St. Louis Rams coach Jim Haslett defends quarterback Marc Bulger
With jeering Jackson and bashing Bulger apparently vying for the No. 1 activity among disgruntled fans these days, we thought we’d give Jim Haslett the floor and let him explain why Marc Bulger, despite his subpar showing this year, is his choice at quarterback:
“I see what he does on the practice field. I’ve seen what he’s done in the past,” Haslett said. “The guy is 2 yards from being the fifth-fastest quarterback ever to 20,000 yards. That’s pretty good company he’s holding. He’s going to throw a pass this week and be the fifth-fastest ever. There’s a lot of great quarterbacks that have played the game, and he’s going to be top five. He has numbers that reflect that.
“We just have to surround him with playmakers, and I think we have a bunch of young kids that can do that. We have to protect him and do some things that make him feel comfortable.
“I think every quarterback goes through a phase in their career where it’s not going (well). When he came in, he stepped in with great personnel around him, playmakers galore -– three or four receivers, a running back, a great line that had been together for a long time. He’s not in that situation right now. It’s a little bit different. Obviously, we’ll try to get back to that some day, but right now it’s not that situation.”
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Notes & quotes:
*It’ll be interesting to see whether Antonio Pittman responds to Haslett’s challenge to produce more in his role as Steven Jackson’s replacement as the starting RB. Said Pittman: “I’m aware of what (Jackson) means to this team, and I’m going to try to go out there and give it my all. That’s all I can do, leave it all out there on the field and play as well as I can.”
*Jackson’s frustration is mounting. He is to have a specialist examine his ailing right thigh muscle. With the bad wheel, Jackson has no burst. “We saw against Arizona, if I’m not 100-percent, then I’m like a wounded duck out there,” he said.
*Perhaps anticipating an array of painful questions about Isaac Bruce and Mike Martz, WR Torry Holt bolted from the locker room without talking with reporters. Friday is normally the only day that Holt speaks with the media.
All for now . . . more Sunday from Frisco.
Hey you SJ lovers. We do have a clue! Duh. He’s a wuss and you guys should stop smoking whatever you’re smoking. Its affecting your brains.
What a LADYBOY maybe he can go on Dancing with the Stars with Warren Sapp!!! At least he knew how to play hurt and was there when his team needed him.
I’m motivated to defend the coach and QB here. Linehan deserved the boot. Bulger does need to make better decisions and become the leader that is more VOCAL. Avery is a talent. BUT–look at the Steelers and Redskins and heck even Oakland Raiders when they were on top of the NFL. All had very good size and mobility on the O line. I respected the way they tended (And pittsburgh made the most of it) SMASH mouth football. Who on the Offensive line hits anybody? Where’s the blocking at tight end etc? Those who hate Marc–step in his shoes and allow the defense on the other side to PLANT you in the turf and see how fired up you are to go back out there!
Bottom line, plays have to be made and a timid offense will not get it done. Defense needs more gang tackling and sure wrap ups not 1 arm efforts! To RAMS players–SHOW SOME DETERMINATION and show the SORRY —49ers that you are taking them DOWN!
Coach Hasslet is right. The Rams will pick up a couple of talented offensive line men in the draft or free agency next year and Bulger will be throwing the ball all over the yard to his talented receivers and Jackson will run wild! In the mean time lets see what Greco and Schuenig has. The talented line men may already be here. Go Rams!! PS if you critize Jackson you don’t know football. Except for his pass blocking!
This is the same old defense of Bulger. have you seen his “Stats”?? he’s at this many passes or yards per game. If only he had “O-Line”. or he’s use to having 100 yrd receivers to work with etc. etc. We who are critical of him all ready know this people. I am willing to give the man a break but come on when do we say Enough! I want to see the 65 million dollar man adapt and overcome. and I don’t think he’s going a one man task force on the field either but show me something?
If you think jackson is a wuss maybe you should say that to his face or maybe you should get a clue. The guy attempted to make a comeback and you say he is a wuss, going to see a specialist makes him a wuss, I think you haters need to get a clue. Call up any d coordinator in this league and I bet you he tells you its a bitch to gameplan against jackson. But wait you haters hate him cause he is hurt and this is st.louis and we hate black people
We need to separate the Bulger and Jackson situations. Jackson is hurt (sitting out of camp didn’t help). When he is healthy, he is a top ten running back. Bulger’s situation is different. He is not producing and hasn’t for a couple years now. His throws are off and he is not reading the field well. The Rams need to bring in another QB next year but keep Jackson. Jackson needs to come in and start running the ball, not his mouth.
I think Marc Bulger might benefit from a change of scenery, like the Saintly Kurt. (So some Ram fans can whine when he starts performing again.) He is capable of being in the top ten quarterbacks in the league, but he needs to be protected. He was a great fit in Martz’s offense, but the subsequent mishandling of the offense by Linehan set him back. Add to that his physical beatings. He can be rehabbed, here or somewhere else more likely. If the Rams were to trade him, send him to Minnesota for some run defenders.
The real problems for the Rams are the Defense and the O-Line. My wish list for the Rams: Please get rid of penalty repeat offenders (Incognito for one) and decide on what kind of line you want- the “basketball” style Martz used or one built for size. As for defense, Pittsburgh seems to be a good template to copy.
Let’s hope for an active and interesting off-season!