ULTIMATE SPORTS RATES THE RAMS, BY HIPA.KANE (Aug 1)Add yourself to The HERD's Official Roster (guestbook), if you think you are man enough!
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THE BACKUPS (4.5-5.0)
The scouts don't like Styles (has never produced); nor Jenkins (needs to play under control); nor McCollum (really struggled last season). On Wistrom--has physical skills, but plays like a bull in a china shop, needs to develop techniques, play under control, read & react, but will improve. [Note--It is no surprise that MLB, LG and SS are the positions of the greatest competition.]
THE BELOW AVERAGE STARTERS (5.0-5.5)
They see the following as lacking physical skills, but with good technique/football smarts--Gruttaduria (smart, tough, quick, lacks strength); Agnew (great recognition, doesn't generate power, not a pass-rusher); Green (doesn't have high physical skills, poor deep ball, not creative, but plays smart, doesn't beat himself, sees the whole field, locates 2nd receiver, avoids rush, "For me, his leadership qualities are the impressive thing"). They see potential in Hakim (gnat-quick, speed, burst, very fast, good routes, but undersized, should continue to improve).
THE AVERAGE STARTERS (5.5-6.0)
Timmerman (soft, plays tall, trouble vs. power rushers, just another average guard). Miller (built for tackle, unsung, productive, strong, big, not quick, poor recovery, lacks power angles/snap in run blocks, good pass protection)
THE ABOVE AVERAGE STARTERS (6.0-6.5)
Pace (has to smooth his techniques in punching on pass & picking up stunts, in order to be completely dominating). Conwell (injuried knee, not niffy, fights the ball sometimes, outstanding blocker, upfield speed, nightmare for DBs [remember the Saints game]). Farr (not traditional, no size to anchor at POA, best shoot the gap DT in the NFL, jumps around blocks, penetrates, disrupts, chases sideline to sideline). Collins (smart, verastile, solid). Jones (best in open side, runs sideline-sideline, drops, covers, good tackler in space, trouble at POA and with the TE). Lyght (slipped some, lost a step in man, still solid cover CB, great bump & run, good run support, zone, etc.).
FRONTLINE NFL STARTER
Carter (has trouble reading blocks and seperating from run blockers, otherwise he is excellent, physical prototype of DE).
PRO-BOWL TYPE (7.0-7.5)
Lyle (does it all, big, physical, can run, tackles in space, "really sets him apart is his instincts, his feel...get's great jumps on the ball, pass or run"). Bruce (injury hamstring, so fluid, so smooth, instant acceleration, as complete WR as there is, a natural). Faulk (last yr finally healthy, most dynamic run/catch double-threat in NFL, strong, instinctive, accelaterates in and out of the hole & runs away from people, in passing game runs down & makes ball adjustments over his shoulder like a WR).
ROOKIES
Holt (smooth, gamer, natural hand-eye, "a lot like Isaac"). Bly (an interceptor, squats on stuff, exposed deep, lacks top speed).
NO GRADE
These potential starters they didn't grade. McCleon, Nutten, Holcombe, Harris, RWilliams & Bush.