Rams defensive notes (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

From the Post-Dispatch

Defensive ends Leonard Little and Anthony Hargrove are expected to regain their jobs, Pisa Tinoisamoa isn't likely to be uprooted at strongside linebacker, and third-year pro Brandon Chillar appears to have the edge at weakside linebacker. The seven other spots could be filled with new starters by opening day - Sept. 2 vs. Denver.

 

[WhoDat]

From the Post-Dispatch

Defensive ends Leonard Little and Anthony Hargrove are expected to regain their jobs, Pisa Tinoisamoa isn't likely to be uprooted at strongside linebacker, and third-year pro Brandon Chillar appears to have the edge at weakside linebacker. The seven other spots could be filled with new starters by opening day - Sept. 2 vs. Denver.

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Oshiomogho Atogwe...any word on that guy?

 

[Bob_Magaw]

this is odd... it does come from STL local paper, but it contradicts what i thought... that tino is WLB & chillar has slight edge over raonall smith at SLB (i may be correcting STL team report )...

tino struggles to stay aboove 220 & is already one of smaller WLBs in league... he did play SLB his second year, but i think WIL is the better fit... chillar is more big & hulking & not nearly as explosive & i think would be better fit at SLB...

the hint that they may be mistaken is when they mentioned that tino not likely to be "uprooted"... this would connote that he played there last year & was incumbent, but he played WLB last season?

thanx for bringing this to my attention, jene, in case there is something to it, but i believe it is mistaken...

who dat, atogwe is favorite to start at FS next to chavous at SS, but it will be played out in camp & pre-season... he got in martz's doghouse early but looked better in limited action later in season... he has interesting skill set... 200 m long sprinter, led cards (stanford) in tackles three straight years, led pac-10 with 6 FFs & 6 FRs his junior year... he may be raw in coverage but i think he can be a playmaker & kind of guy that eventually developes complete game & can run, hit & cover... the kind of safety that can be interchangeable with SS & take on some of their responsibilities... just like chaous is versatile & could play some FS if needed, though i dond't know if he has same range as when he was CB earlier in career with cards (ARI)...

with interchangeable safeties, in theory it is harder for defense to iso them & exploit weaknesses of one or the other (or both ) in run support & coverage.

 

[WhoDat]

this is odd... it does come from STL local paper, but it contradicts what i thought... that tino is WLB & chillar has slight edge over raonall smith at SLB (i may be correcting STL team report )...

tino struggles to stay aboove 220 & is already one of smaller WLBs in league... he did play SLB his second year, but i think WIL is the better fit... chillar is more big & hulking & not nearly as explosive & i think would be better fit at SLB...

the hint that they may be mistaken is when they mentioned that tino not likely to be "uprooted"... this would connote that he played there last year & was incumbent, but he played WLB last season?

thanx for bringing this to my attention, jene, in case there is something to it, but i believe it is mistaken...

who dat, atogwe is favorite to start at FS next to chavous at SS, but it will be played out in camp & pre-season... he got in martz's doghouse early but looked better in limited action later in season... he has interesting skill set... 200 m long sprinter, led cards (stanford) in tackles three straight years, led pac-10 with 6 FFs & 6 FRs his junior year... he may be raw in coverage but i think he can be a playmaker & kind of guy that eventually developes complete game & can run, hit & cover... the kind of safety that can be interchangeable with SS & take on some of their responsibilities... just like chaous is versatile & could play some FS if needed, though i dond't know if he has same range as when he was CB earlier in career with cards (ARI)...

with interchangeable safeties, in theory it is harder for defense to iso them & exploit weaknesses of one or the other (or both ) in run support & coverage.

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Solid report, Bob. Thanks. I got him on the cheap...C-H-E-A-P in an initial Zealots draft and it looks like he might have some decent value. Good stuff.

 

[Pick]

From the Post-Dispatch

Defensive ends Leonard Little and Anthony Hargrove are expected to regain their jobs, Pisa Tinoisamoa isn't likely to be uprooted at strongside linebacker, and third-year pro Brandon Chillar appears to have the edge at weakside linebacker. The seven other spots could be filled with new starters by opening day - Sept. 2 vs. Denver.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oshiomogho Atogwe...any word on that guy?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I nearly posted the same question earlier this day. I think a lot of folks are waiting on this guy.

 

[5Rings]

Any word on if Alston will be playin SS or WLB?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Any word on if Alston will be playin SS or WLB?

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From the Rams post-draft news conferences...stlouisrams.com

Not long after the selection of Wroten, the Rams added Stanford linebacker/safety Jon Alston with the 77th choice in the draft. Alston became a favorite of the Rams’ coaching staff at the scouting combine in February.

One year after taking safety Oshiomogho Atogwe in the third round, the Rams grabbed another Cardinal defensive back in the same round. Alston played linebacker for Stanford, but Linehan said he will likely begin his NFL career as a safety.

More than anything, though, Alston should be able to contribute on special teams from day one.

“Where I see him is someday being a superstar on special teams,” Linehan said. “I think he will be one of those guys that makes a bigger impact initially in that area and then works his way on the field on special downs and third downs.”

Alston doesn’t much care where he plays so long as he is given an opportunity to help out. Considering his intelligence (he was a bio-medical research intern) and athletic ability (he ran a 4.63 in the 40), he should have no problem helping out.

“I think I can do a little bit of both,” Alston said. “I’ll do whatever any team ask me to do and I think I can do it equally well because that is the kind of person that I am, the way that I prepare.  Whatever it is, I am a defensive player first and I play football.  You can stick me at corner and I will make plays for you.”

 

[5Rings]

Thanks Jene.

 

[RAPTURE]

Here's a player to keep an eye on this year. With a lack of quality LB's in front of him (with an exception of Witherspoon), the sky is the limit for this young stud.

Rams | Atogwe listed as first-team free safety

Mon, 15 May 2006 00:12:06 -0700

Bill Coats, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports St. Louis Rams FS O.J. Atogwe is listed as the team's first-team free safety. Atogwe said, "It's an honor, definitely something I'm proud of. But it doesn't stop there. I've still got to prove that I deserve that spot."

RAPTURE

 

[Tick]

Any word on if Alston will be playin SS or WLB?

From the Rams post-draft news conferences...stlouisrams.com

Not long after the selection of Wroten, the Rams added Stanford linebacker/safety Jon Alston with the 77th choice in the draft. Alston became a favorite of the Rams’ coaching staff at the scouting combine in February.

One year after taking safety Oshiomogho Atogwe in the third round, the Rams grabbed another Cardinal defensive back in the same round. Alston played linebacker for Stanford, but Linehan said he will likely begin his NFL career as a safety.

More than anything, though, Alston should be able to contribute on special teams from day one.

“Where I see him is someday being a superstar on special teams,” Linehan said. “I think he will be one of those guys that makes a bigger impact initially in that area and then works his way on the field on special downs and third downs.”

Alston doesn’t much care where he plays so long as he is given an opportunity to help out. Considering his intelligence (he was a bio-medical research intern) and athletic ability (he ran a 4.63 in the 40), he should have no problem helping out.

“I think I can do a little bit of both,” Alston said. “I’ll do whatever any team ask me to do and I think I can do it equally well because that is the kind of person that I am, the way that I prepare. Whatever it is, I am a defensive player first and I play football. You can stick me at corner and I will make plays for you.”

Sounds like Chavous is holding down the SS spot for one season before Alston takes over the Archuleta role.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

the latest i heard was alston was assigned number in 90s (LB number), & now looks like he will be backing up tino instead of chavous...

tino in contract year, so he could conceivable start in 2007...

he also might see field in blitz situatons as he was one of fastest LBs at combine (ran a 4.4, along with manny lawson & thomas howard)...

 

[Jene Bramel]

this is odd... it does come from STL local paper, but it contradicts what i thought... that tino is WLB & chillar has slight edge over raonall smith at SLB (i may be correcting STL team report )...

tino struggles to stay aboove 220 & is already one of smaller WLBs in league... he did play SLB his second year, but i think WIL is the better fit... chillar is more big & hulking & not nearly as explosive & i think would be better fit at SLB...

the hint that they may be mistaken is when they mentioned that tino not likely to be "uprooted"... this would connote that he played there last year & was incumbent, but he played WLB last season?

thanx for bringing this to my attention, jene, in case there is something to it, but i believe it is mistaken...

who dat, atogwe is favorite to start at FS next to chavous at SS, but it will be played out in camp & pre-season...

Proving the points Bob made above correct...Looks like Tino is the WLB and Atogwe the FS.

From GridironGateway posted on Scout.com

*Is linebacker Brandon Chillar recovered from shoulder problems?

Yes. Chillar worked with the first unit at strong-side linebacker, with Raonall Smith No. 2. Other linebacking notes had Jamal Brooks at middle linebacker with the second unit because Trev Faulk remains sidelined with a back problem. Dexter Coakley, back from a broken leg suffered last season, was with the second team at weak-side linebacker.

*How deep is Travis Fisher in the doghouse, and is Jerametrius Butler ready to compete?

Maybe not as deep as suspected. Fisher was the left cornerback with the first team, while Fakhir Brown was on the right corner. Jerametrius Butler is said to be healthy, but did not participate as a precaution.

*Who is the leader at free safety?

It remains O.J. Atogwe. Jerome Carter worked with the No. 2 unit. The No. 2 strong safety was Dwaine Carpenter, who joined the team late last season after having experience with the 49ers.

 

[DonFue]

I love Atogwe in a Haslett-led defense. Aside from his stint in Pitt he has run MLB- and S-Friendly defenses. The SS and FS will be interchangable but, more importantly, the action in funneled to the middle of the field.

Alston should be on the field...he needs to put on some weight (if he can) but he is already solid and with guys like Chillar, Coakley, R. Smith and Trev Faulk in front of him...late bloomer for 2006!

 

[Pick]

Good to hear on Atogwe. I drafted him and B. Ruud (TB) and I know they need time but it's tough to sit on guys when there is zero news out about them.

 

[lord_helmet]

Any word on how Victor Adeyanju is doing in camp ?

 

[Pick]

CB Butler Waiting To Get Healthy.

 

[Pick]

CB Fisher Fit and Looking Good.

 

[Weiner Dog]

CB Fisher Fit and Looking Good.

Fisher better be looking good. If Butler is healthy and Hill plays like he can play, Fisher will be a glorified nickle-CB.Thanks for the continuous updates, Pick!