Hill, Draft in; other changes pending
Scott Linehan confirmed after practice Wednesday that cornerback Tye Hill would be back with the first unit and that Chris Draft would replace Quinton Culberson at strongside linebacker. Hill takes over for Fakhir Brown, who was released Wednesday morning. Hill started the first two games, struggled, and Brown got the call last Sunday at Seattle.
In practice, tackle Clifton Ryan and defensive end Victor Adeyanju took a significant number of reps with the first team. But Linehan said any changes to the front four would be determined later and be based mainly by how Leonard Little progresses in his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered on the fourth play of the season-opener at Philadelphia.
If Little is able to play Sunday vs. Buffalo — and he said Wednesday he thinks he probably can — Chris Long moves back to the right side and James Hall returns to his backup role. But if Little can’t go, Adeyanju could get the call to man the left side, his natural position. That would leave Long in his natural spot, too, at right end, with Hall in reserve.
Ryan got a lot of work vs. the Seahawks, and he might be in line for his first start in his two seasons as a pro. The Rams have been pounded on the ground the last two games, and while vet La’Roi Glover remains an effective pass-rusher, Ryan probably is more effective vs. the run.
All for now . . .
I have been a Rams fan for over 40 years and yes they are very bad this year but the cry baby whining from all the fans. You cry that they make changes and when they do- you whine about that. I feel the talent is there it is just being misused. ‘Spoon is not a Mike LB but an attack Will LB, Carriker should be moved back to DE we are wasting his talent inside, be creative with Long- let him stand up on passing downs line him up all over. Biggest mistake was that they missed out on all the run stuffing DT’s during the offseason.
The Bulger sitting is because he is pressing, he will be back as starter in a game or 2. He is still a very good QB and don’t think about trading him! He is shell shocked like Everett and Warner were. They have too much invested to do otherwise.
I do feel like they need to clean house at the end of the season with mgmt and coaches but we should wait until we know what mgmt and coaching talent will be available at seasons end. The next coach should have a defense background- way too many years of offense minded coaches.
This team is sad, but that starts from the top. We need to have the top execs run the team from rams park with an everyday feel for whats going on with the team, not from LA where there is no personal communication. Thats just wishful thinking though.
Tye hill I thought would be better at this point in his career. I wont say that he is sorry but he needs a lot of work. With that 4.2 speed there is np way he should be getting burnt by anyone with equal or lesser speed…
I guess I’ll have to wait to see what happens this sunday against buffalo this weekend could possibly make or break linny and the crew…the players better show a little more effort b/c if they don’t expect more pink slips!
I thought when an NFL team had a losing season (like 3-10) they got an easier schedule the next year. The Rams are playing last year playoff teams in 7 of their first 10 games. Many of them are unbeaten this year. Did the NFL change this? I guess they did.
I thought Lanahan was being wrongly faulted sometimes. Until the game where he wins the toss and elects to kick off. Who does that??
No one wanted Mike Martz but now he sure looks a lot better then what we have.
Bruce is something like 4th in the league in receptions this year. He was really washed up wasn’t he? More horrible thinking.
I like how when Long moved to RE they all were saying, “at least it is his natural position…” , now he is moving back to LE which I guess is his natural position?? I’m confused.
I do think that Linehan is sometimes wrongfully credited with the team’s disasters. I feel upper management is more to blame, or at least should be blamed first, and also the players, namely the O-line and running back (along with their indiviual coaches). AND THE ENTIRE DEFENSE!!!! Another thing, if players are “tanking” the season, or “not playing hard” intentionally for the coach, and if Linehan in fact feels this way, quite frankly he should be chewing out some butts…..”ON CAMERA!!!!” (the players sure aren’t scared to show him up on live tv!!!!) Also, sit the one’s he feels this way about. If he doesn’t show any emotion towards his players lack of effort, then we as fans are too assume that everything is alright and the coach and management simply just don’t have a clue. Peace.
That’s a start, but I’ll finish it:
D-Line: Long, Ryan, Carriker, Adeyanju
LB’s: WLB- Witherspoon (his natural position), MLB- Culberson (his natural position), SLB- Draft with a look at Stills
D-Backs: Hill, Atogwe, Johnson, Bartell
Chavous and Glover are way past their time; Tinoisamoa needs the time-out maybe more than Bulger.
On offense, yank Goldberg- go with one of the rookies. At WR, start Avery opposite Holt and use Looker in the slot until Burton gets back. And at C, go with Romberg. If there’s no improvement, move Incognito to C and Greco at RG.
What do the Rams have to lose? 13 more games and their fan base? I think that’s almost a given. Oh yeah, MAJOR F.O. shakeup.
These are the “Changes” Chip promised us? This is Linehan just trying to shift the blame. Trent is a great guy and I think if he hadn’t gotten injured we still would have won a superbowl but I hope his insurance is paid up now. Let’s hope he survives the season in one piece with all of his mental facaulties still in tact.
Linehan should have been fired by now. I haven’t come across one true Ram fan that doesn’t want Linehan’s head yet. FIRE LINEHAN.
I thought the same thing Joe. Long has a monster game playing the other side vs SEattle but now, with the possibility of Little coming back they want to move Long back? How does that make sense? You want to improve our LB core? Make Little a LB…or Long…or someone that weighs more than 200 lbs and that can tackle. And cover.
Tye Hill is starting? Wow. I mean, come on, if I was covering an NFL player for 20 passes, there’s a fair chance he’d drop two–the same amount players Hill covers have not caught. You have got to be kidding.
And let’s face it, as long as Linehan is on the sidelines, this team will not expend any effort whatsoever.