New starting RB Darby critiques himself
Kenneth Darby, the former Alabama RB who is expected to start for the Rams on Sunday at the Meadowlands, is confident, but also humble. He even seems to enjoy a bit of self-deprecation now and then. Consider these responses this week, as Darby prepared to take over for the hobbled Steven Jackson:
*On trying to learn the Rams offense in just three weeks: “It’s been pretty good. Art Valero, our running backs coach, is a great teacher, and he’s taught me pretty much the whole system. The only thing I have to do now is polish up in certain areas. Even though I mess up now and then, that’s normal. I’m not messing up as bad as I thought I would when I first got here.”
*On starting his first NFL game: “The opportunity I’m getting this Sunday is very rare for most guys. Especially for a guy of my caliber.”
Darby has shown in practice that he has some juice, and if he gets some room upfront, he could do some damage. He had a terrific junior season at Bama before injuries and family difficulties hindered his senior year. The Rams might’ve unearthed a diamond in the rough here.
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Notes & quotes:
*Cardinals CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who slammed WR Torry Holt to the ground after a play last week, was fined $5,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness.
*Holt has taken to wearing different uniform numbers during Friday practices. Last week, he had on No. 9, his number at Eastern Guilford High in Gibsonville, N.C. Today, it was No. 1, a nod to his being a first-round draft pick in 1999.
*Holt enjoys playing in — or at least near — New York City. “I like the New York atmosphere,” he said. “The crowd definitely loves their Jets and they love their Giants. They love their New York sports, period. It’s always fun going up to the Big City, the Big Apple and having an opportunity to showcase your talents.”
*Jim Haslett confirmed Friday and Derek Stanley will return kicks and punts. Dante Hall went on IR this week after suffering a high ankle sprain vs. the Cards.
All for now . . .
What ever happened to Lance Ball ? Guy looked like a super little red-zone back , seemed to have an eye for the end zone. Was surprised we cut him , and didn’t taxi-squad him. Now , it seems like we’re bringing guys in off the street , are all of these new-comers rated higher than Ball ? If so , my judgement of talent has taken a dramatic hit !
I agree ,steven jackson had the nerve to sit out training camp????? just who does this loser think he is??He got his fat contract ,now he falls off the face of the earth. Vince lombardi must be rolling around in his grave to see these sissy primadonnas{bulger included} steal their paychecks by impersonating football players.they should be arrested for theft by deception. We probably will get more production from darby for a fraction of the price and he will actually WANT to play the game and hard!!shame on you steven you pathetic cupcake.
Wow, Do you think it would be too much to ask to put a picture with an article once in a while- not of Jackson but the man we are reading about ? What is it with St.Louis Reporters !
Hey sincelarams and Mr. Evaluator,
Couldn’t have said it better myself. SJ is always hurt and moreso this year because he held out for greed purposes. He wanted LT money- LT for Lack of Toughness. And Bulger? Cut our losses and get rid of these bums. Overvalued Yugos in Ferrari Costumes.
And the pictures in the paper- get Jackson off the pages. He’s not playing? So what. Even a picture of Ziggy gives us more hope.