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DR RAM’s Top 10 Most Important Rams Players For 2012
By: DR RAM
July 12, 2012
Assignment:
T_Bron from www.turfshowtimes.com request from Rams analysts, on who we think are the most important players coming into the 2012 Rams season. Challenge accepted.
DR’s prognosis:
A successful Rams season will depend on these 10 players in order:
#1 - Sam Bradford: He’s the quarterback, the leader, the captain. With a new offense, the third one in three years for Bradford, to learn, Bradford will have to be able to run Brian Shottenheimers offense efficiently, if not spectacularly at times. This is Bradford’s time, and if he doesn’t show up, then Rams fandom tolerance will be at an all time low. Personally, I think fans should cut the QB some slack, because this is not only a new offense, but the roster change is significant, and some rookies will be asked to contribute immediately. Not a blueprint for success, but fans are sick and tired of excuses, even if they are valid, and the fan base is rabid for improvement.
#2 - Rodger Saffold: Saffold has to bounce back from a very sub-par year, and if he doesn’t, the Rams really don’t have a backup plan. That is why Saffold is #2. Rodger doesn’t only have to figure out how not to give up two way goes, but he has to learn how to anchor better. Hopefully, with the addition of a new OL coach, Paul Boudreau, Rodger will figure out his technical issues, as well as his confidence issues. In the numerous autopsies that I performed on the Rams offensive lines last year, one of the big problems for Saffold, was his hesitation when teams lined up in the wide 9. Rodger needs to trust his athleticism to the outside, so that he never gives up the inside. I’ve heard that Saffold has added 10 – 15 pounds of bulk in the offseason, which should help in when being bull rushed.
#3 - Janoris Jenkins: Jenkins will be asked to start immediately, and will probably be asked to be the Rams shutdown corner. That is a tall order for any rookie player, but when you are out on the edge alone, there will be nobody to help him if he struggles.
#4 - Kendall Langford: Langford will be playing in a new position for him. He will be asked to do a combination of things, like helping rookie, Michael Brockers. Langford will be depended upon to upgrade the teams worst overall group last year. Coach Fisher says Langford will be the first player off the bus.
#5 - Isaiah Pead: Pead will have a very important role this year. The Rams have been lacking in game breakers and playmakers, and this guy is both. Pead will also probably be returning punts and kicks which will give the Rams a weapon in those areas. Can you remember when the Rams had a legit return guy? Pead will spell Jackson, and give the Rams another dimension in the passing and running game.
#6 - Robert Quinn: RDE Robert Quinn will have to become a complete end this season. In his limited role last season, he proved to be a threat to the opponents quarterback, but was a bit of a liability in the run game. Quinn will have to become stouter at the line of scrimmage to stay on the field for three downs. Don’t forget Quinn’s affinity to block punts. If he continues to be a special teams stud, he will greatly improve the Rams overall.
#7 - Brian Quick: The rookie 2nd round pick will be depended on early in the season to improve an abysmal receiving core from the previous year. Part of the pressure on this young man is that the Rams traded down and missed out on Justin Blackmon. So far, Quick has impressed, both the QB’s and the coaching staff. Quick is long, strong, and, well, quick in and out of his breaks, which should make him a bona fide red zone target. Quick shows a very nice burst after the catch. Somewhat sharing this spot with him is Chris Givens. Givens is a fairly polished receiver coming out of college. He is a speed demon, and should provide some game breaking ability. Givens should loosen up the zone, and have some impact in the running game, because of his elite speed.
#8 - Michael Hoomanawanui: Yep, that is right, Big Mike. The Rams are simply a better team when he is on the field. Being on the field is the problem though. Hoomanawanui will need to stay healthy, and if he does, he is the best overall tight end the Rams have. If Hoomanawanui and Kendricks are on the field at the same time, they will create matchup nightmares.
#9 - Steven Jackson: He has to make the list, because he is still relevant to the team’s success. Coach Fisher will be relying heavily on Jackson’s ability to carry a heavy load, and to stay healthy. We all just need to hope that for the first time in several years that Jackson will be game ready by the start of the season.
#10 - Steve Smith: In Steve Smith, the Rams have a legitimate wide receiver in a sea of questions. Will DX make the team? Can the rookies have an impact? Will Salas, or Pettis develop into something good? Is Danny Amendola at 100% after his horrific injury? Smith is a bit of a question himself. He seemed to be OK coming off his knee surgery, but he will need to be more than OK, if the Rams other receivers have a problem assimilating to the NFL style of play. Smith can also be a mentor to the young players at his position, which makes him even more important to the Rams.
Honorable mention: Jason Smith; whoever starts at left guard; whoever may have to replace Jason Smith; Trumaine Johnson, who may end up starting at the other corner position; Dunbar and Macintosh at the other linebacker positions, they could finally shore up the linebacking core; and the rookie punter and kicker, Hekker and Zuerlein respectively.
By: DR RAM
July 12, 2012
Assignment:
T_Bron from www.turfshowtimes.com request from Rams analysts, on who we think are the most important players coming into the 2012 Rams season. Challenge accepted.
DR’s prognosis:
A successful Rams season will depend on these 10 players in order:
#1 - Sam Bradford: He’s the quarterback, the leader, the captain. With a new offense, the third one in three years for Bradford, to learn, Bradford will have to be able to run Brian Shottenheimers offense efficiently, if not spectacularly at times. This is Bradford’s time, and if he doesn’t show up, then Rams fandom tolerance will be at an all time low. Personally, I think fans should cut the QB some slack, because this is not only a new offense, but the roster change is significant, and some rookies will be asked to contribute immediately. Not a blueprint for success, but fans are sick and tired of excuses, even if they are valid, and the fan base is rabid for improvement.
#2 - Rodger Saffold: Saffold has to bounce back from a very sub-par year, and if he doesn’t, the Rams really don’t have a backup plan. That is why Saffold is #2. Rodger doesn’t only have to figure out how not to give up two way goes, but he has to learn how to anchor better. Hopefully, with the addition of a new OL coach, Paul Boudreau, Rodger will figure out his technical issues, as well as his confidence issues. In the numerous autopsies that I performed on the Rams offensive lines last year, one of the big problems for Saffold, was his hesitation when teams lined up in the wide 9. Rodger needs to trust his athleticism to the outside, so that he never gives up the inside. I’ve heard that Saffold has added 10 – 15 pounds of bulk in the offseason, which should help in when being bull rushed.
#3 - Janoris Jenkins: Jenkins will be asked to start immediately, and will probably be asked to be the Rams shutdown corner. That is a tall order for any rookie player, but when you are out on the edge alone, there will be nobody to help him if he struggles.
#4 - Kendall Langford: Langford will be playing in a new position for him. He will be asked to do a combination of things, like helping rookie, Michael Brockers. Langford will be depended upon to upgrade the teams worst overall group last year. Coach Fisher says Langford will be the first player off the bus.
#5 - Isaiah Pead: Pead will have a very important role this year. The Rams have been lacking in game breakers and playmakers, and this guy is both. Pead will also probably be returning punts and kicks which will give the Rams a weapon in those areas. Can you remember when the Rams had a legit return guy? Pead will spell Jackson, and give the Rams another dimension in the passing and running game.
#6 - Robert Quinn: RDE Robert Quinn will have to become a complete end this season. In his limited role last season, he proved to be a threat to the opponents quarterback, but was a bit of a liability in the run game. Quinn will have to become stouter at the line of scrimmage to stay on the field for three downs. Don’t forget Quinn’s affinity to block punts. If he continues to be a special teams stud, he will greatly improve the Rams overall.
#7 - Brian Quick: The rookie 2nd round pick will be depended on early in the season to improve an abysmal receiving core from the previous year. Part of the pressure on this young man is that the Rams traded down and missed out on Justin Blackmon. So far, Quick has impressed, both the QB’s and the coaching staff. Quick is long, strong, and, well, quick in and out of his breaks, which should make him a bona fide red zone target. Quick shows a very nice burst after the catch. Somewhat sharing this spot with him is Chris Givens. Givens is a fairly polished receiver coming out of college. He is a speed demon, and should provide some game breaking ability. Givens should loosen up the zone, and have some impact in the running game, because of his elite speed.
#8 - Michael Hoomanawanui: Yep, that is right, Big Mike. The Rams are simply a better team when he is on the field. Being on the field is the problem though. Hoomanawanui will need to stay healthy, and if he does, he is the best overall tight end the Rams have. If Hoomanawanui and Kendricks are on the field at the same time, they will create matchup nightmares.
#9 - Steven Jackson: He has to make the list, because he is still relevant to the team’s success. Coach Fisher will be relying heavily on Jackson’s ability to carry a heavy load, and to stay healthy. We all just need to hope that for the first time in several years that Jackson will be game ready by the start of the season.
#10 - Steve Smith: In Steve Smith, the Rams have a legitimate wide receiver in a sea of questions. Will DX make the team? Can the rookies have an impact? Will Salas, or Pettis develop into something good? Is Danny Amendola at 100% after his horrific injury? Smith is a bit of a question himself. He seemed to be OK coming off his knee surgery, but he will need to be more than OK, if the Rams other receivers have a problem assimilating to the NFL style of play. Smith can also be a mentor to the young players at his position, which makes him even more important to the Rams.
Honorable mention: Jason Smith; whoever starts at left guard; whoever may have to replace Jason Smith; Trumaine Johnson, who may end up starting at the other corner position; Dunbar and Macintosh at the other linebacker positions, they could finally shore up the linebacking core; and the rookie punter and kicker, Hekker and Zuerlein respectively.