Bulger’s silence damages himself and his team
Marc Bulger is doing himself, and his team, a disservice by refusing to talk with reporters — and, by extension, the fans — since being benched by coach Scott Linehan earlier this week. Bulger is a bright, thoughtful guy who could find the right words, however disdainful or diplomatic he might choose to be, to address the situation.
Instead, he’s coming across as a combination of petulant, puerile, bitter and self-centered. And that’s not the Marc Bulger we’ve come to know, the one who has been consistently classy and unafraid to stand up and face the heat, no matter how difficult the situation.
On Thursday, Steven Jackson piped up on his radio show, calling Bulger’s benching the “wrong decision,”and adding, “I’m not the only one (in the locker room) who feels this way.”
If Bulger had spoken up for himself, Jackson might not have been inclined to fan the flames. And now, word is circulating that Bulger no longer wants to play for Linehan, which would be a damning indictment of the head coach.
But, is it true?
We don’t know, because Bulger remains silent. And as a result the situation crumbles even further with an unbeaten opponent coming to town. Not the best atmosphere in which to try to crawl out of an 0-3 hole.
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About 90 minutes after skipping his usual post-practice get-together with reporters Friday, Linehan came down to the media room at Rams Park and took questions. The highlights will be included in our stories on STLtoday.com and in the Post-Dispatch, but here are some excerpts:
*On how he keeps his focus amid the turmoil swirling about the team:
“That’s my job, No. 1. It’s also the kind of way I’ve always been. Things are never going to be always the way you want them. You have to stay focused, you have to focus on the job at hand. The Buffalo game is all that matters to me. . . . You have to maintain that perspective; otherwise you get caught up in things that are just not productive.”
*On how he expects the offense to respond to Trent Green:
“I’m excited to see what it’ll be. I don’t know until we play the game, but I’m excited to see how we play Sunday.”
*On his relationship with Torry Holt:
“I think it’s great. Torry’s been working really hard. I think he’s done a great job of communicating and leading and doing some of the things that we need at this point. We need our leaders to step up, we need guys that have natural leadership skills at a time like this to really step up and so some things.”
All for now . . .
I’m sorry your wrong about Bulger. Seriously what is he gonna say? Everyone knows why Linehan benched him, he’s being made out as a scarpegoat for everything that is wrong w/ this team. Why didn’t Linehan leave Bulger in there make the changes that he made and see what happens on Sunday. By a certain point in the game if thing where not working out then make the change at quarterback. He benched Bulger then made all these changes that says alot right there. I can’t blame Bulger for not wanting to talk to you guys, that’s his right I think. This team was going down long before any of this happened this just blew everything wide open. Linehan made the wrong move and everyone knows it.
Bulger’s qb rating is better than Peyton Mannings, and I don’t see Peyton being benched do you? The colts aren’t playing that great and I don’t see them making dumb stupid moves that Linehan is making. Linehan has hit the panic button and he doesn’t care who he takes down with him.
As for the comments that he made this afternoon someone tell him take off the rosed colored glasses.
Bulger’s silence says all that needs to be said. In any other circumstance, if such controversial sentiments such as no longer wanting to play for your head coach were attributed to you, you would have to step up and vehemently deny them or risk the perception that such sentiments are true.
Bulger is letting Jackson (and maybe Holt behind the scenes) fight his battles for him…and he’s losing the battles, especially those of public perception.
No matter who the head coach is, the tail cannot wag the dog. If you want a trade or release, be a man and speak up. Otherwise, step forward and tell Jackson to shut his pie hole.
bulger deserves to be benched and if you would really be watching his play even when he has time to throw you would agrre …pay attention… open your eyes
This article is lame. No Bulger isn’t damaging himself. He’s smart enough to stay out of the Barnum & Bailey Ram Circus for now. He needs to stay silent until the clown act(Linehan) is over before he steps out. Linehan needs to find some of that silence himself because not only is he blowing any future chance of becoming an NFL headcoach again, he has blown any future chance of becoming a studio analyst(like that would really ever happen) by sounding so stupid when the media quotes him. Holt doesn’t like him and we know it but Linehan thinks they have a decent relationship. Honestly, besides the Rams organization looking weaker and weaker by doing nothing, Linehan is developing a reputation of being a sports equivalent to the dorky former VP Dan Quayle!
BULGER IS PLAYING LIKE JIM(CHRIS) EVERETT USE TO BACK IN THE DAY. HE HAS LOST HIS NERVE AND WHEN YOU MAKE 40 MILLION TO PLAY YOU OWE IT TO YOUR TEAM TO BE A MAN.
This entire team hates Linehan, isn’t that obvious to everyone by now? I won’t get all conspiracy-like and say that the players are deliberately throwing games to make Linehan look bad, but is that really out of the realm of possibility? There’s simply too much talent on this team to be playing this badly, unless it’s a conscious decision.
There isn’t a single player on this team that has one iota of respect for Linehan. You watch. When the Rams get creamed on Sunday by Buffalo (and they will), and Linehan is shoved overboard Monday or Tuesday, you watch. There’s a whole Bye week to let it sink in and re-adjust. If Linehan is canned after Sunday, I guarantee a competitive game against the Redskins, if not an outright victory.
Linehan is the problem. Period.
So Marc Bulger doesn’t speak to the media and that makes him public enemy #1. I was taught if you don’t have nothing nice to say, than don’t say anything at all. How many times have the media and fans alike blasted Jackson for opening his mouth. On top of that if Bulger does speak to the media they will only twist his words anyways.
On Bulger getting bench yeah that was a bad move and he’s definitely the scapegoat now. Now Coach linehan wants to start Avery and do all these different things. Is Marc Bulger struggling yes, but come on he gotten sacked at least 10 times in over 3 games and hit at least 5 more times, his line gets him killed the first to two games but since they did a decent job in week 3 and Bulger struggles in that game he’s the only one to get bench. How about bench Jackson, bench Holt, bench the line, just to single out the QB is a load of crap. Anyone thought if the O-Line had been blocking in the first 2 games maybe the outcome would be different. Besides that they still didn’t opening up any running lanes in week 3 which still made them one dimensional.
We can pontificate about the myriad problems with this team until they win a game or pigs fly (not sure which we’ll see first) but the Rams will never return to elite status unless and until they start drafting well! Great teams start with great drafts!!
Bulger hasn’t looked like a $60 million QB for a long time. I hope he is declining interviews so he can go out and practice. He needs to get back to the simple basics and improve his accuracy. He has been missing some wide open targets and his balls haven’t been placed so that receivers have a chance at YAC. He also has never been good at lofting the deep ball so it arcs over a db. If Bulger went to a team with a superb OL I don’t think he would be a top tier QB. Not the way he throws and his inability to check out of plays when the defense has called the right play. Have you ever noticed that the Rams hardly ever shift once the QB comes to the line and reads the defense. Other teams that are doing well right now have QB’s that do this all the time. (McNabb, Romo, Peyton /Eli, Rogers, Warner, Hasselbeck) I think Bulger is way too silent when he is leading this team on the field. Look at Garcia for TB. If any QB should have a chip it should be him. He lead the Eagles to the playoffs and they dump him. Last year he took TB to playoffs and they bench him. Yes he was pissed but he got over it. I heard him a few days later on Sirus NFL saying he would do anything he could to support the team. Bulger has never been strong enough to act this way.
I DON’T KNOW WHO THE BULGER FANS HAVE BEEN WATCHING,BUT THIS GUY SUCKS,HE MISSES WIDE OPEN RECIEVERS,HE DOESN’T HAVE IT PERIOD,
OFF THE SUBJECT OF BULGER, CAN ANY COACH ON THE RAMS TEACH JACKSON TO RUN DOWN HILL INSTEAD OF ALL OF HIS JUMP TO THE SIDE AND RESTART MOVES. HE IS REALY OVER RATED AS A RUNNER.
WAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAA The scene at the Bulger house!
Dear Mr. Rosenbloom,
Please show your Devoted, Loyal fans that you have as much love for your franchise that we do and FIRE LINEHAN ALREADY !
It’s obvious that he has lost the respect of his players and most fans. The Loyal,Devoted fans are currently disappointed but will be there for our team when this situation is corrected.
Respectfully Submitted.
This, coming from a reporter who consistently makes mistake after mistake after mistake. And the most basic of matters that need to be required knowledge, like saying Antonio Pittman was an undrafted free agent when doing a profile on him, and so many others. Mr. Coats, you do good work from time to time, but not good enough to take shots at other people for not wanting to talk to you. Why should they trust you when you make so many errors?
The general on the Rams is our coach and he did the best thing for the club and it doesn’t matter what Bulger thinks because he is a part of a team and if he has forgotten that than he doesn’t need to be a Ram any longer and as far as Jacksons concerned I would already be looking to trade him and if they don’t than good luck if you fire Linehan because a big name coach needs the team to back him 100 % and that includes the players. And so why would another coach want to get on board.
Sounds like Jackson just trying to cause trouble to me. He knows he is not a Good running back and it is bothering him, and he has to strike back and get the attention off himself. It won’t work JACK……You are and will always be a lousy back. Go to Dallas or Oakland. They love guys like you!
I don’t blame Bulger. He is a great QB. He is being made into a scapegoat for the team’s woes. It is difficult for any QB to throw if he is on his back. There is only Pace on the front line (when he is healthy). There is no motivation coming from the front office and management and coaching. Bulger is probably glad he doesn’t have to get beat up for one week.
ramsfancr
I think there is nothing for Bulger to say about being benched. Obviously he is upset, and disappointed. If he is portrayed negatively it is the media trying to spin the situation to up their veiwer/readership. Leave the guy alone, and alow him some space to be pissed.
Sounds like the reporters are doing the crying. Stop being babies. Bulger has nothing nice to say so he won’t say nothing at all. I respect that. You reporters go pick on someone else that will give you work to do.
IT IS NOT MARC BULGER YOU WILL FIND OUT WHEN THEY PLAY BUFFALO.
IT ALL START’S AT O-LINE THEY CAN’T BLOCK ANYBODY. I DON’T
CARE IF YOU PUT THE BEST QUARTERBACK IN THERE THEY WILL GET THE
SOME THING WANT MARC BULGER GETTEN.STEVEN JACKSON AND TORRY HOLT
AS THE RIGHT TO SPEAK OUT.THEY KNOW WHAT’S IS GOING ON.
LINEHAN NEEDS TO GO.
BRAD POE
Bulger is just shell shocked. Stands too long in the pocket. Misses open receivers. He would rather eat the ball (take the sack) than throwing the ball out of bounds (protecting QB rating)to take an incomplete. Really, no chance of Bulger being called for intentional grounding because that means an attempt at getting rid of the ball.
Never been a fan. Large contract was a mystery. QB rating is only part of the equation. He can’t win when it matters. Now he can’t win at all. Rams gave up on Kurt Warner way too soon… few (really) bad games, and the bandwagon folks jump off. I hope Arizona Cardinals makes the playoffs and Warner takes them to the promise land.
Now Green is given a second chance with the Rams… I really hope it works out better for him this time. Trent has always been a class act.
I think Bulger is showing some class by keeping his feelings and opinions to himself,Things are bad enogh .His team mates know how he feels thats all who need to know
You would think Bulger would have learned from the classy man he benched, but no. Marc Bulger has let the money get to his head, he can’t hold Kurt Warners’ jock strap.
I’ll guess we’ll find out today won’t we? If the offense is able to move the ball with ANY kind of consistency then maybe Bulger is a big part of the problem. If not, then maybe it doesn’t matter who plays QB for this team. Regardless, a change was in order to at least find out one way or another.
The likeness between Marc Bulger and Jim (Chrissy) Everett is like peanuts and peanut butter, they are one in the same. Those fans that never watch Everett transform into a shell of a man, don’t get it. Bulger is DONE!
How come Linehan is still the Coach of the Rams.
First Rams game I ever saw had Roman Gabriel throwing to Jack Snow. I remember the lean years, the Ground Chuck years, the John Robinson years….but I have NEVER seen a Rams team or any other team as poorly coached as this years Rams team. Sorry Scott, time to go. Start over now and try to salvage something in this #1 draft pick season….
bulger’s silence damages himself and his team. yeah, right. the only thing that’s damaged is coats’s reputation given this amateurish stab at reverse psychology. as if bulger will read this tripe, come to his senses, and sing like a bird. bulger handled the sitch perfectly and with complete class.
I am a die-hard Rams fan now living in Texas. As you can probably imagine, I am suffocated by the accomplishments of the Dallas Cowboys week-by-week and by what appears to be a dismal St. Louis Rams team. Having read many of the comments over the web, I can say there are many problems that plague this team. Do I believe that benching Marc Bulger was the right move…truth-be-told, yes. Do I believe that Trent Green is a viable option at QB…no. I have watched Marc over the years and his accuracy is dimenishing. I can attribute his sub-par passer rating to an offensive line that isn’t getting it done. However, Marc has struggled with the impact of being sacked 10 times in three games. Simply put, he is shell-shocked and that isn’t something that you can get over because your offensive line provides you a little more time in one game. In my opinion, if the rumors about him not wanting to play for Scott Linehan are true, I’d have to question his loyalty to the team. He has spoken week after week, taking responsibility for not getting it done; however, it decides not to want the consequences of not getting it done. Sure, the manner by which it happened appeared to make him a scapegoat, but if this were basketball and a player consistently wasn’t getting it done, would we be analysing a coaches decision to bench him? A short-term benching may emphasize the seriousness within certain players by inspiring them to step up.
I love Torry Holt, but without a second receiver that commands attention like Ike Bruce did, Torry has struggled and will continue to do so. The Rams haven’t been able to get him in the game plan because defenses are doubling him up. Our running game also suffers, which again is driven by the success of the offensive line. Contrary to popular belief, Steven Jackson is a force to be reckoned with, but he has to be reactive to the success of the O-line. He can’t block for himself and make holes. Even the great Barry Sanders suffered from the same problems.
Sure, this team is talented. So are the other 31 teams, as this is the NFL. I believe the team lacks confidence, leadership and a commitment to themselves. Most of all, they lack an identity that they could feel proud of. Everyone from the media to their fans have had nothing positive to say and with the performances over the first four weeks of the season, the derogatory comments are warranted. I will say that the entire organization needs an overhaul. I do not have unrealistic expectations that suggest that they will right the ship by firing Scott Linehan, given years of poor draft decisions. Yet, I am hopeful. Scott should not have been in that position to start with. Taking a look at Jim Haslett…he is likewise, part of the problem. If he couldn’t motivate our defense what would make me believe that he could inspire an entire team? What needs to happen is that we rally around this team because I remember how it was when the Cardinals packed up and moved to Arizona. We also need action and less lip-service pertaining to people taking ownership. Everyone on the team needs to take ownership, because it’s a team sport and not an individual effort.
I totally agree with MB Fan now that Linehan is gone put Bulger back. Why are you paying “HOW MANY” Mil a year to have him on the bench? I think if Bulger would of played sunday it wouldn’t of been any worse , it would of better at least the same stats but probably better. Both Jackson and Holt believe in him and probably the whole starting team. IfBulger speaks up then they say he is whinning or something else, he is a class act and doesn’t need the drama.
Bulger has never been a leader. In the past, we had Faulk to lead the team in the right direction. Now that leadership falls on Jackson and although he’s a good player, he’s not what I want leading my team.
Exactly as others say no meaning for you to beat on Bulger, just something for you to throw out. . Bulger doesn’t have to talk and indict Lineham. Well known he would be gone if lose #4 and he is.