1st-rounders Carriker, Hill fight for their jobs
One thing we’ve learned about Steve Spagnuolo is that he means what he says. And he’s said all along that he doesn’t care about where a player was drafted or what he’s done in the past. He’s going to put the ones he considers the best on the field.
Which is why two former first-round draft picks are fighting for starting jobs. Adam Carriker, draft class of 2007, is facing a big challenge at defensive tackle from Gary Gibson, a free-agent pickup who originally signed with the Ravens four years ago as an undrafted rookie. In fairness, Carriker was set back by a sprained ankle that sidelined him for the first three preseason contests. Still, Gibson has looked good in his absence.
At cornerback, Tye Hill (2006) is trying to fend off a late charge from Jonathan Wade, a third-round pick in ‘07. Wade finished strong last season and is the team’s leading tackler this preseason. Hill is coming off two injury-shortened seasons.
The next week and a half, as roles become clearer throughout the squad, should be very interesting.
The team is on the practice field this morning in shells.
All for now . . . more after practice.
Carriker is bust and so is Tye Hill, you know Hill, he’ll get beat every time.
Remember when hill was drafted and said he was going to be a pro-bowler? The rams draft picks have been funny.
How many starters do we have from our first two picks from the last three drafts? How many impact or skill players do we have from the last five drafts? Lets see, there’s Jackson. Maybe we’ll eventually put Laurinitis, Long, and Avery in that bunch. But we do see other teams with impact lineman and WRs making a difference. I think the Rams will be long on disipline and short on talent this year.
Hill is a bust, not Carriker. He has been hurt but when healthy he has shown some good ability to push back the line.
Both guys have durability issues. I still think Carriker is playing out of position. Who knows. No matter, this year is very important for these two cats. Let’s see if they want it.
If some free agents come about after the initial cuts, i would DEFINITELY release Tye Hill!! Carriker seems to have the talent…but lacking the motivation….Hopefully with the possibility of being cut…THAT will be motivation enough.
If Carriker is indeed playing “out of position” Spags’ tendency to move players around will show up with Carriker doing better from the outside. Since he is starting to practice now, we should know in a couple of weeks whether he will be able to contribute. My hunch is that Spags’ system with its moving guys in and out will present Carriker with opportunities from both positions. Should be interesting watching how he does.
Hey I might not be able to tackle or cover but I can out run Wade any given day. Who would you rather have a fast small guy who can’t tackle or a slow guy who can cover a little and tackle a little. Speed kills.
No matter what the personel moves prior to the start of the season, results are going to revolve around the team’s ability to adapt during the game and at halftime.
It will be refreshing to see if the Rams are less consistently outcoached as they were the last three years. If Spags can rally the troops at halftime in some of the games (especially the home games), the fans will rally as well, attendance will bottom or improve, and the Rams will steal some games.
I submit it won’t take long to see about the quality of team coaching. This team doesn’t have the talent to be leading consistently at halftime. But–if I’m right–they DO have the talent to be dangerous in the second half, if the game is close and Bulger gets his head right again.
Look at the second half totals. If the Rams win the second half consistently, and we as fans feel they are dangerous in the second half, this coaching change will be golden… Golden, even if they end up 6-10 or 7-9.
I just can’t call Carriker a bust. Atleast not until I see another D-lineman get both a safety and a blocked field goal in their rookie season.