St. Louis Rams report card vs. Miami Dolphins
Here’s one blogger’s grades for the Rams after Sunday’s 16-12 loss to the Miami Dolphins:
QUARTERBACK: Kudos to Marc Bulger for taking every snap just a week after suffering a concussion vs. the Bears. But that’s about all that can be put on the plus side for Bulger, who struggled again. Even though he wasn’t sacked, he connected on just 16 of 35 passes — the third time in five games that his completion rate has been under 50 percent — and produced no touchdowns. He was intercepted three times and earned a season-low passer rating of 22.2 GRADE: F
RUNNING BACKS: Steven Jackson was strong early in his first extended action in six weeks. At the half, he seemed to be a lock for reaching 100 yards rushing. But he got just one touch in the fourth quarter, a 1-yard carry with 14:04 remaining. Thereafter, Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby handled the running-back chores. Jackson insisted that he didn’t take himself out of the game, even though coach Jim Haslett said Jackson “was gassed, and his leg was hurting.” GRADE: B
RECEIVERS: Veteran Dane Looker turned in his best outing in some time, getting 52 yards on a team-high six receptions. Torry Holt had three catches, as did emerging tight end Daniel Fells. The Teen Squad — Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton and Derek Stanley — was generally quiet, although Avery did draw two pass-interference penalties. GRADE: C
OFFENSIVE LINE: Just two weeks after suffering ligament damage in his right knee, left tackle Orlando Pace suited up and snuffed linebacker Joey Porter, the league’s sacks leader. The Rams gave up no sacks for just the third time this season, and the run-blocking was good. Brett Romberg was much better in his second start at center, and rookie John Greco filled in nicely after Richie Incognito left early in the second half because he felt light-headed. GRADE: A-
DEFENSIVE LINE: Although they pressured QB Chad Pennington several times, the Rams failed to register a sack. There were some missed tackles early, but that was corrected. RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams struggled to get to the second level thereafter. GRADE: B
LINEBACKERS: Rookie David Vobora was active in his first start and made the defensive calls without a serious hitch. Pisa Tinoisamoa missed a tackle near the goal line early, but rallied afterward. Quinton Culberson was better, but somewhat less than steller. GRADE: C+
SECONDARY: Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe punched out another fumble. Nickel back Jason Craft had some nice moments. Corners Ron Bartell and Fakhir Brown were generally OK in coverage, but less impressive on run support. Corey Chavous and Todd Johnson split time at strong safety. GRADE: C
SPECIAL TEAMS: Josh Brown tied his season high with four field goals, in four tries. Donnie Jones averaged a solid 52.0 yards on three punts. Coverage was good. Returns were just fair. GRADE: B+
COACHING: The play-calling of OC Al Saunders continues to mystify at times. DC Rick Venturi was conservative, blitzing rarely. HC Jim Haslett’s decision to punt on fourth-and-1 with 4 1/2 minutes left and the Rams down 16-12 was dubious. At least the Rams weren’t blown out by halftime this week. GRADE: C-
I look at the passer rating as a kind of exam grade. If you get a 100 or better, very nice. 90 is an A-, and 80 is a B. What is a “22.2?” It is past time to take the salary cap hit and get rid of him, or at least bring in a QB with a real opportunity to take over the starting job if he produces. Kurt Warner, JP Losman, Derek Anderson, Matt Cassell, Jon Kitna would all be available next year. ALL would be better than Marc. He is a nice guy, and let him take his millions and sit the bench somewhere. Don’t you think the salary cap hit for one year, would hurt short-term (like we would win less games and the point differential would be even worse) but in the long run be the boost we would need in 2010? I remember the headline, the same day, in the Post-Dispatch. One said to the effect “Haslet says no one’s job is safe” and the other said “Haslet says, read my lips, Bulger is our QB.” I find that funny, that Haslett does not have the cajones to bench Bulger and he can’t control someone like Incognito (which reminds me of how he was unable to handle Kyle Turley in New Orleans.) Anyone that supports Bulger has to go for the sake of the franchise, and that includes Haslett and Howard Balzer too.
As long as Bulger starts the Rams will lose.
After the game the Dolphin’s secondary said they could easily telegraph Bulger’s
passes. All year I’ve never put ALL the blame on Marc, but he defiantly deserves it
for this game. Sad, just sad. We will get better in time with Devany on the drafts,
but Steven Jackson probably won’t be around then (retired/contract expiration). We
really wasted this guys career. I know hes been hurt a lot, but who knows what
happens if any of those teams before us would have drafted him.
Bulger should be washing lettuce at Schnucks!
Bulger is mediocre at best. Jackson could be a great back IF he had any heart - he doesn’t. Does anyone think there’s no connection between missing all of the pre-season and the fact that he’s been banged-up ever since he finally showed up? Pace does the same thing - miss the pre-season, get hurt early in the season and have an unproductive year. Offensive play calling is pathetic, and the defense isn’t very good. Not a pretty picture, is it?
Bill Cower head coach and Dick Vermeil Presiden. SOunds like a no brainer to me!!
“rookie John Greco filled in nicely after Richie Incognito left early in the second half because he felt light-headed”
How does Incognito play at all then? I imagine he must feel “light-headed” most of the time.
I have been a long time supporter of Bulger. Finally, I must admit, I have given up hope. He just has lost the little fire he had. His big contract is now a huge weight on this team’s future. It is likely best just to find some way to move on from him.
Yeah….it’s always the QB’s fault. To be sure, Bulger had a poor game. But, do we fans know how many time his receivers ran bad routes? Kudos to the O-line for showing up with protection. But, look who Bulger is throwing the rock to….3 rooks, Looker (who is a number 3 receiver at best), Klopfenstein (who has hands of stone), a street free agent in Fells and a slower Torry Holt. Why was S Jax not involved in the passing game. Did you see Pittman drop a 3rd down screen pass? It’s a team game and Bulger needs some help. That said, the club should bring in someone next year to challenge Bulger. Can’t cut him or trade him with the high cap hit.
If Bill Devaney is high on a QB and that QB is available for us in the draft, even if it’s early in the first round, then he should take it. I’m tired of the Rams spinning their wheels in the draft with OL and DL picks. You gotta remember, good quarterback play will help the OL play too, and Bulger hasn’t offered any of that. This team needs to move on to a new era and fast…………..also, I’m starting to have second thoughts on Haslett as being retained as HC. If the Rams are serious about considering Schottenheimer, then they should go for it. I’m disappointed with Haslett sticking up for the players too much. His lack of concern for Incognito’s actions is inexcusable and unacceptable. I thought Jim was tougher but I don’t see it. All of a sudden you can see the decisions he’s had to deal with lately regarding Bulger, Incognito, etc, and I’m not impressed.