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WHERE THEY WERE GREAT, WHERE THEY WILL IMPROVE 
BY DK COX (March 21)

I. SOME RAMS HEROES OF THE 1999-2000 SEASON.

1. QUARTERBACK. Kurt Warner actually showed more consistency than anyone else on offense. 

Kurt had the "uncoachable" ability to rebound regardless of  prior events.  It seemed as though when the Warner brought the Rams  back against the Titans in Tennessee he developed the knack for never getting down on himself or his teammates (a lesson Jeff George & Dan Marino would have benefitted from). Especially after a ill-advised interception, breakdown from a teammate,  or stalled drive.  Many QB's have the physical ability,   & the mental capacities to understand the game,  but only a few have the intestinal fortitude & "Gumption" to stay focused during poor stretches and rebound form them. There are QBs throughout the league who have had bad games & then rebounded the following week, and some rebound between halves, or after the defense or special teams make big plays. Kurt,  on the other hand,  rebounds from poor possessions on the very next possession. 

Right now Kurt is being questioned because of his unexpected  rise from obscurity to MVP clean sweep honors,  and some people  question his ability to repeat, but all one has to do is watch the adjustments he made during a game and notice the kind of confidence he brings to the team to see that Kurt Warner is the real deal.  Some of the best QB's in NFL history had question marks about their "measurables" and yet found a way to win.  The record speaks for itself. All past great QB's who have won championships have one thing in.  It's not their ability to scramble, throw the deep ball or the 20 yard out. They don't need to be as smart as Kasparov.  The one thing they all have is the immeasurable heart of champion. Kurt Warner showed the world the size of his heart. That will be the story that brings goose bumps to all those who come after us. Some feel that he caught lighting in a bottle and compare him to Doug Williams. They are expecting this prince to turn into a frog because the story makes no sense. They only need to look deep into their own hearts instead of questioning others.

2. MIKE JONES. The season ended on a play that showcases one of the Rams true heroes of the 1999-2000 season.  For my money, Mike Jones was the single most important player on defense throughout the year. Mike has established himself as one of the best---if not THE best---cover LBs in the NFL.  He reads the offense well & is uncanny at getting in the passing lanes. That is something which can only be accomplished only by the true professionals in the game, players who realize that preparation & practice & studying game film are as important as the game itself.  Mike single handedly turned two games around with interception returns last year and provided solid run support plus the kind of veteran leadership young teams like the Rams needed. The Rams got solid play from all three tiers of their defense last year & it's hard to pick one player who is considered the most valuable. The media & fans notice the big sacks or the great slow motion replays of corner play, but Mike provided both the great "behind the scenes" kind of play as well as the highlight reel footage. 

To fully understand the level of play Mike Jones has elevated to, simply break down the last play of the season.  Very few LBs in the game today can make that play,  and no one knows that better than Dick Vermeil or Jeff Fisher.  Instead of taking two shots in a crowded endzone, Fisher decided to go to a high percentage play in a clear-out formation.  Since the defense was playing endzone coverage the soft spot would develop in the middle, since the field becomes much wider than long at the 10 yard line.  To take advantage of this Fisher called a play where TE-Frank Wycheck makes an outside move towards the post from the right side of the right tackle.  Since the Rams are in coverage, the MLB would either be blitzing or deep in the middle of the endzone playing zone coverage.  The slot receiver would make a hard cut to the middle of the field,  and with the coverage playing endzone & with the outside coverage on Wycheck, he would undoubtedly be open. On the drawing board, defensive coaches will detail the responsibilities for the LB this way---roll off the TE & cover the WR.  Well, sure, that puts a body on a body, but it's also a definite mismatch in speed & agility.  And besides, most LBs in this league are not disciplined enough to even make that adjustment---they would have maintained coverage on the TE, something we've all seen lead to a TD many times in endless hours of " Prime Time" replays.  Nonetheless, Mike Jones made the proper read,  so he shoots off Wycheck & comes off into Dyson, who has the inside lane. The ball is delivered & Dyson's streaking towards a tie game & Mike Jones  outdoes himself and makes yet another play that very few make---a picture perfect textbook tackle,  slowing momentum with high contact & sliding down the body and maintaining possession of the receiver while pulling up on the ankles. Stopping him a yard shy.  It was not only a game saving tackle in a championship game, a play that dropped jaws, but it was also an absolutely textbook play by the Rams most solid defensive player, a guy who was making plays like that throughout the entire year.  

3. MARSHALL FAULK IN THE PLAYOFFS. I believe the playoff game plans were a result of Faulk's rushing numbers.  It's a combination of his abilities, the offensive game plans,  & his assignments. I  believe if the offensive line were blowing people off the line consistently they would have had more success running the ball.  But...I don't believe we would have done better if he gained more yards---rather, I believe the theory that we won those three games simply because Marshall was in the backfield.

Game 1-Vikings: Game plan was obvious, Pass & Attack. They slowed after a some quick strikes,  realizing they had to eat up part of the clock also, which backfired after a fumble. The started the attack again after Tony Horne's return in the second half.

Game 2-Buccaneers: By his own admission, Martz was out of character & played into the Buccaneers hands,  which resulted in no rushing lanes.  It should be no embarrassment by the offensive line to struggle against the Bucs front seven, since they can make a claim to being the best in the business.

Game 3-Titans: Realizing his mistake, Martz went back to attacking & was predictable in his use of the running game.  The Titans were blitzing with their backs in the redzone & Martz could have highlighted Marshall & taken early control of the game by getting Faulk beyond the line on dump-offs & screens.  The Titans were playing single coverage throughout the game,  daring the Rams to pass,  which they wisely did.

The Rams were very adept at taking what the defense gave them throughout the year & most defensive coordinators kept challenging Kurt Warner to beat them by taking Marshall out of the game. 

Let it be known that I believe Marshall is a future Hall of Fame back who is as dangerous in the passing game as he is in the running game. His value can not be assessed by rushing yardage alone.  He gains his yards both ways & requires a lot of attention by the defenses,  which is of immeasurable value, even if you often can't see it in the confines of television coverage.

II. CHANGES & HARD CHOICES? 

1. THE OFFENSIVE LINE. As far as the offense line goes everyone on the line had flashes of great & poor play last season (including Pace & Timmerman).  The 1st part of the year they performed very well but as the season grew on there were breakdowns from everyone throughout the line on occasion. I think Timmerman was the most solid performer overall, although his responsibilities did occasionally lead to some holding penalties (which were more a result of the schemes, because the option would have been a collapsed pocket). But I don't believe you can point out anyone for their consistent play.

So I feel the offensive line played well as whole but still saved room for improvement for 2000-2001 season. Is it good enough for the offense Martz calls & the skill players they have ? SURE, but I believe it's the skill players who make the line look good, not the other way around.

And I am not convinced that losing Fred & Mike will help either. From the film I watched, believe that we will have a drop-off from the players slated to take their places. For example, I started watching the offensive line footage of the Giants game recently to get a peek at Tucker playing LT after Pace's ejection & Spikes playing guard the last 5 minutes.

With Spikes, I vividly recall pressure (especially in the redzone) from the tackles. He consistently was keeping his head down & totally missing his block,  only getting nicks on the tackles in front of him. He was lunging and looked confused figuring out his responsibilities and did little toward locking anyone up. That game showed me that he is actually no where near Nutten in his run blocking---which was supposed to be his strength. I will say though that he has the natural strength & ability to dominate, From the little tape I could watch, I saw he needs to keep his head up, explode into a defender,  & let his brute strength take over. He has to show more "attackability."  I trust that Hanifan will make great strides with him during the camps this year. Plus he has a wonderful opportunity to watch one of the best in Timmerman,  who absolutely punishes people in run blocking traps & sweeps & is much more nimble than a man his size should be

Tucker's man got no where near Warner but it's mainly because the fool would only rush way outside & Tucker simply obliged him & showed athleticism out wide.  Only thing is that Cedric was not even trying to get to Warner and was simply cashing a game day paycheck. 

In my opinion, this line will not reach its potential next season, but will require several more changes to become one of the better in the league.

Still...

I don't think the Rams are sold on drafting interior lineman in this draft early as previously indicated. Obviously options are wide open, especially considering  the number pretty good OGs still available on open market. It's a buyers markets for big-strong-slow pile pushers in the NFL.  Maybe Armey was telling the truth when he said they will go DEFENSE-DEFENSE-DEFENSE in this draft.

2. WHO TO PAY? Who else is a little uncomfortable offering record numbers to Kevin Carter after minor back surgery (that, to be fair, wasn't a disc removal).  Back injuries rarely disappear & often manifest themselves in different areas in the future.

With the upcoming contract talks that will be LARGE issue with Kevin.

Isaac is looking to get Galloway money I'm sure, but is  one year removed from 2 year battles with hammies. Sure Martz & Saunders kept him in the game but hammies can rear up anytime.

III. SOME THOUGHTS ON THE RAMS DRAFT.

1. HOPING FOR HOVAN. Will Chris Hovan will be gone at # 31? I realize that he had a very solid combine. Here is the book on him according to one prominent scouting service:

"CHRIS HOVAN: DT-Boston College-Rocky River, Ohio 6'-2", 296 lbs., 40 yard-4.95, 20 yard-2.86, 10 yard-1.73, 225 lb.bench press-35 times......Shows superb ball recognition skills...Avoids low blocks well and has an explosive burst off the snap......Has the punishing inside charge to regularly beat his man."

Looking at the 1st 30 picks, I would not be shocked if he drops down. 1st round picks are more a combination of need with ability in each pick as there is in any round because teams have pressure to see the # 1 pick on the field. So looking at the 1st round it appears that we can make some conclusions on who will be looking at DT as one of their primary needs in round # 1. Possible teams who could take Chris Hovan are the Jets & Colts so let's take a deeper look at their roster and see how what they really need:

THE JETS have several real sincere needs to fill in the 1st round. Their obvious needs are a OC & LG. Without Jumbo they have a big hole at RT and at TE with Fred Baxter being their best option. On defense they have Jason Ferguson & Ernie Logan playing nose tackle in the 3-4 and obviously their nose tackle requires size. They could obviously use a DE, but why slide Hovan over when there are more prolific options available to them like Darren Howard, Shaun Ellis & John Engleberger. They are talking about moving up for Courtney Brown or Lavar Arrington, both of whom fit the 3-4 defense they play. So if they wanted a DT they could probably trade up to get the best in Corey Simon, but they also have other positions that require immediate upgrades.

THE COLTS have many more needs than a 13-3 team should. They need help at WR, OC, RG, FB, DT, LDE, LOLB & MLB. Jerome Pathon, EG Green & Terrance Wilkins do not attract much attention away from Marvin Harrison. Their center & right guard positions are being held down by 4 unknown free agent additions (Larry Moore & Waverly Jackson are the starters, Phillip Armour & Jeff Saturday are the backups). The whole left side of the defense needs help as the starters are LDE-Bernard Whittington, LOLB-Cornelius Bennett (with a lot of milage on him), & MLB-Jeff Brady. Their tackles include one solid player in Elliss Johnson & veteran journeymen in Larry Chester, Tony McCoy & Shane Bonham. One could easily see them going DT in this draft in round # 1, but if you ask me the player that immediately fits in for them is Rob Morris-MLB BYU. Morris plays a more important position, one effecting the entire the defense. Other possibilities include the array of offensive lineman available,  and one of the stud wideouts to play opposite Harrison.

THE PANTHERS. They are in the process of re-signing Morabito who finished only 7 tackles behind Gilbert. They have some decent depth players to fit into the rotation (Antonio Dingle, Esera Tuaolo & ex-Ram- Alton Weaver I believe is a member of the team) & signing Morabito as a UFA and than pushing him into the 2nd rotation doesn't sound cap friendly.  Of course, Sean receives all the attention in the middle of the line (which is exactly the point). You do not need to put all eggs in that basket & Seifert has several holes to fill throughout the team. They will not be pushing one of their tackles outside either, since they have Jason Peter & Chuck Smith (Greene's replacement) as the starters & Jay Williams & Chuck Wiley as a 2nd unit.  Sounds like they have spent more than enough on D-Line. They have big holes at linebacker too. The team's leading tackler (Michael Barrow) is now a Giant, which creates a real need.  You're looking at a corps who has it's starters as Hannibal Navies, Dean Wells in middle & Donta Jones. Backups are Lamont Green, Steve Tovar in middle & Kory Minor. They are talking to Lee Woodall and if they land him that will answer the need at that spot before the draft.  Woodall is a physical specimen but he doesn't have the thickness or ability to play off blocks like Barrow did & in Seifert's defense a lot is put on the Lbs. Some are starting to put a "injury bug tag" on Woodall. Here are their additional needs: (1) WR. They are 3 deep here and all are similar. They have Muhammad, Jeffers & Donal Hayes, who all versions of the tall physical receivers who do well in the 49ers ole' offense (even though Haskell has packed his bags for Seattle, which will really hurt them IMO).  Behind those 3 all I can think of is UFA Eric Metcalf, Jim Turner,  & FA Sir Parker (WOW..that's some depth, huh ).  A stud receiver will be hard for Seifert to pass up. Let's say that Jerry Porter, Sylvester Morris, Dez White & Travis Taylor would be tempting,  although they could wait until the 2nd for the next tier down. (2) Offensive Line is a NEED position on that team. Ex-Ram Clarence Jones is manning the LT spot. Last years 2nd round pick is at RT. Besides Frank Garcia at center, I believe the rest are affordable FA plugs like Matt Campbell, Bryan Stoltenberg, Jamir Nesbitt & Clay Shiver. Nate Newton retired & D.G. Norberto is looking around.  It would be hard for them to pass up a versatile player like Adrian Klemm, Travis Clardige or Todd Wade. (3) They have real question marks at RB & FB but will make a go with Biakabutuka, Lane,  & Williams, although will probably look no later than the 4th round to bring some new blood into position. (4) TE. Wesley Walls is as good as they come, but is aging, & Brian Kinchen is no starter. Still, this is a depth issue to be settled in the later rounds.

So, all things considered,  looking at their roster needs today, how can the Panthers go anywhere but linebacker? This is a team that could really use Lee Woodall & then some.  Looking at the roster today I say they would have to go with someone like Julian Peterson (probably won't be there), John Abraham, Rob Morris, Keith Bullock, or Raynoch Thompson. I'll go John Abraham since he is a Carolina boy (albeit South Carolina).

So my question is, are we sure Chris Hovan will not be there at # 31?

2. AHMED PLUMMER.  Sparks is 5'11, 195 lbs but will be turning 31 next month.  If they sign Sparks, Lyght must not be in plans.  Why would they let a younger guy with starters (albeit NOT all-star) abilities go and bank the future on two 31 year old corners ? I see Lyght staying & bringing in Sparks as doing nothing more than covering their bases.

Dexter though has his work cut out for him going into his last year of a contract being unrestricted next year.  The Rams have been known to hedge their bets with guys they want to keep.  I think they feel that Bly may have a brighter future than McCleon, so next year will be interesting to watch develop.

Regardless,  a corner in this draft is definitely a need,  and Ahmed Plummer will still be tempting at # 31 if Hovan is gone.

Sure, OLB becomes odds on favorite if guys like Bullock, Thompson & Abraham are their, but Plummer is the real deal. Here is the book on him:

"AHMED PLUMMER Cornerback Ohio State 6:1-201.  Exceptional athlete with tremendous character.....Explosive out of his breaks...Has quick feet, superb balance and loose hips...Does a great job of getting his head around playing the deep ball...Attacks aggressively and shows a powerful spring into his hits...."

Plummer also scored an extremely impressive 39 on the Wunderlink Test, which ranks at the top! For my money, this guy would look awful good as a bookend to Bly for the future.  Keep Lyght and sign him to a 2-3 year extension.  Take offers for McCleon or make him beat out these guys before renegotiating.  It is very possible that McCleon could be gone next year since they are obligated (ff they sign tenders) for one more year. This position is as critical as any for this team.Considering they way their offense scores points,  opposing offenses will always be trying to air it out to stay in the points race.

IV. AROUND THE LEAGUE.

1. LAVAR ARRINGTON.  I expect Arrington to compare favorably to Jevon Kearse. Watching every Penn State game I'm of the opinion that Paterno & Sandusky did not let this kid show his true talents, a lot like Dean Smith with Michael Jordan. This guy is a one man wrecking crew & I think he could easily go # 1 to the Browns.

I am really hoping that Bill Parcells burns Daniel Snyder the way he burned Al Davis. I'm sure everyone recalls when Al Davis traded for the 2nd pick in the draft weeks before the draft & was penciling Orlando Pace until the night before the draft old friends Vermeil & Parcells made a deal were the Rams got the # 1 pick & jumped in front of Davis to take Pace & Davis than took Darrell Russell claiming that's who he wanted all along, even though he had zero tackles that were producing at the time and just signed Russell Maryland from the Cowboys. Well, Daniel Snyder is running his trap about getting LaVar Arrington & now stands the possibility that Parcells trades Keyshawn & to Ravens for # 5 & uses that and other 1st round arsenal & leapfrogs Snyder & gets Arrington.

Than poor-rich little Danny would be left with Brown  at DE  after Washington spent big bucks on the line already with Stubblefield, Wilkinson, Bruce Smith,  & M. Coleman. Peter Warrick would be very good for them, but not a definite need, while Chris Samuels will fit for anyone.I  guess he would probably go Warrick & Samuels leaving stud DE-Courtney Brown to the Bengals.

If  the Browns keep pick I can see them  taking Arrington & similar happens except Parcells swaps spots with the Bengals & takes Courtney & Bengals go either Thomas Jones or Plaxico  Burress & Eagles go with Corey Simon. Cardinals will be praying Bengals takes anyone besides Jones.

2. PAUL JUSTIN & THE COWBOYS.  I heard that the Cowboys were interested in Justin at one point. Sounds logical to me that they would be interested in anyone who is familiar with this offense & can add    the arsenal. Jack Reilly [Dallas offensive coordinator] will pattern his offense after Ernie Zampese's---so Reilley's version of this offense will look more Zampese's than like Martz's version---although I'm sure they will watch a lot of Rams film & make similar  kinds of adjustments and get creative with motion more than Ernie did. The fact that Ernie has been hired as a consultant in Dallas though may restrict some of  that.

3. CARL PICKENS. From a Cincy paper: "The Bengals would accept a second round draft pick for Pickens, but no team, including the Ravens, has offered that."

I'm not suggesting that we have a interest in him, but as a Rams fan, I hope someone like Daniel Snyder doesn't go for him. A big possession guy like Carl would really help in Norv Turner's offense & a 2nd does sound like too much for him if he is a difference maker on your team. Sure he has age & an needs a attitude  adjustment, which just may come with a chance to win. I also would hate to see him go to Buccaneers, Packers, Falcons & Eagles  (just because I don't like them). I don't think the Saints or Panthers could ever fit him under  their cap.