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Grading out the Rams 1st Half: Defense
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The Rams enter the bye week with a 1-7 record so things haven't been great obviously, but with a win over the Lions on Sunday there is at least a glimmer of hope for the second half of the season. Yesterday I took a look at how the offensive players did individually in the first half of the season. Today we take a look at how the Rams defensive players have done thus far.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Chris Long: D This grade is as much about expectations as it is about Long's performance on the field. I expected Long to make a big jump this year in production. It has not happened. Long has only one sack this season and only 27 tackles. He is pretty good against the run but he has not gotten anything done on the pass rush. When you are the second overall pick and supposed to be a great pass rusher that is not acceptable. Long needs to make a big jump in the second half. The term bust is not too far away right now and the Rams can't afford that.
Leonard Little: B The "old man" on the line is still getting it done on the pass rush. Little has 5 sacks this season and is on pace for 10. That is a very good year for someone who is in his 12th season in the league. Little is still someone that other team's have to prepare for and although he isn't the monster defensive end he once was he is still getting things done.
James Hall: B Hall is the Rams most consistent defensive end on this team against both the pass and the run. Hall has three sacks this season and is a decent player. He can play both sides of the line and although he doesn't make spectacular plays he makes the plays that he is supposed to.
C.J. Ah You: D I still don't forgive Ah You for being the 12th man on the Rams field goal block in Seattle. Although it may not have mattered it still was a ridiculous mistake. His play on defense has been adequate with one sack this season.
Victor Adeyanju: F Adeyanju has been a surprising scratch for most of the season and when he has been on the field he hasn't produced.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Clifton Ryan: C By far the best defensive tackle on the line but the Rams are still getting destroyed by the run. The Rams are 28th against the run giving up 138 yards per game. That goes back to the interior defensive line. Ryan has 21 tackles and a sack which makes him the best of a poor interior line.
LaJuan Ramsey D In the rotation but doesn't make a ton of plays. Has had an increasing role each week which means the coaching staff has some faith in him.
Gary Gibson: D After making some plays in the preseason Gibson has disappeared as the season has gone along.
Leger Douzable: D Not much from Douzable this season with 4 tackles.
Darrell Scott: F The Rams 4th round pick this year has had problems getting on the field, only playing in 2 games. The Rams need guys like this to be productive and when you can't get on the field as a 4th round pick that is not a good first half or a good sign.
LINEBACKERS
James Laurinaitis: A There were many, myself included, that were critical of this selection over Rey Maualuga in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. I was wrong. Laurinaitis has been a huge improvement at the position and has not looked overwhelmed as a rookie. He leads the Rams in tackles with 56 and is clearly the leader out there. He is everything you would want in a middle linebacker and looks like someone who will continue to improve. Laurinaitis has done everything you could want for a rookie linebacker.
David Vobora: F The jury is still out, literally, on what actually happened to cause Vobora to be suspended for 4 games. It is a mistake that has cost the Rams because he has been a productive player but missing those games because of an admittedly stupid mistake is not excusable. I hope his play makes up for it in the second half of the season.
Paris Lenon: C Given the starting spot, after the trade of Will Witherspoon, Lenon has played pretty well. He is not the future at linebacker but he is good enough to fulfill the role for the rest of the season fine.
Larry Grant: D Grant has been given opportunities to step up and grab a starting linebacker position and hasn't produced well enough to do that. Some of that is due to injury, but I thought Grant was going to be a diamond in the rough, instead he appears to be just a guy.
Chris Chamberlain: D He is a great special teams guy but doesn't seem to be a serious threat to ever produce in a linebacker role.
K.C. Asiodu: INC A special teams player who hasn't had any impact on the defense.
CORNERBACKS
Ron Bartell: D Bartell signed the big contract during the offseason but has not produced like the contract he signed. Bartell has been consistently picked on and has not intercepted a pass all season. He needs to have a better second half for the Rams to have any success.
Jonathan Wade: D He did enough in the preseason to knock Tye Hill out of the job then proceeded to lose his starting job to Bradley Fletcher. Due to the injury to Fletcher he is going to get another opportunity to make some things happen in the second half.
Bradley Fletcher: B After starting slow Fletcher was really starting to get how to play cornerback in the NFL and was starting to make some plays. Unfortunately a knee injury has ended his rookie season. Hopefully it will not hamper his career.
Justin King: F Still waiting to see the progress from King that made him worth the high second day pick. King needs to make a jump in the second half or he may likely not be in the league too much longer.
Quincy Butler: D A mostly nickel and dime back that will likely see some more clock in the second half. Needs to make some more plays to open eyes at Rams Park.
SAFETY
O.J. Atogwe: C Once considered a ballhawk, Atogwe has not had a knack of forcing turnovers in 2009. Atogwe has only one interception this season and zero fumbles. He has 53 tackles this season which means he is sticking his nose in there against the run. Atogwe has underachieved thus far this year.
James Butler: D One of the big signings by the Rams in the offseason, Butler was hampered by injuries and only has one interception this season. That interception wound up costing the Rams two points because of his ridiculous play in Detroit. Butler is another defensive back who needs to have a better second half.
Craig Dahl: C A better special teams player then a safety, Dahl has performed at an average level in the first half of the season.
David Roach: D Doesn't get much done on the defensive side of the ball. On special teams he is a decent player.
Anthony Smith: INC Mostly a scratch this season. I thought he might be utilized more after playing with the Steelers on a consistent basis.
Tomorrow we will take a look at the Special Teams
For more info: Get updates from Rams Park here and instant updates by Twitter here. Also please listen to my reports on The Morning After Monday and Friday on 1380 AM or at team1380.net.
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