Game 7: Packers at Rams - NOON - FOX

Post #1 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:47 pm

Here are today's inactives:

PACKERS
•RB Johnny White
•CB Sam Shields
•LB Nick Perry
•OL Greg Van Roten
•WR Greg Jennings
•NT B.J. Raji

Here are the lineup changes:
•James Jones for Jennings
•Ryan Pickett for Raji
•Jerel Worthy for Pickett
•Erik Walden for Perry
•Casey Hayward for Shields

Post #2 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:48 pm

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

WEAK OUTSIDE: Former Chief Barry Richardson is at RT for the Rams. "His reactions are slow when people come off his edge," one personnel man said. "He's a big guy. That helps him. If he can get his hands on people he can lock them out. He has a little bit of a chance to survive there. But he lacks toughness, and he's slow." Starting LT Rodger Saffold (knee) is out and it's unclear if backup Wayne Hunter (back) will play. If not, former Raiders backup Joe Barksdale would start. "Hunter has a short fuse," the scout said. "He tries to just muscle you or bull you. Hands aren't very quick, and this is your left tackle you're talking about. This is crazy. I would think they could move (Clay) Matthews to either side and he should have a pretty good day. But he's got to play to his ability, not theirs."

QUITE A PAIR: The great Steven Jackson is job-sharing for the first time. He has 89 carries compared to 47 for rookie Daryl Richardson. "Jackson is a downhill, inside force player with size and strength," one scout said. "Then Richardson comes in and is an immediate threat as an outside runner. Once he comes in you feel his speed, quickness and explosion." In five games against the Packers (the Rams are 1-4), Jackson has carried 100 times for 494 yards and one TD. He also has 18 receptions for 157. "When he was rolling, man, he was tough to handle," another scout said. "But even on his best gains he always seems to come out of it with a nick. He certainly is the key to them having any success. If he doesn't get rolling they become so one-dimensional too quickly. He just can't pound and pound all game anymore." The Rams drafted RB Isaiah Pead in the second round this year and Richardson in the seventh, but Pead has yet to carry. "Richardson is a little bit of lightning," one scout said. "He is tough for his size. It's a nice little changeup for them."

THIRD SEASON: QB Sam Bradford, the top pick in the 2010 draft, is off to a solid start. "He's the type of guy you can actually root for because ever since he's been in the league he's always had horrible protection," one scout said. "He's never really had a legitimate offensive line. Consequently, he has taken some hits and had some injuries trying to survive. He is a little bit more mobile than people give him credit for. He can run if he has to, but his mind-set is that of a true dropback quarterback. He's extremely smart in terms of decision-making. He has a nice touch down the field. He can make all the throws if given time. Unfortunately, he rarely has the time."

TOP PICKS: Since making DE Chris Long their first-round pick in 2008, the Rams also have used first-round choices on DE Robert Quinn (2011) and DT Michael Brockers (2012). All three start. "Quinn is greatly improved from last year," one scout said. "He's long, quick and fast. He's learning on the job how to use his hands and play with better technique. He has a good first step. He can bend. He can turn his hips around the edge. He doesn't have a great array of moves, but his speed-rush presence is a lot to handle for any tackle. . .. Brockers is a factor against the inside run. He's got natural strength and power. He is also raw. He's not a real factor on the pass rush. He can push the pocket as a bull rusher but he's not a real threat on the edge to win with moves. Surprisingly, against double teams he will give up some ground. It's not a lack of power. A lot of that is fundamental."

UP AND DOWN: Rookie Janoris Jenkins, the seventh pick in the second round, has started all six games at right cornerback. "You almost have to make the comparison to 'Pacman' (Jones) because of their sordid backgrounds," one scout said. "This kid has a lot of God-given athleticism, but he is an undisciplined player. He's a feast or famine guy. He's also inconsistent as a tackler. There are times he wants to mix it up and times he wants no part of it. You almost want to run at him. Guesses a lot. In the Arizona game he was covering Larry Fitzgerald. Larry threw his head toward the sideline and Janoris just sat on it. He just flat stopped his feet. Larry went straight up the middle. They didn't throw the ball to him, but that's the type of stuff J.J. does. Just so undisciplined. He watches a receiver's head, not his belt."

Turk Nowitzki · Post #3 » by **Turk Nowitzki** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:57 pm

For some reason I think this will be a close game. Hopefully we can build some offensive consistency on our performance from last week though.

crkone · Post #4 » by **crkone** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:22 pm

We get Barksdale on the left side of the OL today. Lol

BigDee · Post #5 » by **BigDee** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:34 pm

Claymaker is going to eat him up.

Post #6 » by **jr lucosa** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:37 pm

I'm excited to see Devon House back in action.

Post #7 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:46 pm

Bill Vinovich is the ref

MikeIsGood · Post #8 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:56 pm

Sam Rosen looks like the Penguin.

Go Pack.

Marley2Hendrix · Post #9 » by **Marley2Hendrix** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:57 pm

jr lucosa wrote:I'm excited to see Devon House back in action.

yep, hoped to see him get quite a bit of action. Sounds like Heyward will start in base, Jennings will be doing quite a bit in nickel, so may only see house in dime... given the state of STL's wr unit, not sure how much dime will be necessary.

Don't think this will be a loss, but more anxious about this game than last week given the nature/mentality of this team and how competitive STL played us last year.

emunney · Post #10 » by **emunney** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:57 pm

I don't think Clay has ever played down to inferior talent. He has one speed.

Marley2Hendrix · Post #11 » by **Marley2Hendrix** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:01 pm

emunney wrote:I don't think Clay has ever played down to inferior talent. He has one speed.

yep, the clay/tackle situation is really the one factor that makes me think this team can't lose barring an insane amount of turnovers/penalties.

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #12 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:02 pm

Let's get over .500 today.

darklotus66 · Post #13 » by **darklotus66** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:03 pm

How often do dome teams wear white at home?

Aaron It Out · Post #14 » by **Aaron It Out** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:04 pm

Way to go Hawk

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #15 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:04 pm

Hawk gonna Hawk.

Marley2Hendrix · Post #16 » by **Marley2Hendrix** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:06 pm

Btw, minimal chance, but given Darryl Richardson/Peade, today could be a chance for Steven Jax to catch the eyes of Packers brass even if that isn't how we operate. Despite less than eye-popping numbers, Jackson has been running hard, still has burst, and, by random chance, has had a few long carries wiped clean due to penalties.

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #17 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:07 pm

There we go. Hopefully the O gets something going on their opening drive, something they've struggled with this year.

BUCKnation · Post #18 » by **BUCKnation** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:07 pm

darklotus66 wrote:How often do dome teams wear white at home?

Not many teams do it. I know the Cowboys always wear white at home, but I didnt think any other teams did it.

crkone · Post #19 » by **crkone** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:07 pm

Someone was wide open to the right of the field. Bradford needs like .5 of a second more.

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #20 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:08 pm

Marley2Hendrix wrote:Btw, minimal chance, but given Darryl Richardson/Peade, today could be a chance for Steven Jax to catch the eyes of Packers brass even if that isn't how we operate. Despite less than eye-popping numbers, Jackson has been running hard, still has burst, and, by random chance, has had a few long carries wiped clean due to penalties.

Normally I'm against trading for vet RBs, but SJax is one guy I would love to see in a Packers uniform.