The Rams' Receiver Corp 2011

The problem

In 2009, the Rams finished dead-last in the league in offense, scoring a total of 175 points, only 10.9 points per game. In 2010, the offense was a full touchdown per-game better, scoring just over 18 points per game (289 points). Of course, this was largely due to our change at the QB position. Marc Bulger threw for a total 1,469 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2009. Sam Bradford threw for 3,513 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2010.

With that said, there are still plenty of problems. By no means can this unit be viewed as a potential Super Bowl winner. Several All-Pro upgrades will have to occur before we can even begin to have that conversation. Although the two guard positions continue to be a position of critical weakness, the weakest link—by far—lies in precisely the point where it will hurt a young quarterback most: The Receiver corp.

The Rams receiver corp is commonly regarded as the weakest in the league. Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with a new franchise QB, and a fan base that recently enjoyed one of the greatest receiver corps in league history.

So the question is this: What must be done to build the Ram receiver corp into one of the finest in the league?

The Disaster of 2010

Before 2010, it was hoped that former 2^nd round pick Donnie Avery would blossom. Certainly, with Sam throwing the football, we felt Avery would get an even break. It all went up in smoke during the 3^rd preseason game in New England, where Donnie suffered a season-ending knee injury. To help fill the void, the Ram brought Mark Clayton. As you know, he didn’t last long. Soon we were calling in guys from the street. No slam on Denario Alexander, as I think he may have a bright future with us, but he was certainly doing something else for a living before the Rams dropped a dime in the payphone and called him. For some reason, 4^th round pick Mardy Gilyard was never able to crack the starting lineup. This was a major disappointment to us all.

The one and only guy who was in the lineup constantly making plays was Danny Amendola, our own personal Wes Welker. Like Wes, he is a short-yardage possession receiver. While he has great speed, he does not have the big body, long arms, and hops to go deep down field and beat a double team in a jump-ball situation.

The Fantasy

What if, Donnie Avery, Mark Clayton and Denario Alexander all come back strong next season? What if Gilyard finds his confidence and proves himself worthy in 2011? What if we combine these four receivers with a new deadly-threat receiver, such as A.J. Green? With a chain mover like Amendola, a burner like Avery, a big body like Alexander, sure hands like Clayton and RAC like Gilyard’s, a young man like A.J. Green could find himself lost in the shuffle… which is the very best place you can possibly be if you are a young receiver. It couldn’t better, really. Many a receiver has said that he loves it when the defense forgets about him and/or lose track of him.

In this Panglossian scenario, we would have one of the best receiver corps in the league, and the best the Rams have had since the early moments of the Greatest Show on Turf. I am not saying we would score 500 points in 2011, but we might score 400.

The Reality

The reality is that we have two receivers coming off major knee reconstruction surgery: Avery and Clayton. We have another in Alexander who has had several surgeries. Avery and Alexander have demonstrated a propensity for dropping deep passes. Mardy Gilyard seems to have the athletic talent, but not the confidence to make it on this level. We all expect Amendola to be in the lineup and continue moving the chains.

In this scenario, it is likely that a new deadly-threat receiver (like A.J. Green) would find himself in double coverage at all times. While this would help Avery, Clayton and especially Amendola, it wouldn’t do our new guy much good.

It is possible that Sam Bradford could experience much greater success in 2011 with this receiver corp. We could prosper and perhaps even win 10 games with this corp, but I would doubt our status as conteders. While our Receiver Corp would be better than average at this point, it would not be exceptional.

Could we score 400 points with a unit like this? I doubt it. Back off to 350 points.

The most fail-safe plan

To ensure greater success in 2011… if there is a 2011… we need to acquire two serious receiver prospects via draft and free agency. As I mentioned, I would like one of them to be A.J. Green.

The problem with drafting A.J. Green

There is much speculation about A.J. Green being selected #1 overall to the Panthers. Is this bullshit? We know WRs very rarely go #1 overall.

I suspected that the early announcement that the Panthers would select Andrew Luck was pure bullshit. I find it difficult to believe they would give up on Clausen so quickly; although you know I am not a fan of Clausen. I smelled a rat immediately, and I wondered if the Panthers were posturing for a block buster trade with the 49ers. The question became moot when Andrew did the right thing and stayed in school. Smart kid!

Are the Panthers trying to stick a gun in the ribs of the WR poor franchises to see what they can get in trade? Maybe, maybe not. Presumably, they are sticking with Clausen this year. If so, is it not logical to arm him with the most dangerous receiver you can possibly find? Suppose you had an investment in a borderline kid who might make it and might not. Would you not make a move to secure that investment? Even if Clausen fails, A.J. is still there for your next QB.

Consider a Trade

I know the Rams are a small-market team. I know we have had three consecutive expensive high-first round guys in a row. I know we may encounter salary cap problems if the cap returns. Nevertheless, I think it is mandatory that we explore the possibility of moving up in the draft, perhaps even as high as the absolute #1 spot. I think we have to be ready to go up there one more time.

Welcome back, Nolan Cromwell

In move sure to prove how much influence and sway I have over the organization, the Rams hired Nolan Cromwell to coach our Wide Receivers yesterday. Of course, I am glad we have Nolan back, and I wish him nothing but the very best of good luck in working with our razor thin talent at the position. Cromwell has always been an excellent man.

However, I am disapointed for Issac Bruce. I felt he was natural fit. We had marvelous results with Henry Ellard, and we never should have let him go. Issac would have walked in the footsteps of Henry for the second time. I felt Issac's second succession would lead to similar excellent results.

Perhaps we can suit Issac up for one season. God knows we can use him.

To make Nolan successful this time around, we are going to have to seriously upgrade our talent at the Wide Receiver position. Laurent Robinson was showing signs in his foreshortened tour of duty last season. We hope he can come back from injury. Donnie Avery took two steps back and perhaps two or three steps forward last season. We are uncertain of his progress. It was a very up and down affair in 2009 for Avery. I was upset by the drops and fumbles, but we need to remember he was our only weapon last season. He drew tough double coverage at all times because defenses needed to worry about no one else. I personally believe he is destined to be the #2 receiver behind a big-shot #1 receiver we do not yet have on the roster.

God knows I am praying for a collective bargaining agreement in the next 17 days so we can acquire Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos. I would chase him all day long in free agency with big money. Marshall is everything you want and more from a killer #1 receiver. He would take all the pressure in the world off of Donnie Avery and Laurent. They would be able to prosper in the shade of his tall shadow. Marshall and Avery would make a very nice thunder and lightning combo. They would pose some difficulties for defensive coordinators in 2010. DCs in 2009 had no difficulties to consider--save Steven Jackson--when playing the Rams.

Finally, acquiring Dexter McCluster in the 3rd around is an absolute must. I would use McCluster in precisely the same way Mad Mike Martz intends to use Devon Hester. I would line Dexter up in the Slot receiver position and try to construct a mis-match between him and a safety or outside linebacker. He'll shake either coverage easily.

To make either Michael Vick or Tim Tebow successful in both the near and the long terms, serious upgrades at the Wide Receiver position are in order.

Oye...! My Rams...

The 28-0 shutout Seattle pitched against us was entirely the fault of our offense. Anytime you see the punter come on the field when it is 4th and short on the enemy 35 yard line, that shows the coaches have no confidence in the offense at all.

The defense did a solid job. The shutdown and cutoff a number of scoring opportunities that would have made this loss dramatically worse. My hats off to O.A. for that terrific interception that shutdown a sure-fire touchdown drive. It also made Matt Hasselback very cautious for the rest of the game. My hats off to James Laurinaitis who played a hell of game. Nice fumble strip! You cut off another scoring opportunity for the Seahawks.

The special teams did their job well. They even made a few stand-up and shout plays. That was a tremendous pin around the goal line in the first half. Loved it. We have a tremendous punter, and we have a tremendous kicker. Josh should not have missed that field goal, and we should not have been shutout, but this was a bad day for a good man.

Folks, our offense sucks. There is still no sign of solid pass-protection. There is still no sign of good run blocking. Bulger has no confidence at at all. Our new and expensive all-pro center executed a really nasty long snap which cost us. Donnie Avery had big problems holding on to the football. We committed a lot of stupid penalties. Donnie also erased a great run by Steven Jackson with a flagrant hold. Incognito scored another knock-out punch and a 15 yard personal foul with it. I'll admit, he had one hell of a straight right lunge-punch. He knocked that Seahawk defender right on his ass. Still, Richie will get a powerful FedEx envelope delivered to his locker soon. Merton Hanks will be giving some of Incognito's money to charity.

The classic Safety man John Lynch (who had the color analysis on this game) defended Incognito as "a very good player, who just did a selfish thing." I am almost sure I don't know what the hell he is talking about, and I've been a Ram fan for 30 years. I think Incognito is the biggest case of Roid Rage I have ever seen. Just test him and see.

Furthermore, there is no sign of the West Coast offense in St. Louis. Last time I checked, the West Coast was about throwing the football to your main back rather than handing it to him in the I-Formation. It is also about spreading the ball around to 8 different receivers, in all corners of a 30-40 yard zone. I saw no sign of this yesterday.

Basically, the defense couldn't stay off the field because the offense could not stay on the field. With unlimited time and opportunities, Seattle eventually put together 4 touchdown drives. Don't get too excited Seahawks. You were 4 for 20 in scoring position yesterday. You are still rebuilding.

The one small sign of hope is that Jason Smith did start, and Jason Smith made no overt mistakes in this game. He acquitted himself well in this game.

I don't know, perhaps I am a foolish hommer. Perhaps I have no empirically justifiable reason for saying this... In the set position, the Rams' offensive line did look like a collection of good, hard, strong men. They look good, they just don't play good. Still, somehow, somewhere in the back of my mind, I got the feeling that this unit just might mature into something great as the long season wears on. I sure hope so. We cannot win (ever) without a great O-line.

This is going to be a long, hard year of learning for our O-line.