Brock Berlin to Start (?) (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Pasquino]

Post-Dispatch

Sources: Bulger won't play Sunday

By Jim Thomas

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

12/07/2007

Quarterback Marc Bulger did not feel well following meetings Thursday, and is now listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.

By official NFL definition, "questionable" means a player has a 50-50 chance of playing in that week’s game.

But two sources have told the Post-Dispatch that Bulger will not play Sunday. That means Brock Berlin -- who has yet to throw a pass or play in a regular-season game -- will make his first NFL start.



Coach Scott Linehan said early Friday afternoon that he will decide what to do at quarterback within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Backup quarterback Gus Frerotte also is out with a partially torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder.

"Marc had really what I thought were two very good practices Wednesday and Thursday, but that’s the objective part," Linehan said. "I guess the subjective part is he didn’t feel really good after (Thursday) afternoon’s meetings.

"Because of that, it puts some questions in my mind as to whether or not he should be cleared to play. . . .We’re not going to put a guy out on the field if there’s any doubt whatsoever when it comes to these kinds of injuries. Or any injuries."

Linehan knows better than most when it comes to the risk of playing with concussions. His brother Ron passed away two years ago from Alzheimer’s disease following a football career in which he had numerous concussions.

Bulger suffered a concussion Nov. 25 against Seattle and didn’t play last week against Atlanta. He passed a neuropsych, or baseline test, this Tuesday, which cleared him to practice.

A final decision on whether Bulger would play against Cincinnati had been expected Friday. Once a player is cleared to practice, it’s normally routine for a player to play in the next game.

But Bulger, who has played with rib, knee and shoulder injuries _ among others _ over the course of his NFL career, said earlier in the week that he would be very careful in dealing with an injury to his head.

"There was certainly no reason until yesterday afternoon to believe he wasn’t going to play," Linehan said. "But based on how he felt physically, it changed. So we told Brock to get ready (Thursday) afternoon at the end of the meeting and he took a number of snaps (Friday)."

The Rams also signed Todd Bouman for quarterback insurance, and Bouman was on the practice field Friday. Linehan plans to consult further with team doctors and athletic trainers on Bulger’s condition.

Linehan said Bulger told him Thursday afternoon that he "just didn’t feel right."

 

[trader jake]

Brock Berlin? Wow.

I'd rather start Todd Bouman.

 

[gheemony]

Ick. What does that do to Holt's value?

 

[Raider Nation]

Cincy -8.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

I just picked up the Bengals D for my playoff game based on this news.

 

[2banalias]

I think people here are underestimating Brock Berlin. I think the kid's got big play potential. Even his name is fit for a hero, Brock Berlin.

 

[awesomeness]

this is the QB who sucked at the university of miami correct?

 

[Raider Nation]

this is the QB who sucked at the university of miami correct?

Yes. If sucking was the objective, he would have won the Heisman.

 

[kringkoolkong221]

who is this kid

 

[Spartans Rule]

While he was at Florida, I watched him and Rex Grossman play in the same game with the same talent to work with. Grossman was so much better than Berlin it wasn't even funny.

Maybe things have changed, but I would tend to doubt it.

 

[jasonbay]

Brock Berlin, this game should , I would defiantly start Todd Bouman. Also I've been wondering all year as teams scramble to sign qb's and consider qb's, Why is Aaron Brooks never mentioned?

 

[cpstorm]

I read on my KFFL update this morning that Bulger is out. THey may be basing it on the Dispatch article though... stay tuned.

If Berlin is at QB, you have to consider benching Holt if you have an alternative I think

 

[Bad_Mo]

who is this kid

Careful...people like "Irish" will start saying you don't follow football or that you obviously haven't watched any Rams games over the last 2 years.

 

[knowledge dropper]

Before you go snapping up the Bengals D you may want to consider the Bengals have made legends out of guys just cutting their teeth in the NFL. You can start with Brett Favre and end with Derek Anderson. It has been a sickening pill over the years.

 

[Brutis]

This is outstanding!! with Bulger out I get to put in Kitna against Dallas. Yay

 

[The Kerminator]

If Berlin is at QB, would it be wise of me to start Crayton over Holt?

 

[j ViLLA x PE]

I just picked up the Bengals D for my playoff game based on this news.

Yeh don't go overbored on this situation. Remember old ### Vinny getting 2 practices before his first start and he was getting the ball to smith all day.The Rams got weapons, and unexperienced QB's usually check down to their back, which is steven jackson. becareful with the bengals D.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

So this guy stunk it up in college, has never played in the NFL and is on the road and suddenly he's gonna go Favre/Anderson/Testaverde on me.

 

[j ViLLA x PE]

So this guy stunk it up in college, has never played in the NFL and is on the road and suddenly he's gonna go Favre/Anderson/Testaverde on me.

No, just saying to check for better options. its either the first round of the playoffs or the last game of the season. its a high risk/high reward situation. fantasy is a game of suprises. thats all.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

When I was on the radio in Memphis this week and mentioned Berlin might start, the hosts cracked up.

"That guy's still in the league?"

"I think I saw him at the Fox and Hound last week!"

 

[Tat]

looks like steady rain in Cincy. Bengals D could be a smart play.

 

[mad sweeney]

who is this kid

Careful...people like "Irish" will start saying you don't follow football or that you obviously haven't watched any Rams games over the last 2 years.

Even if they had been watching the Rams, Berlin has yet to throw a pass in the league so he wouldn't have missed much.

 

[PahtyTom]

Before you go snapping up the Bengals D you may want to consider the Bengals have made legends out of guys just cutting their teeth in the NFL. You can start with Brett Favre and end with Derek Anderson. It has been a sickening pill over the years.

One thing to consider though, is that Berlin has only taken first team reps Friday, and hasn't had a whole week to prepare.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

The Rams can't run the entire game. If CIN puts 8 or 9 in the box, the pass will then be open. Granted his plays will probably be real simple, but some quick outs and stuff over the middle might be enough to consider starting Holt or Bruce. 5-6 catches could be in store for at least one of those guys. I have a decision to make myself. My opponent has Holt and I have Bruce.

 

[CaGamblers]

So would you play Cinn Def against STL or play NE def against Pit?

Also who would you play at WR (Need 3) Holt, Jennings, Deion, Fitz, Bryant Johnson, Lee Evans, Chris Henry - 1pt for every reception starting with the 3rd catch, 1pt for every 15 yards and 6pts for TDs

 

[Tat]

So would you play Cinn Def against STL or play NE def against Pit?

Also who would you play at WR (Need 3) Holt, Jennings, Deion, Fitz, Bryant Johnson, Lee Evans, Chris Henry - 1pt for every reception starting with the 3rd catch, 1pt for every 15 yards and 6pts for TDs

Threads that are asking for advice on how you should draft or manage your team belong in The Assistant Coach forum.I think Cincy's D is a no brainer seeing that Pittsburgh will score

 

[omally]

Before you go snapping up the Bengals D you may want to consider the Bengals have made legends out of guys just cutting their teeth in the NFL. You can start with Brett Favre and end with Derek Anderson. It has been a sickening pill over the years.

One thing to consider though, is that Berlin has only taken first team reps Friday, and hasn't had a whole week to prepare.

Up until Thursday after practice, the Rams thought Bulger was good to go.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Holt's stock tomorrow is ZERO if Berlin is trhowing the ball. I mentioned this info briefly earlier in the week in the RB thread. I cringe thinking of the 3rd string QB, Brock Berlin no less taking the field as the starter on Sunday.

 

[knowledge dropper]

Holt's stock tomorrow is ZERO if Berlin is trhowing the ball. I mentioned this info briefly earlier in the week in the RB thread. I cringe thinking of the 3rd string QB, Brock Berlin no less taking the field as the starter on Sunday.

Yes. However, the Bengal DBs would be 3rd teamers in most other NFL cities.

 

[thecardiackid]

Sorry to add some more doubt to this situation, but (I HEARD) the host of NFLN's Total Access just said on the show (from today) that Bulger was "cleared to play". Especially sorry since I'm in the first round of the playoffs vs. Holt and the hapless CIN D.

ETA: from CBS's FF site - News: According to published reports, Rams QB Marc Bulger will not play Week 14 at Cincinnati after suffering a setback as he tries to recover from a concussion. Brock Berlin will make his first career start Sunday against the Bengals. Recently signed Todd Bouman will dress as the backup quarterback.

Sorry if the NFLN host is wrong.