2009 Rams Draft - A Look Back

Jason Smith - Jason Smith appeared to be a project to start with and still may be going into the 2010 season. Jason played in eight games in 2009, starting in five of them. Jason still appears to be more suited to play RT than LT, he is also still way better at run blocking than pass blocking.

James Laurinaitis - James was a great pick right out of the box. James filled a huge need at MLB. Laurinaitis started all 16 games and was outstanding. Laurinaitis made 120 tackles had two sacks a forced fumble and two interceptions. James needs some better cover skills but other than that he had a great year. Laurinaitis fell to the Rams as did Rey Maualuga, looks like the Rams made the better choice here.

Bradley Fletcher - With the surprising release of Tye Hill Fletcher got an early chance to play. Fletcher played in seven games and started in 3. Bradley was having his best game of the year against Indianapolis when he was injured. Bradley suffered two torn ligaments in his right knee and missed the final nine games of the 2009 season. Fletcher will try to return by 2010 training camp after recovering from a couple of knee surgeries.

Dorell Scott - Dorell did not get much playing time in preseason. Late in the season coach Steve Spagnuolo gave some of the younger players more oppurtunities and Scott made the most of it. Dorell started five of the last 6 games the Rams played recording 18 tackles and playing very well inside. I would love to see the Rams draft offensive weapons in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft, and continue to develop Clifton Ryan and Dorell Scott inside.

Foster Brooks - A preseason injury to Foster Brooks sidelined him for the whole 2009 NFL season. Brooks suffered a serious ankle injury against the Jets requiring surgery. While Foster is a great athlete I still do not understand drafting the 3rd best receiver on the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a senior Brooks only caught 30 passes and in 2007 Brooks did not start in any game. Brooks will most likely have a hard time making the 2010 Rams roster.

Keith Null - With the injury to Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller's lack of production along with the Rams terrible record Keith Null was pressed into service. For a late round draft pick from West Texas A&M, it is pretty impressive that Keith could do as well as he did. By NFL standards he failed but he did not seem overwhelmed by being in the NFL which is a great sign. Keith completed 73 of 119 passes for 566 yards, including 3 TDs and 9 interceptions for a QB rating of 49.9. Keith probably did enough to earn his way onto the 2010 Rams.

Chris Ogbonnaya - Chris had a hard time making the Rams squad bouncing between being cut and being on the practice squad. Ogbonnaya was finally given a chance and promoted to the active roster on November 28, 2009. Chris was on the Rams active roster from week 12 through the end of the season. Chris was able to get into two games were he had 11 carries for 50 yards and one reception for 19 yards. Steven Jackson spoke highly of Chris several times about his work ethic. With the lack of backup running backs on the Rams Chris will have a chance to once again be on the roster in 2010.

Week 7 – Indianapolis @ Rams Matchup

Sunday Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts should be in for an early Thanksgiving against the St. Louis Rams. This could be one of the biggest mis-matches in NFL history. The Indianapolis Colts have won 14 straight games, while the St. Louis Rams have lost 16 straight games. The Colts are a 14.5 point favorite as the road team. If your a Rams fan every stat is a nightmare to scary to even look at. On paper the Rams should never be in this one on Sunday.

The Rams have allowed opponents to complete 67% of their passes and on Sunday they will face Peyton Manning one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Manning has been on fire early in the 2009 NFL season with a 73.5 completion percentage and a QB rating of 114.1! Manning has started the season with five consecutive 300-yard passing games. With Ron Bartell coming back from a concussion and Justin King possibly out with a groin injury it will be like shooting fish in a barrel for Manning.

Dallas Clark who leads the Colts in receptions with 35, and already has 441 yards in only 5 games will be licking his chops coming into this one. The Rams who traded Will Witherspoon earlier in the week to the Philadelphia Eagles will be starting journeyman Paris Lenon, rookie James Laurinaitis and second year man Larry Grant as their starting linebackers. Look for Clark to have a huge game, the Rams will have no answer for the Manning to Clark duo.

Are the Rams already afraid of the Colts? The Rams are leaning toward starting Adam Goldberg at right tackle even though rookie first-round choice Jason Smith is healthy enough to play. The Rams are worried about Robert Mathis handing it to Smith. Either way we are looking at Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney against Alex Barron and Adam Goldberg, yikes. The two have combined for 10.5 sacks already. With Marc Bulger holding the ball too long and probably playing from behind look for the Colts to just tee off.

The Colts are 5th in scoring offense while the Rams are 30th in points allowed. The Colts are 1st in passing offense while the Rams are 27th against the pass. The Rams are dead last in points scored while the Colts average 27+ points per game.

The Rams who have ZERO rushing touchdowns will have to beat the Colts through the air and that means Marc Bulger will need to out dual Peyton Manning. Sorry I just started laughing a little. With the Rams defense allowing opponents to keep the ball with a 50% 3rd down conversion rate look for Manning to move the Rams around like chess pieces and put on a clinic in this one.

Prediction Colts over the Rams 35-10

St. Louis Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals Highlights

St. Louis Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals highlights from Friday night. Included are two touchdowns by Samkon Gado. James Laurinaitis with a huge fumble recovery. James Butler's fumble recovery and taking it to the house touchdown run. Quincy Butler follows that up with an interception and nice return. Finally a game clinching sack and strip by Eric Moore and recovery by backup defensive end C.J. Ah You.

St. Louis Rams Have Signed James Laurinaitis

The St. Louis Rams signed their second round draft pick James Laurinaitis Wednesday to a four-year contract. Contract details have not been released yet. The first practice for the rookies will be today, and now Laurinaitis will be part of it. This is great news. With a brand new coaching staff and many roster changes it is very important to get all of the new guys into camp on time. It is also important that Laurinaitis be our starting middle linebacker in 2009. I don't think many fans were wanting to see Chris Draft play 60+ plays per game. The Rams desperately need to shore up their run defense and this will be a step in the right direction. Jason Smith will now be the Rams top priority. He also needs to get into camp if he is going to get into the starting lineup.