NFC. Changing of the Guard?

[Brian]

Nah, don't hear any foot steps yet. Perhaps it's because the Rams look to have improved themselves as well, IMO.

BTW, I'm not sure what to think about Kurt Warner. In the games I watched last year he seemed to be making the same mistakes that he was making that cost him his job in St. Louis. Holding the ball too long, taking sacks, and turning the ball over. And this was in a conservative offense with Tiki Barber carrying the load and having a career year.

Arrington sure has speed to burn, but coming from a fan of a team that drafted an even faster Trung Candidate, I have to wait and see how he turns out in the pros.

According to stats.com OT Oliver Ross had 6 penalties and gave up 7 sacks in the Steeler conservative run first offense. I'm not sure, but it might be in Denny's best interest to make up with Shelton.

Chike Okeafer is a good player and put up a nice 8.5 sacks last regular season. But did anybody else notice that 5 of them came against the Cardinals and the Rams. In 16 regular season games, the Rams RTs gave up 18.5 sacks last year, hence the Alex Barron selection.

Improved depth at the LB spot and the draft best CB? Could very well be true. But, it still appears that the team is counting on quite a few rookies to pan out early though.

First off, nice post!

Two points I'd like to make: I understand your comparison between Candidate and Arrington based on speed, and without any homerism I think Arrington is a MUCH better runner coming out of college than Candidate was. So I think the comparison ends at speed.

Second, I'm glad somebody finally pointed out Oliver Ross' shortcomings. I was not and am not happy about his signing. As a run blocker, sure, but to me the priority on the O-line has got to be protecting Warner's behind. Something I feel Shelton is much better suited at doing.

I've posted it here before and I'll say it again: I can't for the life of me figure out why DG is so adamant about getting rid of Shelton. He is a quality lineman that can play numerous positions, and play them well all the while being cap friendly and a good locker room presence.

BTW- watch out for Carolina. No team was as decimated by injury last year as they were and they still managed to make a serious run at the playoffs.

That team from Atlanta being driven by Ron Mexico is vastly overrated.

 

[BigDavis75]

Depends on what you mean by 'a few'.

The only rookie that we know will be starting is Antrel Rolle at CB.

The rest will have to work for it.

Pac-Man has to beat out Andre Woolfolk and my grandmother to start and that's it.

 

[Redsz]

Second, I'm glad somebody finally pointed out Oliver Ross' shortcomings. I was not and am not happy about his signing. As a run blocker, sure, but to me the priority on the O-line has got to be protecting Warner's behind. Something I feel Shelton is much better suited at doing.

I've posted it here before and I'll say it again: I can't for the life of me figure out why DG is so adamant about getting rid of Shelton. He is a quality lineman that can play numerous positions, and play them well all the while being cap friendly and a good locker room presence.

I believe Shelton is not physical enough to play RT. He is a finese blocker, which is really suited to a postion like LT.

This was pretty evident in 04' when we had problems running to right (which was also because it took Emmitt an age to hit the hole). He just isn't strong enough at the point of attack when it comes to run blocking. Something that Ross is MUCH better at.

Not to mention that Shelton has flat out not stepped up to be a leader on the offensive line. Something this team has needed for so long. Ross brings a mean streak and attitude that this unit has been lacking for as long as I can remember. This was one of the specific reasongs G&G targetted him in FA. Because they believe he will be the leader on the O-Line like Berry has become on the D-Line.

Having two book ends like Davis and Ross is going to allow us to be the DEATH in run blocking when it comes to running off tackle. IMO.

 

[RedRob]

I'm not a packer fan but I hold a lot of respect for Favre. This man has the ability to carry a team on his shoulders and I expect him to do so knowing it's his last hurrah. I understand they're an underdog; deservedly so. Yet, that's why I'm excited to see this season play out.

By the way if Green Bay does somehow make it to the playoffs, I can't wait to watch the Card's kick their arse.

 

[BACH]

Sure. When one player becomes a few.

One player??? Weren't you the guy that talked about having Cardinals googles?

Where the quality starters at the interior line? The DE opposite Little? FS? Depth at CB behind Fisher? What about the amazing trio at DT.

Please...

 

[MemphisRam]

One player??? Weren't you the guy that talked about having Cardinals googles?

Where the quality starters at the interior line? The DE opposite Little? FS? Depth at CB behind Fisher? What about the amazing trio at DT.

Please...

Rams starting OLine expected to be:
Pace - Rex Tucker/Blaine Sapiaia - McCollum - Timmerman - Barron
Most significantly, for the first time in a couple years, Pace will be on camp on time so the Oline won't have to juggle players along the line to make up for his absence and can be on the same page by game one.

The DE opposite Little is Anthony Hargrove. The same up and coming kid that started the tail end of last season. Got his first (and only) sack against Leonard Davis.

Rams aren't using your typical FS/SS lineup this year. They are going with more of a left safety/right safety look. A healthy Archuleta will man one spot, but there will be an open competition for the other.

Depth behind Fisher looks to still be Dejuan Groce though he will be in competition for his spot as the 3rd CB, too.

It appears that plan is to go with a Kennedy, Pickett, and pick up a veteran as the 3rd DT since Lewis has been moved to end. That said Toyoka Jackson should continue to come in on pass rushing downs.

 

[slanidrac16]

Tucker? Rex Tucker? The same Rex Tucker that has played about 5 games over tha last 2 years?

Yep. Can't WAIT to unleash our front 7 against you guys.

 

[MemphisRam]

Tucker? Rex Tucker? The same Rex Tucker that has played about 5 games over tha last 2 years?

Yep. Can't WAIT to unleash our front 7 against you guys.

Note the backslash. He still has to beat out Sapaia. That said, when healthy, Tucker is a pretty good guard.

 

[BACH]

Rams starting OLine expected to be:
Pace - Rex Tucker/Blaine Sapiaia - McCollum - Timmerman - Barron
Most significantly, for the first time in a couple years, Pace will be on camp on time so the Oline won't have to juggle players along the line to make up for his absence and can be on the same page by game one.

The DE opposite Little is Anthony Hargrove. The same up and coming kid that started the tail end of last season. Got his first (and only) sack against Leonard Davis.

Rams aren't using your typical FS/SS lineup this year. They are going with more of a left safety/right safety look. A healthy Archuleta will man one spot, but there will be an open competition for the other.

Depth behind Fisher looks to still be Dejuan Groce though he will be in competition for his spot as the 3rd CB, too.

It appears that plan is to go with a Kennedy, Pickett, and pick up a veteran as the 3rd DT since Lewis has been moved to end. That said Toyoka Jackson should continue to come in on pass rushing downs.

My mistake....

I failed to realize that it's worse to rely on a couple of top rookie prospects than a bunch of players that never have shown anything.

All smack aside... IMO you guys have more star players the us, but you definately also have more question marks.
Right now, I would rate the two teams very evenly, but long term huge advantage Cardinals. We have have a group of young players with star potential (Fitz, Dockett, Dansby, Wells, Rolle & JJ), while the Rams don't really have anybody except Jackson to take over for their aging stars (Bruce, Timmerman)

 

[Russ Smith]

Note the backslash. He still has to beat out Sapaia. That said, when healthy, Tucker is a pretty good guard.

That's like saying Sam Bowie was a pretty good player when his foot didn't hurt. Tucker has missed 61 games in his NFL career due to injury(per NFL.com) and he's only played 6 seasons so out of 96 possible games, he's played in 35?

I suppose not all of those missed games early on were injury he may not have played because he wasn't starting, but even in the last 3 he's missed 37 of a possible 48 games. Tough to count on him.

I think the Rams will still be good, I think the problem with the Rams is Martz isn't as smart as he thinks he is, and Marmie is as dumb as we Card fans KNOW he is.

 

[Skkorpion]

Two words: Larry Marmie.
The longer he's the Rams DC, the worse their defense will get.

However, I agree with Memphisram that Warner didn't look any better with the Giants than when the Rams Dumped him.

I see the NFCW as being worse than last year with Seattle, Rams, and Cards all fighting to win eight games. Until proven otherwise, the Rams must be favored.

 

[MemphisRam]

My mistake....

I failed to realize that it's worse to rely on a couple of top rookie prospects than a bunch of players that never have shown anything.

All smack aside... IMO you guys have more star players the us, but you definately also have more question marks.
Right now, I would rate the two teams very evenly, but long term huge advantage Cardinals. We have have a group of young players with star potential (Fitz, Dockett, Dansby, Wells, Rolle & JJ), while the Rams don't really have anybody except Jackson to take over for their aging stars (Bruce, Timmerman)

The thing is that as far as top rookie prospects and a bunch of players that have never have shown anything, it's apparent to me that the Rams and the Cardinals are relying upon both. Difference is that the Cards appear to be relying upon more of each.

Group of young stars with star potential? Most teams can come up with such a list. Off the top of my head.. Stephen Jackson, Marc Bulger, Kevin Curtis, Jimmy Kennedy, Alex Barron, Shaun McDonald, Pisa Tinoismoa.

BTW, the salary cap era pretty much doses long-term thinking for the most part as there a good chance that some of these potential players on both sides will be playing elsewhere on their 2nd contracts.

 

[MemphisRam]

Two words: Larry Marmie.
The longer he's the Rams DC, the worse their defense will get.

However, I agree with Memphisram that Warner didn't look any better with the Giants than when the Rams Dumped him.

I see the NFCW as being worse than last year with Seattle, Rams, and Cards all fighting to win eight games. Until proven otherwise, the Rams must be favored.

Larry Marmie is the scary part of the equation. Many fans would like to see him gone, but he's been given the benefit of the doubt by the Rams since he tried to play Lovie's scheme during the first part of the year and with horrible results. However, the team did show some improvement on defense the 2nd part of the season. Well until that Falcons playoff game.

That said, the Rams finished 8-8 last year with retirees playing on the OLine, Bulger getting hurt, key injuries on the defense, and a horrible special teams. Given the emphasis on improving special teams and the OLine this offseason along with a hopeful continued improvement the defense showed over the last part of the 2004 season, I'm guessing the break the 10 win mark. That is, if they can keep Bulger healthy.

Russ,
Tucker has been injury prone over the past few years. Hopefully, he can get over it this year. Either way, he still has to beat out Tecero and Sapaia.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

However, the team did show some improvement on defense the 2nd part of the season. Well until that Falcons playoff game.

Giving up 31 points to a joke of a Cardinal offense led by Josh McClown and Emmitt Smith doesn't sound like much of an improvement to me.

 

[Assface]

Larry Marmie is the scary part of the equation. Many fans would like to see him gone, but he's been given the benefit of the doubt by the Rams since he tried to play Lovie's scheme during the first part of the year and with horrible results. However, the team did show some improvement on defense the 2nd part of the season. Well until that Falcons playoff game.

I can't imagine many Rams fan's being happy about having a DC that you guys used to regularly drop 30+ points on when he was here. Lovie is a heck of a coach, he's the guy I wanted here before we got Denny.

 

[MemphisRam]

Giving up 31 points to a joke of a Cardinal offense led by Josh McClown and Emmitt Smith doesn't sound like much of an improvement to me.

That game was over when Chris Chandler threw his 7th INT in 5 quarters. Should have been worse after the team quit due to the offense's ineffectiveness minus Bulger. 12 first downs the entire game. Sad.

 

[vinnymac]

the rams has gotten a little older. they are going to need a lot younger players to step up this season. the rams turf has taken their toll on some of the rams starters, faulk, bruce, and soon to be holt. the rams havn't been the same since warner left and faulk injuries. with that all said, they are still the leader of the nfc west until the cardinals knock them off their throne this season. everyone knows this is going to happen.


warner, boldin, fitzgerald, and co. are going to have their way in the nfc west this season. i believe the cardinals should sweep the nfc west division and be the worst to first team this season. thier are a lot of experts that will agree with me.

 

[MemphisRam]

FYI,
The Rams are going to field turf this season.

 

[BigDavis75]

FYI,
The Rams are going to field turf this season.

Good, players were getting rashes and stuff like that earlier. Also, IMO Kennedy the D-Tackle sucks.