St. Louis Rams

[MTSuper7]

I was just thinking about how amazing it is that they have won as many games this year so far (3) as they did all of 2008 and 2009 combined, and they've done it with injuries keeping their top WRs out (Avery, Robinson, and most recently Clayton). If I were a Rams fan, I'd feel pretty good about my team's future. Bradford looks like the real deal, and they have good, young talent at WR that could develop nicely as Bradford continues to mature. The defense is probably even more impressive, considering they've held all but one opponent to 17 or fewer points thus far with the lone exception being the Detroit game where the whole team just took a collective dump on the field. I'd like to see them win a road game before I start talking anything like a .500 finish or (gasp) winning the division, but what a promising turn around so far. Congrats!

 

My question is this - Perhaps Donnie Avery and/or Laurent Robinson can come back next year and stay healthy and productive, but of the WRs that are getting their chance right now (Gibson, Amendola, Alexander, Gilyard, etc.), who do you like the most in that WR group to have sustainable value beyond this season?

[rajncajn]

For the simple answer, whoever is not double covered for the week.

[BearBroncos]

They have something very special in Bradford. There are a few QB's that are able to come in and immediately turn a team from a last place team to a team competitive among it's piers. Bradford should look forward to a long, ripe career and plenty of success either in St. Louis or Las Angles if they do chose to leave.

[flemingd]

Tough call. Bradford looks to be one of those QB's that makes everyone else around him better. Not that I'm comparing him to Peyton, but Peyton has made studs out of some ordinary guys in the past. Welker wouldn't be Welker in SF. I think if you're looking for stash potential, take Alexander. He's the one that if he hits, he'll hit hardest. The others probably have limited high-end potential, but Alexander's physical ceiling is outrageous. Kid put up sick numbers at Mizzou - 6'5" 214, 113/1781/14 - and he looked the part.

[BearBroncos]

Tough call. Bradford looks to be one of those QB's that makes everyone else around him better. Not that I'm comparing him to Peyton, but Peyton has made studs out of some ordinary guys in the past. Welker wouldn't be Welker in SF. I think if you're looking for stash potential, take Alexander. He's the one that if he hits, he'll hit hardest. The others probably have limited high-end potential, but Alexander's physical ceiling is outrageous. Kid put up sick numbers at Mizzou - 6'5" 214, 113/1781/14 - and he looked the part.

 

Plus, he's not only the deep threat, but he's the red zone magnet with that height. I honestly never thought they would have started him with the muscle atrophy as prevalent as it is and it still may be a huge mistake to start him so quick, or the kid could just knock it out of the ball park and be the next, younger Randi Moss.

[Balzac]

If Alexander can stay healthy, I think it's pretty clear that he's the guy to watch out for in that O. Guys don't put up stats like he did at Mizzou by mistake or on a fluke. Also keep in mind that, before his knee exploded, he actually played ahead of Jeremy Maclin, who is already establishing himself as a very legit NFL WR - that says a lot to me.

[SayItAintSoJoe]

This team is taking a step in the right direction that I thought the Lions would have taken this year. If you would have bet me at the beginning of the year which team (Lions or Rams) would have been better at this point I would have bet on the Lions. Much kudos goes out to the Rams.

Edited October 20, 2010 by SayItAintSoJoe

[STL Fan]

OK, OK, I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

 

Obviously, I agree with the OP, and I can tell you that it is getting louder and more exciting in that POS dome with every game. People here are cautiously optimistic, though, because as you mentioned we need to get a road win to make this fairy tale more believable. Tampa this week will be tough, but we've got Arizona coming up soon and some other winnable road contests.

 

As for receivers, the obvious choice for the future is DX, Danario Alexander. Avery is what he is- quick, small, pretty good hands - but not scary and should be a #2 at best on a good NFL team. Robinson and pretty much everyone else on the roster currently are all glorified slot guys, with Gilyard possibly having the most unseen upside as he develops.

 

Alexander is big, fast, a workaholic, and has what coaches call a "nose for the ball" meaning that he has a knack for knowing where the ball is and putting himself in position to get it. He also has excellent hands and is learning to use that big body to shield off defenders. I'm tellin' you, when you see him in person, he is the only WR on the club that looks like a potential all-pro.

 

One more thing to consider, though, is that the Rams will still probably have a decent draft pick next April and it would surprise no one if they took another receiver.

 

GO RAMS!!

[BearBroncos]

OK, OK, I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

 

One more thing to consider, though, is that the Rams will still probably have a decent draft pick next April and it would surprise no one if they took another receiver.

 

GO RAMS!!

 

I'd hope they wouldn't when they have SO many other holes they need to address, notably the defensive line and offensive line.

 

I think they have a QB that makes an average receiver good so spend those picks are other areas that make your QB even better by providing him additional protection and also upping your running game.

[Chief Dick]

from a last place team to a team competitive among it's piers.

 

Agree. Bradford provides a good foundation.

[twiley]

Danario Alexander, he and Bradford have a pretty good chemistry going in just a short period of time. Gilyard also has a ton of upside as well.

[BearBroncos]

Danario Alexander, he and Bradford have a pretty good chemistry going in just a short period of time. Gilyard also has a ton of upside as well.

 

I'm outside the box here, but I actually think Gibson has higher value. But again, I have a dog in this fight.

[lennykravitz2004]

I'd hope they wouldn't when they have SO many other holes they need to address, notably the defensive line and offensive line.

 

I think they have a QB that makes an average receiver good so spend those picks are other areas that make your QB even better by providing him additional protection and also upping your running game.

 

WADR, I humbly disagree. Their d-line is coming around very well, as well as the o-line (or at least they've been able to stay healthy, knock on wood very loudly and repetitively).

 

tied for 6th on D with 17 sacks

5th on D for points against (I know, not just d-line)

 

Offensive side of the ball, not nearly as good, but IMHO, I put some of that on our OC Shurmer. Bradford hasn't really been running for his life like Bulger was last year, and has a subpar (at best) WR corps to work with.

[STL Fan]

I'm outside the box here, but I actually think Gibson has higher value. But again, I have a dog in this fight.

 

The problem with Gibson so far is that he is a receiver who sucks at receiving. Until he gets more consistent and stops dropping catchable balls, he will not have the coaches' or Bradford's full confidence.

Edited October 20, 2010 by STL Fan

[BearBroncos]

WADR, I humbly disagree. Their d-line is coming around very well, as well as the o-line (or at least they've been able to stay healthy, knock on wood very loudly and repetitively).

 

tied for 6th on D with 17 sacks

5th on D for points against (I know, not just d-line)

 

Offensive side of the ball, not nearly as good, but IMHO, I put some of that on our OC Shurmer. Bradford hasn't really been running for his life like Bulger was last year, and has a subpar (at best) WR corps to work with.

 

Don't get me wrong! The STL D has been performing amazingly but as you mentioned, injuries could decimate that line due to lack of depth. I think they have potential with some of their younger guys like Ryan and Scott, but I'm just not confident with them yet.

 

Granted, since I don't dedicate allot of time watching the rams, I could be WAY off base here but that was my understanding of one of their big issues during the draft that wasn't really addressed there.

 

And you can't deny there are still some holes on that O-line..

[STL Fan]

WADR, I humbly disagree. Their d-line is coming around very well, as well as the o-line (or at least they've been able to stay healthy, knock on wood very loudly and repetitively).

 

tied for 6th on D with 17 sacks

5th on D for points against (I know, not just d-line)

 

Offensive side of the ball, not nearly as good, but IMHO, I put some of that on our OC Shurmer. Bradford hasn't really been running for his life like Bulger was last year, and has a subpar (at best) WR corps to work with.

 

Agree with this 100%. Hell, even Chris Long had a good game last week against San Diego, and the offensive line started to turn the corner in the second half of last year. Everyone talked about this O-line's ability to keep Bradford from getting killed, when actually a lot of the problems they had last year were Bulger holding the ball forever and basically being immobile, especially late in the season.

 

Around STL, the pressing needs amongst the fans I talk to and the ones calling in to sports radio seem to be WR, back-up RB, weak-side LB, and cornerback, with the order switching from person to person.

[flemingd]

OK, OK, I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

 

Obviously, I agree with the OP, and I can tell you that it is getting louder and more exciting in that POS dome with every game. People here are cautiously optimistic, though, because as you mentioned we need to get a road win to make this fairy tale more believable. Tampa this week will be tough, but we've got Arizona coming up soon and some other winnable road contests.

 

As for receivers, the obvious choice for the future is DX, Danario Alexander. Avery is what he is- quick, small, pretty good hands - but not scary and should be a #2 at best on a good NFL team. Robinson and pretty much everyone else on the roster currently are all glorified slot guys, with Gilyard possibly having the most unseen upside as he develops.

 

Alexander is big, fast, a workaholic, and has what coaches call a "nose for the ball" meaning that he has a knack for knowing where the ball is and putting himself in position to get it. He also has excellent hands and is learning to use that big body to shield off defenders. I'm tellin' you, when you see him in person, he is the only WR on the club that looks like a potential all-pro.

 

One more thing to consider, though, is that the Rams will still probably have a decent draft pick next April and it would surprise no one if they took another receiver.

 

GO RAMS!!

I've lived in this town for almost 6 years and I promised myself I wouldn't become a fan when I moved here, but this version is making that harder to do. Bradford looks to be money, Spags is a fun, exciting guy to watch, the defense is improving, and if you have a pulse and love anything about football you have to love everything about Steven Jackson.

[STL Fan]

I've lived in this town for almost 6 years and I promised myself I wouldn't become a fan when I moved here, but this version is making that harder to do. Bradford looks to be money, Spags is a fun, exciting guy to watch, the defense is improving, and if you have a pulse and love anything about football you have to love everything about Steven Jackson.

 

Plenty of room on the wagon, hop on!

[Avernus]

starting next year the Rams will be the hot sleeper pick to come out the West.....mostly because it's a weak division but all you need is confidence if you can get enough talent on a team....obviously with chemistry...

[JUMbotron]

They have something very special in Bradford. There are a few QB's that are able to come in and immediately turn a team from a last place team to a team competitive among it's piers. Bradford should look forward to a long, ripe career and plenty of success either in St. Louis or Las Angles if they do chose to leave.

 

This.

[lennykravitz2004]

I've lived in this town for almost 6 years and I promised myself I wouldn't become a fan when I moved here, but this version is making that harder to do. Bradford looks to be money, Spags is a fun, exciting guy to watch, the defense is improving, and if you have a pulse and love anything about football you have to love everything about Steven Jackson.

 

Welcome, Brother.

[cre8tiff]

GADDDAMMIT!! WHY'D YOU HAVE TO GO AND TALK ABOUT IT??

 

:knocksoneverywoodensurfaceavailable:

[twiley]

I've lived in this town for almost 6 years and I promised myself I wouldn't become a fan when I moved here, but this version is making that harder to do. Bradford looks to be money, Spags is a fun, exciting guy to watch, the defense is improving, and if you have a pulse and love anything about football you have to love everything about Steven Jackson.

Sweet, we roped in another one boys!

[MTSuper7]

Seems the consensus is Alexander being the big risk/reward guy. Can't hurt to stash the guy and hope his knees hold up. It's not unheard of for a guy with multiple knee injuries to have a decent career (Frank Gore comes to mind, but no WRs do at the moment...). Hopefully he can keep playing and practicing without any setbacks and solidify his role and rapport with Bradford.

[Furd]

This team is taking a step in the right direction that I thought the Lions would have taken this year. If you would have bet me at the beginning of the year which team (Lions or Rams) would have been better at this point I would have bet on the Lions. Much kudos goes out to the Rams.

 

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