishing in his expanded role under Linehan. Jackson ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (691), fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,103) and third in first downs (52). Critics may think otherwise, but Jackson has done less dancing and been more decisive in his run reads this season. He could do better in the red zone, where his upright running style makes him a big target. The most surprising development in Jackson's game is as a pass-catcher; he leads all NFL running backs in reception yards (412). The Rams haven't gotten much out of backup Stephen Davis, but his role should increase due to Tony Fisher's season-ending knee injury.
Grade: B
Receivers
After a hot start, with seven TD catches in six games,
Torry Holt has been getting extra attention from opposing defenses. The Rams need to keep Holt involved no matter what comes his way from opposing secondaries. Isaac Bruce still has gas in the tank; he's on pace for 70 catches and 1,100 yards and is among the league leaders in yards per catch (15.
, which means he's still getting downfield. Kevin Curtis has gotten more involved in the offense in recent weeks. But Shaun McDonald remains a forgotten man (nine catches), largely because the Rams aren't utilizing four-receiver sets as much this season. At tight end, Joe Klopfenstein has been so-so as a blocker and remains under-utilized as a receiver.
Grade: B
Offensive line
The 24 sacks allowed by the Rams is the ninth-highest total in the league. Granted, several were the result of faulty blocking by tight ends or backs, or Bulger hanging on to the ball too long. Regardless, the sack total is too high. Three sacks a game is not conducive to Bulger's health. To date, the run-blocking has been a disappointment. The Rams have 30 more rushing attempts at this stage of the season compared to 2005, but are averaging only 3.8 yards a carry, down nearly a full yard (0. from a year ago. Center Andy McCollum's season-ending knee injury resulted in some line shuffling, but Richie Incognito has been solid at center considering his inexperience both at the position and in the NFL.
Grade: C
Defensive line
End Leonard Little is tied for eighth in the NFL with seven sacks, but the rest of the front four — starters and subs — has accounted for only 3 1/2 sacks total. That's not nearly good enough. The Rams were hoping Anthony Hargrove would provide a pass-rushing complement to Little, but Hargrove was traded to Buffalo last month after skipping two work days at Rams Park. The run defense has been even more disappointing than the pass rush. An undersized front four has struggled against elite backs and power running teams. Jimmy Kennedy has made his share of plays at nose tackle, but defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wants to see Kennedy work more as an anchor in the middle, clogging up running lanes and occupying blockers.
Grade: D
Linebackers
This is a better unit than the 2005 version, and the improvement would be more apparent were it not for the elbow and hand injuries to Pisa Tinoisamoa. Despite some rough moments against Kansas City and San Diego,
Will Witherspoon has been a significant upgrade at middle linebacker because of his speed, closing ability and instincts. Brandon Chillar has been solid at strongside LB. But the group as a whole needs to cut down on mistakes and misalignments, and maintain its gap discipline. More big plays would be nice, too. The unit has a modest 3 1/2 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries this season.
Grade: C-
Secondary
Like the rest of the defense, the play of the secondary has declined in recent weeks. After registering eight interceptions in the first four games (seven of which were by defensive backs), the Rams haven't picked off a pass in the past four games. Teams are running the ball so well against St. Louis, they haven't been passing as much. San Diego and Kansas City scored 62 points on the Rams' defense but threw only 38 passes total. The Rams are playing more man coverage this season, and doing more blitzing, and that has resulted in some big plays.
Fakhir Brown has proved to be a good pickup at cornerback; youngsters Tye Hill and Oshiomogho Atogwe have been up and down. The decline of Jerametrius Butler remains a puzzler.
Grade: C-
Special teams
Improved production by the offense has led to fewer field goal opportunities for Jeff Wilkins in recent weeks. But he remains on top of his game with just three misses in 23 attempts. Wilkins is tied for second in the NFC in touchbacks on kickoffs (nine). Punter Matt Turk is proving to be one of the team's best offseason pickups. He's ninth in the league in net punting and has displayed a good touch inside the 20. The Rams' punt coverage has been very good; kickoff coverage has been below average, but not terrible. The Rams have gotten next to nothing from their kickoff return game. Shaun McDonald has had a couple of nice punt returns, but overall, the Rams are getting few punt return opportunities.
Grade: B-
Coaching
More than ever before, the NFL has become a turnover league. The teams with the edge in takeaway-giveaway differential are the teams that win games.
Scott Linehan has stressed this from the beginning, and the results have been dramatic. The Rams committed 21 turnovers through eight games last season; they have committed only nine through eight contests this season. It's surprising that the team hasn't benefited more from the improved ball security. Linehan's positive approach and even-keel demeanor have been pluses. There have been a few head-scratchers in terms of game-management and personnel, but overall Linehan has a plan and is well-organized. It's too early to get a read on his motivational skills.
Grade: B-
11/08/2006
There's a new coaching staff and a roster that has had 50 percent turnover since the start of the 2005 season. Nonetheless, the Rams are in the same spot at the midpoint of Scott Linehan's first season as head coach: 4-4.
That's the same record as the team had midway through the 2004 season, too.
Between the 2005 and 2006 squads, the numbers in several areas are so close, it's scary. For example, the 2005 Rams passed for 2,301 yards in their first eight games; the 2006 Rams are at 2,300.
Surprisingly, the Rams have rushed for fewer yards this season (805) than last season (831) despite the greater emphasis placed by Linehan on running the football.
But the most disappointing aspect of the 2006 Rams has been run defense. Despite all the time and money spent rebuilding the defense, the Rams actually are worse against the run this season than they were midway through 2005. The Rams are yielding 5.0 yards per carry and allowing 141.3 yards per game.
If those numbers don't improve markedly, it will be a long November and December.
Quarterbacks
After a slow start, Marc Bulger has made an impressive transition to Linehan's offense and is poised for a career year. He's on pace for 4,600 yards passing, which would be the second-highest total in franchise history, and 26 touchdown passes, which would be sixth-best. Most impressive is his interception total (one). Entering this season, Bulger averaged 1.2 interceptions per game. Despite being smarter with the football, Bulger still is getting the ball downfield. The Rams are averaging 12.4 yards per reception, a half-yard better than last season at this time. There are times when Bulger hangs on to the football too long, and that has contributed to his high sack total (24).
Grade: A-
Running backs
No longer running in the shadow of Marshall Faulk,
Steven Jackson is flourishing in his expanded role under Linehan. Jackson ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (691), fourth in yards from scrimmage (1,103) and third in first downs (52). Critics may think otherwise, but Jackson has done less dancing and been more decisive in his run reads this season. He could do better in the red zone, where his upright running style makes him a big target. The most surprising development in Jackson's game is as a pass-catcher; he leads all NFL running backs in reception yards (412). The Rams haven't gotten much out of backup Stephen Davis, but his role should increase due to Tony Fisher's season-ending knee injury.
Grade: B
Receivers
After a hot start, with seven TD catches in six games,
Torry Holt has been getting extra attention from opposing defenses. The Rams need to keep Holt involved no matter what comes his way from opposing secondaries. Isaac Bruce still has gas in the tank; he's on pace for 70 catches and 1,100 yards and is among the league leaders in yards per catch (15.
, which means he's still getting downfield. Kevin Curtis has gotten more involved in the offense in recent weeks. But Shaun McDonald remains a forgotten man (nine catches), largely because the Rams aren't utilizing four-receiver sets as much this season. At tight end, Joe Klopfenstein has been so-so as a blocker and remains under-utilized as a receiver.Grade: B
Offensive line
The 24 sacks allowed by the Rams is the ninth-highest total in the league. Granted, several were the result of faulty blocking by tight ends or backs, or Bulger hanging on to the ball too long. Regardless, the sack total is too high. Three sacks a game is not conducive to Bulger's health. To date, the run-blocking has been a disappointment. The Rams have 30 more rushing attempts at this stage of the season compared to 2005, but are averaging only 3.8 yards a carry, down nearly a full yard (0.
from a year ago. Center Andy McCollum's season-ending knee injury resulted in some line shuffling, but Richie Incognito has been solid at center considering his inexperience both at the position and in the NFL.Grade: C
Defensive line
End Leonard Little is tied for eighth in the NFL with seven sacks, but the rest of the front four — starters and subs — has accounted for only 3 1/2 sacks total. That's not nearly good enough. The Rams were hoping Anthony Hargrove would provide a pass-rushing complement to Little, but Hargrove was traded to Buffalo last month after skipping two work days at Rams Park. The run defense has been even more disappointing than the pass rush. An undersized front four has struggled against elite backs and power running teams. Jimmy Kennedy has made his share of plays at nose tackle, but defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wants to see Kennedy work more as an anchor in the middle, clogging up running lanes and occupying blockers.
Grade: D
Linebackers
This is a better unit than the 2005 version, and the improvement would be more apparent were it not for the elbow and hand injuries to Pisa Tinoisamoa. Despite some rough moments against Kansas City and San Diego,
Will Witherspoon has been a significant upgrade at middle linebacker because of his speed, closing ability and instincts. Brandon Chillar has been solid at strongside LB. But the group as a whole needs to cut down on mistakes and misalignments, and maintain its gap discipline. More big plays would be nice, too. The unit has a modest 3 1/2 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries this season.
Grade: C-
Secondary
Like the rest of the defense, the play of the secondary has declined in recent weeks. After registering eight interceptions in the first four games (seven of which were by defensive backs), the Rams haven't picked off a pass in the past four games. Teams are running the ball so well against St. Louis, they haven't been passing as much. San Diego and Kansas City scored 62 points on the Rams' defense but threw only 38 passes total. The Rams are playing more man coverage this season, and doing more blitzing, and that has resulted in some big plays.
Fakhir Brown has proved to be a good pickup at cornerback; youngsters Tye Hill and Oshiomogho Atogwe have been up and down. The decline of Jerametrius Butler remains a puzzler.
Grade: C-
Special teams
Improved production by the offense has led to fewer field goal opportunities for Jeff Wilkins in recent weeks. But he remains on top of his game with just three misses in 23 attempts. Wilkins is tied for second in the NFC in touchbacks on kickoffs (nine). Punter Matt Turk is proving to be one of the team's best offseason pickups. He's ninth in the league in net punting and has displayed a good touch inside the 20. The Rams' punt coverage has been very good; kickoff coverage has been below average, but not terrible. The Rams have gotten next to nothing from their kickoff return game. Shaun McDonald has had a couple of nice punt returns, but overall, the Rams are getting few punt return opportunities.
Grade: B-
Coaching
More than ever before, the NFL has become a turnover league. The teams with the edge in takeaway-giveaway differential are the teams that win games.
Scott Linehan has stressed this from the beginning, and the results have been dramatic. The Rams committed 21 turnovers through eight games last season; they have committed only nine through eight contests this season. It's surprising that the team hasn't benefited more from the improved ball security. Linehan's positive approach and even-keel demeanor have been pluses. There have been a few head-scratchers in terms of game-management and personnel, but overall Linehan has a plan and is well-organized. It's too early to get a read on his motivational skills.
Grade: B-