Rams Dynasty

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

2009 NFL Draft Day 1: Rams Recap

Round 1

#2 HC Joslin is tempted by CB Demario Waddell, but there is no way they could afford him at #2 so the Rams send this pick to the Broncos for #23 and a 1st and 3rd in 2010

#22 Rams can't find any takers for the pick, so they go with Ray Lewis clone MLB Gino King

#23 sent to Carolina for 6th round pick and 1st and 4th in 2010

#29 can't find any takers so the Rams choose to upgrade their OL with one of the strongest players to ever play the game LG Rondell Owens.

Round 2

#42 HC Joslin sends the pick to Oakland for a 5th rounder this year and a 2nd rounder in 2010.

other notable picks
QB Mike Zazzali goes to San Francisco with the #1 pick.

The Falcons take CB Demario Waddell at #3, where they will pair him with CB Asante Samuels

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

2009 NFL Draft Day 2: Rams Recap

Round 3
no picks

Round 4
no picks

Round 5
#4 sent to Bills for a 7th round pick this year and 6th and 7th next year.

Round 6
#5 sent to Cowboys for a 5th and 7th in 2010
#9 QB Rodney Anthony, Cornell to replace Alex Brink as QB3
#32 MLB, Lawrence Alexander, VMI as an upgrade over Hall or Vobora

Round 7 or the longshot round
#2 WR Aldarius Baker, San Jose St.
#4 FS Marcello Casey, St. John's
#12 RE Justin Fawcett, UNLV
#14 TE Deveo Kennard, Delaware St.
#22 C Torry Weaver, Baylor
#32 HB Eli Spivey, Yale

Undrafted Free Agents:
CB Rusty Ward
LT Mookie Woodland
LE British Browning
WR Trevor Bronson
RT Travis Walter

The Rams aren't expecting many of these guys to make the team with the exception of QB Anthony and MLB Alexander, but you never know.

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

Training Camp and Preseason Roundup

Rams trade disgruntled DE Elvis Dumervil to the Seahawks for 1st and 7th round picks in 2010. Dumervil was upset about being paid only $300K and felt that he should be starting ahead of DE Vernon Gholston and DE Calais Campbell...not likely.

GM Meese wants to unload MLB Phillip Wheeler and the Rams find a taker in the Jets who dole out a 4th round pick in 2011.

Rams send camp invite WR Roy Williams back to the Lions for a 1st round pick in 2011.

Camp invite FB Marcello Peterson doesn't last long as he's sent on the first day of training camp to GB for a 5th round pick in 2011.

RG Damien Woody is dealt to the Raiders for a 2nd round pick in 2011...the Raiders would then cut Woody before the season start, he was picked up by the Falcons, but they cut him as well.

Sick of the injuries and the $7M price tag, HC Joslin ships LT Orlando Pace to the Buccanneers for a 2nd in 2010 and a 2nd in 2011

To fill the LT spot, the Rams trade for Philadelphia LT Chris Williams giving up MLB Will Witherspoon and a 4th and 6th in 2010.

Carl Stewart is sent to the Bears for a 3rd and 7th in 2011.

The Bears also get Mr. Irrelevant, HB Eli Spivey for a 2010 2nd round pick.

Preseason Results- all simmed

Week 1
Rams 7/38/17/14 = 76
Dolphins 3/0/0/0= 3

Week 2
Falcons 3/0/3/0 = 6
Rams 7/17/7/14 = 45

Week 3
Rams 10/10/10/28 = 58
49ers 0/0/0/0= 0

Week 4
Browns 0/0/0/0 = 0
Rams 7/14/14/14 = 49

The Rams go undefeated in the Preseason.

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

Hefty Expectations in St. Louis

Everyone is expecting a lot from HC Joslin and the Rams this year. Owner Raymond P. Goodnight wants the Rams to win another Super Bowl. He feels that winning the first 3 of 4 games would be a good start to this. Mr. Goodnight also wants HC Joslin to resign RT Alex Barron and K Alexis Serna. He also thinks that HC Joslin should repeat as Coach of the Year.

The fans want to see HC Eric Mangini and the 49ers embarrassed on Monday Night Football in week 4.

The Media feel that the Rams would be crazy to let Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders leave. With all the talent the Rams have accumulated the media is letting it be known that anything less than #1 Offense and #1 Defense will be a disappointment.

That's a pretty tall order. Is Coach Joslin up to the challenge?

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Dispatch-Post
Sports Section

How Many Rookies Can Make This Team?

In most cases, being taken in the early rounds of the NFL draft is a pretty good indicator that you'll make a team's 53-man roster. It gets a little trickier in later rounds as the talent begins to thin out.

But there are teams like the Rams who have had success in drafting on the second day (Offensive Rookie of the Year WR Mario Manningham, starting DT Dre Moore, OT Demetrius Bell, OG David Hale) as well as with undrafted free agent pickups like MLB David Vobora. How well a team's late round draft picks fare in the NFL is one indicator of how good the front office is at evaluating talent.

The Rams however have become a victim of their own success. The Rams drafted 10 players in the 2009 draft (a considerable step down from the 27 they took in 2008) but many of them won't last through training camp. St. Louis' 2 first rounders are expected to make the team, but everyone else is a had to be considered a longshot.

In the end the Rams kept QB R. Anthony, MLB Lawrence Alexander, LE Justin Fawcett and their 2 first round picks MLB Gino King and LG Rondell Owens. The Rams also made good use of their last pick HB Eli Spivey sending him to the Bears for a 2nd round pick in 2010.

Here is how the other rookies fared around the league:

Team/ Rookies on the opening day roster/ starters
Bears 8/2
Bengals 6/1
Bills 9/1
Broncos 8/1
Browns 10/0
Buccaneers 6/1
Cardinals 6/1
Chargers 9/0
Chiefs 11/0
Colts 10/3
Cowboys 11/4
Dolphins 10/1
Eagles 11/1
Falcons 11/2
49ers 8/2
Giants 8/0
Jaguars 11/1
Jets 12/4
Lions 8/2
Packers 9/1
Panthers 9/0
Patriots 10/1
Raiders 9/1
Rams 5/0
Ravens 9/0
Redskins 13/1
Saints 15/4
Seahawks 7/3
Steelers 12/3
Texans 14/1
Titans 9/3
Vikings 11/0

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

St. Louis Unstoppable

*Unless noted with a P all games were simmed

Week 1 Buccaneers @ Rams (P)
Buccaneers 7/0/0/0 = 7
Rams 21/28/14/31 = 94
The Buccaneers had no answer to the passing and rushing attack. QB Bulger racked up 344yds and 3 TDs before leaving the game. HB Steven Jackson ran for 251yds and 6 TDs on only 16 carries. Defensively 8 different players had sacks, managing 15 total sacks. Coach Gruden needs to get his ship in order or it is going to be a long season.

Week 2 Seahawks (1-0) @ Rams (1-0)
Seahawks 0/7/3/0 = 10
Rams 14/20/7/14 = 55
Another 3 quarter game for QB Bulger. He put up 377yds and 4 TDs before turning the offense over to the second string. HB Steven Jackson added 129 all purpose yards and 4 TDs. Defensively five different players recorded a sack.

Week 3 Texans (1-1) @ Rams (2-0)
Texans 0/0/0/7 = 7
Rams 7/14/14/0 = 35
Yet another short game for Bulger who went for 416yds 4 TDs and an INT before turning the game over to understudy Andre Woodson. HB Jackson added 140 all purpose yard and a TD before letting backup Brian Leonard mop up the Texans. OLBs Lamar Woodly and Tavares Gooden both recorded INTs in this one.

Week 4 Rams (3-0) @ 49ers (1-2) Monday Night Game
Rams 0/3/3/3 = 9
49ers 0/3/0/0= 3
QB Marc Bulger self destructed throwing 6 INTs. To make matters worse HB Steven Jackson could never get things going either. Fortunately the 49ers just aren't that good. An interception by CB Nmandi Asomugha sealed the win.

Week 5 Rams 4-0 @ Cardinals 2-2
Rams 14/14/14/3 = 45
Cardinals 0/3/0/7 = 10
QB Bulger returned to form, playing 3 quarters in this one, amassing 380yds and 5 TDS. HB Jackson did his part adding 175 all purpose yards and a TD. The defense came up with 4 sacks and an INT.

Week 6 Bye Week

Week 7 Cardinals 2-3 @ Rams 5-0
Cardinals 0/3/0/0 = 3
Rams 14/14/14/7= 49
Second verse, same as the first. QB Bulger has another 5 TD performance before turning the game over to backup QB Andre Woodson. WR Wes Welker and seldom used WR Kevin Robinson both recorded 3 TDs. The Defense wasn't spectacular only managing 2 sacks and 2 INTs, but the dominated the Cardinals on 3rd downs allowing only 3-12 conversions.

Week 8 Rams 6-0 @ Seattle 4-2
Rams 14/14/14/14 = 56
Seahawks 0/0/7/0 = 7
QB Bulger continues his march to the MVP trophy 3 quarters at a time. This time he netted 408yds 6 TDs and an INT. WR Andre Johnson, WR Mario Manningham and WR Desean Jackson all had over 100yds receiving and at least 1 TD. The Rams intercept QB Matt Hasselbeck 4 times.

Week 9 Rams 7-0 @ Lions 6-2 (P)
Rams 14/21/28/49 = 112
Lions 7/0/7/0 = 14
Lions HC Coach Hammermill has wasted no time turning the Lions into a contender, but this was not to be their week. QB Marc Bulger throws for less than 300yds for the first time all season, but does manage 4 scores. HB Steven Jackson shined, amassing 556 all purpose yards and 9 TDs on only 36 touches. He was unstoppable. On the defensive side of the ball the Rams put John Kitna in the dirt 16 times (6 by MLB Jon Beason, 4 by DE Vernon Gholston.) In addition, they picked him off 4 times returning 3 of the INTs for TDs (SS K Phillips, CB M. Jenkins, and CB N. Asomugha.)

Week 10 Rams 8-0 @ Jaguars 5-3
Rams 7/14/7/7= 35
Jaguars 3/3/0/6 = 12
QB Bulger returns to form putting up 414yds and 4 TDs. HB Jackson returns to earth gaining only 107 all purpose yards and a TD. WR Andre Johnson had 13 catches for 207yds and TD. The defense netted 3 sacks and 2 INTs.

Week 11 Vikings 4-5 @ Rams 9-0
Vikings 3/3/0/7 = 13
Rams 0/24/7/7 = 38
Another short game for Bulger, who managed 340yds and 4 TDs before turning it over to his backup. HB Jackson managed only 93 all purpose yards and a TD. The defense wasn't exactly a highlight reel getting only 1 sack, but they did hold the Vikings to a meager 28% conversion rate on 3rd downs.

Week 12 Rams 10-0 @ Eagles 7-3
Rams 14/14/7/14 = 49
Eagles 3/7/10/15 = 35
QB Bulger puts up another 300+ yards and scores 5 times. His two interceptions were costly though and they kept the Eagles in this one. HB Steven Jackson went for 216yds and 3 total TDs. WR Mario Manningham shined, catching 4 passes for 80yds and 3 TDs. DE Mario Williams recorded 3 sacks and both MLB Jon Beason and OLB Lamar Woodley had INTs.

Week 13 Rams 11-0 @ Titans 4-7
Rams 3/0/7/14 = 24
Titans 0/14/0/0 = 14
QB Bulger threw 4 picks in the first half, before pulling it together. HB Jackson was steady with 187 all purpose yards and a TD. INTs by SS Kenny Phillips and MLB Jon Beason helped make sure the Titans couldn't get back on top.

Week 14 Bears 5-7 @ Rams 12-0
Bears 0/0/0/7 = 7
Rams 17/10/7/7 = 41
Former Ram HB Eli Spivey was abused all day by his former teammates, and without a running game QB Brodie Croyle was done for. QB Marc Bulger had a so so 3 quarters. He did go for 382 yds and 4 TDs, but he also had 3 INTs. HB Jackson managed 94 all purpose yards and 2 TDs. WR Andre Johnson had 10 catches for 179yds and a TD. WR Mario Manningham contributed 5 catches for 132yds. The Rams defense held the Bears to a miserable 13% 3rd down conversion rate.

Week 15 Colts 12-1 @ Rams 13-0
Colts 7/3/2/7 = 19
Rams 3/14/21/3 = 41
A Super Bowl rematch that was a bit of a let down. The Rams easily handled the Colts, with QB Bulger throwing for 360yds and 3 TDs. HB Steven Jackson had 167 all purpose yards and 3 TDs. The normally precise Colts' QB Peyton Manning was picked off three times (CB M. Jenkins, CB N. Asomugha, OLB L. Woodley.)

Week 16 49ers 5-9 @ Rams 14-0
49ers 3/3/3/7 = 16
Rams 0/14/14/7 = 35
QB Marc Bulger was much more controlled in this one, not wanting to repeat his meltdown in week 4. Bulger threw for only 241yds and 3TDs, but most important he had no INTs. HB Steven Jackson managed just 78 all purpose yards and a TD. Interceptions by CB Tye Hill and CB Mike Jenkins helped keep the Rams on top.

Week 17 Rams 15-0 @ Packers 8-7
Rams 27/10/14/28 = 79
Packers 0/6/0/0 = 6
Coach Joslin could of rested his starters for this one, but that's not his style. It's okay QB Marc Bulger only played about 3 quarters anyway. QB Bulger put up 399yds and 7 TDs before letting backup QB Andre Woodson shred the Packers secondary for another 151yds and 4 more TDs. Seven different players recorded TDs for the Rams. The defense recorded 5 sacks and 4 INTs.

The Rams have a bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

Rams Send 13 to the Pro Bowl

St. Louis sent more players to the Pro Bowl than any other team this year.

QB1 Marc Bulger
HB1 Steven Jackson
FB1 Regan Maui
WR2 Andre Woodson
WR3 Wes Welker
WR4 Mario Manningham
DE1 Vernon Gholston
DT1 Adam Carriker
DT3 Dre Moore
MLB1 Jon Beason
CB2 Nmandi Asomugha
CB3 Mike Jenkins
SS1 Kenny Phillips

QB Marc Bulger won the League MVP Award, and QB of the Year

HB Steven Jackson and QB Marc Bulger were robbed of the Offensive Player of the Year Award by Saints HB Michael Turner

HB Steven Jackson did win the HB of the Year

DE Vernon Gholston wins DL of the Year

CB Nnamdi Asomugha wins DB of the Year

Coach Joslin beats out Lions HC Gary Hammermill for the Coach of the Year Award.

[kdmajoslin]

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Sports Section

Rams End of Season Stats

Pass Offense #1 (6386yds)
Rush Offense #1 (2086yds)
Points Scored #1 (49.8 pts per game)
Total Offense #1

72 passing TDs, 32 rushing TDs, 21 sacks allowed

Pass Defense #5 (6699yds)
Rush Defense #2 (1732yds)
Points Allowed #1 (10.8 pts per game)
Total Defense #2

33 INTs (1st) 67 Sacks (1st)

Avg Punt #22
FG % #19
Avg Yards per Return #32
Special Team TDs #1

83 penalties for 698yds (#13)

Player Stats:

QB Marc Bulger 353/547 (64%) 5605yds 63 TDs 19 INTs
QB Andre Woodson 44/81 (54%) 785yds 9 TDs 4 INTs

HB Steven Jackson 180 runs, 1433yds (7.9avg) 28 TDs, 0 Fumbles, 47 broken tackles
HB Brian Leonard 100 runs, 506ys (5.0avg) 2 TDs, 1 fumble, 26 broken tackles

WR Andre Johnson 96 catches for 1463yds 11 TDs, 14 drops
WR Wes Welker 93 catches for 1230yds 14 TDs, 13 drops
WR Mario Manningham 66 catches for 1267yds 15 TDs, 11 drops
WR Desean Jackson 26 catches for 446yds 8 TDs 3 drops
HB Steven Jackson 44 catches for 1098yds 7 TDs 5 drops
TE Jason Witten 35 catches for 340yds 4 TDs 7 drops

LT Chris Williams 23 pancake blocks, 7 sacks allowed

LE Vernon Gholston 38 tackles, 23 TFL, 16 sacks, 2 defl, 91 hurries
LE Calais Campbell 45 tackles, 19 tfl, 9 sacks, delf, ffumb, fmbrec, 56 hurries
DT Adam Carriker 32 tackles, 22 tfl, 9 sacks, defl, 67 hurries
DT Dre Moore 14 tackles, 6 tfl, 3 sacks, defl, ffumb, 49 hurries
RE Mario Williams 36 tackles, 19tfl, 11 sacks, 2 defl, 73 hurries

OLB Keith Rivers 42 tackles, 3 tfl, 7 sacks, 5 defl, 11 hurries
MLB Jon Beason 81 tackles, 12 tfl, 7 sacks, 3 INTs, 8 defl, 10 hurries
OLB Lamar Woodley 64 tackles, 4 tfl, 3 sacks, 4 INT, 10 defl, 9 hurries

CB Nnamdi Asomugha 49 tackles, 6 INTs, 8 defl, 2 ffumb, 2 fmbrec, TD
CB Mike Jenkins 69 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 defl, 2 ffumb, 1 fmbrec, TD
FS Eugene Wilson 31 tackles, 5 defl,
SS Kenny Phillips 29 tackes, tfl, 6 INTs, 10 defl, ffumb, fmbrec, TD

K/P Alexis Serna 14/20 (70%), 50yd long, 107/108 PAT, 34 punts, 1402yds, 41.2 avg, 36.6 net avg, 5 in 20, 5 TB